EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS S T A R T 1996 SERIES
S-6EL24, 1995-12-12
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<PAGE>
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 12, 1995
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 33-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                            WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
 
                               ----------------
 
                                   FORM S-6
 
                               ----------------
 
                   FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
                   OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT
                       TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
 
                               ----------------
 
A. EXACT NAME OF TRUST:
 
                              EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS
                            S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
 
B. NAME OF DEPOSITOR:
 
                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
 
C. COMPLETE ADDRESS OF DEPOSITOR'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE:
 
                             388 GREENWICH STREET
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013
 
D. NAMES AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE:
 
                                                        COPY TO:
 
 
         LAURIE A. HESSLEIN
          SMITH BARNEY INC.                    PIERRE DE ST. PHALLE, ESQ.
        388 GREENWICH STREET                      DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL
      NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013                    450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                                                NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
 
E. TITLE AND AMOUNT OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED:
 
  An indefinite number of Units of Beneficial Interest pursuant to Rule 24f-2
       promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
F. PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE TO THE PUBLIC OF THE SECURITIES
BEING REGISTERED:
 
                                  Indefinite
 
G. AMOUNT OF FILING FEE:
 
                       $500 (as required by Rule 24f-2)
 
H. APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC:
 
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
 
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
        SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PROSPECTUS DATED
        DECEMBER 12, 1995
                               EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS
                 --------------------------------
                           S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
 
                      (SMITH BARNEY'S TOP ANALYST
                           RECOMMENDATIONS TRUST)
 
 
               A SMITH BARNEY UNIT INVESTMENT
                           TRUST
 
 
                          The Equity Focus Trusts--S.T.A.R.T.
                          1996 Series is a unit investment
                          trust that offers investors the
                          opportunity to purchase Units
                          representing proportionate interests
                          in a portfolio of    equity
                          securities selected by Smith
                          Barney's Equity Research Division as
                          "Top Picks" in each of 77 industry
                          groups, and also appearing on at
                          least one other of eight Smith
                          Barney research lists of top stock
                          recommendations. The value of the
                          Units will fluctuate with the value
                          of the underlying securities and the
                          Trust is not appropriate for
                          investors requiring high current
                          income or conservation of capital.
                          The minimum purchase is $1,000 for
                          individual purchases, and $250 for
                          purchases by Individual Retirement
                          Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds
                          and other tax-deferred retirement
                          plans.
 
        SMITH BARNEY
        ------------
 
        THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
        DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
        COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
        NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
        COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
        ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
        OFFENSE.
 
        Inquiries should be directed to the Sponsor at
        (800) 223-2532.
 
        Prospectus dated January   , 1996
        Read and retain this Prospectus for future
        reference
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY STATE.
<PAGE>
 
EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY  , 1996+
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
SPONSOR
 Smith Barney Inc.
INITIAL NUMBER OF UNITS++............................................
FRACTIONAL UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN TRUST REPRESENTED BY EACH UNIT......        TH
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE (per 1,000 Units)..............................
 Aggregate value of Securities in Trust.............................. $
                                                                      =========
 Divided by      Units
  (times 1,000)...................................................... $
 Plus sales charge of 2.75% of Public Offering Price (2.828% of the
  net amount invested in Securities)*................................ $
                                                                      ---------
 Public Offering Price per 1,000 Units............................... $
 Plus the amount per 1,000 Units in the Income and Capital Accounts
  (see Description of the Trust--Income)............................. $   -0-
                                                                      ---------
 Total (per 1,000 Units)............................................. $
                                                                      =========
 SPONSOR'S REPURCHASE PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE** PER 1,000 UNITS
  (based on value of underlying securities).......................... $
</TABLE>
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 Distributions of income, if any, will be made on November 25, to Holders of
 record on November 10, 1996 and will be automatically reinvested in
 additional Units of this Trust at no extra charge unless the Holder elects to
 receive his distribution in cash. A Final Distribution will be made upon
 termination of the Trust.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
SPONSOR'S PROFIT OR (LOSS) ON DEPOSIT................................... $
TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL FEE
 $  per 1,000 Units
 (see Expenses and Charges)
SPONSOR'S ANNUAL FEE
 Maximum of $.25 per 1,000 Units
 (see Expenses and Charges)
RECORD DAY
 November 10, 1996
DISTRIBUTION DAY
</TABLE>
 November 25, 1996, and upon termination and liquidation of the Trust.
 
EVALUATION TIME
 4:00 P.M New York time.
 
TRUSTEE AND DISTRIBUTION AGENT
 The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
 
MINIMUM VALUE OF TRUST
 The trust indenture between the Sponsor and the Trustee (the "Indenture") may
 be terminated if the net asset value of the Trust is less than $5,000,000,
 unless the net asset value of Trust deposits has exceeded $50,000,000. In
 that case, the Indenture may be terminated if the net asset value of the
 Trust is less than $20,000,000. See Risk Factors, page 3.
 
MANDATORY TERMINATION OF TRUST
 January 31, 1997 (the "Mandatory Termination Date"), or at any earlier time
 by the Sponsor with the consent of Holders of 51% of the Units then outstand-
 ing.
- -----------
 + The Initial Date of Deposit. The Trust Indenture was signed and the initial
deposit was made on January  , 1996. Valuation of Securities is based on the
market value per share as of January  , 1996, as more fully explained in
footnote 4 to Portfolio on page 8. After the Initial Date of Deposit,
Securities quoted on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market, or a foreign securities exchange, are valued at the closing sale price
or, if, no price exists, at the mean between the closing bid and offer prices.
Securities not so quoted are valued at the mean between bid and offer prices.
 
++ The Sponsor may create additional Units during the offering period of the
Trust.
 
 * The sales charge will be reduced on a graduated scale in the case of
quantity purchases. See Public Sale of Units--Public Offering Price.
 
** All redemptions of 250,000 Units or more may, upon request by a redeeming
Holder, be made in kind to the Distribution Agent, who will either forward the
distributed securities to the Holder or sell the securities on behalf of the
redeeming Holder and distribute the proceeds (net of any brokerage commission
or other expenses incurred in the sale) to the Holder. See Redemption.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY  , 1996 (CONTINUED)
 
  OBJECTIVE OF THE TRUST -- The objective of the Trust is to provide investors
with the possibility of capital appreciation through a convenient and cost-
effective investment in a fixed portfolio consisting of shares of the   common
stocks (the "Securities") selected by the Sponsor for the Trust portfolio (the
"Portfolio"). The Sponsor has selected for the Portfolio, stocks which it
considers to have the best possibility for capital appreciation over a period
of one year relative to risks and opportunities. The payment of dividends is
not a primary objective of the Trust. Achievement of the Trust's objective is
dependent upon several factors including the financial condition of the issuers
of the Securities and any appreciation of the Securities. Furthermore, because
of Trust sales charges and expenses, unequal weightings of stocks, brokerage
costs and possible delays in purchasing securities with cash deposited and
other factors, investors in the Trust may not realize as high a total return as
the theoretical performance of the underlying stocks in the Portfolio.
 
  PORTFOLIO -- The Portfolio contains   common stocks issued by companies
engaged primarily in the following industries: banks/financial institutions,  ;
brewery,  ; computer systems,  ; construction equipment,  ; consumer services,
 ; copper production,  ; food retailer,  ; medical devices,  ; natural gas,  ;
office equipment,  ; personal hygiene,  ; restaurant chain,  ;
telecommunications,  . The     issue is a foreign issue. Although there are
certain risks of price volatility associated with investment in common stocks
(particularly with an investment in one or two common stocks), your risk is
reduced because your capital is divided among   stocks from   different
industry groups. (See Risk Factors.)
 
  The initial purchase of Securities will not necessarily represent equal
dollar amounts of each of the   Securities; however, with the initial deposit
of Securities, the Sponsor established a proportionate relationship among the
number of shares of each stock deposited in the Portfolio. During the 90-day
period following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor may create additional
Units by depositing cash (or a bank letter of credit in lieu of cash) with
instructions to purchase Securities, additional Securities or contracts to
purchase additional Securities maintaining to the extent practicable the
original proportionate relationship among the number of shares of each stock in
the Portfolio. Replacement Securities may be acquired under specified
conditions. It may not be possible to maintain the exact original proportionate
relationship among the Securities deposited on the Initial Date of Deposit
because of, among other reasons, purchase requirements, changes in price or the
unavailability of Securities. Any deposits of Securities after the 90-day
period must replicate exactly the proportionate relationship among the number
of shares comprising the Portfolio at the end of the initial 90-day period,
subject to certain events discussed under Administration of the Trust--Trust
Supervision. The Sponsor may cease creating Units (temporarily or permanently)
at any time. (See Administration of the Trust -- Trust Supervision.)
 
  RISK FACTORS -- Investment in the Trust should be made with an understanding
that the value of the underlying Securities, and therefore the value of the
Units, will fluctuate, depending on the full range of economic and market
influences which may affect the market value of the Securities, including the
profitability and financial condition of issuers, conditions in a given
issuer's industry, market conditions and values of common stocks generally, the
impact of the Sponsor's buying and selling Securities, especially during the
initial offering of Units of the Trust or to satisfy redemptions of Units, and
other factors.
 
  The Trust is not appropriate for investors requiring high current income or
conservation of capital. Securities representing approximately  % of the value
of the Portfolio have been ranked High Risk by the Sponsor's Research
Department, described as "low predictability of earnings/dividends; high price
volatility"; Securities representing approximately  % of the value of the
Portfolio have been ranked Speculative, described as "exceptionally low
predictability of earnings/dividends; highest risk of price volatility."
 
  If cash (or a letter of credit in lieu of cash) is deposited with
instructions to purchase Securities in connection with the issuance of
additional Units during the Public Offering Period, there is the risk that the
price of a Security will increase between the time of the deposit and the time
the Security is purchased resulting in a
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY  , 1996 (CONTINUED)
 
reduction in the number of shares purchased for the Portfolio. Price
fluctuations during the period from the time of deposit of cash to the time the
Securities are purchased, and payment of brokerage fees, will affect the value
of every Holder's Units, the number of shares of each Security represented by
each Unit and the income per Unit received by the Trust. Some of the Securities
may have limited trading volume, and, while the Sponsor will endeavor to
purchase Securities with deposited cash as soon as practicable, it reserves the
right to purchase those Securities over the 20 following business days in an
effort to reduce the effect of these purchases on the market price of those
stocks. This could, however, result in the Trust's failure to participate in
any appreciation of those stocks before the cash is invested. If any cash
remains at the end of this period and cannot be invested in one or more stocks
at what the Sponsor considers reasonable prices, it intends to use that cash to
purchase each of the other securities in the original proportionate
relationship among those securities. Similarly, at termination of the Trust,
the Sponsor reserves the right to sell Securities over a period of up to 20
business days to lessen the impact of its sales on the market price of the
Securities. The proceeds received by Holders following termination of the Trust
will reflect the actual sales proceeds received on the Securities, which will
likely differ from the closing sale price on the Mandatory Termination Date.
(See Description of the Trust -- Risk Factors.)
 
  Common stocks may be especially susceptible to general stock market movements
and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and
perceptions of the issuers change. Investors should be aware that there can be
no assurance that the value of the underlying Securities will increase or that
the issuers of the Securities will pay dividends on outstanding shares. Any
distributions of income to Holders will generally depend upon the declaration
of dividends by the issuers of the Securities and the declaration of any
dividends depends upon several factors including the financial condition of the
issuers and general economic conditions.
 
  Unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not actively managed and the Sponsor
receives no management fee. Therefore, the adverse financial condition of an
issuer will not necessarily require the sale of Securities from the Portfolio
or mean that the Sponsor will not continue to purchase the Security in order to
create additional Units. Investors should note in particular that the
Securities were selected on the basis of the criteria set forth above under
Objective of the Trust and that the Trust may continue to purchase or hold
Securities originally selected through this process even though the evaluation
of the attractiveness of the Securities may have changed. In the event a public
tender offer is made for a Security or a merger or acquisition is announced
affecting a Security, the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to tender or sell
the Security on the open market when, in its opinion, it is in the best
interest of the holders of the Units to do so. Although the Portfolio is
regularly reviewed and evaluated and the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to
sell Securities under certain limited circumstances, Securities will not be
sold by the Trust to take advantage of market fluctuations or changes in
anticipated rates of appreciation. The Sponsor has currently assigned certain
rankings to the issuers of Securities based on stock performance expectations
and level of risk (see footnote 2 to Portfolio on page 8). These rankings are
subject to change. Securities will not necessarily be sold by the Trust based
on a change in rankings, although the Sponsor intends to review the
desirability of holding any Security if its ranking is reduced below 3. The
prices of single shares of each of the Securities in the Trust vary widely, and
the effect of a dollar of fluctuation, either higher or lower, in stock prices
will be much greater as a percentage of the lower-price stocks' purchase price
than as a percentage of the higher-price stocks' purchase price.
 
  Investors should note that should the size of the Trust be reduced below the
Minimum Value of Trust stated on page 2 the Trust may be terminated at that
time by the Sponsor, well before the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust.
 
  Any difference between the aggregate prices the Sponsor paid to acquire the
Securities and the aggregate prices at which Securities were initially
deposited in the Trust is noted on page 2 under Sponsor's Profit or (Loss) on
Deposit. The Sponsor's profit or loss on the deposit of Securities largely
depends on whether the prices of the Securities rise in response to the
Sponsor's purchases of possibly large volumes of the Securities for initial and
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY  , 1996 (CONTINUED)
 
subsequent deposits in the Trust. The effect of the Sponsor's purchases of
Securities on the prices of the Securities is unpredictable.
 
  FOREIGN SECURITIES AND AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS -- The Trust may contain
Securities of foreign issuers or American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") for
securities that have been issued by non-United States issuers. These
instruments are subject to special considerations in addition to those
affecting common stocks of United States issuers. For a discussion of special
considerations relating to foreign securities and ADRs, see Description of the
Trust -- Risk Factors; Taxes.
 
  PRIVATE PLACEMENTS; UNDERWRITING -- None of the Securities in the Trust
consists of privately-placed common stocks. Except as indicated under
Portfolio, the Sponsor has not participated as sole underwriter, managing
underwriter or member of an underwriting syndicate from which any of the
Securities in the Trust were acquired.
 
  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE -- The Public Offering Price per 1,000 Units is equal
to the aggregate value of the underlying Securities and any cash held to
purchase Securities, divided by the number of Units outstanding times 1,000,
plus a sales charge of 2.75%* of the Public Offering Price; this results in a
sales charge of 2.828%* of the net amount invested in underlying Securities.
Units are offered at the Public Offering Price plus the net amount per Unit in
the Income Account (see Public Sale of Units). The minimum purchase is $1,000
(or $250 in the case of purchases by Individual Retirement Accounts, Keogh
plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred retirement plans). Investors should
note that the Public Offering Price of Units varies each business day with the
value of the underlying Securities. There is no "par value" for Units.
 
  INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions of dividends (net of expenses) and any
principal received by the Trust will be automatically reinvested in additional
Units of the Trust at no extra charge and each Holder of Units will participate
unless the Holder elects to receive distributions of dividends or principal, or
both, in cash. Holders who reinvest their distributions will receive additional
Units and will therefore own a greater percentage of the Trust than Holders who
receive cash distributions (see Reinvestment Plan). Distribution and Record
Days are shown on page 2. As soon as practicable after termination of the Trust
(generally after seven days), the Trustee will distribute to each Unitholder
his pro rata share of the amount realized on disposition of the Securities
remaining in the Trust plus any other assets then in the Trust, less expenses
of the Trust. The other assets of the Trust will include any dividends,
interest income and net realized capital gains which have not been distributed.
The total distribution may be less than the amount paid for Units.
 
  MARKET FOR UNITS -- The Sponsor, though not obligated to do so, intends from
the commencement of the Trust to maintain a market for Units and continually to
offer to purchase Units from Holders desiring to sell them at a price based on
the aggregate value of the underlying Securities (see Market for Units).
Whenever a market is not maintained, a Holder may be able to dispose of his
Units only through redemption (see Redemption).
- -----------
* This sales charge will be reduced on a graduated scale in the case of
  quantity purchases. See Public Sale of Units -- Public Offering Price.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
             EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS: INTRODUCING THE S.T.A.R.T SERIES
 
SMITH BARNEY'S TOP ANALYST RECOMMENDATIONS TRUST
 
  The Equity Focus Trusts are a series of unit investment trusts, based on a
research investing theme or industry trend identified by Smith Barney's
research analysts. The process to select these portfolios draws from our far-
reaching capabilities in equity research, through a detailed analysis of each
company and its industry group. Also considered is the potential for the
holdings to perform, given Smith Barney's outlook for the economic and market
environment in general.
 
  This January will mark the introduction of a new addition to our Equity
Focus Trusts, which we call the S.T.A.R.T Series. Why? Because it's one way
you can S.T.A.R.T planning your investing strategy for the new year.
 
HOW THE PORTFOLIO IS IDENTIFIED:
 
  The stocks in the S.T.A.R.T. Portfolio are identified by Smith Barney's
Equity Research Division--a team of 98 investment analysts who follow 77
industry groups or stock areas of the market, both in the U.S. and abroad. The
process to select these holdings begins in early January when Smith Barney
announces its annual list of "Top Picks," which includes our recommendation
from each of the industry groups we follow.
 
  As the next step, we cross-reference the "Top Picks" with the following
lists of Smith Barney stock recommendations that are published on a periodic
basis.
 
IPC Buy List:     Our analyst recommendations included on the Investment
                  Policy Committee Buy List are stocks that this senior board
                  of research analysts believe will outperform the market
                  averages over the next six to 12 months, based on their
                  overall view of the economy and the research of our equity
                  analysts.
 
Ten Plus          The TEN Plus portfolio, selected each July by Smith Barney's
                  Investment Policy Committee, is comprised of the Firm's 10-
                  15 top recommendations for the ensuing 12 month period.
 
Priority          The PERRL List is published each quarter in The Wall Street
Equity Retail     Journal. In general, the list is comprised of 15-25
Recommended       recommendations (ranked "Outperform" or "Buy" on Smith
List ("PERRL")    Barney's investment ranking system) that are consistent with
                  Smith Barney's overall outlook for the economy and the
                  market.
 
Emerging          This list of emerging growth stocks is generally comprised
Growth Focus      of smaller to mid-sized companies that offer the combination
List              of strong earnings growth potential and attractive
                  valuations.
 
Model             Smith Barney monitors and publishes four model portfolios of
Portfolios 1-     about 10-15 stocks each that are grouped according to these
4:                investment objectives: Model Portfolio 1 is designed for the
                  income-oriented and risk averse investor. Model Portfolios 2
                  and 3 focus more on capital appreciation, with low-to-
                  moderate and moderate-to-above risk profiles, respectively.
                  Model Portfolio 4, the Aggressive Capital Appreciation
                  Portfolio, is comprised of aggressive growth stocks for
                  investors with a high tolerance for risk.
<PAGE>
 
THE S.T.A.R.T. SERIES:
INVESTING MADE EASY
 
Each of the January 1996 Top Picks that appears on one of these published
lists of recommendations will be included in the S.T.A.R.T. 1996 Series. Smith
Barney believes that this screening process will result in a list of stocks
with a strong potential to outperform the total return of the entire list of
Top Picks, as well as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Composite Index.
 
                      IPC Buy List
                      Ten Plus
                      Priority Equities Retail Recommended List
                      Emerging Growth Focus List
      TOP PICKS       Model Portfolios 1-4            S.T.A.R.T. Portfolio
 
  Through the S.T.A.R.T. Series, growth-
oriented investors can take a "portfolio
approach," by investing in a broad
spectrum of Smith Barney's stock
recommendations with one easy purchase.
And all for a low, $1,000 minimum
investment; $250 for IRAs.
 
  The portfolio, which will be held in a
unit investment trust, is designed to
remain fixed over its one-year life.
S.T.A.R.T.'s primary investment
objective is capital appreciation;
however, some of the companies also pay
attractive dividends.
 
  Contact your Smith Barney Financial
Consultant to learn more about this
investment opportunity, and to obtain a
free prospectus that contains more
complete information, including fees and
expenses. Please read it carefully
before you invest.
 
RISK FACTORS:
 
  The Trust is designed for investors
who can assume the risks associated with
equity investments, and is not
appropriate for investors requiring
conservation of capital or high current
income. Unit prices will fluctuate with
the value of the underlying stocks, and
there is no assurance that the price
will appreciate, or not depreciate, over
the term of the Trust. Because of the
Trust's sales charges and expenses,
unequal weightings of stocks, brokerage
costs and other factors, Trust investors
may not achieve the aggregate price
performance of equal amounts of the
underlying stocks. See the prospectus
for more information.
 
  This material is authorized for
distribution only when accompanied or
preceded by the Trust's Prospectus.
 
 KEY INVESTING FEATURES
 
  Professional Selection & Supervision
 
    The securities that
    comprise S.T.A.R.T.
    Series are believed by
    our research to offer
    strong potential for
    growth in the coming 12
    months.
 
  A Convenient and Cost
 Effective Package
 
    You can invest in a
    portfolio of our research
    recommendations for a low
    minimum investment of
    $1,000 ($250 for IRAs).
    Dividends are
    automatically reinvested,
    or you can elect to
    receive distributions in
    one convenient check. A
    summary of payments made,
    as well as the holdings
    in the portfolio, will be
    provided annually by the
    Trustee.
 
  Liquidity
 
    Your units can be sold at
    any time, with no sales
    charge or penalty. The
    price will reflect the
    net asset value on the
    date of sale, which may
    be more or less than your
    cost.
 
<PAGE>
 
EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY  , 1996 (CONTINUED)
 
                                   FEE TABLE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS FEE TABLE IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE COSTS AND EXPENSES
THAT YOU WILL BEAR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. SEE PUBLIC SALE OF UNITS AND
EXPENSES AND CHARGES. ALTHOUGH THE TRUST IS A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST RATHER THAN
A MUTUAL FUND, THIS INFORMATION IS PRESENTED TO PERMIT A COMPARISON OF FEES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
UNITHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
 Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchase (as a percentage of offering
  price)................................................................. 2.75%
                                                                          ====
ESTIMATED ANNUAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES
 (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
 Trustee's Fee...........................................................     %
 Maximum Portfolio Supervision, Bookkeeping and Administrative Fees......     %
 Organizational Expenses.................................................     %
 Other Operating Expenses................................................     %
                                                                          ----
    Total................................................................     %
                                                                          ====
</TABLE>
 
  The Trust (and therefore the Holders) will bear all or a portion of its
organizational costs--including costs of preparing the registration statement,
the indenture and other closing documents, registering units with the SEC and
the states and the initial audit of the Portfolio--as is common for mutual
funds. Historically, the sponsors of unit investment trusts have paid all the
costs of establishing those trusts. Advertising and selling expenses will be
paid by the Underwriters at no cost to the Trust.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Sponsor, Trustee and Unitholders of Equity Focus Trusts--S.T.A.R.T. 1996
Series (the "Trust"):
 
  We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition, including
the portfolio of the Trust, as of January  , 1996. This financial statement is
the responsibility of the Trustee (see note 5 to the statement of financial
condition). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
statement based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of
material misstatement. An audit of a statement of financial condition includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
that financial statement. Our procedures included confirmation with the
Trustee of an irrevocable letter of credit deposited on January  , 1996, for
the purchase of securities, as shown in the statement of financial condition
and portfolio of securities. An audit of a statement of financial condition
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by the Trustee, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit of the statement of
financial condition provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust, as of January
 , 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                 KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
New York, New York
January  , 1996
 
                              EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS
 
                            S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
 
  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AS OF INITIAL DATE OF DEPOSIT, JANUARY  ,
                                     1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
TRUST PROPERTY
 Investment in Securities:
  Contracts to purchase Securities(1)............................... $
 Organizational costs(2)............................................
                                                                     ----------
    Total...........................................................
                                                                     ==========
LIABILITY
  Accrued Expenses(2)...............................................
                                                                     ----------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
            Units of fractional undivided interest outstanding:
  Cost to investors(3).............................................. $
  Less: Gross underwriting commissions(4)...........................
                                                                     ----------
  Net amount applicable to investors................................
                                                                     ----------
  Total............................................................. $
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Aggregate cost to the Trust of the Securities listed under Portfolio on
    the Initial Date of Deposit is determined by the Trustee on the basis set
    forth in footnote 4 to the Portfolio on page 8. See also the columns
    headed Cost of Securities to Trust. An irrevocable letter of credit in the
    amount of $          has been deposited with the Trustee for the purchase
    of Securities. The letter of credit was issued by       .
(2) Organizational costs to be paid by the Trust have been deferred and will
    be amortized over the life of the Trust. Organizational costs have been
    estimated based on projected total assets of $    million. To the extent
    the Trust is larger or smaller, the amount paid may vary.
(3) Aggregate public offering price computed on the basis set forth under
    Public Sale of Units--Public Offering Price.
(4) Assumes a sales charge of 2.75% of Public Offering Price computed on the
    basis set forth under Public Sale of Units--Public Offering Price.
(5) The Trustee has custody of and responsibility for all accounting and
    financial books, records, financial statements and related data of the
    Trust and is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of
    internal controls directly related to, and designed to provide reasonable
    assurance as to the integrity and reliability of, financial reporting of
    the Trust. The Trustee is also responsible for all estimates and accruals
    reflected in the Trust's financial statements other than estimates of
    organizational costs, for which the Sponsor is responsible.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  PORTFOLIO OF EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS--S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES ON THE INITIAL
  DATE OF DEPOSIT, JANUARY  , 1996
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              COST OF
                  STOCK  INVESTMENT    NUMBER    PERCENT OF SECURITIES
 SECURITIES(1)    SYMBOL RANKING(2) OF SHARES(3) NET ASSETS TO TRUST(4)
 -------------    ------ ---------- ------------ ---------- -----------
<S>               <C>    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
                                                       %    $
                                                  -------   ----------
                                                  100.00%   $
                                                  =======   ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) All Securities are represented entirely by contracts to purchase
    Securities, which were entered into by the Sponsor on January  , 1996. All
    contracts for domestic Securities are expected to be settled by the
    initial settlement date for the purchase of Units.
 
(2) Smith Barney has assigned these rankings according to the following
    system, which uses two codes: a letter for the level of risk (L,M,H,S or
    V) and a number for performance expectation (1-5).
 
RISK assesses predictability of earnings/dividends and stock price volatility:
 
  L (Low Risk): highly predictable earnings/dividends, low price volatility
 
  M (Moderate Risk): moderately predictable earnings/dividends, moderate
    price volatility
 
  H (High Risk): low predictability of earnings/dividends, high price
    volatility
 
  S (Speculative): exceptionally low predictability of earnings/dividends,
    highest risk of price volatility
 
  V (Venture): Risk and return consistent with venture capital, suitable only
    for well-diversified portfolios
 
PERFORMANCE rankings indicate the expected total return (capital gain or loss
plus dividends) over the next 12-18 months, assuming an unchanged, or "flat"
market; performance expectations depend on the risk category assigned to the
stock, as shown in the following chart.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    LOW RISK    MODERATE RISK   HIGH RISK    SPECULATIVE
                  ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
1 (Buy)             Over 15%      Over 20%      Over 25%      Over 30%
2 (Outperform)      5% to 15%     5% to 20%    10% to 25%    10% to 30%
3 (Neutral)         -5% to 5%     -5% to 5%    -10% to 10%   -10% to 10%
4 (Underperform)   -5% to -15%   -5% to -15%  -10% to -20%  -10% to -20%
5 (Sell)          -15% or worse -15% or worse -20% or worse -20% or worse
</TABLE>
 
These rankings represent current opinions of Smith Barney research analysts
and are, of course, subject to change; no assurance can be given that the
stocks will perform as expected. These rankings have not been audited by KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP.
 
(3) Per           Units.
 
(4) Valuation of Securities by the Trustee was made using the market value per
    share as of the Evaluation Time on January  , 1996. Subsequent to the
    Initial Date of Deposit, valuation of Securities is based, for Securities
    quoted on a national securities exchange or Nasdaq National Market, or a
    foreign securities exchange, on the closing sale prices, or if no price
    exists, at the mean between the closing bid and offer prices, or for
    Securities not so quoted, at the mean between bid and offer prices on the
    over-the-counter market. See Redemption--Computation of Redemption Price
    Per Unit.
 
                                ---------------
 
 *Smith Barney usually maintains a market in the securities of this company.
 
 # Within the last three years, Smith Barney or one of its affiliates was the
   manager (co-manager) of a public offering of the securities of this company
   or an affiliate.
 
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
 
STRUCTURE AND OFFERING
 
  This Series of Equity Focus Trusts (the "Trust") is a "unit investment
trust" created under New York law by a Trust Indenture (the "Indenture")*
between the Sponsor and the Trustee. On the date of this Prospectus, each unit
of the Trust (a "Unit") represented a fractional undivided interest in the
securities listed under Portfolio (the "Securities") set forth under
Investment Summary. Additional Units of the Trust will be issued in the amount
required to satisfy purchase orders by depositing in the Trust cash (or a bank
letter of credit in lieu of cash) with instructions to purchase Securities,
contracts to purchase Securities together with irrevocable letters of credit,
or additional Securities. On each settlement date (estimated to be three
business days after the applicable date on which Securities were deposited in
the Trust), the Units will be released for delivery to investors and the
deposited Securities will be delivered to the Trustee. As additional Units are
issued by the Trust as a result of the deposit of cash (or a letter of credit
in lieu of cash) with instructions to purchase additional Securities, the
aggregate value of the Securities in the Trust will be increased and the
fractional undivided interest in the Trust represented by each Unit will be
decreased. There is no limit on the time period during which the Sponsor may
continue to make additional deposits of Securities into the Trust.
 
  Additional deposits of cash or Securities in connection with the issuance
and sale of additional Units will maintain to the extent practicable the
original proportionate relationship among the number of shares of each
Security. The proportionate relationship among the Securities in the Trust
will be adjusted to reflect the occurrence of a stock dividend, a stock split
or a similar event which affects the capital structure of the issuer of a
Security in the Trust but which does not affect the Trust's percentage
ownership of the common stock equity of such issuer at the time of such event.
It may not be possible to maintain the exact original proportionate
relationship among the Securities deposited on the Initial Date of Deposit
because of, among other reasons, purchase requirements, changes in prices,
brokerage commissions or unavailability of Securities. Replacement Securities
may be acquired under specified conditions when Securities originally
deposited are unavailable (see Administration of the Trust -- Trust
Supervision). Units may be continuously offered to the public by means of this
Prospectus (see Public Sale of Units -- Public Distribution) resulting in a
potential increase in the number of Units outstanding. Deposits of Additional
Securities subsequent to the 90-day period following the Initial Date of
Deposit must replicate exactly the proportionate relationship among the number
of shares of each of the Securities comprising the Portfolio at the end of the
initial 90-day period.
 
  The Public Offering Price of Units prior to the Evaluation Time specified on
page 2 on any day will be based on the aggregate value of the Securities in
the Trust on that day at the Evaluation Time, plus a sales charge. The Public
Offering Price will thus vary in the future from that specified on page 2 of
this Prospectus. See Public Sale of Units -- Public Offering Price for a
complete description of the pricing of Units.
 
  Units will be sold to investors at the Public Offering Price next computed
after receipt of the investor's order to purchase Units. The Sponsor reserves
the right to accept or reject any purchase order in whole or in part.
 
  The Sponsor will execute orders to purchase in the order it determines, in
good faith, that they are received, except it is expected that indications of
interest received prior to the effectiveness of the registration of the Trust
which become orders upon effectiveness will be accepted according to the order
in which the indications of interest were received. The Sponsor may accept or
reject any purchase order in whole or in part.
 
  The holders ("Holders") of Units will have the right to have their Units
redeemed for the Securities underlying the Units (see Redemption). If any
Units are redeemed, the aggregate value of Securities in the Trust will be
reduced and the fractional undivided interest in the Trust represented by each
remaining Unit will be increased. Units will remain outstanding until redeemed
upon request to the Trustee by any Holder (which may include the Sponsor), or
termination of the Indenture (see Administration of the Trust -- Amendment and
Termination).
 
- -----------
* To the extent references in this Prospectus are to articles and sections of
  the Indenture, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, the
  statements made herein are qualified in their entirety by such reference.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
THE PORTFOLIO
 
  Smith Barney's Equity Focus Trusts are each based on a specific research
investing theme or industry trend identified by Smith Barney Equity Research
analysts, based on an analysis of each company and the industry group as a
whole. The Securities in the Portfolio were identified by Smith Barney's
Equity Research Division, which is staffed by 98 investment analysts, who
currently follow equities issued by more than 1,300 companies (both domestic
and foreign) in 77 industry groups or stock areas of the market. The Stocks
included in the Portfolio were selected by the Sponsor as having above average
appreciation potential over the next 12 months following the selection of the
portfolio. In arriving at the Trust's portfolio, the Sponsor cross-referenced
its "Top Picks" list--the top selections of the analysts for each industry
group--with the following lists of analyst stock recommendations that are
published on a periodic basis:
 
  IPC Buy List: Smith Barney's analyst recommendations included on the
                Investment Policy Committee Buy List are stocks that this
                senior board of research analysts believe will outperform the
                market averages over the next six to 12 months, based on their
                overall view of the economy and the research of Smith Barney's
                equity analysts.
 
  Ten Plus      The Ten Plus portfolio, selected each July by Smith Barney's
                Investment Policy Committee, is comprised of the Sponsor's 10-
                15 top recommendations for the ensuing 12 month period.
 
  PERRL         The Priorities Equities Retail Recommended List is published
                each quarter in the Wall Street Journal. In general, the list
                is comprised of 15-25 recommendations (ranked "1" or "2" on
                Smith Barney's investment ranking system) that are consistent
                with Smith Barney's overall outlook for the economy and the
                market.
 
  Emerging Growth Stock List
                This list of emerging growth stocks is generally comprised of
                smaller to mid-sized companies that Smith Barney believes
                offer the combination of strong earnings growth potential and
                attractive valuations.
 
  Model Portfolios 1-4:
                Smith Barney monitors and publishes four model portfolios of
                about 10-15 stocks each that are grouped according to these
                investment objectives: Model Portfolio 1 is designed for the
                income-oriented and risk averse investors. Model Portfolios 2
                and 3 focus more on capital appreciation, with low-to-moderate
                and moderate-to-above risk profiles, respectively. Model
                Portfolio 4, the Aggressive Capital Appreciation Portfolio, is
                comprised of aggressive growth stocks for investors with a
                high tolerance for risk.
 
Each of the January 1996 Top Picks that also appears on one of these published
lists of recommendations is included in the Portfolio.
 
  The results of ownership of Units will differ from the results of ownership
of the underlying Securities of the Trust for various reasons, including sales
charges and expenses of the Trust, because the Portfolio may not be fully
invested at all times, the stocks are normally purchased or sold at prices
different from the closing price used to determine the Trust's net asset
value, and not all stocks may be weighted in the initial proportions at all
times. Additionally, results of ownership to different Holders will vary
depending on the net asset value of the underlying Securities on the days
Holders bought and sold their Units. Of course, any purchaser of securities,
including Units, will have to pay sales charges or commissions, which will
reduce his total return.
 
  Advertising and sales literature for the Trust may include excerpts from the
Sponsor's research reports on one or more of the stocks in the Trust,
including a brief description of its businesses and market sector, and the
basis on which the stock was selected. In selecting Securities for the Trust,
the Sponsor has not expressed any belief as to the potential of these
Securities for capital appreciation over a period longer than one year. There
is, of course, no assurance that any of the Securities in the Trust will
appreciate in value, and indeed any or all of the Securities may depreciate in
value at any time in the future. See Description of the Trust -- Risk Factors.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  All of the domestic Securities are publicly traded either on a stock
exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Most of the contracts to purchase
Securities deposited initially in the Trust are expected to settle in three
business days, in the ordinary manner for such Securities. Any foreign
Securities are publicly traded on a variety of foreign stock exchanges.
Settlement of contracts for foreign Securities varies by country and may take
place prior to the settlement of purchase of Units on the Initial Date of
Deposit.
 
  The Trust consists of such Securities as may continue to be held from time
to time in the Trust and any additional and replacement Securities and any
money market instruments acquired and held by the Trust pursuant to the
provisions of the Indenture (including the provisions with respect to the
deposit into the Trust of Securities in connection with the sale of additional
Units to the public) together with undistributed income therefrom and
undistributed and uninvested cash realized from the disposition of Securities
(see Administration of the Trust -- Accounts and Distributions; -- Trust
Supervision). The Indenture authorizes, but does not require, the Trustee to
invest the net proceeds of the sale of any Securities in eligible money market
instruments to the extent that the proceeds are not required for the
redemption of Units. Any money market instruments acquired by the Trust must
be held until maturity and must mature no later than the next Distribution Day
and the proceeds distributed to Holders at that time. If sufficient Securities
are not available at what the Sponsor considers a reasonable price, excess
cash received on the creation of Units may be held in an interest-bearing
account with the Trustee until that cash can be invested in Securities.
Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any of the Securities. However, should any
contract deposited hereunder (or to be deposited in connection with the sale
of additional Units) fail, the Sponsor shall, on or before the next following
Distribution Day, cause to be refunded the attributable sales charge, plus the
attributable Cost of Securities to Trust listed under Portfolio, unless
substantially all of the monies held in the Trust to cover the purchase are
reinvested in replacement Securities in accordance with the Indenture (see
Administration of the Trust -- Portfolio Supervision).
 
  Because certain of the Securities from time to time may be sold, or their
percentage may be reduced under certain extraordinary circumstances described
below, or because Securities may be distributed in redemption of Units, no
assurance can be given that the Trust will retain for any length of time its
present size (see Redemption; Administration of the Trust -- Amendment and
Termination). For Holders who do not redeem their Units, investments in Units
of the Trust will be liquidated on the fixed date specified under Investment
Summary -- Mandatory Termination of Trust, and may be liquidated sooner if the
net asset value of the Trust falls below that specified under Investment
Summary -- Minimum Value of Trust (see Risk Factors).
 
RISK FACTORS
 
  An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the risks
which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that the
financial condition of the issuers of the Securities or the general condition
of the common stock market may worsen and the value of the Securities and
therefore the value of the Units may decline. Common stocks are especially
susceptible to general stock market movements and to volatile increases and
decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers
change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable factors including
expectations regarding government economic, monetary and fiscal policies,
inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises.
 
  The Trust is not appropriate for investors requiring conservation of capital
or high current income. Securities representing approximately   % of the value
of the Portfolio have been ranked High Risk by the Sponsor's Research
Department, described as "low predictability of earnings/dividends; high price
volatility"; an additional approximate   % of the Securities have been ranked
Speculative, described as "exceptionally low predictability of
earnings/dividends; highest risk of price volatility."
 
  Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments from the
issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate to those of
creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of such issuers.
Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Trust have a right to
receive dividends only when and if, and in the amounts, declared by the
issuer's board of directors and have a right to participate in amounts
available for distribution by the issuer only after all other claims on the
issuer have been paid or provided for. By contrast, holders
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
of preference stocks have the right to receive dividends at a fixed rate when
and as declared by the issuer's board of directors, normally on a cumulative
basis, but generally do not participate in other amounts available for
distribution by the issuing corporation. Cumulative preferred stock dividends
must be paid before common stock dividends and any cumulative preferred stock
dividend omitted is added to future dividends payable to the holders of
cumulative preferred stock. Preferred stocks are also entitled to rights on
liquidation which are senior to those of common stocks. Moreover, common
stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not
offer any assurance of income or provide the same degree of protection of
capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt securities or
preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of principal, interest
and dividends which could adversely affect the ability and inclination of the
issuer to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or the rights of
holders of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation
or bankruptcy. The value of common stocks are subject to market fluctuations
for as long as the common stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the
Securities in the Portfolio may be expected to fluctuate over the life of the
Trust to values higher or lower than those prevailing on the Initial Date of
Deposit.
 
  Since the Securities are all common stocks, and the income stream produced
by dividend payments thereon is unpredictable, the Sponsor cannot provide any
assurance that dividends will be sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the
Trust. If dividends are insufficient to cover expenses, it is likely that
Securities will have to be sold to meet Trust expenses. See Expenses and
Charges -- Payment of Expenses. Any such sales may result in capital gains or
losses to Holders. See Description of the Trust -- Taxes.
 
  Holders will be unable to dispose of any of the Securities in the Portfolio,
as such, and will not be able to vote the Securities. As the holder of the
Securities, the Trustee will have the right to vote all of the voting stocks
in the Trust and will vote in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor.
Holders will, however, be able upon request to receive an "in kind"
distribution of the Securities evidenced by their Units if they tender a
minimum of 250,000 Units (see Redemption).
 
  Investors should be aware that the Trust is not a "managed" trust and, as a
result, the adverse financial condition of a company will not result in the
elimination of its securities from the portfolio of the Trust (the
"Portfolio") except under extraordinary circumstances (see Administration of
the Trust -- Trust Supervision).
 
  Investors should note that in connection with the issuance of additional
Units during the Public Offering Period set forth in the Investment Summary,
the Sponsor may deposit cash (or a letter of credit in lieu of cash) with
instructions to purchase Securities, additional Securities or contracts to
purchase Securities, in each instance maintaining the original percentage
relationship, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, among the
number of shares of each Security in the Trust. To the extent the price of a
Security increases or decreases between the time cash is deposited with
instructions to purchase the Security at the time the cash is used to purchase
the Security, Units may represent less or more of that Security and more or
less of the other Securities in the Trust. In addition, brokerage fees (if
any) incurred in purchasing Securities with cash deposited with instructions
to purchase the Securities will be an expense of the Trust. Price fluctuations
between the time of deposit and the time the Securities are purchased, and
payment of brokerage fees, will affect the value of every Holder's Units and
the Income per Unit received by the Trust.
 
  The Trust may be terminated at any time and all outstanding Units liquidated
if the net asset value of the Trust falls below $5,000,000 and deposits of
Securities in the Trust have not exceeded $50,000,000 at that time. At any
time after deposits in the Trust have exceeded $50,000,000, the Trust may be
so terminated if the net asset value of the Trust falls below $20,000,000.
Investors should note that if the net asset value of the Trust should fall
below the applicable minimum value, the Sponsor may then in its sole
discretion terminate the Trust before the Mandatory Termination Date specified
under Investment Summary.
 
  Foreign Securities. The Trust may hold Securities of non-U.S. issuers or
through ADRs. There are certain risks involved in investing in securities of
foreign companies, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in United
States investments. These risks include those resulting from fluctuations in
currency exchange rates, revaluation of
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
currencies, future adverse political and economic developments and the
possible imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign
governmental laws or restrictions, reduced availability of public information
concerning issuers and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards or of other regulatory practices and requirements
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Moreover, securities of
many foreign companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than
those of securities of comparable domestic companies. In addition, with
respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and limitations on the
use or removal of funds or other assets of the Trust, including the
withholding of dividends. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign
government taxes that could reduce the yield on such securities. Since the
Trust may invest in securities quoted in currencies other than the United
States dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect
the value of foreign securities in the Portfolio and the net asset value of
Units of the Trust. Investment in foreign securities may also result in higher
expenses due to the cost of converting foreign currency to United States
dollars, the payment of fixed brokerage commissions on certain foreign
exchanges, which generally are higher than commissions on domestic exchanges,
and expenses relating to foreign custody.
 
  In addition, for the foreign issuers that are not subject to the reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there may be less
publicly available information than is available from a domestic issuer. Also,
foreign issuers are not necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing
and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to
those applicable to domestic issuers. However, the Sponsor anticipates that
adequate information will be available to allow the Sponsor to supervise the
Portfolio as set forth in Administration of the Trust -- Portfolio
Supervision.
 
  On the basis of the best information available to the Sponsor at the present
time none of the Securities is subject to exchange control restrictions under
existing law which would materially interfere with payment to the Trust of
dividends due on, or proceeds from sale of, the Securities either because the
particular jurisdictions have not adopted any currency regulations of this
type or because the issues qualify for an exemption, or the Trust, as an
extraterritorial investor, has qualified its purchase of the Securities as
exempt by following applicable "validation" or similar regulatory or exemptive
procedures. However, there can be no assurance that exchange control
regulations might not be adopted in the future which might adversely affect
payments to the Trust.
 
  In addition, the adoption of exchange control regulations and other legal
restrictions could have an adverse impact on the marketability of
international securities in the Portfolio and on the ability of the Trust to
satisfy its obligation to redeem Units tendered to the Trustee for redemption
(see Redemption).
 
  Exchange Rate Fluctuation. In recent years, foreign exchange rates have
fluctuated sharply. Income from foreign equity securities held by the Trust,
including those underlying any ADRs held by the Trust, would be payable in the
currency of the country of their issuance. However, the Trust will compute its
income in United States dollars, and the computation of income will be made on
the date of its receipt by the Trust at the foreign exchange rate in effect on
that date. Therefore, if the value of the foreign currency falls relative to
the United States dollar between receipt of the income and the making of Trust
distributions, the risk of such decline will be borne by Holders. In addition,
the cost of converting such foreign currency to United States dollars would
also reduce the return to the Holder.
 
  American Depositary Shares and Receipts. American Depositary Shares
("ADSs"), and receipts therefor ("ADRs"), are issued by an American bank or
trust company to evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a
foreign corporation. These instruments may not necessarily be denominated in
the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted.
Generally, ADSs and ADRs are designed for use in the United States securities
markets. For purposes of this Prospectus, the term ADR generally includes
ADSs.
 
INCOME
 
  The estimated net annual income per Unit is determined by subtracting from
the estimated annual dividend income of the Securities in the Portfolio the
estimated annual expenses (total estimated annual Trustee's, Sponsor's
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
and administrative fees and expenses) and dividing by the number of Units
outstanding. The actual net annual income per Unit will vary from estimates as
the issuers of the Securities change their dividend rates or as the expenses
of the Trust change.
 
  There is no assurance that any dividends will be declared or paid in the
future on the Securities.
 
  Record and Distribution Days are set forth under Investment Summary. Income
Distributions, if any, will be automatically reinvested in additional Units of
the Trust at no extra charge unless a Holder elects to receive his
distributions in cash (see Reinvestment Plan). Because dividends on the
Securities are not received by the Trust at a constant rate throughout the
year and because the issuers of the Securities may change the schedules or
amounts of dividend payments, any distributions, whether reinvested or paid in
cash, may be more or less than the amount of dividend income actually received
by the Trust and credited to the income account established under the
Indenture (the "Income Account") as of the Record Day.
 
TAXES
 
  The following discussion addresses only the tax consequences of Units held
as capital assets and does not address the tax consequents of Units held by
dealers, financial institutions or insurance companies.
 
  In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, special counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:
 
  The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for Federal income
tax purposes, and income received by the Trust will be treated as income of
the Holders in the manner set forth below.
 
  Each Holder will be considered the owner of a pro rata portion of each
Security in the Trust under the grantor trust rules of Sections 671-679 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). A Holder should
determine his tax cost for each Security represented by his Units by
allocating the total cost for his Units, including the sales charge, among
each Security in the Trust represented by his Units (in proportion to the fair
market values thereof on the date the Holder purchases his Units). In order
for a Holder who purchases Units on the Initial Date of Deposit to determine
the fair market value of his pro rata portion of each security on such date,
see Cost of Securities to Trust under Portfolio.
 
  A Holder will be considered to have received all of the dividends paid on
his pro rata portion of each Security when such dividends are received by the
Trust even if the Holder does not actually receive such distributions but
rather reinvests his dividend distributions pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan.
An individual Holder who itemizes deductions will be entitled to deduct his
pro rata share of fees and expenses paid by the Trust only to the extent that
this amount together with the Holder's other miscellaneous deductions exceeds
2% of his adjusted gross income.
 
  Distributions which are taxable as ordinary income to Holders will
constitute dividends for Federal income tax purposes but will be eligible for
the dividends-received deduction for corporations (other than corporations
such as "S" corporations which are not eligible for such deduction because of
their special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes
such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax)
only to the extent of dividends received from domestic corporations by the
Trust.
 
  The dividends-received deduction is currently 70%. However, Congress from
time to time considers proposals to reduce the rate, and enactment of such a
proposal would adversely affect the after-tax return to investors who can take
advantage of the deduction. Holders are urged to consult their own tax
advisers.
 
  Section 246 and 246A of the Code contain limitations on the eligibility of
dividends for the corporate dividends-received deduction (in addition to the
limitation discussed above). Depending upon the corporate Holder's
circumstances (including whether he has a 45-day holding period for his Units
and whether his Units are debt financed), these limitations may be applicable
to dividends received by a Holder from the Trust which would otherwise qualify
for the dividends-received deduction under the principles discussed above.
Accordingly, Holders should consult
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
their own tax advisers in this regard. A corporate Holder should be aware that
the receipt of dividend income for which the dividends received deduction is
available may give rise to an alternative minimum tax liability (or increase
an existing liability) because the dividend income will be included in the
corporation's "adjusted current earnings" for purposes of the adjustment to
alternative minimum taxable income required by Section 56(g) of the Code.
 
  A distribution of Securities by the Trustee to a Holder (or to his agent,
including the Distribution Agent) upon redemption of Units (or an exchange of
Units for Securities by the Holder with the Sponsor) will not be a taxable
event to the Holder or to other Holders. The redeeming or exchanging Holder's
basis for such Securities will be equal to his basis for the same Securities
(previously represented by his Units) prior to such redemption or exchange,
and his holding period for such Securities will include the period during
which he held his Units. However, a Holder will have a taxable gain or loss,
which will be a capital gain or loss except in the case of a dealer, when the
Holder (or his agent, including the Distribution Agent) sells the Securities
so received in redemption, when a redeeming or exchanging Holder receives cash
in lieu of fractional shares, when the Holder sells his Units or when the
Trustee sells the Securities from the Trust. Capital gains are generally taxed
at the same rate as ordinary income. However, the excess of net long-term
capital gains over net short-term capital losses may be taxed at a lower rate
than ordinary income for certain noncorporate taxpayers. A capital gain or
loss is long-term if the asset is held for more than one year and short-term
if held for one year or less. The deduction of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
 
  The Trust may hold Securities or ADRs of foreign corporations. For United
States income tax purposes, a holder of ADRs is treated as though he were
holding directly the shares of the foreign corporation represented by the
ADRs.
 
  Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the Trust is
not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of the Trust will
be treated as the income of the Holders in the same manner as for Federal
income tax purposes.
 
  Dividends paid by foreign issuers generally will be subject to withholding
tax, which will be unavailable as a credit or deduction for Holders.
 
  The foregoing discussion relates only to the tax treatment of U.S. Holders
with regard to Federal and certain aspects of New York State and City income
taxes. Holders that are not U.S. citizens or residents ("Foreign Holders")
should be aware that dividend distributions from the Trust will be subject to
a withholding tax of 30%, or a lower treaty rate. Holders may be subject to
taxation in New York or in other jurisdictions (including a Foreign Holder's
country of residence) and should consult their own tax advisers in this
regard.
 
                                    *  *  *
 
  At termination of the Trust, the Trustee will furnish to each Holder a
statement containing information relating to the dividends received by the
Trust on the Securities, the gross proceeds received by the Trust from the
disposition of any Security (resulting from redemption or the sale by the
Trust of any Security), and the fees and expenses paid by the Trust. The
Trustee will also furnish an information return to each Holder and to the
Internal Revenue Service.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
  This Trust may be well suited for purchase by Individual Retirement Accounts
("IRAs"), Keogh plans, pension funds and other qualified retirement plans,
certain of which are briefly described below. Generally, capital gains and
income received in each of the foregoing plans are exempt from Federal
taxation. All distributions from such plans are generally treated as ordinary
income but may, in some cases, be eligible for special 5 or 10 year averaging
or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Holders of Units in IRAs, Keogh plans and
other tax-deferred retirement plans should consult their plan custodian as to
the appropriate disposition of distributions. Investors considering
participation in any such plan should review specific tax laws related thereto
and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such plans are offered
by brokerage firms, including the Sponsor of this Trust, and other financial
institutions. Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary.
 
  Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed -- Keogh Plans. Units of the Trust
may be purchased by retirement plans established pursuant to the Self-Employed
Individuals Tax Retirement Act of 1962 ("Keogh plans") for self-employed
individuals, partnerships or unincorporated companies. Qualified individuals
may generally make annual tax-deductible contributions up to the lesser of 20%
of annual compensation or $30,000 in a Keogh plan. The assets of the plan must
be held in a qualified trust or other arrangement which meets the requirements
of the Code. Generally there are penalties for premature distributions from a
plan before attainment of age 59 1/2, except in the case of a participant's
death or disability and certain other limited circumstances. Keogh plan
participants may also establish separate IRAs (see below) to which they may
contribute up to an additional $2,000 per year ($2,250 if a spousal account is
also established).
 
  Individual Retirement Account -- IRA. Any individual (including one covered
by a qualified private or government retirement plan) can establish an IRA or
make use of a qualified IRA arrangement set up by an employer or union for the
purchase of Units of the Fund. Any individual can make a contribution to an
IRA equal to the lesser of $2,000 ($2,250 in a spousal account) or 100% of
earned income; such investment must be made in cash. However, the deductible
amount an individual may contribute will be reduced if the individual's
adjusted gross income exceeds $25,000 (in the case of a single individual),
$40,000 (in the case of married individuals filing a joint return) or $200 (in
the case of a married individual filing a separate return). A married
individual filing a separate return will not be entitled to any deduction if
the individual is covered by an employer-maintained retirement plan without
regard to whether the individual's spouse is an active participant in an
employer retirement plan. Unless nondeductible contributions were made in 1987
or a later year, all distributions from an IRA will be treated as ordinary
income but generally are eligible for tax-deferred rollover treatment. It
should be noted that certain transactions which are prohibited under Section
408 of the Code will cause all or a position of the amount in an IRA to be
deemed to be distributed and subject to tax at that time. A participant's
entire interest in an IRA must be, or commence to be, distributed to the
participant not later than the April 1 following the taxable year during which
the participant attains age 70 1/2. Taxable distributions made before
attainment of age 59 1/2, except in the case of a participant's death or
disability, or where the amount distributed is part of a series of
substantially equal periodic (at least annual) payments that are to be made
over the life expectancies of the participant and his or her beneficiary, are
generally subject to a surtax in an amount equal to 10% of the distribution.
 
  Corporate Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans. A pension or profit-sharing plan
established for employees of a corporation may purchase Units of the Trusts.
 
PUBLIC SALE OF UNITS
 
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
 
  The Public Offering Price of the Units is computed by adding to the
aggregate value of the Securities in the Trust (as determined by the Trustee)
and any cash held to purchase Securities, divided by the number of Units
outstanding, a sales charge of 2.828% thereof. This sales charge is equal to a
gross underwriting profit of 2.75% of the Public Offering Price and is subject
to change by the Sponsor at any time. For most investors the commissions to
purchase and sell the stocks directly would exceed the Trust's 2.75% sales
charge and expenses. Purchasers on January   , 1996 (the first day Units will
be available to the public) will be able to purchase Units at $1.00 each
(including the sales charge). To allow Units to be priced at $1.00, the Units
outstanding as of the Evaluation Time on January    (all of which are held by
the Sponsor) will be split (or split in reverse). The Public Offering Price on
any subsequent date will vary from the Public Offering Price on the date of
the initial Prospectus (set forth under Investment Summary) in accordance with
fluctuations in the aggregate value of the underlying Securities. Units will
be sold to investors at the Public Offering Price next determined after
receipt of the investor's purchase order. A proportionate share of the amount
in the Income Account (described under Administration of the Trust -- Accounts
and Distributions) on the date of delivery of the Units to the purchaser is
added to the Public Offering Price.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
  The sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales to any purchaser of at least 50,000 Units. Sales charges are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
                                                            OFFERING  NET AMOUNT
NUMBER OF UNITS                                              PRICE     INVESTED
- ---------------                                            ---------- ----------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Fewer than 50,000.........................................    2.75%     2.828%
50,000 but less than 100,000..............................    2.50      2.564
100,000 but less than 250,000.............................    2.25      2.302
250,000 but less than 500,000.............................    2.00      2.041
500,000 but less than 1,000,000...........................    1.50      1.523
1,000,000 or more.........................................    1.00      1.010
</TABLE>
 
  The above graduated sales charges will apply to all purchases on any one day
by the same purchaser of Units in the amounts stated. Purchases of Units will
not be aggregated with purchases of units of any other series of Equity Focus
Trusts. Units held in the name of the spouse of the purchaser or in the name
of a child of the purchaser under 21 years of age are deemed to be registered
in the name of the purchaser for purposes of calculating the applicable sales
charge. The graduated sales charges are also applicable to a trustee or other
fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or single fiduciary
account.
 
  Valuation of Securities by the Trustee is made as of the close of business
on the New York Stock Exchange on each business day. Securities quoted on a
national stock exchange or Nasdaq National Market are valued at the closing
sales price, or, if no closing sales price exists, at the mean between the
closing bid and offer prices. Securities not so quoted are valued at the mean
between bid and offer prices.
 
  Employees of the Sponsor and its subsidiaries, affiliates and employee-
related accounts may purchase Units pursuant to employee benefit plans, at a
price equal to the aggregate value of the Securities in the Trust divided by
the number of Units outstanding plus a reduced sales charge of .5%. Sales to
these plans involve less selling effort and expense than sales to employee
groups of other companies.
 
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
 
  Units will be distributed to the public at the Public Offering Price through
the Sponsor, as sole underwriter of the Trust, and may also be distributed
through dealers.
 
  The Sponsor intends to qualify Units for sale in all states of the United
States where qualification is deemed necessary through the Sponsor and dealers
who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Sales
to dealers, if any, will initially be made at prices which represent a
concession from the Public Offering Price per Unit to be established at the
time of sale by the Sponsor.
 
UNDERWRITER'S AND SPONSOR'S PROFITS
 
  The Sponsor, as sole underwriter, receives a gross underwriting commission
equal to the sales charge of 2.75% of the Public Offering Price (subject to
reduction on a graduated scale basis in the case of volume purchases).
 
  On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor also realized a profit or loss
on deposit of the Securities into the Trust in the amount set forth under
Investment Summary, which equals the difference between the cost of the
Securities to the Trust (which is based on the aggregate value of the
Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit) and the purchase price of such
Securities to the Sponsor. On each subsequent deposit of Securities with
respect to the sale of additional Units to the public, the Sponsor similarly
may realize a profit or loss. The Sponsor also may realize profits or sustain
losses as a result of fluctuations after the Initial Date of Deposit in the
aggregate value of the Securities and hence of the Public Offering Price
received by the Sponsor for Units. Cash, if any, made available by buyers of
Units to the Sponsor prior to the settlement dates for purchase of Units may
be used in the Sponsor's business and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
  The Sponsor also receives an annual fee at the maximum rate of $.25 per
1,000 Units for the administrative and other services which it provides during
the life of the Trust (see Expenses and Charges -- Fees). The Sponsor has not
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
participated as sole underwriter or manager or member of any underwriting
syndicate from which any of the Securities in the Portfolio on the Initial
Date of Deposit were acquired, except as indicated under Portfolio.
 
  In maintaining a market for the Units (see Market for Units), the Sponsor
will also realize profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference
between the prices at which it buys Units (based on the aggregate value of the
Securities) and the prices at which it resells such Units (which include the
sales charge) or the prices at which the Securities are sold after it redeems
such Units, as the case may be.
 
MARKET FOR UNITS
 
  While the Sponsor is not obligated to do so, its intention is to maintain a
market for Units and offer continuously to purchase Units from the Initial
Date of Deposit at prices, subject to change at any time, which will be
computed by adding (1) the aggregate value of Securities in the Trust, (2)
amounts in the Trust including dividends receivable on stocks trading ex-
dividend and (3) all other assets in the Trust; deducting therefrom the sum of
(a) taxes or other governmental charges against the Trust not previously
deducted, (b) accrued fees and expenses of the Trustee (including legal and
auditing expenses), the Sponsor and counsel to the Trust and certain other
expenses and (c) amounts for distribution to Holders of record as of a date
prior to the evaluation; and dividing the result of such computation by the
number of Units outstanding as of the date of computation. The Sponsor may
discontinue purchases of Units if the supply of Units exceeds demand or for
any other business reason. The Sponsor, of course, does not in any way
guarantee the enforceability, marketability or price of any Securities in the
Portfolio or of the Units. On any given day, however, the price offered by the
Sponsor for the purchase of Units shall be an amount not less than the
Redemption Price per Unit, based on the aggregate value of Securities in the
Trust on the date on which the Units are tendered for redemption (see
Redemption).
 
  The Sponsor may, of course, redeem any Units it has purchased in the
secondary market to the extent that it determines that it is undesirable to
continue to hold such Units in its inventory. Factors which the Sponsor will
consider in making such a determination will include the number of units of
all series of unit trusts which it has in its inventory, the salability of
such units and its estimate of the time required to sell such units and
general market conditions. For a description of certain consequences of such
redemption for the remaining Holders, see Redemption.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  Units may be redeemed by the Trustee at its corporate trust office upon
payment of any relevant tax without any other fee, accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer with the signature guaranteed by a
national bank or trust company, a member firm of any of the New York, Midwest
or Pacific Stock Exchanges, or in such other manner as may be acceptable to
the Trustee. In certain instances the Trustee may require additional documents
such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, certificates of death,
appointments as executor or administrator or certificates of corporate
authority.
 
  The Trustee is empowered to sell Securities in order to make funds available
for redemption if funds are not otherwise available in the Capital and Income
Accounts to meet redemptions (see Administration of the Trust --Accounts and
Distribution). The Securities to be sold will be selected by the Trustee from
those designated on the current list provided by the Sponsor for this purpose.
Provision is made in the Indenture under which the Sponsor may, but need not,
specify minimum amounts in which blocks of Securities are to be sold in order
to obtain the best price for the Trust. While these minimum amounts may vary
from time to time in accordance with market conditions, the Sponsor believes
that the minimum amounts which would be specified would be a sufficient number
of shares to obtain institutional rates of brokerage commissions (generally
between 1,000 and 5,000 shares).
 
  The Trustee will redeem Units "in kind" upon request of a redeeming Holder
if the Holder tenders at least 250,000 Units. Thus, a Holder will be able
(except during a period described in the last paragraph under this heading),
not later than the seventh calendar day following such tender (or if the
seventh calendar day is not a business day on the first business day prior
thereto), to receive in kind an amount per Unit equal to the Redemption Price
per Unit (computed as described in Redemption -- Computation of Redemption
Price per Unit) as determined as of the day of tender. The Redemption Price
per Unit for in kind distributions (the "In Kind Distribution") will take the
form of the
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
distribution of whole and fractional shares of each of the Securities in the
amounts and the appropriate proportions represented by the fractional
undivided interest in the Trust of the Units tendered for redemption (based
upon the Redemption Price per Unit), except that with respect to any foreign
Security not held in ADR form, the value of that Security will be distributed
in cash.
 
  In Kind Distributions on redemption of a minimum of 250,000 Units will be
held by the Trustee, as Distribution Agent, for the account, and for
disposition in accordance with the instructions of, the tendering Holder as
follows:
 
  (a) If the tendering Holder requests cash payment, the Distribution Agent
shall sell the In Kind Distribution as of the close of business on the date of
tender and remit to the Holder not later than seven calendar days thereafter
the net proceeds of sale, after deducting brokerage commissions and transfer
taxes, if any, on the sale. The Distribution Agent may sell the Securities
through the Sponsor, and the Sponsor may charge brokerage commissions on those
sales. Since these proceeds will be net of brokerage commissions, Holders who
wish to receive cash for their Units should always offer them for sale to the
Sponsor in the secondary market before seeking redemption by the Trustee. The
Trustee may offer Units tendered for redemption and cash liquidation to it to
the Sponsor on behalf of any Holder to obtain this more favorable price for
the Holder.
 
  (b) If the tendering Holder requests distribution in kind, the Distribution
Agent (or the Sponsor acting on behalf of the Distribution Agent) shall sell
any portion of the In Kind Distribution represented by fractional interests in
accordance with the foregoing and distribute net cash proceeds to the
tendering Holder together with certificates representing whole shares of each
of the Securities that comprise the In Kind Distribution. (The Trustee may,
however, offer the Sponsor the opportunity to purchase the tendered Units in
exchange for the numbers of shares of each Security and cash, if any, which
the Holder is entitled to receive. The tax consequences to the Holder would be
identical in either case.)
 
  Any amounts paid on redemption representing income received will be
withdrawn from the Income Account to the extent funds are available (an
explanation of such Account is set forth under Administration of the Trust --
Accounts and Distributions). In addition, in implementing the redemption
procedures described above, the Trustee and the Distribution Agent shall make
any adjustments necessary to reflect differences between the Redemption Price
of the Units and the value of the In Kind Distribution as of the date of
tender. To the extent that Securities are distributed in kind, the size of the
Trust will be reduced.
 
  A Holder may tender Units for redemption on any weekday (a "Tender Day")
which is not one of the following: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or
Christmas. The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for
any period, determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), (1)
during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is closed other than for
customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) during which the trading on that
Exchange is restricted or an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or
evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably practicable or (3) for such
periods as the SEC may by order permit.
 
COMPUTATION OF REDEMPTION PRICE PER UNIT
 
  Redemption Price per Unit is computed by the Trustee as of the Evaluation
Time on June 30 and December 31 (or the last business day prior thereto), as
of the Evaluation Time next following the tender of any Unit for redemption on
any Tender Day, and on any other business day desired by the Trustee or the
Sponsor, by adding (1) the aggregate value of the Securities determined by the
Trustee, (2) amounts in the Trust including dividends receivable on stocks
trading ex-dividend (with appropriate adjustments to reflect monthly
distributions made to Holders) and (3) all other assets in the Trust;
deducting therefrom the sum of (a) taxes or other governmental charges against
the Trust not previously deducted, (b) accrued fees and expenses of the
Trustee (including legal and auditing expenses), the Sponsor and counsel to
the Trust and certain other expenses and (c) amounts for distribution to
Holders of record as of a date prior to the evaluation; and dividing the
result of such computation by the number of Units outstanding as of the date
thereof.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  The aggregate value of the Securities shall be determined by the Trustee in
good faith in the following manner: if the Securities are listed on a national
securities exchange or Nasdaq National Market, or a foreign securities
exchange, such evaluation shall generally be based on the closing sale price
on such exchange (unless the Trustee deems such price inappropriate as a basis
for evaluation) or, if there is no closing sale price on such exchange, at the
mean between the closing offering and bid side evaluation. If the Securities
are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal market therefor is other
than on such exchange, such evaluation shall generally be made by the Trustee
in good faith based at the mean between current bid and offer prices on the
over-the-counter market (unless the Trustee deems such mean inappropriate as a
basis for evaluation) or, if bid and offer prices are not available, (1) on
the basis of the mean between current bid and offer prices for comparable
securities, (2) by the Trustee's appraising the value of the Securities in
good faith at the mean between the bid side and the offer side of the market
or (3) by any combination thereof.
 
EXPENSES AND CHARGES
 
  Initial Expenses -- All or some portion of the expenses incurred in
establishing the Trust, including the cost of the initial preparation,
printing and execution of the registration statement and the indenture,
Federal and State registration fees, the initial fees and expenses of the
Trustee, legal expenses and any other out-of-pocket expenses, will be paid by
the Trust and amortized over one year. Any balance of the expenses incurred in
establishing the Trust, as well as advertising and selling expenses, will be
paid by the Underwriters at no cost to the trust.
 
  Fees -- The Trustee's and Sponsor's fees are set forth under Investment
Summary. The Trustee receives for its services as Trustee and Distribution
Agent payable in monthly installments, the amount set forth under Investment
Summary. The Trustee's fee (in respect of services as Trustee), payable
monthly, is based on the largest number of Units outstanding during the
preceding month. Certain regular and recurring expenses of the Trust,
including certain mailing and printing expenses, are borne by the Trust. The
Trustee receives benefits to the extent that it holds funds on deposit in the
various non-interest bearing accounts created under the Indenture. The
Sponsor's fee, which is earned for trust supervisory services, is based on the
largest number of Units outstanding during the year. The Sponsor's fee, which
is not to exceed the maximum amount set forth under Investment Summary, may
exceed the actual costs of providing supervisory services for this Trust, but
at no time will the total amount the Sponsor receives for trust supervisory
services rendered to all series of Smith Barney Unit Trusts in any calendar
year exceed the aggregate cost to it of supplying these services in that year.
In addition, the Sponsor may also be reimbursed for bookkeeping or other
administrative services provided to the Trust in amounts not exceeding its
cost of providing those services. The fees of the Trustee and Sponsor may be
increased without approval of Holders in proportion to increases under the
classification "All Services Less Rent" in the Consumer Price Index published
by the United States Department of Labor.
 
  Other Charges -- These include: (1) fees of the Trustee for extraordinary
services (for example, making distributions due to failure of contracts for
Securities), (2) expenses of the Trustee incurred for the benefit of the Trust
(including legal and auditing expenses) and expenses of counsel designated by
the Sponsor, (3) various governmental charges and fees and expenses for
maintaining the Trust's registration statement current with Federal and State
authorities, (4) expenses and costs of action taken by the Sponsor, in its
discretion, or the Trustee, in its discretion, to protect the Trust and the
rights and interests of Holders (for example, expenses in exercising the
Trust's rights under the underlying Securities), (5) indemnification of the
Trustee for any losses, liabilities and expenses incurred without gross
negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct on its part, (6) indemnification of
the Sponsor for any losses, liabilities and expenses incurred without gross
negligence, bad faith, wilful misconduct or reckless disregard of their duties
and (7) expenditures incurred in contacting Holders upon termination of the
Trust. The amounts of these charges and fees are secured by a lien on the
Trust.
 
  Payment of Expenses -- Funds necessary for the payment of the above fees
will be obtained in the following manner: (1) first, by deductions from the
Income Account (see below) (which will reduce income distributions from the
Account); (2) to the extent the Income Account funds are insufficient, by
distribution from the Capital Account (see below); (3) to the extent the
Income and Capital Accounts are insufficient, by selling Securities from the
Portfolio and using the proceeds to pay the expenses (thereby reducing the net
asset value of the Units).
 
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
  Since the Securities are all common stocks, and the income stream produced
by dividend payments thereon is unpredictable (see Description of the Trust --
 Risk Factors), the Sponsor cannot provide any assurance that dividends will
be sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. If dividends are
insufficient to cover expenses, it is likely that Securities will have to be
sold to meet Trust expenses. Any such sales may result in capital gains or
losses to Holders. See Description of the Trust -- Taxes.
 
ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST
 
RECORDS
 
  The Trustee keeps records of the transactions of the Trust at its corporate
trust office including names, addresses and holdings of all Holders, a current
list of the Securities and a copy of the Indenture. Such records are available
to Holders for inspection at reasonable times during business hours.
 
ACCOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Dividends payable to the Trust are credited by the Trustee to an Income
Account, as of the date on which the Trust is entitled to receive such
dividends as a holder of record of the Securities. All other receipts (i.e.,
return of capital, stock dividends, if any, and gains) will be credited by the
Trustee to a Capital Account. If a Holder elects to receive his distribution
in cash, any income distribution for the Holder as of each Record Day will be
made on the following Distribution Day or shortly thereafter and shall consist
of an amount equal to the Holder's pro rata share of the distributable balance
in the Income Account as of such Record Day, after deducting estimated
expenses. The first distribution for persons who purchase Units between a
Record Day and a Distribution Day will be made on the second Distribution Day
following their purchase of Units. In addition, amounts from the Capital
Account may be distributed from time to time to Holders of record. The Trustee
may withdraw from the Income Account, from time to time, such amounts as it
deems requisite to establish a reserve for any taxes or other governmental
charges that may be payable out of the Trust. Funds held by the Trustee in the
various accounts created under the Indenture do not bear interest.
 
  Purchases at Market Discount -- Certain of the shareholder dividend
reinvestment, stock purchase or similar plans maintained by issuers of the
Securities offer shares pursuant to such plans at a discount from market
value. Subject to any applicable regulations and plan restrictions, the
Sponsor intends to direct the Trustee to participate in any such plans to the
greatest extent possible taking into account the Securities held by the Trust
in the issuers offering such plans. In such event, the Indenture requires that
the Trustee forthwith distribute in kind to the Distribution Agent the
Securities received upon any such reinvestment to be held for the accounts of
the Holders in proportion to their respective interests in the Trust. It is
anticipated that Securities so distributed shall immediately be sold.
Therefore, the cash received upon such sale, after deducting sales commissions
and transfer taxes, if any, will be used for cash distributions to Holders.
 
  The Trustee will follow a policy that it will place securities transactions
with a broker or dealer only if it expects to obtain the most favorable prices
and executions of orders. Transactions in securities held in the Trust are
generally made in brokerage transactions (as distinguished from principal
transactions) and the Sponsor or any of its affiliates may act as brokers
therein if the Trustee expects thereby to obtain the most favorable prices and
execution. The furnishing of statistical and research information to the
Trustee by any of the securities dealers through which transactions are
executed will not be considered in placing securities transactions.
 
TRUST SUPERVISION
 
  The Trust is a unit investment trust which normally follows a buy and hold
investment strategy and is not actively managed. However, the Portfolio is
regularly reviewed. Traditional methods of investment management for a managed
fund (such as a mutual fund) typically involve frequent changes in a portfolio
of securities on the basis of economic, financial and market analyses. The
Portfolio of the Trust, however, will not be actively managed and therefore
the adverse financial condition of an issuer will not necessarily require the
sale of its Securities from the Portfolio. However, while it is the intention
of the Sponsor to continue the Trust's investment in the Securities in the
original proportions, it has the power but not the obligation to direct the
disposition of the Securities upon institution of certain
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
legal proceedings, default under certain documents adversely affecting future
declaration or payment of anticipated dividends, or a substantial decline in
price or the occurrence of other materially adverse market or credit factors
that, in the opinion of the Sponsor, would make the retention of the
Securities detrimental to the interests of the Holders. The Sponsor intends to
review the desirability of retaining in the Portfolio any Security if its
Investment Rating is reduced below 3 by the Sponsor's Research Department. The
Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct the Trustee to invest the
proceeds of any sale of Securities not required for redemption of Units in
eligible money market instruments selected by the Sponsor which will include
only the following instruments:
 
  (i) negotiable certificates of deposit or time deposits of domestic banks
which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and which have,
together with their branches or subsidiaries, more than $2 billion in total
assets, except that certificates of deposit or time deposits of smaller
domestic banks may be held provided the deposit does not exceed the insurance
coverage on the instrument (which currently is $100,000), and provided further
that the Trust's aggregate holding of certificates of deposit or time deposits
issued by the Trustee may not exceed the insurance coverage of such
obligations and (ii) U.S. Treasury notes or bills.
 
  In the event a public tender offer is made for a Security or a merger or
acquisition is announced affecting a Security, the Sponsor may instruct the
Trustee to tender or sell the Security on the open market when in its opinion
it is in the best interest of the Holders of the Units to do so. In addition,
the Sponsor is required to instruct the Trustee to reject any offer made by an
issuer of any of the Securities to issue new Securities in exchange or
substitution for any Securities except that the Sponsor may instruct the
Trustee to accept or reject such an offer to take any other action with
respect thereto as the Sponsor may deem proper if (1) the issuer failed to
declare or pay anticipated dividends with respect to such Securities or (2) in
the written opinion of the Sponsor the issuer will probably fail to declare or
pay anticipated dividends with respect to such Securities in the reasonably
foreseeable future. Any Securities so received in exchange or substitution
will be held by the Trustee subject to the terms and conditions of the
Indenture to the same extent as Securities originally deposited thereunder. If
a Security is eliminated from the Portfolio and no replacement security is
acquired, the Trustee shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter
notify Holders of the sale of the Security. Except as stated in this and the
following paragraphs, the Trust may not acquire any securities other than (1)
the Securities and (2) securities resulting from stock dividends, stock splits
and other capital changes of the issuers of the Securities.
 
  The Sponsor is authorized to direct the Trustee to acquire replacement
Securities ("Replacement Securities") to replace any Securities, for which
purchase contracts have failed ("Failed Securities"), or, in connection with
the deposit of Additional Securities, when Securities of an issue originally
deposited are unavailable at the time of subsequent deposit, as described more
fully below. Replacement Securities that are replacing Failed Securities will
be deposited into the Trust within 110 days of the date of deposit of the
contracts that have failed at a purchase price that does not exceed the amount
of funds reserved for the purchase of Failed Securities. The Replacement
Securities shall satisfy certain conditions specified in the Indenture
including, among other conditions, requirements that the Replacement
Securities shall be publicly-traded common stocks; shall be issued by an
issuer subject to or exempt from the reporting requirements under Section 13
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or similar provisions of
law); shall not result in more than 10% of the Trust consisting of securities
of a single issuer (or of two or more issuers which are Affiliated Persons as
this term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) which are not
registered and are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or
result in the Trust owning more than 50% of any single issue which has been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933; and shall have, in the opinion of
the Sponsor, characteristics sufficiently similar to the characteristics of
the other Securities in the Trust as to be acceptable for acquisition by the
Trust. Whenever a Security has been eliminated by the Trust and a Replacement
Security is deposited, the Trustee shall within five days after the deposit of
the Replacement Security notify all Holders of the sale of the Security
eliminated and the acquisition of the Replacement Security. Whenever a
Replacement Security has been acquired for the Trust, the Trustee shall, on
the next Distribution Day that is more than 30 days thereafter, make a pro
rata distribution of the amount, if any, by which the cost to the Trust of the
Failed Security exceeded the cost of the Replacement Security. If Replacement
Securities are not acquired, the Sponsor will, on or before the next following
Distribution Day, cause to be refunded the attributable sales charge, plus the
attributable Cost of Securities to Trust listed under Portfolio plus income
attributable to the Failed Security.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
  The Indenture also authorizes the Sponsor to increase the size and number of
Units of the Trust by the deposit of cash (or a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase Additional Securities, contracts to purchase
Additional Securities or, Additional Securities in exchange for the
corresponding number of additional Units during the 90-day period subsequent
to the Initial Date of Deposit, provided that the original proportionate
relationship among the number of shares of each Security established on the
Initial Date of Deposit (the "Original Proportionate Relationship") is
maintained to the extent practicable. Deposits of Additional Securities
subsequent to the 90-day period following the Initial Date of Deposit must
replicate exactly the original proportionate relationship among the number of
shares of each Security comprising the Portfolio at the end of the initial 90-
day period.
 
  With respect to deposits of cash (or a letter of credit) with instructions
to purchase Additional Securities), Additional Securities or contracts to
purchase Additional Securities, in connection with creating additional Units
of the Trust during the 90-day period following the Initial Date of Deposit,
the Sponsor may specify minimum amounts of additional Securities to be
deposited or purchased. If a deposit is not sufficient to acquire minimum
amounts of each Security, Additional Securities may be acquired in the order
of the Security most under-represented immediately before the deposit when
compared to the Original Proportionate Relationship. If Securities of an issue
originally deposited are unavailable at the time of subsequent deposit or
cannot be purchased at reasonable prices or their purchase is prohibited or
restricted by law, regulation or policies applicable to the Trust or the
Sponsor, the Sponsor may (1) deposit cash or a letter of credit with
instructions to purchase the Security when practicable (provided that it
becomes available within 110 days after the Initial Date of Deposit) or (2)
deposit (or instruct the Trustee to purchase) Securities of one or more other
issues originally deposited or (3) deposit (or instruct the Trustee to
purchase) a Replacement Security that will meet the conditions described
above. Any funds held to acquire Additional or Replacement Securities which
have not been used to purchase Securities at the end of the 90-day period
beginning with the Initial Date of Deposit, shall be used to purchase
Securities as described above or shall be distributed to Holders together with
the attributable sales charge.
 
REPORTS TO HOLDERS
 
  The Trustee will furnish Holders with each distribution a statement of the
amount of income and the amount of other receipts, if any, which are being
distributed, expressed in each case as a dollar amount per Unit. Within a
reasonable period of time after termination of the Trust (normally within 20
to 60 days), the Trustee will furnish to each person who at any time was a
Holder of record of Trust Units a statement (1) as to the Income Account:
income received; deductions for applicable taxes and for fees and expenses of
the Trustee and counsel, and certain other expenses; amounts paid in
connection with redemptions of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions, expressed in each case both as a total dollar
amount and as a dollar amount per Unit outstanding at termination; (2) as to
the Capital Account: the disposition of any Securities (other than pursuant to
In Kind Distributions) and the net proceeds received therefrom; the results of
In Kind Distributions in connection with redemption of Units; deductions for
payment of applicable taxes and for fees and expenses of the Trustee and
counsel and certain other expenses, to the extent that the Income Account is
insufficient, and the balance remaining after such distribution and
deductions, expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount per
Unit outstanding at termination; (3) a list of the Securities held and the
number of Units outstanding at termination; (4) the price per Unit based upon
the computation thereof made at termination and (5) amounts actually
distributed from the Income Account expressed both as total dollar amounts and
as dollar amounts per Unit outstanding on the record dates for such
distributions.
 
  In order to enable them to comply with federal and state tax reporting
requirements, Holders will be furnished with evaluations of Securities upon
request to the Trustee.
 
EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP
 
  If a purchaser of Units holds his Units through an account for his benefit
at the Sponsor, that purchaser will be the beneficial owner of the Units but
the Sponsor will be the record Holder. Units held in such an account with the
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
Sponsor are transferable by the beneficial owner to another account with the
Sponsor by notice to the Sponsor, payment of any sums required for taxes or
other governmental charges and compliance with any formalities required by the
Sponsor.
 
  All record Holders of Units (including the Sponsor for any Units held by it
in accounts for the benefit of others) are required to hold their Units in
uncertificated form. The Trustee will credit a record Holder's account with
the number of Units held by the Holder. If any Units are not held in an
account with the Sponsor, or if Units so held are to be transferred outside
such an account, such Units are transferable by the Trustee, with a payment of
any sums payable for taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon these
transactions and compliance with the formalities necessary to redeem Units.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
 
  The Sponsor may amend the Indenture, with the consent of the Trustee but
without the consent of any of the Holders, (1) to cure any ambiguity or to
correct or supplement any provision thereof which may be defective or
inconsistent, (2) to change any provision thereof as may be required by the
SEC or any successor governmental agency and (3) to make such other provisions
as shall not materially adversely affect the interest of the Holders (as
determined in good faith by the Sponsor). The Indenture may also be amended in
any respect by the Sponsor and the Trustee, or any of the provisions thereof
may be waived, with the consent of the Holders of 51% of the Units, provided
that no such amendment or waiver will reduce the interest in the Trust of any
Holder without the consent of such Holder or reduce the percentage of Units
required to consent to any such amendment or waiver without the consent of all
Holders. The Indenture will terminate upon the earlier of the disposition of
the last Security held thereunder or the Mandatory Termination Date specified
under Investment Summary. The Indenture may also be terminated by the Sponsor
if the value of the Trust is less than the minimum value set forth under
Investment Summary (as described under Description of the Trust -- Risk
Factors) and may be terminated at any time by written instrument executed by
the Sponsor and consented to by Holders of 51% of the Units. The Trustee shall
deliver written notice of any termination to each Holder within a reasonable
period of time prior to the termination. Within a reasonable period of time
after such termination, the Trustee must sell all of the Securities then held
and distribute to each Holder, after deductions of accrued and unpaid fees,
taxes and governmental and other charges, such Holder's interest in the Income
and Capital Accounts. Such distribution will normally be made by mailing a
check in the amount of each Holder's interest in such accounts to the address
of such Holder appearing on the record books of the Trustee.
 
REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
  Distributions of income and/or principal, if any, on Units held in street
name through Smith Barney Inc. or directly in the name of the Holder, unless
the Holder notifies his financial consultant at Smith Barney Inc. or the
Trustee, respectively, to the contrary, will be reinvested automatically in
additional Units of the Trust at no extra charge pursuant to the Trust's
"Reinvestment Plan". If the Holder does not wish to participate in the
Reinvestment Plan, the Holder must notify his financial consultant at Smith
Barney Inc. or the Trustee at least ten business days prior to the
Distribution Day to which that election is to apply. The election may be
modified or terminated by similar notice.
 
  Distributions being reinvested will be paid in cash to the Sponsor, who will
use them to purchase Units of the Trust at the Sponsor's Repurchase Price (the
net asset value per Unit without any sales charge) in effect at the close of
business on the Distribution Day. These may be either previously issued Units
repurchased by the Sponsor or newly issued Units created upon the deposit of
additional Securities in the Trust (see Description of the Trust -- Structure
and Offering). Each participant will receive an account statement reflecting
any purchase or sale of Units under the Reinvestment Plan.
 
  The costs of the Reinvestment Plan will be borne by the Sponsor, at no cost
to the Trust. The Sponsor reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate the
Reinvestment Plan at any time without prior notice.
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
RESIGNATION, REMOVAL AND LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY
 
TRUSTEE
 
  The Trustee or any successor may resign upon notice to the Sponsor. The
Trustee may be removed upon the direction of the Holders of 51% of the Units
at any time, or by the Sponsor without the consent of any of the Holders if
the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its affairs are
taken over by public authorities. Such resignation or removal shall become
effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor. In case of such
resignation or removal the Sponsor is to use its best efforts to appoint a
successor promptly and if upon resignation of the Trustee no successor has
accepted appointment within thirty days after notification, the Trustee may
apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor.
The Trustee shall be under no liability for any action taken in good faith in
reliance on prima facie properly executed documents or for the disposition of
monies or Securities, nor shall it be liable or responsible in any way for
depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale of any Security. This
provision, however, shall not protect the Trustee in cases of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties. In the event of the failure of the Sponsor to act, the
Trustee may act under the Indenture and shall not be liable for any of these
actions taken in good faith. The Trustee shall not be personally liable for
any taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon or in respect of the
Securities or upon the interest thereon. In addition, the Indenture contains
other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee.
 
SPONSOR
 
  The Sponsor may resign at any time if a successor Sponsor is appointed by
the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture. Any new Sponsor must have a
minimum net worth of $2,000,000 and must serve at rates of compensation deemed
by the Trustee to be reasonable and as may not exceed amounts prescribed by
the SEC. If the Sponsor fails to perform its duties or becomes incapable of
acting or becomes bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by public
authorities, then the Trustee may (1) appoint a successor Sponsor at rates of
compensation deemed by the Trustee to be reasonable and as may not exceed
amounts prescribed by the SEC, (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the
Trust or (3) continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
 
  The Sponsor shall be under no liability to the Trust or to the Holders for
taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good faith or
for errors in judgment and shall not be liable or responsible in any way for
depreciation of any Security or Units or loss incurred in the sale of any
Security or Units. This provision, however, shall not protect the Sponsor in
cases of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties. The Sponsor may transfer all or substantially
all of its assets to a corporation or partnership which carries on its
business and duly assumes all of its obligations under the Indenture and in
such event it shall be relieved of all further liability under the Indenture.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
TRUSTEE
 
  The name and address of the Trustee are show on the back cover of this
prospectus. The Trustee is subject to supervision and examination by the
Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In connection with the
storage and handling of certain Stocks deposited in the Trust, the Trustee may
use the services of The Depository Trust Company. These services may include
safekeeping of the Stocks, computer book-entry transfer and institutional
delivery services. The Depository Trust Company is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a member of
the Federal Reserve System and a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
  The legality of the Units has been passed upon by Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450
Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, as special counsel for the
Sponsor.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
AUDITORS
 
  The Statement of Financial Condition and the Portfolio included in this
Prospectus have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors,
as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and is so included herein
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
SPONSOR
 
  Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney"), was incorporated in Delaware in 1960 and
traces its history through predecessor partnerships to 1873. Smith Barney, an
investment banking and securities broker-dealer firm, is a member of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. and other major securities and commodities
exchanges, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and the
Securities Industry Association. Smith Barney is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Travelers Inc. The Sponsor or an affiliate is investment
adviser, principal underwriter or distributor of more than 60 open-end
investment companies and investment manager of 12 closed-end investment
companies. Smith Barney also sponsors all Series of Corporate Securities
Trust, Government Securities Trust, Harris, Upham Tax-Exempt Fund and Tax
Exempt Securities Trust, and acts as co-sponsor of most Series of Defined
Asset Funds.
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                    (This page is intentionally left blank)
<PAGE>
 
                                              EQUITY FOCUS TRUSTS
                      -------------------------------------------
                                        A SMITH BARNEY UNIT TRUST
 
                             S.T.A.R.T. 1996 SERIES
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
This Prospectus does not contain all of the information with respect to the
investment company set forth in its registration statements and exhibits
relating thereto which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C. under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and to which reference is hereby made.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                     INDEX
<TABLE>
            <S>                                                <C>
            Investment Summary                                   2
            Report of Independent Accountants                    7
            Statement of Financial Condition                     7
            Portfolio                                            8
            Description of the Trust                             9
            Taxes                                               14
            Public Sale of Units                                16
            Market for Units                                    18
            Redemption                                          18
            Expenses and Charges                                20
            Administration of the Trust                         21
            Reinvestment Plan                                   24
            Resignation, Removal and Limitations on Liability   25
            Miscellaneous                                       25
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SPONSOR:                                     TRUSTEE:              INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS:
<S>                             <C>                                <C>
Smith Barney Inc.               The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
388 Greenwich Street            (A National Banking Association)   345 Park Avenue
23rd Floor                      Customer Service Retail Department New York, New York 10154
New York, New York 10013        770 Broadway--7th Floor
(800) 223-2532                  New York, New York 10003-9598
                                (800) 323-1508
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                      LOGO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
WITH RESPECT TO THIS INVESTMENT COMPANY NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS; AND
ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED HEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY STATE TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH STATE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
  A. The following information relating to the Depositor is incorporated by
reference to the SEC filings indicated and made a part of this Registration
Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SEC FILE OR
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
                                                          ---------------------
 <C>  <S>                                                 <C>
 I.   Bonding Arrangements and Date of Organization of
      the Depositor filed pursuant to Items A and B of
      Part II of the Registration Statement on Form S-6
      under the Securities Act of 1933:                           2-67446
 II.  Information as to Officers and Directors of the
      Depositor filed pursuant to Schedules A and D of
      Form BD under Rules 15b1-1 and 15b3-1 of the
      Securities Exchange Act of 1934:                            8-12324
 III. Charter documents of the Depositor filed as
      Exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-
      6 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Charter, By-
      Laws):                                                      2-52898
 
  B. The Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Numbers of the
Sponsor and Trustee are as follows:
 
      Smith Barney Inc.                                        13-2518466
      The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., Trustee                  13-2633612
</TABLE>
 
                          UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
                      CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-6 IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING PAPERS
AND DOCUMENTS:
 
    The facing sheet of Form S-6.
 
    The Cross-Reference Sheet (incorporated by reference to the Cross-
     Reference Sheet to the Registration Statement of The Uncommon Values
     Unit Trust, 1985 Series, 1933 Act File No. 2-97046).
 
    The Prospectus.
 
    Additional Information not included in the Prospectus (Part II).
 
    The undertaking to file reports.
 
    The signatures.
 
    Written Consents of the following persons:
 
      KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
      Davis Polk & Wardwell (included in Exhibit 3.1)
 
  The following exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
   <C>  <S>
   *1.1 -- Form of Reference Trust Indenture.
    2.1 -- Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement of The
          Uncommon Values Unit Trust, 1985 Series, 1933 Act File No. 2-97046).
   *3.1 -- Opinion of counsel as to the legality of securities being issued
          including their consent to the use of their name under the headings
          "Taxes" and "Miscellaneous --Legal Opinion" in the Prospectus.
   *5.1 -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to the use of their name under the
          heading "Miscellaneous --Auditors" in the Prospectus.
</TABLE>
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York and State of New
York on the 12th day of December 1995.
 
  A majority of the Board of Directors of Smith Barney Inc. has signed this
Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person
signing this Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
 
   SMITH BARNEY UNIT TRUSTS (REGISTRANT)
 
             SMITH BARNEY INC.
                (DEPOSITOR)
 
  By the following persons* who constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors of Smith Barney Inc.:
 
Steven D. Black
James S. Boshart III
Robert A. Case
James Dimon
Robert Druskin
Robert F. Greenhill
Jeffrey B. Lane
Robert H. Lessin
Jack L. Rivkin
 
                                               /s/ Kevin Kopczynski
                                          By___________________________________
                                              Kevin Kopczynski (As authorized
                                              signatory for Smith Barney Inc.
                                               and Attorney-in-fact for the
                                                   persons listed above)
 
 
- --------
* Pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed under the 1933 Act file Numbers 33-
56722 and 33-51999.
 
                                     II-3


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