<PAGE>1
As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 25, 1995
Securities Act File No.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-07371
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [x]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [x]
Amendment No. [ ]
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
........................................ ..................
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 878-0600
Mr. Eugene P. Grace
Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
.........................................
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Rose F. DiMartino, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
One Citicorp Center
153 East 53rd Street
New York, New York 10022-4677
<PAGE>2
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Proposed
Title of Securities Amount Being Proposed Maximum Offering Maximum Aggregate Offering Amount of Registration
Being Registered Registered Price per Unit Price Fee
------------------- ------------ ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <S> <S> <S>
Shares of
beneficial
interest, $.001 par
value per share Indefinite* Indefinite* Indefinite* $500
</TABLE>
____________________
* An indefinite number of shares of common stock of the Registrant is being
registered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such
date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or
until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the
Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>3
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND, INC.
FORM N-1A
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Heading for the Common Shares
Part A and the Advisor Shares
Item No. Prospectuses
-------- -----------------------------
1. Cover Page . . . . . . . Cover Page
2. Synopsis . . . . . . . . The Fund's Expenses
3. Condensed Financial
Information . . . . . . Financial Highlights
4. General Description of
Registrant . . . . . . . Cover Page; Investment
Objective and Policies;
Investment Guidelines;
General Information
5. Management of the Fund . Management of the Fund
6. Capital Stock and Other
Securities . . . . . . . Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes; Management of the
Funds; General Information
7. Purchase of Securities
Being Offered . . . . . How to Purchase Shares;
Management of the Fund
8. Redemption or Repurchase How to Redeem and Exchange
Shares
9. Legal Proceedings . . . Not applicable
<PAGE>4
Part B Statement of Additional
Item No. Information Heading
-------- -----------------------
10. Cover Page . . . . . . . Cover Page
11. Table of Contents . . . Table of Contents
12. General Information and
History . . . . . . . . Management of the Fund;
Notes to Financial Statements;
See Prospectuses--"General
Information"
13. Investment Objectives and
Policies . . . . . . . . Investment Objective;
Investment Policies
14. Management of the
Registrant . . . . . . . Management of the Fund; See
Prospectuses--"Management of
the Fund"
15. Control Persons and
Principal Holders of
Securities . . . . . . . Management of the Fund;
Miscellaneous; See
Prospectuses -- "General
Information"
16. Investment Advisory and
Other Services . . . . . Management of the Fund; See
Prospectuses--"Management of
the Fund" and "Shareholder
Servicing"
17. Brokerage Allocation . . Investment Objective;
Investment Policies
18. Capital Stock and Other
Securities . . . . . . . Management of the Fund-- See
Prospectuses -- "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" and
"General Information"
19. Purchase, Redemption and
Pricing of Securities
Being Offered . . . . . Additional Purchase and
Redemption Information; See
Prospectuses--"How to Purchase
Shares," "How to Redeem and
Exchange Shares" and "Net
Asset Value"
<PAGE>5
Part B Statement of Additional
Item No. Information Heading
-------- -----------------------
20. Tax Status . . . . . . . Additional Information
Concerning Taxes; See
Prospectuses--"Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes"
21. Underwriters . . . . . . Management of the Fund; See
Prospectuses--"Management of
the Fund" and "Shareholder
Servicing"
22. Calculation of
Performance Data . . . . Determination of Performance
23. Financial Statements . . Report of Independent
Auditors; Financial Statement
Part C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth after the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
DECEMBER 29, 1995
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 25, 1995
WARBURG PINCUS FUNDS
P.O. BOX 9030
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02205-9030
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (800) 888-6878
December 29, 1995
PROSPECTUS
Warburg Pincus Funds are a family of open-end mutual funds that offer investors
a variety of investment opportunities. One fund is described in this Prospectus:
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
principally in equity securities of Japanese issuers.
International investing entails special risk considerations, including currency
fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic instability, political uncertainty and
differences in accounting methods. See 'Risk Factors and Special
Considerations.'
NO LOAD CLASS OF COMMON SHARES
The Fund offers two classes of shares. A class of Common Shares that is 'no
load' is offered by this Prospectus (i) directly from the Fund's distributor,
Counsellors Securities Inc., and (ii) through various brokerage firms including
Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. Mutual Fund OneSource'tm' Program; Fidelity
Brokerage Services, Inc. FundsNetwork'tm' Program; Jack White & Company, Inc.;
and Waterhouse Securities, Inc. Common Shares are subject to a 12b-1 fee of .25%
per annum.
LOW MINIMUM INVESTMENT
The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $2,500 ($500 for an IRA or Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act account) and the minimum subsequent investment is $100.
Through the Automatic Monthly Investment Plan, subsequent investment minimums
may be as low as $50. See 'How to Purchase Shares.'
This Prospectus briefly sets forth certain information about the Fund that
investors should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the
Fund, contained in a Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and is available to investors
without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614. Information
regarding the status of shareholder accounts may be obtained by calling Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878. The Statement of Additional Information bears
the same date as this Prospectus and is incorporated by reference in its
entirety into this Prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT
BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE
ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR
SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S EXPENSES
The Fund currently offers two separate classes of shares: Common Shares and
Advisor Shares. For a description of Advisor Shares see 'General Information'
and 'Shareholder Servicing.' Common Shares pay the Fund's distributor a 12b-1
fee. See 'Management of the Fund -- Distributor.'
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)........................... 0
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waivers) (as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees....................................................................................... 1.05%'D'
12b-1 Fees............................................................................................ .25%
Other Expenses........................................................................................ .70%'D'
----
Total Fund Operating Expenses......................................................................... 2.00%
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year................................................................................................ $ 20
3 years............................................................................................... $ 63
</TABLE>
- ------------
'D' Estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year after the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers.
The expense table shows the costs and expenses that an investor will bear
directly or indirectly as a Common Shareholder of the Fund. 'Other Expenses' are
based on estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year. Absent the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator, Management Fees would equal 1.25%, Other Expenses would equal
.75% and Total Fund Operating Expenses would equal 2.25%; the investment adviser
and co-administrator are under no obligation to continue these waivers. Certain
broker-dealers and financial institutions also may charge their clients fees in
connection with investments in Common Shares, which fees are not reflected in
the table. The Example should not be considered a representation of past or
future expenses; actual Fund expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
Moreover, while the Example assumes a 5% annual return, the Fund's actual
performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. Long-
term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charges permitted by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the 'NASD').
2
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. This
objective is a fundamental policy and may not be amended without first obtaining
the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any investment
involves risk and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment objective. See 'Certain Investment Strategies' for
descriptions of certain types of investments the Fund may make.
The Fund, which is a non-diversified management investment company, pursues
its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of Japanese issuers
that present attractive opportunities for growth. Under current market
conditions the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets -- but
will invest no less than 65% of its assets under normal market conditions -- in
common and preferred stocks, warrants and other rights, securities convertible
into or exchangeable for common stocks and American Depository Receipts ('ADRs')
of Japanese issuers.
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser
('Warburg'), believes that Japanese industry is in the process of deregulation
and restructuring. The Fund is designed to provide an opportunity to participate
in the dynamic structural changes in the Japanese industrial system through
investment in higher growth companies that can be expected to benefit from these
changes. The Fund will seek to identify and invest in Japanese issuers that are
showing or are expected to show a rapid or high rate of growth in comparison to
Japanese or non-Japanese companies in the same industry. The Fund will also
invest in Japanese companies that Warburg believes are undervalued in comparison
to comparable non-Japanese companies, based on price/earnings ratios and other
factors.
Unlike the Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund, which invests primarily in
over-the-counter securities, the Fund may invest in companies of any size,
whether traded on an exchange or over-the-counter. Currently, there are eight
exchanges in Japan -- the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka,
Niigata and Sapporo exchanges -- and two over-the-counter markets -- JASDAQ and
the Japanese Second Section OTC Market (the 'Frontier Market'). The Fund
considers Japanese issuers to be (i) companies (A) organized under the laws of
Japan, or (B) whose principal business activities are conducted in Japan and
which derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or
sold, investments made, or services performed in Japan, or have at least 50% of
their assets in one or more such countries, or (C) which have issued securities
which are traded principally in Japan, and (ii) Japanese governmental entities
or political subdivisions. Determinations as to the eligibility of issuers under
the foregoing definition will be made by Warburg based on publicly available
information and inquiries made to the companies. The portion of the Fund's
assets not invested in Japanese issuers may be invested in securities of other
Asian issuers. The Fund does not intend to invest in securities of non-Asian
issuers, except that the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest
without limit in short-and intermediate-term debt securities and money market
instruments of issuers throughout the world and in other securities of U.S.
issuers. From time to time, the Fund may hedge part or all of its exposure to
the Japanese yen, thereby reducing or substantially eliminating any favorable or
unfavorable impact of changes in the value of the yen in relation to the U.S.
dollar.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
investment grade debt securities (other than money market obligations) for the
purpose of seeking capital appreciation. The interest income to be derived may
be considered as one factor in selecting debt securi-
3
<PAGE>
ties for investment by Warburg. Because the market value of debt obligations can
be expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates, investing
in debt obligations may provide an opportunity for capital appreciation when
interest rates are expected to decline. The success of such a strategy is
dependent upon Warburg's ability to accurately forecast changes in interest
rates. The market value of debt obligations may also be expected to vary
depending upon, among other factors, the ability of the issuer to repay
principal and interest, any change in investment rating and general economic
conditions. A security will be deemed to be investment grade if it is rated
within the four highest grades by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's') or
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ('S&P') or, if unrated, is determined to be of
comparable quality by Warburg. Bonds rated in the fourth highest grade may have
speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade bonds. Subsequent to
its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund.
Neither event will require sale of such securities. Warburg will consider such
event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to hold the
securities.
MONEY MARKET OBLIGATIONS. The Fund is authorized to invest, under normal market
conditions, up to 20% of its total assets in domestic and foreign short-term
(one year or less remaining to maturity) and medium-term (five years or less
remaining to maturity) money market obligations and for temporary defensive
purposes may invest in these securities without limit. These instruments consist
of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or a foreign
government, their agencies or instrumentalities; bank obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances of domestic or
foreign banks, domestic savings and loans and similar institutions) that are
high quality investments or, if unrated, deemed by Warburg to be high quality
investments; commercial paper rated no lower than A-2 by S&P or Prime-2 by
Moody's or the equivalent from another major rating service or, if unrated, of
an issuer having an outstanding, unsecured debt issue then rated within the
three highest rating categories; and repurchase agreements with respect to the
foregoing.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreement
transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and certain
non-bank dealers. Repurchase agreements are contracts under which the buyer of a
security simultaneously commits to resell the security to the seller at an
agreed-upon price and date. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement,
the Fund would acquire any underlying security for a relatively short period
(usually not more than one week) subject to an obligation of the seller to
repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and
time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund's holding period. This
arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market
fluctuations during the Fund's holding period. The value of the underlying
securities will at all times be at least equal to the total amount of the
purchase obligation, including interest. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the
event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations
or becomes bankrupt and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its
right to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible
decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the
Fund seeks to assert this right. Warburg, acting under the supervision of the
Fund's Board of Directors (the 'Board'), monitors the creditworthiness of those
bank and non-bank dealers with which the Fund enters into repur-
4
<PAGE>
chase agreements to evaluate this risk. A repurchase agreement is considered to
be a loan under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act').
Money Market Mutual Funds. Where Warburg believes that it would be
beneficial to the Fund and appropriate considering the factors of return and
liquidity, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities of money
market mutual funds that are unaffiliated with the Fund or Warburg. As a
shareholder in any mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of the
mutual fund's expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to
payment of the Fund's administration fees and other expenses with respect to
assets so invested.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. government securities in which the Fund may
invest include: direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and obligations issued
by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including instruments that
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities in which the Fund may invest,
including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be
converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of
common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities enable an investor
to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Convertible securities provide higher yields than the underlying equity
securities, but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to
changes in interest rates like bonds and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to
the underlying common stock.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
JAPANESE INVESTMENTS. Investing in Japanese securities may involve the risks
described below associated with investing in foreign securities generally. In
addition, because the Fund invests primarily in Japan, the Fund will be subject
to general economic and political conditions in Japan. The Fund should be
considered a vehicle for diversification, but the Fund itself is not
diversified.
Securities in Japan are denominated and quoted in 'yen.' Yen are fully
convertible and transferable based on floating exchange rates into all
currencies, without administrative or legal restrictions for both non-residents
and residents of Japan. In determining the net asset value of shares of the
Fund, assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of Japanese yen will be
translated into U.S. dollars at the current selling rate of Japanese yen against
U.S. dollars. As a result, in the absence of a successful currency hedge, the
value of the Fund's assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably
or unfavorably by fluctuations in the value of Japanese yen relative to the U.S.
dollar.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports provide the
means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import. Because of the
concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible products such as
automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, and the large trade surpluses
ensuing therefrom, Japan has entered a difficult phase in its relations with its
trading partners, particularly with respect to the United States, with whom the
trade imbalance is the greatest.
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. In 1993 a coalition
government was formed which, for the first time since 1955, did
not include the Liberal Democratic Party. Since mid-1993, there have been
several changes in leadership in Japan. What, if any, effect the
5
<PAGE>
current political situation will have on prospective regulatory reforms on the
economy in Japan cannot be predicted. Recent and future developments in Japan
and neighboring Asian countries may lead to changes in policy that might
adversely affect the Fund's investing there.
The decline in the Japanese securities markets since 1989 has contributed
to a weakness in the Japanese economy, and the impact of a further decline
cannot be ascertained. The common stocks of many Japanese companies continue to
trade at high price-earnings ratios in comparison with those in the United
States, even after the recent market decline. Differences in accounting methods
make it difficult to compare the earnings of Japanese companies with those of
companies in other countries, especially the United States.
The Fund's assets may be invested in securities traded through JASDAQ.
JASDAQ traded securities can be volatile, which may result in the Fund's net
asset value fluctuating in response. Trading of equity securities through the
JASDAQ market is conducted by securities firms in Japan, primarily through an
organization which acts as a 'matching agent,' as opposed to a recognized stock
exchange. Consequently, securities traded through JASDAQ may, from time to time,
and especially in falling markets, become illiquid and experience short-term
price volatility and wide spreads between bid and offer prices. This combination
of limited liquidity and price volatility may have an adverse effect on the
Fund's investments traded through JASDAQ. In periods of rapid price increases,
the limited liquidity of JASDAQ may restrict the Fund's ability to adjust its
portfolio quickly in order to take full advantage of a significant market
increase, and conversely, during periods of rapid price declines, it may
restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of securities quickly in order to
realize gains previously made or to limit losses on securities held in its
portfolio. In addition, although JASDAQ has generally experienced sustained
growth in aggregate market capitalization and trading volume, there have been
periods in which aggregate market capitalization and trading volume have
declined. The Frontier Market is expected to present greater liquidity,
volatility and trading considerations than JASDAQ.
At December 31, 1994, 581 issues were traded through JASDAQ, having an
aggregate market capitalization in excess of 14 trillion yen (approximately
$[134] billion as of December , 1995). The entry requirements for JASDAQ
generally require a minimum of 2 million shares outstanding at the time of
registration, a minimum of 200 shareholders, minimum pre-tax profits of 10 yen
(approximately $.10 as of December , 1995) per share over the prior fiscal
year and net worth of 200 million yen (approximately $1.92 million as of
December , 1995). JASDAQ has generally attracted small growth companies or
companies whose major shareholders wish to sell only a small portion of the
company's equity.
The Frontier Market is under the jurisdiction of JASDAQ, which is overseen
by the Japanese Securities and Exchange Commission. The Frontier Market has less
stringent entry requirements than those described above for JASDAQ and is
designed to enable early stage companies access to capital markets. Frontier
Market companies need not have a history of earnings, provided their spending on
research and development equals at least 3% of revenues. In addition, companies
traded through the Frontier Market are not required to have 2 million shares
outstanding at the time of registration. As a result, investments in companies
traded through the Frontier Market may involve a greater degree of risk than
investments in companies traded through JASDAQ. As of the date of this
Prospectus, there were not yet any registrations on the Frontier Market, but the
first registrations are expected to be effective in November 1995. For
additional information, see 'Japan and its
6
<PAGE>
Securities Markets,' beginning at page of the Statement of Additional
Information.
EMERGING GROWTH AND SMALL COMPANIES. Investing in common stocks and securities
convertible into common stocks is subject to the inherent risk of fluctuations
in the prices of such securities. Investing in securities of emerging growth
companies, which may include JASDAQ and Frontier Market securities, may involve
greater risks since these securities may have limited marketability and, thus,
may be more volatile. In addition, small- and medium-sized companies are
typically subject to a greater degree of changes in earnings and business
prospects than are larger, more established companies. Because small- and
medium-sized companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger
companies, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant
amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. There
is typically less publicly available information concerning small- and
medium-sized companies than for larger, more established ones. Although
investing in securities of emerging growth companies offers potential for
above-average returns if the companies are successful, the risk exists that the
companies will not succeed and the prices of the companies' shares could
significantly decline in value. Therefore, an investment in the Fund may involve
a greater degree of risk than an investment in other mutual funds that seek
growth of capital by investing in better-known, larger companies. For certain
additional risks relating to the Fund's investments, see 'Portfolio Investments'
beginning at page 3 and 'Certain Investment Strategies' beginning at page 8.
EMERGING MARKETS. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in less
developed Asian countries considered to be 'emerging markets.' Investing in
securities of issuers located in emerging markets involves not only the risks
described below, with respect to investing in foreign securities, but also other
risks, including exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse
and mature than, and to political systems that can be expected to have less
stability than, those of developed countries. Other characteristics of emerging
markets that may affect investment there include certain national policies that
may restrict investment by foreigners in issuers or industries deemed sensitive
to relevant national interests and the absence of developed legal structures
governing private and foreign investments and private property. The typically
small size of the markets for securities of issuers located in emerging markets
and the possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading in those
securities may also result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility of
those securities.
INVESTMENTS IN NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES. Although the Fund expects to
invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities, the Fund may invest up to
10% of its assets in non-publicly traded equity securities, which may involve a
high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.
Because of the absence of any liquid trading market currently for these
investments, the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be
the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold
in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be
less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities
are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor
protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly
traded. The Fund's investment in illiquid securities is subject to the risk that
should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not
available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the
value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected. The Fund's
limitation on illiquid securities excludes Rule 144A Securities (discussed
below) determined by the Board to be liquid.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment
company under the
7
<PAGE>
1940 Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the
proportion of its assets that it may invest in the obligations of a single
issuer. The Fund will, however, comply with diversification requirements imposed
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), for qualification
as a regulated investment company. As a non-diversified investment company, the
Fund may invest a greater proportion of its assets in the obligations of a small
number of issuers and, as a result, may be subject to greater risk with respect
to portfolio securities. To the extent that the Fund assumes large positions in
the securities of a small number of issuers, its return may fluctuate to a
greater extent than that of a diversified company as a result of changes in the
financial condition or in the market's assessment of the issuers.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND
TURNOVER RATE
The Fund will attempt to purchase securities with the intent of holding
them for investment but may purchase and sell portfolio securities whenever
Warburg believes it to be in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund will not
consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment
decisions consistent with its investment objective and policies. It is not
possible to predict the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. However, it is
anticipated that the Fund's annual turnover rate should not exceed 100%. High
portfolio turnover rates (100% or more) may result in dealer mark ups or
underwriting commissions as well as other transaction costs, including
correspondingly higher brokerage commissions. In addition, short-term gains
realized from portfolio turnover may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes' below and 'Investment
Policies -- Portfolio Transactions' in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
All orders for transactions in securities or options on behalf of the Fund
are placed by Warburg with broker-dealers that it selects, including Counsellors
Securities Inc., the Fund's distributor ('Counsellors Securities'). The Fund may
utilize Counsellors Securities in connection with a purchase or sale of
securities when Warburg believes that the charge for the transaction does not
exceed usual and customary levels and when doing so is consistent with
guidelines adopted by the Board.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Although there is no intention of doing so during the coming year, the Fund
is authorized to engage in the following investment strategies: (i) purchasing
securities on a when-issued basis and purchasing or selling securities for
delayed delivery, (ii) lending portfolio securities and (iii) entering into
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Detailed information concerning
the Fund's strategies and related risks is contained below and in the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund will ordinarily hold no less than 65% of its total
assets in Japanese securities. There are certain risks involved in investing in
securities of companies and governments of foreign nations which are in addition
to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks include those
resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, revaluation of
currencies, future adverse political and economic developments and the possible
imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or
restrictions, reduced availability of public information concerning issuers, the
lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and other
regulatory practices and requirements that are often generally less rigorous
than those applied in the United States. Moreover, securities of many foreign
companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Certain foreign countries are known to
experience long delays
8
<PAGE>
between the trade and settlement dates of securities purchased or sold. In
addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and limitations on the use
or removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, including the withholding of
dividends. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign government taxes that
would reduce the net yield on such securities. Moreover, individual foreign
economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions.
Investment in foreign securities will also result in higher operating expenses
due to the cost of converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars, the payment of
fixed brokerage commissions on foreign exchanges, which generally are higher
than commissions on U.S. exchanges, higher valuation and communications costs
and the expense of maintaining securities with foreign custodians.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act'), but that can be
sold to 'qualified institutional buyers' in accordance with Rule 144A under the
1933 Act ('Rule 144A Securities'). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be
considered illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund's limitation on the
purchase of illiquid securities, unless the Board determines on an ongoing basis
that an adequate trading market exists for the security. In addition to an
adequate trading market, the Board will also consider factors such as trading
activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant
information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity
in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become
uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The Board will
carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A Securities. The Board
may adopt guidelines and delegate to Warburg the daily function of determining
and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A Securities, although the Board will
retain ultimate responsibility for any determination regarding liquidity.
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. At the discretion of Warburg, the
Fund may, but is not required to, engage in a number of strategies involving
options, futures and forward currency contracts. These strategies, commonly
referred to as 'derivatives,' may be used (i) for the purpose of hedging against
a decline in value of the Fund's current or anticipated portfolio holdings, (ii)
as a substitute for purchasing or selling portfolio securities or (iii) to seek
to generate income to offset expenses or increase return. TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE
NOT CONSIDERED HEDGING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE AND MAY SERVE TO
INCREASE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT RISK. Transaction costs and any premiums
associated with these strategies, and any losses incurred, will affect the
Fund's net asset value and performance. Therefore, an investment in the Fund may
involve a greater risk than an investment in other mutual funds that do not
utilize these strategies. The Fund's use of these strategies may be limited by
position and exercise limits established by securities exchanges and the NASD
and by the Code.
Securities and Stock Index Options. The Fund may write put and call options
on up to 25% of the net asset value of the stock and debt securities in its
portfolio and will realize fees (referred to as 'premiums') for granting the
rights evidenced by the options; the Fund may also utilize up to 10% of its
assets to purchase options on stocks and debt securities that are traded on U.S.
and foreign exchanges, as well as over-the-counter ('OTC') options. The
purchaser of a put option has the right to compel the purchase by the writer of
the underlying security, while the purchaser of a call option has the right
to purchase the underlying security from the writer. In addition to purchasing
and writing
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<PAGE>
options on securities, the Fund may utilize up to 10% of its total assets to
purchase exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on stock indexes, and may
also write such options. A stock index measures the movement of a certain group
of stocks by assigning relative values to the common stocks included in the
index.
The potential loss associated with purchasing an option is limited to the
premium paid, and the premium would partially offset any gains achieved from its
use. However, for an option writer the exposure to adverse price movements in
the underlying security or index is potentially unlimited during the exercise
period. Writing securities options may result in substantial losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or at
less advantageous prices, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund could
realize on its investments or require the Fund to hold securities it would
otherwise sell.
Futures Contracts and Related Options. The Fund may enter into foreign
currency, interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write
(sell) related options that are traded on an exchange designated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the 'CFTC') or, if consistent with CFTC
regulations, on foreign exchanges. These futures contracts are standardized
contracts for the future delivery of foreign currency, an interest rate
sensitive security or, in the case of stock index and certain other futures
contracts, are settled in cash with reference to a specified multiplier times
the change in the specified index, exchange rate or interest rate. An option on
a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in a futures contract.
Aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions other
than those considered by the CFTC to be 'bona fide hedging' will not exceed 5%
of the Fund's net asset value, after taking into account unrealized profits and
unrealized losses on any such contracts.
Currency Exchange Transactions. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange
transactions either (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in
the currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into futures contracts or
options on futures contracts (as described above), (iii) through entering into
forward contracts to purchase or sell currency or (iv) by purchasing
exchange-traded currency options. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price
set at the time of the contract. An option on a foreign currency operates
similarly to an option on a security. Risks associated with currency forward
contracts and purchasing currency options are similar to those described in this
Prospectus for futures contracts and securities and stock index options. In
addition, the use of currency transactions could result in losses from the
imposition of foreign exchange controls, suspension of settlement or other
governmental actions or unexpected events.
Hedging Considerations. The Fund may engage in options, futures and
currency transactions for, among other things, hedging purposes. A hedge is
designed to offset a loss on a portfolio position with a gain in the hedge
position; at the same time, however, a properly correlated hedge will result in
a gain in the portfolio position being offset by a loss in the hedge position.
As a result, the use of options, futures contracts and currency exchange
transactions for hedging purposes could limit any potential gain from an
increase in value of the position hedged. In addition, the movement in the
portfolio position hedged may not be of the same magnitude as movement in the
hedge. The Fund will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed advisable
by Warburg, and successful use of hedging transactions will depend on Warburg's
ability to correctly predict movements in the directions of the hedge and the
hedged position and the correlation between them, which could prove to be
inaccurate. Even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to
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<PAGE>
some degree because of unexpected market behavior or trends.
Additional Considerations. To the extent that the Fund engages in the
strategies described above, the Fund may experience losses greater than if these
strategies had not been utilized. In addition to the risks described above,
these instruments may be illiquid and/or subject to trading limits, and the Fund
may be unable to close out an option or futures position without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. The Fund is also subject to the risk of a default
by a counterparty to a transaction.
Asset Coverage. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory
requirements designed to eliminate any potential for leverage with respect to
options written by the Fund on securities, indexes and currencies; currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and options on these futures
contracts; and forward currency contracts. The use of these strategies may
require that the Fund maintain cash or certain liquid high-grade debt securities
or other assets that are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory
authority in a segregated account with its custodian or a designated
sub-custodian to the extent the Fund's obligations with respect to these
strategies are not otherwise 'covered' through ownership of the underlying
security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by
other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets
cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their
place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a
possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund's assets could
impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or
other current obligations.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX. The Fund may make short sales of its portfolio
holdings if, at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns the
security sold short or owns debt securities convertible or exchangeable, without
payment of further consideration, into the security sold short. Short sales of
this kind are referred to as short sales 'against the box.' The broker-dealer
that executes a short sale generally invests cash proceeds of the sale until
they are paid to the Fund. Arrangements may be made with the broker-dealer to
obtain a portion of the interest earned by the broker on the investment of short
sale proceeds. The Fund will segregate the security sold short or convertible or
exchangeable debt securities in a special account with its custodian. Not more
than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) may be held as
collateral for such sales at any one time. The extent to which the Fund may make
short sales may be limited by the Code.
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities with
contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that are not
readily marketable ('illiquid securities'), including (i) securities issued as
part of a privately negotiated transaction between an issuer and one or more
purchasers; (ii) repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days;
and (iii) time deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days. In addition,
up to 5% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of issuers
which have been in continuous operation for less than three years, and up to an
additional 5% of its total assets may be invested in warrants. The Fund may also
invest up to 5% of its net assets in each of mortgage-backed securities,
asset-backed securities and zero coupon securities. The Fund may borrow from
banks for temporary or emergency purposes, such as meeting anticipated
redemption requests, provided that reverse repurchase agreements and any other
borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 30% of its total assets, and may pledge its
assets to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings. Whenever
borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements)
11
<PAGE>
exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any
investments (including roll-overs). Except for the limitations on borrowing, the
investment guidelines set forth in this paragraph may be changed at any time
without shareholder consent by vote of the Board, subject to the limitations
contained in the 1940 Act. A complete list of investment restrictions that the
Fund has adopted identifying additional restrictions that cannot be changed
without the approval of the majority of the Fund's outstanding shares is
contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER. The Fund employs Warburg as its investment adviser. Warburg,
subject to the control of the Fund's officers and the Board, manages the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and stated investment policies. Warburg makes
investment decisions for the Fund and places orders to purchase or sell
securities on behalf of the Fund. Warburg also employs a support staff of
management personnel to provide services to the Fund and furnishes the Fund with
office space, furnishings and equipment.
For the services provided by Warburg, the Fund pays Warburg a fee
calculated at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Although this advisory fee is higher than that paid by most other investment
companies, including money market and fixed income funds, Warburg believes that
it is comparable to fees charged by other mutual funds with similar policies and
strategies. The advisory agreement between the Fund and Warburg provides that
Warburg will reimburse the Fund to the extent certain expenses that are
described in the Statement of Additional Information exceed applicable state
expense limitations. Warburg and the Fund's co-administrators may voluntarily
waive a portion of their fees from time to time and temporarily limit the
expenses to be borne by the Fund.
Warburg is a professional investment counselling firm which provides
investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowment
funds, foundations and other institutions and individuals. As of November 30,
1995, Warburg managed approximately $ billion of assets, including
approximately $ billion of assets of twenty-three investment companies or
portfolios. Incorporated in 1970, Warburg is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P. ('Warburg G.P.'), a New York general
partnership. E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc. ('EMW') controls Warburg through
its ownership of a class of voting preferred stock of Warburg. Warburg G.P. has
no business other than being a holding company of Warburg and its subsidiaries.
Warburg's address is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER. The portfolio manager of the Fund is Nicholas P. Edwards. Mr.
Edwards has been with Warburg since August 1995, before which time he was a
director at Jardine Fleming Investment Advisers, Tokyo. He was a vice president
of Robert Fleming Inc. in New York City from 1988 to 1991.
CO-ADMINISTRATORS. The Fund employs Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
('Counsellors Service'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, as a co-
administrator. As co-administrator, Counsellors Service provides shareholder
liaison services to the Fund including responding to shareholder inquiries and
providing information on shareholder investments. Counsellors Service also
performs a variety of other services, including furnishing certain executive and
administrative services, acting as liaison between the Fund and its various
service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial services, which include
preparing materials for meetings of the Board, preparing proxy statements and
annual, semiannual and quarterly reports, assisting in other regulatory filings
as necessary and monitoring and develop-
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<PAGE>
ing compliance procedures for the Fund. As compensation, the Fund pays
Counsellors Service a fee calculated at an annual rate of .10% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
Warburg or its affiliates may, at their own expense, provide promotional
incentives to qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the Fund.
Qualified recipients are securities dealers who have sold Fund shares or others,
including banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements. In
some instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions
whose representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected
sale of significant amounts of Fund shares.
The Fund employs PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of PNC Bank Corp., as a co-administrator. As a co-administrator, PFPC calculates
the Fund's net asset value, provides all accounting services for the Fund and
assists in related aspects of the Fund's operations. As compensation the Fund
pays PFPC a fee calculated at an annual rate of .12% of the Fund's first $250
million in average daily net assets, .10% of the next $250 million in average
daily net assets, .08% of the next $250 million in average daily net assets, and
.05% of average daily net assets over $750 million, subject to a minimum annual
fee and exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses. PFPC has its principal offices at
400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT. serves as custodian of the Fund's
assets. State Street Bank and Trust Company ('State Street') acts as shareholder
servicing agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. It
has delegated to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary
('BFDS'), responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions. State
Street's principal business address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. BFDS's principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive,
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.
DISTRIBUTOR. Counsellors Securities serves as distributor of the shares of the
Fund. Counsellors Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg and is
located at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147. Counsellors
Securities receives a fee at an annual rate equal to .25% of the average daily
net assets of the Fund's Common Shares for distribution services, pursuant to a
shareholder servicing and distribution plan (the '12b-1 Plan') adopted by the
Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Amounts paid to Counsellors
Securities under the 12b-1 Plan may be used by Counsellors Securities to cover
expenses that are primarily intended to result in, or that are primarily
attributable to, (i) the sale of the Common Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing
and/or maintenance of the accounts of Common Shareholders of the Fund and (iii)
sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services
related to the sale of the Common Shares, all as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan.
Payments under the 12b-1 Plan are not tied exclusively to the distribution
expenses actually incurred by Counsellors Securities and the payments may exceed
distribution expenses actually incurred. The Board evaluates the appropriateness
of the 12b-1 Plan on a continuing basis and in doing so consider all relevant
factors, including expenses borne by Counsellors Securities and amounts received
under the 12b-1 Plan.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day
operations and are directly responsible to the Board. The Board sets broad
policies for the Fund and choose its officers. A list of the Directors and
officers of the Fund and a brief statement of their present positions and
principal occupations during the past five years is set forth in the Statement
of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In order to invest in the Fund, an investor must first complete and sign an
account application. To obtain an application, an investor may telephone Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614. An investor may also obtain an account
application by writing to:
Warburg Pincus Funds
P.O. Box 9030
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
Completed and signed account applications should be mailed to Warburg
Pincus Funds at the above address.
RETIREMENT PLANS AND UGMA ACCOUNTS. For information about investing in the Fund
through a tax-deferred retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account
('IRA') or a Simplified Employee Pension IRA ('SEP-IRA'), or about opening a
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ('UGMA') account,
an investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 or write to
Warburg Pincus Funds at the address set forth above. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers about the establishment of retirement plans and UGMA
accounts.
CHANGES TO ACCOUNT. For information on how to make changes to an account, an
investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Common Shares of the Fund may be purchased either by mail or, with special
advance instructions, by wire.
BY MAIL. If the investor desires to purchase Common Shares by mail, a check or
money order made payable to the Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds (in U.S. currency)
should be sent along with the completed account application to Warburg Pincus
Funds through its distributor, Counsellors Securities Inc., at the address set
forth above. Checks payable to the investor and endorsed to the order of the
Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds will not be accepted as payment and will be
returned to the sender. If payment is received in proper form before 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on a day that the Fund calculates its net asset value (a
'business day'), the purchase will be made at the Fund's net asset value
calculated at the end of that day. If payment is received after 4:00 p.m., the
purchase will be effected at the Fund's net asset value determined for the next
business day after payment has been received. Checks or money orders that are
not in proper form or that are not accompanied or preceded by a complete account
application will be returned to the sender. Shares purchased by check or money
order are entitled to receive dividends and distributions beginning on the day
after payment has been received. Checks or money orders in payment for shares of
more than one Warburg Pincus Fund should be made payable to Warburg Pincus Funds
and should be accompanied by a breakdown of amounts to be invested in each fund.
If a check used for purchase does not clear, the Fund will cancel the purchase
and the investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred. For a description of
the manner of calculating the Fund's net asset value, see 'Net Asset Value'
below.
BY WIRE. Investors may also purchase Common Shares in the Fund by wiring funds
from their banks. Telephone orders by wire will not be accepted until a
completed account application in proper form has been received and an account
number has been established. Investors should place an order with the Fund prior
to wiring funds by telephoning (800) 888-6878. Federal funds may be wired to
Counsellors Securities Inc. using the following wire address:
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<PAGE>
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02101
ABA# 0110 000 28
Attn: Mutual Funds/Custody Dept.
Warburg Pincus Japan Growth Fund
DDA# 9904-649-2
[Shareowner name]
[Shareowner account number]
If a telephone order is received by the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (the 'NYSE') (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) and payment
by wire is received on the same day in proper form in accordance with
instructions set forth above, the shares will be priced according to the net
asset value of the Fund on that day and are entitled to dividends and
distributions beginning on that day. If payment by wire is received in proper
form by the close of the NYSE without a prior telephone order, the purchase will
be priced according to the net asset value of the Fund on that day and is
entitled to dividends and distributions beginning on that day. However, if a
wire in proper form that is not preceded by a telephone order is received after
the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the payment will be held uninvested
until the order is effected at the close of business on the next business day.
Payment for orders that are not accepted will be returned to the prospective
investor after prompt inquiry. If a telephone order is placed and payment by
wire is not received on the same day, the Fund will cancel the purchase and the
investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred.
The minimum initial investment in each Fund is $2,500 and the minimum
subsequent investment is $100, except that subsequent minimum investments can be
as low as $50 under the Automatic Monthly Investment Plan described in the next
section. For a tax-deferred retirement plan, such as an IRA or an UGMA account,
the minimum initial investment is $500. The Fund reserves the right to change
the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time. In
addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, waive the initial and subsequent
investment minimum requirements with respect to investors who are employees of
EMW or its affiliates or persons with whom Warburg has entered into an
investment advisory agreement. Existing investors will be given 15 days' notice
by mail of any increase in investment minimum requirements.
After an investor has made his initial investment, additional shares may be
purchased at any time by mail or by wire in the manner outlined above. Wire
payments for initial and subsequent investments should be preceded by an order
placed with the Fund and should clearly indicate the investor's account number
and the name of the Fund in which shares are being purchased. In the interest of
economy and convenience, physical certificates representing shares in the Fund
are not normally issued.
The Fund understands that some broker-dealers (other than Counsellors
Securities), financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry
professionals may impose certain conditions on their clients that invest in the
Fund, which are in addition to or different than those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may
charge their clients direct fees. Certain features of the Fund, such as the
initial and subsequent investment minimums, may be modified in these programs,
and administrative charges may be imposed for the services rendered. Therefore,
a client or customer should contact the organization acting on his behalf
concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption
of Fund shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing
his accounts with the organization. These organizations will be responsible for
promptly transmitting client or customer
15
<PAGE>
purchase and redemption orders to the Fund in accordance with their agreements
with clients or customers.
Common Shares are available through the Charles Schwab & Company, Inc.
Mutual Fund OneSource'tm' Program; Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.
Funds-Network'tm' Program; Jack White & Company, Inc.; and Waterhouse
Securities, Inc. Generally, these programs do not require customers to pay a
transaction fee in connection with purchases. These and other organizations
that have entered into agreements with the Fund or its agent may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of customers, with payment to follow no later than
the Fund's pricing on the following business day. If payment is not receive
by such time, the organization could be held liable for resulting fees or
losses.
AUTOMATIC MONTHLY INVESTING. Automatic monthly investing allows shareholders to
authorize the Fund to debit their bank account monthly ($50 minimum) for the
purchase of Fund shares on or about either the tenth or twentieth calendar day
of each month. To establish the automatic monthly investing option, obtain a
separate application or complete the 'Automatic Investment Program' section of
the account applications and include a voided, unsigned check from the bank
account to be debited. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial
institution which is an automated clearing house member may be used.
Shareholders using this service must satisfy the initial investment minimum for
the Fund prior to or concurrent with the start of any Automatic Investment
Program. Please refer to an account application for further information, or
contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 for information or to modify or
terminate the program. Investors should allow a period of up to 30 days in order
to implement an automatic investment program. The failure to provide complete
information could result in further delays.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. An investor in the Fund may redeem (sell) his shares on
any day that the Fund's net asset value is calculated (see 'Net Asset Value'
below).
Common Shares may either be redeemed by mail or by telephone. Investors
should realize that in using the telephone redemption and exchange option, you
may be giving up a measure of security that you may have if you were to redeem
or exchange your shares in writing. If an investor desires to redeem his shares
by mail, a written request for redemption should be sent to Warburg Pincus Funds
at the address indicated above under 'How to Open an Account.' An investor
should be sure that the redemption request identifies the Fund, the number of
shares to be redeemed and the investor's account number. In order to change the
bank account or address designated to receive the redemption proceeds, the
investor must send a written request (with signature guarantee of all investors
listed on the account when such a change is made in conjunction with a
redemption request) to Warburg Pincus Funds. Each mail redemption request must
be signed by the registered owner(s) (or his legal representative(s)) exactly as
the shares are registered. If an investor has applied for the telephone
redemption feature on his account application, he may redeem his shares by
calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on any business day. An investor making a telephone withdrawal
should state (i) the name of the Fund, (ii) the account number of the Fund,
(iii) the name of the investor(s) appearing on the Fund's records, (iv) the
amount to be withdrawn and (v) the name of the person requesting the redemption.
After receipt of the redemption request by mail or by telephone, the
redemption proceeds will, at the option of the investor, be paid by check and
mailed to the investor of record or be
16
<PAGE>
wired to the investor's bank as indicated in the account application previously
filled out by the investor. The Fund does not currently impose a service charge
for effecting wire transfers but reserves the right to do so in the future.
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone redemptions
may be difficult to implement. If an investor is unable to contact Warburg
Pincus Funds by telephone, an investor may deliver the redemption request to
Warburg Pincus Funds by mail at the address shown above under 'How to Open an
Account.' Although the Fund will redeem shares purchased by check before the
check clears, payments of the redemption proceeds will be delayed until such
check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days from the purchase date.
Investors should consider purchasing shares using a certified or bank check or
money order if they anticipate an immediate need for a redemption.
If a redemption order is received prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net asset value per share
as determined on that day. If a redemption order is received after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net
asset value as next determined. Redemption proceeds will normally be mailed or
wired to an investor on the next business day following the date a redemption
order is effected. If, however, in the judgment of Warburg, immediate payment
would adversely affect the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to pay the
redemption proceeds within seven days after the redemption order is effected.
Furthermore, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of payment upon redemption (as well as suspend or postpone the recordation of an
exchange of shares) for such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act.
The proceeds paid upon redemption may be more or less than the amount
invested depending upon a share's net asset value at the time of redemption. If
an investor redeems all the shares in his account, all dividends and
distributions declared up to and including the date of redemption are paid along
with the proceeds of the redemption.
If, due to redemptions, the value of an investor's account drops to less
than $2,000 ($250 in the case of an IRA or UGMA account), the Fund reserves the
right to redeem the shares in that account at net asset value. Prior to any
redemption, the Fund will notify an investor in writing that this account has a
value of less than the minimum. The investor will then have 60 days to make an
additional investment before a redemption will be processed by the Fund.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS. In order to request redemptions by telephone, investors
must have completed and returned to Warburg Pincus Funds an account application
containing a telephone election. Unless contrary instructions are elected, an
investor will be entitled to make exchanges by telephone. Neither the Fund nor
its agents will be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone
that it reasonably believes to be genuine. Reasonable procedures will be
employed on behalf of the Fund to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures include providing written confirmation of
telephone transactions, tape recording telephone instructions and requiring
specific personal information prior to acting upon telephone instructions.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The Fund offers investors an automatic cash
withdrawal plan under which investors may elect to receive periodic cash
payments of at least $250 monthly or quarterly. To establish this service,
complete the 'Automatic Withdrawal Plan' section of the account application and
attach a voided check from the bank account to be credited. For further
information regarding the automatic cash withdrawal plan or to modify or
terminate the Plan, investors should contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800)
888-6878.
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<PAGE>
EXCHANGE OF SHARES. An investor may exchange Common Shares of the Fund for
Common Shares of another Warburg Pincus Fund at their respective net asset
values. Exchanges may be effected by mail or by telephone in the manner
described under 'Redemption of Shares' above. If an exchange request is received
by Warburg Pincus Funds prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), the exchange will be
made at each fund's net asset value determined at the end of that business day.
Exchanges may be effected without a sales charge but must satisfy the minimum
dollar amount necessary for new purchases. Due to the costs involved in
effecting exchanges, the Fund reserves the right to refuse to honor more than
three exchange requests by a shareholder in any 30-day period. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to
shareholders. Currently, exchanges may be made with the following funds:
WARBURG PINCUS CASH RESERVE FUND -- a money market fund investing in
short-term, high quality money market instruments;
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK TAX EXEMPT FUND -- a money market fund investing
in short-term, high quality municipal obligations designed for New York
investors seeking income exempt from federal, New York State and New York
City income tax;
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL FUND -- an
intermediate-term municipal bond fund designed for New York investors
seeking income exempt from federal, New York State and New York City
income tax;
WARBURG PINCUS TAX FREE FUND -- a bond fund seeking maximum current income
exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital;
WARBURG PINCUS INTERMEDIATE MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND -- an
intermediate-term bond fund investing in obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities;
WARBURG PINCUS FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund seeking current income
and, secondarily, capital appreciation by investing in a diversified
portfolio of fixed-income securities;
WARBURG PINCUS SHORT-TERM TAX-ADVANTAGED BOND FUND -- a bond fund seeking
maximum income after the effect of federal income taxes as a primary
objective and capital appreciation as a secondary objective through
investments in taxable and tax-exempt debt instruments;
WARBURG PINCUS GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund investing in a
portfolio consisting of investment grade fixed-income securities of
governmental and corporate issuers denominated in various currencies,
including U.S. dollars;
WARBURG PINCUS BALANCED FUND -- a fund seeking maximum total return
through a combination of long-term growth of capital and current income
consistent with preservation of capital through diversified investments in
equity and debt securities;
WARBURG PINCUS GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
growth of capital and income and a reasonable current return;
WARBURG PINCUS CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND -- an equity fund seeking
long-term capital appreciation by investing principally in equity
securities of medium-sized domestic companies;
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- an equity fund seeking
long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities
of small companies;
WARBURG PINCUS POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND -- an equity fund seeking
long-term
18
<PAGE>
growth of capital by investing principally in equity securities of issuers
in their post-venture capital stage of development;
WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING GROWTH FUND -- an equity fund seeking maximum
capital appreciation by investing in emerging growth companies;
WARBURG PINCUS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND -- an equity fund seeking
long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities
of non-United States issuers;
WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING MARKETS FUND -- an equity fund seeking growth of
capital by investing primarily in securities of non-United States issuers
consisting of companies in emerging securities markets; and
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term capital
appreciation by investing in a portfolio of securities traded in the
Japanese over-the-counter market.
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Common Shares being acquired may legally be sold. When an investor
effects an exchange of shares, the exchange is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption. Therefore, the investor may realize a taxable gain or
loss in connection with the exchange. Investors wishing to exchange Common
Shares of the Fund for Common Shares in another Warburg Pincus Fund should
review the prospectus of the other fund prior to making an exchange. For further
information regarding the exchange privilege or to obtain a current prospectus
for another Warburg Pincus Fund, an investor should contact Warburg Pincus Funds
at (800) 257-5614.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund calculates its dividends from net
investment income. Net investment income includes interest accrued and dividends
earned on the Fund's portfolio securities for the applicable period less
applicable expenses. The Fund declares dividends from its net investment income
annually and pays them in the calendar year in which they are declared. Net
investment income earned on weekends and when the NYSE is not open will be
computed as of the next business day. Distributions of net realized long-term
and short-term capital gains are declared annually and, as a general rule, will
be distributed or paid in November or December of each calendar year. Unless an
investor instructs the Fund to pay dividends or distributions in cash, dividends
and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional Common Shares
of the Fund at net asset value. The election to receive dividends in cash may be
made on the account application or, subsequently, by writing to Warburg Pincus
Funds at the address set forth under 'How to Open an Account' or by calling
Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878.
The Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes 31% of
all distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with
their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications,
or who have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that they are
subject to backup withholding.
TAXES. The Fund intends to qualify each year as a 'regulated investment company'
within the meaning of the Code. The Fund, if it qualifies as a regulated
investment company, will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax measured
with respect to certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital
gain. The Fund expects to pay such additional dividends and to make such
additional distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this tax.
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<PAGE>
Dividends paid from net investment income and distributions of net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to investors as ordinary income, and
distributions derived from net realized long-term capital gains are taxable to
investors as long-term capital gains, in each case regardless of how long the
shareholder has held Fund shares and whether received in cash or reinvested in
additional Fund shares. As a general rule, an investor's gain or loss on a sale
or redemption of his Fund shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss if he
has held his shares for more than one year and will be a short-term capital gain
or loss if he has held his shares for one year or less. However, any loss
realized upon the sale or redemption of shares within six months from the date
of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of
any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain during such
six-month period with respect to such shares. Investors may be proportionately
liable for taxes on income and gains of the Fund, but investors not subject to
tax on their income will not be required to pay tax on amounts distributed to
them. The Fund's investment activities, including short sales of securities,
will not result in unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. A
Fund's dividends, to the extent not derived from dividends attributable to
certain types of stock issued by U.S. domestic corporations, will not qualify
for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. However, tax conventions between
certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If
the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, if certain asset and
distribution requirements are satisfied and if more than 50% of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of stock or securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund may elect for U.S. income tax purposes to treat foreign
income taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders. The Fund may qualify for
and make this election in some, but not necessarily all, of its taxable years.
If the Fund were to make an election, shareholders of the Fund would be required
to take into account an amount equal to their pro rata portions of such foreign
taxes in computing their taxable income and then treat an amount equal to those
foreign taxes as a U.S. federal income tax deduction or as a foreign tax credit
against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shortly after any year for which it
makes such an election, the Fund will report to its shareholders the amount per
share of such foreign income tax that must be included in each shareholder's
gross income and the amount which will be available for the deduction or credit.
No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not
itemize deductions. Certain limitations will be imposed on the extent to which
the credit (but not the deduction) for foreign taxes may be claimed.
In the opinion of Japanese counsel for the Fund, the operations of the Fund
will not subject the Fund to any Japanese income, capital gains or other taxes
except for withholding taxes on interest and dividends paid to the Fund by
Japanese corporations and securities transaction taxes payable in the event of
sales of portfolio securities in Japan. In the opinion of such counsel, under
the tax convention between the United States and Japan (the 'Convention') as
currently in force, a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of 15% is, with certain
exceptions, imposed upon dividends paid by Japanese corporations to the Fund.
Pursuant to the present terms of the Convention, interest received by the Fund
from sources within Japan is subject to a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of
10%.
GENERAL. Statements as to the tax status of each investor's dividends and
distributions are mailed annually. Each investor will also receive, if
applicable, various written notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable
year with respect to certain dividends and distributions which were received
from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers with specific reference to their own
20
<PAGE>
tax situations, including their state and local tax liabilities.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value per share is calculated as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each business
day, Monday through Friday, except on days when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of
these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. The net asset value
per share of the Fund generally changes each day.
The net asset value per Common Share of the Fund is computed by adding the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the value of the Fund's assets, deducting the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the Fund's liabilities and the liabilities
specifically allocated to Common Shares and then dividing the result by the
total number of outstanding Common Shares. Generally, the Fund's investments are
valued at market value or, in the absence of a quoted market value with respect
to any portfolio securities, at fair value as determined by or under the
direction of the Board.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including securities
traded through the NASDAQ National Market System) or foreign securities exchange
or traded in an over-the-counter market will be valued at the closing value on
the date on which the valuation is made or, in the absence of sales, the mean
between the highest bid and asked quotations. If there are no such quotations,
the value of the securities will be taken to be the highest bid quotation on the
exchange or market. Option or futures contracts will be valued similarly. Debt
obligations that mature in 60 days or less from the valuation date are valued on
the basis of amortized cost, unless the Board determines that using this
valuation method would not reflect the investments' value. Securities, options
and futures contracts for which market quotations are not readily available and
other assets will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
pursuant to consistently applied procedures established by the Board.
Trading in securities in certain foreign countries may be completed prior
to the close of regular trading on the NYSE. When an occurrence subsequent to
the time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such
value, then the fair market value of the securities will be determined by or
under the direction of the Board. In addition, trading may take place in various
foreign markets on days on which the Fund's net asset value is not calculated.
Further information regarding valuation policies is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information.
PERFORMANCE
The Fund quotes the performance of Common Shares separately from Advisor
Shares. The net asset value of Common Shares is listed in The Wall Street
Journal each business day under the heading 'Warburg Pincus Funds.' From time to
time, the Fund may advertise the average annual total return of its Common
Shares over various periods of time. These total return figures show the average
percentage change in value of an investment in the Common Shares from the
beginning of the measuring period to the end of the measuring period. The
figures reflect changes in the price of the Common Shares assuming that any
income dividends and/or capital gain distributions made by the Fund during the
period were reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. Total return will be shown
for recent one-, five- and ten-year periods, and may be shown for other periods
as well (such as from commencement of the Fund's
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operations or on a year-by-year, quarterly or current year-to-date basis).
When considering average total return figures for periods longer than one
year, it is important to note that the annual total return for one year in the
period might have been greater or less than the average for the entire period.
When considering total return figures for periods shorter than one year,
investors should bear in mind that the Fund seeks long-term appreciation and
that such return may not be representative of the Fund's return over a longer
market cycle. The Fund may also advertise aggregate total return figures of its
Common Shares for various periods, representing the cumulative change in value
of an investment in the Common Shares for the specific period (again reflecting
changes in share prices and assuming reinvestment of dividends and
distributions). Aggregate and average total returns may be shown by means of
schedules, charts or graphs and may indicate various components of total return
(i.e., change in value of initial investment, income dividends and capital gain
distributions).
Investors should note that total return figures are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund's
Statement of Additional Information describes the method used to determine the
total return. Current total return figures may be obtained by calling Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material,
the Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund.
The Fund may compare its performance with (i) that of other mutual funds as
listed in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth
in the publications listed below; (ii) the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australia and Far East ('EAFE') Index; the Salomon Russell Global Equity
Index; the FT-Actuaries World Indices (jointly compiled by The Financial Times,
Ltd., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and NatWest Securities Ltd.); the S&P 500 Index; the
Nikkei over-the-counter average; the JASDAQ Index; the Nikkei 225 and 300 Stock
Indexes and the Topix Index, all of which are unmanaged indexes of common
stocks; or (iii) other appropriate indexes of investment securities or with data
developed by Warburg derived from such indexes. The Fund may include evaluations
of the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking services and by financial
publications that are nationally recognized, such as The Wall Street Journal,
Investor's Daily, Money, Inc., Institutional Investor, Barron's, Fortune,
Forbes, Business Week, Mutual Fund Magazine, Morningstar, Inc. and Financial
Times.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, the Fund
may also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
managers of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
managers describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. The Fund may also discuss the continuum of risk and return relating
to different investments and the potential impact of foreign stocks on a
portfolio otherwise composed of domestic securities. In addition, the Fund may
from time to time compare the expense ratio of its Common Shares to that of
investment companies with similar objectives and policies, based on data
generated by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar investment services
that monitor mutual funds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION. The Fund was incorporated on October 10, 1995 under the laws of
the State of Maryland. The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three
billion full and fractional shares of capital stock, $.001 par value per share,
of which one billion shares are designated Series 2 Shares (the Advisor Shares).
Under the
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<PAGE>
Fund's charter documents, the Board has the power to classify or reclassify any
unissued shares of the Fund into one or more additional classes by setting or
changing in any one or more respects their relative rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption. The Board may similarly classify or reclassify any
class of its shares into one or more series and, without shareholder approval,
may increase the number of authorized shares of the Fund.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE. The Fund offers a separate class of shares, the Advisor
Shares, pursuant to a separate prospectus. Advisor Shares may not be purchased
by individuals directly but institutions, broker-dealers, financial
institutions, depository institutions, retirement plans and other financial
intermediaries ('Institutions') may purchase Advisor Shares for individuals.
Advisor Shares of each class represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and
accrue dividends and calculate net asset value and performance quotations in the
same manner, as described elsewhere in this Prospectus. Because of the higher
fees paid by the Advisor Shares, the total return on such shares can be expected
to be lower than the total return on Common Shares. Investors may obtain
information concerning the Advisor Shares by calling Counsellors Securities at
(800) 888-6878.
VOTING RIGHTS. Investors in the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full
share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders of the
Fund will vote in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and
except that each class will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its
distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements. There will normally be no
meetings of investors for the purpose of electing members of the Board unless
and until such time as less than a majority of the members holding office have
been elected by investors. Any Director of the Fund may be removed from office
upon the vote of shareholders holding at least a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares, at a meeting called for that purpose. A meeting will be
called for the purpose of voting on the removal of a Board member at the written
request of holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. Each investor will receive a quarterly statement of
his account, as well as a statement of his account after any transaction that
affects his share balance or share registration (other than the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions). The Fund will also send to its investors a
semiannual report and an audited annual report, each of which includes a list of
the investment securities held by the Fund and a statement of the performance of
the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
Common Shares may be sold to or through institutions, including insurance
companies, that will not be paid a distribution fee by the Fund pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act for services to their clients or customers who may be
deemed to be beneficial owners of Common Shares. These institutions may be paid
a fee by the Fund for transfer agency, administrative or other services provided
to their customers that invest in the Fund's Common Shares. These services
include maintaining account records, processing orders to purchase, redeem and
exchange Common Shares and responding to certain customer inquiries.
Organizations that provide recordkeeping or other services to certain employee
benefit plans and qualified and other retirement plans that include the Fund as
an investment alternative may also be paid a fee by the Fund for these services.
The Fund is authorized to offer Advisor Shares exclusively to Institutions
that enter into agreements ('Agreements') with the Fund and/or Counsellors
Securities pursuant to a distribution plan approved by the Board pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement, the
Institution may provide certain distribution, administrative
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<PAGE>
accounting services and/or shareholder servicing for its clients and customers
who may be deemed to be beneficial owners of Advisor Shares.
Warburg, Counsellors Securities and Counsellors Service or any of their
affiliates may, from time to time, at their own expense, also provide
compensation to these institutions and organizations. To the extent they do so,
such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Fund or its
shareholders, since it will be paid from the assets of Warburg, Counsellors
Securities, Counsellors Service or their affiliates. Warburg, Counsellors
Securities or any of their affiliates may, from time to time, at their own
expense, pay certain Fund transfer agency fees and expenses in connection with
Agreements with Service Organizations. Counsellors Securities currently receives
a fee equal to an annual rate of .25% of the average daily net assets of the
Fund's Common Shares. See 'Management of the Fund -- Distributor.'
------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FUND'S
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SHARES OF THE FUND, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE
COMMON SHARES OF THE FUND IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH
OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND'S EXPENSES .......................................................... 2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES ............................................ 3
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS ........................................................ 3
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................ 5
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER
RATE ...................................................................... 8
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ................................................ 8
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES ....................................................... 11
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ...................................................... 12
HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT ...................................................... 14
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES ...................................................... 14
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES ................................................................... 16
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES .......................................... 19
NET ASSET VALUE ............................................................. 21
PERFORMANCE ................................................................. 21
GENERAL INFORMATION ......................................................... 22
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ....................................................... 23
[LOGO]
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
JAPAN GROWTH FUND
PROSPECTUS
DECEMBER 29, 1995
WPJGR-1-12995
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
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The trademark symbol shall be represented by........... 'tm'
The dagger symbol shall be represented by.............. 'D'
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
[Logo]
PROSPECTUS
DECEMBER 29, 1995
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 25, 1995
WARBURG PINCUS ADVISOR FUNDS
P.O. BOX 9030
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02205-9030
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (800) 888-6878
December 29, 1995
PROSPECTUS
Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds are a family of open-end mutual funds that are
offered to financial institutions investing on behalf of their customers and to
retirement plans that elect to make one or more Advisor Funds an investment
option for participants in the plans. One Advisor Fund is described in this
Prospectus:
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in equity securities of Japanese issuers.
International investing entails special risk considerations, including currency
fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic instability, political uncertainty and
differences in accounting methods. See 'Risk Factors and Special
Considerations.'
The Fund currently offers two classes of shares, one of which, the Series 2
Shares (referred to as the Advisor Shares), is offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. The Advisor Shares of the Fund, as well as Series 2 (Advisor) Shares
of certain other Warburg Pincus-advised funds, are sold under the name 'Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds.' The Advisor Shares may not be purchased by individuals
directly but institutions, broker-dealers, financial institutions, depository
institutions, retirement plans and other financial intermediaries
('Institutions') may purchase Advisor Shares for individuals. The Advisor Shares
impose a 12b-1 fee of up to .75% per annum, which is the economic equivalent of
a sales charge. Common Shares are available for purchase by individuals directly
and are offered by a separate prospectus.
NO MINIMUM INVESTMENT
There is no minimum amount of initial or subsequent purchases of shares imposed
on Institutions. See 'How to Purchase Shares.'
This Prospectus briefly sets forth certain information about the Fund that
investors should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the
Fund, contained in a Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and is available to investors
without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
Information regarding the status of shareholder accounts may also be obtained by
calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878. The Statement of
Additional Information bears the same date as this Prospectus and is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY ANY BANK, AND SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
INVESTMENTS IN SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT
BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE
ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR
SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S EXPENSES
The Fund currently offers two separate classes of shares: Common Shares and
Advisor Shares. See 'General Information' and 'Shareholder Servicing.' Because
of the higher fees paid by Advisor Shares, the total return on such shares can
be expected to be lower than the total return on Common Shares.
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of
offering price)..................................................................................... 0
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waivers) (as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees....................................................................................... 1.05%'D'
12b-1 Fees............................................................................................ .75%*
Other Expenses........................................................................................ .70%'D'
----
Total Fund Operating Expenses......................................................................... 2.50%
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year................................................................................................ $25
3 years............................................................................................... $78
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* Current 12b-1 fees are .50% out of a maximum .75% authorized under the
Advisor Shares' Distribution Plan. At least a portion of these fees should be
considered by the investor to be the economic equivalent of a sales charge.
'D' Estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year after the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers.
------------------------
The expense table shows the costs and expenses that an investor will bear
directly or indirectly as an Advisor Shareholder of the Fund. 'Other Expenses'
are based on estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year.
Institutions also may charge their clients fees in connection with investments
in the Advisor Shares, which fees are not reflected in the table. Absent the
voluntary waiver of fees payable to the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator, Management Fees would equal 1.25%, Other Expenses would equal
.75% and Total Fund Operating Expenses would equal 2.75%; the investment adviser
and co-administrator are under no obligation to continue these waivers. The
Example should not be considered a representation of past or future expenses;
actual Fund expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, while
the Example assumes a 5% annual return, the Fund's actual performance will vary
and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. Long-term shareholders may
pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charges
permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the 'NASD').
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. This objective is a fundamental
policy and may not be amended without first obtaining the approval of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any investment involves risk and,
therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective. See 'Certain Investment Strategies' for descriptions of certain types
of investments the Fund may make.
The Fund, which is a non-diversified management investment company, pursues
its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of Japanese issuers
that present attractive opportunities for growth. Under current market
conditions the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets -- but
will invest no less than 65% of its assets under normal market conditions -- in
common and preferred stocks, warrants and other rights, securities convertible
into or exchangeable for common stocks and American Depository Receipts ('ADRs')
of Japanese issuers.
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser
('Warburg'), believes that Japanese industry is in the process of deregulation
and restructuring. The Fund is designed to provide an opportunity to participate
in the dynamic structural changes in the Japanese industrial system through
investment in higher growth companies that can be expected to benefit from these
changes. The Fund will seek to identify and invest in Japanese issuers that are
showing or are expected to show a rapid or high rate of growth in comparison to
Japanese or non-Japanese companies in the same industry. The Fund will also
invest in Japanese companies that Warburg believes are undervalued in comparison
to comparable non-Japanese companies, based on price/earnings ratios and other
factors.
Unlike the Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund, which invests primarily in
over-the-counter securities, the Fund may invest in companies of any size,
whether traded on an exchange or over-the-counter. Currently, there are eight
exchanges in Japan -- the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka,
Niigata and Sapporo exchanges -- and two over-the-counter markets -- JASDAQ and
the Japanese Second Section OTC Market (the 'Frontier Market'). The Fund
considers Japanese issuers to be (i) companies (A) organized under the laws of
Japan, or (B) whose principal business activities are conducted in Japan and
which derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or
sold, investments made, or services performed in Japan, or have at least 50% of
their assets in one or more such countries, or (C) which have issued securities
which are traded principally in Japan, and (ii) Japanese governmental entities
or political subdivisions. Determinations as to the eligibility of issuers under
the foregoing definition will be made by Warburg based on publicly available
information and inquiries made to the companies. The portion of the Fund's
assets not invested in Japanese issuers may be invested in securities of other
Asian issuers. The Fund does not intend to invest in securities of non-Asian
issuers, except that the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest
without limit in short-and intermediate-term debt securities and money market
instruments (including repurchase agreements) of issuers throughout the world
and in other securities of U.S. issuers. From time to time, the Fund may hedge
part or all of its exposure to the Japanese yen, thereby reducing or
substantially eliminating any favorable or unfavorable impact of changes in the
value of the yen in relation to the U.S. dollar.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
investment grade debt securities (other than money market obligations) for the
purpose of seeking capital appreciation. The interest income to be derived may
be considered as one factor in selecting debt securi-
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ties for investment by Warburg. Because the market value of debt obligations can
be expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates, investing
in debt obligations may provide an opportunity for capital appreciation when
interest rates are expected to decline. The success of such a strategy is
dependent upon Warburg's ability to accurately forecast changes in interest
rates. The market value of debt obligations may also be expected to vary
depending upon, among other factors, the ability of the issuer to repay
principal and interest, any change in investment rating and general economic
conditions. A security will be deemed to be investment grade if it is rated
within the four highest grades by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's') or
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ('S&P') or, if unrated, is determined to be of
comparable quality by Warburg. Bonds rated in the fourth highest grade may have
speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade bonds. Subsequent to
its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund.
Neither event will require sale of such securities. Warburg will consider such
event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to hold the
securities. The Fund does not currently intend during the coming year to hold
more than 5% of its net assets in securities that have been downgraded below
investment grade.
MONEY MARKET OBLIGATIONS. The Fund is authorized to invest, under normal
circumstances, up to 20% of its total assets in domestic and foreign short-term
(one year or less remaining to maturity) and medium-term (five years or less
remaining to maturity) money market obligations and for temporary defensive
purposes may invest in these securities without limit. These instruments consist
of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or a foreign
government, their agencies or instrumentalities; bank obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances of domestic or
foreign banks, domestic savings and loans and similar institutions) that are
high quality investments or, if unrated, deemed by Warburg to be high quality
investments; commercial paper rated no lower than A-2 by S&P or Prime-2 by
Moody's or the equivalent from another major rating service or, if unrated, of
an issuer having an outstanding, unsecured debt issue then rated within the
three highest rating categories; and repurchase agreements with respect to the
foregoing.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreement
transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and certain
non-bank dealers. Repurchase agreements are contracts under which the buyer of a
security simultaneously commits to resell the security to the seller at an
agreed-upon price and date. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement,
the Fund would acquire any underlying security for a relatively short period
(usually not more than one week) subject to an obligation of the seller to
repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and
time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund's holding period. This
arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market
fluctuations during the Fund's holding period. The value of the underlying
securities will at all times be at least equal to the total amount of the
purchase obligation, including interest. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the
event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations
or becomes bankrupt and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its
right to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible
decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the
Fund seeks to assert this right. Warburg, acting under the supervision of the
Fund's Board of Directors (the 'Board'), monitors the creditworthiness of those
bank and non-bank dealers with which the Fund
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<PAGE>
enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate this risk. A repurchase agreement
is considered to be a loan under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the '1940 Act').
Money Market Mutual Funds. Where Warburg believes that it would be
beneficial to the Fund and appropriate considering the factors of return and
liquidity, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities of money
market mutual funds that are unaffiliated with the Fund or Warburg. As a
shareholder in any mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of the
mutual fund's expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to
payment of the Fund's administration fees and other expenses with respect to
assets so invested.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. government securities in which the Fund may
invest include: direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and obligations issued
by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including instruments that
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities in which the Fund may invest,
including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be
converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of
common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities enable an investor
to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Convertible securities provide higher yields than the underlying equity
securities, but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to
changes in interest rates like bonds and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to
the underlying common stock.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
JAPANESE INVESTMENTS. Investing in Japanese securities may involve the risks
described below associated with investing in foreign securities generally. In
addition, because the Fund invests primarily in Japan, the Fund will be subject
to general economic and political conditions in Japan. The Fund should be
considered a vehicle for diversification, but the Fund itself is not
diversified.
Securities in Japan are denominated and quoted in 'yen.' Yen are fully
convertible and transferable based on floating exchange rates into all
currencies, without administrative or legal restrictions for both non-residents
and residents of Japan. In determining the net asset value of shares of the
Fund, assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of Japanese yen will be
translated into U.S. dollars at the current selling rate of Japanese yen against
U.S. dollars. As a result, in the absence of a successful currency hedge, the
value of the Fund's assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably
or unfavorably by fluctuations in the value of Japanese yen relative to the U.S.
dollar.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports provide the
means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import. Because of the
concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible products such as
automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, and the large trade surpluses
ensuing therefrom, Japan has entered a difficult phase in its relations with its
trading partners, particularly with respect to the United States, with whom the
trade imbalance is the greatest.
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. In 1993 a coalition
government was formed which, for the first time since 1955, did not include the
Liberal Democratic Party. Since mid-1993, there have been several changes in
leadership in Japan. What, if any, effect the
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<PAGE>
current political situation will have on prospective regulatory reforms on the
economy in Japan cannot be predicted. Recent and future developments in Japan
and neighboring Asian countries may lead to changes in policy that might
adversely affect the Fund's investing there.
The decline in the Japanese securities markets since 1989 has contributed
to a weakness in the Japanese economy, and the impact of a further decline
cannot be ascertained. The common stocks of many Japanese companies continue to
trade at high price-earnings ratios in comparison with those in the United
States, even after the recent market decline. Differences in accounting methods
make it difficult to compare the earnings of Japanese companies with those of
companies in other countries, especially the United States.
The Fund's assets may be invested in securities traded through JASDAQ.
JASDAQ traded securities can be volatile, which may result in the Fund's net
asset value fluctuating in response. Trading of equity securities through the
JASDAQ market is conducted by securities firms in Japan, primarily through an
organization which acts as a 'matching agent,' as opposed to a recognized stock
exchange. Consequently, securities traded through JASDAQ may, from time to time,
and especially in falling markets, become illiquid and experience short-term
price volatility and wide spreads between bid and offer prices. This combination
of limited liquidity and price volatility may have an adverse effect on the
Fund's investments traded through JASDAQ. In periods of rapid price increases,
the limited liquidity of JASDAQ may restrict the Fund's ability to adjust its
portfolio quickly in order to take full advantage of a significant market
increase, and conversely, during periods of rapid price declines, it may
restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of securities quickly in order to
realize gains previously made or to limit losses on securities held in its
portfolio. In addition, although JASDAQ has generally experienced sustained
growth in aggregate market capitalization and trading volume, there have been
periods in which aggregate market capitalization and trading volume have
declined. The Frontier Market is expected to present greater liquidity,
volatility and trading considerations than JASDAQ.
At December 31, 1994, 581 issues were traded through JASDAQ, having an
aggregate market capitalization of approximately 14 trillion yen (approximately
$[134] billion as of December , 1995). The entry requirements for JASDAQ
generally require a minimum of 2 million shares outstanding at the time of
registration, a minimum of 200 shareholders, minimum pre-tax profits of 10 yen
(approximately $.10 as of December , 1995) per share over the prior fiscal
year and net worth of 200 million yen (approximately $1.92 million as of
December , 1995). JASDAQ has generally attracted small growth companies or
companies whose major shareholders wish to sell only a small portion of the
company's equity.
The Frontier Market is under the jurisdiction of JASDAQ, which is overseen
by the Japanese Securities and Exchange Commission. The Frontier Market has less
stringent entry requirements than those described above for JASDAQ and is
designed to enable early stage companies access to capital markets. Frontier
Market companies need not have a history of earnings, provided their spending on
research and development equals at least 3% of revenues. In addition, companies
traded through the Frontier Market are not required to have 2 million shares
outstanding at the time of registration. As a result, investments in companies
traded through the Frontier Market may involve a greater degree of risk than
companies traded through JASDAQ. As of the date of this Prospectus, there were
not yet any registrations on the Frontier Market, but the first registrations
are expected to be effective in November 1995. For additional information, see
'Japan and its Securities Markets' beginning at
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page of the Statement of Additional Information.
EMERGING GROWTH AND SMALL COMPANIES. Investing in common stocks and securities
convertible into common stocks is subject to the inherent risk of fluctuations
in the prices of such securities. Investing in securities of emerging growth
companies, which may include JASDAQ and Frontier Market securities, may involve
greater risks since these securities may have limited marketability and, thus,
may be more volatile. In addition, small- and medium-sized companies are
typically subject to a greater degree of changes in earnings and business
prospects than are larger, more established companies. Because smaller companies
normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger companies, it may be more
difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of such shares without
an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. There is typically less publicly
available information concerning smaller companies than for larger, more
established ones. Although investing in securities of emerging growth companies
offers potential for above-average returns if the companies are successful, the
risk exists that the companies will not succeed and the prices of the companies'
shares could significantly decline in value. Therefore, an investment in the
Fund may involve a greater degree of risk than an investment in other mutual
funds that seek growth of capital by investing in better-known, larger
companies. For certain additional risks relating to the Fund's investments, see
'Portfolio Investments' beginning at page 3 and 'Certain Investment Strategies'
beginning at page 8.
EMERGING MARKETS. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in less
developed Asian countries considered to be 'emerging markets.' Investing in
securities of issuers located in emerging markets involves not only the risks
described below with respect to investing in foreign securities, but also other
risks, including exposure to economic structures that are generally less
diverse and mature than, and to political systems that can be expected to have
less stability than, those of developed countries. Other characteristics of
emerging markets that may affect investment there include certain national
policies that may restrict investment by foreigners in issuers or industries
deemed sensitive to relevant national interests and the absence of developed
legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property.
The typically small size of the markets for securities of issuers located in
emerging markets and the possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading
in those securities may also result in a lack of liquidity and in price
volatility of those securities.
INVESTMENTS IN NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES. Although the Fund expects to
invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities, it may invest up to 10%
of its assets in non-publicly traded equity securities, which may involve a high
degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.
Because of the absence of any liquid trading market currently for these
investments, the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be
the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold
in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be
less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities
are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor
protection requirements applicable to companies whose, securities are publicly
traded. The Fund's investment in illiquid securities is subject to the risk that
should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not
available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the
value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected. The Fund's
limitation on illiquid securities excludes Rule 144A Securities (discussed
below) determined by the Board to be liquid.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment
company under the
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<PAGE>
1940 Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the
proportion of its assets that it may invest in the obligations of a single
issuer. The Fund will, however, comply with diversification requirements imposed
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), for qualification
as a regulated investment company. As a non-diversified investment company, the
Fund may invest a greater proportion of its assets in the obligations of a small
number of issuers and, as a result, may be subject to greater risk with respect
to portfolio securities. To the extent that the Fund assumes large positions in
the securities of a small number of issuers, its return may fluctuate to a
greater extent than that of a diversified company as a result of changes in the
financial condition or in the market's assessment of the issuers.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND
TURNOVER RATE
The Fund will attempt to purchase securities with the intent of holding
them for investment but may purchase and sell portfolio securities whenever
Warburg believes it to be in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund will not
consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment
decisions consistent with its investment objective and policies. It is not
possible to predict the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. However, it is
anticipated that the Fund's annual turnover rate should not exceed 100%. High
portfolio turnover rates (100% or more) may result in dealer mark ups or
underwriting commissions as well as other transaction costs, including
correspondingly higher brokerage commissions. In addition, short-term gains
realized from portfolio turnover may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes' below and 'Investment
Policies -- Portfolio Transactions' in the Statement of Additional Information.
All orders for transactions in securities or options on behalf of the Fund
are placed by Warburg with broker-dealers that it selects, including Counsellors
Securities Inc., the Fund's distributor ('Counsellors Securities'). The Fund may
utilize Counsellors Securities in connection with a purchase or sale of
securities when Warburg believes that the charge for the transaction does not
exceed usual and customary levels and when doing so is consistent with
guidelines adopted by the Board.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Although there is no intention of doing so during the coming year, the Fund
is authorized to engage in the following investment strategies: (i) purchasing
securities on a when-issued basis and purchasing or selling securities for
delayed delivery, (ii) lending portfolio securities and (iii) entering into
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Detailed information concerning
the Fund's strategies and related risks is contained below and in the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund will ordinarily hold no less than 65% of its total
assets in Japanese securities. There are certain risks involved in investing in
securities of companies and governments of foreign nations which are in addition
to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks include those
resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, revaluation of
currencies, future adverse political and economic developments and the possible
imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or
restrictions, reduced availability of public information concerning issuers, the
lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and other
regulatory practices and requirements that are often generally less rigorous
than those applied in the United States. Moreover, securities of many foreign
companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of
securities of
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comparable U.S. companies. Certain foreign countries are known to experience
long delays between the trade and settlement dates of securities purchased or
sold. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the
possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and
limitations on the use or removal of funds or other assets of the Fund,
including the withholding of dividends. Foreign securities may be subject to
foreign government taxes that would reduce the net yield on such securities.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of
payments positions. Investment in foreign securities will also result in higher
operating expenses due to the cost of converting foreign currency into U.S.
dollars, the payment of fixed brokerage commissions on foreign exchanges, which
generally are higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, higher valuation and
communications costs and the expense of maintaining securities with foreign
custodians.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act'), but that can be
sold to 'qualified institutional buyers' in accordance with Rule 144A under the
1933 Act ('Rule 144A Securities'). In addition to an adequate trading market,
the Board will also consider factors such as trading activity, availability of
reliable price information and other relevant information in determining whether
a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This investment practice could have the effect
of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified
institutional buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A
Securities. The Board will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule
144A Securities. The Board may adopt guidelines and delegate to Warburg the
daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A
Securities, although the Board will retain ultimate responsibility for any
determination regarding liquidity.
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. At the discretion of Warburg, the
Fund may, but is not required to, engage in a number of strategies involving
options, futures and forward currency contracts. These strategies, commonly
referred to as 'derivatives,' may be used (i) for the purpose of hedging against
a decline in value of the Fund's current or anticipated portfolio holdings, (ii)
as a substitute for purchasing or selling portfolio securities or (iii) to seek
to generate income to offset expenses or increase return. TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE
NOT CONSIDERED HEDGING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE AND MAY SERVE TO
INCREASE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT RISK. Transaction costs and any premiums
associated with these strategies, and any losses incurred, will affect the
Fund's net asset value and performance. Therefore, an investment in the Fund may
involve a greater risk than an investment in other mutual funds that do not
utilize these strategies. The Fund's use of these strategies may be limited by
position and exercise limits established by securities exchanges and the NASD
and by the Code.
Securities and Stock Index Options. The Fund may write put and call options
on up to 25% of the net asset value of the stock and debt securities in its
portfolio and will realize fees (referred to as 'premiums') for granting the
rights evidenced by the options; the Fund may also utilize up to 10% of its
assets to purchase options on stocks and debt securities that are traded on U.S.
and foreign exchanges, as well as over-the-counter ('OTC') options. The
purchaser of a put option has the right to compel the purchase by the writer of
the underlying security, while the purchaser of a call option has the right to
purchase the underlying security from the writer. In addition to purchasing and
writing options on securities, the Fund may utilize up to 10% of its total
assets to purchase
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exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on stock indexes, and may also
write such options. A stock index measures the movement of a certain group of
stocks by assigning relative values to the common stocks included in the index.
The potential loss associated with purchasing an option is limited to the
premium paid, and the premium would partially offset any gains achieved from its
use. However, for an option writer the exposure to adverse price movements in
the underlying security or index is potentially unlimited during the exercise
period. Writing securities options may result in substantial losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or at
less advantageous prices, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund could
realize on its investments or require the Fund to hold securities it would
otherwise sell.
Futures Contracts and Related Options. The Fund may enter into foreign
currency, interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write
(sell) related options that are traded on an exchange designated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the 'CFTC') or, if consistent with CFTC
regulations, on foreign exchanges. These futures contracts are standardized
contracts for the future delivery of foreign currency, an interest rate
sensitive security or, in the case of stock index and certain other futures
contracts, are settled in cash with reference to a specified multiplier times
the change in the specified index, exchange rate or interest rate. An option on
a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in a futures contract.
Aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions other
than those considered by the CFTC to be 'bona fide hedging' will not exceed 5%
of the Fund's net asset value, after taking into account unrealized profits and
unrealized losses on any such contracts.
Currency Exchange Transactions. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange
transactions either (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in
the currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into futures contracts or
options on futures contracts (as described above), (iii) through entering into
forward contracts to purchase or sell currency or (iv) by purchasing
exchange-traded currency options. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price
set at the time of the contract. An option on a foreign currency operates
similarly to an option on a security. Risks associated with currency forward
contracts and purchasing currency options are similar to those described in this
Prospectus for futures contracts and securities and stock index options. In
addition, the use of currency transactions could result in losses from the
imposition of foreign exchange controls, suspension of settlement or other
governmental actions or unexpected events.
Hedging Considerations. The Fund may engage in options, futures and
currency transactions for, among other things, hedging purposes. A hedge is
designed to offset a loss on a portfolio position with a gain in the hedge
position; at the same time, however, a properly correlated hedge will result in
a gain in the portfolio position being offset by a loss in the hedge position.
As a result, the use of options, futures contracts and currency exchange
transactions for hedging purposes could limit any potential gain from an
increase in value of the position hedged. In addition, the movement in the
portfolio position hedged may not be of the same magnitude as movement in the
hedge. The Fund will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed advisable
by Warburg, and successful use of hedging transactions will depend on Warburg's
ability to correctly predict movements in the directions of the hedge and the
hedged position and the correlation between them, which could prove to be
inaccurate. Even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to
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<PAGE>
some degree because of unexpected market behavior or trends.
Additional Considerations. To the extent that the Fund engages in the
strategies described above, the Fund may experience losses greater than if these
strategies had not been utilized. In addition to the risks described above,
these instruments may be illiquid and/or subject to trading limits, and the Fund
may be unable to close out an option or futures position without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. The Fund is also subject to the risk of a default
by a counterparty to a transaction.
Asset Coverage. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory
requirements designed to eliminate any potential for leverage with respect to
options written by the Fund on securities, indexes and currencies; currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and options on these futures
contracts; and forward currency contracts. The use of these strategies may
require that the Fund maintain cash or certain liquid high-grade debt securities
or other assets that are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory
authority in a segregated account with its custodian or a designated
sub-custodian to the extent the Fund's obligations with respect to these
strategies are not otherwise 'covered' through ownership of the underlying
security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by
other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets
cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their
place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a
possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund's assets could
impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or
other current obligations.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX. The Fund may make short sales of its portfolio
holdings if, at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns the
security sold short or owns debt securities convertible or exchangeable, without
payment of further consideration, into the security sold short. Short sales of
this kind are referred to as short sales 'against the box.' The broker-dealer
that executes a short sale generally invests cash proceeds of the sale until
they are paid to the Fund. Arrangements may be made with the broker-dealer to
obtain a portion of the interest earned by the broker on the investment of short
sale proceeds. The Fund will segregate the security sold short or convertible or
exchangeable debt securities in a special account with its custodian. Not more
than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) may be held as
collateral for such sales at any one time. The extent to which the Fund may make
short sales may be limited by the Code.
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities with
contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that are not
readily marketable, including (i) securities issued as part of a privately
negotiated transaction between an issuer and one or more purchasers; (ii)
repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days; and (iii) time
deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days. Up to 5% of the Fund's total
assets may be invested in the securities of issuers which have been in
continuous operation for less than three years, and up to an additional 5% of
its total assets may be invested in warrants. The Fund may also invest up to 5%
of its net assets in each of mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities
and zero coupon securities. The Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes, such as meeting anticipated redemption requests, provided
that borrowings by the Fund may not exceed 30% of its total assets, and may
pledge its assets to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings.
Whenever borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) exceed 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any investments
(including roll-overs). Except for the
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limitations on borrowing, the investment guidelines set forth in this paragraph
may be changed at any time without shareholder consent by vote of the Board,
subject to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act. A complete list of
investment restrictions that the Fund has adopted identifying additional
restrictions that cannot be changed without the approval of the majority of the
Fund's outstanding shares is contained in the Statement of Additional
Information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER. The Fund employs Warburg as its investment adviser. Warburg,
subject to the control of the Fund's officers and the Board, manages the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and stated investment policies. Warburg makes
investment decisions for the Fund and places orders to purchase or sell
securities on behalf of the Fund. Warburg also employs a support staff of
management personnel to provide services to the Fund and furnishes the Fund with
office space, furnishings and equipment.
For the services provided by Warburg, the Fund pays Warburg a fee
calculated at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Although this advisory fee is higher than that paid by most other investment
companies, including money market and fixed income funds, Warburg believes that
it is comparable to fees charged by other mutual funds with similar policies and
strategies. The advisory agreement between the Fund and Warburg provides that
Warburg will reimburse the Fund to the extent certain expenses that are
described in the Statement of Additional Information exceed applicable state
expense limitations. Warburg and the Fund's co-administrators may voluntarily
waive a portion of their fees from time to time and temporarily limit the
expenses to be borne by the Fund.
Warburg is a professional investment counselling firm which provides
investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowment
funds, foundations and other institutions and individuals. As of November 30,
1995, Warburg managed approximately $ billion of assets, including
approximately $ billion of assets of twenty-three investment companies or
portfolios. Incorporated in 1970, Warburg is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P. ('Warburg G.P.'), a New York general
partnership. E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc. ('EMW') controls Warburg through
its ownership of a class of voting preferred stock of Warburg. Warburg G.P. has
no business other than being a holding company of Warburg and its subsidiaries.
Warburg's address is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER. Nicholas P. Edwards is the Fund's portfolio manager. Mr.
Edwards has been with Warburg since August 1995, before which time he was a
director at Jardine Fleming Investment Advisers, Tokyo. He was a vice president
of Robert Fleming, Inc. in New York City from 1988 to 1991.
CO-ADMINISTRATORS. The Fund employs Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
('Counsellors Service'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, as a co-
administrator. As co-administrator, Counsellors Service provides shareholder
liaison services to the Fund including responding to shareholder inquiries and
providing information on shareholder investments. Counsellors Service also
performs a variety of other services, including furnishing certain executive and
administrative services, acting as liaison between the Fund and its various
service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial services, which include
preparing materials for meetings of the Board, preparing proxy statements and
annual, semiannual and quarterly reports, assisting in other regulatory filings
as necessary and monitoring and developing compliance procedures for the Fund.
As compensation, the Fund pays Counsellors Ser-
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vice a fee calculated at an annual rate of .10% of its average daily net assets.
Warburg or its affiliates may, at their own expense, provide promotional
incentives to qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the Fund.
Qualified recipients are securities dealers who have sold Fund shares or others,
including banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements. In
some instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions
whose representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected
sale of significant amounts of Fund shares.
The Fund employs PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of PNC Bank Corp., as a co-administrator. As a co-administrator, PFPC calculates
the Fund's net asset value, provides all accounting services for the Fund and
assists in related aspects of the Fund's operations. As compensation, the Fund
pays to PFPC a fee calculated at an annual rate of .12% of the Fund's first $250
million in average daily net assets, .10% of the next $250 million in average
daily net assets, .08% of the next $250 million in average daily net assets, and
.05% of average daily net assets over $750 million, subject to a minimum annual
fee and exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses. PFPC has its principal offices at
400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT. serves as custodian of the Fund's
assets. State Street Bank and Trust Company ('State Street') acts as shareholder
servicing agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. It
has delegated to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary
('BFDS'), responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions. State
Street's principal business address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. BFDS's principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive,
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.
DISTRIBUTOR. Counsellors Securities serves as distributor of the shares of the
Fund. Counsellors Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg and is
located at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147. No compensation
is payable by the Advisor Shares to Counsellors Securities for distribution
services.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day
operations and are directly responsible to the Board. The Board sets broad
policies for the Fund and chooses its officers. A list of the Directors and
officers of the Fund and a brief statement of their present positions and
principal occupations during the past five years is set forth in the Statement
of Additional Information.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund shares are only available for investment by
Institutions on behalf of their customers and through retirement plans that
elect to make one or more Advisor Funds an option for participants in the plans.
Individuals, including participants in retirement plans, cannot invest directly
in Advisor Shares of the Fund, but may do so only through a participating
Institution. The Fund reserves the right to make Advisor Shares available to
other investors in the future. References in this Prospectus to shareholders or
investors also include Institutions which may act as record holders of the
Advisor Shares.
Each Institution separately determines the rules applicable to its
customers investing in the Fund, including minimum initial and subsequent
investment requirements and the procedures to be followed to effect purchases,
redemptions and exchanges of Advisor Shares. There is no minimum amount of
initial or subsequent purchases of Advisor Shares imposed on Institutions,
although the Fund reserves the right to impose minimums in the future.
Orders for the purchase of Advisor Shares are placed with an Institution by
its customers. The Institution is responsible for the prompt
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transmission of the order to the Fund or its agent.
Institutions may purchase Advisor Shares by telephoning the Fund and
sending payment by wire. After telephoning (800) 888-6878 for instructions, an
Institution should then wire federal funds to Counsellors Securities Inc. using
the following wire address:
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02101
ABA# 0110 000 28
Attn: Mutual Funds/Custody Dept.
Warburg Pincus Advisor Japan Growth Fund
DDA# 9904-649-2
[Shareowner name]
[Shareowner account number]
Orders by wire will not be accepted until a completed account application
has been received in proper form, and an account number has been established. If
a telephone order is received by the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (the 'NYSE') (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) and payment by
wire is received on the same day in proper form in accordance with instructions
set forth above, the shares will be priced according to the net asset value of
the Fund on that day and are entitled to dividends and distributions beginning
on that day. If payment by wire is received in proper form by the close of the
NYSE without a prior telephone order, the purchase will be priced according to
the net asset value of the Fund on that day and is entitled to dividends and
distributions beginning on that day. However, if a wire in proper form that is
not preceded by a telephone order is received after the close of regular trading
on the NYSE, the payment will be held uninvested until the order is effected at
the close of business on the next business day. Payment for orders that are not
accepted will be returned after prompt inquiry. Certain organizations or
Institutions that have entered into agreements with the Fund or its agent may
enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of customers, with payment to follow
no later than three business days following the day the order is effected. If
payment is not received by such time, the organization could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
After an investor has made his initial investment, additional shares may be
purchased at any time by mail or by wire in the manner outlined above. Wire
payments for initial and subsequent investments should be preceded by an order
placed with the Fund or its agent and should clearly indicate the investor's
account number. In the interest of economy and convenience, physical
certificates representing shares in the Fund are not normally issued.
The Fund understands that some broker-dealers (other than Counsellors
Securities), financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry
professionals may impose certain conditions on their clients that invest in the
Fund, which are in addition to or different than those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may
charge their clients direct fees. Certain features of the Fund, such as initial
and subsequent investment minimums, may be modified in these programs, and
administrative charges may be imposed for the services rendered. Therefore, a
client or customer should contact the organization acting on his behalf
concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption
of Fund shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing
his accounts with the organization.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. An investor may redeem (sell) shares on any day that the
Fund's net asset value is calculated (see 'Net Asset Value' below). Requests for
the redemption (or exchange) of Advisor Shares are placed with an Institution by
its customers, which is then
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<PAGE>
responsible for the prompt transmission of the request to the Fund or its agent.
Institutions may redeem Advisor Shares by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor
Funds at (800) 888-6878 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any
day on which the Fund's net asset value is calculated. An investor making a
telephone withdrawal should state (i) the name of the Fund, (ii) the account
number of the Fund, (iii) the name of the investor(s) appearing on the Fund's
records, (iv) the amount to be withdrawn and (v) the name of the person
requesting the redemption.
After receipt of the redemption request, the redemption proceeds will be
wired to the investor's bank as indicated in the account application previously
filled out by the investor. The Fund does not currently impose a service charge
for effecting wire transfers but reserves the right to do so in the future.
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone redemptions
may be difficult to implement. If an investor is unable to contact Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds by telephone, an investor may deliver the redemption
request to Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds by mail at Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds,
P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030.
If a redemption order is received prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net asset value per share
as determined on that day. If a redemption order is received after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net
asset value as next determined. Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to an
investor on the next business day following the date a redemption order is
effected. If, however, in the judgment of Warburg, immediate payment would
adversely affect the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption
proceeds within seven days after the redemption order is effected. Furthermore,
the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment
upon redemption (as well as suspend or postpone the recordation of an exchange
of shares) for such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act.
The proceeds paid upon redemption may be more or less than the amount
invested depending upon a share's net asset value at the time of redemption. If
an investor redeems all the shares in his account, all dividends and
distributions declared up to and including the date of redemption are paid along
with the proceeds of the redemption.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES. An Institution may exchange Advisor Shares of the Fund for
Advisor Shares of the other Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at their respective net
asset values. Exchanges may be effected in the manner described under
'Redemption of Shares' above. If an exchange request is received by Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), the exchange will be
made at each fund's net asset value determined at the end of that business day.
Exchanges may be effected without a sales charge. The exchange privilege may be
modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Advisor Shares being acquired may legally be sold. When an investor
effects an exchange of shares, the exchange is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption. Therefore, the investor may realize a taxable gain or
loss in connection with the exchange. Investors wishing to exchange Advisor
Shares of the Fund for shares in another Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund should
review the prospectus of the other fund prior to making an exchange. For further
information regarding the exchange privilege or to obtain a current prospectus
for another Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund, an investor should contact Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
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<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund calculates its dividends from net
investment income. Net investment income includes interest accrued and dividends
earned on the Fund's portfolio securities for the applicable period less
applicable expenses. The Fund declares dividends from its net investment income
annually and pays them in the calendar year in which they are declared. Net
investment income earned on weekends and when the NYSE is not open will be
computed as of the next business day. Distributions of net realized long-term
and short-term capital gains are declared annually and, as a general rule, will
be distributed or paid in November or December of each calendar year. Unless an
investor instructs the Fund to pay dividends or distributions in cash, dividends
and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional Advisor Shares
of the Fund at net asset value. The election to receive dividends in cash may be
made on the account application or, subsequently, by writing to Warburg Pincus
Advisor Funds at the address set forth under 'How to Redeem and Exchange Shares'
or by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
The Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes 31% of
all distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with
their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications,
or who have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that they are
subject to backup withholding.
TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to qualify each year as a 'regulated
investment company' within the meaning of the Code. The Fund, if it qualifies as
a regulated investment company, will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise
tax measured with respect to certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income
and capital gain. The Fund expects to pay such additional dividends and to make
such additional distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this
tax.
Dividends paid from net investment income and distributions of net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to investors as ordinary income, and
distributions derived from net realized long-term capital gains will be taxable
to investors as long-term capital gains, in each case regardless of how long
investors have held Advisor Shares or whether received in cash or reinvested in
additional Advisor Shares. As a general rule, an investor's gain or loss on a
sale or redemption of its Fund shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss
if it has held its shares for more than one year and will be a short-term
capital gain or loss if it has held its shares for one year or less. However,
any loss realized upon the sale or redemption of shares within six months from
the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain during
such six-month period with respect to such shares. Investors may be
proportionately liable for taxes on income and gains of the Fund, but investors
not subject to tax on their income will not be required to pay tax on amounts
distributed to them. The Fund's investment activities will not result in
unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. The Fund's
dividends, to the extent not derived from dividends attributable to certain
types of stock issued by U.S. domestic corporations, will not qualify for the
dividends received deduction for corporations.
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. However, tax conventions between
certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If
the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, if certain asset and
distribution requirements are satisfied and if more than 50% of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of stock or securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund may elect for U.S. income tax purposes to treat foreign
income taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders.
The Fund may qualify for and make this election in some, but not
necessarily all, of its
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<PAGE>
taxable years. If the Fund were to make an election, shareholders of the Fund
would be required to take into account an amount equal to their pro rata
portions of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable income and then treat
an amount equal to those foreign taxes as a U.S. federal income tax deduction or
as a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shortly after
any year for which it makes such an election, the Fund will report to its
shareholders the amount per share of such foreign income tax that must be
included in each shareholder's gross income and the amount which will be
available for the deduction or credit. No deduction for foreign taxes may be
claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Certain limitations
will be imposed on the extent to which the credit (but not the deduction) for
foreign taxes may be claimed.
In the opinion of Japanese counsel for the Fund, the operations of the Fund
will not subject the Fund to any Japanese income, capital gains or other taxes
except for withholding taxes on interest and dividends paid to the Fund by
Japanese corporations and securities transaction taxes payable in the event of
sales of portfolio securities in Japan. In the opinion of such counsel, under
the tax convention between the United States and Japan (the 'Convention') as
currently in force, a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of 15% is, with certain
exceptions, imposed upon dividends paid by Japanese corporations to the Fund.
Pursuant to the present terms of the Convention, interest received by the Fund
from sources within Japan is subject to a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of
10%.
GENERAL. Statements as to the tax status of each investor's dividends and
distributions are mailed annually. Each investor will also receive, if
applicable, various written notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable
year with respect to certain dividends and distributions which were received
from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations,
including their state and local tax liabilities. Individuals investing in the
Fund through Institutions should consult those Institutions or their own tax
advisers regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value per share is calculated as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each business
day, Monday through Friday, except on days when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of
these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. The net asset value
per share of the Fund generally changes each day.
The net asset value per Advisor Share of the Fund is computed by adding the
Advisor Shares' pro rata share of the value of the Fund's assets, deducting the
Advisor Shares' pro rata share of the Fund's liabilities and the liabilities
specifically allocated to Series 2 Shares and then dividing the result by the
total number of outstanding Advisor Shares. Generally, the Fund's investments
are valued at market value or, in the absence of a quoted market value with
respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value as determined by or under the
direction of the Board.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including securities
traded through the NASDAQ National Market System) or foreign securities exchange
or traded in an over-the-counter market will be valued at the closing value on
the date on which the valuation is made or, in the absence of sales, the mean
between the highest bid and asked quotations. If there are no such quotations,
the value of the securities will be taken to be the highest bid quotation on the
exchange or market. Option or futures contracts will be valued similarly. Debt
obligations that mature in 60 days or less from the valuation date are valued on
the basis of amortized cost, unless the Board determines that using this
valuation method would not reflect the investments' value.
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<PAGE>
Securities, options and futures contracts for which market quotations are not
readily available and other assets will be valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures established
by the Board.
Trading in securities in certain foreign countries may be completed prior
to the close of regular trading on the NYSE. When an occurrence subsequent to
the time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such
value, then the fair market value of the securities will be determined by or
under the direction of the Board. In addition, trading may take place in various
foreign markets on days on which the Fund's net asset value is not calculated.
Further information regarding valuation policies is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information.
PERFORMANCE
The Fund quotes the performance of Advisor Shares separately from Common
Shares. The net asset value of the Advisor Shares is listed in The Wall Street
Journal each business day under the heading Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds. From
time to time, the Fund may advertise the average annual total return of Advisor
Shares over various periods of time. These total return figures show the average
percentage change in value of an investment in the Advisor Shares from the
beginning of the measuring period to the end of the measuring period. The
figures reflect changes in the price of the Advisor Shares assuming that any
income dividends and/or capital gain distributions made by the Fund during the
period were reinvested in Advisor Shares. Total return will be shown for recent
one-, five- and ten-year periods, and may be shown for other periods as well
(such as on a year-by-year, quarterly or current year-to-date basis).
When considering average total return figures for periods longer than one
year, it is important to note that the Fund's annual total return for one year
in the period might have been greater or less than the average for the entire
period. When considering total return figures for periods shorter than one year,
investors should bear in mind that the Fund seeks long-term appreciation and
that such return may not be representative of the Fund's return over a longer
market cycle. The Fund may also advertise aggregate total return figures of
Advisor Shares for various periods, representing the cumulative change in value
of an investment in the Advisor Shares for the specific period (again reflecting
changes in share prices and assuming reinvestment of dividends and
distributions). Aggregate and average total returns may be shown by means of
schedules, charts or graphs, and may indicate various components of total return
(i.e., change in value of initial investment, income dividends and capital gain
distributions).
Investors should note that total return figures are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Statement of
Additional Information describes the method used to determine the total return.
Current total return figures may be obtained by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor
Funds at (800) 888-6878.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material,
the Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund.
The Fund may compare its performance with (i) that of other mutual funds as
listed in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth
in the publications listed below; (ii) the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australia and Far East ('EAFE') Index; the Salomon Russell Global Equity
Index; the FT-Actuaries World Indices (jointly compiled by The Financial Times,
Ltd., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and NatWest Securities Ltd.); the S&P 500; the Nikkei
over-the-counter average; the JASDAQ Index; the Nikkei 225 and 300 Stock Indexes
and the Topix Index, all of which are unmanaged indexes of common stocks; or
(iii) other appropriate indexes of investment securities or with data developed
by Warburg derived from such indexes. The Fund may also
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<PAGE>
include evaluations of the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking
services and by financial publications that are nationally recognized, such as
The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Daily, Money, Inc., Institutional Investor,
Barron's, Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, Mutual Fund Magazine, Morningstar,
Inc. and Financial Times.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, the Fund
may also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
managers of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
managers describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. The Fund may also discuss the continuum of risk and return relating
to different investments and the potential impact of foreign stocks on a
portfolio otherwise composed of domestic securities. In addition, the Fund may
from time to time compare the expense ratio of Advisor Shares to that of
investment companies with similar objectives and policies, based on data
generated by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar investment services
that monitor mutual funds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION. The Fund was incorporated on October 10, 1995 under the laws of
the State of Maryland. The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three
billion full and fractional shares of capital stock, $.001 par value per share,
of which one billion shares are designated Series 2 Shares (the Advisor Shares).
Under the Fund's charter documents, the Board has the power to classify or
reclassify any unissued shares of the Fund into one or more additional classes
by setting or changing in any one or more respects their relative rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption. The Board may similarly classify or reclassify any
class of its shares into one or more series and, without shareholder approval,
may increase the number of authorized shares of the Fund.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE. The Fund offers a separate class of shares, the Common
Shares, directly to individuals pursuant to a separate prospectus. Shares of
each class represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue dividends
and calculate net asset value and performance quotations in the same manner, as
described elsewhere in this Prospectus, except that Advisor Shares bear fees
payable by the Fund to service organizations for services they provide to the
beneficial owners of such shares and enjoy certain exclusive voting rights on
matters relating to these fees. Because of the higher fees paid by the Advisor
Shares, the total return on such shares can be expected to be lower than the
total return on Common Shares. Investors may obtain information concerning the
Common Shares by calling Counsellors Securities at (800) 888-6878.
VOTING RIGHTS. Investors in the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full
share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders of the
Fund will vote in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and
except that each class will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its
distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements. There will normally be no
meetings of investors for the purpose of electing members of the Board unless
and until such time as less than a majority of the members holding office have
been elected by investors. Any Director of the Fund may be removed from office
upon the vote of shareholders holding at least a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares, at a meeting called for that purpose. A meeting will be
called for the purpose of voting on the removal of a Board member at the written
request of holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. Each investor will receive a quarterly statement of
its account, as well as a statement of its account after any transaction that
affects its share balance or share registration (other than the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions). The Fund will also send to its investors a
semiannual report and an audited annual report, each of which includes a list of
the investment securities held by the Fund
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<PAGE>
and a statement of the performance of the Fund. Each Institution that is the
record owner of Advisor Shares on behalf of its customers will send a statement
to those customers periodically showing their indirect interest in Advisor
Shares, as well as providing other information about the Fund. See 'Shareholder
Servicing.'
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
The Fund is authorized to offer Advisor Shares exclusively to Institutions
whose clients or customers (or participants in the case of retirement plans)
('Customers') are owners of Advisor Shares. Either those Institutions or
companies providing certain services to Customers (together, 'Service
Organizations') will enter into agreements ('Agreements') with the Fund and/or
Counsellors Securities pursuant to a Distribution Plan as described below.
Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement, the Service Organization agrees to
provide certain distribution, shareholder servicing, administrative and/or
accounting services for its Customers. Distribution services would be marketing
or other services in connection with the promotion and sale of Advisor Shares.
Shareholder services that may be provided include responding to Customer
inquiries, providing information on Customer investments and providing other
shareholder liaison services. Administrative and accounting services related to
the sale of Advisor Shares may include (i) aggregating and processing purchase
and redemption requests from Customers and placing net purchase and redemption
orders with the Fund's transfer agent, (ii) processing dividend payments from
the Fund on behalf of Customers and (iii) providing sub-accounting related to
the sale of Advisor Shares beneficially owned by Customers or the information to
the Fund necessary for sub-accounting. The Board has approved a Distribution
Plan (the 'Plan') pursuant to which the Fund will pay each participating Service
Organization a negotiated fee on an annual basis not to exceed .75% (up to a
.25% annual service fee and a .50% annual distribution fee) of the value of the
average daily net assets of its Customers invested in Advisor Shares. The Board
evaluates the appropriateness of the Plan on a continuing basis and in doing so
considers all relevant factors.
Warburg, Counsellors Securities and Counsellors Service or any of their
affiliates may, from time to time, at their own expense, provide compensation to
these institutions. To the extent they do so, such compensation does not
represent an additional expense to the Fund or its shareholders since it will be
paid from the assets of Warburg, Counsellors Securities, Counsellors Service or
their affiliates. In addition, Warburg, Counsellors Securities or any of their
affiliates may, from time to time, at their own expense, pay certain Fund
transfer agency fees and expenses in connection with Agreements with Service
Organizations. A Service Organization may use a portion of the compensation paid
by the Fund to reduce the Fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.
------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FUND'S
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SHARES OF THE FUND, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE
ADVISOR SHARES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY
NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
20
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND'S EXPENSES .......................................................... 2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES ............................................ 3
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS ........................................................ 3
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................ 5
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER
RATE ...................................................................... 8
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ................................................ 8
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES ....................................................... 11
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ...................................................... 12
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES ...................................................... 13
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES ................................................................... 14
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES .......................................... 16
NET ASSET VALUE ............................................................. 17
PERFORMANCE ................................................................. 18
GENERAL INFORMATION ......................................................... 19
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ....................................................... 20
ADJGR-1-1295
[LOGO]
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
JAPAN GROWTH FUND
PROSPECTUS
DECEMBER 29, 1995
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCE
The dagger symbol will be expressed as ............... 'D'
<PAGE>1
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
PROSPECTUS.
<PAGE>1
Subject to Completion, dated October 25, 1995
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
December 29, 1995
________________________
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND
P.O Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
For information, call (800) 888-6878
________________________
Contents
Page
Investment Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Investment Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Japan and Its Securities Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Exchange Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Additional Information Concerning Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Determination of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Auditors and Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Financial Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Appendix - Description of Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . A-5
This Statement of Additional Information is meant to be read in
conjunction with the Prospectus for the Common Shares of Warburg Pincus Japan
Growth Fund (the "Fund") and with the Prospectus for the Advisor Shares of the
Fund, each dated December 29, 1995, and is incorporated by reference in its
entirety into those Prospectuses. Because this Statement of Additional
Information is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund
should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the
Fund's Prospectuses and information regarding the Fund's current performance
may be obtained by calling the Fund at (800) 257-5614. Information regarding
the status of shareholder accounts may be obtained by calling the Fund at
(800) 888-6878 or by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts
02205-9030.
<PAGE>2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following policies supplement the descriptions of the Fund's
investment objective and policies in the Prospectuses.
As described in the Prospectuses, the Fund will maintain at least
65% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese issuers. In
addition, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
other Asian issuers. Asian issuers are (i) companies (A) organized under the
laws of an Asian country or its predecessors, or (B) whose principal business
activities are conducted in one or more Asian countries, and which derive at
least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold,
investments made, or services performed in one or more Asian countries, or
have at least 50% of their assets in one or more such countries, or (C) which
have issued securities which are traded principally in an Asian country, and
(ii) governments, governmental entities or political subdivisions of Asian
countries. Determinations as to the eligibility of issuers under the
foregoing definition will be made by the investment advisers based on publicly
available information and inquiries made to the companies. The Fund considers
Asia to be comprised of the contiguous eastern Eurasian land mass and adjacent
islands, including the countries of Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, China, Hong
Kong, Israel, Turkey, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Singapore and Thailand. For purposes of applying the foregoing limitations,
if a company meets the definition of an Asian issuer as a result of
relationships with respect to more than one Asian country, the Fund may
consider the company to be associated with any of such countries. Due to the
rapidly evolving nature of Asian markets, the Fund reserves the ability to
consider additional countries to be included in Asia if market conditions
should develop so as to warrant such a change in investment policy.
Options, Futures and Currency Exchange Transactions
Securities Options. The Fund may write covered put and call options
on stock and debt securities and may purchase such options that are traded on
foreign and U.S. exchanges, as well as over-the-counter ("OTC").
The Fund realizes fees (referred to as "premiums") for granting the
rights evidenced by the options it has written. A put option embodies the
right of its purchaser to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the
option holder an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time
period or at a specified time. In contrast, a call option embodies the right
of its purchaser to compel the writer of the option to sell to the option
holder an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time period
or at a specified time.
<PAGE>3
The principal reason for writing covered options on a security is to
attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than
would be realized on the securities alone. In return for a premium, the Fund
as the writer of a covered call option forfeits the right to any appreciation
in the value of the underlying security above the strike price for the life of
the option (or until a closing purchase transaction can be effected).
Nevertheless, the Fund as a put or call writer retains the risk of a decline
in the price of the underlying security. The size of the premiums that the
Fund may receive may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions,
including other investment companies, engage in or increase their
option-writing activities.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it
received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the
writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at
a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer
a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying
instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the
option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
In the case of options written by the Fund that are deemed covered
by virtue of the Fund's holding convertible or exchangeable preferred stock or
debt securities, the time required to convert or exchange and obtain physical
delivery of the underlying common stock with respect to which the Fund has
written options may exceed the time within which the Fund must make delivery
in accordance with an exercise notice. In these instances, the Fund may
purchase or temporarily borrow the underlying securities for purposes of
physical delivery. By so doing, the Fund will not bear any market risk, since
the Fund will have the absolute right to receive from the issuer of the
underlying security an equal number of shares to replace the borrowed
securities, but the Fund may incur additional transaction costs or interest
expenses in connection with any such purchase or borrowing.
Additional risks exist with respect to certain of the securities for
which the Fund may write covered call options. For example, if the Fund
writes covered call options on mortgage-backed securities, the mortgage-backed
securities that it holds as cover may, because of scheduled amortization or
unscheduled prepayments, cease to be sufficient cover. If this occurs, the
Fund will compensate for the decline in the value of the cover by purchasing
an appropriate additional amount of mortgage-backed securities.
Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates
between one and nine months from the date written. The exercise price of the
options may be below, equal to or above the market values of the underlying
securities at the times the options are written. In the case of call options,
these exercise prices are referred to as "in-the-money," "at-the-money" and
"out-of-the-money," respectively. The Fund may write (i) in-the-money call
options when Warburg expects that the price of the underlying security will
remain flat or decline moderately during the option period, (ii) at-the-money
call options when Warburg expects that the price of the underlying security
will remain flat or advance moderately
<PAGE>4
during the option period and (iii) out-of-the-money call options when Warburg
expects that the premiums received from writing the call option plus the
appreciation in market price of the underlying security up to the exercise
price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying
security alone. In any of the preceding situations, if the market price of
the underlying security declines and the security is sold at this lower price,
the amount of any realized loss will be offset wholly or in part by the
premium received. Out-of-the-money, at-the-money and in-the-money put options
(the reverse of call options as to the relation of exercise price to market
price) may be used in the same market environments that such call options are
used in equivalent transactions. To secure its obligation to deliver the
underlying security when it writes a call option, the Fund will be required to
deposit in escrow the underlying security or other assets in accordance with
the rules of the Clearing Corporation and of the securities exchange on which
the option is written.
Prior to their expirations, put and call options may be sold in
closing sale or purchase transactions (sales or purchases by the Fund prior to
the exercise of options that it has purchased or written, respectively, of
options of the same series) in which the Fund may realize a profit or loss
from the sale. An option position may be closed out only where there exists a
secondary market for an option of the same series on a recognized securities
exchange or in the over-the-counter market. When the Fund has purchased an
option and engages in a closing sale transaction, whether the Fund realizes a
profit or loss will depend upon whether the amount received in the closing
sale transaction is more or less than the premium the Fund initially paid for
the original option plus the related transaction costs. Similarly, in cases
where the Fund has written an option, it will realize a profit if the cost of
the closing purchase transaction is less than the premium received upon
writing the original option and will incur a loss if the cost of the closing
purchase transaction exceeds the premium received upon writing the original
option. The Fund may engage in a closing purchase transaction to realize a
profit, to prevent an underlying security with respect to which it has written
an option from being called or put or, in the case of a call option, to
unfreeze an underlying security (thereby permitting its sale or the writing of
a new option on the security prior to the outstanding option's expiration).
The obligation of the Fund under an option it has written would be terminated
by a closing purchase transaction, but the Fund would not be deemed to own an
option as a result of the transaction. So long as the obligation of the Fund
as the writer of an option continues, the Fund may be assigned an exercise
notice by the broker-dealer through which the option was sold, requiring the
Fund to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price.
This obligation terminates when the option expires or the Fund effects a
closing purchase transaction. The Fund can no longer effect a closing
purchase transaction with respect to an option once it has been assigned an
exercise notice.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest will exist to
create a liquid secondary market on a securities exchange for any particular
option or at any particular time, and for some options no such secondary
market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may cease to exist
for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher than anticipated
trading activity or order flow or other unforeseen events have at times
rendered
<PAGE>5
certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation (the "Clearing
Corporation") and various securities exchanges inadequate and resulted in the
institution of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on
certain types of orders or trading halts or suspensions in one or more
options. There can be no assurance that similar events, or events that may
otherwise interfere with the timely execution of customers' orders, will not
recur. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions
in particular options. Moreover, the Fund's ability to terminate options
positions established in the over-the-counter market may be more limited than
for exchange-traded options and may also involve the risk that securities
dealers participating in over-the-counter transactions would fail to meet
their obligations to the Fund. The Fund, however, intends to purchase
over-the-counter options only from dealers whose debt securities, as
determined by Warburg, are considered to be investment grade. If, as a
covered call option writer, the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise. In either case, the Fund would continue to be at market risk on the
security and could face higher transaction costs, including brokerage
commissions.
Securities exchanges generally have established limitations
governing the maximum number of calls and puts of each class which may be held
or written, or exercised within certain time periods by an investor or group
of investors acting in concert (regardless of whether the options are written
on the same or different securities exchanges or are held, written or
exercised in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). It is
possible that the Fund and other clients of Warburg and certain of its
affiliates may be considered to be such a group. A securities exchange may
order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits
and it may impose certain other sanctions. These limits may restrict the
number of options the Fund will be able to purchase on a particular security.
Stock Index Options. The Fund may purchase and write
exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on stock indexes. A stock index
measures the movement of a certain group of stocks by assigning relative
values to the common stocks included in the index, fluctuating with changes in
the market values of the stocks included in the index. Some stock index
options are based on a broad market index, such as the NYSE Composite Index,
or a narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indexes may
also be based on a particular industry or market segment. Examples of stock
index derivatives which the Fund may utilize are the Nikkei 225 Index, the
Nikkei 300 Index, the OTC (JASDAQ) Index and the Topix Index.
Options on stock indexes are similar to options on stock except that
(i) the expiration cycles of stock index options are monthly, while those of
stock options are currently quarterly, and (ii) the delivery requirements are
different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery of stock at a
specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to
receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (a) the amount, if any,
by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put)
or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying
index on the date of exercise,
<PAGE>6
multiplied by (b) a fixed "index multiplier." Receipt of this cash amount
will depend upon the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is
based being greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of
a put, the exercise price of the index and the exercise price of the option
times a specified multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return
for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. Stock index
options may be offset by entering into closing transactions as described above
for securities options.
OTC Options. The Fund may purchase OTC or dealer options or sell
covered OTC options. Unlike exchange-listed options where an intermediary or
clearing corporation, such as the Clearing Corporation, assures that all
transactions in such options are properly executed, the responsibility for
performing all transactions with respect to OTC options rests solely with the
writer and the holder of those options. A listed call option writer, for
example, is obligated to deliver the underlying stock to the clearing
organization if the option is exercised, and the clearing organization is then
obligated to pay the writer the exercise price of the option. If the Fund
were to purchase a dealer option, however, it would rely on the dealer from
whom it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. If the
dealer fails to honor the exercise of the option by the Fund, the Fund would
lose the premium it paid for the option and the expected benefit of the
transaction.
Listed options generally have a continuous liquid market while
dealer options have none. Consequently, the Fund will generally be able to
realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising it or
reselling it to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a
dealer option, it generally will be able to close out the option prior to its
expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the
dealer to which the Fund originally wrote the option. Although the Fund will
seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and that
are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the
Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate a
dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. The
inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to
the Fund. Until the Fund, as a covered OTC call option writer, is able to
effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate
securities (or other assets) used to cover the written option until the option
expires or is exercised. This requirement may impair the Fund's ability to
sell portfolio securities or, with respect to currency options, currencies at
a time when such sale might be advantageous. In the event of insolvency of
the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option.
Futures Activities. The Fund may enter into foreign currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write (sell)
related options traded on exchanges designated by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC") or consistent with CFTC regulations on foreign
exchanges. These transactions may be entered into for "bona fide hedging"
purposes as defined in CFTC regulations and other permissible purposes
including hedging against changes in the value of portfolio securities due to
anticipated changes in currency values, interest rates and/or market
conditions and increasing return.
<PAGE>7
The Fund will not enter into futures contracts and related options
for which the aggregate initial margin and premiums (discussed below) required
to establish positions other than those considered to be "bona fide hedging"
by the CFTC exceed 5% of the Fund's net asset value after taking into account
unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered
into. The Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures
contracts and options on futures contracts to the extent allowed by CFTC
regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with the Fund's
policies. There is no overall limit on the percentage of Fund assets that may
be at risk with respect to futures activities. The ability of the Fund to
trade in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be limited by
the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), applicable to a regulated investment company.
Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract provides for
the future sale by one party and the purchase by the other party of a certain
amount of a specified non-U.S. currency at a specified price, date, time and
place. An interest rate futures contract provides for the future sale by one
party and the purchase by the other party of a certain amount of a specific
interest rate sensitive financial instrument (debt security) at a specified
price, date, time and place. Stock indexes are capitalization weighted
indexes which reflect the market value of the stock listed on the indexes. A
stock index futures contract is an agreement to be settled by delivery of an
amount of cash equal to a specified multiplier times the difference between
the value of the index at the close of the last trading day on the contract
and the price at which the agreement is made.
No consideration is paid or received by the Fund upon entering into
a futures contract. Instead, the Fund is required to deposit in a segregated
account with its custodian an amount of cash or cash equivalents, such as U.S.
government securities or other liquid high-grade debt obligations, equal to
approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to
change by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and brokers may charge
a higher amount). This amount is known as "initial margin" and is in the
nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is
returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. The broker will have access to
amounts in the margin account if the Fund fails to meet its contractual
obligations. Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from
the broker, will be made daily as the currency, financial instrument or stock
index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short
positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as
"marking-to-market." The Fund will also incur brokerage costs in connection
with entering into futures transactions.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, the Fund
may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will
operate to terminate the Fund's existing position in the contract. Positions
in futures contracts and options on futures contracts (described below) may be
closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a
linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although
the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active
market for
<PAGE>8
such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist at any
particular time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the
daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made
that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for
specified periods during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices
could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little
or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at
an advantageous price and subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. In such
event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required
to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the
fund had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do
so. In addition, if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in
such circumstances the Fund may realize a loss on a futures contract or option
that is not offset by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses
incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will
affect the Fund's performance.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write put
and call options on foreign currency, interest rate and stock index futures
contracts and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options
to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected; the ability to establish and close out positions
on such options will be subject to the existence of a liquid market.
An option on a currency, interest rate or stock index futures
contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives
the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position
in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the
expiration date of the option. The writer of the option is required upon
exercise to assume an offsetting futures position (a short position if the
option is a call and a long position if the option is a put). Upon exercise
of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option
to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated
balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by
which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call,
or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the
futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on
futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus
transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of
sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in
the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does
change daily and that change would be reflected in the net asset value of the
Fund.
Currency Exchange Transactions. The value in U.S. dollars of the
assets of the Fund that are invested in foreign securities may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange control regulations, and the
Fund may incur costs in connection with conversion between various currencies.
Currency exchange transactions may be from any non-U.S. currency into U.S.
dollars or into other appropriate currencies. The Fund will conduct its
currency exchange transactions (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate
<PAGE>9
prevailing in the currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into futures
contracts or options on such contracts (as described above), (iii) through
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell currency or (iv) by
purchasing exchange-traded currency options.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract involves
an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which
may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts
are entered into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Forward
currency contracts are similar to currency futures contracts, except that
futures contracts are traded on commodities exchanges and are standardized as
to contract size and delivery date.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may either
sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the currency, or retain the
security and fully or partially offset its contractual obligation to deliver
the currency by negotiating with its trading partner to purchase a second,
offsetting contract. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages
in an offsetting transaction, the Fund, at the time of execution of the
offsetting transaction, will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that
movement has occurred in forward contract prices.
Currency Options. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded put and
call options on foreign currencies. Put options convey the right to sell the
underlying currency at a price which is anticipated to be higher than the spot
price of the currency at the time the option is exercised. Call options
convey the right to buy the underlying currency at a price which is expected
to be lower than the spot price of the currency at the time the option is
exercised.
Currency Hedging. The Fund's currency hedging will be limited to
hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward currency with respect
to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally accruing in
connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities. Position
hedging is the sale of forward currency with respect to portfolio security
positions. The Fund may not position hedge to an extent greater than the
aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the hedge) of the hedged
securities.
A decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency in which
the Fund's securities are denominated will reduce the U.S. dollar value of the
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. The
use of currency hedges does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be
achieved in the future. For example, in order to protect against diminutions
in the U.S. dollar value of securities it holds, the Fund may purchase
currency put options. If the value of the currency does decline, the Fund
will have the right to sell the currency for a fixed amount in dollars and
will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the
<PAGE>10
adverse effect on the U.S. dollar value of its securities that otherwise would
have resulted. Conversely, if a rise in the U.S. dollar value of a currency
in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby
potentially increasing the cost of the securities, the Fund may purchase call
options on the particular currency. The purchase of these options could
offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange
rates. The benefit to the Fund derived from purchases of currency options,
like the benefit derived from other types of options, will be reduced by
premiums and other transaction costs. Because transactions in currency
exchange are generally conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions
are generally involved. Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and
considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Although
currency hedges limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a
hedged currency, at the same time, they also limit any potential gain that
might result should the value of the currency increase. If a devaluation is
generally anticipated, the Fund may not be able to contract to sell a currency
at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
While the values of currency futures and options on futures, forward
currency contracts and currency options may be expected to correlate with
exchange rates, they will not reflect other factors that may affect the value
of the Fund's investments and a currency hedge may not be entirely successful
in mitigating changes in the value of the Fund's investments denominated in
that currency. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-
denominated bond against a decline in the Yen, but will not protect the Fund
against a price decline if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
Hedging. In addition to entering into options, futures and currency
exchange transactions for other purposes, including generating current income
to offset expenses or increase return, the Fund may enter into these
transactions as hedges to reduce investment risk, generally by making an
investment expected to move in the opposite direction of a portfolio position.
A hedge is designed to offset a loss in a portfolio position with a gain in
the hedged position; at the same time, however, a properly correlated hedge
will result in a gain in the portfolio position being offset by a loss in the
hedged position. As a result, the use of options, futures, contracts and
currency exchange transactions for hedging purposes could limit any potential
gain from an increase in the value of the position hedged. In addition, the
movement in the portfolio position hedged may not be of the same magnitude as
movement in the hedge. With respect to futures contracts, since the value of
portfolio securities will far exceed the value of the futures contracts sold
by the Fund, an increase in the value of the futures contracts could only
mitigate, but not totally offset, the decline in the value of the Fund's
assets.
In hedging transactions based on an index, whether the Fund will
realize a gain or loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index
depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market
generally or, in the case of certain indexes, in an industry or market
segment, rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. The risk
of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio
varies from the composition of the index. In an effort to compensate for
imperfect correlation of relative
<PAGE>11
movements in the hedged position and the hedge, the Fund's hedge positions may
be in a greater or lesser dollar amount than the dollar amount of the hedged
position. Such "over hedging" or "under hedging" may adversely affect the
Fund's net investment results if market movements are not as anticipated when
the hedge is established. Stock index futures transactions may be subject to
additional correlation risks. First, all participants in the futures market
are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than
meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures
contracts through offsetting transactions which would distort the normal
relationship between the stock index and futures markets. Secondly, from the
point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market.
Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market also
may cause temporary price distortions. Because of the possibility of price
distortions in the futures market and the imperfect correlation between
movements in the stock index and movements in the price of stock index
futures, a correct forecast of general market trends by Warburg still may not
result in a successful hedging transaction.
The Fund will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed
advisable by Warburg, and successful use by the Fund of hedging transactions
will be subject to Warburg's ability to predict trends in currency, interest
rate or securities markets, as the case may be, and to correctly predict
movements in the directions of the hedge and the hedged position and the
correlation between them, which predictions could prove to be inaccurate.
This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the
price of individual securities, and there can be no assurance that the use of
these strategies will be successful. Even a well-conceived hedge may be
unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected market behavior or trends.
Losses incurred in hedging transactions and the costs of these transactions
will affect the Fund's performance.
Asset Coverage for Forward Contracts, Options, Futures and Options
on Futures. As described in the Prospectuses, the Fund will comply with
guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forward currency
contracts; options written by the Fund on currencies, securities and indexes;
and currency, interest rate and index futures contracts and options on these
futures contracts. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require
segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid high-grade debt securities or other
securities that are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory
authority.
For example, a call option written by the Fund on securities may
require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities
convertible into the securities without additional consideration) or to
segregate assets (as described above) sufficient to purchase and deliver the
securities if the call is exercised. A call option written by the Fund on an
index may require the Fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the
index or to segregate assets (as described above) equal to the excess of the
index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written
by the Fund may require the Fund to segregate assets (as described above)
equal to the exercise price. The Fund could purchase a put option if the
strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a
put
<PAGE>12
option sold by the Fund. If the Fund holds a futures or forward contract, the
Fund could purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with
a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. The
Fund may enter into fully or partially offsetting transactions so that its net
position, coupled with any segregated assets (equal to any remaining
obligation), equals its net obligation. Asset coverage may be achieved by
other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies.
Additional Information on Other Investment Practices
Foreign Investments. Investors should recognize that investing in
foreign companies involves certain risks, including those discussed below,
which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. See "Japan
and Its Securities Markets" for a discussion of factors relating to Japanese
investments specifically.
Foreign Currency Exchange. Since the Fund will be investing in
securities denominated in Japanese yen and currencies of other Asian
countries, and since the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits or
other money market investments denominated
in foreign currencies, the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by
exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rate between such
currencies and the dollar. A change in the value of a foreign currency
relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the
dollar value of the Fund assets denominated in that foreign currency. Changes
in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value of dividends and
interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net
investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by the
Fund. The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is
determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets.
Changes in the exchange rate may result over time from the interaction of many
factors directly or indirectly affecting economic and political conditions in
the United States and a particular foreign country, including economic and
political developments in other countries. Of particular importance are rates
of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments and the extent of
government surpluses or deficits in the United States and the particular
foreign country, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal
and trade policies pursued by the governments of the United States and foreign
countries important to international trade and finance. Governmental
intervention may also play a significant role. National governments rarely
voluntarily allow their currencies to float freely in response to economic
forces. Sovereign governments use a variety of techniques, such as
intervention by a country's central bank or imposition of regulatory controls
or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of their currencies. See "Japan and
Its Securities Markets -- Economic Background -- Currency Fluctuation" below.
The Fund may use hedging techniques with the objective of guarding against
loss through the fluctuation of the value of the yen against the U.S. dollar,
particularly the forward market in foreign exchange, currency options and
currency futures. See "Currency Transactions" and "Futures Activities" above.
<PAGE>13
Information. The majority of the securities held by the Fund will
not be registered with, nor the issuers thereof be subject to reporting
requirements of, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about the
securities and about the foreign company or government issuing them than is
available about a domestic company or government entity. Foreign companies
are generally not subject to uniform financial reporting standards, practices
and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Political Instability. With respect to some foreign countries,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or
social instability, or domestic developments which could affect U.S.
investments in those and neighboring countries. For example, tensions in Asia
have increased following the announcement in March 1993 by The Democratic
People's Republic of Korea ("North Korea") of its intention to withdraw from
participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its refusal to allow
the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct full inspections of its
nuclear facilities. Military action involving North Korea or the economic
deterioration of North Korea could adversely affect the entire region and the
performance of the Fund.
Delays. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and
their prices are more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Certain foreign countries are known to experience long delays between the
trade and settlement dates of securities purchased or sold. Due to the
increased exposure of the Fund to market and foreign exchange fluctuations
brought about by such delays, and due to the corresponding negative impact on
Fund liquidity, the Fund will avoid investing in countries which are known to
experience settlement delays which may expose the Fund to unreasonable risk of
loss.
Foreign Taxes and Increased Expenses. The operating expenses of the
Fund can be expected to be higher than that of an investment company investing
exclusively in U.S. securities, since the expenses of the Fund, such as
custodial costs, valuation costs and communication costs, as well as the rate
of the investment advisory fees, though similar to such expense of some other
international funds, are higher than those costs incurred by other investment
companies.
General. In general, individual foreign economies may differ
favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of
gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource
self-sufficiency, and balance of payments positions. The Fund may invest in
securities of foreign governments (or agencies or instrumentalities thereof),
and many, if not all, of the foregoing considerations apply to such
investments as well.
U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in debt obligations
of varying maturities issued or guaranteed by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. government securities"). Direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury
<PAGE>14
include a variety of securities that differ in their interest rates,
maturities and dates of issuance. U.S. government securities also include
securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers
Home Loan Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small
Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"),
General Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm
Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Federal
National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration, Tennessee
Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board and Student Loan Marketing
Association. The Fund may also invest in instruments that are supported by
the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and instruments that
are supported by the credit of the instrumentality. Because the U.S. govern-
ment is not obligated by law to provide support to an instrumentality it
sponsors, the Fund will invest in obligations issued by such an
instrumentality only if Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's
investment adviser ("Warburg"), determines that the credit risk with respect
to the instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable for investment
by the Fund.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities in which the Fund
may invest, including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock,
may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying
shares of common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities
enable an investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the
underlying common stock. Convertible securities provide higher yields than
the underlying equity securities, but generally offer lower yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality. Like bonds, the value of
convertible securities fluctuates in relation to changes in interest rates
and, in addition, also fluctuates in relation to the underlying common stock.
Foreign Debt Securities. The returns on foreign debt securities
reflect interest rates and other market conditions prevailing in those
countries and the effect of gains and losses in the denominated currencies
against the U.S. dollar, which have had a substantial impact on investment in
foreign fixed-income securities. The relative performance of various
countries' fixed-income markets historically has reflected wide variations
relating to the unique characteristics of each country's economy. Year-to-
year fluctuations in certain markets have been significant, and negative
returns have been experienced in various markets from time to time.
The foreign government securities in which the Fund may invest
generally consist of obligations issued or backed by national, state or
provincial governments or similar political subdivisions or central banks in
foreign countries. Foreign government securities also include debt
obligations of supranational entities, which include international
organizations designated or backed by governmental entities to promote
economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and
related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"), the European Coal and Steel
Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.
<PAGE>15
Foreign government securities also include debt securities of
"quasi-governmental agencies" and debt securities denominated in multinational
currency units of an issuer (including supranational issuers). Debt
securities of quasi-governmental agencies are issued by entities owned by
either a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a
political unit that is not backed by the national government's full faith and
credit and general taxing powers. An example of a multinational currency unit
is the European Currency Unit ("ECU"). An ECU represents specified amounts of
the currencies of certain member states of the European Economic Community.
The specific amounts of currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the
Council of Ministers of the European Community to reflect changes in relative
values of the underlying currencies.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net
assets in mortgage-backed securities, such as those issued by GNMA, FNMA,
FHLMC or certain foreign issuers. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct
or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage
loans secured by real property. The mortgages backing these securities
include, among other mortgage instruments, conventional 30-year fixed-rate
mortgages, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and
adjustable rate mortgages. The government or the issuing agency typically
guarantees the payment of interest and principal of these securities.
However, the guarantees do not extend to the securities' yield or value, which
are likely to vary inversely with fluctuations in interest rates, nor do the
guarantees extend to the yield or value of the Fund's shares. These
securities generally are "pass-through" instruments, through which the holders
receive a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages
underlying the securities, net of certain fees.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment
dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and
the associated average life assumption. The average life of pass-through
pools varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage loans. A pool's
term may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal on the
underlying mortgages. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by
various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic
conditions, the location, scheduled maturity and age of the mortgage and other
social and demographic conditions. Because prepayment rates of individual
pools vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life
of a particular pool. For pools of fixed-rate 30-year mortgages, a common
industry practice in the U.S. has been to assume that prepayments will result
in a 12-year average life. At present, pools, particularly those with loans
with other maturities or different characteristics, are priced on an
assumption of average life determined for each pool. In periods of falling
interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening
the actual average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely,
in periods of rising rates the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby
lengthening the actual average life of the pool. However, these effects may
not be present, or may differ in degree, if the mortgage loans in the pools
have adjustable interest rates or other special payment terms, such as a
prepayment charge. Actual prepayment experience may cause the yield of
mortgage-backed securities to differ
<PAGE>16
from the assumed average life yield. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at
higher or lower interest rates than the original investment, thus affecting
the Fund's yield.
The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is lower than the
interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to
the annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through
monthly payments to certificate holders and to any guarantor, such as GNMA,
and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may
vary from the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed
securities are purchased or traded in the secondary market at a premium or
discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between the time the
issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer
makes the payments on the mortgage-backed securities, and this delay reduces
the effective yield to the holder of such securities.
Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net
assets in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are
secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales,
installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal
property and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements. Such
assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose
corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be
guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of
credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution
unaffiliated with the trust or corporation.
Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented
by other securities in which the Fund may invest. Automobile receivables
generally are secured by automobiles. Most issuers of automobile receivables
permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations.
If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a
risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the
holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large
number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements
under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables
may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles.
Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral
may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.
Credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled
to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many
of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the
credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Because asset-backed
securities are relatively new, the market experience in these securities is
limited, and the market's ability to sustain liquidity through all phases of
the market cycle has not been tested.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in "zero coupon" U.S.
Treasury, foreign government and U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities,
which are bills, notes and bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons and custodial receipts or certificates of participation
representing interests in such stripped debt
<PAGE>17
obligations and coupons. The Fund currently anticipates that during the
coming year zero coupon securities will not exceed 5% of its net assets. A
zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder prior to maturity.
Accordingly, such securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face
or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations of market value in
response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable
maturities that make current distributions of interest. The Fund anticipates
that it will not normally hold zero coupon securities to maturity. Federal
tax law requires that a holder of a zero coupon security accrue a portion of
the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year, even
though the holder receives no interest payment on the security during the
year. Such accrued discount will be includible in determining the amount of
dividends the Fund must pay each year and, in order to generate cash necessary
to pay such dividends, the Fund may liquidate portfolio securities at a time
when it would not otherwise have done so.
Securities of Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in
securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Presently, under
the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of another investment company in
amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of
such company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets
and (iii) when added to all other investment company securities held by the
Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet
capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the
Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board"). These loans, if and when made, may
not exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets taken at value. The Fund will not
lend portfolio securities to affiliates of Warburg unless it has applied for
and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio
securities will be collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S.
government securities, which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to
at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Any gain
or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during
the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. From time to time,
the Fund may return a part of the interest earned from the investment of
collateral received for securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party
that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a "finder."
By lending its securities, the Fund can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest and any dividends on the loaned securities as
well as by either investing the collateral received for securities loaned
in short-term instruments or obtaining yield in the form of interest paid by
the borrower when U.S. government securities are used as collateral. Although
the generation of income is not an investment objective of the Fund, income
received could be used to pay the Fund's expenses and would increase an
investor's total return. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions
whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at
least 100% cash collateral or equivalent
<PAGE>18
securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower;
(ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of
the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must
be able to terminate the loan at any time; (iv) the Fund must receive
reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other
distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v)
the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan;
and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower,
provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment
occurs, the Board must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the
securities. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or
insolvency of the other party including possible delays or restrictions upon
the Fund's ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the
collateral for the loan.
Non-Publicly Traded and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may not
invest more than 10% of its net assets in non-publicly traded and illiquid
securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of
a readily available market, repurchase agreements which have a maturity of
longer than seven days and time deposits maturing in more than seven days.
Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a
readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this
limitation. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject
to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase
agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have
not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private
placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer
or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant
amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the
potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on
resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities
and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid
securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience
difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also
have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them
resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could
impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed
for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act
including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities,
municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors
depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for
repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on
resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative
of the liquidity of such investments.
<PAGE>19
Rule 144A Securities. Rule 144A under the Securities Act adopted by
the SEC allows for a broader institutional trading market for securities
otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional
buyers. Warburg anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities
such as institutional commercial paper will expand further as a result of this
regulation and use of automated systems for the trading, clearance and
settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as
the PORTAL System sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid
and therefore subject to the Fund's limit on the purchase of illiquid
securities unless the Board or its delegates determines that the Rule 144A
Securities are liquid. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Board or its
delegates may consider, inter alia, the following factors: (i) the
unregistered nature of the security; (ii) the frequency of trades and quotes
for the security; (iii) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the
security and the number of other potential purchasers; (iv) dealer
undertakings to make a market in the security and (v) the nature of the
security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to
dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of
the transfer).
When-Issued Securities and Delayed-Delivery Transactions. The Fund
may utilize up to 20% of its total assets to purchase securities on a
"when-issued" basis or purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery (i.e.,
payment or delivery occur beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price
and yield). When-issued transactions normally settle within 30-45 days. The
Fund will enter into a when-issued transaction for the purpose of acquiring
portfolio securities and not for the purpose of leverage, but may sell the
securities before the settlement date if Warburg deems it advantageous to do
so. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on
when-issued securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the com-
mitment. Due to fluctuations in the value of securities purchased or sold on
a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, the yields obtained on such
securities may be higher or lower than the yields available in the market on
the dates when the investments are actually delivered to the buyers.
When the Fund agrees to purchase when-issued or delayed-delivery
securities, its custodian will set aside cash, U.S. government securities or
other liquid high-grade debt obligations or other securities that are
acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory authority equal to the
amount of the commitment in a segregated account. Normally, the custodian
will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment, and in
such a case the Fund may be required subsequently to place additional assets
in the segregated account in order to ensure that the value of the account
remains equal to the amount of the Fund's commitment. It may be expected that
the Fund's net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside
portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets
aside cash. When the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed-delivery
transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure
of the seller to do so may result
<PAGE>20
in the Fund's incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price
considered to be advantageous.
Short Sales "Against the Box". In a short sale, the Fund sells a
borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return
the identical security. The Fund may engage in short sales if at the time of
the short sale the Fund owns or has the right to obtain without additional
cost an equal amount of the security being sold short. This investment
technique is known as a short sale "against the box,"
In a short sale, the seller does not immediately deliver the
securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until
delivery occurs. If the Fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the
short position will be maintained by the Fund's custodian or qualified sub-
custodian. While the short sale is open, the Fund will maintain in a
segregated account an amount of securities equal in kind and amount to the
securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
equivalent securities. These securities constitute the Fund's long position.
Not more than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) may be
held as collateral for such short sales at any one time.
The Fund does not intend to engage in short sales against the box
for investment purposes. The Fund may, however, make a short sale as a hedge,
when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline
in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security convertible or
exchangeable for such security), or when the fund wants to sell the security
at an attractive current price, but also wishes to defer recognition of gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for purposes of satisfying
certain tests applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code. In
such case, any future losses in the Fund's long position should be offset by a
gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position
should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such
gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold
short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be certain additional
transactions costs associated with short sales against the box, but the Fund
will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the
cash proceeds of short sales.
Securities of Smaller Companies and Emerging Growth Companies. The
Fund's investment in over-the-counter securities, including those traded
through JASDAQ or on the Frontier Market (as described in the Prospectuses),
involves considerations that are not applicable to investing in securities of
established, larger-capitalization issuers, including reduced and less
reliable information about issuers and markets, less stringent accounting
standards, illiquidity of securities and markets, higher brokerage commissions
and fees and greater market risk in general. Investors should expect some
volatility due to the risks involved and should regard their investment as
long term. In addition, securities of emerging growth and smaller companies
may involve greater risks since these securities may have limited
marketability and, thus, may be more volatile. Because smaller companies
normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger companies, it may be more
difficult for the Fund
<PAGE>21
to buy or sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable
impact on prevailing prices.
American, European and Continental Depositary Receipts. The assets
of the Fund may be invested in the securities of foreign issuers in the form
of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts
("EDRs"). These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are
receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence
ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs,
which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs"),
are receipts issued in Europe typically by non-U.S. banks and trust companies
that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally,
ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets and
EDRs and CDRs in bearer form are designed for use in European securities
markets.
Warrants. The Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants
(valued at the lower of cost or market) (other than warrants acquired by the
Fund as part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase).
Because a warrant does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the securities which it entitles a holder to purchase,
and because it does not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer,
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. Also, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with
the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow up to 30% of its total assets for
temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet portfolio redemption
requests so as to permit the orderly disposition of portfolio securities or to
facilitate settlement transactions on portfolio securities. Investments
(including roll-overs) will not be made when borrowings exceed 5% of the
Fund's net assets. Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed,
the Fund's assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is
outstanding. The Fund expects that some of its borrowings may be made on a
secured basis. In such situations, either the custodian will segregate the
pledged assets for the benefit of the lender or arrangements will be made with
a suitable subcustodian, which may include the lender.
Other Investment Limitations
The investment limitations numbered 1 through 9 may not be changed
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares. Such majority is defined as the lesser of (i) 67% or more
of the shares present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii)
more than 50% of the outstanding shares. Investment limitations 10 through 16
may be changed by a vote of the Board at any time.
<PAGE>22
The Fund may not:
1. Borrow money except that the Fund may (a) borrow from banks for
temporary or emergency purposes and (b) enter into reverse repurchase
agreements; provided that reverse repurchase agreements, dollar roll
transactions that are accounted for as financings and any other transactions
constituting borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 30% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the time of such borrowing. For purposes of this
restriction, the entry into currency transactions, options, futures contracts,
options on futures contracts, forward commitment transactions and dollar roll
transactions that are not accounted for as financings (and the segregation of
assets in connection with any of the foregoing) shall not constitute
borrowing.
2. Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the
value of the Fund's total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the
securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the
same industry; provided that there shall be no limit on the purchase of U.S.
government securities.
3. Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold
fixed-income securities, including loan participations, assignments and
structured securities, lend portfolio securities and enter into repurchase
agreements.
4. Underwrite any securities issued by others except to the extent
that the investment in restricted securities and the sale of securities in
accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations may
be deemed to be underwriting.
5. Purchase or sell real estate or invest in oil, gas or mineral
exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest in (a)
securities secured by real estate, mortgages or interests therein and (b)
securities of companies that invest in or sponsor oil, gas or mineral
exploration or development programs.
6. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position,
except that the Fund may maintain short positions in forward currency
contracts, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts and
enter into short sales "against the box."
7. Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
any short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities. For purposes of this restriction, the deposit or payment of
initial or variation margin in connection with transactions in currencies,
options, futures contracts or related options will not be deemed to be a
purchase of securities on margin.
8. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and
sell futures contracts, including those relating to securities, currencies and
indices, and options on futures contracts, securities, currencies or indices,
and purchase and sell currencies on a forward commitment or delayed-delivery
basis.
<PAGE>23
9. Issue any senior security except as permitted in these
investment limitations.
10. Purchase securities of other investment companies except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or offer
of exchange, or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act.
11. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the
extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to
the deposit of assets in escrow and in connection with the writing of covered
put and call options and purchase of securities on a forward commitment or
delayed-delivery basis and collateral and initial or variation margin
arrangements with respect to currency transactions, options, futures
contracts, and options on futures contracts.
12. Invest more than 10% of the Fund's net assets in securities
which may be illiquid because of legal or contractual restrictions on resale
or securities for which there are no readily available market quotations. For
purposes of this limitation, repurchase agreements with maturities greater
than seven days shall be considered illiquid securities.
13. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then have
more than 5% of its total assets invested in securities of companies
(including predecessors) that have been in continuous operation for fewer than
three years ("unseasoned companies").
14. Purchase or retain securities of any company if, to the
knowledge of the Fund, any of the Fund's officers or Directors or any officer
or director of Warburg individually owns more than 1/2 of 1% of the
outstanding securities of such company and together they own beneficially more
than 5% of the securities.
15. Invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by the Fund as
part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase) if, as a
result, the investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) would exceed
5% of the value of the Fund's net assets.
16. Make additional investments (including roll-overs) if the
Fund's borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions
listed above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states.
Should the Fund determine that any such commitment is no longer in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund will revoke the commitment
by terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state involved. If a percentage
restriction (other than the percentage limitation set forth in No. 1 above) is
adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the
percentage of assets resulting from a change in the values of portfolio
securities or in the amount of the Fund's assets will not constitute a
violation of such restriction.
<PAGE>24
Portfolio Valuation
The Prospectuses discuss the time at which the net asset value of
the Fund is determined for purposes of sales and redemptions. The following
is a description of the procedures used by the Fund in valuing its assets.
Securities, options and futures contracts for which market
quotations are available will be valued as described in the Prospectuses. A
security which is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the
quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such
security. In determining the market value of portfolio investments, the Fund
may employ outside organizations (a "Pricing Service") which may use a matrix,
formula or other objective method that takes into consideration market
indexes, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments. The
procedures of Pricing Services are reviewed periodically by the officers of
the Fund under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board, which
may replace a Pricing Service at any time. Short-term obligations with
maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which constitutes
fair value as determined by the Board. Amortized cost involves valuing a
portfolio instrument at its initial cost and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact
of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. The
amortized cost method of valuation may also be used with respect to other debt
obligations with 60 days or less remaining to maturity. Securities, options
and futures contracts for which market quotations are not available and
certain other assets of the Fund will be valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures
established by the Board. In addition, the Board or its delegates may value a
security at fair value if it determines that such security's value determined
by the methodology set forth above does not reflect its fair value.
Trading in securities in Japan and other Asian countries is
completed at various times prior to the close of business on each business day
in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is
open for trading). In addition, securities trading in a particular country or
countries may not take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore,
trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not business
days in New York and days on which the Fund's net asset value is not
calculated. As a result, calculation of the Fund's net asset value does not
take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
majority of the Fund's securities. Events affecting the values of portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and the
close of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the Fund's
calculation of net asset value unless the Board or its delegates deems that
the particular event would materially affect net asset value, in which case an
adjustment may be made. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in
foreign currency values will be converted into U.S. dollar values at the
prevailing exchange rate as quoted by a Pricing Service. If such quotations
are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith
pursuant to consistently applied procedures established by the Board.
<PAGE>25
Portfolio Transactions
Warburg is responsible for establishing, reviewing and, where
necessary, modifying the Fund's investment program to achieve its investment
objective. Purchases and sales of newly issued portfolio securities are
usually principal transactions without brokerage commissions effected directly
with the issuer or with an underwriter acting as principal. Other purchases
and sales may be effected on a securities exchange or over-the-counter,
depending on where it appears that the best price or execution will be
obtained. The purchase price paid by the Fund to underwriters of newly issued
securities usually includes a concession paid by the issuer to the
underwriter, and purchases of securities from dealers, acting as either
principals or agents in the after market, are normally executed at a price
between the bid and asked price, which includes a dealer's mark-up or
mark-down. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges and some foreign stock
exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. On
exchanges on which commissions are negotiated, the cost of transactions may
vary among different brokers. On most foreign exchanges, commissions are
generally fixed. There is generally no stated commission in the case of
securities traded in domestic or foreign over-the-counter markets, but the
price of securities traded in over-the-counter markets includes an undisclosed
commission or mark-up. U.S. government securities are generally purchased
from underwriters or dealers, although certain newly issued U.S. government
securities may be purchased directly from the U.S. Treasury or from the
issuing agency or instrumentality.
Warburg will select specific portfolio investments and effect
transactions for the Fund for the Fund's equity investments in Japan and other
Asian countries. Warburg seeks to obtain the best net price and the most
favorable execution of orders, effecting transactions only through brokers and
dealers approved by Warburg. In evaluating prices and executions, Warburg
will consider the factors it deems relevant, which may include the breadth of
the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition
and execution capability of a broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the
commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
In addition, to the extent that the execution and price offered by more than
one broker or dealer are comparable, Warburg may, in its discretion, effect
transactions in portfolio securities with dealers who provide brokerage and
research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to Warburg or the Fund and/or other accounts
over which Warburg exercises investment discretion. Research and other
services received may be useful to Warburg in serving both the Fund and its
other clients and, conversely, research or other services obtained by the
placement of business of other clients may be useful to Warburg in carrying
out its obligations to the Fund. The fees to Warburg under its advisory
agreement with the Fund are not reduced by reason of its receiving any
brokerage and research services.
Investment decisions for the Fund concerning specific portfolio
securities are made independently from those for other clients advised by
Warburg. Such other investment clients may invest in the same securities as
the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same
<PAGE>26
security are made at substantially the same time on behalf of such other
clients, transactions are averaged as to price and available investments
allocated as to amount, in a manner which Warburg believes to be equitable to
each client, including the Fund. In some instances, this investment procedure
may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the
position obtained or sold for the Fund. To the extent permitted by law,
Warburg may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with
those to be sold or purchased for such other investment clients in order to
obtain best execution.
Any portfolio transaction for the Fund may be executed through
Counsellors Securities if, in Warburg's judgment, the use of Counsellors
Securities is likely to result in price and execution at least as favorable as
those of other qualified brokers, and if, in the transaction, Counsellors
Securities charges the Fund a commission rate consistent with those charged by
Counsellors Securities to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar
transactions. All transactions with affiliated brokers will comply with Rule
17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold
to Warburg or Counsellors Securities or any affiliated person of such
companies. In addition, the Fund will not give preference to any institutions
with whom the Fund enters into distribution or shareholder servicing
agreements ("Agreements") concerning the provision of distribution services or
support services to customers ("Customers") who beneficially own the Fund's
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, designated Common Stock - Series 1
(the "Series 1 Shares") or Common Stock - Series 2 (the "Advisor Shares").
See the Prospectuses, "Shareholder Servicing."
Transactions for the Fund may be effected on foreign securities
exchanges. In transactions for securities not actively traded on a foreign
securities exchange, the Fund will deal directly with the dealers who make a
market in the securities involved, except in those circumstances where better
prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting
as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased
directly from the issuer. Such portfolio securities are generally traded on a
net basis and do not normally involve brokerage commissions. Securities firms
may receive brokerage commissions on certain portfolio transactions, including
options, futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale
of underlying securities upon exercise of options.
The Fund may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding for
the purchase of securities for the Fund's portfolio directly from an issuer in
order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of
such a group. The Fund will engage in this practice, however, only when
Warburg, in its sole discretion, believe such practice to be otherwise in the
Fund's interest.
<PAGE>27
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund does not intend to seek profits through short-term trading,
but the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it
desirable to sell or purchase securities. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate
is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of its portfolio
securities for the year by the monthly average value of the portfolio
securities. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or less at the
date of acquisition are excluded from the calculation.
Certain practices that may be employed by the Fund could result in
high portfolio turnover. For example, options on securities may be sold in
anticipation of a decline in the price of the underlying security (market
decline) or purchased in anticipation of a rise in the price of the underlying
security (market rise) and later sold.
JAPAN AND ITS SECURITIES MARKETS
The Fund will be subject to general economic and political
conditions in Japan. In addition to the considerations discussed above, these
include future political and economic developments, the possible imposition
of, or changes in, exchange controls or other Japanese governmental laws or
restrictions applicable to such investments, diplomatic developments,
political or social unrest and natural disasters.
The information set forth in this section has been extracted from
various governmental publications and other sources. The Fund makes no
representation as to the accuracy of the information, nor has the Fund
attempted to verify it. Furthermore, no representation is made that any
correlation exists between Japan or its economy in general and the performance
of the Fund.
Domestic Politics
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. The legislative power
is vested in the Japanese Diet, which consists of a House of Representatives
and a House of Councillors. Members of the House of Representatives are
elected for terms of four years unless the House of Representatives is
dissolved prior to the expiration of their full elected terms. Members of the
House of Councillors are elected for terms of six years with one-half of the
membership being elected every three years. Various political parties are
represented in the Diet, including the conservative Liberal Democratic Party
("LDP"), which until August 1993 had been in power nationally since its
formation in 1955. The LDP ceased to have a majority of the House of
Representatives in June 1993, when certain members of the House of
Representatives left the LDP and formed two new political parties. After an
election for the House of Representatives was held on July 18, 1993 and the
LDP failed to secure a majority, seven parties formed a coalition to control
the House of Representatives and chose Morihiro Hosokawa, the Representative
of the Japan New Party, to head their
<PAGE>28
coalition. In April 1994, amid accusations of financial improprieties, Prime
Minister Hosokawa announced that he would resign. Tsutomu Hata succeeded Mr.
Hosokawa as prime minister and formed a new cabinet as a minority coalition
government. In June 1994 Mr. Hata yielded to political pressure from
opposition parties and resigned. He was succeeded by Social Democratic Party
leader Tomiichi Murayama, Japan's first Socialist prime minister since 1948,
who was chosen by a new and unstable alliance between left-wing and
conservative parties, including the LDP. On September 18, 1994, 187
opposition politicians founded a new party, the Reform Party led by Ichiro
Ozawa, to oppose the government of Prime Minister Murayama in the next
elections. Political realignment has continued in 1995 as the Social
Democrats incurred significant losses in the July elections. On August 28,
1995, the LDP elected Ryutaro Hashimoto, the minister for trade and industry,
as its new leader. Mr. Hashimoto, who favors a stronger Japanese role in
world affairs, is considered a leading candidate for prime minister in the
next elections. This political instability may hamper Japan's ability to
establish and maintain effective economic and fiscal policies, and recent and
future political developments may lead to changes in policy that might
adversely affect the Fund's investments.
Economic Background
Over the past 30 years Japan has experienced significant economic
development. During the era of high economic growth in the 1960's and early
1970's the expansion was based on the development of heavy industries such as
steel and shipbuilding. In the 1970's Japan moved into assembly industries
which employ high levels of technology and consume relatively low quantities
of resources, and since then has become a major producer of electrical and
electronic products and automobiles. Moreover, since the mid-1980's Japan has
become a major creditor nation. With the exception of the periods associated
with the oil crises of the 1970's, Japan has generally experienced very low
levels of inflation. In the mid-1990's, Japan has been plagued by rising
unemployment, excess capacity and significant bad debts in the banking sector.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
For instance, almost all of its oil is imported, the majority from the Middle
East. Oil prices therefore have a major impact on the domestic economy, as is
evidenced by the current account deficits triggered by the two oil crises of
the 1970's. Oil prices have declined mainly due to a worldwide easing of
demand for crude oil. The stabilized price of oil contributed to Japan's
sizeable current account surplus and stability of wholesale and consumer
prices since 1981. While Japan is working to reduce its dependence on foreign
materials, its lack of natural resources poses a significant obstacle to this
effort.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports
provide the means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import.
Japan's trade surplus has increased dramatically in recent years, exceeding
$100 billion per year since 1991 and reaching a record high of $145 billion in
1994. Because of the concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible
products such as automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors,
<PAGE>29
and the large trade surpluses resulting therefrom, Japan has entered a
difficult phase in its relations with its trading partners, particularly with
respect to the United States, with whom the trade imbalance is the greatest.
In 1995, however, the trade surplus has decreased due to a drop in exports.
The reduced exports are due primarily to the strength of the yen and the
impact of the threatened U.S. trade sanctions. The United States and Japan
have engaged in "economic framework" negotiations to help increase the United
States' share in Japanese markets and reduce Japan's current account surplus,
but progress in the negotiations has been hampered by the recent political
upheaval in Japan. On June 28, 1995, the United States agreed not to impose
trade sanctions in return for a modest commitment by Japan to buy more
American cars and auto parts. Any trade sanctions imposed upon Japan by the
United States as a result of the current friction or otherwise could adversely
affect Japan and the performance of the Fund.
The following table sets forth the composition of Japan's trade
balance, as well as other components of its current account, for the years
shown.
CURRENT ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change from Change from Current
Year Exports Preceding Year Imports Preceding Year Trade Balance Services Transfers Balance
-------------- ------- -------------- ------------- -------- --------- -------
(U.S. dollars in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1984 168,290 15.7 124,003 8.8 44,257 (7,747) (1,507) 35,003
1985 174,015 3.4 118,029 (4.8) 55,986 (5,165) (1,652) 49,169
1986 205,591 18.1 112,764 (4.5) 92,827 (4,932) (2,050) 85,845
1987 224,605 9.2 128,219 13.7 96,386 (5,702) (3,669) 87,015
1988 259,765 15.7 164,753 28.5 95,012 (11,263) (4,118) 79,631
1989 269,570 3.8 192,653 16.9 76,917 (15,526) (4,234) 57,157
1990 280,374 4.0 216,846 12.6 63,528 (22,292) (5,475) 35,761
1991 306,557 9.3 203,513 (6.1) 103,044 (17,660) (12,483) 72,901
1992 330,850 7.9 198,502 (2.5) 132,348 (10,112) (4,685) 117,551
1993 351,292 6.2 209,778 5.7 141,514 (3,949) (6,117) 131,448
1994 384,176 9.4 238,232 13.6 145,944 (9,296) (7,508) 129,140
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
<PAGE>30
Economic Trends. The following table sets forth Japan's gross
domestic product for the years shown.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(yen in billions)
[Y = Yen]
Consumption
Expenditures
Private Y277,676.8 Y270,919.4 Y264,824.1 Y255,084.2 Y243,628.1 Y228,483.2 Y215,122.0 Y204,585.3
Government 46,108.0 44,666.4 43,257.9 41,232.0 38,806.6 36,274.8 34,184.3 32,974.5
Capital Formation
(incl. inventories)
Private 93,111.4 99,180.1 108,727.6 116,638.0 110,871.9 100,130.8 89,043.7 76,176.5
Government 42,227.3 40,295.8 35,110.1 30,062.3 28,182.6 25,724.5 24,660.9 23,673.8
Exports of Goods
and Services 44,449.2 44,243.8 47,409.4 46,809.7 45,919.9 42,351.8 37,483.2 36,209.6
Imports of Goods
and Services 34,424.0 33,333.1 36,183.8 38,529.3 42,871.8 36,768.1 29,065.1 25,194.9
GDP
(Expenditures) 469,148.7 465,972.4 463,145.3 451,296.9 24,537.2 396,197.0 371,429.0 348,425.0
Change in GDP
from Preceding
Year
Nominal terms 0.7% 0.6% 2.6% 6.3% 7.2% 6.7% 6.6% 4.1%
Real Terms 0.5% -0.2% 1.1% 4.3% 4.8% 4.7% 6.2% 4.1%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
<PAGE>31
The following tables set forth certain economic indicators in Japan
for the years shown.
UNEMPLOYMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Labor Productivity
Index
Year Number Unemployed Percent Unemployed (Manufacturing)
---- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
(in millions) (Base Year: 1990)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1984 1.61 2.7 72.4
1985 1.56 2.6 75.6
1986 1.67 2.8 77.0
1987 1.73 2.8 81.4
1988 1.55 2.5 90.8
1989 1.42 2.3 96.2
1990 1.34 2.1 100.0
1991 1.36 2.1 102.5
1992 1.42 2.2 97.0
1993 1.66 2.5 95.4
1994 1.92 2.9 98.3
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
(Base Year: 1990)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Change from
All Preceding
Year Commodities Year
---- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1985 110.4 (1.1)%
1986 100.3 (9.1)
1987 96.5 (3.8)
1988 95.6 (0.9)
1989 98.0 2.5
1990 100.0 2.0
1991 99.4 (0.6)
1992 97.8 (1.6)
1993 95.0 (2.9)
1994 93.0 (2.1)
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Financial Statistics of Japan (1993 ed. and June 1994
supp.), Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy,
Ministry of Finance of Japan; International Monetary
Fund
<PAGE>32
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Change from
Year General Preceding Year
---- ------- --------------
(Base Year: 1990)
<S> <C> <C>
1985 93.5 2.0%
1986 94.1 0.6
1987 94.2 0.1
1988 94.9 0.7
1989 97.0 2.3
1990 100.0 3.1
1991 103.3 3.3
1992 105.0 1.6
1993 106.4 1.3
1994 107.1 0.7
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Financial Statistics of Japan (1993 ed. and June 1994 supp.),
Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan; International Monetary Fund
Currency Fluctuation. The Fund's investments in Japanese securities
will be denominated in yen and most income received by the Fund from such
investments will be in yen. However, the Fund's net asset value will be
reported, and distributions will be made, in U.S. dollars. Therefore, a
decline in the value of the yen relative to the U.S. dollar could have an
adverse effect on the value of the Fund's Japanese investments. The following
table presents the average exchange rates of Japanese yen for U.S. dollars for
the years shown:
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
Year Yen Per U.S. Dollar
---- -------------------
[Y = Yen]
1985 Y238.47
1986 168.35
1987 144.60
1988 128.17
1989 138.07
1990 145.00
1991 134.59
1992 126.79
1993 111.08
1994 102.18
- ------------------------
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve
Bulletin
On December __, 1995, the noon buying rate in New York City for
cable transfers payable in Japanese yen was [104.20] yen per U.S. dollar. The
recent relative
<PAGE>33
strength of the yen to the U.S. dollar may adversely affect the economy of
Japan, and, in particular, the export sector thereof.
Geological Factors. The islands of Japan lie in the western Pacific
Ocean, off the eastern coast of the continent of Asia. Japan has in the past
experienced earthquakes and tidal waves of varying degrees of severity. On
January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake killed over 5,000 people and
severely damaged the port of Kobe, Japan's largest container port. The
government has announced a $5.9 billion plan to repair the port and estimates
damage to the region at approximately $96 billion. However, the long-term
economic effects of the earthquake on the Japanese economy as a whole and on
the Fund's investments cannot be predicted.
Securities Markets
There are eight stock exchanges in Japan. Of these, the Tokyo Stock
Exchange is by far the largest, followed by the Osaka Stock Exchange and the
Nagoya Stock Exchange. These exchanges divide the market for domestic stocks
into two sections, with newly listed companies and smaller companies assigned
to the Second Section and larger companies assigned to the First Section.
The following table sets forth the number of Japanese companies
listed on each of the eight Japanese stock exchanges as of the end of 1994.
NUMBER OF DOMESTIC COMPANIES LISTED ON ALL STOCK EXCHANGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Tokyo Osaka Nagoya
-------------- ------------- -------------
1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd
Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Kyoto Hiroshima Fukuoka Nigata Sapporo
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- --------- ------- ------ -------
1,235 454 855 344 431 129 240 203 260 200 193
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995
<PAGE>34
The following table sets forth the trading volume and value of
Japanese stocks on each of the eight Japanese stock exchanges for the years
shown.
STOCK TRADING VOLUME & VALUE ON ALL STOCK EXCHANGES
(shares in millions; yen in billions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
All Exchanges Tokyo Osaka Nagoya
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Year Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value
---- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 . . . . . 256,296 [Y]386,395 222,599 [Y]332,617 25,096 [Y]41,679 7,263 [Y]10,395
1990 . . . . . 145,837 231,837 123,099 186,667 17,187 35,813 4,323 7,301
1991 . . . . . 107,844 134,160 93,606 110,897 10,998 18,723 2,479 3,586
1992 . . . . . 82,563 80,456 66,408 60,110 12,069 15,575 3,300 3,876
1993 . . . . . 101,172 106,123 86,934 86,889 10,439 14,635 2,779 3,459
1994 . . . . . 105,936 114,622 84,514 87,356 14,903 19,349 4,719 5,780
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Kyoto Hiroshima Fukuoka Niigata Sapporo
Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 . . . 331 443 190 235 268 330 398 475 151 221
1990 . . . 416 770 169 261 203 405 245 334 195 286
1991 . . . 220 300 125 149 122 174 181 208 113 123
1992 . . . 225 322 110 136 139 129 163 178 149 129
1993 . . . 222 340 185 178 229 225 206 226 173 170
1994 . . . 447 562 255 312 578 669 249 299 267 296
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock Exchange
New York
<PAGE>35
The following table sets forth the stock trading value of Japanese
stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the years shown.
TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE
STOCK TRADING VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Total Daily Average High Low Turnover Ratio
---- ----- ------------- ---- --- --------------
(yen in millions)
[Y = Yen]
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Y 7,974,003 Y 36,843 Y 75,652 Y 3,682 47.1%
1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,711,048 276,179 727,316 110,512 44.7
1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159,836,218 572,890 1,682,060 115,244 67.2
1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,736,971 915,098 2,382,114 221,230 80.6
1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285,521,260 1,045,865 2,768,810 192,704 70.2
1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332,616,597 1,335,810 2,796,946 392,347 61.1
1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186,666,820 758,808 1,464,920 218,205 37.7
1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110,897,491 450,803 1,531,064 151,565 29.3
1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,110,391 243,362 686,737 97,616 18.0
1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,889,072 353,208 1,422,760 61,747 28.3
1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,355,567 353,666 1,114,216 123,904 25.6
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock Exchange New York
OTC Market. Trading of securities on the Japanese OTC market ("OTC
Market" or "JASDAQ") is regulated primarily by the Japan Securities Dealers
Association (the "JSDA"). The JSDA reports the daily high and low selling
prices, the last selling price on each day, trading volumes, market
capitalization and the number of corporate issues registered with the JSDA as
traded over-the-counter by the member firms of the JSDA.
<PAGE>36
The following table sets forth the number of issues traded in, the
market capitalization of, and the trading value of stocks in, the Japanese OTC
market for the years shown.
JAPANESE OTC MARKET
NUMBER OF ISSUES, MARKET CAPITALIZATION
AND TRADING VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock Trading Value
-------------------------------------
(yen in thousands)
No. of
Year Issues Market Capitalization Total Daily Average
---- ------ --------------------- ----- -------------
(yen in millions)
[Y = Yen]
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1985 150 1,572,308 195,711,396 686,706
1986 161 2,138,063 450,081,898 1,642,634
1987 172 2,489,409 400,065,211 1,460,092
1988 216 4,270,830 721,639,214 2,643,367
1989 279 12,508,712 2,085,482,912 8,375,433
1990 357 11,972,160 6,111,700,820 24,844,312
1991 446 13,001,864 5,043,126,216 20,500,513
1992 451 8,008,572 1,091,101,849 4,417,416
1993 491 11,318,446 2,880,539,952 11,709,512
1994 581 14,628,729 5,384,108,058 21,798,008
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: JSDA, 1993 Annual Statistics for the OTC Market; Japan Securities
Research Institute
Securities Indexes. The Tokyo Stock Price Index ("TOPIX") is a
composite index of all common stocks listed on the First Section of the Tokyo
Stock Exchange. TOPIX reflects the change in the aggregate market value of
the common stocks as compared to the aggregate market value of those stocks as
of the close on January 4, 1968.
<PAGE>37
The following table sets forth the high, low and year-end TOPIX for
the years shown.
TOPIX (Tokyo Stock Price Index)
(Jan. 4, 1968=100)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Year-end High Low
---- -------- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1985 1,049.40 1,058.35 916.93
1986 1,556.37 1,583.35 1,025.85
1987 1,725.83 2,258.56 1,557.46
1988 2,357.03 2,357.03 1,690.44
1989 2,881.37 2,884.80 2,364.33
1990 1,733.83 2,867.70 1,523.43
1991 1,714.68 2,028.85 1,638.06
1992 1,307.66 1,763.43 1,102.50
1993 1,439.31 1,698.67 1,250.06
1994 1,559.09 1,712.73 1,445.97
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock
Exchange New York
The Nikkei OTC Average is a price weighted index of the quotations
of the OTC registered stock traded by members of the JSDA. The following
table sets forth the year-end Nikkei OTC Average for the years shown.
NIKKEI OTC AVERAGE
Nikkei OTC
Year Average
---- ----------
1985 814.2
1986 1,056.4
1987 1,107.0
1988 1,313.1
1989 2,597.5
1990 2,175.5
1991 1,946.1
1992 1,227.9
1993 1,447.6
1994 1,776.1
- ------------------------
Sources: The Nikkei Shimbun; Bloomberg Financial
Markets
As these indexes reflect, share prices of companies traded on
Japanese stock exchanges and on the Japanese OTC market reached historical
peaks (which were later referred to as the "bubble") in 1989 and 1990.
Afterwards stock prices in both markets decreased significantly, reaching
their lowest levels in the second half of 1992. There can be no assurance
that additional market corrections will not occur.
<PAGE>38
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Officers and Board of Directors
The names (and ages) of the Fund's Directors and officers, their
addresses, present positions and principal occupations during the past five
years and other affiliations are set forth below.
[Richard N. Cooper (61) Director
Room 7E47OHB National Intelligence Counsel;
Central Intelligence Agency Professor at Harvard University; Director
930 Dolly Madison Blvd. or Trustee of Circuit City Stores, Inc.
McClain, Virginia 22107 (retail electronics and appliances) and
Phoenix Home Life Insurance Co.
Donald J. Donahue (71) Director
99 Indian Field Road Chairman of Magma Copper Company since
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 January 1987; Director or Trustee of GEV
Corporation and Signet Star Reinsurance
Company; Chairman and Director of NAC Holdings
from September 1990-June 1993.
Jack W. Fritz (68) . . Director
2425 North Fish Creek Road Private investor; Consultant and Director of
P.O. Box 483 Fritz Broadcasting, Inc. and Fritz
Wilson, Wyoming 83014 Communications (developers and operators of
radio stations); Director of Advo, Inc.
(direct mail advertising).
John L. Furth* (64) . . Chairman of the Board
466 Lexington Avenue Vice Chairman and Director of E.M. Warburg,
New York, New York 10017-3147 Pincus & Co., Inc. ("EMW"); Associated with
EMW since 1970; Director and officer of other
investment companies advised by Warburg.
Thomas A. Melfe (63) . Director
30 Rockefeller Plaza Partner in the law firm of Donovan Leisure
New York, New York 10112 Newton & Irvine; Director of Municipal Fund
for New York Investors, Inc.
- ------------------------
* Indicates a Director who is an "interested person" of the fund as defined
in the 1940.
<PAGE>39
Alexander B. Trowbridge (66) Director
1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. President of Trowbridge Partners, Inc.
Suite 700 (business consulting) from January
Washington, DC 20036 1990-January 1994; President of the National
Association of Manufacturers from 1980-1990;
Director or Trustee of New England Mutual Life
Insurance Co., ICOS Corporation
(biopharmaceuticals), P.H.H. Corporation
(fleet auto management; housing and plant
relocation service), WMX Technologies Inc.
(solid and hazardous waste collection and
disposal), The Rouse Company (real estate
development), SunResorts International Ltd.
(hotel and real estate management), Harris
Corp. (electronics and communications
equipment), The Gillette Co. (personal care
products) and Sun Company Inc. (petroleum
refining and marketing).]
Arnold M. Reichman (47) President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director and Assistant Secretary of
New York, New York 10017-3147 EMW; Associated with EMW since 1984; Senior
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Operating
Officer of Counsellors Securities; Officer of
other investment companies advised by Warburg.
[Eugene L. Podsiadlo (38) Senior Vice President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director of EMW; Associated with
New York, New York 10017-3147 EMW since 1991; Vice President of Citibank,
N.A. from 1987-1991; Senior Vice President of
Counsellors Securities and officer of other
investment companies advised by Warburg.]
Stephen Distler (42) . Vice President and
466 Lexington Avenue Chief Financial Officer
New York, New York 10017-3147 Managing Director, Controller and Assistant
Secretary of EMW; Associated with EMW since
1984; Treasurer of Counsellors Securities;
Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer or Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of other
investment companies advised by Warburg.
<PAGE>40
[Eugene P. Grace (44) . Vice President and Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since April 1994;
New York, New York 10017-3147 Attorney-at-law from September 1989-April
1994; life insurance agent, New York Life
Insurance Company from 1993-1994; General
Counsel and Secretary, Home Unity Savings Bank
from 1991-1992; Vice President and Chief
Compliance Officer of Counsellors Securities;
Vice President and Secretary of other
investment companies advised by Warburg.
Howard Conroy (41) . . Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
466 Lexington Avenue Accounting Officer Associated with EMW since
New York, New York 10017-3147 1992; Associated with Martin Geller, C.P.A.
from 1990-1992; Vice President, Finance with
Gabelli/Rosenthal & Partners, L.P. until 1990;
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting
Officer of other investment companies advised
by Warburg.
Karen Amato (31) . . . Assistant Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since 1987; Assistant
New York, New York 10017-3147 Secretary of other investment companies
advised by Warburg.]
No employee of Warburg or PFPC Inc., the Fund's co-administrator
("PFPC"), or any of their affiliates receives any compensation from the Fund
for acting as an officer or director of the Fund. Each Director who is not a
director, trustee, officer or employee of Warburg, PFPC or any of their
affiliates receives an annual fee of $500, and $250 for each meeting of the
Board attended by him for his services as Director and is reimbursed for
expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at Board meetings.
<PAGE>41
Directors' Compensation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Total Compensation from
Compensation from all Investment Companies
Name of Director Fund Managed by Warburg+*
---------------- ----------------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John L. Furth None** None**
Richard N. Cooper $1,500 $42,500
Donald J. Donahue $1,500 $42,500
Jack W. Fritz $1,500 $42,500
Thomas A. Melfe $1,500 $42,500
Alexander B. Trowbridge $1,500 $42,500
</TABLE>
__________________
+ Amounts shown are estimates of future payments to be made in the fiscal
year ending October 31, 1996 pursuant to existing arrangements.
* Each Director also serves as a Director or Trustee of 17 other investment
companies advised by Warburg.
** Mr. Furth is considered to be an interested person of the Fund and
Warburg, as defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and,
accordingly, receives no compensation from the Fund or any other
investment company managed by Warburg.
Mr. Nicholas P. Edwards, portfolio manager of the Fund, is also an
associate portfolio manager and research analyst of Warburg Pincus Japan OTC
Fund, Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund and the International Equity
Portfolios of Warburg Pincus Institutional Fund, Inc. and Warburg Pincus
Trust. Prior to joining Warburg in August 1995, Mr. Edwards was a director at
Jardine Fleming Investment Advisors, Tokyo. He was a vice president of Robert
Fleming Inc. in New York City from 1988 to 1991. Mr. Edwards earned M.A.
degrees from Oxford University and Hiroshima University in Japan.
Investment Adviser and Co-Administrators
Warburg serves as investment adviser to the Fund, Counsellors Funds
Service, Inc. ("Counsellors Service") and PFPC serve as co-administrators to
the Fund pursuant to separate written agreements (the "Advisory Agreement,"
"Counsellors Service Co-Administration Agreement" and the "PFPC Co-
Administration Agreement," respectively). The services provided by, and the
fees payable by the Fund to, Warburg under the Advisory
<PAGE>42
Agreement, Counsellors Service under the Counsellors Service Co-Administration
Agreement and PFPC under the PFPC Co-Administration Agreement are described in
the Prospectuses. Each class of shares of the Fund bears its proportionate
share of fees payable to Warburg, Counsellors Service and PFPC in the
proportion that its assets bear to the aggregate assets of the Fund at the
time of calculation.
Warburg agrees that if, in any fiscal year, the expenses borne by
the Fund exceed the applicable expense limitations imposed by the securities
regulations of any state in which shares of the Fund are registered or
qualified for sale to the public, it will reimburse the Fund to the extent
required by such regulations. Unless otherwise required by law, such
reimbursement would be accrued and paid on a monthly basis. At the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, the most restrictive annual expense
limitation applicable to the Fund is 2.5% of the first $30 million of the
average net assets of the Fund, 2% of the next $70 million of the average net
assets of the Fund and 1.5% of the remaining average net assets of the Fund.
The advisory fee payable by the Fund is calculated at an annual rate
based on a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets. See the
Prospectuses, "Management of the Fund."
Organization of the Fund
The Fund was incorporated on October 10, 1995 under the laws of the
State of Maryland under the name "Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc."
The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three billion full and
fractional shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share. Common Stock
("Common Shares"), Common Stock - Series 1 and Advisor Shares have been
authorized by the Fund's charter, although only Common Shares and Advisor
Shares have been issued by the Fund. When matters are submitted for
shareholder vote, each shareholder will have one vote for each share owned and
proportionate, fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders
generally vote in the aggregate, except with respect to (i) matters affecting
only the shares of a particular class, in which case only the shares of the
affected class would be entitled to vote, or (ii) when the 1940 Act requires
that shares of the classes be voted separately. There will normally be no
meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Directors unless and
until such time as less than a majority of the Directors holding office have
been elected by shareholders. The Directors will call a meeting for any
purpose when requested to do so in writing by shareholders of record of not
less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
All shareholders of the Fund in each class, upon liquidation, will
participate ratably in the Fund's net assets. Shares do not have cumulative
voting rights, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting
for the election of Directors can elect all Directors. Shares are
transferable but have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights.
<PAGE>43
Custodian and Transfer Agent
________________ (the "Custodian") serves as custodian of the Fund's
assets pursuant to a custodian agreement (the "Custodian Agreement"). Under
the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian (i) maintains a separate account or
accounts in the name of the Fund, (ii) holds and transfers portfolio
securities on account of the Fund, (iii) makes receipts and disbursements of
money on behalf of the Fund, (iv) collects and receives all income and other
payments and distributions on account of the Fund's portfolio securities and
(v) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the Fund's custodial
arrangements. With the approval of the Board, the Custodian is authorized to
select one or more foreign or domestic banks or trust companies and securities
depositories behalf of the Fund.
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") acts as the
shareholder servicing, transfer and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund
pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, under which State Street
(i) issues and redeems shares of the Fund, (ii) addresses and mails all
communications by the Fund to record owners of Fund shares, including reports
to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy material for its
meetings of shareholders, (iii) maintains shareholder accounts and, if
requested, sub-accounts and (iv) makes periodic reports to the Board
concerning the transfer agent's operations with respect to the Fund. The
principal business address of State Street is 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. State Street has delegated to Boston Financial Data
Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary ("BFDS"), responsibility for most
shareholder servicing functions. BFDS's principal business address is 2
Heritage Drive, Boston, Massachusetts 02171.
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing
Common Shares. The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Servicing
and Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Plan"), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund will pay Counsellors Securities, in
consideration for Services (as defined below), a fee calculated at an annual
rate of .25% of the average daily net assets of the Common Shares of the Fund.
Services performed by Counsellors Securities include (i) the sale of the
Common Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Selling Services"), (ii)
ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of Common Shareholders of
the Fund, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Shareholder Services"), and (iii)
sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative
services related to the sale of the Common Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1
Plan ("Administrative Services" and collectively with Selling Services and
Administrative Services, "Services") including, without limitation, (a)
payments reflecting an allocation of overhead and other office expenses of
Counsellors Securities related to providing Services; (b) payments made to,
and reimbursement of expenses of, persons who provide support services in
connection with the distribution of the Common Shares including, but not
limited to, office space and equipment, telephone facilities, answering
routine inquiries regarding the Fund, and providing any other Shareholder
Services; (c) payments made to compensate selected dealers or other authorized
persons for
<PAGE>44
providing any Services; (d) costs relating to the formulation and
implementation of marketing and promotional activities for the Common Shares,
including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising, and related travel and
entertainment expenses; (e) costs of printing and distributing prospectuses,
statements of additional information and reports of the Fund to prospective
shareholders of the Fund; and (f) costs involved in obtaining whatever
information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional
activities that the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable.
Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, Counsellors Securities provides the
Board with periodic reports of amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan and the
purpose for which the expenditures were made.
Advisor Shares. The Fund may, in the future, enter into Agreements
with institutions ("Institutions") to perform certain distribution,
shareholder servicing, administrative and accounting services for their
Customers who are owners of Advisor Shares. See the Prospectuses,
"Shareholder Servicing." The Fund's Agreements with Institutions with respect
to Advisor Shares will be governed by a distribution plan (the "Distribution
Plan"). The Distribution Plan requires the Board, at least quarterly, to
receive and review written reports of amounts expended under the Distribution
Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
An Institution with which the Fund has entered into an Agreement
with respect to its Advisor Shares may charge a Customer one or more of the
following types of fees, as agreed upon by the Institution and the Customer,
with respect to the cash management or other services provided by the
Institution: (i) account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year); (ii)
transaction fees (a fixed amount per transaction processed); (iii)
compensation balance requirements (a minimum dollar amount a Customer must
maintain in order to obtain the services offered); or (iv) account maintenance
fees (a periodic charge based upon the percentage of assets in the account or
of the dividend paid on those assets). Services provided by an Institution to
Customers are in addition to, and not duplicative of, the services to be
provided under the Fund's co-administration and distribution and shareholder
servicing arrangements. A Customer of an Institution should read the relevant
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with the
Agreement and other literature describing the services and related fees that
would be provided by the Institution to its Customers prior to any purchase of
Fund shares. Prospectuses are available from the Fund's distributor upon
request. No preference will be shown in the selection of Fund portfolio
investments for the instruments of Institutions.
General. The Distribution Plan and the 12b-1 Plan will continue in
effect for so long as their continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not
interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or the 12b-1 Plan, as the
case may be ("Independent Directors"). Any material amendment of the
Distribution
<PAGE>45
Plan or the 12b-1 Plan would require the approval of the Board in the manner
described above. Neither the 12b-1 Plan nor the Distribution Plan may be
amended to increase materially the amount to be spent thereunder without
shareholder approval of the relevant class of shares. The Distribution Plan
or the 12b-1 Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a
majority of the Independent Directors or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The offering price of the Fund's shares is equal to the per share
net asset value of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. Information on
how to purchase and redeem Fund shares and how such shares are priced is
included in the Prospectuses under "Net Asset Value."
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or
postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the
NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during
which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during which (as determined by the
SEC) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or fair valuation of
portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods
as the SEC may permit. (The Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation
of an exchange of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing
conditions.)
If the Board determines that conditions exist which make payment of
redemption proceeds wholly in cash unwise or undesirable, the Fund may make
payment wholly or partly in securities or other property. If a redemption is
paid wholly or partly in securities or other property, a shareholder would
incur transaction costs in disposing of the redemption proceeds. The Fund
intends to comply with Rule 18f-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act with respect
to redemptions in kind.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. An automatic cash withdrawal plan
(the "Plan") is available to shareholders who wish to receive specific amounts
of cash periodically. Withdrawals may be made under the Plan by redeeming as
many shares of the Fund as may be necessary to cover the stipulated withdrawal
payment. To the extent that withdrawals exceed dividends, distributions and
appreciation of a shareholder's investment in the Fund, there will be a
reduction in the value of the shareholder's investment and continued
withdrawal payments may reduce the shareholder's investment and ultimately
exhaust it. Withdrawal payments should not be considered as income from
investment in the Fund. All dividends and distributions on shares in the Plan
are automatically reinvested at net asset value in additional shares of the
Fund.
<PAGE>46
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
An exchange privilege with certain other funds advised by Warburg is
available to investors in the Fund. The funds into which exchanges can be
made by holders of Common Shares currently are the Common Shares of Warburg
Pincus Cash Reserve Fund, Warburg Pincus New York Tax Exempt Fund, Warburg
Pincus New York Intermediate Municipal Fund, Warburg Pincus Tax Free Fund,
Warburg Pincus Intermediate Maturity Government Fund, Warburg Pincus Fixed
Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Short-Term Tax-Advantaged Bond Fund, Warburg
Pincus Global Fixed Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Balanced Fund, Warburg Pincus
Growth & Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund, Warburg Pincus
Small Company Value Fund, Warburg Pincus Post-Venture Capital Fund, Warburg
Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund, Warburg
Pincus Emerging Markets Fund and Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund. Common
Shareholders of the Fund may exchange all or part of their shares for Common
Shares of these or other mutual funds organized by Warburg in the future on
the basis of their relative net asset values per share at the time of the
exchange. Exchanges of Advisor Shares may currently be made with Advisor
Shares of Warburg Pincus Balanced Fund, Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation
Fund, Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, Warburg Pincus Growth & Income Fund
and Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund at their relative net asset
values at the time of the exchange.
The exchange privilege enables shareholders to acquire shares in a
fund with a different investment objective when they believe that a shift
between funds is an appropriate investment decision. This privilege is
available to shareholders residing in any state in which the Common Shares or
Advisor Shares being acquired, as relevant, may legally be sold. Prior to any
exchange, the investor should obtain and review a copy of the current
prospectus of the relevant class of each fund into which an exchange is being
considered. Shareholders may obtain a prospectus of the relevant class of the
fund into which they are contemplating an exchange from Counsellors
Securities.
Upon receipt of proper instructions and all necessary supporting
documents, shares submitted for exchange are redeemed at the then-current net
asset value of the relevant class and the proceeds are invested on the same
day, at a price as described above, in shares of the relevant class of the
fund being acquired. Warburg reserves the right to reject more than three
exchange requests by a shareholder in any 30-day period. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to
shareholders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES
The discussion set out below of tax considerations generally
affecting the Fund and its shareholders is intended to be only a summary and
is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning by prospective
shareholders. Shareholders are advised to consult their
<PAGE>47
own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment
company" under Subchapter M of the Code. If it qualifies as a regulated
investment company, the Fund will pay no federal income taxes on its taxable
net investment income (that is, taxable income other than net realized capital
gains) and its net realized capital gains that are distributed to
shareholders. To qualify under Subchapter M, the Fund must, among other
things: (i) distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable net
investment income (for this purpose consisting of taxable net investment
income and net realized short-term capital gains); (ii) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of
securities, gains from the sale or other disposition of securities, or other
income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, and
forward contracts) derived with respect to the Fund's business of investing in
securities; (iii) derive less than 30% of its annual gross income from the
sale or other disposition of securities, options, futures or forward contracts
held for less than three months; and (iv) diversify its holdings so that, at
the end of each fiscal quarter of the Fund (a) at least 50% of the market
value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities
and other securities, with those other securities limited, with respect to any
one issuer, to an amount no greater in value than 5% of the Fund's total
assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the
issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's assets is
invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government
securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or
more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be in the same
or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses. In meeting
these requirements, the Fund may be restricted in the selling of securities
held by the Fund for less than three months and in the utilization of certain
of the investment techniques described above and in the Fund's Prospectuses.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will be subject to a 4%
non-deductible excise tax measured with respect to certain undistributed
amounts of ordinary income and capital gain required to be but not distributed
under a prescribed formula. The formula requires payment to shareholders
during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the
Fund's taxable ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98% of the
excess of its capital gains over capital losses realized during the one-year
period ending October 31 during such year, together with any undistributed,
untaxed amounts of ordinary income and capital gains from the previous
calendar year. The Fund expects to pay the dividends and make the
distributions necessary to avoid the application of this excise tax.
The Fund's transactions, if any, in foreign currencies, forward
contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and forward
contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to special provisions of the
Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses
recognized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary
or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses
and cause the Fund to be subject to hyperinflationary currency rules. These
rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions
to shareholders.
<PAGE>48
These provisions also (i) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain
types of its positions (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) and (ii)
may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to
pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the
distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The Fund will
monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will
make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any
foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged
investment so that (a) neither the Fund nor its shareholders will be treated
as receiving a materially greater amount of capital gains or distributions
than actually realized or received, (b) the Fund will be able to use
substantially all of its losses for the fiscal years in which the losses
actually occur and (c) the Fund will continue to qualify as a regulated
investment company.
A shareholder of the Fund receiving dividends or distributions in
additional shares should be treated for federal income tax purposes as
receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that a
shareholder receiving cash dividends or distributions receives, and should
have a cost basis in the shares received equal to that amount.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or
capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares
purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution,
those who purchase just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution
that will nevertheless be taxable to them. Upon the sale or exchange of
shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the
amount realized and the basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the
shareholder's hands, and, as described in the Prospectuses, will be long-term
or short-term depending upon the shareholder's holding period for the shares.
Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Fund, within
a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the
disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired
will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.
Each shareholder will receive an annual statement as to the federal
income tax status of his dividends and distributions from the Fund for the
prior calendar year. Furthermore, shareholders will also receive, if
appropriate, various written notices after the close of the Fund's taxable
year regarding the federal income tax status of certain dividends and
distributions that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the
Fund to its shareholders during the preceding year.
If a shareholder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification
number, fails to report fully dividend or interest income, or fails to certify
that he has provided a correct taxpayer identification number and that he is
not subject to "backup withholding," the shareholder may be subject to a 31%
"backup withholding" tax with respect to (i) taxable dividends and dis-
tributions and (ii) the proceeds of any sales or repurchases of shares of the
<PAGE>49
Fund. An individual's taxpayer identification number is his social security
number. Corporate shareholders and other shareholders specified in the Code
are or may be exempt from backup withholding. The backup withholding tax is
not an additional tax and may be credited against a taxpayer's federal income
tax liability. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and
local taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation.
Investment in Passive Foreign Investment Companies
If the Fund purchases shares in certain foreign entities classified
under the Code as "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"), the Fund
may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of an "excess distribution"
or gain from the disposition of the shares, even though the income may have to
be distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. In
addition, gain on the disposition of shares in a PFIC generally is treated as
ordinary income even though the shares are capital assets in the hands of the
Fund. Certain interest charges may be imposed on either the Fund or its
shareholders with respect to any taxes arising from excess distributions or
gains on the disposition of shares in a PFIC.
The Fund may be eligible to elect to include in its gross income its
share of earnings of a PFIC on a current basis. Generally, the election would
eliminate the interest charge and the ordinary income treatment on the
disposition of stock, but such an election may have the effect of accelerating
the recognition of income and gains by the Fund compared to a fund that did
not make the election. In addition, information required to make such an
election may not be available to the Fund.
On April 1, 1992 proposed regulations of the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") were published providing a mark-to-market election for
regulated investment companies. The IRS subsequently issued a notice
indicating that final regulations will provide that regulated investment
companies may elect the mark-to-market election for tax years ending after
March 31, 1992 and before April 1, 1993. Whether and to what extent the
notice will apply to taxable years of the Fund is unclear. If the Fund is not
able to make the foregoing election, it may be able to avoid the interest
charge (but not the ordinary income treatment) on disposition of the stock by
electing, under proposed regulations, each year to mark-to market the stock
(that is, treat it as if it were sold for fair market value). Such an
election could result in acceleration of income to the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF PERFORMANCE
From time to time, the Fund may quote the total return of its Common
Shares and/or Advisor Shares in advertisements or in reports and other
communications to shareholders. These figures are calculated by finding the
average annual compounded rates of return for the one-, five- and ten- (or
such shorter period as the relevant class of shares has been offered) year
periods that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable
value according to the following formula: P (1 + T)[*GRAPHIC OMITTED-SEE
FOOTNOTE BELOW] = ERV. For purposes of
- ------------------------
* - The expression (1 + T) is being raised to the nth power.
<PAGE>50
this formula, "P" is a hypothetical investment of $1,000; "T" is average
annual total return; "n" is number of years; and "ERV" is the ending
redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the
one-, five- or ten-year periods (or fractional portion thereof). Total return
or "T" is computed by finding the average annual change in the value of an
initial $1,000 investment over the period and assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested during the period.
The Fund may advertise, from time to time, comparisons of the
performance of its Common Shares and/or Advisor Shares with that of one or
more other mutual funds with similar investment objectives. The Fund may
advertise average annual calendar year-to-date and calendar quarter returns,
which are calculated according to the formula set forth in the preceding
paragraph, except that the relevant measuring period would be the number of
months that have elapsed in the current calendar year or most recent three
months, as the case may be.
The performance of a class of Fund shares will vary from time to
time depending upon market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio
and operating expenses allocable to it. As described above, total return is
based on historical earnings and is not intended to indicate future
performance. Consequently, any given performance quotation should not be
considered as representative of performance for any specified period in the
future. Performance information may be useful as a basis for comparison with
other investment alternatives. However, the Fund's performance will
fluctuate, unlike certain bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed
yield for a stated period of time. Any fees charged by Institutions or other
institutional investors directly to their customers in connection with invest-
ments in Fund shares are not reflected in the Fund's total return, and such
fees, if charged, will reduce the actual return received by customers on their
investments.
Warburg believes that a diversified portfolio of international
equity securities, when combined with a similarly diversified portfolio of
domestic equity securities, tends to have a lower volatility than a portfolio
composed entirely of domestic securities. Furthermore, international equities
have been shown to reduce volatility in single asset portfolios regardless of
whether the investments are in all domestic equities or all domestic fixed-
income instruments, and research indicates that volatility can be
significantly decreased when international equities are added.
To illustrate this point, the performance of international equity
securities, as measured by the Morgan Stanley Capital International (EAFE)
Europe, Australia and Far East Index (the "MS-EAFE Index"), has equalled or
exceeded that of domestic equity securities, as measured by the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (the "S & P 500 Index") in 14 of the last 23
years. The following table compares annual total returns of the MS-EAFE Index
and the S & P 500 Index for the calendar years shown.
<PAGE>51
MS-EAFE Index vs. S&P 500 Index
1972-1994
Annual Total Return
Year MS-EAFE Index S&P 500 Index
---- ------------- -------------
1972* 36.36 18.61
1973* -14.91 -14.92
1974* -23.61 -26.56
1975 35.39 37.07
1976 2.55 23.54
1977* 18.06 -7.20
1978* 32.62 6.37
1979 4.75 18.61
1980 22.58 32.27
1981* -2.27 -5.24
1982 -1.85 21.42
1983* 23.70 22.50
1984* 7.39 6.27
1985* 56.16 31.73
1986* 69.44 18.62
1987* 24.64 5.28
1988* 28.27 16.49
1989 10.54 31.61
1990 -23.44 -3.11
1991 12.13 30.36
1992 -12.17 7.60
1993* 32.60 10.06
1994* 7.78 1.28
_________________
* The MS-EAFE Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Index 14 out of the last
23 years.
The quoted performance information shown above is not intended to
indicate the future performance of the Fund.
From time to time, the Fund may advertise evaluations of a class of
Fund shares published by nationally recognized financial publications, such as
Morningstar, Inc. or Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. rates
funds in broad categories based on risk/reward analyses over various time
periods. In addition, advertising or supplemental sales literature relating
to the Fund may describe the percentage decline from all-time high levels for
certain foreign stock markets. It may also describe how the Fund differs from
the
<PAGE>52
MS-EAFE Index in composition. The Fund may also discuss in advertising and
sales literature the history of Japanese stock markets, including the Tokyo
Stock Exchange and OTC market. Sales literature and advertising may also
discuss trends in the economy and corporate structure in Japan, including the
contrast between the sales growth, profit growth, price/earnings ratios, and
return on equity (ROE) of companies; it may discuss the cultural changes
taking place among consumers in Japan, including increasing cost-consciousness
and accumulation of purchasing power and wealth among Japanese consumers, and
the ability of new companies to take advantage of these trends. The Fund may
also discuss current statistics and projections of the volume, market
capitalization, sector weightings and number of issues traded on Japanese
exchanges and in Japanese over-the-counter markets, and may include graphs of
such statistics in advertising and other sales literature.
AUDITORS AND COUNSEL
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("Coopers & Lybrand"), with principal
offices at 2400 Eleven Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves
as independent auditors for the Fund. The statement of assets and liabilities
of Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc., as of December __, 1995 that
appears in this Statement of Additional Information has been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand, whose report thereon appears elsewhere herein and has been
included herein in reliance upon the report of such firm of independent
auditors given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher serves as counsel for the Fund as well as
counsel to Warburg, Counsellors Service and Counsellors Securities.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statement follows the Report of Independent
Auditors.
<PAGE>A-1
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Commercial Paper Ratings
Commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group
("S&P") indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign designation. Capacity for timely
payment on commercial paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree
of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned
by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"). Issuers rated Prime-1 (or
related supporting institutions) are considered to have a superior capacity
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 (or
related supporting institutions) are considered to have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still
appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative
liquidity is maintained.
Corporate Bond Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P for corporate
bonds:
AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt
obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal.
AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in small degree.
A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
BBB - This is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB is
regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Although it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category than
for bonds in higher rated categories.
<PAGE>A-2
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the ratings
from "AA" to "BBB" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to
show relative standing within this major rating category.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate
bonds:
Aaa - Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred
to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized
are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa - Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations.
Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but
elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime
in the future.
Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers (1, 2 and 3) with respect to the
bonds rated "Aa" through "Baa." The modifier 1 indicates that the bond being
rated ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2
indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the bond
ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
<PAGE>C-1
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements included in Part B:*
(1) Report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
Independent Auditors.
(2) Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
- ----------- ----------------------
1 Articles of Incorporation.
2 By-Laws.
3 Not applicable.
4 Forms of Share Certificates.*
5 Form of Investment Advisory Agreement.*
6 Distribution Agreement.*
7 Not applicable.
8 Forms of Custodian Agreements.*
9(a) Form of Transfer Agency Agreement.*
(b) Forms of Co-Administration Agreements.*
(c) Forms of Services Agreements.*
10(a) Opinion and Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Counsel to the
Fund.*
(b) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP,
Maryland counsel to the Fund.*
(c) Consent of Hamada & Matsumoto*
11 Not applicable.
12 Not applicable.
- -----------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>C-2
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
- ----------- ----------------------
13 Form of Purchase Agreement.*
14 Not applicable.
15(a) Form of Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan.*
(b) Form of Shareholder Services Plan.*
(c) Form of Distribution Plan.*
(d) Form of Distribution Agreement.*
(e) Rule 18f-3 Plan.*
16 Not applicable.
17 Not applicable.
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>C-3
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with
Registrant
All of the outstanding shares of common stock of Registrant on the
date Registrant's Registration Statement becomes effective will be owned by
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc. ("Counsellors"), a corporation formed under
New York law.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
It is anticipated that Counsellors will hold all Registrant's shares
of common stock, par value $.001 per share, on the date Registrant's
Registration Statement becomes effective.
Item 27. Indemnification
Registrant, officers and directors of Counsellors, of Counsellors
Securities Inc. ("Counsellors Securities") and of Registrant are covered by
insurance policies indemnifying them for liability incurred in connection with
the operation of Registrant. These policies provide insurance for any
"Wrongful Act" of an officer, director or trustee. Wrongful Act is defined as
breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission
or other act done or wrongfully attempted by an officer, director or trustee
in connection with the operation of Registrant. Insurance coverage does not
extend to (a) conflicts of interest or gaining in fact any profit or advantage
to which one is not legally entitled, (b) intentional non-compliance with any
statute or regulation or (c) commission of dishonest, fraudulent acts or
omissions. Insofar as it relates to Registrant, the coverage is limited in
amount and, in certain circumstances, is subject to a deductible.
Under Article VIII of the Articles of Incorporation (the
"Articles"), the Directors and officers of Registrant shall not have any
liability to Registrant or its stockholders for money damages, to the fullest
extent permitted by Maryland law. This limitation on liability applies to
events occurring at the time a person serves as a Director or officer of
Registrant whether or not such person is a Director or officer at the time of
any proceeding in which liability is asserted. No provision of Article VIII
shall protect or purport to protect any Director or officer of Registrant
against any liability to Registrant or its stockholders to which he would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.
Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently
acting and its former Directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of
Directors and advancement of expenses to Directors is permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law. Registrant shall indemnify and advance
expenses to its officers to the same extent as its Directors and to such
further extent as is consistent with such law. The Board of Directors may,
through
<PAGE>C-4
a by-law, resolution or agreement, make further provisions for indemnification
of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted
by the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Article V of the By-Laws further limits the liability of the
Directors by providing that any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that such person is a current or former director or officer
of Registrant, or is or was serving while a director or officer of Registrant
at the request of Registrant as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or employee benefit plan, shall be indemnified by
Registrant against judgments, penalties, fines, excise taxes, settlements and
reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent
permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law, the 1993 Act and the
1940 Act, as such statutes are now or hereafter in force, except that such
indemnity shall not protect any such person against any liability to
Registrant or any stockholder thereof to which such person would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of
Investment Adviser
Counsellors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, Pincus
Counsellors G.P., acts as investment adviser to Registrant. Counsellors
renders investment advice to a wide variety of individual and institutional
clients. The list required by this Item 28 of officers and directors of
Counsellors, together with information as to their other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature during the past two years, is
incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by
Counsellors (SEC File No. 801-07321).
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) Counsellors Securities will act as distributor for Registrant.
Counsellors Securities currently acts as distributor for Warburg, Pincus
Capital Appreciation Fund; Warburg, Pincus Cash Reserve Fund; Warburg, Pincus
Emerging Growth Fund; Warburg, Pincus Emerging Markets Fund; Warburg, Pincus
Fixed Income Fund; Warburg, Pincus Global Fixed Income Fund; Warburg, Pincus
Institutional Fund, Inc.; Warburg, Pincus Intermediate Maturity Government
Fund; Warburg, Pincus International Equity Fund; Warburg, Pincus Japan OTC
Fund; Warburg, Pincus New York Intermediate Municipal Fund; Warburg, Pincus
New York Tax Exempt Fund; Warburg, Pincus Post-Venture Capital Fund; The RBB
Fund,
<PAGE>C-5
Inc.; Warburg, Pincus Short-Term Tax-Advantaged Bond Fund and Warburg, Pincus
Trust.
(b) For information relating to each director and officer of
Counsellors Securities, reference is made to Form BD (SEC File No. 15-654)
filed by Counsellors Securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) None.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
(1) Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
(Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and minute
books)
(2) Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
(records relating to its functions as investment adviser)
(3) Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
(records relating to its functions as co-administrator)
(4) PFPC Inc.
400 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
(records relating to its functions as co-administrator)
(5) Counsellors Securities Inc.
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3147
(records relating to its functions as distributor)
(6) State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(records relating to its functions as shareholder servicing
agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent)
<PAGE>C-6
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) Registrant hereby undertakes to file a post-effective
amendment, using financial statements which need not be certified, within four
to six months from the effective date of Registrant's Registration Statement
under the 1940 Act.
(b) Registrant hereby undertakes to call a meeting of its
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a
director or directors of Registrant when requested in writing to do so by the
holders of at least 10% of Registrant's outstanding shares. Registrant
undertakes further, in connection with the meeting, to comply with the
provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act relating to communications with
the shareholders of certain common-law trusts.
(c) Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.
<PAGE>C-7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State
of New York, on the 24th day of October, 1995.
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND, INC.
By:/s/ Arnold M. Reichman
Arnold M. Reichman
President
ATTEST:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/ Arnold M. Reichman President, Director October 25, 1995
Arnold M. Reichman and Secretary
/s/ Stephen Distler Vice President, October 25, 1995
Stephen Distler Treasurer, Chief
Accounting Officer
and Chief Financial
Officer
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
- ----------- ----------------------
1 Articles of Incorporation.
2 By-Laws.
3 Not applicable.
4 Forms of Share Certificates.*
5 Form of Investment Advisory Agreement.*
6 Distribution Agreement.*
7 Not applicable.
8 Forms of Custodian Agreements.*
9(a) Form of Transfer Agency Agreement.*
(b) Forms of Co-Administration Agreements.*
(c) Forms of Services Agreements.*
10(a) Opinion and Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel to the
Fund.*
(b) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP,
Maryland counsel to the Fund.*
(c) Consent of Hamada & Matsumoto*
11 Not applicable.
12 Not applicable.
13 Form of Purchase Agreement.*
14 Not applicable.
15(a) Form of Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan.*
(b) Form of Shareholder Services Plan.*
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
- ----------- ----------------------
(c) Form of Distribution Plan.*
(d) Form of Distribution Agreement.*
(e) Rule 18f-3 Plan.*
16 Not applicable.
17 Not applicable.
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>1
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLE I
INCORPORATOR
The undersigned, Janna Manes, whose post office address is c/o
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, One Citicorp Center, 153 East 53rd Street, New York,
New York 10022, being at least 18 years of age, does hereby act as an
incorporator and forms a corporation under the Maryland General Corporation
Law.
ARTICLE II
NAME
The name of the corporation is Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund,
Inc. (the Corporation ).
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND POWERS
The Corporation is formed for the following purposes:
(1) To conduct and carry on the business of an investment company.
(2) To hold, invest and reinvest its assets in securities and other
investments or to hold part or all of its assets in cash.
(3) To issue and sell shares of its capital stock in such amounts,
on such terms and conditions, for such purposes and for such amount or kind of
consideration as may now or hereafter be permitted by law.
(4) To redeem, purchase or acquire in any other manner, hold,
dispose of, resell, transfer, reissue or cancel (all without the vote or
consent of the stockholders of the Corporation) shares of its capital stock,
in any manner and to the extent now or hereafter permitted by law and by this
Charter.
(5) To do any and all additional acts and to exercise any and all
additional powers or rights as may be
<PAGE>2
necessary, incidental, appropriate or desirable for the accomplishment of all
or any of the foregoing purposes.
The Corporation shall be authorized to exercise and enjoy all of the
powers, rights and privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by
the Maryland General Corporation Law now or hereafter in force, and the
enumeration of the foregoing shall not be deemed to exclude any powers, rights
or privileges so granted or conferred.
ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation
in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Company Incorporated, 32
South Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident
agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust
Company Incorporated, a Maryland corporation, 32 South Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
(1) (A) The total number of shares of capital stock that the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is three billion
(3,000,000,000) shares, of the par value of one tenth of one cent ($.001)
per share and of the aggregate par value of three million dollars
($3,000,000), all of which three billion (3,000,000,000) shares are
designated Common Stock.
(B) (i) One billion (1,000,000,000) shares of Common Stock
have been divided into and classified initially as a series of
Common Stock, designated Common Stock - Series 1 ( Series 1
Shares ).
(ii) One billion (1,000,000,000) shares of Common Stock
have been divided into and classified initially as a series of
Common Stock, designated Common Stock - Series 2 ( Series 2
Shares ).
(C) Each Series 1 Share will have the same preferences,
conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as
to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as
every other share of Common Stock, except that, subject to the provisions
of any governing order, rule or regulation issued pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"):
<PAGE>3
(i) Series 1 Shares will share equally with Common Stock
other than Series 1 Shares ("Non-Series 1 Shares") in the income,
earnings and profits derived from investment and reinvestment of the
assets belonging to the Corporation and will be charged equally with
Non-Series 1 Shares with the liabilities and expenses of the
Corporation, except that Series 1 Shares will bear the expense of
payments made pursuant to any agreements entered into by the
Corporation pursuant to any shareholder services plan and/or
distribution plan adopted by the Corporation with respect to Series
1 Shares;
(ii) On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of
the Corporation that pertains to the agreements or expenses
described in clause (C)(i) above (or to any plan adopted by the
Corporation relating to said agreements or expenses), only Series 1
Shares will be entitled to vote, except that if said matter affects
Non-Series 1 Shares, Non-Series 1 Shares will also be entitled to
vote, and in such case Series 1 Shares will be voted in the
aggregate together with such Non-Series 1 Shares and not by series
except where otherwise required by law. Series 1 Shares will not be
entitled to vote on any matter that does not affect Series 1 Shares
(except where otherwise required by law) even though the matter is
submitted to a vote of the holders of Non-Series 1 Shares; and
(iii) The Board of Directors of the Corporation in its
sole discretion may determine whether a matter affects a particular
class or series of Corporation shares.
(D) Each Series 2 Share will have the same preferences,
conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as
to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as
every other share of Common Stock, except that, subject to the provisions
of any governing order, rule or regulation issued pursuant to the 1940
Act:
(i) Series 2 Shares will share equally with Common Stock
other than Series 2 Shares ("Non-Series 2 Shares") in the income,
earnings and profits derived from investment and reinvestment of the
assets belonging to the Corporation and will be charged equally with
Non-Series 2 Shares with the liabilities and expenses of the
Corporation, except that Series 2 Shares will bear the expense of
payments made pursuant to any agreements entered into by the
Corporation
<PAGE>4
pursuant to any shareholder services plan and/or distribution plan adopted by
the Corporation with respect to Series 2 Shares;
(ii) On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of
the Corporation that pertains to the agreements or expenses
described in clause (D)(i) above (or to any plan adopted by the
Corporation relating to said agreements or expenses), only Series 2
Shares will be entitled to vote, except that if said matter affects
Non-Series 2 Shares, Non-Series 2 Shares will also be entitled to
vote, and in such case Series 2 Shares will be voted in the
aggregate together with such Non-Series 2 Shares and not by series
except where otherwise required by law. Series 2 Shares will not be
entitled to vote on any matter that does not affect Series 2 Shares
(except where otherwise required by law) even though the matter is
submitted to a vote of the holders of Non-Series 2 Shares; and
(iii) The Board of Directors of the Corporation in its
sole discretion may determine whether a matter affects a particular
class or series of Corporation shares.
(2) Any fractional share shall carry proportionately the rights of
a whole share including, without limitation, the right to vote and the right
to receive dividends. A fractional share shall not, however, have the right
to receive a certificate evidencing it.
(3) All persons who shall acquire stock in the Corporation shall
acquire the same subject to the provisions of this Charter and the By-Laws of
the Corporation.
(4) No holder of stock of the Corporation by virtue of being such a
holder shall have any preemptive or other right to purchase or subscribe for
any shares of the Corporation s capital stock or any other security that the
Corporation may issue or sell (whether out of the number of shares authorized
by this Charter or out of any shares of the Corporation s capital stock that
the Corporation may acquire) other than a right that the Board of Directors in
its discretion may determine to grant.
(5) The Board of Directors shall have authority by resolution to
classify or to reclassify, as the case may be, any authorized but unissued
shares of capital stock from time to time by setting or changing in any one or
more respects the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption of the capital stock.
<PAGE>5
(6) Notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be
taken or authorized by the affirmative vote of a greater proportion of the
votes of all classes or of any class of stock of the Corporation, such action
shall be effective and valid if taken or authorized by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast thereon, except as
otherwise provided in this Charter.
(7) The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third
of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote (without regard to
class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders, except
with respect to any matter which, under applicable statutes or regulatory
requirements, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of
stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-
third of the shares of stock of each class required to vote as a class on the
matter shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI
REDEMPTION
Each holder of shares of the Corporation s capital stock shall be
entitled to require the Corporation to redeem all or any part of the shares of
capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of the holder on the
books of the Corporation, and all shares of capital stock issued by the
Corporation shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation, at the
redemption price of the shares as in effect from time to time as may be
determined by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, subject to the
right of the Board of Directors of the Corporation to suspend the right of
redemption or postpone the date of payment of the redemption price in
accordance with provisions of applicable law. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, have the right at any time to redeem the shares owned by any holder of
capital stock of the Corporation (i) if the redemption is, in the opinion of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, desirable in order to prevent the
Corporation from being deemed a "personal holding company" within the meaning
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or (ii) if the value of the shares in the
account maintained by the Corporation or its transfer agent for any class of
stock for the stockholder is below an amount determined from time to time by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Minimum Account Balance") and
the stockholder has been given at least 60 (sixty) days' written notice of the
redemption and has failed to make additional purchases of shares in an amount
sufficient to bring the value in his account to at least the Minimum Account
Balance before the redemption is
<PAGE>6
effected by the Corporation. Payment of the redemption price shall be made in
cash by the Corporation at the time and in the manner as may be determined
from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation unless, in the
opinion of the Board of Directors, which shall be conclusive, conditions exist
that make payment wholly in cash unwise or undesirable; in such event the
Corporation may make payment wholly or partly by securities or other property
included in the assets belonging or allocable to the class of the shares for
which redemption is being sought, the value of which shall be determined as
provided herein. The Board of Directors may establish procedures for
redemption of shares.
ARTICLE VII
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(1) The number of directors constituting the Board of Directors
shall be one or such other number as may be set forth in the By-Laws or
determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to the By-Laws. The number of
Directors shall at no time be less than the minimum number required under the
Maryland General Corporation Law. Arnold M. Reichman has been appointed
director of the Corporation to hold office until the first annual meeting of
stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified.
(2) In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred
by the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors is expressly
authorized:
(i) To make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation,
except where such power is reserved by the By-Laws to the stockholders, and
except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act.
(ii) From time to time to determine whether and to what extent
and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the
books and accounts of the Corporation, or any of them other than the stock
ledger, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders. No stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the
Corporation, except as conferred by law or authorized by resolution of the
Board of Directors or of the stockholders.
(iii) Without the assent or vote of the stockholders, to
authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of the stock of any class
of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized, and securities
convertible into shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or classes,
whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable.
<PAGE>7
(iv) Without the assent or vote of the stockholders, to
authorize and issue obligations of the Corporation, secured and unsecured, as
the Board of Directors may determine, and to authorize and cause to be
executed mortgages and liens upon the real or personal property of the
Corporation.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in this Charter to the contrary,
to establish in its absolute discretion the basis or method for determining
the value of the assets belonging to any class, the value of the liabilities
belonging to any class and the net asset value of each share of any class of
the Corporation s stock.
(vi) To determine in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and practices what constitutes net profits, earnings,
surplus or net assets in excess of capital, and to determine what accounting
periods shall be used by the Corporation for any purpose; to set apart out of
any funds of the Corporation reserves for such purposes as it shall determine
and to abolish the same; to declare and pay any dividends and distributions in
cash, securities or other property from surplus or any other funds legally
available therefor, at such intervals as it shall determine; to declare
dividends or distributions by means of a formula or other method of
determination, at meetings held less frequently than the frequency of the
effectiveness of such declarations; and to establish payment dates for
dividends or any other distributions on any basis, including dates occurring
less frequently than the effectiveness of declarations thereof.
(vii) In addition to the powers and authorities granted herein
and by statute expressly conferred upon it, the Board of Directors is
authorized to exercise all powers and do all acts that may be exercised or
done by the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the State of
Maryland, this Charter and the By-Laws of the Corporation.
(3) Any determination made in good faith, and in accordance with
applicable law and generally accepted accounting principles and practices, if
applicable, by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, with
respect to the amount of assets, obligations or liabilities of the
Corporation, as to the amount of net income of the Corporation from dividends
and interest for any period or amounts at any time legally available for the
payment of dividends, as to the amount of any reserves or charges set up and
the propriety thereof, as to the time of or purpose for creating reserves or
as to the use, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges (whether
or not any obligation or liability for which the reserves or charges have been
created has been paid or discharged or is then or thereafter required to be
paid or discharged), as to the
<PAGE>8
value of any security owned by the Corporation, the determination of the net
asset value of shares of any class of the Corporation s capital stock, or as
to any other matters relating to the issuance, sale or other acquisition or
disposition of securities or shares of capital stock of the Corporation, and
any reasonable determination made in good faith by the Board of Directors
regarding whether any transaction constitutes a purchase of securities on
"margin," a sale of securities "short," or an underwriting of the sale of, or
a participation in any underwriting or selling group in connection with the
public distribution of, any securities, shall be final and conclusive, and
shall be binding upon the Corporation and all holders of its capital stock,
past, present and future, and shares of the capital stock of the Corporation
are issued and sold on the condition and understanding, evidenced by the
purchase of shares of capital stock or acceptance of share certificates, that
any and all such determinations shall be binding as aforesaid. No provision
of this Charter shall be effective to (i) require a waiver of compliance with
any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or
of any valid rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under those Acts or (ii) protect or purport to protect any director
or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
(1) To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of
directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law,
no director or officer of the Corporation shall have any liability to the
Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. This limitation on
liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a
director or officer of the Corporation whether or not such person is a
director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is
asserted.
(2) The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its
currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that
indemnification of directors and advancement of expenses to directors is
permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall
indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its
directors and to such further extent as is consistent with such law. The
board of directors may, through a by-law, resolution or agreement, make
further provisions for indemnification of directors, officers,
<PAGE>9
employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General
Corporation Law.
(3) No provision of this Article VIII shall be effective to protect
or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any
liability to the Corporation or its stockholders to which he would otherwise
be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
(4) References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in this
Article VIII are to the law as from time to time amended. No amendment to
this Charter shall affect any right of any person under this Article VIII
based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to such amendment. The term
"Charter" as used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Maryland
General Corporation Law and includes these Articles of Incorporation and all
amendments thereto.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any
amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any
amendment that alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in this
Charter, of any outstanding stock, and all rights at any time conferred upon
the stockholders of the Corporation by its Charter are granted subject to the
provisions of this Article and the reservation of the right to amend the
Charter herein contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have adopted and signed these Articles of
Incorporation and do hereby acknowledge that the adoption and signing are my
act.
/s/ Janna Manes
Incorporator
Dated the 9th day of October, 1995
<PAGE>1
BY-LAWS
OF
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND, INC.
A Maryland Corporation
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. Annual Meetings. No annual meeting of the stockholders of
the Warburg, Pincus Japan Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Corporation") shall be held
in any year in which the election of directors is not required to be acted
upon under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. An annual meeting may
be held at any place within the United States as may be determined by the
Board of Directors and as shall be designated in the notice of the meeting, at
the time specified by the Board of Directors. Any business of the Corporation
may be transacted at an annual meeting without being specifically designated
in the notice unless otherwise provided by statute, the Corporation's Charter
or these By-Laws.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders for
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
Corporation's Charter, may be held at any place within the United States, and
may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the President, and
shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a
majority of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of
stockholders entitled to cast at least 10% (ten percent) of the votes entitled
to be cast at the meeting upon payment by such stockholders to the Corporation
of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing a notice of the
meeting (which estimated cost shall be provided to such stockholders by the
Secretary of the Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless
requested by stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to
be cast at the meeting, a special meeting of the stockholders need not be
called at the request of stockholders to consider any matter which is
substantially the same as a matter voted on at any special meeting of the
stockholders held during the preceding 12 (twelve) months. A written request
shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
SECTION 3. Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice of the purpose
or purposes and of the time and place
<PAGE>2
of every meeting of the stockholders shall be given by the Secretary of the
Corporation to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, by
placing the notice in the mail at least 10 (ten) days, but not more than 90
(ninety) days, prior to the date designated for the meeting addressed to each
stockholder at his address appearing on the books of the Corporation or
supplied by the stockholder to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. The
notice of any meeting of stockholders may be accompanied by a form of proxy
approved by the Board of Directors in favor of the actions or the election of
persons as the Board of Directors may select. Notice of any meeting of
stockholders shall be deemed waived by any stockholder who attends the meeting
in person or by proxy, or who before or after the meeting submits a signed
waiver of notice that is filed with the records of the meeting.
SECTION 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by the
Corporation's Charter, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders of
the Corporation entitled to cast at least one-third of the votes to be cast
shall constitute a quorum at each meeting of the stockholders and all
questions shall be decided by majority of the votes cast (except with respect
to the election of directors, which shall be by a plurality of votes cast).
In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders present in person or by proxy, by
majority vote and without notice other than by announcement, may adjourn the
meeting from time to time as provided in Section 5 of this Article I until a
quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at any duly organized meeting
may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal
of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. The absence from any
meeting in person or by proxy of holders of the number of shares of stock of
the Corporation in excess of a majority that may be required by Maryland law,
the 1940 Act, or any other applicable statute, the Corporation's Charter or
these By-Laws, for action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at
the meeting on any other matter or matters that may properly come before the
meeting, so long as there are present, in person or by proxy, holders of the
number of shares of stock of the Corporation required for action upon such
other matter or matters.
SECTION 5. Adjournment. Any meeting of the stockholders may be
adjourned from time to time, without notice other than by announcement at the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting at which
a quorum shall be present, any action may be taken that could have been taken
at the meeting originally called. A meeting of the stockholders may not be
adjourned without further notice to a date more than 120 (one hundred twenty)
<PAGE>3
days after the original record date determined pursuant to Section 9 of this
Article I.
SECTION 6. Organization. At every meeting of the stockholders, the
Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or inability to act (or if there is
none), the President, or in his absence or inability to act, a Vice President,
or in the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, the
President and all the Vice Presidents, a chairman chosen by the stockholders
shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence or
inability to act, a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act
as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes of the meeting.
SECTION 7. Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of
the stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting.
SECTION 8. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by statute or the
Corporation's Charter, each holder of record of shares of stock of the
Corporation having voting power shall be entitled at each meeting of the
stockholders to one vote for every share of stock standing in his name on the
records of the Corporation as of the record date determined pursuant to
Section 9 of this Article I.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by a proxy signed by the
stockholder or his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the
expiration of 11 (eleven) months from the date thereof, unless otherwise
provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the
stockholder executing it, except in those cases in which the proxy states that
it is irrevocable and in which an irrevocable proxy is permitted by law.
If a vote shall be taken on any question other than the election of
directors, which shall be by written ballot, then unless required by statute
or these By-Laws, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be
advisable, any such vote need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each
ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by his proxy, and shall
state the number of shares voted.
SECTION 9. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set a
record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at
any meeting of the stockholders. The record date for a particular meeting
shall be not more than 90 (ninety) nor fewer than 10 (ten) days before the
date of the meeting. All persons who were
<PAGE>4
holders of record of shares as of the record date of a meeting, and no others,
shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.
SECTION 10. Inspectors. The Board of Directors may, in advance of any
meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting
or at any adjournment of the meeting. If the inspectors shall not be so
appointed or if any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the
meeting may, and on the request of any stockholder entitled to vote at the
meeting shall, appoint inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the
discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the
duties of inspector at the meeting with strict impartiality and according to
the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each share, the number of shares
represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and
effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and
determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to
vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result,
and do those acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness
to all stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting or any
stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting, the inspectors shall make a
report in writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and
shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or
candidate for the office of director shall act as inspector of an election of
directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.
SECTION 11. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Except as
otherwise provided by statute or the Corporation's Charter, any action
required to be taken at any meeting of stockholders, or any action that may be
taken at any meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if the following are filed with the
records of stockholders' meetings: (a) a unanimous written consent that sets
forth the action and is signed by each stockholder entitled to vote on the
matter and (b) a written waiver of notice and any right to dissent signed by
each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting but not entitled to vote at
the meeting.
SECTION 12. Notice of Stockholder Business.
(a) At any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, only such
business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the
meeting. To be
<PAGE>5
properly brought before an annual or special meeting business must be (i) (A)
specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors, (B) otherwise properly brought before
the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) subject
to the provisions of Section 13 of this Article I, otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by a stockholder and (ii) a proper subject under applicable
law for stockholder action.
(b) For business to be properly brought before an annual or special
meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, any
such notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation not later than 60 (sixty) days prior to
the date of the meeting; provided, however, that if less than 70 (seventy)
days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or
made to stockholders, any such notice by a stockholder to be timely must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the
day on which notice of the date of the annual or special meeting was given or
such public disclosure was made.
(c) Any such notice by a stockholder shall set forth as to each matter
the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual or special meeting (i) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual or
special meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual or
special meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the
Corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the
class and number of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (iv) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in the By-Laws to the contrary, no business
shall be conducted at any annual or special meeting except in accordance with
the procedures set forth in this Section 12. The chairman of the annual or
special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the
meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 12, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be considered or transacted.
<PAGE>6
SECTION 13. Stockholder Business not Eligible for Consideration.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, any
proposal that is otherwise properly brought before an annual or special
meeting by a stockholder will not be eligible for consideration by the
stockholders at such annual or special meeting if such proposal is
substantially the same as a matter properly brought before such annual or
special meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. The chairman of such annual or special meeting shall, if the
facts warrant, determine and declare that a stockholder proposal is
substantially the same as a matter properly brought before the meeting by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors, and, if he should so determine, he
shall so declare to the meeting and any such stockholder proposal shall not be
considered at the meeting.
(b) This Section 13 shall not be construed or applied to make ineligible
for consideration by the stockholders at any annual or special meeting any
stockholder proposal required to be included in the Corporation's proxy
statement relating to such meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), or any successor rule thereto.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the
Corporation's Charter, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
managed under the direction of its Board of Directors. All powers of the
Corporation may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of Directors
except as conferred on or reserved to the stockholders by law, by the
Corporation's Charter or by these By-Laws.
SECTION 2. Number of Directors. The number of directors shall be fixed
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by a
majority of the entire Board of Directors; provided, however, that the number
of directors shall in no event be fewer than one nor more than fifteen. Any
vacancy created by an increase in directors may be filled in accordance with
Section 7 of this Article II. No reduction in the number of directors shall
have the effect of removing any director from office prior to the expiration
of his term unless the director is specifically removed pursuant to Section 6
of this Article II at the time of the decrease. A director need not be a
stockholder of
<PAGE>7
the Corporation, a citizen of the United States or a resident of the State of
Maryland.
SECTION 3. Election and Term of Directors. The term of office of each
director shall be from the time of his election and qualification until his
successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified, or until his
death, or until his resignation or removal as provided in these By-laws, or as
otherwise provided by statute or the Corporation's Charter.
SECTION 4. Director Nominations.
(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 4 shall be eligible for election or re-election as
directors. Nominations of persons for election or re-election to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the
Corporation who is entitled to vote for the election of such nominee at the
meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
4.
(b) Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of
the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice delivered in
writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, any such notice by
a stockholder must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation not later than 60 (sixty) days prior to
the meeting; provided, however, that if less than 70 (seventy) days' notice or
prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders, any such notice by a stockholder to be timely must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the
day on which notice of the date of the meeting was given or such public
disclosure was made.
(c) Any such notice by a stockholder shall set forth (i) as to each
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election
as a director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of
such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C)
the class and number of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by such person and (D) any other information relating
to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
for the election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act or any successor regulation thereto (including without limitation such
person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee
<PAGE>8
and to serving as a director if elected and whether any person intends to seek
reimbursement from the Corporation of the expenses of any solicitation of
proxies should such person be elected a director of the Corporation); and (ii)
as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and address, as they
appear on the Corporation's books, of such stockholder and (B) the class and
number of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of the Board of
Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a
director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation that information
required to be set forth in a stockholder's notice of nomination which
pertains to the nominee.
(d) If a notice by a stockholder is required to be given pursuant to
this Section 4, no person shall be entitled to receive reimbursement from the
Corporation of the expenses of a solicitation of proxies for the election as a
director of a person named in such notice unless such notice states that such
reimbursement will be sought from the Corporation. No person shall be
eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4. The chairman of
the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting
that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by
the By-Laws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting
and the defective nomination shall be disregarded for all purposes.
SECTION 5. Resignation. A director of the Corporation may resign at any
time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board of Directors or
the Chairman of the Board or to the President or the Secretary of the
Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the time specified in it
or, should the time when it is to become effective not be specified in it,
immediately upon its receipt. Acceptance of a resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective unless the resignation states otherwise.
SECTION 6. Removal of Directors. Any director of the Corporation may be
removed by the stockholders with or without cause at any time by a vote of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors.
SECTION 7. Vacancies. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, any
vacancies in the Board of Directors, whether arising from death, resignation,
removal or any other cause except an increase in the number of directors,
shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the Board of
<PAGE>9
Directors then in office even though that majority is less than a quorum,
provided that no vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by action of the
remaining directors if, after the filling of the vacancy or vacancies, fewer
than two-thirds of the directors then holding office shall have been elected
by the stockholders of the Corporation. A majority of the entire Board as
calculated prior to Board expansion may fill a vacancy which results from an
increase in the number of directors. In the event that at any time a vacancy
exists in any office of a director that may not be filled by the remaining
directors, a special meeting of the stockholders shall be held as promptly as
possible and in any event within 60 (sixty) days, for the purpose of filling
the vacancy or vacancies. Any director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy
shall hold office until a successor has been chosen and qualifies or until his
earlier death, resignation or removal.
SECTION 8. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board may be held at any
place that the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or that is
specified in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 9. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
may be held without notice at the time and place determined by the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 10. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be called by two or more directors of the Corporation or by the
Chairman of the Board or the President.
SECTION 11. Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of each special meeting
of the Board of Directors shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter
provided. Each notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and shall
be delivered to each director, either personally or by telephone, facsimile
transmission or other standard form of telecommunication, at least 24 (twenty-
four) hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held, or by first-
class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the director at his residence or
usual place of business, and mailed at least 3 (three) days before the day on
which the meeting is to be held.
SECTION 12. Waiver of Notice of Meetings. Notice of any special meeting
need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the
meeting, sign a written waiver of notice that is filed with the records of the
meeting or who shall attend the meeting.
<PAGE>10
SECTION 13. Quorum and Voting. One-third (but not fewer than two unless
there be only one director) of the members of the entire Board of Directors
shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board in order to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, and except as
otherwise expressly required by statute, the Corporation's Charter, these By-
Laws, the 1940 Act, or any other applicable statute, the act of a majority of
the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the
act of the Board. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board, a
majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and
place until a quorum shall be present. Notice of the time and place of any
adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the
time of the adjournment and, unless the time and place were announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment was taken, to the other directors. At any
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted
that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
SECTION 14. Organization. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the entire Board, designate a Chairman of the Board,
who shall preside at each meeting of the Board. In the absence or inability
of the Chairman of the Board to act or if there is none, the President, or, in
his absence or inability to act, another director chosen by a majority of the
directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside at the
meeting. The Secretary, or, in his absence or inability to act, any person
appointed by the chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the
minutes thereof.
SECTION 15. Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or
more committees of the Board of Directors, each consisting of 2 (two) or more
directors. To the extent provided in the resolution, and permitted by law,
the committee or committees shall have and may exercise the powers of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all
papers that may require it. Any committee or committees shall have the name
or names determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and
report the same to the Board of Directors when required. The members of a
committee present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may
appoint a director to act in the place of an absent member.
SECTION 16. Written Consent of Directors in Lieu of a Meeting. Subject
to the provisions of the 1940 Act, any
<PAGE>11
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any committee of the Board may be taken without a meeting if
all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the records of the Board's
or such committee's meetings.
SECTION 17. Telephone Conference. Members of the Board of Directors or
any committee of the Board may participate in any Board or committee meeting
by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at
the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
SECTION 18. Compensation. Each director shall be entitled to receive
compensation, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of
Directors, including a fee for each meeting of the Board or any committee
thereof, regular or special, he attends. Directors may also be reimbursed by
the Corporation for all reasonable expenses incurred in traveling to and from
the place of a Board or committee meeting.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES
SECTION 1. Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation
shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be
elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect or
appoint one or more Vice Presidents and may also appoint any other officers,
agents and employees it deems necessary or proper. Any two or more offices
may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Vice
President, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument
in more than one capacity. Officers shall be elected by the Board of
Directors, each to hold office until his successor shall have been duly
elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until his resignation
or removal as provided in these By-Laws. The Board of Directors may from time
to time elect, or designate to the President the power to appoint, such
officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more
Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents as
may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Corporation. Such other
officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for
such terms as may be prescribed by the Board or by the appointing authority.
<PAGE>12
SECTION 2. Resignations. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at
any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary. Any
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time
when it shall become effective is not specified therein, immediately upon its
receipt. Acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective unless the resignation states otherwise.
SECTION 3. Removal of Officer, Agent or Employee. Any officer, agent or
employee of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors with or
without cause at any time, and the Board may delegate the power of removal as
to agents and employees not elected or appointed by the Board of Directors.
Removal shall be without prejudice to the person's contract rights, if any,
but the appointment of any person as an officer, agent or employee of the
Corporation shall not of itself create contract rights.
SECTION 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office whether arising from
death, resignation, removal or any other cause, may be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term of the office that shall be vacant, in the
manner prescribed in these By-Laws for the regular election or appointment to
the office.
SECTION 5. Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the
Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, but this power may be
delegated to any officer with respect to other officers under his control.
SECTION 6. Bonds or Other Security. If required by the Board, any
officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall give a bond or other
security for the faithful performance of his duties, in an amount and with any
surety or sureties as the Board may require.
SECTION 7. President. The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Corporation. In the absence or inability of the Chairman of
the Board to act (or if there is none), the President shall preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The President
shall have, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, general charge
of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may employ and discharge
employees and agents of the Corporation, except those elected or appointed by
the Board, and he may delegate these powers.
SECTION 8. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have the powers
and perform the duties that the Board of Directors or the President may from
time to time prescribe.
<PAGE>13
SECTION 9. Treasurer. Subject to the provisions of any contract that
may be entered into with any custodian pursuant to authority granted by the
Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall have charge of all receipts and
disbursements of the Corporation and shall have or provide for the custody of
the Corporation's funds and securities; he shall have full authority to
receive and give receipts for all money due and payable to the Corporation,
and to endorse checks, drafts and warrants, in its name and on its behalf and
to give full discharge for the same; he shall deposit all funds of the
Corporation, except those that may be required for current use, in such banks
or other places of deposit as the Board of Directors may from time to time
designate; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office
of Treasurer and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him
by the Board of Directors or the President.
SECTION 10. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the
purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees
of the Board and the stockholders;
(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
provisions of these By-Laws and as required by law;
(c) be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and
affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless
the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as
hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to
be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal;
(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other
documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept
and filed; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of
Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by
the Board of Directors or the President.
SECTION 11. Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence of any officer
of the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may
deem sufficient, the Board may confer for the time being the powers or duties,
or any of them, of such officer upon any other officer or upon any director.
<PAGE>14
ARTICLE IV
STOCK
SECTION 1. Stock Certificates. Each holder of stock of the Corporation
shall be entitled upon specific written request to such person as may be
designated by the Corporation to have a certificate or certificates, in a form
approved by the Board, representing the number of shares of stock of the
Corporation owned by him; provided, however, that certificates for fractional
shares will not be delivered in any case. The certificates representing
shares of stock shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the
Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and sealed
with the seal of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures or the seal on
the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar
before such certificate shall be issued, it may be issued by the Corporation
with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were
still in office at the date of issue.
SECTION 2. Books of Account and Record of Stockholders. There shall be
kept at the principal executive office of the Corporation correct and complete
books and records of account of all the business and transactions of the
Corporation. There shall be made available upon request of any stockholder,
in accordance with Maryland law, a record containing the number of shares of
stock issued during a specified period not to exceed 12 (twelve) months and
the consideration received by the Corporation for each such share.
SECTION 3. Transfers of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of the
Corporation shall be made on the stock records of the Corporation only by the
registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of
attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with a transfer agent
or transfer clerk, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if
issued, for the shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed
stock transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the
exclusive right of a person in whose name any share or shares stand on the
record of stockholders as the owner of the share or shares for all purposes,
including, without limitation, the rights to
<PAGE>15
receive dividends or other distributions and to vote as the owner, and the
Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or
interest in any such share or shares on the part of any other person.
SECTION 4. Regulations. The Board of Directors may make any additional
rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as it may deem
expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for
shares of stock of the Corporation. It may appoint, or authorize any officer
or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer
clerks and one or more registrars and may require all certificates for shares
of stock to bear the signature or signatures of any of them.
SECTION 5. Stolen, Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The
holder of any certificate representing shares of stock of the Corporation
shall immediately notify the Corporation of its theft, loss, destruction or
mutilation and the Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the
place of any certificate issued by it that has been alleged to have been
stolen, lost or destroyed or that shall have been mutilated. The Board may,
in its discretion, require the owner (or his legal representative) of a
stolen, lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate to give to the Corporation a
bond in a sum, limited or unlimited, and in a form and with any surety or
sureties, as the Board in its absolute discretion shall determine or to
indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on
account of the alleged theft, loss, destruction or the mutilation of any such
certificate, or issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion,
may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except pursuant to legal
proceedings under the Maryland General Corporation Law.
SECTION 6. Fixing of Record Date for Dividends, Distributions, etc. The
Board may fix, in advance, a date not more than 90 (ninety) days preceding the
date fixed for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution
or the allotment of rights to subscribe for securities of the Corporation, or
for the delivery of evidences of rights or evidences of interests arising out
of any change, conversion or exchange of common stock or other securities, as
the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive
any such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests, and in such
case only the stockholders of record at the time so fixed shall be entitled to
receive such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests.
<PAGE>16
SECTION 7. Information to Stockholders and Others. Any stockholder of
the Corporation or his agent may inspect and copy during the Corporation's
usual business hours the Corporation's By-Laws, minutes of the proceedings of
its stockholders, annual statements of its affairs and voting trust agreements
on file at its principal office.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
SECTION 1. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party in any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is a
current or former director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving
while a director or officer of the Corporation at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or
fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or employee benefit plan, shall be indemnified by the Corporation
against judgments, penalties, fines, excise taxes, settlements and reasonable
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permissible
under the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now or
hereafter in force, except that such indemnity shall not protect any such
person against any liability to the Corporation or any stockholder thereof to
which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office ("disabling conduct").
SECTION 2. Advances. Any current or former director or officer of the
Corporation claiming indemnification within the scope of this Article V shall
be entitled to advances from the Corporation for payment of the reasonable
expenses incurred by him in connection with proceedings to which he is a party
in the manner and to the full extent permissible under the Maryland General
Corporation Law, the Securities Act and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now
or hereafter in force; provided however, that the person seeking
indemnification shall provide to the Corporation a written affirmation of his
good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification
by the Corporation has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such
advance unless it is ultimately determined that he
<PAGE>17
is entitled to indemnification, and provided further that at least one of the
following additional conditions is met: (a) the person seeking indemnification
shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the Corporation for
his undertaking; (b) the Corporation is insured against losses arising by
reason of the advance; or (c) a majority of a quorum of directors of the
Corporation who are neither "interested persons" as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the proceeding ("disinterested non-
party directors"), or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, shall
determine, based on a review of facts readily available to the Corporation at
the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe
that the person seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be
entitled to indemnification.
SECTION 3. Procedure. At the request of any current or former director
or officer, or any employee or agent whom the Corporation proposes to
indemnify, the Board of Directors shall determine, or cause to be determined,
in a manner consistent with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the
Securities Act and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now or hereafter in
force, whether the standards required by this Article V have been met;
provided, however, that indemnification shall be made only following: (a) a
final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the
proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified was not liable by
reason of disabling conduct or (b) in the absence of such a decision, a
reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the person to
be indemnified was not liable by reason of disabling conduct, by (i) the vote
of a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party directors or (ii) an
independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
SECTION 4. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. Employees and
agents who are not officers or directors of the Corporation may be
indemnified, and reasonable expenses may be advanced to such employees or
agents, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article V to the
extent permissible under the 1940 Act, the Securities Act and Maryland General
Corporation Law, as such statutes are now or hereafter in force, to the
extent, consistent with the foregoing, as may be provided by action of the
Board of Directors or by contract.
SECTION 5. Other Rights. The indemnification provided by this Article V
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right, in respect of
indemnification or otherwise, to which those seeking such indemnification may
be entitled under any insurance or other agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action by a
<PAGE>18
director or officer of the Corporation in his official capacity and as to
action by such person in another capacity while holding such office or
position, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
SECTION 6. Insurance. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or who, while a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or employee benefit plan, against any liability asserted against
and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, provided that no insurance may be obtained by the Corporation for
liabilities against which it would not have the power to indemnify him under
this Article V or applicable law.
SECTION 7. Constituent, Resulting or Surviving Corporations. For the
purposes of this Article V, references to the "Corporation" shall include all
constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well the
resulting or surviving corporation so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of a constituent corporation or is or was
serving at the request of a constituent corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise shall stand in the same position under this Article V with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would if he had served
the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.
ARTICLE VI
SEAL
The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall bear the
name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation, the words "Corporate
Seal" and "Maryland" and any emblem or device approved by the Board of
Directors. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be impressed
or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, or by placing the word "(seal)"
adjacent to the signature of the authorized officer of the Corporation.
<PAGE>19
ARTICLE VII
FISCAL YEAR
The Corporation's fiscal year shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.
As adopted, October 10, 1995
