Please read this Prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for future
reference. It sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
ought to know before investing.
Additional information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is contained in a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated July 31, 1997. The SAI is available free upon request to the Fund or
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, at the address or telephone number
below. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and you will
not be aware of all facts unless you read both this Prospectus and the SAI.
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.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares
This Fund seeks the long-term appreciation of your investment. Realization of
income is a secondary goal.
This Prospectus describes one class of shares of the Fund -- Class A Shares.
Prospectus
July 31, 1997
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
913-236-2000
800-366-5465
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND.........................................3
EXPENSES........................................................5
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................................6
PERFORMANCE.....................................................8
Explanation of Terms ..........................................8
ABOUT WADDELL & REED............................................9
ABOUT THE INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND....................10
Investment Goals and Principles ..............................10
Risk Considerations ........................................10
Securities and Investment Practices ..........................11
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT.............................................24
Ways to Set Up Your Account ..................................24
Buying Shares ................................................25
Minimum Investments ..........................................27
Adding to Your Account .......................................28
Selling Shares ...............................................28
Shareholder Services .........................................30
Personal Service ...........................................30
Reports ....................................................30
Exchanges ..................................................30
Automatic Transactions .....................................31
Distributions and Taxes ......................................31
Distributions ..............................................31
Taxes ......................................................32
ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND..................34
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates ....................................35
Breakdown of Expenses ........................................36
Management Fee .............................................36
Other Expenses .............................................36
<PAGE>
An Overview of the Fund
The Fund: This Prospectus describes the Class A shares of United International
Growth Fund, Inc., an open-end, diversified management investment company.
Goals and Strategies: United International Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund")
seeks, as a primary goal, the long-term appreciation of your investment.
Realization of income is a secondary goal. The Fund seeks to achieve these
goals by investing in securities issued by companies or governments of any
nation. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks, preferred stocks and debt
securities. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for further
information.
Management: Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO") provides
investment advice to the Fund and manages the Fund's investments. WRIMCO is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its predecessors have provided investment management services to registered
investment companies since 1940. See "About the Management and Expenses of the
Fund" for further information about management fees.
Distributor: Waddell & Reed, Inc. acts as principal underwriter and distributor
of the shares of the Fund.
Purchases: You may buy Class A shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its account representatives. The price to buy a Class A share of the Fund
is the net asset value of a Class A share plus a sales charge. See "About Your
Account" for information on how to purchase Class A shares.
Redemptions: You may redeem your shares at net asset value. When you sell your
shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them. See "About
Your Account" for a description of redemption and reinvestment procedures.
Who May Want to Invest: The Fund offers investment goals that are compatible
with different investment decisions by investors seeking international
investment opportunities. You should consider whether the Fund fits with your
particular investment objectives.
Risk Considerations: Because the Fund owns different types of investments, its
performance will be affected by a variety of factors. The value of the Fund's
investments and the income generated will vary from day to day, generally
reflecting changes in interest rates, market conditions and other company and
economic news. Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in selecting
investments. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for information
about the risks associated with the Fund's investments.
<PAGE>
Expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are charges you pay when you buy or sell shares
of a fund.
Maximum sales load
on purchases
(as a percentage
of offering price) 5.75%
Maximum sales load
on reinvested
dividends None
Deferred
sales load None
Redemption fees None
Exchange fee None
Annual Fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net assets).
Management fees 0.71%
12b-1 fees1 0.16%
Other expenses 0.42%
Total Fund
operating expenses 1.29%
Example: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) 5% annual return2 and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year $ 70
3 years $ 96
5 years $124
10 years $204
The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding the various costs
and expenses that a shareholder of the Class A shares of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. The example should not be considered a representation
of past or future expenses; actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown. For a more complete discussion of certain expenses and fees, see
"Breakdown of Expenses."
1It is possible that long-term shareholders of the Fund may bear 12b-1
distribution fees that are more than the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. See "Breakdown of Expenses."
2Use of an assumed annual return of 5% is for illustration purposes only and is
not a representation of the Fund's future performance, which may be greater or
lesser.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The following information has been audited in conjunction with the audits
of the Financial Statements of the Fund. Financial Statements for the six
months ended December 31, 1996 and the independent auditors' report of Deloitte
& Touche LLP thereon, and the Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996 and the independent auditors' report of Price Waterhouse LLP
thereon, are included in the SAI and should be read in conjunction with the
Financial Highlights.
For a Class A share outstanding throughout each period.*
<TABLE>
For the six For the fiscal year ended June 30,
months ended -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12-31-96 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
-------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning
of period ........ $8.95 $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10 $5.94 $6.77 $6.21 $6.60 $9.07 $8.26
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income ......... 0.01 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.07 0.08 0.12 0.12 0.15 0.11 0.07
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on
investments .... 0.73 0.86 0.60 2.32 0.11 1.20 (0.83) 0.83 (0.15) (0.39) 2.44
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total from investment
operations ....... 0.74 0.94 0.67 2.36 0.18 1.28 (0.71) 0.95 0.00 (0.28) 2.51
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (0.05) (0.07) (0.04) (0.04) (0.07) (0.09) (0.12) (0.13) (0.13) (0.13) (0.08)
Distributions from
capital gains .. (0.26) (0.60) (0.93) (0.50) (0.05) (0.03) (0.00) (0.26) (0.26) (2.06) (1.62)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total distributions (0.31) (0.67) (0.97) (0.54) (0.12) (0.12) (0.12) (0.39) (0.39) (2.19) (1.70)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net asset value,
end of period .... $9.38 $8.95 $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10 $5.94 $6.77 $6.21 $6.60 $9.07
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Total return** ..... 8.35% 11.70% 7.98% 33.31% 2.62% 21.59% -10.50% 15.44% 0.03% -1.30% 38.23%
Net assets, end of period
(000 omitted) .... $847,811 $771,252 $679,349 $572,456 $336,382 $322,534 $259,322 $291,691 $258,168 $289,920 $291,897
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets 1.29%*** 1.25% 1.25% 1.20% 1.18% 1.18% 1.20% 1.17% 1.13% 1.12% 1.07%
Ratio of net investment
income to average
net assets ....... 0.26%*** 0.89% 0.86% 0.57% 1.07% 1.17% 1.89% 1.81% 2.29% 1.47% 0.97%
Portfolio turn-
over rate ........ 49.64% 58.64% 57.45% 83.76% 94.22% 112.82% 118.05% 196.43% 193.01% 228.98% 216.66%
Average commission
rate paid ........ $0.0247
*On July 4, 1995, Fund shares outstanding were designated Class A shares.
**Total return calculated without taking into account the sales load deducted on an initial purchase.
***Annualized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Performance
Mutual fund performance is commonly measured as total return. The Fund may
also advertise its performance by showing performance rankings. Performance
information is calculated and presented separately for each class of Fund
shares.
Explanation of Terms
Total Return is the overall change in value of an investment in the Fund
over a given period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and other
distributions. A cumulative total return reflects actual performance over a
stated period of time. An average annual total return is a hypothetical rate of
return that, if achieved annually, would have produced the same cumulative total
return if performance had been constant over the entire period. Average annual
total returns smooth out variations in performance; they are not the same as
actual year-by-year results. Non-standardized total return may not reflect
deduction of the applicable sales charge or may be for periods other than those
required to be presented or may otherwise differ from standardized total return.
Total return quotations that do not reflect the applicable sales charge will
reflect a higher rate of return.
Performance Rankings are comparisons of the Fund's performance to the
performance of other selected mutual funds, selected recognized market
indicators such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the
Dow Jones Industrial Average, or non-market indices or averages of mutual fund
industry groups. The Fund may quote its performance rankings and/or other
information as published by recognized independent mutual fund statistical
services or by publications of general interest. In connection with a ranking,
the Fund may provide additional information, such as the particular category to
which it relates, the number of funds in the category, the criteria upon which
the ranking is based, and the effect of sales charges, fee waivers and/or
expense reimbursements.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in
information provided to present or prospective shareholders is historical in
nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee future results. The value
of the Fund's shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
The Fund's recent performance and holdings will be detailed twice a year in
the Fund's annual and semiannual reports, which are sent to all Fund
shareholders.
<PAGE>
About Waddell & Reed
Since 1937, Waddell & Reed has been helping people make the most of their
financial future by helping them take advantage of various financial services.
Today, Waddell & Reed has over 2500 account representatives located throughout
the United States. Your primary contact in your dealings with Waddell & Reed
will be your local account representative. However, the Waddell & Reed
shareholder services department, which is part of the Waddell & Reed
headquarters operations in Overland Park, Kansas, is available to assist you and
your Waddell & Reed account representative. You may speak with a customer
service representative by calling the telephone number listed on the inside back
cover of this Prospectus.
<PAGE>
About the Investment Principles of the Fund
Investment Goals and Principles
The primary goal of the Fund is the long-term appreciation of your
investment. Realization of income is a secondary goal. The Fund seeks to
achieve these goals by investing in securities issued by companies or
governments of any nation. The securities selected to attempt to achieve the
Fund's primary goal are those issued by companies that WRIMCO believes have the
potential for long-term growth. There is no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its goals.
There are three main kinds of securities that the Fund owns: common stock,
preferred stock and debt securities. The Fund may also own convertible
securities. During normal market conditions, the Fund will have at least 65% of
its assets invested in growth securities.
Securities purchased by the Fund because they may increase in value over
the long term will usually be common stocks or securities that may be converted
into common stocks or rights for the purchase of common stocks. When WRIMCO
believes that common stocks or similar securities do not offer adequate growth
potential because of market or economic conditions, the Fund may invest up to
all of its assets as a temporary measure in either debt securities (including
commercial paper or U.S. Government securities) or preferred stocks or both.
All or a substantial amount of the Fund's assets may be invested in foreign
securities if, in WRIMCO's opinion, doing so might assist in achieving the
Fund's goals. For defensive purposes the Fund may, at times, temporarily invest
completely or substantially in U.S. securities.
Risk Considerations
There are risks inherent in any investment. The Fund is subject to varying
degrees of market risk, financial risk and, in some cases, prepayment risk.
Market risk is the potential for fluctuations in the price of the security
because of market factors. Because of market risk, you should anticipate that
the share price of the Fund will fluctuate. Financial risk is based on the
financial situation of the issuer. The financial risk of the Fund depends on
the credit quality of the underlying securities. Prepayment risk is the
possibility that, during periods of falling interest rates, a debt security with
a high stated interest rate will be prepaid prior to its expected maturity date.
The Fund may also invest in certain derivative instruments, including
options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contacts,
swaps, caps, collars, floors, indexed securities, stripped securities and
mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. The use of derivative
instruments involves special risks. See "Risks of Derivative Instruments" for
further information on the risks of investing in these instruments.
Securities and Investment Practices
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the Fund may invest, and strategies WRIMCO may employ in
pursuit of the Fund's investment goals. A summary of risks associated with
these instrument types and investment practices is included as well.
WRIMCO might not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques to the full extent permitted by the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions unless it believes that doing so will help the Fund achieve its
goals.
Certain of the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund are also
stated below. A fundamental policy of the Fund may not be changed without the
approval of the shareholders of the Fund. Operating policies may be changed by
the Board of Directors without the approval of the shareholders. The goals of
the Fund and the types of securities in which the Fund may invest are
fundamental policies. Unless otherwise indicated, the types of other assets in
which the Fund may invest, the proportion of its assets that may be invested in
each such type and other policies are operating policies.
Policies and limitations are typically considered at the time of purchase;
the sale of instruments is usually not required in the event of a subsequent
change in circumstances.
Please see the SAI for further information concerning the following
instruments and associated risks and the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions.
Equity Securities. Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an
issuer. This ownership interest often gives an investor the right to vote on
measures affecting the issuer's organization and operations. Although common
stocks and other equity securities have a history of long-term growth in value,
their prices tend to fluctuate in the short term, particularly those of smaller
companies. The equity securities in which the Fund invests may include
preferred stock that converts to common stock either automatically or after a
specified period of time or at the option of the issuer.
Debt Securities. Bonds and other debt instruments 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 debt securities in which
the Fund invests may include debt securities whose performance is linked to a
specified equity security or security index.
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest
rates and varying degrees of quality. As a general matter, however, when
interest rates rise, the values of fixed-rate debt securities fall and,
conversely, when interest rates fall, the values of fixed-rate debt securities
rise. The values of floating and adjustable-rate debt securities are not as
sensitive to changes in interest rates as the values of fixed-rate debt
securities. Longer-term bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate
changes than shorter-term bonds.
U.S. Government securities are high-quality instruments issued or
guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or
instrumentality of the U.S. Government ("U.S. Government Securities"). Not all
U.S. Government Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Some are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others are backed by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase the agencies' obligations; while others are supported only by the
credit of the instrumentality. In the case of securities not backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the
agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment.
Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund may invest in debt
securities rated in any rating category of the established rating services,
including securities rated in the lowest rating category (such as those rated D
by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P), or C
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (MIS)). In addition, the Fund will treat
unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality to a rated
security to be equivalent to securities having that rating. Debt securities
rated D by S&P or C by MIS are in payment default or are regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. Debt
securities rated at least BBB by S&P or Baa by MIS are considered to be
investment grade securities. Securities rated BBB or Baa may have speculative
characteristics. Credit ratings for individual securities may change from time
to time, and the Fund may retain a portfolio security whose rating has been
changed. See the SAI for additional information about non-investment grade debt
securities.
Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in preferred stock rated in any
rating category by an established rating service and unrated preferred stock
judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible
security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the
dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities generally have higher
yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than
comparable nonconvertible securities, are less subject to fluctuation in value
than the underlying stock because they have fixed income characteristics, and
provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the
underlying common stock increases.
The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest
rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing
as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors
also may have an effect on the convertible security's investment value.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5%
of its assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
Foreign Securities and foreign currencies can involve significant risks in
addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities
denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest
from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies
strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets
generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and
prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries
lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable
to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information
regarding an issuer's financial condition and operations. In addition, the
costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions
and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets.
Foreign issuers, brokers and securities markets may be subject to less
governmental supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those
involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased
risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and
may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal
rights in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks.
Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to
the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or
nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S.
investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. There may be a greater possibility
of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises.
Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political,
economic or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic
developments. There is no assurance that WRIMCO will be able to anticipate
these potential events or counter their effects.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in
developing countries. A developing country is a nation that, in WRIMCO's
opinion, is likely to experience long-term gross domestic product growth above
that expected to occur in the United States, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Developing countries may have relatively
unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities
markets that trade a small number of securities.
Certain foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to transfer
restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign
securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
The Fund may invest in any country approved in accordance with policies
adopted by the Board of Directors.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may purchase foreign securities only
if they are (i) listed or admitted to trading on a domestic or foreign
securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotations system, with the
exception of warrants, rights or restricted securities, which need not be so
listed or admitted, (ii) represented by American Depositary Receipts (receipts
issued against securities of foreign issuers deposited or to be deposited with
an American depository) so listed or admitted on a domestic securities exchange
or traded in the United States over-the-counter market, or (iii) issued or
guaranteed by any foreign government or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof.
Normally, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in foreign
securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will have at least 65% of
its assets invested in at least three different countries outside the United
States.
The Fund may not purchase a particular foreign security if, as a result,
more than 75% of its assets would be invested in securities of that foreign
country. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities
issued by the government of any one foreign country.
Options, Futures and Other Strategies. The Fund may use certain options,
futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors,
indexed securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and
certain other strategies described herein to attempt to enhance income or yield
or to attempt to reduce the risk of its investments. The strategies described
below may be used in an attempt to manage certain risks of the Fund's
investments that can affect fluctuation in its net asset value. The Fund may
also use various techniques to increase or decrease its exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices or
other factors that affect security values.
The Fund's ability to use these strategies may be limited by market
conditions, regulatory limits and tax considerations. The Fund might not use
any of these strategies, and there can be no assurance that any strategy that is
used will succeed. The risks associated with such strategies are described
below. Also see the SAI for more information on these instruments and
strategies and their risk considerations.
Policies and Restrictions: Subject to the further limitations stated in
the SAI, the Fund may purchase and sell any type of derivative instrument
(including, without limitation, futures contracts, options, forward contracts,
swaps, caps, collars, floors and indexed securities). However, the Fund will
only purchase or sell a particular derivative instrument if the Fund is
authorized to invest in the type of asset by which the return on, or value of,
the derivative instrument is primarily measured or, with respect to foreign
currency derivatives, if the Fund is authorized to invest in foreign securities.
Options. The Fund may engage in certain strategies involving options to
attempt to enhance its income or yield or to attempt to reduce the overall risk
of its investments. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and
obligates the writer to sell, the underlying investment at the agreed-upon
exercise price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the
right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying investment at the
agreed-upon exercise price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay
an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right
under the option contract.
Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in the Fund's
net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related
investment. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
exchange-listed options. The market for options that are not listed on an
exchange may be less active that the market for exchange-listed options. The
Fund will be able to close a position in an option it has written only if there
is a market for the offsetting put or call. If the Fund is not able to enter
into an offsetting closing transaction on an option it has written, it will be
required to maintain the securities, or cash in the case of an option on an
index, subject to the call or the collateral underlying the put until a closing
purchase transaction can be entered into or the option expires. Because index
options are settled in cash, the Fund cannot provide in advance for its
potential settlement obligations on a call it has written on an index by holding
the underlying securities. The Fund bears the risk that the value of the
securities it holds will vary from the value of the index.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. When the Fund
purchases a futures contract, it incurs an obligation to take delivery of a
specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a specified time
in the future for a specified price. When the Fund sells a futures contract, it
incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying
obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed-upon price.
When the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the futures contract at
a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. If the
Fund writes a call, it assumes a short futures position. If it writes a put, it
assumes a long futures position. When the Fund purchases an option on a futures
contract, it acquires the right, in return for the premium it pays, to assume a
position in the futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a
short position if the option is a put).
Forward Currency Contracts and Foreign Currencies. The Fund may enter into
forward currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a
specified future date either with respect to specific transactions or with
respect to portfolio positions in order to minimize the risk to the Fund from
adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and a foreign
currency. For example, when WRIMCO anticipates purchasing or selling a security
denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward currency
contract in order to set the exchange rate at which the transaction will be
made. The Fund also may enter into a forward currency contract to sell an
amount of a foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the
Fund's securities positions denominated in such currency. The Fund may also use
forward currency contracts in one currency or a basket of currencies to attempt
to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a
different currency if WRIMCO anticipates that there will be a correlation
between the two currencies.
The Fund may use forward currency contracts to shift the Fund's exposure to
foreign currency exchange rate changes from one foreign currency to another.
For example, if the Fund owns securities denominated in a foreign currency and
WRIMCO believes that currency will decline relative to another currency, it
might enter into a forward currency contract to sell the appropriate amount of
the first foreign currency with payment to be made in the second foreign
currency. Transactions that use two foreign currencies are sometimes referred
to as "cross hedging." Use of a different foreign currency magnifies the Fund's
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund may also
purchase forward currency contracts to enhance income when WRIMCO anticipates
that the foreign currency will appreciate in value, but securities denominated
in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities.
Successful use of forward currency contracts depends on WRIMCO's skill in
analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward currency contracts may
substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency
exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not
perform as WRIMCO anticipates. There is no assurance that WRIMCO's use of
forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will
hedge at an appropriate time.
The Fund may also purchase and sell foreign currency and invest in foreign
currency deposits. Currency conversion involves dealer spreads and other costs,
although commissions usually are not charged.
Indexed Securities. The Fund may purchase indexed securities, which are
securities the value of which varies in relation to the value of other
securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other
commodities, or other financial indicators, subject to its operating policy
regarding derivative instruments. Indexed securities typically, but not always,
are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is
determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The performance
of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the
security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed and may also
be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the
same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with
the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments.
Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. The Fund may enter into swaps, caps,
collars and floors as described below. The Fund may enter into these
transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or
portion of its portfolio, to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date or to attempt to
enhance income or yield.
Depending on how they are used, the swap, cap, collar and floor agreements
used by the Fund may also increase or decrease the overall volatility of its
investments and its share price and yield. The most significant factor in the
performance of these agreements is the change in the specific interest rate,
currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and
from the Fund.
Swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive cash flows, e.g., an exchange of
floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. The purchase of a cap entitles
the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined
value, to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling
such cap. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a
specified index falls below a predetermined value, to receive payments on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such floor. A collar combines
elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
The Fund usually will enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case
may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If, however, an agreement
calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments
when due. The creditworthiness of firms with which the Fund enters into swaps,
caps, collars or floors will be monitored by WRIMCO in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. If a firm's creditworthiness
declines, the value of an agreement would be likely to decline, potentially
resulting in losses. If a default occurs by the other party to such
transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
related to the transaction.
The Fund understands that the position of the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission is that assets involved in such transactions are illiquid
and are, therefore, subject to the limitations on investment in illiquid
investments as described in the SAI.
Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities are bonds backed by
specific types of assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or
indirect interests in pools of underlying mortgage loans that are secured by
real property. U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities are issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest (but not as to market value) by the
Government National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae (formerly, the Federal
National Mortgage Association), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or other
government-sponsored enterprises. Other mortgage-backed securities are
sponsored or issued by private entities, including investment banking firms and
mortgage originators.
Mortgage-backed securities may be composed of one or more classes and may
be structured either as pass-through securities or collateralized debt
obligations. Multiple-class mortgage-backed securities are referred to in this
Prospectus as "CMOs." Some CMOs are directly supported by other CMOs, which in
turn are supported by mortgage pools. Investors typically receive payments out
of the interest and principal on the underlying mortgages. The portions of
these payments that investors receive, as well as the priority of their rights
to receive payments, are determined by the specific terms of the CMO class.
For example, interest-only ("IO") classes are entitled to receive all or a
portion of the interest, but none (or only a nominal amount) of the principal
payments, from the underlying mortgage assets. If the mortgage assets
underlying an IO experience greater than anticipated principal prepayments, then
the total amount of interest payments allocable to the IO class, and therefore
the yield to investors, generally will be reduced. In some instances, an
investor in an IO may fail to recoup all of his or her initial investment, even
if the security is government guaranteed or considered to be of the highest
quality. Conversely, principal-only ("PO") classes are entitled to receive all
or a portion of the principal payments, but none of the interest, from the
underlying mortgage assets. PO classes are purchased at substantial discounts
from par, and the yield to investors will be reduced if principal payments are
slower than expected. IOs, POs and other CMOs involve special risks, and
evaluating them requires special knowledge.
When interest rates decline and homeowners refinance their mortgages,
mortgage-backed bonds may be paid off more quickly than investors expect. When
interest rates rise, mortgage-backed bonds may be paid off more slowly than
originally expected. Changes in the rate or "speed" of these prepayments can
cause the value of mortgage-backed securities to fluctuate rapidly.
Other asset-backed securities are similar to mortgage-backed securities,
except that the underlying assets securing the debt are different. These
underlying assets may be nearly any type of financial asset or receivable, such
as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, home equity loans, leases of
various types of real and personal property and receivables from credit cards.
The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities differ from those of traditional debt securities. Among the major
differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently
and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage
loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. Generally,
prepayments on fixed-rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of
falling interest rates and decrease during a period of rising interest rates.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities may also decrease in value as
a result of increases in interest rates and, because of prepayments, may benefit
less than other bonds from declining interest rates. Reinvestments of
prepayments may occur at lower interest rates than the original investment, thus
adversely affecting the Fund's yield. Actual prepayment experience may cause
the yield of a mortgage-backed security to differ from what was assumed when the
Fund purchased the security.
The market for privately issued mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities is smaller and less liquid than the market for U.S. Government
mortgage-backed securities. CMO classes may be specially structured in a manner
that provides any of a wide variety of investment characteristics, such as
yield, effective maturity and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions
change, however, and especially during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes
in market interest rates, the attractiveness of some CMO classes and the ability
of the structure to provide the anticipated investment characteristics may be
significantly reduced. These changes can result in volatility in the market
value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of the CMO class.
Risks of Derivative Instruments. The use of options, futures contracts,
options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars and
floors, and the investment in indexed securities, stripped securities and
mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities involve special risks,
including (i) possible imperfect or no correlation between price movements of
the portfolio investments (held or intended to be purchased) involved in the
transaction and price movements of the instruments involved in the transaction,
(ii) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at
a particular time, (iii) the need for additional portfolio management skills and
techniques, (iv) losses due to unanticipated market price movements, (v) the
fact that, while such strategies can reduce the risk of loss, they can also
reduce the opportunity for gain, or even result in losses by offsetting
favorable price movements in investments involved in the transaction, (vi)
incorrect forecasts by WRIMCO concerning interest or currency exchange rates or
direction of price fluctuations of the investment involved in the transaction,
which may result in the strategy being ineffective, (vii) loss of premiums paid
by the Fund on options it purchases, and (viii) the possible inability of the
Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time when it would otherwise
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 assets in connection with such transactions and
the possible inability of the Fund to close out or liquidate its position.
For a hedging strategy to be completely effective, the price change of the
hedging instrument must equal the price change of the investment being hedged.
The risk of imperfect correlation of these price changes increases as the
composition of the Fund's portfolio diverges from instruments underlying a
hedging instrument. Such equal price changes are not always possible because
the investment underlying the hedging instruments may not be the same investment
that is being hedged. WRIMCO will attempt to create a closely correlated hedge,
but hedging activity may not be completely successful in eliminating market
value fluctuation.
WRIMCO may use derivative instruments for hedging purposes to adjust the
risk characteristics of the Fund's portfolio of investments and may use these
instruments to adjust the return characteristics of the Fund's portfolio of
investments. The use of derivative techniques for speculative purposes can
increase investment risk. If WRIMCO judges market conditions incorrectly or
employs a strategy that does not correlate well with the Fund's investments,
these techniques could result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to
reduce risk or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of
the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of
the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the
counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised or if there is not
a liquid secondary market to close out a position that the Fund has entered
into.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to
the differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to distortion. Due
to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of general interest rate,
currency exchange rate or stock market trends by WRIMCO may still not result in
a successful transaction. WRIMCO may be incorrect in its expectations as to the
extent of various interest or currency exchange rate or stock market movements
or the time span within which the movements take place.
Options transactions may increase portfolio turnover rates, which results
in correspondingly greater commission expenses and transaction costs and may
result in certain tax consequences.
New financial products and risk management techniques continue to be
developed. The Fund may use these instruments and techniques to the extent
consistent with its goals, investment policies and regulatory requirements
applicable to investment companies.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions are trading practices in
which payment and delivery for the securities take place at a future date. The
market value of a security could change during this period, which could affect
the Fund's yield.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund assumes
the rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price and yield
fluctuations. When the Fund sells a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the
Fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the
security. If the other party to the delayed-delivery transaction fails to
deliver or pay for the securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price or
yield opportunity, or could suffer a loss.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may purchase securities in which it
may invest on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis or sell them on a delayed-
delivery basis.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security
at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price.
Delays or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or
becomes insolvent.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not enter
into a repurchase agreement if, as a result, more than 10% of its net assets
would consist of illiquid investments, which include repurchase agreements not
terminable within seven days.
Restricted Securities and Illiquid Investments. Restricted securities are
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
Restricted securities may be illiquid due to restrictions on their resale.
Certain restricted securities may be determined to be liquid in accordance with
guidelines adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors.
Illiquid investments may be difficult to sell promptly at an acceptable
price. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly
to the Fund.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not purchase a security if, as a
result, more than 10% of its net assets would consist of illiquid investments.
Diversification. Diversifying the Fund's investment portfolio can reduce
the risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money invested
in any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one industry.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of
its total assets, the Fund may not purchase the securities of any one issuer
(other than cash items and "Government securities" as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) if immediately after and as a
result of such purchase, (a) the value of the holdings of the Fund in the
securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, or
(b) the Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not buy a security if, as a result,
more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would then be invested in securities of
companies in any one industry.
Borrowing. If the Fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to
greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off.
If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding,
this may be considered a form of leverage.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may borrow
only from banks, as a temporary measure or for extraordinary or emergency
purposes, but only up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund may not pledge its
assets in connection with any permitted borrowings; however, this policy does
not prevent the Fund from pledging its assets in connection with its purchase
and sale of futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars,
floors and other financial instruments. See the SAI for further information on
the Fund's ability to borrow.
Lending. Securities loans may be made on a short-term or long-term basis
for the purpose of increasing the Fund's income. This practice could result in
a loss or a delay in recovering the Fund's securities. Loans will be made only
to parties deemed by WRIMCO to be creditworthy.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund will not lend
more than 10% of its assets at any one time, and such loans must be on a
collateralized basis in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Other Instruments may include rights, warrants and securities of closed-end
investment companies. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would
bear its pro rata share of that investment company's expenses, which could
result in duplication of certain fees, including management and administrative
fees.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may buy
shares of other investment companies that do not redeem their shares if it does
not invest more than 10% of its total assets in such shares, subject to the
conditions in the SAI. However, the Fund does not currently intend to invest
more than 5% of its assets in such securities.
The Fund does not currently intend to purchase the securities of any issuer
(other than securities issued or guaranteed by domestic or foreign governments
or political subdivisions thereof) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total
assets would be invested in the securities of business enterprises that,
including predecessors, have a record of less than three years of continuous
operation. This restriction does not apply to any obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, or a state or local government authority, or
their respective agencies or instrumentalities, or to collateralized mortgage
obligations, other mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, indexed
securities or over-the-counter derivative financial instruments.
<PAGE>
About Your Account
The different ways to set up (register) your account are listed below.
Ways to Set Up Your Account
- -------------------------------------------------
Individual or Joint Tenants
For your general investment needs
Individual accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts have two or more
owners (tenants).
- -------------------------------------------------
Business or Organization
For investment needs of corporations, associations, partnerships, institutions
or other groups
- -------------------------------------------------
Retirement
To shelter your retirement savings from taxes
Retirement plans allow individuals to shelter investment income and capital
gains from current taxes. In addition, contributions to these accounts may be
tax deductible.
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) allow anyone of legal age and under 70
1/2 with earned income to invest up to $2,000 per tax year. For 1997, the
maximum for an investor and his or her spouse is $4,000 ($2,000 for each
spouse) or, if less, the couple's combined earned income for the taxable
year.
Rollover IRAs retain special tax advantages for certain distributions from
employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP - IRAs) provide small business owners
or those with self-employed income (and their eligible employees) with many
of the same advantages as a Keogh, but with fewer administrative
requirements.
Keogh Plans allow self-employed individuals to make tax-deductible
contributions for themselves up to 25% of their annual earned income, with a
maximum of $30,000 per year.
401(k) Programs allow employees of corporations and non-governmental tax-
exempt organizations of all sizes to contribute a percentage of their wages
on a tax-deferred basis. These accounts need to be established by the
administrator or trustee of the plan.
403(b) Custodial Accounts are available to employees of public school systems
or certain types of charitable organizations.
457 Accounts allow employees of state and local governments and certain
charitable organizations to contribute a portion of their compensation on a
tax-deferred basis.
Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLE Plans) can be established
by small employers to contribute to their employees' retirement accounts and
involve fewer administrative requirements than 401(k) or other qualified
plans generally.
-------------------------------------------------
Gifts or Transfers to a Minor
To invest for a child's education or other future needs
These custodial accounts provide a way to give money to a child and obtain
tax benefits. An individual can give up to $10,000 a year per child without
paying Federal transfer tax. Depending on state laws, you can set up a
custodial account under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ("UGMA") or the Uniform
Transfers to Minors Act ("UTMA").
-------------------------------------------------
Trust
For money being invested by a trust
The trust must be established before an account can be opened, or you may
use a trust form made available by Waddell & Reed. Contact your Waddell & Reed
account representative for the form.
-------------------------------------------------
Buying Shares
You may buy shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its account
representatives. To open your account you must complete and sign an
application. Your Waddell & Reed account representative can help you with any
questions you might have. The Prospectus has been made available on a diskette
that can be used with certain software programs that have a reader, i.e., a
voice capability feature which can convert the data on the diskette into an oral
format.
The price to buy a share of the Fund, called the offering price, is
calculated every business day.
The offering price of a Class A share (price to buy one Class A share)
is the Fund's Class A net asset value ("NAV") plus the sales charge shown in the
table below.
Sales
Sales Charge
Charge as
as Approx.
Percent Percent
of of
Size of Offering Amount
Purchase Price Invested
-------- -------- -------
Under
$100,000 5.75% 6.10%
$100,000
to less
than
$200,000 4.75 4.99
$200,000
to less
than
$300,000 3.50 3.63
$300,000
to less
than
$500,000 2.50 2.56
$500,000
to less
than
$1,000,000 1.50 1.52
$1,000,000
to less
than
$2,000,000 1.00 1.01
$2,000,000
and over 0.00 0.00
The Fund's Class A NAV is the value of a single share. The Class A NAV is
computed by adding, with respect to that class, the value of the Fund's
investments, cash and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and then
dividing the result by the number of Class A shares outstanding.
The securities in the Fund's portfolio that are listed or traded on an
exchange are valued primarily using market quotations or, if market quotations
are not available, at their fair value in a manner determined in good faith by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Bonds are generally valued
according to prices quoted by a third-party pricing service. Short-term debt
securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Other
assets are valued at their fair value by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors.
The Fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE") is open. The Fund normally calculates the NAVs of its shares as of
the later of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4 p.m. Eastern time, or
the close of the regular session of any other securities or commodities exchange
on which an option held by the Fund is traded.
The Fund may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges which
may trade on Saturdays or on customary U.S. national business holidays when the
NYSE is closed. Consequently, the NAV of Fund shares may be significantly
affected on days when the Fund does not price its shares and when you have no
access to the Fund.
When you place an order to buy shares, your order will be processed at
the next offering price calculated after your order is received and accepted.
Note the following:
Orders are accepted only at the home office of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
All of your purchases must be made in U.S. dollars.
If you buy shares by check, and then sell those shares by any method other
than by exchange to another fund in the United Group, the payment may be
delayed for up to ten days to ensure that your previous investment has
cleared.
When you sign your account application, you will be asked to certify
that your Social Security or other taxpayer identification number is correct and
whether you are subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to
the Internal Revenue Service.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. reserves the right to reject any purchase orders,
including purchases by exchange, and it and the Fund reserve the right to
discontinue offering Fund shares for purchase.
Lower sales charges are available by combining additional purchases of
Class A shares of any of the funds in the United Group, to the extent otherwise
permitted, except United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Cash Management,
Inc., United Government Securities Fund, Inc. and United Municipal High Income
Fund, Inc., with the NAV of Class A shares already held ("rights of
accumulation") and by grouping all purchases of Class A shares made during a
thirteen-month period ("Statement of Intention"). Class A shares of this Fund
or another fund purchased through a contractual plan may not be included unless
the plan has been completed. Purchases by certain related persons may be
grouped. Holders of an uncompleted United International Growth Investment
Program ("Program") on May 30, 1996 with a face amount of less than $12,000 may
purchase Class A shares of the Fund at NAV plus a maximum sales charge of 2%, up
to the amount representing the unpaid balance of the Program, if the purchase
order is so designated. Additional information and applicable forms are
available from Waddell & Reed account representatives.
Class A shares may be purchased at NAV by the Directors and officers
of the Fund, employees of Waddell & Reed, Inc., employees of their affiliates,
account representatives of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and the spouse, children,
parents, children's spouses and spouse's parents of each such Director, officer,
employee and account representative. Purchases of Class A shares in certain
retirement plans and certain trusts for these persons may also be made at NAV.
Holders of an uncompleted Program on May 30, 1996 with a face amount of $12,000
or more may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at NAV, up to the amount
representing the unpaid balance of the Program, if the purchase order is so
designated. In addition, any person who was a Program holder on May 30, 1996
may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at NAV up to the amount representing
partial Program withdrawals, provided the purchase order is so designated.
Purchases of Class A shares in a 401(k) plan having 100 or more eligible
employees and purchases of Class A shares in a 457 plan having 100 or more
eligible employees may be made at NAV. Shares may also be issued at NAV in a
merger, acquisition or exchange offer made pursuant to a plan of reorganization
to which the Fund is a party.
Minimum Investments
To Open an Account $500
For certain exchanges $10
For certain retirement accounts and accounts opened with Automatic Investment
Service $50
For certain retirement accounts and accounts opened through payroll deductions
for or by employees of WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc. and their affiliates $25
To Add to an Account
For certain exchanges $100
For Automatic Investment Service $25
Adding to Your Account
Subject to the minimums described under "Minimum Investments," you can
make additional investments of any amount at any time.
To add to your account, make your check payable to Waddell & Reed,
Inc. Mail the check along with:
the detachable form that accompanies the confirmation of a prior purchase by
you or your year-to-date statement; or
a letter stating your account number, the account registration and that you
wish to purchase Class A shares of the Fund.
Mail to Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the address printed on your
confirmation or year-to-date statement.
Selling Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your Fund account at any time by
selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares.
The redemption price (price to sell one Class A share) is the Fund's
Class A NAV.
To sell shares, your request must be made in writing.
Complete an Account Service Request form, available from your Waddell
& Reed account representative, or write a letter of instruction with:
the name on the account registration;
the Fund's name;
the Fund account number;
the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed; and
any other applicable requirements listed in the table below.
Deliver the form or your letter to your Waddell & Reed account
representative, or mail it to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
Unless otherwise instructed, Waddell & Reed will send a check to the
address on the account.
Special Requirements for Selling Shares
Account Type Special
Requirements
Individual or The written
Joint Tenant instructions must be
signed by all persons
required to sign for
transactions, exactly
as their names appear
on the account.
Sole The written
Proprietorship instructions must be
signed by the
individual owner of
the business.
UGMA, UTMA The custodian
must sign the written
instructions
indicating capacity as
custodian.
Retirement The written
Account instructions must be
signed by a properly
authorized person.
Trust The trustee must
sign the written
instructions
indicating capacity as
trustee. If the
trustee's name is not
in the account
registration, provide
a currently certified
copy of the trust
document.
Business or At least one
Organization person authorized by
corporate resolution
to act on the account
must sign the written
instructions.
Conservator, The written
Guardian or Other instructions must be
Fiduciary signed by the person
properly authorized by
court order to act in
the particular
fiduciary capacity.
When you place an order to sell shares, your shares will be sold at
the next NAV calculated after receipt of a written request for redemption in
good order by Waddell & Reed, Inc. at its home office. Note the following:
If more than one person owns the shares, each owner must sign the written
request.
If you hold a certificate, it must be properly endorsed and sent to the Fund.
If you recently purchased the shares by check, the Fund may delay payment of
redemption proceeds. You may arrange for the bank upon which the purchase
check was drawn to provide to the Fund telephone or written assurance,
satisfactory to the Fund, that the check has cleared and been honored. If no
such assurance is given, payment of the redemption proceeds on these shares
will be delayed until the earlier of 10 days or the date the Fund is able to
verify that your purchase check has cleared and been honored.
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed on days when the NYSE
is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Payment is normally made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions
redemptions may be made in portfolio securities.
The Fund reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on
certain redemption requests. This requirement is designed to protect you and
Waddell & Reed from fraud. The Fund may require a signature guarantee in
certain situations such as:
the request for redemption is made by a corporation, partnership or
fiduciary;
the request for redemption is made by someone other than the owner of record;
or
the check is being made payable to someone other than the owner of record.
The Fund will accept a signature guarantee from a national bank, a
federally chartered savings and loan or a member firm of a national stock
exchange or other eligible guarantor in accordance with procedures of the Fund's
transfer agent. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
You may reinvest without charge all or part of the amount you redeemed
by sending to the Fund the amount you want to reinvest. The reinvested amounts
must be received by the Fund within thirty days after the date of your
redemption. You may do this only once as to Class A shares of the Fund.
Under the terms of the 401(k) prototype plan which Waddell & Reed,
Inc. has available, the plan may have the right to make a loan to a plan
participant by redeeming Fund shares held by the plan. Principal and interest
payments on the loan made in accordance with the terms of the plan may be
reinvested by the plan, without payment of a sales charge, in Class A shares of
any of the funds in the United Group in which the plan may invest.
Shareholder Services
Waddell & Reed provides a variety of services to help you manage your
account.
Personal Service
Your local Waddell & Reed account representative is available to
provide personal service. Additionally, the Waddell & Reed Customer Services
staff is available to respond promptly to your inquiries and requests.
Reports
Statements and reports sent to you include the following:
confirmation statements (after every purchase, other than those purchases
made through Automatic Investment Service, and after every exchange, transfer
or redemption)
year-to-date statements (quarterly)
annual and semiannual reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of annual and semiannual reports will be
mailed to your household, even if you have more than one account with the Fund.
Call the telephone number listed on the inside back cover of this Prospectus if
you need copies of annual or semiannual reports or historical account
information.
Exchanges
You may sell your Class A shares and buy Class A shares of other funds in
the United Group. You may exchange only into funds that are legally registered
for sale in your state of residence. Note that exchanges out of the Fund may
have tax consequences for you. Before exchanging into a fund, read its
prospectus.
The Fund reserves the right to terminate or modify these exchange
privileges at any time, upon notice in certain instances.
Automatic Transactions
Flexible withdrawal service lets you set up ongoing monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual redemptions from your account.
Regular Investment Plans allow you to transfer money into your Fund account
automatically. While Regular Investment Plans do not guarantee a profit and
will not protect you against loss in a declining market, they can be an
excellent way to invest for retirement, a home, educational expenses and other
long-term financial goals.
Certain restrictions and fees imposed by the plan custodian may also apply
for retirement accounts. Speak with your Waddell & Reed account representative
for more information.
Regular Investment Plans
Automatic Investment Service
To move money from your bank account to an existing Fund account
Minimum Frequency
$25 Monthly
Funds Plus Service
To move money from United Cash Management, Inc. to the Fund whether in the same
or a different account
Minimum Frequency
$100 Monthly
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions
The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net
capital gains to its shareholders each year. Ordinarily, dividends are
distributed from the Fund's net investment income, which includes accrued
interest, earned discount, dividends and other income earned on portfolio assets
less expenses, semiannually in June and December. Net capital gains (and any
net gains from foreign currency transactions) ordinarily are distributed in
December. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to avoid
Federal income or excise taxes on certain undistributed income and capital
gains.
Distribution Options. When you open an account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. The Fund offers three
options:
1. Share Payment Option. Your dividend and capital gains and other
distributions will be automatically paid in additional Class A shares of
the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on your application, you will be
assigned this option.
2. Income-Earned Option. Your capital gains and other distributions will be
automatically paid in additional Class A shares, but you will be sent a
check for each dividend distribution.
3. Cash Option. You will be sent a check for your dividend and capital gains
and other distributions.
For retirement accounts, all distributions are automatically paid in
additional Class A shares.
Taxes
The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify for treatment as
a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, so that it will be relieved of Federal income tax on that part of its
investment company taxable income (consisting generally of net investment
income, net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions) and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains
over net short-term capital losses) that are distributed to its shareholders.
There are certain tax requirements that the Fund must follow in order to
avoid Federal taxation. In its effort to adhere to these requirements, the Fund
may have to limit its investment activity in some types of instruments.
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund
will be taxed. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account (or you
are not otherwise exempt from income tax), you should be aware of the following
tax implications:
Taxes on distributions. Dividends from the Fund's investment company
taxable income generally are taxable to you as ordinary income whether received
in cash or paid in additional Fund shares. Distributions of the Fund's net
capital gains, when designated as such, are taxable to you as long-term capital
gains, whether received in cash or paid in additional Fund shares and regardless
of the length of time you have owned your shares. The Fund notifies you after
each calendar year-end as to the amounts of dividends and other distributions
paid (or deemed paid) to you for that year. Under certain circumstances, the
Fund may elect to permit shareholders to take a credit or deduction for foreign
income taxes paid by the Fund. The Fund will notify you of any such election.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, whether received in cash or
paid in additional Fund shares, may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the
aggregate dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations. However,
dividends received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the
dividends-received deduction are subject indirectly to the alternative minimum
tax.
Withholding. The Fund is required to withhold 31% of all dividends,
capital gains distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and
certain other noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a
correct taxpayer identification number. Withholding at that rate from dividends
and capital gains distributions also is required for such shareholders who
otherwise are subject to backup withholding.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemption of Fund shares will result in
taxable gain or loss to you, depending on whether the redemption proceeds are
more or less than your adjusted basis for the redeemed shares (which normally
includes any sales charge paid). An exchange of Fund shares for shares of any
other fund in the United Group generally will have similar tax consequences.
However, special rules apply when you dispose of Fund shares through a
redemption or exchange within ninety days after your purchase thereof and
subsequently reacquire Fund shares or acquire shares of another fund in the
United Group without paying a sales charge due to the thirty-day reinvestment
privilege or exchange privilege. See "About Your Account." In these cases, any
gain on the disposition of the original Fund shares would be increased, or loss
decreased, by the amount of the sales charge you paid when those shares were
acquired, and that amount will increase the adjusted basis of the shares
subsequently acquired. In addition, if you purchase Fund shares within thirty
days before or after redeeming other Fund shares (regardless of class) at a
loss, part or all of that loss will not be deductible and will increase the
basis of the newly purchased shares.
State income taxes. The portion of the dividends paid by the Fund
attributable to the interest earned on its U.S. Government Securities generally
is not subject to state and local income taxes, although distributions by the
Fund to its shareholders of net realized gains on the disposition of those
securities are fully subject to those taxes. You should consult your tax
adviser to determine the taxability of dividends and other distributions by the
Fund in your state and locality.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders; see the SAI
for a more detailed discussion. There may be other Federal, state or local tax
considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are urged to consult
your own tax adviser.
<PAGE>
About the Management and Expenses of the Fund
United International Growth Fund, Inc. is a mutual fund: an investment
that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. In
technical terms, the Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment
company organized as a corporation under Maryland law on November 6, 1974, as
successor to a Delaware corporation which commenced operations in 1970.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Directors, which has overall
responsibility for the management of its affairs. The majority of directors are
not affiliated with Waddell & Reed, Inc.
The Fund has two classes of shares. Prior to July 4, 1995, the Fund
offered only one class of shares to the public. Shares outstanding on that date
were designated as Class A shares, which are offered by this Prospectus. In
addition, the Fund has issued and outstanding Class Y shares which are offered
by Waddell & Reed, Inc. through a separate prospectus. Class Y shares are
designed for institutional investors. Class Y shares are not subject to a sales
charge on purchases and are not subject to redemption fees. Class Y shares are
not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee. Additional information about Class Y shares
may be obtained by calling or writing to Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the telephone
number or address on the inside back cover of this Prospectus.
The Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders; however, certain
significant corporate matters, such as the approval of a new investment advisory
agreement or a change in a fundamental investment policy, which require
shareholder approval will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called by
the Board of Directors for such purpose.
Special meetings of shareholders may be called for any purpose upon receipt
by the Fund of a request in writing signed by shareholders holding not less than
25% of all shares entitled to vote at such meeting, provided certain conditions
stated in the Bylaws of the Fund are met. There will normally be no meeting of
the shareholders for the purpose of electing directors until such time as less
than a majority of directors holding office have been elected by shareholders,
at which time the directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of directors. To the extent that Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
applies to the Fund, the directors are required to call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
director when requested in writing to do so by the shareholders of record of not
less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
Each share (regardless of class) has one vote. All shares of the Fund vote
together as a single class, except as to any matter for which a separate vote of
any class is required by the 1940 Act, and except as to any matter which affects
the interests of one or more particular classes, in which case only the
shareholders of the affected classes are entitled to vote, each as a separate
class. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable when purchased.
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates
The Fund is managed by WRIMCO, subject to the authority of the Fund's Board
of Directors. WRIMCO provides investment advice to the Fund and supervises the
Fund's investments. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors have served as
investment manager to each of the registered investment companies in the United
Group of Mutual Funds, except United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc., since 1940 or
the inception of the company, whichever was later, and to TMK/United Funds, Inc.
since that fund's inception, until January 8, 1992, when it assigned its duties
as investment manager and assigned its professional staff for investment
management services to WRIMCO. WRIMCO has also served as investment manager for
Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its inception in September 1992 and United
Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. since it commenced operations in March 1995.
Thomas A. Mengel is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of
the portfolio of the Fund. Mr. Mengel has held his Fund responsibilities since
May 1996. He is Vice President of WRIMCO, Vice President of the Fund and Vice
President of other investment companies for which WRIMCO serves as investment
manager. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Mengel was the President of Sal. Oppenheim jr.
& Cie. Securities, Inc.; and from 1992 to 1993, Mr. Mengel was a Vice President
at Hauck and Hope Securities. Other members of WRIMCO's investment management
department provide input on market outlook, economic conditions, investment
research and other considerations relating to the Fund's investments.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as the Fund's underwriter and as underwriter
for each of the other funds in the United Group of Mutual Funds and Waddell &
Reed Funds, Inc. and acts as the principal underwriter and distributor of the
variable life insurance and variable annuity policies issued by United Investors
Life Insurance Company for which TMK/United Funds, Inc. is the underlying
investment vehicle.
Waddell & Reed Services Company acts as transfer agent ("Shareholder
Servicing Agent") for the Fund and processes the payments of dividends. Waddell
& Reed Services Company also acts as agent ("Accounting Services Agent") in
providing bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to the Fund and
pricing daily the value of its shares.
WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed Services Company are subsidiaries of Waddell &
Reed, Inc. Waddell & Reed, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc., a holding company, and an indirect subsidiary of
United Investors Management Company, a holding company, and Torchmark
Corporation, a holding company.
WRIMCO places transactions for the portfolio of the Fund and in doing so
may consider sales of Fund shares as a factor in the selection of brokers to
execute portfolio transactions, subject to best execution. For further
information concerning portfolio transactions, please see "Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage" in the SAI.
Breakdown of Expenses
Like all mutual funds, the Fund pays fees related to its daily operations.
Expenses paid out of the Fund's assets are reflected in its share price or
dividends; they are neither billed directly to shareholders nor deducted from
shareholder accounts.
The Fund pays a management fee to WRIMCO for providing investment advice
and supervising its investments. The Fund also pays other expenses, which are
explained below.
Management Fee
The management fee of the Fund is calculated by adding a group fee to a
specific fee. It is accrued and paid to WRIMCO daily.
The specific fee is computed on the Fund's net asset value as of the close
of business each day at the annual rate of .30 of 1% of its net assets. The
group fee is a pro rata participation based on the relative net asset size of
the Fund in the group fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of
all the funds in the United Group at the annual rates shown in the following
table:
Group Fee Rate
Annual
Group Net Group
Asset Level Fee Rate
(all dollars For Each
in millions) Level
- ------------ --------
From $0
to $750 .51 of 1%
From $750
to $1,500 .49 of 1%
From $1,500
to $2,250 .47 of 1%
From $2,250
to $3,000 .45 of 1%
From $3,000
to $3,750 .43 of 1%
From $3,750
to $7,500 .40 of 1%
From $7,500
to $12,000 .38 of 1%
Over $12,000 .36 of 1%
Growth in assets of the United Group assures a lower group fee rate.
The combined net asset values of all of the funds in the United Group were
approximately $14.3 billion as of June 30, 1996. Management fees for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996 were 0.71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Other Expenses
While the management fee is a significant component of the Fund's annual
operating costs, the Fund has other expenses as well.
The Fund pays the Accounting Services Agent a monthly fee based on the
average net assets of the Fund for accounting services. With respect to its
Class A shares, the Fund pays the Shareholder Servicing Agent a monthly fee for
each Class A shareholder account that was in existence at any time during the
month, and a fee for each account on which a dividend or distribution had a
record date during the month.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan") pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act with respect to its Class A shares. Under the
Plan, the Fund may pay monthly a fee to Waddell & Reed, Inc. in an amount not to
exceed 0.25% of the Fund's average annual net assets of its Class A shares. The
fee is to be paid to reimburse Waddell & Reed, Inc. for amounts it expends in
connection with the distribution of the Class A shares, and/or provision of
personal services to Class A shareholders and maintenance of Class A shareholder
accounts.
There are two parts to this fee: all or a portion of the fee may be paid
to Waddell & Reed, Inc. for distribution services and distribution expenses,
including commissions paid by Waddell & Reed, Inc. to its account
representatives, account managers and/or other broker-dealers (the "distribution
fee") with respect to the Fund's Class A shares; and all or a portion of the fee
may be paid to Waddell & Reed, Inc. for the provision by Waddell & Reed, Inc.,
Waddell & Reed Services Company and/or other third parties (including broker-
dealers who may sell Class A shares) of personal services to Class A
shareholders and other services to maintain Class A shareholder accounts (the
"service fee"). However, the total amount of the distribution fee and service
fee paid by the Fund pursuant to the Plan will not exceed, on an annual basis,
0.25% of the average annual net assets of the Fund's Class A shares.
The Fund also pays other expenses, such as fees and expenses of certain
directors, audit and outside legal fees, costs of materials sent to
shareholders, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, insurance premiums,
custodian fees, fees payable by the Fund under federal or other securities laws
and to the Investment Company Institute, and extraordinary expenses including
litigation and indemnification relative to litigation.
The Fund cannot precisely predict what its portfolio turnover rate will be,
but the Fund may have a high portfolio turnover. A higher turnover will
increase transaction and commission costs and could generate taxable income or
loss.
<PAGE>
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Custodian Underwriter
UMB Bank, n.a. Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Legal Counsel Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 66201-9217
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W. (913) 236-2000
Washington, D. C. 20036 (800) 366-5465
Independent Accountants Shareholder Servicing Agent
Deloitte & Touche LLP Waddell & Reed
1010 Grand Avenue Services Company
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
64106-2232 P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Investment Manager 66201-9217
Waddell & Reed Investment (913) 236-2000
Management Company (800) 366-5465
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217 Accounting Services Agent
Shawnee Mission, Kansas Waddell & Reed
66201-9217 Services Company
(913) 236-2000 6300 Lamar Avenue
(800) 366-5465 P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
(800) 366-5465
Our INTERNET address is:
http://www.waddell.com
<PAGE>
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares
PROSPECTUS
July 31, 1997
The United Group of Mutual Funds
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
United Cash Management, Inc.
United Continental Income Fund, Inc.
United Funds, Inc.
United Bond Fund
United Income Fund
United Accumulative Fund
United Science and Technology Fund
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc.
United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund II, Inc.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
United New Concepts Fund, Inc.
United Retirement Shares, Inc.
United Vanguard Fund, Inc.
NUP1002(7-97)
printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
Please read this Prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for future
reference. It sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
ought to know before investing.
Additional information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is contained in a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated July 31, 1997. The SAI is available free upon request to the Fund or
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, at the address or telephone number
below. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and you will
not be aware of all facts unless you read both this Prospectus and the SAI.
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.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Class Y Shares
This Fund seeks the long-term appreciation of your investment. Realization of
income is a secondary goal.
This Prospectus describes one class of shares of the Fund -- Class Y Shares.
Prospectus
July 31, 1997
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
913-236-2000
800-366-5465
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND.........................................3
EXPENSES........................................................4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................................5
PERFORMANCE.....................................................6
Explanation of Terms ..........................................6
ABOUT WADDELL & REED............................................7
ABOUT THE INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND.....................8
Investment Goals and Principles ...............................8
Risk Considerations .........................................8
Securities and Investment Practices ...........................9
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT.............................................22
Buying Shares ................................................22
Minimum Investments ..........................................23
Adding to Your Account .......................................24
Selling Shares ...............................................24
Telephone Transactions .......................................26
Shareholder Services .........................................26
Personal Service ...........................................26
Reports ....................................................26
Exchanges ..................................................26
Distributions and Taxes ......................................27
Distributions ..............................................27
Taxes ......................................................27
ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND..................30
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates ....................................31
Breakdown of Expenses ........................................32
Management Fee .............................................32
Other Expenses .............................................33
<PAGE>
An Overview of the Fund
The Fund: This Prospectus describes the Class Y shares of United International
Growth Fund, Inc., an open-end, diversified management investment company.
Goals and Strategies: United International Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund")
seeks, as a primary goal, the long-term appreciation of your investment.
Realization of income is a secondary goal. The Fund seeks to achieve these
goals by investing in securities issued by companies or governments of any
nation. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks, preferred stocks and debt
securities. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for further
information.
Management: Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO") provides
investment advice to the Fund and manages the Fund's investments. WRIMCO is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its predecessors have provided investment management services to registered
investment companies since 1940. See "About the Management and Expenses of the
Fund" for further information about management fees.
Distributor: Waddell & Reed, Inc. acts as principal underwriter and distributor
of the shares of the Fund.
Purchases: You may buy Class Y shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its account representatives. The price to buy a Class Y share of the Fund
is the net asset value of a Class Y share. There is no sales charge incurred
upon purchase of Class Y shares of the Fund. See "About Your Account" for
information on how to purchase Class Y shares.
Redemptions: You may redeem your shares at net asset value. When you sell your
shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them. See "About
Your Account" for a description of redemption procedures.
Who May Want to Invest: The Fund offers investment goals that are compatible
with different investment decisions by investors seeking international
investment opportunities. You should consider whether the Fund fits with your
particular investment objectives.
Risk Considerations: Because the Fund owns different types of investments, its
performance will be affected by a variety of factors. The value of the Fund's
investments and the income generated will vary from day to day, generally
reflecting changes in interest rates, market conditions and other company and
economic news. Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in selecting
investments. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for information
about the risks associated with the Fund's investments.
<PAGE>
Expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are charges you pay when you buy or sell shares
of a fund.
Maximum sales load
on purchases None
Maximum sales load
on reinvested
dividends None
Deferred
sales load None
Redemption fees None
Exchange fee None
Annual Fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net assets).3
Management fees 0.71%
12b-1 fees None
Other expenses 0.31%
Total Fund
operating expenses 1.02%
Example: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) 5% annual return4 and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year $ 10
3 years $ 32
5 years $ 56
10 years $125
The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding the various costs
and expenses that a shareholder of the Class Y shares of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. The example should not be considered a representation
of past or future expenses; actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown. For a more complete discussion of certain expenses and fees, see
"Breakdown of Expenses."
3Expense ratios are based on the management fees and other Fund-level expenses
of the Fund for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, and the other expenses
attributable to the Class Y shares that are anticipated for the current year
based on annualization of the Class Y expenses incurred during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1996. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown.
4Use of an assumed annual return of 5% is for illustration purposes only and is
not a representation of the Fund's future performance, which may be greater or
lesser.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The following information has been audited in conjunction with the audits
of the Financial Statements of the Fund. Financial Statements for the six
months ended December 31, 1996, and the independent auditors' report of Deloitte
& Touche LLP thereon, and the Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996 and the independent auditors' report of Price Waterhouse LLP
thereon, are included in the SAI and should be read in conjunction with the
Financial Statements.
For a Class Y share outstanding throughout each period:
For the
For the period
six months from 9/27/95*
ended through
12/31/96 6/30/96
-------- --------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $8.95 $9.21
------ ------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income .......... 0.03 0.12
Net realized and
unrealized gain
on investments... 0.73 0.30
------ ------
Total from investment
operations ........ 0.76 0.42
------ ------
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment
income........... (0.07) (0.08)
Distribution from
capital gains.... (0.26) (0.60)
------ ------
Total distributions. (0.33) (0.68)
------ ------
Net asset value,
end of period ..... $9.38 $8.95
====== ======
Total return ....... 8.53% 5.44%
Net assets, end of
period (000
omitted) ......... $5,808 $4,936
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets ............ 1.02%** 0.98%**
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets ............ 0.53%** 2.60%**
Portfolio
turnover rate ..... 49.64% 58.64%**
Average commission
rate paid ........ $0.0247
*Commencement of operations.
**Annualized.
<PAGE>
Performance
Mutual fund performance is commonly measured as total return. The Fund may
also advertise its performance by showing performance rankings. Performance
information is calculated and presented separately for each class of Fund
shares.
Explanation of Terms
Total Return is the overall change in value of an investment in the Fund
over a given period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and other
distributions. A cumulative total return reflects actual performance over a
stated period of time. An average annual total return is a hypothetical rate of
return that, if achieved annually, would have produced the same cumulative total
return if performance had been constant over the entire period. Average annual
total returns smooth out variations in performance; they are not the same as
actual year-by-year results. Non-standardized total return may be for periods
other than those required to be presented or may otherwise differ from
standardized total return.
Performance Rankings are comparisons of the Fund's performance to the
performance of other selected mutual funds, selected recognized market
indicators such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the
Dow Jones Industrial Average, or non-market indices or averages of mutual fund
industry groups. The Fund may quote its performance rankings and/or other
information as published by recognized independent mutual fund statistical
services or by publications of general interest. In connection with a ranking,
the Fund may provide additional information, such as the particular category to
which it relates, the number of funds in the category, the criteria upon which
the ranking is based, and the effect of sales charges, fee waivers and/or
expense reimbursements.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in
information provided to present or prospective shareholders is historical in
nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee future results. The value
of the Fund's shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
The Fund's recent performance and holdings will be detailed twice a year in
the Fund's annual and semiannual reports, which are sent to all Fund
shareholders.
<PAGE>
About Waddell & Reed
Since 1937, Waddell & Reed has been helping people make the most of their
financial future by helping them take advantage of various financial services.
Today, Waddell & Reed has over 2500 account representatives located throughout
the United States. Your primary contact in your dealings with Waddell & Reed
will be your local account representative. However, the Waddell & Reed
shareholder services department, which is part of the Waddell & Reed
headquarters operations in Overland Park, Kansas, is available to assist you and
your Waddell & Reed account representative. You may speak with a customer
service representative by calling the telephone number listed on the inside back
cover of this Prospectus.
<PAGE>
About the Investment Principles of the Fund
Investment Goals and Principles
The primary goal of the Fund is the long-term appreciation of your
investment. Realization of income is a secondary goal. The Fund seeks to
achieve these goals by investing in securities issued by companies or
governments of any nation. The securities selected to attempt to achieve the
Fund's primary goal are those issued by companies that WRIMCO believes have the
potential for long-term growth. There is no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its goals.
There are three main kinds of securities that the Fund owns: common stock,
preferred stock and debt securities. The Fund may also own convertible
securities. During normal market conditions, the Fund will have at least 65% of
its assets invested in growth securities.
Securities purchased by the Fund because they may increase in value over
the long term will usually be common stocks or securities that may be converted
into common stocks or rights for the purchase of common stocks. When WRIMCO
believes that common stocks or similar securities do not offer adequate growth
potential because of market or economic conditions, the Fund may invest up to
all of its assets as a temporary measure in either debt securities (including
commercial paper or U.S. Government securities) or preferred stocks or both.
All or a substantial amount of the Fund's assets may be invested in foreign
securities if, in WRIMCO's opinion, doing so might assist in achieving the
Fund's goals. For defensive purposes the Fund may, at times, temporarily invest
completely or substantially in U.S. securities.
Risk Considerations
There are risks inherent in any investment. The Fund is subject to varying
degrees of market risk, financial risk and, in some cases, prepayment risk.
Market risk is the potential for fluctuations in the price of the security
because of market factors. Because of market risk, you should anticipate that
the share price of the Fund will fluctuate. Financial risk is based on the
financial situation of the issuer. The financial risk of the Fund depends on
the credit quality of the underlying securities. Prepayment risk is the
possibility that, during periods of falling interest rates, a debt security with
a high stated interest rate will be prepaid prior to its expected maturity date.
The Fund may also invest in certain derivative instruments, including
options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contacts,
swaps, caps, collars, floors, indexed securities, stripped securities and
mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. The use of derivative
instruments involves special risks. See "Risks of Derivative Instruments" for
further information on the risks of investing in these instruments.
Securities and Investment Practices
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the Fund may invest, and strategies WRIMCO may employ in
pursuit of the Fund's investment goals. A summary of risks associated with
these instrument types and investment practices is included as well.
WRIMCO might not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques to the full extent permitted by the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions unless it believes that doing so will help the Fund achieve its
goals.
Certain of the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund are also
stated below. A fundamental policy of the Fund may not be changed without the
approval of the shareholders of the Fund. Operating policies may be changed by
the Board of Directors without the approval of the shareholders. The goals of
the Fund and the types of securities in which the Fund may invest are
fundamental policies. Unless otherwise indicated, the types of other assets in
which the Fund may invest, the proportion of its assets that may be invested in
each such type and other policies are operating policies.
Policies and limitations are typically considered at the time of purchase;
the sale of instruments is usually not required in the event of a subsequent
change in circumstances.
Please see the SAI for further information concerning the following
instruments and associated risks and the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions.
Equity Securities. Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an
issuer. This ownership interest often gives an investor the right to vote on
measures affecting the issuer's organization and operations. Although common
stocks and other equity securities have a history of long-term growth in value,
their prices tend to fluctuate in the short term, particularly those of smaller
companies. The equity securities in which the Fund invests may include
preferred stock that converts to common stock either automatically or after a
specified period of time or at the option of the issuer.
Debt Securities. Bonds and other debt instruments 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 debt securities in which
the Fund invests may include debt securities whose performance is linked to a
specified equity security or security index.
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest
rates and varying degrees of quality. As a general matter, however, when
interest rates rise, the values of fixed-rate debt securities fall and,
conversely, when interest rates fall, the values of fixed-rate debt securities
rise. The values of floating and adjustable-rate debt securities are not as
sensitive to changes in interest rates as the values of fixed-rate debt
securities. Longer-term bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate
changes than shorter-term bonds.
U.S. Government securities are high-quality instruments issued or
guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or
instrumentality of the U.S. Government ("U.S. Government Securities"). Not all
U.S. Government Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Some are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others are backed by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase the agencies' obligations; while others are supported only by the
credit of the instrumentality. In the case of securities not backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the
agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment.
Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund may invest in debt
securities rated in any rating category of the established rating services,
including securities rated in the lowest rating category (such as those rated D
by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P), or C
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (MIS)). In addition, the Fund will treat
unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality to a rated
security to be equivalent to securities having that rating. Debt securities
rated D by S&P or C by MIS are in payment default or are regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. Debt
securities rated at least BBB by S&P or Baa by MIS are considered to be
investment grade securities. Securities rated BBB or Baa may have speculative
characteristics. Credit ratings for individual securities may change from time
to time, and the Fund may retain a portfolio security whose rating has been
changed. See the SAI for additional information about non-investment grade debt
securities.
Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in preferred stock rated in any
rating category by an established rating service and unrated preferred stock
judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible
security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the
dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities generally have higher
yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than
comparable nonconvertible securities, are less subject to fluctuation in value
than the underlying stock because they have fixed income characteristics, and
provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the
underlying common stock increases.
The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest
rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing
as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors
also may have an effect on the convertible security's investment value.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5%
of its assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
Foreign Securities and foreign currencies can involve significant risks in
addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities
denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest
from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies
strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets
generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and
prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries
lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable
to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information
regarding an issuer's financial condition and operations. In addition, the
costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions
and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets.
Foreign issuers, brokers and securities markets may be subject to less
governmental supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those
involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased
risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and
may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal
rights in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks.
Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to
the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or
nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S.
investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. There may be a greater possibility
of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises.
Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political,
economic or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic
developments. There is no assurance that WRIMCO will be able to anticipate
these potential events or counter their effects.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in
developing countries. A developing country is a nation that, in WRIMCO's
opinion, is likely to experience long-term gross domestic product growth above
that expected to occur in the United States, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Developing countries may have relatively
unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities
markets that trade a small number of securities.
Certain foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to transfer
restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign
securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
The Fund may invest in any country approved in accordance with policies
adopted by the Board of Directors.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may purchase foreign securities only
if they are (i) listed or admitted to trading on a domestic or foreign
securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotations system, with the
exception of warrants, rights or restricted securities, which need not be so
listed or admitted, (ii) represented by American Depositary Receipts (receipts
issued against securities of foreign issuers deposited or to be deposited with
an American depository) so listed or admitted on a domestic securities exchange
or traded in the United States over-the-counter market, or (iii) issued or
guaranteed by any foreign government or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof.
Normally, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in foreign
securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will have at least 65% of
its assets invested in at least three different countries outside the United
States.
The Fund may not purchase a particular foreign security if, as a result,
more than 75% of its assets would be invested in securities of that foreign
country. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities
issued by the government of any one foreign country.
Options, Futures and Other Strategies. The Fund may use certain options,
futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors,
indexed securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and
certain other strategies described herein to attempt to enhance income or yield
or to attempt to reduce the risk of its investments. The strategies described
below may be used in an attempt to manage certain risks of the Fund's
investments that can affect fluctuation in its net asset value. The Fund may
also use various techniques to increase or decrease its exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices or
other factors that affect security values.
The Fund's ability to use these strategies may be limited by market
conditions, regulatory limits and tax considerations. The Fund might not use
any of these strategies, and there can be no assurance that any strategy that is
used will succeed. The risks associated with such strategies are described
below. Also see the SAI for more information on these instruments and
strategies and their risk considerations.
Policies and Restrictions: Subject to the further limitations stated in
the SAI, the Fund may purchase and sell any type of derivative instrument
(including, without limitation, futures contracts, options, forward contracts,
swaps, caps, collars, floors and indexed securities). However, the Fund will
only purchase or sell a particular derivative instrument if the Fund is
authorized to invest in the type of asset by which the return on, or value of,
the derivative instrument is primarily measured or, with respect to foreign
currency derivatives, if the Fund is authorized to invest in foreign securities.
Options. The Fund may engage in certain strategies involving options to
attempt to enhance its income or yield or to attempt to reduce the overall risk
of its investments. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and
obligates the writer to sell, the underlying investment at the agreed-upon
exercise price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the
right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying investment at the
agreed-upon exercise price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay
an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right
under the option contract.
Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in the Fund's
net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related
investment. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
exchange-listed options. The market for options that are not listed on an
exchange may be less active that the market for exchange-listed options. The
Fund will be able to close a position in an option it has written only if there
is a market for the offsetting put or call. If the Fund is not able to enter
into an offsetting closing transaction on an option it has written, it will be
required to maintain the securities, or cash in the case of an option on an
index, subject to the call or the collateral underlying the put until a closing
purchase transaction can be entered into or the option expires. Because index
options are settled in cash, the Fund cannot provide in advance for its
potential settlement obligations on a call it has written on an index by holding
the underlying securities. The Fund bears the risk that the value of the
securities it holds will vary from the value of the index.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. When the Fund
purchases a futures contract, it incurs an obligation to take delivery of a
specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a specified time
in the future for a specified price. When the Fund sells a futures contract, it
incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying
obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed-upon price.
When the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the futures contract at
a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. If the
Fund writes a call, it assumes a short futures position. If it writes a put, it
assumes a long futures position. When the Fund purchases an option on a futures
contract, it acquires the right, in return for the premium it pays, to assume a
position in the futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a
short position if the option is a put).
Forward Currency Contracts and Foreign Currencies. The Fund may enter into
forward currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a
specified future date either with respect to specific transactions or with
respect to portfolio positions in order to minimize the risk to the Fund from
adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and a foreign
currency. For example, when WRIMCO anticipates purchasing or selling a security
denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward currency
contract in order to set the exchange rate at which the transaction will be
made. The Fund also may enter into a forward currency contract to sell an
amount of a foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the
Fund's securities positions denominated in such currency. The Fund may also use
forward currency contracts in one currency or a basket of currencies to attempt
to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a
different currency if WRIMCO anticipates that there will be a correlation
between the two currencies.
The Fund may use forward currency contracts to shift the Fund's exposure to
foreign currency exchange rate changes from one foreign currency to another.
For example, if the Fund owns securities denominated in a foreign currency and
WRIMCO believes that currency will decline relative to another currency, it
might enter into a forward currency contract to sell the appropriate amount of
the first foreign currency with payment to be made in the second foreign
currency. Transactions that use two foreign currencies are sometimes referred
to as "cross hedging." Use of a different foreign currency magnifies the Fund's
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund may also
purchase forward currency contracts to enhance income when WRIMCO anticipates
that the foreign currency will appreciate in value, but securities denominated
in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities.
Successful use of forward currency contracts depends on WRIMCO's skill in
analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward currency contracts may
substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency
exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not
perform as WRIMCO anticipates. There is no assurance that WRIMCO's use of
forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will
hedge at an appropriate time.
The Fund may also purchase and sell foreign currency and invest in foreign
currency deposits. Currency conversion involves dealer spreads and other costs,
although commissions usually are not charged.
Indexed Securities. The Fund may purchase indexed securities, which are
securities the value of which varies in relation to the value of other
securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other
commodities, or other financial indicators, subject to its operating policy
regarding derivative instruments. Indexed securities typically, but not always,
are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is
determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The performance
of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the
security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed and may also
be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the
same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with
the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments.
Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. The Fund may enter into swaps, caps,
collars and floors as described below. The Fund may enter into these
transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or
portion of its portfolio, to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date or to attempt to
enhance income or yield.
Depending on how they are used, the swap, cap, collar and floor agreements
used by the Fund may also increase or decrease the overall volatility of its
investments and its share price and yield. The most significant factor in the
performance of these agreements is the change in the specific interest rate,
currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and
from the Fund.
Swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive cash flows, e.g., an exchange of
floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. The purchase of a cap entitles
the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined
value, to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling
such cap. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a
specified index falls below a predetermined value, to receive payments on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such floor. A collar combines
elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
The Fund usually will enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case
may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If, however, an agreement
calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments
when due. The creditworthiness of firms with which the Fund enters into swaps,
caps, collars or floors will be monitored by WRIMCO in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. If a firm's creditworthiness
declines, the value of an agreement would be likely to decline, potentially
resulting in losses. If a default occurs by the other party to such
transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
related to the transaction.
The Fund understands that the position of the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission is that assets involved in such transactions are illiquid
and are, therefore, subject to the limitations on investment in illiquid
investments as described in the SAI.
Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities are bonds backed by
specific types of assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or
indirect interests in pools of underlying mortgage loans that are secured by
real property. U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities are issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest (but not as to market value) by the
Government National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae (formerly, the Federal
National Mortgage Association), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or other
government-sponsored enterprises. Other mortgage-backed securities are
sponsored or issued by private entities, including investment banking firms and
mortgage originators.
Mortgage-backed securities may be composed of one or more classes and may
be structured either as pass-through securities or collateralized debt
obligations. Multiple-class mortgage-backed securities are referred to in this
Prospectus as "CMOs." Some CMOs are directly supported by other CMOs, which in
turn are supported by mortgage pools. Investors typically receive payments out
of the interest and principal on the underlying mortgages. The portions of
these payments that investors receive, as well as the priority of their rights
to receive payments, are determined by the specific terms of the CMO class.
For example, interest-only ("IO") classes are entitled to receive all or a
portion of the interest, but none (or only a nominal amount) of the principal
payments, from the underlying mortgage assets. If the mortgage assets
underlying an IO experience greater than anticipated principal prepayments, then
the total amount of interest payments allocable to the IO class, and therefore
the yield to investors, generally will be reduced. In some instances, an
investor in an IO may fail to recoup all of his or her initial investment, even
if the security is government guaranteed or considered to be of the highest
quality. Conversely, principal-only ("PO") classes are entitled to receive all
or a portion of the principal payments, but none of the interest, from the
underlying mortgage assets. PO classes are purchased at substantial discounts
from par, and the yield to investors will be reduced if principal payments are
slower than expected. IOs, POs and other CMOs involve special risks, and
evaluating them requires special knowledge.
When interest rates decline and homeowners refinance their mortgages,
mortgage-backed bonds may be paid off more quickly than investors expect. When
interest rates rise, mortgage-backed bonds may be paid off more slowly than
originally expected. Changes in the rate or "speed" of these prepayments can
cause the value of mortgage-backed securities to fluctuate rapidly.
Other asset-backed securities are similar to mortgage-backed securities,
except that the underlying assets securing the debt are different. These
underlying assets may be nearly any type of financial asset or receivable, such
as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, home equity loans, leases of
various types of real and personal property and receivables from credit cards.
The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities differ from those of traditional debt securities. Among the major
differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently
and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage
loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. Generally,
prepayments on fixed-rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of
falling interest rates and decrease during a period of rising interest rates.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities may also decrease in value as
a result of increases in interest rates and, because of prepayments, may benefit
less than other bonds from declining interest rates. Reinvestments of
prepayments may occur at lower interest rates than the original investment, thus
adversely affecting the Fund's yield. Actual prepayment experience may cause
the yield of a mortgage-backed security to differ from what was assumed when the
Fund purchased the security.
The market for privately issued mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities is smaller and less liquid than the market for U.S. Government
mortgage-backed securities. CMO classes may be specially structured in a manner
that provides any of a wide variety of investment characteristics, such as
yield, effective maturity and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions
change, however, and especially during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes
in market interest rates, the attractiveness of some CMO classes and the ability
of the structure to provide the anticipated investment characteristics may be
significantly reduced. These changes can result in volatility in the market
value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of the CMO class.
Risks of Derivative Instruments. The use of options, futures contracts,
options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars and
floors, and the investment in indexed securities, stripped securities and
mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities involve special risks,
including (i) possible imperfect or no correlation between price movements of
the portfolio investments (held or intended to be purchased) involved in the
transaction and price movements of the instruments involved in the transaction,
(ii) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at
a particular time, (iii) the need for additional portfolio management skills and
techniques, (iv) losses due to unanticipated market price movements, (v) the
fact that, while such strategies can reduce the risk of loss, they can also
reduce the opportunity for gain, or even result in losses by offsetting
favorable price movements in investments involved in the transaction, (vi)
incorrect forecasts by WRIMCO concerning interest or currency exchange rates or
direction of price fluctuations of the investment involved in the transaction,
which may result in the strategy being ineffective, (vii) loss of premiums paid
by the Fund on options it purchases, and (viii) the possible inability of the
Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time when it would otherwise
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 assets in connection with such transactions and
the possible inability of the Fund to close out or liquidate its position.
For a hedging strategy to be completely effective, the price change of the
hedging instrument must equal the price change of the investment being hedged.
The risk of imperfect correlation of these price changes increases as the
composition of the Fund's portfolio diverges from instruments underlying a
hedging instrument. Such equal price changes are not always possible because
the investment underlying the hedging instruments may not be the same investment
that is being hedged. WRIMCO will attempt to create a closely correlated hedge,
but hedging activity may not be completely successful in eliminating market
value fluctuation.
WRIMCO may use derivative instruments for hedging purposes to adjust the
risk characteristics of the Fund's portfolio of investments and may use these
instruments to adjust the return characteristics of the Fund's portfolio of
investments. The use of derivative techniques for speculative purposes can
increase investment risk. If WRIMCO judges market conditions incorrectly or
employs a strategy that does not correlate well with the Fund's investments,
these techniques could result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to
reduce risk or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of
the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of
the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the
counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised or if there is not
a liquid secondary market to close out a position that the Fund has entered
into.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to
the differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to distortion. Due
to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of general interest rate,
currency exchange rate or stock market trends by WRIMCO may still not result in
a successful transaction. WRIMCO may be incorrect in its expectations as to the
extent of various interest or currency exchange rate or stock market movements
or the time span within which the movements take place.
Options transactions may increase portfolio turnover rates, which results
in correspondingly greater commission expenses and transaction costs and may
result in certain tax consequences.
New financial products and risk management techniques continue to be
developed. The Fund may use these instruments and techniques to the extent
consistent with its goals, investment policies and regulatory requirements
applicable to investment companies.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions are trading practices in
which payment and delivery for the securities take place at a future date. The
market value of a security could change during this period, which could affect
the Fund's yield.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund assumes
the rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price and yield
fluctuations. When the Fund sells a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the
Fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the
security. If the other party to the delayed-delivery transaction fails to
deliver or pay for the securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price or
yield opportunity, or could suffer a loss.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may purchase securities in which it
may invest on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis or sell them on a delayed-
delivery basis.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security
at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price.
Delays or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or
becomes insolvent.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not enter
into a repurchase agreement if, as a result, more than 10% of its net assets
would consist of illiquid investments, which include repurchase agreements not
terminable within seven days.
Restricted Securities and Illiquid Investments. Restricted securities are
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
Restricted securities may be illiquid due to restrictions on their resale.
Certain restricted securities may be determined to be liquid in accordance with
guidelines adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors.
Illiquid investments may be difficult to sell promptly at an acceptable
price. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly
to the Fund.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not purchase a security if, as a
result, more than 10% of its net assets would consist of illiquid investments.
Diversification. Diversifying the Fund's investment portfolio can reduce
the risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money invested
in any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one industry.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of
its total assets, the Fund may not purchase the securities of any one issuer
(other than cash items and "Government securities" as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) if immediately after and as a
result of such purchase, (a) the value of the holdings of the Fund in the
securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, or
(b) the Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not buy a security if, as a result,
more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would then be invested in securities of
companies in any one industry.
Borrowing. If the Fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to
greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off.
If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding,
this may be considered a form of leverage.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may borrow
only from banks, as a temporary measure or for extraordinary or emergency
purposes, but only up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund may not pledge its
assets in connection with any permitted borrowings; however, this policy does
not prevent the Fund from pledging its assets in connection with its purchase
and sale of futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars,
floors and other financial instruments. See the SAI for further information on
the Fund's ability to borrow.
Lending. Securities loans may be made on a short-term or long-term basis
for the purpose of increasing the Fund's income. This practice could result in
a loss or a delay in recovering the Fund's securities. Loans will be made only
to parties deemed by WRIMCO to be creditworthy.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund will not lend
more than 10% of its assets at any one time, and such loans must be on a
collateralized basis in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Other Instruments may include rights, warrants and securities of closed-end
investment companies. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would
bear its pro rata share of that investment company's expenses, which could
result in duplication of certain fees, including management and administrative
fees.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may buy
shares of other investment companies that do not redeem their shares if it does
not invest more than 10% of its total assets in such shares, subject to the
conditions in the SAI. However, the Fund does not currently intend to invest
more than 5% of its assets in such securities.
The Fund does not currently intend to purchase the securities of any issuer
(other than securities issued or guaranteed by domestic or foreign governments
or political subdivisions thereof) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total
assets would be invested in the securities of business enterprises that,
including predecessors, have a record of less than three years of continuous
operation. This restriction does not apply to any obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, or a state or local government authority, or
their respective agencies or instrumentalities, or to collateralized mortgage
obligations, other mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, indexed
securities or over-the-counter derivative financial instruments.
<PAGE>
About Your Account
Class Y shares are designed for institutional investors. Class Y shares
are available for purchase by:
participants of employee benefit plans established under section 403(b) or
section 457, or qualified under section 401, including 401(k) plans, of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), when the plan has 100
or more eligible employees and holds the shares in an omnibus account on the
Fund's records;
banks, trust institutions, investment fund administrators and other third
parties investing for their own accounts or for the accounts of their
customers where such investments for customer accounts are held in an omnibus
account on the Fund's records;
government entities or authorities and corporations whose investment within
the first twelve months after initial investment is $10 million or more; and
certain retirement plans and trusts for employees and account representatives
of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliates.
Buying Shares
You may buy shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its
account representatives. To open your account you must complete and sign an
application. Your Waddell & Reed account representative can help you with any
questions you might have.
The price to buy a share of the Fund, called the offering price, is
calculated every business day.
The offering price of a Class Y share (price to buy one Class Y share)
is the Fund's Class Y net asset value ("NAV"). The Fund's Class Y shares are
sold without a sales charge.
To purchase by wire, you must first obtain an account number by
calling 1-800-366-2520, then mail a completed application to Waddell & Reed,
Inc., P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217, or fax it to 913-236-
5044. Instruct your bank to wire the amount you wish to invest to UMB Bank,
n.a., ABA Number 101000695, W&R Underwriter Account Number 0007978, FBO Customer
Name and Account Number.
To purchase by check, make your check payable to Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Mail the check, along with your completed application, to Waddell & Reed, Inc.,
P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217.
The Fund's Class Y NAV is the value of a single share. The Class Y
NAV is computed by adding, with respect to that class, the value of the Fund's
investments, cash and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and then
dividing the result by the number of Class Y shares outstanding.
The securities in the Fund's portfolio that are listed or traded on an
exchange are valued primarily using market quotations or, if market quotations
are not available, at their fair value in a manner determined in good faith by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Bonds are generally valued
according to prices quoted by a third-party pricing service. Short-term debt
securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Other assets are valued at their fair value by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors.
The Fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE") is open. The Fund normally calculates the NAVs of its shares as of
the later of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4 p.m. Eastern time, or
the close of the regular session of any other securities or commodities exchange
on which an option held by the Fund is traded.
The Fund may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges which
may trade on Saturdays or on customary U.S. national business holidays when the
NYSE is closed. Consequently, the NAV of Fund shares may be significantly
affected on days when the Fund does not price its shares and when you have no
access to the Fund.
When you place an order to buy shares, your order will be processed at
the next offering price calculated after your order is received and accepted.
Note the following:
Orders are accepted only at the home office of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
All of your purchases must be made in U.S. dollars.
If you buy shares by check, and then sell those shares by any method other
than by exchange to another fund in the United Group, the payment may be
delayed for up to ten days to ensure that your previous investment has
cleared.
The Fund does not issue certificates representing Class Y shares of the Fund.
When you sign your account application, you will be asked to certify
that your Social Security or other taxpayer identification number is correct and
that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to
the Internal Revenue Service.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. reserves the right to reject any purchase orders,
including purchases by exchange, and it and the Fund reserve the right to
discontinue offering Fund shares for purchase.
Minimum Investments
To Open an Account
For a government entity or authority or for a corporation: $10 million
(within
first twelve
months)
For other investors: Any
amount
Adding to Your Account
You can make additional investments of any amount at any time.
To add to your account by wire: Instruct your bank to wire the amount
you wish to invest, along with the account number and registration, to UMB Bank,
n.a., ABA Number 101000695, W&R Underwriter Account Number 0007978, FBO Customer
Name and Account Number.
To add to your account by mail: Make your check payable to Waddell &
Reed, Inc. Mail the check along with a letter stating your account number, the
account registration and that you wish to purchase Class Y shares of the Fund
to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
Selling Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your Fund account at any time by
selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares.
The redemption price (price to sell one Class Y share) is the Fund's
Class Y NAV.
To sell shares by telephone or fax: If you have elected this method
in your application or by subsequent authorization, call 1-800-366-5465 or fax
your request to 913-236-5044 and give your instructions to redeem shares and
make payment by wire to your pre-designated bank account or by check to you at
the address on the account.
To sell shares by written request: Complete an Account Service
Request form, available from your Waddell & Reed account representative, or
write a letter of instruction with:
the name on the account registration;
the Fund's name;
the Fund account number;
the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed; and
any other applicable requirements listed in the table below.
Deliver the form or your letter to your Waddell & Reed account
representative, or mail it to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
Unless otherwise instructed, Waddell & Reed will send a check to the
address on the account.
Special Requirements for Selling Shares
Account Special Requirements
Type
Retirement The written instructions
Account must be signed by a properly
authorized person.
Trust The trustee must sign the
written instructions
indicating capacity as
trustee. If the trustee's
name is not in the account
registration, provide a
currently certified copy of
the trust document.
Business At least one person
or Organization authorized by corporate
resolution to act on the
account must sign the written
instructions.
When you place an order to sell shares, your shares will be sold at
the next NAV calculated after receipt of a written request for redemption in
good order by Waddell & Reed, Inc. at its home office. Note the following:
If more than one person owns the shares, each owner must sign the written
request.
If you recently purchased the shares by check, the Fund may delay payment of
redemption proceeds. You may arrange for the bank upon which the purchase
check was drawn to provide to the Fund telephone or written assurance,
satisfactory to the Fund, that the check has cleared and been honored. If no
such assurance is given, payment of the redemption proceeds on these shares
will be delayed until the earlier of 10 days or the date the Fund is able to
verify that your purchase check has cleared and been honored.
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed on days when the NYSE
is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Payment is normally made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions
redemptions may be made in portfolio securities.
The Fund reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on
certain redemption requests. This requirement is designed to protect you and
Waddell & Reed from fraud. The Fund may require a signature guarantee in
certain situations such as:
the request for redemption is made by a corporation, partnership or
fiduciary;
the request for redemption is made by someone other than the owner of record;
or
the check is being made payable to someone other than the owner of record.
The Fund will accept a signature guarantee from a national bank, a
federally chartered savings and loan or a member firm of a national stock
exchange or other eligible guarantor in accordance with procedures of the Fund's
transfer agent. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Telephone Transactions
The Fund and its agents will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. The Fund
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. If the Fund fails to do so, the Fund may be liable for
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Current procedures
relating to instructions communicated by telephone include tape recording
instructions, requiring personal identification and providing written
confirmations of transactions effected pursuant to such instructions.
Shareholder Services
Waddell & Reed provides a variety of services to help you manage your
account.
Personal Service
Your local Waddell & Reed account representative is available to
provide personal service. Additionally, the Waddell & Reed Customer Services
staff is available to respond promptly to your inquiries and requests.
Reports
Statements and reports sent to you include the following:
confirmation statements (after every purchase, exchange, transfer or
redemption)
year-to-date statements (quarterly)
annual and semiannual reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most annual and semiannual reports
will be mailed to your household, even if you have more than one account with
the Fund. Call the telephone number listed on the inside back cover of this
Prospectus if you need copies of annual or semiannual reports or historical
account information.
Exchanges
You may sell your Class Y shares and buy Class Y shares of other funds in
the United Group. You may exchange only into funds that are legally registered
for sale in your state of residence. Note that exchanges out of the Fund may
have tax consequences for you. Before exchanging into a fund, read its
prospectus.
The Fund reserves the right to terminate or modify these exchange
privileges at any time, upon notice in certain instances.
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions
The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net
capital gains to its shareholders each year. Ordinarily, dividends are
distributed from the Fund's net investment income, which includes accrued
interest, earned discount, dividends and other income earned on portfolio assets
less expenses, semiannually in June and December. Net capital gains (and any
net gains from foreign currency transactions) ordinarily are distributed in
December. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to avoid
Federal income or excise taxes on certain undistributed income and capital
gains.
Distribution Options. When you open an account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. The Fund offers three
options:
1. Share Payment Option. Your dividend and capital gains and other
distributions will be automatically paid in additional Class Y shares of
the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on your application, you will be
assigned this option.
2. Income-Earned Option. Your capital gains and other distributions will be
automatically paid in additional Class Y shares, but you will be sent a
check for each dividend distribution.
3. Cash Option. You will be sent a check for your dividend and capital gains
and other distributions.
For retirement accounts, all distributions are automatically paid in
additional Class Y shares.
Taxes
The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify for treatment as
a regulated investment company under the Code so that it will be relieved of
Federal income tax on that part of its investment company taxable income
(consisting generally of net investment income, net short-term capital gains and
net gains from certain foreign currency transactions) and net capital gains (the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that
are distributed to its shareholders.
There are certain tax requirements that the Fund must follow in order to
avoid Federal taxation. In its effort to adhere to these requirements, the Fund
may have to limit its investment activity in some types of instruments.
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund
will be taxed. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account (or you
are not otherwise exempt from income tax), you should be aware of the following
tax implications:
Taxes on distributions. Dividends from the Fund's investment company
taxable income generally are taxable to you as ordinary income whether received
in cash or paid in additional Fund shares. Distributions of the Fund's net
capital gains, when designated as such, are taxable to you as long-term capital
gains, whether received in cash or paid in additional Fund shares and regardless
of the length of time you have owned your shares. The Fund notifies you after
each calendar year-end as to the amounts of dividends and other distributions
paid (or deemed paid) to you for that year. Under certain circumstances, the
Fund may elect to permit shareholders to take a credit or deduction for foreign
income taxes paid by the Fund. The Fund will notify you of any such election.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, whether received in cash or
paid in additional Fund shares, may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the
aggregate dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations. However,
dividends received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the
dividends-received deduction are subject indirectly to the alternative minimum
tax.
Withholding. The Fund is required to withhold 31% of all dividends,
capital gains distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and
certain other noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a
correct taxpayer identification number. Withholding at that rate from dividends
and capital gains distributions also is required for such shareholders who
otherwise are subject to backup withholding.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemption of Fund shares will result in
taxable gain or loss to you, depending on whether the redemption proceeds are
more or less than your adjusted basis for the redeemed shares (which normally
includes any sales charge paid). An exchange of Fund shares for shares of any
other fund in the United Group generally will have similar tax consequences. In
addition, if you purchase Fund shares within thirty days before or after
redeeming other Fund shares (regardless of class) at a loss, part or all of that
loss will not be deductible and will increase the basis of the newly purchased
shares.
State income taxes. The portion of the dividends paid by the Fund
attributable to the interest earned on its U.S. Government Securities generally
is not subject to state and local income taxes, although distributions by the
Fund to its shareholders of net realized gains on the disposition of those
securities are fully subject to those taxes. You should consult your tax
adviser to determine the taxability of dividends and other distributions by the
Fund in your state and locality.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders; see the SAI
for a more detailed discussion. There may be other Federal, state or local tax
considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are urged to consult
your own tax adviser.
<PAGE>
About the Management and Expenses of the Fund
United International Growth Fund, Inc. is a mutual fund: an investment
that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. In
technical terms, the Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment
company organized as a corporation under Maryland law on November 6, 1974, as
successor to a Delaware corporation which commenced operations in 1970.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Directors, which has overall
responsibility for the management of its affairs. The majority of directors are
not affiliated with Waddell & Reed, Inc.
The Fund has two classes of shares. In addition to the Class Y shares
offered by this Prospectus, the Fund has issued and outstanding Class A shares
which are offered by Waddell & Reed, Inc. through a separate prospectus. Prior
to July 4, 1995, the Fund offered only one class of shares to the public.
Shares outstanding on that date were designated as Class A shares. Class A
shares are subject to a sales charge on purchases but are not subject to
redemption fees. Class A shares are subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee at an annual
rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average net assets attributable to Class A
shares. Additional information about Class A shares may be obtained by calling
or writing to Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the telephone number or address on the
inside back cover of this Prospectus.
The Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders; however, certain
significant corporate matters, such as the approval of a new investment advisory
agreement or a change in a fundamental investment policy, which require
shareholder approval will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called by
the Board of Directors for such purpose.
Special meetings of shareholders may be called for any purpose upon receipt
by the Fund of a request in writing signed by shareholders holding not less than
25% of all shares entitled to vote at such meeting, provided certain conditions
stated in the Bylaws of the Fund are met. There will normally be no meeting of
the shareholders for the purpose of electing directors until such time as less
than a majority of directors holding office have been elected by shareholders,
at which time the directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of directors. To the extent that Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
applies to the Fund, the directors are required to call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
director when requested in writing to do so by the shareholders of record of not
less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
Each share (regardless of class) has one vote. All shares of the Fund vote
together as a single class, except as to any matter for which a separate vote of
any class is required by the 1940 Act, and except as to any matter which affects
the interests of one or more particular classes, in which case only the
shareholders of the affected classes are entitled to vote, each as a separate
class. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable when purchased.
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates
The Fund is managed by WRIMCO, subject to the authority of the Fund's Board
of Directors. WRIMCO provides investment advice to the Fund and supervises the
Fund's investments. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors have served as
investment manager to each of the registered investment companies in the United
Group of Mutual Funds, except United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc., since 1940 or
the inception of the company, whichever was later, and to TMK/United Funds, Inc.
since that fund's inception, until January 8, 1992, when it assigned its duties
as investment manager and assigned its professional staff for investment
management services to WRIMCO. WRIMCO has also served as investment manager for
Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its inception in September 1992 and United
Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. since it commenced operations in March 1995.
Thomas A. Mengel is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of
the portfolio of the Fund. Mr. Mengel has held his Fund responsibilities since
May 1996. He is Vice President of WRIMCO, Vice President of the Fund and Vice
President of other investment companies for which WRIMCO serves as investment
manager. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Mengel was the President of Sal. Oppenheim jr.
& Cie. Securities, Inc.; and from 1992 to 1993, Mr. Mengel was a Vice President
at Hauck and Hope Securities. Other members of WRIMCO's investment management
department provide input on market outlook, economic conditions, investment
research and other considerations relating to the Fund's investments.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as the Fund's underwriter and as underwriter
for each of the other funds in the United Group of Mutual Funds and Waddell &
Reed Funds, Inc. and acts as the principal underwriter and distributor of the
variable life insurance and variable annuity policies issued by United Investors
Life Insurance Company for which TMK/United Funds, Inc. is the underlying
investment vehicle.
Waddell & Reed Services Company acts as transfer agent ("Shareholder
Servicing Agent") for the Fund and processes the payments of dividends. Waddell
& Reed Services Company also acts as agent ("Accounting Services Agent") in
providing bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to the Fund and
pricing daily the value of its shares.
WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed Services Company are subsidiaries of Waddell &
Reed, Inc. Waddell & Reed, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc., a holding company, and an indirect subsidiary of
United Investors Management Company, a holding company, and Torchmark
Corporation, a holding company.
WRIMCO places transactions for the portfolio of the Fund and in doing so
may consider sales of Fund shares as a factor in the selection of brokers to
execute portfolio transactions, subject to best execution. For further
information concerning portfolio transactions, please see "Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage" in the SAI.
Breakdown of Expenses
Like all mutual funds, the Fund pays fees related to its daily operations.
Expenses paid out of the Fund's assets are reflected in its share price or
dividends; they are neither billed directly to shareholders nor deducted from
shareholder accounts.
The Fund pays a management fee to WRIMCO for providing investment advice
and supervising its investments. The Fund also pays other expenses, which are
explained below.
Management Fee
The management fee of the Fund is calculated by adding a group fee to a
specific fee. It is accrued and paid to WRIMCO daily.
The specific fee is computed on the Fund's net asset value as of the close
of business each day at the annual rate of .30 of 1% of its net assets. The
group fee is a pro rata participation based on the relative net asset size of
the Fund in the group fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of
all the funds in the United Group at the annual rates shown in the following
table:
Group Fee Rate
Annual
Group Net Group
Asset Level Fee Rate
(all dollars For Each
in millions) Level
- ------------ --------
From $0
to $750 .51 of 1%
From $750
to $1,500 .49 of 1%
From $1,500
to $2,250 .47 of 1%
From $2,250
to $3,000 .45 of 1%
From $3,000
to $3,750 .43 of 1%
From $3,750
to $7,500 .40 of 1%
From $7,500
to $12,000 .38 of 1%
Over $12,000 .36 of 1%
Growth in assets of the United Group assures a lower group fee rate.
The combined net asset values of all of the funds in the United Group were
approximately $14.3 billion as of June 30, 1996. Management fees for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996 were 0.71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Other Expenses
While the management fee is a significant component of the Fund's annual
operating costs, the Fund has other expenses as well.
The Fund pays the Accounting Services Agent a monthly fee based on the
average net assets of the Fund for accounting services. With respect to its
Class Y shares, the Fund pays the Shareholder Servicing Agent a monthly fee
based on the average daily net assets of the class for the preceding month.
The Fund also pays other expenses, such as fees and expenses of certain
directors, audit and outside legal fees, costs of materials sent to
shareholders, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, insurance premiums,
custodian fees, fees payable by the Fund under Federal or other securities laws
and to the Investment Company Institute, and extraordinary expenses including
litigation and indemnification relative to litigation.
The Fund cannot precisely predict what its portfolio turnover rate will be,
but the Fund may have a high portfolio turnover. A higher turnover will
increase transaction and commission costs and could generate taxable income or
loss.
<PAGE>
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Custodian Underwriter
UMB Bank, n.a. Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Legal Counsel Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 66201-9217
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W. (913) 236-2000
Washington, D. C. 20036 (800) 366-5465
Independent Accountants Shareholder Servicing Agent
Deloitte & Touche LLP Waddell & Reed
1010 Grand Avenue Services Company
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
64106-2232 P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Investment Manager 66201-9217
Waddell & Reed Investment (913) 236-2000
Management Company (800) 366-5465
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217 Accounting Services Agent
Shawnee Mission, Kansas Waddell & Reed
66201-9217 Services Company
(913) 236-2000 6300 Lamar Avenue
(800) 366-5465 P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
(800) 366-5465
Our INTERNET address is:
http://www.waddell.com
<PAGE>
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
Class Y Shares
PROSPECTUS
July 31, 1997
The United Group of Mutual Funds
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
United Cash Management, Inc.
United Continental Income Fund, Inc.
United Funds, Inc.
United Bond Fund
United Income Fund
United Accumulative Fund
United Science and Technology Fund
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc.
United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund II, Inc.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
United New Concepts Fund, Inc.
United Retirement Shares, Inc.
United Vanguard Fund, Inc.
NUP1002-Y(7-97)
printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
(800) 366-5465
July 31, 1997
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") is not a prospectus.
Investors should read this SAI in conjunction with the prospectus ("Prospectus")
for the Class A shares or the Class Y shares, as applicable, of United
International Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") dated July 31, 1997, which may be
obtained from the Fund or its underwriter, Waddell & Reed, Inc., at the address
or telephone number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Performance Information............................. 2
Goals and Investment Policies....................... 4
Investment Management and Other Services............ 32
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares.......... 37
Directors and Officers.............................. 53
Payments to Shareholders............................ 59
Taxes .............................................. 60
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage................ 65
Other Information .................................. 67
Financial Statements ............................... 69
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, or the Fund may, from time to
time, publish the Fund's total return information and/or performance rankings in
advertisements and sales materials.
Total Return
An average annual total return quotation is computed by finding the average
annual compounded rates of return over the one-, five-, and ten-year periods
that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value.
Standardized total return information is calculated by assuming an initial
$1,000 investment and, for Class A shares, from which the maximum sales load of
5.75% is deducted. All dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested
in shares of the applicable class at net asset value for the class as of the day
the dividend or distribution is paid. No sales load is charged on reinvested
dividends or distributions on Class A shares. The formula used to calculate the
total return for a particular class of the Fund is:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Where : P = $1,000 initial payment
T = Average annual total return
n = Number of years
ERV = Ending redeemable value of the $1,000 investment for the
periods shown.
Non-standardized performance information may also be presented. For
example, the Fund may also compute total return for its Class A shares without
deduction of the sales load in which case the same formula noted above will be
used but the entire amount of the $1,000 initial payment will be assumed to have
been invested. If the sales charge applicable to Class A shares were reflected,
it would reduce the performance quoted for that class.
The average annual total return quotations for Class A shares as of
December 31, 1996, which is the most recent balance sheet included in this SAI,
for the periods shown were as follows:
With Without
Sales LoadSales Load
Deducted Deducted
One-year period from January 1, 1996 to
December 31, 1996: 11.43% 18.23%
Five-year period from January 1, 1992 to
December 31, 1996: 12.19% 13.53%
Ten-year period from January 1, 1987 to
December 31, 1996: 10.27% 10.93%
Prior to July 4, 1995, the Fund offered only one class of shares to the
public. Shares outstanding on that date were designated as Class A shares.
Since that date, Class Y shares of the Fund have been available for certain
institutional investors.
The average annual total return quotations for Class Y shares as of
December 31, 1996, which is the most recent balance sheet included in this SAI,
for the periods shown were as follows:
Period from July 1, 1995 to
December 31, 1996: 18.55%
Period from September 27, 1995* to
December 31, 1996: 11.26%
*Date of inception
The Fund may also quote unaveraged or cumulative total return for a class
which reflects the change in value of an investment in that class over a stated
period of time. Cumulative total return will be calculated according to the
formula indicated above but without averaging the rate for the number of years
in the period.
Performance Rankings
Waddell & Reed, Inc. or the Fund also may, from time to time, publish in
advertisements or sales material performance rankings as published by recognized
independent mutual fund statistical services such as Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., or by publications of general interest such as Forbes, Money, The Wall
Street Journal, Business Week, Barron's, Fortune or Morningstar Mutual Fund
Values. Each class of the Fund may also compare its performance to that of
other selected mutual funds or selected recognized market indicators such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the Dow Jones Industrial
Average. Performance information may be quoted numerically or presented in a
table, graph or other illustration.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in sales
material is historical in nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee
future results. The value of the Fund's shares when redeemed may be more or
less than their original cost.
GOALS AND INVESTMENT POLICIES
The goals and investment policies of the Fund are described in the
Prospectus, which refers to the following investment methods and practices.
Securities - General
The Fund may invest in securities including common stock, preferred stock,
debt securities and convertible securities, as described in the Prospectus.
These securities may include the following securities from time to time.
The Fund may purchase debt securities whose principal amount at maturity is
dependent upon the performance of a specified equity security. The issuer of
such debt securities, typically an investment banking firm, is unaffiliated with
the issuer of the equity security to whose performance the debt security is
linked. Equity-linked debt securities differ from ordinary debt securities in
that the principal amount received at maturity is not fixed, but is based on the
price of the linked equity security at the time the debt security matures. The
performance of equity-linked debt securities depends primarily on the
performance of the linked equity security and may also be influenced by interest
rate changes. In addition, although the debt securities are typically adjusted
for diluting events such as stock splits, stock dividends and certain other
events affecting the market value of the linked equity security, the debt
securities are not adjusted for subsequent issuances of the linked equity
security for cash. Such an issuance could adversely affect the price of the
debt security. In addition to the equity risk relating to the linked equity
security, such debt securities are also subject to credit risk with regard to
the issuer of the debt security. In general, however, such debt securities are
less volatile than the equity securities to which they are linked.
The Fund may also invest in a type of convertible preferred stock that pays
a cumulative, fixed dividend that is senior to, and expected to be in excess of,
the dividends paid on the common stock of the issuer. At the mandatory
conversion date, the preferred stock is converted into not more than one share
of the issuer's common stock at the "call price" that was established at the
time the preferred stock was issued. If the price per share of the related
common stock on the mandatory conversion date is less than the call price, the
holder of the preferred stock will nonetheless receive only one share of common
stock for each share of preferred stock (plus cash in the amount of any accrued
but unpaid dividends). At any time prior to the mandatory conversion date, the
issuer may redeem the preferred stock upon issuing to the holder a number of
shares of common stock equal to the call price of the preferred stock in effect
on the date of redemption divided by the market value of the common stock, with
such market value typically determined one or two trading days prior to the date
notice of redemption is given. The issuer must also pay the holder of the
preferred stock cash in an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends on
the preferred stock. This convertible preferred stock is subject to the same
market risk as the common stock of the issuer, except to the extent that such
risk is mitigated by the higher dividend paid on the preferred stock. The
opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by an investment in such
convertible preferred stock, however, is limited, because in the event the
market value of the issuer's common stock increases to or above the call price
of the preferred stock, the issuer may (and would be expected to) call the
preferred stock for redemption at the call price. This convertible preferred
stock is also subject to credit risk with regard to the ability of the issuer to
pay the dividend established upon issuance of the preferred stock. Generally,
convertible preferred stock is less volatile than the related common stock of
the issuer.
Specific Securities and Investment Practices
Foreign Securities and Currency
Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO"), the Fund's
investment manager, believes that there are investment opportunities as well as
risks in investing in foreign securities. Individual foreign economies may
differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy or each other in such
matters as gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Individual foreign
companies may also differ favorably or unfavorably from domestic companies in
the same industry. Foreign currencies may be stronger or weaker than the U.S.
dollar or than each other. WRIMCO believes that the Fund's policy of investing
a substantial portion of its assets abroad might enable it to take advantage of
these differences and strengths where they are favorable.
Further, an investment in foreign securities may be affected by changes in
currency rates and in exchange control regulations (i.e., currency blockage).
The Fund may bear a transaction charge in connection with the exchange of
currency. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than about a domestic company. Foreign companies are not generally
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Most foreign stock
markets have substantially less volume than the New York Stock Exchange (the
"NYSE") and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more
volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies. There is generally
less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than
in the United States. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries,
there is a possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or
social instability or diplomatic developments that could adversely affect
investments in securities of issuers located in those countries. If it should
become necessary, the Fund would normally encounter greater difficulties in
commencing a lawsuit against the issuer of a foreign security than it would
against a U.S. issuer.
U.S. Government Securities
Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities") include Treasury Bills (which
mature within one year of the date they are issued), Treasury Notes (which have
maturities of one to ten years) and Treasury Bonds (which generally have
maturities of more than 10 years). All such Treasury securities are backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States.
U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee
securities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration,
Fannie Mae (formerly, the Federal National Mortgage Association), Farmers Home
Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business
Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), General
Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Banks,
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), Farm Credit Banks,
Maritime Administration, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Resolution Funding
Corporation, and the Student Loan Marketing Association.
Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities are not always supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States. Some, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks,
are backed by the right of the agency or instrumentality to borrow from the
Treasury. Others, such as securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported only
by the credit of the instrumentality and by a pool of mortgage assets. If the
securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the
owner of the securities must look principally to the agency issuing the
obligation for repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the
United States in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its
commitment.
U.S. Government Securities may include mortgage-backed securities issued by
U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities including, but not limited to,
Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. These mortgage-backed securities
include pass-through securities, participation certificates and collateralized
mortgage obligations. See "Mortgage-Backed Securities" and "Asset-Backed
Securities." Timely payment of principal and interest on Ginnie Mae pass-
throughs is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are both instrumentalities of the U.S. Government,
but their obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. It is possible that the availability and the marketability (i.e.,
liquidity) of the securities discussed in this section could be adversely
affected by actions of the U.S. Government to tighten the availability of its
credit.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in,
or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property and
include single- and multi-class pass-through securities and collateralized
mortgage obligations. Multi-class pass-through securities and collateralized
mortgage obligations are collectively referred to in this SAI as "CMOs." The
U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest include
mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed as to the payment of principal
and interest (but not as to market value) by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie
Mac. Other mortgage-backed securities are issued by private issuers, generally
originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings associations,
mortgage bankers, commercial banks, investment bankers and special purpose
entities. Payments of principal and interest (but not the market value) of such
private mortgage-backed securities may be supported by pools of mortgage loans
or other mortgage-backed securities that are guaranteed, directly or indirectly,
by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, or they may
be issued without any government guarantee of the underlying mortgage assets but
with some form of non-government credit enhancement. These credit enhancements
do not protect investors from changes in market value.
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 goals and investment policies.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities have structural characteristics similar to
mortgage-backed securities, as discussed above. However, the underlying assets
are not first lien mortgage loans or interests therein, but include assets such
as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, other installment sale contracts,
home equity loans, leases of various types of real and personal property and
receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements. Such assets are
securitized through the use of trusts or special purpose corporations. Payments
or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to a certain
amount and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or pool insurance
policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the issuer, or other
credit enhancements may be present. 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.
Special Characteristics of Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities
The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
differ from those of traditional debt securities. Among the major differences
are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually
monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying
mortgage loans or other obligations generally may be prepaid at any time.
Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced by a variety of economic,
geographic, social and other factors, including changes in mortgagors' housing
needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors' net equity in the mortgaged
properties and servicing decisions. Generally, however, prepayments on fixed-
rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and
decrease during a period of rising interest rates. Similar factors apply to
prepayments on asset-backed securities, but the receivables underlying asset-
backed securities generally are of a shorter maturity and thus are likely to
experience substantial prepayments. Such securities, however, often provide
that for a specified time period the issuers will replace receivables in the
pool that are repaid with comparable obligations. If the issuer is unable to do
so, repayment of principal on the asset-backed securities may commence at an
earlier date.
The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is lower than the
interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to the
annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through
monthly payments to certificateholders and to any guarantor and due to any yield
retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may vary from the coupon
rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed securities are purchased or
traded in the secondary market at a premium or discount. In addition, there is
normally some delay between the time the issuer receives mortgage payments from
the servicer and the time the issuer makes the payments on the mortgage-backed
securities, and this delay reduces the effective yield to the holder of such
securities.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment
dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and the
associated average life assumption. The average life of pass-through pools
varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage loans. A pool's term may
be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal on the underlying
mortgages. Because prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not
possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular pool. In the
past, a common industry practice has been to assume that prepayments on pools of
fixed-rate 30-year mortgages would result in a 12-year average life for the
pool. At present, mortgage pools, particularly those with loans with other
maturities or different characteristics, are priced on an assumption of average
life determined for each pool. In periods of declining interest rates, the rate
of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life of a
pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely, in periods of rising interest
rates, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual
average life of the pool. However, these effects may not be present, or may
differ in degree, if the mortgage loans in the pools have adjustable interest
rates or other special payment terms, such as a prepayment charge. Actual
prepayment experience may cause the yield of mortgage-backed securities to
differ from the assumed average life yield.
Restricted Securities
Restricted securities are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
resale because they are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"). Restricted securities generally can be sold in
privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the 1933 Act, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is
required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek
registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an
effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market
conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than
prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
There are risks associated with investment in restricted securities in that
there can be no assurance of a ready market for resale. Also, the contractual
restrictions on resale might prevent the Fund from reselling the securities at a
time when such sale would be desirable. Restricted securities that are traded
in foreign markets are often subject to restrictions that prohibit resale to
U.S. persons or entities or permit sales only to foreign broker-dealers who
agree to limit their resale to such persons or entities. The buyer of such
securities must enter into an agreement that, usually for a limited period of
time, it will resell such securities subject to such restrictions. Restricted
securities in which the Fund seeks to invest need not be listed or admitted to
trading on a foreign or domestic exchange and may be less liquid than listed
securities. See "Illiquid Investments" below.
Warrants and Rights
Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at specified prices
valid for a specific period of time. The prices do not necessarily move
parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Rights are similar to
warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the
issuer to its shareholders. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive
no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Warrants and rights are highly volatile and, therefore, more susceptible to
sharp decline in value than the underlying security might be. They are also
generally less liquid than an investment in the underlying shares.
Lending Securities
One of the ways in which the Fund may try to realize income is by lending
its securities. If the Fund does this, the borrower pays the Fund an amount
equal to the dividends or interest on the securities that the Fund would have
received if it had not loaned the securities. The Fund also receives additional
compensation.
Any securities loans that the Fund makes must be collateralized in
accordance with applicable regulatory requirements (the "Guidelines"). This
policy can only be changed by shareholder vote. Under the present Guidelines,
the collateral must consist of cash or U.S. Government Securities or bank
letters of credit, at least equal in value to the market value of the securities
loaned on each day that the loan is outstanding. If the market value of the
loaned securities exceeds the value of the collateral, the borrower must add
more collateral so that it at least equals the market value of the securities
loaned. If the market value of the securities decreases, the borrower is
entitled to return of the excess collateral.
There are two methods of receiving compensation for making loans. The
first is to receive a negotiated loan fee from the borrower. This method is
available for all three types of collateral. The second method, which is not
available when letters of credit are used as collateral, is for the Fund to
receive interest on the investment of the cash collateral or to receive interest
on the U.S. Government Securities used as collateral. Part of the interest
received in either case may be shared with the borrower.
The letters of credit that the Fund may accept as collateral are agreements
by banks (other than the borrowers of the Fund's securities), entered into at
the request of the borrower and for its account and risk, under which the banks
are obligated to pay to the Fund, while the letter is in effect, amounts
demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the terms of the letter. The Fund's
right to make this demand secures the borrower's obligations to it. The terms
of any such letters and the creditworthiness of the banks providing them (which
might include the Fund's custodian bank) must be satisfactory to the Fund.
Under the Fund's current securities lending procedures, the Fund may lend
securities only to broker-dealers and financial institutions deemed creditworthy
by WRIMCO. The Fund will make loans only under rules of the NYSE, which
presently require the borrower to give the securities back to the Fund within
five business days after the Fund gives notice to do so. If the Fund loses its
voting rights on securities loaned, it will have the securities returned to it
in time to vote them if a material event affecting the investment is to be voted
on. The Fund may pay reasonable finder's, administrative and custodian fees in
connection with loans of securities.
There may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral from the
borrower if the market value of the securities loaned increases, risks of delay
in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of rights in collateral should
the borrower of the securities fail financially.
Some, but not all, of these rules are necessary to meet requirements of
certain laws relating to securities loans. These rules will not be changed
unless the change is permitted under these requirements. These requirements do
not cover the present rules which may be changed without shareholder vote as to
(i) whom securities may be loaned, (ii) the investment of cash collateral, or
(iii) voting rights.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may purchase securities subject to repurchase agreements. The
Fund will not enter into a repurchase transaction that will cause more than 10%
of its net assets to be invested in illiquid investments, which include
repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. See "Illiquid
Investments." A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the Fund
purchases a security and the seller (normally a commercial bank or broker-
dealer) agrees, at the time of purchase, that it will repurchase the security at
a specified time and price. The amount by which the resale price is greater
than the purchase price reflects an agreed-upon market interest rate effective
for the period of the agreement. The return on the securities subject to the
repurchase agreement may be more or less than the return on the repurchase
agreement.
The majority of the repurchase agreements in which the Fund would engage
are overnight transactions, and the delivery pursuant to the resale typically
will occur within one to five days of the purchase. The primary risk is that
the Fund may suffer a loss if the seller fails to pay the agreed-upon amount on
the delivery date and that amount is greater than the resale price of the
underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund. In the event of
bankruptcy or other default by the seller, there may be possible delays and
expenses in liquidating the underlying securities or other collateral, decline
in their value and loss of interest. The return on such collateral may be more
or less than that from the repurchase agreement. The Fund's repurchase
agreements will be structured so as to fully collateralize the loans. In other
words, the value of the underlying securities, which will be held by the Fund's
custodian bank or by a third party that qualifies as a custodian under section
17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), is
and, during the entire term of the agreement, will remain at least equal to the
value of the loan, including the accrued interest earned thereon. Repurchase
agreements are entered into only with those entities approved by WRIMCO on the
basis of criteria established by the Fund's Board of Directors.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may purchase securities in which it may invest on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis or sell them on a delayed-delivery basis. The securities
so purchased or sold are subject to market fluctuation; their value may be less
or more when delivered than the purchase price paid or received. For example,
delivery to the Fund and payment by the Fund in the case of a purchase by it, or
delivery by the Fund and payment to it in the case of a sale by the Fund, may
take place a month or more after the date of the transaction. The purchase or
sale price is fixed on the transaction date. The Fund will enter into when-
issued or delayed-delivery transactions in order to secure what is considered to
be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction.
No interest accrues to the Fund until delivery and payment is completed. When
the Fund makes a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-
delivery basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value
of securities in determining its net asset value per share. The securities sold
by the Fund on a delayed-delivery basis are also subject to market fluctuation;
their value when the Fund delivers them may be more than the purchase price the
Fund receives. When the Fund makes a commitment to sell securities on a
delayed-delivery basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter value the
securities at the sale price in determining the Fund's net asset value per
share.
Ordinarily the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or delayed-
delivery basis with the intention of actually taking delivery of the securities.
However, before the securities are delivered to the Fund and before it has paid
for them (the "settlement date"), the Fund could sell the securities if WRIMCO
decided it was advisable to do so for investment reasons. The Fund will hold
aside or segregate cash or other securities, other than those purchased on a
when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, at least equal to the amount it will have
to pay on the settlement date; these other securities may, however, be sold at
or before the settlement date to pay the purchase price of the when-issued or
delayed-delivery securities.
Illiquid Investments
The Fund has an operating policy, which may be changed without shareholder
approval, which provides that the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its net
assets in illiquid investments. Investments currently considered to be illiquid
include: (i) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days; (ii)
restricted securities not determined to be liquid pursuant to guidelines
established by the Fund's Board of Directors; (iii) non-government stripped
fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities; (iv) bank deposits, unless they are
payable at principal amount plus accrued interest on demand or within seven days
after demand; (v) over-the-counter ("OTC") options and their underlying
collateral; (vi) securities for which market quotations are not readily
available and (vii) securities involved in swaps, caps, collar and floor
transactions. The assets used as cover for OTC options written by the Fund will
be considered illiquid unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who
agree that the Fund may repurchase any OTC option it writes at 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.
Indexed Securities
Indexed securities are securities the value of which varies in relation to
the value of other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals
or other commodities, or other financial indicators, subject to its operating
policy regarding derivative instruments. Indexed securities typically, but not
always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate
is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. Gold-indexed
securities, for example, typically provide for a maturity value that depends on
the price of gold, resulting in a security whose price tends to rise and fall
together with gold prices. Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term
to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are
determined by reference to the values of one or more specified foreign
currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-denominated securities
of equivalent issuers. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or
negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase when the
specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs
similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument, or their maturity value may
decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price
characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-
indexed securities may also have prices that depend on the values of a number of
different foreign currencies relative to each other.
Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and
certain U.S. Government agencies. Certain indexed securities that are not
traded on an established market may be deemed illiquid.
Options, Futures and Other Strategies
General. As discussed in the Prospectus, WRIMCO may use certain options,
futures contracts (sometimes referred to as "futures"), options on futures
contracts, forward currency contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors and indexed
securities (collectively, "Financial Instruments") to attempt to enhance the
Fund's income or yield or to attempt to hedge the Fund's investments.
Generally, the Fund may purchase and sell any type of Financial Instrument.
However, as an operating policy, the Fund will only purchase or sell a
particular Financial Instrument if the Fund is authorized to invest in the type
of asset by which the return on, or value of, the Financial Instrument is
primarily measured or, with respect to foreign currency derivatives, if the Fund
is authorized to invest in foreign securities.
Hedging strategies can be broadly categorized as "short hedges" and "long
hedges." A short hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument intended
partially or fully to offset potential declines in the value of one or more
investments held in the Fund's portfolio. Thus, in a short hedge, the Fund
takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is expected to move in
the opposite direction of the price of the investment being hedged.
Conversely, a long hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument
intended partially or fully to offset potential increases in the acquisition
cost of one or more investments that the Fund intends to acquire. Thus, in a
long hedge, the Fund takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is
expected to move in the same direction as the price of the prospective
investment being hedged. A long hedge is sometimes referred to as an
anticipatory hedge. In an anticipatory hedge transaction, the Fund does not own
a corresponding security and, therefore, the transaction does not relate to a
security the Fund owns. Rather, it relates to a security that the Fund intends
to acquire. If the Fund does not complete the hedge by purchasing the security
it anticipated purchasing, the effect on the Fund's portfolio is the same as if
the transaction were entered into for speculative purposes.
Financial Instruments on securities generally are used to attempt to hedge
against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that the
Fund owns or intends to acquire. Financial Instruments on indices, in contrast,
generally are used to attempt to hedge against price movements in market sectors
in which the Fund has invested or expects to invest. Financial Instruments on
debt securities may be used to hedge either individual securities or broad debt
market sectors.
The use of Financial Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the several exchanges upon
which they are traded and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC").
In addition, the Fund's ability to use Financial Instruments will be limited by
tax considerations. See "Taxes."
In addition to the instruments, strategies and risks described below and in
the Prospectus, WRIMCO expects to discover additional opportunities in
connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques.
These new opportunities may become available as WRIMCO develops new techniques,
as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new
Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. WRIMCO may utilize
these opportunities to the extent that they are consistent with the Fund's goals
and permitted by the Fund's investment limitations and applicable regulatory
authorities. The Fund's Prospectus or SAI will be supplemented to the extent
that new products or techniques involve materially different risks than those
described below or in the Prospectus.
Special Risks. The use of Financial Instruments involves special
considerations and risks, certain of which are described below. Risks
pertaining to particular Financial Instruments are described in the sections
that follow.
(1) Successful use of most Financial Instruments depends upon WRIMCO's
ability to predict movements of the overall securities and currency and interest
rate markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the
prices of individual securities. There can be no assurance that any particular
strategy will succeed.
(2) There might be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between
price movements of a Financial Instrument and price movements of the investments
being hedged. For example, if the value of a Financial Instrument used in a
short hedge increased by less than the decline in value of the hedged
investment, the hedge would not be fully successful. Such a lack of correlation
might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being
hedged, such as speculative or other pressures on the markets in which Financial
Instruments are traded. The effectiveness of hedges using Financial Instruments
on indices will depend on the degree of correlation between price movements on
the index and price movement in the securities being hedged.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options and
futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will
not match the Fund's current or anticipated investments exactly. The Fund may
invest in options and futures contracts based on securities with different
issuers, maturities or other characteristics from the securities in which it
typically invests, which involves a risk that the options or futures position
will not track the performance of the Fund's other investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their
underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the Fund's
investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as
current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the
underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract,
which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may
also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets
and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options, futures
and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits
or trading halts. The Fund may purchase or sell options and futures contracts
with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends
to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility
between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in
all cases. If price changes in the Fund's options or futures positions are
poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce
anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other
investments.
(3) If successful, the above-discussed strategies can reduce risk of loss
by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price
movements. However, such strategies can also reduce opportunity for gain by
offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements. For example, if
the Fund entered into a short hedge because WRIMCO projected a decline in the
price of a security in the Fund's portfolio, and the price of that security
increased instead, the gain from that increase might be wholly or partially
offset by a decline in the price of the Financial Instrument. Moreover, if the
price of the Financial Instrument declined by more than the increase in the
price of the security, the Fund could suffer a loss. In either such case, the
Fund would have been in a better position had it not attempted to hedge at all.
(4) As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as
"cover," maintain accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in
Financial Instruments involving obligations to third parties (i.e., Financial
Instruments other than purchased options). If the Fund were unable to close out
its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to
maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position
expired or matured. These requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell
a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be
favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a
disadvantageous time. The Fund's ability to close out a position in a Financial
Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid
secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and
willingness of the other party to the transaction (the "counterparty") to enter
into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance
that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the
Fund.
Cover. Transactions using Financial Instruments, other than purchased
options, expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not
enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (1) an offsetting
("covered") position in securities, currencies or other options, futures
contracts or forward contracts, or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value,
marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations to the
extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with SEC
guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so
require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account with its custodian in the
prescribed amount as determined daily.
Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the
position in the corresponding Financial Instrument is open, unless they are
replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large
portion of the Fund's assets to cover or accounts could impede portfolio
management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current
obligations.
Options. The purchase of call options can serve as a long hedge, and the
purchase of put options can serve as a short hedge. Writing put or call options
can enable the Fund to enhance income or yield by reason of the premiums paid by
the purchasers of such options. However, if the market price of the security
underlying a put option declines to less than the exercise price of the option,
minus the premium received, the Fund would expect to suffer a loss.
Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge, because declines
in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the
premium received for writing the option. However, if the security or currency
appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of the call option, it can
be expected that the option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to
sell the security at less than its market value. If the call option is an OTC
option, the securities or other assets used as cover would be considered
illiquid to the extent described under "Illiquid Investments."
Writing put options can serve as a limited long hedge because increases in
the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium
received for writing the option. However, if the security or currency
depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can
be expected that the put option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated
to purchase the security or currency at more than its market value. If the put
option is an OTC option, the securities or other assets used as cover would be
considered illiquid to the extent described under "Illiquid Investments."
The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the
current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until
expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the
underlying investment, the historical price volatility of the underlying
investment and general market conditions. Options that expire unexercised have
no value.
The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option
by entering into an offsetting closing transaction. For example, the Fund may
terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by
purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase
transaction. Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call
option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is
known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit the Fund to
realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or
expiration.
A type of put that the Fund may purchase is an "optional delivery standby
commitment," which is entered into by parties selling debt securities to the
Fund. An optional delivery standby commitment gives the Fund the right to sell
the security back to the seller on specified terms. This right is provided as
an inducement to purchase the security.
Risks of Options on Securities. The Fund may purchase or write both
exchange-traded options and OTC options. Exchange-traded options in the United
States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on
which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every
exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts
between the Fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank)
with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC
option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make
or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option.
Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium
paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.
The Fund's ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-listed
options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no
assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing
transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the
counterparty, or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market
exists. There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close
out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the
event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to close out
an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.
If the Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it
had purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The
inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option
written by the Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable
to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option
expires or is exercised.
Options on Indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and
calls on securities or futures contracts except that all settlements are in cash
and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on
price movements in individual securities or futures contracts. When the Fund
writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the
expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will
receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon
which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The
amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index
and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple ("multiplier"),
which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When
the Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as
to such call as are indicated above. When the Fund buys a put on an index, it
pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the
seller of the put, upon the Fund's exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund
an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based
is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined
by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When the Fund writes a put on
an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right,
prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of
cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and the
exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the
exercise price.
Risks of Options on Indices. The risks of investment in options on indices
may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in
cash, when the Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for
its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying
securities. The Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option
by holding a diversified portfolio of securities similar to those on which the
underlying index is based. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter,
acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities as underlie
the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities held
will vary from the value of the index.
Even if the Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the
composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a
risk standpoint because of the "timing risk" inherent in writing index options.
When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is
entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price
and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with
other kinds of options, the Fund as the call writer will not learn that the Fund
has been assigned until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag
between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a
covered call on a specific underlying security, such as common stock, because
there the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay
its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns
the underlying security, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply
delivering it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise
date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an
index call holds securities that exactly match the composition of the underlying
index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering
those securities against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be
required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the
exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may
have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This
"timing risk" is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to
cover their risk exposure by holding securities positions.
If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the
closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level
of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the
exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the
difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option
(times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with
respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike
price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are
established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract.
While this type of arrangement allows the Fund great flexibility to tailor the
option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-
traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the
exchanges where they are traded.
Generally, OTC foreign currency options used by the Fund are European-style
options. This means that the option is only exercisable immediately prior to
its expiration. This is in contract to American-style options, which are
exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of
futures or call options on futures can serve as a long hedge, and the sale of
futures or the purchase of put options on futures can serve as a short hedge.
Writing call options on futures contracts can serve as a limited short hedge,
using a strategy similar to that used for writing call options on securities or
indices. Similarly, writing put options on futures contracts can serve as a
limited long hedge. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts can also
be purchased and sold to attempt to enhance income or yield.
In addition, futures strategies can be used to manage the average duration
of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio. If WRIMCO wishes to shorten the average
duration of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio, the Fund may sell a debt futures
contract or a call option thereon, or purchase a put option on that futures
contract. If WRIMCO wishes to lengthen the average duration of the Fund's
fixed-income portfolio, the Fund may buy a debt futures contract or a call
option thereon, or sell a put option thereon.
No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the
inception of a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit "initial margin"
in an amount generally equal to 10% or less of the contract value. Margin must
also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in
accordance with applicable exchange rules. Unlike margin in securities
transactions, initial margin on futures contracts does not represent a
borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith
deposit that is returned to the Fund at the termination of the transaction if
all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances,
such as periods of high volatility, the Fund may be required by an exchange to
increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin
requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action.
Subsequent "variation margin" payments are made to and from the futures
broker daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as
"marking-to-market." Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather
represents a daily settlement of the Fund's obligations to or from a futures
broker. When the Fund purchases an option on a future, the premium paid plus
transaction costs is all that is at risk. In contrast, when the Fund purchases
or sells a futures contract or writes a call or put option thereon, it is
subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event
of adverse price movements. If the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily
variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when
such sales are disadvantageous.
Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts and options on futures can
enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions in
options, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the
instrument purchased or sold. Positions in futures contracts and options on
futures may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a
secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such
event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position.
Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits
on the amount that the price of a futures contract or an option on a futures
contract can vary from the previous day's settlement price; once that limit is
reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily
price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the
daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby
preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions.
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a
futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the
imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would
continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In
addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be
required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to
maintain the position being hedged by the futures contract or option or to
maintain liquid assets in an account.
Risks of Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The ordinary spreads
between prices in the cash and futures markets (including the options on futures
market), due to differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to the
following factors, which may create distortions. First, all participants in the
futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements.
Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close
futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the
normal relationships between the cash and futures markets. Second, the
liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting
transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants
decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be
reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of
speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous
than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased
participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price
distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of
general interest rate, currency exchange rate or stock market trends by WRIMCO
may still not result in a successful transaction. WRIMCO may be incorrect in
its expectations as to the extent of various interest rate, currency exchange
rate or stock market movements or the time span within which the movements take
place.
Index Futures. The risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the
price of an index future and movements in the price of the securities that are
the subject of the hedge increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio
diverges from the securities included in the applicable index. The price of the
index futures may move more than or less than the price of the securities being
hedged. If the price of the index future moves less than the price of the
securities that are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully
effective but, if the price of the securities being hedged has moved in an
unfavorable direction, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had not
hedged at all. If the price of the securities being hedged has moved in a
favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by the futures
contract. If the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the
securities, the Fund will experience either a loss or a gain on the futures
contract that will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the
securities that are the subject of the hedge. To compensate for the imperfect
correlation of movements in the price of the securities being hedged and
movements in the price of the index futures, the Fund may buy or sell index
futures in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of the securities
being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of such securities being
hedged is more than the historical volatility of the prices of the securities
included in the index. It is also possible that, where the Fund has sold index
futures contracts to hedge against decline in the market, the market may advance
and the value of the securities held in the portfolio may decline. If this
occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract and also experience
a decline in value of its portfolio securities. However, while this could occur
for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time the value of a
diversified portfolio of securities will tend to move in the same direction as
the market indices on which the futures contracts are based.
Where index futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in
the price of securities before the Fund is able to invest in them in an orderly
fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead. If the Fund then
concludes not to invest in them at that time because of concern as to possible
further market decline or for other reasons, it will realize a loss on the
futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the
securities it had anticipated purchasing.
To the extent that the Fund enters into futures contracts, options on
futures contracts or options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated
exchange, in each case other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by
the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish
those positions (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money" at
the time of purchase) will not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of that
Fund's portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any contracts the Fund has entered into. (In general, a call option
on a futures contract is "in-the-money" if the value of the underlying futures
contract exceeds the strike, i.e., exercise, price of the call; a put option on
a futures contract is "in-the-money" if the value of the underlying futures
contract is exceeded by the strike price of the put.) This policy does not
limit to 5% the percentage of the Fund's assets that are at risk in futures
contracts, options on futures contracts and currency options.
Foreign Currency Hedging Strategies--Special Considerations. The Fund may
use options and futures contracts on foreign currencies, as described above, and
forward currency contracts, as described below, to attempt to hedge against
movements in the values of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's securities
are denominated or to attempt to enhance income or yield. Currency hedges can
protect against price movements that are attributable to changes in the value of
the currency in which it is denominated. Such hedges do not, however, protect
against price movements in the securities that are attributable to other causes.
The Fund might seek to hedge against changes in the value of a particular
currency when no Financial Instruments on that currency are available or such
Financial Instruments are more expensive than certain other Financial
Instruments. In such cases, the Fund may seek to hedge against price movements
in that currency by entering into transactions using Financial Instruments on
another currency or a basket of currencies, the values of which WRIMCO believes
will have a high degree of positive correlation to the value of the currency
being hedged. The risk that movements in the price of the Financial Instrument
will not correlate perfectly with movements in the price of the currency subject
to the hedging transaction is magnified when this strategy is used.
The value of Financial Instruments on foreign currencies depends on the
value of the underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Because foreign
currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve
substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such Financial
Instruments, the Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd lot
market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the
underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round
lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation
information generally is representative of very large transactions in the
interbank market and thus might not reflect odd-lot transactions where rates
might be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a
global, round-the-clock market. To the extent the U.S. options or futures
markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open,
significant price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets
that cannot be reflected in the U.S. markets for the Financial Instruments until
they reopen.
Settlement of transactions involving foreign currencies might be required
to take place within the country issuing the underlying currency. Thus, the
Fund might be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign
currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign regulations regarding the
maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and might be
required to pay any fees, taxes and charges associated with such delivery
assessed in the issuing country.
Forward Currency Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward currency
contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S.
dollars or another foreign currency. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days (term) from the date of the forward currency
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the forward
currency contract. These forward currency contracts are traded directly between
currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
Such transactions may serve as long hedges; for example, the Fund may
purchase a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar price of a
security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund intends to acquire.
Forward currency contract transactions may also serve as short hedges; for
example, the Fund may sell a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S.
dollar equivalent of the proceeds from the anticipated sale of a security,
dividend or interest payment denominated in a foreign currency.
The Fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the
value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For example, if
the Fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it could enter into a
forward currency contract to sell pounds sterling in return for U.S. dollars to
hedge against possible declines in the pound's value. Such a hedge, sometimes
referred to as a "position hedge," would tend to offset both positive and
negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values
caused by other factors. The Fund could also hedge the position by selling
another currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling, for
example, by entering into a forward contract to sell Deutsche Marks or European
Currency Units in return for U.S. dollars. This type of hedge, sometimes
referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield,
or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as
a simple hedge into U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the
currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the
hedged securities are denominated.
The Fund also may use forward currency contracts to attempt to enhance
income or yield. The Fund could use forward currency contracts to increase its
exposure to foreign currencies that WRIMCO believes might rise in value relative
to the U.S. dollar, or shift its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from
one country to another. For example, if the Fund owned securities denominated
in a foreign currency and WRIMCO believed that currency would decline relative
to another currency, it might enter into a forward currency contract to sell an
appropriate amount of the first foreign currency, with payment to be made in the
second foreign currency.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with
factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the
market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are
usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.
When the Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it relies on the
counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity
of the contract. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss
of any expected benefit of the transaction.
As is the case with futures contracts, purchasers and sellers of forward
currency contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to
closing transactions on futures contracts, by selling or purchasing,
respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold.
Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with
the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency
contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can
be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out a forward
currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity. In addition, in the
event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to close out a
forward currency contract at any time prior to maturity. In either event, the
Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position,
and would continue to be required to maintain a position in securities
denominated in the foreign currency or to maintain cash or liquid assets in an
account.
The precise matching of forward currency contract amounts and the value of
the securities involved generally will not be possible because the value of such
securities, measured in the foreign currency, will change after the forward
currency contract has been established. Thus, the Fund might need to purchase
or sell foreign currencies in the spot (cash) market to the extent such foreign
currencies are not covered by forward currency contracts. The projection of
short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful
execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
Normally, consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be
incorporated into the longer term investment decisions made with regard to
overall diversification strategies. However, WRIMCO believes that it is
important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward currency contracts
when it determines that the best interests of the Fund will be served.
Combined Positions. The Fund may purchase and write options in combination
with each other, or in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust
the risk and return characteristics of its overall position. For example, the
Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying
instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return
characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible
combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and
buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the
written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because
combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher
transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Turnover. The Fund's options and futures activities may affect its
turnover rate and brokerage commission payments. The exercise of calls or puts
written by the Fund, and the sale or purchase of futures contracts, may cause it
to sell or purchase related investments, thus increasing its turnover rate.
Once the Fund has received an exercise notice on an option it has written, it
cannot effect an offsetting closing transaction in order to terminate its
obligation under the option and must deliver or receive the underlying
securities at the exercise price. The exercise of puts purchased by the Fund
may also cause the sale of related investments, also increasing turnover;
although such exercise is within the Fund's control, holding a protective put
might cause it to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist
in the absence of the put. The Fund will pay a brokerage commission each time
it buys or sells a put or call or purchases or sells a futures contract. Such
commissions may be higher than those that would apply to direct purchases or
sales.
Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. Swap agreements, including caps, collars
and floors, can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to
a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on
their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to
long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign
currency values, mortgage-backed security values, corporate borrowing rates, or
other factors such as security prices or inflation rates.
Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund's investment exposure from one
type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agrees to exchange
payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the swap agreement would
tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its
exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect
similar to buying or writing options.
The creditworthiness of firms with which the Fund enters into swaps, caps
or floors will be monitored by WRIMCO in accordance with procedures adopted by
the Fund's Board of Directors. If a default occurs by the other party to such
transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
related to the transaction.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an
amount of cash or liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least
equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund's
custodian that satisfies the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Fund will also
establish and maintain such account with respect to its total obligations under
any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis and with respect to any caps
or floors that are written by the Fund. WRIMCO and the Fund believe that such
obligations do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and,
accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Fund's borrowing
restrictions.
Risk Factors of High-Yield Investing
As an operating (i.e., nonfundamental) policy, the Fund does not intend to
invest more than 5% of its assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
Lower-quality debt securities ("junk bonds") are considered to be speculative
and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate
more than high-quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of
general economic difficulty.
While the market for high-yield, high-risk corporate debt securities has
been in existence for many years and has weathered previous economic downturns,
the 1980s brought a dramatic increase in the use of such securities to fund
highly-leveraged corporate acquisitions and restructurings. Past experience may
not provide an accurate indication of the future performance of the high-yield,
high-risk bond market, especially during periods of economic recession. The
market for lower-rated debt securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated debt securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
the former are sold. Adverse publicity and changing investor perceptions may
decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated debt securities, especially in
a thinly-traded market.
Valuation becomes more difficult and judgment plays a greater role in
valuing lower-rated debt securities than with respect to securities for which
more external sources of quotations and last sale information are available.
Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated debt securities, WRIMCO's
research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing
securities of this type held by the Fund. WRIMCO continuously monitors the
issuers of lower-rated debt securities in the Fund's portfolio in an attempt to
determine if the issuers will have sufficient cash flow and profits to meet
required principal and interest payments.
The Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to
seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in
the best interest of the Fund's shareholders.
While credit ratings are only one factor WRIMCO relies on in evaluating
high-yield debt securities, certain risks are associated with using credit
ratings. Credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments,
not market value risk.
Investment Restrictions
Certain of the Fund's investment restrictions are described in the
Prospectus. The following are fundamental policies and together with certain
restrictions described in the Prospectus, cannot be changed without shareholder
approval. Under these additional restrictions, the Fund may not:
(i) Buy real estate nor any nonliquid interests in real estate investment
trusts;
(ii) With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase securities of any one
issuer (other than cash items and "Government securities" as defined in
the 1940 Act), if immediately after and as a result of such purchase,
(a) the value of the holdings of the Fund in the securities of such
issuer exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, or (b) the
Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer; or buy the securities of companies in any one industry if more
than 25% of the Fund's total assets would then be in companies in that
industry;
(iii) Buy shares of other investment companies that redeem their shares. The
Fund can buy shares of investment companies that do not redeem their
shares if it does it in a regular transaction in the open market and
then does not have more than one tenth (i.e., 10%) of its total assets
in these shares. The Fund may also buy these shares as part of a
merger or consolidation;
(iv) Make loans other than certain limited types of loans described herein;
the Fund can buy debt securities and other obligations consistent with
its goals and its other investment policies and restrictions; it can
also lend its portfolio securities (see "Lending Securities" above) or,
except as provided above, enter into repurchase agreements (see
"Repurchase Agreements" above);
(v) Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of other
companies;
(vi) Participate on a joint, or a joint and several, basis in any trading
account in any securities;
(vii) Sell securities short (unless it owns or has the right to obtain
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short)
or purchase securities on margin, except that (1) this policy does not
prevent the Fund from entering into short positions in foreign
currency, futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps,
collars, floors and other financial instruments, (2) the Fund may
obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of
transactions, and (3) the Fund may make margin payments in connection
with futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps,
collars, floors and other financial instruments;
(viii) Engage in the underwriting of securities;
(ix) Borrow for investment purposes, that is, to purchase securities. The
Fund may borrow money from banks as a temporary measure or for
extraordinary or emergency purposes but only up to 5% of its total
assets; or
(x) Purchase or sell physical commodities; however, this policy shall not
prevent the Fund from purchasing and selling foreign currency, futures
contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors and
other financial instruments.
Portfolio Turnover
A portfolio turnover rate is, in general, the percentage computed by taking
the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a year and dividing
it by the monthly average of the market value of such securities during the
year, excluding certain short-term securities. The Fund's turnover rate may
vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year and may be
affected by cash requirements for the redemption of its shares. For the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 58.64%. For
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, its portfolio turnover rate was 57.45%.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Management Agreement
The Fund has an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management
Agreement") with Waddell & Reed, Inc. On January 8, 1992, subject to the
authority of the Fund's Board of Directors, Waddell & Reed, Inc. assigned the
Management Agreement and all related investment management duties (and related
professional staff) to WRIMCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Under the Management Agreement, WRIMCO is employed to supervise the investments
of the Fund and provide investment advice to the Fund. The address of WRIMCO
and Waddell & Reed, Inc. is 6300 Lamar Avenue, P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission,
Kansas 66201-9217. Waddell & Reed, Inc. is the Fund's underwriter.
The Management Agreement permits Waddell & Reed, Inc. or an affiliate of
Waddell & Reed, Inc. to enter into a separate agreement for transfer agency
services ("Shareholder Servicing Agreement") and a separate agreement for
accounting services ("Accounting Services Agreement") with the Fund. The
Management Agreement contains detailed provisions as to the matters to be
considered by the Fund's Board of Directors prior to approving any Shareholder
Servicing Agreement or Accounting Services Agreement.
Torchmark Corporation and United Investors Management Company
WRIMCO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. Waddell &
Reed, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial Services,
Inc., a holding company. Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc. is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of United Investors Management Company. United Investors
Management Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation.
Torchmark Corporation is a publicly-held company. The address of Torchmark
Corporation and United Investors Management Company is 2001 Third Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama 35233.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors served as investment manager to
each of the registered investment companies in the United Group of Mutual Funds,
except United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc., since 1940 or the company's inception
date, whichever was later, and to TMK/United Funds, Inc. since that fund's
inception, until January 8, 1992, when it assigned its duties as investment
manager for these funds (and the related professional staff) to WRIMCO. WRIMCO
has also served as investment manager for Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its
inception in September 1992 and United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. since it
commenced operations in March 1995. Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as principal
underwriter for the investment companies in the United Group of Mutual Funds and
Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. and acts as principal underwriter and distributor for
variable life insurance and variable annuity policies issued by United Investors
Life Insurance Company for which TMK/United Funds, Inc. is the underlying
investment vehicle.
Shareholder Services
Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement entered into between the Fund and
Waddell & Reed Services Company (the "Agent"), a subsidiary of Waddell & Reed,
Inc., the Agent performs shareholder servicing functions, including the
maintenance of shareholder accounts, the issuance, transfer and redemption of
shares, distribution of dividends and payment of redemptions, the furnishing of
related information to the Fund and handling of shareholder inquiries. A new
Shareholder Servicing Agreement, or amendments to the existing one, may be
approved by the Fund's Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
Accounting Services
Under the Accounting Services Agreement entered into between the Fund and
the Agent, the Agent provides the Fund with bookkeeping and accounting services
and assistance, including maintenance of the Fund's records, pricing of the
Fund's shares, and preparation of prospectuses for existing shareholders, proxy
statements and certain reports. A new Accounting Services Agreement, or
amendments to an existing one, may be approved by the Fund's Board of Directors
without shareholder approval.
Payments by the Fund for Management, Accounting and Shareholder Services
Under the Management Agreement, for WRIMCO's management services, the Fund
pays WRIMCO a fee as described in the Prospectus. The management fees paid to
WRIMCO during the fiscal years ended June 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were
$5,147,703, $4,520,606 and $3,451,650, respectively.
For purposes of calculating the daily fee, the Fund does not include money
owed to it by Waddell & Reed, Inc. for shares which it has sold but not yet paid
the Fund. The Fund accrues and pays this fee daily.
Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, with respect to Class A shares
the Fund pays the Agent a monthly fee of $1.3125 ($1.0208 prior to April 1,
1996) for each shareholder account that was in existence at any time during the
prior month, plus $0.30 for each account on which a dividend or distribution, of
cash or shares, had a record date in that month. For Class Y shares, the Fund
pays the agent a monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of .15 of 1% of the average
daily net assets of that class for the preceding month. The Fund also pays
certain out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent, including long distance telephone
communications costs; microfilm and storage costs for certain documents; forms,
printing and mailing costs; and costs of legal and special services not provided
by Waddell & Reed, Inc., WRIMCO or the Agent.
Under the Accounting Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Agent a monthly
fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee shown in the following table.
Accounting Services Fee
Average
Net Asset Level Annual Fee
(all dollars in millions) Rate for Each Fund
------------------------- ------------------
From $ 0 to $ 10 $ 0
From $ 10 to $ 25 $ 10,000
From $ 25 to $ 50 $ 20,000
From $ 50 to $ 100 $ 30,000
From $ 100 to $ 200 $ 40,000
From $ 200 to $ 350 $ 50,000
From $ 350 to $ 550 $ 60,000
From $ 550 to $ 750 $ 70,000
From $ 750 to $1,000 $ 85,000
$1,000 and Over $100,000
Fees paid to the Agent for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1996, 1995 and
1994 were $72,500, $70,000 and $63,333, respectively.
Since the Fund pays a management fee for investment supervision and an
accounting services fee for accounting services as discussed above, WRIMCO and
the Agent, respectively, pay all of their own expenses in providing these
services. Amounts paid by the Fund under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement
are described above. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and affiliates pay the Fund's
Directors and officers who are affiliated with WRIMCO and its affiliates. The
Fund pays the fees and expenses of the Fund's other Directors.
Waddell & Reed, Inc., under an agreement separate from the Management
Agreement, Shareholder Servicing Agreement and Accounting Services Agreement,
acts as the Fund's underwriter, i.e., sells its shares on a continuous basis.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. is not required to sell any particular number of shares,
and thus sells shares only for purchase orders received. Under this agreement,
Waddell & Reed, Inc. pays the costs of sales literature, including the costs of
shareholder reports used as sales literature, and the costs of printing the
prospectus furnished to it by the Fund. The aggregate dollar amounts of
underwriting commissions for Class A shares for the fiscal years ended June 30,
1996, 1995 and 1994 were $3,741,932, $4,477,112 and $5,013,005, respectively,
and the amounts retained by Waddell & Reed, Inc. for each fiscal year were
$1,660,536, $1,909,938 and $2,224,663, respectively.
A major portion of the sales charge for Class A shares is paid to the
account representatives and managers of Waddell & Reed, Inc. Waddell & Reed,
Inc. may compensate its account representatives as to purchases for which there
is no sales charge.
The Fund pays all of its other expenses. These include the costs of
materials sent to shareholders, audit and outside legal fees, taxes, brokerage
commissions, interest, insurance premiums, custodian fees, fees payable by the
Fund under Federal or other securities laws and to the Investment Company
Institute and nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses, including litigation and
indemnification relating to litigation.
Under a Distribution and Service Plan for Class A shares (the "Plan")
adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may pay
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the principal underwriter for the Fund, a fee not to
exceed .25% of the Fund's average annual net assets attributable to Class A
shares, paid monthly, to reimburse Waddell & Reed, Inc. for its costs and
expenses in connection with the distribution of the Class A shares and/or the
service and/or maintenance of Class A shareholder accounts.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. offers the Fund's shares through its registered
representatives and sales managers (sales force) unless it elects, which is not
currently contemplated, to make distribution of shares also through other
broker-dealers. In distributing shares through its sales force, Waddell & Reed,
Inc. will pay commissions and incentives to the sales force at or about the time
of sale and will incur other expenses including for prospectuses, sales
literature, advertisements, sales office maintenance, processing of orders and
general overhead with respect to its efforts to distribute the Fund's shares.
The Plan permits Waddell & Reed, Inc. to receive reimbursement for these
distribution activities through the distribution fee, subject to the limit
contained in the Plan. The Plan also contemplates that Waddell & Reed, Inc. may
be reimbursed for amounts it expends in compensating, training and supporting
registered account representatives, sales managers and/or other appropriate
personnel in providing personal services to Class A shareholders of the Fund
and/or maintaining Class A shareholder accounts; increasing services provided to
Class A shareholders of the Fund by office personnel located at field sales
offices; engaging in other activities useful in providing personal service to
Class A shareholders of the Fund and/or maintenance of Class A shareholder
accounts; and in compensating broker-dealers who may regularly sell Class A
shares of the Fund, and other third parties, for providing shareholder services
and/or maintaining shareholder accounts with respect to Class A shares. Fees
paid (or accrued) with respect to Class A shares as service fees by the Fund for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 were $1,156,620.
The Plan was approved by the Fund's Board of Directors, including the
Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or any agreement
referred to in the Plan (hereafter, the "Plan Directors"). The Plan was also
approved by the affected shareholders of the Fund.
Among other things, the Plan provides that (i) Waddell & Reed, Inc. will
provide to the Directors of the Fund at least quarterly, and the Directors will
review, a report of amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, (ii) the Plan will continue in effect only so long
as it is approved at least annually, and any material amendments thereto will be
effective only if approved, by the Directors including the Plan Directors acting
in person at a meeting called for that purpose, (iii) amounts to be paid by the
Fund under the Plan may not be materially increased without the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, and (iv)
while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Directors
who are Plan Directors will be committed to the discretion of the Plan
Directors.
Custodial and Auditing Services
The Fund's Custodian is UMB Bank, n.a., Kansas City, Missouri. In general,
the Custodian is responsible for holding the Fund's cash and securities.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Kansas City, Missouri, the Fund's independent
accountants, audits the Fund's financial statements.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Determination of Offering Price
The net asset value of each class of the shares of the Fund is the value of
the assets of that class, less the class's liabilities, divided by the total
number of outstanding shares of that class.
Class A shares of the Fund are sold at their next determined net asset
value plus the sales charge described in the Prospectus. The price makeup as of
June 30, 1996 was as follows:
Net asset value per Class A share (Class A
net assets divided by Class A shares
outstanding) ............................. $8.95
Add: selling commission (5.75% of offering
price) ................................... .55
-----
Maximum offering price per Class A share
(Class A net asset value divided by 94.25%) $9.50
=====
The offering price of a Class A share is its net asset value next
determined following acceptance of a purchase order plus the sales charge. The
offering price of a Class Y share is its net asset value next determined
following acceptance of a purchase order. The number of shares you receive for
your purchase depends on the next offering price after Waddell & Reed, Inc.
receives and accepts your order at its principal business office at the address
shown on the cover of this SAI. You will be sent a confirmation after your
purchase which will indicate how many shares you have purchased. Shares are
normally issued for cash only.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. need not accept any purchase order, and it or the Fund
may determine to discontinue offering Fund shares for purchase.
The net asset value and offering price per share are ordinarily computed
once on each day that the NYSE is open for trading as of the later of the close
of the regular session of the NYSE or the close of the regular session of any
other securities or commodities exchange on which an option or future held by
the Fund is traded. The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not
be open for trading. The most recent announcement indicates that it will not be
open on the following days: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
However, it is possible that the NYSE may close on other days. The net asset
value will change every business day, since the value of the assets and the
number of shares outstanding change every business day.
The securities in the portfolio of the Fund, except as otherwise noted,
that are listed or traded on a stock exchange, are valued on the basis of the
last sale on that day or, lacking any sales, at a price which is the mean
between the closing bid and asked prices. Other securities which are traded
over-the-counter are priced using the Nasdaq (National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotations system), which provides information on bid and
asked prices quoted by major dealers in such stocks. Restricted foreign
securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at
market value. Bonds, other than convertible bonds, are valued using a third-
party pricing system. Convertible bonds are valued using this pricing system
only on days when there is no sale reported. Short-term debt securities are
valued at amortized cost, which approximates market. Warrants and rights to
purchase securities are valued at market value. When market quotations are not
readily available, securities and other assets are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general
supervision and responsibility of the Fund's Board of Directors.
Foreign currency exchange rates are generally determined prior to the close
of trading of the regular session of the NYSE. Occasionally events affecting
the value of foreign investments and such exchange rates occur between the time
at which they are determined and the close of the regular session of trading on
the NYSE, which events will not be reflected in a computation of the Fund's net
asset value on that day. If events materially affecting the value of such
investments or currency exchange rates occur during such time period,
investments will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by or
under the direction of the Board of Directors. The foreign currency exchange
transactions of the Fund conducted on a spot (that is, cash) basis are valued at
the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing on the foreign
exchange market. This rate under normal market conditions differs from the
prevailing exchange rate in an amount generally less than one-tenth of one
percent due to the costs of converting from one currency to another.
When the Fund writes a call, an amount equal to the premium received is
included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset, and an
equivalent deferred credit is included in the liability section. The deferred
credit is "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the call.
If a call the Fund wrote is exercised, the proceeds received on the sale of the
related investment are increased by the amount of the premium the Fund received.
If a call written by the Fund expires, it has a gain in the amount of the
premium; if it enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will have a gain
or loss depending on whether the premium was more or less than the cost of the
closing transaction.
Minimum Initial and Subsequent Investments
For Class A shares, initial investments must be at least $500 with the
exceptions described in this paragraph. A $100 minimum initial investment
pertains to certain exchanges of shares from another fund in the United Group.
A $50 minimum initial investment pertains to purchases for certain retirement
plan accounts and to accounts for which an investor has arranged, at the time of
initial investment, to make subsequent purchases for the account by having
regular monthly withdrawals of $25 or more made from a bank account. A minimum
initial investment of $25 is applicable to purchases made through payroll
deduction for or by employees of Waddell & Reed, Inc., WRIMCO, their affiliates
or certain retirement plan accounts. Except with respect to certain exchanges
and automatic withdrawals from a bank account, a shareholder may make subsequent
investments of any amount.
For Class Y shares, investments by government entities or authorities or by
corporations must total at least $10 million within the first twelve months
after initial investment. There is no initial investment minimum for other
Class Y investors.
Reduced Sales Charges (Applicable to Class A shares only)
Account Grouping
Large purchases of Class A shares are subject to lower sales charges. The
schedule of sales charges appears in the Prospectus for Class A shares. For the
purpose of taking advantage of the lower sales charges available for large
purchases, a purchase in any of categories 1 through 7 listed below made by an
individual or deemed to be made by an individual may be grouped with purchases
in any other of these categories:
1. Purchases by an individual for his or her own account (includes purchases
under the United Funds Revocable Trust Form);
2. Purchases by that individual's spouse purchasing for his or her own account
(includes United Funds Revocable Trust Form of spouse);
3. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse in their joint account;
4. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse for the account of their
child under age 21;
5. Purchase by any custodian for the child of that individual or spouse in a
Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
("UTMA") account;
6. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse for his or her Individual
Retirement Account ("IRA"), Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), salary reduction plan account provided that
such purchases are subject to a sales charge (see "Net Asset Value
Purchases"), tax sheltered annuity account ("TSA") or Keogh plan account,
provided that the individual and spouse are the only participants in the
Keogh plan; and
7. Purchases by a trustee under a trust where that individual or his or her
spouse is the settlor (the person who establishes the trust).
Examples:
A. Grandmother opens an UGMA account for grandson A; Grandmother has an
account in her own name; A's father has an account in his own name;
the UGMA account may be grouped with A's father's account but may not
be grouped with Grandmother's account;
B. H establishes a trust naming his children as beneficiaries and
appointing himself and his bank as co-trustees; a purchase made in the
trust account is eligible for grouping with an IRA account of W, H's
wife;
C. H's will provides for the establishment of a trust for the benefit of
his minor children upon H's death; his bank is named as trustee; upon
H's death, an account is established in the name of the bank, as
trustee; a purchase in the account may be grouped with an account held
by H's wife in her own name.
D. X establishes a trust naming herself as trustee and R, her son, as
successor trustee and R and S as beneficiaries; upon X's death, the
account is transferred to R as trustee; a purchase in the account may
not be grouped with R's individual account. (If X's spouse, Y, was
successor trustee, this purchase could be grouped with Y's individual
account.)
All purchases of Class A shares made for a participant in a multi-
participant Keogh plan may be grouped only with other purchases made under the
same plan; a multi-participant Keogh plan is defined as a plan in which there is
more than one participant where one or more of the participants is other than
the spouse of the owner/employer.
Example A: H has established a Keogh plan; he and his wife W are the only
participants in the plan; they may group their purchases made under
the plan with any purchases in categories 1 through 7 above.
Example B: H has established a Keogh plan; his wife, W, is a participant and
they have hired one or more employees who also become participants
in the plan; H and W may not combine any purchases made under the
plan with any purchases in categories 1 through 7 above; however,
all purchases made under the plan for H, W or any other employee
will be combined.
All purchases of Class A shares made under a "qualified" employee benefit
plan of an incorporated business will be grouped. (A "qualified" employee
benefit plan is established pursuant to Section 401 of the Code.) All qualified
employee benefit plans of any one employer or affiliated employers will also be
grouped. (An affiliate is defined as an employer that directly, or indirectly,
controls or is controlled by or is under control with another employer.)
Example: Corporation X sets up a defined benefit plan; its subsidiary,
Corporation Y, sets up a 401(k) plan; all contributions made under
both plans will be grouped.
All purchases of Class A shares made under a simplified employee pension
plan ("SEP"), payroll deduction plan or similar arrangement adopted by an
employer or affiliated employers (as defined above) may be grouped provided that
the employer elects to have all such purchases grouped at the time the plan is
set up. If the employer does not make such an election, the purchases made by
individual employees under the plan may be grouped with the other accounts of
the individual employees described above in "Account Grouping."
Account grouping as described above is available under the following
circumstances.
One-time Purchases
A one-time purchase of Class A shares in accounts eligible for grouping may
be combined for purposes of determining the availability of a reduced sales
charge. In order for an eligible purchase to be grouped, the investor must
advise Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the time the purchase is made that it is eligible
for grouping and identify the accounts with which it may be grouped.
Example: H and W open an account in the Fund and invest $75,000; at the same
time, H's parents open up three UGMA accounts for H and W's three
minor children and invest $10,000 in each child's name; the combined
purchase of $105,000 of Class A shares is subject to a reduced sales
load of 4.75% provided that Waddell & Reed, Inc. is advised that the
purchases are entitled to grouping.
Rights of Accumulation
If Class A shares are held in any account and an additional purchase is
made in that account or in any account eligible for grouping with that account,
the additional purchase is combined with the net asset value of the existing
account as of the date the new purchase is accepted by Waddell & Reed, Inc. for
the purpose of determining the availability of a reduced sales charge.
Example: H is a current Class A shareholder who invested in the Fund three
years ago. His account has a net asset value of $80,000. His wife,
W, now wishes to invest $20,000 in Class A shares of the Fund. W's
purchase will be combined with H's existing account and will be
entitled to a reduced sales charge of 4.75%. H's original purchase
was subject to a full sales charge and the reduced charge does not
apply retroactively to that purchase.
In order to be entitled to rights of accumulation, the purchaser must
inform Waddell & Reed, Inc. that the purchaser is entitled to a reduced charge
and provide Waddell & Reed, Inc. with the name and number of the existing
account with which the purchase may be combined.
If a purchaser holds shares which have been purchased under a contractual
plan, the shares held under such plan may be combined with the additional
purchase only if the contractual plan has been completed.
Statement of Intention
The benefit of a reduced sales charge for larger purchases of Class A
shares is also available under a Statement of Intention. By signing a Statement
of Intention form, which is available from Waddell & Reed, Inc., the purchaser
indicates an intention to invest, over a 13-month period, a dollar amount which
is sufficient to qualify for a reduced sales charge. The 13-month period begins
on the date the first purchase made under the Statement of Intention is accepted
by Waddell & Reed, Inc. Each purchase made from time to time under the
Statement of Intention is treated as if the purchaser were buying at one time
the total amount which he or she intends to invest. The sales charge applicable
to all purchases of Class A shares made under the terms of the Statement of
Intention will be the sales charge in effect on the beginning date of the 13-
month period.
In determining the amount which the purchaser must invest in order to
qualify for a reduced sales charge under a Statement of Intention, the
investor's Rights of Accumulation (see above) will be taken into account; that
is, Class A shares already held in the same account in which the purchase is
being made or in any account eligible for grouping with that account, as
described above, will be included.
Example: H signs a Statement of Intention indicating his intent to invest in
his own name a dollar amount sufficient to entitle him to purchase
Class A shares at the sales charge applicable to a purchase of
$100,000. H has an IRA account and the Class A shares held under the
IRA in the Fund have a net asset value as of the date the Statement of
Intention is accepted by Waddell & Reed, Inc. of $15,000; H's wife, W,
has an account in her own name invested in another fund in the United
Group which charges the same sales load as the Fund, with a net asset
value as of the date of acceptance of the Statement of Intention of
$10,000; H needs to invest $75,000 in Class A shares over the 13-month
period in order to qualify for the reduced sales load applicable to a
purchase of $100,000.
A copy of the Statement of Intention signed by a purchaser will be returned
to the purchaser after it is accepted by Waddell & Reed, Inc. and will set forth
the dollar amount of Class A shares which must be purchased within the 13-month
period in order to qualify for the reduced sales charge.
If a purchaser holds shares which have been purchased under a contractual
plan, the shares held under the plan will be taken into account in determining
the amount which must be invested under the Statement of Intention only if the
contractual plan has been completed.
The minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5% of the
dollar amount which must be invested under the Statement of Intention. An
amount equal to 5% of the purchase required under the Statement of Intention
will be held "in escrow." If a purchaser does not, during the period covered by
the Statement of Intention, invest the amount required to qualify for the
reduced sales charge under the terms of the Statement of Intention, he or she
will be responsible for payment of the sales charge applicable to the amount
actually invested. The additional sales charge owed on purchases of Class A
shares made under a Statement of Intention which is not completed will be
collected by redeeming part of the shares purchased under the Statement of
Intention and held "in escrow" unless the purchaser makes payment of this amount
to Waddell & Reed, Inc. within 20 days of Waddell & Reed, Inc.'s request for
payment.
If the actual amount invested is higher than the amount an investor intends
to invest, and is large enough to qualify for a sales charge lower than that
available under the Statement of Intention, the lower sales charge will apply.
A Statement of Intention does not bind the purchaser to buy, or Waddell &
Reed, Inc. to sell, the shares covered by the Statement of Intention.
With respect to Statements of Intention for $2,000,000 or purchases
otherwise qualifying for no sales charge under the terms of the Statement of
Intention, the initial investment must be at least $200,000, and the value of
any shares redeemed during the 13-month period which were acquired under the
Statement of Intention will be deducted in computing the aggregate purchases
under the Statement of Intention.
Statements of Intention are not available for purchases made under an SEP
where the employer has elected to have all purchases under the SEP grouped.
Other Funds in the United Group
Reduced sales charges for larger purchases of Class A shares apply to
purchases of any of the funds in the United Group which are subject to a sales
charge. A purchase of, or shares held, in any of the funds in the United Group
which are subject to the same sales charge as the Fund will be treated as an
investment in the Fund for the purpose of determining the applicable sales
charge. The following funds in the United Group have shares that are subject to
a maximum 5.75% ("full") sales charge as described in the prospectus of each
Fund: United Funds, Inc., United International Growth Fund, Inc., United
Continental Income Fund, Inc., United Vanguard Fund, Inc., United Retirement
Shares, Inc., United High Income Fund, Inc., United New Concepts Fund, Inc.,
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc., United High Income Fund II, Inc. and United
Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. The following funds in the United Group have shares
that are subject to a "reduced" sales charge as described in the prospectus of
each fund: United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Government Securities Fund,
Inc. and United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. For the purposes of obtaining
the lower sales charge which applies to large purchases, purchases in a fund in
the United Group of shares that are subject to a full sales charge may not be
grouped with purchases of shares in a fund in the United Group that are subject
to a reduced sales charge; conversely, purchases of shares in a fund with a
reduced sales charge may not be grouped or combined with purchases of shares of
a fund that are subject to a full sales charge.
United Cash Management, Inc. is not subject to a sales charge. Purchases
in that fund are not eligible for grouping with purchases in any other fund.
Holders of an uncompleted United International Growth Investment Program
("Program") on May 30, 1996, with a face amount of less than $12,000 may
purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value plus a maximum sales
charge of 2%, up to the amount representing the unpaid balance of his or her
Program, if the purchase order is so designated.
Net Asset Value Purchases of Class A Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, Class A shares of the Fund may be purchased at
net asset value by the Directors and officers of the Fund, employees of Waddell
& Reed, Inc., employees of their affiliates, account representatives of Waddell
& Reed, Inc. and the spouse, children, parents, children's spouses and spouse's
parents of each such Director, officer, employee and account representative.
"Child" includes stepchild; "parent" includes stepparent. Purchases of Class A
shares in an IRA sponsored by Waddell & Reed, Inc. established for any of these
eligible purchasers may also be at net asset value. Purchases of Class A shares
in any tax qualified retirement plan under which the eligible purchaser is the
sole participant may also be made at net asset value. Trusts under which the
grantor and the trustee or a co-trustee are each an eligible purchaser are also
eligible for net asset value purchases of Class A shares. "Employees" includes
retired employees. A retired employee is an individual separated from service
from Waddell & Reed, Inc. or affiliated companies with a vested interest in any
Employee Benefit plan sponsored by Waddell & Reed, Inc. or its affiliated
companies. "Account representatives" includes retired account representatives.
A "retired account representative" is any account representative who was, at the
time of separation from service from Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Senior Account
Representative. A custodian under the UGMA or UTMA purchasing for the child or
grandchild of any employee or account representative may purchase Class A shares
at net asset value whether or not the custodian himself is an eligible
purchaser.
Purchases of Class A shares in a 401(k) plan having 100 or more eligible
employees and purchases of Class A shares in a 457 plan having 100 or more
eligible employees may be made at net asset value.
Holders of an uncompleted Program on May 30, 1996, with a face amount of
$12,000 or more may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value, up
to the amount representing the unpaid balance of the Program, if the purchase
order is so designated. In addition, any person who was a Program holder on May
30, 1996 may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value up to the
amount representing partial Program withdrawals outstanding on May 30, 1996,
provided the purchase is so designated.
Reasons for Differences in Public Offering Price of Class A Shares
As described herein and in the Prospectus for Class A shares, there are a
number of instances in which the Fund's Class A shares are sold or issued on a
basis other than the maximum public offering price, that is, the net asset value
plus the highest sales charge. Some of these relate to lower or eliminated
sales charges for larger purchases of Class A shares, whether made at one time
or over a period of time as under a Statement of Intention or right of
accumulation. See the table of sales charges in the Prospectus for the Class A
shares. The reasons for these quantity discounts are, in general, that (i) they
are traditional and have long been permitted in the industry and are therefore
necessary to meet competition as to sales of shares of other funds having such
discounts, (ii) certain quantity discounts are required by rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (as are elimination of sales charges on
the reinvestment of dividends and distributions), and (iii) they are designed to
avoid an unduly large dollar amount of sales charge on substantial purchases in
view of reduced selling expenses. Quantity discounts are made available to
certain related persons for reasons of family unity and to provide a benefit to
tax-exempt plans and organizations.
The reasons for the other instances in which there are reduced or
eliminated sales charges for Class A shares are as follows. Exchanges at net
asset value are permitted because a sales charge has already been paid on the
shares exchanged. Sales of Class A shares without sales charge are permitted to
Directors, officers and certain others due to reduced or eliminated selling
expenses and since such sales may aid in the development of a sound employee
organization, encourage incentive, responsibility and interest in the United
Group and an identification with its aims and policies. Limited reinvestments
of redemptions of Class A shares at no sales charge are permitted to attempt to
protect against mistaken or not fully informed redemption decisions. Class A
shares may be issued at no sales charge in plans of reorganization due to
reduced or eliminated sales expenses and since, in some cases, such issuance is
exempted in the 1940 Act from the otherwise applicable restrictions as to what
sales charge must be imposed. In no case in which there is a reduced or
eliminated sales charge are the interests of existing Class A shareholders
adversely affected since, in each case, the Fund receives the net asset value
per share of all shares sold or issued.
Flexible Withdrawal Service for Class A Shareholders
If you qualify, you may arrange to receive through the Flexible Withdrawal
Service (the "Service") regular monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
payments by redeeming on an ongoing basis Class A shares that you own of the
Fund or of any of the funds in the United Group. It would be a disadvantage to
an investor to make additional purchases of shares while a withdrawal program is
in effect because it would result in duplication of sales charges. Applicable
forms to start the Service are available through Waddell & Reed, Inc.
To qualify for the Service, you must have invested at least $10,000 in
Class A shares which you still own of any of the funds in the United Group; or,
you must own Class A shares having a value of at least $10,000. The value for
this purpose is the value at the offering price.
You can choose to have shares redeemed to receive:
1. a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual payment of $50 or more;
2. a monthly payment, which will change each month, equal to one-twelfth
of a percentage of the value of the shares in the Account; (you select the
percentage); or
3. a monthly or quarterly payment, which will change each month or
quarter, by redeeming a number of shares fixed by you (at least five shares).
Shares are redeemed on the 20th day of the month in which the payment is to
be made, or on the prior business day if the 20th is not a business day.
Payments are made within five days of the redemption.
Retirement plan accounts may be subject to a fee imposed by the Plan
Custodian for use of their services.
If you have a share certificate for the shares you want to make available
for the Service, you must enclose the certificate with the form initiating the
Service.
The dividends and distributions on shares you have made available for the
Service are paid in additional Class A shares. All payments under the Service
are made by redeeming Class A shares, which may involve a gain or loss for tax
purposes. To the extent that payments exceed dividends and distributions, the
number of Class A shares you own will decrease. When all of the shares in an
account are redeemed, you will not receive any further payments. Thus, the
payments are not an annuity or an income or return on your investment.
You may, at any time, change the manner in which you have chosen to have
shares redeemed to any of the other choices originally available to you. You
may, at any time, redeem part or all of the shares in your account; if you
redeem all of the shares, the Service is terminated. The Fund can also
terminate the Service by notifying you in writing.
After the end of each calendar year, information on shares redeemed will be
sent to you to assist you in completing your Federal income tax return.
Exchanges for Shares of Other Funds in the United Group
Class A Share Exchanges
Once a sales charge has been paid on shares of a fund in the United Group,
these shares and any shares added to them from dividends or distributions paid
in shares may be freely exchanged for Class A shares of another fund in the
United Group. The shares you exchange must be worth at least $100 or you must
already own shares of the fund in the United Group into which you want to
exchange.
You may exchange Class A shares you own in another fund in the United Group
for Class A shares of the Fund without charge if (i) a sales charge was paid on
these shares, or (ii) the shares were received in exchange for shares for which
a sales charge was paid, or (iii) the shares were acquired from reinvestment of
dividends and distributions paid on such shares. There may have been one or
more such exchanges so long as a sales charge was paid on the shares originally
purchased. Also, shares acquired without a sales charge because the purchase
was $2 million or more will be treated the same as shares on which a sales
charge was paid.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
and United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. shares are the exceptions and
special rules apply. Class A shares of any of these funds may be exchanged for
Class A shares of the Fund only if (i) you received those shares as a result of
one or more exchanges of shares on which a sales charge was originally paid, or
(ii) the shares have been held from the date of original purchase for at least
six months.
Subject to the above rules regarding sales charges, you may have a specific
dollar amount of Class A shares of United Cash Management, Inc. automatically
exchanged each month into Class A shares of the Fund or any other fund in the
United Group. The shares of United Cash Management, Inc. which you designate
for automatic exchange must be worth at least $100 or you must own Class A
shares of the fund in the United Group into which you want to exchange. The
minimum value of shares which you may designate for automatic exchange monthly
is $100, which may be allocated among the Class A shares of different funds in
the United Group so long as each fund receives a value of at least $25. Minimum
initial investment and minimum balance requirements apply to such automatic
exchange service.
You may redeem your Class A shares of a Fund and use the proceeds to
purchase Class Y shares of that Fund if you meet the criteria for purchasing
Class Y shares.
Class Y Share Exchanges
Class Y shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class Y shares of any other
fund in the United Group.
General Exchange Information
When you exchange shares, the total shares you receive will have the same
aggregate net asset value as the total shares you exchange. The relative values
are those next figured after your exchange request is received in good order.
These exchange rights and other exchange rights concerning the other funds
in the United Group can in most instances be eliminated or modified at any time
and any such exchange may not be accepted.
Retirement Plans
As described in the Prospectus for Class A shares, your account may be set
up as a funding vehicle for a retirement plan. For individual taxpayers meeting
certain requirements, Waddell & Reed, Inc. offers prototype documents for the
following retirement plans. All of these plans involve investment in shares of
a Fund (or shares of certain other funds in the United Group).
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Investors having earned income may
set up a plan that is commonly called an IRA. Under an IRA, an investor can
contribute each year up to 100% of his or her earned income, up to an annual
maximum of $2,000. For tax years after 1996, the annual maximum is $4,000
($2,000 for each spouse) or, if less, the couple's combined earned income for
the taxable year, even if one spouse had no earned income. The contributions
are deductible unless the investor (or, if married, either spouse) is an active
participant in a qualified retirement plan or if, notwithstanding that the
investor or one or both spouses so participate, their adjusted gross income does
not exceed certain levels.
An investor may also use an IRA to receive a rollover contribution that is
either (a) a direct rollover distribution from an employer's plan or (b) a
rollover of an eligible distribution paid to the investor from an employer's
plan or another IRA. To the extent a rollover contribution is made to an IRA,
the distribution will not be subject to Federal income tax until distributed
from the IRA. A direct rollover generally applies to any distribution from an
employer's plan (including a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) of the
Code, but not an IRA) other than certain periodic payments, required minimum
distributions and other specified distributions. In a direct rollover, the
eligible rollover distribution is paid directly to the IRA, not to the investor.
If, instead, an investor receives payment of an eligible rollover distribution,
all or a portion of that distribution generally may be rolled over to an IRA
within 60 days after receipt of the distribution. Because mandatory Federal
income tax withholding applies to any eligible rollover distribution which is
not paid in a direct rollover, investors should consult their tax advisers or
pension consultants as to the applicable tax rules. If you already have an IRA,
you may have the assets in that IRA transferred directly to an IRA offered by
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans. Employers can make contributions
to SEP-IRAs established for employees. Generally an employer may contribute up
to 15% of compensation or $24,000, whichever is less, per year for each
employee.
Keogh Plans. Keogh plans, which are available to self-employed
individuals, are defined contribution plans that may be either a money purchase
plan or a profit sharing plan. As a general rule, an investor under a defined
contribution Keogh plan can contribute each year up to 25% of his or her annual
earned income, with an annual maximum of $30,000.
457 Plans. If an investor is an employee of a state or local government or
of certain types of charitable organizations, he or she may be able to enter
into a deferred compensation arrangement in accordance with Section 457 of the
Code.
TSAs - Custodial Accounts and Title I Plans. If an investor is an employee
of a public school system or of certain types of charitable organizations, he or
she may be able to enter into a deferred compensation arrangement through a
custodian account under Section 403(b) of the Code. Some organizations have
adopted Title I plans, which are funded by employer contributions in addition to
employee deferrals.
401(k) Plans. With a 401(k) plan, employees can make tax-deferred
contributions into a plan to which the employer may also contribute, usually on
a matching basis. An employee may defer each year up to 25% of compensation,
subject to certain annual maximums, which may be increased each year based on
cost-of-living adjustments.
More detailed information about these arrangements and applicable forms are
available from Waddell & Reed, Inc. These plans may involve complex tax
questions as to premature distributions and other matters. Investors should
consult their tax adviser or pension consultant.
Redemptions
The Prospectus gives information as to redemption procedures. Redemption
payments are made within seven days unless delayed because of emergency
conditions determined by the SEC, when the NYSE is closed other than for
weekends or holidays, or when trading on the NYSE is restricted. Payment is
made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions redemptions may be made in
portfolio securities. Payment for redemptions of shares of the Fund may be made
in portfolio securities when the Fund's Board of Directors determines that
conditions exist making cash payments undesirable. Securities used for payment
of redemptions are valued at the value used in figuring net asset value. There
would be brokerage costs to the redeeming shareholder in selling such
securities. The Fund, however, has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under
the 1940 Act, pursuant to which it is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash
up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net asset value during any 90-day
period for any one shareholder.
Reinvestment Privilege
The Prospectus for Class A shares discusses the reinvestment privilege for
Class A shares under which, if you redeem your Class A shares and then decide it
was not a good idea, you may reinvest. If Class A shares of the Fund are then
being offered, you can put all or part of your redemption payment back into
Class A shares of the Fund without any sales charge at the net asset value next
determined after you have returned the amount. Your written request to do this
must be received within 30 days after your redemption request was received. You
can do this only once as to Class A shares of the Fund. You do not use up this
privilege by redeeming Class A shares to invest the proceeds at net asset value
in a Keogh plan or an IRA.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The day-to-day affairs of the Fund are handled by outside organizations
selected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has responsibility
for establishing broad corporate policies for the Fund and for overseeing
overall performance of the selected experts. It has the benefit of advice and
reports from independent counsel and independent auditors.
The principal occupation during at least the past five years of each
Director and officer of the Fund is given below. Each of the persons listed
through and including Mr. Wise is a member of the Fund's Board of Directors.
The other persons are officers but not members of the Board of Directors. For
purposes of this section, the term "Fund Complex" includes each of the
registered investment companies in the United Group of Mutual Funds, TMK/United
Funds, Inc. and Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. Each of the Fund's Directors is also
a Director of each of the other funds in the Fund Complex and each of the Fund's
officers is also an officer of one or more of the funds in the Fund Complex.
RONALD K. RICHEY*
2001 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund and each of the other funds
in the Fund Complex; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc., United Investors Management Company and United
Investors Life Insurance Company; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of Torchmark Corporation; Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.; formerly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Waddell & Reed, Inc. Father of Linda Graves, Director of the Fund and each of
the other funds in the Fund Complex. Date of birth: June 16, 1926.
KEITH A. TUCKER*
President of the Fund and each of the other funds in the Fund Complex;
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Waddell & Reed Financial
Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors of WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed,
Inc., Waddell & Reed Services Company, Waddell & Reed Asset Management Company
and Torchmark Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of
United Investors Management Company; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Torchmark Corporation; Director of Southwestern Life Corporation; formerly,
partner in Trivest, a private investment concern; formerly, Director of Atlantis
Group, Inc., a diversified company. Date of birth: February 11, 1945.
HENRY L. BELLMON
Route 1
P. O. Box 26
Red Rock, Oklahoma 74651
Rancher; Professor, Oklahoma State University; formerly, Governor of
Oklahoma. Date of birth: September 3, 1921.
DODDS I. BUCHANAN
905 13th Street
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Advisory Director, The Hand Companies, an actuarial consulting company;
President, Buchanan Ranch Corporation; formerly, Professor and Chairman of
Marketing, College of Business, University of Colorado. Date of birth: April
18, 1931.
JAMES M. CONCANNON
950 Docking Road
Topeka, Kansas 66615
Dean and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law. Date of
birth: October 2, 1947.
JOHN A. DILLINGHAM
4040 Northwest Claymont Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64116
Director and consultant, McDougal Construction Company; formerly Senior
Vice President-Sales and Marketing, Garney Companies, Inc., a specialty utility
contractor. Date of birth: January 9, 1939.
LINDA GRAVES*
1 South West Cedar Crest Road
Topeka, Kansas 66606
First Lady of Kansas; formerly, partner, Levy and Craig, P.C., a law firm.
Daughter of Ronald K. Richey, Chairman of the Board of the Fund and each of the
other funds in the Fund Complex. Date of birth: July 29, 1953.
JOHN F. HAYES*
20 West 2nd Avenue
P. O. Box 2977
Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-2977
Director of Central Bank and Trust; Director of Central Kansas Bankshares;
Director of Central Properties, Inc.; Chairman, Gilliland & Hayes, P.A., a law
firm; formerly, President, Gilliland & Hayes, P.A. Date of birth: December 11,
1919.
GLENDON E. JOHNSON
7300 Corporate Center Drive
P. O. Box 020270
Miami, Florida 33126-1208
Director and Chief Executive Officer of John Alden Financial Corporation
and subsidiaries. Date of birth: February 19, 1924.
WILLIAM T. MORGAN*
928 Glorietta Blvd.
Coronado, California 92118
Retired; formerly, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the
Fund and each fund in the Fund Complex then in existence. (Mr. Morgan retired
as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the funds in the Fund
Complex then in existence on April 30, 1993); formerly, President, Director and
Chief Executive Officer of WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc.; formerly, Chairman
of the Board of Directors of Waddell & Reed Services Company; formerly, Director
of Waddell & Reed Asset Management Company, United Investors Management Company
and United Investors Life Insurance Company, affiliates of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Date of birth: April 27, 1928.
WILLIAM L. ROGERS
1999 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California 90067
Principal, Colony Capital, Inc., a real estate related investment company;
formerly, partner in Trivest, a private investment concern. Date of birth:
September 8, 1946.
FRANK J. ROSS, JR.*
700 West 47th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64112
Partner, Polsinelli, White, Vardeman & Shalton, a law firm. Date of birth:
April 9, 1953.
ELEANOR B. SCHWARTZ
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City; formerly, Interim
Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Date of birth: January 1,
1937.
FREDERICK VOGEL III
1805 West Bradley Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217
Retired. Date of birth: August 7, 1935.
PAUL S. WISE
P. O. Box 5248
8648 Silver Saddle Drive
Carefree, Arizona 85377
Director of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan. Date of birth: July 16,
1920.
Robert L. Hechler
Vice President and Principal Financial Officer of the Fund and each of the
other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President, Chief Operations Officer,
Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.; Executive
Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, Director and Treasurer of WRIMCO;
President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Director and
Treasurer of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed
Asset Management Company; President, Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed
Services Company; Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Torchmark
Distributors, Inc. Date of birth: November 12, 1936.
Henry J. Herrmann
Vice President of the Fund and each of the other funds in the Fund Complex;
Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc.; Director of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; President, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Director of WRIMCO and Waddell &
Reed Asset Management Company; Senior Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer of United Investors Management Company. Date of birth: December 8,
1942.
Theodore W. Howard
Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Fund and
each of the other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President of Waddell & Reed
Services Company. Date of birth: July 18, 1942.
Sharon K. Pappas
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Fund and each of the
other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel of WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Director, Senior Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel of Waddell & Reed Services Company;
Director, Secretary and General Counsel of Waddell & Reed Asset Management
Company; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Torchmark
Distributors, Inc.; formerly, Assistant General Counsel of WRIMCO, Waddell &
Reed Financial Services, Inc., Waddell & Reed, Inc., Waddell & Reed Asset
Management Company and Waddell & Reed Services Company. Date of birth:
February 9, 1959.
Carl E. Sturgeon
Vice President of the Fund and eleven other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice
President of WRIMCO; formerly, Vice President of Waddell & Reed, Inc. Date of
birth: July 24, 1934.
Thomas A. Mengel
Vice President of the Fund and two other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice
President of WRIMCO; formerly, President of Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie.
Securities, Inc.; formerly, Vice President of Hauck and Hope Securities. Date
of birth: April 13, 1957.
The address of each person is 6300 Lamar Avenue, P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee
Mission, Kansas 66201-9217 unless a different address is given.
As of the date of this SAI, six of the Fund's Directors may be deemed to be
"interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act of its underwriter, Waddell &
Reed, Inc., or of WRIMCO. The Directors who may be deemed to be interested
persons are indicated as such by an asterisk.
The Board of Directors has created an honorary position of Director
Emeritus, which position a director may elect after resignation from the Board
provided the director has attained the age of 75 and has served as a director of
the funds in the United Group for a total of at least five years. A Director
Emeritus receives fees in recognition of his or her past services whether or not
services are rendered in his or her capacity as Director Emeritus, but has no
authority or responsibility with respect to management of the Fund. Messrs.
Doyle Patterson and Jay B. Dillingham retired as Directors of the Fund and of
each of the funds in the Fund Complex effective January 1, 1997 and January 14,
1997, respectively, and each has elected a position as Director Emeritus.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, Mr. Patterson received total
compensation for his service as a Director of $47,000 from the Fund Complex and
the Fund and aggregate compensation from the Fund of $2,265. During the Fund's
fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, Mr. Dillingham received total compensation for
his service as a Director of $47,000 from the Fund Complex and the Fund and
aggregate compensation from the Fund of $2,265.
The Funds in the United Group, TMK/United Funds, Inc. and Waddell & Reed
Funds, Inc. pay to each Director a total of $44,000 per year, plus $1,000 for
each meeting of the Board of Directors attended (prior to April 1, 1996, the
Funds in the United Group (with the exception of United Asset Strategy Fund,
Inc.), TMK/United Funds, Inc. and Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. paid to each
Director a fee of $40,000 per year plus $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of
Directors attended) and $500 for each committee meeting attended which is not in
conjunction with a Board of Directors' meeting, other than Directors who are
affiliates of Waddell & Reed, Inc. The fees to the Directors who receive them
are divided among the funds in the United Group, TMK/United Funds, Inc. and
Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. based on their relative size.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Fund's Directors
received the following fees for service as a director:
COMPENSATION TABLE
Total
Aggregate Compensation
Compensation From Fund
From and Fund
Director Fund Complex*
------------ ------------
Ronald K. Richey $ 0 $ 0
Keith A Tucker 0 0
Henry L. Bellmon 2,265 47,000
Dodds I. Buchanan 2,265 47,000
Linda Graves 1,721 36,000
John F. Hayes 2,265 47,000
Glendon E. Johnson 2,265 47,000
William T. Morgan 2,265 47,000
Eleanor B. Schwartz 1,674 35,000
Frederick Vogel III 2,265 47,000
Paul S. Wise 2,265 47,000
*No pension or retirement benefits have been accrued as a part of Fund expenses.
Messrs. Rogers and Ross were elected as Directors on October 16, 1996.
Messrs. Concannon and Dillingham were elected as Directors on July 29, 1997.
The officers are paid by WRIMCO or its affiliates.
Shareholdings
As of June 30, 1997, all of the Fund's Directors and officers as a group
owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The following table
sets forth information with respect to the Fund, as of June 30, 1997, regarding
the beneficial ownership of the classes thereof of the Fund's shares.
Shares owned
Name and Address Beneficially
of Beneficial Owner Class or of Record Percent
- ------------------- ----- ------------ -------
United Investors Class Y 514,949 80.65%
Management Company
Savings & Investment Plan
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park KS 66201
Torchmark Corporation Class Y 62,612 9.81
Savings & Investment Plan
2001 Third Avenue South
Birmingham AL 35233
PAYMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
General
There are three sources for the payments the Fund makes to you as a
shareholder of a class of shares of the Fund, other than payments when you
redeem your shares. The first source is net investment income, which is derived
from the dividends, interest and earned discount on the securities the Fund
holds less expenses (which will vary by class). The second source is net
realized capital gains, which are derived from the proceeds received from the
Fund's sale of securities at a price higher than the Fund's tax basis (usually
cost) in such securities, less losses from sales of securities at a price lower
than the Fund's basis therein; these gains can be either long-term or short-
term, depending on how long the Fund has owned the securities before it sells
them. The third source is net realized gains from foreign currency
transactions. The payments made to shareholders from net investment income, net
short-term capital gains and net realized gains from certain foreign currency
transactions are called dividends.
The Fund pays distributions from net capital gains (the excess of net long-
term capital gains over net short-term capital losses). It may or may not have
such gains, depending on whether securities are sold and at what price. If the
Fund has net capital gains, it will pay distributions once each year, in the
latter part of the fourth calendar quarter, except to the extent it has net
capital losses from a prior year or years to offset the gains.
Choices You Have on Your Dividends and Distributions
On your application form, you can give instructions that (i) you want cash
for your dividends and distributions, (ii) you want your dividends and
distributions paid in shares of the Fund of the same class as that with respect
to which they were paid or (iii) you want cash for your dividends and want your
distributions paid in shares of the Fund of the same class as that with respect
to which they were paid. You can change your instructions at any time. If you
give no instructions, your dividends and distributions will be paid in shares of
the Fund of the same class as that with respect to which they were paid. All
payments in shares are at net asset value without any sales charge. The net
asset value used for this purpose is that computed as of the record date for the
dividend or distribution, although this could be changed by the Directors.
Even if you get dividends and distributions on Class A shares in cash, you
can thereafter reinvest them (or distributions only) in Class A shares of the
Fund at net asset value (i.e., no sales charge) next determined after receipt by
Waddell & Reed, Inc., of the amount clearly identified as a reinvestment. The
reinvestment must be within 45 days after the payment.
TAXES
General
In order to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company ("RIC") under the Code, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders for
each taxable year at least 90% of its investment company taxable income
(consisting generally of net investment income, net short-term capital gains and
net gains from certain foreign currency transactions) ("Distribution
Requirement") and must meet several additional requirements. These requirements
include the following: (1) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross
income each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures
contracts or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in securities or those currencies ("Income Requirement"); (2) the Fund
must derive less than 30% of its gross income each taxable year from the sale or
other disposition of securities, or any of the following, that were held for
less than three months -- options, futures contracts or forward contracts (other
than those on foreign currencies), or foreign currencies (or options, futures
contracts or forward contracts thereon) that are not directly related to the
Fund's principal business of investing in securities (or options and futures
contracts with respect to securities) ("Short-Short Limitation"); (3) at the
close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of
its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
Securities, securities of other RICs and other securities that are limited, in
respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of
the Fund's total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the
issuer's outstanding voting securities ("50% Diversification Requirement"); and
(4) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, not more than 25%
of the value of its total assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S.
Government Securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer.
Dividends and distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or
December of any year and payable to its shareholders of record on a date in any
of those months are deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by the
shareholders on December 31 of that year even if they are paid by the Fund
during the following January. Accordingly, those dividends and distributions
will be taxed to the shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less,
the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to
the extent of any distributions received on those shares. Investors also should
be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the record date for a
dividend or distribution, the investor will receive some portion of the purchase
price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax ("Excise Tax") to
the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially
all of its ordinary income for that year and capital gain net income for the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.
It is the Fund's policy to pay sufficient dividends and distributions each year
to avoid imposition of the Excise Tax. The Code permits the Fund to defer into
the next calendar year net capital losses incurred between November 1 and the
end of the current calendar year.
Income from Foreign Securities
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to income,
withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions
that would reduce the yield on its securities. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes,
however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains in
respect of investments by foreign investors.
Because more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close
of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund
will be eligible to, and may, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service
that will enable the shareholders, in effect, to receive the benefit of the
foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes
paid by the Fund. Pursuant to any such election, the Fund would treat those
taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders and each shareholder would be
required to (1) include in gross income, and treat as paid by the shareholder,
the shareholder's proportionate share of those taxes; (2) treat the
shareholder's share of those taxes and of any dividend paid by the Fund that
represents income from foreign or U.S. possessions sources as the shareholder's
own income from those sources; and (3) either deduct the taxes deemed paid by
the shareholder in computing the shareholder's taxable income or, alternatively,
use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax credit against the
shareholder's federal income tax. The Fund will report to its shareholders
shortly after each taxable year the share of its income from sources within, and
taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions if it makes this election.
The Fund may invest in the stock of "passive foreign investment companies"
("PFICs"). A PFIC is a foreign corporation that, in general, meets either of
the following tests: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an
average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for the production
of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund will be subject to
Federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" received on the
stock of a PFIC or of any gain on 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.
If the Fund invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified
electing fund" ("QEF"), then 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 QEF's annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain -- which
probably would have to be distributed by the Fund to satisfy the Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax -- even if those earnings and
gain were not distributed to the Fund by the QEF. In most instances it will be
very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because of certain
requirements thereof.
Pursuant to proposed regulations, open-end RICs, such as the Fund, would be
entitled to elect to "mark-to-market" their stock in certain PFICs. "Marking-
to-market," in this context, means recognizing as gain for each taxable year the
excess, as of the end of that year, of the fair market value of such a PFIC's
stock over the adjusted basis in that stock (including mark-to-market gain for
each prior year for which an election was in effect).
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
Gains or losses (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) from
the disposition of a debt security denominated in a foreign currency that are
attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition, and (3) that
are attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time
the Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or
other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund
actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities, generally are treated
as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code
as "section 988" gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the
Fund's investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders.
Income from Options, Futures and Forward Contracts and Foreign Currencies
The use of hedging and option income strategies, such as writing (selling)
and purchasing options and futures contracts and entering into forward
contracts, involves complex rules that will determine for income tax purposes
the character and timing of recognition of the gains and losses the Fund
realizes in connection therewith. Gains from the disposition of foreign
currencies (except certain gains that may be excluded by future regulations),
and gains from options, futures contracts and forward contracts derived by the
Fund with respect to its business of investing in securities or foreign
currencies, will qualify as permissible income under the Income Requirement.
However, income from the disposition of options, futures and forward contracts
(other than those on foreign currencies) will be subject to the Short-Short
Limitation if they are held for less than three months. Income from the
disposition of foreign currencies, and forward currency contracts thereon, that
are not directly related to the Fund's principal business of investing in
securities (or options and futures contracts with respect to securities) also
will be subject to the Short-Short Limitation if they are held for less than
three months.
If the Fund satisfies certain requirements, any increase in value of a
position that is part of a "designated hedge" will be offset by any decrease in
value (whether realized or not) of the offsetting hedging position during the
period of the hedge for purposes of determining whether the Fund satisfies the
Short-Short Limitation. Thus, only the net gain (if any) from the designated
hedge will be included in gross income for purposes of that limitation. The
Fund intends that, when it engages in hedging transactions, they will qualify
for this treatment, but at the present time it is not clear whether this
treatment will be available for all of the Fund's hedging transactions. To the
extent this treatment is not available, the Fund may be forced to defer the
closing out of certain options, futures contracts and forward contracts and/or
foreign currency positions beyond the time when it otherwise would be
advantageous to do so, in order for the Fund to continue to qualify as a RIC.
Any income the Fund earns from writing options is treated as short-term
capital gain. If the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will
have a short-term capital gain or loss based on the difference between the
premium it receives for the option it wrote and the premium it pays for the
option it buys. If an option written by the Fund lapses without being
exercised, the premium it received also will be a short-term capital gain. If
such an option is exercised and the Fund thus sells the securities subject to
the option, the premium the Fund receives will be added to the exercise price to
determine the gain or loss on the sale. The Fund will not write so many options
that it could fail to continue to qualify as a RIC.
Certain options and futures in which the Fund may invest may be "section
1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its
taxable year, other than section 1256 contracts that are part of a "mixed
straddle" with respect to which the Fund has made an election not to have the
following rules apply, are "marked-to-market" (that is, treated as sold for
their fair market value) for Federal income tax purposes, with the result that
unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized. Sixty
percent of any net gains or losses recognized on these deemed sales, and 60% of
any net realized gains or losses from any actual sales of section 1256
contracts, are treated as long-term capital gains or losses, and the balance are
treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Section 1256 contracts also may
be marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax and for other purposes. The
Fund may need to distribute any such gains to its shareholders to satisfy the
Distribution Requirement and/or avoid imposition of the Excise Tax even though
it may not have closed the transactions and received cash to pay the
distributions.
Code section 1092 (dealing with straddles) also may affect the taxation of
options and futures contracts in which the Fund may invest. That section
defines a "straddle" as offsetting positions with respect to personal property;
for these purposes, options and futures contracts are personal property.
Section 1092 generally provides that any loss from the disposition of a position
in a straddle may be deducted only to the extent the loss exceeds the unrealized
gain on the offsetting position(s) of the straddle. Section 1092 also provides
certain "wash sale" rules, that apply to transactions where a position is sold
at a loss and a new offsetting position is acquired within a prescribed period,
and "short sale" rules applicable to straddles. If the Fund makes certain
elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains and
losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that
vary according to the elections made. Because only a few of the regulations
implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences of
straddle transactions to the Fund are not entirely clear.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
One of the duties undertaken by WRIMCO pursuant to the Management Agreement
is to arrange the purchase and sale of securities for the portfolio of the Fund.
Transactions in securities other than those for which an exchange is the primary
market are generally done with dealers acting as principals or market makers.
Brokerage commissions are paid primarily for effecting transactions in
securities traded on an exchange and otherwise only if it appears likely that a
better price or execution can be obtained. The individual who manages the Fund
may manage other advisory accounts with similar investment objectives. It can
be anticipated that the manager will frequently place concurrent orders for all
or most accounts for which the manager has responsibility. Transactions
effected pursuant to such combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated
in accordance with the purchase or sale orders actually placed for each fund or
advisory account.
To effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund, WRIMCO is authorized to
engage broker-dealers ("brokers") which, in its best judgment based on all
relevant factors, will implement the policy of the Fund to achieve "best
execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the best price obtainable) for
reasonable and competitive commissions. WRIMCO need not seek competitive
commission bidding but is expected to minimize the commissions paid to the
extent consistent with the interests and policies of the Fund. Subject to
review by the Board of Directors, such policies include the selection of brokers
which provide execution and/or research services and other services, including
pricing or quotation services directly or through others ("brokerage services")
considered by WRIMCO to be useful or desirable for its investment management of
the Fund and/or the other funds and accounts over which WRIMCO or its affiliates
have investment discretion.
Brokerage services are, in general, defined by reference to Section 28(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as including (i) advice, either directly
or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the
availability of securities and purchasers or sellers; (ii) furnishing analyses
and reports; or (iii) effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). "Investment
discretion" is, in general, defined as having authorization to determine what
securities shall be purchased or sold for an account, or making those decisions
even though someone else has responsibility.
The commissions paid to brokers that provide such brokerage services may be
higher than another qualified broker would charge for effecting comparable
transactions if a good faith determination is made by WRIMCO that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the brokerage services provided. Subject to the
foregoing considerations, WRIMCO may also consider sales of Fund shares as a
factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions. No
allocation of brokerage or principal business is made to provide any other
benefits to WRIMCO or its affiliates.
The investment research provided by a particular broker may be useful only
to one or more of the other advisory accounts of WRIMCO and its affiliates and
investment research received for the commissions of those other accounts may be
useful both to the Fund and one or more of such other accounts. To the extent
that electronic or other products provided by such brokers to assist WRIMCO in
making investment management decisions are used for administration or other non-
research purposes, a reasonable allocation of the cost of the product
attributable to its non-research use is made by WRIMCO.
Such investment research (which may be supplied by a third party at the
instance of a broker) includes information on particular companies and
industries as well as market, economic or institutional activity areas. It
serves to broaden the scope and supplement the research activities of WRIMCO;
serves to make available additional views for consideration and comparisons; and
enables WRIMCO to obtain market information on the price of securities held in
the Fund's portfolio or being considered for purchase. The Fund may also use
its brokerage to pay for pricing or quotation services to value securities.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended June 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, it paid
brokerage commissions of $2,526,615, $466,998 and $2,475,162, respectively.
These figures do not include principal transactions or spreads or concessions on
principal transactions, i.e., those in which the Fund sells securities to a
broker-dealer firm or buys from a broker-dealer firm securities owned by it.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the transactions, other than
principal transactions, which were directed to broker-dealers who provided
research as well as execution totaled $1,559,325 on which $5,185 in brokerage
commissions were paid. These transactions were allocated to these broker-
dealers by the internal allocation procedures described above.
The Fund, WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc. have adopted a Code of Ethics
which imposes restrictions on the personal investing activities of their
employees, officers and interested directors.
Buying and Selling With Other Funds
The Fund and one or more of the other funds in the United Group, TMK/United
Funds, Inc. and Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. or accounts over which Waddell & Reed
Asset Management Company exercises investment discretion frequently buy or sell
the same securities at the same time. If this happens, the amount of each
purchase or sale is divided. This is done on the basis of the amount of
securities each fund or account wanted to buy or sell. Sharing in large
transactions could affect the price the Fund pays or receives or the amount it
buys or sells. However, sometimes a better negotiated commission is available.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Shares of the Fund
The Fund offers two classes of its shares: Class A and Class Y. Each
class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund and differ as
follows: each class of shares has exclusive voting rights on matters pertaining
to matters appropriately limited to that class; Class A shares are subject to an
initial sales charge and to an ongoing service fee; each class may bear
differing amounts of certain class-specific expenses; and each class has a
separate exchange privilege. The Fund does not anticipate that there will be
any conflicts between the interests of holders of the different classes of
shares of the Fund by virtue of those classes. On an ongoing basis, the Board
of Directors will consider whether any such conflict exists and, if so, take
appropriate action. Each share of the Fund is entitled to equal voting,
dividend, liquidation and redemption rights, except that due to the differing
expenses borne by the two classes, dividends and liquidation proceeds of Class A
shares are expected to be lower than for Class Y shares of the Fund. Each
fractional share of a class has the same rights, in proportion, as a full share
of that class.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS
Argentina - 0.20%
Corcemar S.A., Series B1* .............. 338,522 $ 1,658,758
Australia - 2.18%
News Corporation Limited ............... 563,180 2,972,540
Publishing & Broadcasting PBL .......... 1,000,000 4,864,787
Westpac Banking Corporation Limited .... 1,887,894 10,744,917
Total ................................. 18,582,244
Brazil - 1.08%
Telebras S.A., ADR ...................... 120,000 9,180,000
Denmark - 0.59%
Thorkild Kristensen .................... 66,450 5,028,013
Finland - 2.37%
Nokia Corporation, Series K ............ 350,000 20,258,949
France - 5.73%
Banque Nationale de Paris .............. 200,000 7,742,881
Compagnie Generale de Eaux ............. 85,000 10,537,529
Elf Aquitaine S.A. ..................... 100,000 9,105,983
Groupe Danone .......................... 25,000 3,484,875
Lagardere Groupe S.C.A. ................ 100,000 2,745,484
Louis Dreyfus Citrus* .................. 62,272 2,041,036
Societe Generale ....................... 40,000 4,326,450
Societe Industrielle de Transports
Automobiles S.A. ...................... 42,100 8,928,606
Total ................................. 48,912,844
Germany - 10.47%
CKAG Colonia Konzern AG ................ 77,000 6,356,191
Commerzbank AG ......................... 400,000 10,165,746
Daimler-Benz AG* ....................... 265,000 18,258,044
Depfa Bank ............................. 209,500 9,459,841
GILDEMEISTER Aktiengesellschaft* ....... 40,700 1,785,668
Hoechst AG ............................. 200,000 9,450,764
Mannesmann AG .......................... 31,700 13,743,191
Metallgesellschaft AG* ................. 350,000 7,166,071
Schering AG ............................ 100,000 8,443,289
VBH Holding AG ......................... 205,000 4,570,361
Total ................................. 89,399,166
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
Hong Kong - 9.82%
Amoy Properties Ltd. ................... 6,000,000 $ 8,649,557
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. .............. 1,300,000 11,555,369
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings
Limited* .............................. 2,000,000 5,300,924
Dah Sing Financial Holdings Ltd. ....... 1,299,800 5,276,840
Dongfang Electrical Machinery
Co., Ltd. ............................. 9,106,000 3,178,770
First Pacific Company Limited .......... 6,000,000 7,796,238
Guangdong Corporation Limited ..........10,000,000 9,632,168
Guangdong Tannery Ltd.* ................ 500,000 126,059
Guangzhou Investment Company Ltd. ......26,000,000 12,437,779
HSBC Holdings plc ...................... 400,000 8,559,054
Hysan Development Company Limited ...... 1,000,000 3,982,158
JCG Holdings Ltd. ...................... 4,000,000 3,904,583
National Mutual Asia Ltd. .............. 3,634,000 3,453,345
Total ................................. 83,852,844
Indonesia - 1.23%
PT Bimantara Citra, F .................. 1,700,000 2,266,187
PT Semen Cibinong, F ................... 600,000 1,688,531
PT Semen Gresik, F ..................... 1,000,000 3,216,251
Pt Steady Safe Transportation Service, F 2,597,034 3,324,599
Total ................................. 10,495,568
Italy - 1.38%
Fila Holding S.p.A., ADR ............... 30,000 1,743,750
Mediolanum S.p.A.* ..................... 350,000 3,312,533
STET - Societa Financiaria
Telefonica p.a. ....................... 2,000,000 6,757,256
Total ................................. 11,813,539
Japan - 8.17%
Daiichi Corporation .................... 200,000 4,041,102
Eisai Co., Ltd. ........................ 400,000 7,874,968
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. .................. 250,000 7,145,324
Matsushita Electric Industrial ......... 1,000,000 16,319,834
NEC Corporation ........................ 1,000,000 12,088,766
Nintendo Corp., Ltd. ................... 150,000 10,737,415
Promise Co., Ltd. ...................... 80,000 3,937,484
Tokyo Electron Limited ................. 150,000 4,598,049
Xebio Co., Ltd. ........................ 100,000 2,979,017
Total ................................. 69,721,959
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
Mexico - 5.38%
bufete industrial, s.a., ADR* .......... 337,500 $ 7,171,875
Desc-Sociedad de Fomento Industrial,
S.A. de C.V., Class B* ................ 1,297,000 7,084,731
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora,
S.A. de C.V., ADS* .................... 728,000 10,647,000
Gruma, S.A., Class B* .................. 918,567 5,601,018
Grupo Financiero Banamex Accival, S.A. de
C.V., B, CPO Shares* .................. 700,000 1,477,896
Grupo Financiero Bancomer, S.A. de
C.V., B, CPO Shares* ..................15,279,600 6,114,169
Grupo Financiero Inbursa, S.A. de
C.V., Class B ......................... 531,168 1,815,094
Grupo Televisa, S.A., GDR* ............. 234,900 6,019,312
Total ................................. 45,931,095
Netherlands - 3.01%
Getronics N.V. ......................... 300,000 8,149,435
Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster N.V. .. 500,000 10,136,113
Vendex International N.V. .............. 173,000 7,404,981
Total ................................. 25,690,529
Norway - 1.81%
Orkla, Series A ........................ 118,700 8,259,425
Schibsted AS ........................... 392,000 7,202,164
Total ................................. 15,461,589
Portugal - 0.89%
Banco Totta & Acores, S.A. ............. 100,000 1,885,843
Portugal Telecom, S.A.,
Ordinary Shares ....................... 200,000 5,701,387
Total ................................. 7,587,230
Spain - 2.62%
Banco Santander, S.A. .................. 50,000 3,206,761
Corporation Financiero Alba, S.A. ...... 147,250 14,910,242
Gas Natural SDG, S.A. .................. 18,211 4,244,595
Total ................................. 22,361,598
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
Sweden - 12.15%
Astra AB, Class A ...................... 500,165 $ 24,545,741
Biacore International AB, ADR* ......... 100,000 2,187,500
Diligentia AB* ......................... 272,000 4,258,046
Frontec AB, Class B* ................... 275,000 4,725,499
Kinnevik AB, B Shares .................. 400,000 10,950,925
NCC AB, Series B ....................... 358,000 4,692,005
Nobel Biocare AS ....................... 200,000 3,494,976
Skandia Enskilda Banken, Class A ....... 2,720,000 27,726,809
Skandia Group Insurance Company Ltd.* .. 450,000 12,647,444
Sparbanken Sverige AB, Series A ........ 500,000 8,519,004
Total ................................. 103,747,949
Switzerland - 8.17%
ABB AG ................................. 5,000 6,220,578
Baloise Holdings ....................... 2,000 4,020,025
CS Holding, Registered Shares .......... 172,500 17,723,044
Novartis AG* ........................... 16,000 18,327,615
SMH Swiss Corporation .................. 20,000 12,329,074
Zurich Insurance Company ............... 40,000 11,118,583
Total ................................. 69,738,919
Thailand - 0.65%
Bank of Ayudhya Public Company
Limited (F) ........................... 700,000 1,650,750
Charoen Pokphand Feedmill .............. 209,900 760,893
Matichon Company Ltd. .................. 807,666 2,282,432
Thai Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. ......... 258,500 823,714
Total ................................. 5,517,789
United Kingdom - 9.03%
Abbey National plc ..................... 600,000 7,851,937
Boots Company PLC, F ................... 600,000 6,192,136
COLT Telecom Group plc, ADR* ........... 65,000 1,259,375
Corporate Services Group plc ........... 2,500,000 7,386,884
Dr Solomon's Group PLC, ADR* ........... 60,000 1,016,220
HSBC Holdings plc ...................... 300,000 6,706,006
Rolls-Royce plc ........................ 500,000 2,201,077
Siebe plc .............................. 200,000 3,713,569
Storehouse PLC ......................... 2,000,000 8,855,697
Tomkins plc ............................ 2,000,000 9,249,664
Vodafone Group Plc ..................... 3,600,000 15,231,113
Whitbread and Company, Public Limited
Company ............................... 550,000 7,414,291
Total ................................. 77,077,969
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - 86.93% $742,018,551
(Cost: $593,858,455)
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Shares Value
PREFERRED STOCKS
Brazil - 1.08%
Banco Itau S.A. ........................21,200,000 $ 9,186,326
Germany - 0.91%
Marschollek, Lautenschlager und
Partner AG............................. 56,190 7,815,834
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.99% $ 17,002,160
(Cost: $13,380,704)
Principal
Amount in
Thousands
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
Commercial Paper
Auto Repair, Services and Parking - 0.50%
PHH Corporation,
5.57%, 1-31-97 ........................ $ 4,295 4,275,064
Communication - 2.59%
Bell Atlantic Financial Services, Inc.,
5.33%, 1-24-97 ........................ 5,285 5,267,003
Dominion Resources, Inc.,
5.75%, 1-29-97 ........................ 12,000 11,946,333
GTE Corporation,
5.48%, 1-16-97 ........................ 4,870 4,858,880
Total ................................. 22,072,216
Depository Institutions - 0.01%
U.S. Bancorp,
Master Note ........................... 63 63,000
Electric, Gas and Sanitary Services - 2.87%
Carolina Power & Light,
5.32%, 2-4-97 ......................... 8,745 8,701,061
Pacific Gas and Electric Company,
5.57%, 1-17-97 ........................ 1,630 1,625,965
Pacificorp:
5.33%, 2-3-97 ......................... 5,580 5,552,737
5.35%, 2-4-97 ......................... 5,000 4,974,736
Public Service Electric and Gas Company,
5.6%, 1-9-97 .......................... 2,160 2,157,312
Western Resources, Inc.,
5.8%, 1-10-97 ......................... 1,500 1,497,825
Total ................................. 24,509,636
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Principal
Amount in
Thousands Value
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (Continued)
Commercial Paper (Continued)
Food and Kindred Products - 0.29%
General Mills, Inc.,
Master Note ........................... $ 186 $ 186,000
Heinz (H.J.) Company,
5.65%, 2-7-97 ......................... 2,335 2,321,441
Total ................................. 2,507,441
Instruments and Related Products - 0.17%
Baxter International Inc.,
5.53%, 1-17-97 ........................ 1,455 1,451,424
Metal Mining - 0.31%
BHP Finance (USA) Inc.,
5.35%, 1-14-97 ........................ 2,688 2,682,807
Textile Mill Products - 0.01%
Sara Lee Corporation,
Master Note ........................... 65 65,000
Transportation Equipment - 0.31%
Dana Credit Corporation,
5.57%, 2-7-97 ......................... 2,640 2,624,887
Total Commercial Paper - 7.06% 60,251,475
Commercial Paper (backed by irrevocable
bank letter of credit)
Depository Institutions - 0.82%
Banco Nacional de Commercio Exterior
S.N.C. (Societe General),
5.77%, 1-30-97 ........................ 7,035 7,002,301
Electric, Gas and Sanitary Services - 1.85%
AES Barbers Point Inc. (Bank of America
NT & SA):
5.57%, 1-10-97 ........................ 10,000 9,986,075
5.60%, 1-17-97 ........................ 5,830 5,815,490
Total ................................. 15,801,565
Total Commercial Paper (backed by irrevocable
bank letter of credit) - 2.67% 22,803,866
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 75.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Principal
Amount in
Thousands Value
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (Continued)
Municipal Obligations
Indiana - 0.70%
City of Whiting, Indiana, Industrial
Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal
Revenue Bonds (Amoco Oil Company
Project), Taxable Series 1995,
5.55%, 1-13-97 ........................ $ 6,000 $ 6,000,000
Oregon - 1.17%
City of Portland, Oregon, Pension Reserve
Limited Tax Revenue Bonds (Federally
Taxable), Series 1996 B (Union Bank of
Switzerland),
5.5%, 2-3-97 .......................... 10,000 10,000,000
Total Municipal Obligations - 1.87% 16,000,000
TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES - 11.60% $ 99,055,341
(Cost: $99,055,341)
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES - 100.52% $858,076,052
(Cost: $706,294,500)
LIABILITIES, NET OF CASH AND OTHER ASSETS - (0.52%) (4,457,536)
NET ASSETS - 100.00% $853,618,516
Notes to Schedule of Investments
*No income dividends were paid during the preceding 12 months.
See Note 1 to financial statements for security valuation and other significant
accounting policies concerning investments.
See Note 3 to financial statements for cost and unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of investments owned for Federal income tax purposes.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Assets
Investment securities -- at value (Notes 1 and 3) . $858,076,052
Cash ............................................ 1,794,584
Receivables:
Dividends and interest .......................... 1,635,916
Investment securities sold ...................... 1,528,545
Fund shares sold ................................ 1,300,765
Prepaid insurance premium ......................... 20,996
------------
Total assets .................................. 864,356,858
------------
Liabilities
Payable for investment securities purchased ...... 5,050,922
Payable for Fund shares redeemed ............ ..... 5,075,601
Accrued service fee (Note 2) ..................... 295,000
Accrued transfer agency and dividend
disbursing (Note 2) ............................. 189,559
Accrued accounting services fee (Note 2) ......... 7,083
Other ............................................ 120,177
------------
Total liabilities ............................. 10,738,342
------------
Total net assets ............................. $853,618,516
============
Net Assets
$1.00 par value capital stock
Capital stock ................................... $ 91,041,112
Additional paid-in capital ...................... 584,322,164
Accumulated undistributed income:
Accumulated undistributed net investment income 86,647
Accumulated net realized gain on
investment transactions ....................... 26,379,757
Net unrealized appreciation in value
of investments at end of period ............... 151,781,552
Net unrealized appreciation in value of foreign
currency exchange at end of period ............ 7,284
------------
Net assets applicable to outstanding
units of capital ............................. $853,618,516
============
Net asset value per share (net assets divided
by shares outstanding)
Class A .......................................... $9.38
Class Y .......................................... $9.38
Capital shares outstanding
Class A .......................................... 90,421,774
Class Y .......................................... 619,338
Capital shares authorized .......................... 400,000,000
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended DECEMBER 31, 1996
Investment Income
Income (Note 1B):
Dividends (net of foreign withholding
taxes of $443,905) ............................ $3,983,921
Interest ........................................ 2,234,452
-----------
Total income .................................. 6,218,373
-----------
Expenses (Note 2):
Investment management fee ....................... 2,821,497
Transfer agency and dividend
disbursing - Class A .......................... 1,015,006
Service fee - Class A ........................... 690,946
Custodian fees .................................. 455,257
Accounting services fee ......................... 42,500
Audit fees ...................................... 16,200
Legal fees ...................................... 6,393
Shareholder servicing - Class Y ................. 4,183
Other ........................................... 125,476
-----------
Total expenses ................................ 5,177,458
-----------
Net investment income ....................... 1,040,915
-----------
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments (Notes 1 and 3)
Realized net gain on securities .................. 41,545,227
Realized net gain on forward currency contracts .. 1,630,514
Realized net loss on foreign currency
transactions .................................... (197,403)
-----------
Realized net gain on investments ................ 42,978,338
-----------
Unrealized appreciation in value of securities
during the period................................ 22,682,721
Unrealized depreciation in value of foreign
currency exchange at end of period .............. (995)
-----------
Unrealized appreciation on investments .......... 22,681,726
-----------
Net gain on investments ....................... 65,660,064
-----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
operations ................................. $66,700,979
===========
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the For the
six months fiscal year
ended ended
December 31, June 30,
1996 1996
Increase in Net Assets ------------ ------------
Operations:
Net investment income ...............$ 1,040,915 $ 6,477,989
Realized net gain on investments .... 42,978,338 35,468,930
Unrealized appreciation ............. 22,681,726 39,040,862
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations ........ 66,700,979 80,987,781
------------ ------------
Dividends to shareholders from (Note 1F):*
Net investment income
Class A ........................... (4,349,685) (5,719,358)
Class Y ........................... (38,699) (22,311)
Realized gains on securities transactions
Class A ........................... (22,183,487) (46,756,060)
Class Y ........................... (151,819) (4,319)
------------ ------------
(26,723,690) (52,502,048)
------------ ------------
Capital share transactions
Proceeds from sale of shares:
Class A (30,563,842 and 47,085,595
shares, respectively) ............ 276,830,484 410,226,754
Class Y (62,863 and 591,404
shares, respectively) ............ 571,280 5,052,415
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends
and/or capital gains distribution:
Class A (2,902,022 and 6,447,921
shares, respectively)............. 26,147,096 51,649,557
Class Y (21,145 and 3,058
shares, respectively) ............ 190,519 26,631
Payments for shares redeemed:
Class A (29,230,321 and 45,588,818
shares, respectively) ............(266,140,190) (398,231,010)
Class Y (16,124 and 43,008
shares, respectively) ............ (145,779) (371,574)
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting
from capital share transactions 37,453,410 68,352,773
------------ ------------
Total increase ................. 77,430,699 96,838,506
Net Assets
Beginning of period .................. 776,187,817 679,349,311
------------ ------------
End of period ........................ $853,618,516 $776,187,817
============ ============
Undistributed net investment
income ............................ $86,647 $3,434,116
======= ==========
*See "Financial Highlights" on pages 79 - 80.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class A Shares
For a Share of Capital Stock Outstanding
Throughout Each Period:
For the
six
months For the fiscal year ended June 30,
ended ----------------------------------
12/31/96 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
-------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value,
beginning of
period ........... $8.95 $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10 $5.94
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income .......... .01 .08 .07 .04 .07 .08
Net realized and
unrealized gain on
investments ..... .73 .86 .60 2.32 .11 1.20
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total from investment
operations ...... .74 .94 .67 2.36 .18 1.28
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment
income .......... (0.05) (0.07) (0.04) (0.04) (0.07) (0.09)
Distribution from
capital gains ... (0.26) (0.60) (0.93) (0.50) (0.05) (0.03)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total distributions (0.31) (0.67) (0.97) (0.54) (0.12) (0.12)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net asset value,
end of period .... $9.38 $8.95 $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Total return* ...... 8.35% 11.70% 7.98% 33.31% 2.62% 21.59%
Net assets, end of
period (000
omitted) .........$847,811$771,252$679,349$572,456$336,382$322,534
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets ........... 1.29%** 1.25% 1.25% 1.20% 1.18% 1.18%
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets ........... 0.26%** 0.89% 0.86% 0.57% 1.07% 1.17%
Portfolio turnover
rate ............. 49.64% 58.64% 57.45% 83.76% 94.22% 112.82%
Average commission
rate paid ........ $0.0247
*Total return calculated without taking into account the sales load deducted on
an initial purchase.
**Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class Y Shares
For a Share of Capital Stock Outstanding
Throughout the Period:
For the For the
six period
months from 9/27/95*
ended through
12/31/96 6/30/96
-------- --------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $8.95 $9.21
------ ------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income .......... .03 .12
Net realized and
unrealized gain
on investments... .73 .30
------ ------
Total from investment
operations ........ .76 .42
------ ------
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment
income........... (0.07) (0.08)
Distribution from
capital gains.... (0.26) (0.60)
------ ------
Total distributions. (0.33) (0.68)
------ ------
Net asset value,
end of period ..... $9.38 $8.95
====== ======
Total return ....... 8.53% 5.44%
Net assets, end of
period (000
omitted) ......... $5,808 $4,936
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets ............ 1.02%** 0.98%**
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets ............ 0.53%** 2.60%**
Portfolio
turnover rate ..... 49.64% 58.64%**
Average commission
rate paid ........ $0.0247
*Commencement of operations.
**Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 1 -- Significant Accounting Policies
United International Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment
company. Its investment objective is the long-term appreciation of your
investment. Realization of income is a secondary goal. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in
the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
A. Security valuation -- Each stock and convertible bond is valued at the
latest sale price thereof on the last business day of the fiscal period as
reported by the principal securities exchange on which the issue is traded
or, if no sale is reported for a stock, the average of the latest bid and
asked prices. Bonds, other than convertible bonds, are valued using a
pricing system provided by a pricing service or dealer in bonds.
Convertible bonds are valued using this pricing system only on days when
there is no sale reported. Stocks which are traded over-the-counter are
priced using Nasdaq (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotations System) which provides information on bid and asked or closing
prices quoted by major dealers in such stocks. Securities for which
quotations are not readily available are valued as determined in good faith
in accordance with procedures established by and under the general
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors. Short-term debt securities
are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market.
B. Security transactions and related investment income -- Security
transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or
sell is executed). Securities gains and losses are calculated on the
identified cost basis. Original issue discount (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code), premiums on the purchase of bonds and post-1984 market
discount are amortized for both financial and tax reporting purposes over
the remaining lives of the bonds. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-
dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are
recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Interest
income is recorded on the accrual basis. See Note 3 -- Investment
Securities Transactions.
C. Foreign currency translations -- All assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars daily. Purchases and
sales of investment securities and accruals of income and expenses are
translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the
transaction. For assets and liabilities other than investments in
securities, net realized and unrealized gains and losses from foreign
currency translations arise from changes in currency exchange rates. The
Fund combines fluctuations from currency exchange rates and fluctuations in
market value when computing net realized and unrealized gain or loss from
investments.
D. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts -- A forward foreign currency
exchange contract (Forward Contract) is an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency at a future date at a fixed price. Forward Contracts are
"marked-to-market" daily at the applicable translation rates and the
resulting unrealized gains or losses are reflected in the Fund's financial
statements. Gains or losses are realized by the Fund at the time the
forward contract is extinguished. Contracts may be extinguished by either
entry into a closing transaction or by delivery of the currency. Risks may
arise from the possibility that the other party will not complete the
obligations of the contract and from unanticipated movements in the value
of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The Fund uses forward
contracts to attempt to reduce the overall risk of its investments.
E. Federal income taxes -- It is the Fund's policy to distribute all of its
taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders and otherwise qualify
as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code. In addition, the Fund intends to pay distributions as
required to avoid imposition of excise tax. Accordingly, provision has not
been made for Federal income taxes. See Note 4 -- Federal Income Tax
Matters.
F. Dividends and distributions -- Dividends and distributions to shareholders
are recorded by the Fund on the record date. Net investment income
distributions and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted
accounting principles. These differences are due to differing treatments
for items such as deferral of wash sales and post-October losses, foreign
currency transactions, net operating losses and expiring capital loss
carryforwards.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 -- Investment Management and Payments to Affiliated Persons
The Fund pays a fee for investment management services. The fee is
computed daily based on the net asset value at the close of business. The fee
consists of two elements: (i) a "Specific" fee computed on net asset value as of
the close of business each day at the annual rate of .30% of net assets and (ii)
a "Group" fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of all of the
funds in the United Group of mutual funds (approximately $15.1 billion of
combined net assets at December 31, 1996) at annual rates of .51% of the first
$750 million of combined net assets, .49% on that amount between $750 million
and $1.5 billion, .47% between $1.5 billion and $2.25 billion, .45% between
$2.25 billion and $3 billion, .43% between $3 billion and $3.75 billion, .40%
between $3.75 billion and $7.5 billion, .38% between $7.5 billion and $12
billion, and .36% of that amount over $12 billion. The Fund accrues and pays
this fee daily.
Pursuant to assignment of the Investment Management Agreement between the
Fund and Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R"), Waddell & Reed Investment Management
Company ("WRIMCO"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of W&R, serves as the Fund's
investment manager.
The Fund has an Accounting Services Agreement with Waddell & Reed Services
Company ("WARSCO"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of W&R. Under the agreement,
WARSCO acts as the agent in providing accounting services and assistance to the
Fund and pricing daily the value of shares of the Fund. For these services, the
Fund pays WARSCO a monthly fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee shown in the
following table.
Accounting Services Fee
Average
Net Asset Level Annual Fee
(all dollars in millions) Rate for Each Level
------------------------- -------------------
From $ 0 to $ 10 $ 0
From $ 10 to $ 25 $ 10,000
From $ 25 to $ 50 $ 20,000
From $ 50 to $ 100 $ 30,000
From $ 100 to $ 200 $ 40,000
From $ 200 to $ 350 $ 50,000
From $ 350 to $ 550 $ 60,000
From $ 550 to $ 750 $ 70,000
From $ 750 to $1,000 $ 85,000
$1,000 and Over $100,000
For Class A shares, the Fund also pays WARSCO a monthly per account charge
for transfer agency and dividend disbursement services of $1.3125 for each
shareholder account which was in existence at any time during the prior month,
plus $0.30 for each account on which a dividend or distribution of cash or
shares had a record date in that month. With respect to Class Y shares, the
Fund pays WARSCO a monthly fee at an annual rate of .15% of the average daily
net assets of the class for the preceding month. The Fund also reimburses W&R
and WARSCO for certain out-of-pocket costs.
As principal underwriter for the Fund's shares, W&R received direct and
indirect gross sales commissions for Class A shares (which are not an expense of
the Fund) of $1,663,049, out of which W&R paid sales commissions of $938,871 and
all expenses in connection with the sale of Fund shares, except for registration
fees and related expenses.
Under a Service Plan for Class A shares adopted by the Fund pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may pay monthly a
fee to W&R in an amount not to exceed .25% of the Fund's Class A average annual
net assets. The fee is to be paid to reimburse W&R for amounts it expends in
connection with the provision of personal services to Fund shareholders and/or
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
The Fund paid Directors' fees of $15,199.
W&R is an indirect subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, a holding company,
and United Investors Management Company, a holding company, and a direct
subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., a holding company.
NOTE 3 -- Investment Securities Transactions
Purchases of investment securities, other than U.S. Government and short-
term securities, aggregated $356,434,943 while proceeds from maturities and
sales aggregated $393,969,857. Purchases of short-term securities aggregated
$696,431,017 while proceeds from maturities and sales aggregated $638,288,576.
No U.S. Government securities were bought or sold during the period.
For Federal income tax purposes, cost of investments owned at December 31,
1996 was $706,294,500, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $151,781,552,
of which $168,844,914 related to appreciated securities and $17,063,362 related
to depreciated securities.
NOTE 4 -- Federal Income Tax Matters
For Federal income tax purposes, the Fund realized capital gain net income
of $38,813,642 during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, of which a portion
was paid to shareholders during the period ended June 30, 1996. Remaining
capital gain net income has been distributed to Fund shareholders.
Internal Revenue Code regulations permit the Fund to defer into its next
fiscal year net foreign currency losses, net capital losses or net long-term
capital losses incurred between each November 1 and the end of its fiscal year
("post-October losses"). From November 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996, the Fund
incurred foreign currency losses of $435,952, which will be deferred to the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1997.
NOTE 5 -- Commencement of Multiclass Operations
On July 4, 1995, the Fund was authorized to offer investors a choice of two
classes of shares, Class A and Class Y, each of which has equal rights as to
assets and voting privileges. Class Y shares are not subject to a sales charge
on purchases; they are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 Service Plan and have a
separate transfer agency and dividend disbursement services fee structure. A
comprehensive discussion of the terms under which shares of either class are
offered is contained in the prospectus and the Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund.
Income, non-class specific expenses and realized and unrealized gains and
losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the value of
relative net assets as of the beginning of each day adjusted for the prior day's
capital share activity.
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Shareholders,
United International Growth Fund, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the schedule of investments, of United International Growth Fund, Inc., as of
December 31, 1996, the related statements of operations and changes in net
assets for the six-month period then ended, and the financial highlights for the
six-month period then ended. These financial statements and the financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial
highlights based on our audit. The financial statements and the financial
highlights of the Fund for each of the years in the five-year period ended June
30, 1996 were audited by other auditors whose report, dated August 5, 1996,
expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements and financial highlights.
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 statements and the financial highlights
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at
December 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the United
International Growth Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the
six-month period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
February 7, 1997
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS
Argentina - 0.32%
Ciadea, S.A.* .......................... 135,136 $ 939,195
Corcemar, Class B Rights* .............. 302,820 5,420
Corcemar S.A., Series B1* .............. 338,522 1,574,129
Total ................................. 2,518,744
Australia - 3.66%
Advance Bank Australia Ltd. ............ 982,587 4,075,741
John Fairfax Holdings Ltd. ............. 1,500,000 3,122,761
News Corporation Limited ............... 563,180 3,189,952
Publishing & Broadcasting PBL .......... 1,000,000 4,399,361
Westpac Banking Corp. .................. 1,887,894 8,350,022
Woolworths Ltd. ........................ 2,200,000 5,305,944
Total ................................. 28,443,781
Brazil - 0.54%
Telebras S.A., ADR ...................... 60,000 4,177,500
Denmark - 3.75%
Copenhagen Airports A/S ................ 82,000 8,120,059
Danske Traelast ......................... 54,975 4,045,385
Tele Danmark A/S ....................... 250,000 12,591,555
Thorkild Kristensen .................... 66,450 4,322,523
Total ................................. 29,079,522
Finland - 3.04%
Nokia Corporation, Series K ............ 512,200 18,783,840
Tampella OY* ........................... 2,503,167 4,787,360
Total ................................. 23,571,200
France - 4.94%
Christian Dior S.A. .................... 30,000 3,908,529
Guyenne et Gascogne .................... 18,780 6,723,054
Lapeyre S.A. ........................... 197,985 11,607,451
Societe Industrielle de Transports
Automobiles S.A. ...................... 42,100 10,405,067
Television Francais 1-TF1 S.A. ......... 50,000 5,716,953
Total ................................. 38,361,054
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS (Continued)
Germany - 5.68%
Daimler-Benz AG* ....................... 13,000 $ 6,963,828
Daimler-Benz AG, Rights* ............... 10,000 1,381
Depfa Bank ............................. 300,000 11,857,941
GILDEMEISTER Aktiengesellschaft* ....... 59,750 2,554,258
Mannesmann AG .......................... 31,700 10,966,261
Metallgesellschaft AG* ................. 200,000 3,439,658
TRAUB AG (B)* .......................... 47,000 3,044,722
Vereinigter Baubeschlag-Handel
Aktiengesellschaft..................... 20,000 5,261,427
Total ................................. 44,089,476
Hong Kong - 6.24%
Dongfang Electrical Machinery
Co., Ltd. ............................. 9,106,000 2,282,972
First Pacific Company Limited ..........11,094,000 17,061,075
Guangdong Corporation Limited ..........10,000,000 6,332,386
Guangzhou Investment Company Ltd. ......26,000,000 6,552,081
HSBC Holdings Plc ...................... 400,000 6,048,074
Harbin Power Equipment Company Limited,
H Shares .............................. 598,000 89,646
Peregrine Investments Holdings, Ltd. ... 7,000,000 10,086,586
Total ................................. 48,452,820
Indonesia - 0.82%
PT Bimantara Citra, F .................. 1,700,000 2,137,340
PT Semen Cibinong, F ................... 600,000 1,308,839
Pt Steady Safe Transportation Service, F 2,126,500 2,924,921
Total ................................. 6,371,100
Ireland - 0.40%
Allied Irish Banks plc ................. 600,000 3,141,717
Italy - 2.47%
Mediolanum S.p.A.* ..................... 350,000 3,476,225
Parmalat Finanziaria SPA ............... 2,500,000 3,339,321
STET - Societa Financiaria
Telefonica p.a. ....................... 2,900,000 7,633,573
Telecom Italia Mobile Risp* ............ 3,500,000 4,757,348
Total ................................. 19,206,467
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS (Continued)
Japan - 12.16%
Amway Japan ............................ 75,000 $ 3,770,222
Dai-ni Denden Corporation .............. 1,050 9,174,664
Daiichi Corporation .................... 150,000 4,359,748
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. .................. 350,000 9,085,093
Japan Airport Terminal Co. ............. 100,000 1,416,690
Matsushita Electric Industrial ......... 500,000 9,322,731
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. ...... 300,000 2,613,107
Mitsubishi Motors ...................... 500,000 4,387,168
Promise Co., Ltd. ...................... 60,000 2,961,338
Sankyo Co., Ltd. ....................... 600,000 15,574,445
Sony Corporation ....................... 220,000 14,497,761
TDK Corp. .............................. 225,000 13,449,410
Xebio Co., Ltd. ........................ 100,000 3,756,512
Total ................................. 94,368,889
Mexico - 6.44%
bufete industrial, s.a., ADR* .......... 337,500 5,864,063
Cemex, S.A., CPO Shares, Series A ...... 923,750 3,296,491
Desc-Sociedad de Fomento Industrial,
S.A. de C.V., Class B* ................ 1,297,000 7,011,274
Desc-Sociedad de Fomento Industrial,
S.A. de C.V., Class C* ............... 4,770 24,903
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora,
S.A. de C.V., ADS* .................... 728,000 10,101,000
Fomento Economico Mexicano,
S.A. de C.V., Class B ................. 1,760,000 5,001,322
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V., Series 1A* .. 750,000 5,333,069
Grupo Financiero Bancomer, S.A. de
C.V., B, CPO Shares* ..................15,279,600 6,664,377
Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.,
ADR ................................... 200,000 6,700,000
Total ................................. 49,996,499
Netherlands - 4.66%
Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster N.V.* . 350,000 6,260,263
Koninklijke PTT Nederland NV ........... 350,000 13,259,442
Vendex International N.V. .............. 253,500 8,845,443
Verenigd Bezit VNU* .................... 500,000 7,770,350
Total ................................. 36,135,498
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS (Continued)
Norway - 2.93%
Fokus Bank A.S.* ....................... 1,000,000 $ 5,455,134
Orkla, Series A ........................ 118,700 6,255,744
Schibsted AS ........................... 331,200 4,287,180
UNI Storebrand AS, Series A* ........... 1,500,000 6,749,572
Total ................................. 22,747,630
Philippines - 0.16%
Pilipino Telephone Corporation* ........ 800,500 1,222,604
Portugal - 0.34%
Portugal Telecom, S.A.,
Ordinary Shares* ...................... 100,000 2,617,175
Spain - 5.05%
Corporacion Bancaria de Espana, S.A. ... 303,000 13,236,715
Corporation Financiero Alba, S.A. ...... 147,250 12,266,998
Gas Natural SDG, S.A. .................. 15,211 3,197,686
Grupo Uralita S.A. ..................... 235,506 2,208,559
Iberdrola .............................. 450,000 4,624,492
Telefonica de Espana, S.A. ............. 200,000 3,688,653
Total ................................. 39,223,103
Sweden - 12.33%
Astra AB, Class A ...................... 500,165 22,135,875
Catena, Series A ....................... 700,000 6,661,229
Frontec AB, Class B* ................... 90,000 1,107,939
Kinnevik AB, B Shares .................. 400,000 12,144,281
NCC AB, Series B ....................... 358,000 3,677,119
NetCom Systems AB, Class B* ............ 400,000 4,531,448
Nobel Biocare AS ....................... 200,000 3,715,788
Skandia Enskilda Banken, Class A ....... 2,720,000 21,775,119
Skandia Group Insurance Company Ltd.* .. 150,000 3,976,346
Sparbanken Sverige AB, Series A ........ 500,000 6,495,076
Stadshypotek, Class A .................. 200,000 4,471,029
Tidnings AB Marieberg, Series A, F ..... 100,000 2,507,401
WM-data AB, Class B .................... 40,000 2,537,611
Total ................................. 95,736,261
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Shares Value
COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS (Continued)
Switzerland - 5.98%
Adia SA, Bearer Shares ................. 26,500 $ 6,657,332
CS Holding, Registered Shares .......... 115,000 10,948,876
Ciba-Geigy AG, Registered .............. 12,300 15,007,201
SMH Swiss Corporation .................. 13,000 9,048,724
Societe Internationale Pirelli* ........ 40,000 4,736,379
Total ................................. 46,398,512
Thailand - 1.68%
Charoen Pokphand Feedmill .............. 900,000 5,147,929
Matichon Company Ltd. .................. 807,666 6,244,676
Thai Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. ......... 258,500 1,611,164
Total ................................. 13,003,769
United Kingdom - 8.62%
HSBC Holdings Plc ...................... 300,000 4,699,293
Kingfisher plc ......................... 750,000 7,534,953
Next plc ............................... 2,050,000 17,935,481
Shandwick PLC .......................... 1,450,000 1,171,715
Storehouse PLC ......................... 1,400,000 6,944,511
THORN EMI plc .......................... 275,000 7,666,655
Tomkins plc ............................ 2,000,000 7,521,356
Vodafone Group Plc ..................... 3,600,000 13,398,581
Total ................................. 66,872,545
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS AND RIGHTS - 92.21% $715,735,866
(Cost: $590,534,052)
PREFERRED STOCKS
Brazil - 1.11%
Banco Itau S.A. ........................21,200,000 8,594,024
Germany - 0.68%
Marschollek, Lautenschlager und
Partner AG............................. 5,000 5,261,427
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.79% $ 13,855,451
(Cost: $12,630,174)
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Face
Amount in
Thousands Value
UNREALIZED GAIN ON OPEN FORWARD
CURRENCY CONTRACTS - 0.34%
Deutsche Marks, 10-2-96 (B) ............ DM53,000 $ 1,272,998
Japanese Yen, 10-2-96 (B) ..............Y3,800,000 1,398,742
Total ................................. $ 2,671,740
Principal
Amount in
Thousands
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
Chemicals and Allied Products - 1.97%
Air Products & Chemicals Inc.,
5.38%, 8-12-96 ........................ $1,675 1,664,487
Ciba-Geigy PLC,
5.35%, 7-10-96 ........................ 7,800 7,789,567
Procter & Gamble Company (The),
5.35%, 8-12-96 ........................ 5,875 5,838,330
Total ................................. 15,292,384
Communication - 0.94%
NYNEX Corporation,
5.32%, 7-16-96 ........................ 7,335 7,318,741
Depository Institutions - 0.51%
Commonwealth Bank of Australia,
5.31%, 7-5-96 ......................... 3,975 3,972,655
Food and Kindred Products - 0.01%
General Mills, Inc.,
Master Note ........................... 89 89,000
Instruments and Related Products - 0.10%
Raytheon Company,
5.3%, 7-8-96 .......................... 745 744,232
Nondepository Institutions - 1.14%
Island Finance Puerto Rico Inc.,
5.31%, 7-12-96 ........................ 8,850 8,835,641
Security and Commodity Brokers - 0.35%
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
5.36%, 7-31-96 ........................ 2,735 2,722,784
TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES - 5.02% $ 38,975,437
(Cost: $38,975,437)
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES - 99.36% $771,238,494
(Cost: $642,139,663)
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.64% 4,949,323
NET ASSETS - 100.00% $776,187,817
See Notes to Schedule of Investments on page 92.
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENTS OF
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
JUNE 30, 1996
Notes to Schedule of Investments
*No income dividends were paid during the preceding 12 months.
(A) Affiliate as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 by reason of
ownership by the Fund of 5% or more of its outstanding voting securities.
(B) Principal amounts are denominated in the indicated foreign currency where
applicable (DM - Deutsche Mark, Y - Japanese Yen).
See Note 1 to financial statements for security valuation and other significant
accounting policies concerning investments.
See Note 3 to financial statements for cost and unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of investments owned for Federal income tax purposes.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JUNE 30, 1996
Assets
Investment securities -- at value (Notes 1 and 3) . $771,238,494
Receivables:
Fund shares sold ................................ 6,151,181
Investment securities sold ...................... 5,373,193
Dividends and interest .......................... 2,956,879
Prepaid insurance premium ......................... 16,726
------------
Total assets .................................. 785,736,473
------------
Liabilities
Payable for investment securities purchased ...... 7,389,984
Payable for Fund shares redeemed ............ ..... 1,391,330
Accrued service fee .............................. 252,478
Accrued transfer agency and dividend disbursing .. 188,061
Due to custodian ................................. 25,626
Accrued accounting services fee ................... 7,083
Other ............................................ 294,094
------------
Total liabilities ............................. 9,548,656
------------
Total net assets ............................. $776,187,817
============
Net Assets
$1.00 par value capital stock
Capital stock ................................... $ 86,737,685
Additional paid-in capital ...................... 551,172,181
Accumulated undistributed income:
Accumulated undistributed net investment income . 3,434,116
Accumulated net realized gain on
investment transactions ....................... 5,736,725
Net unrealized appreciation in value
of investments at end of period ............... 126,427,091
Net unrealized appreciation in value of foreign
currency exchange at end of period ............ 2,680,019
------------
Net assets applicable to outstanding
units of capital ............................. $776,187,817
============
Net asset value per share (net assets divided
by shares outstanding)
Class A .......................................... $8.95
Class Y .......................................... $8.95
Capital shares outstanding
Class A .......................................... 86,186,231
Class Y .......................................... 551,454
Capital shares authorized .......................... 400,000,000
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Fiscal Year Ended JUNE 30, 1996
Investment Income
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign withholding
taxes of $1,567,766) .......................... $13,303,132
Interest ........................................ 2,217,375
-----------
Total income .................................. 15,520,507
-----------
Expenses (Note 2):
Investment management fee ....................... 5,147,703
Transfer agency and dividend
disbursing - Class A .......................... 1,607,898
Service fee - Class A ........................... 1,156,620
Custodian fees .................................. 792,933
Accounting services fee ......................... 72,500
Audit fees ...................................... 36,775
Legal fees ...................................... 9,485
Shareholder servicing - - Class Y ............... 2,704
Other ........................................... 215,900
-----------
Total expenses ................................ 9,042,518
-----------
Net investment income ....................... 6,477,989
-----------
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
Realized net gain on securities .................. 31,888,044
Realized net gain on forward currency contracts .. 4,379,792
Realized net loss on foreign currency
transactions .................................... (798,906)
-----------
Realized net gain on investments ................ 35,468,930
-----------
Unrealized appreciation in value of securities
during the period................................ 36,534,342
Unrealized appreciation on open forward
currency contracts during the period ............ 2,545,806
Unrealized depreciation in value of foreign
currency exchange at end of period .............. (39,286)
-----------
Unrealized appreciation on investments .......... 39,040,862
-----------
Net gain on investments ....................... 74,509,792
-----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
operations ................................. $80,987,781
===========
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the fiscal year ended
June 30,
-------------------------
1996 1995
Increase in Net Assets ------------ ------------
Operations:
Net investment income ...............$ 6,477,989 $ 5,413,297
Realized net gain on investments .... 35,468,930 24,452,115
Unrealized appreciation ............. 39,040,862 16,770,945
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations ........ 80,987,781 46,636,357
------------ ------------
Dividends to shareholders from:*
Net investment income
Class A ........................... (5,719,358) (3,007,607)
Class Y ........................... (22,311) ---
Realized gains on securities transactions
Class A ........................... (46,756,060) (64,022,607)
Class Y ........................... (4,319) ---
.................................. ------------ ------------
(52,502,048) (67,030,214)
------------ ------------
Capital share transactions
Proceeds from sale of shares:
Class A (47,085,595 and
17,238,289 shares,
respectively) .................... 410,226,754 152,187,285
Class Y (591,404 and 0
shares, respectively) ............ 5,052,415 ---
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends
and/or capital gains distribution:
Class A (6,447,921 and 7,967,530
shares, respectively)............. 51,649,557 66,005,451
Class Y (3,058 and 0
shares, respectively) ............ 26,631 ---
Payments for shares redeemed:
Class A (45,588,818 and 10,746,945
shares, respectively) ............(398,231,010) (90,905,631)
Class Y (43,008 and 0
shares, respectively) ............ (371,574) ---
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from capital share
transactions .................... 68,352,773 127,287,105
------------ ------------
Total increase ................. 96,838,506 106,893,248
Net Assets
Beginning of period .................. 679,349,311 572,456,063
------------ ------------
End of period, including undistributed
net investment income of $3,434,116
and $3,496,702, respectively.........$776,187,817 $679,349,311
============ ============
*See "Financial Highlights" on pages 96 - 97.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class A Shares
For a Share of Capital Stock Outstanding
Throughout Each Period:
For the fiscal year ended June 30,
----------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value,
beginning of
period ........... $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10 $5.94
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income .......... .08 0.07 .04 .07 .08
Net realized and
unrealized gain on
investments ..... .86 0.60 2.32 .11 1.20
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total from investment
operations ...... .94 0.67 2.36 .18 1.28
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment
income .......... (0.07) (0.04) (0.04) (0.07) (0.09)
Distribution from
capital gains ... (0.60) (0.93) (0.50) (0.05) (0.03)
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total distributions (0.67) (0.97) (0.54) (0.12) (0.12)
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net asset value,
end of period .... $8.95 $8.68 $8.98 $7.16 $7.10
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Total return* ...... 11.70% 7.98% 33.31% 2.62% 21.59%
Net assets, end of
period (000
omitted) ......... $771,252$679,349$572,456$336,382$322,534
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets ........... 1.25% 1.25% 1.20% 1.18% 1.18%
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets ........... 0.89% 0.86% 0.57% 1.07% 1.17%
Portfolio turnover
rate ............. 58.64% 57.45% 83.76% 94.22% 112.82%
*Total return calculated without taking into account the sales load deducted on
an initial purchase.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class Y Shares
For a Share of Capital Stock Outstanding
Throughout the Period:
For the
period
from 9/27/95
through
6/30/96*
--------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $9.21
------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment
income .......... .12
Net realized and
unrealized gain
on investments... .30
------
Total from investment
operations ........ .42
------
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment
income........... (0.08)
Distribution from
capital gains.... (0.60)
------
Total distributions. (0.68)
------
Net asset value,
end of period ..... $8.95
======
Total return ....... 5.44%
Net assets, end of
period (000
omitted) ......... $4,936
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets ............ 0.98%**
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets ............ 2.60%**
Portfolio
turnover rate ..... 58.64%**
*On July 4, 1995, the Fund began offering Class Y shares to the public.
Fund shares outstanding prior to that date were designated Class A
shares.
**Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 1996
NOTE 1 -- Significant Accounting Policies
United International Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment
company. Its investment objective is the long-term appreciation of your
investment. Realization of income is a secondary goal. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in
the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
A. Security valuation -- Each stock and convertible bond is valued at the
latest sale price thereof on the last business day of the fiscal period as
reported by the principal securities exchange on which the issue is traded
or, if no sale is reported for a stock, the average of the latest bid and
asked prices. Bonds, other than convertible bonds, are valued using a
pricing system provided by a pricing service or dealer in bonds.
Convertible bonds are valued using this pricing system only on days when
there is no sale reported. Stocks which are traded over-the-counter are
priced using Nasdaq (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotations System) which provides information on bid and asked or closing
prices quoted by major dealers in such stocks. Securities for which
quotations are not readily available are valued as determined in good faith
in accordance with procedures established by and under the general
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors. Short-term debt securities
are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market.
B. Security transactions and related investment income -- Security
transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or
sell is executed). Securities gains and losses are calculated on the
identified cost basis. Original issue discount (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code), premiums on the purchase of bonds and post-1984 market
discount are amortized for both financial and tax reporting purposes over
the remaining lives of the bonds. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-
dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are
recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Interest
income is recorded on the accrual basis. See Note 3 -- Investment
Securities Transactions.
C. Foreign currency translations -- All assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars daily. Purchases and
sales of investment securities and accruals of income and expenses are
translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the
transaction. For assets and liabilities other than investments in
securities, net realized and unrealized gains and losses from foreign
currency translations arise from changes in currency exchange rates. The
Fund combines fluctuations from currency exchange rates and fluctuations in
market value when computing net realized and unrealized gain or loss from
investments.
D. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts -- A forward foreign currency
exchange contract (Forward Contract) is an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency at a future date at a fixed price. Forward Contracts are
"marked-to-market" daily at the applicable translation rates and the
resulting unrealized gains or losses are reflected in the Fund's financial
statements. Gains or losses are realized by the Fund at the time the
forward contract is extinguished. Contracts may be extinguished by either
entry into a closing transaction or by delivery of the currency. Risks may
arise from the possibility that the other party will not complete the
obligations of the contract and from unanticipated movements in the value
of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The Fund uses forward
contracts to attempt to reduce the overall risk of its investments.
E. Federal income taxes -- It is the Fund's policy to distribute all of its
taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders and otherwise qualify
as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. In
addition, the Fund intends to pay distributions as required to avoid
imposition of excise tax. Accordingly, provision has not been made for
Federal income taxes. See Note 4 -- Federal Income Tax Matters.
F. Dividends and distributions -- Dividends and distributions to shareholders
are recorded by the Fund on the record date. Net investment income
distributions and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted
accounting principles. These differences are due to differing treatments
for items such as deferral of wash sales and post-October losses, foreign
currency transactions, net operating losses and expiring capital loss
carryforwards. At June 30, 1996, $798,906 was reclassified between
accumulated undistributed net investment income and accumulated
undistributed net realized gain on investment transactions.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 -- Investment Management and Payments to Affiliated Persons
The Fund pays a fee for investment management services. The fee is
computed daily based on the net asset value at the close of business. The fee
consists of two elements: (i) a "Specific" fee computed on net asset value as of
the close of business each day at the annual rate of .30% of net assets and (ii)
a "Group" fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of all of the
funds in the United Group of mutual funds (approximately $14.3 billion of
combined net assets at June 30, 1996) at annual rates of .51% of the first $750
million of combined net assets, .49% on that amount between $750 million and
$1.5 billion, .47% between $1.5 billion and $2.25 billion, .45% between $2.25
billion and $3 billion, .43% between $3 billion and $3.75 billion, .40% between
$3.75 billion and $7.5 billion, .38% between $7.5 billion and $12 billion, and
.36% of that amount over $12 billion. The Fund accrues and pays this fee daily.
Pursuant to assignment of the Investment Management Agreement between the
Fund and Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R"), Waddell & Reed Investment Management
Company ("WRIMCO"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of W&R, serves as the Fund's
investment manager.
The Fund has an Accounting Services Agreement with Waddell & Reed Services
Company ("WARSCO"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of W&R. Under the agreement,
WARSCO acts as the agent in providing accounting services and assistance to the
Fund and pricing daily the value of shares of the Fund. For these services, the
Fund pays WARSCO a monthly fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee shown in the
following table.
Accounting Services Fee
Average
Net Asset Level Annual Fee
(all dollars in millions) Rate for Each Level
------------------------- -------------------
From $ 0 to $ 10 $ 0
From $ 10 to $ 25 $ 10,000
From $ 25 to $ 50 $ 20,000
From $ 50 to $ 100 $ 30,000
From $ 100 to $ 200 $ 40,000
From $ 200 to $ 350 $ 50,000
From $ 350 to $ 550 $ 60,000
From $ 550 to $ 750 $ 70,000
From $ 750 to $1,000 $ 85,000
$1,000 and Over $100,000
For Class A shares, the Fund also pays WARSCO a monthly per account charge
for transfer agency and dividend disbursement services of $1.3125 for each
shareholder account which was in existence at any time during the prior month
($1.0208 per account prior to April 1, 1996), plus $0.30 for each account on
which a dividend or distribution of cash or shares had a record date in that
month. With respect to Class Y shares, the Fund pays WARSCO a monthly fee at an
annual rate of .15% of the average daily net assets of the class for the
preceding month. The Fund also reimburses W&R and WARSCO for certain out-of-
pocket costs.
As principal underwriter for the Fund's shares, W&R received direct and
indirect gross sales commissions for Class A shares (which are not an expense of
the Fund) of $3,741,932, out of which W&R paid sales commissions of $2,081,396
and all expenses in connection with the sale of Fund shares, except for
registration fees and related expenses.
Under a Service Plan for Class A shares adopted by the Fund pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may pay monthly a
fee to W&R in an amount not to exceed .25% of the Fund's Class A average annual
net assets. The fee is to be paid to reimburse W&R for amounts it expends in
connection with the provision of personal services to Fund shareholders and/or
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
The Fund paid Directors' fees of $28,447.
W&R is an indirect subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, a holding company,
and United Investors Management Company, a holding company, and a direct
subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., a holding company.
NOTE 3 -- Investment Securities Transactions
Purchases of investment securities, other than U.S. Government and short-
term securities, aggregated $400,458,942 while proceeds from maturities and
sales aggregated $403,591,702. Purchases of short-term securities aggregated
$776,397,217 while proceeds from maturities and sales aggregated $750,850,741.
No U.S. Government securities were bought or sold during the period.
For Federal income tax purposes, cost of investments owned at June 30, 1996
was $642,585,979, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $125,980,775, of
which $152,976,597 related to appreciated securities and $26,995,822 related to
depreciated securities.
NOTE 4 -- Federal Income Tax Matters
For Federal income tax purposes, the Fund realized capital gain net income
of $38,813,642 during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, of which a portion
was paid to shareholders during the period ended June 30, 1996. Remaining
capital gain net income will be distributed to Fund shareholders.
Internal Revenue Code regulations permit the Fund to defer into its next
fiscal year net foreign currency losses, net capital losses or net long-term
capital losses incurred between each November 1 and the end of its fiscal year
("post-October losses"). From November 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996, the Fund
incurred foreign currency losses of $435,952, which will be deferred to the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1997.
NOTE 5 -- Commencement of Multiclass Operations
On July 4, 1995, the Fund was authorized to offer investors a choice of two
classes of shares, Class A and Class Y, each of which has equal rights as to
assets and voting privileges. Class Y shares are not subject to a sales charge
on purchases; they are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 Service Plan and have a
separate transfer agency and dividend disbursement services fee structure. A
comprehensive discussion of the terms under which shares of either class are
offered is contained in the prospectus and the Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund. The Fund commenced multiclass operations on September
27, 1995.
Income, non-class specific expenses and realized and unrealized gains and
losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the value of
relative net assets as of the beginning of each day adjusted for the prior day's
capital share activity.
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of United International Growth Fund,
Inc. (the "Fund") at June 30, 1996, the results of its operations for the year
then ended and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for
each of the periods indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter
referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included
confirmation of securities at June 30, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian
and brokers and the application of alternative auditing procedures where
confirmations from brokers were not received, provide a reasonable basis for the
opinion expressed above.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
August 5, 1996
