<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
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PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 25, 1996
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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. The Fund may engage in short selling and use leverage, which
entails additional risks. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment
objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
THE FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 100% OF ITS NET ASSETS IN LOWER RATED AND UNRATED
BONDS, INCLUDING DEFAULTED SECURITIES. THESE SECURITIES ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS
"JUNK BONDS" AND ARE SUBJECT TO A GREATER RISK OF LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AND
INTEREST THAN HIGHER RATED BONDS. INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY
AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS MAY BE CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE AND MAY
PRESENT POTENTIAL FOR SUBSTANTIAL LOSS. THE FUND'S SHARE PRICE MAY BE
PARTICULARLY VOLATILE AND PURCHASERS SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND. SEE "HOW THE FUND INVESTS--
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES--RISKS OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY
TROUBLED ISSUERS" AND "--RISK FACTORS RELATING TO INVESTING IN DEBT SECURITIES
RATED BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE (JUNK BONDS)." THE MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT IS
$10,000.
The Fund's address is One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, and its
telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
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This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a
prospective investor should know before investing. Additional information
about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a
Statement of Additional Information, dated March 25, 1996, which information
is incorporated herein by reference (is legally considered a part of this
Prospectus) and is available without charge upon request to the Fund at the
address or telephone number noted above.
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Investors are advised to read the Prospectus and retain it for future
reference.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS
The following summary is intended to highlight certain information contained
in this Prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.?
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc. is a mutual fund. A mutual fund
pools the resources of investors by selling its shares to the public and
investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
achieve its investment objective. Technically, the Fund is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company.
WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
The Fund's investment objective is capital appreciation. It seeks to achieve
this 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 the Fund's 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. See "How
the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 5.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Investment in the securities of financially and operationally troubled
issuers may be considered speculative and may present potential for substantial
loss. The Fund's share price may be particularly volatile and purchasers should
carefully assess the risks associated with an investment in the Fund. See "How
the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Risks of Financially and
Operationally Troubled Issuers" at page 6. The Fund is permitted to invest more
than 35% of its net assets in defaulted securities and in low quality debt
securities having a rating of D or better as determined by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group, C or better by Moody's Investors Service or having a comparable
rating determined by another nationally recognized securities rating
organization (NRSRO), or in unrated securities which, in the opinion of the
investment adviser, are of equivalent quality. These lower rated securities,
commonly known as "junk bonds," are subject to a greater risk of loss of
principal and interest than higher rated bonds and may carry a greater
likelihood of default during an economic downturn or recession. See "How the
Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Risk Factors Relating to
Investing in Debt Securities Rated Below Investment Grade (Junk Bonds)" at page
7. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies involved in bankruptcy
proceedings, reorganizations and financial restructurings and may have a more
active participation in the affairs of the issuer than is generally assumed by
an investor. This may subject the Fund to litigation risks or prevent the Fund
from disposing of securities. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies--Risks of Financially and Operationally Troubled Issuers" at page
6. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers which involve risks not
typically associated with U.S. investments. See "How the Fund Invests--Risk
Factors Relating to Investing in Foreign Securities" at page 8. The Fund may
also engage in various hedging and return enhancement strategies involving
derivatives, 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. See "How the Fund Invests--Hedging and Return
Enhancement Strategies--Risks of Hedging and Return Enhancement Strategies" at
page 16. The Fund may engage in short selling and use leverage, which entails
additional risks. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Policies and
Techniques--Borrowing" and "--Short Sales" at pages 12 and 14.
WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. (PMF or the Manager), is the manager
of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .75 of 1%
of the Fund's average daily net assets. As of February 29, 1996, PMF served as
manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38 mutual funds,
with aggregate assets of approximately $52.7 billion. The Prudential Investment
Corporation (PIC or the Subadviser) furnishes investment advisory services in
2
<PAGE>
connection with the management of the Fund under a Subadvisory Agreement with
PMF. See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager" at page 17.
WHO DISTRIBUTES THE FUND'S SHARES?
Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
securities underwriter and securities and commodities broker, acts as the
Distributor of the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
distribution and service fee with respect to Class A shares which is currently
being charged at the annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service fee with respect
to Class B and Class C shares at an annual rate of 1% of the average daily net
assets of each of the Class B and Class C shares. See "How the Fund is
Managed--Distributor" at page 18.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
The minimum initial investment is $10,000 per class. The minimum subsequent
investment is $100 for all classes. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares
of the Fund" at page 24.
HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
You may purchase shares of the Fund through Prudential Securities, Pruco
Securities Corporation (Prusec) or directly from the Fund, through its transfer
agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer Agent), at
the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt of your
purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a sales
charge which 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 "How the Fund
Values its Shares" at page 20 and "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the
Fund" at page 24.
WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
The Fund offers three classes of shares:
. Class A Shares: Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 5% of the
offering price.
. Class B Shares: Sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC (declining from 5%
to zero of the lower of the amount invested or the
redemption proceeds) which will be imposed on certain
redemptions made within six years of purchase. Although
Class B shares are subject to higher ongoing distribution-
related expenses than Class A shares, Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares (which are subject
to lower ongoing distribution-related expenses)
approximately seven years after purchase.
. Class C Shares: Sold without an initial sales charge but, for one year after
purchase, are subject to a CDSC of 1% on redemptions. Like
Class B shares, Class C shares are subject to higher ongoing
distribution-related expenses than Class A shares but do not
convert to another class.
See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 25.
HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
You may redeem your shares at any time at the NAV next determined after
Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell order. However,
the proceeds of redemptions of Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a
CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 27.
HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
Because of the Fund's investment policies and its emphasis on financially and
operationally troubled issuers, the Fund is not likely to receive significant
dividend income on its portfolio securities. The Fund has a policy of declaring
and paying any dividends of net investment income annually and making
distributions of any net capital gains at least annually. Dividends and
distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund
at NAV without a sales charge unless you request that they be paid to you in
cash. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions" at page 21.
3
<PAGE>
FUND EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION
EXPENSES+
Maximum Sales Load
Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of
offering price)....... 5% None None
Maximum Sales Load or
Deferred Sales Load
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends............. None None None
Deferred Sales Load (as
a percentage of origi- None 5% during the first year, 1% on redemptions
nal purchase price or decreasing by 1% annually to made within one
redemption proceeds, 1% in the fifth and year of purchase
whichever is lower)... the sixth years and
0% in the seventh year*
Redemption Fees........ None None None
Exchange Fee........... None None None
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------- -------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING
EXPENSES
(as a percentage of av-
erage net assets)
Management Fees........ .75% .75% .75%
12b-1 Fees (After Re-
duction)............. .25%++ 1.00% 1.00%
Other Expenses......... .50% .50% .50%
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating
Expenses (After Re-
duction)............. 1.50% 2.25% 2.25%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS
- ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, as-
suming (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of
each time period:
Class A........................................................ $64 $ 95
Class B........................................................ $73 $100
Class C........................................................ $33 $ 70
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, as-
suming no redemption:
Class A........................................................ $64 $ 95
Class B........................................................ $23 $ 70
Class C........................................................ $23 $ 70
</TABLE>
The example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the various
types of costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear, whether
directly or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs and
expenses, see "How the Fund is Managed." "Other Expenses" include estimated
operating expenses of the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1996,
such as Directors' and professional fees, registration fees, reports to
shareholders and transfer agency and custodian (domestic and foreign) fees (but
exclude foreign withholding taxes).
- ------------
* Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares approximately
seven years after purchase. See "Shareholder Guide--Conversion Feature--
Class B Shares."
+ Pursuant to rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
the aggregate initial sales charges, deferred sales charges and asset-based
sales charges (Rule 12b-1 fees) on shares of the Fund may not exceed 6.25%
of total gross sales, subject to certain exclusions. This 6.25% limitation
is imposed on each class of the Fund rather than on a per shareholder basis.
Therefore, long term shareholders of the Fund may pay more in total sales
charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of such shareholders'
investment in such shares. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
++ Although the Class A Distribution and Service Plan provides that the Fund
may pay up to an annual rate of .30 of 1% of the average daily net assets of
the Class A shares, the Distributor has agreed to limit its distribution
fees with respect to Class A shares of the Fund so as not to exceed .25 of
1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares for the fiscal year
ending November 30, 1996. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor." Total
Fund Operating Expenses with respect to Class A shares would be 1.55% absent
this limitation.
4
<PAGE>
HOW THE FUND INVESTS
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 MAY
BE EXPERIENCING POOR OPERATING RESULTS WHICH 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). See "Risks of Financially and Operationally Troubled Issuers" below.
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, purchase and sell foreign currency exchange contracts and
engage in transactions involving futures contracts and related options to
hedge its portfolio and to attempt to enhance return. See "Hedging and Return
Enhancement Strategies" below. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND'S
OBJECTIVE WILL BE ACHIEVED. See "Investment Objective and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE FUND'S
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES, AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940 (INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT). INVESTMENT POLICIES THAT ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL
MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The Fund is a vehicle for diversification and is not intended to constitute
a balanced investment program. Because of its emphasis on securities of
financially and operationally troubled issuers, the Fund should be considered
speculative and subject to greater investment risks than are assumed by other
investment companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total
assets in debt and equity securities of financially and operationally troubled
issuers (i.e., distressed securities), including defaulted securities and junk
bonds. The Fund has not established any percentage limitations with respect to
the allocation of investments between debt and equity securities. The
allocation of assets between debt and equity securities will be determined by
the investment adviser. With respect to the remainder of its assets, the Fund
may (i) invest in money market instruments, (ii) purchase and write (i.e.,
sell) put and call options on debt and equity securities, stock indices and
foreign currencies, (iii) purchase and sell foreign currency exchange
contracts, (iv) purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon
(including stock index futures, futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities, foreign currencies and indices and options thereon) and (v) enter
into repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may (a) lend its securities,
(b) make short sales, (c) purchase and sell securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis and (d) borrow money, in all instances subject to the
limitations described below under "Investment Policies and Techniques" and in
the Statement of Additional Information. See "Investment Objective and
Policies" and "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional
Information. 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. The Fund may also temporarily hold cash, high quality money market
instruments and U.S. Treasury securities pending investment of proceeds from
new sales of Fund shares or to meet ordinary daily cash needs. See "Investment
Policies and Techniques--Money Market Instruments" below.
SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS
Financially troubled issuers include domestic or foreign companies or
institutions in weak financial condition, companies having negative net worth
or substantial capital needs and companies involved in bankruptcy or
reorganization proceedings or financial restructurings. Operationally troubled
issuers are companies experiencing poor operating results that may have no
earnings or severely depressed earnings or have special competitive or product
obsolescence problems.
The Fund will invest in a wide variety of debt and equity securities
involving financially or operationally troubled companies in the belief that
these companies (and their securities) will react positively to changing
economic conditions or that management will take actions designed to overcome
adversity, such as the restructuring of current business operations. The
5
<PAGE>
Fund may invest in loans and participations (both secured and unsecured) made
to financially troubled companies by banks, insurance companies and Government
institutions such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The Fund may also invest in fixed-income
securities issued by states, municipalities, local governments and their
agencies and authorities, which pay interest which is exempt from federal
income taxation. In addition, the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed
securities. Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common and
preferred stocks, as well as equity-related securities such as warrants and
debt securities or preferred stocks which are convertible or exchangeable for
common stock or preferred stock. The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total
assets in equity and fixed-income securities of foreign issuers denominated in
U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. American and global depositary receipts
are not included in this 30% limitation. See "Risks of Financially and
Operationally Troubled Issuers" and "Investment Policies and Techniques" below
and "Investment Objective and Policies" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
The Fund is permitted to invest in defaulted securities and in low quality
debt securities having a rating of D or better as determined by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group (S&P), C or better by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's)
or having a comparable rating determined by another nationally recognized
securities rating organization (NRSRO), or in unrated securities which, in the
opinion of the investment adviser, are of equivalent quality. These lower
rated securities are commonly known as "junk bonds." See "Risk Factors
Relating to Investing in Debt Securities Rated Below Investment Grade (Junk
Bonds)" below and the "Description of Security Ratings" in the Appendix.
The Subadviser maintains a credit unit which the Fund's portfolio managers
may consult in managing the Fund's portfolio and in researching financially
troubled and operationally troubled issuers. The Fund's portfolio managers
review on an ongoing basis financially troubled and operationally troubled
issuers, including prospective purchases and portfolio holdings of the Fund.
They have broad access to research and financial reports, data retrieval
services and industry analysts.
RISKS OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS
INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED
ISSUERS INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF CREDIT AND MARKET RISK. See "Risk Factors
Relating to Investing in Debt Securities Rated Below Investment Grade (Junk
Bonds)" below. Although the Fund will invest in select companies which in the
view of its investment adviser have the potential over the long term for
capital growth, there can be no assurance that such financially or
operationally troubled companies can be successfully transformed into
profitable operating companies. There is a possibility that the Fund may incur
substantial or total losses on its investments. DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OR
RECESSION, SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GO
INTO DEFAULT THAN SECURITIES OF OTHER ISSUERS. IN ADDITION, IT MAY BE
DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED
ISSUERS.
INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED
ISSUERS IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND, ACCORDINGLY, INVESTORS IN THE
FUND SHOULD HAVE THE FINANCIAL ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO REMAIN INVESTED FOR
THE LONG TERM. SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS ARE LESS LIQUID AND
MORE VOLATILE THAN SECURITIES OF COMPANIES NOT EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL
DIFFICULTIES. THE MARKET PRICES OF SUCH SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO ERRATIC AND
ABRUPT MARKET MOVEMENTS AND THE SPREAD BETWEEN BID AND ASKED PRICES MAY BE
GREATER THAN NORMALLY EXPECTED. IN ADDITION, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MANY OF
THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS MAY NOT BE WIDELY TRADED AND THAT THE FUND'S
POSITION IN SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SUBSTANTIAL RELATIVE TO THE MARKET FOR SUCH
SECURITIES. AS A RESULT, THE FUND MAY EXPERIENCE DELAYS AND INCUR LOSSES AND
OTHER COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.
The Fund may invest in the securities of companies involved in bankruptcy
proceedings, reorganizations and financial restructurings and may have a more
active participation in the affairs of the issuer than is generally assumed by
an investor. This may subject the Fund to litigation risks or prevent the Fund
from disposing of securities. In a bankruptcy or other proceeding, the Fund as
a creditor may be unable to enforce its rights in any collateral or may have
its security interest in
6
<PAGE>
any collateral challenged, disallowed or subordinated to the claims of other
creditors. While the Fund will attempt to avoid taking the types of actions
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 to successfully defend against them. Because (unlike the Fund) other
investors may purchase the securities of these companies for the purpose of
exercising control or management, the Fund may be at a disadvantage to the
extent that the Fund's interests differ from the interests of these other
investors. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Securities of Financially
and Operationally Troubled Issuers--Bankruptcy and Other Proceedings--
Litigation Risks" in the Statement of Additional Information.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO INVESTING IN DEBT SECURITIES RATED BELOW INVESTMENT
GRADE (JUNK BONDS)
Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's inability to
meet principal and interest payments on the obligations (credit risk) and may
also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate
sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and
general market liquidity (market risk). Lower rated or unrated (i.e., high
yield or high risk) securities (commonly referred to as junk bonds) are more
likely to react to developments affecting market and credit risk than are more
highly rated securities, which react primarily to movements in the general
level of interest rates. The investment adviser considers both credit risk and
market risk in making investment decisions for the Fund.
Under adverse economic conditions, there is a risk that highly leveraged
issuers may be unable to service their debt obligations or to repay their
obligations upon maturity. During an economic downturn or recession,
securities of highly leveraged issuers are more likely to default than
securities of higher rated issuers. In addition, the secondary market for high
yield securities, which is concentrated in relatively few market makers, may
not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities.
Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high
yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse
changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the investment
adviser could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able
to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were
widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated
securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices in
calculating the Fund's net asset value. Lower rated or unrated debt
obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. The Fund may
invest more than 35% of its assets in lower rated fixed-income securities,
including securities having the lowest ratings assigned by nationally
recognized statistical ratings organizations or no rating but judged by the
Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Such investments involve a high degree
of risk and are predominantly speculative.
Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C by S&P, and debt rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C
by Moody's is regarded by the rating agency, on balance as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB/Ba indicates the
lowest degree of speculation and D/C the highest degree of speculation. While
such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions. Similarly, debt rated Ba or BB and below is regarded by the
relevant rating agency as speculative. Debt rated C by S&P is the lowest rated
debt that is not in default as to principal or interest and such issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing. Such securities are also generally considered to be
subject to greater risk than securities with higher ratings with regard to a
deterioration of general economic conditions. Debt rated D by S&P is in
payment default. Moody's does not have a D rating. See the "Description of
Security Ratings" in the Appendix.
Ratings of fixed-income securities represent the rating agency's opinion
regarding their credit quality and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating
agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and
do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating
agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to
subsequent events, so that an issuer's current financial condition may be
better or worse than a rating indicates.
7
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES
FOREIGN SECURITIES INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS, WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
CAREFULLY BY AN INVESTOR IN THE FUND. THESE RISKS INCLUDE POLITICAL OR
ECONOMIC INSTABILITY IN THE COUNTRY OF THE ISSUER, THE DIFFICULTY OF
PREDICTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE PATTERNS, THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPOSITION OF
EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND THE RISK OF CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. Such securities may
be subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities issued by U.S.
corporations or issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
instrumentalities or agencies. In addition, there may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company or government than about a
domestic company or the U.S. Government. Foreign companies generally are not
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. There is generally less
government regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies
abroad than in the United States and there is a possibility of expropriation,
confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments which could affect
investment. In many instances, foreign debt securities may provide higher
yields than securities of domestic issuers which have similar maturities and
quality. These investments, however, may be less liquid than the securities of
U.S. corporations. In the event of default of any such foreign debt
obligations, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or enforce a
judgment against the issuers of such securities.
INVESTING IN THE EQUITY AND FIXED-INCOME MARKETS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INVOLVES EXPOSURE TO ECONOMIES THAT ARE GENERALLY LESS DIVERSE AND MATURE AND
TO POLITICAL SYSTEMS WHICH CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE LESS STABILITY THAN THOSE
OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT THE MARKETS OF
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN MORE VOLATILE THAN THE MARKETS OF DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES. THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES MAY BE
GREATER WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND ARE CERTAINLY
GREATER WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN THE SECURITIES OF FINANCIALLY AND
OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS.
ADDITIONAL COSTS COULD BE INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FUND'S
INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES. Foreign brokerage commissions are
generally higher than United States brokerage commissions. Increased custodian
costs as well as administrative difficulties (such as the applicability of
foreign laws to foreign custodians in various circumstances) may be associated
with the maintenance of assets in foreign jurisdictions.
If the security is denominated in a foreign currency, it will be affected by
changes in currency exchange rates and in exchange control regulations, and
costs will be incurred in connection with conversions between currencies. A
change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result
in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's securities
denominated in that currency. Such changes also will affect the Fund's income
and distributions to shareholders. In addition, although the Fund will receive
income in such currencies, the Fund will be required to compute and distribute
its income in U.S. dollars. Therefore, if the exchange rate for any such
currency declines after the Fund's income has been accrued and translated into
U.S. dollars, the Fund could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to
make such distributions, particularly in instances in which the amount of
income the Fund is required to distribute is not immediately reduced by the
decline in such currency. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the
time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses are
paid, the amount of such currency required to be converted into U.S. dollars
in order to pay such expenses in U.S. dollars will be greater than the
equivalent amount in any such currency of such expenses at the time they were
incurred.
The Fund may, but need not, enter into forward foreign currency exchange
contracts, options on foreign currencies and futures contracts on foreign
currencies and related options, for hedging purposes, including: locking-in
the U.S. dollar price of the purchase or sale of securities denominated in a
foreign currency; locking-in the U.S. dollar equivalent of dividends to be
paid on such securities which are held by the Fund; and protecting the U.S.
dollar value of such securities which are held by the Fund.
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
CORPORATE AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest in corporate and other debt obligations including
convertible securities of domestic and foreign issuers. Issuers are not
limited to the corporate form of organization. Bonds and other debt securities
are used by issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the
investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and must repay the amount
borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not
pay current interest but are purchased at a discount from their face values.
The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will
accrue and compound over the period until maturity of the particular interest
payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security
at the time of issuance. Zero coupon securities do not require the periodic
payment of interest. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its
need for cash to meet debt service but also require a higher rate of return to
attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash.
Pay-in-kind securities have their interest payable upon maturity by delivery
of additional 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. Certain debt securities are subject to call provisions. 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
payment periods. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Zero Coupon, Pay-in-
Kind or Deferred Payment Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
The Fund is permitted to invest in defaulted securities and in low quality
debt securities or in unrated securities which, in the opinion of the
investment adviser, are of equivalent quality. See "Securities of Financially
and Operationally Troubled Issuers" and "Risk Factors Relating to Investing in
Debt Securities Rated Below Investment Grade (Junk Bonds)" above and the
"Description of Security Ratings" in the Appendix. Lower rated securities are
subject to a greater risk of loss of principal and interest than are higher
rated securities. See "Risks Factors Relating to Investing in Debt Securities
Rated Below Investment Grade (Junk Bonds)" above.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY IS A BOND OR PREFERRED STOCK WHICH MAY BE CONVERTED
AT A STATED PRICE WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME INTO A CERTAIN QUANTITY OF
THE COMMON STOCK OF THE SAME OR A DIFFERENT ISSUER. Convertible securities are
senior to common stocks in a corporation's capital structure, but are usually
subordinated to similar nonconvertible securities. While providing a fixed
income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from a
common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible
security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity,
through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation
dependent upon a market price advance in the convertible security's underlying
common stock.
In general, the market value of a convertible security is at least the
higher of its "investment value" (i.e., its value as a fixed-income security)
or its "conversion value" (i.e., its value upon conversion into its underlying
common stock). As a fixed-income security, a convertible security tends to
increase in market value when interest rates decline and tends to decrease in
value when interest rates rise. However, the price of a convertible security
is also influenced by the market value of the security's underlying stock. The
price of a convertible security tends to increase as the market value of the
underlying stock rises, whereas it tends to decrease as the market value of
the underlying stock declines. While no securities investment is without some
risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than
investments in the common stock of the same issuer.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
Mortgage-backed securities are securities that directly or indirectly
represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage
loans secured by real property. There are currently three basic types of
mortgage-backed securities:
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(i) those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies
or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association
(GNMA), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC); (ii) those issued by private issuers that
represent an interest in or are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities; and (iii) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or mortgage-backed
securities without a Government guarantee but usually having some form of
private credit enhancement.
Mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk that the principal on the
underlying mortgage loans may be prepaid at any time. Although the extent of
prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on various economic and other
factors, as a general rule prepayments on fixed rate mortgage loans will
increase during a period of falling interest rates and decrease during a
period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, amounts available for
reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining
interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower interest
rates than during a period of rising interest rates. Mortgage-backed
securities may decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates
and may benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining
interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.
MULTI-CLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES AND COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.
A collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) is a security issued by a
corporation or U.S. Government agency or instrumentality which is backed by a
portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. The issuer's obligation
to make interest and principal payments is secured by the underlying portfolio
of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. Multi-class pass-through
securities are equity interests in a trust composed of mortgages or mortgage-
backed securities. Payments of principal of and interest on the underlying
mortgage assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay
debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multi-class
pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities
of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in,
mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment
banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a
series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment
Conduit (REMIC). All future references to CMOs shall also be deemed to include
REMICs.
In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date. Principal prepayments on the underlying mortgage assets may cause the
CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final
distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on
a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. The principal of and interest on
the underlying mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of a
CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the
allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a
more predictable cash flow to the individual tranches than exists with the
underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the
cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that
tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on
mortgage-backed securities.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Through the use of trusts
and special purpose corporations, various types of assets, primarily
automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans, have been
securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through
structures or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure. The
Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may
be developed in the future. Unlike mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed
securities do not have the benefit of a security interest in the related
collateral. Credit card receivables, for example, are generally unsecured and
the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal
consumer credit laws, some of which may reduce the ability to obtain full
payment. In the case of automobile receivables, the security interests in the
underlying automobiles are often not transferred when the pool is created,
with the resulting possibility that the collateral could be resold. In
general, these types of loans are of shorter average life than mortgage loans
and are less likely to have substantial prepayments. In many instances, asset-
backed securities are over-collateralized to ensure the relative stability of
their credit quality.
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LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (Loans) arranged
through private negotiations between a corporate borrower and one or more
financial institutions (Lenders). The Fund may invest in such Loans generally
in the form of participations in Loans (Participations) and assignments of all
or a portion of Loans from third parties (Assignments). The Fund may acquire
Participations and Assignments which are high yield, non-convertible corporate
debt securities of varying maturities. Participations typically will result in
the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the
borrower. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal,
interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the
Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the
borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally
will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the
loan agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the
borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting
the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund
will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is
selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Lender
selling a Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the
Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the
borrower. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Fund will
acquire direct rights against the borrower on the Loan, except that under
certain circumstances such rights may be more limited than those held by the
assigning Lender.
The Fund may have difficulty disposing of Assignments and Participations.
Because the market for such instruments is not highly liquid, the Fund
anticipates that such instruments could be sold only to a limited number of
institutional investors. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may have
an adverse impact on the value of such instruments and will have an adverse
impact on the Fund's ability to dispose of particular Assignments or
Participations in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration
in the creditworthiness of the borrower.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in municipal bonds, including general obligation and
revenue bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of
its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest,
whereas 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 or other specific revenue source. In the case of
municipal lease obligations, where interest and principal are payable out of
lease payments made by the party leasing the facilities financed by the issue,
there is a risk that the municipality will not appropriate funds for the lease
payments. The Fund may also invest in municipal notes including tax, revenue
and bond anticipation notes which are issued to obtain funds for various
public purposes. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Corporate and Other
Debt Obligations--Municipal Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in equity and fixed-income
securities of foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign
currencies. American and global depositary receipts are not included in this
30% limitation. American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary
Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and other types of
depositary receipts evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a
foreign corporation that have been deposited with a depositary or custodian
bank, typically a U.S. bank or trust company. Depositary receipts may be
issued in connection with an offering of securities by the issuer of the
underlying securities or issued by a depositary bank as a vehicle to promote
investment and trading in the underlying securities. While depositary receipts
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities, the risks associated with foreign securities also generally apply
to depositary receipts. See "Risk Factors Relating to Investing in Foreign
Securities" above.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Foreign government securities include debt
securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest, by
governments, quasi-governmental entities, governmental agencies, supranational
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entities and other governmental entities (collectively, Government Entities)
denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. A "supranational entity" is
an entity constituted by the national governments of several countries to
promote economic development. Examples of such supranational entities include,
among others, the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development), the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Debt securities of "quasi-governmental entities" are issued by entities owned
by a national, state, or equivalent government or are obligations of a
political unit that are not backed by the national government's "full faith
and credit" and general taxing powers. Examples of quasi-governmental entities
include, among others, the Province of Ontario and the City of Stockholm.
Foreign government securities also include mortgage-backed securities issued
by Government Entities.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
The Fund may invest in high quality money market instruments, including
commercial paper of a U.S. or non-U.S. company, foreign government securities,
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits of domestic
and foreign banks, and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. These obligations will be U.S.
dollar-denominated or denominated in a foreign currency. Consistent with its
investment objective and policies, the Fund will also invest in lower quality
money market instruments of financially or operationally troubled issuers,
such as commercial paper. Money market instruments typically have a maturity
of thirteen months or less as measured from the date of purchase.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller of the
security agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually
agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase date is usually within a day or two
of the original purchase, although it may extend over a number of months. The
Fund's repurchase agreements will at all times be fully collateralized in an
amount at least equal to the resale price. 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 account with other investment companies managed by PMF pursuant to
an order of the SEC. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Repurchase
Agreements" in the Statement of Additional Information.
SECURITIES LENDING
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers or dealers, banks or
other recognized institutional borrowers of securities, provided that the
borrower at all times maintains cash or equivalent collateral or secures a
letter of credit in favor of the Fund in an amount equal to at least 100%,
determined daily, of the market value of the securities loaned which is
maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations. During
the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund an
amount equivalent to any dividend or interest paid on such securities and the
Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn additional income, or it may
receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower. 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. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund cannot lend more
than 30% of the value of its total assets. See "Investment Objective and
Policies--Lending of Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may pay reasonable administration and custodial fees in connection
with a loan.
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
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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"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
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.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven
days, securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale (restricted
securities) and securities that are not readily marketable in securities
markets either within or outside of the United States. Restricted securities
eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act), privately placed commercial paper and municipal
lease obligations that have a readily available market are not considered
illiquid for purposes of this limitation. Investing in Rule 144A securities
could, however, have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to
the extent that qualified institutional buyers become, for a limited time,
uninterested in purchasing these securities. The Fund intends to comply with
any applicable state blue sky laws restricting the Fund's investments in
illiquid securities. See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of
Additional Information. The investment adviser will monitor the liquidity of
such restricted securities under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to
the applicable notice period.
Securities of financially and operationally troubled issuers are less liquid
and more volatile than securities of companies not experiencing financial
difficulties. Many of the Fund's portfolio investments may not be widely
traded. Accordingly, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at
disadvantageous times and at disadvantageous prices in order to maintain no
more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. This could have an
adverse impact on the Fund's performance. See "Investment Objective and
Policies--Illiquid Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
As a result of the Fund's investment policies, its portfolio turnover rate
may exceed 100%, although the rate is not expected to exceed 150%. High
portfolio turnover (over 100%) may involve correspondingly greater brokerage
commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the
Fund. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" in the Statement of
Additional Information. In addition, high portfolio turnover may result in
increased short-term capital gains which, when distributed to shareholders,
are treated as ordinary income. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
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
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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 or other
liquid high-grade debt obligations 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.
SHORT SALES
The Fund may sell a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in
the market value of that security (short sales). To complete the transaction,
the Fund will borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is
then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market
price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less
than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security
is replaced, the Fund is required to pay to the lender any dividends or
interest which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security,
the Fund may be required to pay a premium which would increase the cost of the
security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker
to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position
is closed out. Until the Fund replaces the borrowed security, it will (a)
maintain in a segregated account cash or U.S. Government securities at such a
level that the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with
the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold
short and will not be less than the market value of the security at the time
it was sold short or (b) otherwise cover its short position through a short
sale "against-the-box," which is a short sale in which the Fund owns an equal
amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, securities of
the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. The
value of securities of any one issuer in which the Fund is short may not
exceed the lesser of 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets or 2% of the
securities of any class of any issuer.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the
security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which
the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the
security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be
decreased, and the amount of any loss will be increased, by the amount of any
premium, dividends or interest paid in connection with the short sale.
HEDGING AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES
THE FUND MAY ALSO ENGAGE IN VARIOUS PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES INVOLVING
DERIVATIVES TO REDUCE CERTAIN RISKS OF ITS INVESTMENTS AND TO ATTEMPT TO
ENHANCE RETURN. These strategies currently include the use of options, forward
currency exchange contracts and futures contracts and options thereon. The
Fund's ability to use these strategies may be limited by market conditions,
regulatory limits and tax considerations and there can be no assurance that
any of these strategies will succeed. See "Investment Objective and Policies"
and "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional Information. New financial products
and risk management techniques continue to be developed and the Fund may use
these new investments and techniques to the extent consistent with its
investment objective and policies.
OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
THE FUND MAY PURCHASE AND WRITE (i.e., SELL) PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON
SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES AND CURRENCIES THAT ARE TRADED ON U.S. OR
FOREIGN SECURITIES EXCHANGES OR IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET TO HEDGE THE
FUND'S PORTFOLIO OR TO ATTEMPT TO ENHANCE RETURN. These options will be on
equity and debt securities, including U.S. Government securities, financial
indices, including stock indices (e.g., S&P 500), and foreign currencies. The
Fund may write covered put and call options to attempt to generate additional
income through the receipt of premiums, purchase put options in an effort to
protect the value of securities (or currencies) that it owns against a decline
in market value and purchase call options in an effort to protect against an
increase in the price of securities (or currencies) it intends to purchase.
The Fund may also purchase put and call options to offset previously written
put and call options of the same series. See "Investment Objective and
Policies--Options on Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
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A CALL OPTION GIVES THE PURCHASER, IN EXCHANGE FOR A PREMIUM PAID, THE RIGHT
FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME TO PURCHASE THE SECURITIES OR CURRENCY SUBJECT
TO THE OPTION AT A SPECIFIED PRICE (THE EXERCISE PRICE OR STRIKE PRICE). The
writer of a call option, in return for the premium, has the obligation, upon
exercise of the option, to deliver, depending upon the terms of the option
contract, the underlying securities or a specified amount of cash to the
purchaser upon receipt of the exercise price. When the Fund writes a call
option, the Fund gives up the potential for gain on the underlying securities
or currency in excess of the exercise price of the option during the period
that the option is open.
A PUT OPTION GIVES THE PURCHASER, IN RETURN FOR A PREMIUM, THE RIGHT, FOR A
SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, TO SELL THE SECURITIES OR CURRENCY SUBJECT TO THE
OPTION TO THE WRITER OF THE PUT AT THE SPECIFIED EXERCISE PRICE. The writer of
the put option, in return for the premium, has the obligation, upon exercise
of the option, to acquire the securities or currency underlying the option at
the exercise price. The Fund might, therefore, be obligated to purchase the
underlying securities or currency for more than their current market price.
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 or other liquid high-grade debt obligations with a value sufficient
at all times to cover its obligations in a segregated account. See "Investment
Objective and Policies--Options on Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information. There is no limitation on the amount of call options the Fund may
write. The Fund has undertaken with certain state securities commissions that,
so long as shares of the Fund are registered in those states, it will not (a)
write puts having aggregate exercise prices greater than 25% of total net
assets, or (b) purchase (i) put options on stocks not held in the Fund's
portfolio, (ii) put options on stock indices or foreign currencies or (iii)
call options on stock, stock indices or foreign currencies if, after any such
purchase, the aggregate premiums paid for such options would exceed 10% of the
Fund's total assets; provided, however, that the Fund may purchase put options
on stocks held by the Fund if after such purchase the aggregate premiums paid
for such options do not exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets. The aggregate
value of the obligations underlying put options will not exceed 50% of the
Fund's assets.
FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
THE FUND MAY ENTER INTO FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO
PROTECT THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS AGAINST FUTURE CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot,
i.e., cash, basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market
or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell
currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase
or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of
days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set
on the date of the contract.
THE FUND'S DEALINGS IN FORWARD CONTRACTS WILL BE LIMITED TO HEDGING
INVOLVING EITHER SPECIFIC TRANSACTIONS OR PORTFOLIO POSITIONS. Transaction
hedging is the purchase or sale of a forward contract with respect to specific
receivables or payables of the Fund generally arising in connection with the
purchase or sale of its portfolio securities and accruals of interest or
dividends receivable and Fund expenses. Position hedging is the sale of a
foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
quoted in that currency or in a different currency (cross hedge). Although
there are no limits on the number of forward contracts which the Fund may
enter into, the Fund may not position hedge (including cross hedges) with
respect to a particular currency for an amount greater than the aggregate
market value (determined at the time of making any sale of forward currency)
of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in, or currently
convertible into, such currency. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Risks
Related to Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
THE FUND MAY PURCHASE AND SELL FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
THEREON WHICH ARE TRADED ON A COMMODITIES EXCHANGE OR BOARD OF TRADE TO REDUCE
CERTAIN RISKS OF ITS INVESTMENTS AND TO ATTEMPT TO ENHANCE RETURN
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IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS OF THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
(CFTC). These futures contracts and related options will be on debt
securities, including U.S. Government securities, financial indices and
foreign currencies. A futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an
agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the
future. A stock index futures contract is an agreement to deliver an amount of
cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value
of a specific stock index on an agreed future date and the contract price. The
Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts as a hedge against changes
resulting from market conditions in the value of securities which are held in
the Fund's portfolio or which the Fund intends to acquire.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts and related options to
attempt to enhance return, if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of
initial margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures and options on futures
and premiums paid for such related options would exceed 5% of the liquidation
value of the Fund's total assets. The Fund may purchase and sell futures
contracts and related options, without limitation, for bona fide hedging
purposes in accordance with regulations of the CFTC (i.e., to reduce certain
risks of its investments). The value of all futures contracts sold will not
exceed the total market value of the Fund's portfolio.
Futures contracts and related options are generally subject to segregation
and coverage requirements of the CFTC or the SEC. If the Fund does not hold
the security underlying the futures contract, the Fund will be required to
segregate on an ongoing basis with its Custodian cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid, high grade debt obligations in an amount at least
equal to the Fund's obligations with respect to such futures contracts.
THE FUND'S SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS DEPENDS
UPON THE INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET
AND IS SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL RISKS. The correlation between movements
in the price of a futures contract and the movements in the index or price of
the currencies being hedged is imperfect and there is a risk that the value of
the indices or currencies being hedged may increase or decrease at a greater
rate than the related futures contracts, resulting in losses to the Fund.
Certain futures exchanges or boards of trade have established daily limits on
the amount that the price of futures contracts or related options may vary,
either up or down, from the previous day's settlement price. These daily
limits may restrict the Fund's ability to purchase or sell certain futures
contracts or related options on any particular day.
The Fund's ability to enter into futures contracts and options thereon is
limited by the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for qualification as
a regulated investment company. See "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
RISKS OF HEDGING AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES
PARTICIPATION IN THE OPTIONS OR FUTURES MARKETS AND IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS AND TRANSACTION COSTS TO WHICH THE FUND
WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT ABSENT THE USE OF THESE STRATEGIES. If the Subadviser's
predictions of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency
and interest rate markets are inaccurate, the
adverse consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than
if such strategies were not used. Risks inherent in the use of options,
foreign currency and futures contracts and options on futures contracts
include (1) dependence on the Subadviser's ability to predict correctly
movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency
markets; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures
contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or
currencies being hedged; (3) the fact that skills needed to use these
strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities; (4)
the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular
instrument at any time; (5) the possible need to defer closing out certain
hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and (6) the possible
inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that
otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the
Fund to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time, due to the need
for the Fund to maintain "cover" or to segregate securities in connection with
hedging transactions. See "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional Information.
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The Fund will generally purchase options and futures on an exchange only if
there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such options or futures; the
Fund will generally purchase OTC options only if management believes that the
other party to options will continue to make a market for such options.
However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will
continue to exist or that the other party will continue to make a market.
Thus, it may not be possible to close an options or futures transaction. The
inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse
impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio. There is also
the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the event of
bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in an option, a
futures contract or related option.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions which, like its
investment objective, constitute fundamental policies. Fundamental policies
cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
THE FUND HAS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE
ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S MANAGER, SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, DECIDES UPON
MATTERS OF GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S MANAGER CONDUCTS AND SUPERVISES THE
DAILY BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FUND'S SUBADVISER FURNISHES DAILY
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES.
The Fund is responsible for the payment of certain fees and expenses
including, among others, the following: (i) management and distribution fees;
(ii) the fees of unaffiliated Directors; (iii) the fees of the Fund's
Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent; (iv) the fees of the
Fund's legal counsel and independent accountants; (v) brokerage commissions
incurred in connection with portfolio transactions; (vi) all taxes and charges
of governmental agencies, including registration fees; (vii) the reimbursement
of organization expenses; and (viii) expenses related to shareholder
communications including all expenses of shareholders' and Board of Directors'
meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and
prospectuses to shareholders.
MANAGER
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT, INC. (PMF OR THE MANAGER), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292, IS THE MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .75 OF 1% OF THE FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS. IT WAS INCORPORATED IN MAY 1987 UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE. SEE "MANAGER" IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
As of February 29, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of the Prudential Mutual Funds, and as manager or
administrator to 22 closed-end investment companies with aggregate assets of
approximately $52.7 billion.
Under the Management Agreement with the Fund, PMF manages the investment
operations of the Fund and also administers the Fund's corporate affairs. See
"Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
UNDER THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PMF AND THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY
PMF FOR ITS REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES.
Under the Management Agreement, PMF continues to have responsibility for all
investment advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of
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such services. The current portfolio managers of the Fund are Leigh Goehring,
a Vice President of Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management, a unit of
PIC, and George Edwards, a Vice President of PIC. Messrs. Goehring and Edwards
share responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio.
Mr. Goehring has been employed by PIC as a manager since 1986. Mr. Goehring
also serves as the portfolio manager of Prudential Global Natural Resources
Fund, Inc., and the Natural Resources Portfolio of The Prudential Series Fund,
Inc., within Prudential's variable life and annuity products. Mr. Edwards has
been employed by PIC as a portfolio manager since 1985. Prior to that, he was
a corporate bond credit analyst at PIC. Mr. Edwards serves as a high yield
portfolio manager of institutional accounts at PIC. The Fund is managed by the
growth and income team at Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management, which
is headed by Warren Spitz. Mr. Spitz is a Managing Director of Prudential
Mutual Fund Investment Management. He is a strict "value" investor and serves
as the portfolio manager of Prudential Equity Income Fund and the Prudential
Series Fund--High Dividend Stock Portfolio. Mr. Spitz joined Prudential in
1987.
PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance
Company of America (Prudential), a major diversified insurance and financial
services company.
DISTRIBUTOR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE
SEAPORT PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292, IS A CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE FUND. IT IS AN INDIRECT, WHOLLY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARY OF PRUDENTIAL.
UNDER 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.
These expenses include commissions and account servicing fees paid to, or on
account of, financial advisers of Prudential Securities and Pruco Securities
Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions and account
servicing fees paid to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial
institutions (other than national banks) which have entered into agreements
with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing
prospectuses to potential investors and indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities and Prusec associated with the sale of Fund shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The
State of Texas requires that shares of the Fund may be sold in that state only
by dealers or other financial institutions which are registered there as
broker-dealers.
Under the Plans, the Fund is obligated to pay distribution and/or service
fees to the Distributor as compensation for its distribution and service
activities, not as reimbursement for specific expenses incurred. If the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Fund will
not be obligated to pay any additional expenses. If the Distributor's expenses
are less than such distribution and service fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
UNDER THE CLASS A PLAN, THE FUND MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED EXPENSES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES. The
Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or 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% of the
average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities has
agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares for the
fiscal year ending November 30, 1996.
UNDER THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE FUND PAYS PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FOR
ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED EXPENSES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF EACH OF THE CLASS B
AND CLASS C SHARES. The Class B and Class C Plans provide for the payment to
Prudential Securities of (i) an asset-based sales charge of .75 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class B and Class C shares, respectively, and
(ii) a service fee of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of each of the
Class B and Class C shares. The service fee is used to
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pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Prudential Securities also receives contingent deferred sales charges from
certain redeeming shareholders. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of shares of the Fund will be
allocated to each class based upon the ratio of sales of each class to the
sales of all shares of the Fund other than expenses allocable to a particular
class. The distribution fee and sales charge of one class will not be used to
subsidize the sale of another class.
Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year
provided that a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a
majority of the 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 the Plan or any agreement related to
the Plan (the Rule 12b-1 Directors), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each
Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Directors or of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class
of the Fund. The Fund will not be obligated to pay distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
In addition to distribution and service fees paid by the Fund under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans, the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments out of its own resources to dealers (including Prudential
Securities) and other persons which distribute shares of the Fund. Such
payments may be calculated by reference to the net asset value of shares sold
by such persons or otherwise.
The Distributor is subject to the rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) governing maximum sales charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
On October 21, 1993, PSI entered into an omnibus settlement with the SEC,
state securities regulators (with the exception of the Texas Securities
Commissioner who joined the settlement on January 18, 1994) and the NASD to
resolve allegations that from 1980 through 1990 PSI sold certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities laws to persons for whom such
securities were not suitable and misrepresented the safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the
allegations asserted against it, PSI consented to the entry of an SEC
Administrative Order which stated that PSI's conduct violated the federal
securities laws, directed PSI to cease and desist from violating the federal
securities laws, pay civil penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to
address the violations.
Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of
a $10,000,000 civil penalty, established a settlement fund in the amount of
$330,000,000 and procedures to resolve legitimate claims for compensatory
damages by purchasers of the partnership interests. PSI has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary, for the purposes of the settlement fund. 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 October 1994, a criminal complaint was filed with the United States
Magistrate for the Southern District of New York alleging that PSI committed
fraud in connection with the sale of certain limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws. An agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the
signing of the agreement, provided that PSI complies with the terms of the
agreement. If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with
the terms of the agreement, no prosecution will be instituted by the United
States for the offenses charged in the complaint. If on the other hand, during
the course of the three year period, PSI violates the terms of the agreement,
the U.S. Attorney can then elect to pursue these charges. Under the terms of
the agreement, PSI agreed, among other things, to pay an additional
$330,000,000 into the fund established by the SEC to pay restitution to
investors who purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
For more detailed information concerning the foregoing matters, see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may
be obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
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The Fund is not affected by PSI's financial condition and is an entirely
separate legal entity from PSI, which has no beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets which are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
FEE WAIVERS AND SUBSIDY
PMF may from time to time waive all or a portion of its management fee and
subsidize all or a portion of the operating expenses of the Fund. Fee waivers
and expense subsidies will increase the Fund's total return. See "Performance
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information and "Fund Expenses."
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Prudential Securities may act as a broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair and reasonable. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
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.
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent and in
those capacities maintains certain books and records for the Fund. PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
THE FUND'S NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS AND DIVIDING THE REMAINDER BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS. For
valuation purposes, quotations of foreign securities in a foreign currency are
converted to U.S. dollar equivalents. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS FIXED THE
SPECIFIC TIME OF DAY FOR THE COMPUTATION OF THE FUND'S NAV TO BE AS OF 4:15
P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not
readily available, at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Directors. See "Net Asset Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund will compute its NAV once daily on days that the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase,
sell or redeem shares have been received by the Fund or days on which changes
in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities do not materially affect the
NAV. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. See "Net Asset Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially
identical, the different expenses borne by each class will result in different
NAVs and dividends. The NAV of Class B and Class C shares will generally be
lower than the NAV 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 NAV of the three classes will tend to converge immediately
after the recording of dividends, which will differ by approximately the
amount of distribution-related expense accrual differential among the classes,
unless the Fund has net operating losses.
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HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY ADVERTISE ITS TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING
"AVERAGE ANNUAL" TOTAL RETURN AND "AGGREGATE" TOTAL RETURN) AND YIELD IN
ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. TOTAL RETURN AND YIELD ARE CALCULATED
SEPARATELY FOR CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. These figures are based on
historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The
"total return" shows how much an investment in the Fund would have increased
(decreased) over a specified period of time (i.e., one, five, or ten years or
since inception of the Fund) assuming that all distributions and dividends by
the Fund were reinvested on the reinvestment dates during the period and less
all recurring fees. The "aggregate" total return reflects actual performance
over a stated period of time. "Average annual" total return is a hypothetical
rate of return that, if achieved annually, would have produced the same
aggregate total return if performance had been constant over the entire
period. "Average annual" total return smooths out variations in performance
and takes into account any applicable initial or contingent deferred sales
charges. Neither "average annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return
takes into account any federal or state income taxes which may be payable upon
redemption. The "yield" refers to the income generated by an investment in the
Fund over a one-month or 30-day period. This income is then "annualized;" that
is, the amount of income generated by the investment during that 30-day period
is assumed to be generated each 30-day period for twelve periods and is shown
as a percentage of the investment. The income earned on the investment is also
assumed to be reinvested at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The Fund also
may include comparative performance information in advertising or marketing
the Fund's shares. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc., and other industry
publications, business periodicals and market indices. See "Performance
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund will include
performance data for each class of shares of the Fund in any advertisement or
information including performance data of the Fund. Further performance
information will be contained in the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders, which will be available without charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
TAXATION OF THE FUND
THE FUND INTENDS TO ELECT TO QUALIFY AND INTENDS TO REMAIN QUALIFIED AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS
AMENDED (THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE). ACCORDINGLY, THE FUND WILL NOT BE SUBJECT
TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS, IF
ANY, THAT IT DISTRIBUTES TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS.
The Fund may, from time to time, invest in Passive Foreign Investment
Companies (PFICs). PFICs are foreign corporations which derive a majority of
their income from passive sources. For tax purposes, the Fund's investments in
PFICs are subject to special tax provisions that may result in the taxation of
certain gains realized by the Fund. See "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
In addition, under the Internal Revenue Code, special rules apply to the
treatment of certain options and futures contracts (Section 1256 contracts).
At the end of each year, such investments held by the Fund will be required to
be "marked to market" for federal income tax purposes; that is, treated as
having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of any gain or loss recognized
on these "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. See "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Gains or losses on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign
currency attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between
the date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition are
treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses increase or decrease
the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income
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available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than
increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain. If
currency fluctuation losses exceed other investment company taxable income
during a taxable year, distributions made by the Fund during the year would be
characterized as a return of capital to shareholders, reducing the
shareholder's basis in his or her Fund shares.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
All dividends out of net investment income, together with distributions of
net short-term gains (i.e., the excess of net short-term capital gains over
net long-term capital losses) distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as
ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested. Any net capital
gains (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term
capital losses) distributed to shareholders will be taxable as long-term
capital gains to the shareholder, whether or not reinvested and regardless of
the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same
as the maximum tax rate for ordinary income. The maximum long-term capital
gains rate for individual shareholders is currently 28% and the maximum tax
rate for ordinary income is 39.6%.
The Fund may incur foreign income taxes in connection with some of its
foreign investments. Certain of these taxes may be credited to shareholders.
See "Taxes" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Any gain or loss realized upon a sale or redemption of shares by a
shareholder who is not a dealer in securities will be treated as long-term
capital gain or loss if the shares have been held more than one year and
otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. Any such loss, however, on
shares that are held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received by the
shareholder.
The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel to the effect that neither (i) the
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of
Class B or Class C shares for Class A shares constitutes a taxable event for
federal income tax purposes. However, such opinions are not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service.
WITHHOLDING TAXES
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund is required to withhold and remit
to the U.S. Treasury 31% of dividends, capital gain income and redemption
proceeds on the accounts of those shareholders who fail to furnish their tax
identification numbers on IRS Form W-9 (or IRS Form W-8 in the case of certain
foreign shareholders) with the required certifications regarding the
shareholder's status under the federal income tax law.
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to federal, state or local taxes. See "Taxes" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
BECAUSE OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT POLICIES AND ITS EMPHASIS ON FINANCIALLY
AND OPERATIONALLY TROUBLED ISSUERS, THE FUND IS NOT LIKELY TO RECEIVE
SIGNIFICANT DIVIDEND INCOME ON ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. THE FUND HAS A POLICY
OF DECLARING AND PAYING DIVIDENDS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME (IF ANY) ANNUALLY
AND MAKING DISTRIBUTIONS OF ANY CAPITAL GAINS IN EXCESS OF NET LONG-TERM
CAPITAL LOSSES AT LEAST ANNUALLY. Dividends paid by the Fund with respect to
each class of shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated
in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be in the same
amount except that each class will bear its own distribution charges,
generally resulting in lower dividends for Class B and Class C shares.
Distribution of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL FUND SHARES, BASED ON
THE NAV OF EACH CLASS ON THE RECORD DATE OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN WRITING NOT LESS
THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
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should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attn: Account
Maintenance Unit, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5015. The
Fund will notify each shareholder after the close of the Fund's taxable year
both of the dollar amount and the taxable status of that year's dividends and
distributions on a per share basis. If you hold shares through Prudential
Securities, you should contact your financial adviser to elect to receive
dividends and distributions in cash.
WHEN THE FUND GOES "EX-DIVIDEND," ITS NAV IS REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF THE
DIVIDEND OR DISTRIBUTION. IF YOU BUY SHARES JUST PRIOR TO THE EX-DIVIDEND DATE
(WHICH GENERALLY OCCURS FOUR BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE RECORD DATE), THE
PRICE YOU PAY WILL INCLUDE THE DIVIDEND OR DISTRIBUTION AND A PORTION OF YOUR
INVESTMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU AS A TAXABLE DISTRIBUTION. YOU SHOULD,
THEREFORE, CONSIDER THE TIMING OF DIVIDENDS WHEN MAKING YOUR PURCHASES.
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
THE FUND WAS INCORPORATED IN MARYLAND ON NOVEMBER 30, 1995. THE FUND IS
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE 2 BILLION SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $.001 PAR VALUE PER
SHARE, DIVIDED INTO THREE CLASSES, DESIGNATED CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C
COMMON STOCK. OF THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, 1 BILLION SHARES
CONSIST OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, 500 MILLION SHARES CONSIST OF CLASS B COMMON
STOCK AND 500 MILLION SHARES CONSIST OF CLASS C COMMON STOCK. Each class of
common stock represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund and is
identical in all respects except that (i) each class bears its respective
distribution expenses, (ii) each class has exclusive voting rights with
respect to its distribution and service 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), (iii) each class has a different exchange privilege and
(iv) only Class B shares have a conversion feature. See "How the Fund is
Managed--Distributor." Currently, the Fund is offering three classes of common
stock, designated Class A, Class B and Class C shares. In accordance with the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may authorize the
creation of additional series of common stock and classes within such series,
with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights
as the Board may determine.
The Board of Directors may increase or decrease the number of authorized
shares. Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid, nonassessable, fully
transferable and redeemable at the option of the holder. Shares are also
redeemable at the option of the Fund under certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class
of common stock is equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except
as noted above, and each class bears the expenses related to the distribution
of its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B
shares, there are no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. In
the event of liquidation, each share of common stock of the Fund is entitled
to its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debts and expenses of the
Fund have been paid. Since Class B and Class C shares generally bear higher
distribution expenses than Class A shares, the liquidation proceeds to
shareholders of those classes are likely to be lower than to Class A
shareholders. The Fund's shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the
election of Directors.
THE FUND DOES NOT INTEND TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW. THE FUND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS IS REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED ON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OR
MORE OF THE FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING ON THE REMOVAL
OF ONE OR MORE DIRECTORS OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
23
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Prospectus, including the Statement of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information
set forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under
the Securities Act. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at a
reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined, without charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
You may purchase shares of the Fund through Prudential Securities, Prusec or
directly from the Fund, through its Transfer Agent, Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer Agent), Attention: Investment Services,
P.O. Box 15020, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5020. The offering price is
the NAV next determined following receipt of an order by the Transfer Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, 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 "Alternative Purchase Plan"
below. See also "How the Fund Values its Shares."
The Fund will be closed for purchases and exchanges from March 26, 1996,
until May 1, 1996, while the investment adviser invests the proceeds of the
offering in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies (the
closing period). Beginning May 1, 1996, the Fund will commence a continuous
offering of its shares. During the closing period, shareholders may redeem
existing positions or exchange out of the Fund. During the closing period, the
Fund will be closed to new purchases and no exchanges into the Fund will be
accepted.
Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or
Prusec. If a stock certificate is desired, it must be requested in writing for
each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders
who hold their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive stock
certificates.
THE MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT IS $10,000 PER CLASS FOR CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES. The minimum subsequent investment is $100 for all classes.
The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order (including an
exchange) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its shares. See
"How to Sell Your Shares."
Your dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
Transactions in Fund shares may be subject to postage and handling charges
imposed by your dealer.
PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Fund by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS to receive an account number at (800) 225-1852
(toll-free). The following information will be requested: your name, address,
tax identification number, class election, dividend distribution election,
amount being wired and wiring bank. Instructions should then be given by you
to your bank to transfer funds by wire to State Street Bank and Trust Company
(State Street), Boston, Massachusetts, Custody and Shareholder Services
Division, Attention: Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc., specifying
on the wire the account number assigned by PMFS and your name and identifying
the sales charge alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares).
If you arrange for receipt by State Street of federal funds prior to 4:15
P.M., New York time, on a business day, you may purchase shares of the Fund as
of that day.
In making a subsequent purchase order by wire, you should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Distressed
Securities Fund, Inc., Class A, Class B or Class C shares and your name and
individual account number. It is not necessary to call PMFS to make subsequent
purchase orders utilizing federal funds. The minimum amount which may be
invested by wire is $1,000.
24
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
THE FUND OFFERS THREE CLASSES OF SHARES (CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C
SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES CHARGE STRUCTURE
FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE, THE LENGTH
OF TIME YOU EXPECT TO HOLD THE SHARES AND OTHER RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES
(ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL 12B-1 FEES
(AS A % OF AVERAGE DAILY
SALES CHARGE NET ASSETS) OTHER INFORMATION
------------ ------------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS A Maximum initial sales charge .30 of 1% Initial sales charge waived
of 5% of the public offering (currently being or reduced for certain
price charged at a rate purchases
of .25 of 1%)
CLASS B Maximum contingent deferred 1% Shares convert to Class A
sales charge or CDSC of 5% shares approximately seven
of the lesser of the amount years after purchase
invested or the redemption
proceeds; declines to zero
after six years
CLASS C Maximum CDSC of 1% of the 1% Shares do not convert to
lesser of the amount another class
invested or the redemption
proceeds on redemptions made
within one year of purchase.
</TABLE>
The three classes of shares represent an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the Fund and have 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
as noted under the heading "General Information--Description of Common Stock")
and (iii) only Class B shares have a conversion feature. The three classes
also have separate exchange privileges. See "How to Exchange Your Shares"
below. The income attributable to each class and the dividends payable on the
shares of each class will be reduced by the amount of the distribution fee of
each class. Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of a higher
distribution fee which will generally cause them to have higher expense ratios
and to pay lower dividends than the Class A shares.
Financial advisers and other sales agents who sell shares of the Fund will
receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B and Class C shares
and will generally receive more compensation initially for selling Class A and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
IN SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, (1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the
amount of any applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase
or redemption) and distribution-related fees, as noted above, (3) whether you
qualify for any reduction or waiver of any applicable sales charge, (4) the
various exchange privileges among the different classes of shares (see "How to
Exchange Your Shares" below) and (5) the fact that Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after
purchase (see "Conversion Feature--Class B Shares" below).
The following is provided to assist you in determining which method of
purchase best suits your individual circumstances and is based on the fees and
expenses to be charged to the Fund.
If you intend to hold your investment in the Fund for less than 7 years and
do not qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, since Class A
shares are subject to an initial sales charge of 5% and Class B shares are
subject to a CDSC of 5% which declines to zero over a 6-year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B
shares.
If you intend to hold your investment for 7 years or more and do not qualify
for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, since Class B shares convert to
Class A shares approximately 7 years after purchase and because all of your
money
25
<PAGE>
would be invested initially in the case of Class B shares, you should consider
purchasing Class A or Class B shares over Class C shares.
If you qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, it may be more
advantageous for you to purchase Class A shares over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless of how long you intend to hold your investment. However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money
invested initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at
the time of purchase.
If you do not qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares and you
purchase Class B or Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for
more than 6 years in the case of Class B shares and Class C shares for the
higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares to exceed
the initial sales charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related fees on
Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money, which
further reduces the impact of the higher Class B or Class C distribution-
related fee on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of
the return on the investment over this period of time or redemptions during
which the CDSC is applicable.
ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT
OR UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A
SHARES. See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
CLASS A SHARES
The offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial
sales charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge
(expressed as a percentage of the offering price and of the amount invested)
as shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE AS SALES CHARGE AS DEALER CONCESSION
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF AS PERCENTAGE OF
OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
--------------- --------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 5.00% 5.26% 4.75%
$25,000 to $49,999 4.50 4.71 4.25
$50,000 to $99,999 4.00 4.17 3.75
$100,000 to $249,999 3.25 3.36 3.00
$250,000 to $499,999 2.50 2.56 2.40
$500,000 to $999,999 2.00 2.04 1.90
$1,000,000 and above None None None
</TABLE>
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in
the Securities Act.
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 or 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 1,000 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 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.
26
<PAGE>
PRUARRAY PLANS. Class A shares may be purchased at NAV by certain 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 or 403(b)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code that participate in the Transfer Agent's PruArray Program (a
benefit plan recordkeeping service) (hereafter referred to as a PruArray
Plan); provided (i) that the plan has at least $1 million in existing assets
or 1,000 eligible employees or participants, and (ii) that Prudential Mutual
Funds constitute at least one-half of the plan's investment options. The term
"existing assets" for this purpose includes stock issued by a PruArray Plan
sponsor, shares of non-money market Prudential Mutual Funds and shares of
certain unaffiliated non-money market mutual funds that participate in the
PruArray 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 Plan qualifies to purchase Class A shares at NAV, all subsequent
purchases will be made at NAV.
OTHER WAIVERS. In addition, Class A shares may be purchased at NAV, through
Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent, by the following persons: (a)
officers and current and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual
Funds (including the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and
their subsidiaries and members of the families of such persons who maintain an
"employee related" account at Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent, (c)
employees and special agents of Prudential and its subsidiaries and all
persons who have retired directly from active service with Prudential or one
of its subsidiaries, (d) registered representatives and employees of dealers
who have entered into a selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities
provided that purchases at NAV are permitted by such person's employer and (e)
investors who have a business relationship with a financial adviser who joined
Prudential Securities from another investment firm, provided that (i) the
purchase is made within 180 days of the commencement of the financial
adviser's employment at Prudential Securities, or within one year in the case
of Benefit Plans, (ii) the purchase is made with proceeds of a redemption of
shares of any open-end fund sponsored by the financial adviser's previous
employer (other than a money market or other no-load fund which imposes a
distribution or service fee of .25 of 1% or less) and (iii) the financial
adviser served as the client's broker on the previous purchase.
You must notify the Transfer Agent either directly or through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that you are entitled to the reduction or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation
of your entitlement. No initial sales charges are imposed upon Class A shares
purchased upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase
and Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--
Class A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one
of the deferred sales charge alternatives is the NAV next determined following
receipt of an order by the Transfer Agent, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
Although there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions
of Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC. See "How to Sell Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
YOU CAN REDEEM SHARES OF THE FUND AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV PER SHARE
NEXT DETERMINED AFTER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST IS RECEIVED IN PROPER FORM BY THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount
of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge, as described below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
27
<PAGE>
IF YOU HOLD SHARES OF THE FUND THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, YOU MUST
REDEEM YOUR SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
IF YOU HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION
SIGNED BY YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD
CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAMES(S) SHOWN ON THE FACE OF
THE CERTIFICATES, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE
REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS REQUESTED BY A
CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST OR FIDUCIARY, WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE SUCH REQUEST WILL BE
ACCEPTED. All correspondence and documents concerning redemptions should be
sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent, Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to
a person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other
than the address on the Transfer Agent's records, or (d) are to be paid to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the
redemption request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution." An "eligible guarantor
institution" includes any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer
Agent reserves the right to request additional information from, and make
reasonable inquiries of, any eligible guarantor institution. For clients of
Prusec, a signature guarantee may be obtained from the agency or office
manager of most Prudential Insurance and Financial Services or Prudential
Preferred Financial Services offices.
PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN
SEVEN DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE CERTIFICATE AND/OR
WRITTEN REQUEST EXCEPT AS INDICATED BELOW. If you hold shares through
Prudential Securities, payment for shares presented for redemption will be
credited to your Prudential Securities account unless you indicate otherwise.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times
(a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on such Exchange is restricted, (c)
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
(d) during any other period when the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC shall govern as to whether the
conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d) exist.
PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL
THE FUND OR ITS TRANSFER AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE PURCHASE CHECK HAS
BEEN HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE
CHECK BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY
WIRE OR BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Board of Directors determines that it would be
detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to
make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption price
in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from the
investment portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with
applicable rules of the SEC. Securities will be readily marketable and will be
valued in the same manner as a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values
its Shares." If your shares are redeemed in kind, you would incur transaction
costs in converting the assets into cash. The Fund has, however, elected to be
governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act, under which the Fund
is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or
1% of the net asset value of the Fund during the 90-day period for any one
shareholder.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Board
of Directors may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a
shareholder which is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement plan, whose
account has a net asset value of less than $500 due to a redemption. The Fund
will give any such shareholder 60 days' prior written notice in which to
purchase sufficient additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent
deferred sales charge will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
28
<PAGE>
90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not
previously exercised the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest any portion or
all of the proceeds of such redemption in shares of the Fund at the NAV next
determined after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the
date of redemption. No sales charge will apply to such repurchases. Any
contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) paid in connection with such
redemption will be credited (in shares) to your account. If less than a full
repurchase is made, the credit will be on a pro rata basis. You must notify
the Fund's Transfer Agent, either directly or through Prudential Securities,
at the time the repurchase privilege is exercised to adjust your account for
the CDSC you previously paid. Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject to
the CDSC applicable at the time of the redemption. See "Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges" below. Exercise of the repurchase privilege will not affect the
federal income tax treatment of any gain realized upon redemption. However, if
the redemption was made within a 30 day period of the repurchase and, if the
redemption resulted in a loss, some or all of the loss, depending on the
amount reinvested, may not be allowed for federal income tax purposes.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
Redemptions of Class B shares will be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The
CDSC will be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid
to you. The CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the
current value of your Class B or Class C shares to an amount which is lower
than the amount of all payments by you for shares during the preceding six
years, in the case of Class B shares, and one year, in the case of Class C
shares. A CDSC will be applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or
the current value of the shares being redeemed. Increases in the value of your
shares or shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions
are not subject to CDSC. The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge
will be paid to and retained by the Distributor. See "How the Fund is
Managed--Distributor" and "Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class
B Shares" below.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of your shares until the time of
redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of
years from the time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments
during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the last day
of the month.
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to
redemptions of Class B shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C>
First.......................................... 5.0%
Second......................................... 4.0%
Third.......................................... 3.0%
Fourth......................................... 2.0%
Fifth.......................................... 1.0%
Sixth.......................................... 1.0%
Seventh........................................ None
</TABLE>
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a manner that results generally in the lowest possible rate.
It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing
shares acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
then of amounts representing the increase in net asset value above the total
amount of payments for the purchase of Fund shares made during the preceding
six years; then of amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the
applicable CDSC period; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of
shares held for the longest period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
29
<PAGE>
For example, assume you purchased 800 Class B shares at $12.50 per share for
a cost of $10,000. Subsequently, you acquired 5 additional Class B shares
through dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase, you
decided to redeem $5,000 of your investment. Assuming at the time of the
redemption the NAV had appreciated to $15 per share, the value of your Class B
shares would be $12,075 (805 shares at $15 per share). The CDSC would not be
applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the amount which
represents appreciation ($2,075). Therefore, $2,925 of the $5,000 redemption
proceeds ($5,000 minus $2,075) would be charged at a rate of 4% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $117.
For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the CDSC will reduce the gain
or increase the loss, as the case may be, on the amount recognized on the
redemption of shares.
WAIVER OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the case of a redemption following the death or disability of a
shareholder or, in the case of a trust account, following the death or
disability of the grantor. The waiver is available for total or partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint
tenancy (with rights of survivorship), or a trust, at the time of death or
initial determination or disability, provided that the shares were purchased
prior to death or disability.
The CDSC will also be waived in the case of a total or partial redemption in
connection with certain distributions made without penalty under the Internal
Revenue Code from a tax-deferred retirement plan, an IRA or Section 403(b)
custodial account. These distributions include: (i) in the case of a tax-
deferred retirement plan, a lump-sum or other distribution after retirement;
(ii) in the case of an IRA or Section 403(b) custodial account, a lump-sum or
other distribution after attaining age 59 1/2; and (iii) a tax-free return of
an excess contribution or plan distributions following the death or disability
of the shareholder, provided that the shares were purchased prior to death or
disability. The waiver does not apply in the case of a tax-free rollover or
transfer of assets, other than one following a separation from service, i.e.,
following voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or following
retirement. Under no circumstances will the CDSC be waived on redemptions
resulting from the termination of a tax-deferred retirement plan unless such
redemptions otherwise qualify as a waiver as described above. In the case of
Direct Account and PSI or Subsidiary Prototype Benefit Plans, the CDSC will be
waived on redemptions which represent borrowings from such plans. Shares
purchased with amounts used to repay a loan from such plans on which a CDSC
was not previously deducted will thereafter be subject to a CDSC without
regard to the time such amounts were previously invested. In the case of a
401(k) plan, the CDSC will also be waived upon the redemption of shares
purchased with amounts used to repay loans made from the account to the
participant and from which a CDSC was previously deducted.
In addition, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares held by a
Director of the Fund.
You must notify the Transfer Agent either directly or through Prudential
Securities or Prusec, at the time of redemption, that you are entitled to
waiver of the CDSC. The waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of your
entitlement.
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly
basis approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected
at relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales
charge.
Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought
on each purchase of Class B shares, the number of Class B shares eligible to
convert to Class A shares (excluding shares acquired through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will
be determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following
formula: (i) the ratio of (a) the amounts paid for Class B shares purchased at
least seven years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid
for all Class B shares purchased and then held in your account
30
<PAGE>
(ii) multiplied by the total number of Class B shares then in your account.
Each time any Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all
shares or amounts representing Class B shares then in your account that were
acquired through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and other
distributions will convert to Class A shares.
For purposes of determining the number of Eligible Shares, if the Class B
shares in your account on any conversion date are the result of multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible
Shares calculated as described above will generally be either more or less
than the number of shares actually purchased approximately seven years before
such conversion date. For example, if 800 shares were initially purchased at
$12.50 per share (for a total of $10,000) and a second purchase of 100 shares
was subsequently made at $15 per share (for a total of $1,500), 95.24 shares
would convert approximately seven years from the initial purchase (i.e.,
$10,000 divided by $11,500 or 86.96% multiplied by 900 shares or 782.64
shares). The Manager reserves the right to modify the formula for determining
the number of Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice
to shareholders.
Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than
Class B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be
higher than that of the Class B shares at the time of conversion. Thus,
although the aggregate dollar value will be the same, you may receive fewer
Class A shares than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its
Shares."
For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions,
all payments for Class B shares during a month will be deemed to have been
made on the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through
exchange, or a series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the
original payment for purchases of such Class B shares was made. For Class B
shares previously exchanged for shares of a money market fund, the time period
during which such shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded.
For example, Class B shares held in a money market fund for one year will not
convert to Class A shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For
purposes of measuring the time period during which shares are held in a money
market fund, exchanges will be deemed to have been made on the last day of the
month. Class B shares acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares
after expiration of the conversion period applicable to the original purchase
of such shares.
The conversion feature is subject to the continuing availability of opinions
of counsel or rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (i) that the dividends
and other distributions paid on Class A, Class B, and Class C shares will not
constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and (ii)
that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event. The
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares may be suspended if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended,
Class B shares of the Fund will continue to be subject, possibly indefinitely,
to their higher annual distribution and service fee.
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE FUND, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH CERTAIN
OTHER PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS, INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED MONEY MARKET
FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH FUNDS. CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C
SHARES, RESPECTIVELY, OF ANOTHER FUND ON THE BASIS OF THE RELATIVE NAV. No
sales charge will be imposed at the time of exchange. Any applicable CDSC
payable upon the redemption of shares exchanged will be that imposed by the
fund in which shares are initially purchased and will be calculated from the
first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding the time shares
were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may not be
exchanged into money market funds other than Prudential Special Money Market
Fund. For purposes of calculating the holding period applicable to the Class B
conversion feature, the time period during which Class B shares were held in a
money market fund will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class B Shares"
above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes. See "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange Privilege" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
31
<PAGE>
IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE SHARES BY TELEPHONE, YOU MUST AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may
call the Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares, on
weekdays, except holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New
York time. For your protection and to prevent fraudulent exchanges, your
telephone call will be recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal
identification number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will
be sent to you. NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS,
LIABILITY OR COST WHICH RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY
BELIEVED TO BE GENUINE UNDER THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (The Fund or its agents
could be subject to liability if they fail to employ reasonable procedures.)
All exchanges will be made on the basis of the relative NAV of the two funds
next determined after the request is received in good order. The exchange
privilege is available only in states where the exchange may legally be made.
IF YOU HOLD SHARES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, YOU MUST EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON
THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES, MUST BE RETURNED IN ORDER FOR THE SHARES TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
You may also exchange shares by mail by writing to Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
SPECIAL EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. A special exchange privilege is available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at NAV. See "Alternative
Purchase Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges"
above. Under this exchange privilege, amounts representing any Class B and
Class C shares (which are not subject to a CDSC) held in such a shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly
basis, unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange
privilege will be calculated on the business day prior to the date of the
exchange. Amounts representing Class B or Class C shares which are not subject
to a CDSC include the following: (1) amounts representing Class B or Class C
shares acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and
distributions, (2) amounts representing the increase in the net asset value
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C
shares and (3) amounts representing Class B or Class C shares held beyond the
applicable CDSC period. Class B and Class C shareholders must notify the
Transfer Agent either directly or through Prudential Securities or Prusec that
they are eligible for this special exchange privilege.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time on sixty
days' notice.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
In addition to the exchange privilege, as a shareholder in the Fund, you can
take advantage of the following additional services and privileges:
. AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT A SALES
CHARGE. For your convenience, all dividends and distributions are
automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund at NAV
without a sales charge. You may direct the Transfer Agent in writing not less
than 5 full business days prior to the record date to have subsequent
dividends and/or distributions sent in cash rather than reinvested. If you
hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
adviser.
32
<PAGE>
. AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP you may make
regular purchases of the Fund's shares via an automatic debit to a bank
account or Prudential Securities account (including a Command Account). For
additional information about this service, you may contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser, Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent
directly.
. TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS. Various tax-deferred retirement plans,
including a 401(k) plan, self-directed individual retirement accounts and
"tax-sheltered accounts" under Section 403(b)(7) of 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, the administration,
custodial fees and other details is available from Prudential Securities or
the Transfer Agent. If you are considering adopting such a plan, you should
consult with your own legal or tax adviser with respect to the establishment
and maintenance of such a plan.
. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available to
shareholders, which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. Withdrawals of
Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC. See "How to Sell Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges." See also "Shareholder Investment
Account--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
independent accountants. In order to reduce duplicate mailing and printing
expenses, the Fund will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder report
and annual prospectus per household. You may request additional copies of such
reports by calling (800) 225-1852 (toll-free) or by writing to the Fund at One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292. In addition, monthly unaudited
financial data are available upon request from the Fund.
. SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries should be addressed to the Fund at One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, or by telephone, at (800) 225-1852
(toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555 (collect).
For additional information regarding the services and privileges described
above, see "Shareholder Investment Account" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
33
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITY RATINGS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE
BOND RATINGS
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be
present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues
so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.
SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's Short-Term Debt Ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually senior debt obligations which have an original maturity not
exceeding one year.
PRIME-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 or P-1 (or supporting institutions) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
A-1
<PAGE>
PRIME-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 or P-2 (or supporting institutions) have a
strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
PRIME 3: Issuers rated Prime-3 or P-3 (or supporting institutions) have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Moody's ratings for tax-exempt notes and other short-term loans are
designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). This distinction is in recognition
of the differences between short-term and long-term credit risk.
MIG 1: Loans bearing the designation MIG 1 are of the best quality, enjoying
strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2: Loans bearing the designation MIG 2 are of high quality, with margins
of protection ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3: Loans bearing the designation MIG 3 are of favorable quality, with
all security elements accounted for but lacking strength of the preceding
grades.
MIG 4: Loans bearing the designation MIG 4 are of adequate quality.
Protection commonly regarded and required of an investment security is present
and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific
risk.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
BOND RATINGS
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A: Debt rated A has strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than for debt in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC AND C: Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded, on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. BB
indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties of major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
BB: Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
A-2
<PAGE>
B: Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB-
rating.
CCC: Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to
meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is
also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied B or B- rating.
CC: The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C: The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating maybe
used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt
service payments are continued.
C1: The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
Standard & Poor's commercial paper ratings are current assessments of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 270 days.
A-1: The A-1 designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is very strong.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with the designation A-2 is
strong. However, the relative degree of safety is not as overwhelming as for
issues designated A-1.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely
payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes
in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
MUNICIPAL NOTES
A municipal note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access
risks unique to municipal notes. Municipal notes due in three years or less
will likely receive a municipal note rating, while notes maturing beyond three
years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. Municipal notes are
rated SP-1, SP-2 or SP-3. The designation SP-1 indicates a very strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess
extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+)
designation. An SP-2 designation indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay
principal and interest. An SP-3 designation indicates speculative capacity to
pay principal and interest.
A-3
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
MARKETING INFORMATION
In 1995, while the U.S. stock market seemed to reach new highs each day, as
measured by the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, many
companies were experiencing strong financial growth and resounding success.
Yet many other companies were experiencing financial difficulties --
defaulting on their debt, filing for bankruptcy, progressing through
"workouts", trying to restructure and reorganize their businesses in order to
get back on solid footing. Astute investors may benefit by researching and
identifying companies that are poised to "turnaround."
Over the past 10 years -- a period which saw the S&P 500 Index/1/ rise a
cumulative 299% as of December 31, 1995 -- the number of bankruptcy filings,
debt restructurings and high yield bond defaults by public companies rose to
record levels. Corporate issuers defaulted on over $78 billion in public debt
alone. [Source: C.S. First Boston, 1986 to 1995.]
Historically, investing in troubled companies had been the domain of
professional money managers investing assets on behalf of private and large
institutional investors. These investors had the resources and the capital to
monitor, research and analyze securities which were little-known or not widely
followed. Investing in distressed securities is a long-term proposition in
which complete turnarounds may not be realized for several years. Many
institutional investors with long-term time horizons had the capital and the
foresight to hold these types of investments for a long period in anticipation
of a financial recovery or turnaround. Investing in the securities of
financially and operationally troubled issuers has been a profitable venture
for some investors, although these investments offer the potential for
substantial loss as well as gain, and there can be no assurance of success.
THE FUND'S STRATEGY
The Fund provides individual investors with an opportunity to participate in
the distressed securities market. This Fund will assume greater investment
risks than other Prudential Mutual Funds. The Fund will invest in the stocks
and bonds of financially troubled companies that the portfolio managers
believe offer positive prospects for turnaround, perhaps because of changing
economic conditions, new management or corporate restructuring.
The Fund's portfolio managers will use a value investment style that seeks
to identify and analyze little-known, out-of-favor securities. The portfolio
managers have access to extensive resources including a team of credit
analysts, and will use their specialized knowledge of troubled securities to
evaluate the underlying assets of these companies. This may help the Fund buy
the securities at an attractive price, and may increase the odds for the
Fund's long term success. Of course, there can be no assurance that the
portfolio managers will successfully identify companies poised for turnaround
or other special situations.
. The portfolio managers will seek to identify securities of bankrupt
companies, primarily bonds, which they think will recover and eventually
be replaced by newly-issued securities at greater value.
. The Fund will also invest in high-yield junk bonds of companies which
appear to be in trouble but which the portfolio managers do not believe
will actually default based upon their research and analysis.
. The Fund will also purchase newly issued equity from companies emerging
from bankruptcy.
. The Fund will also look for underpriced stocks and bonds of solvent but
out-of-favor (unloved) companies.
. The Fund may take significant positions in certain troubled securities,
particularly relative to the overall market for those securities.
For example, the Fund may consider purchasing the bonds of a nationwide retail
store that had a strong franchise and above average sales, but was burdened
with too much debt and filed for bankruptcy. In this instance, the Subadviser
would evaluate the current value of the bonds and the potential for capital
appreciation against the company's asset valuations, prospects for a favorable
company restructuring or reorganization or chance for a firm buy out.
- --------
/1/ The S&P 500 Index is a weighted unmanaged index composed of 500 stocks
which provide a broad indication of stock price movements.
B-1
<PAGE>
A CONTRARIAN APPROACH
Uncovering attractive investment opportunities among out-of-favor, little-
followed, deeply undervalued or bankrupt companies requires a very different
type of analysis than conventional security analysis. The Fund's portfolio
managers will use traditional fixed-income security analysis, which focuses on
a company's ability to generate enough cash to meet interest expenses, and
traditional equity analysis, which tries to determine the direction and
magnitude of a company's future earnings, for stocks and coupon-paying bonds
that appear to be undervalued but not in danger of bankruptcy. For troubled
securities, the portfolio managers will attempt to evaluate a company's true
worth based on the value of its underlying assets. The Fund's portfolio
managers will use this "asset-based" approach in managing the Fund. While no
one analysis technique is guaranteed, an "asset-based" analysis can frequently
uncover investment opportunities in troubled companies that conventional
security analysis might have missed.
UNDERSTAND THE RISKS
Unlike many general equity mutual funds which are designed to appeal to many
kinds of investors, the Prudential Distressed Securities Fund is designed for
sophisticated, knowledgeable investors.
. You should understand the inherent risks of troubled or deeply undervalued
stocks or bonds.
. The Fund may take significant positions in certain troubled securities,
particularly relative to the overall market for those securities.
. These troubled securities -- including lower quality junk bonds -- are less
liquid and more volatile than securities of companies not experiencing
financial difficulties. They may not be as actively traded as other
securities and therefore it may be more difficult to sell them on any given
day.
. To reduce certain risks of investments and in an attempt to enhance return,
the Fund may also invest in derivative securities, including futures and
options, which have their own risks.
. Furthermore, the prices of these troubled securities are often erratic and
abrupt. There's sometimes a wide spread between bid and ask prices.
. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which are subject to special
risks, including currency fluctuations and social, political and economic
change.
. The low quality junk bonds that the Fund will invest in may be highly
leveraged and may carry a greater likelihood of default during an economic
downturn.
. You must understand that investing in distressed or troubled securities
often involves several years of "waiting" before an individual company's
value becomes recognized by other investors. Also, there is the possibility
that the security will not increase in value or become worthless. Investors
must have the financial ability and willingness to remain invested for the
long term.
. The Prudential Distressed Securities Fund is not a complete investment
program. You will assume a higher degree of risk than other mutual funds.
B-2
<PAGE>
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
Prudential Mutual Fund Management offers a broad range of mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the
investment options available through our family of funds. For more information
on the Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your
Prudential Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone
the Fund at (800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus. Read the prospectus
carefully before you invest or send money.
TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
TAX-EXEMPT BOND
FUNDS
Prudential California Municipal Fund
California Series
California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
High Yield Series
Insured Series
Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
Florida Series
Hawaii Income Series
Maryland Series
Massachusetts Series
Michigan Series
New Jersey Series
New York Series
North Carolina Series
Ohio Series
Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
GLOBAL FUNDS
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
EQUITY FUNDS
Prudential Allocation Fund
Balanced Portfolio
Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Jennison Fund, Inc.
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
. Taxable Money Market Funds
Prudential Government Securities Trust
Money Market Series
U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
. Tax-Free Money Market Funds
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
Connecticut Money Market Series
Massachusetts Money Market Series
New Jersey Money Market Series
New York Money Market Series
. Command Funds
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
. Institutional Money Market Funds
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
Institutional Money Market Series
C-1
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given
or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS............................................................ 2
Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.................................. 2
FUND EXPENSES.............................................................. 4
HOW THE FUND INVESTS....................................................... 5
Investment Objective and Policies......................................... 5
Risks of Financially and Operationally Troubled
Issuers.................................................................. 6
Risk Factors Relating to Investing in Debt
Securities Rated Below Investment Grade
(Junk Bonds)............................................................. 7
Risk Factors Relating to Investing in Foreign
Securities............................................................... 8
Investment Policies and Techniques ....................................... 9
Hedging and Return Enhancement Strategies................................. 14
Investment Restrictions................................................... 17
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.................................................... 17
Manager................................................................... 17
Distributor............................................................... 18
Fee Waivers and Subsidy................................................... 20
Portfolio Transactions.................................................... 20
Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent...................... 20
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES............................................. 20
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE........................................ 21
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......................................... 21
GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................ 23
Description of Common Stock............................................... 23
Additional Information.................................................... 24
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE.......................................................... 24
How to Buy Shares of the Fund............................................. 24
Alternative Purchase Plan................................................. 25
How to Sell Your Shares................................................... 27
Conversion Feature--Class B Shares........................................ 30
How to Exchange Your Shares............................................... 31
Shareholder Services...................................................... 32
APPENDIX...................................................................
A--Description of Security Ratings........................................ A-1
B--Marketing Information.................................................. B-1
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY.......................................... C-1
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MF171A
Class A:743966-10-3
CUSIP No.: Class B:743966-20-2
Class C:743966-30-1
PRUDENTIAL
DISTRESSED
SECURITIES
FUND, INC.
P R O S P E C T U S
MARCH 25, 1996
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Statement of Additional Information
dated March 25, 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, 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-13 17
Directors and Officers..................................................... B-14 17
Manager.................................................................... B-17 17
Distributor................................................................ B-19 18
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage....................................... B-20 20
Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares..................................... B-21 24
Shareholder Investment Account............................................. B-23 24
Net Asset Value............................................................ B-26 20
Taxes...................................................................... B-27 21
Performance Information.................................................... B-29 21
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Independent
Accountants.............................................................. B-30 20
Independent Auditors' Report............................................... B-31 --
Financial Statements....................................................... B-32 --
Appendix................................................................... A-1 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MF171B
</TABLE>
<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 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.
B-2
<PAGE>
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.
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
B-3
<PAGE>
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 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.
B-4
<PAGE>
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 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 purchase. There is no guarantee that either a
closing purchase or a closing sale transaction can be effected.
B-5
<PAGE>
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 or other liquid high-grade debt obligations 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.
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.
B-6
<PAGE>
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.
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
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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 or other
liquid high-grade debt obligations 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 or liquid high-grade debt
obligations 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.
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 or other liquid high-grade debt obligations
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
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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 or other liquid high-grade debt
obligations 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 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
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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 will place cash or liquid securities into a segregated
account of the Fund in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets
committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(less the value of the "covering" position, if any). 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 equal the amount of the Fund's net commitments with respect to
such contracts.
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 or other liquid high-grade debt obligations having a value
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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.
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.
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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 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.
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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
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.
B-13
<PAGE>
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.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Principal Occupation
Name, Address and Age Fund During Past 5 Years
- ---------------------- -------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Delayne Dedrick Gold (57) Director Marketing and Management Consultant
c/o Prudential Mutual
Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, NY
Douglas H. McCorkindale Director Vice Chairman, Gannett Co. Inc. (publishing and media)
(56) (since March 1984); Director of Gannett Co. Inc.,
1100 Wilson Blvd. Frontier Corporation and Continental Airlines, Inc.
Arlington, VA
Thomas T. Mooney (54) Director President of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of
55 St. Paul Street Commerce; former Rochester City Manager; Trustee of
Rochester, NY 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 President
250 South Clinton Street (since 1988) and Chief Executive Officer (1988 -
Syracuse, NY December 1993) of Carlisle Companies Incorporated
(manufacturer of industrial products).
</TABLE>
B-14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Principal Occupation
Name, Address and Age Fund During Past 5 Years
- ---------------------- -------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
*Richard A. Redeker (52) President and President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (since October 1993)
One Seaport Plaza Director Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.; Director and Member of the
New York, NY Operating Committee (since October 1993), Prudential Securities
Incorporated (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), Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD)
and Director (since January 1994), Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
(PMFS); formerly Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Kemper
Financial Services, Inc. (September 1978 - September 1993); Director of
The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.
Robin B. Smith (56) Director President (since September 1981) and Chief Executive Officer (since
382 Channel Drive January 1988) of Publishers Clearing House; Director of BellSouth
Port Washington, NY 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) President President and Chief Executive Officer (since January 1996) and Director
120 East Van Buren Street (since September 1991 of Central Newspapers, Inc.; Chairman of the
Phoenix, AZ Board (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. (since May 1983).
c/o Prudential Mutual
Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, NY
Robert F. Gunia (48) Vice Director (since January 1989), Chief Administrative
One Seaport Plaza President Officer (since July 1990) and Executive Vice
New York, NY President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(since June 1987) of PMF; Senior Vice President (since
March 1987) of Prudential Securities; Executive
Vice President, Treasurer and Comptroller (since
March 1991) of PMFD; Director (since June 1987) of
PMFS; Vice President and Director of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.
(since May 1989)
S. Jane Rose (50) Secretary Senior Vice President (since January 1991)and Senior
One Seaport Plaza Counsel (since June 1987) of PMF; Senior Vice
New York, NY President and Senior Counsel of Prudential Securities
(since July 1992); formerly Vice President and
Associate General Counsel of Prudential Securities.
Ellyn C. Acker (34) Assistant Vice President and Associate General Counsel (since
One Seaport Plaza Secretary March 1995) of PMF; Vice President and Associate
New York, NY General Counsel of Prudential Securities (since March
1995); prior thereto, associated with the law firm of
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Grace Torres (36) Treasurer and First Vice President (since March 1994) of PMF; First
One Seaport Plaza Principal Vice President (since March 1993) of Prudential
New York, NY Financial and Securities; formerly Vice President of Bankers Trust
Accounting (July 1989-March 1994).
Officer
</TABLE>
B-15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Principal Occupation
Name, Address and Age Fund During Past 5 Years
- ---------------------- -------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen M. Ungerman (42) Assistant First Vice President of PMF (since February 1993); prior
One Seaport Plaza Treasurer thereto, Senior Tax Manager of Price Waterhouse (1981-
New York, NY January 1993)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* ``Interested'' Director, as defined in the Investment Company Act, by reason
of his affiliation with Prudential Securities and 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.
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.
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>
Delayne D. Gold, Director $4,500 None N/A $183,250 (24/45)*
Douglas McCorkindale, Director $4,500 None N/A $ 63,750 (7/10)*
Thomas T. Mooney, Director $4,500 None N/A $129,625 (14/19)*
Stephen P. Munn, Director $4,500 None N/A $ 39,375 (6/8)*
Robin B. Smith, Director $4,500 None N/A $100,741 (10/19)*
Louis A. Weil, III, Director $4,500 None N/A $ 93,750 (11/16)*
Clay T. Whitehead, Director $4,500 None N/A $ 35,500 (4/5)*
</TABLE>
* Indicates number of funds/portfolios in Fund Complex (including the Fund) to
which aggregate compensation relates.
B-16
<PAGE>
As of February 14, 1996, the Directors and officers of the Fund, as a
group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of such
date, PMF owned all of the Fund's outstanding shares, and controlled the
Fund.
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 February 29, 1996, PMF managed and/or administered open-end
and closed-end management investment companies with assets of approximately
$52.7 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 Incorporated and The
Prudential Insurance Company of America (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, Inc. 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.
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.
B-17
<PAGE>
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.
The Manager and the Subadviser 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, 1994. 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 nearly 100,000 persons worldwide, and maintains a sales
force of approximately 19,000 agents, 3,400 insurance brokers and 6,000
financial advisors. It insures or provides other financial services to more than
50 million worldwide--to more than one of every five people in the United
States. 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 has been engaged in the
insurance business since 1875. 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, 1994, Prudential through its subsidiaries provided automobile
insurance for more than 1.8 million cars and insured more than 1.5 million
homes. For the year ended December 31, 1994, The Prudential Bank, a subsidiary
of Prudential, served 940,000 customers in 50 states providing credit card
services and loans totaling more than $1.2 billion. Assets held by PSI for its
clients totaled approximately $150 billion at December 31, 1994. During 1994,
over 28,000 new customer accounts were opened each month at PSI. 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.
Based on data for the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995 for
the Prudential Mutual Funds, on an average day, there are approximately $80
million in equity desk transactions, over $150 million in bond transactions and
over $3.1 billion in money market transactions. 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. Based on complex-wide data for
the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, on an average day, over
7,000 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.
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 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.
B-18
<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.
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
B-19
<PAGE>
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 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
B-20
<PAGE>
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.''
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 February 8, 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.................................... $12.50
Maximum sales charge (5% of offering price)............................................... .66
------
Offering price to public.................................................................. $13.16
======
Class B
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price to public per Class B share*......... $12.50
======
Class C
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price to public per Class C share*......... $12.50
======
</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
B-21
<PAGE>
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 qualified retirement
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 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. 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. 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. Letters of Intent are not
available to individual participants in any retirement or group plans.
A Letter of Intent permits a purchaser to establish a total investment goal
to be achieved by any number of investments over a thirteen-month period. Each
investment made during the period will receive the reduced sales charge
applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as if it were a single
investment, except in the case of retirement and group plans where the employer
or plan sponsor will be responsible for paying any applicable sales charge.
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. The effective
date of a Letter of Intent may be back-dated up to 90 days, in order that any
investments made during this 90-day period, valued at the purchaser's cost, can
be applied to the fulfillment of the Letter of Intent goal, except in the case
of retirement and group plans.
The Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. 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
B-22
<PAGE>
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.
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>
<S> <C>
Category of Waiver Required Documentation
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 A copy of the Social Security Administration
considered disabled if he or she is award letter or a letter from a physician on
unable to engage in any substantial the physician's letterhead stating that the
gainful activity by reason of any shareholder (or, in the case of a trust, the
medically determinable physical or grantor) is permanently disabled. The letter
mental impairment which can be must also indicate the date of disability.
expected to result in death or to be
of long-continued and indefinite
duration.
Distribution from an IRA or 403(b) A copy of the distribution form from the
Custodial 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-23
<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.
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
B-24
<PAGE>
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.
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 an 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.
B-25
<PAGE>
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 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
B-26
<PAGE>
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 market 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 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
B-27
<PAGE>
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 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.
B-28
<PAGE>
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. Yield is calculated
according to the following formula:
( a - b ) to the power of 6
YIELD = 2 [(------- + 1) - 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.
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) to the power of 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.
B-29
<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)
Performance
Comparison of Different
Types of Investments
Over the Long Term
(1/1926-12/1994)
[CHART APPEARS HERE]
- ---------------
(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-30
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
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 includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial 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-31
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets February 8, 1996
-----------------
<S> <C>
Cash....................................................................................... $100,000
Deferred organization 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 / 2,667 shares of common stock issued and outstanding).......................... $ 12.50
Maximum sales charge (5.0% of offering price)............................................ .66
--------
Offering price to public................................................................. $ 13.16
========
Class B:
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
($33,333 / 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 / 2,666 shares of common stock issued and outstanding).......................... $ 12.50
========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statement.
B-32
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL DISTRESSED SECURITIES FUND, INC.
Notes to Financial Statement
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 C shares at an
annual rate of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B and C shares.
B-33
<PAGE>
APPENDIX--HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
The historical performance 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.
EACH INVESTMENT PROVIDES A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY
(Value of $1 invested on 12/31/25)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
The chart compares the growth of a $1 investment made in small stocks, common
stocks, long-term bonds and Treasury bills during the period from December 31,
1925 through December 31, 1994.
Source: ``Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation 1994 Yearbook,TM'' Ibbotson
Associates, annually updates work by Roger Ibbotson and Rex Sinquefeld. Used
with permission. This chart is for illustrative purposes only and is not
indicative of the past, present, or future performance of any portfolio.
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).
A-1
<PAGE>
Set forth below is historical performance data relating to various sectors
of the fixed-income securities market. 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 Return of Different Bond Market Sectors
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
'87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95
----- ----- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Government
Treasury
Bonds/1/ 2.0% 7.0% 14.4% 8.5% 15.3% 7.2% 10.7% (3.4)% 18.4%
U.S. Government
Mortgage
Securities/2/ 4.3% 8.7% 15.4% 10.7% 15.7% 7.0% 6.8% (1.6)% 16.8%
U.S. Investment Grade
Corporate
Bonds/3/ 2.6% 9.2% 14.1% 7.1% 18.5% 8.7% 12.2 (3.9)% 22.3%
U.S.
High Yield
Corporate
Bonds/4/ 5.0% 12.5% 0.8% (9.6)% 46.2% 15.8% 17.1% (1.0)% 19.2%
World
Government
Bonds/5/ 35.2% 2.3% (3.4)% 15.3% 16.2% 4.8% 15.1% 6.0% 19.6%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Difference between highest
and lowest return percent 33.2 10.2 18.8 24.9 30.9 11.0 10.3 9.9 5.5
</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.
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<PAGE>
This chart illustrates the performance of major
world stock markets for the period from 1985
through 1994. It does not represent the
performance of any Prudential Mutual Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns of Major World Stock Markets
(1985-1994) (in U.S. dollars)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Source: Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and
Lipper Analytical New Applications. 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.
This chart shows the growth of a hypothetical
$10,000 investment made in the stocks representing
the S&P 500 stock index with and without reinvested
dividends.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation 1995 Yearbook, Ibbotson
Associates, Chicago (annually updates work by Roger G. Ibbotson
and Rex A. Sinquefeld). Used with permission. All rights reserved.
This chart is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to
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.
World Stock Market Capitalization by Region
World Total: $12.4 Trillion
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Source: Morgan Stanley Capital International, December 1994. 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 1577 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.
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<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 (1926-1994)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation 1995 Yearbook, Ibbotson Associates,
Chicago (annually updates work by Roger G. Ibbotson and Rex A. Sinquefeld). 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.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX--GENERAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
The following terms are used in mutual fund investing.
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.
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