<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 1996
Securities Act Registration No. 333-00203 Investment Company Act Registration
No. 811-07491
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
[_]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
[_]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 [X]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
[_]
AMENDMENT NO. 2 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
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PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
ONE SEAPORT PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 214-1250
S. JANE ROSE, ESQ.
ONE SEAPORT PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX):
[_] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] on September 16, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[_] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[_] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[_] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[_] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule
485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[_] this post-effective amendment designates a new
effective date for a previously filed post-
effective amendment.
PURSUANT TO RULE 24F-2 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, REGISTRANT
HAS PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR
VALUE $.001 PER SHARE. THE REGISTRANT WILL FILE A NOTICE UNDER SUCH RULE FOR
ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1996 ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 29, 1997.
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<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
(AS REQUIRED BY RULE 495)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A ITEM NO. LOCATION
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<C> <S> <C>
PART A
Item 1. Cover Page........................... Cover Page
Item 2. Synopsis............................. Fund Expenses; Fund Highlights
Item 3. Condensed Financial Information...... Fund Expenses; How the Fund
Calculates Performance
Item 4. General Description of Registrant.... Cover Page; Fund Highlights;
How the Fund Invests; General
Information
Item 5. Management of the Fund............... How the Fund is Managed
Item 5A. Management's Discussion of Fund Not Applicable
Performance..........................
Item 6. Capital Stock and Other Securities... Taxes, Dividends and
Distributions; General
Information
Item 7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered. Shareholder Guide; How the
Fund Values its Shares
Item 8. Redemption or Repurchase............. Shareholder Guide; How the
Fund Values its Shares
Item 9. Pending Legal Proceedings............ Not Applicable
PART B
Item 10. Cover Page........................... Cover Page
Item 11. Table of Contents.................... Table of Contents
Item 12. General Information and History...... General Information
Item 13. Investment Objectives and Policies... Investment Objective and
Policies; Investment
Restrictions
Item 14. Management of the Fund............... Directors and Officers;
Manager; Distributor
Item 15. Control Persons and Principal Holders Not Applicable
of Securities........................
Item 16. Investment Advisory and Other Manager; Distributor;
Services............................. Custodian, Transfer and
Dividend Disbursing Agent and
Independent Accountants
Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and Other Portfolio Transactions
Practices............................
Item 18. Capital Stock and Other Securities... Not Applicable
Item 19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Purchase and Redemption of
Securities Being Offered............. Fund Shares; Shareholder
Investment Account; Net Asset
Value
Item 20. Tax Status........................... Taxes
Item 21. Underwriters......................... Distributor
Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data...... Performance Information
Item 23. Financial Statements................. Financial Statements
</TABLE>
PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
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SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 TO
PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 25, 1996
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THE PROSPECTUS IS HEREBY SUPPLEMENTED BY INSERTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
PRIOR TO PAGE 5, "HOW THE FUND INVESTS":
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD INDICATED) (CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES)
The following financial highlights for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares are unaudited. This information should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and the notes thereto, which appear in the
Statement of Additional Information. The financial highlights contain
selected data for a Class A, Class B and Class C share of common stock,
respectively, outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets and
other supplemental data for the period indicated. The information has been
determined based on data contained in the financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
--------- --------- ---------
MARCH 25, MARCH 25, MARCH 25,
1996(B) 1996(B) 1996(B)
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31,
1996 1996 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.. $ 12.50 $ 12.50 $ 12.50
------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income................. .02 -- --
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment transactions.............. .67 .67 .67
------- ------- -------
Total from investment operations..... .69 .67 .67
------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period........ $ 13.19 $ 13.17 $ 13.17
======= ======= =======
TOTAL RETURN(B): ..................... 5.52% 5.36% 5.36%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000) ...... $ 4,845 $ 7,324 $ 1,820
Average net assets (000) ............. $ 4,623 $ 6,980 $ 1,726
Ratios to average net assets (b):
Expenses, including distribution
fees............................... 2.67%(c) 3.42%(c) 3.42%(c)
Expenses, excluding distribution
fees............................... 2.42%(c) 2.42%(c) 2.42%(c)
Net investment income............... 0.87%(c) 0.12%(c) 0.12%(c)
Portfolio turnover.................... 23% 23% 23%
Average commission rate paid per
share................................ $0.0434 $0.0434 $0.0434
</TABLE>
----------
(a)Commencement of investment operations.
(b)Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on
the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of
dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full
year are not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
.
<PAGE>
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REPLACES THE DISCLOSURE UNDER THE HEADING "HOW THE
FUND INVESTS--INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES--WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES" IN THE PROSPECTUS:
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis. When-issued or delayed delivery transactions arise when
securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking
place a month or more in the future in order to secure what is considered to
be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into
the transaction. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a when-issued
or delayed delivery basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, the
Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date, if it is deemed
advisable. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund will record the transaction
and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security in determining
the net asset value of the Fund. At the time of delivery of the securities the
value may be more or less than the purchase price. The Fund's Custodian will
maintain, in a segregated account of the fund, cash, U.S. Government
securities, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-
market daily, having a value equal to or greater than the Fund's purchase
commitments. Subject to this requirement, the Fund may purchase securities on
such basis without limit. See "Investment Objective and Policies--When-Issued
and Delayed Delivery Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTS THE DISCLOSURE UNDER THE HEADING "HOW
THE FUND INVESTS--HEDGING AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES--OPTIONS
TRANSACTIONS" IN THE PROSPECTUS:
The Fund will write only "covered" options. An option is covered if, so long
as the Fund is obligated under the option, it owns an offsetting position in
the underlying security or currency or maintains cash, U.S. Government
securities, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-
market daily, with a value sufficient at all times to cover its obligations in
a segregated account.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS THE DISCLOSURE UNDER THE HEADING "HOW THE FUND
CALCULATES PERFORMANCE" IN THE PROSPECTUS:
The Fund may include comparative performance information in advertising or
marketing the Fund's shares. The Fund may include performance information
about each of the Fund's classes and is no longer required to include
performance data for all classes of shares in an advertisement or other
information including performance data of the Fund. See "How the Fund
Calculates Performance."
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTS THE DISCLOSURE UNDER THE HEADING
"SHAREHOLDER GUIDE--HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND" IN THE PROSPECTUS:
Shares of the Fund are not offered for sale in the State of Missouri.
REDUCTION AND WAIVER OF INITIAL SALES CHARGES. Reduced sales charges are
available through Rights of Accumulation and Letters of Intent. Shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be
aggregated to determine the applicable reduction. See "Purchase and Redemption
of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class A Shares"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
BENEFIT PLANS. Class A shares may be purchased at NAV, without payment of an
initial sales charge, by pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code and deferred
compensation and annuity plans under Sections 457 and 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code (Benefit Plans), provided that the plan has existing
assets of at least $1 million invested in shares of Prudential Mutual Funds
(excluding money market funds other than those acquired pursuant to the
exchange privilege) or 250 eligible employees or participants. In the case of
Benefit Plans whose accounts are held directly with the Transfer Agent or
Prudential Securities and for which the Transfer Agent or Prudential
Securities does individual account recordkeeping (Direct Account Benefit
Plans) and Benefit Plans sponsored by
2
<PAGE>
PSI or its subsidiaries (PSI or Subsidiary Prototype Benefit Plans), Class A
shares may be purchased at NAV by participants who are repaying loans made
from such plans to the participant.
PRUARRAY AND SMARTPATH PLANS. Class A shares may be purchased at NAV by
certain savings, retirement and deferred compensation plans, qualified or non-
qualified under the Internal Revenue Code, including pension, profit-sharing,
stock-bonus or other employee benefit plans under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code and deferred compensation and annuity plans under Sections 457
and 403(b)(7) of the Code that participate in Prudential's PruArray or
SmartPath Programs (benefit plan recordkeeping services) (hereafter referred
to as a PruArray or SmartPath Plan); provided that the plan has at least $1
million in existing assets or 250 eligible employees or participants. The term
"existing assets" for this purpose includes stock issued by a PruArray or
SmartPath Plan sponsor and shares of non-money market Prudential Mutual Funds
and shares of certain unaffiliated non-money market mutual funds that
participate in the PruArray or SmartPath Program (Participating Funds).
"Existing assets" also include shares of money market funds acquired by
exchange from a Participating Fund.
SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO RETIREMENT PLANS. After a Benefit Plan or
PruArray or SmartPath Plan qualifies to purchase Class A shares at NAV, all
subsequent purchases will be made at NAV.
3
<PAGE>
The Prospectus dated March 25, 1996, is incorporated by reference in its
entirety to the Rule 497 filing made on March 22, 1996 (File No. 333-00203).
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Statement of Additional Information dated March 25, 1996
(as supplemented September 16, 1996)
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. (the Fund), is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company whose investment objective is
capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing
primarily in debt and equity securities issued by financially troubled or
bankrupt companies (financially troubled issuers) and in equity securities of
companies that in the view of its investment adviser are currently
undervalued, out-of-favor or price-depressed relative to their long term
potential for growth and income (operationally troubled issuers). These
issuers may be experiencing poor operating results. The Fund may engage in
various derivative transactions, including the purchase and sale of put and
call options on securities, stock indices and foreign currencies, the purchase
and sale of foreign currency exchange contracts and transactions involving
futures contracts and related options to hedge its portfolio and to attempt to
enhance return. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective
will be achieved. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
The Fund's address is One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, and its
telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be
read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus dated March 25, 1996 (as
supplemented September 16, 1996), a copy of which may be obtained from the
Fund upon request.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE
TO PAGE IN
PAGE PROSPECTUS
----- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Investment Objective and Policies........................ B-2 5
Investment Restrictions.................................. B-14 17
Directors and Officers................................... B-16 17
Manager.................................................. B-19 17
Distributor.............................................. B-21 18
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage..................... B-22 20
Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares................... B-23 24
Shareholder Investment Account........................... B-26 24
Net Asset Value.......................................... B-29 20
Taxes.................................................... B-30 21
Performance Information.................................. B-32 21
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and In-
dependent Accountants................................... B-34 20
Independent Auditors' Report............................. B-35 --
Financial Statements..................................... B-36 --
Appendix--Historical Performance Data.................... I-1 --
Appendix--General Investment Information................. II-1 --
Appendix--Information Relating to The Prudential......... III-1 --
</TABLE>
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MF171B
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is capital appreciation. The Fund will seek
to achieve its objective by investing primarily in debt and equity securities
issued by companies that are in weak financial condition or bankrupt
(financially troubled issuers) and in equity securities of companies that, in
the view of its investment adviser, The Prudential Investment Corporation
(PIC, the Subadviser or the investment adviser), are currently undervalued,
out-of-favor or price-depressed relative to their long term potential for
growth and income (operationally troubled issuers). These companies may be
experiencing poor operating results. Current income is not a factor in the
selection of investments. The Fund will purchase and sell put and call options
on securities, stock indices and foreign currencies, and engage in
transactions involving futures contracts and related options to hedge its
portfolio and to attempt to enhance return. There can be no assurance that the
Fund's objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment
Objective and Policies" in the Prospectus.
SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS
The securities of financially and operationally troubled issuers may require
active monitoring and at times may require the Fund's investment adviser to
participate in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings on behalf of the Fund.
To the extent the investment adviser becomes involved in such proceedings, the
Fund may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than is
generally assumed by an investor and such participation may subject the Fund
to the litigation risks described below. However, the Fund does not invest in
the securities of financially or operationally troubled issuers for the
purpose of exercising day-to-day management of any issuer's affairs.
BANKRUPTCY AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS--LITIGATION RISKS
When a company seeks relief under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (or has a
petition filed against it), an automatic stay prevents all entities, including
creditors, from foreclosing or taking other actions to enforce claims, perfect
liens or reach collateral securing such claims. Creditors who have claims
against the company prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing must petition
the court to permit them to take any action to protect or enforce their claims
or their rights in any collateral. Such creditors may be prohibited from doing
so if the court concludes that the value of the property in which the creditor
has an interest will be "adequately protected" during the proceedings. If the
bankruptcy court's assessment of adequate protection is inaccurate, a
creditor's collateral may be wasted without the creditor being afforded the
opportunity to preserve it. Thus, even if the Fund holds a secured claim, it
may be prevented from collecting the liquidation value of the collateral
securing its debt, unless relief from the automatic stay is granted by the
court.
Security interests held by creditors are closely scrutinized and frequently
challenged in bankruptcy proceedings and may be invalidated for a variety of
reasons. For example, security interests may be set aside because, as a
technical matter, they have not been perfected properly under the Uniform
Commercial Code or other applicable law. If a security interest is
invalidated, the secured creditor loses the value of the collateral and
because loss of the secured status causes the claim to be treated as an
unsecured claim, the holder of such claim will almost certainly experience a
significant loss of its investment. While the Fund intends to scrutinize any
security interests that secure the debt it purchases, there can be no
assurance that the security interests will not be challenged vigorously and
found defective in some respect, or that the Fund will be able to prevail
against the challenge.
Moreover, debt may be disallowed or subordinated to the claims of other
creditors if the creditor is found guilty of certain inequitable conduct
resulting in harm to other parties with respect to the affairs of a company
filing for protection from creditors under the Federal Bankruptcy Code.
Creditors' claims may be treated as equity if they are deemed to be
contributions to capital, or if a creditor attempts to control the outcome of
the business affairs of a company prior to its filing under the Bankruptcy
Code. If a creditor is found to have interfered with the company's affairs to
the detriment of other creditors or shareholders, the creditor may be held
liable for damages to injured parties. While the Fund will attempt to avoid
taking the types of action that would lead to equitable subordination or
creditor liability, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be
asserted or that the Fund will be able successfully to defend against them.
While the challenges to liens and debt described above normally occur in a
bankruptcy proceeding, the conditions or conduct that would lead to an attack
in a bankruptcy proceeding could in certain circumstances result in actions
brought by other creditors of the debtor, shareholders of the debtor or even
the debtor itself in other state or federal proceedings. As is the case in a
bankruptcy proceeding, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be
asserted or that the Fund will be able successfully to defend against them. To
the extent that the Fund assumes an active role in any legal proceeding
involving
B-2
<PAGE>
the debtor, the Fund may be prevented from disposing of securities issued by
the debtor due to the Fund's possession of material, non-public information
concerning the debtor.
CORPORATE AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS
ZERO COUPON, PAY-IN-KIND OR DEFERRED PAYMENT SECURITIES
The Fund may also invest in zero coupon, pay-in-kind or deferred payment
securities. Zero coupon securities are securities that are sold at a discount
to par value and on which interest payments are not made during the life of
the security. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the par value
of the security. While interest payments are not made on such securities,
holders of such securities are deemed to have received annually "phantom
income." The Fund accrues income with respect to these securities prior to the
receipt of cash payments. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have
interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the
holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities.
Deferred payment securities are securities that remain a zero coupon security
until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon rate becomes
effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals. Zero coupon, pay-
in-kind and deferred payment securities may be subject to greater fluctuation
in value and lesser liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than
comparable rated securities paying cash interest at regular intervals.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
Municipal securities include notes and bonds issued by or on behalf of
states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and the District of Columbia, the
interest on which is generally eligible for exclusion from federal income tax
and, in certain instances, applicable state or local income and personal
property taxes. Such securities are traded primarily in the over-the-counter
market.
MUNICIPAL BONDS. Municipal bonds are issued to obtain funds for various
public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public
facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass
transportation, schools, streets, water and sewer works and gas and electric
utilities. Municipal bonds also may be issued in connection with the refunding
of outstanding obligations and obtaining funds to lend to other public
institutions or for general operating expenses.
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are "general
obligation" and "revenue." General obligation bonds are secured by the
issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues
derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases,
from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source.
Industrial development bonds (IDBs) are issued by or on behalf of public
authorities to obtain funds to provide various privately-operated facilities
for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, pollution control, and for
airport, mass transit, port and parking facilities. Although IDBs are issued
by municipal authorities, they are generally secured by the revenues derived
from payments of the industrial user. The payment of the principal and
interest on IDBs is dependent solely on the ability of the user of the
facilities financed by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the
pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for the
payment.
MUNICIPAL NOTES. Municipal notes generally are used to provide for short-
term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less.
Municipal notes include:
1. Tax Anticipation Notes. Tax Anticipation Notes are issued to finance
working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in
anticipation of various seasonal tax revenues, such as income, sales, use
and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
2. Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue Anticipation Notes are issued in the
expectation of reception of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues
available under the Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.
3. Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond Anticipation Notes are issued to provide
interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases,
the long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the Notes.
4. Construction Loan Notes. Construction Loan Notes are sold to provide
construction financing. Permanent financing, the proceeds of which are
applied to the payment of Construction Loan Notes, is sometimes provided by
a commitment by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) to
purchase the loan, accompanied by a commitment by the Federal Housing
Administration to insure mortgage advances thereunder. In other instances,
permanent financing is provided by commitments of banks to purchase the
loan.
B-3
<PAGE>
TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER. Issues of tax-exempt commercial paper, the
interest on which is generally exempt from federal income taxes, typically are
represented by short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes. These
obligations are issued by agencies of state and local governments to finance
seasonal working capital needs of municipalities or to provide interim
construction financing and are paid from general revenues of municipalities or
are refinanced with long-term debt. In most cases, tax-exempt commercial paper
is backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements
or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or other institutions and
is actively traded.
FLOATING RATE AND VARIABLE RATE SECURITIES. The Fund is permitted to invest
in floating rate and variable rate municipal securities, including
participation interests therein and inverse floaters. Floating or variable
rate securities often have a rate of interest that is set as a specific
percentage of a designated base rate, such as the rate on Treasury Bonds or
Bills or the prime rate at a major commercial bank. These securities also
allow the holder to demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par
plus accrued interest, which amount may be more or less than the amount the
holder paid for them. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the interest rate. The interest rate on floating rate
securities changes whenever there is a change in the designated base interest
rate. Floating rate and variable rate securities typically have long
maturities but afford the holder the right to demand payment at earlier dates.
Such floating rate and variable rate securities will be treated as having
maturities equal to the period of adjustment of the interest rate.
An inverse floater is a debt instrument with a floating or variable interest
rate that moves in the opposite direction of the interest rate on another
security or the value of an index. Changes in the interest rate on the other
security or index inversely affect the residual interest rate paid on the
inverse floater, with the result that the inverse floater's price will be
considerably more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. The market for
inverse floaters is relatively new.
MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may also invest in municipal lease
obligations. A municipal lease obligation is a municipal security the interest
on and principal of which is payable out of lease payments made by the party
leasing the facilities financed by the issue. Typically, municipal lease
obligations are issued by a state or municipal financing authority to provide
funds for the construction of facilities (e.g., schools, dormitories, office
buildings or prisons) or the acquisition of equipment. The facilities are
typically used by the state or municipality pursuant to a lease with a
financing authority. Certain municipal lease obligations may trade
infrequently. Accordingly, the investment adviser will monitor the liquidity
of municipal lease obligations under the supervision of the Board of
Directors. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of the Fund's 15% limitation on illiquid securities provided the
investment adviser determines that there is readily available market for such
securities. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Policies and Techniques--
Illiquid Securities" in the Prospectus and "Illiquid Securities" below.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
BRADY BONDS. The Fund is permitted to invest in debt obligations commonly
known as "Brady Bonds" which are created through the exchange of existing
commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection
with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of
the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the Brady Plan). Brady Bonds have been issued
in connection with the restructuring of the bank loans, for example, of the
governments of Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina.
Brady Bonds have been issued only recently, and, accordingly, do not have a
long payment history. They may be collateralized or uncollateralized and
issued in various currencies (although most are dollar-denominated) and they
are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market.
Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par
bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full as
to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations which
have the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady
Bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in
the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling
interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is
adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to
"value recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute
supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady
Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) the
collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) the
collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest
payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity
(these uncollateralized amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event
of a default with respect to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which
the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero
coupon obligations held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be
distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds
distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the
scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be
outstanding, at which time the face amount
B-4
<PAGE>
of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then been
due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults
with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of
countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as
speculative.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase put and call options and write covered put and call
options on debt and equity securities, financial indices (including stock
indices), U.S. and foreign government debt securities and foreign currencies.
These may include options traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges and options
traded on U.S. or foreign over-the-counter markets (OTC Options) including OTC
Options with primary U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The purchaser of a call option has the right, for a specified period of
time, to purchase the securities subject to the option at a specified price
(the "exercise price" or "strike price"). By writing a call option, the Fund
becomes obligated during the term of the option, upon exercise of the option,
to deliver the underlying securities or a specified amount of cash to the
purchaser against receipt of the exercise price. When the Fund writes a call
option, the Fund loses the potential for gain on the underlying securities in
excess of the exercise price of the option during the period that the option
is open.
The purchaser of a put option has the right, for a specified period of time,
to sell the securities subject to the option to the writer of the put at the
specified exercise price. By writing a put option, the Fund becomes obligated
during the term of the option, upon exercise of the option, to purchase the
securities underlying the option at the exercise price. The Fund might,
therefore, be obligated to purchase the underlying securities for more than
their current market price.
The writer of an option retains the amount of the premium, although this
amount may be offset or exceeded, in the case of a covered call option, by a
decline and, in the case of a covered put option, by an increase in the market
value of the underlying security during the option period.
The Fund may wish to protect certain portfolio securities against a decline
in market value at a time when put options on those particular securities are
not available for purchase. The Fund may therefore purchase a put option on
other carefully selected securities, the values of which the investment
adviser expects will have a high degree of positive correlation to the values
of such portfolio securities. If the investment adviser's judgment is correct,
changes in the value of the put options should generally offset changes in the
value of the portfolio securities being hedged. If the investment adviser's
judgment is not correct, the value of the securities underlying the put option
may decrease less than the value of the Fund's investments and therefore the
put option may not provide complete protection against a decline in the value
of the Fund's investments below the level sought to be protected by the put
option.
The Fund may similarly wish to hedge against appreciation in the value of
securities that it intends to acquire at a time when call options on such
securities are not available. The Fund may, therefore, purchase call options
on other carefully selected securities the values of which the investment
adviser expects will have a high degree of positive correlation to the values
of the securities that the Fund intends to acquire. In such circumstances the
Fund will be subject to risks analogous to those summarized above in the event
that the correlation between the value of call options so purchased and the
value of the securities intended to be acquired by the Fund is not as close as
anticipated and the value of the securities underlying the call options
increases less than the value of the securities to be acquired by the Fund.
The Fund may write options on securities in connection with buy-and-write
transactions; that is, the Fund may purchase a security and concurrently write
a call option against that security. If the call option is exercised, the
Fund's maximum gain will be the premium it received for writing the option,
adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference between the Fund's purchase
price of the security and the exercise price of the option. If the option is
not exercised and the price of the underlying security declines, the amount of
the decline will be offset in part, or entirely, by the premium received.
The exercise price of a call option may be below ("in-the-money"), equal to
("at-the-money") or above ("out-of-the-money") the current value of the
underlying security at the time the option is written. Buy-and-write
transactions using in-the-money call options may be used when it is expected
that the price of the underlying security will remain flat or decline
moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using at-the-
money call options may be used when it is expected that the price of the
underlying security will remain fixed or advance moderately during the option
period. A buy-and-write transaction using an out-of-the-money call option may
be used when it is expected that the premium received from writing the call
option plus the appreciation in the market price of the underlying security up
to the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of
the underlying security alone. If the call option is exercised in such a
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transaction, the Fund's maximum gain will be the premium received by it for
writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference between
the Fund's purchase price of the security and the exercise price of the
option. If the option is not exercised and the price of the underlying
security declines, the amount of the decline will be offset in part, or
entirely, by the premium received.
Prior to being notified of exercise of the option, the writer of an
exchange-traded option that wishes to terminate its obligation may effect a
"closing purchase transaction" by buying an option of the same series as the
option previously written. (Options of the same series are options with
respect to the same underlying security, having the same expiration date and
the same strike price.) The effect of the purchase is that the writer's
position will be cancelled by the exchange's affiliated clearing organization.
Likewise, an investor who is the holder of an exchange-traded option may
liquidate a position by effecting a "closing sale transaction" by selling an
option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There is no
guarantee that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction can be
effected.
Exchange-traded options are issued by a clearing organization affiliated
with the exchange on which the option is listed which, in effect, gives its
guarantee to every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC
options are contracts between the Fund and its contra-party with no clearing
organization guarantee. Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies
on the dealer from which it has purchased the OTC option to make or take
delivery of the securities underlying the option. Failure by the dealer to do
so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as the
loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.
When the Fund writes an OTC option, it generally will be able to close out
the OTC option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing
purchase transaction with the dealer to which the Fund originally wrote the
OTC option. While the Fund will enter into OTC options only with dealers which
agree to, and which are expected to be capable of, entering into closing
transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be
able to liquidate an OTC option at a favorable price at any time prior to
expiration. Until the Fund is able to effect a closing purchase transaction in
a covered OTC call option the Fund has written, it will not be able to
liquidate securities used as cover until the option expires or is exercised or
different cover is substituted. In the event of insolvency of the contra-
party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate an OTC option. See "Illiquid
Securities" below.
OTC options purchased by the Fund will be treated as illiquid securities
subject to any applicable limitation on such securities. Similarly, the assets
used to "cover" OTC options written by the Fund will be treated as illiquid
unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that the Fund
may repurchase any OTC options it writes for a maximum price to be calculated
by a formula set forth in the option agreement. The "cover" for an OTC option
written subject to this procedure would be considered illiquid only to the
extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the
intrinsic value of the option. See "Illiquid Securities" below.
The Fund may write only "covered" options. This means that so long as the
Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying
securities subject to the option or an option to purchase the same underlying
securities, having an exercise price equal to or less than the exercise price
of the "covered" option, or will establish and maintain with its Custodian for
the term of the option a segregated account consisting of cash, U.S.
Government securities, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets,
marked-to-market daily, having a value equal to or greater than the exercise
price of the option. In the case of a straddle written by the Fund, the amount
maintained in the segregated account will equal the amount, if any, by which
the put is "in-the-money."
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. The Fund also may purchase and write call and
put options on securities indices in an attempt to hedge against market
conditions affecting the value of securities that the Fund owns or intends to
purchase. Through the writing or purchase of index options, the Fund can
achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of options on
individual securities. Options on securities indices are similar to options on
a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a
security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the
holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if
the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is
greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the
exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to such difference
between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option.
The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. Unlike security options, all settlements are in
cash and gain or loss depends upon price movements in the market generally (or
in a particular industry or segment of the market), rather than upon price
movements in individual securities. Price movements in securities that the
Fund owns or intends to purchase will probably not correlate perfectly with
movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the Fund bears the risk
that a loss on an index option would not be completely offset by movements in
the price of such securities.
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When the Fund writes an option on a securities index, it will be required to
deposit with its custodian, and mark-to-market, eligible securities equal in
value to 100% of the exercise price in the case of a put, or the contract
value in the case of a call. In addition, where the Fund writes a call option
on a securities index at a time when the contract value exceeds the exercise
price, the Fund will segregate and mark-to-market, until the option expires or
is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess.
Options on a securities index involve risks similar to those risks relating
to transactions in financial futures contracts described below. Also, an
option purchased by the Fund may expire worthless, in which case the Fund
would lose the premium paid therefor.
RISKS OF OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
An exchange-traded option position may be closed out only on an Exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although
the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an Exchange will exist for any particular option at any
particular time, and for some exchange-traded options, no secondary market on
an Exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect
closing transactions in particular options, with the result that the Fund
would have to exercise its exchange-traded options in order to realize any
profit and may incur transaction costs in connection therewith. If the Fund as
a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an Exchange include
the following: (a) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (b)
restrictions on transactions imposed by an Exchange; (c) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options or underlying securities; (d) interruption of the normal
operations on an Exchange; (e) inadequacy of the facilities of an Exchange or
clearinghouse, such as The Options Clearing Corporation (the OCC) to handle
current trading volume; or (f) a decision by one or more Exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of
options), in which event the secondary market on that Exchange (or in that
class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options
on that Exchange that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that
Exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their
terms.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
options transactions, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a
loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in the
event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the Fund,
the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the option.
Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the investment adviser.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the option markets.
RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Options on foreign currencies involve the currencies of two nations and
therefore, developments in either or both countries affect the values of
options on foreign currencies. Risks include those described in the Prospectus
under "How the Fund Invests--Risk Factors Relating to Investing in Foreign
Securities," including government actions affecting currency valuation and the
movements of currencies from one country to another. The quantity of currency
underlying option contracts represent odd lots in a market dominated by
transactions between banks; this can mean extra transaction costs upon
exercise. Option markets may be closed while round-the-clock interbank
currency markets are open, and this can create price and rate discrepancies.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
As a purchaser of a futures contract, the Fund incurs an obligation to take
delivery of a specified amount of the obligation underlying the futures
contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. As a seller
of a futures contract, the Fund incurs an obligation to deliver the specified
amount of the underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an
agreed upon price. The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on debt
and equity securities, financial indices (including stock indices) and foreign
currencies.
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<PAGE>
The Fund will purchase or sell futures contracts for the purpose of hedging
its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in
prevailing interest rates or market conditions. The investment adviser may
purchase futures when the price of securities, indices or currencies is
expected to rise and sell futures when the price of securities, indices or
currencies is expected to decline. If the investment adviser anticipates that
interest rates may rise and, concomitantly, the price of the Fund's portfolio
securities may fall, the Fund may sell a futures contract. If declining
interest rates are anticipated, the Fund may purchase a futures contract to
protect against a potential increase in the price of securities the Fund
intends to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate securities may be purchased by
the Fund in an orderly fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding
futures positions would be terminated by offsetting sales of contracts. In
addition, futures contracts will be bought or sold in order to close out a
short or long position in a corresponding futures contract.
Although most futures contracts call for actual delivery or acceptance of
securities or cash, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement
date without the making or taking of delivery. A futures contract sale is
closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate
amount of the specific type of security and the same delivery date. If the
sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the
difference and would realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds
the sale price, the seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss.
Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures
contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security
(or currency) and the same delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds
the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the
purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize
a loss. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into a
closing transaction.
When the Fund enters into a futures contract it is initially required to
deposit with its Custodian, in a segregated account in the name of the broker
performing the transaction, an "initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government
securities equal to approximately 2-3% of the contract amount. Initial margin
requirements are established by the Exchanges on which futures contracts trade
and may, from time to time, change. In addition, brokers may establish margin
deposit requirements in excess of those required by the Exchanges.
Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing
of funds by a brokers' client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on a
futures contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper
termination of the futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked-to-
market daily and the Fund may be required to make subsequent deposits into the
segregated account, maintained at its Custodian for that purpose, of cash or
U.S. Government securities, called "variation margin", in the name of the
broker, which are reflective of price fluctuations in the futures contract.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on futures contracts
which are traded on an Exchange and enter into closing transactions with
respect to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a
futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium
paid), and the writer the obligation, to assume a position in a futures
contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the
option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of
the option. Upon exercise of the option, the assumption of an offsetting
futures position by the writer and holder of the option will be accompanied by
delivery of the accumulated cash balance in the writer's futures margin
account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures
contract at exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the
case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.
The Fund may only write "covered" put and call options on futures contracts.
The Fund will be considered "covered" with respect to a call option it writes
on a futures contract if the Fund owns the assets which are deliverable under
the futures contract or an option to purchase that futures contract having a
strike price equal to or less than the strike price of the "covered" option
and having an expiration date not earlier than the expiration date of the
"covered" option, or if it segregates and maintains with its Custodian for the
term of the option cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities or
other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily, equal to the
fluctuating value of the optioned future. The Fund will be considered
"covered" with respect to a put option it writes on a futures contract if it
owns an option to sell that futures contract having a strike price equal to or
greater than the strike price of the "covered" option, or if it segregates and
maintains with its Custodian for the term of the option cash, U.S. Government
securities, equity securities or liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-market
daily, at all times equal in value to the exercise price of the put (less any
initial margin deposited by the Fund with its Custodian with respect to such
option). There is no limitation on the amount of the Fund's assets which can
be placed in the segregated account.
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The Fund will purchase options on futures contracts for identical purposes
to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures contract (purchase of a
call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of a futures contract
(purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to close out a long or
short position in futures contracts.
RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
The Fund may sell a futures contract to protect against the decline in the
value of securities held by the Fund. However, it is possible that the futures
market may advance and the value of securities held in the Fund's portfolio
may decline. If this were to occur, the Fund would lose money on the futures
contracts and also experience a decline in value in its portfolio securities.
If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of securities it intends to buy, and the value of such securities
decreases, then the Fund may determine not to invest in the securities as
planned and will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by
a reduction in the price of the securities.
Under regulations of the Commodity Exchange Act, investment companies
registered under the Investment Company Act are exempt from the definition of
"commodity pool operator," subject to compliance with certain conditions. The
exemption is conditioned upon a requirement that all of the Fund's futures or
options transactions constitute bona fide hedging transactions within the
meaning of the regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The Fund will use futures and options on futures in a manner consistent with
this requirement. The Fund may also enter into futures or related options
contracts to attempt to enhance return if the aggregate initial margin and
option premiums do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's total
assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on
any such contracts, provided, however, that in the case of an option that is
in-the-money, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in computing such 5%.
The above restriction does not apply to the purchase and sale of futures and
related options contracts for bona fide hedging purchases.
In order to assure that the Fund is entering into transactions in futures
contracts for hedging purposes as such term is defined by the CFTC, either:
(1) a substantial majority (i.e., approximately 75%) of all anticipatory hedge
transactions (transactions in which the Fund does not own at the time of the
transaction, but expects to acquire, the securities underlying the relevant
futures contract) involving the purchase of futures contracts will be
completed by the purchase of securities which are the subject of the hedge, or
(2) the underlying value of all long positions in futures contracts will not
exceed the total value of (a) all short-term debt obligations held by the
Fund; (b) cash held by the Fund; (c) cash proceeds due to the Fund on
investments within thirty days; (d) the margin deposited on the contracts; and
(e) any unrealized appreciation in the value of the contracts.
If the Fund maintains a short position in a futures contract, it will cover
this position by holding, in a segregated account maintained at its Custodian,
cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities or other liquid,
unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily, equal in value (when added to any
initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the securities
underlying the futures contract. Such a position may also be covered by owning
the securities underlying the futures contract, or by holding a call option
permitting the Fund to purchase the same contract at a price no higher than
the price at which the short position was established.
In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract, it
will hold cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities or other liquid,
unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily, equal to the purchase price of
the contract (less the amount of initial or variation margin on deposit) in a
segregated account maintained for the Fund by its Custodian. Alternatively,
the Fund could cover its long position by purchasing a put option on the same
futures contract with an exercise price as high or higher than the price of
the contract held by the Fund.
Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move
on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then
it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit
moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would
continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on
open futures positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash,
it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to
take or make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds
at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The ability to close out
options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on the Fund's
ability to hedge effectively its portfolio.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience delays
and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the
broker and/or
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incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.
Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the investment adviser.
There are risks inherent in the use of futures contracts and options
transactions for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities. One
such risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to protect against
the price volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities
subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may
correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices of the Fund's
portfolio securities. Another such risk is that prices of futures contracts
may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest rates against
which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted by the fact
that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit
from the difference between a contract or security price objective and their
cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would
diminish as the contract approached maturity.
There may exist an imperfect correlation between the price movements of
futures contracts purchased by the Fund and the movements in the prices of the
securities (or currencies) which are the subject of the hedge. If participants
in the futures market elect to close out their contracts through offsetting
transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements, distortions in the
normal relationships between the debt securities (or currencies) and futures
market could result. Price distortions could also result if investors in
futures contracts elect to make or take delivery of underlying securities (or
currencies) rather than engage in closing transactions due to the resultant
reduction in the liquidity of the futures market. In addition, due to the fact
that, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the
futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market,
increased participation by speculators in the futures markets could cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in
the futures market and because of the imperfect correlation between movements
in the prices of securities (or currencies) and movements in the prices of
futures contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate trends by the
investment adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase and sale
of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to
the Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the
options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the
purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract
would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in
the prices of the futures contracts or underlying securities (or currencies).
RISKS RELATED TO FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in
several circumstances. When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase
or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, or when the Fund
anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of dividends or interest
payments on a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to "lock-in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such
dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward
contract for a fixed amount of dollars, for the purchase or sale of the amount
of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions, the Fund may be
able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse
change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency
during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold,
or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on
which such payments are made or received.
Additionally, when the investment adviser believes that the currency of a
particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract for a fixed amount of
dollars, to sell the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of
some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such foreign
currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value
of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future
value of securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of
market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which
the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection
of short-term currency market movement is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. If
the Fund enters into a position hedging transaction, the transaction will be
covered by the position being hedged or the Fund's Custodian or subcustodian
will place cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities or other
liquid, unencumbered assets in a segregated account of the Fund (less the
value of the "covering" positions, if any) in an amount equal to the value of
the Fund's total assets committed to the consummation of the given forward
contract. The assets placed in the segregated account will be marked-to-market
daily, and if the value of the securities placed in the segregated account
declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a
daily basis so that the value of the account will, at all times, equal the
amount of the Fund's net commitment with respect to the forward contract.
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The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract with a term of
greater than one year. At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may
either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency,
or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to
deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the
same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the
same amount of the foreign currency.
It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of a
particular portfolio security at the expiration of the forward contract.
Accordingly, if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of
the foreign currency and if the market value of the security is less than the
amount of foreign currency that the Fund is obligated to deliver, then it
would be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the
spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase).
If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has
been movement in forward contract prices. Should forward contract prices
decline during the period between the Fund's entering into a forward contract
for the sale of a foreign currency and the date it enters into an offsetting
contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a
gain to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to sell
exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward
contract prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the
price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the
currency it has agreed to sell.
The Fund's dealing in forward foreign currency exchange contracts will
generally be limited to the transactions described above. Of course, the Fund
is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign
currency-denominated securities. It also should be recognized that this method
of protecting the value of the Fund's portfolio securities against a decline
in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities which are unrelated to exchange rates. Additionally,
although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they tend to limit any
potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does
not intend physically to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
dollars on a daily basis. It will do so from time to time, and investors
should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange
dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on
the difference (the spread) between the prices at which they are buying and
selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange
should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
DEFENSIVE STRATEGY AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its assets
in cash, high quality money market instruments and U.S. Treasury securities
(including repurchase agreements). U.S. Treasury securities include bills,
notes, bonds and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These
instruments are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are
backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States. They differ
primarily in their interest rates, the length of their maturities and the
dates of their issuances.
High quality money market instruments include commercial paper of
corporations, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other
obligations of domestic and foreign banks. Temporary investments may also be
made in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
or its instrumentalities and repurchase agreements (described more fully
below). Investments in obligations of foreign banks may be subject to certain
risks, including future political and economic developments, the possible
imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, the seizure or
nationalization of foreign deposits and foreign exchange controls or other
restrictions.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase
or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, that is,
delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the date of the
transaction. The Fund will make commitments for such when-issued transactions
only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities. The Fund's
Custodian will maintain, in a separate account of the Fund, cash, U.S.
Government securities, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets,
marked-to-market daily, having a value equal to or greater than such
commitments. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-
issued security prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the disposition of
any other portfolio security, incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuations.
B-11
<PAGE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund's repurchase agreements will be collateralized by U.S. Government
obligations. The Fund will enter into repurchase transactions only with
parties meeting creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's Board of
Directors. The Fund's investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of
such parties, under the general supervision of the Board of Directors. In the
event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to
liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of
such collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase are less than
the repurchase price, the Fund will suffer a loss.
The Fund participates in a joint repurchase agreement account with other
investment companies managed by Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. (PMF
or the Manager) pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC). On a daily basis, any uninvested cash balances of the Fund may be
aggregated with those of such investment companies and invested in one or more
repurchase agreements. Each fund participates in the income earned or accrued
in the joint account based on the percentage of its investment.
LENDING OF SECURITIES
Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the Fund may lend its
portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided
that outstanding loans do not exceed in the aggregate 30% of the value of the
Fund's total assets and provided that such loans are callable at any time by
the Fund and are at all times secured by cash or equivalent collateral that is
equal to at least the market value, determined daily, of the loaned
securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive
payments in lieu of the interest and dividends of the loaned securities, while
at the same time earning interest either directly from the borrower or on the
collateral which will be invested in short-term obligations.
A loan may be terminated by the Fund at any time without cause. If the
borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan
automatically terminates, and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the
securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement
cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of
delay in recovery and in some cases loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of
portfolio securities will only be made to firms determined to be creditworthy
pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund. On
termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to
the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the loan would inure
to the Fund.
Since voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loan, in whole or in
part as may be appropriate, to permit the exercise of such rights if the
matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in the
securities which are the subject of the loan. The Fund will pay reasonable
finders', administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its
securities or may share the interest earned on collateral with the borrower.
BORROWING
The Fund may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated at the time of the borrowing) from banks for
temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes, for the clearance of
transactions or for investment purposes. The Fund may pledge up to 33 1/3% of
its total assets to secure these borrowings. If the Fund's asset coverage for
borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action to reduce its
borrowings. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market
fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio
securities to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though
it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at
that time. Such liquidations could cause the Fund to realize gains on
securities held for less than three months. Because no more than 30% of the
Fund's gross income may be derived from the sale or disposition of securities
held for less than three months to maintain the Fund's status as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code, such gains would limit the
ability of the Fund to sell other securities held for less than three months
that the Fund might wish to sell. See "Taxes." The Fund will not purchase
portfolio securities when borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total
assets.
Borrowing for investment purposes is generally known as "leveraging."
Leveraging exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or
decrease in the market value of the Fund's portfolio. Money borrowed for
leveraging will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered
by appreciation of the securities purchased and may exceed the income from the
securities purchased. In addition, the Fund may be required to maintain
minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or pay a commitment
fee to maintain a line of credit which would increase the cost of borrowing
over the stated interest rate.
B-12
<PAGE>
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may not hold more than 15% of its net assets in repurchase
agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days or in other
illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the
absence of a readily available market (either within or outside of the United
States) or legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Historically, illiquid
securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal
restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity
of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered under the
Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities
and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other
illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and
uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on
the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to
dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable
prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within
seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted
securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and
delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for
certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities, convertible securities and corporate bonds and notes.
Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which
the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to
honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may
not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows for a broader institutional
trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to
the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act for resales of certain
securities to qualified institutional buyers. The investment adviser
anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities such as
institutional commercial paper and foreign securities will expand further as a
result of this regulation and the development of automated systems for the
trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and
foreign issuers.
Restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, commercial paper and municipal lease obligations for which
there is a readily available market will not be deemed to be illiquid. The
investment adviser will monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities
subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors. In reaching liquidity
decisions, the investment adviser will consider, inter alia, the following
factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the
number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of
other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the
security and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace
trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer). With respect to
municipal lease obligations, the investment adviser will also consider: (1)
the willingness of the municipality to continue, annually or biannually, to
appropriate funds for payment of the lease; (2) the general credit quality of
the municipality and the essentiality to the municipality of the property
covered by the lease; (3) an analysis of factors similar to that performed by
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) in evaluating
the credit quality of a municipal lease obligation, including (i) whether the
lease can be cancelled; (ii) if applicable, what assurance there is that the
assets represented by the lease can be sold; (iii) the strength of the
lessee's general credit (e.g., its debt, administrative, economic and
financial characteristics); (iv) the likelihood that the municipality will
discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property because the property
is no longer deemed essential to the operations of the municipality (e.g., the
potential for an event of nonappropriation); and (v) the legal recourse in the
event of failure to appropriate; and (4) any other factors unique to municipal
lease obligations as determined by the investment adviser. In addition, in
order for commercial paper that is issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act to be considered liquid, (i) it must be rated in one of the two
highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO rates
the securities, by that NRSRO, or, if unrated, be of comparable quality in the
view of the investment adviser; and (ii) it must not be "traded flat" (i.e.,
without accrued interest) or in default as to principal or interest.
Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to
the notice period.
The staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased over-the-counter
(OTC) options and the assets used as "cover" for written OTC options are
illiquid securities unless the Fund and the counterparty have provided for the
Fund, at the Fund's election, to unwind the OTC option. The exercise of such
an option would ordinarily involve the payment by the Fund of an amount
designed to reflect the counterparty's economic loss from an early
termination, but does allow the Fund to treat the
B-13
<PAGE>
securities used as "cover" as liquid. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment
Policies and Techniques--Illiquid Securities" in the Prospectus.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of other
investment companies. Generally, the Fund does not intend to invest in such
securities. If the Fund does invest in securities of other investment
companies, shareholders of the Fund may be subject to duplicate management and
advisory fees.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is not expected to exceed 150%. The
portfolio turnover rate is generally the percentage computed by dividing the
lesser of portfolio purchases or sales (excluding all securities, including
options, whose maturities or expiration date at acquisition were one year or
less) by the monthly average value of the portfolio. High portfolio turnover
(over 100%) involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other
transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund. In addition, high
portfolio turnover may also mean that a proportionately greater amount of
distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income rather than
long-term capital gains compared to investment companies with lower portfolio
turnover. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" and "Taxes."
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following restrictions are fundamental policies. Fundamental policies are
those which cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. A "majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities," when used in this Statement of Additional
Information, means the lesser of (i) 67% of the voting shares represented at a
meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares are present in
person or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting
shares.
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions); provided
that the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or maintenance margin in
connection with futures or options is not considered the purchase of a
security on margin.
2. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position if, when
added together, more than 25% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be
(i) deposited as collateral for the obligation to replace securities
borrowed to effect short sales and (ii) allocated to segregated accounts in
connection with short sales. Short sales "against-the-box" are not subject
to this limitation.
3. Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that
the Fund may borrow from banks up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total
assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary or
emergency purposes, for the clearance of transactions or for investment
purposes. The Fund may pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets
to secure such borrowings. For purposes of this restriction, the purchase or
sale of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, forward
foreign currency exchange contracts and collateral arrangements relating
thereto, and collateral arrangements with respect to interest rate swap
transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, dollar roll transactions,
options, futures contracts and options thereon and obligations of the Fund
to Directors pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements are not deemed
to be a pledge of assets or the issuance of a senior security.
4. Purchase any security (other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result: (i) with respect to 75% of
the Fund's total assets, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets (determined
at the time of investment) would then be invested in securities of a single
issuer, or (ii) 25% or more of the Fund's total assets (determined at the
time of the investment) would be invested in a single industry.
5. Buy or sell real estate or interests in real estate, except that the Fund
may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate,
securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate and publicly
traded securities of real estate investment trusts. The Fund may not
purchase interests in real estate limited partnerships which are not readily
marketable.
6. Buy or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon. (For
purposes of this restriction, futures contracts on securities, currencies
and on
B-14
<PAGE>
securities or financial indices and forward foreign currency exchange
contracts are not deemed to be commodities or commodity contracts.)
7. Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the
disposition of portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter
under certain federal securities laws. The Fund has not adopted a
fundamental investment policy with respect to investments in restricted
securities.
8. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
9. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except by purchases
in the open market involving only customary brokerage commissions and as a
result of which the Fund will not hold more than 3% of the outstanding
voting securities of any one investment company, will not have invested more
than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company and will not have
invested more than 10% of its total assets (determined at the time of
investment) in such securities of one or more investment companies, or
except as part of a merger, consolidation or other acquisition.
10. Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
development programs, except that the Fund may invest in the securities of
companies which invest in or sponsor such programs.
11. Make loans, except through (i) repurchase agreements and (ii) loans of
portfolio securities limited to 30% of the Fund's total assets.
12. Purchase more than 10% of all outstanding voting securities of any one
issuer.
In order to comply with certain "blue sky" restrictions, the Fund will not
as a matter of operating policy:
1. Invest in oil, gas and mineral leases.
2. Invest in securities of any issuer if any officer or Director of the Fund
or the Fund's Manager or Subadviser (as defined below) owns more than 1/2 of
1% of the outstanding securities of such issuer, and such officers and
Directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate more than 5% of
the outstanding securities of such issuer.
3. Purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have more than 5% of
its assets (determined at the time of investment) invested in warrants.
Warrants will be valued at the lower of cost or market and investment in
warrants which are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or American
Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange will be limited to 2% of the
Fund's net assets (determined at the time of investment). For purposes of
this limitation, warrants acquired in units or attached to securities are
deemed to be without value.
4. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of unseasoned
issuers, including their predecessors, which have been in operation for less
than three years, and in equity securities of issuers which are not readily
marketable.
5. Engage in short sales if the value of securities of any one issuer in
which the Fund is short exceeds the lesser of 2% of the value of the Fund's
net assets or 2% of the securities of any class of any issuer.
6. Invest in shares of registered open-end investment companies unless it
waives the duplicate management and advisory fees. The Fund will not incur
any initial or contingent deferred sales charges in connection with such
investments.
Whenever any fundamental investment policy or investment restriction states
a maximum percentage of the Fund's assets, it is intended that if the
percentage limitation is met at the time the investment is made, a later
change in percentage resulting from changing total or net asset values will
not be considered a violation of such policy. However, in the event that the
Fund's asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take
prompt action to reduce its borrowings, as required by applicable law.
B-15
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION WITH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- ------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Edward D. Beach (71)......... Director President and Director of BMC Fund, Inc., a
c/o Prudential Mutual closed-end investment company; prior thereto, Vice
Fund Management, Inc. Chairman of Broyhill Furniture Industries, Inc.;
One Seaport Plaza Certified Public Accountant; Secretary and
New York, NY Treasurer of Broyhill Family Foundation, Inc.;
Member of the Board of Trustees of Mars Hill
College; President, Treasurer and Director of
First Financial Fund, Inc. and The High Yield Plus
Fund, Inc.; President and Director of Global
Utility Fund, Inc.
Delayne Dedrick Gold (57).... Director Marketing and Management Consultant
c/o Prudential Mutual
Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, NY
*Robert F. Gunia (49)........ Vice President and Director (since January 1989), Chief
One Seaport Plaza Director Administrative Officer (since July 1990) and
New York, NY Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer (since June 1987) of Prudential
Mutual Fund Management, Inc. (PMF); Comptroller of
the Money Management Group (since 1996) of The
Prudential Insurance Company of America
(Prudential); Senior Vice President (since March
1987) of Prudential Securities Incorporated
(Prudential Securities); Executive Vice President,
Treasurer and Comptroller (since March 1991) of
Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD);
Director (since June 1987) of Prudential Mutual
Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS); Vice President and
Director of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (since May
1989).
Donald D. Lennox (77)........ Director Chairman (since February 1990) and Director (since
c/o Prudential Mutual April 1989) of International Imaging Materials,
Fund Management, Inc. Inc.; Retired Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
One Seaport Plaza and Director of Schiegel Corporation (Industrial
New York, NY manufacturing) (March 1987-February 1989);
Director of Gleason Corporation, Personal Sound
Technologies, Inc. and The High Yield Income Fund,
Inc.
Douglas H. McCorkindale (56). Director Vice Chairman, Gannett Co. Inc. (publishing and
1100 Wilson Blvd. media)
Arlington, VA (since March 1984); Director of Gannett Co. Inc.,
Frontier Corporation and Continental Airlines,
Inc.
*Mendel A. Melzer (35)....... Director Chief Financial Officer (since November 1995) of
Prudential Plaza the Money Management Group of Prudential; formerly
Newark, NJ Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Prudential Preferred Financial Services (April
1993-November 1995); Managing Director of
Prudential Investment Advisors (April 1991-April
1993); Senior Vice President of Prudential Capital
Corporation (July 1989-April 1991); Chairman and
Director of Prudential Series Fund, Inc.
Thomas T. Mooney (54)........ Director President of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber
55 St. Paul Street of Commerce; former Rochester City Manager;
Rochester, NY Trustee of Center for Governmental Research, Inc.;
Director of Blue Cross of Rochester, Monroe County
Water Authority, Rochester Jobs, Inc., Executive
Service Corps of Rochester, Monroe County
Industrial Development Corporation, Northeast
Midwest Institute, The Business Council of New
York and The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc.
Stephen P. Munn (53)......... Director Chairman (since January 1994), Director and
250 South Clinton Street President (since 1988) and Chief Executive Officer
Syracuse, NY (1988-December 1993) of Carlisle Companies
Incorporated (manufacturer of industrial
products).
</TABLE>
B-16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION WITH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- ------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
*Richard A. Redeker President and President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(53).................... Director (since October 1993), PMF; Director and Member of
One Seaport Plaza the Operating Committee (since October 1993),
New York, NY Prudential Securities; Director (since October
1993) of Prudential Securities Group, Inc;
Executive Vice President (since January 1994), The
Prudential Investment Corporation; Director (since
January 1994), PMFD and Director (since January
1994), PMFS; formerly Senior Executive Vice
President and Director of Kemper Financial
Services, Inc. (September 1978-September 1993);
Director of The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc.
Robin B. Smith (56)..... Director Chairman (since August 1996) and Chief Executive
382 Channel Drive Officer (since January 1988), formerly President
Port Washington, NY (September 1981-August 1996) of Publishers
Clearing House; Director of BellSouth Corporation,
The Omnicom Group, Inc., Texaco Inc., Springs
Industries Inc., First Financial Fund, Inc., The
High Yield Income Fund, Inc. and The High Yield
Plus Fund, Inc.
Louis A. Weil, III (54). Director President and Chief Executive Officer (since
120 East Van Buren January 1996) and Director (since September 1991)
Street of Central Newspapers, Inc.; Chairman of the Board
Phoenix, AZ (since January 1996), Publisher and Chief
Executive Officer (August 1991-December 1995) of
Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.; formerly Publisher of
Time Magazine (May 1989-March 1991); formerly
President, Publisher & CEO of The Detroit News
(February 1986-August 1989); formerly member of
the Advisory Board, Chase Manhattan Bank-
Westchester.
Clay T. Whitehead (57).. Director President, National Exchange Inc. (new business
c/o Prudential Mutual development firm) (since May 1983).
Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport
Plaza New York, NY
S. Jane Rose (50)....... Secretary Senior Vice President (since January 1991) and
One Seaport Plaza Senior Counsel (since June 1987) of PMF; Senior
New York, NY Vice President and Senior Counsel of Prudential
Securities (since July 1992); formerly Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of
Prudential Securities.
Ellyn C. Vogin (35)..... Assistant Secretary Vice President and Associate General Counsel
One Seaport Plaza (since March 1995) of PMF; Vice President and
New York, NY Associate General Counsel of Prudential Securities
(since March 1995); prior thereto, associated with
the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Grace Torres (37)....... Treasurer and Principal First Vice President (since March 1994) of PMF;
One Seaport Plaza Financial and First Vice President (since March 1993) of
New York, NY Accounting Officer Prudential Securities; formerly Vice President of
Bankers Trust (July 1989-March 1994).
Stephen M. Ungerman (42) Assistant Treasurer First Vice President of PMF (since February 1993);
........................ Tax Director
One Seaport Plaza of The Money Management Group and The Private
New York, NY Asset Group
of Prudential (since March 1996); prior thereto,
Senior Tax Manager of Price Waterhouse (1981-
January 1993)
</TABLE>
- --------
* "Interested" Director, as defined in the Investment Company Act, by reason
of his affiliation with Prudential, Prudential Securities or PMF.
Directors and officers of the Fund are also trustees, directors and officers
of some or all of the other investment companies distributed by Prudential
Securities.
The officers conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the
Fund, while the Directors, in addition to their functions set forth under
"Manager" and "Distributor," oversee such actions and decide on general
policy.
B-17
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Fund, the Manager pays all
compensation of officers and employees of the Fund as well as the fees and
expenses of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the
Manager.
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not an affiliated person of PMF
or The Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC or the Subadviser) annual
compensation of $4,500, in addition to certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Directors may receive their Directors' fees pursuant to a deferred fee
agreement with the Fund. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund accrues
daily the amount of Directors' fees in installments which accrue interest at a
rate equivalent to the prevailing rate applicable to 90-day U.S. Treasury
bills at the beginning of each calendar quarter or, pursuant to an SEC
exemptive order, at the daily rate of return of the Fund (the Fund rate).
Payment of the interest so accrued is also deferred and accruals become
payable at the option of the Director. The Fund's obligation to make payments
of deferred Directors' fees, together with interest thereon, is a general
obligation of the Fund.
The Directors have adopted a retirement policy which calls for the
retirement of Directors on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age
of 72, except that retirement is being phased in for Directors who were age 68
or older as of December 31, 1993. Under this phase-in provision, Messrs. Beach
and Lennox are scheduled to retire on December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1997,
respectively.
The following table sets forth the estimated aggregate compensation to be
paid by the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1996 to the Directors
who are not affiliated with the Manager and the aggregate compensation paid to
such Directors for service on the Fund's board and that of all other funds
managed by Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. (Fund Complex) for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1995.
COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
PENSION OR COMPENSATION
RETIREMENT FROM FUND
AGGREGATE BENEFITS ACCRUED ESTIMATED ANNUAL AND FUND
COMPENSATION AS PART OF FUND BENEFITS UPON COMPLEX PAID
NAME AND POSITION FROM FUND EXPENSES RETIREMENT TO DIRECTORS
----------------- ------------ ---------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Edward D. Beach,........ $4,500 None N/A $183,500 (22/43)*
Director
Delayne D. Gold,........ $4,500 None N/A $183,250(24/45)*
Director
Robert F. Gunia**,...... $0 None N/A $0
Vice President and Di-
rector
Donald D. Lennox,....... $4,500 None N/A $ 86,250(10/22)*
Director
Douglas H. $4,500 None N/A $ 63,750(7/10)*
McCorkindale,..........
Director
Mendel A. Melzer**,..... $0 None N/A $0
Director
Thomas T. Mooney,....... $4,500 None N/A $129,625(14/19)*
Director
Stephen P. Munn,........ $4,500 None N/A $ 39,375(6/8)*
Director
Richard A. Redeker **,.. $0 None N/A $0
President and Director
Robin B. Smith,......... $4,500 None N/A $100,741(10/19)*
Director
Louis A. Weil, III,..... $4,500 None N/A $ 93,750(11/16)*
Director
Clay T. Whitehead,...... $4,500 None N/A $ 35,500(4/5)*
Director
</TABLE>
- --------
* Indicates number of funds/portfolios in Fund Complex (including the Fund) to
which aggregate compensation relates.
** "Interested" Directors do not receive compensation from the Fund or other
funds in the Fund Complex.
B-18
<PAGE>
As of August 16, 1996, the Directors and officers of the Fund, as a group,
owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
As of August 16, 1996, the only beneficial owners, directly or indirectly of
more than 5% of any class of shares of the Fund were: Stoli Investments, Attn:
John King, P.O. Box N8318, Nassau, The Bahamas which owned 24,599 Class A
shares (approximately 6.7% of the outstanding Class A shares); Prudential
Securities C/F, John P. Dobson IRA DTD 06/14/95, 140 Christie Hill Road,
Darien, CT which owned 20,000 Class A shares (approximately 5.4% of the
outstanding Class A shares); Publix Inc. TTEE Profit Sharing, PS Plan DTD
11/02/81, Hoyt R. Barnett TTEE, Attn: Marvin Weathers, P.O. Box 407, Lakeland,
FL which owned 80,000 Class A shares (approximately 21.8% of the outstanding
Class A shares); William P. Ferretti, 123 N. Broad Street, Allentown, PA which
owned 8,000 Class C shares (approximately 6.0% of the outstanding Class C
shares); James M. Rodney TTEE, James M. Rodney Trust UA DTD 06/07/79, 725
Hanna, Birmingham, MI which owned 20,000 Class C shares (approximately 15.1%
of the outstanding Class C shares); and Mitchell D. Johnson, Lois G. Johnson
CO-TTEES, Mitchell D. Johnson Rev Trust, UA DTD 12/16/93, 2341 University
Avenue W, Saint Paul, MN which owned 9,459 Class C shares (approximately 7.1%
of the outstanding Class C shares).
As of August 16, 1996, Prudential Securities was the record holder for other
beneficial owners of 337,140 Class A shares (approximately 91.7% of the
outstanding Class A shares); 528,150 Class B shares (approximately 99.0% of
the outstanding Class B shares); and 129,838 Class C shares (approximately
98.0% of the outstanding Class C shares). In the event of any meetings of
shareholders, Prudential Securities will forward, or cause the forwarding of,
proxy material to the beneficial owners for which it is the record holder.
MANAGER
The manager of the Fund is Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. (PMF or
the Manager), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292. PMF serves as
manager to all of the other investment companies that, together with the Fund,
comprise the Prudential Mutual Funds. See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager"
in the Prospectus. As of July 31, 1996, PMF managed and/or administered open-
end and closed-end management investment companies with assets of
approximately $52 billion. According to the Investment Company Institute, as
of December 31, 1995, the Prudential Mutual Funds were the 13th largest family
of mutual funds in the United States.
PMF is a subsidiary of Prudential Securities and Prudential. PMF has three
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.,
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer Agent) and
Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management. PMFS serves as the transfer
agent for the Prudential Mutual Funds and, in addition, provides customer
service, recordkeeping and management and administration services to qualified
plans.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Fund (the Management
Agreement), PMF, subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors
and in conformity with the stated policies of the Fund, manages both the
investment operations of the Fund and the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
including the purchase, retention, disposition and loan of securities and
other assets. In connection therewith, PMF is obligated to keep certain books
and records of the Fund. PMF also administers the Fund's corporate affairs
and, in connection therewith, furnishes the Fund with office facilities,
together with those ordinary clerical and bookkeeping services which are not
being furnished by State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund's custodian
(the Custodian), and PMFS, the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent.
The management services of PMF for the Fund are not exclusive under the terms
of the Management Agreement and PMF is free to, and does, render management
services to others.
For its services, PMF receives, pursuant to the Management Agreement, a fee
at an annual rate of .75 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee
is computed daily and payable monthly. The Management Agreement also provides
that, in the event the expenses of the Fund (including the fees of PMF, but
excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, distribution fees and
litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not
incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business) for any fiscal year
exceed the lowest applicable annual expense limitation established and
enforced pursuant to the statutes or regulations of any jurisdiction in which
the Fund's shares are qualified for offer and sale, the compensation due to
PMF will be reduced by the amount of such excess. Reductions in excess of the
total compensation payable to PMF will be paid by PMF to the Fund. Currently,
the Fund believes that the most restrictive expense limitation of state
securities commissions is 2 1/2% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to
$30 million, 2% of the next $70 million of such assets and 1 1/2% of such
assets in excess of $100 million.
B-19
<PAGE>
In connection with its management of the corporate affairs of the Fund, PMF
bears the following expenses:
(a) the salaries and expenses of all of its and the Fund's personnel except
the fees and expenses of Directors who are not affiliated persons of PMF or
the Fund's investment adviser;
(b) all expenses incurred by PMF or by the Fund in connection with managing
the ordinary course of the Fund's business, other than those assumed by the
Fund as described below; and
(c) the costs and expenses payable to PIC pursuant to the Subadvisory
Agreement between PMF and PIC (the Subadvisory Agreement).
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the
payment of the following expenses: (a) the fees payable to the Manager, (b)
the fees and expenses of Directors who are not affiliated persons of the
Manager or the Fund's investment adviser, (c) the fees and certain expenses of
the Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent, including the cost
of providing records to the Manager in connection with its obligation of
maintaining required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund's shares, (d)
the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the
Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to
the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and
corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of
any trade associations of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of
stock certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity
and liability insurance, (j) certain organization expenses of the Fund and the
fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the
Fund and of its shares with the SEC, registering the Fund as a broker or
dealer and qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the
preparation and printing of the Fund's registration statements and
prospectuses for such purposes, (k) allocable communications expenses with
respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders' and Directors'
meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and
prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the
shareholders, (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other
extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's
business and (m) distribution fees.
The Management Agreement provides that PMF will not be liable for any error
of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the
matters to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting
from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
duty. The Management Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically
if assigned, and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party
upon not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice. The
Management Agreement will continue in effect for a period of more than two
years from the date of execution only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the Investment
Company Act. The Management Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors
of the Fund, including all of the Directors who are not parties to the
contract or interested persons of any such party, as defined in the Investment
Company Act, on February 6, 1996, and by the initial shareholder of the Fund
on February 14, 1996.
PMF has entered into the Subadvisory Agreement with PIC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Prudential. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that PIC will
furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the
Fund. In connection therewith, PIC is obligated to keep certain books and
records of the Fund. PMF continues to have responsibility for all investment
advisory services pursuant to the Management Agreement and supervises PIC's
performance of such services. PIC is reimbursed by PMF for the reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by PIC in furnishing those services. Investment
advisory services are provided to the Fund by a unit at PIC, known as
Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management.
The Subadvisory Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors, including
a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the contract or interested
persons of any such party, as defined in the Investment Company Act, on
February 6, 1996, and by the initial shareholder of the Fund on February 14,
1996.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of
its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or upon the
termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement may be
terminated by the Fund, PMF or PIC upon not more than 60 days', nor less than
30 days', written notice. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will
continue in effect for a period of more than two years from its execution only
so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in
accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
B-20
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTOR
Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acts as the distributor of the Class
A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund.
Pursuant to separate Distribution and Service Plans (the Class A Plan, the
Class B Plan and the Class C Plan, collectively, the Plans) adopted by the
Fund under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act and a distribution
agreement (the Distribution Agreement), Prudential Securities (also the
Distributor) incurs the expenses of distributing the Fund's Class A, Class B
and Class C shares. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" in the
Prospectus.
On February 6, 1996, the Board of Directors, including a majority of the
Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Class A, Class B or Class
C Plan or in any agreement related to the Plans (the Rule 12b-1 Directors), at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on each Plan, adopted the Plans and
Distribution Agreement. The Class A Plan provides that (i) .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal
service and the maintenance of shareholder accounts (service fee) and (ii)
total distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not
exceed .30 of 1%. The Class B and Class C Plans provide that (i) .25 of 1% of
the average daily net assets of the Class B and Class C shares, respectively,
may be paid as a service fee and (ii) .75 of 1% (not including the service
fee) may be paid for distribution-related expenses with respect to the Class B
and Class C shares, respectively (asset-based sales charge). The Plans were
each approved by the sole shareholder of the Class A, Class B and Class C
shares on February 14, 1996.
The Class A, Class B and Class C Plans will continue in effect from year to
year, provided that each such continuance is approved at least annually by a
vote of the Board of Directors, including a majority vote of the Rule 12b-1
Directors, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such continuance. The Plans may each be terminated at any time, without
penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors or by the vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class
on not more than 60 days', nor less than 30 days' written notice to any other
party to the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the
amounts to be spent for the services described therein without approval by the
shareholders of the applicable class, and all material amendments are required
to be approved by the Board of Directors in the manner described above. Each
Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Fund
will not be obligated to pay expenses incurred under any Plan if it is
terminated or not continued.
Pursuant to each Plan, the Board of Directors will review at least quarterly
a written report of the distribution expenses incurred on behalf of each class
of shares of the Fund by the Distributor. The report will include an
itemization of the distribution expenses and the purposes of such
expenditures. In addition, as long as the Plans remain in effect, the
selection and nomination of Rule 12b-1 Directors shall be committed to the
Rule 12b-1 Directors.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify
Prudential Securities to the extent permitted by applicable law against
certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
On October 21, 1993, PSI entered into an omnibus settlement with the SEC,
state securities regulators in 51 jurisdictions and the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) to resolve allegations that PSI sold
interests in more than 700 limited partnerships (and a limited number of other
types of securities) from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1990, in
violation of securities laws to persons for whom such securities were not
suitable in light of the individuals' financial condition or investment
objectives. It was also alleged that the safety, potential returns and
liquidity of the investments had been misrepresented. The limited partnerships
principally involved real estate, oil and gas producing properties and
aircraft leasing ventures. The SEC Order (i) included findings that PSI's
conduct violated the federal securities laws and that an order issued by the
SEC in 1986 requiring PSI to adopt, implement and maintain certain supervisory
procedures had not been complied with; (ii) directed PSI to cease and desist
from violating the federal securities laws and imposed a $10 million civil
penalty; and (iii) required PSI to adopt certain remedial measures including
the establishment of a Compliance Committee of its Board of Directors.
Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI established a settlement fund
in the amount of $330,000,000 and procedures, overseen by a court approved
Claims Administrator, to resolve legitimate claims for compensatory damages by
purchasers of the partnership interests. PSI has agreed to provide additional
funds, if necessary, for that purpose. PSI's settlement with the state
securities regulators included an agreement to pay a penalty of $500,000 per
jurisdiction. PSI consented to a censure and to the payment of a $5,000,000
fine in settling the NASD action. In settling the above referenced matters,
PSI neither admitted nor denied the allegations asserted against it.
B-21
<PAGE>
On January 18, 1994, PSI agreed to the entry of a Final Consent Order and a
Parallel Consent Order by the Texas Securities Commissioner. The firm also
entered into a related agreement with the Texas Securities Commissioner. The
allegations were that the firm had engaged in improper sales practices and
other improper conduct resulting in pecuniary losses and other harm to
investors residing in Texas with respect to purchases and sales of limited
partnership interests during the period of January 1, 1980 through December
31, 1990. Without admitting or denying the allegations, PSI consented to a
reprimand, agreed to cease and desist from future violations, and to provide
voluntary donations to the State of Texas in the aggregate amount of
$1,500,000. The firm agreed to suspend solicitation of new customer accounts,
the general solicitation of new accounts, and the offer for sale of securities
in or from PSI's North Texas office to new customers during a period of twenty
consecutive business days, and agreed that its other Texas offices would be
subject to the same restrictions for a period of five consecutive business
days. PSI also agreed to institute training programs for its securities
salesmen in Texas.
On October 27, 1994, Prudential Securities Group, Inc. and PSI entered into
agreements with the United States Attorney deferring prosecution (provided PSI
complies with the terms of the agreement for three years) for any alleged
criminal activity related to the sale of certain limited partnership programs
from 1983 to 1990. In connection with these agreements, PSI agreed to add the
sum of $330,000,000 to the Fund established by the SEC and executed a
stipulation providing for a reversion of such funds to the United States
Postal Inspection Service. PSI further agreed to obtain a mutually acceptable
outside director to sit on the Board of Directors of PSG and the Compliance
Committee of PSI. The new director will also serve as an independent
"ombudsman" whom PSI employees can call anonymously with complaints about
ethics and compliance. Prudential Securities shall report any allegations or
instances of criminal conduct and material improprieties to the new director.
The new director will submit compliance reports which shall identify all such
allegations or instances of criminal conduct and material improprieties every
three months for a three-year period.
NASD MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE RULE
Pursuant to rules of the NASD, the Distributor is required to limit
aggregate initial sales charges, deferred sales charges and asset-based sales
charges to 6.25% of total gross sales of each class of shares. In the case of
Class B shares, interest charges equal to the prime rate plus one percent per
annum may be added to the 6.25% limitation. Sales from the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions are not required to be included in the calculation
of the 6.25% limitation. The annual asset-based sales charge with respect to
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund may not exceed .75 of 1%. The 6.25%
limitation applies to the Fund rather than on a per shareholder basis. If
aggregate sales charges were to exceed 6.25% of total gross sales of any
class, all sales charges on shares of that class would be suspended.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures
and options on securities and futures for the Fund, the selection of brokers,
dealers and futures commission merchants to effect the transactions and the
negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. The term "Manager" as used in
this section includes the Subadviser. Broker-dealers may receive negotiated
brokerage commissions on Fund portfolio transactions, including options and
the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon the exercise of options.
On foreign securities exchanges, commissions may be fixed. Orders may be
directed to any broker or futures commission merchant including, to the extent
and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Prudential Securities and its
affiliates.
Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market and bonds, including
convertible bonds, are generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting
as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the
price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten
offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount
of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter's
concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments and U.S.
Government agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in
which case no commissions or discounts are paid. The Fund will not deal with
Prudential Securities or any affiliate in any transaction in which Prudential
Securities or any affiliate acts as principal, except in accordance with rules
of the SEC. Thus, it will not deal with Prudential Securities acting as market
maker, and it will not execute a negotiated trade with Prudential Securities
if execution involves Prudential Securities' acting as principal with respect
to any part of the Fund's order.
Portfolio securities may not be purchased from any underwriting or selling
syndicate of which Prudential Securities, or an affiliate, during the
existence of the syndicate, is a principal underwriter (as defined in the
Investment Company Act), except in accordance with rules of the SEC. This
limitation, in the opinion of the Fund, will not significantly affect the
Fund's
B-22
<PAGE>
ability to pursue its present investment objective. However, in the future in
other circumstances, the Fund may be at a disadvantage because of this
limitation in comparison to other funds with similar objectives but not
subject to such limitations.
In placing orders for portfolio securities of the Fund, the Manager is
required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable price
and efficient execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Manager will
consider the research and investment services provided by brokers, dealers or
futures commission merchants who effect or are parties to portfolio
transactions of the Fund, the Manager or the Manager's other clients. Such
research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily
provide to institutional investors and include statistical and economic data
and research reports on particular companies and industries. Such services are
used by the Manager in connection with all of its investment activities, and
some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of
transactions for the Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts.
Conversely, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants furnishing such
services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other
accounts, whose aggregate assets are far larger than the Fund's, and the
services furnished by such brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants
may be used by the Manager in providing investment management for the Fund.
Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker,
dealer or futures commission merchant based on the quality and quantity of
execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing
rates. The Manager's policy is to pay higher commissions to brokers, other
than Prudential Securities, for particular transactions than might be charged
if a different broker had been selected, on occasions when, in the Manager's
opinion, this policy furthers the objective of obtaining best price and
execution. In addition, the Manager is authorized to pay higher commissions on
brokerage transactions for the Fund to brokers other than Prudential
Securities (or any affiliate) in order to secure research and investment
services described above, subject to review by the Fund's Board of Directors
from time to time as to the extent and continuation of this practice. The
allocation or orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed
periodically by the Fund's Board of Directors.
Subject to the above considerations, Prudential Securities (or any
affiliate) may act as a securities broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund. In order for Prudential Securities (or any affiliate) to effect any
portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other
remuneration received by Prudential Securities (or any affiliate) must be
reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration
paid to other brokers or futures commission merchants in connection with
comparable transactions involving similar securities or futures being
purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable period of time. This
standard would allow Prudential Securities (or any affiliate) to receive no
more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an
unaffiliated broker or futures commission merchant in a commensurate arm's-
length transaction. Furthermore, the Board of Directors of the Fund, including
a majority of the Directors who are not "interested" persons, has adopted
procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees
or other remuneration paid to Prudential Securities (or any affiliate) are
consistent with the foregoing standard. In accordance with Section 11(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Prudential Securities may not retain
compensation for effecting transactions on a national securities exchange for
the Fund unless the Fund has expressly authorized the retention of such
compensation. Prudential Securities must furnish to the Fund at least annually
a statement setting forth the total amount of all compensation retained by
Prudential Securities from transactions effected for the Fund during the
applicable period. Brokerage and futures transactions with Prudential
Securities are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed by
applicable law.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
Shares of the Fund may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined
net asset value per share plus a sales charge which, at the election of the
investor, may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares)
or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See "Shareholder
Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" in the Prospectus.
Each class of shares represents an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the Fund and has the same rights, except that (i) each class
bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution and service plan,
(ii) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its plan (except
that, in connection with the offering of a conversion feature on Class B
shares, the Fund will submit any amendment of the Class A distribution and
service plan to both Class A and Class B shareholders) and (iii) only Class B
shares have a conversion feature. See "Distributor." Each class also has
separate exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange
Privilege."
B-23
<PAGE>
SPECIMEN PRICE MAKE-UP
Under the current distribution arrangements between the Fund and the
Distributor, Class A shares are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5% and
Class B* and Class C* shares are sold at net asset value. Using the Fund's net
asset value at May 31, 1996, the maximum offering price of the Fund's shares
is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CLASS A
Net asset value and redemption price per Class A share.................. $13.19
Maximum sales charge (5% of offering price)............................. .69
------
Offering price to public................................................ $13.88
======
CLASS B
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price to public per Class
B share*............................................................... $13.17
======
CLASS C
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price to public per Class
C share*............................................................... $13.17
======
</TABLE>
- --------
* Class B and Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
on certain redemptions. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" in the Prospectus.
REDUCTION AND WAIVER OF INITIAL SALES CHARGES--CLASS A SHARES
COMBINED PURCHASE AND CUMULATIVE PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If an investor or
eligible group of related investors purchases Class A shares of the Fund
concurrently with Class A shares of other Prudential Mutual Funds, the
purchases may be combined to take advantage of the reduced sales charges
applicable to larger purchases. See the table of breakpoints under
"Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" in the Prospectus.
An eligible group of related Fund investors includes any combination of the
following:
(a) an individual;
(b) the individual's spouse, their children and their parents;
(c) the individual's and spouse's Individual Retirement Account (IRA);
(d) any company controlled by the individual (a person, entity or group that
holds 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a company will be
deemed to control the company, and a partnership will be deemed to be
controlled by each of its general partners);
(e) a trust created by the individual, the beneficiaries of which are the
individual, his or her spouse, parents or children;
(f) a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account
created by the individual or the individual's spouse; and
(g) one or more employee benefit plans of a company controlled by an
individual.
In addition, an eligible group of related Fund investors may include an
employer (or group of related employers) and one or more retirement or group
plans of such employer or employers (an employer controlling, controlled by or
under common control with another employer is deemed related to that
employer).
The Distributor must be notified at the time of purchase that the investor
is entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charge will be
granted subject to confirmation of the investor's holdings. The Combined
Purchase and Cumulative Purchase Privilege does not apply to individual
participants in pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code and deferred
compensation and annuity plans under Sections 457 and 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. Reduced sales charges are also available through
Rights of Accumulation, under which an investor or an eligible group of
related investors, as described above under "Combined Purchase and Cumulative
Purchase Privilege," may aggregate the value of their existing holdings of
shares of the Fund and shares of other Prudential Mutual Funds (excluding
money market funds other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange
privilege) to determine the reduced sales charge. The value of shares held
directly with the Transfer Agent and through Prudential Securities will not be
aggregated to determine the reduced sales charge. All shares must be held
either directly with the Transfer Agent or through Prudential Securities. The
value of existing holdings for purposes of determining the reduced sales
charge is calculated using
B-24
<PAGE>
the maximum offering or price (net asset value plus maximum sales charge) as
of the previous business day. See "How the Fund Values its Shares" in the
Prospectus. The Distributor must be notified at the time of purchase that the
investor is entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charges will
be granted subject to confirmation of the investor's holdings. Rights of
Accumulation are not available to individual participants in any retirement or
group plans.
LETTERS OF INTENT. Reduced sales charges are available to investors (or an
eligible group of related investors), including retirement and group plans,
who enter into a written Letter of Intent providing for the purchase, within a
thirteen-month period, of shares of the Fund and shares of other Prudential
Mutual Funds (Investment Letter of Intent). Retirement and group plans may
also qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value by entering into a
Letter of Intent whereby they agree to enroll, within a thirteen-month period,
a specified number of eligible employees or participants (Participant Letter
of Intent).
For purposes of the Investment Letter of Intent, all shares of the Fund and
shares of other Prudential Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds other
than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) which were previously
purchased and are still owned are also included in determining the applicable
reduction. However, the value of shares held directly with the Transfer Agent
and through Prudential Securities will not be aggregated to determine the
reduced sales charge. All shares must be held either directly with the
Transfer Agent or through Prudential Securities.
A Letter of Intent permits a purchaser, in the case of an Investment Letter
of Intent, to establish a total investment goal to be achieved by any number
of investments over a thirteen-month period and, in the case of a Participant
Letter of Intent, to establish a minimum eligible employee or participant
enrollment goal over a thirteen-month period. Each investment made during the
period, in the case of an Investment Letter of Intent, will receive the
reduced sales charge applicable to the amount represented by the goal as if it
were a single investment. In the case of a Participant Letter of Intent, each
investment made during the period will be made at net asset value. Escrowed
Class A shares totaling 5% of the dollar amount of the Letter of Intent will
be held by the Transfer Agent in the name of the purchaser, except in the case
of retirement and group plans where the employer or plan sponsor will be
responsible for paying any applicable sales charge. The effective date of an
Investment Letter of Intent (except in the case of retirement and group plans)
may be back-dated up to 90 days, in order that any investment made during this
90-day period, valued at the purchaser's cost, can be applied to the
fulfillment of the Letter of Intent goal.
The Investment Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase,
nor the Fund to sell, the indicated amount. Similarly, the Participant Letter
of Intent does not obligate the retirement or group plan to enroll the
indicated number of eligible employees or participants. In the event the
Letter of Intent goal is not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the
purchaser (or the employer or plan sponsor in the case of any retirement or
group plan) is required to pay the difference between the sales charge
otherwise applicable to the purchases made during this period and sales
charges actually paid. Such payment may be made directly to the Distributor
or, if not paid, the Distributor will liquidate sufficient escrowed shares to
obtain such difference. Investors electing to purchase Class A shares of the
Fund pursuant to a Letter of Intent should carefully read such Letter of
Intent.
The Distributor must be notified at the time of purchase that the investor
is entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charges will, in the
case of an Investment Letter of Intent, be granted subject to confirmation of
the investor's holdings or, in the case of a Participant Letter of Intent,
subject to confirmation of the number of eligible employees or participants in
the retirement or group plan. Letters of Intent are not available to any
individual participant in any retirement or group plans.
B-25
<PAGE>
WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE--CLASS B SHARES
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived under circumstances described
in the Prospectus. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge--Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B
Shares" in the Prospectus. In connection with these waivers, the Transfer
Agent will require you to submit the supporting documentation set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CATEGORY OF WAIVER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- ------------------ ----------------------
<S> <C>
Death A copy of the shareholder's death
certificate or, in the case of a trust, a
copy of the grantor's death certificate,
plus a copy of the trust agreement
identifying the grantor.
Disability--An individual will be consid- A copy of the Social Security
ered disabled if he or she is unable to Administration award letter or a letter
engage in any substantial gainful activity from a physician on the physician's
by reason of any medically determinable letterhead stating that the shareholder
physical or mental impairment which can be (or, in the case of a trust, the grantor)
expected to result in death or to be of is permanently disabled. The letter must
long-continued and indefinite duration. also indicate the date of disability.
Distribution from an IRA or 403(b) Custo- A copy of the distribution form from the
dial Account custodial firm indicating (i) the date of
birth of the shareholder and (ii) that the
shareholder is over age 59 1/2 and is
taking a normal distribution--signed by the
shareholder.
Distribution from Retirement Plan A letter signed by the plan
administrator/trustee indicating the reason
for the distribution.
Excess Contributions A letter from the shareholder (for an IRA)
or the plan administrator/trustee on
company letterhead indicating the amount of
the excess and whether or not taxes have
been paid.
</TABLE>
The Transfer Agent reserves the right to request such additional documents
as it may deem appropriate.
SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
Upon the initial purchase of Fund shares, a Shareholder Investment Account
is established for each investor under which a record of the shares held is
maintained by the Transfer Agent. If a stock certificate is desired, it must
be requested in writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only for
full shares and may be redeposited in the Account at any time. There is no
charge to the investor for issuance of a certificate. The Fund makes available
to its shareholders the following privileges and plans.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. For the convenience
of investors, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in
full and fractional shares of the Fund. An investor may direct the Transfer
Agent in writing not less than five full business days prior to the record
date to have subsequent dividends or distributions sent in cash rather than
reinvested. In the case of recently purchased shares for which registration
instructions have not been received on the record date, cash payment will be
made directly to the dealer. Any shareholder who receives a cash payment
representing a dividend or distribution may reinvest such dividend or
distribution at net asset value by returning the check or the proceeds to the
Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date. Such investment will be
made at the net asset value per share next determined after receipt of the
check or proceeds by the Transfer Agent. Such shareholder will receive credit
for any contingent deferred sales charge paid in connection with the amount of
proceeds being reinvested.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The Fund makes available to its shareholders the
privilege of exchanging their shares of the Fund for shares of certain other
Prudential Mutual Funds, including one or more specified money market funds,
subject in each case to the minimum investment requirements of such funds.
Shares of such other Prudential Mutual Funds may also be exchanged for shares
of the Fund. All exchanges are made on the basis of relative net asset value
next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. An exchange will be
treated as a redemption and purchase for tax purposes. Shares may be exchanged
for shares of another fund only if shares of such fund may legally be sold
under applicable state laws. For retirement and group plans having a limited
menu of Prudential Mutual Funds, the Exchange Privilege is available for those
funds eligible for investment in the particular program.
B-26
<PAGE>
It is contemplated that the Exchange Privilege may be applicable to new
mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the Distributor.
CLASS A. Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their Class A shares for
Class A shares of certain other Prudential Mutual Funds, shares of Prudential
Government Securities Trust (Short-Intermediate Term Series) and shares of the
money market funds specified below. No fee or sales load will be imposed upon
the exchange. Shareholders of money market funds who acquired such shares upon
exchange of Class A shares may use the Exchange Privilege only to acquire
Class A shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds participating in the Exchange
Privilege.
The following money market funds participate in the Class A Exchange
Privilege:
Prudential California Municipal Fund
(California Money Market Series)
Prudential Government Securities Trust
(Money Market Series)
(U.S. Treasury Money Market Series)
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
(Connecticut Money Market Series)
(Massachusetts Money Market Series)
(New York Money Market Series)
(New Jersey Money Market Series)
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
CLASS B AND CLASS C. Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their Class B and
Class C shares for Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of certain other
Prudential Mutual Funds and shares of Prudential Special Money Market Fund,
Inc., a money market fund. No CDSC will be payable upon such exchange, but a
CDSC may be payable upon the redemption of the Class B and Class C shares
acquired as a result of the exchange. The applicable sales charge will be that
imposed by the fund in which shares were initially purchased and the purchase
date will be deemed to be the date of the initial purchase, rather than the
date of the exchange.
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund may also be exchanged for Class B and
Class C shares, respectively, of an eligible money market fund without
imposition of any CDSC at the time of exchange. Upon subsequent redemption
from such money market fund or after re-exchange into the Fund, such shares
will be subject to the CDSC calculated without regard to the time such shares
were held in the money market fund. In order to minimize the period of time in
which shares are subject to a CDSC, shares exchanged out of the money market
fund will be exchanged on the basis of their remaining holding periods, with
the longest remaining holding periods being transferred first. In measuring
the time period shares are held in a money market fund and "tolled" for
purposes of calculating the CDSC holding period, exchanges are deemed to have
been made on the last day of the month. Thus, if shares are exchanged into the
Fund from a money market fund during the month (and are held in the Fund at
the end of the month), the entire month will be included in the CDSC holding
period. Conversely, if shares are exchanged into a money market fund prior to
the last day of the month (and are held in the money market fund on the last
day of the month), the entire month will be excluded from the CDSC holding
period.
At any time after acquiring shares of other funds participating in the Class
B or Class C exchange privilege, a shareholder may again exchange those shares
(and any reinvested dividends and distributions) for Class B or Class C shares
of the Fund, respectively, without subjecting such shares to any CDSC. Shares
of any fund participating in the Class B or Class C exchange privilege that
were acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions may be
exchanged for Class B or Class C shares of other funds, respectively, without
being subject to any CDSC.
Additional details about the Exchange Privilege and prospectuses for each of
the Prudential Mutual Funds are available from the Fund's Transfer Agent,
Prudential Securities or Prusec. The Exchange Privilege may be modified,
terminated or suspended on 60 days' notice, and any fund, including the Fund,
or the Distributor, has the right to reject any exchange application relating
to such fund's shares.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar cost averaging is a method of accumulating shares by investing a
fixed amount of dollars in shares at set intervals. An investor buys more
shares when the price is low and fewer shares when the price is high. The
average cost per share is lower than it would be if a constant number of
shares were bought at set intervals.
B-27
<PAGE>
Dollar cost averaging may be used, for example, to plan for retirement, to
save for a major expenditure, such as the purchase of a home, or to finance a
college education. The cost of a year's education at a four-year college today
averages around $14,000 at a private college and around $6,000 at a public
university. Assuming these costs increase at a rate of 7% a year, as has been
projected, for the freshman class of 2011, the cost of four years at a private
college could reach $210,000 and over $90,000 at a public university.(/1/)
The following chart shows how much you would need in monthly investments to
achieve specified lump sums to finance your investment goals.(/2/)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD OF MONTHLY INVESTMENTS: $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000
- ------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
25 Years................................. $ 110 $ 165 $ 220 $ 275
20 Years................................. 176 264 352 440
15 Years................................. 296 444 592 740
10 Years................................. 555 833 1,110 1,388
5 Years.................................. 1,371 2,057 2,742 3,428
</TABLE>
- --------
(/1/)Source information concerning the costs of education at public and private
universities is available from The College Board Annual Survey of
Colleges, 1993. Average costs for private institutions include tuition,
fees, room and board for the 1993-1994 academic year.
(/2/)The chart assumes an effective rate of return of 8% (assuming monthly
compounding). This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not
intended to reflect the performance of an investment in shares of the
Fund. The investment return and principal value of an investment will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or
less than their original cost.
See "Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan."
AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP, an investor may
arrange to have a fixed amount automatically invested in shares of the Fund
monthly by authorizing his or her bank account or Prudential Securities
Account (including a Command Account) to be debited to invest specified dollar
amounts in shares of the Fund. The investor's bank must be a member of the
Automatic Clearing House System. Stock certificates are not issued to ASAP
participants.
Further information about this program and an application form can be
obtained from the Transfer Agent, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available to
shareholders through Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent. Such
withdrawal plan provides for monthly or quarterly checks in any amount, except
as provided below, up to the value of the shares in the shareholder's account.
Withdrawals of Class B or Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges" in the Prospectus.
In the case of shares held through the Transfer Agent (i) a $10,000 minimum
account value applies, (ii) withdrawals may not be for less than $100 and
(iii) the shareholder must elect to have all dividends and/or distributions
automatically reinvested in additional full and fractional shares at net asset
value on shares held under this plan. See "Shareholder Investment Account--
Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and/or Distributions."
Prudential Securities and the Transfer Agent act as agents for the
shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment. The systematic withdrawal plan may
be terminated at any time, and the Distributor reserves the right to initiate
a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon 30 days' written notice to the
shareholder.
Withdrawal payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income.
If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends and
distributions, the shareholder's original investment will be correspondingly
reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Furthermore, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any
gain or loss realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. In
addition, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional shares
are inadvisable because of the sales charges applicable to (i) the purchase of
Class A shares and (ii) the withdrawal of Class B and Class C shares. Each
shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax
consequences of the plan, particularly if used in connection with a retirement
plan.
B-28
<PAGE>
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS. Various qualified retirement plans, including
a 401(k) plan, self-directed individual retirement accounts and "tax-deferred
accounts" under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Internal Revenue Code) are available through the Distributor.
These plans are for use by both self-employed individuals and corporate
employers. These plans permit either self-direction of accounts by
participants, or a pooled account arrangement. Information regarding the
establishment of these plans, and the administration, custodial fees and other
details are available from Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent.
Investors who are considering the adoption of such a plan should consult
with their own legal counsel or tax adviser with respect to the establishment
and maintenance of any such plan.
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. An individual retirement account (IRA)
permits the deferral of federal income tax on income earned in the account
until the earnings are withdrawn. The following chart represents a comparison
of the earnings in a personal savings account with those in an IRA, assuming a
$2,000 annual contribution, an 8% rate of return and a 39.6% federal income
tax bracket and shows how much more retirement income can accumulate within an
IRA as opposed to a taxable individual savings account.
TAX-DEFERRED COMPOUNDING(/1/)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRIBUTIONS PERSONAL
MADE OVER: SAVINGS IRA
------------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
10 years................................................... $ 26,165 $ 31,291
15 years................................................... 44,676 58,649
20 years................................................... 68,109 98,846
25 years................................................... 97,780 157,909
30 years................................................... 135,346 244,692
</TABLE>
- --------
(/1/)The chart is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the
performance of the Fund or any specific investment. It shows taxable
versus tax-deferred compounding for the periods and on the terms
indicated. Earnings in the IRA account will be subject to tax when
withdrawn from the account.
MUTUAL FUND PROGRAMS
From time to time, the Fund (or a portfolio of the Fund, if applicable) may
be included in a mutual fund program with other Prudential Mutual Funds. Under
such a program, a group of portfolios will be selected and thereafter promoted
collectively. Typically, these programs are created with an investment theme,
e.g., to seek greater diversification, protection from interest rate movements
or access to different management styles. In the event such a program is
instituted, there may be a minimum investment requirement for the program as a
whole. The Fund may waive or reduce the minimum initial investment
requirements in connection with such a program.
The mutual funds in the program may be purchased individually or as a part
of the program. Since the allocation of portfolios included in the program may
not be appropriate for all investors, investors should consult their
Prudential Securities Financial Advisor or Prudential/Pruco Securities
Representative concerning the appropriate blend of portfolios for them. If
investors elect to purchase the individual mutual funds that constitute the
program in an investment ratio different from that offered by the program, the
standard minimum investment requirements for the individual mutual funds will
apply.
NET ASSET VALUE
Under the Investment Company Act, the Board of Directors is responsible for
determining in good faith the fair value of securities of the Fund. In
accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, the value of
investments listed on a securities exchange and NASDAQ National Market System
securities (other than options on stock and stock indices) are valued at the
last sales price on the day of valuation, or, if there was no sale on such
day, the mean between the last bid and asked prices on such day, as provided
by a pricing service. Corporate bonds (other than convertible debt securities)
and U.S. Government securities that are actively traded in the over-the-
counter market, including listed securities for which the primary market is
believed to be over-the-counter, are valued on the basis of valuations
provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, agency ratings, market
transactions in comparable securities and various relationships between
securities in determining value. Convertible debt securities that are
B-29
<PAGE>
actively traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities
for which the primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices provided by principal
market makers or independent pricing agents. Options on stock and stock
indices traded on an exchange are valued at the mean between the most recently
quoted bid and asked prices on the respective exchange and futures contracts
and options thereon are valued at their last sales prices as of the close of
the commodities exchange or board of trade. Should an extraordinary event,
which is likely to affect the value of the security, occur after the close of
an exchange on which a portfolio security is traded, such security will be
valued at fair value considering factors determined in good faith by the
investment adviser under procedures established by and under the general
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors.
Securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors. Short-term debt securities are valued at cost, with
interest accrued or discount amortized to the date of maturity, if their
original maturity was 60 days or less, unless this is determined by the Board
of Directors not to represent fair value. Short-term securities with remaining
maturities of 60 days or more, for which market quotations are readily
available, are valued at their current market quotations as supplied by an
independent pricing agent or principal market maker. The Fund will compute its
net asset value at 4:15 P.M., New York time, on each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase,
sell or redeem Fund shares have been received or days on which changes in the
value of the Fund's portfolio securities do not affect net asset value. In the
event the New York Stock Exchange closes early on any business day, the net
asset value of the Fund's shares shall be determined at a time between such
closing and 4:15 P.M., New York time.
Net asset value is calculated separately for each class. The net asset value
of Class B and Class C shares will generally be lower than the net asset value
of Class A shares as a result of the larger distribution-related fee to which
Class B and Class C shares are subject. It is expected, however, that the net
asset value per share of each class will tend to converge immediately after
the recording of dividends which will differ by approximately the amount of
the distribution expense accrual differential among the classes.
TAXES
The Fund intends to elect to qualify and remain qualified as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. This
relieves the Fund (but not its shareholders) from paying federal income tax on
income which is distributed to shareholders and permits net capital gains of
the Fund (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term
capital losses) to be treated as long-term capital gains of the shareholders,
regardless of how long shareholders have held their shares in the Fund.
Qualification as a regulated investment company requires, among other
things, that (a) at least 90% of the Fund's annual gross income (without
reduction for losses from the sale or other disposition of securities) be
derived from interest, dividends, payments with respect to securities loans,
and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or options thereon
or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains
from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its
business of investing in such securities or currencies; (b) the Fund derive
less than 30% of its gross income from gains (without reduction for losses)
from the sale or other disposition of securities, options thereon, futures
contracts, options thereon, forward contracts and foreign currencies held for
less than three months (except for foreign currencies directly related to the
Fund's business of investing in securities) (the short-short rule); (c) the
Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable
year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets is represented by
cash, U.S. Government securities and other securities limited in respect of
any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the
Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and
(ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities); and (d)
the Fund distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net investment
income and net short-term gains (i.e., the excess of net short-term capital
gains over net long-term capital losses) in each year.
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be treated as long-
term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by it for more
than one year except in certain cases where the Fund acquires a put or writes
a call thereon or otherwise holds an offsetting position with respect to the
securities. Other gains or losses on the sale of securities will be short-term
capital gains or losses. Gains and losses on the sale, lapse or other
termination of options on securities will generally be treated as gains and
losses from the sale of securities. If an option written by the Fund on
securities lapses or is terminated through a closing transaction, such as a
repurchase by the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund will generally
realize short-term capital gain or loss. If securities are sold by the Fund
pursuant to the exercise of a call option written by it, the Fund will include
the premium received in the sale proceeds of the securities delivered in
determining the
B-30
<PAGE>
amount of gain or loss on the sale. Certain of the Fund's transactions may be
subject to wash sale, short sale, conversion transaction and straddle
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, debt securities acquired
by the Fund may be subject to original issue discount and market discount
rules.
Special rules apply to most options on stock indices, futures contracts and
options thereon, and forward foreign currency exchange contracts in which the
Fund may invest. See "Investment Objective and Policies." These investments
will generally constitute Section 1256 contracts and will be required to be
"marked to market" for federal income tax purposes at the end of the Fund's
taxable year; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Except
with respect to certain forward foreign currency exchange contracts, 60% of
any gain or loss recognized on such "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remainder will be
treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
Gain or loss on the sale, lapse or other termination of options on stock and
on narrowly-based stock indices will be capital gain or loss and will be long-
term or short-term depending upon the holding period of the option. In
addition, positions which are part of a straddle will be subject to certain
wash sale and short sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In the case
of a straddle, the Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on
positions it holds to the extent of any unrecognized gain on offsetting
positions held by the Fund. The conversion transaction rules may apply to
certain transactions to treat all or a portion of the gain thereon as ordinary
income rather than as capital gain.
The Fund's ability to hold foreign currencies or engage in hedging
activities may be limited by the 30% short-short rule discussed above.
A "passive foreign investment company" (PFIC) is a foreign corporation that,
in general, meets either of the following tests: (a) at least 75% of its gross
income is passive or (b) an average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or
are held for the production of, passive income. If the Fund acquires and holds
stock in a PFIC beyond the end of the year of its acquisition, the Fund will
be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution"
received on the stock or of any gain from disposition of the stock
(collectively, PFIC income), plus interest thereon, even if the Fund
distributes the PFIC income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. The
balance of the PFIC income will be included in the Fund's investment company
taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to the extent that
income is distributed to its shareholders. Proposed Treasury regulations
provide that the Fund may make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to any
stock it holds of a PFIC. If the election is in effect, at the end of the
Fund's taxable year, the Fund will recognize the amount of gains, if any, with
respect to PFIC stock. No loss will be recognized on PFIC stock.
Alternatively, the Fund, if it meets certain requirements, may elect to treat
any PFIC in which it invests as a "qualified electing fund," in which case, in
lieu of the foregoing tax and interest obligation, the Fund will be required
to include in income each year its pro rata share of the qualified electing
fund's annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain, even if they are not
distributed to the Fund; those amounts would be subject to the distribution
requirements applicable to the Fund described above.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, gains or losses attributable to
fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues
interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities
denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such
receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or
ordinary loss. Similarly, gains or losses on forward foreign currency exchange
contracts or dispositions of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency
attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition also are
treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains, referred to under the Internal
Revenue Code as "Section 988" gains or losses, increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to
its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the
amount of the Fund's net capital gain. If Section 988 losses exceed other
investment company taxable income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be
able to make any ordinary dividend distributions, or distributions made before
the losses were realized would be recharacterized as a return of capital to
shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend, reducing each shareholder's
basis in his or her Fund shares.
The Fund is required to distribute 98% of its ordinary income in the same
calendar year in which it is earned. The Fund is also required to distribute
during the calendar year 98% of the capital gain net income it earned during
the 12 months ending on October 31 of such calendar year, as well as all
undistributed ordinary income and undistributed capital gain net income from
the prior year or the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such prior
year, respectively. To the extent it does not meet these distribution
requirements, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the
undistributed amount. For purposes of this excise tax, income on which the
Fund pays income tax is treated as distributed.
Any dividends paid shortly after a purchase by an investor may have the
effect of reducing the per share net asset value of the investor's shares by
the per share amount of the dividends. Furthermore, such dividends, although
in effect a return
B-31
<PAGE>
of capital, are subject to federal income taxes. Therefore, prior to
purchasing shares of the Fund, the investor should carefully consider the
impact of dividends, including capital gains distributions, which are expected
to be or have been announced.
Any loss realized on a sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund by
a shareholder will be disallowed to the extent the shares are replaced within
a 61-day period (beginning 30 days before the disposition of shares). Shares
purchased pursuant to the reinvestment of a dividend will constitute a
replacement of shares.
A shareholder who acquires shares of the Fund and sells or otherwise
disposes of such shares within 90 days of acquisition may not be allowed to
include certain sales charges incurred in acquiring such shares for purposes
of calculating gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of shares of the
Fund.
The per share dividends on Class B and Class C shares will generally be
lower than the per share dividends on Class A shares as a result of the higher
distribution-related fee applicable to the Class B and Class C shares. The per
share capital gains distributions will be paid in the same amounts for Class
A, Class B and Class C shares. See "Net Asset Value."
Dividends of net investment income and distributions of net short-term
capital gains paid to a shareholder (including a shareholder acting as a
nominee or fiduciary) who is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign
corporation or a foreign partnership (foreign shareholder) are subject to a
30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding tax upon the gross amount of the
dividends unless the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business conducted by the foreign shareholder. Capital gain dividends paid to
a foreign shareholder are generally not subject to withholding tax. A foreign
shareholder will, however, be required to pay U.S. income tax on any dividends
and capital gain distributions which are effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or business of the foreign shareholder.
Dividends received by corporate shareholders are eligible for a dividends-
received deduction of 70% to the extent the Fund's income is derived from
qualified dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations. Interest
income, capital gain net income, gain or loss from Section 1256 contracts
(described above), dividend income from foreign corporations and income from
other sources will not constitute qualified dividends. Individual shareholders
are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be
subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Income tax
treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine in advance the effective
rate of foreign tax to which the Fund will be subject, since the amount of the
Fund's assets to be invested in various countries will vary. The Fund does not
expect to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for "passing-
through" to its shareholders any foreign income taxes paid.
Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the
Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
YIELD. The Fund may from time to time advertise its yield as calculated over
a 30-day period. Yield is calculated separately for Class A, Class B and Class
C shares. This yield will be computed by dividing the Fund's net investment
income per share earned during this 30-day period by the maximum offering
price per share on the last day of this period. The yield for the 30-day
period ended July 31, 1996 for the Class A shares was 2.83%, for the Class B
shares was 2.23% and for the Class C shares was 2.23%. Yield is calculated
according to the following formula:
a-b
YIELD = 2 [(___+1)/6/-1]
cd
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period.
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
that were entitled to receive dividends.
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period.
Yield fluctuates and an annualized yield quotation is not a representation
by the Fund as to what an investment in the Fund will actually yield for any
given period. Yields for the Fund will vary based on a number of factors
including changes in net asset value, market conditions, the level of interest
rates and the level of Fund income and expenses.
B-32
<PAGE>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN. The Fund may also advertise its average annual
total return. Average annual total return is determined separately for Class
A, Class B and Class C shares. See "How the Fund Calculates Performance" in
the Prospectus.
Average annual total return is computed according to the following formula:
P ( 1 + T ) n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
T = average annual total return.
n = number of years.
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made
at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10 year periods at the end of the
1, 5 or 10 year periods (or fractional portion thereof).
Average annual total return takes into account any applicable initial or
deferred sales charges but does not take into account any federal or state
income taxes that may be payable upon redemption.
AGGREGATE TOTAL RETURN. The Fund may also advertise its aggregate total
return. Aggregate total return is determined separately for Class A, Class B
and Class C shares. See "How the Fund Calculates Performance" in the
Prospectus.
Aggregate total return represents the cumulative change in the value of an
investment in the Fund and is computed according to the following formula:
ERV-P
--------
P
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made
at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10 year periods at the end of the
1, 5 or 10 year periods (or fractional portion thereof).
Aggregate total return does not take into account any federal or state
income taxes that may be payable upon redemption or any applicable initial or
contingent deferred sales charges.
The aggregate total return for the period from March 26, 1996 (commencement
of investment operations) to May 31, 1996, for the Fund's Class A, Class B and
Class C shares was 5.5%, 5.4% and 5.4%, respectively.
B-33
<PAGE>
From time to time, the performance of the Fund may be measured against
various indices. Set forth below is a chart which compares the performance of
different types of investments over the long term and the rate of
inflation.(/1/)
[CHART]
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF
DIFFERENT TYPES OF INVESTEMENTS
OVER THE LONG TERM
(1/1926 - 12/1994)
COMMON STOCKS - 10.2%
LONG-TERM GOVT. BONDS - 4.8%
INFLATION - 3.1%
- --------
(/1/)Source: Ibbotson Associates Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation--1995
Yearbook (annually updates the work of Roger G. Ibbotson and Rex A.
Sinquefield). Used with permission. All rights reserved. Common stock
returns are based on the Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index, a market-
weighted, unmanaged index of 500 common stocks in a variety of industry
sectors. It is a commonly used indicator of broad stock price movements.
This chart is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to
represent the performance of any particular investment or fund. Investors
cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of
future results.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as Custodian for the Fund's portfolio securities
and cash and in that capacity maintains certain financial and accounting books
and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Subcustodians provide
custodial services for the Fund's foreign assets held outside the United
States. See "How the Fund is Managed--Custodian and Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent" in the Prospectus.
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves as the Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent of the Fund.
PMFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF. PMFS provides customary transfer
agency services to the Fund, including the handling of shareholder
communications, the processing of shareholder transactions, the maintenance of
shareholder account records, payment of dividends and distributions and related
functions. For these services, PMFS receives an annual fee per shareholder
account of $9.00, a new account set-up fee for each manually established
account of $2.00 and a monthly inactive zero balance account fee per
shareholder account of $.20. PMFS is also reimbursed for its out-of-pocket
expenses, including but not limited to postage, stationery, printing, allocable
communication expenses and other costs.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Two World Financial Center, New York, NY 10281, serves
as the Fund's independent accountants, and in that capacity will audit the
Fund's annual reports.
B-34
<PAGE>
Independent Auditors' Report PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
The Shareholder and Board of Directors of
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. as of February 8, 1996. This
financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund's management. 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 includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also include
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Distressed
Securities Fund, Inc. as of February 8, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 15, 1996
B-35
<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets February 8, 1996
----------------
<S> <C>
Cash......................................................... $100,000
Deferred organization and offering costs (Note 1)............ 250,000
--------
Total assets............................................... 350,000
--------
Liabilities
Deferred organization and offering costs payable (Note 1).... 250,000
--------
Net Assets................................................... $100,000
========
Calculation of Offering Price
Class A:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($33,334 [DIVIDED BY] 2,667 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding)............................... $12.50
Maximum sales charge (5% of offering price)................ .66
--------
Offering price to public................................... $13.16
========
Class B:
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
($33,333 [DIVIDED BY] 2,667 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding)................................... $12.50
========
Class C:
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price
per share
($33,333 [DIVIDED BY] 2,666 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding.................................... $12.50
========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statement.
36
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statement PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
==========================================================================
Note 1.
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. ("the Fund"), which was incorporated
in Maryland on November 30, 1995, is an open-end, diversified management
investment company. The Fund has had no significant operations other than the
issuance of 2,667 shares of Class A, 2,667 shares of Class B and 2,666 shares of
Class C common stock for $100,000 on February 8, 1996 to Prudential Mutual Fund
Management, Inc. (PMF). There are 2 billion shares of $.001 par value common
stock authorized divided into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and
Class C, each of which consists of 1 billion, 500 million and 500 million
authorized shares, respectively.
Costs incurred and expected to be incurred in connection with the organization
and offering of the Fund will be paid initially by PMF and will be repaid to PMF
upon commencement of investment operations. Offering costs will be deferred and
amortized over a period not to exceed 12 months. Organization costs will be
deferred and amortized over the period of benefit not to exceed 60 months from
the date the Fund commences investment operations. If any of the initial shares
of the Fund are redeemed by any holder thereof during the period of amortization
of organization expenses, the redemption proceeds will be reduced by the
pro-rata amount of unamortized organization expenses based on the number of
initial shares being redeemed to the number of the initial shares outstanding.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements
The Fund has entered into a management agreement with PMF. PMF is an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America
(Prudential).
The management fee paid PMF will be computed daily and payable monthly, at an
annual rate of .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement between PMF and The Prudential Investment
Corporation (PIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, PIC furnishes
investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund.
PMF continues to have responsibility for all investment advisory services
pursuant to the management agreement and supervises PIC's performance of such
services. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the cost of compensation of
officers and employees of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
accounting costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.
PMF has agreed that, in any fiscal year, it will reimburse the Fund for expenses
(including the fees of PMF but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions,
distribution fees, litigation and indemnification expenses and other
extraordinary expenses) in excess of the most restrictive expense limitation
imposed by state securities commissions. The most restrictive expense
limitation is presently believed to be 2-1/2% of the Fund's average daily net
assets up to $30 million, 2% of the next $70 million of such assets and 1-1/2%
of such assets in excess of $100 million. Such expense reimbursement, if any,
will be estimated and accrued daily and payable monthly.
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with Prudential Securities
Incorporated (PSI) for distribution of the Fund's shares.
The Fund compensates PSI for distributing and servicing the Fund's Class A,
Class B and Class C shares pursuant to plans of distribution, (the Class A,
Class B and Class C Plans) regardless of expenses actually incurred by them.
Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund will compensate PSI for its expenses with
respect to Class A shares at an annual rate of up to .30 of 1% of the average
daily net asset value of the Class A shares. PSI has agreed to limit its
distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net asset value of the Class A shares for the fiscal year ending
November 30, 1996.
Pursuant to the Class B and Class C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI for its
distribution-related expenses with respect to the Class B and Class C shares at
an annual rate of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B and C
shares.
B-37
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments as of May 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
==============================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Description Value (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS-70.5%
COMMON STOCKS-25.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Energy--1.9%
35,000 Great Bay Power Corp.* $ 262,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering--3.5%
20,000 EMCOR Group, Inc.* 326,250
16,000 Washington Construction Group* 166,000
-------------
492,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment--1.4%
25,000 Argosy Gaming Co.* 196,875
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Industrials--1.8%
20,000 Walter Industries, Inc.* 257,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Metals--1.3%
100,000 Ladish Company, Inc.* 175,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Mining--2.1%
25,000 Nord Resources Corp.* 150,000
100,000 Sunshine Mining & Refining Co.* 150,000
-------------
300,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Retail--13.8%
12,000 Baker (J.), Inc. 115,500
60,000 Charming Shoppes, Inc.* 480,000
50,000 Gantos Inc.* 343,750
22,000 Hills Stores Co.* 266,750
20,000 Phar-Mor, Inc.* 162,500
40,000 The Bombay Company, Inc.* 310,000
35,000 Venture Stores, Inc.* 253,750
-------------
1,932,250
-------------
Total common stocks
(cost $3,277,573) 3,616,375
-------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
==============================================================
Shares Description Value (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------
PREFFERRED STOCKS--15.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Drugs & Health Care--2.1%
10,131 Fox Meyer Corp.,
Ser. A, Exch. $4.20 $ 295,065
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Industrials--8.8%
29,500 Grant Geophysical Inc.,
Conv. Exch., $2.4375 612,125
800 Pantry Pride Inc.,
Exch., $14.875, Ser. B 80,000
28,888 Talley Industries Inc.,
Conv., Ser B, $1.00 543,600
-------------
1,235,725
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Oil & Gas--3.1%
35,000 Gerrity Oil & Gas Corp.,
Conv. Exch., $1.50, Ser. PVT,ADS 433,125
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Retail--1.0%
3,018 Loehmann's Holdings, Inc.,
Ser. A, $0.056, PIK 1,358
5,000 Venture Stores, Inc.,
Conv. $3.25 132,500
-------------
133,858
-------------
Total preferred stocks
(cost $1,932,064) 2,097,773
-------------
WARRANTS*--0.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering--0.0%
960 ICF Kaiser International, Inc.,
Expiring December, 1998 0
-------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
B-38
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments as of May 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal
Moody's Amount
Rating (000) Description Value (Note 1)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE BONDS-29.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Goods & Services-5.8%
Caa $ 250 Fresh Del Monte Produce N.V.
(Netherlands Antilies),
Sr. Notes,
10.00%, 5/1/03 $ 235,000
B3 250 Grand Union Co.,
12.00%, 9/1/04 235,000
Caa 500 Seven Up/RC Bottling Co.
of Southern California
Inc.,*+
Sr. Notes,
11.50%, 8/1/99 340,000
-------------
810,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering-2.7%
B3 200 ICF Kaiser International, Inc.,
Sr. Sub. Notes,
13.00%, 12/31/03 189,000
B3 250 Wickes Lumber Co.,
Sr. Sub. Notes,
11.625%, 12/15/03 191,250
-------------
380,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment-5.2%
NR 1,000 Hemmeter Enterprises Inc.,*+
Sr. Notes,
12.00%, 12/15/00 480,000
B3 250 Lady Luck Gaming Corp.
11.875%, 3/1/01 247,500
-------------
727,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Services-1.6%
NR 615 Olympia & York Maiden
Lane,+
10.375%, 12/31/95 227,550
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrials-1.8%
Ca 250 Haynes International, Inc.,
Sr. Sub. Deb.,
13.50%, 8/15/99 250,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
Principal
Moody's Amount
Rating (000) Description Value (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Retail-8.6%
B3 $ 400 Baker (J.) Inc.,
7.00%, 6/1/02 $ 334,000
Caa 750 Bradlees, Inc.,*+
Sr. Sub. Notes,
11.00%, 8/1/02 120,000
311 Edison Brothers Trd Claims,
Zero Coupon, 1/1/49 192,974
Ba3 250 K-Mart Corp.,
7.95%, 2/1/23 195,000
NR 500 Lechters Inc.,
Conv. Bond,
5.00%, 9/27/01 355,000
-------------
1,196,974
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology-1.8%
Caa 350 Audiovox Corp.,
Conv. Sub. Deb.,
6.25%, 3/15/01 255,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telecommunications-2.2%
B3 500 Nextel Communications, Inc.,
Sr. Notes
Zero Coupon, 8/15/04 303,750
-------------
Total corporate bonds
(cost $4,022,938) 4,151,524
-------------
Total long-term investments
(cost $9,232,575) 9,865,672
-------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS-28.4%
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT-28.4%
3,964 Joint Repurchase Agreement Account,
5.317%, 6/3/96 (Note 5)
(cost $3,964,000) 3,964,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments-98.9%
(cost $13,196,575; Note 4) 13,829,672
Other assets in excess of
liabilities-1.1% 158,655
-------------
Net Assets-100% $ 13,988,327
=============
- -----------------
* Non-income producing security.
+ In default.
ADS-American Depository Shares.
NR-Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's
PIK-Paid in Kind.
The Fund's current Prospectus contains a description of Moody's and Standard &
Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
B-39
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets May 31, 1996
------------
<S> <C>
Investments, at value (cost $13,196,575)................... $13,829,672
Receivable for Fund shares sold............................ 110,552
Dividends and interest receivable.......................... 97,857
Due from Manager........................................... 43,484
Deferred organization and offering costs (Note 1).......... 225,152
-----------
Total assets............................................ 14,306,717
-----------
Liabilities
Deferred organization and offering costs payable (Note 1).. 224,371
Accrued expenses........................................... 43,990
Payable for investments purchased.......................... 31,305
Payable for Fund shares reacquired......................... 10,126
Due to Distributor......................................... 8,598
-----------
Total liabilities....................................... 318,390
-----------
Net Assets................................................. $13,988,327
===========
Net assets were comprised of:
Common stock, at par.................................... $ 1,062
Paid-in capital in excess of par........................ 13,275,165
-----------
13,276,227
Undistributed net investment income..................... 9,175
Accumulated net realized gain on investments............ 69,828
Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............. 633,097
-----------
Net assets, May 31,1996.................................... $13,988,327
===========
Class A:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($4,844,637 [divided by] 367,375 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding)....................... $13.19
Maximum sales charge (5% of offering price)............. .69
------
Maximum offering price to public........................ $13.88
======
Class B:
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price
per share ($7,324,132 [divided by] 556,161 shares
of common stock issued and outstanding).............. $13.17
======
Class C:
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price
per share ($1,819,558 [divided by] 138,170 shares
of common stock issued and outstanding).............. $13.17
======
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
B-40
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
===========================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 26, 1996(a)
Through
Net Investment Income May 31, 1996
-----------------
<S> <C>
Income
Interest............................... $105,231
Dividends.............................. 8,458
--------
113,689
--------
Expenses
Management fee......................... 18,300
Distribution fee--Class A.............. 2,116
Distribution fee--Class B.............. 12,777
Distribution fee--Class C.............. 3,161
Custodian's fees and expenses.......... 31,300
Amortization of deferred organizational
and offering costs.................. 25,328
Transfer agent's fees and expenses..... 21,200
Reports to shareholders................ 13,400
Registration fees...................... 12,700
Trustees' fees and expenses............ 9,800
Legal fees and expenses................ 8,000
Audit fees and expenses................ 6,700
Miscellaneous.......................... 1,515
--------
Total expenses...................... 166,297
Less: expense reimbursement (Note 2)... (61,783)
--------
Net expenses........................ 104,514
--------
Net investment income.................. 9,175
--------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain on Investments
Net realized gain on investment transactions 69,829
Net change in unrealized appreciation on
investments............................ 633,097
--------
Net gain on investments................... 702,926
--------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from operations................. $712,101
========
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(a) Commencement of investment operations.
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
===========================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 26, 1996(a)
Increase Through
In Net Assets May 31, 1996
-----------------
<S> <C>
Operations
Net investment income................... $ 9,175
Net realized gain on investment......... 69,829
Net change in unrealized appreciation
of investments....................... 633,097
-----------
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations...................... 712,101
-----------
Fund share transactions
Net proceeds from shares subscribed..... 13,743,282
Cost of shares reacquired............... (567,056)
-----------
Net increase in net assets from Fund
share transactions................... 13,176,226
-----------
Total increase............................. 13,888,327
Net Assets
Beginning of period........................ 100,000
-----------
End of period.............................. $13,988,327
===========
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(a) Commencement of investment operations.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
B-41
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
================================================================================
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as a diversified, Open-end management
company. The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on November 30, 1995. The Fund
had no significant operations other than the issuance of 2,667 shares of Class
A, 2667 shares of Class B and 2,666 shares of Class C common stock for $100,000
on February 8, 1996 to Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. ("PMF").
Investment operations commenced on March 26, 1996.
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation by investing
primarily in debt and equity securities by financially troubled or bankrupt
companies (financially troubled issuers) and in equity securities of companies
that in the view of its investment adviser are currently undervalued
out-of-favor or price-depressed relative to their potential for growth and
income (operationally troubled issuers). Investment in the securities of
financially and operationally troubled issuers may be considered speculative and
may present potential for substantial loss.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund in the preparation of its financial statements
Securities Valuation: Investments listed on a securities exchange and NASDAQ
National Market System securities (other than options on stock and stock
indices) are valued at the last sales price on the day of valuation, or, if
there was no sale on such day, the average between the last bid and asked
prices on such day, as provided by a pricing service. Corporate bonds (other
than convertible debt securities) and U.S. Government securities that are
actively traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities for
which the primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued by an
independent pricing service. Convertible debt securities that are actively
traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities for which the
primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at the average of
the most recently quoted bid and asked prices provided by principal market
makers. Options on stock and stock indices traded on an exchange are valued at
the average between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices provided by
the respective exchange and futures contracts and options thereon are valued at
the last sales price as of the close of business of the exchange will be valued
at fair value determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors of the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.
In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is the Fund's
policy that its custodian or designated subcustodians, under triparty repurchase
agreements as the case may be, take possession of the underlying collateral
securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase
transaction, including accrued interest. If the seller defaults and the value
of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with
respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund
may be delayed or limited.
Securities Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date; interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. The Fund
amortizes premiums and discounts paid on purchases of portfolio securities as
adjustments to interest income. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which
may require the use of certain estimates by management.
Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based
upon the relative portion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the
day.
Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's policy to continue to meet the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable net income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with
the Fund's understanding of the applicable country's tax rates.
Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends out of net
investment income quarterly and make distributions at least annually of any net
capital gains. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend
date.
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.
Deferred Organization and Offering Costs: The Fund incurred approximately
$250,000 in connection with the organization and offering of the
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-42
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
- -----------------------------------------
Fund. Offering costs are being amortized over a period of 12 months ending
March 1997. Organization costs are being amortized over a period of 60 months
ending March 2001.
- -----------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements
The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
(PMF). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation ("PIC"); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the
compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.
The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
PMF has agreed that, in any fiscal year, it will reimburse the Fund for expenses
(including the fees of PMF but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions,
distribution fees, litigation and indemnification expenses and other
extraordinary expenses) in excess of the most restrictive expense limitation
imposed by state securities commissions. The most restrictive expense limitation
is presently believed to be 2 1/2% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to
$30 million, 2% of the next $70 million of such assets and 1 1/2% of such assets
in excess of $100 million. Such expense reimbursement, if any, is estimated and
accrued daily and payable monthly. For the period March 26, 1996 (commencement
of investment operations) through May 31, 1996, such reimbursement amounted to
$61,783 (1.68% of average net assets).
The Fund has a distribution agreement with Prudential Securities Incorporated
(PSI) for distribution of the Fund's shares. The Fund compensates PSI for
distributing and servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares
pursuant to plans of distribution, (the Class A, Class B and Class C Plans)
regardless of expenses actually incurred by them. The distribution fees are
accrued daily and payable monthly.
Pursuant to the Class A, B & C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI for its
distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of 1%, 1% and 1%
of the average daily net assets value of the Class A, B & C shares,
respectively. Such expenses under the Plan were .25 of 1%, 1% and 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class A, B & C shares, respectively, for the
period March 26, 1996 through May 31, 1996.
- -------------------------------------------
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
- -------------------------------------------
PSI has advised the Fund that it has received approximately $115,400 in
front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during the period
ended May 31, 1996. From these fees, PSI paid such sales charges to dealers,
which in turn paid commission to salespersons.
PSI, PIC and PMF are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential
Insurance Company of America.
- -------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. ("PMFS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent and for the period March 26, 1996
through May 31, 1996, the Fund incurred fees of approximately $1,500 for the
services of PMFS. As of May 31, 1996, approximately $500 of such fees were due
to PMFS. Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include
certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- -------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities
Purchase and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments,
for the period ended May 31, 1996 were $10,736,581 and $1,584,409, respectively.
The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund's investments at May 31,
1996 was substantially the same as for financial reporting purposes and,
accordingly, net unrealized appreciation of investments, for United States
federal income tax purposes was $633,097 (gross unrealized appreciation -
$923,089; gross unrealized depreciation - $289,992).
- -------------------------------------------
Note 5. Joint Repurchase Agreement Account
The Fund, along with order affiliated registered investment companies, transfers
uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate
balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements collateralized
by U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations. At May 31, 1996, the Fund had a
0.3% undivided interest in the repurchase agreements in the joint account. The
undivided interest for the Fund represented $3,964,000 in principal amount. As
of such date, each repurchase agreement in the joint account and the value of
the collateral therefor was as follows:
Bear, Stearns & Co., 5.32%, in the principal amount of $359,000,000, repurchase
price $359,159,157, due 6/3/96. The value of the collateral including accrued
interest is $367,322,500.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-43
<PAGE>
Notes To Financial Statements (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
CS First Boston Corp., 5.35%, in the principal amount of $300,000,000,
repurchase price $300,133,750, due 6/3/96. The value of the collateral including
accrued interest is $306,002,116.
Chase Securities Inc., 5.25%, in the principal amount of $173,690,000,
repurchase price $173,765,989, due 6/3/96. The value of the collateral
including accrued interest is $177,814,913.
Morgan Stanley & Co., 5.27%, in the principal amount of $59,000,000, repurchase
price $59,025,911, due 6/3/96. The value of the collateral including accrued
interest is $60,337,647.
Smith Barney, Inc., 5.33%, in the principal amount of $359,000,000, repurchase
price $359,159,456, due 6/3/96. The value of the collateral including accrued
interest is $366,180,343.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 6. CAPITAL
The Fund offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 5%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven
years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.
There are 2 billion shares of $.001 par value common stock authorized divided
into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and Class C, each of which
consists of 1 billion, 500 million and 500 million authorized shares,
respectively.
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
SECURITIES FUND, INC.
===============================================================================
Transactions in shares of common stock were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Amount
- ------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
March 26, 1996* through
May 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................... 385,122 $4,822,226
Shares reacquired......................... (20,414) (262,557)
------- ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding........ 364,708 $4,559,669
======= ==========
Class B Shares Amount
- ------- ------ ------
March 26, 1996* through
May 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................... 575,015 $7,191,221
Shares reacquired......................... (21,521) (269,587)
-------- ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding........ 553,494 $6,921,634
======= ==========
Class C
- -------
March 26, 1996* through
May 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................... 138,304 $1,729,385
Shares reacquired......................... (2,800) (34,912)
------- ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding........ 135,504 $1,694,924
======= ==========
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
* Commencement of investment operation.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-44
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED
Financial Highlights (Unaudited) SECURITIES FUND, INC.
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
March 26, 1996 (a) March 26, 1996 (a) March 26, 1996 (a)
Through Through Through
May 31, May 31, May 31,
1996 1996 1996
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.......... $ 12.50 $ 12.50 $ 12.50
------- ------- -------
Income from Investment operations
Net investment income......................... .02 -- --
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment transactions...................... .67 .67 .67
------- ------- -------
Total from investment operations........... .69 .67 .67
------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period................ $ 13.19 $ 13.17 $ 13.17
======= ======= =======
TOTAL RETURN (b):............................. 5.52% 5.36% 5.36%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)............... $ 4,845 $ 7,324 $ 1,820
Average net assets (000)...................... $ 4,623 $ 6,980 $ 1,726
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, including distribution fees....... 2.67%(c) 3.42%(c) 3.42%(c)
Expenses, excluding distribution fees....... 2.42%(c) 2.42%(c) 2.42%(c)
Net investment income....................... 0.87%(c) .12%(c) .12%(c)
Portfolio turnover............................ 23% 23% 23%
Average commission rate paid per share....... $0.0434 $0.0434 $0.0434
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(a) Commencement of investment operations.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
annualized.
(c) Annualized.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
B-45
<PAGE>
APPENDIX I--HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
The historical performance data contained in this Appendix relies on data
obtained from statistical services, reports and other services believed by the
Manager to be reliable. The information has not been independently verified by
the Manager.
The following chart shows the long-term performance of various asset classes
and the rate of inflation.
EACH INVESTMENT PROVIDES A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY
(VALUE OF $1 INVESTED ON 12/31/25)
[CHART]
SMALL STOCKS - $3,822
COMMON STOCKS - $1,114
LONG-TERM BONDS - $34
TREASURY BILLS - $13
INFLATION - $9
Source: Prudential Investment Corporation based on data from Ibbotson
Associates' EnCORR Software, Chicago, Illinois. Used with permission. All
rights reserved. This chart is for illustrative purposes only and is not
indicative of the past, present, or future performance of any asset class or
any Prudential Mutual Fund.
Generally, stock returns are attributable to capital appreciation and the
reinvestment of distributions. Bond returns are attributable mainly to the
reinvestment of distributions. Also, stock prices are usually more volatile
than bond prices over the long-term.
Small stock returns for 1926-1989 are those of stocks comprising the 5th
quintile of the New York Stock Exchange. Thereafter, returns are those of the
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) Small Company Fund. Common stock returns are
based on the S&P Composite Index, a market-weighted, unmanaged index of 500
stocks (currently) in a variety of industries. It is often used as a broad
measure of stock market performance.
Long-term government bond returns are represented by a portfolio that contains
only one bond with a maturity of roughly 20 years. At the beginning of each
year a new bond with a then-current coupon replaces the old bond. Treasury
bill returns are for a one-month bill. Treasuries are guaranteed by the
government as to the timely payment of principal and interest; equities are
not. Inflation is measured by the consumer price index (CPI).
Impact of Inflation. The "real" rate of investment return is that which
exceeds the rate of inflation, the percentage change in the value of consumer
goods and the general cost of living. A common goal of long-term investors is
to outpace the erosive impact of inflation on investment returns.
I-1
<PAGE>
Set forth below is historical performance data relating to various sectors
of the fixed-income securities markets. The chart shows the historical total
returns of U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. mortgage securities, U.S. corporate
bonds, U.S. high yield bonds and world government bonds on an annual basis
from 1987 through 1995. The total returns of the indices include accrued
interest, plus the price changes (gains or losses) of the underlying
securities during the period mentioned. The data is provided to illustrate the
varying historical total returns and investors should not consider this
performance data as an indication of the future performance of the Fund or of
any sector in which the Fund invests.
All information relies on data obtained from statistical services, reports
and other services believed by the Manager to be reliable. Such information
has not been verified. The figures do not reflect the operating expenses and
fees of a mutual fund. See "Fund Expenses" in the prospectus. The net effect
of the deduction of the operating expenses of a mutual fund on these
historical total returns, including the compounded effect over time, could be
substantial.
Historical Total Returns of Different Bond Market Sectors
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S.
Treasury 2.0% 7.0% 14.4% 8.5% 15.3% 7.2% 10.7% -3.4% 18.4%
Bonds
Mortgage 4.3% 8.7% 15.4% 10.7% 15.7% 7.0% 6.8% -1.6% 16.8%
Securities
U.S.
Corporate 2.6% 9.2% 14.1% 7.1% 18.5% 8.7% 12.2% -3.9% 22.3%
Bonds
U.S.
High Yield 5.0% 12.5% 0.8% -9.6% 46.2% 15.8% 17.1% -1.0% 19.2%
Corporate
Bonds
World
Government 35.2% 2.3% -3.4% 15.3% 16.2% 4.8% 15.1% 6.0% 19.6%
Bonds
Difference
between 33.2 10.2 18.8 24.9 30.9 11.0 10.3 9.9 5.5
highest and
lowest return
in percent
</TABLE>
/1/ LEHMAN BROTHERS TREASURY BOND INDEX is an unmanaged index made up of over
150 public issues of the U.S. Treasury having maturities of at least one
year.
/2/ LEHMAN BROTHERS MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES INDEX is an unmanaged index
that includes over 600 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities
of the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal National
Mortgage Association (FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC).
/3/ LEHMAN BROTHERS CORPORATE BOND INDEX includes over 3,000 public fixed-
rate, nonconvertible investment-grade bonds. All bonds are U.S. dollar-
denominated issues and include debt issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign
governments, municipalities, governmental agencies or international agencies.
All bonds in the index have maturities of at least one year.
/4/ LEHMAN BROTHERS HIGH YIELD BOND INDEX is an unmanaged index comprising
over 750 public, fixed-rate, nonconvertible bonds that are rated Ba1 or lower
by Moody's Investors Service (or rated BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor's or
Fitch Investors Service). All bonds in the index have maturities of at least
one year.
/5/ SALOMON BROTHERS WORLD GOVERNMENT INDEX (NON U.S.) includes over 800 bonds
issued by various foreign governments or agencies, excluding those in the
U.S., but including those in Japan, Germany, France, the U.K., Canada, Italy,
Australia, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Austria. All
bonds in the index have maturities of at least one year.
I-2
<PAGE>
This chart illustrates the This chart shows the growth of a
performance of major world stock hypothetical $10,000 investment made
markets for the period from 1986 in the stocks representing the S&P
through 1995. It does not 500 stock index with and without
represent the performance of any reinvested dividends.
Prudential Mutual Fund.
[CHART]
[CHART] CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND
REINVESTING DIVIDENDS - $186,208
HONG KONG 23.8%
BELGIUM 20.7% CAPITAL APPRECIATION ONLY - $66,913
SWEDEN 19.4%
NETHERLAND 19.3% Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and
SPAIN 17.9% Inflation 1996 Yearbook, Ibbotson
SWITZERLAND 17.1% Associates, Chicago (annually
FRANCE 15.3% updates work by Roger G. Ibbotson
U.K. 15.0% and Rex A. Sinquefield). Used with
U.S. 14.8% permission. All rights reserved.
JAPAN 12.8% This chart is used for illustrative
AUSTRIA 10.9% purposes only and is not intended to
GERMANY 10.7% represent the past, present or
future performance of any Prudential
Mutual Fund. Common stock total
return is based on the Standard &
Poor's 500 Stock Index, a market-
value-weighted index made up of 500
of the largest stocks in the U.S.
based upon their stock market value.
Investors cannot invest directly in
indices.
Source: Morgan Stanley Capital
International (MSCI). Used with
permission. Morgan Stanley Country
indices are unmanaged indices
which include those stocks making
up the largest two-thirds of each
country's total stock market
capitalization. Returns reflect
the reinvestment of all
distributions. This chart is for
illustrative purposes only and is
not indicative of the past,
present or future performance of
any specific investment. Investors
cannot invest directly in stock
indices.
---------------------------------------
WORLD STOCK MARKET CAPITALIZATION BY
REGION
World Total: $9.2 Trillion
[CHART]
EUROPE - 28.3%
CANADA - 2.2%
U.S. - 40.8%
PACIFIC BASIN - 28.7%
Source: Morgan Stanley Capital
International, December 1995. Used
with permission. This chart
represents the capitalization of
major world stock markets as
measured by the Morgan Stanley
Capital International (MSCI) World
Index. The total market
capitalization is based on the value
of 1579 companies in 22 countries
(representing approximately 60% of
the aggregate market value of the
stock exchanges). This chart is for
illustrative purposes only and does
not represent the allocation of any
Prudential Mutual Fund.
I-3
<PAGE>
This chart below shows the historical volatility of general interest rates
as measured by the long U.S. Treasury Bond.
LONG U.S. TREASURY BOND YIELD IN PERCENT (1926-1995)
[CHART]
- ---------------------------------------
Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation 1996 Yearbook, Ibbotson
Associates, Chicago (annually updates work by Roger G. Ibbotson and Rex A.
Sinquefield). Used with permission. All rights reserved. The chart illustrates
the historical yield of the long-term U.S. Treasury Bond from 1926-1994.
Yields represent that of an annually renewed one-bond portfolio with a
remaining maturity of approximately 20 years. This chart is for illustrative
purposes and should not be construed to represent the yields of any Prudential
Mutual Fund.
I-4
<PAGE>
APPENDIX II--GENERAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
ASSET ALLOCATION
Asset allocation is a technique for reducing risk, providing balance. Asset
allocation among different types of securities within an overall investment
portfolio helps to reduce risk and to potentially provide stable returns,
while enabling investors to work toward their financial goal(s). Asset
allocation is also a strategy to gain exposure to better performing asset
classes while maintaining investment in other asset classes.
DIVERSIFICATION
Diversification is a time-honored technique for reducing risk, providing
"balance" to an overall portfolio and potentially achieving more stable
returns. Owning a portfolio of securities mitigates the individual risks (and
returns) of any one security. Additionally, diversification among types of
securities reduces the risks (and general returns) of any one type of
security.
DURATION
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to interest rates. As
interest rates fluctuate, the value of a bond (or a bond portfolio) will
increase or decrease. Longer term bonds are generally more sensitive to
changes in interest rates. When interest rates fall, bond prices generally
rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
Duration is an approximation of the price sensitivity of a bond (or a bond
portfolio) to interest rate changes. It measures the weighted average maturity
of a bond's (or a bond portfolio's) cash flows, i.e., principal and interest
rate payments. Duration is expressed as a measure of time in years--the longer
the duration of a bond (or a bond portfolio), the greater the impact of
interest rate changes on the bond's (or the bond portfolio's) price. Duration
differs from effective maturity in that duration takes into account call
provisions, coupon rates and other factors. Duration measures interest rate
risk only and not other risks, such as credit risk and, in the case of non-
U.S. dollar denominated securities, currency risk. Effective maturity measures
the final maturity dates of a bond (or a bond portfolio).
MARKET TIMING
Market timing--buying securities when prices are low and selling them when
prices are relatively higher--may not work for many investors because it is
impossible to predict with certainty how the price of a security will
fluctuate. However, owning a security for a long period of time may help
investors offset short-term price volatility and realize positive returns.
POWER OF COMPOUNDING
Over time, the compounding of returns can significantly impact investment
returns. Compounding is the effect of continuous investment on long-term
investment results, by which the proceeds of capital appreciation (and income
distributions, if elected) are reinvested to contribute to the overall growth
of assets. The long-term investment results of compounding may be greater than
that of an equivalent initial investment in which the proceeds of capital
appreciation and income distributions are taken in cash.
II-1
<PAGE>
APPENDIX III--INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PRUDENTIAL
Set forth below is information relating to The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential) and its subsidiaries as well as information relating
to the Prudential Mutual Funds. See "Management of the Fund--Manager" in the
Prospectus. The data will be used in sales materials relating to the
Prudential Mutual Funds. Unless otherwise indicated, the information is as of
December 31, 1995 and is subject to change thereafter. All information relies
on data provided by The Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC) or from other
sources believed by the Manager to be reliable. Such information has not been
verified by the Fund.
INFORMATION ABOUT PRUDENTIAL
The Manager and PIC/1/ are subsidiaries of Prudential, which is one of the
largest diversified financial services institutions in the world and, based on
total assets, the largest insurance company in North America as of December
31, 1995. Its primary business is to offer a full range of products and
services in three areas: insurance, investments and home ownership for
individuals and families; health-care management and other benefit programs
for employees of companies and members of groups; and asset management for
institutional clients and their associates. Prudential (together with its
subsidiaries) employs more than 92,000 persons worldwide, and maintains a
sales force of approximately 13,000 agents and 5,600 financial advisors.
Prudential is a major issuer of annuities, including variable annuities.
Prudential seeks to develop innovative products and services to meet consumer
needs in each of its business areas. Prudential uses the rock of Gibraltar as
its symbol. The Prudential rock is a recognized brand name throughout the
world.
Insurance. Prudential has been engaged in the insurance business since 1875.
It insures or provides financial services to more than 50 million people
worldwide--one of every five people in the United States. Long one of the
largest issuers of individual life insurance, the Prudential has 19 million
life insurance policies in force today with a face value of $1 trillion.
Prudential has the largest capital base ($11.4 billion) of any life insurance
company in the United States. The Prudential provides auto insurance for more
than 1.7 million cars and insures more than 1.4 million homes.
Money Management. The Prudential is one of the largest pension fund managers
in the country, providing pension services to 1 in 3 Fortune 500 firms. It
manages $36 billion of individual retirement plan assets, such as 401(k)
plans. In July 1995, Institutional Investor ranked Prudential the third
largest institutional money manager of the 300 largest money management
organizations in the United States as of December 31, 1994. As of December 31,
1995, Prudential had more than $314 billion in assets under management.
Prudential's Money Management Group (of which Prudential Mutual Funds is a key
part) manages over $190 billion in assets of institutions and individuals.
Real Estate. The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, the fourth largest real
estate brokerage network in the United States, has more than 34,000 brokers
and agents and more than 1,100 offices in the United States./2/
Healthcare. Over two decades ago, the Prudential introduced the first
federally-funded, for-profit HMO in the country. Today, almost 5 million
Americans receive healthcare from a Prudential managed care membership.
Financial Services. The Prudential Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Prudential, has nearly $3 billion in assets and serves nearly 1.5 million
customers across 50 states.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS
Prudential Mutual Fund Management is one of the sixteen largest mutual fund
companies in the country, with over 2.5 million shareholders invested in more
than 50 mutual fund portfolios and variable annuities with more than 3.7
million shareholder accounts.
The Prudential Mutual Funds have over 30 portfolio managers who manage over
$55 billion in mutual fund and variable annuity assets. Some of Prudential's
portfolio managers have over 20 years of experience managing investment
portfolios.
From time to time, there may be media coverage of portfolio managers and
other investment professionals associated with the Manager and the Subadviser
in national and regional publications, on television and in other media.
Additionally, individual mutual fund portfolios are frequently cited in
surveys conducted by national and regional publications and media
organizations such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barron's
and USA Today.
- -------
/1/ Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management, a unit of PIC, serves as the
Subadviser to substantially all of the Prudential Mutual Funds. Wellington
Management Company serves as the subadviser to Global Utility Fund, Inc.,
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management as subadviser to Nicholas-Applegate
Fund, Inc., Jennison Associates Capital Corp. as the subadviser to
Prudential Jennison Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. as
subadviser to The BlackRock Government Income Trust. There are multiple
subadvisers for The Target Portfolio Trust.
/2/ As of December 31, 1994.
III-1
<PAGE>
Equity Funds. Forbes magazine listed Prudential Equity Fund among twenty
mutual funds on its Honor Roll in its mutual fund issue of August 28, 1995.
Honorees are chosen annually among mutual funds (excluding sector funds) which
are open to new investors and have had the same management for at least five
years. Forbes considers, among other criteria, the total return of a mutual
fund in both bull and bear markets as well as a fund's risk profile.
Prudential Equity Fund is managed with a "value" investment style by PIC. In
1995, Prudential Securities introduced Prudential Jennison Fund, a growth-
style equity fund managed by Jennison Associates Capital Corp., a premier
institutional equity manager and a subsidiary of Prudential.
High Yield Funds. Investing in high yield bonds is a complex and research
intensive pursuit. A separate team of high yield bond analysts monitor the 167
issues held in the Prudential High Yield Fund (currently the largest fund of
its kind in the country) along with 100 or so other high yield bonds, which
may be considered for purchase./3/ Non-investment grade bonds, also known as
junk bonds or high yield bonds, are subject to a greater risk of loss of
principal and interest including default risk than higher-rated bonds.
Prudential high yield portfolio managers and analysts meet face-to-face with
almost every bond issuer in the High Yield Fund's portfolio annually, and have
additional telephone contact throughout the year.
Prudential's portfolio managers are supported by a large and sophisticated
research organization. Fourteen investment grade bond analysts monitor the
financial viability of approximately 1,750 different bond issuers in the
investment grade corporate and municipal bond markets--from IBM to small
municipalities, such as Rockaway Township, New Jersey. These analysts consider
among other things sinking fund provisions and interest coverage ratios.
Prudential's portfolio managers and analysts receive research services from
almost 200 brokers and market service vendors. They also receive nearly 100
trade publications and newspapers--from Pulp and Paper Forecaster to Women's
Wear Daily--to keep them informed of the industries they follow.
Prudential Mutual Funds' traders scan over 100 computer monitors to collect
detailed information on which to trade. From natural gas prices in the Rocky
Mountains to the results of local municipal elections, a Prudential portfolio
manager or trader is able to monitor it if it's important to a Prudential
mutual fund.
Prudential Mutual Funds trade approximately $31 billion in U.S. and foreign
government securities a year. PIC seeks information from government policy
makers. In 1995, Prudential's portfolio managers met with several senior U.S.
and foreign government officials, on issues ranging from economic conditions
in foreign countries to the viability of index-linked securities in the United
States.
Prudential Mutual Funds' portfolio managers and analysts met with over 1,200
companies in 1995, often with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief
Financial Officer (CFO). They also attended over 250 industry conferences.
Prudential Mutual Fund global equity managers conducted many of their visits
overseas, often holding private meetings with a company in a foreign language
(our global equity managers speak 7 different languages, including Mandarin
Chinese).
Trading Data./4/ On an average day, Prudential Mutual Funds' U.S. and
foreign equity trading desks traded $77 million in securities representing
over 3.8 million shares with nearly 200 different firms. Prudential Mutual
Funds' bond trading desks traded $157 million in government and corporate
bonds on an average day. That represents more in daily trading than most bond
funds tracked by Lipper even have in assets./5/ Prudential Mutual Funds' money
market desk traded $3.2 billion in money market securities on an average day,
or over $800 billion a year. They made a trade every 3 minutes of every
trading day. In 1994, the Prudential Mutual Funds effected more than 40,000
trades in money market securities and held on average $20 billion of money
market securities./6/
Based on complex-wide data, on an average day, over 7,250 shareholders
telephoned Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., the Transfer Agent of the
Prudential Mutual Funds, on the Prudential Mutual Funds' toll-free number. On
an annual basis, that represents approximately 1.8 million telephone calls
answered.
- -------
/3/ As of December 31, 1995. The number of bonds and the size of the Fund are
subject to change.
/4/ Trading data represents average daily transactions for portfolios of the
Prudential Mutual Funds for which PIC serves as the subadviser, portfolios
of the Prudential Series Fund and institutional and non-US accounts managed
by Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management, a division of PIC, for the
year ended December 31, 1995.
/5/ Based on 669 funds in Lipper Analytical Services categories of Short U.S.
Treasury, Short U.S. Government, Intermediate U.S. Treasury, Intermediate
U.S. Government, Short Investment Grade Debt, Intermediate Investment Grade
Debt, General U.S. Treasury, General U.S. Government and Mortgage Funds.
/6/ Asof December 31, 1994.
III-2
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
Prudential Securities is the fifth largest retail brokerage firm in the
United States with approximately 5,600 financial advisors. It offers to its
clients a wide range of products, including Prudential Mutual Funds and
annuities. As of December 31, 1995, assets held by Prudential Securities for
its clients approximated $168 billion. During 1994, over 28,000 new customer
accounts were opened each month at PSI./7/
Prudential Securities has a two-year Financial Advisor training program plus
advanced education programs, including Prudential Securities "university,"
which provides advanced education in a wide array of investment areas.
Prudential Securities is the only Wall Street firm to have its own in-house
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) program. In the December 1995 issue of
Registered Rep, an industry publication, Prudential Securities' Financial
Advisor training programs received a grade of A- (compared to an industry
average of B+).
In 1995, Prudential Securities' equity research team ranked 8th in
Institutional Investor magazine's 1995 "All America Research Team" survey.
Five Prudential Securities' analysts were ranked as first-team finishers./8/
In addition to training, Prudential Securities provides its financial
advisors with access to firm economists and market analysts. It has also
developed proprietary tools for use by financial advisors, including the
Financial Architects SM, a state-of-the-art asset allocation software program
which helps Financial Advisors to evaluate a client's objectives and overall
financial plan, and a comprehensive mutual fund information and analysis
system that compares different mutual funds.
For more complete information about any of the Prudential Mutual Funds,
including charges and expenses, call your Prudential Securities financial
adviser or Pruco/Prudential representative for a free prospectus. Read it
carefully before you invest or send money.
- -------
/7/ As of December 31, 1994.
/8/ On an annual basis, Institutional Investor magazine surveys more than 700
institutional money managers, chief investment officers and research
directors, asking them to evaluate analysts in 76 industry sectors. Scores
are produced by taking the number of votes awarded to an individual analyst
and weighting them based on the size of the voting institution. In total,
the magazine sends its survey to approximately 2,000 institutions and a
group of European and Asian institutions.
III-3
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(A) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
(1) Financial Statements included in the Prospectus constituting Part A
of this Registration Statement:
Financial Highlights (unaudited).
(2) Financial Statements included in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement:
Portfolio of Investments at May 31, 1996 (unaudited).
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of February 8, 1996 (audited)
and as of May 31, 1996 (unaudited).
Statement of Operations for the period ended May 31, 1996
(unaudited).
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited) for the period ended
May 31, 1996.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited).
Financial Highlights (unaudited).
Independent Auditors' Report.
(B) EXHIBITS:
1.Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed
via EDGAR on January 16, 1996.
2.By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on
January 16, 1996.
3.Not Applicable.
4.Instruments defining rights of shareholders incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
333-00203) filed via EDGAR on January 16, 1996.
5.(a) Management Agreement between the Registrant and Prudential Mutual
Fund Management, Inc.*
(b) Subadvisory Agreement between Prudential Mutual Fund Management,
Inc. and The Prudential Investment Corporation.*
6.(a) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Prudential
Securities Incorporated.*
(b) Form of Selected Dealer Agreement incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 6(b) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on
February 16, 1996.
7.Not Applicable.
8.Custodian Contract between the Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company.*
9.Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.*
10.Opinion of Gardner, Carton & Douglas, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on
February 16, 1996.
11.Consent of Independent Accountants.*
12.Not Applicable.
13.Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on February 16, 1996.
14.Not Applicable.
15.(a) Distribution and Service Plan for Class A shares.*
(b) Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares.*
(c) Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares.*
17.Financial Data Schedules filed as Exhibit 27 for electronic
purposes.*
18.Rule 18f-3 Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on February 16, 1996.
- --------
*Filed herewith.
C-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
None.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
As of August 16, 1996, there were 169, 381 and 67 shareholders of the
outstanding shares of Class A, Class B and Class C of common stock, $.001 par
value per share, respectively, of the Registrant.
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
As permitted by Sections 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the 1940 Act) and pursuant to Article VI of the Fund's By-Laws (Exhibit 2 to
the Registration Statement), officers, directors, employees and agents of the
Registrant will not be liable to the Registrant, any shareholder, officer,
director, employee, agent or other person for any action or failure to act,
except for bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of duties, and those individuals may be indemnified against
liabilities in connection with the Registrant, subject to the same exceptions.
Section 2-418 of Maryland General Corporation Law permits indemnification of
directors who acted in good faith and reasonably believed that the conduct was
in the best interests of the Registrant. As permitted by Section 17(i) of the
1940 Act, pursuant to Section 10 of the Distribution Agreement (Exhibit 6(a)
to the Registration Statement), the Distributor of the Registrant may be
indemnified against liabilities which it may incur, except liabilities arising
from bad faith, gross negligence, willful misfeasance or reckless disregard of
duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (Securities Act) may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the 1940 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the
Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the 1940 Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant has purchased an insurance policy insuring its officers and
directors against liabilities, and certain costs of defending claims against
such officers and directors, to the extent such officers and directors are not
found to have committed conduct constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. The
insurance policy also insures the Registrant against the cost of
indemnification payments to officers and directors under certain
circumstances.
Section 9 of the Management Agreement (Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration
Statement) and Section 4 of the Subadvisory Agreement (Exhibit 5(b) to the
Registration Statement) limit the liability of Prudential Mutual Fund
Management, Inc. (PMF) and The Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC),
respectively, to liabilities arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or from
reckless disregard by them of their respective obligations and duties under
the agreements.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification
provisions of its By-Laws and the Distribution Agreement in a manner
consistent with Release No. 11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the 1940 Act so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i)
of such Act remain in effect and are consistently applied.
Under Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, it is the position of the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission that if there is neither a court
determination on the merits that the defendant is not liable nor a court
determination that the defendant was not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of one's office, no indemnification will be permitted unless an
independent legal counsel (not including a counsel who does work for either
the registrant, its investment adviser, its principal underwriter or persons
affiliated with these persons) determines, based upon a review of the facts,
that the person in question was not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of his office.
Under its Articles of Incorporation, the Registrant may advance funds to
provide for indemnification. Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange
Commission staff's position of Section 17(h) advances will be limited in the
following respect:
(1) Any advances must be limited to amounts used, or to be used, for the
preparation and/or presentation of a defense to the action (including cost
connected with preparation of a settlement);
C-2
<PAGE>
(2) Any advances must be accompanied by a written promise by, or on
behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds
the amount to which it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to
receive from the Registrant by reason of indemnification;
(3) Such promise must be secured by a surety bond or other suitable
insurance; and
(4) Such surety bond or other insurance must be paid for by the recipient
of such advance.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
(a) Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
See "Management of the Fund--Manager" in the Prospectus constituting Part A
of this Registration Statement and "Manager" in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
The business and other connections of the officers of PMF are listed in
Schedules A and D of Form ADV of PMF as currently on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the text of which is hereby incorporated by reference
(File No. 801-31104, filed on November 13, 1987).
The business and other connections of PMF's directors and principal
executive officers are set forth below. Except as otherwise indicated, the
address of each person is One Seaport Plaza, New York, NY 10292.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS POSITION WITH PMF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ---------------- ----------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen P. Fisher Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, PMF; Senior Vice President,
Prudential Securities; Vice President, PMFD
Frank W. Giordano Executive Vice Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
President, General and Director, PMF and PMFD; Senior Vice President,
Counsel, Prudential Securities; Director, Prudential Mutual
Secretary and Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS)
Director
Robert F. Gunia Executive Vice Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and
President, Chief Financial Administrative Officer, Treasurer and Director, PMF;
and Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President, Prudential
Treasurer and Securities; Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Director Officer, Treasurer and Director, PMFD; Director, PMFS
Theresa A. Hamacher Director Director, PMF; Vice President, The Prudential
Prudential Plaza Insurance Company of America (Prudential); Vice
Newark, NJ 07101 President, The Prudential Investment Corporation
(PIC); President, Prudential Mutual Fund Investment
Management, Inc. (PMFIM)
Timothy J. O'Brien Director President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Raritan Plaza One Officer and Director, PMFD; Chief Executive Officer
Edison, NJ 08837 and Director, PMFS; Director, PMF
Richard A. Redeker President, Chief President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, PMF;
Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Director and Member of the
and Director Operating Committee, Prudential Securities; Director,
Prudential Securities Group, Inc. (PSG); Executive
Vice President, PIC; Director, PMFD; Director, PMFS
S. Jane Rose Senior Vice Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel and Assistant
President, Secretary, PMF; Senior Vice President and Senior
Senior Counsel Counsel, Prudential Securities
and Assistant
Secretary
</TABLE>
(b) The Prudential Investment Corporation
See "Management of the Fund--Manager" in the Prospectus constituting Part A
of this Registration Statement and "Management" in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
C-3
<PAGE>
The business and other connections of PIC's directors and executive officers
are as set forth below. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each
person is Prudential Plaza, Newark, NJ 07101.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS POSITION WITH PIC PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William M. Bethke Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, Prudential; Senior Vice Presi-
Two Gateway Center dent, PIC
Newark, NJ 07102
John D. Brookmeyer, Jr. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, Prudential; Senior Vice Presi-
51 JFK Pkwy and Director dent and Director, PIC
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Barry M. Gillman Director Director, PIC
Theresa A. Hamacher Vice President Vice President, Prudential; Vice President, PIC; Di-
rector, PMF; President, PMFIM
Harry E. Knapp, Jr. President, Chairman of President, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Of-
the Board, Chief Executive ficer and Director, PIC, Vice President, Prudential
Officer and Director
William P. Link Senior Vice President Executive Vice President, Prudential; Senior Vice
Four Gateway Center President, PIC
Newark, NJ 07102
Richard A. Redeker Executive Vice President President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, PMF;
One Seaport Plaza Executive Vice President, Director and Member of the
New York, NY 10292 Operating Committee, Prudential Securities; Director,
Prudential Securities Group, Inc. (PSG); Executive
Vice President, PIC; Director, PMFD; Director, PMFS
Eric A. Simonson Vice President and Director Vice President and Director, PIC; Executive Vice Pres-
ident, Prudential
Claude J. Zinngrabe, Jr. Executive Vice President Vice President, Prudential; Executive Vice President,
PIC
</TABLE>
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Prudential Securities Incorporated
Prudential Securities is distributor for Command Government Fund, Command
Money Fund, Command Tax-Free Fund, Prudential Government Securities Trust
(Intermediate Term Series, Money Market Series and U.S. Treasury Money Market
Series), Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc., Prudential Institutional Liquidity
Portfolio, Inc., Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc., Prudential Tax-
Free Money Fund, Inc., Prudential Jennison Fund, Inc., The Target Portfolio
Trust, Prudential Allocation Fund, Prudential California Municipal Fund,
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc., Prudential Diversified Bond Fund,
Inc., Prudential Equity Fund, Inc., Prudential Equity Income Fund, Prudential
Europe Growth Fund Inc., Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc., Prudential
Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc., Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.,
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc., Prudential High Yield Fund, Prudential
Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc., Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.,
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc., Prudential Municipal Bond Fund, Prudential
Municipal Series Fund, Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc., Prudential
Natural Resources Fund, Inc., Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc., Prudential
Structured Maturity Fund, Inc., Prudential Utility Fund, Inc., Prudential
World Fund, Inc., The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc., The Global Total
Return Fund, Inc., Global Utility Fund, Inc., Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
(Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund) and The BlackRock Government Income
Trust. Prudential Securities is also a depositor for the following unit
investment trust:
Corporate Investment Trust Fund
Prudential Equity Trust Shares
National Equity Trust
Prudential Unit Trusts
Government Securities Equity Trust
National Municipal Trust
C-4
<PAGE>
(b) Information concerning the officers and directors of Prudential
Securities Incorporated is set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND
OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH
NAME(/1/) UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT
- --------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Alan D. Hogan........... Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer None
and Director
George A. Murray........ Executive Vice President and Director None
Leland B. Paton......... Executive Vice President and Director None
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
Richard A. Redecker..... Executive Vice President and Director President and
Director
Hardwick Simmons........ Chief Executive Officer, President and Director None
Lee B. Spencer, Jr. .... Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director None
</TABLE>
- --------
(/1/)The address of each person named is One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York
10292, unless otherwise indicated.
(c) Registrant has no principal underwriter who is not an affiliated
person of the Registrant.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section
31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices
of State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts, 02171, The Prudential Investment Corporation, Prudential Plaza,
751 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey, the Registrant, One Seaport Plaza, New
York, New York, and Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Raritan Plaza One,
Edison, New Jersey. Documents required by Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (7), (9),
(10) and (11) and 31a-1(f) will be kept at Two Gateway Center, documents
required by Rules 31a-1(b)(4) and (11) and 31a-1(d) at One Seaport Plaza and
the remaining accounts, books and other documents required by such other
pertinent provisions of Section 31(a) and the Rules promulgated thereunder
will be kept by State Street Bank and Trust Company and Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc.
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Other than as set forth under the captions "Management of the Fund--Manager"
and "Management of the Fund--Distributor" in the Prospectus and the captions
"Manager" and "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information,
constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement,
Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
Registrant makes the following undertaking:
The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a Prospectus
is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders upon request and without charge.
C-5
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to the
Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and
has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the 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 6th day of September, 1996.
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
/s/ Richard A. Redeker
By_________________________________
RICHARD A. REDEKER PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Richard A. Redeker President and Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
RICHARD A. REDEKER
Director
- ------------------------
DELAYNE D. GOLD
/s/ Douglas McCorkindale Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
DOUGLAS MCCORKINDALE
/s/ Thomas T. Mooney Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
THOMAS T. MOONEY
Director
- ------------------------
STEPHEN P. MUNN
/s/ Robin B. Smith Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
ROBIN B. SMITH
/s/ Clay T. Whitehead Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
CLAY T. WHITEHEAD
/s/ Louis A. Weil, III Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
LOUIS A. WEIL, III
/s/ Grace C. Torres Treasurer and Principal September 6, 1996
- ------------------------ Financial and Accounting Officer
GRACE C. TORRES
Director
- ------------------------
EDWARD D. BEACH
Director
- ------------------------
DONALD D. LENNOX
Director
- ------------------------
MENDEL A. MELZER
/s/ Robert F. Gunia Director September 6, 1996
- ------------------------
ROBERT F. GUNIA
</TABLE>
C-6
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER
-------------- ----------- -----------
<C> <S> <C>
1 Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by refer- --
ence to Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR
on January 16, 1996.
2 By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 --
to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on
January 16, 1996.
3 Not applicable
4 Instrument Defining Rights of Shareholders, in- --
corporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Reg-
istration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-
00203) filed via EDGAR on January 16, 1996.
5(a) Management Agreement between the Registrant and
Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.*
5(b) Subadvisory Agreement between Prudential Mutual
Fund Management, Inc. and The Prudential Invest-
ment Corporation.*
6(a) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and
Prudential Securities Incorporated.*
6(b) Form of Selected Dealer Agreement, incorporated --
by reference to Exhibit 6(b) to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on Feb-
ruary 16, 1996.
7 Not applicable.
8 Custodian Contract between the Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company.*
9 Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the
Registrant and Prudential Mutual Fund Services,
Inc.*
10 Opinion of Gardner, Carton & Douglas incorporated --
by reference to Exhibit 10 to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-00203) filed via EDGAR on
February 16, 1996.
11 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
12 Not Applicable.
13 Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to --
Exhibit 13 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
333-20203) filed via EDGAR on February 16, 1996.
15(a) Distribution and Service Plan for Class A
Shares.*
15(b) Distribution and Service Plan for Class B
Shares.*
15(c) Distribution and Service Plan for Class C
Shares.*
17 Financial Data Schedules filed as Exhibit 27 for
electronic purposes.*
18 Rule 18f-3 Plan incorporated by reference to Ex- --
hibit 18 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
333-00203) filed via EDGAR on February 16, 1996.
</TABLE>
- --------
* Filed herewith.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.5(a)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Management Agreement
--------------------
Agreement made this 20th day of March, 1996 between Prudential
Distressed Securities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Fund), and
Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Manager).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Manager to render or contract
to obtain as hereinafter provided investment advisory services to the Fund and
the Fund also desires to avail itself of the facilities available to the Manager
with respect to the administration of its day to day corporate affairs, and the
Manager is willing to render such investment advisory and administrative
services;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby appoints the Manager to act as manager of the Fund
and administrator of its corporate affairs for the period and on the terms set
forth in this Agreement. The Manager accepts such appointment and agrees to
render the services herein
<PAGE>
described, for the compensation herein provided. The Manager is authorized to
enter into an agreement with The Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC)
pursuant to which PIC shall furnish to the Fund the investment advisory services
in connection with the management of the Fund (the Subadvisory Agreement). The
Manager will continue to have responsibility for all investment advisory
services furnished pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement.
2. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund,
the Manager shall administer the Fund's corporate affairs and, in connection
therewith, shall furnish the Fund with office facilities and with clerical,
bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such office facilities and, subject to
Section 1 hereof and the Subadvisory Agreement, the Manager shall manage the
investment operations of the Fund and the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with
the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the
Prospectus (hereinafter defined) and subject to the following understandings:
(a) The Manager shall provide supervision of the Fund's investments
and determine from time to time what investments or securities will be
purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Fund, and what portion of the
assets will be invested or
2
<PAGE>
held uninvested as cash.
(b) The Manager, in the performance of its duties and obligations
under this Agreement, shall act in conformity with the Articles of
Incorporation, By-Laws and Prospectus (hereinafter defined) of the Fund and
with the instructions and directions of the Board of Directors of the Fund
and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act and
all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c) The Manager shall determine the securities and futures contracts
to be purchased or sold by the Fund and will place orders pursuant to its
determinations with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures
commission merchants (including but not limited to Prudential Securities
Incorporated) in conformity with the policy with respect to brokerage as
set forth in the Fund's Registration Statement and Prospectus (hereinafter
defined) or as the Board of Directors may direct from time to time. In
providing the Fund with investment supervision, it is recognized that the
Manager will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable
price and efficient execution. Consistent with this policy, the Manager may
consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information
and other services provided by brokers,
3
<PAGE>
dealers or futures commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any
such transaction or other transactions to which other clients of the
Manager may be a party. It is understood that Prudential Securities
Incorporated may be used as principal broker for securities transactions
but that no formula has been adopted for allocation of the Fund's
investment transaction business. It is also understood that it is desirable
for the Fund that the Manager have access to supplemental investment and
market research and security and economic analysis provided by brokers or
futures commission merchants and that such brokers may execute brokerage
transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating
brokerage to other brokers or futures commission merchants on the basis of
seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Therefore, the
Manager is authorized to pay higher brokerage commissions for the purchase
and sale of securities and futures contracts for the Fund to brokers or
futures commission merchants who provide such research and analysis,
subject to review by the Fund's Board of Directors from time to time with
respect to the extent and continuation of this practice. It is understood
that the services provided by such broker or futures commission merchant
may be useful to
4
<PAGE>
the Manager in connection with its services to other clients.
On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security
or a futures contract to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as
other clients of the Manager or the Subadviser, the Manager, to the extent
permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no
obligation to, aggregate the securities or futures contracts to be so sold
or purchased in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage
commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the
securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the
expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in the
manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its
fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
(d) The Manager shall maintain all books and records with respect to
the Fund's portfolio transactions and shall render to the Fund's Board of
Directors such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably
request.
(e) The Manager shall be responsible for the financial and accounting
records to be maintained by the Fund (including those being maintained by
the Fund's Custodian).
(f) The Manager shall provide the Fund's Custodian on
5
<PAGE>
each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning
the Fund's assets.
(g) The investment management services of the Manager to the Fund
under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Manager shall
be free to render similar services to others.
3. The Fund has delivered to the Manager copies of each of the
following documents and will deliver to it all future amendments and
supplements, if any:
(a) Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as filed with the Secretary
of State of Maryland (such Articles of Incorporation, as in effect on the
date hereof and as amended from time to time, are herein called the
"Articles of Incorporation");
(b) By-Laws of the Fund (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date hereof
and as amended from time to time, are herein called the "By-Laws");
(c) Certified resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund
authorizing the appointment of the Manager and approving the form of this
agreement;
(d) Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, on Form N-1A (the
6
<PAGE>
Registration Statement), as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the Commission) relating to the Fund and shares of the Fund's
Common Stock and all amendments thereto;
(e) Notification of Registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on
Form N-8A as filed with the Commission and all amendments thereto; and
(f) Prospectus of the Fund (such Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or
supplemented from time to time, being herein called the "Prospectus").
4. The Manager shall authorize and permit any of its directors,
officers and employees who may be elected as directors or officers of the Fund
to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. All services to be
furnished by the Manager under this Agreement may be furnished through the
medium of any such directors, officers or employees of the Manager.
5. The Manager shall keep the Fund's books and records required to be
maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof. The Manager agrees that all
records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and it will
surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund's request,
provided however that the Manager may retain a copy of such records. The Manager
7
<PAGE>
further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the
1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by the Manager
pursuant to Paragraph 2 hereof.
6. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the
following expenses:
(i) the salaries and expenses of all personnel of the Fund and the
Manager except the fees and expenses of directors who are not affiliated
persons of the Manager or the Fund's investment adviser,
(ii) all expenses incurred by the Manager or by the Fund in
connection with managing the ordinary course of the Fund's business other
than those assumed by the Fund herein, and
(iii) the costs and expenses payable to PIC pursuant to the
Subadvisory Agreement.
The Fund assumes and will pay the expenses described below:
(a) the fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with
the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets,
(b) the fees and expenses of directors who are not affiliated
persons of the Manager or the Fund's investment adviser,
(c) the fees and expenses of the Custodian that relate
8
<PAGE>
to (i) the custodial function and the recordkeeping connected therewith,
(ii) preparing and maintaining the general accounting records of the
Fund and the providing of any such records to the Manager useful to the
Manager in connection with the Manager's responsibility for the
accounting records of the Fund pursuant to Section 31 of the 1940 Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder, (iii) the pricing of the shares of
the Fund, including the cost of any pricing service or services which
may be retained pursuant to the authorization of the Board of Directors
of the Fund, and (iv) for both mail and wire orders, the cashiering
function in connection with the issuance and redemption of the Fund's
securities,
(d) the fees and expenses of the Fund's Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent, which may be the Custodian, that relate to the
maintenance of each shareholder account,
(e) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent
accountants for the Fund,
(f) brokers' commissions and any issue or transfer taxes
chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities and futures
transactions,
(g) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to
federal, state or other governmental agencies,
9
<PAGE>
(h) the fees of any trade associations of which the Fund may be
a member,
(i) the cost of stock certificates representing, and/or non-
negotiable share deposit receipts evidencing, shares of the Fund,
(j) the cost of fidelity, directors and officers and errors and
omissions insurance,
(k) the fees and expenses involved in registering and
maintaining registration of the Fund and of its shares with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, registering the Fund as a broker or
dealer and qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including
the preparation and printing of the Fund's registration statements,
prospectuses and statements of additional information for filing under
federal and state securities laws for such purposes,
(l) allocable communications expenses with respect to investor
services and all expenses of shareholders' and directors' meetings and
of preparing, printing and mailing reports to shareholders in the amount
necessary for distribution to the shareholders,
(m) litigation and indemnification expenses and other
extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of
10
<PAGE>
the Fund's business, and
(n) any expenses assumed by the Fund pursuant to a Plan of
Distribution adopted in conformity with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
7. In the event the expenses of the Fund for any fiscal year
(including the fees payable to the Manager but excluding interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, distribution fees and litigation and indemnification
expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of
the Fund's business) exceed the lowest applicable annual expense limitation
established and enforced pursuant to the statute or regulations of any
jurisdictions in which shares of the Fund are then qualified for offer and sale,
the compensation due the Manager will be reduced by the amount of such excess,
or, if such reduction exceeds the compensation payable to the Manager, the
Manager will pay to the Fund the amount of such reduction which exceeds the
amount of such compensation.
8. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant
to this Agreement, the Fund will pay to the Manager as full compensation
therefor a fee at an annual rate of .75 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net
assets. This fee will be computed daily and will be paid to the Manager monthly.
Any reduction in
11
<PAGE>
the fee payable and any payment by the Manager to the Fund pursuant to paragraph
7 shall be made monthly. Any such reductions or payments are subject to
readjustment during the year.
9. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any
loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement
relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to
the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages
shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of
the 1940 Act) or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
10. This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than
two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act;
provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any
time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors of the Fund
or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, on not
12
<PAGE>
more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party.
This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
11. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any
director, officer or employee of the Manager who may also be a director, officer
or employee of the Fund to engage in any other business or to devote his or her
time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business,
whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the right of
the Manager to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to
any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
12. Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Fund from time to time, the Manager shall for all purposes
herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to
act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the
Fund.
13. During the term of this Agreement, the Fund agrees to furnish the
Manager at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to
shareholders, sales literature, or other material prepared for distribution to
shareholders of the Fund or the public, which refer in any way to the Manager,
prior to
13
<PAGE>
use thereof and not to use such material if the Manager reasonably objects in
writing within five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed)
after receipt thereof. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Fund
will continue to furnish to the Manager copies of any of the above mentioned
materials which refer in any way to the Manager. Sales literature may be
furnished to the Manager hereunder by first-class or overnight mail, facsimile
transmission equipment or hand delivery. The Fund shall furnish or otherwise
make available to the Manager such other information relating to the business
affairs of the Fund as the Manager at any time, or from time to time, reasonably
requests in order to discharge its obligations hereunder.
14. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent
of the Fund must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940
Act.
15. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to
this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered
mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at One Seaport Plaza, New York, N.Y.
10292, Attention: Secretary; or (2) to the Fund at One Seaport Plaza, New York,
N.Y. 10292, Attention: President.
16. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
14
<PAGE>
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
17. The Fund may use the name "Prudential Distressed Securities Fund,
Inc. " or any name including the word "Prudential" only for so long as this
Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect,
including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded
to the Manager's business as Manager or any extension, renewal or amendment
thereof remain in effect. At such time as such an agreement shall no longer be
in effect, the Fund will (to the extent that it lawfully can) cease to use such
a name or any other name indicating that it is advised by, managed by or
otherwise connected with the Manager, or any organization which shall have so
succeeded to such businesses. In no event shall the Fund use the name
"Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc." or any name including the word
"Prudential" if the Manager's function is transferred or assigned to a company
of which The Prudential Insurance Company of America does not have control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to
be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first
above written.
15
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
By /s/ Robert F. Gunia
-------------------------------------
Robert F. Gunia
Vice President
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
By /s/ Richard A. Redeker
-------------------------------------
Richard A. Redeker
President
16
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.5(b)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Subadvisory Agreement
---------------------
Agreement made as of this 20th day of March, 1996 between Prudential Mutual
Fund Management Inc., a Delaware Corporation (PMF or the Manager), and The
Prudential Investment Corporation, a New Jersey Corporation (the Subadviser).
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement, dated March
20, 1996 (the Management Agreement), with Prudential Distressed Securities Fund,
Inc. (the Fund), a Maryland corporation and a diversified open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940
Act), pursuant to which PMF will act as Manager of the Fund.
WHEREAS, PMF desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment
advisory services to the Fund in connection with the management of the Fund and
the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. (a) Subject to the supervision of the Manager and of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Subadviser shall manage the investment
operations of the Fund and the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance
with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated
in the Prospectus, (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time,
being herein called the "Prospectus"), and subject to the following
understandings:
(i) The Subadviser shall provide supervision of the Fund's
investments and determine from time to time what investments and
securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Fund, and
what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.
(ii) In the performance of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Articles of
Incorporation,
<PAGE>
By-Laws and Prospectus of the Fund and with the instructions and
directions of the Manager and of the Board of Directors of the Fund and
will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and all other applicable federal and state
laws and regulations.
2
<PAGE>
(iii) The Subadviser shall determine the securities and futures
contracts to be purchased or sold by the Fund and will place orders with
or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants
(including but not limited to Prudential Securities Incorporated) to
carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Fund's
Registration Statement and Prospectus or as the Board of Directors may
direct from time to time. In providing the Fund with investment
supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary
consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient
execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may
consider the financial responsibility, research and investment
information and other services provided by brokers, dealers or futures
commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any such transaction
or other transactions to which the Subadviser's other clients may be a
party. It is understood that Prudential Securities Incorporated may be
used as principal broker for securities transactions but that no formula
has been adopted for allocation of the Fund's investment transaction
business. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Fund that
the Subadviser have access to supplemental investment and market research
and security and economic analysis provided by brokers or futures
commission merchants who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher
cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other
brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient
execution. Therefore, the Subadviser is authorized to place orders for
the purchase and sale of securities and futures contracts for the Fund
with such brokers or futures commission merchants, subject to review by
the Fund's Board of Directors from time to time with respect to the
extent and continuation of this practice. It is understood that the
services provided by such brokers or futures commission merchants may be
useful to the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser's services to
other clients.
On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a
security or futures contract to be
3
<PAGE>
in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the
Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws
and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the
securities or futures contracts to be sold or purchased in order to
obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and
efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities or
futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred
in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the
Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its
fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
(iv) The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect
to the Fund's portfolio transactions required by subparagraphs (b)(5),
(6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the
1940 Act and shall render to the Fund's Board of Directors such periodic
and special reports as the Directors may reasonably request.
(v) The Subadviser shall provide the Fund's Custodian on each business
day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund's
assets and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request
of the Manager.
(vi) The investment management services provided by the Subadviser
hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be
free to render similar services to others.
(b) The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors,
officers and employees who may be elected as directors or officers of the
Fund to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be
furnished by the Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through
the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.
(c) The Subadviser shall keep the Fund's books and records required to be
maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall
timely furnish to the Manager
4
<PAGE>
all information relating to the Subadviser's services hereunder needed by
the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by
Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser agrees that all records which
it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and the Subadviser
will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund's
request, provided however that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such
records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods
prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act any such
records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a)
hereof.
2. The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to
be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement and shall
oversee and review the Subadviser's performance of its duties under this
Agreement.
3. The Manager shall reimburse the Subadviser for reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by the Subadviser determined in a manner acceptable to
the Manager in furnishing the services described in paragraph 1 hereof.
4. The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for
any loss suffered by the Fund or the Manager in connection with the matters
to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser's part in the
performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
5. This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two
years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940
Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Fund
at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors
of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the
Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more
than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the other party.
This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of
5
<PAGE>
its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the
Management Agreement.
6. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of
the Subadviser's directors, officers, or employees who may also be a
director, officer or employee of the Fund to engage in any other business
or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or
other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature,
nor limit or restrict the Subadviser's right to engage in any other
business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm,
individual or association.
7. During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the
Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements,
reports to stockholders, sales literature or other material prepared for
distribution to stockholders of the Fund or the public, which refer to the
Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the
Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other
time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. Sales literature may
be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by first-class or overnight mail,
facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.
6
<PAGE>
8. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of
the Fund must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940
Act.
9. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
BY /s/ Richard A. Redeker
------------------------------------
Richard A. Redeker
President
THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
BY /s/ Susan C. Cote
-----------------------------------
7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.6(a)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Distribution Agreement
----------------------
Agreement made as of May 8 , 1996 between Prudential Distressed Securities
Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Fund), and Prudential Securities
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the Distributor).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the Investment Company Act), as a diversified, open-end, management
investment company and it is in the interest of the Fund to offer its shares for
sale continuously;
WHEREAS, the shares of the Fund may be divided into classes and/or series
(all such shares being referred to herein as Shares) and the Fund currently is
authorized to offer Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares and Class Z Shares;
WHEREAS, the Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is engaged in the business of selling
shares of registered investment companies either directly or through other
broker-dealers;
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with
each other, with respect to the continuous offering of the Fund's Shares from
and after the date hereof in order to promote the growth of the Fund and
facilitate the distribution of its Shares; and
WHEREAS, upon approval by the holders of the respective classes and/or
series of Shares of the Fund it is contemplated that the Fund will adopt a plan
(or plans) of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
Act with respect to certain of its classes and/or series of Shares (the Plans)
authorizing payments by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the
distribution of such classes and/or series of Shares and the maintenance of
related shareholder accounts.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment of the Distributor
------------------------------
The Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as the principal
underwriter and distributor of the Shares of the Fund to sell Shares to the
public on behalf of the Fund and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment
and agrees to act hereunder. The Fund hereby agrees during the term of
<PAGE>
this Agreement to sell Shares of the Fund through the Distributor on the terms
and conditions set forth below.
Section 2. Exclusive Nature of Duties
--------------------------
The Distributor shall be the exclusive representative of the Fund
to act as principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund's Shares, except
that:
2.1 The exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell Shares
of the Fund shall not apply to Shares of the Fund issued in connection with the
merger or consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding
company with the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or
substantially all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by
the Fund.
2.2 Such exclusive rights shall not apply to Shares issued by the
Fund pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions or
through the exercise of any conversion feature or exchange privilege.
2.3 Such exclusive rights shall not apply to Shares issued by the
Fund pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.
2.4 Such exclusive rights shall not apply to purchases made
through the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent in the manner set
forth in the currently effective Prospectus of the Fund. The term "Prospectus"
shall mean the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information included as
part of the Fund's Registration Statement, as such Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the
term "Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement filed by the
Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission and effective under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and the Investment Company
Act, as such Registration Statement is amended from time to time.
Section 3. Purchase of Shares from the Fund
--------------------------------
3.1 The Distributor shall have the right to buy from the Fund on
behalf of investors the Shares needed, but not more than the Shares needed
(except for clerical errors in transmission) to fill unconditional orders for
Shares placed with the Distributor by investors or registered and qualified
securities dealers and other financial institutions (selected dealers).
3.2 The Shares shall be sold by the Distributor on behalf of the
Fund and delivered by the Distributor or selected dealers, as described in
Section 6.4 hereof, to investors at the offering price as set forth in the
Prospectus.
3.3 The Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of any or
all classes and/or series of its Shares at times when redemption is suspended
pursuant to the conditions in Section 4.3
2
<PAGE>
hereof or at such other times as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
The Fund shall also have theright to suspend the sale of any or all classes
and/or series of its Shares if a banking moratorium shall have been declared by
federal or New York authorities.
3.4 The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by
the Fund, shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received
by the Distributor. Any order may be rejected by the Fund; provided, however,
that the Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept
or confirm orders for the purchase of Shares. The Fund (or its agent) will
confirm orders upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and upon
receipt by the Fund (or its agent) of payment therefor, will deliver deposit
receipts for such Shares pursuant to the instructions of the Distributor.
Payment shall be made to the Fund in New York Clearing House funds or federal
funds. The Distributor agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be
delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
Section 4. Repurchase or Redemption of Shares by the Fund
----------------------------------------------
4.1 Any of the outstanding Shares may be tendered for redemption
at any time, and the Fund agrees to repurchase or redeem the Shares so tendered
in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation as amended from time to time,
and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Prospectus. The price to
be paid to redeem or repurchase the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value
determined as set forth in the Prospectus. All payments by the Fund hereunder
shall be made in the manner set forth in Section 4.2 below.
4.2 The Fund shall pay the total amount of the redemption price
as defined in the above paragraph pursuant to the instructions of the
Distributor on or before the seventh day subsequent to its having received the
notice of redemption in proper form. The proceeds of any redemption of Shares
shall be paid by the Fund as follows: (i) in the case of Shares subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge shall be paid to the Distributor, and the balance shall be paid to or for
the account of the redeeming shareholder, in each case in accordance with
applicable provisions of the Prospectus; and (ii) in the case of all other
Shares, proceeds shall be paid to or for the account of the redeeming
shareholder, in each case in accordance with applicable provisions of the
Prospectus.
4.3 Redemption of any class and/or series of Shares or payment
may be suspended at times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other
than customary weekends and holidays, when trading on said Exchange is
restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund
of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order,
so permits.
Section 5. Duties of the Fund
------------------
5.1 Subject to the possible suspension of the sale of Shares as
provided herein, the Fund agrees to sell its Shares so long as it has Shares of
the respective class and/or series available.
3
<PAGE>
5.2 The Fund shall furnish the Distributor copies of all
information, financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may
reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares, and
this shall include one certified copy, upon request by the Distributor, of all
financial statements prepared for the Fund by independent public accountants.
The Fund shall make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its
Prospectus and annual and interim reports as the Distributor shall reasonably
request.
5.3 The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the
necessary approval of the Board of Directors and the shareholders, all necessary
action to fix the number of authorized Shares and such steps as may be necessary
to register the same under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be
available for sale such number of Shares as the Distributor reasonably may
expect to sell. The Fund agrees to file from time to time such amendments,
reports and other documents as may be necessary in order that there will be no
untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, or necessary
in order that there will be no omission to state a material fact in the
Registration Statement which omission would make the statements therein
misleading.
5.4 The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain
the qualification of any appropriate number of its Shares for sales under the
securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve;
provided that the Fund shall not be required to amend its Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws to comply with the laws of any state, to maintain an
office in any state, to change the terms of the offering of its Shares in any
state from the terms set forth in its Registration Statement, to qualify as a
foreign corporation in any state or to consent to service of process in any
state other than with respect to claims arising out of the offering of its
Shares. Any such qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the
Fund at any time in its discretion. As provided in Section 9 hereof, the expense
of qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund.
The Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to
its affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with
such qualifications.
Section 6. Duties of the Distributor
-------------------------
6.1 The Distributor shall devote reasonable time and effort to
effect sales of Shares, but shall not be obligated to sell any specific number
of Shares. Sales of the Shares shall be on the terms described in the
Prospectus. The Distributor may enter into like arrangements with other
investment companies. The Distributor shall compensate the selected dealers as
set forth in the Prospectus.
6.2 In selling the Shares, the Distributor shall use its best
efforts in all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and
state laws relating to the sale of such securities. Neither the Distributor nor
any selected dealer nor any other person is authorized by the Fund to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus and any sales literature approved by
appropriate officers of the Fund.
4
<PAGE>
6.3 The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures for the
confirmation of sales to investors and selected dealers, the collection of
amounts payable by investors and selected dealers on such sales and the
cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the
requirements of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
6.4 The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected
dealer agreements with registered and qualified securities dealers and other
financial institutions of its choice for the sale of Shares, provided that the
Fund shall approve the forms of such agreements. Within the United States, the
Distributor shall offer and sell Shares only to such selected dealers as are
members in good standing of the NASD. Shares sold to selected dealers shall be
for resale by such dealers only at the offering price determined as set forth in
the Prospectus.
Section 7. Payments to the Distributor
---------------------------
7.1 With respect to classes and/or series of Shares which impose
a front-end sales charge, the Distributor shall receive and may retain any
portion of any front-end sales charge which is imposed on such sales and not
reallocated to selected dealers as set forth in the Prospectus, subject to the
limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice.
Payment of these amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption
or continuation of any applicable Plans.
7.2 With respect to classes and/or series of Shares which impose
a contingent deferred sales charge, the Distributor shall receive and may retain
any contingent deferred sales charge which is imposed on such sales as set forth
in the Prospectus, subject to the limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the
NASD Rules of Fair Practice. Payment of these amounts to the Distributor is not
contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Plan.
Section 8. Payment of the Distributor under the Plan
-----------------------------------------
8.1 The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for
services under any Plans adopted by the Fund and this Agreement a distribution
and service fee with respect to the Fund's classes and/or series of Shares as
described in each of the Fund's respective Plans and this Agreement.
8.2 So long as a Plan or any amendment thereto is in effect, the
Distributor shall inform the Board of Directors of the commissions and account
servicing fees with respect to the relevant class and/or series of Shares to be
paid by the Distributor to account executives of the Distributor and to broker-
dealers and financial institutions which have dealer agreements with the
Distributor. So long as a Plan (or any amendment thereto) is in effect, at the
request of the Board of Directors or any agent or representative of the Fund,
the Distributor shall provide such additional information as may reasonably be
requested concerning the activities of the Distributor hereunder and the costs
incurred in performing such activities with respect to the relevant class and/or
series of Shares.
5
<PAGE>
Section 9. Allocation of Expenses
----------------------
The Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the continuous
offering of its Shares (except for those costs and expenses borne by the
Distributor pursuant to a Plan and subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act), including fees and disbursements of its
counsel and auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of any
required Registration Statements and/or Prospectuses under the Investment
Company Act or the Securities Act, and all amendments and supplements thereto,
and preparing and mailing annual and periodic reports and proxy materials to
shareholders (including but not limited to the expense of setting in type any
such Registration Statements, Prospectuses, annual or periodic reports or proxy
materials). The Fund shall also bear the costs and expenses of qualification of
the Shares for sale, and, if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of
qualifying the Fund as a broker or dealer, in such states of the United States
or other jurisdictions as shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor
pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof and the costs and expenses payable to each such
state for continuing qualification therein until the Fund decides to discontinue
such qualification pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof. As set forth in Section 8
above, the Fund shall also bear the expenses it assumes pursuant to any Plan, so
long as such Plan is in effect.
Section 10. Indemnification
---------------
10.1 The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the
Distributor, its officers and directors and any person who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and
harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
which the Distributor, its officers, directors or any such controlling person
may incur under the Securities Act, or under common law or otherwise, arising
out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or arising out of or based upon any alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated in either thereof or
necessary to make the statements in either thereof not misleading, except
insofar as such claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are
based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing by the Distributor to the Fund for use in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus; provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not inure to
the benefit of any such officer, director, trustee or controlling person unless
a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final decision on the
merits, that the person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement
(disabling conduct), or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable
determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnified person was
not liable by reason of disabling conduct, by (a) a vote of a majority of a
quorum of directors or trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Fund
as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act nor parties to the
proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Fund's
agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers and directors or trustees
and any such controlling person as aforesaid is expressly conditioned upon the
Fund's being promptly notified of any action
6
<PAGE>
brought against the Distributor, its officers or directors or trustees, or any
such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or telegram
addressed to the Fund at its principal business office. The Fund agrees promptly
to notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings
against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and
sale of any Shares.
10.2 The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the
Fund, its officers and Directors and any person who controls the Fund, if any,
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from
and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending against such claims, demands or liabilities
and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
Fund, its officers and Directors or any such controlling person may incur under
the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that
such liability or expense incurred by the Fund, its Directors or officers or
such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands shall arise out of
or be based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
information furnished in writing by the Distributor to the Fund for use in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or shall arise out of or be based upon any
alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information
required to be stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary
to make such information not misleading. The Distributor's agreement to
indemnify the Fund, its officers and Directors and any such controlling person
as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor's being promptly
notified of any action brought against the Fund, its officers and Directors or
any such controlling person, such notification being given to the Distributor at
its principal business office.
Section 11. Duration and Termination of this Agreement
------------------------------------------
11.1 This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first
above written and shall remain in force for two years from the date hereof and
thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by (a) the Board of Directors of the Fund, or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and/or
series of the Fund, and (b) by the vote of a majority of those Directors who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such parties and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in the
operation of any of the Fund's Plans or in any agreement related thereto
(Independent Directors), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting upon such approval.
11.2 This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the
payment of any penalty, by a majority of the Independent Directors or by vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and/or
series of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to
the other party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment.
11.3 The terms "affiliated person," "assignment," "interested
person" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding
7
<PAGE>
voting securities", when used in this Agreement, shall have the respective
meanings specified in the Investment Company Act.
Section 12. Amendments to this Agreement
----------------------------
This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such
amendment is specifically approved by (a) the Board of Directors of the Fund, or
by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable
class and/or series of the Fund, and (b) by the vote of a majority of the
Independent Directors cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such amendment.
Section 13. Separate Agreement as to Classes and/or Series
----------------------------------------------
The amendment or termination of this Agreement with respect to any
class and/or series shall not result in the amendment or termination of this
Agreement with respect to any other class and/or series unless explicitly so
provided.
Section 14. Governing Law
-------------
The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York as at the time
in effect and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the
extent that the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the
provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act, the latter shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year above written.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
By: /s/ Robert F. Gunia
---------------------------------------
Robert F. Gunia
Senior Vice President
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
By: /s/ Richard A. Redeker
---------------------------------------
Richard A. Redeker
President
8
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
EACH OF THE PARTIES INDICATED ON APPENDIX A
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It................. -1-
2. Duties to the Custodian with Respect to Property of The Fund
Held By the Custodian in the United States............................ -2-
2.1 Holding Securities.............................................. -2-
2.2 Delivery of Securities.......................................... -2-
2.3 Registration of Securities...................................... -6-
2.4 Bank Accounts................................................... -7-
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds................................... -7-
2.6 Collection of Income............................................ -8-
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.......................................... -8-
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased........................................... -11-
2.9 Appointment of Agents.......................................... -11-
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems.................... -11-
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System........ -13-
2.11 Segregated Account............................................. -14-
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes........................ -15-
2.13 Proxies........................................................ -16-
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities........... -16-
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.............. -16-
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States......................................... -17-
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.......................... -17-
3.2 Assets to be Held.............................................. -17-
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories................................ -18-
3.4 Segregation of Securities...................................... -18-
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions................... -18-
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund.................. -19-
3.7 Reports by Custodian........................................... -19-
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians............................ -20-
3.10 Liability of Custodian......................................... -21-
3.11 Reimbursements for Advances.................................... -21-
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities.................................... -22-
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks......................................... -22-
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales of
Shares of the Fund................................................... -23-
-i-
<PAGE>
5. Proper Instructions.................................................. -24-
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority.......................... -24-
7. Evidence of Authority................................................ -25-
8. Duties of Custodian Value and Net with Respect to the Income
Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset........................ -26-
9. Records.............................................................. -26-
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant............................. -27-
11. Compensation of Custodian............................................ -27-
12. Responsibility of Custodian.......................................... -27-
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.......................... -29-
14. Successor Custodian.................................................. -30-
15. Interpretative and Additional Provisions............................. -32-
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply........................................... -32-
17. Prior Contracts...................................................... -32-
18. The Parties.......................................................... -32-
19. Limitation of Liability.............................................. -33-
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
------------------
This Contract between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts
trust company, having its principal place of business at 225 Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the "Custodian", and each Fund
listed on Appendix A which evidences its agreement to be bound hereby by
executing a copy of this Contract (each such Fund individually hereinafter
referred to as the "Fund").
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
-----------------------------------------------------
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation/ Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration
received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital stock, ("Shares") of
the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be
responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not
delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 5),
the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located
in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the
Board of Directors/ Trustees of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall
have the same responsibility or liability to the Fund on account
<PAGE>
of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed as any such sub-
custodian has to the Custodian, provided that the Custodian agreement with any
such domestic sub-custodian shall impose on such sub-custodian responsibilities
and liabilities similar in nature and scope to those imposed by this Agreement
with respect to the functions to be performed by such sub-custodian. The
Custodian may employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other
assets the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
designated in Schedule "A" hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of
Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of The Fund Held By the
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian in the United States.
- ------------------------------
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
------------------
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States, including all domestic securities owned by the Fund, other than
(a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing
agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of Treasury, collectively referred to herein
as "Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State
Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper")
which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
----------------------
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry
system account ("Direct Paper System") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and
only in the following cases:
-2-
<PAGE>
(1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
(2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
(3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
(4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
(5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
(6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for
a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be
--------
delivered to the Custodian;
(7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian
-3-
<PAGE>
shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising
from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment
for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct;
(8) For exchange or conversation pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of
the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
(9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in
any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
(10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as
--------
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian
-4-
<PAGE>
will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of
securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
(11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
--------
receipt of amounts borrowed;
(12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
(13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
(14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to
the holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind,
as may be described from time to
-5-
<PAGE>
time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and statement
of additional information ("prospectus"), in satisfaction of
requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
(15) For any other proper business purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors/Trustees or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities to
be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper business
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
--------------------------
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in
the name of any nominees of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
------
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with
other registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as the
Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section
2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under
the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery
form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in
"street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts to timely collect
income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts
basis of relevant
-6-
<PAGE>
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities,
tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
-------------
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject only
to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this
Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than
cash maintained by the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank
account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited
by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or
in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem
necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company
--------
shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be approved by
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund. Such funds
shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
-----------------------------
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions,
make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon from
time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks received in
payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
--------------------
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to registered securities held
-7-
<PAGE>
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to
custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of
payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent
thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's custodian
account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to
the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The
Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other
than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to
assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
----------------------
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
(1) Upon the purchase of securities held domestically, options,
futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account
of the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities,
or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options
on futures contracts, to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm
or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad
which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by the
Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of
the Fund
-8-
<PAGE>
or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case
of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the
case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in
the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund
and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of
securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of
the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from
the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund
in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be
effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or
the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund
as defined in Article 5;
(2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
(3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as
set forth in Article 4 hereof;
-9-
<PAGE>
(4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the
account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting,
transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund
whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
(5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
(6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
(7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
--------
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of Board of Directors/Trustees or of the Executive Committee of
the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of such
payment, setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to be
made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every case
where payment for purchase of securities for the account of the Fund is made by
the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the absence
of specific written instructions from the Fund to so pay in
-10-
<PAGE>
advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
---------------------
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company
which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this
Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided,
--------
however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of
its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
-------------------------------------------
deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury
and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
(1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are represented in
an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
-11-
<PAGE>
(2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic securities
of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
(3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that such securities have been transferred to the Account,
and (i.) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer domestic securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of
the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of domestic securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and
be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish promptly to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund.
(4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal
-12-
<PAGE>
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the Securities System ;
(5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 13 hereof;
(6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of
any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any
of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure
of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such
rights as it may have against the Securities System; at the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against the
Securities System or any other person which the Custodian may have
as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
-------------------------------------------------------
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
(1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
(2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the
-13-
<PAGE>
Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
(3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
(4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
of payment for the account of the Fund;
(5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer
to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written
advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day
following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies of
daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the
Direct Paper System for the account of the Fund;
(6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system
of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request
from time to time;
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
------------------
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of the Fund, into which
-14-
<PAGE>
account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member
of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash,
government securities or liquid, high-grade debt obligations in connection with
options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or
options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes,
but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
- --------
Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors/Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the
purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
---------------------------------------
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt
-15-
<PAGE>
of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of the Fund held
by it and in connection with transfers of such securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
-------
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered
holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver
to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to
----------------------------------------------------
the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities held domestically and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by
the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the
Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party
(or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take
action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar
transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days
prior to the date of which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants. The Custodian
-------------------------------------------------
shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with
reports by independent public
-16-
<PAGE>
accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures
for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts,
including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System,
relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such
reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably
be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material
inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such
inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
of the United States
- --------------------
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
-------------------------------------
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities
and other assets maintained outside the United States the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto
("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as defined
in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified resolution of the
Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to
amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as sub-
custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the
Custodian to cease the employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for
maintaining custody of the Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
-----------------
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a) "foreign
securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash
-17-
<PAGE>
equivalents in such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be
reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed
-------------------------------
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books
-------------------------
as belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the Fund held by each
foreign sub-custodian. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a
foreign banking institution shall require that such institution establish a
custody account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate
in that account, securities and other assets of the Fund, and, in the event that
such institution deposits the Fund's securities in a foreign securities
depository, that it shall identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian,
as agent for the Fund, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
--------------------------------------------
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit I hereto and shall provide that (a) the Fund's assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind
in favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b) beneficial
ownership of the Fund's assets will be freely transferable without the payment
of money or value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records
will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund; (d) officers
of or auditors employed by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including
-18-
<PAGE>
to the extent permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the
Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
---------------------------------------------
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of any
foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such
books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
--------------------
to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and
other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking
institution for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account
---------------------------------------
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8,
the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, in their
entirety to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the United States by
foreign sub-custodians.
-19-
<PAGE>
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the Fund and
delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be effected in
accordance with the customary established securities trading or securities
processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities to the
purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefore (or an agent for such purchaser or
dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for
such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian
may be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set
forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such
nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such securities.
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which
-----------------------------------
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-custodian
shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of
its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and each Fund from
and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of
or in connection with the institution's performance of such obligations. At the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claims against a foreign banking institution as a
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and
to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim.
-20-
<PAGE>
3.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts
----------------------
or omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and, regardless of
whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a
foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by
paragraph 3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-
custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such delegation, except such loss
as may result from (a) political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange
control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization,
insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding
a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by political
risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses under circumstances
where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
--------------------------
advance cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or sale of
foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event that the
Custodian or its nominees shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance
of this Contract, except such as amy arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or wilful misconduct, any property at
any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should
the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
-21-
<PAGE>
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually
---------------------------
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign sub-
custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar in kind
and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial approval
of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in
the event that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject
of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by
such foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that its shareholders equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or
the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks
----------------------
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions of
Article 3 shall not apply where the custody of the Fund assets are maintained in
a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a "bank" as defined by
Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification
set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a
sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained
in an interest bearing account established for the Fund with the Custodian's
London branch, which account shall be subject to the direction of the Custodian,
State Street London Ltd. or both.
-22-
<PAGE>
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales of Shares of the Fund.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of Trust and any
applicable votes of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund pursuant
thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer
Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered
to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares.
In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the
Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to
wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the
Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of
Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares,
when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Fund's Shares or
from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund's account such
payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time
by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the
Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
5. Proper Instructions.
-------------------
-23-
<PAGE>
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled by
one or more person or persons as the officers of the Fund shall have from time
to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific transaction
or type of transaction involved, including a specific statement of the purpose
for which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper
Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a
person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction
involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. It is understood and agreed that the Board of
Directors/Directors/Trustees has authorized (i) Prudential Mutual Fund
Management, Inc., as Manager of the Fund, and (ii) The Prudential Investment
Corporation (or Prudential-Bache Securities Inc.), as Subadviser to the Fund, to
deliver proper instructions with respect to all matters for which proper
instructions are required by this Article 5. The Custodian may rely upon the
certificate of an officer of the Manager or Subadviser, as the case may be, with
respect to the person or persons authorized on behalf of the Manager and
Subadviser, respectively, to sign, initial or give proper instructions for the
purpose of this Article 5. Proper Instructions may include communications
effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that
the Fund and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to
any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.11.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority.
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
-24-
<PAGE>
(1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
- --------
(2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
(3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
(4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings
with the securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the
Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.
7. Evidence of Authority
---------------------
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of
any action by the Board of Directors/ Trustees pursuant to the Articles of
Incorporation/Declaration of Trust as described in such vote, and such vote may
be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.
-25-
<PAGE>
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value and Net Income.
- ------------------------------
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund to
keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so
by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net
asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily
the net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an office of the
Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of
such net income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset
value per share and the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or
times described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder.
All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and
held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the
-26-
<PAGE>
Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, Form N-2 (in the case
of a closed end Fund) and Form N-SAR or other periodic reports to the Securities
and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such
Commission.
11. Compensation of Custodian
-------------------------
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
12. Responsibility of Custodian
---------------------------
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party
futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled
to rely on and may act
-27-
<PAGE>
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant
to such advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility of the
Custodian with respect to redemptions effected by check shall be in accordance
with a separate Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in
the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository or
a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.11 hereof, the Custodian
shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
resulting from, or caused by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to
maintain custody or any securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country
including, but not limited to, losses resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such
-28-
<PAGE>
as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure
to act or wilful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of
the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the
Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash
and to dispose of the Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement provided, however that, prior to disposing of Fund assets
hereunder, the Custodian shall give the Fund notice of its intention to dispose
of assets identifying such assets and the Fund shall have one business day from
receipt of such notice to notify the Custodian if the Fund wishes the Custodian
to dispose of Fund assets of equal value other than those identified in such
notice.
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the Custodian
--------
shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular
Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors/Trustees has reviewed the use
by the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian
shall not act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors/Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System and
the receipt of
-29-
<PAGE>
an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board
of Directors/Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of the Direct Paper
System; provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or
-------- -------
terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state
regulations, or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of
Trust, and further, provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its
Board of Directors/Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
14. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver
to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in
the form for transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund, deliver
-30-
<PAGE>
at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other
properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors/Trustees shall have been
delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall
become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank
or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian
relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Contract and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be
the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors/Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian
shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as
the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties
and the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of
the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Interpretative and Additional Provisions
----------------------------------------
-31-
<PAGE>
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretative or additional provisions
--------
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation/ Declaration of Trust of the
Fund. No interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply
--------------------------
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
17. Prior Contracts
---------------
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
18. The Parties
-----------
All references herein to the "Fund" are to each of the Funds listed on
Appendix A individually, as if this Contract were between such individual Fund
and the Custodian. With respect to any Fund listed on Appendix A which is
organized as a Massachusetts Business Trust, references to Board of Directors
and Articles of Incorporation shall be deemed a reference to Board of
Directors/Trustees and Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of Trust
respectively and reference to shares of capital stock shall be deemed a
reference to shares of beneficial interest.
19. Limitation of Liability
-----------------------
-32-
<PAGE>
Each Fund listed on Appendix A that is referenced as a Massachusetts
Business Trust is the designation of the Directors/Trustees under a Articles of
Incorporation/Declaration of Trust, dated (see Appendix A) and all persons
dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the
enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Directors/Trustees,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations
entered into on behalf of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the dates set forth on Appendix A.
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By /s/ Al O'Neal
- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Assistant Secretary
ATTEST EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX
/s/S. Jane Rose By /s/ Robert F. Gunia
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Secretary
-33-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.9
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
between
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
AND
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Agent ......................1
Article 2 Fees and Expenses...............................................5
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of the Agent.....................5
Article 4 Representations of Warranties of the Fund.......................6
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification................................7
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and the Agent..............10
Article 7 Termination of Agreement.......................................12
Article 8 Assignment.....................................................12
Article 9 Affiliations...................................................13
Article 10 Amendment......................................................14
Article 11 Applicable Law.................................................14
Article 12 Miscellaneous..................................................14
Article 13 Merger of Agreement............................................15
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
-------------------------------------
AGREEMENT made as of the 20th day of March, 1996 by and between
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation, having its
principal office and place of business at One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York
10292 (the Fund), and PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., a New Jersey
corporation, having its principal office and place of business at Raritan Plaza
One, Edison, New Jersey 08837 (the Agent or PMFS).
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint PMFS as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with
certain other activities, and PMFS desires to accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of PMFS
------------------------------------
1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the Fund hereby employs and appoints PMFS to act as, and PMFS agrees to act as,
the transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of the common stock of
each series of the Fund, $.001 par value (Shares), dividend disbursing agent and
<PAGE>
shareholder servicing agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or
similar plans provided to the shareholders of the Fund or any series thereof
(Shareholders) and set out in the currently effective prospectus and statement
of additional information (prospectus) of the Fund, including without limitation
any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
1.02 PMFS agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to time by
agreement between the Fund and PMFS, PMFS shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and
promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian
of the Fund authorized pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund
(the Custodian);
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares
and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption directions
and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it by
the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay
2
<PAGE>
over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as
instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon
receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions
declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on purchases
and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges may be reflected in the
prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its
Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to
Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1934 Act) a record of
the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data
provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. PMFS shall also provide
to the Fund on a regular basis the total number of Shares which are authorized,
issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in case any proposed issue of
Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue. In case any issue of Shares
would result in an overissue, PMFS shall refuse to issue such Shares and shall
not countersign and issue any certificates requested for such Shares. When
recording
3
<PAGE>
the issuance of Shares, PMFS shall have no obligation to take cognizance of any
Blue Sky laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions
shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the above
paragraph (a), PMFS shall: (i) perform all of the customary services of a
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, shareholder
servicing agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans
(including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to, maintaining all Shareholder
accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, receiving and
tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current
Shareholders, withholding taxes on non-resident alien accounts, preparing and
filing appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by
federal tax authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation
forms and statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and
redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in Shareholder
accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders and
providing Shareholder account information and (ii) provide a system which will
enable
4
<PAGE>
the Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold in each State or other
jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to PMFS in writing those
transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from Blue Sky reporting for each
State and (ii) verify the establishment of transactions for each State on the
system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for each
State. The responsibility of PMFS for the Fund's registration status under the
Blue Sky or securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction is solely limited
to the initial establishment of transactions subject to Blue Sky compliance by
the Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided above
and as agreed from time to time by the Fund and PMFS.
PMFS may also provide such additional services and functions not
specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between PMFS and the
Fund and set forth in Schedule B hereto.
Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be established
from time to time by agreement between the Fund and PMFS.
Article 2 Fees and Expenses
-----------------
2.01 For performance by PMFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund
agrees to pay PMFS an annual maintenance fee for each
5
<PAGE>
Shareholder account and certain transactional fees as set out in the fee
schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and
advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be changed from time to time
subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and PMFS.
2.02 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.01 above, the Fund
agrees to reimburse PMFS for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by PMFS
for the items set out in Schedule A attached hereto. In addition, any other
expenses incurred by PMFS at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be
reimbursed by the Fund.
2.03 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within
a reasonable period of time following the mailing of the respective billing
notice. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other
mailings to all Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to PMFS by the Fund upon
request prior to the mailing date of such materials.
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of PMFS
--------------------------------------
PMFS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of New Jersey and it is duly qualified to carry on its
business in New Jersey.
6
<PAGE>
3.02 It is and will remain registered with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Transfer Agent pursuant to the requirements of
Section 17A of the 1934 Act.
3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and By-
Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund
------------------------------------------
The Fund represents and warrants to PMFS that:
4.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Maryland.
4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.03 All corporate proceedings required by said Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and
perform this Agreement.
4.04 It is an investment company registered with the SEC under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
7
<PAGE>
Act).
4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
1933 Act) is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate
state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with
respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification
--------------------------------
5.01 PMFS shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall indemnify
and hold PMFS harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs,
charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to:
(a) All actions of PMFS or its agents or subcontractors required to be
taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good
faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by PMFS or its agents or subcontractors of
information, records and documents which (i) are received by PMFS or its agents
or subcontractors and furnished to
8
<PAGE>
it by or on behalf of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by
the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by PMFS or its agents or
subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Fund.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities or Blue Sky laws of
any State or other jurisdiction that such Shares be registered in such State or
other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop order or other determination or
ruling by any federal agency or any State or other jurisdiction with respect to
the offer or sale of such Shares in such State or other jurisdiction.
5.02 PMFS shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against
any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses
and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or
omission to act by PMFS as a result of PMFS' lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct.
5.03 At any time PMFS may apply to any officer of the Fund for
instructions, and may consult with legal counsel, with respect
9
<PAGE>
to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by PMFS
under this Agreement, and PMFS and its agents or subcontractors shall not be
liable and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted by
it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. PMFS,
its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon
any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund, reasonably believed
to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon
any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to PMFS or its
agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or
other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held to have notice
of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice
thereof from the Fund. PMFS, its agents and subcontractors shall also be
protected and indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which are reasonably
believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signature of the officers of the
Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar,
or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations
under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage
10
<PAGE>
reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control,
such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages
resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.
5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party
for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act
or failure to act hereunder.
5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and PMFS
--------------------------------------------
6.01 The Fund shall promptly furnish to PMFS the following:
(a) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of
11
<PAGE>
Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of PMFS and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement;
(b) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the
Fund and all amendments thereto;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments and
supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the 1933
Act and the 1940 Act;
(d) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the form
approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate of the Secretary of the
Fund as to such approval;
(e) All account application forms or other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan program or service offered or
to be offered by the Fund; and
(f) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as the Agent deems to
be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.
6.02 PMFS hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and
procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of stock
certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any;
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates,
forms and devices.
12
<PAGE>
6.03 PMFS shall prepare and keep records relating to the services to be
performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the
extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations
thereunder, PMFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by PMFS
relating to the services to be performed by PMFS hereunder are the property of
the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with
such Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, and
will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.04 PMFS and the Fund agree that all books, records, information and
data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall
remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person
except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of PMFS and the Fund.
6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, PMFS will endeavor to notify the Fund and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. PMFS reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder
records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held
liable
13
<PAGE>
for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
Article 7 Termination of Agreement
------------------------
7.01 This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon one hundred
twenty (120) days written notice to the other.
7.02 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket
expenses associated with the movement of records and other materials will be
borne by the Fund. Additionally, PMFS reserves the right to charge for any
other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such termination.
Article 8 Assignment
----------
8.01 Except as provided in Section 8.03 below, neither this Agreement
nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without
the written consent of the other party.
8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
8.03 PMFS may, in its sole discretion and without further consent by
the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of its
obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but not
limited to: (i) Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities), a
registered
14
<PAGE>
broker-dealer, (ii) The Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential),
(iii) Pruco Securities Corporation, a registered broker-dealer, (iv) any
Prudential Securities or Prudential subsidiary or affiliate duly registered as a
broker-dealer and/or a transfer agent pursuant to the 1934 Act or (vi) any other
Prudential Securities or Prudential affiliate or subsidiary; provided, however,
that PMFS shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions
of any agent or subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.
Article 9 Affiliations
------------
9.01 PMFS may now or hereafter, without the consent of or notice to
the Fund, function as Transfer Agent and/or Shareholder Servicing Agent for any
other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act, including
without limitation any investment company whose adviser, administrator, sponsor
or principal underwriter is or may become affiliated with Prudential Securities
and/or Prudential or any of its or their direct or indirect subsidiaries or
affiliates.
9.02 It is understood and agreed that the directors, officers,
employees, agents and Shareholders of the Fund, and the directors, officers,
employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund's investment adviser and/or
distributor, are or may be
15
<PAGE>
interested in the Agent as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders
or otherwise, and that the directors, officers, employees, agents or
shareholders of the Agent may be interested in the Fund as directors, officers,
employees, agents, Shareholders or otherwise, or in the investment adviser
and/or distributor as officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders or
otherwise.
Article 10 Amendment
---------
10.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of
the Board of Directors of the Fund.
Article 11 Applicable Law
--------------
11.01 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Article 12 Miscellaneous
-------------
12.01 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any Share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to PMFS an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by the
holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or destroyed,
supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to PMFS and the Fund issued by a
surety company satisfactory to PMFS, except that PMFS
16
<PAGE>
may accept an affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement executed by the
registered holder (or legal representative) without surety in such form as PMFS
deems appropriate indemnifying PMFS and the Fund for the issuance of a
replacement certificate, in cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of
$1000 or less.
12.02 In the event that any check or other order for payment of money
on the account of any Shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid for any
reason, PMFS will (a) give prompt notification to the Fund's distributor
(Distributor) of such non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including
imposition of a reasonable processing or handling fee, as PMFS may, in its sole
discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and the Distributor may instruct
PMFS.
12.03 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to PMFS shall be sufficiently
given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth
below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing.
To the Fund:
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, NY 10292
Attention: President
17
<PAGE>
To PMFS:
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
Raritan Plaza One
Edison, NJ 08837
Attention: President
Article 13 Merger of Agreement
-------------------
13.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof whether oral or written.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and through
their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
BY: /s/ Robert F. Gunia
--------------------------------------
Robert F. Gunia
Vice President
ATTEST:
/s/ Grace C. Torres
-----------------------------
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
BY: /s/ Vincent Marra
---------------------------------------
ATTEST:
/s/ S. Jane Rose
-----------------------------
18
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
19
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
20
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.11
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the use in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
Statement No. 333-00203 of Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. of our
report dated February 15, 1996, appearing in the Statement of Additional
Information, which is a part of such Registration Statement, and to the
reference to us under the heading "Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
Agent and Independent Accountants" in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
September 4, 1996
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.15(a)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Distribution and Service Plan
(Class A Shares)
--------------
Introduction
------------
The Distribution and Service Plan (the Plan) set forth below which is
designed to conform to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) and Article III, Section 26 of
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (NASD) has been adopted by Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. (the
Fund) and by Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc., the Fund's distributor
(the Distributor).
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement pursuant to which the
Fund will employ the Distributor to distribute Class A shares issued by the Fund
(Class A shares). Under the Plan, the Fund intends to pay to the Distributor,
as compensation for its services, a distribution and service fee with respect to
Class A shares.
A majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority of
those Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1
Directors), have determined by votes cast in person at a meeting called for
<PAGE>
the purpose of voting on this Plan that there is a reasonable likelihood that
adoption of this Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. Expenditures
under this Plan by the Fund for Distribution Activities (defined below) are
primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A shares of the Fund within
the meaning of paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment
Company Act.
The purpose of the Plan is to create incentives to the Distributor and/or
other qualified broker-dealers and their account executives to provide
distribution assistance to their customers who are investors in the Fund, to
defray the costs and expenses associated with the preparation, printing and
distribution of prospectuses and sales literature and other promotional and
distribution activities and to provide for the servicing and maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
The Plan
--------
The material aspects of the Plan are as follows:
1. Distribution Activities
-----------------------
The Fund shall engage the Distributor to distribute Class A shares of the
Fund and to service shareholder accounts using all of the facilities of the
distribution networks of Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential
Securities) and Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec), including sales personnel
and branch office and central support systems, and also using such
2
<PAGE>
other qualified broker-dealers and financial institutions as the Distributor may
select. Services provided and activities undertaken to distribute Class A
shares of the Fund are referred to herein as "Distribution Activities."
2. Payment of Service Fee
-----------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for providing
personal service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts a service fee of .25 of
1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares (service
fee). The Fund shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class A
shares of the Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other
intervals as the Board of Directors may determine.
3. Payment for Distribution Activities
-----------------------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for its services a
distribution fee, together with the service fee (described in Section 2 hereof),
of .30 of 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares of
the Fund for the performance of Distribution Activities. The Fund shall
calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class A shares of the Fund
hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other intervals as the
Board of Directors may determine. Amounts payable under the Plan shall be
subject to the limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the NASD Rules of Fair
Practice.
3
<PAGE>
Amounts paid to the Distributor by the Class A shares of the Fund will not
be used to pay the distribution expenses incurred with respect to any other
class of shares of the Fund except that distribution expenses attributable to
the Fund as a whole will be allocated to the Class A shares according to the
ratio of the sales of Class A shares to the total sales of the Fund's shares
over the Fund's fiscal year or such other allocation method approved by the
Board of Directors. The allocation of distribution expenses among classes will
be subject to the review of the Board of Directors.
The Distributor shall spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on
Distribution Activities which include, among others:
(a) amounts paid to Prudential Securities for performing services
under a selected dealer agreement between Prudential Securities
and the Distributor for sale of Class A shares of the Fund,
including sales commissions and trailer commissions paid to, or
on account of, account executives and indirect and overhead costs
associated with Distribution Activities, including central office
and branch expenses;
(b) amounts paid to Prusec for performing services under a selected
dealer agreement between Prusec and the Distributor for sale of
Class A shares of the Fund, including sales commissions, trailer
commissions paid to, or on account of, agents and indirect and
overhead costs associated with Distribution Activities;
(c) advertising for the Fund in various forms through any available
medium, including the cost of printing and mailing Fund
prospectuses, statements of additional information and periodic
financial reports and sales literature to persons other than
4
<PAGE>
current shareholders of the Fund; and
(d) sales commissions (including trailer commissions) paid to, or on
account of, broker-dealers and financial institutions (other than
Prudential Securities and Prusec) which have entered into selected
dealer agreements with the Distributor with respect to Class A shares
of the Fund.
4. Quarterly Reports; Additional Information
-----------------------------------------
An appropriate officer of the Fund will provide to the Board of Directors
of the Fund for review, at least quarterly, a written report specifying in
reasonable detail the amounts expended for Distribution Activities (including
payment of the service fee) and the purposes for which such expenditures were
made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1. The Distributor will
provide to the Board of Directors of the Fund such additional information as the
Board shall from time to time reasonably request, including information about
Distribution Activities undertaken or to be undertaken by the Distributor.
The Distributor will inform the Board of Directors of the Fund of the
commissions and account servicing fees to be paid by the Distributor to account
executives of the Distributor and to broker-dealers and financial institutions
which have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor.
5. Effectiveness; Continuation
---------------------------
The Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of the Class A shares of the Fund.
5
<PAGE>
If approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Class A shares of the Fund, the Plan shall, unless earlier terminated in
accordance with its terms, continue in full force and effect thereafter for so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Directors by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on the continuation of the Plan.
6. Termination
-----------
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule
12b-1 Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class A shares of the Fund.
7. Amendments
----------
The Plan may not be amended to change the combined service and distribution
fees to be paid as provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof so as to increase
materially the amounts payable under this Plan unless such amendment shall be
approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class A shares of the Fund. All
material amendments of the Plan shall be approved by a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors by votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
6
<PAGE>
8. Rule 12b-1 Directors
--------------------
While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Directors
shall be committed to the discretion of the Rule 12b-1 Directors.
9. Records
-------
The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan and any related agreements and
all reports made pursuant to Section 4 hereof, for a period of not less than six
years from the date of effectiveness of the Plan, such agreements or reports,
and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Dated: February 6, 1996
7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.15(b)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Distribution and Service Plan
(Class B Shares)
--------------
Introduction
------------
The Distribution and Service Plan (the Plan) set forth below which is
designed to conform to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) and Article III, Section 26 of
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (NASD) has been adopted by Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. (the
Fund) and by Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities), the
Fund's distributor (the Distributor).
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement pursuant to which the
Fund will employ the Distributor to distribute Class B shares issued by the Fund
(Class B shares). Under the Plan, the Fund wishes to pay to the Distributor, as
compensation for its services, a distribution and service fee with respect to
Class B shares.
A majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund including a majority who
are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Directors), have
determined by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on
<PAGE>
this Plan that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Plan will
benefit the Fund and its shareholders. Expenditures under this Plan by the Fund
for Distribution Activities (defined below) are primarily intended to result in
the sale of Class B shares of the Fund within the meaning of paragraph (a)(2) of
Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act.
The purpose of the Plan is to create incentives to the Distributor and/or
other qualified broker-dealers and their account executives to provide
distribution assistance to their customers who are investors in the Fund, to
defray the costs and expenses associated with the preparation, printing and
distribution of prospectuses and sales literature and other promotional and
distribution activities and to provide for the servicing and maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
The Plan
--------
The material aspects of the Plan are as follows:
1. Distribution Activities
-----------------------
The Fund shall engage the Distributor to distribute Class B shares of the
Fund and to service shareholder accounts using all of the facilities of the
Prudential Securities distribution network including sales personnel and branch
office and central support systems, and also using such other qualified broker-
dealers and financial institutions as the Distributor may select, including
Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec). Services provided and
2
<PAGE>
activities undertaken to distribute Class B shares of the Fund are referred to
herein as "Distribution Activities."
2. Payment of Service Fee
-----------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for providing
personal service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts a service fee of .25 of
1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares (service
fee). The Fund shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class B
shares of the Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other
intervals as the Board of Directors may determine.
3. Payment for Distribution Activities
-----------------------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for its services a
distribution fee of .75 of 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares of the Fund for the performance of Distribution Activities. The
Fund shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class B shares of
the Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other intervals
as the Board of Directors may determine. Amounts payable under the Plan shall
be subject to the limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the NASD Rules of
Fair Practice.
Amounts paid to the Distributor by the Class B shares of the Fund will not
be used to pay the distribution expenses incurred with respect to any other
class of shares of the Fund except that distribution expenses attributable to
the Fund as a whole will be
3
<PAGE>
allocated to the Class B shares according to the ratio of the sale of Class B
shares to the total sales of the Fund's shares over the Fund's fiscal year or
such other allocation method approved by the Board of Directors. The allocation
of distribution expenses among classes will be subject to the review of the
Board of Directors.
The Distributor shall spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on
Distribution Activities which include, among others:
(a) sales commissions (including trailer commissions) paid to, or on
account of, account executives of the Distributor;
(b) indirect and overhead costs of the Distributor associated with
performance of Distribution Activities including central office and
branch expenses;
(c) amounts paid to Prusec for performing services under a selected
dealer agreement between Prusec and the Distributor for sale of Class
B shares of the Fund, including sales commissions and trailer
commissions paid to, or on account of, agents and indirect and
overhead costs associated with Distribution Activities;
(d) advertising for the Fund in various forms through any available
medium, including the cost of printing and mailing Fund prospectuses,
statements of additional information and periodic financial reports
and sales literature to persons other than current shareholders of the
Fund; and
(e) sales commissions (including trailer commissions) paid to, or on
account of, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (other
than Prusec) which have entered into selected dealer agreements with
the Distributor with respect to Class B shares of the Fund.
4. Quarterly Reports; Additional Information
-----------------------------------------
An appropriate officer of the Fund will provide to the Board of Directors
of the Fund for review, at least quarterly, a written report specifying in
reasonable detail the amounts expended for
4
<PAGE>
Distribution Activities (including payment of the service fee) and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made in compliance with the requirements of
Rule 12b-1. The Distributor will provide to the Board of Directors of the Fund
such additional information as they shall from time to time reasonably request,
including information about Distribution Activities undertaken or to be
undertaken by the Distributor.
The Distributor will inform the Board of Directors of the Fund of the
commissions and account servicing fees to be paid by the Distributor to account
executives of the Distributor and to broker-dealers and other financial
institutions which have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor.
5. Effectiveness; Continuation
---------------------------
The Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of the Class B shares of the Fund.
If approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Class B shares of the Fund, the Plan shall, unless earlier terminated in
accordance with its terms, continue in full force and effect thereafter for so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Directors by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on the continuation of the Plan.
5
<PAGE>
6. Termination
-----------
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule
12b-1 Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class B shares of the Fund.
7. Amendments
----------
The Plan may not be amended to change the combined service and distribution
fees to be paid as provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof so as to increase
materially the amounts payable under this Plan unless such amendment shall be
approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class B shares of the Fund. All
material amendments of the Plan shall be approved by a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors by votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
8. Rule 12b-1 Directors
--------------------
While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Rule 12b-1
Directors shall be committed to the discretion of the Rule 12b-1 Directors.
9. Records
-------
The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan and any related agreements and
all reports made pursuant to Section 4 hereof, for a period of not less than six
years from the date of effectiveness
6
<PAGE>
of the Plan, such agreements or reports, and for at least the first two years in
an easily accessible place.
Dated: February 6, 1996
7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.15(c)
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Distribution and Service Plan
(Class C Shares)
--------------
Introduction
------------
The Distribution and Service Plan (the Plan) set forth below which is
designed to conform to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) and Article III, Section 26 of
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (NASD) has been adopted by Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. (the
Fund) and by Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities), the
Fund's distributor (the Distributor) and will become effective upon the approval
of the Plan by the sole shareholder of the Class C shares.
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement pursuant to which the
Fund will employ the Distributor to distribute Class C shares issued by the Fund
(Class C shares). Under the Plan, the Fund wishes to pay to the Distributor, as
compensation for its services, a distribution and service fee with respect to
Class C shares.
A majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority who
are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or any agreements
<PAGE>
related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Directors), have determined by votes cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan that there is
a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Plan will benefit the Fund and its
shareholders. Expenditures under this Plan by the Fund for Distribution
Activities (defined below) are primarily intended to result in the sale of Class
C shares of the Fund within the meaning of paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 12b-1
promulgated under the Investment Company Act.
The purpose of the Plan is to create incentives to the Distributor and/or
other qualified broker-dealers and their account executives to provide
distribution assistance to their customers who are investors in the Fund, to
defray the costs and expenses associated with the preparation, printing and
distribution of prospectuses and sales literature and other promotional and
distribution activities and to provide for the servicing and maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
The Plan
--------
The material aspects of the Plan are as follows:
1. Distribution Activities
-----------------------
The Fund shall engage the Distributor to distribute Class C shares of the
Fund and to service shareholder accounts using all of the facilities of the
Prudential Securities distribution network including sales personnel and branch
office and central support systems, and also using such other qualified broker-
dealers and financial institutions as the Distributor may select, including
2
<PAGE>
Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec). Services provided and activities
undertaken to distribute Class C shares of the Fund are referred to herein as
"Distribution Activities."
2. Payment of Service Fee
----------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for providing
personal service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts a service fee of .25 of
1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares (service
fee). The Fund shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class C
shares of the Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other
intervals as the Board of Directors may determine.
3. Payment for Distribution Activities
-----------------------------------
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for its services a
distribution fee of .75 of 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the
Class C shares of the Fund for the performance of Distribution Activities. The
Fund shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class C shares of
the Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other intervals
as the Board of Directors may determine. Amounts payable under the Plan shall
be subject to the limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the NASD Rules of
Fair Practice.
Amounts paid to the Distributor by the Class C shares of the Fund will not
be used to pay the distribution expenses incurred with respect to any other
class of shares of the Fund except that distribution expenses attributable to
the Fund as a whole will be
3
<PAGE>
allocated to the Class C shares according to the ratio of the sale of Class C
shares to the total sales of the Fund's shares over the Fund's fiscal year or
such other allocation method approved by the Board of Directors. The allocation
of distribution expenses among classes will be subject to the review of the
Board of Directors. Payments hereunder will be applied to distribution expenses
in the order in which they are incurred, unless otherwise determined by the
Board of Directors.
The Distributor shall spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on
Distribution Activities which include, among others:
(a) sales commissions (including trailer commissions) paid to, or on
account of, account executives of the Distributor;
(b) indirect and overhead costs of the Distributor associated with
performance of Distribution Activities including central office and
branch expenses;
(c) amounts paid to Prusec for performing services under a selected
dealer agreement between Prusec and the Distributor for sale of Class
C shares of the Fund, including sales commissions and trailer
commissions paid to, or on account of, agents and indirect and
overhead costs associated with Distribution Activities;
(d) advertising for the Fund in various forms through any available
medium, including the cost of printing and mailing Fund prospectuses,
statements of additional information and periodic financial reports
and sales literature to persons other than current shareholders of the
Fund; and
(e) sales commissions (including trailer commissions) paid to, or on
account of, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (other
than Prusec) which have entered into selected dealer agreements with
the Distributor with respect to Class C shares of the Fund.
4. Quarterly Reports; Additional Information
-----------------------------------------
4
<PAGE>
An appropriate officer of the Fund will provide to the Board of Directors
of the Fund for review, at least quarterly, a written report specifying in
reasonable detail the amounts expended for Distribution Activities (including
payment of the service fee) and the purposes for which such expenditures were
made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1. The Distributor will
provide to the Board of Directors of the Fund such additional information as
they shall from time to time reasonably request, including information about
Distribution Activities undertaken or to be undertaken by the Distributor.
The Distributor will inform the Board of Directors of the Fund of the
commissions and account servicing fees to be paid by the Distributor to account
executives of the Distributor and to broker-dealers and other financial
institutions which have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor.
5. Effectiveness; Continuation
---------------------------
The Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of the Class C shares of the Fund.
If approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Class C shares of the Fund, the Plan shall, unless earlier terminated in
accordance with its terms, continue in full force and effect thereafter for so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
majority of the Board
5
<PAGE>
of Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors by votes
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the continuation
of the Plan.
6. Termination
-----------
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule
12b-1 Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class C shares of the Fund.
7. Amendments
----------
The Plan may not be amended to change the combined service and distribution
expenses to be paid as provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof so as to increase
materially the amounts payable under this Plan unless such amendment shall be
approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class C shares of the Fund. All
material amendments of the Plan shall be approved by a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Fund and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors by votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
8. Rule 12b-1 Directors
--------------------
While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Rule 12b-1
Directors shall be committed to the discretion of the Rule 12b-1 Directors.
9. Records
-------
The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan and any related
6
<PAGE>
agreements and all reports made pursuant to Section 4 hereof, for a period of
not less than six years from the date of effectiveness of the Plan, such
agreements or reports, and for at least the first two years in an easily
accessible place.
Dated: February 6, 1996
7
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.- CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13,196,575
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 13,829,672
<RECEIVABLES> 208,409
<ASSETS-OTHER> 268,636
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,306,717
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 31,305
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 287,085
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 318,390
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13,275,165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,061,706
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 9,175
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 69,828
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 633,097
<NET-ASSETS> 13,988,327
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 8,458
<INTEREST-INCOME> 105,231
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,175
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 69,829
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 633,097
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 712,101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 13,743,282
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (567,056)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 13,888,327
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 104,514
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4,623
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.69
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.19
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.67
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.- CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13,196,575
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 13,829,672
<RECEIVABLES> 208,409
<ASSETS-OTHER> 268,636
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,306,717
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 31,305
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 287,085
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 318,390
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13,275,165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,061,706
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 9,175
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 69,828
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 633,097
<NET-ASSETS> 13,988,327
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 8,458
<INTEREST-INCOME> 105,231
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,175
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 69,829
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 633,097
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 712,101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 13,743,282
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (567,056)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 13,888,327
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 104,514
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 6,980
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.67
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.17
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.- CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13,196,575
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 13,829,672
<RECEIVABLES> 208,409
<ASSETS-OTHER> 268,636
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,306,717
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 31,305
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 287,085
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 318,390
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13,275,165
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 9,175
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 69,828
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 633,097
<NET-ASSETS> 13,988,327
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 8,458
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<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
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<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 69,829
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 633,097
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 712,101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 13,743,282
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (567,056)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 13,888,327
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 104,514
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,726
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.17
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
