[front cover]
October 31, 1999
AMERICAN CENTURY(reg.sm)
Annual Report
[graphic of runners]
[graphic of person looking at computer screen]
Ultra
Vista
[american century logo(reg.sm)]
American
Century
[inside front cover]
Y2K Testing Efforts Pay Dividends in Preparedness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Y2K, short for the year 2000, refers more specifically to the date change
from December 31, 1999, to January 1, 2000. This date change is significant for
computers because many were originally programmed to process dates with
two-character years -- 99 instead of 1999.
When the calendar rolls to 2000, this can create problems for computers
programmed this way because they will read the date as "00," and may
interpret it as 1900. Most companies have been working to reprogram their
computer systems with four-digit years. Reprogramming is very labor-intensive
and requires testing to ensure that there are no errors and that all lines of
code were successfully changed.
Recognizing the possible impact of the Y2K issue, our senior-level Steering
Committee, programmers, business partners and Y2K team have been working
diligently to make January 1, 2000, a non-event for American Century investors.
Currently, all of our computer systems have been modified, tested and
returned to production. We have an ongoing commitment to testing our systems
with our vendors and business partners and within the industry throughout the
rest of the year.
In March and April of this year, we participated in the Security Industry
Association's (SIA) industry-wide test and successfully processed transactions
for dates up to and beyond 2000. American Century transactions with our partner
firms were processed free of Y2K bugs. We also participated in the Market Data
Test conducted by the SIA and Financial Information Forum in May. Again, the
computer scripts were executed successfully with no Y2K-related errors.
In addition to our testing schedule, our Y2K team has developed contingency
plans. These plans are designed to minimize the impact on our investors and help
us maintain operations in the event of any Y2K-related incidents. We will
conduct practice drills of contingency scenarios during the rest of 1999 and
refine those plans to respond quickly and effectively so that the date change is
as seamless as possible for investors. We expect the year 2000 to be business as
usual at American Century.
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure
[left margin]
ULTRA
(TWCUX)
-----------------------------------------
VISTA
(TWCVX)
-----------------------------------------
TURN TO THE INSIDE BACK COVER OF THIS REPORT TO SEE A LIST OF AMERICAN CENTURY
FUNDS CLASSIFIED BY OBJECTIVE AND RISK.
Tackling the Rollover Challenge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing jobs or retiring? The American Century Personalized Rollover
Service(SM) provides individualized service that makes rolling over your
employer-sponsored retirement plan easy and stress free.
Our Rollover Expert Team will:
* Give personal guidance on which options best meet your retirement needs by
explaining the types of investments available through both our mutual funds
and American Century Brokerage.
* Assist you with the paperwork, helping to ensure it's completed right the
first time.
* Monitor retirement plan money as it rolls over from your employer-sponsored
plan to the American Century Rollover IRA account.
Call the Rollover Expert Team weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT) at
1-888-345-2431, ext. 4232, or visit our Web site at www.americancentury.com.
Our Message to You
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[photo of James E. Stowers III and James E. Stowers, Jr.]
James E. Stowers III, seated, with James E. Stowers, Jr.
Growth-oriented investors--including those in Ultra and Vista--were
well-rewarded during the 12 months ended October 31, 1999. It was no cakewalk,
however--the period will be remembered as one of heightened stock market
volatility, particularly during the last six months when the Federal Reserve
twice raised interest rates. Nonetheless, several sectors of the economy,
especially those connected to the Internet, displayed strong earnings growth, of
which our funds took advantage.
On the corporate front, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our
ability to generate investment returns and reduce costs associated with the
management of our funds. One priority, for example, has been reducing the costs
of buying and selling securities for our funds. Thus, we have been investing in
companies that provide technology for electronic communications networks (ECNs).
Today, more than one-third of our equity trades are executed over these
"alternative" networks. Savings in this area directly affect the
performance of your funds.
We're also pleased to report that American Century's investor account
statement is the first fund company statement to win the Communications Seal
from DALBAR Inc., an independent financial services research firm. DALBAR
commends us for meeting investors' needs with an attractive document that's easy
to read and understand.
Finally, in the spirit of our ongoing Year 2000 readiness disclosure, we've
provided a complete update on our preparations for Y2K on the inside front cover
of this report.
As always, we appreciate your continued confidence in American Century.
Sincerely,
/s/James E. Stowers, Jr.
James E. Stowers, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and Founder
/s/James E. Stowers III
James E. Stowers III
Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
[right margin]
Table of Contents
Report Highlights ....................................................... 2
Market Perspective ...................................................... 3
ULTRA
Performance Information ................................................. 4
Management Q&A ...................................................... 5
Portfolio at a Glance ................................................... 5
Top Ten Holdings ........................................................ 6
Top Five Industries ..................................................... 6
Types of Investments .................................................... 7
Schedule of Investments ................................................. 8
VISTA
Performance Information .................................................10
Management Q&A ...................................................... 11
Portfolio at a Glance ...................................................11
Top Ten Holdings ........................................................12
Top Five Industries .....................................................12
Types of Investments ....................................................13
Schedule of Investments .................................................14
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Assets and
Liabilities ..........................................................16
Statements of Operations ................................................17
Statements of Changes
in Net Assets ........................................................18
Notes to Financial
Statements ...........................................................19
Financial Highlights ....................................................22
Independent Auditors'
Report ...............................................................28
OTHER INFORMATION
Share Class and Retirement
Account Information 29
Background Information
Investment Philosophy
and Policies 30
Comparative Indices 30
Portfolio Managers 30
Glossary 31
[end right margin]
www.americancentury.com 1
Report Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET PERSPECTIVE
* Even though the past year was marked by heightened stock market volatility,
the period was rewarding for growth investors. The Dow Industrials reached
a record high during the year.
* Technology stocks were the big winners, particularly companies involved either
directly or indirectly with what has become an economy within an economy, the
Internet. The NASDAQ Composite, home to many high-tech firms, had spectacular
results for the 12 months ended October 31, 1999. Ultimately, the period
showed that market volatility is a two-way street, and doesn't always lead to
negative returns.
ULTRA
* With growth stocks in favor, Ultra significantly outperformed the Standard
& Poor's 500 Index. Technology stocks paced the market, and more than a
third of Ultra's portfolio was devoted to technology-oriented firms in various
fields.
* Ultra was drawn to cable and media stocks during the period, particularly
cable providers with high-capacity digital networks that can carry a large
number of services in and out of the home. The fund also looked for results
from investments in companies involved in various facets of wireless
communications.
* Ultra's investments in pharmaceutical stocks, accounting for almost 10% of the
fund, were slowed by uncertainty surrounding Medicare's coverage for
prescription drugs and increased earnings power in other sectors of the
economy.
VISTA
* Vista's performance for the year far outdistanced that of its benchmark, the
Russell 2500 Growth Index, thanks to the fund's significant investments in
technology-oriented companies. In addition, Vista's 10 largest positions
accounted for more than 40% of its assets, and a number of these holdings
turned in strong results.
* The fund's double-digit weighting in many types of semiconductor stocks
received a boost as recovering global economies once again began buying
computer chips. The strong results turned in by electrical equipment was paced
by strong demand for wireless phones. Another strong performing industry,
media, benefited from strong cable TV growth in Europe and other countries.
* Vista also benefited from moving out of interest rate-sensitive banks,
financial services companies, and electric utilities. These stocks declined as
interest rates climbed in the first three quarters of 1999.
[left margin]
ULTRA(1)
(TWCUX)
TOTAL RETURNS: AS OF 10/31/99
6 Months 6.30%(2)
1 Year 37.94%
INCEPTION DATE: 11/2/81
NET ASSETS: $36.2 billion(3)
VISTA(1)
(TWCVX)
TOTAL RETURNS: AS OF 10/31/99
6 Months 34.94%(2)
1 Year 66.24%
INCEPTION DATE: 11/25/83
NET ASSETS: $1.2 billion(3)
(1) Investor Class.
(2) Not annualized.
(3) Includes Investor, Advisor, and
Institutional classes.
Investment terms are defined in the Glossary on pages 31-32.
2 1-800-345-2021
Market Perspective from James E. Stowers III
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[photo of James E. Stowers III]
James E. Stowers III, Chief Executive Officer of American Century
THE YEAR IN BRIEF
This has been a year of sharp contrasts. Consider the climate in which
stocks began our fiscal year, and the atmosphere in which they ended it. In
October 1998, we were coming off a substantial downturn, which saw the S&P
500 drop 18% in just over 80 days. The Asian financial crises were with us, and
the financial markets had been shaken by the collapse of a major U.S. hedge
fund.
Credit the Federal Reserve with quickly stepping in the fall of 1998 and
lowering interest rates. Stocks began to recover--to the point where the Dow
Jones Industrials went beyond the 10,000 level for the first time ever and
closed above 11,000 a month later.
For the first half of our fiscal year, a handful of large growth stocks led
the market. In April, long-neglected value stocks and those of smaller companies
suddenly rallied amid signs of economic recovery in Asia. Unfortunately, their
performance run ended only a few weeks later. When the Federal Reserve reversed
course and raised rates in July and August, the market retreated. But inflation
remained dormant--despite the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years--corporate
earnings strengthened, and stock prices rallied again in late October.
A GREAT YEAR FOR GROWTH
The period was rewarding for growth investors, particularly for those
focused on technology, like many of our portfolios. The Internet economy--as
measured by equipment and software spending--grew by almost 70% over the last 12
months. "Technology" once stood for microchips and computers. Today it
refers to a broad spectrum of companies involved in endeavors as diverse as
electronics, telecommunications, cable TV and media, software, and medical
products.
The growth enjoyed by many high-tech companies was reflected in the
performance of the NASDAQ Composite, where many such firms are represented.
NASDAQ gained a spectacular 67.46% during the 12 months ended October 31, 1999.
Unfortunately, value investors had a relatively difficult time. The S&P
500/ BARRA Growth Index was up 31.29% for the 12 months, versus a 19.01% gain
for the S&P 500/BARRA Value Index.
A FINAL THOUGHT
The last 12 months saw heightened stock market volatility as earnings-
conscious investors quickly rewarded companies that exceeded expectations and
swiftly punished those that fell short. Volatility can be unnerving, but it
doesn't always lead to negative returns, as our results this year demonstrate.
Ultimately, fiscal 1999 illustrates why we try to remain fully invested.
Market upturns tend to be sudden and powerful. We want investors in position to
take full advantage of "good" volatility.
[right margin]
"ULTIMATELY, FISCAL 1999 ILLUSTRATES WHY WE TRY TO REMAIN FULLY INVESTED.
MARKET UPTURNS TEND TO BE SUDDEN AND POWERFUL. WE WANT INVESTORS IN POSITION TO
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF 'GOOD' VOLATILITY."
MARKET RETURNS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999
S&P 500 25.67%
S&P MIDCAP 400 21.07%
RUSSELL 2000 14.87%
Source: Lipper Inc.
These indices represent the performance of large-, medium-, and
small-capitalization stocks.
MARKET PERFORMANCE (GROWTH OF $1.00)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999
[data shown in line chart]
Date S&P 500 S&P Mid-Cap 400 Russell 2000
10/31/1998 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
11/30/1998 $1.06 $1.05 $1.05
12/31/1998 $1.12 $1.18 $1.12
1/31/1999 $1.17 $1.13 $1.13
2/28/1999 $1.13 $1.07 $1.04
3/31/1999 $1.18 $1.10 $1.06
4/30/1999 $1.22 $1.19 $1.15
5/31/1999 $1.19 $1.19 $1.17
6/30/1999 $1.26 $1.26 $1.22
7/31/1999 $1.22 $1.23 $1.19
8/31/1999 $1.22 $1.19 $1.14
9/30/1999 $1.18 $1.15 $1.14
10/31/1999 $1.26 $1.21 $1.15
Value on 10/31/99
S&P 500 $1.26
S&P MidCap 400 $1.21
Russell 2000 $1.15
[end right margin]
www.americancentury.com 3
Ultra--Performance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1999
INVESTOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
(INCEPTION 11/2/81) (INCEPTION 10/2/96) (INCEPTION 11/14/96)
ULTRA S&P 500 ULTRA S&P 500 ULTRA S&P 500
6 MONTHS(1) 6.30% 2.74% 6.19% 2.74% 6.39% 2.74%
1 YEAR 37.94% 25.67% 37.63% 25.67% 38.21% 25.67%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
3 YEARS 24.89% 26.52% 24.59% 26.52% -- --
5 YEARS 24.19% 26.02% -- -- -- --
10 YEARS 22.12% 17.82% -- -- -- --
LIFE OF FUND 18.86% 18.11% 23.84% 26.87%(2) 23.75% 25.07%
(1) Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(2) Since 9/30/96, the date nearest the class's inception for which data are
available.
See pages 29-31 for information about share classes, the S&P 500 Index, and
returns.
GROWTH OF $10,000 OVER 10 YEARS
Value on 10/31/99
Ultra $73,714
S&P 500 $51,530
$10,000 investment made 10/31/89
[data shown in mountain chart]
Ultra S&P 500
Date Value Value
10/31/1989 $10,000 $10,000
10/31/1990 $9,098 $9,252
10/31/1991 $18,334 $12,351
10/31/1992 $18,252 $13,582
10/31/1993 $25,512 $15,611
10/31/1994 $24,982 $16,215
10/31/1995 $34,197 $20,502
10/31/1996 $37,887 $25,443
10/31/1997 $45,446 $33,613
10/31/1998 $53,449 $41,004
10/31/1999 $73,714 $51,530
The graph at left shows the growth of a $10,000 investment in the fund over 10
years, while the graph below shows the fund's year-by-year performance. The
S&P 500 Index is provided for comparison in each graph. Ultra's total
returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management
fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the S&P 500 Index do
not. The graphs are based on Investor Class shares only; performance for other
classes will vary due to differences in fee structures (see the Total Returns
table above). Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment
return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or
less than original cost.
ONE-YEAR RETURNS OVER 10 YEARS (PERIODS ENDING OCTOBER 31)
[data shown in bar chart]
Ultra S&P 500
Date Return Return
10/31/1990 -9.02% -7.52%
10/31/1991 101.51% 33.50%
10/31/1992 -0.45% 9.93%
10/31/1993 39.78% 14.89%
10/31/1994 -2.08% 3.87%
10/31/1995 36.89% 26.36%
10/31/1996 10.79% 24.03%
10/31/1997 19.95% 32.10%
10/31/1998 17.61% 21.96%
10/31/1999 37.94% 25.67%
4 1-800-345-2021
Ultra--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[photo of John Sykora, Jim Stowers III, and Bruce Wimberly]
An interview with John Sykora, Jim Stowers III, and Bruce Wimberly,
portfolio managers on the Ultra investment team.
HOW DID ULTRA PERFORM FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999?
Ultra had a good year. The fund gained 37.94%, well above the 25.67%
increase posted by its benchmark, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.* We're
pleased with this short-term experience, but our overarching goal is to provide
you with strong performance over longer periods of time. Those investors who
have been in Ultra for the last five years have received an average annual
return on their investment of 24.19%.
WHAT HELPED YOU ACHIEVE THESE RETURNS?
To begin with, Ultra's investment approach centers on owning successful
companies--firms experiencing strong growth in their earnings and revenues. As
part of our strategy, we concentrate the portfolio in those companies we believe
have the best chances to sustain their growth going forward. When we closed our
October books, Ultra's 10 largest holdings accounted for 40% of the fund.
Growth stocks led the stock market, and within that realm, technology
stocks were the strongest performers--particularly companies involved in the
Internet. The average technology stock in the S&P 500 was up 66% for the
year. Ultra carried a large weighting of technology firms into the period, a
broad group of companies accounting for about a third of the fund. Put simply,
we were in a lot of the right stocks at the right time.
WHICH COMPANIES OR SECTORS CONTRIBUTED THE MOST TO PERFORMANCE?
Several technology themes worked well, starting with the Internet. We
believe that as bandwidth inevitably increases, the movement of economic
activity to the "Net" will accelerate. Finding those companies that
can successfully transition their products profitably to the virtual economy
will be one of many challenges for investors in the future. As with many new
industries, some of today's newly minted "dot coms" will go bust or be
consolidated. The key to future investment success will be identifying those
companies with sustainable business models. We are not interested in today's fad
but rather tomorrow's winner. In this light we believe America Online (AOL) has
positioned itself well. AOL has been a major investment in Ultra for several
years and accounts for slightly more than 5% of the fund. We think AOL is the
nation's best online service, and that it's run by a talented, insightful
management team. Moreover, it is profitable today, with a business model that
makes sense.
EMC Corporation, another Internet-related company that provides hardware
and software for data storage, might not be as familiar to you as AOL. Yet, it
certainly has benefited from the explosion of data traveling the Internet. We
believe that electronic commerce will place enormous demands on electronic
storage.
* All fund returns referenced in this interview are for Investor Class shares.
[right margin]
"THOSE INVESTORS WHO HAVE BEEN IN ULTRA FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE RECEIVED
AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT OF 24.19%."
PORTFOLIO AT A GLANCE
10/31/99 10/31/98
NO. OF COMPANIES 68 177
MEDIAN P/E RATIO 43.7 32.0
MEDIAN MARKET $65.2 $17.4
CAPITALIZATION BILLION BILLION
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 42% 128%
EXPENSE RATIO (FOR
INVESTOR CLASS) 1.00% 1.00%
Investment terms are defined in the Glossary on pages 31-32.
[end right margin]
www.americancentury.com 5
Ultra--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
WHAT OTHER TECHNOLOGY THEMES FARED WELL FOR
YOU?
We continue to like the growth rates in wireless communications and the
investment potential in this part of the telecommunications market. The demand
is strong and should continue for the next few years. We believe the growing
trend for hand-held devices in whatever form they come in, be it cell phones or
palm computers, will continue to accelerate at a rapid pace. Ultra's portfolio
is positioned to benefit from those trends.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOLDINGS IN THE WIRELESS ARENA?
We own one of the emerging leaders in wireless technology, QUALCOMM.
QUALCOMM owns the rights and patents to CDMA technology which it develops itself
and licenses out to other providers. CDMA enables wireless networks to carry
more data.
In terms of manufacturers, we believe Nokia is well-positioned to maintain
its leadership in both handsets and infrastructure. Nokia has been one of the
best companies at staying ahead of the wireless technology curve, putting out
increasingly smarter portable phones.
HOW ABOUT WIRELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS?
As for wireless service providers, we have benefited from Vodafone's
worldwide "footprint." If the name isn't familiar to you, Vodafone is
the leading wireless company in Britain, with a large wireless presence in
Europe and parts of Asia. It now has a nationwide wireless service in the United
States, thanks to its purchase of Airtouch Communications earlier this year.
Another company that deserves mention in this space is MCI WorldCom. As the
nation's second-largest phone company, WorldCom provides voice, data, Internet,
and international communications. It's in the process of acquiring Sprint, which
has built the only all-digital wireless network in the United States.
CABLE AND MEDIA STOCKS ALSO OCCUPY A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF YOUR PORTFOLIO,
ALMOST 10%. WHAT DREW YOU TO THAT AREA?
Cable firms have been big contributors to Ultra's results over the past few
years--this is an exciting area of the economy that's experiencing solid
earnings growth. Not only is the cable industry booming--subscriptions are
climbing and there is strong demand for value-added services--but the leading
cable firms are preparing their wideband networks to compete in the
telecommunications marketplace, carrying voice, data, and video to and from the
home.
In addition to the media conglomerate Time Warner, one of our larger media
investments is Liberty Media, a spin-out from the merger last year between
AT&T and the cable giant Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI). Liberty is
actually a collection of media-oriented assets that were under the TCI umbrella,
including cable channels such as BET Black Entertainment, the Discovery Channel,
Court TV, and Animal Planet. Liberty also owns stakes in USA Network, TV Guide,
and Time Warner. In a sense, this single investment is giving us exposure to a
variety of areas we like in the cable industry.
[left margin]
TOP TEN HOLDINGS
% OF FUND INVESTMENTS
AS OF AS OF
10/31/99 4/30/99
MICROSOFT CORP. 6.1% 5.3%
MCI WORLDCOM, INC. 5.7% 5.1%
AMERICA ONLINE INC. 5.2% 4.9%
AMERICAN
INTERNATIONAL
GROUP, INC. 5.1% 4.7%
GENERAL ELECTRIC
CO. (U.S.) 4.7% 3.4%
TIME WARNER INC. 3.8% 4.3%
EMC CORP. (MASS.) 3.5% 2.5%
QUALCOMM INC. 3.3% 0.2%
AT&T CORP. - LIBERTY
MEDIA GROUP CL A 2.9% 2.5%
PFIZER, INC. 2.6% 2.6%
TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES
% OF FUND INVESTMENTS
AS OF AS OF
10/31/99 4/30/99
MEDIA 9.8% 10.7%
DRUGS 9.6% 10.1%
COMPUTER SOFTWARE 9.5% 7.8%
FINANCIAL SERVICES 8.6% 7.7%
WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 6.8% 2.1%
[end left margin]
6 1-800-345-2021
Ultra--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
SIX MONTHS AGO, YOU DISCUSSED THE SLUGGISH PERFORMANCE OF YOUR DOUBLE-DIGIT
WEIGHTING IN PHARMACEUTICALS. ULTRA STILL HAS A LARGE COMPLEMENT OF DRUG STOCKS.
HAVE THINGS IMPROVED FOR THIS SECTOR?
We've stayed with these stocks because their fundamentals remain solid.
What has changed is the way investors are viewing them. Investor sentiment has
turned against drug stocks due to uncertainty surrounding Medicare coverage for
prescription drugs and increased earnings power in other sectors of the economy.
Overall, Ultra's pharmaceutical holdings continue to produce strong revenue and
earnings growth. These companies have made significant investments in research
and development over the last few years, which should improve future earnings.
HOW ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES? WEREN'T THEY UNDERPERFORMERS DURING
THE YEAR AS WELL?
Rising interest rates over the summer caused problems for financial
services companies in general, and banks in particular. Investors were concerned
that rising rates would create credit quality problems and diminish overall loan
demand. One of our favorite names in financial services remains American
International Group, which is among the premier international insurers in the
world. The company is expected to benefit from the economic recovery now
underway in Asia.
We're being very selective when it comes to financial services companies,
especially banks. The Internet is rapidly changing the face of this industry.
Trading, brokerage, and banking services are available online--at reduced
prices. The passage of the banking reform bill will clearly lead to increased
industry consolidation. We think selectivity will be extremely important in this
new environment.
THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES IN ULTRA DROPPED OVER THE PERIOD. WHAT LED TO THE
DECREASE?
In general, we moved more money into holdings that we felt had the best
chance to sustain their accelerating growth moving forward. For the most part,
these stocks represent the fund's 15 largest positions, which account for more
than half of Ultra's investments. In addition, we closed out a number of smaller
positions that we felt were no longer appropriate for the fund.
WHAT'S YOUR STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK FOR ULTRA MOVING FORWARD?
The mantra here is that "money follows earnings," meaning that
over time, investors tend to reward successful companies. We try to put the odds
further in our favor by owning firms whose top and bottom lines are not just
growing, but growing at an accelerating pace, faster this quarter than the
previous one.
Whenever we can, we look to invest money in successful companies that are
also "pure plays." Instead of trying to be everything to everyone,
these firms concentrate on doing a few things very well. Such companies tend to
be leaders in their respective fields, with focused management and growing
market share. We're confident that this strategy will continue to reward
investors over longer periods of time.
[right margin]
"WE TRY TO PUT THE ODDS FURTHER IN OUR FAVOR BY OWNING FIRMS WHOSE TOP AND
BOTTOM LINES ARE NOT JUST GROWING, BUT GROWING AT AN ACCELERATING PACE, FASTER
THIS QUARTER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE."
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1999
[data shown in pie chart]
Temporary Cash Investments 0.6%
Foreign Stocks 3.3%
U.S. Stocks 96.1%
AS OF APRIL 30, 1999
[data shown in pie chart]
Temporary Cash Investments 1.3%
Foreign Stocks 0.4%
Foreign & U.S. Preferred 0.5%
U.S. Stocks 97.8%
www.americancentury.com 7
Ultra--Schedule of Investments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This schedule lists all investments owned by the fund, as well as each
security's market value, as of the last day of the reporting period. The
securities are grouped by asset class (such as common stocks, corporate bonds,
temporary cash investments, as applicable), and some asset classes are further
broken down by industry or country.
NOTE: For securities denominated in foreign currencies, the market value is
translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates as of the last day of the
reporting period.
OCTOBER 31, 1999
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS -- 99.4%
BANKS -- 2.9%
9,590,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The) $ 401,581
1,925,000 Chase Manhattan Corp. 168,197
9,127,500 Citigroup Inc. 494,026
---------------
1,063,804
---------------
CLOTHING STORES(1)
170,000 Gap, Inc. (The) 6,311
---------------
COMPUTER HARDWARE &
BUSINESS MACHINES -- 6.1%
18,653,400 Dell Computer Corp.(2) 747,885
17,500,000 EMC Corp. (Mass.)(2) 1,277,500
1,540,000 Sun Microsystems, Inc.(2) 162,903
230,000 Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR(2) 7,964
---------------
2,196,252
---------------
COMPUTER SOFTWARE -- 9.5%
1,235,000 BMC Software, Inc.(2) 79,233
9,483,200 Compuware Corp.(2) 263,455
5,201,200 International Business
Machines Corp. 511,668
23,831,300 Microsoft Corp.(2) 2,205,885
8,141,300 Oracle Corp.(2) 387,475
---------------
3,447,716
---------------
CONSUMER DURABLES -- 0.1%
225,000 Sony Corp. ORD 35,119
---------------
DEPARTMENT STORES -- 3.2%
2,214,000 Costco Companies, Inc.(2) 177,743
2,444,500 Dayton Hudson Corp. 157,976
14,860,600 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 842,410
---------------
1,178,129
---------------
DRUGS -- 9.6%
30,000 Amgen Inc.(2) 2,392
9,245,900 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 710,201
3,452,000 Lilly (Eli) & Co. 237,756
7,560,800 Merck & Co., Inc. 601,556
23,826,300 Pfizer, Inc. 941,139
413,500 Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. 22,303
7,408,400 Schering-Plough Corp. 366,716
7,234,900 Warner-Lambert Co. 577,435
---------------
3,459,498
---------------
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -- 4.5%
10,317,800 Cisco Systems Inc.(2) $ 763,840
15,000 General Instrument Corp.(2) 807
908,300 JDS Uniphase Corp.(2) 151,544
4,004,500 Lucent Technologies Inc. 257,289
720,000 Motorola, Inc. 70,155
2,228,000 Nokia Corp. Cl A ADR 257,473
1,065,000 Nortel Networks Corp. 65,963
636,000 Solectron Corp.(2) 47,859
---------------
1,614,930
---------------
ENTERTAINMENT -- 1.4%
196,000 Viacom, Inc. Cl A(2) 8,930
11,048,000 Viacom, Inc. Cl B(2) 494,398
---------------
503,328
---------------
FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 8.6%
1,999,200 American Express Co. 307,877
9,336,400 Fannie Mae 660,550
7,950,500 Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation 429,824
12,577,500 General Electric Co. (U.S.) 1,705,037
---------------
3,103,288
---------------
FOOD & BEVERAGE -- 2.0%
9,251,700 Coca-Cola Company (The) 545,850
7,045,000 Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. 180,088
---------------
725,938
---------------
GAS & WATER UTILITIES -- 1.2%
10,686,000 Enron Corp. 426,772
---------------
HOME PRODUCTS -- 1.8%
2,488,000 Colgate-Palmolive Co. 150,524
4,843,200 Procter & Gamble Co. (The) 507,931
---------------
658,455
---------------
INDUSTRIAL PARTS -- 2.6%
23,409,120 Tyco International Ltd. 934,902
---------------
INFORMATION SERVICES -- 0.8%
3,525,000 Gemstar International Group Ltd.(2) 305,794
---------------
INTERNET -- 5.4%
14,412,600 America Online Inc.(2) 1,869,134
582,900 Yahoo! Inc.(2) 104,412
---------------
1,973,546
---------------
MEDIA -- 9.8%
26,704,400 AT&T Corp. -- Liberty Media
Group Cl A(2) 1,059,831
8 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Ultra--Schedule of Investments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
OCTOBER 31, 1999
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEDIA (continued)
5,378,160 Clear Channel
Communications, Inc.(2) $ 432,270
16,100,000 Comcast Corp. Cl A 677,709
19,722,200 Time Warner Inc. 1,374,391
----------------
3,544,201
----------------
MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES -- 4.0%
5,771,100 Guidant Corp. 284,948
5,350,100 Johnson & Johnson 560,423
17,273,400 Medtronic, Inc. 598,091
----------------
1,443,462
----------------
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY
INSURANCE -- 6.2%
18,044,781 American International Group, Inc. 1,857,485
5,816 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Cl A(2) 371,642
----------------
2,229,127
----------------
SEMICONDUCTOR -- 5.7%
4,294,700 Applied Materials, Inc.(2) 385,852
8,877,000 Intel Corp. 687,135
1,998,600 Linear Technology Corp. 139,715
1,985,000 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.(2) 156,629
2,553,600 Micron Technology, Inc.(2) 182,104
5,045,400 Texas Instruments Inc. 452,825
805,000 Xilinx, Inc.(2) 63,268
----------------
2,067,528
----------------
SPECIALTY STORES -- 1.3%
6,266,000 Home Depot, Inc. 473,083
----------------
TELEPHONE -- 5.9%
2,340,000 Global Crossing Holdings Ltd.(2) 81,096
23,863,374 MCI WorldCom, Inc.(2) 2,047,030
----------------
2,128,126
----------------
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 6.8%
5,370,300 QUALCOMM Inc.(2) 1,196,066
4,304,300 Sprint PCS(2) 356,988
17,177,500 Vodafone Group plc ADR 823,446
17,679,060 Vodafone Group plc ORD 82,247
----------------
2,458,747
----------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 35,978,056
(Cost $21,229,624) ----------------
Principal Amount ($ in Thousands) Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS -- 0.6%
$11,767 FNMA Discount Notes,
5.46%, 1/18/00(3) $ 11,628
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs & Co.,
Inc., (U.S. Treasury obligations), in a joint
trading account at 5.13%, dated 10/29/99,
due 11/1/99 (Delivery value $201,386) 201,300
Repurchase Agreement, Morgan Stanley Group,
Inc., (U.S. Treasury obligations), in a joint
trading account at 5.16%, dated 10/29/99,
due 11/1/99 (Delivery value $15,507) 15,500
----------------
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS 228,428
(Cost $228,428) ----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES -- 100.0% $36,206,484
================
(Cost $21,458,052)
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
($ in Thousands)
Contracts Settlement Unrealized
to Sell Date Value Loss
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
108,162,361 EURO 11/30/99 $114,265 $(100)
=======================================
(Value on Settlement Date $114,165)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used by the portfolio management
team in an effort to protect the fund's foreign investments against declines in
foreign currencies (also known as hedging). The contracts are called
"forward" because they allow the fund to exchange a foreign currency
for U.S. dollars on a specific date in the future--and at a prearranged exchange
rate.
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
ADR = American Depositary Receipt
ORD = Foreign Ordinary Share
FNMA = Federal National Mortgage Association
(1) Industry is less than 0.05% of total investment securities.
(2) Non-income producing.
(3) Rate disclosed is the yield to maturity at purchase.
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 9
Vista--Performance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1999
INVESTOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
(INCEPTION 11/25/83) (INCEPTION 10/2/96) (INCEPTION 11/14/96)
RUSSELL 2500 RUSSELL 2500 RUSSELL 2500
VISTA GROWTH INDEX VISTA GROWTH INDEX VISTA GROWTH INDEX
6 MONTHS(1) 34.94% 9.51% 34.89% 9.51% 34.87% 9.51%
1 YEAR 66.24% 37.39% 65.87% 37.39% 66.42% 37.39%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
3 YEARS 4.31% 12.98% 4.12% 12.98% -- --
5 YEARS 11.86% 15.71% -- -- -- --
10 YEARS 11.35% 13.24% -- -- -- --
LIFE OF FUND 12.08% N/A(2) 1.54% 11.46%(3) 4.48% 11.98%(4)
(1) Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(2) Benchmark began 1/1/86.
(3) Since 9/30/96, the date nearest the class's inception for which data are
available.
(4) Since 11/30/96, the date nearest the class's inception for which data are
available.
See pages 29-31 for information about share classes, the Russell 2500 Growth
Index, and returns.
GROWTH OF $10,000 OVER 10 YEARS
Value as of 10/31/99
Russell 2500 Growth $34,671
Vista $29,277
$10,000 investment made 10/31/89
[data shown in mountain chart]
Vista Russell 2500 Growth
Date Value Value
10/31/1989 $10,000 $10,000
10/31/1990 $7,782 $7,735
10/31/1991 $13,049 $12,944
10/31/1992 $13,644 $13,234
10/31/1993 $16,062 $16,407
10/31/1994 $16,730 $16,712
10/31/1995 $24,124 $20,633
10/31/1996 $25,803 $24,040
10/31/1997 $25,878 $29,292
10/31/1998 $17,613 $25,235
10/31/1999 $29,277 $34,671
The graph at left shows the growth of a $10,000 investment in the fund over 10
years, while the graph below shows the fund's year-by-year performance. The
Russell 2500 Growth Index is provided for comparison in each graph. Vista's
total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and
management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the Russell
2500 Growth Index do not. The graphs are based on Investor Class shares only;
performance for other classes will vary due to differences in fee structures
(see the Total Returns table above). Past performance does not guarantee future
results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption
value may be more or less than original cost.
ONE-YEAR RETURNS OVER 10 YEARS (PERIODS ENDING OCTOBER 31)
[data shown in bar chart]
Russell 2500
Vista Growth Index
Date Return Return
10/31/1990 -22.17% -22.65%
10/31/1991 67.67% 67.34%
10/31/1992 4.55% 2.24%
10/31/1993 17.72% 23.98%
10/31/1994 4.16% 1.86%
10/31/1995 44.20% 23.46%
10/31/1996 6.96% 16.51%
10/31/1997 0.29% 21.85%
10/31/1998 -31.94% -13.85%
10/31/1999 66.24% 37.39%
10 1-800-345-2021
Vista--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[photo of Arnie Douville and Glenn Fogle]
An interview with Arnie Douville and Glenn Fogle, portfolio managers on the
Vista investment team.
HOW DID VISTA PERFORM DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31?
Vista's outstanding 66.24% return was almost two times greater than that of
its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index, which gained 37.39%.* That
performance placed Vista in the 27th percentile of its peer group (62 out of 230
mid-cap growth funds) for the one-year period, according to Lipper Inc.**
Vista's strong gain this year was especially satisfying, given its
underperformance during the previous two years. In April 1998, we outlined the
steps we were taking to improve the fund's results. Chief among them were
strengthening the portfolio team, developing improved investment tools, and more
effectively implementing our earnings-based investment approach. Vista's returns
relative to its benchmark began to improve shortly after these changes were
fully implemented, and have continued up through the writing of this report. We
realize our shareholders endured a trying period, and we are grateful for your
patience.
WHAT FACTORS HELPED VISTA POST SUCH A LARGE GAIN?
Vista was rewarded by having concentrated investments in several areas
within the technology sector. This part of the economy performed the best over
the period and was led by companies that are either directly or indirectly
involved with the Internet, particularly companies that provide products for it.
Medium-sized, technology-oriented firms targeted by Vista experienced a
sharp turnaround in 1999, after being punished in the past two years by the
economic turmoil in Asia and other overseas markets.
Finally, we profited from having some of Vista's largest holdings turn in
good results. Maintaining large positions in successful companies is a
cornerstone of our earnings-based investment approach. As of October 31, Vista's
10 largest holdings represented nearly 43% of assets and five of its
best-performing stocks were among them.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND RELATED COMPANIES COMPRISE ALMOST 40% OF THE
PORTFOLIO. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY AND WHY IT IS ATTRACTIVE?
Companies that make semiconductors--computer chips--saw their profits climb
sharply as recovering global economies accelerated demand for electronic
devices. Semiconductors are used primarily to enable many functions in computers
and consumer electronics. However, telecommunications is one of the
fastest-growing uses for these chips. This is how our largest holding, JDS
Uniphase, which
* All fund returns referenced in this interview are for Investor Class shares.
** Vista ranked 73 out of 84 for the five-year period, and 32 out of 34 for the
10-year period according to Lipper. Lipper rankings are based on average
annual total returns.
[right margin]
"MEDIUM-SIZED, TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED FIRMS TARGETED BY VISTA EXPERIENCED A SHARP
TURNAROUND IN 1999, AFTER BEING PUNISHED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS BY THE ECONOMIC
TURMOIL IN ASIA AND OTHER OVERSEAS MARKETS."
PORTFOLIO AT A GLANCE
10/31/99 10/31/98
NO. OF COMPANIES 63 81
MEDIAN P/E RATIO 24.9 28.4
MEDIAN MARKET $3.93 $3.24
CAPITALIZATION BILLION BILLION
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 187% 229%
EXPENSE RATIO (FOR
INVESTOR CLASS) 1.00% 1.00%
Investment terms are defined in the Glossary on pages 31-32.
[end right margin]
www.americancentury.com 11
Vista--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
represents almost 10% of the fund, is making an impact. JDS Uniphase is the
leading independent producer of components that enable communications across
optical networks. For example, communication companies use their components to
increase fiber-optic cable lines' capacity to handle the immense traffic on the
Internet. As Internet and wireless phone use grows exponentially, service
providers must add lines and upgrade existing ones. In fact, demand for JDS
Uniphase's patented technologies from large telecommunications companies like
Lucent Technologies is so great that JDS Uniphase is expanding its production
capacity three-fold. We've owned this company since 1997; its shares gained 575%
this year.
With a nearly 20% weighting in semiconductors, we're invested in a wide
range of chipmakers that sell their products to a diverse set of industries. For
example, Conexant Systems' chips are used in modems, network access, and
wireless applications, while Micron Technology sells semiconductor memory
components (or DRAMs) for PCs and data storage devices. After spot memory chip
prices temporarily fell last spring, we significantly added to our position in
Boise, Idaho-based Micron, the world's second-largest DRAM builder. Micron
estimates that next year the worldwide demand for memory chips may grow by more
than 80%. That approaching demand imbalance is already boosting memory chip
prices.
Another related group of companies in our portfolio sells equipment used in
manufacturing semiconductors. As chipmakers race to meet growing demand for
their current offerings and also develop new, faster, and cheaper
semiconductors, they must upgrade or replace equipment that etches millions of
electronic circuits on silicon and other materials. That's why the fund got a
boost from Lam Research Corp. and ASM Lithography, whose machines enable
chipmakers to make smaller chips with more circuits at a lower cost per unit.
While Vista may appear to have a large exposure to a single industry, the
reality is that the fortunes of semiconductor companies are no longer tied
almost exclusively to computers, as they once were. They now serve end markets
as diverse as communications, health care, transportation, and entertainment.
WHICH OTHER STOCKS CONTRIBUTED TO PERFORMANCE?
Our third-largest industry weighting was in wireless telecommunications,
accounting for another 12.8% of the fund. Within this group, we are excited
about QUALCOMM, a San Diego-based builder of mobile phones and inventor of the
technology that eventually may be used in every wireless phone worldwide. The
company's crown jewels are the patents it holds on code-division-multiple-access
(CDMA) technology, which enables a greater number of cell phone conversations
and video images to travel on the same frequencies by compressing data
transmissions. The technology is truly battle-tested; it was originally
developed by the government for top-secret communications because it's
impervious to jamming. Just as Microsoft receives licensing revenue for every PC
equipped with its software operating system, QUALCOMM earns a royalty on the
sale of every cell phone using its technology. With such dominance in one of the
fastest-growing industries, it's possible to understand
[left margin]
TOP TEN HOLDINGS
% OF FUND INVESTMENTS
AS OF AS OF
10/31/99 4/30/99
JDS UNIPHASE CORP. 9.7% 5.1%(1)
QUALCOMM INC. 6.9% 4.3%
UNITEDGLOBALCOM CL A 4.3% 2.5%
MICRON
TECHNOLOGY, INC. 3.7% 0.9%
CONEXANT
SYSTEMS, INC. 3.3% -
LAM RESEARCH CORP. 3.3% -
ECHOSTAR
COMMUNICATIONS
CORP. CL A 3.1% 2.6%
CYPRESS
SEMICONDUCTOR
CORP. 3.0% -
VOICESTREAM
WIRELESS CORP. 2.8% -
TERADYNE, INC. 2.7% 1.8%
TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES
% OF FUND INVESTMENTS
AS OF AS OF
10/31/99 4/30/99
SEMICONDUCTOR 19.4% 5.7%
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 19.4% 16.1%
WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 12.8% 6.8%
MEDIA 8.4% 6.2%
DRUGS 6.0% 3.4%
(1) Uniphase Corp. acquired JDS Fitel Inc. on 7/6/99. Surviving name is JDS
Uniphase Corp. Percentage represents Uniphase Corp. shares owned by the fund.
[end left margin]
12 1-800-345-2021
Vista--Q&A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
why the stock went up 702% during the year and grew to account for 7% of the
fund's investments.
In media, another fast-growing industry, we purchased UnitedGlobalCom, a
Denver-based cable-TV operator that has 4.8 million subscribers in 20 European,
Asian, and Latin American countries. The company is focusing its efforts
overseas because cable TV is still in its infancy in many countries, and as a
consequence, there are greater growth opportunities abroad. In Europe, for
example, UnitedGlobalCom is offering phone service and Internet access over its
network. The bundled service is extremely desirable to Europeans who want to
surf the Internet because they can avoid the per-minute fees charged by local
phone companies.
WHICH SECTORS OR STOCKS DAMPENED PERFORMANCE?
Our largest disappointment was Quintiles Transnational, a provider of drug
testing and related services to the pharmaceutical industry. The company had
been a solid performer since its 1994 IPO, but the stock declined sharply after
Quintiles lost a large drug-development contract. Although the company has other
contracts in the pipeline, the market recognized that its revenue stream would
slow at least temporarily. We were reducing our position in the stock when the
revenue shortfall was announced, and eliminated it entirely when we heard the
bad news.
WHAT CHANGES DID YOU MAKE TO THE PORTFOLIO IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?
As interest rates reached bottom in late 1998, we reallocated more than 20%
of the portfolio from interest rate-sensitive electric utilities, banking, and
financial industries to faster-growing technology companies. The decision was
timely because while technology surged, interest rate-sensitive sectors suffered
as rates climbed in 1999.
Another significant change was reducing our health care sector weighting by
half. We primarily cut stocks of medical device builders such as Steris--the
world's largest provider of infection-prevention systems--and pharmaceutical
companies such as Mylan Laboratories as their growth slowed.
We did add a select few biotech firms, an area that is growing at a much
faster rate than the traditional drug companies. One of Vista's best performers
was MedImmune, which specializes in products to prevent and treat infectious
diseases. Its stellar performance was driven by the successful introduction of
Synagis, a drug that treats a type of respiratory infection in premature
infants. The drug enjoyed $250 million in sales in its first year, which helped
MedImmune's shares gain more than 200% over the last 12 months.
WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK FOR VISTA HEADING INTO 2000?
We are pleased that investment dollars are beginning to flow back into
mid-cap stocks. Investors are finally seeing opportunity outside the largest
growth stocks. Whether technology stocks will continue to drive the market in
2000 remains to be seen. Remember that just before this period began,
technology-oriented companies weren't high on investors' lists. That's why we
look for successful, growing firms, no matter what field they're in, instead of
trying to anticipate the next "hot" sector of the economy.
[right margin]
"WE ARE PLEASED THAT INVESTMENT DOLLARS ARE BEGINNING TO FLOW BACK INTO MID-CAP
STOCKS. INVESTORS ARE FINALLY SEEING OPPORTUNITY OUTSIDE THE LARGEST GROWTH
STOCKS."
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1999
[data shown in pie chart]
Temporary Cash Investments 5.2%
U.S. Stocks 94.8%
AS OF APRIL 30, 1999
[data shown in pie chart]
Temporary Cash Investments 2.9%
Foreign Stocks 1.0%
U.S. Stocks 96.1%
www.americancentury.com 13
Vista--Schedule of Investments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This schedule lists all investments owned by the fund, as well as each
security's market value, as of the last day of the reporting period. The
securities are grouped by asset class (such as common stocks, corporate bonds,
temporary cash investments, as applicable), and some asset classes are further
broken down by industry or country.
NOTE: For securities denominated in foreign currencies, the market value is
translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates as of the last day of the
reporting period.
OCTOBER 31, 1999
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS -- 94.8%
APPAREL & TEXTILES -- 0.5%
185,000 Jones Apparel Group, Inc.(1) $ 5,851
----------------
BANKS -- 0.5%
130,000 UnionBanCal Corp. 5,647
----------------
CLOTHING STORES -- 1.8%
125,000 American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.(1) 5,356
355,000 Talbots, Inc. 16,707
----------------
22,063
----------------
COMPUTER HARDWARE &
BUSINESS MACHINES -- 1.0%
150,000 Electronics for Imaging, Inc.(1) 6,042
200,000 Seagate Technology, Inc.(1) 5,888
----------------
11,930
----------------
COMPUTER SOFTWARE -- 0.6%
70,000 Veritas Software Corp.(1) 7,549
----------------
CONSTRUCTION & REAL PROPERTY -- 0.7%
300,000 Quanta Services, Inc.(1) 8,362
----------------
DEPARTMENT STORES -- 3.1%
740,000 Ames Department Stores, Inc.(1) 23,472
570,000 ShopKo Stores, Inc.(1) 14,286
----------------
37,758
----------------
DRUGS -- 6.0%
400,000 Chiron Corp.(1) 11,412
90,000 Gilead Sciences, Inc.(1) 5,690
150,000 MedImmune, Inc.(1) 16,786
680,000 Protein Design Labs, Inc.(1) 27,242
700,000 U.S. Bioscience, Inc.(1) 11,288
----------------
72,418
----------------
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -- 19.4%
600,000 CIENA Corp.(1) 21,131
80,000 Foundry Networks, Inc.(1) 15,150
35,641 Indigo N.V. Warrants(1) 20
700,000 JDS Uniphase Corp.(1) 116,791
145,000 KLA-Tencor Corporation(1) 11,487
140,000 Sanmina Corp.(1) 12,604
545,000 Sawtek Inc.(1) 22,481
850,000 Teradyne, Inc.(1) 32,725
----------------
232,389
----------------
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELECTRICAL UTILITIES -- 0.9%
200,000 AES Corp. (The)(1) $ 11,288
----------------
ENERGY RESERVES & PRODUCTION -- 2.1%
500,000 EOG Resources Inc. 10,406
165,000 Noble Affiliates, Inc. 4,177
300,000 Pogo Producing Co. 6,019
390,000 Vintage Petroleum, Inc. 4,241
----------------
24,843
----------------
FOREST PRODUCTS & PAPER -- 0.5%
275,000 Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(1) 5,938
----------------
HEAVY MACHINERY -- 1.0%
220,000 Case Corp. 11,660
----------------
HOTELS -- 4.0%
655,000 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.(1) 18,954
110,000 MGM Grand, Inc.(1) 5,610
1,750,000 Park Place Entertainment Corp.(1) 22,969
----------------
47,533
----------------
INDUSTRIAL PARTS -- 1.1%
350,000 Cymer, Inc.(1) 12,928
----------------
INTERNET -- 2.2%
8,200 Akamai Technologies, Inc.(1) 1,191
500,000 At Home Corp. Series A(1) 18,672
55,000 RealNetworks, Inc.(1) 6,035
----------------
25,898
----------------
LEISURE -- 0.5%
250,000 Station Casinos, Inc.(1) 6,047
----------------
MEDIA -- 8.4%
600,000 EchoStar Communications
Corp. Cl A(1) 37,350
229,000 RCN Corp.(1) 10,956
600,000 UnitedGlobalCom Cl A(1) 52,125
----------------
100,431
----------------
OIL SERVICES -- 1.6%
400,000 R&B Falcon Corp.(1) 4,975
300,000 Global Marine Inc.(1) 4,556
355,000 Pride International Inc.(1) 4,881
340,000 Rowan Companies, Inc.(1) 5,291
----------------
19,703
----------------
PUBLISHING -- 1.3%
120,000 Central Newspapers, Inc. Cl A 5,152
125,000 New York Times Co. (The) Cl A 5,031
14 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Vista--Schedule of Investments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
OCTOBER 31, 1999
Shares ($ in Thousands) Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLISHING (continued)
80,000 Times Mirror Co. (New) Cl A $ 5,770
----------------
15,953
----------------
RESTAURANTS -- 1.6%
800,000 Jack in the Box Inc.(1) 19,250
----------------
SEMICONDUCTOR -- 19.4%
350,000 ASM Lithography Holding N.V.
New York Shares(1) 25,397
425,000 Conexant Systems, Inc.(1) 39,684
1,400,000 Cypress Semiconductor Corp.(1) 35,788
225,000 DSP Group, Inc.(1) 10,645
465,000 Lam Research Corp.(1) 39,176
625,000 Micron Technology, Inc.(1) 44,570
180,000 PMC-Sierra, Inc.(1) 16,959
195,000 Qlogic Corp.(1) 20,310
----------------
232,529
----------------
TELEPHONE -- 3.8%
625,050 Global Crossing Holdings Ltd.(1) 21,662
312,500 NTL Inc.(1) 23,564
----------------
45,226
----------------
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 12.8%
300,000 Nextel Communications, Inc.(1) 25,866
371,800 QUALCOMM Inc.(1) 82,807
335,000 VoiceStream Wireless Corp.(1) 33,092
225,000 Western Wireless Corp. Cl A(1) 11,890
----------------
153,655
----------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 1,136,849
(Cost $710,758) ----------------
($ in Thousands) Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS -- 5.2%
Repurchase Agreement, BA Security Services,
(U.S. Treasury obligations), in a joint trading
account at 5.20%, dated 10/29/99,
due 11/1/99 (Delivery value $56,625) $ 56,600
Repurchase Agreement, Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc., (U.S. Treasury obligations), in a
joint trading account at 5.19%, dated
10/29/99, due 11/1/99
(Delivery value $5,903) 5,900
----------------
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS 62,500
(Cost $62,500) ----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES -- 100.0% $1,199,349
(Cost $773,258) ================
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
(1) Non-income producing.
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 15
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This statement breaks down the fund's ASSETS (such as securities, cash, and
other receivables) and LIABILITIES (money owed for securities purchased,
management fees, and other liabilities) as of the last day of the reporting
period. Subtracting the liabilities from the assets results in the fund's NET
ASSETS. For each class of shares, the net assets divided by shares outstanding
is the share price, or NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE. This statement also breaks
down the fund's net assets into capital (shareholder investments) and
performance (investment income and gains/losses).
OCTOBER 31, 1999 ULTRA VISTA
ASSETS (In Thousands Except Per-Share Amounts)
Investment securities, at value (identified cost of $21,458,052 and
$773,258, respectively) (Note 3) .................................. $36,206,484 $1,199,349
Cash ................................................................ 1,888 200
Receivable for investments sold ..................................... 92,931 486
Dividends and interest receivable ................................... 18,118 27
-------------------- ------------------
36,319,421 1,200,062
-------------------- ------------------
LIABILITIES
Payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts ............. 100 --
Payable for investments purchased ................................... 50,286 18,553
Payable for capital shares redeemed ................................. 54,061 26,628
Accrued management fees (Note 2) .................................... 28,913 921
Distribution fees payable (Note 2) .................................. 49 1
Service fees payable (Note 2) ....................................... 49 1
Payable for directors' fees and expenses ............................ 23 1
Accrued expenses and other liabilities .............................. 28 3
-------------------- ------------------
133,509 46,108
-------------------- ------------------
NET ASSETS .......................................................... $36,185,912 $1,153,954
==================== ==================
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital (par value and paid in surplus) ............................. $20,241,677 $ 656,415
Undistributed net investment income ................................. -- --
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain on investment
and foreign currency transactions ................................. 1,196,168 71,448
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and translation
of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (Note 3) .......... 14,748,067 426,091
-------------------- ------------------
$36,185,912 $1,153,954
==================== ==================
INVESTOR CLASS, $0.01 PAR VALUE ($ AND SHARES IN FULL)
Net assets .......................................................... $35,752,073,270 $1,146,076,838
Shares outstanding .................................................. 917,465,531 74,371,156
Net asset value per share ........................................... $38.97 $15.41
ADVISOR CLASS, $0.01 PAR VALUE ($ AND SHARES IN FULL)
Net assets .......................................................... $247,813,636 $7,755,294
Shares outstanding .................................................. 6,387,011 506,591
Net asset value per share ........................................... $38.80 $15.31
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS, $0.01 PAR VALUE ($ AND SHARES IN FULL)
Net assets .......................................................... $186,024,822 $122,043
Shares outstanding .................................................. 4,753,434 7,868
Net asset value per share ........................................... $39.13 $15.51
16 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Statements of Operations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This statement shows how the fund's net assets changed during the reporting
period as a result of the fund's operations. In other words, it shows how much
money the fund made or lost as a result of dividend and interest income, fees
and expenses, and investment gains or losses.
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 ULTRA VISTA
INVESTMENT LOSS (In Thousands)
INCOME:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld
of $267 and $16, respectively) .................................. $ 189,604 $ 4,065
Interest ............................................................. 10,796 1,705
-------------------- ------------------
200,400 5,770
-------------------- ------------------
EXPENSES (Note 2):
Management fees ...................................................... 324,788 9,565
Distribution fees -- Advisor Class ................................... 450 14
Service fees -- Advisor Class ........................................ 450 14
Directors' fees and expenses ......................................... 286 9
-------------------- ------------------
325,974 9,602
-------------------- ------------------
NET INVESTMENT LOSS .................................................. (125,574) (3,832)
-------------------- ------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY (NOTE 3)
NET REALIZED GAIN ON:
Investments .......................................................... 1,307,562 107,173
Foreign currency transactions ........................................ 22,492 --
-------------------- ------------------
1,330,054 107,173
-------------------- ------------------
CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON:
Investments .......................................................... 8,569,088 394,280
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies .......... (350) --
-------------------- ------------------
8,568,738 394,280
-------------------- ------------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS ...................... 9,898,792 501,453
-------------------- ------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ................. $9,773,218 $497,621
==================== ==================
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 17
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This statement shows how the fund's net assets changed over the past two
reporting periods. It details how much a fund grew or shrank as a result of
operations (as detailed on the previous page for the most recent period), income
and capital gain distributions, and shareholder investments and redemptions.
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 AND OCTOBER 31, 1998
ULTRA VISTA
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 1999 1998 1999 1998
OPERATIONS (In Thousands)
Net investment loss ..................................$ (125,574) $ (19,332) $ (3,832) $ (5,907)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency transactions ...................... 1,330,054 2,504,658 107,173 (27,871)
Change in net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments and translation
of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies .... 8,568,738 1,250,224 394,280 (416,761)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations .................................... 9,773,218 3,735,550 497,621 (450,539)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
From net investment income:
Investor Class ..................................... -- (8,654) -- --
Institutional Class ................................ -- (1) -- --
From net realized gains on investment transactions:
Investor Class ..................................... (2,558,619) (4,593,562) -- (98,425)
Advisor Class ...................................... (10,096) (6,944) -- (378)
Institutional Class ................................ (1,995) (73) -- (750)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Decrease in net assets from distributions ............ (2,570,710) (4,609,234) -- (99,553)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
from capital share transactions .................... 3,452,155 4,679,017 (242,960) (398,837)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS ................ 10,654,663 3,805,333 254,661 (948,929)
NET ASSETS
Beginning of period .................................. 25,531,249 21,725,916 899,293 1,848,222
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
End of period ........................................$ 36,185,912 $ 25,531,249 $ 1,153,954 $ 899,293
============ ============ ============ ============
18 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Notes to Financial Statements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION -- American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management
investment company. Ultra Fund (Ultra) and Vista Fund (Vista) (the funds) are
two of the thirteen series of funds issued by the corporation. The funds are
diversified under the 1940 Act. The funds' investment objective is to seek
capital growth by investing primarily in equity securities. Ultra generally
invests in companies with medium to large size market capitalization while Vista
invests in companies with small to medium market capitalization. The following
significant accounting policies are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; these policies may require the use of estimates by fund
management.
MULTIPLE CLASS -- The funds are authorized to issue three classes of shares:
the Investor Class, the Advisor Class, and the Institutional Class. The three
classes of shares differ principally in their respective shareholder servicing
and distribution expenses and arrangements. All shares of each fund represent an
equal pro rata interest in the assets of the class to which such shares belong,
and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same
terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to
vote on matters affecting only individual classes.
SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Portfolio securities traded primarily on a principal
securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price, or at the mean
of the latest bid and asked prices where no last sales price is available.
Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and
asked prices or, in the case of certain foreign securities, at the last reported
sales price, depending on local convention or regulation. Discount notes are
valued through a commercial pricing service. When valuations are not readily
available, securities are valued at fair value as determined in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
SECURITY TRANSACTIONS -- Security transactions are accounted for as of the
trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost
basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
INVESTMENT INCOME -- Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld (if any) is
recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual
basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS -- All assets and liabilities initially
expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing
exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities,
dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates
of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. For assets
and liabilities, other than investments in securities, net realized and
unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency translations arise from
changes in currency exchange rates.
Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses
occurring during the holding period of investment securities are a component of
realized gain (loss) on investments and unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments, respectively.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS -- The funds may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions of
securities denominated in a foreign currency or to hedge the fund's exposure to
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of
foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by the funds and
the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily using
prevailing exchange rates. The funds bear the risk of an unfavorable change in
the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract.
Additionally, losses may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the
contract terms.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- The funds may enter into repurchase agreements with
institutions that the funds' investment manager, American Century Investment
Management, Inc. (ACIM), has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria
adopted by the Board of Directors. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at
cost. Each fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities,
received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner
sufficient to enable each fund to obtain those securities in the event of a
default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the
securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the
securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts
owed to each fund under each repurchase agreement.
JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT -- Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, each fund, along with other registered
investment companies having management agreements with ACIM, may transfer
uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are
invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S.
Treasury or Agency obligations.
INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the funds' policy to distribute all net
investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise
qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state
income taxes.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- Distributions to shareholders are recorded
on the ex-dividend date. Distributions from net investment income and net
realized gains are declared and paid annually.
The character of distributions made during the year from net investment
income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for
federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character
of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial
statement and tax purposes and may result in reclassification among certain
capital accounts.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- Funds Distributor, Inc. (FDI) is the corporation's
distributor. Certain officers of FDI are also officers of the corporation.
www.americancentury.com 19
Notes to Financial Statements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
OCTOBER 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The corporation has entered into a Management Agreement with ACIM, under
which ACIM provides the funds with investment advisory and management services
in exchange for a single, unified management fee per class. The Agreement
provides that all expenses of the funds, except brokerage commissions, taxes,
interest, expenses of those directors who are not considered "interested
persons" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (including
counsel fees) and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is
computed daily and paid monthly based on each fund's class average daily closing
net assets during the previous month. The annual management fee is 1.00%, 0.75%
and 0.80% for the Investor, Advisor, and Institutional Classes, respectively.
The Board of Directors has adopted the Advisor Class Master Distribution and
Shareholder Services Plan (the plan), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. The plan provides that the funds will pay ACIM an annual
distribution fee equal to 0.25% and service fee equal to 0.25%. The fees are
computed daily and paid monthly based on the Advisor Class's average daily
closing net assets during the previous month. The distribution fee provides
compensation for distribution expenses incurred in connection with distributing
shares of the Advisor Class including, but not limited to, payments to brokers,
dealers, and financial institutions that have entered into sales agreements with
respect to shares of the funds. The service fee provides compensation for
shareholder and administrative services rendered by ACIM, its affiliates or
independent third party providers. Fees incurred by the funds under the plan
during the year ended October 31, 1999, were $900,443 for Ultra and $27,537 for
Vista.
Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or
directors, and, as a group, controlling stockholders of American Century
Companies, Inc., the parent of the corporation's investment manager, ACIM and
the corporation's transfer agent, American Century Services Corporation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for
the year ended October 31, 1999, for Ultra and Vista were $14,590,217,654 and
$1,729,586,028, respectively. Sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term investments, for the year ended October 31, 1999, were
$13,431,145,025 and $1,916,691,219, respectively.
At October 31, 1999, accumulated net unrealized appreciation for Ultra and
Vista was $14,662,178,028 and $424,889,426, respectively, based on the aggregate
cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $21,544,305,666 and
$774,459,771, respectively. Accumulated net unrealized appreciation consisted of
unrealized appreciation of $14,773,476,108 and $447,517,785 for Ultra and Vista,
respectively, and unrealized depreciation of $111,298,080 and $22,628,359,
respectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Transactions in shares of the funds were as follows:
ULTRA VISTA
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
INVESTOR CLASS (IN THOUSANDS)
Shares Authorized .......................... 3,500,000 710,000
============== =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999
Sold ....................................... 224,914 $ 8,003,665 57,121 $ 670,261
Issued in reinvestment of distributions .... 80,171 2,515,534 -- --
Redeemed ................................... (205,318) (7,309,515) (79,279) (913,989)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) .................... 99,767 $ 3,209,684 (22,158) $(243,728)
============== ============== ============= =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
Sold ....................................... 224,437 $ 7,006,778 98,587 $ 1,196,006
Issued in reinvestment of distributions .... 170,508 4,526,262 7,926 95,322
Redeemed ................................... (225,564) (6,959,796) (135,809) (1,678,583)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) .................... 169,381 $ 4,573,244 (29,296) $ (387,255)
============== ============== ============= =============
20 1-800-345-2021
Notes to Financial Statements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
OCTOBER 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
ULTRA VISTA
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
ADVISOR CLASS (IN THOUSANDS)
SHARES AUTHORIZED ......................... 300,000 210,000
============== =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999
Sold ...................................... 6,738 $ 241,379 346 $ 4,163
Issued in reinvestment of distributions ... 318 9,982 -- --
Redeemed .................................. (3,862) (139,274) (278) (3,338)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase .............................. 3,194 $ 112,087 68 $ 825
============== ============== ============= =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
Sold ...................................... 2,873 $ 87,888 211 $ 2,555
Issued in reinvestment of distributions ... 262 6,944 32 378
Redeemed .................................. (866) (26,625) (256) (3,132)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) ................... 2,269 $ 68,207 (13) $ (199)
============== ============== ============= =============
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS (IN THOUSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES AUTHORIZED ......................... 200,000 80,000
============== =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999
Sold ...................................... 5,148 $184,926 295 $ 3,219
Issued in reinvestment of distributions ... 63 1,985 -- --
Redeemed .................................. (1,616) (56,527) (294) (3,276)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) ................... 3,595 $130,384 1 $ (57)
============== ============== ============= =============
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
Sold ...................................... 3,132 $ 98,660 998 $ 12,315
Issued in reinvestment of distributions ... 2 49 62 750
Redeemed .................................. (1,985) (61,143) (1,986) (24,448)
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) ................... 1,149 $ 37,566 (926) $(11,383)
============== ============== ============= =============
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. BANK LOANS
Effective December 18, 1998, the funds, along with certain other funds
managed by ACIM, entered into an unsecured $570,000,000 bank line of credit
agreement with Chase Manhattan Bank. Borrowings under the agreement bear
interest at the Federal Funds rate plus 0.40%. The funds may borrow money for
temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions. The funds did
not borrow from the line during the period December 18, 1998 through October 31,
1999.
www.americancentury.com 21
Ultra--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table itemizes investment results and distributions on a per-share basis to
illustrate share price changes for each of the last five fiscal years (or less,
if the share class is not five years old). It also includes several key
statistics for each reporting period, including TOTAL RETURN, INCOME RATIO (net
income as a percentage of average net assets), EXPENSE RATIO (operating expenses
as a percentage of average net assets), and PORTFOLIO TURNOVER (a gauge of the
fund's trading activity).
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
Investor Class
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period .....$ 31.06 $ 33.46 $ 29.52 $ 28.03 $ 21.16
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Income (Loss)(1) ........ (0.14) (0.02) 0.01 (0.05) (0.07)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on
Investment Transactions ................ 11.17 4.70 5.62 2.84 7.58
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total From Investment Operations ....... 11.03 4.68 5.63 2.79 7.51
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Distributions
From Net Investment Income ............. -- (0.01) -- -- --
From Net Realized Gains
on Investment Transactions ............. (3.12) (7.07) (1.69) (1.19) (0.64)
In Excess of Net Realized Gains ........ -- -- -- (0.11) --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Distributions .................... (3.12) (7.08) (1.69) (1.30) (0.64)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ...........$ 38.97 $ 31.06 $ 33.46 $ 29.52 $ 28.03
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
TOTAL RETURN(2) ........................ 37.94% 17.61% 19.95% 10.79% 36.89%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets ....................... 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)
to Average Net Assets .................... (0.39)% (0.08)% 0.03% (0.20)% (0.30)%
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................. 42% 128% 107% 87% 87%
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) ..$ 35,752 $ 25,396 $ 21,695 $ 18,266 $ 14,376
(1) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any.
22 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Ultra--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31 (EXCEPT AS NOTED)
Advisor Class
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ........ $ 31.00 $ 33.36 $ 29.52 $ 29.55
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Loss(2) .................... (0.23) (0.11) (0.07) (0.02)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investment Transactions ................ 11.15 4.73 5.60 (0.01)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total From Investment Operations .......... 10.92 4.62 5.53 (0.03)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Distributions
From Net Realized Gains on
Investment Transactions ................... (3.12) (6.98) (1.69) --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period .............. $ 38.80 $ 31.00 $ 33.36 $ 29.52
=========== =========== =========== ===========
TOTAL RETURN(3) ........................... 37.63% 17.36% 19.59% (0.10)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ....................... 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%(4)
Ratio of Net Investment Loss
to Average Net Assets ....................... (0.64)% (0.33)% (0.22)% (0.80)%(4)
Portfolio Turnover Rate ..................... 42% 128% 107% 87%
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) .... $ 247,814 $ 98,965 $ 30,827 $ 13,051
(1) October 2, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1996.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(3) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not
annualized.
(4) Annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 23
Ultra--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31 (EXCEPT AS NOTED)
Institutional Class
1999 1998 1997(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ......$ 31.12 $ 33.53 $ 30.78
----------- ----------- -----------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Income (Loss)(2) ......... (0.09) 0.03 0.06
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
on Investment Transactions .............. 11.22 4.72 4.38
----------- ----------- -----------
Total From Investment Operations ........ 11.13 4.75 4.44
----------- ----------- -----------
Distributions
From Net Investment Income .............. -- (0.09) --
From Net Realized Gains
on Investment Transactions .............. (3.12) (7.07) (1.69)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Distributions ..................... (3.12) (7.16) (1.69)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ............$ 39.13 $ 31.12 $ 33.53
=========== =========== ===========
Total Return(3) ......................... 38.21% 17.85% 15.28%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ..................... 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%(4)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)
to Average Net Assets ..................... (0.19)% 0.12% 0.23%(4)
Portfolio Turnover Rate ................... 42% 128% 107%
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ..$ 186,025 $ 36,065 $ 334
(1) November 14, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(3) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not
annualized.
(4) Annualized.
24 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Vista--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table itemizes investment results and distributions on a per-share basis to
illustrate share price changes for each of the last five fiscal years (or less,
if the share class is not five years old). It also includes several key
statistics for each reporting period, including TOTAL RETURN, INCOME RATIO (net
income as a percentage of average net assets), EXPENSE RATIO (operating expenses
as a percentage of average net assets), and PORTFOLIO TURNOVER (a gauge of the
fund's trading activity).
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
Investor Class
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ......$ 9.27 $ 14.53 $ 15.68 $ 15.73 $ 10.94
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Loss(1) .................. (0.05) (0.05) (0.10) (0.11) (0.08)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain(Loss)
on Investment Transactions .............. 6.19 (4.41) 0.13 1.09 4.90
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total From Investment Operations ........ 6.14 (4.46) 0.03 0.98 4.82
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Distributions
From Net Realized Gains
on Investment Transactions .............. -- (0.80) (1.18) (1.02) (0.03)
In Excess of Net Realized Gains ......... -- -- -- (0.01) --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Distributions ..................... -- (0.80) (1.18) (1.03) (0.03)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ............$ 15.41 $ 9.27 $ 14.53 $ 15.68 $ 15.73
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
TOTAL RETURN(2) ......................... 66.24% (31.94)% 0.29% 6.96% 44.20%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ..................... 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 0.99% 0.98%
Ratio of Net Investment Loss
to Average Net Assets ..................... (0.40)% (0.42)% (0.73)% (0.70)% (0.60)%
Portfolio Turnover Rate ................... 187% 229% 96% 91% 89%
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) ...$ 1,146 $ 895 $ 1,828 $ 2,276 $ 1,676
(1) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any.
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 25
Vista--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31 (EXCEPT AS NOTED)
Advisor Class
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period .......$ 9.23 $ 14.50 $ 15.67 $ 16.87
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Loss(2) ................... (0.08) (0.08) (0.14) (0.02)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investment Transactions ............... 6.16 (4.39) 0.15 (1.18)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total From Investment Operations ......... 6.08 (4.47) 0.01 (1.20)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Distributions
From Net Realized Gains
on Investment Transactions ............... -- (0.80) (1.18) --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period .............$ 15.31 $ 9.23 $ 14.50 $ 15.67
========= ========= ========= =========
Total Return(3) .......................... 65.87% (32.08)% 0.15% (7.11)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ...................... 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%(4)
Ratio of Net Investment
Loss to Average Net Assets ................. (0.65)% (0.67)% (0.98)% (1.20)%(4)
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................... 187% 229% 96% 91%
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ...$ 7,755 $ 4,052 $ 6,553 $ 5,646
(1) October 2, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1996.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(3) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not
annualized.
(4) Annualized.
26 1-800-345-2021 See Notes to Financial Statements
Vista--Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31 (EXCEPT AS NOTED)
Institutional Class
1999 1998 1997(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period .......$ 9.32 $ 14.56 $ 15.73
---------- ---------- ----------
Income From Investment Operations
Net Investment Loss(2) ................... (0.04) (0.01) (0.07)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investment Transactions ............... 6.23 (4.43) 0.08
---------- ---------- ----------
Total From Investment Operations ......... 6.19 (4.44) 0.01
---------- ---------- ----------
Distributions
From Net Realized Gains
on Investment Transactions ............... -- (0.80) (1.18)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period .............$ 15.51 $ 9.32 $ 14.56
========== ========== ==========
TOTAL RETURN(3) .......................... 66.42% (31.72)% 0.17%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ...................... 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%(4)
Ratio of Net Investment Loss
to Average Net Assets ...................... (0.20)% (0.22)%(0.53)%(4)
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................... 187% 229% 96%
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ...$ 122 $ 60 $ 13,581
(1) November 14, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(3) Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not
annualized.
(4) Annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements www.americancentury.com 27
Independent Auditors' Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors and Shareholders,
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc:
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities,
including the schedules of investments, of Ultra Fund and Vista Fund,
(collectively the "Funds"), two of the funds comprising American
Century Mutual Funds, Inc., as of October 31, 1999, and the related statements
of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets
for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights
for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements
and the financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds' management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
the financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at October
31, 1999 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were
not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positions of Ultra
Fund and Vista Fund as of October 31, 1999, the results of their operations for
the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years
in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five
years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
December 7, 1999
28 1-800-345-2021
Share Class and Retirement Account Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE CLASSES
Three classes of shares are authorized for sale by the fund: Investor Class,
Advisor Class, and Institutional Class.
INVESTOR CLASS shareholders do not pay any commissions or other fees for
purchase of fund shares directly from American Century. Investors who buy
Investor Class shares through a broker-dealer may be required to pay the
broker-dealer a transaction fee.
ADVISOR CLASS shares are sold through banks, broker-dealers, insurance
companies, and financial advisors. Advisor Class shares are subject to a 0.50%
Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fee. Half of that fee is available to pay
for recordkeeping and administrative services, and half is available to pay for
distribution services provided by the financial intermediary through which the
Advisor Class shares are purchased. The total expense ratio of the Advisor Class
shares is 0.25% higher than the total expense ratio of the Investor Class
shares.
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS shares are available to endowments, foundations, defined
benefit pension plans, or financial intermediaries serving these investors. This
class recognizes the relatively lower cost of serving institutional customers
and others who invest at least $5 million in an American Century fund or at
least $10 million in multiple funds. In recognition of the larger investments
and account balances and comparatively lower transaction costs, the total
expense ratio of the Institutional Class shares is 0.20% less than the total
expense ratio of the Investor Class shares.
All classes of shares represent a pro rata interest in the funds and
generally have the same rights and preferences.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT INFORMATION
As required by law, any distributions you receive from an IRA and certain
403(b) distributions [not eligible for rollover to an IRA or to another 403(b)
account] are subject to federal income tax withholding at the rate of 10% of the
total amount withdrawn, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. If you
don't want us to withhold on this amount, you may send us a written notice not
to have the federal income tax withheld. Your written notice is valid from the
date of receipt at American Century. Even if you plan to roll over the amount
you withdraw to another tax-deferred account, the withholding rate still applies
to the withdrawn amount unless we have received a written notice not to withhold
federal income prior to the withdrawal.
When you plan to withdraw, you may make your election by completing our
Exchange/Redemption form or an IRS Form W-4P. Call American Century for either
form. Your written election is valid from the date of receipt at American
Century. You may revoke your election at any time by sending a written notice to
us.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable
for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect
not to have income tax withheld or you don't have enough income tax withheld,
you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties
under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are
not sufficient.
www.americancentury.com 29
Background Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES
American Century offers 13 growth funds including domestic equity,
specialty, international, and global. The philosophy behind these growth funds
focuses on three important principles. First, the funds seek to own successful
companies, which we define as those with growing earnings and revenues. Second,
we attempt to keep the funds fully invested, regardless of short-term market
activity. Experience has shown that market gains can occur in unpredictable
spurts and that missing those opportunities can significantly limit the
potential for gain. Third, the funds are managed by teams, rather than by one
"star." We believe this allows us to make better, more consistent
management decisions.
In addition to these principles, each fund has its own investment policies:
AMERICAN CENTURY ULTRA generally invests in the securities of mid-sized and
larger companies that exhibit growth. It typically will have significant price
fluctuations.
AMERICAN CENTURY VISTA invests mainly in the securities of smaller and
medium-sized firms that exhibit growth. The fund is subject to significant price
volatility but offers high long-term growth potential. Historically, small- and
mid-cap stocks have been more volatile than the stocks of larger, more
established companies.
COMPARATIVE INDICES
The following indices are used in the report to serve as fund performance
comparisons. They are not investment products available for purchase.
The DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE (DJIA) is a price-weighted average of 30
actively traded Blue Chip stocks, primarily industrials but including
service-oriented firms. Prepared and published by Dow Jones & Co., it is the
oldest and most widely quoted of all the market indicators.
The S&P 500 INDEX is a capitalization-weighted index of the stocks of
500 publicly traded U.S. companies that are considered to be leading firms in
dominant industries. Created by Standard & Poor's Corporation, it is
considered to be a broad measure of U.S. stock market performance.
The S&P 500/BARRA INDEX is a capitalization-weighted index consisting
of S&P 500 stocks. S&P 500/BARRA VALUE consists of stocks with lower
price-to-book ratios, and S&P 500/BARRA GROWTH consists of stocks with
higher price-to-book ratios. In general, both share other characteristics with
value- or growth-style stocks.
The S&P MIDCAP 400 is a capitalization-weighted index of the stocks of
the 400 largest leading U.S. companies not included in the S&P 500. Created
by Standard & Poor's Corporation, it is considered to represent the
performance of mid-cap stocks generally.
The RUSSELL 2000 INDEX was created by the Frank Russell Company. It
measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest of the 3,000 largest publicly
traded U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. The Russell 2000
represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the top 3,000
companies. The average market capitalization of the index is approximately $420
million.
The RUSSELL 2500 INDEX was created by the Frank Russell Company. It
measures the performance of the 2,500 smallest of the 3,000 largest publicly
traded U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. The Russell 2500
represents approximately 23% of the total market capitalization of the top 3,000
companies. The average market capitalization of the index is approximately $650
million. The RUSSELL 2500 GROWTH INDEX measures the performance of those Russell
2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth
rates.
[left margin]
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
------------------------------------
Ultra
JIM STOWERS III
BRUCE WIMBERLY
JOHN SYKORA, CFA
------------------------------------
Vista
GLENN FOGLE, CFA
ARNIE DOUVILLE
[end left margin]
30 1-800-345-2021
Glossary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETURNS
* TOTAL RETURN figures show the overall percentage change in the value of a
hypothetical investment in the fund and assume that all of the fund's
distributions are reinvested.
* AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS illustrate the annually compounded returns that would
have produced the fund's cumulative total returns if the fund's performance had
been constant over the entire period. Average annual returns smooth out
variations in a fund's return; they are not the same as fiscal year-by-year
results. For fiscal year-by-year total returns, please refer to the
"Financial Highlights" on pages 22-27.
INVESTMENT TERMS
* EXPENSE RATIO-- the operating expenses of the fund, expressed as a percentage
of average net assets. Shareholders pay an annual fee to the investment manager
for investment advisory and management services. The expenses and fees are
deducted from fund income, not from each shareholder account. (See Note 2 in the
Notes to Financial Statements.)
* MEDIAN MARKET CAPITALIZATION-- Market capitalization (market cap) is the total
value of a company's stock and is calculated by multiplying the number of
outstanding common shares by the current share price. The company whose market
cap is in the middle of the portfolio is the median market cap. Half the
companies in the portfolio have values greater than the median, and half have
values that are less. If there is an even number of companies, then the median
is the average of the two companies in the middle.
* NUMBER OF COMPANIES-- the number of different companies held by a fund on a
given date.
* PORTFOLIO TURNOVER-- the percentage of a fund's investment portfolio that is
replaced during a given time period, usually a year. Actively managed portfolios
tend to have higher turnover than passively managed portfolios such as index
funds.
* PRICE/BOOK RATIO-- a stock value measurement calculated by dividing a
company's stock price by its book value per share, with the result expressed as
a multiple instead of as a percentage. (Book value per share is calculated by
subtracting a company's liabilities from its assets, then dividing that value by
the number of outstanding shares.)
* PRICE/EARNINGS (P/E) RATIO-- a stock value measurement calculated by dividing
a company's stock price by its earnings per share, with the result expressed as
a multiple instead of as a percentage. (Earnings per share is calculated by
dividing the after-tax earnings of a corporation by its outstanding shares.)
TYPES OF STOCKS
* BLUE CHIP STOCKS-- stocks of the most established companies in American
industry. They are generally large, fairly stable companies that have
demonstrated consistent earnings and usually have long-term growth potential.
Examples include General Electric and Coca-Cola.
* CYCLICAL STOCKS-- generally considered to be stocks whose price and earnings
fluctuations tend to follow the ups and downs of the business cycle. Examples
include the stocks of automobile manufacturers, steel producers, and textile
operators.
* GROWTH STOCKS-- stocks of companies that have experienced above-average
earnings growth and are expected to continue such growth. These stocks often
sell at high P/E ratios. Examples can include the stocks of high-tech, health
care, and consumer staple companies.
* LARGE-CAPITALIZATION ("LARGE-CAP") STOCKS-- these are stocks
generally considered to be companies with a market capitalization (the total
value of a company's outstanding stock) of more than $8.2 billion. Though
dynamic given its sensitivity to market fluctuation, this is the market
capitalization breakpoint on October 31, 1999, as determined by Lipper, Inc. The
Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index generally consist of
stocks in this range.
* MEDIUM-CAPITALIZATION ("MID-CAP") STOCKS-- these are stocks
generally considered to be companies with a market capitalization (the total
value of a company's outstanding stock) of between $1.9 billion and $8.2
billion. Though dynamic given its sensitivity to market fluctuation, this is the
market capitalization range on October 31, 1999, as determined by Lipper, Inc.
The S&P 400 Index and Russell 2500 Index generally consist of stocks in this
range.
www.americancentury.com 31
Glossary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
* SMALL-CAPITALIZATION ("SMALL-CAP") STOCKS-- These are stocks
generally considered to be companies with a market capitalization (the total
value of a company's outstanding stock) of less than $1.9 billion. Though
dynamic given itssensitivity to market fluctuation, this is the market
capitalization breakpoint on October 31, 1999, as determined by Lipper, Inc. The
S&P 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index generally consist of stocks in this
range.
* VALUE STOCKS-- generally considered to be stocks that are purchased because
they are relatively inexpensive. These stocks are typically characterized by low
P/E ratios.
FUND CLASSIFICATIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective may be based on the fund's objective as stated in
its prospectus or fund profile, or the fund's categorization by independent
rating organizations based on its management style.
* CAPITAL PRESERVATION -- offers taxable and tax-free money market funds for
relative stability of principal and liquidity.
* INCOME -- offers funds that can provide current income and competitive yields,
as well as a strong and stable foundation and generally lower volatilitylevels
than stock funds.
* GROWTH & INCOME -- offers funds that emphasize both growth and income
provided by either dividend-paying equities or a combination of equity and
fixed-income securities.
* GROWTH -- offers funds with a focus on capital appreciation and long-term
growth, generally providing high return potential with corresponding high price
fluctuation risk.
RISK
The classification of funds by risk category is based on quantitative
historical measures as well as qualitative prospective measures. It is not
intended to be a precise indicator of future risk or return levels. The degree
of risk within each category can vary significantly, and some fund returns have
historically been higher than more aggressive funds or lower than more
conservative funds. Please be aware that a fund's category may change over time.
Therefore, it is important that you read a fund's prospectus or fund profile
carefully before investing to ensure its objectives, policies, and risk
potential are consistent with your needs.
* CONSERVATIVE -- these funds generally provide lower return potential with
either low or minimal price fluctuation risk.
* MODERATE -- these funds generally provide moderate return potential with
moderate price fluctuation risk.
* AGGRESSIVE -- these funds generally provide high return potential with
corresponding high price fluctuation risk.
32 1-800-345-2021
[inside back cover]
===============================================================================
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE - CAPITAL PRESERVATION
===============================================================================
RISK LEVEL - CONSERVATIVE
TAXABLE MONEY MARKETS TAX-FREE MONEY MARKETS
Premium Capital Reserve FL Municipal Money Market
Prime Money Market CA Municipal Money Market
Premium Government Reserve CA Tax-Free Money Market
Government Agency Tax-Free Money Market
Money Market
Capital Preservation
===============================================================================
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE - INCOME
===============================================================================
RISK LEVEL - AGGRESSIVE
TAXABLE BONDS TAX-FREE BONDS
Target 2025* CA High-Yield Municipal
Target 2020* High-Yield Municipal
Target 2015*
Target 2010*
High-Yield
International Bond
RISK LEVEL - MODERATE
TAXABLE BONDS TAX-FREE BONDS
Long-Term Treasury CA Long-Term Tax-Free
Target 2005* Long-Term Tax-Free
Bond CA Insured Tax-Free
Premium Bond
RISK LEVEL - CONSERVATIVE
TAXABLE BONDS TAX-FREE BONDS
Intermediate-Term Bond CA Intermediate-Term Tax-Free
Intermediate-Term Treasury AZ Intermediate-Term Municipal
GNMA FL Intermediate-Term Municipal
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Intermediate-Term Tax-Free
Limited-Term Bond CA Limited-Term Tax-Free
Target 2000* Limited-Term Tax-Free
Short-Term Government
Short-Term Treasury
===============================================================================
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE - GROWTH AND INCOME
===============================================================================
RISK LEVEL - AGGRESSIVE
DOMESTIC EQUITY
Small Cap Quantitative
Small Cap Value
RISK LEVEL - MODERATE
ASSET ALLOCATION/BALANCED DOMESTIC EQUITY SPECIALTY
Strategic Allocation: Equity Growth Utilities
Aggressive Equity Index Real Estate
Balanced Tax-Managed Value
Strategic Allocation: Income & Growth
Moderate Value
Strategic Allocation: Large Cap Value
Conservative Equity Income
===============================================================================
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE - GROWTH
===============================================================================
RISK LEVEL - AGGRESSIVE
DOMESTIC EQUITY SPECIALTY INTERNATIONAL
New Opportunities Global Gold Emerging Markets
Giftrust(reg.tm) International Discovery
Vista International Growth
Heritage Global Growth
Growth
Ultra(reg.tm)
Select
RISK LEVEL - MODERATE
SPECIALTY
Global Natural Resources
The investment objective may be based on the fund's objective as stated in its
prospectus or fund profile, or the fund's categorization by independent rating
organizations based on its management style.
The classification of funds by risk category is based on quantitative historical
measures as well as qualitative prospective measures. It is not intended to be a
precise indicator of future risk or return levels. The degree of risk within
each category can vary significantly, and some fund returns have historically
been higher than more aggressive funds or lower than more conservative funds.
Please be aware that a fund's category may change over time. Therefore, it is
important that you read a fund's prospectus or fund profile carefully before
investing to ensure its objectives, policies and risk potential are consistent
with your needs. For a definition of fund categories, see the Glossary.
*While listed within the Income investment objective, the Target funds do not
pay current dividend income. Income dividends are distributed once a year in
December. The Target funds are listed in all three risk categories due to the
dramatic price volatility investors may experience during certain market
conditions. If held to their target dates, however, they can offer a
conservative, dependable way to invest for a specific time horizon.
Please call 1-800-345-2021 for a prospectus or profile on any American Century
fund. These documents contain important information including charges and
expenses, and you should read them carefully before you invest or send money.
[back cover]
[graphic of runners]
Who we are
American Century offers investors more than 70 mutual funds that span the
investment spectrum. We currently manage $100 billion for roughly 2 million
individuals, institutions and corporations, with a range of services designed to
make investing easy and convenient.
For four decades, American Century has been a leader in performance, service and
innovation. From pioneering the use of computer technology in investing to
allowing investors to conduct transactions and receive financial advice over the
Internet, we have remained committed to building long-term relationships and to
helping investors achieve their dreams.
In a very real sense, investors put their future in our hands. With so much at
stake, our work continues to be guided by one central belief, shared by every
person at American Century: WE SUCCEED ONLY IF OUR INVESTORS SUCCEED.
[left margin]
[american century logo(reg.sm)]
American
Century
P.O. BOX 419200
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64141-6200
WWW.AMERICANCENTURY.COM
INVESTOR RELATIONS
1-800-345-2021 OR 816-531-5575
AUTOMATED INFORMATION LINE
1-800-345-8765
FAX: 816-340-7962
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF
1-800-634-4113 OR 816-444-3485
BUSINESS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS
1-800-345-3533
BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES, BROKER-DEALERS,
FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INSURANCE COMPANIES
1-800-345-6488
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
THIS REPORT AND THE STATEMENTS IT CONTAINS ARE SUBMITTED FOR THE GENERAL
INFORMATION OF OUR SHAREHOLDERS. THE REPORT IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION
TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS UNLESS PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN EFFECTIVE
PROSPECTUS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Investments BULK RATE
P.O. Box 419200 U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Kansas City, MO 64141-6200 AMERICAN CENTURY
www.americancentury.com COMPANIES
9912 Funds Distributor, Inc. is the distributor for
SH-ANN-18859 American Century funds
(c)1999 American Century Services Corporation
