UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
Supplement to the Statement of Additional Information
Dated September 30, 1996
The following paragraphs supplement the information that appears in the section
entitled "Specific Securities and Investment Practices":
Mortgage-Backed Securities
A mortgage-backed security may be an obligation of the issuer backed by a
mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of
mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of
mortgages including those on commercial real estate or residential
properties. Some mortgage-backed securities, such as CMOs, make payments
of both principal and interest at a variety of intervals; others make
semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at
maturity (like a typical bond). Pass-through securities and participation
certificates represent pools of mortgages that are assembled, with
interests sold in the pool; the assembly is made by an "issuer," such as a
mortgage banker, commercial bank or savings and loan association, which
assembles the mortgages in the pool and passes through payments of
principal and interest for a fee payable to it. Payments of principal and
interest by individual mortgagors are passed through to the holders of the
interest in the pool. Monthly or other regular payments on pass-through
securities and participation certificates include payments of principal
(including prepayments on mortgages in the pool) rather than only interest
payments.
The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities issued by both government
and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other
financial institutions. Other types of mortgage-backed securities will
likely be developed in the future, and the Fund may invest in them if
WRIMCO determines they are consistent with the Fund's investment goal and
policies.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may change due to shifts in the
market's perception of issuers. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may
adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government
mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by
government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than
government issues. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment
risk. Prepayment, which occurs when unscheduled or early payments are made
on the underlying mortgages, may shorten the effective maturities and may
lower their total returns.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities represent interest in pools of consumer loans
(generally unrelated to mortgage loans) and most often are structured as
pass-through securities. Interest and principal payments ultimately depend
upon payment of the underlying loans by individuals, although the
securities may be supported by letters of credit or other credit
enhancements. The value of asset-backed securities may also depend on the
creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator
of the loans, or the financial institution providing the credit
enhancement.
The following information replaces the last sentence under the heading
"Custodial and Auditing Services" on page 25:
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Kansas City, Missouri, the Fund's independent
accountants, audits the Fund's financial statements.
This Supplement is dated January 10, 1997.
