NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
N-1A EL, 1996-05-14
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<PAGE>
 
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM N-1A
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
              SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                                                [X]
 
            Registration No. 33-
 
            Pre-Effective Amendment No.---                     [_]
 
            Post-Effective Amendment No.
                                       ---                     [_]
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
              INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
                                                                [X]
 
            Registration No. 811-
 
            Amendment No.
                           ---                                 [_]
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
        (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)
 
    333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago,                      60606
                Illinois                               (Zip Code)
    (Address of Principal Executive
                Offices)
 
       Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (312) 917-7700
 
                                                       Copies to:
     James J. Wesolowski, Esq.-Vice              Cathy G. O'Kelly, Esq.
        President and Secretary            Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz
         333 West Wacker Drive                  222 North LaSalle Street
        Chicago, Illinois 60606                 Chicago, Illinois 60601
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
 
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
 
[_]
  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
                                    [_]  on (date) pursuant to paragraph
                                         (a)(1)
 
 
[_]
  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
                                    [_]  75 days after filing pursuant to par-
                                         agraph (a)(2)
 
[_]
  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
                                         on (date) pursuant to paragraph
                                         (a)(2) of Rule 485.
 
                                    [_]
 
If appropriate, check the following box:
 
[_]
  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previ-
  ously filed post-effective amendment.
 
PURSUANT TO RULE 24F-2 OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, REGISTRANT HEREBY
DECLARES THAT AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE TRUST ARE BEING REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. A REGISTRATION FILING FEE OF $500 IS PAID
WITH THIS FILING.
 
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE
DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY
STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGIS-
TRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    CONTENTS
 
                                       OF
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
    The Registration Statement comprises the following papers and contents:
 
                 The Facing Sheet
 
                 Cross-Reference Sheet
 
                 Part A-Prospectus for Nuveen Select Stock Fund
                       Prospectus for Nuveen Balanced Fund
                       Prospectus for Nuveen Income and Growth Fund
 
                 Part B-The Statement of Additional Information
 
                 Part C-Other Information
 
                 Signatures
 
                 Index to Exhibits
 
                 Exhibits
 
<PAGE>
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                               -----------------
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
 
                               PART A--PROSPECTUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        ITEM IN PART A
         OF FORM N-1A                        PROSPECTUS LOCATION
        --------------                       -------------------
<S>                             <C>
 1  Cover Page                  Cover Page
 2  Synopsis                    Summary of Fund Expenses; How to Determine If
                                The Fund Is Right For You
 3  Condensed Financial         Not Applicable
    Information
 4  General Description of      General Information; What Are The Fund's
    Registrant                  Investment Objective and Policies
 5  Management of the Fund      Summary of Fund Expenses; Who Is Responsible
                                for the Operation of the Fund; Management of
                                the Fund; General Information
 5A Management's Discussion of  Not Applicable
    Fund
    Performance
 6  Capital Stock and Other     General Information; Distributions and Taxes
    Securities
 7  Purchase of Securities      Flexible Sales Charge Program; How to Buy Fund
    Being Offered               Shares; Distribution and Service Plan;
                                Management of the Fund; Net Asset Value
 8  Redemption or Repurchase    How to Redeem Fund Shares
 9  Pending Legal Proceedings   Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                  PART B--STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ITEM IN PART A                       LOCATION IN STATEMENT
        OF FORM N-1A                      OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
       --------------                     -------------------------
<S>                           <C>
10  Cover Page                Cover Page
11  Table of Contents         Cover Page
12  General Information and   Not Applicable
    History
13  Investment Objectives     Investment Policies and Restrictions; Investment
    and Policies              Policies and Techniques
14  Management of the Fund    Management
15  Control Persons and       Management
    Principal Holders of
    Securities
16  Investment Advisory and   Fund Manager and Portfolio Manager; Distribution
    Other Services            and Service Plans; Independent Public Accountants
                              and Custodian
17  Brokerage Allocation and  Portfolio Transactions
    Other Practices
18  Capital Stock and Other   See "General Information" in the Prospectus
    Securities
19  Purchase, Redemption and  Additional Information on the Purchase and
    Pricing of                Redemption of Fund Shares; Distribution and
    Securities                Service Plans; Net Asset Value
20  Tax Status                Tax Matters
21  Underwriters              Additional Information on the Purchase and
                              Redemption of Fund Shares; See "How to Buy
                              Fund Shares" and "Management of the Funds" in
                              the Prospectus
22  Calculation of            Performance Information
    Performance Data
23  Financial Statements      Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS
Nuveen Select Stock Fund
Prospectus
             , 1996
 
The NUVEEN SELECT STOCK FUND (the "Fund") seeks to provide over time a superior
total return from a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of equity
securities of domestic companies with market capitalizations of at least $500
million. Under normal market conditions, in seeking to enhance returns and to
preserve capital, the Fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in
cash and short-term fixed income securities. Over time, this strategy is
designed to enable you to earn greater returns than the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index (the "S&P 500") while bearing an equal or lower degree of risk than
the S&P 500.
 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers you the
opportunity to purchase Fund shares in the same manner you typically make other
investments. The Program features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
(Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other features. The Program is
designed to permit you and your financial adviser to choose the method of
purchasing shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
purchase and current investment, the length of time you expect to hold your
investment, and other relevant circumstances. See "Flexible Pricing Program,"
"How to Buy Fund Shares" and "Summary of Fund Expenses."
 The Fund is a series of the Nuveen Investment Trust (the "Trust"). This
Prospectus contains information you should know before investing in the Fund.
Please retain it for future reference. You can find more detailed information
about the Fund in the Statement of Additional Information dated         , 1996,
as amended from time to time. For a free copy of this Statement, write to the
Nuveen Mutual Funds, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or call Nuveen
toll-free at 800-621-7227. The Statement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
 Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency. Shares
of the Fund involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal.
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>
                         <C> <S>
                             CONTENTS
                           3 Summary of fund expenses
                           5 How to determine if the fund is right for you
                           8 Who is responsible for the operation of the fund?
                           9 What are the fund's investment objective and
                             policies?
                          14 Flexible Pricing Program
                          16 How to buy fund shares
                          28 Distribution and service plan
                          29 How to redeem fund shares
                          33 Management of the fund
                          36 How the fund shows performance
                          38 Distributions and taxes
                          39 Net asset value
                          40 General information
                             Application
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shareholder Transaction
  Expenses (as a percent of
  offering price)(1)                    Class A        Class B        Class C     Class R(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed         5.25%(3)           None           None           None
   on
   Purchases
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed             None           None           None           None
   on
   Reinvested Dividends
  Exchange Fees                            None           None           None           None
  Deferred Sales Charge (as a           None(4)         Yes(5)         Yes(6)           None
   percentage of lesser of pur-
   chase price or redemption
   proceeds)
</TABLE>
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Annual Fund Operating Expenses
  (as a percent of average daily
  net assets)                        Class A        Class B        Class C        Class R
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  Management Fees                       .85%           .85%           .85%           .85%
  Rule 12b-1 Fees(7)                    .25%          1.00%          1.00%           None
  Other Operating Expenses              .10%           .10%           .10%           .10%
                              -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
  Total Expenses                       1.20%          1.95%          1.95%           .95%
</TABLE>
 
(1) Investment dealers and other firms may independently charge additional fees
for shareholder transactions or for advisory services; please see their
materials for details.
(2) Class R Shares are available for purchase only under certain limited
circumstances, or by specified classes of investors, as described below under
"How to Buy Fund Shares--Class R Shares."
(3) Reduced sales charges apply to purchases of $50,000 or more. See "How to
Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(4) Class A purchases at net asset value of $1 million or more may be subject
to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18 months of
purchase. See "How to Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(5) Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 5% during the first year, 4% during the
second year, 3% during the third and fourth years, 2% during the fifth year,
and 1% during the sixth year.
(6) Class C Shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1%
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
(7) Class A, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual service fee of
 .25% of average daily net assets to compensate Authorized Dealers for ongoing
account services. In addition, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to annual
distribution fees of .75% to reimburse Nuveen for costs in connection with the
sale of Fund shares. See "Distribution and Service Plan." Long-term holders of
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may pay more in Rule 12b-1 fees than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Rules of Fair Practice.
 
                 The purpose of the tables above is to help you understand all
                 expenses and fees that you would bear directly or indirectly
                 as a Fund shareholder. The percentages shown are estimated
                 for the current fiscal year. Actual fees and expenses may be
                 greater or less than those shown.
 
 
                                         3
<PAGE>
 
                 EXAMPLE*
                 For the Fund, you would pay the following expenses on a
                 $1,000 investment over various time periods, assuming (1) a
                 5% annual rate of return and (2) redemption at the end of
                 each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   1 Year      3 Years      5 Years     10 Years
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
  Class A          $            $            $            $
  Class B**        $            $            $            $
  Class C***       $            $            $            $
  Class R          $            $            $            $
</TABLE>
 
                 *This example does not represent past or future expenses,
                 which may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the
                 Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the
                 hypothetical 5% return shown in this example. This example
                 assumes that the percentage amounts listed under Annual
                 Operating Expenses remain the same in each of the periods.
                 For additional information about the Fund's fees and
                 expenses, see "Distribution and Service Plan" and "Management
                 of the Fund."
                 **Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the next year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 applied as follows: 1 year (4%) and 3 years (3%). See "How to
                 Buy Shares--Class B Shares."
                 ***Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the second year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 not applicable for any of the periods shown. See "How to Buy
                 Shares--Class C Shares."
 
                                         4
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE FUND IS RIGHT FOR YOU
                 There are many reasons why you might invest in the Fund.
                 These may include:
                 . pursuing a conservative, value-oriented equity strategy as
                   the core of an overall diversified investment plan
                 . preserving and building wealth through prudent capital
                   management
 
                 While there can be no assurance that the Fund will enable you
                 to achieve your individual investment goals, it has been
                 designed for investors who have these kinds of investment
                 goals in mind.
 
                 In addition, the Fund incorporates the following features and
                 benefits. You should carefully review the more detailed
                 description of these features and benefits elsewhere in the
                 Prospectus to make sure they serve your individual investment
                 goals.
 
                 VALUE-ORIENTED INVESTMENT STRATEGY
                 The Fund's portfolio consists primarily of equity securities
                 of domestic companies with market capitalizations of at least
                 $500 million. Equity securities are selected on the basis of
                 the portfolio manager's evaluation of each security's
                 relative value in terms of projected relative price-earnings
                 ratios and earnings stability, with a clear catalyst for
                 significant price appreciation over a defined time horizon.
                 Under normal market conditions, in seeking to enhance returns
                 and to preserve capital, the Fund may also invest up to 35%
                 of its total assets in cash and short-term fixed income
                 securities. Over time, this strategy is designed to enable
                 you to earn greater returns than the S&P 500 while bearing an
                 equal or lower risk than the S&P 500.
 
                 EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT
                 Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of
                 Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. ("NIAC"), which oversees
                 the management of the Fund's investment portfolio and
                 administers the Fund's business affairs. NIAC is a wholly-
                 owned subsidiary of John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                 ("Nuveen"), which is the principal underwriter of the Fund's
                 shares. Nuveen has sponsored or underwritten over $60 billion
                 of investment company securities. Institutional Capital
                 Corporation ("ICAP") manages the Fund's investment portfolio.
                 ICAP, which was organized in 1970, acts as the investment
                 adviser primarily to institutional clients, and has
                 investment portfolios totaling approximately $5 billion.
 
                 LOW MINIMUMS
                 You can start your investment with a low initial purchase of
                 $1,000 in a particular class. See "How to Buy Fund Shares."
 
                                         5
<PAGE>
 
                 FLEXIBILITY IN PURCHASING FUND SHARES
                 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers
                 you the opportunity to purchase Fund Shares in the same
                 manner you typically make other investments. The Program
                 features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
                 (Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of
                 sales charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and
                 other features. The Program is designed to permit you and
                 your financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing
                 shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount
                 of your investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the
                 length of time you expect to hold your investment, and other
                 relevant circumstances. Please refer to "Flexible Pricing
                 Program," "How to Buy Fund Shares" and "How to Redeem Fund
                 Shares" for a discussion of the Program's features and
                 additional information about these four classes of shares.
 
                 AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT PLANS
                 The Fund offers a number of investment options, including
                 automatic deposit, direct deposit and payroll deduction, to
                 help you add to your account on a regular basis.
 
                 AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
                 All income dividends or capital gains paid with respect to
                 each class of shares will be reinvested automatically into
                 additional shares of the same class without a sales charge,
                 unless you elect to receive them in cash. Separately,
                 distributions from any Nuveen unit trust (a "Nuveen UIT") may
                 be used to buy Class A Shares without a sales charge at net
                 asset value.
 
                 EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
                 Shares of a class may be quickly and easily exchanged by
                 telephone, without a sales charge, for shares of the same or
                 equivalent class of another Nuveen Mutual Fund or for shares
                 of certain Nuveen money market funds.
 
                 LIQUIDITY
                 You may redeem all or a portion of your Fund shares on any
                 business day at the net asset value next computed for the
                 class of shares you are redeeming. Class B and Class C
                 Shares, as well as certain Class A purchases of $1 million or
                 more at net asset value, may be subject to a contingent
                 deferred sales charge ("CDSC") upon redemption. Remember that
                 share prices will fluctuate with market conditions and upon
                 redemption may be worth more or less than their original
                 cost. See "How to Redeem Fund Shares."
 
 
                                         6
<PAGE>
 
                 AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL
                 If you own shares totalling $10,000 or more, you can arrange
                 to have $50 or more sent to you from your account either
                 monthly or quarterly.
 
                 TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
                 You may establish free telephone redemption privileges for
                 your account.
 
                 RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
                 You should consider certain other factors about the Fund
                 before investing. As with other equity mutual funds, the
                 value of the Fund's investment portfolio will tend to vary
                 with changes in the stock market. Accordingly, the Fund
                 should be considered a long-term investment, designed to
                 provide the best results when held for a multi-year period.
                 The Fund may not be suitable if you have a short-term
                 investment horizon. In addition, investments by the Fund in
                 American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") of foreign companies
                 involve opportunities and risks not typically associated with
                 investing in U.S. companies. There are special risks
                 associated with options and futures transactions. See "What
                 Are the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies?"
 
                                         7
<PAGE>
 
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND?
                 The following organizations work together to provide the
                 services and features offered by the Fund:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            ORGANIZATION           FUNCTION               DUTIES
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
            <S>                    <C>                    <C>
            John Nuveen & Co.      Fund Sponsor and       Sponsors and manages
            Incorporated           Principal Underwriter  the offering of Fund
            ("Nuveen")                                    shares
            Nuveen Institutional   Fund Manager;          Oversees the Fund's
            Advisory Corp.         Administrator          portfolio manager,
            ("NIAC")                                      manages the Fund's
                                                          business affairs and
                                                          provides day-to-day
                                                          administrative
                                                          services to the Fund
            Institutional Capital  Portfolio Manager      Manages the Fund's
            Corporation ("ICAP")                          investment portfolio
            Shareholder Services,  Transfer Agent;        Maintains shareholder
            Inc. ("SSI")           Shareholder Services   accounts, handles
                                   Agent; Dividend Paying share redemptions and
                                   Agent                  exchanges and
                                                          dividend payments
            The Chase Manhattan    Custodian              Maintains custody of
            Bank, N.A. ("Chase")                          the Fund's
                                                          investments and
                                                          provides certain
                                                          accounting services
                                                          to the Fund
</TABLE>
 
 
                                         8
<PAGE>
 
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES?
                 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
                 The Fund seeks to provide over time a superior total return
                 from a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of equity
                 securities of domestic companies with market capitalizations
                 of at least $500 million. There is no assurance that this
                 objective will be realized. The Fund's investment objective
                 may not be changed without shareholder approval. Other
                 investment restrictions that may not be changed without
                 shareholder approval are contained in the Statement of
                 Additional Information.
 
                 HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
The Fund         ICAP will select equity securities on the basis of its
employs a        evaluation of each security's relative value in terms of
value-oriented   projected relative price/earnings ratios and earnings
strategy when    stability, with a clear catalyst for significant price
selecting        appreciation over a defined time horizon. When making
equity           investment decisions, ICAP develops an economic framework
securities       (including an interest rate, inflation, and business cycle
                 outlook) and analyzes strategic economic and/or industry
                 themes to identify appropriate investments. ICAP uses a
                 variety of proprietary research techniques and computer
                 models to search for equity securities possessing best
                 relative value based on proprietary price/earnings
                 projections and analysis of earnings stability. Furthermore,
                 a clear catalyst, either stock-specific, industry or
                 economic, which ICAP believes will trigger significant price
                 appreciation within a definable period must exist. In order
                 to enhance its internal research, ICAP also utilizes a wide
                 variety of external sources for investment information
                 including recognized strategists, economists, technical and
                 fundamental analysts, corporate executives, and industry
                 sources.
 
                 For each investment, ICAP establishes an upside price target
                 and a downside risk potential. This strategy allows for
                 continuous monitoring of fundamental conditions and stock
                 price performance. Although ICAP typically expects the
                 investment potential of each investment to be realized over a
                 nine to eighteen month time period, it is not unusual for
                 equities to be held for a longer period if the potential is
                 justified. Investments that underperform the market are
                 reviewed intensively. If the risk/reward of a particular
                 investment becomes unattractive or the reasons for owning the
                 security no longer appear valid, the investment is typically
                 sold expeditiously to avoid future underperformance.
 
The Fund also    In addition to investments in equity securities, in order to
invests in       preserve capital and to enhance returns, under normal market
fixed-income     conditions the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets
securities in    in cash and short-term fixed income securities, and may
order to         invest up to 100% of its assets in such instruments as a
reduce risk      temporary defensive measure. Over time,
 
                                         9
<PAGE>
 
                 this strategy is designed to provide the potential for
                 earning greater returns than the S&P 500 while bearing an
                 equal or lower degree of risk.
 
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS
Equity           Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest
Securities       primarily in equity securities of domestic companies with
                 market capitalizations of at least $500 million, which
                 include, but are not limited to, common stocks; preferred
                 stocks; warrants to purchase common stocks or preferred
                 stocks; and securities convertible into common or preferred
                 stocks, such as convertible bonds and debentures. Such
                 convertible securities must be rated Baa or higher by Moody's
                 Investors Service ("Moody's") or BBB or higher by Standard &
                 Poor's ("S&P"), Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("D&P") or Fitch
                 Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"). Bonds rated Baa or BBB,
                 although considered investment grade, have speculative
                 characteristics and may be subject to greater fluctuations in
                 value than higher-rated bonds. For a more extensive
                 discussion of ratings, see the Statement of Additional
                 Information. In addition, the Fund may invest in equity
                 securities of foreign issuers through investments in American
                 Depository Receipts (ADRs).
 
Short-Term       The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in cash and
Fixed Income     short-term fixed income securities. In addition, when ICAP
Securities       believes that market conditions warrant, the Fund may invest
                 up to 100% of its assets in such instruments for temporary
                 defensive purposes. Short-term fixed income securities must
                 be issued by issuers having a long-term rating of at least A
                 or higher by S&P, Moody's or Fitch or A- or higher by D&P,
                 and have a maturity of one year or less from the date of
                 purchase. Such securities include, without limitation, the
                 following: U.S. government securities that are either issued
                 or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. governmental
                 agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; bank
                 time deposits; bankers' acceptances; commercial paper rated
                 A-1 or better by S&P, Prime-1 or better by Moody's, Duff 2 or
                 higher by D&P, or Fitch 2 or higher by Fitch; or repurchase
                 agreements entered into only with respect to obligations of
                 the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
                 Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in the
                 event of the default or insolvency of the other party to the
                 agreement, including possible delays or restrictions upon a
                 Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities.
 
When-Issued      The Fund may invest without limitation in securities
Securities       purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis ("When-
                 Issued Securities"). Although the payment and terms of these
                 securities are established at the time the purchaser enters
                 into the commitment, these securities may be delivered and
                 paid for at a future date,
 
                                         10
<PAGE>
 
                 generally within 45 days. Purchasing When-Issued Securities
                 allows the Fund to lock in a fixed price on a security it
                 intends to purchase. The Fund will segregate and maintain
                 cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or other
                 high-quality, liquid debt securities in an amount at least
                 equal to the amount of outstanding commitments for When-
                 Issued Securities at all times. Such securities involve a
                 risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased
                 declines prior to the settlement date.
 
ADRs             The Fund may invest in ADRs or other instruments denominated
                 in U.S. dollars that permit indirect investment in foreign
                 securities. Foreign investments are limited to 20% of net
                 assets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or
                 trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying foreign
                 security and denominated in U.S. dollars. ADRs do not
                 eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in foreign
                 issuers, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
                 However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in foreign
                 issuers' stock, the Fund avoids currency risks during the
                 settlement period.
 
                 Investments in securities of foreign issuers involve risks
                 that are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
                 investment, including currency risks. The U.S. Dollar value
                 of a foreign security tends to decrease when the value of the
                 U.S. Dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the
                 security is denominated and tends to increase when the value
                 of the U.S. Dollar falls against such currency. Some
                 institutions issuing ADRs may not be sponsored by the issuer.
                 Unsponsored ADRs are affected by the fact that in many
                 countries there is less publicly available information about
                 issuers than is available in the reports and ratings
                 published about companies in the U.S. and companies may not
                 be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
                 reporting standards. Other risks inherent in foreign
                 investment include expropriation; confiscatory taxation;
                 withholding taxes on dividends and interest; less extensive
                 regulation of foreign brokers, securities markets and
                 issuers; diplomatic developments; and political or social
                 instability. Foreign economies may differ favorably or
                 unfavorably from the U.S. economy in various respects, and
                 many foreign securities are less liquid and their prices tend
                 to be more volatile than comparable U.S. securities. From
                 time to time, foreign securities may be difficult to
                 liquidate rapidly without adverse price effects.
 
                                         11
<PAGE>
 
 
                 CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND LIMITATIONS
Options and      The Fund may engage in options and futures transactions,
Futures          which are sometimes referred to as derivative transactions.
Transactions     The Fund's options and futures transactions may include
                 instruments such as stock index options and futures
                 contracts. Such transactions may be used for several reasons,
                 including hedging unrealized portfolio gains. The Fund will
                 only engage in futures and options transactions that,
                 pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commodity Futures
                 Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), constitute bona fide hedging
                 or other permissible risk management transactions and will
                 not enter into such transactions if the sum of the initial
                 margin deposits and premiums paid for unexpired options
                 exceeds 5% of the Fund's total assets. In addition, the Fund
                 will not enter into options and futures transactions if more
                 than 30% of the Fund's net assets would be committed to such
                 instruments. The ability of the Fund to benefit from options
                 and futures is largely dependent upon ICAP's ability to
                 correctly use such instruments, which may involve skills
                 different from those associated with managing securities
                 generally. The Fund could lose money on a futures transaction
                 or an option could expire worthless, as well as the Fund
                 suffering a loss on the value of its portfolio assets. For a
                 further discussion of options and futures transactions,
                 please see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
Lending of       The Fund may lend its portfolio securities, up to 33 1/3% of
Portfolio        its total assets, to broker-dealers or institutional
Securities       investors. The loans will be secured continuously by
                 collateral at least equal to the value of the securities lent
                 by "marking to market" daily. The Fund will continue to
                 receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by
                 the issuer of the securities lent and will retain the right
                 to call, upon notice, the lent securities. The Fund may also
                 receive interest on the investment of the collateral or a fee
                 from the borrower as compensation for the loan. As with other
                 extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or
                 even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of
                 the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made
                 only to firms deemed by the portfolio manager to be of good
                 standing.
 
Illiquid         The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid
Securities       securities, which include, but are not limited to, restricted
                 securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted
                 under the federal securities laws); securities that may be
                 resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933
                 but that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements
                 with maturities in excess of seven days.
 
                                         12
<PAGE>
 
 
Portfolio        Under normal market conditions, the Fund anticipates that its
Turnover         annual portfolio turnover rate will be between 100% and 125%,
                 and will generally not exceed 150%. A turnover rate of 100%
                 would occur, for example, if all of the securities held by a
                 Fund were replaced within one year.
 
Other            The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
Investment       any one of the following types of investments: warrants;
Policies and     unseasoned companies; and transactions in short sales against
Restrictions     the box. In addition, the Fund has adopted several
                 restrictions on the investments and other activities of the
                 Fund that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
                 For example, the Fund may not:
                 . With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the
                   securities of any issuer (except securities issued or
                   guaranteed by the U.S. government or any agency or
                   instrumentality thereof) if, as a result, (i) more than 5%
                   of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities
                   of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10%
                   of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
                 . Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money
                   from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for
                   leverage or the purchase of investments) and (ii) make
                   other investments or engage in other transactions
                   permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that
                   may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of
                   (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the
                   Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed), less
                   the Fund's liabilities (other than borrowings).
 
                 If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of
                 investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage beyond
                 the specified limit resulting from a change in values or
                 assets will not be considered a violation.
 
                 Except as specifically noted above or in the Statement of
                 Additional Information, the Fund's investment policies are
                 not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
                 approval. For a more complete description of investment
                 restrictions that may be changed without a shareholder vote,
                 see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                         13
<PAGE>
 
FLEXIBLE PRICING PROGRAM
The Fund         The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program that offers
offers various   you four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares (Classes A,
methods of       B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales
purchasing       charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other
shares which     features. The Program is designed to permit you and your
are designed     financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing shares
to meet your     that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
individual       investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the length of
investment       time you expect to hold your investment, and other relevant
needs and        circumstances. A summary of the four alternatives is set
preferences      forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      UP-FRONT    CONTINGENT DEFERRED    ANNUAL 12B-1   ANNUAL 12B-1
                    SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE ("CDSC") DISTRIBUTION FEE SERVICE FEE
                 -------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>      <C>          <C>                   <C>              <C>
           Class A    5.25%(1)          None(2)              None           .25%
           Class B    None              5%(3)                .75%(4)        .25%
           Class C    None              1%(5)                .75%           .25%
           Class R    None              None                 None           None
</TABLE>
                 (1) Maximum up-front sales charge, which is reduced for
                 purchases of $50,000 or more. Up-front sales charge may be
                 reduced or waived for certain purchases.
                 (2) Certain Class A purchases at net asset value of $1
                 million or more may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed
                 within 18 months of purchase.
                 (3) CDSC in the first year. CDSC declines to 0% after six
                 years.
                 (4) Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares after eight
                 years, which reduces the ongoing expenses borne by an
                 investor.
                 (5) CDSC is applicable to shares redeemed within 12 months of
                 purchase.
 
                 For more information regarding features of each class, see
                 "How to Buy Fund Shares," "How to Redeem Fund Shares" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan" below.
 
Which Option     When you purchase Class A Shares, you will normally pay an
is Right For     up-front sales charge. As a result, you will have less money
You?             invested initially and you will own fewer Class A Shares than
                 you would in the absence of an up-front sales charge.
                 Alternatively, when you purchase Class B or Class C Shares,
                 you will not pay an up-front sales charge and all of your
                 monies will be fully invested at the time of purchase.
                 However, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual
                 distribution fee which constitutes an asset-based sales
                 charge whose purpose is the same as an up-front sales charge.
                 In addition, Class B Shares when redeemed are subject to a
                 CDSC, which will vary depending on the length of time you
                 owned your shares. Class B Shares automatically convert to
                 Class A Shares eight years after purchase, which reduces the
                 annual expenses borne by an investor. Class C Shares are
                 subject to a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of
                 purchase. Because Class C Shares do not convert to Class A
                 Shares and continue to pay an annual distribution fee
                 indefinitely, Class C Shares should normally not be purchased
                 by an investor who expects to hold shares for significantly
                 longer than eight years. Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
                 are
                 subject to annual service fees, which are identical in amount
                 and are used to
 
                                         14
<PAGE>
 
                 compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
                 account services. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge
                 or a sales charge waiver on a purchase of Class A Shares, as
                 described below under "How the Sales Charge on Class A Shares
                 May Be Reduced or Waived." Class R Shares are available for
                 purchase at a price equal to their net asset value, but only
                 under certain circumstances or for certain categories of
                 investors, as described below under "How to Buy Fund Shares--
                 Class R Shares."
 
                 In deciding whether to purchase Class A, Class B, Class C or
                 Class R Shares, you should consider all relevant factors,
                 including the dollar amount of your purchase, the length of
                 time you expect to hold the shares and whether a CDSC would
                 apply, the amount of any applicable up-front sales charge,
                 the amount of any applicable distribution or service fees
                 that may be incurred while you own the shares, whether or not
                 you will be reinvesting income or capital gain distributions
                 in additional shares, whether or not you meet applicable
                 eligibility requirements or qualify for a sales charge waiver
                 or reduction, and the relative level of services that your
                 financial adviser may provide to different classes.
                 Authorized Dealers and other persons distributing the Fund's
                 shares may receive different compensation for selling
                 different classes of shares.
 
Differences      Each class of shares represents an interest in the same
Between          portfolio of investments. Each class of shares is identical
the Classes of   in all respects except that each class has its own sales
Shares           charge structure, each class bears its own class expenses,
                 including distribution and service expenses, and each class
                 has exclusive voting rights with respect to any distribution
                 or service plan applicable to its shares. In addition, the
                 Class B Shares are subject to a conversion feature. As a
                 result of the differences in the expenses borne by each class
                 of shares, and differences in the purchase and redemption
                 activity for each class, net income per share, dividends per
                 share and net asset value per share will vary among the
                 Fund's classes of shares.
 
Dealer           Upon notice to all Authorized Dealers, Nuveen may reallow to
Incentives       Authorized Dealers electing to participate up to the full
                 applicable Class A Share sales charge during periods and for
                 transactions specified in the notice. The reallowances made
                 during these periods may be based upon attainment of minimum
                 sales levels. Further, Nuveen may from time to time make
                 additional reallowances only to certain Authorized Dealers
                 who sell or are expected to sell certain minimum amounts of
                 the Fund or other Nuveen Mutual Funds and Nuveen UITs during
                 specified time periods. Nuveen will reimburse the Authorized
                 Dealer for up to one-half of specified media costs incurred
                 in the placement of advertisements which jointly feature the
                 Authorized Dealer and Nuveen Funds and Nuveen unit trusts.
 
                                         15
<PAGE>
 
                 Such reimbursement to the Authorized Dealer will be based on
                 the number of its financial advisers who have sold Nuveen
                 Fund shares and unit trust units during the prior calendar
                 year according to an established schedule. The staff of the
                 Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that
                 dealers who receive 90% or more of the applicable sales
                 charge may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act of
                 1933, as amended.
 
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
Class A Shares   You may purchase Class A Shares at a public offering price
are offered at   equal to the applicable net asset value per share plus an up-
their net        front sales charge imposed at the time of purchase as set
asset value      forth below. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge, or
plus an up-      the sales charge may be waived in its entirety, as described
front sales      below under "How the Up-Front Sales Charge on Class A Shares
charge           May Be Reduced or Waived." Class A Shares are also subject to
                 an annual service fee of .25%. See "Flexible Pricing Program"
                 and "Distribution and Service Plan."
 
                 The up-front sales charges for Class A Shares are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SALES CHARGE AS SALES CHARGE AS REALLOWANCE AS
                                       % OF PUBLIC        % OF NET    % OF PUBLIC
           AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
                 -----------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                     <C>             <C>             <C>
           Less than $50,000                 5.25%           5.54%          5.00%
           $50,000 but less than
            $100,000                         4.25%           4.44%          4.00%
           $100,000 but less than
            $250,000                         3.50%           3.63%          3.25%
           $250,000 but less than
            $500,000                         2.75%           2.83%          2.50%
           $500,000 but less than
            $1,000,000                       2.00%           2.04%          1.75%
           $1,000,000 and over               0.00%           0.00%          0.00%*
</TABLE>
                 *Authorized Dealers are eligible to receive a commission from
                 Nuveen as discussed below.
 
                 The Fund receives the entire net asset value of all Class A
                 Shares that are sold. Nuveen retains the full applicable
                 sales charge from which it pays the uniform reallowances
                 shown above to Authorized Dealers. See "Flexible Pricing
                 Program--Dealer Incentives" above for more information about
                 reallowances and other compensation to Authorized Dealers.
 
                 Certain commercial banks may make Class A Shares of the Fund
                 available to their customers on an agency basis. Pursuant to
                 the agreements between Nuveen and these banks, some or all of
                 the sales charge paid by a bank customer in connection with a
                 purchase of Class A Shares may be retained by or paid to the
                 bank. Certain banks and other financial institutions may be
                 required to register as securities dealers in certain states.
 
                                         16
<PAGE>
 
 
Class A Share    Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net
purchases of     asset value without an up-front sales charge. Nuveen pays
$1 million and   Authorized Dealers of record on such Class A Share purchases
over may be      a commission of up to 1.00% of the amount of the purchase. If
subject to a     such shares are redeemed within 18 months of purchase, a CDSC
CDSC             of 1% of the lower of the purchase price or the redemption
                 proceeds may be imposed upon the redemption. Shares purchased
                 by investors investing $1 million or more who have made
                 arrangements with Nuveen and whose dealer of record waived
                 the commission are not subject to the CDSC.
 
                 [HOW THE UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE MAY BE REDUCED OR WAIVED]
There are        There are several ways to reduce or eliminate the up-front
several ways     sales charge:
to reduce or     . cumulative discount;
eliminate the    . letter of intent;
up-front sales   . purchases with monies representing distributions from
charge             Nuveen-sponsored UITs;
                 . group purchase programs;
                 . reinvestment of redemption proceeds from non-affiliated
                   funds; and
                 . special sales charge waivers for certain categories of
                   investors.
 
Cumulative       You may qualify for a reduced sales charge as shown above on
Discount         a purchase of Class A Shares if the amount of your purchase,
                 when added to the value that day of all of your prior
                 purchases of shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual
                 Fund, or units of a Nuveen UIT, on which an up-front sales
                 charge or ongoing distribution fee is imposed, falls within
                 the amounts stated in the table. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI of any cumulative discount
                 whenever you plan to purchase Class A Shares of the Fund that
                 you wish to qualify for a reduced sales charge.
 
Letter of        You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a purchase of
Intent           Class A Shares if you plan to purchase Class A Shares of
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds over the next 13 months and the total
                 amount of your purchases would, if purchased at one time,
                 qualify you for one of the reduced sales charges shown above.
                 In order to take advantage of this option, you must complete
                 the applicable section of the Application Form or sign and
                 deliver either to an Authorized Dealer or to SSI a written
                 Letter of Intent in a form acceptable to Nuveen. A Letter of
                 Intent states that you intend, but are not obligated, over
                 the next 13 months to purchase a stated total amount of Class
                 A Shares that would qualify you for a reduced sales charge
                 shown above. You may count shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund
                 that you already own on which you paid an
 
                                         17
<PAGE>
 
                 up-front sales charge or an ongoing distribution fee and any
                 Class B and Class C Shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund that you
                 purchase over the next 13 months towards completion of your
                 investment program, but you will receive a reduced sales
                 charge only on new Class A Shares you purchase with a sales
                 charge over the 13 months. You cannot count towards
                 completion of your investment program Class A Shares that you
                 purchase without a sales charge through investment of
                 distributions from a Nuveen Mutual Fund or a Nuveen UIT, or
                 otherwise.
 
                 By establishing a Letter of Intent, you agree that your first
                 purchase of Class A Shares following execution of the Letter
                 of Intent will be at least 5% of the total amount of your
                 intended purchases. You further agree that shares
                 representing 5% of the total amount of your intended
                 purchases will be held in escrow pending completion of these
                 purchases. All dividends and capital gains distributions on
                 Class A Shares held in escrow will be credited to your
                 account. If total purchases, less redemptions, prior to the
                 expiration of the 13 month period equal or exceed the amount
                 specified in your Letter of Intent, the Class A Shares held
                 in escrow will be transferred to your account. If the total
                 purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified in
                 your Letter of Intent and thereby qualify for a lower sales
                 charge than the sales charge specified in your Letter of
                 Intent, you will receive this lower sales charge
                 retroactively, and the difference between it and the higher
                 sales charge paid will be used to purchase additional Class A
                 Shares on your behalf. If the total purchases, less
                 redemptions, are less than the amount specified, you must pay
                 Nuveen an amount equal to the difference between the amounts
                 paid for these purchases and the amounts that would have been
                 paid if the higher sales charge had been applied. If you do
                 not pay the additional amount within 20 days after written
                 request by Nuveen or your financial adviser, Nuveen will
                 redeem an appropriate number of your escrowed Class A Shares
                 to meet the required payment. By establishing a Letter of
                 Intent, you irrevocably appoint Nuveen as attorney to give
                 instructions to redeem any or all of your escrowed shares,
                 with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
                 You or your financial adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI
                 whenever you make a purchase of Fund shares that you wish to
                 be covered under the Letter of Intent option.
 
Reinvestment     You may purchase Class A Shares without an up-front sales
of Nuveen UIT    charge by reinvestment of distributions from any of the
Distributions    various unit trusts sponsored by Nuveen. There is no initial
                 or subsequent minimum investment requirement for such
                 reinvestment purchases.
 
 
                                         18
<PAGE>
 
Group Purchase   If you are a member of a qualified group, you may purchase
Programs         Class A Shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual Fund
                 at the reduced sales charge applicable to the group's
                 purchases taken as a whole. A "qualified group" is one which
                 has been in existence for more than six months, has a purpose
                 other than investment, has five or more participating
                 members, has agreed to include Fund sales publications in
                 mailings to members and has agreed to comply with certain
                 administrative requirements relating to its group purchases.
 
                 Under any group purchase program, the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio by each participant is $25, and the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio for all participants in the program combined is
                 $1,000. No certificates will be issued for any participant's
                 account. All dividends and other distributions by the Fund
                 will be reinvested in additional Class A Shares of the Fund.
                 No participant may utilize a systematic withdrawal program.
 
                 To establish a group purchase program, both the group itself
                 and each participant must fill out special application
                 materials, which the group administrator may obtain from the
                 group's financial adviser, by checking the applicable box on
                 the enclosed Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free
                 at 800-621-7227. See the Statement of Additional Information
                 for more complete information about "qualified groups" and
                 group purchase programs.
 
Reinvestment     You may also purchase Class A Shares at net asset value
of Redemption    without a sales charge if the purchase takes place through a
Proceeds from    broker-dealer and represents the reinvestment of the proceeds
Unaffiliated     of the redemption of shares of one or more registered
Funds            investment companies not affiliated with Nuveen. You must
                 provide appropriate documentation that the redemption
                 occurred not more than 60 days prior to the reinvestment of
                 the proceeds in Class A Shares, and that you either paid an
                 up-front sales charge or were subject to a contingent
                 deferred sales charge in respect of the redemption of such
                 shares of such other investment company.
 
Special Sales    Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset
Charge Waivers   value without a sales charge and in any amount by: officers,
                 trustees and retired trustees of the Trust; bona fide, full-
                 time and retired employees of Nuveen or ICAP, any parent
                 company of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their
                 immediate family members (as defined below); any person who,
                 for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or bona
                 fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate
                 family members; officers and directors of bank holding
                 companies that make Fund shares available directly or
 
                                         19
<PAGE>
 
                 through subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or broker-
                 affiliated trust departments; clients of broker-dealers that
                 sponsor mutual fund purchase programs on a periodic fee,
                 asset-based fee or no transaction fee basis; and clients of
                 investment advisers, financial planners or other financial
                 intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for
                 their services. For further details about these special
                 categories and their eligibility requirements, please consult
                 your financial adviser or consult the Statement of Additional
                 Information, or call Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
 
                 Any Class A Shares purchased pursuant to a special sales
                 charge waiver must be acquired for investment purposes and on
                 the condition that they will not be transferred or resold
                 except through redemption by the Fund. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI whenever you make a
                 purchase of Class A Shares that you wish to be covered under
                 these special sales charge waivers. All purchases under the
                 Special Sales Charge Waivers will be subject to minimum
                 purchase requirements as established by the Fund. All of the
                 above categories of investors are also eligible to purchase
                 Class R Shares, as described below under "Class R Shares."
                 Finally, Class A Shares may be issued at net asset value
                 without a sales charge in connection with the acquisition by
                 the Fund of another investment company.
 
In general       In determining the amount of your purchases of Class A Shares
                 that may qualify for a reduced sales charge, the following
                 purchases may be combined: (1) all purchases by a trustee or
                 other fiduciary for a single trust estate or fiduciary
                 account; (2) all purchases by individuals and their immediate
                 family members (i.e., their spouses and their children under
                 21 years of age); or (3) all purchases made through a group
                 purchase program as described above.
 
                 The reduced sales charge programs may be modified or
                 discontinued by the Fund at any time upon prior written
                 notice to shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES OR
                 REDUCED SALES CHARGE PROGRAMS, OR TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED
                 APPLICATION FORMS, CALL NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares   You may purchase Class B Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Since Class B Shares are sold without
their net        an initial sales charge, the full amount of your purchase
asset value,     payment will be invested in Class B Shares. Class B Shares
but are          are subject to an annual distribution fee to compensate
subject to an    Nuveen for its costs in connection with the sale of Class B
annual           shares, and are also subject to an annual service fee to
distribution     compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
fee and a CDSC   financial advice and other account services.
 
                                         20
<PAGE>
 
 
                 You may be subject to a CDSC if you redeem your Class B
                 shares within a specified period after purchase, as shown in
                 the table below. See "Flexible Pricing Program" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan." Nuveen compensates
                 Authorized Dealers for sales of Class B Shares at the time of
                 sale at the rate of 4.00% of the amount of Class B Shares
                 purchased, which represents a sales commission of 3.75% plus
                 an advance on the first year's annual service fee of .25%.
 
                 If redeemed prior to the end of the sixth year after
                 purchase, Class B Shares may be subject to a CDSC, as set
                 forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               YEARS SINCE
               PURCHASE                                                   CDSC
                        ------------------------------------------------------
               <S>                                                        <C>
               0-1                                                         5%
               1-2                                                         4%
               2-3                                                         3%
               3-4                                                         3%
               4-5                                                         2%
               5-6                                                         1%
</TABLE>
 
                 Class B Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends
                 are not subject to a CDSC. Any CDSC will be imposed on the
                 lower of the redeemed shares' cost or net asset value at the
                 time of redemption. For more information regarding the
                 imposition of the CDSC, see "How to Redeem Fund Shares--Class
                 B Shares," below.
 
Class B Shares   Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares
automatically    eight years after purchase. All conversions will be done at
convert to       net asset value without the imposition of any sales load,
Class A Shares   fee, or other charge, so that the value of each shareholder's
eight years      account immediately before conversion will be the same as the
after purchase   value of the account immediately after conversion. Class B
                 Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will
                 convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial
                 purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose, Class
                 B Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will
                 be attributed to particular purchases of Class B Shares in
                 accordance with such procedures as the Board of Trustees may
                 determine from time to time. Class B Shares that are
                 converted to Class A Shares will remain subject to an annual
                 service fee that is identical in amount for both Class B
                 Shares and Class A Shares. Since net asset value per share of
                 the Class B Shares and the Class A Shares may differ at the
                 time of conversion, a shareholder
                 may receive more or fewer Class A Shares than the number of
                 Class B Shares converted. Any conversion of Class B Shares
                 into Class A Shares will be subject to
 
                                         21
<PAGE>
 
                 the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel or a
                 private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to
                 the effect that the conversion of shares would not constitute
                 a taxable event under federal income tax law. Conversion of
                 Class B Shares into Class A Shares might be suspended if such
                 an opinion or ruling were no longer available.
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
Class C Shares   You may purchase Class C Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Class C Shares are subject to an
their net        annual distribution fee to compensate Nuveen for its costs in
asset value,     connection with the sale of Class C Shares. Class C Shares
but are          are also subject to an annual service fee of .25% to
subject to an    compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
annual           financial advice and other account services. Nuveen
distribution     compensates Authorized Dealers for sales of Class C Shares at
fee              the time of the sale at a rate of 1% of the amount of Class C
                 Shares purchased, which represents a sales commission of .75%
                 plus an advance on the first year's annual service fee of
                 .25%. See "Flexible Pricing Program" and "Distribution and
                 Service Plan."
 
                 Redemptions of Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase
                 may be subject to a CDSC of 1% of the lower of the purchase
                 price or redemption proceeds. See "How to Redeem Fund
                 Shares--Class C Shares."
 
                 CLASS R SHARES
Class R Shares   If you are making a purchase of $1 million or more of Fund
are offered at   shares in a single transaction, you may purchase Class R
their net        shares at a public offering price equal to the applicable net
asset value      asset value per share without any up-front sales charge or
only under       ongoing distribution or service fees. You also may purchase
limited          Class R Shares subject only to the Fund's minimum investment
circumstances    requirement of $1,000 if you are within the following
or to            specified categories of investors who are eligible to
specified        purchase Class A Shares at net asset value without an up-
classes of       front sales charge: officers, trustees and retired trustees
investors        of the Trust; bona fide, full-time and retired employees of
                 Nuveen or ICAP, any parent company of Nuveen, and
                 subsidiaries thereof, or their immediate family members; any
                 person who, for at least 90 days, has been an officer,
                 director or bona fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or
                 their immediate family members; officers and directors of
                 bank holding companies that make Fund shares available
                 directly or through subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or
                 broker-affiliated trust departments; clients of broker-
                 dealers that sponsor mutual fund purchase programs on a
                 periodic fee, asset-based fee or no transaction fee basis;
                 and clients of investment advisers, financial planners or
                 other financial intermediaries that charge
 
                                         22
<PAGE>
 
                 periodic or asset-based fees for their services. For further
                 details about these special categories and their eligibility
                 requirements, please consult your financial adviser or the
                 Statement of Additional Information, or call Nuveen at 800-
                 621-7227.
 
                 If you are eligible to purchase either Class R Shares or
                 Class A Shares without a sales charge at net asset value, you
                 should be aware of the differences between these two classes
                 of shares. Class A Shares are subject to an annual service
                 fee to compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with
                 ongoing account services. Class R Shares are not subject to a
                 distribution or service fee and, consequently, holders of
                 Class R Shares may not receive the same types or levels of
                 services from Authorized Dealers. In choosing between Class A
                 Shares and Class R Shares, you should weigh the benefits of
                 the services to be provided by Authorized Dealers against the
                 annual service fee imposed upon the Class A Shares.
 
                 INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
The Fund         You may buy Fund shares through Authorized Dealers or by
offers a         calling or directing your financial adviser to call Nuveen
number of        toll-free at 800-843-6765. You may pay for your purchase by
convenient       Federal Reserve draft or by check made payable to "Nuveen
ways to          Select Stock Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R]," delivered to
purchase         the financial adviser through whom the investment is to be
shares           made for forwarding to the Fund's shareholder services agent,
                 SSI. When making your initial investment, you must also
                 furnish the information necessary to establish your Fund
                 account by completing and enclosing with your payment the
                 attached Application Form. After your initial investment, you
                 may make subsequent purchases at any time by forwarding to
                 SSI a check in the amount of your purchase made payable to
                 "Nuveen Select Stock Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R]," and
                 indicating on the check your account number. All payments
                 must be in U.S. dollars and should be sent directly to SSI at
                 its address listed on the back cover of this Prospectus. A
                 check drawn on a foreign bank or payable other than to the
                 order of the Fund generally will not be acceptable. You may
                 also wire Federal Funds directly to SSI, but you may be
                 charged a fee for this. For instructions on how to make Fund
                 purchases by wire transfer, call Nuveen toll-free at
                 800-621-7227.
 
                 PURCHASE PRICE
                 The price at which you purchase Fund shares is based on the
                 next calculation of the Fund's net asset value after the
                 order is placed. The Fund's net asset value per share is
                 determined as of the close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m.
                 Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open
                 for business. See "Net Asset Value," below for a description
                 of how net asset value is calculated.
 
 
                                         23
<PAGE>
 
                 MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
                 Generally, your first purchase of any class of the Fund's
                 shares must be for $1,000 or more. Additional purchases may
                 be in amounts of $100 or more. These minimums may be changed
                 at any time by the Fund. There are exceptions to these
                 minimums for shareholders who qualify under one or more of
                 the Fund's automatic deposit, group purchase or reinvestment
                 programs.
 
                 SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
The Fund         The Fund offers you several opportunities to capture the
offers several   benefits of "dollar cost averaging" through systematic
ways to make     investment programs. In a regularly followed dollar cost
systematic       averaging program, you would purchase more shares when Fund
investments      share prices are lower and fewer shares when Fund share
                 prices are higher, so that the average price paid for Fund
                 shares is less than the average price of the Fund shares over
                 the same time period. Dollar cost averaging does not assure
                 profits or protect against losses in a steadily declining
                 market. Since dollar cost averaging involves continuous
                 investment regardless of fluctuating price levels, you should
                 consider your financial ability to continue investing in
                 declining as well as rising markets before deciding to invest
                 in this way. The Fund offers two different types of
                 systematic investment programs:
 
Automatic        Once you have established a Fund account, you may make
Deposit Plan     regular investments in an amount of $25 or more each month by
                 authorizing SSI to draw preauthorized checks on your bank
                 account. There is no obligation to continue payments and you
                 may terminate your participation at any time at your
                 discretion. No charge in addition to the applicable sales
                 charge is made in connection with this Plan, and there is no
                 cost to the Fund. To obtain an application form for the
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, check the applicable box on the
                 enclosed Application Form or call Nuveen toll-free at 800-
                 621-7227.
 
Payroll Direct   Once you have established a Fund account, you may, with your
Deposit Plan     employer's consent, make regular investments in Fund shares
                 of $25 or more per pay period by authorizing your employer to
                 deduct this amount automatically from your paycheck. There is
                 no obligation to continue payments and you may terminate your
                 participation at any time at your discretion. No charge in
                 addition to the applicable sales charge is made for this
                 Plan, and there is no cost to the Fund. To obtain an
                 application form for the Payroll Direct Deposit Plan, check
                 the applicable box on the enclosed Application Form or call
                 Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-7227.
 
                                         24
<PAGE>
 
                 OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROGRAMS
Exchange         You may exchange shares of a class of the Fund for shares of
Privilege        the same class of any other Nuveen Mutual Fund with
                 reciprocal exchange privileges, at net asset value without a
                 sales charge, by sending a written request to the Fund, c/o
                 Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-
                 5330. Similarly, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R Shares
                 of other Nuveen Mutual Funds may be exchanged for the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value without a
                 sales charge. Exchanges of shares from any Nuveen money
                 market fund will be made into Class A Shares, Class B Shares,
                 Class C Shares or Class R Shares of the Fund at the public
                 offering price. If, however, a sales charge has previously
                 been paid on the investment represented by the exchanged
                 shares (i.e., the shares to be exchanged were originally
                 issued in exchange for shares on which a sales charge was
                 paid), the exchange of shares from a Nuveen money market fund
                 will be made into shares of the Fund at net asset value.
                 Class A Shares, Class C Shares or Class R Shares may be
                 exchanged for shares of any Nuveen money market fund, but
                 Class B Shares may not be exchanged for shares of a Nuveen
                 money market fund.
 
                 Class A shares of Nuveen Mutual Funds sold with a maximum up-
                 front sales charge of less than the maximum charged by other
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds will be subject to the appropriate "sales
                 charge differential" upon the exchange of such shares for
                 Class A shares of a Fund sold with a higher up-front sales
                 charge. The "sales charge differential" is limited to a
                 percentage rate no greater than the excess of the sales
                 charge rate applicable to purchases of shares of the Nuveen
                 Mutual Fund being acquired in the exchange over the sales
                 charge rate(s) actually paid on the mutual fund shares
                 relinquished in the exchange and on any predecessor of those
                 shares. For purposes of the exchange privilege, shares
                 obtained through automatic reinvestment of dividends and
                 capital gain distributions are treated as having paid the
                 same sales charges applicable to the shares on which the
                 dividends or distributions were paid; however, if no sales
                 charge was imposed upon the initial purchase of the shares,
                 any shares obtained through automatic reinvestment will be
                 subject to a sales charge differential upon exchange.
 
                 If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be
                 charged at the time of the exchange. However, if you
                 subsequently redeem the shares acquired through the exchange,
                 the redemption may be subject to a CDSC, depending on when
                 you purchased your original shares and the CDSC schedule of
                 the fund from which you exchanged your shares.
 
                 The shares to be purchased must be offered in your state of
                 residence and you must have held the shares you are
                 exchanging for at least 15 days. The total value of
 
                                         25
<PAGE>
 
                 exchanged shares must at least equal the minimum investment
                 requirement of the Nuveen Mutual Fund being purchased. For
                 federal income tax purposes, any exchange constitutes a sale
                 and purchase of shares and may result in capital gain or
                 loss. Before making any exchange, you should obtain the
                 Prospectus for the Nuveen Mutual Fund you are purchasing and
                 read it carefully. If the registration of the account for the
                 Fund you are purchasing is not exactly the same as that of
                 the fund account from which the exchange is made, written
                 instructions from all holders of the account from which the
                 exchange is being made must be received, with signatures
                 guaranteed by a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee
                 Program or in such other manner as may be acceptable to the
                 Fund. You may also exchange shares by telephone if you
                 authorize telephone exchanges by checking the applicable box
                 on the enclosed Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-
                 free at 800-621-7227 to obtain an authorization form. The
                 exchange privilege may be modified or discontinued by the
                 Fund at any time upon prior written notice to shareholders of
                 the Fund.
 
                 The exchange privilege is not intended to permit the Fund to
                 be used as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive
                 exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management,
                 raise expenses, and otherwise have an adverse effect on all
                 shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity
                 and in other circumstances where Fund management believes
                 doing so would be in the best interest of the Fund, the Fund
                 reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange
                 privilege, or limit the amount or number of exchanges or
                 reject any exchange. Shareholders would be notified of any
                 such action to the extent required by law.
 
Fund Direct      You can use Fund Direct to link your Fund account to your
                 account at a bank or other financial institution. Fund Direct
                 enables you to transfer money electronically between these
                 accounts and perform a variety of account transactions. These
                 include purchases of shares by telephone, investments under
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, and sending dividends and
                 distributions, redemption payments or Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan payments directly to your bank account. Please refer to
                 the Application for details, or call SSI for more
                 information.
 
                 Fund Direct privileges must be requested via an Application
                 you obtain by calling 800-621-7227. Fund Direct privileges
                 will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on
                 your account as well as to your Authorized Dealer
                 representative of record unless and until SSI receives
                 written instructions terminating or changing those
                 privileges. After you establish Fund Direct for your account,
                 any change of bank account information must be made by
                 signature-guaranteed instructions to SSI signed by all
                 shareholders who own the account.
 
                                         26
<PAGE>
 
 
                 Purchases may be made by telephone only after your account
                 has been established. To purchase shares in amounts up to
                 $250,000 through a telephone representative, call SSI at 800-
                 621-7227. The purchase payment will be debited from your bank
                 account.
 
Reinstatement    If you redeemed Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the
Privilege        Fund or any other Nuveen Mutual Fund that were subject to a
                 sales charge or a CDSC, you have up to one year to reinvest
                 all or part of the full amount of the redemption in the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value. This
                 reinstatement privilege can be exercised only once for any
                 redemption, and reinvestment will be made at the net asset
                 value of the appropriate class of Fund shares next calculated
                 after reinstatement. If you reinstate shares that were
                 subject to a CDSC, your holding period as of the redemption
                 date will also be reinstated. The tax consequences of any
                 capital gain realized on a redemption will not be affected by
                 reinstatement, but a capital loss may be disallowed in whole
                 or in part depending on the timing and amount of the
                 reinvestment.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PURCHASE OPTIONS AND TO
                 OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS REQUIRED FOR SOME OF THEM, CALL
                 NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                 If you choose to invest in the Fund, an account will be
                 opened and maintained for you by SSI, the Fund's shareholder
                 services agent. Share certificates will be issued to you only
                 upon written request to SSI, and no certificates will be
                 issued for fractional shares. The Fund reserves the right to
                 reject any purchase order and to waive or increase minimum
                 investment requirements. A change in registration or transfer
                 of shares held in the name of your financial adviser's firm
                 can only be made by an order in good form from the financial
                 adviser acting on your behalf.
 
                 Authorized Dealers are encouraged to open single master
                 accounts. However, some Authorized Dealers may wish to use
                 SSI's sub-accounting system to minimize their internal
                 recordkeeping requirements. An Authorized Dealer or other
                 investor requesting shareholder servicing or accounting other
                 than the master account or sub-accounting service offered by
                 SSI will be required to enter into a separate agreement with
                 another agent for these services for a fee that will depend
                 upon the level of services to be provided.
 
                                         27
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
 
                 Subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
                 Exchange Commission, the Fund reserves the right to suspend
                 the continuous offering of its shares at any time, but no
                 suspension shall affect your right of redemption as described
                 below.
                 The Fund has adopted a plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule
                 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which
                 provides that Class B and Class C Shares will be subject to
                 an annual distribution fee and Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares will be subject to an annual service fee. Class R
                 Shares will not be subject to either distribution or service
                 fees.
 
                 The distribution fee applicable to Class B and Class C Shares
                 under the Plan will be payable to reimburse Nuveen for
                 services and expenses incurred in connection with the
                 distribution of such Shares. The distribution fee primarily
                 reimburses Nuveen for providing compensation to Authorized
                 Dealers, including Nuveen, either at the time of sale or on
                 an ongoing basis. The other expenses for which Nuveen may be
                 reimbursed include, without limitation, expenses of printing
                 and distributing prospectuses to persons other than
                 shareholders of the Fund, expenses of preparing, printing and
                 distributing advertising and sales literature and reports to
                 shareholders used in connection with the sale of such Shares,
                 certain other expenses associated with the distribution of
                 such Shares, and any other distribution-related expenses that
                 may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
 
                 The service fee applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares under the Plan will be payable to Nuveen, to be used
                 to compensate Authorized Dealers, including Nuveen, in
                 connection with the provision of ongoing account services to
                 shareholders. These services may include establishing and
                 maintaining shareholder accounts, answering shareholder
                 inquiries and providing other personal services to
                 shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may spend up to .25 of 1% per year of the average
                 daily net assets of Class A Shares as a service fee under the
                 Plan applicable to Class A Shares. The Fund may spend up to
                 .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class B
                 Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25 of 1% per year of
                 the average daily net assets of Class B Shares as a service
                 fee under the Plan applicable to Class B Shares. The Fund may
                 spend up to .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net
                 assets of Class C Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25
                 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class C
                 Shares as a service fee under the Plan applicable to Class C
                 Shares.
 
                                         28
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO REDEEM FUND SHARES
                 You may require the Fund at any time to redeem for cash your
                 shares of the Fund at the net asset value next computed after
                 instructions and required documents and certificates, if any,
                 are received in proper form, as described below. There is no
                 charge for the redemption of Class R Shares.
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
                 Class A Shares are normally redeemed at net asset value,
                 without any contingent deferred sales charge. However, in the
                 case of purchases at net asset value of Class A shares of $1
                 million or more, where the dealer of record has not waived
                 the sales commission, a CDSC of 1% is imposed on any
                 redemptions within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC may be
                 waived under certain special circumstances, as described in
                 the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
                 A CDSC may be imposed upon redemption of Class B Shares. The
                 rate of the CDSC is determined by how long you have owned
                 your shares, as described under "How to Buy Fund Shares--
                 Class B Shares," above. The CDSC may be waived under certain
                 special circumstances, as described in the Statement of
                 Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
                 Class C Shares are redeemed at net asset value, without any
                 contingent deferred sales charge, except that a CDSC of 1%
                 may be imposed upon redemption of Class C Shares that are
                 redeemed within 12 months of purchase. The CDSC may be waived
                 under certain special circumstances, as described in the
                 Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 OPERATION OF THE CDSC
                 In determining whether a CDSC is payable, a Fund will first
                 redeem shares not subject to any charge, and then in the
                 order in which the Class B Shares were purchased or in the
                 reverse order in which the Class A or Class C Shares were
                 purchased, except if another order of redemption would result
                 in a lower charge or you specify another order. No CDSC is
                 charged on shares purchased as a result of automatic
                 reinvestment of dividends or capital gains paid. In addition,
                 no CDSC will be charged on exchanges of shares into another
                 Nuveen Mutual Fund or money market fund. Your holding period
                 is calculated on a monthly basis and begins the first day of
                 the month in which the order for investment is received. The
                 CDSC is calculated based on the lower of the redeemed shares'
                 cost or net asset value at the time of the redemption and is
                 deducted from the redemption proceeds. Nuveen receives the
                 amount of any CDSC you pay.
 
                                         29
<PAGE>
 
 
By Written       You may redeem shares by sending a written request for
Request          redemption directly to the Fund, c/o Shareholder Services,
                 Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330, accompanied by
                 duly endorsed certificates, if issued. Requests for
                 redemption and share certificates, if issued, must be signed
                 by each shareholder and, if the redemption proceeds exceed
                 $50,000 or are payable other than to the shareholder of
                 record at the address of record (which address may not have
                 changed in the preceding 60 days), the signature must be
                 guaranteed by a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee
                 Program or in such other manner as may be acceptable to the
                 Fund. You will receive payment based on the net asset value
                 per share next determined after receipt by the Fund of a
                 properly executed redemption request in proper form. A check
                 for the redemption proceeds will be mailed to you within
                 seven days after receipt of your redemption request. For
                 accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment
                 will be forwarded within three business days. However, if any
                 shares to be redeemed were purchased by check within 15 days
                 prior to the date the redemption request is received, the
                 Fund will not mail the redemption proceeds until the check
                 received for the purchase of shares has cleared, which may
                 take up to 15 days.
 
By TEL-A-CHECK   If you have authorized telephone redemption and your account
                 address has not changed within the last 60 days, you can
                 redeem shares that are held in non-certificate form and that
                 are worth $50,000 or less by calling Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
                 While you or anyone authorized by you may make telephone
                 redemption requests, redemption checks will be issued only in
                 the name of the shareholder of record and will be mailed to
                 the address of record. If your telephone request is received
                 prior to 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption check will
                 normally be mailed the next business day. For requests
                 received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be
                 effected at 4:00 p.m. eastern time the following business day
                 and the check will normally be mailed on the second business
                 day after the request.
 
By TEL-A-WIRE    If you have authorized TEL-A-WIRE redemption or established
or Fund Direct   Fund Direct privileges, you can take advantage of the
                 following expedited redemption procedures to redeem shares
                 held in non-certificate form that are worth at least $1,000.
                 You may make TEL-A-WIRE redemption requests through a phone
                 representative or Fund Direct redemption requests by calling
                 Nuveen at 800-621-7227. If a redemption request is received
                 by 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as of
                 4:00 p.m. that day. If the redemption request is received
                 after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as
                 of 4:00 p.m. the following business day. Proceeds of
                 redemptions through TEL-A-WIRE will normally be wired on the
                 second business day following the redemption, but may be
                 delayed one additional
 
                                         30
<PAGE>
 
                 business day if the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or the
                 Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed on the day
                 redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired. The Fund
                 reserves the right to charge a fee for TEL-A-WIRE. Proceeds
                 of redemptions through Fund Direct will normally be wired to
                 your Fund Direct bank account on the second or third business
                 day after the redemption.
 
                 Before you may redeem shares by TEL-A-CHECK, TEL-A-WIRE or
                 Fund Direct, you must complete the telephone redemption
                 authorization section of the enclosed Application Form or the
                 Fund Direct Application Form and return it to Nuveen or SSI.
                 If you did not authorize telephone redemption when you opened
                 your account, you may obtain a telephone redemption
                 authorization form by writing the Fund or by calling Nuveen
                 toll-free at 800-621-7227. Proceeds of share redemptions made
                 by TEL-A-WIRE will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire
                 only to the commercial bank account specified by the
                 shareholder on the application form. You must send a written
                 request to Nuveen or SSI in order to establish multiple
                 accounts, or to change the account or accounts designated to
                 receive redemption proceeds. These requests must be signed by
                 each account owner with signatures guaranteed by a member of
                 an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other
                 manner as may be acceptable to the Fund. Further
                 documentation may be required from corporations, executors,
                 trustees or personal representatives.
 
                 For the convenience of shareholders, the Fund has authorized
                 Nuveen as its agent to accept orders from financial advisers
                 by wire or telephone for the redemption of Fund shares. The
                 redemption price is the first net asset value determined
                 following receipt of an order placed by the financial
                 adviser. The Fund makes payment for the redeemed shares to
                 the securities representatives who placed the order promptly
                 upon presentation of required documents with signatures
                 guaranteed as described above. Neither the Fund nor Nuveen
                 charges any redemption fees other than any CDSC as described
                 above. However, your financial adviser may charge you for
                 serving as agent in the redemption of shares.
 
                 The Fund reserves the right to refuse telephone redemptions
                 and, at its option, may limit the timing, amount or frequency
                 of these redemptions. Telephone redemption procedures may be
                 modified or terminated at any time, on 30 days' notice, by
                 the Fund. The Fund, SSI and Nuveen will not be liable for
                 following telephone instructions reasonably believed to be
                 genuine. The Fund employs procedures reasonably designed to
                 confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. These
                 procedures include recording all telephone instructions and
                 requiring up to three forms of identification prior to acting
                 upon a caller's instructions. If the Fund does
 
                                         31
<PAGE>
 
                 not follow reasonable procedures for protecting shareholders
                 against loss on telephone transactions, it may be liable for
                 any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
                 instructions.
 
Automatic        If you own Fund shares currently worth at least $10,000, you
Withdrawal       may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan by completing an
Plan             application form for the Plan. You may obtain an application
                 form by checking the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-
                 7227.
 
                 The Plan permits you to request periodic withdrawals on a
                 monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis in an amount
                 of $50 or more. Depending upon the size of the withdrawals
                 requested under the Plan and fluctuations in the net asset
                 value of Fund shares, these withdrawals may reduce or even
                 exhaust your account.
 
                 The purchase of Class A Shares, other than through
                 reinvestment, while you are participating in the Automatic
                 Withdrawal Plan with respect to Class A Shares will usually
                 be disadvantageous because you will be paying a sales charge
                 on any Class A Shares you purchase at the same time you are
                 redeeming shares. Similarly, use of the Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan for Class B Shares held for less than six years or Class
                 C Shares held for less than 12 months may be disadvantageous
                 because the newly-purchased Class B or Class C Shares will be
                 subject to the CDSC.
 
General          The Fund may suspend the right of redemption of Fund shares
                 or delay payment more than seven days (a) during any period
                 when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than
                 customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in
                 the markets the Fund normally utilizes is restricted, or an
                 emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
                 Commission so that trading of the Fund's investments or
                 determination of its net asset value is not reasonably
                 practicable, or (c) for any other periods that the Securities
                 and Exchange Commission by order may permit for protection of
                 Fund shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may, from time to time, establish a minimum total
                 investment for Fund shareholders, and the Fund reserves the
                 right to redeem your shares if your investment is less than
                 the minimum after giving you at least 30 days' notice. If any
                 minimum total investment is established, and if your account
                 is below the minimum, you will be allowed 30 days following
                 the notice in which to purchase sufficient shares to meet the
                 minimum. So long as the Fund continues to offer shares at net
                 asset value to holders of Nuveen UITs who are investing their
                 Nuveen UIT distributions, no minimum total investment will be
                 established for the Fund.
 
                                         32
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of         The management of the Fund, including general supervision of
Trustees         the duties performed for the Fund by NIAC under the
                 Management Agreement, is the responsibility of the Board of
                 Trustees of the Trust.
 
NIAC oversees    Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of NIAC,
operation of     which is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
the Fund         60606. NIAC oversees the management of the Fund's investment
                 portfolio and manages the day-to-day business affairs of the
                 Fund. NIAC has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with
                 ICAP under which ICAP manages the Fund's investment
                 portfolio.
 
                 NIAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, the oldest and
                 largest investment banking firm (based on number of
                 employees) specializing in the underwriting and distribution
                 of tax-exempt securities. Nuveen, the principal underwriter
                 of the Fund's shares, is sponsor of the Nuveen Tax-Free Unit
                 Trust, a registered unit investment trust. It is also the
                 principal underwriter for the Nuveen Mutual Funds, and served
                 as co-managing underwriter for the shares of the Nuveen
                 Exchange-Traded Funds. Over 1,000,000 individuals have
                 invested to date in Nuveen's funds and trusts. Founded in
                 1898, Nuveen is a subsidiary of The John Nuveen Company
                 which, in turn, is approximately 80% owned by The St. Paul
                 Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul"). St. Paul is located in St.
                 Paul, Minnesota, and is principally engaged in providing
                 property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
 
                 For the fund management services and facilities furnished by
                 NIAC, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee as
                 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSET VALUE   FUND MANAGEMENT FEE
                 ---------------------------------------------
           <S>                             <C>
           For the first $125 million          .8500 of 1%
           For the next $125 million           .8375 of 1%
           For the next $250 million           .8250 of 1%
           For the next $500 million           .8125 of 1%
           For the next $1 billion             .8000 of 1%
           For assets over $2 billion          .7750 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
 
                                         33
<PAGE>
 
ICAP manages     ICAP was founded in 1970 and is located at 225 West Wacker
the Fund's       Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606. Under the Sub-Advisory
investment       Agreement, NIAC pays ICAP a portfolio management fee on the
portfolio        Fund's average daily net asset value at an annual rate as set
                 forth below, which is determined by reference to the average
                 daily market value of that portion of the assets of all
                 Nuveen-sponsored investment products for which ICAP serves as
                 portfolio manager:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           ASSETS OF NUVEEN-SPONSORED   PORTFOLIO
           INVESTMENT PRODUCTS          MANAGEMENT
           MANAGED BY ICAP                 FEE
                 ---------------------------------
           <S>                          <C>
           For the first $500 million   .35 of 1%
           For the next $500 million    .30 of 1%
           For assets over $1 billion   .25 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
                 The investment decisions for the Fund are made through a team
                 approach, with all of the ICAP investment professionals
                 contributing to the process. Each of the investment officers
                 and other investment professionals of ICAP has developed an
                 expertise in at least one functional investment area,
                 including equity research, strategy, fixed income analysis,
                 quantitative research, technical research, and trading. A key
                 element in the decision making process is a formal investment
                 committee meeting generally held each business day and
                 attended by all the investment professionals. These meetings
                 also provide for the ongoing review of ICAP's investment
                 position. Pertinent information from outside sources is
                 shared and incorporated into the investment outlook. The
                 investment strategy, asset sectors, and individual security
                 holdings are reviewed to verify their continued
                 appropriateness. Investment recommendations are presented to
                 the committee for decisions.
 
                 ICAP provides continuous advice and recommendations
                 concerning the Fund's investments, and is responsible for
                 selecting the broker-dealers who execute the portfolio
                 transactions. In executing such transactions, ICAP seeks to
                 obtain the best net results for the Fund. ICAP also serves as
                 investment adviser to the ICAP Funds, Inc. and to pension and
                 profit-sharing plans, and other institutional and private
                 investors. As of May 1, 1996, ICAP had approximately $5
                 billion under management. Mr. Robert H. Lyon, President of
                 ICAP, owns shares representing 51% of the voting rights of
                 ICAP. In addition, The John Nuveen Company owns preferred
                 shares of ICAP, which are convertible after several years
                 into a 20% common stock interest of ICAP.
 
NIAC serves as
Fund
Administrator
                 NIAC serves as administrator for the Fund. In such capacity,
                 it provides office facilities and equipment. As
                 administrator, NIAC has also agreed to provide or to
 
                                         34
<PAGE>
 
                 obtain at its expense for the Fund all other services
                 including custodial, transfer agent, accounting, legal and
                 certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services,
                 and to pay all other expenses of the Fund (other than
                 investment management fees, distribution fees and service
                 fees, brokerage costs, organizational costs, interest charges
                 and extraordinary expenses), including but not limited to
                 share registration expenses, printing and mailing expenses,
                 compensation and expenses of trustees not affiliated with
                 NIAC or ICAP, taxes and insurance. For these services, each
                 class pays the Administrator an annual fee of    %.
 
                                         35
<PAGE>
 
HOW THE FUND SHOWS PERFORMANCE
 
                 The Fund may from time to time compare its investment results
                 to various passive indices or other mutual funds and cite
                 such comparisons in reports to shareholders, sales
                 literature, and advertisements. The results may be calculated
                 on the basis of average annual total return, total return, or
                 cumulative total return.
 
                 All total return figures assume the reinvestment of all
                 dividends and measure the net investment income generated by,
                 and the effect of any realized and unrealized appreciation or
                 depreciation of, the underlying investments in the Fund over
                 a specified period of time. Average annual total return
                 figures are annualized and therefore represent the average
                 annual percentage change over the specified period.
                 Cumulative total return figures are not annualized and
                 represent the aggregate percentage or dollar value change
                 over a stated period of time. Average annual total return and
                 cumulative total return are based upon the historical results
                 of the Fund and are not necessarily representative of the
                 future performance of the Fund.

                        Growth of a $10,000 Investment
                         January 1976 - December 1995

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                       Unmanaged Index        Consumer
            ICAP with                S & P with         with Dividends         Price
       Dividends Reinvested     Dividends Reinvested      Reinvested     Index  (Inflation)
<S>    <C>                      <C>                    <C>               <C> 
1/76         10,000                    10,000               10,000             10,000
1/77         11,265                    12,008               11,713             10,482
1/78         11,237                    11,510               11,446             11,192
1/79         12,144                    12,887               12,691             12,203
1/80         13,561                    14,491               14,173             13,827
1/81         16,904                    17,553               16,869             15,542
1/82         17,452                    17,074               16,853             16,932
1/83         21,913                    18,776               18,898             17,586
1/84         25,099                    27,084               25,907             18,255
1/85         25,560                    28,381               27,459             18,975
1/86         33,970                    32,572               31,447             19,693
1/87         38,980                    42,899               40,013             19,918
1/88         49,749                    61,500               54,036             20,798
1/89         53,776                    53,907               49,638             21,716
1/90         71,013                    71,612               63,385             22,724
1/91         71,199                    64,951               59,778             24,110
1/92         94,088                    85,255               75,687             24,851
1/93         99,842                    94,641               83,374             25,568
1/94        115,059                   106,931               92,605             26,272
1/95        115,913                   110,864               95,851             26,974
12/31/95    158,375                   143,755              119,711             27,658
</TABLE> 
 
                 The Fund does not have any prior operating history. The
                 following chart illustrates the growth of a hypothetical
                 $10,000 investment based upon the investment performance of
                 the ICAP Discretionary Equity Composite between December 31,
                 1975 and December 31, 1995. The ICAP Discretionary Equity
                 Composite represents the composite performance of the [x]
                 managed accounts totalling [$2] billion for which ICAP serves
                 as investment adviser and that have the same investment
                 objectives and policies as the Fund.
 
                                                                            LOGO
 
                                         36
<PAGE>
 
 
                 The ICAP performance results assume payment of the maximum
                 Class A sales charge of 5.25% and reflect the investment
                 performance of the ICAP Discretionary Equity Composite before
                 deduction of any investment advisory fees or other expenses,
                 less Class A's projected annual operating expenses as
                 summarized in the Summary of Fund Expenses on page [3]. These
                 performance results would be different from a comparable
                 Class B, C or R investment, reflecting the different sales
                 charge and ongoing operating expenses of each respective
                 class. The Unmanaged Index represents the investment
                 performance of an unmanaged index comprised 80% of the
                 Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P
                 500") and 20% of the U.S. One Year Treasury Index (the "One
                 Year Treasury Index"), whose variability of returns is
                 designed to reflect the variability of returns of the ICAP
                 Discretionary Equity Composite over the time period
                 presented. The S&P 500 is a widely-recognized, unmanaged
                 index of common stock prices. S&P 500 returns assume
                 reinvestment of all dividends paid by the stocks included in
                 the index, but do not include brokerage commissions or other
                 fees an investor would incur by investing in the portfolio of
                 stocks comprising the index. The One Year Treasury Index is
                 an unmanaged index of the returns on the U.S. Treasury Bill
                 with maturity closest to one year, as reported in The Wall
                 Street Journal. All returns used in the chart above are
                 quarterly returns.
 
                                         37
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
                 The Fund intends to operate as a "Regulated Investment
                 Company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and
                 therefore will not be liable for federal income taxes to the
                 extent earnings are distributed on a timely basis.
 
                 For federal income tax purposes, UNLESS YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM
                 TAXATION OR ENTITLED TO A TAX DEFERRAL, ALL DIVIDENDS PAID BY
                 THE FUND AND NET REALIZED SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS ARE
                 TAXABLE AS ORDINARY INCOME, AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID BY THE
                 FUND FROM NET REALIZED LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS ARE TAXABLE AS
                 A CAPITAL GAIN, WHETHER RECEIVED IN CASH OR REINVESTED IN
                 ADDITIONAL SHARES. The capital gain holding period is
                 determined by the length of time the Fund has held the
                 security and not the length of time you have held shares in
                 the Fund. Investors are informed annually as to the amount
                 and nature of all dividends and capital gains paid during the
                 prior year. Such capital gains and dividends may also be
                 subject to state or local taxes. If you are not required to
                 pay taxes on your income, you are generally not required to
                 pay federal income taxes on the amounts distributed to you.
 
                 Income dividends are usually distributed quarterly, and
                 capital gains, if any, are usually distributed annually in
                 December. When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the
                 Fund's net asset value decreases by the amount of the
                 payment. ANY SUCH DISTRIBUTION WILL BE SUBJECT TO INCOME
                 TAXES WHENEVER IT IS RECEIVED, EVEN IF THE DISTRIBUTION
                 OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER A PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES. All dividends
                 or capital gains distributions will automatically be
                 reinvested in shares of the Fund at the then prevailing net
                 asset value unless an investor specifically requests that
                 either dividends or capital gains or both be paid in cash.
                 The election to receive dividends or reinvest them may be
                 changed by writing to: Nuveen Funds, c/o Shareholder
                 Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330. Such
                 notice must be received at least 5 days prior to the record
                 date of any dividend or capital gain distribution.
 
                 If you do not furnish the Fund with your correct social
                 security number or employer identification number, the Fund
                 is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax
                 from your distributions and redemption proceeds at a rate of
                 31%.
 
                 This section is not intended to be a full discussion of
                 federal income tax laws and the effect of such laws on you.
                 There may be other federal, state, or local tax
                 considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are
                 urged to consult your own tax adviser.
 
                                         38
<PAGE>
 
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset        The Fund's net asset value per share is determined as of the
value is         close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m. eastern time) on each
calculated       day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The
daily            Fund's net asset value may not be calculated on days during
                 which the Fund receives no orders to purchase shares and no
                 shares are tendered for redemption. Net asset value is
                 calculated by taking the fair value of the Fund's total
                 assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet
                 collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total
                 number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the
                 nearest cent, is the net asset value per share. In
                 determining net asset value, expenses are accrued and applied
                 daily and securities and other assets for which market
                 quotations are available are valued at market value. Common
                 stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the
                 last sales price on the national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq on which such securities are primarily traded;
                 however, securities traded on a national securities exchange
                 or Nasdaq for which there were no transactions on a given day
                 or securities not listed on a national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq are valued at the most recent bid prices. Debt
                 securities are valued by a pricing service that utilizes
                 electronic data processing techniques to determine values for
                 normal institutional-sized trading units of debt securities
                 without regard to the existence of sale or bid prices when
                 such values are believed to more accurately reflect the fair
                 market value of such securities; otherwise, actual sale or
                 bid prices are used. Any securities or other assets for which
                 market quotations are not readily available are valued at
                 fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of
                 Trustees. Debt securities having remaining maturities of 60
                 days or less when purchased are valued by the amortized cost
                 method when the Board of Trustees determines that the fair
                 market value of such securities is their amortized cost.
                 Under this method of valuation, a security is initially
                 valued at its acquisition cost, and thereafter amortization
                 of any discount or premium is assumed each day, regardless of
                 the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value
                 of the security. Regardless of the method employed to value a
                 particular security, all valuations are subject to review by
                 the Fund's Board of Trustees or its delegate who may
                 determine the appropriate value of a security whenever the
                 value as calculated is significantly different from the
                 previous day's calculated value.
 
Fund expenses    In addition to the Fund management fee and administrative fee
                 paid to NIAC and the distribution and service fees paid to
                 Nuveen, the Fund is responsible for its own expenses that are
                 not covered under such agreements, including, without
                 limitation: interest charges; brokerage commissions;
                 organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses.
 
                                         39
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
Custodian and    The Custodian of the assets of the Fund is The Chase
Transfer and     Manhattan Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), 770 Broadway, New York, New
Shareholder      York 10003. Chase also provides certain accounting services
Service Agent    to the Fund. The Fund's transfer, shareholder services and
                 dividend paying agent, Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box
                 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330, performs bookkeeping, data
                 processing and administrative services for the maintenance of
                 shareholder accounts.
 
Organization     The Fund is a series of the Nuveen Investment Trust
                 ("Trust"). The Trust is an open-end diversified management
                 investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
                 The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
                 May   , 1996. The Board of Trustees of the Trust is
                 authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or
                 more series or "Funds," which may be divided into classes of
                 shares. Currently, there are three series authorized and
                 outstanding, each of which is divided into four classes of
                 shares designated as Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C
                 Shares and Class R Shares. Each class of shares represents an
                 interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund.
                 Each class of shares has equal rights as to voting,
                 redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each bears
                 different class expenses, including different distribution
                 and service fees, and each has exclusive voting rights with
                 respect to any distribution or service plan applicable to its
                 shares. There are no conversion, preemptive or other
                 subscription rights, except that Class B Shares automatically
                 convert into Class A Shares, as described above. The Board of
                 Trustees of the Trust has the right to establish additional
                 series and classes of shares in the future, to change those
                 series or classes and to determine the preferences, voting
                 powers, rights and privileges thereof.
 
                 The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual
                 meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owing more than 10% of
                 the outstanding shares of the Fund have the right to call a
                 special meeting to remove Trustees or for any other purpose.
 
                 Under Massachusetts law applicable to Massachusetts business
                 trusts, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain
                 circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
                 obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust of the Trust
                 contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for
                 acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of
                 this disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or
                 instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the
                 Trustees. The Fund's Declaration of Trust further provides
                 for indemnification out of the assets and property of the
                 Trust for all loss and expense of any shareholder held
                 personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the
                 risk of a shareholder incurring
 
                                         40
<PAGE>
 
                 financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited
                 to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed
                 and the Trust or Fund itself was unable to meet its
                 obligations. The Trust believes the likelihood of the
                 occurrence of these circumstances is remote.
 
                                         41
<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS
Nuveen Balanced Fund
Prospectus
             , 1996
 
The NUVEEN BALANCED FUND (the "Fund") seeks to provide over time an attractive
total return from a diversified portfolio of equity securities, fixed-income
securities and cash. The Fund emphasizes capital appreciation in favorable
market environments and capital preservation in adverse market environments by
actively shifting the allocation of the Fund's portfolio between equity
securities, fixed-income securities and cash, depending upon the relative
risk/reward characteristics of these asset categories, within defined ranges
for each asset category.
 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers you the
opportunity to purchase Fund shares in the same manner you typically make other
investments. The Program features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
(Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other features. The Program is
designed to permit you and your financial adviser to choose the method of
purchasing shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
purchase and current investment, the length of time you expect to hold your
investment, and other relevant circumstances. See "Flexible Pricing Program,"
"How to Buy Fund Shares" and "Summary of Fund Expenses."
 The Fund is a series of The Nuveen Investment Trust (the "Trust"). This
Prospectus contains information you should know before investing in the Fund.
Please retain it for future reference. You can find more detailed information
about the Fund in the Statement of Additional Information dated         , 1996,
as amended from time to time. For a free copy of this Statement, write to the
Nuveen Mutual Funds, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or call Nuveen
toll-free at 800-621-7227. The Statement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
 Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency. Shares
of the Fund involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal.
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>
                            <C> <S>
                                CONTENTS
                              3 Summary of fund expenses
                              5 How to determine if the fund is right for you
                              8 Who is responsible for the operation of the
                                fund?
                              9 What are the fund's investment objective and
                                policies?
                             15 Flexible Pricing Program
                             18 How to buy fund shares
                             30 Distribution and service plan
                             31 How to redeem fund shares
                             35 Management of the fund
                             37 How the fund shows performance
                             39 Distributions and taxes
                             40 Net asset value
                             41 General information
                                Application
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shareholder Transaction                Class A         Class B         Class C      Class R(2)
  Expenses (as a percent of
  offering price)(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed          5.25%(3)            None            None            None
   on
   Purchases
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed              None            None            None            None
   on
   Reinvested Dividends
  Exchange Fees                             None            None            None            None
  Deferred Sales Charge (as a            None(4)          Yes(5)          Yes(6)            None
   percentage of lesser of pur-
                                                                               chase price or redemption
   proceeds)
 
<CAPTION>
  Annual Fund Operating Expenses
  (as a percent of average daily
  net assets)                            Class A         Class B         Class C         Class R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
  Management Fees                           .75%            .75%            .75%            .75%
  Rule 12b-1 Fees(7)                        .25%           1.00%           1.00%            None
  Other Operating Expenses                  .10%            .10%            .10%            .10%
                                           -----           -----           -----            ----
  Total Expenses                           1.10%           1.85%           1.85%            .85%
</TABLE>
 
(1) Investment dealers and other firms may independently charge additional fees
for shareholder transactions or for advisory services; please see their
materials for details.
(2) Class R Shares are available for purchase only under certain limited
circumstances, or by specified classes of investors as described below under
"How to Buy Fund Shares--Class R Shares."
(3) Reduced sales charges apply to purchases of $50,000 or more. See "How to
Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(4) Class A purchases at net asset value of $1 million or more may be subject
to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18 months of
purchase. See "How to Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(5) Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 5% during the first year, 4% during the
second year, 3% during the third and fourth years, 2% during the fifth year,
and 1% during the sixth year.
(6) Class C Shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1%
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
(7) Class A, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual service fee of
 .25% of average daily net assets to compensate Authorized Dealers for ongoing
account services. In addition, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to annual
distribution fees of .75% to reimburse Nuveen for costs in connection with the
sale of Fund shares. See "Distribution and Service Plan." Long-term holders of
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may pay more in Rule 12b-1 fees than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Rules of Fair Practice.
 
                 The purpose of the tables above is to help you understand all
                 expenses and fees that you would bear directly or indirectly
                 as a Fund shareholder. The percentages shown are estimated
                 for the current fiscal year. Actual fees and expenses may be
                 greater or less than those shown.
 
 
                                         3
<PAGE>
 
                 EXAMPLE*
                 For the Fund, you would pay the following expenses on a
                 $1,000 investment over various time periods, assuming (1) a
                 5% annual rate of return and (2) redemption at the end of
                 each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  Class A                               $            $            $            $
  Class B**                             $            $            $            $
  Class C***                            $            $            $            $
  Class R                               $            $            $            $
</TABLE>
 
                 *This example does not represent past or future expenses,
                 which may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the
                 Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the
                 hypothetical 5% return shown in this example. This example
                 assumes that the percentage amounts listed under Annual
                 Operating Expenses remain the same in each of the periods.
                 For additional information about the Fund's fees and
                 expenses, see "Distribution and Service Plan" and "Management
                 of the Fund."
                 **Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the next year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 applied as follows: 1 year (4%) and 3 years (3%). See "How to
                 Buy Shares--Class B Shares."
                 ***Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the second year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 not applicable for any of the periods shown. See "How to Buy
                 Shares--Class C Shares."
 
                                         4
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE FUND IS RIGHT FOR YOU
                 There are many reasons why you might invest in the Fund.
                 These may include:
                 . investing with an emphasis on balancing regular income, the
                   potential for capital growth and capital preservation
                 . preserving and building wealth through prudent capital
                   management
 
                 While there can be no assurance that the Fund will enable you
                 to achieve your individual investment goals, it has been
                 designed for investors who have these kinds of investment
                 goals in mind.
 
                 In addition, the Fund incorporates the following features and
                 benefits. You should carefully review the more detailed
                 description of these features and benefits elsewhere in the
                 Prospectus to make sure they serve your individual investment
                 goals.
 
                 BALANCED INVESTMENT STRATEGY
                 By investing in a conservative mix of stocks, bonds and cash,
                 the Fund seeks to provide regular income and long-term
                 capital appreciation, while at the same time moderating the
                 effect of equity market risk on total returns.
 
                 CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENT MIX
                 The Fund's target investment mix is 55% stocks, 40% bonds and
                 5% cash. The Fund will actively shift the allocation of its
                 investment portfolio in order to emphasize capital
                 appreciation in favorable market environments and capital
                 preservation in adverse market environments. The Fund will
                 shift its investment mix within defined ranges for each asset
                 category based upon each category's relative risk and reward
                 characteristics. The Fund will also rebalance its investment
                 portfolio when necessary in order to prevent the portfolio's
                 investment mix from moving outside these defined ranges under
                 normal market conditions. The table below summarizes the
                 Fund's target investment mix and the allowable range of each
                 asset category's target mix.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     TARGET
                   INVESTMENT ALLOWABLE
                      MIX       RANGE
                 ----------------------
           <S>     <C>        <C>
           Stocks     55%      40-70%
           Bonds      40%      25-55%
           Cash        5%       0-20%
</TABLE>
 
                 EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT
                 Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of
                 Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. ("NIAC"), which oversees
                 the management of the Fund's
 
                                         5
<PAGE>
 
                 investments and administers the Fund's business affairs. NIAC
                 is a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Nuveen & Co.
                 Incorporated ("Nuveen"), which is the principal underwriter
                 of the Fund's shares. Nuveen has sponsored or underwritten
                 over $60 billion of investment company securities.
                 Institutional Capital Corporation ("ICAP") manages the Fund's
                 investment portfolio. ICAP, which was organized in 1970, acts
                 as the investment adviser primarily to institutional clients,
                 and has investment portfolios totaling approximately $5
                 billion.
 
                 LOW MINIMUMS
                 You can start your investment with a low initial purchase of
                 $1,000 in a particular class. See "How to Buy Fund Shares."
 
                 FLEXIBILITY IN PURCHASING FUND SHARES
                 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers
                 you the opportunity to purchase Fund shares in the same
                 manner you typically make other investments. The Program
                 features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
                 (Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of
                 sales charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and
                 other features. The Program is designed to permit you and
                 your financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing
                 shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount
                 of your investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the
                 length of time you expect to hold your investment, and other
                 relevant circumstances. Please refer to the "Flexible Pricing
                 Program," "How to Buy Fund Shares" and "How to Redeem Fund
                 Shares" for a discussion of the Program's features and
                 additional information about these four classes of shares.
 
                 AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT PLANS
                 The Fund offers a number of investment options, including
                 automatic deposit, direct deposit and payroll deduction, to
                 help you add to your account on a regular basis.
 
                 AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
                 All income dividends or capital gains paid with respect to
                 each class of shares will be reinvested automatically into
                 additional shares of the same class without a sales charge,
                 unless you elect to receive them in cash. Separately,
                 distributions from any Nuveen unit trust (a "Nuveen UIT") may
                 be used to buy Class A Shares without a sales charge at net
                 asset value.
 
                 EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
                 Shares of a class may be quickly and easily exchanged by
                 telephone, without a sales charge, for shares of the same or
                 equivalent class of another Nuveen Mutual Fund or for shares
                 of certain Nuveen money market funds.
 
                                         6
<PAGE>
 
 
                 LIQUIDITY
                 You may redeem all or a portion of your Fund shares on any
                 business day at the net asset value next computed for the
                 class of shares you are redeeming. Class B and Class C
                 Shares, as well as certain Class A Shares purchases of $1
                 million or more at net asset value, may be subject to a
                 contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") upon redemption.
                 Remember that share prices will fluctuate with market
                 conditions and upon redemption may be worth more or less than
                 their original cost. See "How to Redeem Fund Shares."
 
                 AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL
                 If you own shares totalling $10,000 or more, you can arrange
                 to have $50 or more sent to you from your account either
                 monthly or quarterly.
 
                 TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
                 You may establish free telephone redemption privileges for
                 your account.
 
                 RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
                 You should consider certain other factors about the Fund
                 before investing. The value and market risk of the Fund's
                 investment portfolio will tend to vary with changes in the
                 allocation of its investments among different asset classes
                 and changes in the fixed income and equity markets. The
                 Fund's equity investments are subject to equity market risk,
                 i.e. the risk that equity prices could decline over short or
                 even extended periods. The equity markets tend to be
                 cyclical, with periods of generally rising prices and periods
                 of generally declining prices. The Fund's fixed-income
                 investments are subject to interest rate and credit risk. In
                 general, the market value of the Fund's fixed-income
                 investments will increase when interest rates decline and
                 decrease when interest rates rise. Although the prices of
                 equity and fixed-income securities often rise and fall at
                 different times so that a fall in price of one will be offset
                 by a rise in, or at least buffered by price stability in, the
                 other, prices in the two markets often move in tandem.
                 Accordingly, the Fund should be considered a long-term
                 investment, designed to provide the best results when held
                 for a multi-year period. The Fund may not be suitable if you
                 have a short-term investment horizon. In addition,
                 investments by the Fund in American Depository Receipts
                 ("ADRs") of foreign companies involve opportunities and risks
                 not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies.
                 There are special risks associated with options and futures
                 transactions. See "What Are the Fund's Investment Objective
                 and Policies?"
 
                                         7
<PAGE>
 
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND?
                 The following organizations work together to provide the
                 services and features offered by the Fund:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            ORGANIZATION           FUNCTION               DUTIES
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
            <S>                    <C>                    <C>
            John Nuveen & Co.      Fund Sponsor and       Sponsors and manages
            Incorporated           Principal Underwriter  the offering of Fund
            ("Nuveen")                                    shares
            Nuveen Institutional   Fund Manager;          Oversees the Fund's
            Advisory Corp.         Administrator          portfolio manager,
            ("NIAC")                                      manages the Fund's
                                                          business affairs and
                                                          provides day-to-day
                                                          administrative
                                                          services to the Fund
            Institutional Capital  Portfolio Manager      Manages the Fund's
            Corporation ("ICAP")                          investment portfolio
            Shareholder Services,  Transfer Agent;        Maintains shareholder
            Inc. ("SSI")           Shareholder Services   accounts, handles
                                   Agent; Dividend Paying share redemptions and
                                   Agent                  exchanges and
                                                          dividend payments
            The Chase Manhattan    Custodian              Maintains custody of
            Bank, N.A. ("Chase")                          the Fund's
                                                          investments and
                                                          provides certain
                                                          accounting services
                                                          to the Fund
</TABLE>
 
 
                                         8
<PAGE>
 
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES?
                 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
                 The Fund seeks to provide over time an attractive total
                 return from a diversified portfolio of equity securities,
                 fixed income securities and cash. The Fund will emphasize
                 capital appreciation in favorable markets and capital
                 preservation in adverse market environments. There is no
                 assurance that this objective will be realized. The Fund's
                 investment objective may not be changed without shareholder
                 approval. Other investment restrictions that may not be
                 changed without shareholder approval are contained in the
                 Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
The Fund         The Fund's investment portfolio will be invested in a
invests in a     diversified portfolio of equity securities, fixed-income
conservative     securities and cash. The Fund's target investment mix is 55%
mix of stocks,   equity securities, 40% fixed-income securities and 5% cash,
bonds and cash   reflecting the Fund's anticipated average allocation of its
                 investment portfolio over a full market cycle. The Fund will
                 actively shift the allocation of its investment portfolio in
                 order to emphasize capital appreciation in favorable market
                 environments and capital preservation in adverse market
                 environments. The Fund will shift its investment mix within
                 defined ranges for each asset category based upon each
                 category's relative risk and reward characteristics. The Fund
                 will also rebalance its investment portfolio when necessary
                 in order to prevent the portfolio's investment mix from
                 moving outside these defined ranges under normal market
                 conditions. The table below summarizes the Fund's target
                 investment mix and the allowable range of each asset
                 category's target mix.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      TARGET
                                    INVESTMENT ALLOWABLE
                                       MIX       RANGE
                 ---------------------------------------
           <S>                      <C>        <C>
           Equity Securities           55%      40-70%
           Fixed-Income Securities     40%      25-55%
           Cash                         5%       0-20%
</TABLE>
 
                 The Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time, without
                 shareholder approval, may change the Fund's target investment
                 mix and the allowable range for each asset category if, after
                 consultation with NIAC and ICAP, the Board determines that
                 such a change is in the best interests of shareholders,
                 provided however, that the target investment mix for any
                 asset category may not be set outside the allowable range for
                 that asset category, as reflected above.
 
                                         9
<PAGE>
 
 
                 During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may invest any
                 percentage of its assets in temporary investments, as
                 described below under "Temporary Investments." During such
                 periods, which may occur at a time when the Fund would
                 otherwise rebalance its investment mix, the proportion of the
                 Fund's assets invested in an asset category may fall outside
                 the allowable range for that asset category.
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS
Equity           "Equity Securities" are common stocks; preferred stocks;
Securities       warrants to purchase common stocks or preferred stocks; and
                 securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, such
                 as convertible bonds and debentures and other equity-type
                 securities. The Fund will invest the assets allocated to
                 equity investments primarily in Equity Securities of domestic
                 companies with market capitalizations of at least $500
                 million. Equity Securities are selected on the basis of
                 ICAP's evaluation of each security's relative value in terms
                 of projected price-earnings ratios and earnings stability,
                 with a clear catalyst for significant price appreciation over
                 a defined time horizon. When making investment decisions,
                 ICAP develops an economic framework (including an interest
                 rate, inflation, and business cycle outlook) and analyzes
                 strategic economic and/or industry themes to identify
                 appropriate investments. ICAP uses a variety of proprietary
                 research techniques and computer models to search for equity
                 securities possessing best relative value based on
                 proprietary price/earnings projections and analysis of
                 earnings stability. Furthermore, a clear catalyst, either
                 stock-specific, industry or economic, which ICAP believes
                 will trigger significant price appreciation in a definable
                 period must exist. In order to enhance its internal research,
                 ICAP also utilizes a wide variety of external sources for
                 investment information including recognized strategists,
                 economists, technical and fundamental analysts, corporate
                 executives, and industry sources. Convertible bonds and
                 debentures must be rated Baa or higher by Moody's Investors
                 Service ("Moody's") or BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's
                 ("S&P"), Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("Duff & Phelps") or Fitch
                 Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"). A general description of
                 S&P's and Moody's ratings is set forth in the Statement of
                 Additional Information. In addition, the Fund may invest in
                 equity securities of foreign issuers through investments in
                 American Depository Receipts (ADRs).
 
The Fund         For each equity investment, ICAP establishes an upside price
employs a        target and a downside risk potential. This strategy allows
value-oriented   for continuous monitoring of fundamental conditions and stock
strategy when    price performance. Although ICAP typically expects the
selecting        investment potential of each investment to be realized over a
equity           nine to eighteen month time period, it is not unusual for
securities       equities to be held for a longer period if
 
                                         10
<PAGE>
 
                 the potential is justified. Investments that underperform the
                 market are reviewed intensively. If the risk/reward of a
                 particular investment becomes unattractive or the reasons for
                 owning the security no longer appear valid, the investment is
                 typically sold expeditiously to avoid future
                 underperformance.
 
Fixed-Income     The Fund will invest the portion of its net assets allocated
Securities       to fixed-income securities in U.S. Treasury and investment
                 grade debt securities with maturities of one to fifteen
                 years. These securities are selected on the basis of the
                 shape of the yield curve and ICAP's outlook for interest
                 rates. Investment grade debt securities include bonds rated
                 Baa or higher by Moody's and BBB or higher by S&P, D&P or
                 Fitch. Bonds rated BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's, although
                 considered investment grade, have speculative characteristics
                 and may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than
                 higher-rated bonds. For a more extensive discussion of these
                 ratings, see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
Cash             The Fund will invest the portion of its net assets allocated
Equivalents      to cash in cash equivalents and short-term fixed-income
                 securities issued by issuers having a long-term rating of A
                 or higher by S&P, Moody's or Fitch, or A- or higher by Duff &
                 Phelps, and have a maturity of one year or less. Cash
                 equivalents may include U.S. Government securities,
                 certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, commercial
                 paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P, Prime-1 or higher by
                 Moody's, Duff 2 or higher by Duff & Phelps or Fitch 2 or
                 higher by Fitch, and repurchase agreements with respect to
                 U.S. government obligations.
 
Temporary        During certain temporary periods, in order to keep cash on
Investments      hand fully invested or, as a defensive measure in response to
                 prevailing market conditions, the Fund may invest without
                 limitation in cash equivalents and short-term fixed-income
                 securities. See the Statement of Additional Information under
                 "Investment Policies and Techniques--Short-Term Fixed Income
                 Securities" for additional information.
 
When-Issued      The Fund may invest without limitation in securities
Securities       purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis ("When-
                 Issued Securities"). Although the payment and terms of these
                 securities are established at the time the purchaser enters
                 into the commitment, these securities may be delivered and
                 paid for at a future date, generally within 45 days.
                 Purchasing When-Issued Securities allows the Fund to lock in
                 a fixed price on a security it intends to purchase. The Fund
                 will segregate and maintain cash, cash equivalents, U.S.
                 government securities, or other high-quality, liquid debt
                 securities in an amount at least equal to the amount of
 
                                         11
<PAGE>
 
                 outstanding commitments for When-Issued Securities at all
                 times. Such securities involve a risk of loss if the value of
                 the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement
                 date.
 
ADRs             The Fund may invest in ADRs or other instruments denominated
                 in U.S. dollars that permit indirect investment in foreign
                 securities. Foreign investments are limited to 20% of net
                 assets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or
                 trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying foreign
                 security and denominated in U.S. dollars. ADRs do not
                 eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in foreign
                 issuers, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
                 However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in foreign
                 issuers' stock, the Fund avoids currency risks during the
                 settlement period.
 
                 Investments in securities of foreign issuers involve risks
                 that are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
                 investment, including currency risks. The U.S. Dollar value
                 of a foreign security tends to decrease when the value of the
                 U.S. Dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the
                 security is denominated and tends to increase when the value
                 of the U.S. Dollar falls against such currency. Some ADRs may
                 not be sponsored by the issuer. Unsponsored ADRs are affected
                 by the fact that in many countries there is less publicly
                 available information about issuers than is available in the
                 reports and ratings published about companies in the U.S. and
                 companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing
                 and financial reporting standards. Other risks inherent in
                 foreign investment include expropriation; confiscatory
                 taxation; withholding taxes on dividends and interest; less
                 extensive regulation of foreign brokers, securities markets
                 and issuers; diplomatic developments; and political or social
                 instability. Foreign economies may differ favorably or
                 unfavorably from the U.S. economy in various respects, and
                 many foreign securities are less liquid and their prices tend
                 to be more volatile than comparable U.S. securities. From
                 time to time, foreign securities may be difficult to
                 liquidate rapidly without adverse price effects.
 
                 CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND LIMITATIONS
Options and      The Fund may engage in options and futures transactions,
Futures          which are sometimes referred to as derivative transactions.
Transactions     The Fund's options and futures transactions may include
                 instruments such as stock index options and futures
                 contracts. Such transactions may be used for several reasons,
                 including hedging unrealized portfolio gains. The Fund will
                 only engage in futures and options transactions that,
                 pursuant
 
                                         12
<PAGE>
 
                 to regulations promulgated by the Commodity Futures Trading
                 Commission (the "CFTC"), constitute bona fide hedging or
                 other permissible risk management transactions and will not
                 enter into such transactions if the sum of the initial margin
                 deposits and premiums paid for unexpired options exceeds 5%
                 of the Fund's total assets. In addition, the Fund will not
                 enter into options and futures transactions if more than 30%
                 of the Fund's net assets would be committed to such
                 instruments. The ability of the Fund to benefit from options
                 and futures is largely dependent upon ICAP's ability to
                 correctly use such instruments, which may involve skills
                 different from those associated with managing securities
                 generally. The Fund could lose money on a futures transaction
                 or an option could expire worthless, as well as the Fund
                 suffering a loss on the value of its portfolio assets. For a
                 further discussion of options and futures transactions,
                 please see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
Lending of       The Fund may lend its portfolio securities, up to 33 1/3% of
Portfolio        its total assets, to broker-dealers or institutional
Securities       investors. The loans will be secured continuously by
                 collateral at least equal to the value of the securities lent
                 by "marking to market" daily. The Fund will continue to
                 receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by
                 the issuer of the securities lent and will retain the right
                 to call, upon notice, the lent securities. The Fund may also
                 receive interest on the investment of the collateral or a fee
                 from the borrower as compensation for the loan. As with other
                 extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or
                 even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of
                 the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made
                 only to firms deemed by the portfolio manager to be of good
                 standing.
 
Illiquid         The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid
Securities       securities, which include, but are not limited to, restricted
                 securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted
                 under the federal securities laws); securities which may be
                 resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933
                 but that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements
                 with maturities in excess of seven days.
 
Portfolio        Under normal market conditions, the Fund anticipates that its
Turnover         annual portfolio turnover rate will be between 75% and 100%,
                 and will generally not exceed 125%. A turnover rate of 100%
                 would occur, for example, if all of the securities held by a
                 Fund were replaced within one year.
 
                                         13
<PAGE>
 
 
Other            The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
Investment       any one of the following types of investments: warrants;
Policies and     unseasoned companies; and transactions in short sales against
Restrictions     the box. In addition the Fund has adopted several
                 restrictions on the investments and other activities of the
                 Fund that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
                 For example, the Fund may not:
                 . With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the
                   securities of any issuer (except securities issued or
                   guaranteed by the U.S. government or any agency or
                   instrumentality thereof) if, as a result, (i) more than 5%
                   of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities
                   of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10%
                   of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
                 . Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money
                   from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for
                   leverage or the purchase of investments) and (ii) make
                   other investments or engage in other transactions
                   permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that
                   may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of
                   (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the
                   Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed), less
                   the Fund's liabilities (other than borrowings).
 
                 If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of
                 investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage beyond
                 the specified limit resulting from a change in values or
                 assets will not be considered a violation.
 
                 Except as specifically noted above or in the Statement of
                 Additional Information, the Fund's investment policies are
                 not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
                 approval. For a more complete description of investment
                 restrictions that may be changed without a shareholder vote,
                 see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
 
                                         14
<PAGE>
 
FLEXIBLE PRICING PROGRAM
The Fund         The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program that offers
offers various   you four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares (Classes A,
methods of       B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales
purchasing       charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other
shares which     features. The Program is designed to permit you and your
are designed     financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing shares
to meet your     that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
individual       investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the length of
investment       time you expect to hold your investment, and other relevant
needs and        circumstances. A summary of the four alternatives is set
preferences      forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      UP-FRONT   CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES   ANNUAL 12B-1   ANNUAL 12B-1
                    SALES CHARGE       CHARGE "CDSC"       DISTRIBUTION FEE SERVICE FEE
                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>      <C>          <C>                       <C>              <C>
           Class A    5.25%(1)            None(2)                None           .25%
           Class B    None                5%(3)                  .75%(4)        .25%
           Class C    None                1%(5)                  .75%           .25%
           Class R    None                None                   None           None
</TABLE>
                 (1) Maximum up-front sales charge, which is reduced for
                     purchases of $50,000 or more. Up-front sales charge may
                     be reduced or waived for certain purchases.
                 (2) Certain Class A purchases at net asset value of $1
                     million or more may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed
                     within 18 months of purchase.
                 (3) CDSC in the first year. CDSC declines to 0% after six
                     years.
                 (4) Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares after eight
                     years, which reduces the ongoing expenses borne by an
                     investor.
                 (5) CDSC is applicable to shares redeemed within 12 months of
                     purchase.
 
                 For more information regarding features of each class, see
                 "How to Buy Fund Shares," "How to Redeem Fund Shares" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan" below.
 
Which Option     When you purchase Class A Shares, you will normally pay an
is Right For     up-front sales charge. As a result, you will have less money
You?             invested initially and you will own fewer Class A Shares than
                 you would in the absence of an up-front sales charge.
                 Alternatively, when you purchase Class B or Class C Shares,
                 you will not pay an up-front sales charge and all of your
                 monies will be fully invested at the time of purchase.
                 However, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual
                 distribution fee which constitutes an asset-based sales
                 charge whose purpose is the same as an up-front sales charge.
                 In addition, Class B Shares when redeemed are subject to a
                 CDSC, which will vary depending on the length of time you
                 owned your shares. Class B Shares
                 automatically convert to Class A Shares eight years after
                 purchase, which reduces the annual expenses borne by an
                 investor. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if
                 redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Because Class C Shares
                 do not convert to Class A Shares and continue to pay an
                 annual distribution fee indefinitely, Class C Shares should
                 normally not be purchased by an investor who expects to hold
                 shares for significantly longer than eight years. Class A,
                 Class B and Class C Shares are
 
                                         15
<PAGE>
 
                 subject to annual service fees, which are identical in amount
                 and are used to compensate Authorized Dealers for providing
                 you with ongoing account services. You may qualify for a
                 reduced sales charge or a sales charge waiver on a purchase
                 of Class A Shares, as described below under "How the Sales
                 Charge on Class A Shares May Be Reduced or Waived." Class R
                 Shares are available for purchase at a price equal to their
                 net asset value, but only under certain circumstances or for
                 certain categories of investors, as described below under
                 "How to Buy Fund Shares--Class R Shares."
 
                 In deciding whether to purchase Class A, Class B, Class C or
                 Class R Shares, you should consider all relevant factors,
                 including the dollar amount of your purchase, the length of
                 time you expect to hold the shares and whether a CDSC would
                 apply, the amount of any applicable up-front sales charge,
                 the amount of any applicable distribution or service fees
                 that may be incurred while you own the shares, whether or not
                 you will be reinvesting income or capital gain distributions
                 in additional shares, whether or not you meet applicable
                 eligibility requirements or qualify for a sales charge waiver
                 or reduction, and the relative level of services that your
                 financial adviser may provide to different classes.
                 Authorized Dealers and other persons distributing the Fund's
                 shares may receive different compensation for selling
                 different classes of shares.
 
Differences      Each class of shares represents an interest in the same
Between the      portfolio of investments. Each class of shares is identical
Classes of       in all respects except that each class has its own sales
Shares           charge structure, each class bears its own class expenses,
                 including distribution and service expenses, and each class
                 has exclusive voting rights with respect to any distribution
                 or service plan applicable to its shares. In addition, the
                 Class B Shares are subject to a conversion feature. As a
                 result of the differences in the expenses borne by each class
                 of shares, and differences in the purchase and redemption
                 activity for each class, net income per share, dividends per
                 share and net asset value per share will vary among the
                 Fund's classes of shares.
 
Dealer           Upon notice to all Authorized Dealers, Nuveen may reallow to
Incentives       Authorized Dealers electing to participate up to the full
                 applicable Class A Share sales charge during periods and for
                 transactions specified in the notice. The reallowances made
                 during these periods may be based upon attainment of minimum
                 sales levels. Further, Nuveen may from time to time make
                 additional reallowances only to certain
                 Authorized Dealers who sell or are expected to sell certain
                 minimum amounts of the Fund or other Nuveen Mutual Funds and
                 Nuveen UITs during specified time periods. Nuveen will
                 reimburse the Authorized Dealer for up to one-half of
                 specified
 
                                         16
<PAGE>
 
                 media costs incurred in the placement of advertisements which
                 jointly feature the Authorized Dealer and Nuveen Funds and
                 Nuveen unit trusts.
 
                 Such reimbursement to the Authorized Dealer will be based on
                 the number of its financial advisers who have sold Nuveen
                 Fund shares and unit trust units during the prior calendar
                 year according to an established schedule. The staff of the
                 Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that
                 dealers who receive 90% or more of the applicable sales
                 charge may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act of
                 1933, as amended.
 
                                         17
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
Class A Shares   You may purchase Class A Shares at a public offering price
are offered at   equal to the applicable net asset value per share plus an up-
their net        front sales charge imposed at the time of purchase as set
asset value      forth below. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge, or
plus an up-      the sales charge may be waived in its entirety, as described
front sales      below under "How the Up-Front Sales Charge on Class A Shares
charge           May Be Reduced or Waived." Class A Shares are also subject to
                 an annual service fee of .25%. See "Flexible Pricing Program"
                 and "Distribution and Service Plan."
 
                 The up-front sales charges for Class A Shares are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SALES CHARGE AS SALES CHARGE AS REALLOWANCE AS
                                     % OF PUBLIC      % OF NET      % OF PUBLIC
           AMOUNT OF PURCHASE      OFFERING PRICE  AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
                 ----------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                     <C>             <C>             <C>
           Less than $50,000            5.25%           5.54%          5.00%
           $50,000 but less than
            $100,000                    4.25%           4.44%          3.75%
           $100,000 but less than
            $250,000                    3.50%           3.63%          3.25%
           $250,000 but less than
            $500,000                    2.75%           2.83%          2.50%
           $500,000 but less than
            $1,000,000                  2.00%           2.04%          1.75%
           $1,000,000 and over          0.00%           0.00%          0.00%*
</TABLE>
                 *Authorized Dealers are eligible to receive commission from
                 Nuveen as discussed below.
 
                 The Fund receives the entire net asset value of all Class A
                 Shares that are sold. Nuveen retains the full applicable
                 sales charge from which it pays the uniform reallowances
                 shown above to Authorized Dealers. See "Flexible Sales Charge
                 Program--Dealer Incentives" above for more information about
                 reallowances and other compensation to Authorized Dealers.
 
                 Certain commercial banks may make Class A Shares of the Fund
                 available to their customers on an agency basis. Pursuant to
                 the agreements between Nuveen and these banks, some or all of
                 the sales charge paid by a bank customer in connection with a
                 purchase of Class A Shares may be retained by or paid to the
                 bank. Certain banks and other financial institutions may be
                 required to register as securities dealers in certain states.
 
Class A Share    Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net
purchases of     asset value without an up-front sales charge. Nuveen pays
$1 million and   Authorized Dealers of record on such Class A Share purchases
over may be      a commission of up to 1.00% of the amount of the purchase. If
subject to a     such shares are redeemed within 18 months of purchase, a CDSC
CDSC             of 1% of the lower of the purchase price or the redemption
                 proceeds may be imposed upon the redemption. Shares purchased
                 by investors investing $1 million or more who have
 
                                         18
<PAGE>
 
                 made arrangements with Nuveen and whose dealer of record
                 waived the commission are not subject to the CDSC.
 
                 [HOW THE UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE MAY BE REDUCED OR WAIVED]
There are        There are several ways to reduce or eliminate the up-front
several ways     sales charge:
to reduce or     . cumulative discount;
eliminate the    . letter of intent;
up-front sales   . purchases with monies representing distributions from
charge             Nuveen-sponsored UITs;
                 . group purchase programs;
                 . reinvestment of redemption proceeds from non-affiliated
                   funds; and
                 . special sales charge waivers for certain categories of
                   investors.
 
Cumulative       You may qualify for a reduced sales charge as shown above on
Discount         a purchase of Class A Shares if the amount of your purchase,
                 when added to the value that day of all of your prior
                 purchases of shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual
                 Fund, or units of a Nuveen UIT, on which an up-front sales
                 charge or ongoing distribution fee is imposed, falls within
                 the amounts stated in the table. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI of any cumulative discount
                 whenever you plan to purchase Class A Shares of the Fund that
                 you wish to qualify for a reduced sales charge.
 
Letter of        You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a purchase of
Intent           Class A Shares if you plan to purchase Class A Shares of
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds over the next 13 months and the total
                 amount of your purchases would, if purchased at one time,
                 qualify you for one of the reduced sales charges shown above.
                 In order to take advantage of this option, you must complete
                 the applicable section of the Application Form or sign and
                 deliver either to an Authorized Dealer or to SSI a written
                 Letter of Intent in a form acceptable to Nuveen. A Letter of
                 Intent states that you intend, but are not obligated, over
                 the next 13 months to purchase a stated total amount of Class
                 A Shares that would qualify you for a reduced sales charge
                 shown above. You may count shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund
                 that you already own on which you paid an up-front sales
                 charge or an ongoing distribution fee and any Class B and
                 Class C Shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund that you purchase over
                 the next 13 months towards completion of your investment
                 program, but you will receive a reduced sales charge only on
                 new Class A Shares you purchase with a sales charge over the
                 13 months. You cannot count towards completion of your
                 investment program Class A Shares that you purchase without a
                 sales charge through investment of distributions from a
                 Nuveen Mutual Fund or a Nuveen UIT, or otherwise.
 
 
                                         19
<PAGE>
 
                 By establishing a Letter of Intent, you agree that your first
                 purchase of Class A Shares following execution of the Letter
                 of Intent will be at least 5% of the total amount of your
                 intended purchases. You further agree that shares
                 representing 5% of the total amount of your intended
                 purchases will be held in escrow pending completion of these
                 purchases. All dividends and capital gains distributions on
                 Class A Shares held in escrow will be credited to your
                 account. If total purchases, less redemptions, prior to the
                 expiration of the 13 month period equal or exceed the amount
                 specified in your Letter of Intent, the Class A Shares held
                 in escrow will be transferred to your account. If the total
                 purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified in
                 your Letter of Intent and thereby qualify for a lower sales
                 charge than the sales charge specified in your Letter of
                 Intent, you will receive this lower sales charge
                 retroactively, and the difference between it and the higher
                 sales charge paid will be used to purchase additional Class A
                 Shares on your behalf. If the total purchases, less
                 redemptions, are less than the amount specified, you must pay
                 Nuveen an amount equal to the difference between the amounts
                 paid for these purchases and the amounts that would have been
                 paid if the higher sales charge had been applied. If you do
                 not pay the additional amount within 20 days after written
                 request by Nuveen or your financial adviser, Nuveen will
                 redeem an appropriate number of your escrowed Class A Shares
                 to meet the required payment. By establishing a Letter of
                 Intent, you irrevocably appoint Nuveen as attorney to give
                 instructions to redeem any or all of your escrowed shares,
                 with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
                 You or your financial adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI
                 whenever you make a purchase of Fund shares that you wish to
                 be covered under the Letter of Intent option.
 
Reinvestment     You may purchase Class A Shares without an up-front sales
of Nuveen UIT    charge by reinvestment of distributions from any of the
Distributions    various unit trusts sponsored by Nuveen. There is no initial
                 or subsequent minimum investment requirement for such
                 reinvestment purchases.
 
Group Purchase   If you are a member of a qualified group, you may purchase
Programs         Class A Shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual Fund
                 at the reduced sales charge applicable to the group's
                 purchases taken as a whole. A "qualified group" is one which
                 has been in existence for more than six months, has a purpose
                 other than investment, has five or more participating
                 members, has agreed to include Fund sales publications in
                 mailings to members and has agreed to comply with certain
                 administrative requirements relating to its group purchases.
 
 
                                         20
<PAGE>
 
                 Under any group purchase program, the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio by each participant is $25, and the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio for all participants in the program combined is
                 $1,000. No certificates will be issued for any participant's
                 account. All dividends and other distributions by the Fund
                 will be reinvested in additional Class A Shares of the Fund.
                 No participant may utilize a systematic withdrawal program.
 
                 To establish a group purchase program, both the group itself
                 and each participant must fill out special application
                 materials, which the group administrator may obtain from the
                 group's financial adviser, by checking the applicable box on
                 the enclosed Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free
                 at 800-621-7227. See the Statement of Additional Information
                 for more complete information about "qualified groups" and
                 group purchase programs.
 
Reinvestment     You may also purchase Class A Shares at net asset value
of Redemption    without a sales charge if the purchase takes place through a
Proceeds from    broker-dealer and represents the reinvestment of the proceeds
Unaffiliated     of the redemption of shares of one or more registered
Funds            investment companies not affiliated with Nuveen. You must
                 provide appropriate documentation that the redemption
                 occurred not more than 60 days prior to the reinvestment of
                 the proceeds in Class A Shares, and that you either paid an
                 up-front sales charge or were subject to a contingent
                 deferred sales charge in respect of the redemption of such
                 shares of such other investment company.
 
Special Sales    Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset
Charge Waivers   value without a sales charge and in any amount by officers,
                 trustees and retired trustees of the Trust; bona fide, full-
                 time and retired employees of Nuveen or ICAP, any parent
                 company of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their
                 immediate family members (as defined below); any person who,
                 for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or bona
                 fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate
                 family members; officers and directors of bank holding
                 companies that make Fund shares available directly or through
                 subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or broker-affiliated
                 trust departments; clients of broker-dealers that sponsor
                 mutual fund purchase programs on a periodic fee, asset-based
                 fee or no transaction fee basis; and clients of investment
                 advisers, financial planners or other financial
                 intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for
                 their services. For further details about these special
                 categories and their eligibility requirements, please consult
                 your financial adviser or the Statement of Additional
                 Information, or call Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
 
 
                                         21
<PAGE>
 
                 Any Class A Shares purchased pursuant to a special sales
                 charge waiver must be acquired for investment purposes and on
                 the condition that they will not be transferred or resold
                 except through redemption by the Fund. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI whenever you make a
                 purchase of Class A Shares that you wish to be covered under
                 these special sales charge waivers. All purchases under the
                 Special Sales Charge Waivers will be subject to minimum
                 purchase requirements as established by the Fund. All of the
                 above categories of investors are also eligible to purchase
                 Class R Shares, as described below under "Class R Shares."
                 Finally, Class A Shares may be issued at net asset value
                 without a sales charge in connection with the acquisition by
                 the Fund of another investment company.
 
In general       In determining the amount of your purchases of Class A Shares
                 that may qualify for a reduced sales charge, the following
                 purchases may be combined: (1) all purchases by a trustee or
                 other fiduciary for a single trust estate or fiduciary
                 account; (2) all purchases by individuals and their immediate
                 family members (i.e., their spouses and their children under
                 21 years of age); or (3) all purchases made through a group
                 purchase program as described above.
 
                 The reduced sales charge programs may be modified or
                 discontinued by the Fund at any time upon prior written
                 notice to shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES OR
                 REDUCED SALES CHARGE PROGRAMS, OR TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED
                 APPLICATION FORMS, CALL NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares   You may purchase Class B Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Since Class B Shares are sold without
their net        an initial sales charge, the full amount of your purchase
asset value,     payment will be invested in Class B Shares. Class B Shares
but are          are subject to an annual distribution fee to compensate
subject to an    Nuveen for its costs in connection with the sale of Class B
annual           shares, and are also subject to an annual service fee to
distribution     compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
fee and a CDSC   financial advice and other account services.
 
                 You may be subject to a CDSC if you redeem your Class B
                 shares within a specified period after purchase, as shown in
                 the table below. See "Flexible Pricing Program" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan." Nuveen compensates
                 Authorized Dealers for sales of Class B Shares at the time of
                 sale at the rate of 4.00% of the amount of Class B Shares
                 purchased, which represents a sales commission of 3.75% plus
                 an advance on the first year's annual service fee of .25%.
 
                                         22
<PAGE>
 
 
                 If redeemed prior to the end of the sixth year after
                 purchase, Class B Shares may be subject to a CDSC, as set
                 forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  YEARS
                  SINCE
                PURCHASE   CDSC
                         ------
                <S>        <C>
                 0-1        5%
                 1-2        4%
                 2-3        3%
                 3-4        3%
                 4-5        2%
                 5-6        1%
</TABLE>
 
                 Class B Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends
                 are not subject to a CDSC. Any CDSC will be imposed on the
                 lower of the redeemed shares' cost or net asset value at the
                 time of redemption. For more information regarding the
                 imposition of the CDSC, see "How to Redeem Fund Shares --
                 Class B Shares," below.
 
Class B Shares   Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares
automatically    eight years after purchase. All conversions will be done at
convert to       net asset value without the imposition of any sales load,
Class A Shares   fee, or other charge, so that the value of each shareholder's
eight years      account immediately before conversion will be the same as the
after purchase   value of the account immediately after conversion. Class B
                 Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will
                 convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial
                 purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose, Class
                 B Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will
                 be attributed to particular purchases of
                 Class B Shares in accordance with such procedures as the
                 Board of Trustees may determine from time to time. Class B
                 Shares that are converted to Class A Shares will remain
                 subject to an annual service fee that is identical in amount
                 for both Class B Shares and Class A Shares. Since net asset
                 value per share of the Class B Shares and the Class A Shares
                 may differ at the time of conversion, a shareholder may
                 receive more or fewer Class A Shares than the number of Class
                 B Shares converted. Any conversion of Class B Shares into
                 Class A Shares will be subject to the continuing availability
                 of an opinion of counsel or a private letter ruling from the
                 Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the conversion of
                 shares would not constitute a taxable event under federal
                 income tax law. Conversion of Class B Shares into Class A
                 Shares might be suspended if such an opinion or ruling were
                 no longer available.
 
                                         23
<PAGE>
 
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
Class C Shares   You may purchase Class C Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Class C Shares are subject to an
their net        annual distribution fee to compensate Nuveen for its costs in
asset value,     connection with the sale of Class C Shares. Class C Shares
but are          are also subject to an annual service fee to compensate
subject to an    Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing financial
annual           advice and other account services. Nuveen compensates
distribution     Authorized Dealers for sales of Class C Shares at the time of
fee              the sale at a rate of 1% of the amount of Class C Shares
                 purchased, which represents a sales commission of .75% plus
                 an advance on the first year's annual service fee of .25%.
                 See "Flexible Pricing Program" and "Distribution and Service
                 Plan."
 
                 Redemptions of Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase
                 may be subject to a CDSC of 1% of the lower of the purchase
                 price or redemption proceeds. See "How to Redeem Fund Shares
                 -- Class C Shares."
 
                 CLASS R SHARES
Class R Shares   If you are making a purchase of $1 million or more of Fund
are offered at   shares in a single transaction, you may purchase Class R
their net        shares at a public offering price equal to the applicable net
asset value      asset value per share without any up-front sales charge or
only under       ongoing distribution or service fees. You also may purchase
limited          Class R Shares subject only to the Fund's minimum investment
circumstances    requirement of $1,000 if you are within the following
or to            specified categories of investors who are eligible to
specified        purchase Class A Shares at net asset value without an up-
classes of       front sales charge: officers, trustees and retired trustees
investors        of the Trust; bona fide, full-time and retired employees of
                 Nuveen or ICAP, any parent company of Nuveen, and
                 subsidiaries thereof, or their immediate family members; any
                 person who, for at least 90 days, has been an officer,
                 director or
                 bona fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their
                 immediate family members; officers and directors of bank
                 holding companies that make Fund shares available directly or
                 through subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or broker-
                 affiliated trust departments; clients of broker-dealers that
                 sponsor mutual fund purchase programs on a periodic fee,
                 asset-based fee or no transaction fee basis; and clients of
                 investment advisers, financial planners or other financial
                 intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for
                 their services. For further details about these special
                 categories and their eligibility requirements, please consult
                 your financial adviser or the Statement of Additional
                 Information, or call Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
 
                 If you are eligible to purchase either Class R Shares or
                 Class A Shares without a sales charge at net asset value, you
                 should be aware of the differences between these two classes
                 of shares. Class A Shares are subject to an annual service
                 fee to compensate
 
                                         24
<PAGE>
 
                 Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing account
                 services. Class R Shares are not subject to a distribution or
                 service fee and, consequently, holders of Class R Shares may
                 not receive the same types or levels of services from
                 Authorized Dealers. In choosing between Class A Shares and
                 Class R Shares, you should weigh the benefits of the services
                 to be provided by Authorized Dealers against the annual
                 service fee imposed upon the Class A Shares.
 
                 INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
The Fund         You may buy Fund shares through Authorized Dealers or by
offers a         calling or directing your financial adviser to call Nuveen
number of        toll-free at 800-843-6765. You may pay for your purchase by
convenient       Federal Reserve draft or by check made payable to "Nuveen
ways to          Balanced Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R]," delivered to the
purchase         financial adviser through whom the investment is to be made
shares           for forwarding to the Fund's shareholder services agent, SSI.
                 When making your initial investment, you must also furnish
                 the information necessary to establish your Fund account by
                 completing and enclosing with your payment the attached
                 Application Form. After your initial investment, you may make
                 subsequent purchases at any time by forwarding to SSI a check
                 in the amount of your purchase made payable to "Nuveen
                 Balanced Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R]," and indicating on
                 the check your account number. All payments must be in U.S.
                 dollars and should be sent directly to SSI at its address
                 listed on the back cover of this Prospectus. A check drawn on
                 a foreign bank or payable other than to the order of the Fund
                 generally will not be acceptable. You may also wire Federal
                 Funds directly to SSI, but you may be charged a fee for this.
                 For instructions on how to make Fund purchases by wire
                 transfer, call Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-7227.
 
                 PURCHASE PRICE
                 The price at which you purchase Fund shares is based on the
                 next calculation of the Fund's net asset value after the
                 order is placed. The Fund's net asset value per share is
                 determined as of the close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m.
                 eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open
                 for business. See "Net Asset Value," below for a description
                 of how net asset value is calculated.
 
                 MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
                 Generally, your first purchase of any class of the Fund's
                 shares must be for $1,000 or more. Additional purchases may
                 be in amounts of $100 or more. These minimums may be changed
                 at any time by the Fund. There are exceptions to these
                 minimums for shareholders who qualify under one or more of
                 the Fund's automatic deposit, group purchase or reinvestment
                 programs.
 
                                         25
<PAGE>
 
 
                 SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
The Fund         The Fund offers you several opportunities to capture the
offers several   benefits of "dollar cost averaging" through systematic
ways to make     investment programs. In a regularly followed dollar cost
systematic       averaging program, you would purchase more shares when Fund
investments      share prices are lower and fewer shares when Fund share
                 prices are higher, so that the average price paid for Fund
                 shares is less than the average price of the Fund shares over
                 the same time period. Dollar cost averaging does not assure
                 profits or protect against losses in a steadily declining
                 market. Since dollar cost averaging involves continuous
                 investment regardless of fluctuating price levels, you should
                 consider your financial ability to continue investing in
                 declining as well as rising markets before deciding to invest
                 in this way. The Fund offers two different types of
                 systematic investment programs:
 
Automatic        Once you have established a Fund account, you may make
Deposit Plan     regular investments in an amount of $25 or more each month by
                 authorizing SSI to draw preauthorized checks on your bank
                 account. There is no obligation to continue payments and you
                 may terminate your participation at any time at your
                 discretion. No charge in addition to the applicable sales
                 charge is made in connection with this Plan, and there is no
                 cost to the Fund. To obtain an application form for the
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, check the applicable box on the
                 enclosed Application Form or call Nuveen toll-free at 800-
                 621-7227.
 
Payroll Direct   Once you have established a Fund account, you may, with your
Deposit Plan     employer's consent, make regular investments in Fund shares
                 of $25 or more per pay period by authorizing your employer to
                 deduct this amount automatically from your
                 paycheck. There is no obligation to continue payments and you
                 may terminate your participation at any time at your
                 discretion. No charge in addition to the applicable sales
                 charge is made for this Plan, and there is no cost to the
                 Fund. To obtain an application form for the Payroll Direct
                 Deposit Plan, check the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or call Nuveen toll-free at [800-621-7227.]
 
                 OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROGRAMS
Exchange         You may exchange shares of a class of the Fund for shares of
Privilege        the same class of any other Nuveen Mutual Fund with
                 reciprocal exchange privileges, at net asset value without a
                 sales charge, by sending a written request to the Fund, c/o
                 Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-
                 5330. Similarly, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R Shares
                 of other Nuveen Mutual Funds may be exchanged for the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value without a
                 sales charge. Exchanges of shares from any Nuveen money
                 market fund will be made into Class A Shares,
 
                                         26
<PAGE>
 
                 Class B Shares, Class C Shares or Class R Shares of the Fund
                 at the public offering price. If, however, a sales charge has
                 previously been paid on the investment represented by the
                 exchanged shares (i.e., the shares to be exchanged were
                 originally issued in exchange for shares on which a sales
                 charge was paid), the exchange of shares from a Nuveen money
                 market fund will be made into shares of the Fund at net asset
                 value. Class A Shares, Class C Shares or Class R Shares may
                 be exchanged for shares of any Nuveen money market fund, but
                 Class B Shares may not be exchanged for shares of a Nuveen
                 money market fund.
 
                 Class A shares of Nuveen Mutual Funds sold with a maximum up-
                 front sales charge of less than the maximum charged by other
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds will be subject to the appropriate "sales
                 charge differential" upon the exchange of such shares for
                 Class A shares of a Fund sold with a higher up-front sales
                 charge. The "sales charge differential" is limited to a
                 percentage rate no greater than the excess of the sales
                 charge rate applicable to purchases of shares of the Nuveen
                 Mutual Fund being acquired in the exchange over the sales
                 charge rate(s) actually paid on the mutual fund shares
                 relinquished in the exchange and on any predecessor of those
                 shares. For purposes of the exchange privilege, shares
                 obtained through automatic reinvestment of dividends and
                 capital gain distributions are treated as having paid the
                 same sales charges applicable to the shares on which the
                 dividends or distributions were paid; however, if no sales
                 charge was imposed upon the initial purchase of the shares,
                 any shares obtained through automatic reinvestment will be
                 subject to a sales charge differential upon exchange.
 
                 If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be
                 charged at the time of the exchange. However, if you
                 subsequently redeem the shares acquired through the exchange,
                 the redemption may be subject to a CDSC, depending on when
                 you purchased your original shares and the CDSC schedule of
                 the fund from which you exchanged your shares.
 
                 The shares to be purchased must be offered in your state of
                 residence and you must have held the shares you are
                 exchanging for at least 15 days. The total value of exchanged
                 shares must at least equal the minimum investment requirement
                 of the Nuveen Mutual Fund being purchased. For federal income
                 tax purposes, any exchange constitutes a sale and purchase of
                 shares and may result in capital gain or loss. Before making
                 any exchange, you should obtain the Prospectus for the Nuveen
                 Mutual Fund you are purchasing and read it carefully. If the
                 registration of the account for the Fund you are purchasing
                 is not exactly the same as that of the fund account from
                 which the exchange is made, written instructions from all
                 holders of
 
                                         27
<PAGE>
 
                 the account from which the exchange is being made must be
                 received, with signatures guaranteed by a member of an
                 approved Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other manner
                 as may be acceptable to the Fund. You may also exchange
                 shares by telephone if you authorize telephone exchanges by
                 checking the applicable box on the enclosed Application Form
                 or by calling Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-7227 to obtain an
                 authorization form. The exchange privilege may be modified or
                 discontinued by the Fund at any time upon prior written
                 notice to shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 The exchange privilege is not intended to permit the Fund to
                 be used as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive
                 exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management,
                 raise expenses, and otherwise have an adverse effect on all
                 shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity
                 and in other circumstances where Fund management believes
                 doing so would be in the best interest of the Fund, the Fund
                 reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange
                 privilege, or limit the amount or number of exchanges or
                 reject any exchange. Shareholders would be notified of any
                 such action to the extent required by law.
 
Fund Direct      You can use Fund Direct to link your Fund account to your
                 account at a bank or other financial institution. Fund Direct
                 enables you to transfer money electronically between these
                 accounts and perform a variety of account transactions. These
                 include purchases of shares by telephone, investments under
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, and sending dividends and
                 distributions, redemption payments or Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan payments directly to your bank account. Please refer to
                 the Application for details, or call SSI for more
                 information.
 
                 Fund Direct privileges must be requested via an Application
                 you obtain by calling 800-621-7227. Fund Direct privileges
                 will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on
                 your account as well as to your Authorized Dealer
                 representative of record unless and until SSI receives
                 written instructions terminating or changing those
                 privileges. After you establish Fund Direct for your account,
                 any change of bank account information must be made by
                 signature-guaranteed instructions to SSI signed by all
                 shareholders who own the account.
 
                 Purchases may be made by telephone only after your account
                 has been established. To purchase shares in amounts up to
                 $250,000 through a telephone representative, call SSI at 800-
                 621-7227. The purchase payment will be debited from your bank
                 account.
 
                                         28
<PAGE>
 
 
Reinstatement    If you redeemed Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the
Privilege        Fund or any other Nuveen Mutual Fund that were subject to a
                 sales charge or a CDSC, you have up to one year to reinvest
                 all or part of the full amount of the redemption in the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value. This
                 reinstatement privilege can be exercised only once for any
                 redemption, and reinvestment will be made at the net asset
                 value of the appropriate class of Fund shares next calculated
                 after reinstatement. If you reinstate shares that were
                 subject to a CDSC, your holding period as of the redemption
                 date will also be reinstated. The tax consequences of any
                 capital gain realized on a redemption will not be affected by
                 reinstatement, but a capital loss may be disallowed in whole
                 or in part depending on the timing and amount of the
                 reinvestment.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PURCHASE OPTIONS AND TO
                 OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS REQUIRED FOR SOME OF THEM, CALL
                 NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                 If you choose to invest in the Fund, an account will be
                 opened and maintained for you by SSI, the Fund's shareholder
                 services agent. Share certificates will be issued to you only
                 upon written request to SSI, and no certificates will be
                 issued for fractional shares. The Fund reserves the right to
                 reject any purchase order and to waive or increase minimum
                 investment requirements. A change in registration or transfer
                 of shares held in the name of your financial adviser's firm
                 can only be made by an order in good form from the financial
                 adviser acting on your behalf.
 
                 Authorized Dealers are encouraged to open single master
                 accounts. However, some Authorized Dealers may wish to use
                 SSI's sub-accounting system to minimize their internal
                 recordkeeping requirements. An Authorized Dealer or other
                 investor requesting shareholder servicing or accounting other
                 than the master account or sub-accounting service offered by
                 SSI will be required to enter into a separate agreement with
                 another agent for these services for a fee that will depend
                 upon the level of services to be provided.
 
                 Subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
                 Exchange Commission, the Fund reserves the right to suspend
                 the continuous offering of its shares at any time, but no
                 suspension shall affect your right of redemption as described
                 below.
 
                                         29
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
                 The Fund has adopted a plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule
                 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which
                 provides that Class B and Class C Shares will be subject to
                 an annual distribution fee and Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares will be subject to an annual service fee. Class R
                 Shares will not be subject to either distribution or service
                 fees.
 
                 The distribution fee applicable to Class B and Class C Shares
                 under the Plan will be payable to reimburse Nuveen for
                 services and expenses incurred in connection with the
                 distribution of such Shares. The distribution fee primarily
                 reimburses Nuveen for providing compensation to Authorized
                 Dealers, including Nuveen, either at the time of sale or on
                 an ongoing basis. The other expenses for which Nuveen may be
                 reimbursed include, without limitation, expenses of printing
                 and distributing prospectuses to persons other than
                 shareholders of the Fund, expenses of preparing, printing and
                 distributing advertising and sales literature and reports to
                 shareholders used in connection with the sale of such Shares,
                 certain other expenses associated with the distribution of
                 such Shares, and any other distribution-related expenses that
                 may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
 
                 The service fee applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares under the Plan will be payable to Nuveen, to be used
                 to compensate Authorized Dealers, including Nuveen, in
                 connection with the provision of ongoing account services to
                 shareholders. These services may include establishing and
                 maintaining shareholder accounts, answering shareholder
                 inquiries and providing other personal services to
                 shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may spend up to .25 of 1% per year of the average
                 daily net assets of Class A Shares as a service fee under the
                 Plan applicable to Class A Shares. The Fund may spend up to
                 .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class B
                 Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25 of 1% per year of
                 the average daily net assets of Class B Shares as a service
                 fee under the Plan applicable to Class B Shares. The Fund may
                 spend up to .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net
                 assets of Class C Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25
                 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class C
                 Shares as a service fee under the Plan applicable to Class C
                 Shares.
 
                                         30
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO REDEEM FUND SHARES
                 You may require the Fund at any time to redeem for cash your
                 shares of the Fund at the net asset value next computed after
                 instructions and required documents and certificates, if any,
                 are received in proper form, as described below. There is no
                 charge for the redemption of Class R Shares.
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
                 Class A Shares are normally redeemed at net asset value,
                 without any contingent deferred sales charge. However, in the
                 case of purchases at net asset value of Class A shares of $1
                 million or more, where the dealer of record has not waived
                 the sales commission, a CDSC of 1% is imposed on any
                 redemptions within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC may be
                 waived under certain special circumstances, as described in
                 the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
                 A CDSC may be imposed upon redemption of Class B Shares. The
                 rate of the CDSC is determined by how long you have owned
                 your shares, as described under "How to Buy Fund Shares --
                 Class B Shares," above. The CDSC may be waived under certain
                 special circumstances, as described in the Statement of
                 Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
                 Class C Shares are redeemed at net asset value, without any
                 contingent deferred sales charge, except that a CDSC of 1%
                 may be imposed upon redemption of Class C Shares that are
                 redeemed within 12 months of purchase. The CDSC may be waived
                 under certain special circumstances, as described in the
                 Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 OPERATION OF THE CDSC
                 In determining whether a CDSC is payable, a Fund will first
                 redeem shares not subject to any charge, and then in the
                 order in which the Class B Shares were purchased or in the
                 reverse order in which the Class A or Class C Shares were
                 purchased, except if another order of redemption would result
                 in a lower charge or you specify another order. No CDSC is
                 charged on shares purchased as a result of automatic
                 reinvestment of dividends or capital gains paid. In addition,
                 no CDSC will be charged on exchanges of shares into another
                 Nuveen Mutual Fund or money market fund. Your holding period
                 is calculated on a monthly basis and begins the first day of
                 the month in which the order for investment is received. The
                 CDSC is calculated based on the lower of the redeemed shares'
                 cost or net asset value at the time of the redemption and is
                 deducted from the redemption proceeds. Nuveen receives the
                 amount of any CDSC you pay.
 
                                         31
<PAGE>
 
 
By Written       You may redeem shares by sending a written request for
Request          redemption directly to the Fund, c/o Shareholder Services,
                 Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330, accompanied by
                 duly endorsed certificates, if issued. Requests for
                 redemption and share certificates, if issued, must be signed
                 by each shareholder and, if the redemption proceeds exceed
                 $50,000 or are payable other than to the shareholder of
                 record at the address of record (which address may not have
                 changed in the preceding 60 days), the signature must be
                 guaranteed by a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee
                 Program or in such other manner as may be acceptable to the
                 Fund. You will receive payment based on the net asset value
                 per share next determined after receipt by the Fund of a
                 properly executed redemption request in proper form. A check
                 for the redemption proceeds will be mailed to you within
                 seven days after receipt of your redemption request. For
                 accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment
                 will be forwarded within three business days. However, if any
                 shares to be redeemed were purchased by check within 15 days
                 prior to the date the redemption request is received, the
                 Fund will not mail the redemption proceeds until the check
                 received for the purchase of shares has cleared, which may
                 take up to 15 days.
 
By TEL-A-CHECK   If you have authorized telephone redemption and your account
                 address has not changed within the last 60 days, you can
                 redeem shares that are held in non-certificate form and that
                 are worth $50,000 or less by calling Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
                 While you or anyone authorized by you may make telephone
                 redemption requests, redemption checks will be issued only in
                 the name of the shareholder of record and will be mailed to
                 the address of record. If your telephone request is received
                 prior to 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption check will
                 normally be mailed the next business day. For requests
                 received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be
                 effected at 4:00 p.m. eastern time the following business day
                 and the check will normally be mailed on the second business
                 day after the request.
 
By TEL-A-WIRE    If you have authorized TEL-A-WIRE redemption or established
or Fund Direct   Fund Direct privileges, you can take advantage of the
                 following expedited redemption procedures to redeem shares
                 held in non-certificate form that are worth at least $1,000.
                 You may make TEL-A-WIRE redemption requests through a phone
                 representative or Fund Direct redemption requests by calling
                 Nuveen at 800-621-7227. If a redemption request is received
                 by 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as of
                 4:00 p.m. that day. If the redemption request is received
                 after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as
                 of 4:00 p.m. the following business day. Proceeds of
                 redemptions through TEL-A-WIRE will normally be wired on the
                 second business day following the redemption, but may be
                 delayed one additional
 
                                         32
<PAGE>
 
                 business day if the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or the
                 Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed on the day
                 redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired. The Fund
                 reserves the right to charge a fee for TEL-A-WIRE. Proceeds
                 of redemptions through Fund Direct will normally be wired to
                 your Fund Direct bank account on the second or third business
                 day after the redemption.
 
                 Before you may redeem shares by TEL-A-CHECK, TEL-A-WIRE or
                 Fund Direct, you must complete the telephone redemption
                 authorization section of the enclosed Application Form or the
                 Fund Direct Application Form and return it to Nuveen or SSI.
                 If you did not authorize telephone redemption when you opened
                 your account, you may obtain a telephone redemption
                 authorization form by writing the Fund or by calling Nuveen
                 toll-free at 800-621-7227. Proceeds of share redemptions made
                 by TEL-A-WIRE will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire
                 only to the commercial bank account specified by the
                 shareholder on the application form. You must send a written
                 request to Nuveen or SSI in order to establish multiple
                 accounts, or to change the account or accounts designated to
                 receive redemption proceeds. These requests must be signed by
                 each account owner with signatures guaranteed by a member of
                 an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other
                 manner as may be acceptable to the Fund. Further
                 documentation may be required from corporations, executors,
                 trustees or personal representatives.
 
                 For the convenience of shareholders, the Fund has authorized
                 Nuveen as its agent to accept orders from financial advisers
                 by wire or telephone for the redemption of Fund shares. The
                 redemption price is the first net asset value determined
                 following receipt of an order placed by the financial
                 adviser. The Fund makes payment for the redeemed shares to
                 the securities representatives who placed the order promptly
                 upon presentation of required documents with signatures
                 guaranteed as described above. Neither the Fund nor Nuveen
                 charges any redemption fees other than any CDSC as described
                 above. However, your financial adviser may charge you for
                 serving as agent in the redemption of shares.
 
                 The Fund reserves the right to refuse telephone redemptions
                 and, at its option, may limit the timing, amount or frequency
                 of these redemptions. Telephone redemption procedures may be
                 modified or terminated at any time, on 30 days' notice, by
                 the Fund. The Fund, SSI and Nuveen will not be liable for
                 following telephone instructions reasonably believed to be
                 genuine. The Fund employs procedures reasonably designed to
                 confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. These
                 procedures include recording all telephone instructions and
                 requiring up to three forms of identification prior to acting
                 upon a caller's instructions. If the Fund does
 
                                         33
<PAGE>
 
                 not follow reasonable procedures for protecting shareholders
                 against loss on telephone transactions, it may be liable for
                 any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
                 instructions.
 
Automatic        If you own Fund shares currently worth at least $10,000, you
Withdrawal       may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan by completing an
Plan             application form for the Plan. You may obtain an application
                 form by checking the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-
                 7227.
 
                 The Plan permits you to request periodic withdrawals on a
                 monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis in an amount
                 of $50 or more. Depending upon the size of the withdrawals
                 requested under the Plan and fluctuations in the net asset
                 value of Fund shares, these withdrawals may reduce or even
                 exhaust your account.
 
                 The purchase of Class A Shares, other than through
                 reinvestment, while you are participating in the Automatic
                 Withdrawal Plan with respect to Class A Shares will usually
                 be disadvantageous because you will be paying a sales charge
                 on any Class A Shares you purchase at the same time you are
                 redeeming shares. Similarly, use of the Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan for Class B Shares held for less than six years or Class
                 C Shares held for less than 12 months may be disadvantageous
                 because the newly-purchased Class B or Class C Shares will be
                 subject to the CDSC.
 
General          The Fund may suspend the right of redemption of Fund shares
                 or delay payment more than seven days (a) during any period
                 when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than
                 customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in
                 the markets the Fund normally utilizes is restricted, or an
                 emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
                 Commission so that trading of the Fund's investments or
                 determination of its net asset value is not reasonably
                 practicable, or (c) for any other periods that the Securities
                 and Exchange Commission by order may permit for protection of
                 Fund shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may, from time to time, establish a minimum total
                 investment for Fund shareholders, and the Fund reserves the
                 right to redeem your shares if your investment is less than
                 the minimum after giving you at least 30 days' notice. If any
                 minimum total investment is established, and if your account
                 is below the minimum, you will be allowed 30 days following
                 the notice in which to purchase sufficient shares to meet the
                 minimum. So long as the Fund continues to offer shares at net
                 asset value to holders of Nuveen UITs who are investing their
                 Nuveen UIT distributions, no minimum total investment will be
                 established for the Fund.
 
                                         34
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of         The management of the Fund, including general supervision of
Trustees         the duties performed for the Fund by NIAC under the
                 Management Agreement, is the responsibility of the Board of
                 Trustees of the Trust.
 
NIAC oversees    Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of NIAC,
operation of     which is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
the Fund         60606. NIAC oversees the management of the Fund's investment
                 portfolio and manages the day-to-day business affairs of the
                 Fund. NIAC has entered into an agreement with ICAP under
                 which ICAP manages the Fund's investment portfolio.
 
                 NIAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, the oldest and
                 largest investment banking firm (based on number of
                 employees) specializing in the underwriting and distribution
                 of tax-exempt securities. Nuveen, the principal underwriter
                 of the Fund's shares, is sponsor of the Nuveen Tax-Free Unit
                 Trust, a registered unit investment trust. It is also the
                 principal underwriter for the Nuveen Mutual Funds, and served
                 as co-managing underwriter for the shares of the Nuveen
                 Exchange-Traded Funds. Over 1,000,000 individuals have
                 invested to date in Nuveen's funds and trusts. Founded in
                 1898, Nuveen is a subsidiary of The John Nuveen Company
                 which, in turn, is approximately 80% owned by The St. Paul
                 Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul"). St. Paul is located in St.
                 Paul, Minnesota, and is principally engaged in providing
                 property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
 
                 For the fund management services and facilities furnished by
                 NIAC, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee as
                 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSET
           VALUE                       FUND MANAGEMENT FEE
                 -----------------------------------------
           <S>                         <C>
           For the first $125 million      .7500 of 1%
           For the next $125 million       .7375 of 1%
           For the next $250 million       .7250 of 1%
           For the next $500 million       .7125 of 1%
           For the next $1 billion         .7000 of 1%
           For assets over $2 billion      .6750 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
ICAP manages     ICAP was founded in 1970 and is located at 225 West Wacker
the Fund's       Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606. Under the Sub-Advisory
investment       Agreement, NIAC pays ICAP a portfolio management fee on the
portfolio        Fund's average daily net asset value at an annual rate as set
                 forth below, which is determined by reference to the average
                 daily market value of that portion of the assets of all
                 Nuveen-sponsored investment products for which ICAP serves as
                 portfolio manager.
 
                                         35
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          ASSETS OF NUVEEN-SPONSORED                                PORTFOLIO
              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS                                  MANAGEMENT
                MANAGED BY ICAP                                        FEE
                 ------------------------------------------------------------
             <S>                                                   <C>
             For the first $500 million                             .29 of 1%
             For the next $500 million                              .24 of 1%
             For assets over $1 billion                             .20 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
                 The investment decisions for the Fund are made through a team
                 approach, with all of the ICAP investment professionals
                 contributing to the process. Each of the officers and other
                 investment professionals of ICAP has developed an expertise
                 in at least one functional investment area, including equity
                 research, strategy, fixed income analysis, quantitative
                 research, technical research, and trading. A key element in
                 the decision making process is a formal investment committee
                 meeting generally held each business day and attended by all
                 the investment professionals. At this meeting, a
                 comprehensive review of ICAP's investment position is
                 undertaken. Pertinent information from outside sources is
                 shared and incorporated into the investment outlook. The
                 investment strategy, each asset sector, and each individual
                 security holding are reviewed to verify their continued
                 appropriateness. Investment recommendations are presented to
                 the committee for decisions.
 
                 ICAP provides continuous advice and recommendations
                 concerning the Fund's investments, and is responsible for
                 selecting the broker-dealers who execute the portfolio
                 transactions. In executing such transactions, ICAP seeks to
                 obtain the best net results for the Funds. ICAP also serves
                 as investment adviser to the ICAP Funds, Inc. and to pension
                 and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional and private
                 investors. As of May 1, 1996, ICAP had approximately $5
                 billion under management. Mr. Robert H. Lyon, President of
                 ICAP, owns shares representing 51% of the voting rights of
                 ICAP. In addition, The John Nuveen Company owns preferred
                 shares of ICAP, which are convertible after several years
                 into a 20% common stock interest of ICAP.
 
NIAC serves as   NIAC serves as administrator for the Fund. In such capacity,
Fund             it provides office facilities and equipment. As
Administrator    administrator, NIAC has also agreed to provide or to obtain
                 at its expense for the Fund all other services including
                 custodial, transfer agent, accounting, legal and certain
                 clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and to pay
                 all other expenses of the Fund (other than investment
                 management fees, distribution fees and service fees,
                 brokerage costs, organizational costs, interest charges and
                 extraordinary expenses), including but not limited to share
                 registration expenses, printing and mailing expenses,
                 compensation and expenses of trustees not affiliated with
                 NIAC or ICAP, taxes and insurance. For these services, each
                 class pays the Administrator an annual fee of    %.
 
                                         36
<PAGE>
 
 
How the Fund     The Fund may from time to time compare its investment results
shows            to various passive indices or other mutual funds and cite
performance      such comparisons in reports to shareholders, sales
                 literature, and advertisements. The results may be calculated
                 on the basis of average annual total return, total return, or
                 cumulative total return.
 
                 All total return figures assume the reinvestment of all
                 dividends and measure the net investment income generated by,
                 and the effect of any realized and unrealized appreciation or
                 depreciation of, the underlying investments in the Fund over
                 a specified period of time. Average annual total return
                 figures are annualized and therefore represent the average
                 annual percentage change over the specified period.
                 Cumulative total return figures are not annualized and
                 represent the aggregate percentage or dollar value change
                 over a stated period of time. Average annual total return and
                 cumulative total return are based upon the historical results
                 of the Fund and are not necessarily representative of the
                 future performance of the Fund.
 
                 The Fund does not have any prior operating history. The
                 following chart illustrates the growth of a hypothetical
                 $10,000 investment based upon the investment performance of
                 the ICAP Balanced Composite between December 31, 1975 and
                 December 31, 1995. The ICAP Balanced Composite represents the
                 composite performance of the [x] managed accounts totalling
                 [$500] million for which ICAP serves as investment adviser
                 and that have the same investment objectives and policies as
                 the Fund.
 
                            Growth of a $10,000 Investment 
                             January 1976 - December 1995
                 
         <TABLE> 
         <CAPTION> 
                                                                   Consumer
                                                50% S&P              Price
                     ICAP with          50% Lehman with Dividend     Index
                 Dividends Reinvested          Reinvested          (inflation)
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>   <C>                   <C>                       <C>
           1/76        10,000                    10,000              10,000
           1/77        10,873                    11,767              10,482
           1/78        11,065                    11,510              11,192
           1/79        12,419                    12,050              12,203
           1/80        13,187                    13,572              13,827
           1/81        16,416                    16,216              15,542
           1/82        16,904                    16,679              16,932
           1/83        23,050                    20,603              17,586
           1/84        23,490                    23,743              18,255
           1/85        26,613                    26,174              18,975
           1/86        37,645                    32,785              19,693
           1/87        46,889                    38,020              19,918
           1/88        49,313                    40,359              20,798
           1/89        54,081                    44,991              21,716
           1/90        64,446                    54,856              22,724
           1/91        75,950                    56,690              24,110
           1/92        84,845                    69,313              24,851
           1/93        96,608                    74,401              25,568
           1/94       101,313                    81,181              26,272
           1/95       110,881                    81,003              26,974
       12/31/95       131,832                   102,546              27,658
       --------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
                 Mountain chart comparing the performance of a hypothetical
                 $10,000 investment over the period from January 1976 through
                 December 1995, whose returns were generated by one of the
                 following three indices: the ICAP Balanced Composite, net of
                 the Class A sales charge and assumed ongoing expenses; an
                 unmanaged index comprised 50% of the S&P 500 Index and 50% of
                 the Lehman Intermediate Treasury Index; and the Consumer Price
                 Index (CPI).
 
                                         37
<PAGE>
 
 
                 The ICAP performance results assume payment of the maximum
                 Class A sales charge of 5.25% and reflect the investment
                 performance of the ICAP Balanced Composite before deduction
                 of any investment advisory fees or other expenses, less Class
                 A's projected annual operating expenses as summarized in the
                 Summary of Fund Expenses on page [3]. These performance
                 results would be different from a comparable Class B, C or R
                 investment, reflecting the different sales charge and ongoing
                 operating expenses of each respective class. The 50/50
                 Balanced Index represents the investment performance of an
                 unmanaged index comprised 50% of Standard & Poor's 500
                 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500") and 50% of the
                 Lehman Brothers Intermediate Treasury Index (the "Lehman
                 Index"). S&P 500 returns assume reinvestment of all dividends
                 paid by the stocks included in the index, but do not include
                 brokerage commissions or other fees an investor would incur
                 by investing in the portfolio of stocks comprising the index.
                 The Lehman Index is an unmanaged index of all public
                 obligations of the U.S. Treasury with maturities between one
                 and ten years and an outstanding par value of at least $100
                 million. All returns used in the chart above are quarterly
                 returns.
 
                                         38
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
                 The Fund intends to operate as a "Regulated Investment
                 Company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and
                 therefore will not be liable for federal income taxes to the
                 extent earnings are distributed on a timely basis.
 
                 For federal income tax purposes, UNLESS YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM
                 TAXATION OR ENTITLED TO A TAX DEFERRAL, ALL DIVIDENDS PAID BY
                 THE FUND AND NET REALIZED SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS ARE
                 TAXABLE AS ORDINARY INCOME, AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID BY THE
                 FUND FROM NET REALIZED LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS ARE TAXABLE AS
                 A CAPITAL GAIN, WHETHER RECEIVED IN CASH OR REINVESTED IN
                 ADDITIONAL SHARES. The capital gain holding period is
                 determined by the length of time the Fund has held the
                 security and not the length of time you have held shares in
                 the Fund. Investors are informed annually as to the amount
                 and nature of all dividends and capital gains paid during the
                 prior year. Such capital gains and dividends may also be
                 subject to state or local taxes. If you are not required to
                 pay taxes on your income, you are generally not required to
                 pay federal income taxes on the amounts distributed to you.
 
                 Income dividends are usually distributed quarterly, and
                 capital gains, if any, are usually distributed annually in
                 December. When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the
                 Fund's net asset value decreases by the amount of the
                 payment. ANY SUCH DISTRIBUTION WILL BE SUBJECT TO INCOME
                 TAXES WHENEVER IT IS RECEIVED, EVEN IF THE DISTRIBUTION
                 OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER A PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES. All dividends
                 or capital gains distributions will automatically be
                 reinvested in shares of the Fund at the then prevailing net
                 asset value unless an investor specifically requests that
                 either dividends or capital gains or both be paid in cash.
                 The election to receive dividends or reinvest them may be
                 changed by writing to: Nuveen Funds, c/o Shareholder
                 Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330. Such
                 notice must be received at least 5 days prior to the record
                 date of any dividend or capital gain distribution.
 
                 If you do not furnish the Fund with your correct social
                 security number or employer identification number, the Fund
                 is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax
                 from your distributions and redemption proceeds at a rate of
                 31%.
 
                 This section is not intended to be a full discussion of
                 federal income tax laws and the effect of such laws on you.
                 There may be other federal, state, or local tax
                 considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are
                 urged to consult your own tax adviser.
 
                                         39
<PAGE>
 
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset        The Fund's net asset value per share is determined as of the
value is         close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m. eastern time) on each
calculated       day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The
daily            Fund's net asset value may not be calculated on days during
                 which the Fund receives no orders to purchase shares and no
                 shares are tendered for redemption. Net asset value is
                 calculated by taking the fair value of the Fund's total
                 assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet
                 collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total
                 number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the
                 nearest cent, is the net asset value per share. In
                 determining net asset value, expenses are accrued and applied
                 daily and securities and other assets for which market
                 quotations are available are valued at market value. Common
                 stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the
                 last sales price on the national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq on which such securities are primarily traded;
                 however, securities traded on a national securities exchange
                 or Nasdaq for which there were no transactions on a given day
                 or securities not listed on a national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq are valued at the most recent bid prices. Debt
                 securities are valued by a pricing service that utilizes
                 electronic data processing techniques to determine values for
                 normal institutional-sized trading units of debt securities
                 without regard to the existence of sale or bid prices when
                 such values are believed to more accurately reflect the fair
                 market value of such securities; otherwise, actual sale or
                 bid prices are used. Any securities or other assets for which
                 market quotations are not readily available are valued at
                 fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of
                 Trustees. Debt securities having remaining maturities of 60
                 days or less when purchased are valued by the amortized cost
                 method when the Board of Trustees determines that the fair
                 market value of such securities is their amortized cost.
                 Under this method of valuation, a security is initially
                 valued at its acquisition cost, and thereafter amortization
                 of any discount or premium is assumed each day, regardless of
                 the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value
                 of the security. Regardless of the method employed to value a
                 particular security, all valuations are subject to review by
                 the Fund's Board of Trustees or its delegate who may
                 determine the appropriate value of a security whenever the
                 value as calculated is significantly different from the
                 previous day's calculated value.
 
Fund expenses    In addition to the Fund management fee and administrative fee
                 paid to NIAC and the distribution and service fees paid to
                 Nuveen, the Fund is responsible for its own expenses that are
                 not covered under such agreements, including, without
                 limitation: interest charges; brokerage commissions;
                 organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses.
 
                                         40
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
Custodian and    The Custodian of the assets of the Fund is The Chase
Transfer and     Manhattan Bank, N.A., 770 Broadway, New York, New York 10003.
Shareholder      Chase also provides certain accounting services to the Fund.
Service Agent    The Fund's transfer, shareholder services and dividend paying
                 agent, Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO
                 80217-5330, performs bookkeeping, data processing and
                 administrative services for the maintenance of shareholder
                 accounts.
 
Organization     The Fund is a series of the Nuveen Investment Trust
                 ("Trust"). The Trust is an open-end diversified management
                 investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
                 The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
                 May   , 1996. The Board of Trustees is authorized to issue an
                 unlimited number of shares in one or more series or "Funds,"
                 which may be divided into classes of shares. Currently, there
                 are three series authorized and outstanding, each of which is
                 divided into four classes of shares designated as Class A
                 Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares.
                 Each class of shares represents an interest in the same
                 portfolio of investments of a Fund. Each class of shares has
                 equal rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and
                 liquidation, except that each bears different class expenses,
                 including different distribution and service fees, and each
                 has exclusive voting rights with respect to any distribution
                 or service plan applicable to its shares. There are no
                 conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, except
                 that Class B Shares automatically convert into Class A Shares
                 of the same Fund, as described above. The Board of Trustees
                 has the right to establish additional series and classes of
                 shares in the future, to change those series or classes and
                 to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and
                 privileges thereof.
 
                 The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual
                 meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owing more than 10% of
                 the outstanding shares of the Trust have the right to call a
                 special meeting to remove Trustees or for any other purpose.
 
                 Under Massachusetts law applicable to Massachusetts business
                 trusts, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain
                 circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
                 obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an
                 express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or
                 obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this
                 disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or
                 instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the
                 Trustees. The Declaration of Trust further provides for
                 indemnification out of the assets and property of the Trust
                 for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally
                 liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
                 shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
                 shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which
                 both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was
                 unable to meet its obligations. The Trust believes the
                 likelihood of the occurrence of these circumstances is
                 remote.
 
                                         41
<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS
Nuveen Income and Growth Fund
Prospectus
             , 1996
 
 The NUVEEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND (the "Fund") seeks to provide over time an
attractive after-tax total return through a combination of federally tax-exempt
income and long-term capital appreciation, and preservation of capital in
adverse markets. The Fund pursues this objective by investing in a diversified
portfolio of securities consisting of investment grade quality municipal
obligations and equity securities of domestic companies with market
capitalizations of at least $500 million. The Fund is designed to offer you a
tax-efficient investment strategy that reduces taxable distributions and offers
a balance between after-tax total returns and capital preservation.
 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers you the
opportunity to purchase Fund shares in the same manner you typically make other
investments. The Program features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
(Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other features. The Program is
designed to permit you and your financial adviser to choose the method of
purchasing shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
purchase and current investment, the length of time you expect to hold your
investment, and other relevant circumstances. See "Flexible Pricing Program,"
"How to Buy Fund Shares" and "Summary of Fund Expenses."
 The Fund is a series of The Nuveen Investment Trust (the "Trust"). This
Prospectus contains information you should know before investing in the Fund.
Please retain it for future reference. You can find more detailed information
about the Fund in the Statement of Additional Information dated         , 1996,
as amended from time to time. For a free copy of this Statement, write to the
Nuveen Mutual Funds, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or call Nuveen
toll-free at 800-621-7227. The Statement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
 Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency. Shares
of the Fund involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal.
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>
                         <C> <S>
                             CONTENTS
                           3 Summary of fund expenses
                           5 How to determine if the fund is right for you
                           8 Who is responsible for the operation of the fund?
                           9 What are the fund's investment objective and
                             policies?
                          18 Flexible Pricing Program
                          20 How to buy fund shares
                          32 Distribution and service plan
                          33 How to redeem fund shares
                          37 Management of the fund
                          40 How the fund shows performance
                          42 Distributions and taxes
                          43 Tax Matters
                          45 Net asset value
                          46 General information
                             Application
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shareholder Transaction
  Expenses (as a percent of
  offering price)(1)                 Class A      Class B       Class C    Class R(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed      5.25%(3)          None         None          None
   on
   Purchases
  Maximum Sales Charge Imposed          None          None         None          None
   on
   Reinvested Dividends
  Exchange Fees                         None          None         None          None
  Deferred Sales Charge (as a        None(4)        Yes(5)       Yes(6)          None
   percentage of lesser of pur-
                                                                               chase price or redemption
   proceeds)
 
<CAPTION>
  Annual Fund Operating Expenses
  (as a percent of average daily
  net assets)                        Class A      Class B       Class C       Class R
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
  Management Fees                       .75%         .75%          .75%          .75%
  Rule 12b-1 Fees(7)                    .25%        1.00%         1.00%          None
  Other Operating Expenses              .10%          .10%          .10%          .10%
                                        ----          ----          ----          ----
  Total Expenses                       1.10%        1.85%         1.85%          .85%
</TABLE>
 
(1) Investment dealers and other firms may independently charge additional fees
for shareholder transactions or for advisory services; please see their
materials for details.
(2) Class R Shares are available for purchase only under certain limited
circumstances, or by specified classes of investors as described below under
"How to Buy Fund Shares--Class R Shares."
(3) Reduced sales charges apply to purchases of $50,000 or more. See "How to
Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(4) Class A purchases at net asset value of $1 million or more may be subject
to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18 months of
purchase. See "How to Buy Fund Shares--Class A Shares."
(5) Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 5% during the first year, 4% during the
second year, 3% during the third and fourth years, 2% during the fifth year,
and 1% during the sixth year.
(6) Class C Shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1%
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
(7) Class A, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual service fee of
 .25% of average daily net assets to compensate Authorized Dealers for ongoing
account services. In addition, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to annual
distribution fees of .75% to reimburse Nuveen for costs in connection with the
sale of Fund shares. See "Distribution and Service Plan." Long-term holders of
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may pay more in Rule 12b-1 fees than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Rules of Fair Practice.
 
                 The purpose of the tables above is to help you understand all
                 expenses and fees that you would bear directly or indirectly
                 as a Fund shareholder. The percentages shown are estimated
                 for the current fiscal year. Actual fees and expenses may be
                 greater or less than those shown.
 
 
                                         3
<PAGE>
 
                 EXAMPLE*
                 For the Fund, you would pay the following expenses on a
                 $1,000 investment over various time periods, assuming (1) a
                 5% annual rate of return and (2) redemption at the end of
                 each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   1 Year      3 Years      5 Years     10 Years
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
  Class A          $            $            $            $
  Class B**        $            $            $            $
  Class C***       $            $            $            $
  Class R          $            $            $            $
</TABLE>
 
                 *This example does not represent past or future expenses,
                 which may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the
                 Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the
                 hypothetical 5% return shown in this example. This example
                 assumes that the percentage amounts listed under Annual
                 Operating Expenses remain the same in each of the periods.
                 For additional information about the Fund's fees and
                 expenses, see "Distribution and Service Plan" and "Management
                 of the Fund."
                 **Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the next year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 applied as follows: 1 year (4%) and 3 years (3%). See "How to
                 Buy Shares--Class B Shares."
                 ***Assumes that the shareholder redeemed on the first day of
                 the second year and the contingent deferred sales charge was
                 not applicable for any of the periods shown. See "How to Buy
                 Shares--Class C Shares."
 
                                         4
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE FUND IS
RIGHT FOR YOU
                 There are many reasons why you might invest in the Fund.
                 These may include:
                 . investing with an emphasis on balancing regular tax-free
                   income, the potential for capital growth and capital
                   preservation
                 . preserving and building wealth through prudent capital
                   management
 
                 While there can be no assurance that the Fund will enable you
                 to achieve your individual investment goals, it has been
                 designed for investors who have these kinds of investment
                 goals in mind.
 
                 In addition, the Fund incorporates the following features and
                 benefits. You should carefully review the more detailed
                 description of these features and benefits elsewhere in the
                 Prospectus to make sure they serve your individual investment
                 goals.
 
                 TAX-EFFICIENT, BALANCED INVESTMENT STRATEGY
                 By investing in a conservative mix of Municipal Obligations
                 and Equity Securities, the Fund seeks to provide regular tax-
                 free income and long-term capital appreciation, while at the
                 same time moderating the effect of equity market risk on
                 total returns. The Fund's emphasis on fixed-income securities
                 whose income is exempt from regular federal income tax is
                 part of a tax-efficient investment strategy designed to
                 reduce taxable distributions and increase after-tax total
                 returns.
 
                 CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENT MIX
                 The Fund's target investment mix is 60% Municipal Obligations
                 and 40% Equity Securities. Over time, the allocation of the
                 Fund's investment portfolio will vary with the market prices
                 of its investments. The Fund will rebalance its investment
                 portfolio when necessary in order to prevent the Fund's
                 investment mix from moving outside defined ranges for each
                 asset category under normal market conditions. The Fund from
                 time to time in response to changing market conditions may
                 also shift the allocation of its investment portfolio within
                 these defined ranges when such changes are believed to
                 enhance the Fund's ability to meet its investment objectives.
                 The table below summarizes the Fund's target investment mix
                 and the allowable range for each asset category under normal
                 market conditions.
 
<TABLE>
           <S>                    <C>            <C>
                                      TARGET     ALLOWABLE
           ASSET CATEGORY         INVESTMENT MIX   RANGE
                 -----------------------------------------
           Equity Securities           40%        35%-45%
           Municipal Obligations       60%        55%-65%
</TABLE>
 
                                         5
<PAGE>
 
 
                 EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT
                 Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of
                 Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. ("NIAC"). NIAC manages
                 the Fund's municipal investments, oversees the management of
                 the Fund's equity investments and administers the Fund's
                 business affairs. NIAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of John
                 Nuveen & Co. Incorporated ("Nuveen"), which is the principal
                 underwriter of the Fund's shares. Nuveen has sponsored or
                 underwritten over $60 billion of investment company
                 securities. Institutional Capital Corporation ("ICAP")
                 manages the Fund's equity investments. ICAP, which was
                 organized in 1970, acts as the investment adviser primarily
                 to institutional clients with investment portfolios totaling
                 approximately $5 billion.
 
                 LOW MINIMUMS
                 You can start your investment with a low initial purchase of
                 $1,000 in a particular class. See "How to Buy Fund Shares."
 
                 FLEXIBILITY IN PURCHASING FUND SHARES
                 The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program, which offers
                 you the opportunity to purchase Fund shares in the same
                 manner you typically make other investments. The Program
                 features four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares
                 (Classes A, B, C and R), each with a different combination of
                 sales charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and
                 other features. The Program is designed to permit you and
                 your financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing
                 shares that you believe is most beneficial given the amount
                 of your investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the
                 length of time you expect to hold your investment, and other
                 relevant circumstances. Please refer to "Flexible Pricing
                 Program," "How to Buy Fund Shares" and "How to Redeem Fund
                 Shares" for a discussion of the Program's features and
                 additional information about these four classes of shares.
 
                 AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT PLANS
                 The Fund offers a number of investment options, including
                 automatic deposit, direct deposit and payroll deduction, to
                 help you add to your account on a regular basis.
 
                 AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
                 All income dividends or capital gains paid with respect to
                 each class of shares will be reinvested automatically into
                 additional shares of the same class without a sales charge,
                 unless you elect to receive them in cash. Separately,
                 distributions from any
 
                                         6
<PAGE>
 
                 Nuveen unit trust (a "Nuveen UIT") may be used to buy Class A
                 Shares without a sales charge at net asset value.
 
                 EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
                 Shares of a class may be quickly and easily exchanged by
                 telephone, without a sales charge, for shares of the same or
                 equivalent class of another Nuveen Mutual Fund or for shares
                 of certain Nuveen money market funds.
 
                 LIQUIDITY
                 You may redeem all or a portion of your Fund shares on any
                 business day at the net asset value next computed for the
                 class of shares you are redeeming. Class B and Class C
                 Shares, as well as certain Class A purchases of $1 million or
                 more at net asset value, may be subject to a contingent
                 deferred sales charge ("CDSC") upon redemption. Remember that
                 share prices will fluctuate with market conditions and upon
                 redemption may be worth more or less than their original
                 cost. See "How to Redeem Fund Shares."
 
                 AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL
                 If you own shares totalling $10,000 or more, you can arrange
                 to have $50 or more sent to you from your account either
                 monthly or quarterly.
 
                 TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
                 You may establish free telephone redemption privileges for
                 your account.
 
                 RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
                 You should consider certain other factors about the Fund
                 before investing. The value and market risk of the Fund's
                 investment portfolio will tend to vary with changes in its
                 asset allocations among investment classes and changes in the
                 municipal and equity markets. The Fund's investments in
                 municipal bonds will be subject to interest rate and credit
                 risk. In general, the market value of the Fund's investments
                 in municipal bonds will increase when interest rates decline
                 and decrease when interest rates rise. In addition, the
                 Fund's investments in stocks will be subject to equity market
                 risk, i.e. the risk that equity prices could decline over
                 short or even extended periods. The equity markets tend to be
                 cyclical, with periods of generally rising prices and periods
                 of generally declining prices. Although the prices of fixed-
                 income and equity securities often rise and fall at different
                 times so that a fall in price of one will be offset by a rise
                 in, or at least buffered by price stability in, the other,
                 prices in the two markets often move in tandem. Accordingly,
                 the Fund should be considered a long-term investment,
                 designed to provide the best results
 
                                         7
<PAGE>
 
                 when held for a multi-year period. The Fund may not be
                 suitable if you have a short-term investment horizon. In
                 addition, investments by the Fund in American Depository
                 Receipts ("ADRs") of foreign companies involve opportunities
                 and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S.
                 companies. There are special risks associated with options
                 and futures transactions. See "What Are the Fund's Investment
                 Objective and Policies?"
 
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND?
 
                 The following organizations work together to provide the
                 services and features offered by the Fund:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            ORGANIZATION           FUNCTION               DUTIES
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
            <S>                    <C>                    <C>
            John Nuveen & Co.      Fund Sponsor and       Sponsors and manages
            Incorporated           Principal Underwriter  the offering of Fund
            ("Nuveen")                                    shares
            Nuveen Institutional   Fund Manager;          Manages the Fund's
            Advisory Corp.         Municipal Portfolio    municipal portfolio,
            ("NIAC")               Manager; Administrator oversees the Fund's
                                                          equity portfolio
                                                          manager, manages the
                                                          Fund's business
                                                          affairs and provides
                                                          day-to-day
                                                          administrative
                                                          services to the Fund
            Institutional Capital  Equity Portfolio       Manages the Fund's
            Corporation ("ICAP")   Manager                equity investment
                                                          portfolio
            Shareholder Services,  Transfer Agent;        Maintains shareholder
            Inc. ("SSI")           Shareholder Services   accounts, handles
                                   Agent; Dividend Paying share redemptions and
                                   Agent                  exchanges and
                                                          dividend payments
            The Chase Manhattan    Custodian              Maintains custody of
            Bank, N.A. ("Chase")                          the Fund's
                                                          investments and
                                                          provides certain
                                                          accounting services
                                                          to the Fund
</TABLE>
 
 
                                         8
<PAGE>
 
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES?
                 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
                 The Fund seeks to provide over time an attractive after-tax
                 total return through a combination of federally tax-exempt
                 income and capital appreciation, and preservation of capital
                 in adverse markets. There is no assurance that this objective
                 will be realized. The Fund's investment objective may not be
                 changed without shareholder approval. Other investment
                 restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder
                 approval are contained in the Statement of Additional
                 Information.
 
                 HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
                 The Fund invests in a conservative mix of Municipal
                 Obligations and Equity Securities. Although the income
                 generated by Municipal Obligations is exempt from federal
                 taxes, dividends earned on the Equity Securities are taxable
                 as ordinary income. Such taxable income will be distributed
                 annually.
 
The Fund will    The Fund will invest the portion of its assets allocated to
invest in a      municipal investments in a laddered portfolio of Municipal
laddered         Obligations with effective maturities ranging from 5 to 25
portfolio of     years and a weighted average effective maturity of
Municipal        approximately 10 years. The effective remaining maturity of a
Obligations to   Municipal Obligation may be shorter than its stated maturity
moderate         as a result of the coupon, the actual or expected payment
interest rate    schedule, and other terms or conditions of an issue, that
risk             cause the security to trade and therefore have the risk of
                 price fluctuation similar to an otherwise comparable bond
                 that has a shorter-term maturity. By investing in a laddered
                 portfolio of Municipal Obligations, the Fund seeks to
                 prudently balance over economic cycles the portfolio's
                 income-producing potential and its exposure to adverse
                 changes in interest rates which could cause a decline in the
                 portfolio's market value.
 
 
The Fund         As a fundamental policy, the Fund will invest substantially
purchases only   all (in excess of 80%) of its assets allocated to municipal
investment       investments in Municipal Obligations rated at the time of
grade quality    purchase within the four highest grades (Baa or better by
Municipal        Moody's or BBB or better by S&P), or in unrated Municipal
Obligations      Obligations that, in the NIAC's opinion, have credit
                 characteristics equivalent to, and are of comparable quality
                 to, Municipal Obligations so rated, provided that not more
                 than 20% of the Fund's investments in Municipal Obligations
                 may be in such unrated Municipal Obligations. Bonds rated in
                 the lowest investment grade category may have speculative
                 characteristics, and changes in economic conditions or other
                 circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity
                 to make principal and interest payments than is the case with
                 higher grade bonds. A general description of S&P's and
                 Moody's ratings is set forth in the Statement of Additional
                 Information.
 
                                         9
<PAGE>
 
 
The Fund         NIAC will select Municipal Obligations primarily with a view
employs a        toward current income exempt from regular income tax,
value-oriented   consistent with the Fund's investment policies, and
strategy in      secondarily with a view toward enhancement of the value of
selecting        the Fund's portfolio of Municipal Obligations relative to the
Municipal        municipal bond market through investments in Municipal
Obligations      Obligations that, in NIAC's opinion, are underrated or
                 undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that
                 are undervalued. Underrated Municipal Obligations are those
                 whose ratings do not, in NIAC's opinion, reflect their true
                 value. Municipal Obligations that are undervalued or that
                 represent undervalued municipal market sectors are those
                 that, in NIAC's opinion, are worth more than the value
                 assigned to them in the marketplace. The Fund's investment in
                 underrated or undervalued Municipal Obligations will be based
                 on NIAC's belief that their prices should ultimately reflect
                 their true value. Accordingly, "enhancement of the value of
                 the Fund's portfolio of Municipal Obligations relative to the
                 municipal bond market" refers to the Fund's objective of
                 attempting to realize above-average capital appreciation in a
                 rising municipal bond market, and to experience less than
                 average capital losses in a declining market. Thus, it is not
                 intended to suggest that capital appreciation is itself an
                 objective of the Fund's investments in Municipal Obligations.
                 Instead, the Fund will seek enhancement of the value of its
                 portfolio of Municipal Obligations relative to the municipal
                 bond market by prudent selection of Municipal Obligations,
                 regardless of which direction the market may move.
 
The Fund         ICAP will select Equity Securities on the basis of its
employs a        evaluation of each security's relative value in terms of
value-oriented   projected relative price-earnings ratios and earnings
strategy when    stability, with a clear catalyst for significant price
selecting        appreciation over a defined time horizon. When making
Equity           investment decisions, ICAP develops an economic framework
Securities       (including an interest rate, inflation, and business cycle
                 outlook) and analyzes strategic economic and/or industry
                 themes to identify appropriate investments. ICAP uses a
                 variety of proprietary research techniques and computer
                 models to search for equity securities possessing best
                 relative value based on proprietary price/earnings
                 projections and analysis of earnings stability. Furthermore,
                 a clear catalyst, either stock-specific, industry or
                 economic, which ICAP believes will trigger significant price
                 appreciation within a definable period must exist. In order
                 to enhance its internal research, ICAP also utilizes a wide
                 variety of external sources for investment information
                 including recognized strategists, economists, technical and
                 fundamental analysts, corporate executives, and industry
                 sources.
 
                 For each investment, ICAP establishes an upside price target
                 and a downside risk potential. This strategy allows for
                 continuous monitoring of fundamental conditions
 
                                         10
<PAGE>
 
                 and stock price performance. Although ICAP typically expects
                 the investment potential of each investment to be realized
                 over a nine to eighteen month time period, it is not unusual
                 for equities to be held for a longer period if the potential
                 is justified. Investments that underperform the market are
                 reviewed intensively. If the risk/reward of a particular
                 investment becomes unattractive or the reasons for owning the
                 security no longer appear valid, the investment is typically
                 sold expeditiously to avoid future underperformance.
 
The Fund         The Fund's target investment mix is 60% Municipal Obligations
invests in a     and 40% Equity Securities. Over time, the allocation of the
conservative     Fund's investment portfolio will vary with the market prices
mix of           of its investments. The Fund will rebalance its investment
municipal        portfolio when necessary in order to prevent the Fund's
bonds and        investment mix from moving outside defined ranges for each
stocks to help   asset category under normal market conditions. The Fund from
preserve         time to time in response to changing market conditions may
capital          also shift the allocation of its investment portfolio within
                 these defined ranges when such changes are believed to
                 enhance the Fund's ability to meet its investment objectives.
                 The table below summarizes the Fund's target investment mix
                 and the allowable range for each asset category.
 
<TABLE>
           <S>                    <C>            <C>
                                      TARGET     ALLOWABLE
           ASSET CATEGORY         INVESTMENT MIX   RANGE
                 -----------------------------------------
           Equity Securities           40%        35%-45%
           Municipal Obligations       60%        55%-65%
</TABLE>
 
                 The Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time may also
                 adjust the Fund's target investment mix and the allowable
                 range for each asset category if, after consultation with
                 NIAC and ICAP, the Board determines that such a change is in
                 the best interests of shareholders, provided, however, that
                 the minimum allowable allocation for Municipal Obligations
                 may not be set below 50%.
 
                 During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may invest any
                 percentage of its assets in temporary investments, as
                 described below under "Temporary Investments." During such
                 periods, which may occur at a time when the Fund would
                 otherwise rebalance its investment mix, the proportion of the
                 Fund's assets invested in an asset category may fall outside
                 the allowable range for that asset category.
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS
Municipal
Obligations      Municipal Obligations are debt obligations issued by states,
                 cities and local authorities, and certain possessions and
                 territories of the United States, to obtain funds for various
                 public purposes, including the construction and maintenance
                 of
 
                                         11
<PAGE>
 
                 such public facilities as airports, bridges, highways,
                 housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and
                 water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which
                 Municipal Obligations may be issued include the refinancing
                 of outstanding obligations and the obtaining of funds for
                 general operating expenses and for loans to other public
                 institutions and facilities. In addition, certain industrial
                 development, private activity and pollution control bonds may
                 be included within the term Municipal Obligations if the
                 interest paid thereon qualifies as exempt from regular
                 Federal income tax. Municipal Obligations in which the Fund
                 will invest bear interest that, in the opinion of bond
                 counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal income tax,
                 although such interest may be subject to the Federal
                 alternative minimum tax. The two principal classifications of
                 Municipal Obligations are "general obligation" and "revenue"
                 bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's
                 pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the
                 payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds (e.g.,
                 industrial development bonds) are payable only from the
                 revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
                 facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special
                 excise tax or other specific revenue source.
 
                 Municipal Obligations may also include participations in
                 lease obligations or installment purchase contract
                 obligations (collectively, "lease obligations") of municipal
                 authorities or entities. Certain "non-appropriation" lease
                 obligations may present special risks because the
                 municipality's obligation to make future lease or installment
                 payments depends on money being appropriated each year for
                 this purpose. The Fund will seek to minimize these risks by
                 not investing more than 5% of the assets allocated to
                 investments in Municipal Obligations in non-appropriation
                 lease obligations, and by only investing in those non-
                 appropriation lease obligations that meet certain criteria of
                 the Fund. See "Investment Policies and Techniques--Investment
                 in Municipal Obligations--Municipal Obligations" in the
                 Statement of Additional Information for further information
                 about lease obligations.
 
                 The yields on Municipal Obligations are dependent on a
                 variety of factors, including the condition of the financial
                 markets in general and the municipal bond market in
                 particular and the size, maturity and rating of a particular
                 issue. The market value of Municipal Obligations will vary
                 inversely with changes in prevailing interest rate levels and
                 as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their
                 issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
 
Equity
Securities
                 Equity Securities are common stocks; preferred stocks;
                 warrants to purchase common stocks or preferred stocks; and
                 securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, such
                 as convertible bonds and debentures and other equity-type
                 securities.
 
                                         12
<PAGE>
 
                 The Fund will invest the assets allocated to equity
                 investments primarily in Equity Securities of domestic
                 companies with market capitalizations of at least $500
                 million. Convertible bonds and debentures must be rated Baa
                 or higher by Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") or BBB or
                 higher by Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), Duff & Phelps, Inc.
                 ("D&P") or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"). In
                 addition, the Fund may invest in equity securities of foreign
                 issuers through investments in American Depository Receipts
                 (ADRs).
 
Temporary        During certain temporary periods, in order to keep cash on
Investments      hand fully invested or as a defensive measure in response to
                 prevailing market conditions, the Fund may invest without
                 limitation in cash equivalent and short-term fixed income
                 securities ("temporary investments"). Temporary investments
                 are high quality, short-term securities which may be either
                 tax-exempt or taxable. The Fund intends to invest in taxable
                 temporary investments only in the event that suitable tax-
                 exempt temporary investments are not available at reasonable
                 prices and yields. Tax-exempt temporary investments include
                 various obligations issued by state and local governmental
                 issuers, such as tax-exempt notes (bond anticipation notes,
                 tax anticipation notes, and revenue anticipation notes or
                 other such Municipal Obligations maturing in three years or
                 less from the date of issuance) and municipal commercial
                 paper. The Fund will invest only in taxable temporary
                 investments which are U.S. Government securities or
                 securities rated within the highest grade by Moody's or S&P,
                 and which mature within one year from the date of purchase or
                 carry a variable or floating rate of interest, except that
                 the Fund may invest in certificates of deposit issued by U.S.
                 banks with assets of at least $1 billion. Taxable temporary
                 investments of the Fund may include commercial paper or
                 corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining
                 maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. See
                 the Statement of Additional Information under "Investment
                 Policies and Techniques--Short-Term Fixed Income Securities"
                 for additional information.
 
When-Issued      The Fund may invest without limitation in securities
Securities       purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis ("When-
                 Issued Securities"). Although the payment and terms of these
                 securities are established at the time the purchaser enters
                 into the commitment, these securities may be delivered and
                 paid for at a future date, generally within 45 days.
                 Purchasing When-Issued Securities allows the Fund to lock in
                 a fixed price on a security it intends to purchase. The Fund
                 will segregate and maintain cash, cash equivalents, U.S.
                 government securities, or other high-quality, liquid debt
                 securities in an amount at least equal to the amount of
 
                                         13
<PAGE>
 
                 outstanding commitments for When-Issued Securities at all
                 times. Such securities involve a risk of loss if the value of
                 the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement
                 date.
 
ADRs             The Fund may invest in ADRs or other instruments denominated
                 in U.S. dollars that permit indirect investment in foreign
                 securities. Foreign investments are limited to 20% of the
                 Fund's net assets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a
                 U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the
                 underlying foreign security and denominated in U.S. dollars.
                 ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in
                 foreign issuers, such as changes in foreign currency exchange
                 rates. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in
                 foreign issuers' stock, the Fund avoids currency risks during
                 the settlement period.
 
                 Investments in securities of foreign issuers involve risks
                 that are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
                 investment, including currency risks. The U.S. Dollar value
                 of a foreign security tends to decrease when the value of the
                 U.S. Dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the
                 security is denominated and tends to increase when the value
                 of the U.S. Dollar falls against such currency. Some ADRs may
                 not be sponsored by the issuer. Unsponsored ADRs are affected
                 by the fact that in many countries there is less publicly
                 available information about issuers than is available in the
                 reports and ratings published about companies in the U.S. and
                 companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing
                 and financial reporting standards. Other risks inherent in
                 foreign investment include expropriation; confiscatory
                 taxation; withholding taxes on dividends and interest; less
                 extensive regulation of foreign brokers, securities markets
                 and issuers; diplomatic developments; and political or social
                 instability. Foreign economies may differ favorably or
                 unfavorably from the U.S. economy in various respects, and
                 many foreign securities are less liquid and their prices tend
                 to be more volatile than comparable U.S. securities. From
                 time to time, foreign securities may be difficult to
                 liquidate rapidly without adverse price effects.
 
                 CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND LIMITATIONS
Options and      The Fund may engage in options and futures transactions,
Futures          which are sometimes referred to as derivative transactions.
Transactions     The Fund's options and futures transactions may include
                 instruments such as stock index options and futures
                 contracts. Such transactions may be used for several reasons,
                 including hedging unrealized portfolio gains. The Fund will
                 only engage in futures and options transactions that,
                 pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commodity Futures
                 Trading Commission (the
 
                                         14
<PAGE>
 
                 "CFTC"), constitute bona fide hedging or other permissible
                 risk management transactions and will not enter into such
                 transactions if the sum of the initial margin deposits and
                 premiums paid for unexpired options exceeds 5% of the Fund's
                 total assets. In addition, the Fund will not enter into
                 options and futures transactions if more than 30% of the
                 Fund's net assets would be committed to such instruments. The
                 ability of the Fund to benefit from options and futures is
                 largely dependent upon NIAC's or ICAP's ability to correctly
                 use such instruments, which may involve skills different from
                 those associated with managing securities generally. The Fund
                 could lose money on a futures transaction or an option could
                 expire worthless, as well as the Fund suffering a loss on the
                 value of its portfolio assets. For a further discussion of
                 options and futures transactions, please see the Statement of
                 Additional Information.
 
Lending of       The Fund may lend its portfolio securities, up to 33 1/3% of
Portfolio        its total assets, to broker-dealers or institutional
Securities       investors. The loans will be secured continuously by
                 collateral at least equal to the value of the securities lent
                 by "marking to market" daily. The Fund will continue to
                 receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by
                 the issuer of the securities lent and will retain the right
                 to call, upon notice, the lent securities. The Fund may also
                 receive interest on the investment of the collateral or a fee
                 from the borrower as compensation for the loan. As with other
                 extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or
                 even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of
                 the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made
                 only to firms deemed by the portfolio manager to be of good
                 standing.
 
Illiquid         The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid
Securities       securities, which include, but are not limited to, restricted
                 securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted
                 under the federal securities laws); securities which may be
                 resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933
                 but that are deemed to be illiquid; and repurchase agreements
                 with maturities in excess of seven days.
 
Portfolio        The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objectives
Turnover         with respect to its portfolio of Municipal Obligations by
                 prudent selection of Municipal Obligations with a view to
                 holding them for investment. The Fund may sell, however,
                 Municipal Obligations and reinvest the proceeds in other
                 Municipal Obligations in order to better achieve its
                 investment objectives in relation to actual and anticipated
                 movements in interest rates. The Fund may also engage to a
                 limited extent in short-term trading of Municipal Obligations
                 consistent with its investment objectives, but the Fund will
                 not engage in trading Municipal Obligations solely to
                 recognize a gain. While there can be no assurance thereof,
                 the Fund anticipates that the annual
 
                                         15
<PAGE>
 
                 portfolio turnover rate of the Fund's Municipal Obligations
                 will generally be significantly less than 75%. However, the
                 rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor if it is
                 desirable to sell or purchase Municipal Obligations.
 
                 The Fund may sell Equity Securities, and reinvest the
                 proceeds in other Equity Securities, whenever such action is
                 deemed prudent in view of its investment objectives,
                 regardless of the holding period of an Equity Security sold.
                 While there can be no assurance thereof, the Fund anticipates
                 that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund's Equity
                 Securities will be between 100% and 125%, and will generally
                 not exceed 150%. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for
                 example, if all of the securities held by a Fund were
                 replaced within one year.
 
                 In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may be required to
                 purchase or sell Municipal Obligations and Equity Securities
                 pursuant to a required reallocation of assets as described
                 about under "How The Fund Pursues Its Objective" and the
                 anticipated portfolio turnover rates set forth above are made
                 without regard to such a required reallocation of assets.
 
Other            The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
Investment       any one of the following types of investments: warrants;
Policies and     unseasoned companies; and transactions in short sales against
Restrictions     the box. In addition the Fund has adopted several
                 restrictions on the investments and other activities of the
                 Fund that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
                 For example, the Fund may not:
                 . With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the
                   securities of any issuer (except securities issued or
                   guaranteed by the U.S. government or any agency or
                   instrumentality thereof) if, as a result, (i) more than 5%
                   of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities
                   of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10%
                   of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
                 . Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money
                   from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for
                   leverage or the purchase of investments) and (ii) make
                   other investments or engage in other transactions
                   permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that
                   may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of
                   (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the
                   Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed), less
                   the Fund's liabilities (other than borrowings).
 
                 If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of
                 investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage beyond
                 the specified limit resulting from a change in values or
                 assets will not be considered a violation.
 
                                         16
<PAGE>
 
 
                 Except as specifically noted above or in the Statement of
                 Additional Information, the Fund's investment policies are
                 not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
                 approval. For a more complete description of investment
                 restrictions that may be changed without a shareholder vote,
                 see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                         17
<PAGE>
 
FLEXIBLE PRICING PROGRAM
The Fund         The Fund has adopted a Flexible Pricing Program that offers
offers various   you four alternative ways to purchase Fund shares (Classes A,
methods of       B, C and R), each with a different combination of sales
purchasing       charges, ongoing fees, eligibility requirements, and other
shares which     features. The Program is designed to permit you and your
are designed     financial adviser to choose the method of purchasing shares
to meet your     that you believe is most beneficial given the amount of your
individual       investment and current holdings of Fund shares, the length of
investment       time you expect to hold your investment, and other relevant
needs and        circumstances. A summary of the four alternatives is set
preferences      forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                  UP-FRONT SALES    SALES CHARGE       ANNUAL 12B-1   ANNUAL 12B-1
                      CHARGE           "CDSC"        DISTRIBUTION FEE SERVICE FEE
                 -----------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>    <C>            <C>                 <C>              <C>
           Class      5.25%(1)          None(2)            None           .25%
            A
           Class       None               5%(3)            .75%(4)        .25%
            B
           Class       None               1%(5)            .75%           .25%
            C
           Class       None             None               None           None
            R
</TABLE>
                 (1) Maximum up-front sales charge, which is reduced for
                 purchases of $50,000 or more. Up-front sales charge may be
                 reduced or waived for certain purchases.
                 (2) Certain Class A purchases at net asset value of $1
                 million or more may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed
                 within 18 months of purchase.
                 (3) CDSC in the first year. CDSC declines to 0% after six
                 years.
                 (4) Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares after eight
                 years, which reduces the ongoing expenses borne by an
                 investor.
                 (5) CDSC is applicable to shares redeemed within 12 months of
                 purchase.
 
                 For more information regarding features of each class, see
                 "How to Buy Fund Shares," "How to Redeem Fund Shares" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan" below.
 
Which Option     When you purchase Class A Shares, you will normally pay an
is Right For     up-front sales charge. As a result, you will have less money
You?             invested initially and you will own fewer Class A Shares than
                 you would in the absence of an up-front sales charge.
                 Alternatively, when you purchase Class B or Class C Shares,
                 you will not pay an up-front sales charge and all of your
                 monies will be fully invested at the time of purchase.
                 However, Class B and Class C Shares are subject to an annual
                 distribution fee, which constitutes an asset-based sales
                 charge whose purpose is the same as an up-front sales charge.
                 In addition, Class B Shares when redeemed are subject to a
                 CDSC, which will vary depending on the length of time you
                 owned your shares. Class B Shares automatically convert to
                 Class A Shares eight years after purchase, which reduces the
                 annual expenses borne by an investor. Class C Shares are
                 subject to a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of
                 purchase. Because Class C Shares do not convert to Class A
                 Shares and continue to pay an annual distribution fee
                 indefinitely, Class C Shares should normally not be purchased
                 by an investor who expects to hold shares for significantly
                 longer than eight years. Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
                 are
 
                                         18
<PAGE>
 
                 subject to annual service fees, which are identical in amount
                 and are used to compensate Authorized Dealers for providing
                 you with ongoing account services. You may qualify for a
                 reduced sales charge or a sales charge waiver on a purchase
                 of Class A Shares, as described below under "How the Sales
                 Charge on Class A Shares May Be Reduced or Waived." Class R
                 Shares are available for purchase at a price equal to their
                 net asset value, but only under certain circumstances or for
                 certain categories of investors, as described below under
                 "How to Buy Fund Shares--Class R Shares."
                 In deciding whether to purchase Class A, Class B, Class C or
                 Class R Shares, you should consider all relevant factors,
                 including the dollar amount of your purchase, the length of
                 time you expect to hold the shares and whether a CDSC would
                 apply, the amount of any applicable up-front sales charge,
                 the amount of any applicable distribution or service fees
                 that may be incurred while you own the shares, whether or not
                 you will be reinvesting income or capital gain distributions
                 in additional shares, whether or not you meet applicable
                 eligibility requirements or qualify for a sales charge waiver
                 or reduction, and the relative level of services that your
                 financial adviser may provide to different classes.
                 Authorized Dealers and other persons distributing the Fund's
                 shares may receive different compensation for selling
                 different classes of shares.
 
 
Differences      Each class of shares represents an interest in the same
Between the      portfolio of investments. Each class of shares is identical
Classes of       in all respects except that each class has its own sales
Shares           charge structure, each class bears its own class expenses,
                 including distribution and service expenses, and each class
                 has exclusive voting rights with respect to any distribution
                 or service plan applicable to its shares. In addition, the
                 Class B Shares are subject to a conversion feature. As a
                 result of the differences in the expenses borne by each class
                 of shares, and differences in the purchase and redemption
                 activity for each class, net income per share, dividends per
                 share and net asset value per share will vary among the
                 Fund's classes of shares.
 
Dealer           Upon notice to all Authorized Dealers, Nuveen may reallow to
Incentives       Authorized Dealers electing to participate up to the full
                 applicable Class A Share sales charge during periods and for
                 transactions specified in the notice. The reallowances made
                 during these periods may be based upon attainment of minimum
                 sales levels. Further, Nuveen may from time to time make
                 additional reallowances only to certain Authorized Dealers
                 who sell or are expected to sell certain minimum amounts of
                 the Fund or other Nuveen Mutual Funds and Nuveen UITs during
                 specified time periods. Nuveen will reimburse the Authorized
                 Dealer for up to one-half of specified media costs incurred
                 in the placement of advertisements which jointly feature the
                 Authorized Dealer and Nuveen Funds and Nuveen unit trusts.
 
                                         19
<PAGE>
 
 
                 Such reimbursement to the Authorized Dealer will be based on
                 the number of its financial advisers who have sold Nuveen
                 Fund shares and unit trust units during the prior calendar
                 year according to an established schedule. The staff of the
                 Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that
                 dealers who receive 90% or more of the applicable sales
                 charge may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act of
                 1933, as amended.
 
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
Class A Shares   You may purchase Class A Shares at a public offering price
are offered at   equal to the applicable net asset value per share plus an up-
their net        front sales charge imposed at the time of purchase as set
asset value      forth below. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge, or
plus an up-      the sales charge may be waived in its entirety, as described
front sales      below under "How the Up-Front Sales Charge on Class A Shares
charge           May Be Reduced or Waived." Class A Shares are also subject to
                 an annual service fee of .25%. See "Flexible Pricing Program"
                 and "Distribution and Service Plan."
 
                 The up-front sales charges for Class A Shares are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SALES CHARGE AS SALES CHARGE AS REALLOWANCE AS
                                       % OF PUBLIC    % OF NET      % OF PUBLIC
           AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
                 ----------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                     <C>             <C>             <C>
           Less than $50,000            5.25%           5.54%          5.00%
           $50,000 but less than
            $100,000                    4.25%           4.44%          4.00%
           $100,000 but less than
            $250,000                    3.50%           3.63%          3.25%
           $250,000 but less than
            $500,000                    2.75%           2.83%          2.50%
           $500,000 but less than
            $1,000,000                  2.00%           2.04%          1.75%
           $1,000,000 and over          0.00%           0.00%          0.00%*
</TABLE>
                 *Authorized Dealers are eligible to receive commission from
                 Nuveen as discussed below.
 
                 The Fund receives the entire net asset value of all Class A
                 Shares that are sold. Nuveen retains the full applicable
                 sales charge from which it pays the uniform reallowances
                 shown above to Authorized Dealers. See "Flexible Sales Charge
                 Program--Dealer Incentives" above for more information about
                 reallowances and other compensation to Authorized Dealers.
 
                 Certain commercial banks may make Class A Shares of the Fund
                 available to their customers on an agency basis. Pursuant to
                 the agreements between Nuveen and
 
                                         20
<PAGE>
 
                 these banks, some or all of the sales charge paid by a bank
                 customer in connection with a purchase of Class A Shares may
                 be retained by or paid to the bank. Certain banks and other
                 financial institutions may be required to register as
                 securities dealers in certain states.
 
Class A Share    Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net
purchases of     asset value without an up-front sales charge. Nuveen pays
$1 million and   Authorized Dealers of record on such Class A Share purchases
over may be      a commission of up to 1.00% of the amount of the purchase. If
subject to a     such shares are redeemed within 18 months of purchase, a CDSC
CDSC             of 1% of the lower of the purchase price or the redemption
                 proceeds may be imposed upon the redemption. Shares purchased
                 by investors investing $1 million or more who have made
                 arrangements with Nuveen and whose dealer of record waived
                 the commission are not subject to the CDSC.
 
                 [HOW THE UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE MAY BE REDUCED OR WAIVED]
There are        There are several ways to reduce or eliminate the up-front
several ways     sales charge:
to reduce or     . cumulative discount;
eliminate the    . letter of intent;
up-front sales   . purchases with monies representing distributions from
charge             Nuveen-sponsored UITs;
                 . group purchase programs;
                 . reinvestment of redemption proceeds from non-affiliated
                   funds; and
                 . special sales charge waivers for certain categories of
                   investors.
 
Cumulative       You may qualify for a reduced sales charge as shown above on
Discount         a purchase of Class A Shares if the amount of your purchase,
                 when added to the value that day of all of your prior
                 purchases of shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual
                 Fund, or units of a Nuveen UIT, on which an up-front sales
                 charge or ongoing distribution fee is imposed, falls within
                 the amounts stated in the table. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI of any cumulative discount
                 whenever you plan to purchase Class A Shares of the Fund that
                 you wish to qualify for a reduced sales charge.
 
Letter of        You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a purchase of
Intent           Class A Shares if you plan to purchase Class A Shares of
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds over the next 13 months and the total
                 amount of your purchases would, if purchased at one time,
                 qualify you for one of the reduced sales charges shown above.
                 In order to take advantage of this option, you must complete
                 the applicable section of the Application Form or sign and
                 deliver either to an Authorized Dealer or to SSI a written
                 Letter of Intent in a
 
                                         21
<PAGE>
 
                 form acceptable to Nuveen. A Letter of Intent states that you
                 intend, but are not obligated, over the next 13 months to
                 purchase a stated total amount of Class A Shares that would
                 qualify you for a reduced sales charge shown above. You may
                 count shares of a Nuveen Mutual Fund that you already own on
                 which you paid an up-front sales charge or an ongoing
                 distribution fee and any Class B and Class C Shares of a
                 Nuveen Mutual Fund that you purchase over the next 13 months
                 towards completion of your investment program, but you will
                 receive a reduced sales charge only on new Class A Shares you
                 purchase with a sales charge over the 13 months. You cannot
                 count towards completion of your investment program Class A
                 Shares that you purchase without a sales charge through
                 investment of distributions from a Nuveen Mutual Fund or a
                 Nuveen UIT, or otherwise.
 
                 By establishing a Letter of Intent, you agree that your first
                 purchase of Class A Shares following execution of the Letter
                 of Intent will be at least 5% of the total amount of your
                 intended purchases. You further agree that shares
                 representing 5% of the total amount of your intended
                 purchases will be held in escrow pending completion of these
                 purchases. All dividends and capital gains distributions on
                 Class A Shares held in escrow will be credited to your
                 account. If total purchases, less redemptions, prior to the
                 expiration of the 13 month period equal or exceed the amount
                 specified in your Letter of Intent, the Class A Shares held
                 in escrow will be transferred to your account. If the total
                 purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified in
                 your Letter of Intent and thereby qualify for a lower sales
                 charge than the sales charge specified in your Letter of
                 Intent, you will receive this lower sales charge
                 retroactively, and the difference between it and the higher
                 sales charge paid will be used to purchase additional Class A
                 Shares on your behalf. If the total purchases, less
                 redemptions, are less than the amount specified, you must pay
                 Nuveen an amount equal to the difference between the amounts
                 paid for these purchases and the amounts that would have been
                 paid if the higher sales charge had been applied. If you do
                 not pay the additional amount within 20 days after written
                 request by Nuveen or your financial adviser, Nuveen will
                 redeem an appropriate number of your escrowed Class A Shares
                 to meet the required payment. By establishing a Letter of
                 Intent, you irrevocably appoint Nuveen as attorney to give
                 instructions to redeem any or all of your escrowed shares,
                 with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
                 You or your financial adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI
                 whenever you make a purchase of Fund shares that you wish to
                 be covered under the Letter of Intent option.
 
                                         22
<PAGE>
 
 
Reinvestment     You may purchase Class A Shares without an up-front sales
of Nuveen UIT    charge by reinvestment of distributions from any of the
Distributions    various unit trusts sponsored by Nuveen. There is no initial
                 or subsequent minimum investment requirement for such
                 reinvestment purchases.
 
Group Purchase   If you are a member of a qualified group, you may purchase
Programs         Class A Shares of the Fund or of another Nuveen Mutual Fund
                 at the reduced sales charge applicable to the group's
                 purchases taken as a whole. A "qualified group" is one which
                 has been in existence for more than six months, has a purpose
                 other than investment, has five or more participating
                 members, has agreed to include Fund sales publications in
                 mailings to members and has agreed to comply with certain
                 administrative requirements relating to its group purchases.
 
                 Under any group purchase program, the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio by each participant is $25, and the minimum monthly
                 investment in Class A Shares of any particular fund or
                 portfolio for all participants in the program combined is
                 $1,000. No certificates will be issued for any participant's
                 account. All dividends and other distributions by the Fund
                 will be reinvested in additional Class A Shares of the Fund.
                 No participant may utilize a systematic withdrawal program.
 
                 To establish a group purchase program, both the group itself
                 and each participant must fill out special application
                 materials, which the group administrator may obtain from the
                 group's financial adviser, by checking the applicable box on
                 the enclosed Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free
                 at 800-621-7227. See the Statement of Additional Information
                 for more complete information about "qualified groups" and
                 group purchase programs.
 
Reinvestment     You may also purchase Class A Shares at net asset value
of Redemption    without a sales charge if the purchase takes place through a
Proceeds from    broker-dealer and represents the reinvestment of the proceeds
Unaffiliated     of the redemption of shares of one or more registered
Funds            investment companies not affiliated with Nuveen. You must
                 provide appropriate documentation that the redemption
                 occurred not more than 60 days prior to the reinvestment of
                 the proceeds in Class A Shares, and that you either paid an
                 up-front sales charge or were subject to a contingent
                 deferred sales charge in respect of the redemption of such
                 shares of such other investment company.
 
Special Sales
Charge Waivers
                 Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset
                 value without a sales charge and in any amount by officers,
                 trustees and retired trustees of the Trust; bona
 
                                         23
<PAGE>
 
                 fide, full-time and retired employees of Nuveen or ICAP, any
                 parent company of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their
                 immediate family members (as defined below); any person who,
                 for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or bona
                 fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate
                 family members; officers and directors of bank holding
                 companies that make Fund shares available directly or through
                 subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or broker-affiliated
                 trust departments; clients of broker-dealers that sponsor
                 mutual fund purchase programs on a periodic fee, asset-based
                 fee or no transaction fee basis; and clients of investment
                 advisers, financial planners or other financial
                 intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for
                 their services. For further details about these special
                 categories and their eligibility requirements, please consult
                 your financial adviser or the Statement of Additional
                 Information, or call Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
 
                 Any Class A Shares purchased pursuant to a special sales
                 charge waiver must be acquired for investment purposes and on
                 the condition that they will not be transferred or resold
                 except through redemption by the Fund. You or your financial
                 adviser must notify Nuveen or SSI whenever you make a
                 purchase of Class A Shares that you wish to be covered under
                 these special sales charge waivers. All purchases under the
                 Special Sales Charge Waivers will be subject to minimum
                 purchase requirements as established by the Fund. All of the
                 above categories of investors are also eligible to purchase
                 Class R Shares, as described below under "Class R Shares."
                 Finally, Class A Shares may be issued at net asset value
                 without a sales charge in connection with the acquisition by
                 the Fund of another investment company.
 
In general       In determining the amount of your purchases of Class A Shares
                 that may qualify for a reduced sales charge, the following
                 purchases may be combined: (1) all purchases by a trustee or
                 other fiduciary for a single trust estate or fiduciary
                 account; (2) all purchases by individuals and their immediate
                 family members (i.e., their spouses and their children under
                 21 years of age); or (3) all purchases made through a group
                 purchase program as described above.
 
                 The reduced sales charge programs may be modified or
                 discontinued by the Fund at any time upon prior written
                 notice to shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES OR
                 REDUCED SALES CHARGE PROGRAMS, OR TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED
                 APPLICATION FORMS, CALL NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                                         24
<PAGE>
 
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares   You may purchase Class B Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Since Class B Shares are sold without
their net        an initial sales charge, the full amount of your purchase
asset value,     payment will be invested in Class B Shares. Class B Shares
but are          are subject to an annual distribution fee to compensate
subject to an    Nuveen for its costs in connection with the sale of Class B
annual           shares, and are also subject to an annual service fee to
distribution     compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
fee and a CDSC   financial advice and other account services.
 
                 You may be subject to a CDSC if you redeem your Class B
                 shares within a specified period after purchase, as shown in
                 the table below. See "Flexible Pricing Program" and
                 "Distribution and Service Plan." Nuveen compensates
                 Authorized Dealers for sales of Class B Shares at the time of
                 sale at the rate of 4.00% of the amount of Class B Shares
                 purchased, which represents a sales commission of 3.75% plus
                 an advance on the first year's annual service fee of .25%.
 
                 If redeemed prior to the end of the sixth year after
                 purchase, Class B Shares may be subject to a CDSC, as set
                 forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                YEARS
                SINCE
                PURCHASE   CDSC
                         ------
                <S>        <C>
                0-1         5%
                1-2         4%
                2-3         3%
                3-4         3%
                4-5         2%
                5-6         1%
</TABLE>
 
                 Class B Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends
                 are not subject to a CDSC. Any CDSC will be imposed on the
                 lower of the redeemed shares' cost or net asset value at the
                 time of redemption. For more information regarding the
                 imposition of the CDSC, see "How to Redeem Fund Shares--Class
                 B Shares," below.
 
Class B Shares   Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares
automatically    eight years after purchase. All conversions will be done at
convert to       net asset value without the imposition of any sales load,
Class A Shares   fee, or other charge, so that the value of each shareholder's
eight years      account immediately before conversion will be the same as the
after purchase   value of the account immediately after conversion. Class B
                 Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will
                 convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial
                 purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose, Class
                 B Shares acquired
 
                                         25
<PAGE>
 
                 through reinvestment of distributions will be attributed to
                 particular purchases of Class B Shares in accordance with
                 such procedures as the Board of Trustees may determine from
                 time to time. Class B Shares that are converted to Class A
                 Shares will remain subject to an annual service fee that is
                 identical in amount for both Class B Shares and Class A
                 Shares. Since net asset value per share of the Class B Shares
                 and the Class A Shares may differ at the time of conversion,
                 a shareholder may receive more or fewer Class A Shares than
                 the number of Class B Shares converted. Any conversion of
                 Class B Shares into Class A Shares will be subject to the
                 continuing availability of an opinion of counsel or a private
                 letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect
                 that the conversion of shares would not constitute a taxable
                 event under federal income tax law. Conversion of Class B
                 Shares into Class A Shares might be suspended if such an
                 opinion or ruling were no longer available.
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
Class C Shares   You may purchase Class C Shares at a public offering price
may be           equal to the applicable net asset value per share without any
purchased at     up-front sales charge. Class C Shares are subject to an
their net        annual distribution fee to compensate Nuveen for its costs in
asset value,     connection with the sale of Class C Shares. Class C Shares
but are          are also subject to an annual service fee of .25% to
subject to an    compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with ongoing
annual           financial advice and other account services. Nuveen
distribution     compensates Authorized Dealers for sales of Class C Shares at
fee              the time of the sale at a rate of 1% of the amount of Class C
                 Shares purchased, which represents a sales commission of .75%
                 plus an advance on the first year's annual service fee of
                 .25%. See "Flexible Pricing Program" and "Distribution and
                 Service Plan."
 
                 Redemptions of Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase
                 may be subject to a CDSC of 1% of the lower of the purchase
                 price or redemption proceeds. See "How to Redeem Fund
                 Shares--Class C Shares."
 
                 CLASS R SHARES
Class R Shares   If you are making a purchase of $1 million or more of Fund
are offered at   Shares in a single transaction, you may purchase Class R
their net        Shares at a public offering price equal to the applicable net
asset value      asset value per share without any up-front sales charge or
only under       ongoing distribution or service fees. You also may purchase
limited          Class R Shares subject only to the Fund's minimum investment
circumstances    requirement of $1,000 if you are within the following
or to            specified categories of investors who are eligible to
specified        purchase Class A Shares at net asset value without an up-
classes of       front sales charge: officers, trustees and retired trustees
investors        of the Fund; bona fide, full-time and retired employees of
                 Nuveen or
 
                                         26
<PAGE>
 
                 ICAP, any parent company of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof,
                 or their immediate family members; any person who, for at
                 least 90 days, has been an officer, director or bona fide
                 employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate family
                 members; officers and directors of bank holding companies
                 that make Fund shares available directly or through
                 subsidiaries or bank affiliates; and bank or broker-
                 affiliated trust departments; clients of broker-dealers that
                 sponsor mutual fund purchase programs on a periodic fee,
                 asset-based fee or no transaction fee basis; and clients of
                 investment advisers, financial planners or other financial
                 intermediaries that charge periodic or asset-based fees for
                 their services. For further details about these special
                 categories and their eligibility requirements, please consult
                 your financial adviser or the Statement of Additional
                 Information, or call Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
 
                 If you are eligible to purchase either Class R Shares or
                 Class A Shares without a sales charge at net asset value, you
                 should be aware of the differences between these two classes
                 of shares. Class A Shares are subject to an annual service
                 fee to compensate Authorized Dealers for providing you with
                 ongoing account services. Class R Shares are not subject to a
                 distribution or service fee and, consequently, holders of
                 Class R Shares may not receive the same types or levels of
                 services from Authorized Dealers. In choosing between Class A
                 Shares and Class R Shares, you should weigh the benefits of
                 the services to be provided by Authorized Dealers against the
                 annual service fee imposed upon the Class A Shares.
 
                 INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE OF SHARES
The Fund         You may buy Fund shares through Authorized Dealers or by
offers a         calling or directing your financial adviser to call Nuveen
number of        toll-free at 800-843-6765. You may pay for your purchase by
convenient       Federal Reserve draft or by check made payable to "Nuveen
ways to          Income and Growth Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R]," delivered
purchase         to the financial adviser through whom the investment is to be
shares           made for forwarding to the Fund's shareholder services agent,
                 SSI. When making your initial investment, you must also
                 furnish the information necessary to establish your Fund
                 account by completing and enclosing with your payment the
                 attached Application Form. After your initial investment, you
                 may make subsequent purchases at any time by forwarding to
                 SSI a check in the amount of your purchase made payable to
                 "Nuveen Income and Growth Fund, Class [A], [B], [C], [R],"
                 and indicating on the check your account number. All payments
                 must be in U.S. dollars and should be sent directly to SSI at
                 its address listed on the back cover of this Prospectus. A
                 check drawn on a foreign bank or payable other than to the
                 order of the Fund generally will not be acceptable. You may
                 also wire Federal Funds directly to SSI, but you may be
                 charged a fee for this. For instructions on how to make Fund
                 purchases by wire transfer, call Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-
                 7227.
 
                                         27
<PAGE>
 
 
                 PURCHASE PRICE
                 The price at which you purchase Fund shares is based on the
                 next calculation of the Fund's net asset value after the
                 order is placed. See "Net Asset Value," below for a
                 description of how net asset value is calculated. The Fund's
                 net asset value per share is determined as of the close of
                 trading (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the
                 New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
 
                 MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
                 Generally, your first purchase of any class of the Fund's
                 shares must be for $1,000 or more. Additional purchases may
                 be in amounts of $100 or more. These minimums may be changed
                 at any time by the Fund. There are exceptions to these
                 minimums for shareholders who qualify under one or more of
                 the Fund's automatic deposit, group purchase or reinvestment
                 programs.
 
                 SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
The Fund         The Fund offers you several opportunities to capture the
offers several   benefits of "dollar cost averaging" through systematic
ways to make     investment programs. In a regularly followed dollar cost
systematic       averaging program, you would purchase more shares when Fund
investments      share prices are lower and fewer shares when Fund share
                 prices are higher, so that the average price paid for Fund
                 shares is less than the average price of the Fund shares over
                 the same time period. Dollar cost averaging does not assure
                 profits or protect against losses in a steadily declining
                 market. Since dollar cost averaging involves continuous
                 investment regardless of fluctuating price levels, you should
                 consider your financial ability to continue investing in
                 declining as well as rising markets before deciding to invest
                 in this way. The Fund offers two different types of
                 systematic investment programs:
 
Automatic        Once you have established a Fund account, you may make
Deposit Plan     regular investments in an amount of $25 or more each month by
                 authorizing SSI to draw preauthorized checks on your bank
                 account. There is no obligation to continue payments and you
                 may terminate your participation at any time at your
                 discretion. No charge in addition to the applicable sales
                 charge is made in connection with this Plan, and there is no
                 cost to the Fund. To obtain an application form for the
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, check the applicable box on the
                 enclosed Application Form or call Nuveen toll-free at 800-
                 621-7227.
 
Payroll Direct   Once you have established a Fund account, you may, with your
Deposit Plan     employer's consent, make regular investments in Fund shares
                 of $25 or more per pay period by authorizing your employer to
                 deduct this amount automatically from your paycheck. There is
                 no obligation to continue payments and you may terminate your
                 participation at any time at your discretion. No charge in
                 addition to the applicable
 
                                         28
<PAGE>
 
                 sales charge is made for this Plan, and there is no cost to
                 the Fund. To obtain an application form for the Payroll
                 Direct Deposit Plan, check the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or call Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-7227.
 
                 OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROGRAMS
Exchange         You may exchange shares of a class of the Fund for shares of
Privilege        the same class of any other Nuveen Mutual Fund with
                 reciprocal exchange privileges, at net asset value without a
                 sales charge, by sending a written request to the Fund, c/o
                 Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-
                 5330. Similarly, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R Shares
                 of other Nuveen Mutual Funds may be exchanged for the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value without a
                 sales charge. Exchanges of shares from any Nuveen money
                 market fund will be made into Class A Shares, Class B Shares,
                 Class C Shares or Class R Shares of the Fund at the public
                 offering price. If, however, a sales charge has previously
                 been paid on the investment represented by the exchanged
                 shares (i.e., the shares to be exchanged were originally
                 issued in exchange for shares on which a sales charge was
                 paid), the exchange of shares from a Nuveen money market fund
                 will be made into shares of the Fund at net asset value.
                 Class A Shares, Class C Shares or Class R Shares may be
                 exchanged for shares of any Nuveen money market fund, but
                 Class B Shares may not be exchanged for shares of a Nuveen
                 money market fund.
 
                 Class A shares of Nuveen Mutual Funds sold with a maximum up-
                 front sales charge of less than the maximum charged by other
                 Nuveen Mutual Funds will be subject to the appropriate "sales
                 charge differential" upon the exchange of such shares for
                 Class A shares of a Fund sold with a higher up-front sales
                 charge. The "sales charge differential" is limited to a
                 percentage rate no greater than the excess of the sales
                 charge rate applicable to purchases of shares of the Nuveen
                 Mutual Fund being acquired in the exchange over the sales
                 charge rate(s) actually paid on the mutual fund shares
                 relinquished in the exchange and on any predecessor of those
                 shares. For purposes of the exchange privilege, shares
                 obtained through automatic reinvestment of dividends and
                 capital gain distributions are treated as having paid the
                 same sales charges applicable to the shares on which the
                 dividends or distributions were paid; however, if no sales
                 charge was imposed upon the initial purchase of the shares,
                 any shares obtained through automatic reinvestment will be
                 subject to a sales charge differential upon exchange.
 
                 If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be
                 charged at the time of the exchange. However, if you
                 subsequently redeem the shares acquired through the exchange,
                 the redemption may be subject to a CDSC, depending on when
                 you purchased your original shares and the CDSC schedule of
                 the fund from which you exchanged your shares.
 
                                         29
<PAGE>
 
 
                 The shares to be purchased must be offered in your state of
                 residence and you must have held the shares you are
                 exchanging for at least 15 days. The total value of exchanged
                 shares must at least equal the minimum investment requirement
                 of the Nuveen Mutual Fund being purchased. For federal income
                 tax purposes, any exchange constitutes a sale and purchase of
                 shares and may result in capital gain or loss. Before making
                 any exchange, you should obtain the Prospectus for the Nuveen
                 Mutual Fund you are purchasing and read it carefully. If the
                 registration of the account for the Fund you are purchasing
                 is not exactly the same as that of the fund account from
                 which the exchange is made, written instructions from all
                 holders of the account from which the exchange is being made
                 must be received, with signatures guaranteed by a member of
                 an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other
                 manner as may be acceptable to the Fund. You may also
                 exchange shares by telephone if you authorize telephone
                 exchanges by checking the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-
                 7227 to obtain an authorization form. The exchange privilege
                 may be modified or discontinued by the Fund at any time upon
                 prior written notice to shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 The exchange privilege is not intended to permit the Fund to
                 be used as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive
                 exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management,
                 raise expenses, and otherwise have an adverse effect on all
                 shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity
                 and in other circumstances where Fund management believes
                 doing so would be in the best interest of the Fund, the Fund
                 reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange
                 privilege, or limit the amount or number of exchanges or
                 reject any exchange. Shareholders would be notified of any
                 such action to the extent required by law.
 
Fund Direct      You can use Fund Direct to link your Fund account to your
                 account at a bank or other financial institution. Fund Direct
                 enables you to transfer money electronically between these
                 accounts and perform a variety of account transactions. These
                 include purchases of shares by telephone, investments under
                 Automatic Deposit Plan, and sending dividends and
                 distributions, redemption payments or Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan payments directly to your bank account. Please refer to
                 the Application for details, or call SSI for more
                 information.
 
                 Fund Direct privileges must be requested via an Application
                 you obtain by calling 800-621-7227. Fund Direct privileges
                 will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on
                 your account as well as to your Authorized Dealer
                 representative of record unless and until SSI receives
                 written instructions terminating or changing those
                 privileges. After you establish Fund Direct for your account,
                 any change of bank account information must be made by
                 signature-guaranteed instructions to SSI signed by all
                 shareholders who own the account.
 
                                         30
<PAGE>
 
 
                 Purchases may be made by telephone only after your account
                 has been established. To purchase shares in amounts up to
                 $250,000 through a telephone representative, call SSI at 800-
                 621-7227. The purchase payment will be debited from your bank
                 account.
 
Reinstatement    If you redeemed Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the
Privilege        Fund or any other Nuveen Mutual Fund that were subject to a
                 sales charge or a CDSC, you have up to one year to reinvest
                 all or part of the full amount of the redemption in the same
                 class of shares of the Fund at net asset value. This
                 reinstatement privilege can be exercised only once for any
                 redemption, and reinvestment will be made at the net asset
                 value of the appropriate class of Fund shares, next
                 calculated at the time of reinstatement. If you reinstate
                 shares that were subject to a CDSC, your holding period as of
                 the redemption date will also be reinstated. The tax
                 consequences of any capital gain realized on a redemption
                 will not be affected by reinstatement, but a capital loss may
                 be disallowed in whole or in part depending on the timing and
                 amount of the reinvestment.
 
                 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PURCHASE OPTIONS AND TO
                 OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS REQUIRED FOR SOME OF THEM, CALL
                 NUVEEN TOLL-FREE AT 800-621-7227.
 
                 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                 If you choose to invest in the Fund, an account will be
                 opened and maintained for you by SSI, the Fund's shareholder
                 services agent. Share certificates will be issued to you only
                 upon written request to SSI, and no certificates will be
                 issued for fractional shares. The Fund reserves the right to
                 reject any purchase order and to waive or increase minimum
                 investment requirements. A change in registration or transfer
                 of shares held in the name of your financial adviser's firm
                 can only be made by an order in good form from the financial
                 adviser acting on your behalf.
 
                 Authorized Dealers are encouraged to open single master
                 accounts. However, some Authorized Dealers may wish to use
                 SSI's sub-accounting system to minimize their internal
                 recordkeeping requirements. An Authorized Dealer or other
                 investor requesting shareholder servicing or accounting other
                 than the master account or sub-accounting service offered by
                 SSI will be required to enter into a separate agreement with
                 another agent for these services for a fee that will depend
                 upon the level of services to be provided.
 
                 Subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
                 Exchange Commission, the Fund reserves the right to suspend
                 the continuous offering of its shares at any time, but no
                 suspension shall affect your right of redemption as described
                 below.
 
                                         31
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
                 The Fund has adopted a plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule
                 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which
                 provides that Class B and Class C Shares will be subject to
                 an annual distribution fee and Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares will be subject to an annual service fee. Class R
                 Shares will not be subject to either distribution or service
                 fees.
 
                 The distribution fee applicable to Class B and Class C Shares
                 under the Plan will be payable to reimburse Nuveen for
                 services and expenses incurred in connection with the
                 distribution of such Shares. The distribution fee primarily
                 reimburses Nuveen for providing compensation to Authorized
                 Dealers, including Nuveen, either at the time of sale or on
                 an ongoing basis. The other expenses for which Nuveen may be
                 reimbursed include, without limitation, expenses of printing
                 and distributing prospectuses to persons other than
                 shareholders of the Fund, expenses of preparing, printing and
                 distributing advertising and sales literature and reports to
                 shareholders used in connection with the sale of such Shares,
                 certain other expenses associated with the distribution of
                 such Shares, and any other distribution-related expenses that
                 may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
 
                 The service fee applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C
                 Shares under the Plan will be payable to Nuveen, to be used
                 to compensate Authorized Dealers, including Nuveen, in
                 connection with the provision of ongoing account services to
                 shareholders. These services may include establishing and
                 maintaining shareholder accounts, answering shareholder
                 inquiries and providing other personal services to
                 shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may spend up to .25 of 1% per year of the average
                 daily net assets of Class A Shares as a service fee under the
                 Plan applicable to Class A Shares. The Fund may spend up to
                 .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class B
                 Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25 of 1% per year of
                 the average daily net assets of Class B Shares as a service
                 fee under the Plan applicable to Class B Shares. The Fund may
                 spend up to .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net
                 assets of Class C Shares as a distribution fee and up to .25
                 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of Class C
                 Shares as a service fee under the Plan applicable to Class C
                 Shares.
 
                                         32
<PAGE>
 
HOW TO REDEEM FUND SHARES
                 You may require the Fund at any time to redeem for cash your
                 shares of the Fund at the net asset value next computed after
                 instructions and required documents and certificates, if any,
                 are received in proper form, as described below. There is no
                 charge for the redemption of Class R Shares.
 
                 CLASS A SHARES
                 Class A Shares are normally redeemed at net asset value,
                 without any contingent deferred sales charge. However, in the
                 case of purchases at net asset value of Class A shares of $1
                 million or more, where the dealer of record has not waived
                 the sales commission, a CDSC of 1% is imposed on any
                 redemptions within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC may be
                 waived under certain special circumstances, as described in
                 the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS B SHARES
                 A CDSC may be imposed upon redemption of Class B Shares. The
                 rate of the CDSC is determined by how long you have owned
                 your shares, as described under "How to Buy Fund Shares--
                 Class B Shares," above. The CDSC may be waived under certain
                 special circumstances, as described in the Statement of
                 Additional Information.
 
                 CLASS C SHARES
                 Class C Shares are redeemed at net asset value, without any
                 contingent deferred sales charge, except that a CDSC of 1%
                 may be imposed upon redemption of Class C Shares that are
                 redeemed within 12 months of purchase. The CDSC may be waived
                 under certain special circumstances, as described in the
                 Statement of Additional Information.
 
                 OPERATION OF THE CDSC
                 In determining whether a CDSC is payable, a Fund will first
                 redeem shares not subject to any charge, and then in the
                 order in which the Class B Shares were purchased or in the
                 reverse order in which the Class A or Class C Shares were
                 purchased, except if another order of redemption would result
                 in a lower charge or you specify another order. No CDSC is
                 charged on shares purchased as a result of automatic
                 reinvestment of dividends or capital gains paid. In addition,
                 no CDSC will be charged on exchanges of shares into another
                 Nuveen Mutual Fund or money
                 market fund. Your holding period is calculated on a monthly
                 basis and begins the first day of the month in which the
                 order for investment is received. The CDSC is calculated
                 based on the lower of the redeemed shares' cost or net asset
                 value at the time of the redemption and is deducted from the
                 redemption proceeds. Nuveen receives the amount of any CDSC
                 you pay.
 
                                         33
<PAGE>
 
 
By Written       You may redeem shares by sending a written request for
Request          redemption directly to the Fund, c/o Shareholder Services,
                 Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330, accompanied by
                 duly endorsed certificates, if issued. Requests for
                 redemption and share certificates, if issued, must be signed
                 by each shareholder and, if the redemption proceeds exceed
                 $50,000 or are payable other than to the shareholder of
                 record at the address of record (which address may not have
                 changed in the preceding 60 days), the signature must be
                 guaranteed by a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee
                 Program or in such other manner as may be acceptable to the
                 Fund. You will receive payment based on the net asset value
                 per share next determined after receipt by the Fund of a
                 properly executed redemption request in proper form. A check
                 for the redemption proceeds will be mailed to you within
                 seven days after receipt of your redemption request. For
                 accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment
                 will be forwarded within three business days. However, if any
                 shares to be redeemed were purchased by check within 15 days
                 prior to the date the redemption request is received, the
                 Fund will not mail the redemption proceeds until the check
                 received for the purchase of shares has cleared, which may
                 take up to 15 days.
 
By TEL-A-CHECK   If you have authorized telephone redemption and your account
                 address has not changed within the last 60 days, you can
                 redeem shares that are held in non-certificate form and that
                 are worth $50,000 or less by calling Nuveen at 800-621-7227.
                 While you or anyone authorized by you may make telephone
                 redemption requests, redemption checks will be issued only in
                 the name of the shareholder of record and will be mailed to
                 the address of record. If your telephone request is received
                 prior to 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption check will
                 normally be mailed the next business day. For requests
                 received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be
                 effected at 4:00 p.m. eastern time the following business day
                 and the check will normally be mailed on the second business
                 day after the request.
By TEL-A-WIRE    If you have authorized TEL-A-WIRE redemption or established
or Fund Direct   Fund Direct privileges, you can take advantage of the
                 following expedited redemption procedures to redeem shares
                 held in non-certificate form that are worth at least $1,000.
                 You may make TEL-A-WIRE redemption requests through a phone
                 representative or Fund Direct redemption requests by calling
                 Nuveen at 800-621-7227. If a redemption request is received
                 by 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as of
                 4:00 p.m. that day. If the redemption request is received
                 after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, the redemption will be made as
                 of 4:00 p.m. the following business day. Proceeds of
                 redemptions through TEL-A-WIRE will normally be wired on the
                 second business day following the redemption, but may be
                 delayed one additional
 
                                         34
<PAGE>
 
                 business day if the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or the
                 Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed on the day
                 redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired. The Fund
                 reserves the right to charge a fee for TEL-A-WIRE. Proceeds
                 of redemptions through Fund Direct will normally be wired to
                 your Fund Direct bank account on the second or third business
                 day after the redemption.
 
                 Before you may redeem shares by TEL-A-CHECK, TEL-A-WIRE or
                 Fund Direct, you must complete the telephone redemption
                 authorization section of the enclosed Application Form or the
                 Fund Direct Application Form and return it to Nuveen or SSI.
                 If you did not authorize telephone redemption when you opened
                 your account, you may obtain a telephone redemption
                 authorization form by writing the Fund or by calling Nuveen
                 toll-free at 800-621-7227. Proceeds of share redemptions made
                 by TEL-A-WIRE will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire
                 only to the commercial bank account specified by the
                 shareholder on the application form. You must send a written
                 request to Nuveen or SSI in order to establish multiple
                 accounts, or to change the account or accounts designated to
                 receive redemption proceeds. These requests must be signed by
                 each account owner with signatures guaranteed by a member of
                 an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or in such other
                 manner as may be acceptable to the Fund. Further
                 documentation may be required from corporations, executors,
                 trustees or personal representatives.
 
                 For the convenience of shareholders, the Fund has authorized
                 Nuveen as its agent to accept orders from financial advisers
                 by wire or telephone for the redemption of Fund shares. The
                 redemption price is the first net asset value determined
                 following receipt of an order placed by the financial
                 adviser. The Fund makes payment for the redeemed shares to
                 the securities representatives who placed the order promptly
                 upon presentation of required documents with signatures
                 guaranteed as described above. Neither the Fund nor Nuveen
                 charges any redemption fees other than any CDSC as described
                 above. However, your financial adviser may charge you for
                 serving as agent in the redemption of shares.
 
                 The Fund reserves the right to refuse telephone redemptions
                 and, at its option, may limit the timing, amount or frequency
                 of these redemptions. Telephone redemption procedures may be
                 modified or terminated at any time, on 30 days' notice, by
                 the Fund. The Fund, SSI and Nuveen will not be liable for
                 following telephone instructions reasonably believed to be
                 genuine. The Fund employs procedures reasonably designed to
                 confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. These
                 procedures include recording all telephone instructions and
                 requiring up to three forms of identification prior to acting
                 upon a caller's instructions. If the Fund does
 
                                         35
<PAGE>
 
                 not follow reasonable procedures for protecting shareholders
                 against loss on telephone transactions, it may be liable for
                 any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
                 instructions.
 
Automatic        If you own Fund shares currently worth at least $10,000, you
Withdrawal       may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan by completing an
Plan             application form for the Plan. You may obtain an application
                 form by checking the applicable box on the enclosed
                 Application Form or by calling Nuveen toll-free at 800-621-
                 7227.
 
                 The Plan permits you to request periodic withdrawals on a
                 monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis in an amount
                 of $50 or more. Depending upon the size of the withdrawals
                 requested under the Plan and fluctuations in the net asset
                 value of Fund shares, these withdrawals may reduce or even
                 exhaust your account.
 
                 The purchase of Class A Shares, other than through
                 reinvestment, while you are participating in the Automatic
                 Withdrawal Plan with respect to Class A Shares will usually
                 be disadvantageous because you will be paying a sales charge
                 on any Class A Shares you purchase at the same time you are
                 redeeming shares. Similarly, use of the Automatic Withdrawal
                 Plan for Class B Shares held for less than six years or Class
                 C Shares held for less than 12 months may be disadvantageous
                 because the newly-purchased Class B or Class C Shares will be
                 subject to the CDSC.
 
General          The Fund may suspend the right of redemption of Fund shares
                 or delay payment more than seven days (a) during any period
                 when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than
                 customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in
                 the markets the Fund normally utilizes is restricted, or an
                 emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
                 Commission so that trading of the Fund's investments or
                 determination of its net asset value is not reasonably
                 practicable, or (c) for any other periods that the Securities
                 and Exchange Commission by order may permit for protection of
                 Fund shareholders.
 
                 The Fund may, from time to time, establish a minimum total
                 investment for Fund shareholders, and the Fund reserves the
                 right to redeem your shares if your investment is less than
                 the minimum after giving you at least 30 days' notice. If any
                 minimum total investment is established, and if your account
                 is below the minimum, you will be allowed 30 days following
                 the notice in which to purchase sufficient shares to meet the
                 minimum. So long as the Fund continues to offer shares at net
                 asset value to holders of Nuveen UITs who are investing their
                 Nuveen UIT distributions, no minimum total investment will be
                 established for the Fund.
 
                                         36
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of         The management of the Fund, including general supervision of
Trustees         the duties performed for the Fund by NIAC under the
                 Management Agreement, is the responsibility of the Board of
                 Trustees of the Trust.
 
NIAC oversees    Overall management of the Fund is the responsibility of NIAC,
operation of     which is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
the Fund         60606. NIAC oversees the management of the Fund's investment
                 portfolio and manages the day-to-day business affairs of the
                 Fund. NIAC has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with
                 ICAP under which ICAP manages the Fund's equity investments.
 
NIAC manages     NIAC manages the Fund's municipal investments and is
the Fund's       responsible for the periodic rebalancing of the Fund's
municipal        investment portfolio in order to achieve the Fund's target
investments      investment mix. [ ] has general supervisory responsibility
                 for all investment company assets managed by NIAC. [Mr.] [ ]
                 has been employed by                 since                .
                 The day to day management of the Fund's municipal investments
                 is currently the responsibility of [                 ]. [Mr.]
                 [ ] has been employed by                . NIAC places orders
                 for the purchase and sale of Municipal obligations and is
                 responsible for selecting the broker-dealers who execute the
                 portfolio transactions.
 
                 Consistent with the Fund's investment objective, NIAC's day-
                 to-day management of the Fund's Municipal Obligations is
                 characterized by an emphasis on value investing, a process
                 which involves the search for Municipal Obligations with
                 favorable characteristics that, in NIAC's judgment, have not
                 yet been recognized in the marketplace. The process of
                 searching for such undervalued or underrated securities is an
                 ongoing one that draws upon the resources of the portfolio
                 managers of the various Nuveen funds and senior management of
                 NIAC. All portfolio management decisions are subject to
                 weekly review by NIAC's management and to quarterly review by
                 the Board of Trustees.
 
                 NIAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, the oldest and
                 largest investment banking firm (based on number of
                 employees) specializing in the underwriting and distribution
                 of tax-exempt securities. Nuveen, the principal underwriter
                 of the Fund's shares, is sponsor of the Nuveen Tax-Free Unit
                 Trust, a registered unit investment trust. It is also the
                 principal underwriter for the Nuveen Mutual Funds, and served
                 as co-managing underwriter for the shares of the Nuveen
                 Exchange-Traded Funds. Over 1,000,000 individuals have
                 invested to date in Nuveen's funds and trusts. Founded in
                 1898, Nuveen is a subsidiary of The John Nuveen Company
                 which, in turn, is approximately 80% owned by The St. Paul
                 Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul"). St. Paul is located in St.
                 Paul, Minnesota, and is principally engaged in providing
                 property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
 
                                         37
<PAGE>
 
 
                 For the fund management services and facilities furnished by
                 NIAC, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee as
                 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          FUND
           AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSET     MANAGEMENT
           VALUE                           FEE
                 ---------------------------------
           <S>                         <C>
           For the first $125 million  .7500 of 1%
           For the next $125 million   .7375 of 1%
           For the next $250 million   .7250 of 1%
           For the next $500 million   .7125 of 1%
           For the next $1 billion     .7000 of 1%
           For assets over $2 billion  .6750 of 1%
</TABLE>
ICAP manages     ICAP was founded in 1970 and is located at 225 West Wacker
the Fund's       Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606. Under the Sub-Advisory
equity           Agreement, NIAC pays ICAP a portfolio management fee on a
investments      specified proportion of the Fund's average daily net asset
                 value, such proportion to be equal to the Fund's target
                 investment mix with respect to Equity Securities. The
                 portfolio management fee is paid at an annual rate as set
                 forth below, and is determined by reference to the average
                 daily market value of that portion of the assets of all
                 Nuveen-sponsored investment products for which ICAP serves as
                 portfolio manager:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           PORTION OF NUVEEN           PORTFOLIO
           AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS    MANAGEMENT
           MANAGED BY ICAP                FEE
                 --------------------------------
           <S>                         <C>
           For the first $500 million  .35 of 1%
           For the next $500 million   .30 of 1%
           For assets over $1 billion  .25 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
                 The investment decisions made with respect to the Fund's
                 equity investments are made through a team approach, with all
                 of the ICAP investment professionals contributing to the
                 process. Each of the investment officers and other investment
                 professionals of ICAP has developed an expertise in at least
                 one functional investment area, including equity research,
                 strategy, fixed income analysis, quantitative research,
                 technical research, and trading. A key element in the
                 decision making process is a formal investment committee
                 meeting generally held each business day and attended by all
                 the investment professionals. These meetings also provide for
                 the ongoing review of ICAP's investment position. Pertinent
                 information from outside sources is shared and incorporated
                 into the investment outlook. The investment strategy, asset
                 sectors, and individual security holdings are reviewed to
                 verify their continued appropriateness. Investment
                 recommendations are presented to the committee for decisions.
 
                                         38
<PAGE>
 
 
                 ICAP provides continuous advice and recommendations
                 concerning the assets of the Fund allocated to Equity
                 Securities, and is responsible for selecting the broker-
                 dealers who execute the portfolio transactions. In executing
                 such transactions, ICAP seeks to obtain the best net results
                 for the Funds. ICAP also serves as investment adviser to the
                 ICAP Funds, Inc. and to pension and profit-sharing plans, and
                 other institutional and private investors. As of May 1, 1996,
                 ICAP had approximately $5 billion under management. Mr.
                 Robert H. Lyon, President of ICAP, owns shares representing
                 51% of the voting rights of ICAP. In addition, The John
                 Nuveen Company owns preferred shares of ICAP, which are
                 convertible after several years into a 20% common stock
                 interest of ICAP.
 
NIAC serves as   NIAC serves as administrator for the Fund. In such capacity,
Fund             it provides office facilities and equipment. As
Administrator    administrator, NIAC also has agreed to provide or to obtain
                 at its expense for the Fund all other services including
                 custodial, transfer agent, accounting, legal and certain
                 clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and to pay
                 all other expenses of the Fund (other than investment
                 management fees, distribution fees and service fees,
                 brokerage costs, organizational costs, interest charges and
                 extraordinary expenses), including but not limited to share
                 registration expenses, printing and mailing expenses,
                 compensation and expenses of trustees not affiliated with
                 NIAC or ICAP, taxes and insurance. For these services, each
                 class pays the Administrator an annual fee of   %.
 
                                         39
<PAGE>
 
HOW THE FUND SHOWS PERFORMANCE
                 The Fund may from time to time compare its investment results
                 to various passive indices or other mutual funds and cite
                 such comparisons in reports to shareholders, sales
                 literature, and advertisements. The results may be calculated
                 on the basis of average annual total return, total return, or
                 cumulative total return.
 
                 All total return figures assume the reinvestment of all
                 dividends and measure the net investment income generated by,
                 and the effect of any realized and unrealized appreciation or
                 depreciation of, the underlying investments in the Fund over
                 a specified period of time. Average annual total return
                 figures are annualized and therefore represent the average
                 annual percentage change over the specified period.
                 Cumulative total return figures are not annualized and
                 represent the aggregate percentage or dollar value change
                 over a stated period of time. Average annual total return and
                 cumulative total return are based upon the historical results
                 of the Fund and are not necessarily representative of the
                 future performance of the Fund.
 
                 Through a tax-efficient, balanced strategy the Fund seeks to
                 provide investors with regular tax-free income and long-term
                 capital appreciation, while at the same time moderating the
                 effect of equity market risk on total returns. The benefits
                 of balancing stocks with municipal bonds in an investment
                 portfolio can be seen in the chart below, which represents
                 the returns and risk of a hypothetical balanced investment
                 portfolio. As the chart illustrates, adding municipal bonds
                 to a portfolio of stocks can enable you to pursue the capital
                 appreciation potential of stocks with substantially lower
                 risk.
 
                          Balancing Stock with Bonds
                          January 1980--December 1995
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
            Average Annual Total Return (%)        Variability of Returns (%)
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
            Before Tax            After Tax      Before Tax           After Tax
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>                  <C>             <C>                 <C> 
100%
 Municipal      8.67                8.38            9.64                9.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  40% Stocks
60% Municipals 11.76                9.73            9.53                9.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100% Stocks    15.80               11.26           14.81               15.04
            
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
                 Graph depicting the average annualized returns and average risk
                 (annualized standard deviation of returns) over the period from
                 January 1980 through December 1995 of a portfolio comprised of
                 stocks and municipal bonds, where the portfolio's stock
                 allocation varies between 0% and 100%. Stocks are represented
                 by the S&P 500 Index and municipal bonds by the Lehman Brothers
                 10 Year Municipal Bond Index.
 
                                         40
<PAGE>
 
 
                 Stocks are represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
                 Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500"), a widely-recognized,
                 unmanaged index of common stock prices. S&P 500 returns
                 assume reinvestment of all dividends paid by the stocks
                 included in the index, but do not include brokerage
                 commissions or other fees an investor would incur by
                 investing in the portfolio of stocks comprising the index.
                 Municipal bond returns are represented by the Lehman 10 Year
                 Municipal Bond Index (the "Lehman 10 Year Index"), an
                 unmanaged index of fixed-rate, investment grade municipal
                 bonds with maturities from 8 to 12 years that reflect the
                 overall municipal bond marketplace. Lehman 10 Year Index
                 returns are available beginning in January 1980 and assume
                 reinvestment of all coupon income on the bonds included in
                 the index. For purposes of calculating after-tax returns,
                 portfolio turnover in each asset class was assumed to equal
                 the projected portfolio turnover rates of those classes in
                 the Fund. Ordinary income was taxed at the highest marginal
                 tax rate of 39.6% and realized capital gains were taxed at
                 the long-term individual rate of 28%. All returns used in the
                 chart above are quarterly returns.
 
                 The foregoing example depicts the performance of unmanaged
                 indices and does not depict the performance of the Fund or of
                 any investment product managed by NIAC or ICAP. There can be
                 no assurance that the return and risk characteristics of the
                 municipal and equity markets in the future will resemble
                 those in the past; nor can there be assurance that the Fund's
                 future performance will be comparable to that of these
                 indices.
 
                                         41
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
                 DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund pays    The Fund will pay monthly tax-exempt income dividends to
monthly tax-     shareholders at a level rate that reflects the past and
free dividends   projected net tax-exempt income of the Fund and that results,
                 over time, in the distribution of substantially all of the
                 Fund's net tax-exempt income. To maintain a more stable
                 monthly distribution, the Fund may from time to time
                 distribute less than the entire amount of net tax-exempt
                 income earned in a particular period. This undistributed net
                 tax-exempt income would be available to supplement future
                 distributions, which might otherwise have been reduced by a
                 decrease in the Fund's monthly net income due to fluctuations
                 in investment income or expenses. As a result, the tax-exempt
                 income distributions paid by the Fund for any particular
                 monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net
                 tax-exempt income actually earned by the Fund during such
                 period. Undistributed net tax-exempt income is included in
                 the Fund's net asset value and, correspondingly,
                 distributions from previously undistributed net tax-exempt
                 income are deducted from the Fund's net asset value. It is
                 not expected that this dividend policy will impact the
                 management of the Fund's portfolio.
 
                 Net ordinary taxable income, including dividends received on
                 the Fund's equity investments, and net realized capital
                 gains, if any, will be paid annually.
 
                 When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the Fund's
                 net asset value decreases by the amount of the payment. ANY
                 DISTRIBUTION OF ORDINARY INCOME AND CAPITAL GAIN WILL BE
                 SUBJECT TO INCOME TAXES WHENEVER IT IS RECEIVED, EVEN IF THE
                 DISTRIBUTION OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER A PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES.
                 All dividends or capital gains distributions will
                 automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund
                 at the then prevailing net asset value unless an investor
                 specifically requests that either dividends or capital gains
                 or both be paid in cash. The election to receive dividends or
                 reinvest them may be changed by writing to: Nuveen Funds, c/o
                 Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, CO 80217-
                 5330. Such notice must be received at least 5 days prior to
                 the record date of any dividend or capital gain distribution.
 
                                         42
<PAGE>
 
TAX MATTERS
                 FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
                 The Fund intends to qualify under Subchapter M of the Code as
                 a regulated investment company and to satisfy conditions
                 which will enable interest from Municipal Obligations, which
                 is exempt from Federal income tax when received by the Fund,
                 to qualify as "exempt-interest" dividends when distributed to
                 the Shareholders of the Fund.
 
                 Each year the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of
                 its net tax-exempt income from Municipal Obligations, any
                 ordinary taxable income, including dividends from Equity
                 Securities, recognized market discount and net realized
                 short-term capital gains, and net realized long-term capital
                 gains, if any.
 
                 Federal tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with
                 respect to both corporations and individuals based on certain
                 items of tax preference. Interest on certain Municipal
                 Obligations is included as an item of tax preference in
                 determining the amount of a taxpayer's alternative minimum
                 taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income
                 from Municipal Obligations treated as a tax preference item
                 for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax, a
                 portion of the dividends paid by it, although otherwise
                 exempt from Federal income tax, will be taxable to holders of
                 Shares to the extent that their tax liability is determined
                 under the alternative minimum tax. In addition, for
                 corporations, the alternative minimum taxable income is
                 increased by 75% of the difference between an alternative
                 measure of income ("adjusted current earnings") and the
                 amount otherwise determined to be the alternative minimum
                 taxable income. The Fund will annually supply Shareholders
                 with a report indicating the percentage of Fund income
                 attributable to Municipal Obligations that is treated as a
                 tax preference item for purposes of the Federal alternative
                 minimum tax.
 
                 Under certain circumstances, a corporate Shareholder may be
                 entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to
                 such Shareholder's taxable dividends which are attributable
                 to dividends received by the Fund on its Equity Securities.
 
                 A more detailed summary of the provisions of the Code and
                 regulations thereunder presently in effect as they directly
                 govern the taxation of the Fund and its Shareholders appears
                 in the Statement of Additional Information. These provisions
                 are subject to change by legislative or administrative
                 action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect
                 to Fund transactions. Shareholders are advised to consult
                 with their own tax advisers for more detailed information
                 concerning Federal income tax matters.
 
                                         43
<PAGE>
 
 
                 STATE AND LOCAL TAX MATTERS
                 The exemption from Federal income tax for exempt-interest
                 dividends does not necessarily result in exemption for such
                 dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or
                 local taxing authority. Some states exempt from state income
                 tax that portion of any exempt-interest dividend that is
                 derived from interest received by a regulated investment
                 company on its holdings of securities of that state and its
                 political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Therefore, the
                 Fund will report annually to its shareholders the percentage
                 of interest income earned by the Fund during the preceding
                 year on tax-exempt Municipal Obligations indicating, on a
                 state-by-state basis, the source of such income.
 
                 Shareholders of the Fund are advised to consult with their
                 own tax advisers about state and local tax matters.
 
                 GENERAL
                 If you do not furnish the Fund with your correct social
                 security number or employer identification number, the Fund
                 is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax
                 from your distributions and redemption proceeds at a rate of
                 31%.
 
                 This section is not intended to be a full discussion of
                 federal and state income tax laws and the effect of such laws
                 on you. There may be other federal, state, or local tax
                 considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are
                 urged to consult your own tax advisor.
 
                                         44
<PAGE>
 
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset        The Fund's net asset value per share is determined as of the
value is         close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m. eastern time) on each
calculated       day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The
daily            Fund's net asset value may not be calculated on days during
                 which the Fund receives no orders to purchase shares and no
                 shares are tendered for redemption. Net asset value is
                 calculated by taking the fair value of the Fund's total
                 assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet
                 collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total
                 number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the
                 nearest cent, is the net asset value per share. In
                 determining net asset value, expenses are accrued and applied
                 daily and securities and other assets for which market
                 quotations are available are valued at market value. Common
                 stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the
                 last sales price on the national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq on which such securities are primarily traded;
                 however, securities traded on a national securities exchange
                 or Nasdaq for which there were no transactions on a given day
                 or securities not listed on a national securities exchange or
                 Nasdaq are valued at the most recent bid prices. Municipal
                 obligations are valued by a pricing service that values
                 portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and
                 asked prices or the yield equivalent when quotations are
                 readily available. Securities for which quotations are not
                 readily available (which are expected to constitute a
                 majority of the Municipal Obligations held by the Fund) are
                 valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service
                 using methods that include consideration of the following:
                 yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality,
                 type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to
                 value from securities dealers; and general market conditions.
                 The pricing service may employ electronic data processing
                 techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations.
                 Debt securities having remaining maturities of 60 days or
                 less when pruchased are valued by the amortized cost method
                 when the Board of Trustees determines that the fair market
                 value of such securities is their amortized cost. Under this
                 method of valuation, a security is initially valued at its
                 acquisition cost, and thereafter amortization of any discount
                 or premium is assumed each day, regardless of the impact of
                 fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the
                 security. Regardless of the method employed to value a
                 particular security, all valuations are subject to review by
                 the Fund's Board of Trustees or its delegate who may
                 determine the appropriate value of a security whenever the
                 value as calculated is significantly different from the
                 previous day's calculated value.
 
Fund expenses    In addition to the Fund management fee and administrative fee
                 paid to NIAC and the distribution and service fees paid to
                 Nuveen, the Fund is responsible for its own expenses that are
                 not covered under such agreements, including, without
                 limitation: interest charges; brokerage commissions;
                 organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses.
 
                                         45
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
Custodian and    The Custodian of the assets of the Fund is The Chase
Transfer and     Manhattan Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), 770 Broadway, New York, New
Shareholder      York 10003. Chase also provides certain accounting services
Service Agent    to the Fund. The Fund's transfer, shareholder services and
                 dividend paying agent, Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box
                 5330, Denver, CO 80217-5330, performs bookkeeping, data
                 processing and administrative services for the maintenance of
                 shareholder accounts.
 
Organization     The Fund is a series of the Nuveen Investment Trust
                 ("Trust"). The Trust is an open-end diversified management
                 investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
                 The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
                 May   , 1996. The Board of Trustees is authorized to issue an
                 unlimited number of shares in one or more series or "Funds,"
                 which may be divided into classes of shares. Currently, there
                 are three series authorized and outstanding, each of which is
                 divided into four classes of shares designated as Class A
                 Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares.
                 Each class of shares represents an interest in the same
                 portfolio of investments of a Fund. Each class of shares has
                 equal rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and
                 liquidation, except that each bears different class expenses,
                 including different distribution and service fees, and each
                 has exclusive voting rights with respect to any distribution
                 or service plan applicable to its shares. There are no
                 conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, except
                 that Class B Shares automatically convert into Class A Shares
                 of the same Fund, as described above. The Board of Trustees
                 has the right to establish additional series and classes of
                 shares in the future, to change those series or classes and
                 to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and
                 privileges thereof.
 
                 The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual
                 meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owing more than 10% of
                 the outstanding shares of the Trust have the right to call a
                 special meeting to remove Trustees or for any other purpose.
 
                 Under Massachusetts law applicable to Massachusetts business
                 trusts, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain
                 circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
                 obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an
                 express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or
                 obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this
                 disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or
                 instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the
                 Trustees. The Declaration of Trust further provides for
                 indemnification out of the assets and property of the Trust
                 for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally
                 liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
                 shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
                 shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which
                 both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was
                 unable to meet its obligations. The Trust believes the
                 likelihood of the occurrence of these circumstances is
                 remote.
 
                                         46
<PAGE>
 
Statement of Additional Information
         , 1996
Nuveen Investment Trust
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
NUVEEN SELECT STOCK FUND
NUVEEN BALANCED FUND
NUVEEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
 
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. A prospectus may
be obtained from certain securities representatives, banks and other financial
institutions that have entered into sales agreements with John Nuveen & Co. In-
corporated, or from the Fund, c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, 333 West
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. This Statement of Additional Information
relates to, and should be read in conjunction with, as to each Fund the Pro-
spectus for that Fund dated                , 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Table of Contents                                                     Page
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information                                                    B-2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Policies and Restrictions                                   B-2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Policies and Techniques                                     B-4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management                                                            B-19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund Manager and Portfolio Manager                                    B-21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio Transactions                                                B-22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value                                                       B-24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Matters                                                           B-24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Information                                               B-30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Information on the Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares  B-32
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and Service Plans                                        B-36
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Public Accountants and Custodian                          B-37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Statements                                                  B-37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix A--Ratings of Investments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
Nuveen Select Stock Fund, Nuveen Balanced Fund and Nuveen Income and Growth
Fund (individually a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds") are series of the
Nuveen Investment Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end diversified management se-
ries investment company. Each series of the Trust represents shares of benefi-
cial interest in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets, with its
own objectives and policies. Currently, three series of the Trust are autho-
rized and outstanding.
 
Certain matters under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which must be submit-
ted to a vote of the holders of the outstanding voting securities of a series
company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved
by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each se-
ries affected by such matter.
 
                    INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment objective and certain fundamental investment policies of each
Fund are described in the Prospectus for that Fund. A Fund, as a fundamental
policy, may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
shares of the Fund:
 
(1) With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any is-
suer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof) if, as a result, (i) more than 5% of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer, or (ii) the
Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that is-
suer;
 
(2) Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money from banks for tem-
porary or emergency purposes (but not for leverage or the purchase of invest-
ments) and (ii) make other investments or engage in other transactions permis-
sible under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that may involve a borrowing,
provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the
value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed), less the
Fund's liabilities (other than borrowings).
 
(3) Act as an underwriter of another issuer's securities, except to the extent
that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Se-
curities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio se-
curities.
 
(4) Make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt secu-
rities permissible under the Fund's investment policies, (ii) repurchase agree-
ments, or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan
of portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate
of such loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
 
(5) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of owner-
ship of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund
from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, or other derivative in-
struments, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by phys-
ical commodities).
 
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund from pur-
chasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of
issuers engaged in real estate activities).
 
B-2
<PAGE>
 
(7) Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
 
(8) Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 25% of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers whose prin-
cipal business activities are in the same industry (except that this restric-
tion shall not be applicable to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government or any agency or instrumentality thereof and, in the case of the
Nuveen Income and Growth Fund, to Municipal Obligations, other than those Mu-
nicipal Obligations backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental
users).
 
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase in percentage resulting from a change in market value of the invest-
ment or the total assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction.
 
For the purpose of applying the limitation set forth in restriction (1) above
to Municipal Obligations, an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of a secu-
rity when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities
and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in
the case of a non-governmental user, such as an industrial corporation or a
privately owned or operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the as-
sets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user
would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the
enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity
(other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of
securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a
security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as
a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or letter of credit
would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of
such government, other entity or bank. When a Municipal Obligation is insured
by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is issued or
guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such Municipal Obligation
will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The fore-
going restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Nuveen Income and Growth
Fund's assets that may be invested in Municipal Obligations insured by any
given insurer.
 
The foregoing fundamental investment policies, together with the investment ob-
jective of each of the Nuveen Select Stock Fund, the Nuveen Balanced Fund and
the Nuveen Income and Growth Fund, and certain other policies specifically
identified in the prospectus, cannot be changed without approval by holders of
a "majority of the Fund's outstanding voting shares." As defined in the Invest-
ment Company Act of 1940, this means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's
shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund's
shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's
shares, whichever is less.
 
In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, each Fund is also
subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may
be changed by the Board of Trustees. A Fund may not:
 
(1) Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain se-
curities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and pro-
vided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures con-
tracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling
securities short.
 
                                                                             B-3
<PAGE>
 
(2) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-
term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided
that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing se-
curities on margin.
 
(3) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any assets owned by the Fund except as may
be necessary in connection with permissible borrowings or investments and then
such pledging, mortgaging, or hypothecating may not exceed 33 1/3% of the
Fund's total assets at the time of the borrowing or investment.
 
(4) Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or
guaranteed by domestic or foreign governments or political subdivisions there-
of) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the
securities of issuers that, including predecessors or unconditional guarantors,
have a record of less than three years of continuous operation. This policy
does not apply to securities of pooled investment vehicles or mortgage or as-
set-backed securities.
 
(5) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except
in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and applicable state law.
 
(6) Enter into futures contracts or related options if more than 30% of the
Fund's net assets would be represented by futures contracts or more than 5% of
the Fund's net assets would be committed to initial margin deposits and premi-
ums on futures contracts and related options.
 
(7) Invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration pro-
grams or leases; however, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers that
engage in these activities.
 
(8) Purchase securities when borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets. [If due
to market fluctuations or other reasons, the value of the Fund's assets falls
below 300% of its borrowings, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within 3
business days. To do this, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its invest-
ments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so].
 
(9) The Nuveen Select Stock Fund, the Nuveen Balanced Fund and the Nuveen In-
come and Growth Fund may not invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of
such investment, more than 10% of the Fund's net assets would be invested in
illiquid securities.
 
                    INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
 
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds' investment
objectives, policies, and techniques that are described in the Prospectus for
each Fund.
 
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not read-
ily marketable). For purposes of this restriction, illiquid securities include,
but are not limited to, restricted securities ( securities the disposition of
which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may
only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), but that are deemed to be illiquid; and repur-
chase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. However, the Nuveen
Select Stock Fund and the Nuveen Balanced Fund will not acquire illiquid secu-
rities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's net assets, and the
 
B-4
<PAGE>
 
Nuveen Income and Growth Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a re-
sult, such securities would comprise more than 10% of the value of the Fund's
net assets. The Board of Trustees or its delegate has the ultimate authority to
determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which
securities are illiquid or illiquid for purposes of this 5% or 10% limitation.
The Board of Trustees has delegated to Institutional Capital Corporation
("ICAP") the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any equity or tax-
able fixed-income security and to Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. ("NIAC")
as to any municipal security, although it has retained oversight and ultimate
responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive liquidity crite-
ria are used, the Board of Trustees has directed ICAP and NIAC to look to such
factors as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including the institu-
tional private resale market); the frequency of trade and quotes for a securi-
ty; the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; and the
amount of time normally needed to dispose of the security, the method of solic-
iting offers and the mechanics of transfer, (ii) the terms of certain securi-
ties or other instruments allowing for the disposition to a third party or the
issuer thereof (e.g., certain repurchase obligations and demand instruments),
and (iii) other permissible relevant factors.
 
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or
in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in ef-
fect under the Securities Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be
obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable
period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the
Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration state-
ment. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the
Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it de-
cided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at fair value as determined
in good faith by the Board of Trustees or its delegate. If, through the appre-
ciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, the
Fund should be in a position where more than 5% (or 10% for Nuveen Income and
Growth Fund) of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid securi-
ties, including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the af-
fected Fund will take such steps as is deemed advisable, if any, to protect li-
quidity.
 
Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities
The Nuveen Select Stock Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets and, for
temporary defensive purposes up to 100% of its total assets, in cash and short-
term taxable fixed income securities. The Nuveen Balanced Fund may invest up to
20% of its total assets and, for temporary defensive purposes up to 100% of its
total assets, in cash and short-term taxable fixed income securities. For tem-
porary defensive purposes the Nuveen Income and Growth Fund may invest up to
100% of its total assets in cash and short-term taxable fixed income securi-
ties, although the Fund intends to invest in taxable temporary investments only
in the event that suitable tax-exempt temporary investments are not available
at reasonable prices and yields. Short-term taxable fixed income securities are
defined to include, without limitation, the following:
 
(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as
to maturity and rates of interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. govern-
ment agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Ad-
ministration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage As-
sociation, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal
 
                                                                             B-5
<PAGE>
 
Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities
are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c)
the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by
the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obliga-
tions of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing As-
sociation, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S.
government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agen-
cies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so
since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies, and in-
strumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, and con-
sequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
 
(2) Certificates of Deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings
and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn
a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. If such certificates
of deposit are non-negotiable, they will be considered illiquid securities and
be subject to the Fund's 5% restriction on investments in illiquid securities.
Pursuant to the certificate of deposit, the issuer agrees to pay the amount de-
posited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the dated specified
thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to
any one certificate of deposit is $100,000; therefore, certificates of deposit
purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.
 
(3) Bankers' acceptances which are short-term credit instruments used to fi-
nance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn
on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to
pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in
effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on
its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an
asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest
for a specific maturity.
 
(4) Repurchase agreements which involve purchases of debt securities. In such
an action, at the time the Fund purchases the security, it simultaneously
agrees to resell and redeliver the security to the seller, who also simultane-
ously agrees to buy back the security at a fixed price and time. This assures a
predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period since the resale
price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon
market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest tempo-
rarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with
respect to obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentali-
ties; certificates of deposit; or bankers acceptances in which the Fund may in-
vest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateral-
ized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the abil-
ity of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the
event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the affected Fund is
entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral de-
clines after the agreement is entered into, however, and if the seller defaults
under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is
less than the repurchase price, the Fund cold incur a loss of both principal
and interest. ICAP monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action
is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement.
ICAP does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always
equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If
the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability
of a Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of
certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
 
B-6
<PAGE>
 
(5) Bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings
and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest.
There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which
case the yields of these investments will be reduced.
 
(6) Commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory notes, includ-
ing variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their
current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between
the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for the notes. Howev-
er, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. ICAP will consider the finan-
cial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other
liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation's ability to
meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund's liquidity might be
impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on de-
mand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated
in the two highest categories by a major rating agency or unrated commercial
paper which is, in the opinion of ICAP, of comparable quality.
 
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Securities
During certain temporary periods, in order to keep cash on hand fully invested,
the Nuveen Income and Growth Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets as
"temporary investments" in short-term tax-exempt fixed income securities, and
as a defensive measure in response to prevailing market conditions up to 100%
of its total assets in such securities. Short-term tax-exempt fixed income se-
curities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
 
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) are usually generally obligations of state and
local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for pro-
jects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obliga-
tions or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is
primarily dependent on the issuer's access to the long-term municipal bond mar-
ket and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used to pay
the principal and interest on the BANs.
 
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued by state and local governments to fi-
nance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be
derived from specific future tax revenues. Tax anticipation notes are usually
general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuer's capacity to raise
taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delin-
quencies, could adversely affect the issuer's ability to meet its obligations
on outstanding TANs.
 
Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) are issued by governments or governmental
bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will
be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obliga-
tions of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of projected revenues, such as
anticipated revenues from another level of government, could adversely affect
an issuer's ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition,
the possibility that the revenues would, when received, be used to meet other
obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and in-
terest on RANs.
 
Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for spe-
cific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from
the Federal Housing Administration.
 
                                                                             B-7
<PAGE>
 
Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies as those
described above to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for
which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet
short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have risks
similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.
 
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (Municipal Paper) represents very short-term
unsecured, negotiable promissory notes, issued by states, municipalities and
their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper
may be made from various sources, to the extent the funds are available there-
from. Maturities of municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturi-
ties of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of
municipal paper.
 
While these various types of notes as a group represent the major portion of
the tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are occasionally available in
the marketplace and the Fund may invest in such other types of notes to the ex-
tent permitted under its investment objective, policies and limitations. Such
notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from
those mentioned above.
 
Short Sales Against the Box
When ICAP believes that the price of a particular security held by a Fund may
decline, it may make "short sales against the box" to hedge the unrealized gain
on such security. Selling short against the box involves selling a security
which the Fund owns for delivery at a specified date in the future. The Fund
will limit its transactions in short sales against the box to 5% of its net as-
sets. In addition, the Fund will limit its transactions such that the value of
the securities of any issuer in which it is short will not exceed the lesser of
2% of the value of the Fund's net assets or 2% of the securities of any class
of the issuer. If, for example, the Fund bought 100 shares of ABC at $40 per
share in January and the price appreciates to $50 in March, the Fund might
"sell short" the 100 shares at $50 for delivery the following July. Thereafter,
if the price of the stock declines to $45, it will realize the full $1,000 gain
rather than the $500 gain it would have received had it sold the stock in the
market. On the other hand, if the price appreciates to $55 per share, the Fund
would be required to sell at $50 and thus receive a $1,000 gain rather than the
$1,500 gain it would have received had it sold the stock in the market. The
Fund may also be required to pay a premium for short sales which would par-
tially offset any gain.
 
Warrants
Each Fund may invest in warrants if, after giving effect thereto, not more than
5% of its net assets will be invested in warrants other than warrants acquired
in units or attached to other securities. Of such 5%, not more than 2% of its
assets at the time of purchase may be invested in warrants that are not listed
on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange. Investing in
warrants is purely speculative in that they have no voting rights, pay no divi-
dends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing
them. Warrants basically are options to purchase equity securities at a spe-
cific price for a specific period of time. They do not represent ownership of
the securities but only the right to buy them. Warrants are issued by the is-
suer of the security, which may be purchased on their exercise. The prices of
warrants do not necessarily parallel the prices of the underlying securities.
 
B-8
<PAGE>
 
When-Issued Securities
Each Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued" basis.
The price of securities purchased on a when-issued basis is fixed at the time
the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the securities
take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within 45 days
of the purchase. During the period between the purchase and settlement, no pay-
ment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest is accrued on debt secu-
rities or dividend income is earned on equity securities. Forward commitments
involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines
prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline
in value of the Fund's other assets. While when-issued securities may be sold
prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with
the purpose of actually acquiring them. At the time the Fund makes the commit-
ment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transac-
tion and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value.
The Fund does not believe that net asset value will be adversely affected by
purchases of securities on a when-issued basis.
 
The Fund will maintain cash, U.S. government securities and high grade liquid
debt securities equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. Such
segregated securities either will mature or, if necessary be sold on or before
the settlement date. When the time comes to pay for when-issued securities, the
Fund will meet its obligations from then available cash flow, sale of the secu-
rities held in the separate account, described above, sale of other securities
or, although it would not normally expect to do so, from the sale of the when-
issued securities themselves (which may have a market value greater or less
than the Fund's payment obligation).
 
Unseasoned Companies
Each Fund may not invest more than 5% of its net assets in unseasoned issuers.
While smaller companies generally have potential for rapid growth, they often
involve higher risks because they lack the management experience, financial re-
sources, product diversification, and competitive strengths of larger corpora-
tions. In addition, in many instances, the securities of smaller companies are
traded only over-the-counter or on regional securities exchanges, and the fre-
quency and volume of their trading is substantially less than is typical of
larger companies. Therefore, the securities of smaller companies may be subject
to wider price fluctuations. When making large sales, the Fund may have to sell
portfolio holdings of small companies at discounts from quoted prices or may
have to make a series of smaller sales over an extended period of time due to
the trading volume in smaller company securities.
 
INVESTMENT IN MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
 
Portfolio Investments
 
Except to the extent the Nuveen Income and Growth Fund invests in temporary in-
vestments as described below, substantially all (in excess of 80%) of the
Fund's investments in Municipal Obligations will be comprised of tax-exempt Mu-
nicipal Obligations rated at the time of purchase within the four highest
grades (Baa or better by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or
better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P")), or in unrated Municipal Ob-
ligations which, in the opinion of the NIAC, have credit characteristics equiv-
alent to, and will be of comparable quality to, Municipal Obligations so rated;
provided, however, that not more than 20% of the Fund's investments in Munici-
pal Obligations may be in such unrated Municipal Obligations. The foregoing
policies are fundamental
 
                                                                             B-9
<PAGE>
 
policies of the Fund. Municipal Obligations rated Baa or BBB are considered
"investment grade" securities; Municipal Obligations rated Baa are considered
medium grade obligations which lack outstanding investment characteristics and
in fact have speculative characteristics as well, while Municipal Obligations
rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and in-
terest. Municipal Obligations rated AAA in which the Fund may invest may have
been so rated on the basis of the existence of insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment, when due, of all principal and interest. A general description
of Moody's and S&P's ratings is set forth in Appendix A hereto. The ratings of
Moody's and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the Municipal Ob-
ligations they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general
and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, Municipal Obligations
with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obli-
gations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the
same yield.
 
The Fund intends to invest in a laddered portfolio of Municipal Obligations
with effective maturities ranging from 5 to 25 years and a weighted average ef-
fective maturity of approximately 10 years; but the effective average maturity
may be shortened or lengthened from time to time depending upon market condi-
tions. As a result, the Fund's portfolio of Municipal Obligations at any given
time may include both long-term and intermediate-term Municipal Obligations.
 
The foregoing policies as to rating of investments in securities will apply
only at the time of the purchase of a security, and the Fund will not be re-
quired to dispose of securities in the event Moody's or S&P downgrades its as-
sessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer.
 
Municipal Obligations
 
Underrated Municipal Obligations are those whose ratings do not, in NIAC's
opinion, reflect their true value. Municipal Obligations may be underrated be-
cause of the time that has elapsed since their rating was assigned or reviewed,
or because of positive factors that may not have been fully taken into account
by rating agencies, or for other similar reasons. Municipal Obligations that
are undervalued or that represent undervalued municipal market sectors are Mu-
nicipal Obligations that, in NIAC's opinion, are worth more than the value as-
signed to them in the marketplace. Municipal Obligations of particular types or
purposes (e.g., hospital bonds, industrial revenue bonds or bonds issued by a
particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary
excess of supply in that market sector, or because of a general decline in the
market price of Municipal Obligations of the market sector for reasons that do
not apply to the particular Municipal Obligations that are considered underval-
ued. The Fund's investment in underrated or undervalued Municipal Obligations
will be based on NIAC's belief that their prices should ultimately reflect
their true value. Accordingly, "enhancement of the value of the Fund's portfo-
lio of Municipal Obligations relative to the municipal bond market" refers to
the Fund's objective of attempting to realize above-average capital apprecia-
tion in a rising market, and to experience less than average capital losses in
a declining market. Thus, it is not intended to suggest that capital apprecia-
tion of Municipal Obligations is itself an objective with respect to the Fund's
investments in Municipal Obligations. Instead, the Fund will seek enhancement
of the value of the Fund's portfolio of Municipal Obligations relative to the
municipal bond market by prudent selection of Municipal Obligations, regardless
of which direction the market may move. Any net long-term capital gains
 
B-10
<PAGE>
 
or ordinary income realized by the Fund in respect of its investments in Munic-
ipal Obligations will generally result in taxable income to the Fund, or its
shareholders, or both. See "Tax Matters" herein and in the Prospectus.
 
The Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio of
investments in Municipal Obligations that may be invested in Municipal Obliga-
tions subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of Federal tax law.
Consequently, a substantial portion of the current income produced by the Fund
may be includable in alternative minimum taxable income. Special considerations
apply to corporate investors. See "Tax Matters."
 
Also included within the general category of Municipal Obligations described in
the Prospectus are participations in lease obligations or installment purchase
contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called "Municipal Lease Obliga-
tions") of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obli-
gation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which
the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is or-
dinarily backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and
make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain
Municipal Lease Obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide
that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase
payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a
yearly basis. In the case of a "non-appropriation" lease, the Fund's ability to
recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be
limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to
the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property
might prove difficult. The Fund will seek to minimize these risks by not in-
vesting more than 5% of the assets allocated to investments in Municipal Obli-
gations in Municipal Lease Obligations that contain "non-appropriation"
clauses, and by only investing in those "non-appropriation" Municipal Lease Ob-
ligations where (1) the nature of the leased equipment or property is such that
its ownership or use is essential to a governmental function of the municipali-
ty, (2) the lease payments will commence amortization of principal at an early
date that results in an average life of seven years or less for the Municipal
Lease Obligation, (3) appropriate covenants will be obtained from the municipal
obligor prohibiting the substitution or purchase of similar equipment if lease
payments are not appropriated, (4) the lease obligor has maintained good market
acceptability in the past, (5) the investment is of a size that will be attrac-
tive to institutional investors and (6) the underlying leased equipment has el-
ements of portability or use, or both, that enhance its marketability in the
event foreclosure on the underlying equipment were ever required.
 
Certain Municipal Obligations may carry variable or floating rates of interest
whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with changes in specified
market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or a tax-exempt money market
index. As used in the Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Informa-
tion, the term Municipal Obligations also includes obligations, such as tax-ex-
empt notes, municipal commercial paper and municipal lease obligations, having
relatively short-term maturities, although, as noted above, the Fund intends to
invest primarily in Municipal Obligations with effective maturities ranging
from 5 to 25 years, and except during temporary defensive periods, will nor-
mally maintain a weighted average effective maturity of approximately 10 years.
 
                                                                            B-11
<PAGE>
 
During temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in NIAC's opinion, the
ability of the Fund to meet its long-term investment objectives and preserve
the asset value of the Fund may be adversely affected by significant adverse
market, economic, political, or other circumstances), and in order to keep cash
on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its assets in
temporary investments. Temporary investments may be either tax-exempt or tax-
able. To the extent the Fund invests in taxable temporary investments, the Fund
will not at such times be in a position to achieve that portion of its invest-
ment objective of seeking federally tax-exempt income.
 
Obligations of issuers of Municipal Obligations are subject to the provisions
of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors, such as the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obliga-
tions of such issuers may become subject to the laws enacted in the future by
Congress, state legislatures or referenda extending the time for payment of
principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement
of such obligations or upon municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the
possibility that, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or
ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its
Municipal Obligations may be materially affected.
 
HEDGING STRATEGIES
 
General Description of Hedging Strategies
 
Each Fund may engage in hedging activities. NIAC or ICAP may cause a Fund to
utilize a variety of financial instruments, including options, futures con-
tracts (sometimes referred to as "futures") and options on futures contracts to
attempt to hedge the Fund's holdings.
 
Hedging instruments on securities generally are used to hedge against price
movements in one or more particular securities positions that the Fund owns or
intends to acquire. Hedging instruments on stock indices, in contrast, gener-
ally are used to hedge against price movements in broad equity market sectors
in which the Fund has invested or expects to invest. The use of hedging instru-
ments is subject to applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission (the "SEC"), the several options and futures exchanges upon which they
are traded, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and various
state regulatory authorities. In addition, the Fund's ability to use hedging
instruments will be limited by tax considerations.
 
General Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions
The Trust has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition
of the term "commodity pool operator" with the CFTC and the National Futures
Association, which regulate trading in the futures markets. Pursuant to Section
4.5 of the regulations under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA"), the notice
of eligibility for a Fund includes the representation that the Fund will use
futures contracts and related options solely for bona fide hedging purposes
within the meaning of CFTC regulations, provided that the Fund may hold other
positions in futures contracts and related options that do not fall within the
definition of bona fide hedging transactions (i.e., for speculative purposes)
if aggregate initial margins and premiums paid do not exceed 5% of the net as-
set value of the Fund. In addition, the Fund will enter into futures contracts
and options transactions if more than 30% of its net assets would be committed
to such instruments.
 
 
B-12
<PAGE>
 
The foregoing limitations are not fundamental policies of a Fund and may be
changed without shareholder approval as regulatory agencies permit. Various ex-
changes and regulatory authorities have undertaken reviews of options and
futures trading in light of market volatility. Among the possible actions that
have been presented are proposals to adopt new or more stringent daily price
fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions and proposals to in-
crease the margin requirements for various types of futures transactions.
 
Asset Coverage for Futures and Options Positions
Each Fund will comply with the regulatory requirements of the SEC and the CFTC
with respect to coverage of options and futures positions by registered invest-
ment companies and, if the guidelines so require, will set aside cash, U.S.
government securities, high grade liquid debt securities and/or other liquid
assets permitted by the SEC and CFTC in a segregated custodial account in the
amount prescribed. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while
the futures or options position is outstanding, unless replaced with other per-
missible assets, and will be marked-to-market daily.
 
Stock Index Options
Each Fund may (i) purchase stock index options for any purpose, (ii) sell stock
index options in order to close out existing positions, and/or (iii) write cov-
ered options on stock indexes for hedging purposes. Stock index options are put
options and call options on various stock indexes. In most respects, they are
identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between
stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the
case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered.
However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by de-
livery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises
the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock
index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or
less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount
of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index
and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified
multiple.
 
A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stock in-
cluded in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad
market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or the Value Line Composite In-
dex or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indexes may
also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas
Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indexes
are currently traded on the following exchanges: the Chicago Board of Options
Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific
Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
 
A Fund's use of stock index options is subject to certain risks. Successful use
by the Funds of options on stock indexes will be subject to the ability of ICAP
to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This re-
quires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of
individual securities. In addition, a Fund's ability to effectively hedge all
or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a
market decline through transactions in put options on stock indexes, depends on
the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the
price movements of the securities held by a Fund. Inasmuch as a Fund's securi-
ties will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be
perfect. Consequently, each Fund will bear the risk
 
                                                                            B-13
<PAGE>
 
that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount
as the prices of its put options on the stock indexes. It is also possible that
there may be a negative correlation between the index and a Fund's securities
which would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock
indexes acquired by the Fund.
 
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate
movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in
the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity
which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index
options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by a Fund
in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in
prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is
based.
 
Certain Considerations Regarding Options
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange
will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some
options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If a Fund is
unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the
option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securi-
ties in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such secu-
rities. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect
to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the
option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon
the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
 
The writing and purchasing of options is a highly specialized activity which
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Imperfect correlation between the
options and securities markets may detract from the effectiveness of attempted
hedging. Options transactions may result in significantly higher transaction
costs and portfolio turnover for the Funds.
 
Federal Tax Treatment of Options
Certain option transactions have special tax results from the Funds. Expiration
of a call option written by a Fund will result in short-term capital gain. If
the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or loss from the
sale of the security covering the call option and, in determining such gain or
loss, the option premium will be included in the proceeds of the sale.
 
If a Fund writes options other than "qualified covered call options," as de-
fined in Section 1092 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), or purchases puts, any losses on such options transactions, to the ex-
tent they do not exceed the unrealized gains on the securities covering the op-
tions, may be subject to deferral until the securities covering the options
have been sold.
 
In the case of transactions involving "nonequity options," as defined in Code
Section 1256, the Funds will treat any gain or loss arising from the lapse,
closing out or exercise of such positions as 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gain or loss as required by Section 1256 of the Code. In addition, such
positions must be marked-to-market as of the last business day of the year, and
gain or loss must be
 
B-14
<PAGE>
 
recognized for federal income tax purposes in accordance with the 60%/40% rule
discussed above even though the position has not been terminated. A "nonequity
option" includes an option with respect to any group of stocks or a stock index
if there is in effect a designation by the CFTC of a contract market for a con-
tract based on such group of stocks or indexes. For example, options involving
stock indexes such as the Standard & Poor's 500 and 100 indexes would be
"nonequity options" within the meaning of Code Section 1256.
 
Futures Contracts
Each Fund may enter into futures contracts (hereinafter referred to as
"Futures" or "Futures Contracts"), including index Futures as a hedge against
movements in the equity markets, in order to establish more definitely the ef-
fective return on securities held or intended to be acquired by the Funds or
for other purposes permissible under the CEA. Each Fund's hedging may include
sales of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected declines in stock
prices and purchases of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected in-
creases in stock prices. The Funds will not enter into Futures Contracts which
are prohibited under the CEA and will, to the extent required by regulatory au-
thorities, enter only into Futures Contracts that are traded on national
futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying fi-
nancial instrument. The principal interest rate Futures exchanges in the United
States are the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago and the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange. Futures exchanges and trading are regulated under the CEA by the
CFTC.
 
An index Futures Contract is an agreement pursuant to which the parties agree
to take or more delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between
the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and
the price at which the index Futures Contract was originally written. Transac-
tion costs are incurred when a Futures Contract is bought or sold and margin
deposits must be maintained. A Futures Contract may be satisfied by delivery or
purchase, as the case may be, of the instrument or by payment of the change in
the cash value of the index. More commonly, Futures Contracts are closed out
prior to delivery by entering into an offsetting transaction in a matching
Futures Contract. Although the value of an index might be a function of the
value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of those securities
is made. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price,
a gain will be realized; if it is more, a loss will be realized. Conversely, if
the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a gain will
be realized; if it is less, a loss will be realized. The transaction costs must
also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however,
that the Funds will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with re-
spect to a particular Futures Contract at a particular time. If the Funds are
not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Funds will continue to be
required to maintain the margin deposits on the Futures Contract.
 
Margin is the amount of funds that must be deposited by each Fund with its cus-
todian in a segregated account in the name of the futures commission merchant
in order to initiate Futures trading and to maintain the Fund's open positions
in Futures Contracts. A margin deposit is intended to ensure the Fund's perfor-
mance of the Futures Contract. The margin required for a particular Futures
Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract is traded and may
be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of
the Futures Contract. Futures Contracts are customarily
 
                                                                            B-15
<PAGE>
 
purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the
value of the Futures Contract being traded.
 
If the price of an open Futures Contract changes (by increase in the case of a
sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the Futures
Contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin
requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if
the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the
Futures Contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the
broker will pay the excess to the Fund. In computing daily net asset value,
each Fund will mark to market the current value of its open Futures Contracts.
The Funds expect to earn interest income on their margin deposits.
 
Because of the low margin deposits required, Futures trading involves an ex-
tremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement
in a Futures Contract may result in immediate and substantial loss, as well as
gain, to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the
value of the Futures Contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease
in the value of the Futures Contract would result in a total loss of the margin
deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were
then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the
original margin deposit, if the Futures Contract were closed out. Thus, a pur-
chase or sale of a Futures Contract may result in losses in excess of the
amount initially invested in the Futures Contract. However, a Fund would pre-
sumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the Futures Contract,
it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it after the
decline.
 
Most United States Futures exchanged limit the amount of fluctuation permitted
in Futures Contract prices during a single trading day. The day limit estab-
lishes the maximum amount that the price of a Futures Contract may vary either
up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading
session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of Futures
Contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The
daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and
therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the
liquidation of unfavorable positions., Futures Contract prices have occasion-
ally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little
or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of Futures positions and
subjecting some Futures traders to substantial losses.
 
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the
Funds seek to close out a Futures position. The Funds would continue to be re-
quired to meet margin requirements until the position is closed, possibly re-
sulting in a decline in the Funds' net asset value. In addition, many of the
contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant
trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active second-
ary market will develop or continue to exist.
 
A public market exists in Futures Contracts covering a number of indexes, in-
cluding, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, the Standard &
Poor's 100 Index, the NASDAQ 100 Index, the Value Line Composite Index and the
New York Stock Exchange Composite Index.
 
B-16
<PAGE>
 
Options on Futures
Each Fund may also purchase or write put and call options on Futures Contracts
and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate
an existing position. A futures option given the holder the right, in return of
the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a
Futures Contract at a specified exercise price prior to the expiration of the
option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in
the Futures Contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In
the case of a put option, the opposite is true. Prior to exercise or expira-
tion, a futures option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of a
futures option of the same series.
 
The Funds may use options on Futures Contracts in connection with hedging
strategies. Generally, these strategies would be complied under the same market
and market sector conditions in which the Funds use put and call options on se-
curities or indexes. The purchase of put options on Futures Contracts is analo-
gous to the purchase of puts on securities or indexes so as to hedge the Funds'
securities holdings against the risk of declining market prices. The writing of
a call option or the purchasing of a put option on a Futures Contract consti-
tutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are de-
liverable upon exercise of the Futures Contract. If the futures price at expi-
ration of a written call option is below the exercise price, the Fund will re-
tain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge
against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund's holdings of securi-
ties. If the futures price when the option is exercised is above the exercise
price, however, the Fund will incur a loss, which may be offset, in whole or in
part, by the increase in the value of the securities held by the Fund that were
being hedged. Writing a put option or purchasing a call option on a Futures
Contract serves as a partial hedge against an increase in the value of the se-
curities the Fund intends to acquire.
 
As with investments in Futures Contracts, each Fund is required to deposit and
maintain margin with respect to put and call options on Futures Contracts writ-
ten by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the under-
lying Futures Contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the cur-
rent market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the Fund.
The Funds will set aside in a segregated account at the Funds' custodian liquid
assets, such as cash, U.S. government securities or other high grade liquid
debt obligations equal in value to the amount due on the underlying obligation.
Such segregated assets will be market to market daily, and additional assets
will be placed in the segregated account whenever the total value of the segre-
gated account falls below the amount due on the underlying obligation.
 
The risks associated with the use of options on Futures Contracts include the
risk that a Fund may close out its position as a writer of an option only if a
liquid secondary market exists for such options, which cannot be assured. The
Funds' successful use of options on Futures Contracts depends on ICAP's ability
to correctly predict the movement in prices of Futures Contracts and the under-
lying instruments, which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, there may be
imperfect correlation between the instruments being hedged and the Futures Con-
tract subject to the option. For additional information, see "Futures Con-
tracts."
 
Federal Tax Treatment of Futures Contracts
For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is required to recognize as income
for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on Futures Contracts
as of the end of the year, as well as gains and losses
 
                                                                            B-17
<PAGE>
 
actually realized during the year. Except for transactions in Futures Contracts
that are classified as part of a "mixed straddle" under Code Section 1256, any
gain or loss recognized with respect to a Futures Contract is considered to be
60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss,
without regard to the holding period of the Futures Contract. In the case of a
Futures transaction not classified as a "mixed straddle," the recognition of
losses may be deferred to a later taxable year.
 
Sales of Futures Contracts that are intended to hedge against a change in the
value of securities held by a Fund may affect the holding period of such secu-
rities and, consequently, the nature of the gain or loss on such securities
upon disposition.
 
Each Fund intends to operate as a "Regulated Investment Company" under
Subchapter M of the Code, and therefore will not be liable for federal income
taxes to the extent earnings are timely distributed. In addition, as a result
of being a Regulated Investment Company, net capital gain that the Funds dis-
tribute to shareholders will retain their original capital gain character in
the shareholders' individual tax returns.
 
In order for each Fund to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a Regu-
lated Investment Company, at least 90% of the gross income of each Fund for a
taxable year must be derived from qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest,
income derived from loans of securities and gains from the sale of securities,
and other income (including gains on options and futures contracts) derived
with respect to the Fund's business of investing in stock or securities. In ad-
dition, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of securities or
Futures Contracts held for less than three months must be limited to less than
30% of the Fund's annual gross income. It is anticipated that any net gain re-
alized from the closing out of Futures Contracts will be considered gain from
the sale of securities and therefore be qualifying income for purposes of the
90% requirement. For purposes of applying these tests, any increase in value on
a position that is part of a designated hedge will be offset by any decrease in
value (whether or not realized) on any other position that is part of such
hedge. It is anticipated that unrealized gains on Futures Contracts which have
been open for less than three months as of the end of a Fund's fiscal year and
which are recognized for tax purposes will not be considered gains on securi-
ties held less than three months for purposes of the 30% test.
 
The Funds will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains which
have been recognized for federal income tax purposes (including unrealized
gains at the end of the Fund's fiscal year) on Futures transactions. Such dis-
tributions will be combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the
Funds' other investments and shareholders will be advised of the nature of the
payments.
 
B-18
<PAGE>
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
The management of the Trust, including general supervision of the duties per-
formed for the Fund under the Management Agreement, is the responsibility of
its Board of Trustees. The number of trustees of the Trust is fixed at [7], [3]
of whom are "interested persons" (as the term "interested persons" is defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940) and [4] of whom are "disinterested per-
sons." The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the
Trust and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past
five years are set forth below, with those trustees who are "interested per-
sons" of the Trust indicated by an asterisk.
 
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                  POSITION AND         PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
     NAME AND ADDRESS     AGE  OFFICES WITH TRUST      DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                      <C> <C>                   <S>
 Timothy R. Schwertfeger* 47  Chairman              Executive Vice President
 333 West Wacker Drive        and Trustee           and Director of The John
 Chicago, IL 60606                                  Nuveen Company (since March
                                                    1992) and John Nuveen & Co.
                                                    Incorporated; Director of
                                                    Nuveen Advisory Corp.
                                                    (since        1992) and
                                                    Nuveen Institutional
                                                    Advisory Corp. (since
                                                           1992).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Anthony T. Dean*         51  President and Trustee Executive Vice President
 333 West Wacker Drive                              and Director of The John
 Chicago, IL 60606                                  Nuveen Company (since March
                                                    1992) and John Nuveen & Co.
                                                    Incorporated; Director of
                                                    Nuveen Advisory Corp.
                                                    (since         1992) and
                                                    Nuveen Institutional
                                                                               Advisory Corp. (since
                                                           1992).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [                 ]*         Trustee               [                 ]
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [                 ]          Trustee               [                 ]
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [                 ]          Trustee               [                 ]
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [                 ]          Trustee               [                 ]
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [                 ]          Trustee               [                 ]
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Kathleen M. Flanagan     49  Vice President        Vice President of John
 333 West Wacker Drive                              Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.
                                                                               Chicago, IL 60606
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Anna R. Kucinskis        50  Vice President        Vice President of John
 333 West Wacker Drive                              Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.
 Chicago, IL 60606
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                            B-19
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                              POSITION AND           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
   NAME AND ADDRESS    AGE OFFICES WITH TRUST       DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                   <C> <C>                 <S>
 Larry W. Martin       44  Vice President and  Vice President (since September
 333 West Wacker Drive     Assistant Secretary 1992), Assistant Secretary and
 Chicago, IL 60606                             Assistant General Counsel of
                                               John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated;
                                               Vice President (since May 1993)
                                               and Assistant Secretary of
                                               Nuveen Advisory Corp; Vice
                                               President (since May 1993) and
                                               Assistant Secretary (since
                                               January 1992) of Nuveen
                                                                               Institutional Advisory Corp.;
                                               Assistant Secretary of The John
                                               Nuveen Company (since February
                                               1993).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 O. Walter Renfftlen   56  Vice President and  Vice President and Controller of
 333 West Wacker Drive     Controller          The John Nuveen Company (since
 Chicago, IL 60606                             March 1992), John Nuveen & Co.
                                               Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory
                                               Corp. and Nuveen Institutional
                                               Advisory Corp. (since April
                                                                               1990).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 H. William Stabenow   61  Vice President and  Vice President and Treasurer of
 333 West Wacker Drive     Treasurer           The John Nuveen Company (since
 Chicago, IL 60606                             March 1992), John Nuveen & Co.
                                               Incorporated, Nuveen Advisory
                                               Corp. and Nuveen Institutional
                                               Advisory Corp, (since January
                                                                               1992).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James J. Wesolowski   45  Vice President and  Vice President, General Counsel
 333 West Wacker Drive     Secretary           and Secretary of The John Nuveen
 Chicago, IL 60606                             Company (since March 1992), John
                                               Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
                                               Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen
                                               Institutional Advisory Corp.
                                               (since April 1990).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Gifford R. Zimmerman  39  Vice President and  Vice President (since September
 333 West Wacker Drive     Assistant Secretary 1992), Assistant Secretary and
 Chicago, IL 60606                             Assistant General Counsel of
                                               John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated;
                                               Vice President (since May 1993)
                                               and Assistant Secretary of
                                               Nuveen Advisory Corp.; Vice
                                               President (since May 1993) and
                                               Assistant Secretary (since
                                               January 1992) of Nuveen
                                               Institutional Advisory Corp.
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Timothy R. Schwertfeger and [                 ] serve as members of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee, which meets
between regular meetings of the Board of Trustees, is authorized to exercise
all of the powers of the Board of Trustees.
 
The trustees of the Trust (other than Mr.     ) are also directors or trustees,
as the case may be, of [  ] other Nuveen open-end fund portfolios and    Nuveen
closed-end funds.
 
B-20
<PAGE>
 
The following table sets forth estimated compensation to be paid by the Trust
to each of the trustees who are not designated "interested persons" during the
Trust's first full fiscal year and the total compensation that the Nuveen
Funds paid or accrued to such trustees during calendar year 1995. The Trust
has no retirement or pension plans. The officers and trustees affiliated with
Nuveen serve without any compensation from the Trust.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         TOTAL
                      COMPENSATION
          ESTIMATED    FROM TRUST
          AGGREGATE     AND FUND
         COMPENSATION   COMPLEX
NAME OF    FROM THE     PAID TO
TRUSTEE     TRUST       TRUSTEES
- ----------------------------------
<S>      <C>          <C>
[
                            ]
</TABLE>
Each trustee who is not affiliated with NIAC or ICAP receives a [$45,000] an-
nual retainer for serving as a director or trustee of all funds for which NIAC
serves as investment adviser or manager and a [$1,000] fee per day plus ex-
penses for attendance at all meetings held on a day on which a regularly
scheduled Board meeting is held, a [$1,000] fee per day plus expenses for at-
tendance in person or a [$500] fee per day plus expenses for attendance by
telephone at a meeting held on a day on which no regular Board meeting is held
[and a $250 fee per day plus expenses for attendance in person or by telephone
at a meeting of the Executive Committee held solely to declare dividends.] The
annual retainer, fees and expenses are allocated among the funds for which
NIAC serves as investment adviser or manager on the basis of relative net as-
set sizes. The Trust requires no employees other than its officers, all of
whom are compensated by NIAC.
 
As of May   , 1996,            owned all the shares of each class of the Fund
{with       shares outstanding (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R)}.
 
                      FUND MANAGER AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER
 
Fund Manager. NIAC acts as the manager of each Fund, with responsibility for
the overall management of each Fund. Its address is 333 West Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60606. For the Nuveen Select Stock Fund and the Nuveen Bal-
anced Fund, NIAC has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with ICAP under
which ICAP, subject to NIAC's supervision, manages the Fund's investment port-
folio. For the Nuveen Growth and Income Fund, NIAC has entered into a Sub-Ad-
visory Agreement with ICAP under which ICAP, subject to NIAC's supervision,
manages the Fund's equity investments. NIAC is also responsible for managing
the day-to-day business affairs of the Fund.
 
NIAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, the oldest and largest investment
banking firm (based on number of employees) specializing in the underwriting
and distribution of tax-exempt securities. Nuveen, the principal underwriter
of the Fund's shares, is sponsor of the Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, a regis-
tered unit investment trust. It is also the principal underwriter for the
Nuveen Mutual Funds, and
 
                                                                           B-21
<PAGE>
 
served as co-managing underwriter for the shares of the Nuveen Exchange-Traded
Funds. Over 1,000,000 individuals have invested to date in Nuveen's funds and
trusts. Founded in 1898, Nuveen is a subsidiary of The John Nuveen Company
which, in turn, is approximately 75% owned by The St. Paul Companies, Inc.
("St. Paul"). St. Paul is located in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is principally
engaged in providing property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
 
Sub-Adviser. ICAP was founded in 1970 and is located at 225 West Wacker Drive,
Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement for each Fund,
ICAP is compensated by NIAC for its investment advisory services with respect
to all or a portion of each Fund's assets.
 
The investment decisions for the Funds made by ICAP are made through a team
approach, with all of the ICAP investment professionals contributing to the
process. Each of the officers and other investment professionals of ICAP has
developed an expertise in at least one functional investment area, including
equity research, strategy, fixed income analysis, quantitative research, tech-
nical research, and trading. A key element in the decision making process is a
formal investment committee meeting generally held each business day and at-
tended by all the investment professionals. At this meeting, a comprehensive
review of ICAP's investment position is undertaken. Pertinent information from
outside sources is shared and incorporated into the investment outlook. The
investment strategy, each asset sector, and each individual security holding
are reviewed to verify their continued appropriateness. Investment recommenda-
tions are presented to the committee for decisions.
 
With regard to Fund assets subject to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, ICAP pro-
vides continuous advice and recommendations concerning the Fund's investments,
and is responsible for selecting the broker-dealers who execute the portfolio
transactions. ICAP also serves as investment adviser to the ICAP Funds, Inc.
and to pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional and private
investors. As of May 1, 1996, ICAP had approximately $5 billion under manage-
ment. Mr. Robert H. Lyon, President of ICAP, owns shares representing 51% of
the voting rights of ICAP.
 
Administrator. NIAC also serves as administrator for each Fund. As administra-
tor, NIAC agrees to provide or to obtain at its expense for the Fund all other
services including custodial, transfer agent, accounting and legal services,
equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services; and
to pay all other expenses of the Fund (other than investment management fees,
distribution fees and service fees, brokerage costs and extraordinary ex-
penses), including but not limited to share registration expenses, printing
and mailing expenses, compensation and expenses of trustees not affiliated
with NIAC or ICAP, taxes and insurance. In such capacity, it provides office
facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative
services, and permits any of its officers or employees without compensation as
trustees or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions. For these serv-
ices, each class pays the Administrator an annual fee of .10%.
 
                            PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
NIAC (with respect to transactions in Municipal Obligations) and ICAP (with
respect to other transactions) are responsible for decisions to buy and sell
securities for the Funds and for the placement of the
 
B-22
<PAGE>
 
Funds' securities business, the negotiation of the commissions to be paid on
brokered transactions, the prices for principal trades in securities, and the
allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is the policy of
both NIAC and ICAP to seek the best execution at the best security price
available with respect to each transaction, in light of the overall quality of
brokerage and research services provided to the respective adviser and its
advisees. The best price to the Funds means the best net price without regard
to the mix between purchase or sale price and commission, if any. Purchases
may be made from underwriters, dealers, and, on occasion, the issuers. Commis-
sions will be paid on the Funds' futures and options transactions, if any. The
purchase price of portfolio securities purchased from an underwriter or dealer
may include underwriting commissions and dealer spreads. The Funds may pay
mark-ups on principal transactions. In selecting broker-dealers and in negoti-
ating commissions, the portfolio manager considers the firm's reliability, the
quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial con-
dition. Brokerage will not be allocated based on the sale of a Fund's shares.
NIAC expects that all transactions in Municipal Obligations will be effected
on a principal (as opposed to an agency) basis and, accordingly, does not ex-
pect to pay any brokerage commissions on such transactions.
 
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 28(e)") permits
an investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay
a broker or dealer who supplies brokerage and research services a commission
for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another bro-
ker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction. Brokerage and
research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities,
the advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) fur-
nishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, eco-
nomic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts;
and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental
thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody).
 
In selecting brokers, ICAP considers investment and market information and
other research, such as economic, securities and performance measurement re-
search, provided by such brokers, and the quality and reliability of brokerage
services, including execution capability, performance, and financial responsi-
bility. Accordingly, the commissions charged by any such broker may be greater
than the amount another firm might charge if ICAP determines in good faith
that the amount of such commissions is reasonable in relation to the value of
the research information and brokerage services provided by such broker to
ICAP or the Funds. ICAP believes that the research information received in
this manner provides the Funds with benefits by supplementing the research
otherwise available to the Funds. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advi-
sory Agreement provide that such higher commissions will not be paid by the
Funds unless the applicable adviser determines in good faith that the amount
is reasonable in relation to the services provided. The investment advisory
fees paid by the Funds to NIAC under the Management Agreement or the
subadvisory fees paid by NIAC to ICAP under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are not
reduced as a result of receipt by either NIAC or ICAP of research services.
 
NIAC and ICAP each place portfolio transactions for other advisory accounts
managed by them. Research services furnished by firms through which the Funds
effect their securities transactions may be used by NIAC and/or ICAP in ser-
vicing all of its accounts; not all of such services may be used by NIAC
and/or ICAP in connection with the Funds. NIAC and ICAP believe it is not pos-
sible to measure
 
                                                                           B-23
<PAGE>
 
separately the benefits from research services to each of the accounts (includ-
ing the Funds) managed by them. Because the volume and nature of the trading
activities of the accounts are not uniform, the amount of commissions in excess
of those charged by another broker paid by each account for brokerage and re-
search services will vary. However, NIAC and ICAP believe such costs to the
Funds will not be disproportionate to the benefits received by the Funds on a
continuing basis. NIAC and ICAP seek to allocate portfolio transactions equita-
bly whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by
the Funds and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could
have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to
the Funds. In making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory ac-
counts, the main factors considered by NIAC and ICAP are the respective invest-
ment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or compa-
rable securities, the availability of cash for investment and the size of in-
vestment commitments generally held.
 
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a Fund may not purchase portfolio se-
curities from any underwriting syndicate of which Nuveen is a member except un-
der certain limited conditions set forth in Rule 10f-3. The Rule sets forth re-
quirements relating to, among other things, the terms of a security purchased
by the Fund, the amount of securities that may be purchased in any one issue
and the assets of the Fund that may be invested in a particular issue. In addi-
tion, purchases of securities made pursuant to the terms of the Rule must be
approved at least quarterly by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of
the trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.
 
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
As stated in the Prospectuses, the net asset value of the shares of each Fund
will be determined separately for each class of a Fund's shares by Chase Man-
hattan Bank, N.A., the Trust's custodian, as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each
day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally open for
trading. The Exchange is not open for trading on New Year's Day, Washington's
Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of a class of shares of a
Fund will be computed by dividing the value of the Fund's assets attributable
to the class, less the liabilities attributable to the class, by the number of
shares of the class outstanding.
 
                                  TAX MATTERS
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following discussion of federal income tax matters is based upon the advice
of Vedder, Price,
Kaufman & Kammholz, counsel to the Trust.
 
As described in the Prospectuses, the Funds intend to qualify under Subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") for tax treat-
ment as a regulated investment company. In order to qualify as a regulated in-
vestment company, a Fund must satisfy certain requirements relating to the
source of its income, diversification of its assets, and distributions of its
income to shareholders. First, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual
gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from dividends, interest, payments
with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of
 
B-24
<PAGE>
 
stock or securities, foreign currencies or other income (including but not lim-
ited to gains from options and futures) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock or securities (the "90% gross income test"). Second, a
Fund must derive less than 30% of its annual gross income from the sale or
other disposition of any of the following which was held for less than three
months: (i) stock or securities and (ii) certain options, futures, or forward
contracts (the "short-short test"). Third, the Fund must diversify its holdings
so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of
the value of its total assets is comprised of cash, cash items, United States
Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and
other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater
in value than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and to not more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than
25% of the value of the total assets is invested in the securities of any one
issuer (other than United States Government securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by a Fund and
engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses.
 
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to federal in-
come tax in any taxable year for which it distributes at least 90% of its "in-
vestment company taxable income" (which includes dividends, taxable interest,
income from securities lending, net short-term capital gain in excess of long-
term capital loss, and any other taxable income other than "net capital gain"
(as defined below) and is reduced by deductible expenses). The Fund may retain
for investment its net capital gain (which consists of the excess of its net
long-term capital gain over its short-term capital loss). However, if the Fund
retains any net capital gain or any investment company taxable income, it will
be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the
Fund retains any capital gain, such Fund may designate the retained amount as
undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to
federal income tax purposes on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to
include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain,
their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit
their proportionate shares of the tax paid by such Fund against their federal
income tax liabilities if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit
exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of
shares owned by a shareholder of the fund will be increased by an amount equal
under current law to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included
in the shareholder's gross income. Each Fund intends to distribute at least an-
nually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its taxable income in-
vestment company taxable income and net capital gain.
 
Treasury regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining its
investment company taxable income and net capital gain, i.e., the excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for any taxable year,
to elect (unless it has made a taxable year election for excise tax purposes as
discussed below) to treat all or part of any net capital loss, any net long-
term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred after October 31 as
if they had been incurred in the succeeding year.
 
If any of the Funds engages in hedging transactions involving financial futures
and options, these transactions will be subject to special tax rules, the ef-
fect of which may be to accelerate income to a Fund, defer a Fund's losses,
cause adjustments in the holding periods of a Fund's securities, convert long-
term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital
losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the
amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
 
                                                                            B-25
<PAGE>
 
Prior to purchasing shares in one of the Funds, the impact of dividends or dis-
tributions which are expected to be or have been declared, but not paid, should
be carefully considered. Any dividend or distribution declared shortly after a
purchase of such shares prior to the record date will have the effect of reduc-
ing the per share net asset value by the per share amount of the dividend or
distribution.
 
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, divi-
dends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of
record on a specified date in one of those months and paid during the following
January, will be treated as having been distributed by each Fund (and received
by the shareholders) on December 31.
 
The redemption or exchange of the shares of a Fund normally will result in cap-
ital gain or loss to the shareholders. Generally, a shareholder's gain or loss
will be long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one
year. Present law taxes both long- and short-term capital gains of corporations
at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, howev-
er, net capital gains (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital loss) will be taxed at a maximum marginal rate of 28%, while
short-term capital gains and other ordinary income will be taxed at a maximum
marginal rate of 39.6%. Because of the limitations on itemized deductions and
the deduction for personal exemptions applicable to higher income taxpayers,
the effective tax rate may be higher in certain circumstances.
 
All or a portion of a sales load paid in purchasing shares of a Fund cannot be
taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption
or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent
shares of a Fund or another fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a
sales load pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded
portion of such load will result in an increase in the shareholder's tax basis
in the shares subsequently acquired. Moreover, losses recognized by a share-
holder on the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund held for six months or
less are disallowed to the extent of any distribution of exempt-interest divi-
dends received with respect to such shares and, if not disallowed, such losses
are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distributions of
long-term capital gains made with respect to such shares. In addition, no loss
will be allowed on the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund if the share-
holder purchases other shares of such Fund (whether through reinvestment of
distributions or otherwise) or the shareholder acquires or enters into a con-
tract or option to acquire securities that are substantially identical to
shares of a Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending
30 days after such redemption or exchange. If disallowed, the loss will be re-
flected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.
 
In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute or be
deemed to have distributed by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of
its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its
realized capital gains over its realized capital losses (generally computed on
the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year) and 100% of
any taxable ordinary income and the excess of realized capital gains over real-
ized capital losses for the prior year that was not distributed during such
year and on which such Fund paid no federal income tax. For purposes of the ex-
cise tax, a regulated investment company may reduce its capital gain net income
(but not below its net capital gain) by the amount of any net ordinary loss for
the calendar year. The Funds intend to make
 
B-26
<PAGE>
 
timely distributions in compliance with these requirements and consequently it
is anticipated that they generally will not be required to pay the excise tax.
 
If in any year a Fund should fail to qualify under Subchapter M for tax treat-
ment as a regulated investment company, the Fund would incur a regular corpo-
rate federal income tax upon its income for that year (other than interest in-
come from Municipal Obligations), and distributions to its shareholders would
be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax
purposes to the extent of the Fund's available earnings and profits.
 
Among the requirements that a Fund must meet in order to qualify under
Subchapter M in any year is that less than 30% of its gross income must be de-
rived from the sale or other disposition of securities and certain other assets
held for less than three months.
 
The Funds are required in certain circumstances to withhold 31% of taxable div-
idends and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of shares who
have not furnished to the Funds their correct taxpayer identification number
(in the case of individuals, their social security number) and certain certifi-
cations, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding.
 
A corporate Shareholder will generally be entitled to a 70% dividends received
deduction with respect to any portion of such Shareholder's taxable dividends
which are attributable to dividends received by the Fund on Equity Securities
(other than corporate Shareholders, such as "S" corporations, which are not el-
igible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other
than for purposes of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the
personal holding corporation tax). The Fund will designate the portion of any
taxable dividend which is eligible for this deduction. However, a corporate
Shareholder should be aware that Sections 246 and 246A of the Code impose addi-
tional limitations on the eligibility of dividends for the 70% dividends re-
ceived deduction. These limitations include a requirement that stock (and
therefore Shares of the Fund) must generally be held at least 46 days (as de-
termined under Section 246(c) of the Code). Proposed regulations have been is-
sued which address special rules that must be considered in determining whether
the 46 day holding requirement is met. Moreover, the allowable percentage of
the deduction will generally be reduced from 70% if a corporate Shareholder
owns Shares of the Fund the financing of which is directly attributable to in-
debtedness incurred by such corporation. It should be noted that various legis-
lative proposals that would affect the dividends received deduction have been
introduced. To the extent dividends received by the Fund are attributable to
foreign corporations, a corporate Shareholder will not be entitled to the divi-
dends received deduction with respect to its share of such foreign dividends
since the dividends received deduction is generally available only with respect
to dividends paid by domestic corporations. It should be noted that payments to
the Fund of dividends on Equity Securities that are attributable to foreign
corporations may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Corporate Sharehold-
ers should consult with their tax advisers with respect to the limitations on
and possible modifications to the dividends received deduction.
 
The Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to pur-
chase or carry Shares of the Fund is not deductible. Under rules used by the
IRS for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase or ownership of Shares
 
                                                                            B-27
<PAGE>
 
may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds
are not directly traceable to the purchase or ownership of Shares.
 
Nuveen Income and Growth Fund Tax Matters
 
In addition to the matters discussed above, the Nuveen Income and Growth Fund
intends to qualify to pay "exempt-interest" dividends on Shares as defined un-
der the Code. Under the Code, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,
if at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of Municipal Obliga-
tions, the Fund shall be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends to its
Shareholders. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof
(other than a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund which are attributable to
interest on Municipal Obligations (net of expenses and any bond premium amorti-
zation with respect to Municipal Obligations) and are so designated by the
Fund. Exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from Federal income tax, subject
to the possible application of the Federal alternative minimum tax. Insurance
proceeds received by the Fund under any insurance policies in respect of sched-
uled interest payments on defaulted Municipal Obligations, as described herein,
will be excludable from Federal gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code
provided that, at the time such policies are purchased, the amounts paid for
such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent with the reasonable ex-
pectation that the respective issuer of the Municipal Obligations, rather than
the insurer, will pay debt service on the Municipal Obligations; in the case of
non-appropriation by a political subdivision, however, there can be no assur-
ance that payments made by the insurer representing interest on such "non-ap-
propriation" Municipal Lease Obligations will be excludable from gross income
for Federal income tax purposes. If the Fund purchases a Municipal Obligation
at a market discount, any gain realized by the Fund upon sale or redemption of
the Municipal Obligation will be treated as taxable interest income to the ex-
tent such gain does not exceed the market discount, and any gain realized in
excess of the market discount generally will be treated as capital gain. The
Fund will be required by the Code to allocate its expenses proportionately be-
tween its tax-exempt income and taxable income (excluding net realized long-
term capital gains). Distributions to Shareholders by the Fund of net income
received, if any, from taxable dividends, temporary or defensive investments,
or market discount on Municipal Obligations treated as interest and net short-
term capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund will be taxable to Sharehold-
ers as ordinary income. Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains,
if any, are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of
time the Shareholder has owned Shares of the Fund and regardless of whether the
distribution is received in additional Shares or in cash.
 
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993. In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by
which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds the Fund's purchase price
(except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to original
issue discount not yet accrued). Under the Tax Act, accretion of market dis-
count is taxable as ordinary income; under prior law the accretion had been
treated as capital gain. Market discount that accretes while the Fund holds a
Municipal Obligation would be recognized as ordinary income by the Fund when
principal payments are received on the Municipal Obligation, upon sale or at
redemption (including early redemption), at the Fund's election, as such market
discount accrues. Market discount income recognized by the Fund will result in
taxable dividends to the Shareholders.
 
 
B-28
<PAGE>
 
For purposes of computing the alternative minimum tax for individuals and cor-
porations and the Superfund tax for corporations, interest on certain private
activity bonds (which includes most industrial and housing bonds) issued on or
after August 8, 1986 is included as a preference item. The Fund will annually
supply Shareholders with a report indicating the percentage of Fund income at-
tributable to Municipal Obligations that is treated as a tax preference item
for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. Moreover, for corpora-
tions, the alternative minimum taxable income is increased by 75% of the dif-
ference between an alternative measure of income ("adjusted current earnings")
and the amount otherwise determined to be the alternative minimum taxable in-
come. Interest on all Municipal Obligations, and therefore all exempt-interest
dividends received from the Fund, are included in calculating adjusted current
earnings. In addition, a corporate Shareholder cannot take into account the
dividends received deductions in determining its adjusted current earnings.
 
For taxable years beginning before 1996, the Code imposes a separate tax on
corporations at a rate of 0.12% of the excess of such corporation's "modified
alternative minimum taxable income" over $2,000,000. A portion of the tax-ex-
empt interest, including exempt-interest dividends from the Fund, and taxable
dividends are includable in modified alternative minimum taxable income. This
tax will be imposed even if the corporation is not required to pay an alterna-
tive minimum tax because the corporation's regular income tax liability exceeds
its minimum tax liability.
 
Individuals whose "modified income" exceeds a base amount will be subject to
Federal income tax on up to one-half of their social security benefits. Modi-
fied income currently includes adjusted gross income, one-half of social secu-
rity benefits and tax-exempt interest, including exempt-interest dividends
from the Fund. In addition, individuals whose modified income exceeds certain
base amounts are required to include in gross income up to 85% of their social
security benefits.
 
The interest on private activity bonds in most instances is not Federally tax-
exempt to a person who is a "substantial user" of a facility financed by such
bonds or a "related person" of such "substantial user." As a result, the Fund
may not be an appropriate investment for Shareholders who are considered either
a "substantial user" or a "related person" within the meaning of the Code. In
general, a "substantial user" of a facility includes a "non-exempt person who
regularly uses a part of such facility in his trade or business." "Related per-
sons" are in general defined to include persons among whom there exists a rela-
tionship, either by family or business, which would result in a disallowance of
losses in transactions among them under various provisions of the Code (or if
they are members of the same controlled group of corporations under the Code),
including a partnership and each of its partners (and their spouses and minor
children), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and their spouses and
minor children) and various combinations of these relationships. The foregoing
is not a complete statement of all of the provisions of the Code relating to
the definitions of "substantial user" and "related person." For additional in-
formation, investors should consult their tax advisers before investing in the
Fund.
 
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the
Code and Treasury Regulations presently in effect as they directly govern the
taxation of the Funds and their shareholders. For complete provisions, refer-
ence should be made to the pertinent Code sections and Treasury Regulations.
The Code and Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative or ad-
ministrative action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect to
Fund transactions. Shareholders are advised to con-
 
                                                                            B-29
<PAGE>
 
sult their own tax advisers for more detailed information concerning the fed-
eral taxation of the Funds and the income tax consequences to their sharehold-
ers.
 
                            PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
As explained in the Prospectuses, the historical investment performance of the
Funds may be shown in the form of "average annual total return," and "cumula-
tive total return" each of which will be calculated separately for each class
of shares.
 
The average annual total return quotation is computed in accordance with a
standardized method prescribed by SEC rules. The average annual total return
for a specific period is found by taking a hypothetical, $1,000 investment
("initial investment") in Fund shares on the first day of the period, reducing
the amount to reflect the maximum sales charge, and computing the "redeemable
value" of that investment at the end of the period. The redeemable value is
then divided by the initial investment, and this quotient is taken to the Nth
root (N representing the number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted
from the result, which is then expressed as a percentage. The calculation as-
sumes that all income and capital gains distributions have been reinvested in
Fund shares at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.
 
Calculation of cumulative total return is not subject to a prescribed formula.
Cumulative total return for a specific period is calculated by first taking a
hypothetical initial investment in Fund shares on the first day of the period,
deducting (in some cases) the maximum sales charge, and computing the "redeem-
able
value" of that investment at the end of the period. The cumulative total return
percentage is then determined by subtracting the initial investment from the
redeemable value and dividing the remainder by the initial investment and ex-
pressing the result as a percentage. The calculation assumes that all income
and capital gains distributions by a Fund have been reinvested at net asset
value on the reinvestment dates during the period. Cumulative total return may
also be shown as the increased dollar value of the hypothetical investment over
the period. Cumulative total return calculations that do not include the effect
of the sales charge would be reduced if such charge were included.
 
From time to time, each Fund may compare its risk-adjusted performance with
other investments that may provide different levels of risk and return. For ex-
ample, a Fund may compare its risk level, as measured by the variability of its
periodic returns, or its RISK-ADJUSTED TOTAL RETURN, with those of other funds
or groups of funds. Risk-adjusted total return would be calculated by adjusting
each investment's total return to account for the risk level of the investment.
 
The risk level for a class of shares of a Fund, and any of the other invest-
ments used for comparison, would be evaluated by measuring the variability of
the investment's return, as indicated by the standard deviation of the invest-
ment's monthly returns over a specified measurement period (e.g., two years).
An investment with a higher standard deviation of monthly returns would indi-
cate that a fund had greater price variability, and therefore greater risk,
than an investment with a lower standard deviation.
 
THE RISK-ADJUSTED TOTAL RETURN for a class of shares of a Fund and for other
investments over a specified period would be evaluated by dividing (a) the re-
mainder of the investment's annualized two-year total
 
B-30
<PAGE>
 
return minus the annualized total return of an investment in            securi-
ties (essentially a risk-free return) over that period, by (b) the standard de-
viation of the investment's monthly returns for the period. This ratio is some-
times referred to as the "Sharpe measure" of return. An investment with a
higher Sharpe measure would be regarded as producing a higher return for the
amount of risk assumed during the measurement period than an investment with a
lower Sharpe measure.
 
Class A Shares of each Fund are sold at net asset value plus a current maximum
sales charge of 5.25% of the offering price. This current maximum sales charge
will typically be used for purposes of calculating performance figures. Returns
and net asset value of each class of shares of the Funds will fluctuate. Fac-
tors affecting the performance of the Funds include general market conditions,
operating expenses and investment management. Any additional fees charged by a
securities representative or other financial services firm would reduce returns
described in this section. Shares of the Funds are redeemable at net asset val-
ue, which may be more or less than original cost.
 
In reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising and sales
literature, a Fund may also compare its performance with that of: (1) the Con-
sumer Price Index and (2) equity mutual funds or mutual fund indexes as re-
ported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), Morningstar, Inc.
("Morningstar"), Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service ("Wiesenberger") and
CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. ("CDA") or similar independent services which
monitor the performance of mutual funds, or other industry or financial publi-
cations such as Barron's, Changing Times, Forbes and Money Magazine. Perfor-
mance comparisons by these indexes, services or publications may rank mutual
funds over different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-
year, or other types of total return and perfor
mance figures. Any given performance quotation or performance comparison should
not be considered as representative of the performance of the Funds for any fu-
ture period.
 
There are differences and similarities between the investments which the Funds
may purchase and the investments measured by the indexes and reporting services
which are described herein. The Consumer Price Index is generally considered to
be a measure of inflation. Lipper, Morningstar, Wiesenberger and CDA are widely
recognized mutual fund reporting services whose performance calculations are
based upon changes in net asset value with all dividends reinvested and which
do not include the effect of any sales charges.
 
NUVEEN SELECT STOCK FUND
 
THE FUND DOES NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR OPERATING HISTORY. THE TABLE BELOW PRESENTS
ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURNS FOR THE ICAP DISCRETIONARY EQUITY COMPOSITE BETWEEN
DECEMBER 31, 1985 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995. THE ICAP DISCRETIONARY EQUITY COMPOS-
ITE REPRESENTS THE COMPOSITE PERFORMANCE OF THE [X] MANAGED ACCOUNTS TOTALLING
[$2] BILLION FOR WHICH ICAP SERVES AS INVESTMENT ADVISER AND THAT HAVE THE SAME
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES AS THE FUND.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
                          1995  1994 1993  1992  1991  1990   1989  1988  1987  1986
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
ICAP Discretionary Eq-
 uity Composite (Gross).  38.16 1.95 16.58  7.38 33.63  1.47  33.54  9.37 29.08 16.09
ICAP Discretionary Eq-
 uity Composite (Net)...  36.63 0.74 15.24  6.12 32.15  0.26  32.05  8.09 27.63 14.75
S&P 500.................  37.43 1.31  9.99  7.67 30.55 (3.17) 31.49 16.81  5.23 18.47
Morningstar Growth and
 Income Average.........  31.34 1.81 15.37 11.14 25.81 (3.91) 22.65 19.94  6.11 18.23
</TABLE>
 
 
                                                                            B-31
<PAGE>
 
NUVEEN BALANCED FUND
 
THE FUND DOES NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR OPERATING HISTORY. THE TABLE BELOW PRESENTS
ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURNS FOR THE ICAP BALANCED COMPOSITE BETWEEN DECEMBER 31,
1985 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995. THE ICAP BALANCED COMPOSITE REPRESENTS THE COMPOS-
ITE PERFORMANCE OF THE [X] MANAGED ACCOUNTS TOTALLING [$500] MILLION FOR WHICH
ICAP SERVES AS INVESTMENT ADVISER AND THAT HAVE THE SAME INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
AND POLICIES AS THE FUND.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
                          1995  1994   1993  1992 1991  1990   1989  1988  1987  1986
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>  <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
ICAP Balanced Composite
 (Gross)................  29.09  0.21  13.81 7.34 31.04  2.69  31.14  8.57 27.52 15.75
ICAP Balanced Composite
 (Net)..................  27.76 (0.89) 12.61 6.18 29.70  1.57  29.80  7.40 26.20 14.52
Balanced Index..........  26.60 (0.22)  9.11 7.34 22.27  3.34  21.93 11.48  6.15 15.97
Morningstar Balanced Av-
 erage..................  26.35  2.53  15.44 9.57 28.92 (0.71) 21.09 13.52  4.07 20.02
</TABLE>
 
The gross performance results of the ICAP Discretionary Equity Composite and
the ICAP Balanced Composite reflect the investment performance of the respec-
tive composites before deduction of any investment advisory fees or other ex-
penses. The net performance results of the ICAP Discretionary Equity Composite
and the ICAP Balanced Composite reflect the deduction of the projected annual
operating expenses for Class A shares of the Nuveen Select Stock Fund and the
Nuveen Balanced Fund, respectively, as summarized in the Summary of Fund Ex-
penses section of each Fund's prospectus. The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500") is a widely-recognized, unmanaged index of
common stock prices. S&P 500 returns assume reinvestment of all dividends paid
by the stocks included
in the index, but do not include brokerage commissions or other fees an in-
vestor would incur by investing in the portfolio of stocks comprising the in-
dex. The Morningstar Growth and Income Average represents the composite returns
of the [491] funds comprising the Morningstar Growth and Income category and
assumes reinvestment of all fund dividends and distributions. The Balanced Fund
Index represents the investment performance of an unmanaged index comprised 50%
of the S&P 500 and 50% of the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government Index
(the "Lehman Index"). The Lehman Index is an unmanaged index of all public ob-
ligations of the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies, quasi-federal corpo-
rations and corporate debt guaranteed by the U.S. Government with maturities
between one and ten years and an outstanding par value of at least $100 mil-
lion.
 
TOTAL RETURNS REFLECT PAST PERFORMANCE AND ARE NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RE-
SULTS.
 
                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PURCHASE AND
                           REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
 
As described in the Prospectuses, each Fund has adopted a Flexible Sales Charge
Program which provides you with alternative ways of purchasing Fund shares
based upon your individual investment needs and preferences. You may purchase
Class A Shares at a price equal to their net asset value plus an up-front sales
charge. For information regarding the up-front sales charge on Class A shares,
see the table under "How to Buy Fund Shares" of the Prospectus. Set forth is an
example of the method of computing the offering price of the Class A shares of
each of the Funds. The example assumes a purchase on           , 1996 of Class
A shares from a Fund aggregating less than $50,000 subject to the schedule
 
B-32
<PAGE>
 
of sales charges set forth in the Prospectus at a price based upon the net as-
set value of the Class A shares.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
Net Asset Value per share.............................................. $10.000
Per Share Sales Charge--5.25% of public offering price (5.54% of net
 asset value per share)................................................ $ 0.554
Per Share Offering Price to the Public................................. $10.554
</TABLE>
 
You may purchase Class B Shares without any up-front sales charge at a price
equal to their net asset value, but subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") if you redeem shares within six years of purchase. The CDSC
will be waived (a) in the event of the total disability (as evidenced by a de-
termination by the federal Social Security Administration) of the shareholder
(including a registered joint owner) occurring after the purchase of the shares
being redeemed, (b) in the event of the death of the shareholder (including a
registered joint owner), (c) for redemptions made pursuant to a systematic
withdrawal plan, (d) for redemptions made pursuant to an IRA systematic with-
drawal based on the shareholder's life expectancy including, but not limited
to, substantially equal periodic payments described in Internal Revenue Code
Section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) prior to age 59 and (e) for redemptions to satisfy re-
quired minimum distributions after age 70 from an IRA account (with the maximum
amount subject to this waiver being based only upon the shareholder's Nuveen
IRA accounts). The CDSC will also be waived in connection with the following
redemptions of shares held by employer sponsored employee benefit plans main-
tained on the subaccount recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder
Service Agent: (a) redemptions to satisfy participant loan advances (note than
loan repayments constitute new purchases for purposes of the contingent de-
ferred sales charge and the conversation privilege), (b) redemptions in connec-
tion with retirement distributions (limited at any one time to 10% of
the total value of plan assets invested in a Fund), (c) redemptions in connec-
tion with distributions qualifying under the hardship provisions of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code and (d) redemptions representing returns of excess contribu-
tions to such plans. Class B Shares are also subject to an annual distribution
fee designed to compensate Authorized Dealers over time for the sale of Fund
shares. Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares eight years af-
ter purchase.
 
You may purchase Class C Shares without any up-front sales charge at a price
equal to their net asset value, but subject to an annual distribution fee de-
signed to compensate Authorized Dealers over time for the sale of Fund shares.
Class C Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for redemption
within 12 months of purchase. The CDSC will be waived for redemption following
the disability (as determined in writing by the Social Security Administration)
or death of the shareholder. Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
are all subject to annual service fees, which are used to compensate Authorized
Dealers for providing you with ongoing financial advice and other services.
 
Each class of shares of a Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of
investments. Each class of shares is identical in all respects except that each
class bears its own class expenses, including administration and distribution
expenses, and each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to any dis-
tribution or service plan applicable to its shares. In addition, the Class B
Shares are subject to a conversion feature, as described below. As a result of
the differences in the expenses borne by each class of shares, net income per
share, dividends per share and net asset value per share will vary among a
Fund's classes of shares.
 
                                                                            B-33
<PAGE>
 
The expenses to be borne by specific classes of shares may include (i) trans-
fer agency fees attributable to a specific class of shares, (ii) printing and
postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as
shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current shareholders
of a specific class of shares, (iii) Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") and state securities registration fees incurred by a specific class of
shares, (iv) the expense of administrative personnel and services required to
support the shareholders of a specific class of shares, (vi) litigation or
other legal expenses relating to a specific class of shares, (vi) directors'
fees or expenses incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class
of shares, (vii) accounting expenses relating to a specific class of shares
and (viii) any additional incremental expenses subsequently identified and de-
termined to be properly allocated to one or more classes of shares.
 
Each Fund has special purchase programs under which certain persons may pur-
chase Class A Shares at reduced sales charges. One such program is available
to members of a "qualified group."
 
An individual who is a member of a "qualified group" may purchase Class A
Shares of a Fund (or any other Nuveen Fund with respect to which a sales
charge is imposed), at the reduced sales charge applicable to the group taken
as a whole. A "qualified group" is one which (i) has been in existence for
more than six months; (ii) has a purpose other than investment; (iii) has five
or more participating members; (iv) has agreed to include sales literature and
other materials related to the Fund in publications and mailings to members;
(v) has agreed to have its group administrator submit a single bulk order and
make payment with a single remittance for all investments in a Fund during
each investment period by all participants who choose to invest in the Fund;
and (vi) has agreed to provide the Funds' transfer
agent with appropriate backup data for each participant of the group in a for-
mat fully compatible with the transfer agent's processing system.
 
The "amount" of a share purchase by a participant in a group purchase program
for purposes of determining the applicable sales charge is (i) the aggregate
value of all shares of the Funds (and all other Nuveen Funds with respect to
which a sales charge is imposed) currently held by participants of the group,
plus (ii) the amount of shares currently being purchased.
 
Special Sales Charge Waivers. Class A Shares of the Funds may be purchased at
net asset value without a sales charge, and Class R Shares may be purchased,
by the following categories of investors:
 
 .  officers, trustees and retired trustees of the Trust;
 
 .  bona fide, full-time and retired employees of Nuveen or ICAP, any parent
   company of Nuveen, and subsidiaries thereof, or their immediate family mem-
   bers (as defined below);
 
 .  any person who, for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director or bona
   fide employee of any Authorized Dealer, or their immediate family members;
 
 .  officers and directors of bank holding companies that make Fund shares
   available directly or through subsidiaries or bank affiliates;
 
 .  bank or broker-affiliated trust departments investing funds over which they
   exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are held in
   a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity;
 
 
B-34
<PAGE>
 
 .  investors purchasing through a mutual fund purchase program sponsored by a
   broker-dealer that offers a selected group of mutual funds either without a
   transaction fee or with an asset-based fee or a fixed fee that does not vary
   with the amount of the purchase. In order to qualify, such purchase program
   must offer a full range of mutual fund related services and shareholder ac-
   count servicing capabilities, including establishment and maintenance of
   shareholder accounts, addressing investor inquiries regarding account activ-
   ity and investment performances, processing of trading and dividend activity
   and generation of monthly account statements and year-end tax reporting; and
 
 .  registered investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
   broker-dealers who in each case either charge periodic fees to their custom-
   ers for financial planning, investment advisory or asset management servic-
   es, or provide such services in connection with the establishment of an in-
   vestment account for which a comprehensive "wrap fee" charge is imposed.
 
To help advisers and investors better understand and most efficiently use the
Funds to reach their investment goals, the Funds may advertise and create spe-
cific investment programs and systems. For example, this may include informa-
tion on how to use the Funds to accumulate assets for future education needs or
periodic payments such as insurance premiums. The Funds may produce software or
additional sales literature to promote the advantages of using the Funds to
meet these and other specific investor needs.
 
Exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of a Nuveen money market fund may be
made on days when both funds calculate a net asset value and make shares avail-
able for public purchase. Shares of the Nuveen money market funds may be pur-
chased on days on which the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is normally open for
business. In addition to the holidays observed by the Fund, the Nuveen money
market funds observe and will not make fund shares available for purchase on
the following holidays: Martin Luther King's Birthday, Columbus Day and Veter-
ans Day.
 
For more information on the procedure for purchasing shares of the Funds and on
the special purchase programs available thereunder, see "How to Buy Fund
Shares" in the Prospectus.
 
Nuveen serves as the principal underwriter of the shares of the Funds pursuant
to a "best efforts" arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with
the Trust, dated [] ("Distribution Agreement"). Pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, the Trust appointed Nuveen to be its agent for the distribution of
the Funds' shares on a continuous offering basis. Nuveen sells shares to or
through brokers, dealers, banks or other qualified financial intermediaries
(collectively referred to as "Dealers"), or others, in a manner consistent with
the then effective registration statement of the Trust. Pursuant to the Distri-
bution Agreement, Nuveen, at its own expense, finances certain activities inci-
dent to the sale and distribution of the Funds' shares, including printing and
distributing of prospectuses and statements of additional information to other
than existing shareholders, the printing and distributing of sales literature,
advertising and payment of compensation and giving of concessions to dealers.
Nuveen receives for its services the excess, if any, of the sales price of a
Fund's shares less the net asset value of those shares, and reallows a majority
or all of such amounts to the Dealers who sold the shares; Nuveen may act as
such a Dealer. Nuveen also receives compensation pursuant to a distribution
plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1 and described herein under
"Distribution and Service Plans." Nuveen receives any CDSCs imposed on redemp-
tions of Shares, but any amounts as to which a
 
                                                                            B-35
<PAGE>
 
reinstatement privilege is not exercised are set off against and reduce amounts
otherwise payable to Nuveen pursuant to the distribution plan.
 
                         DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
 
Each Fund has adopted a plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the In-
vestment Company Act of 1940, which provides that Class B Shares and Class C
Shares will be subject to an annual distribution fee, and that Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares will all be subject to an annual service fee.
Class R Shares will not be subject to either distribution or service fees.
 
The distribution fee applicable to Class B Shares, and Class C Shares under
each Fund's Plan will be payable to reimburse Nuveen for services and expenses
incurred in connection with the distribution of such Shares. These expenses in-
clude payments to Authorized Dealers, including Nuveen, who are brokers of rec-
ord with respect to the Shares, as well as, without limitation, expenses of
printing and distributing prospectuses to persons other than shareholders of
the Fund, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing advertising and
sales literature and reports to shareholders used in connection with the sale
of such Shares, certain other expenses associated with the distribution of such
Shares, and any distribution-related expenses that may be authorized from time
to time by the Board of Trustees.
 
The service fee applicable to Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
under each Fund's Plan will be payable to Authorized Dealers in connection with
the provision of ongoing account services to shareholders. These services may
include establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts, answering share-
holder inquiries and providing other personal services to shareholders.
 
Each Fund may spend up to .25 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of
Class A Shares as a service fee under the Plan as applicable to Class A Shares.
Each Fund may spend up to .75 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of
each of the Class B Shares and Class C Shares as a distribution fee and up to
 .25 of 1% per year of the average daily net assets of each of the Class B
Shares and Class C Shares as a service fee under the Plan as applicable to such
classes.
 
Under each Fund's Plan, the Fund will report quarterly to the Board of Trustees
for its review all amounts expended per class of shares under the Plan. The
Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any class of shares, without
the payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the Plan or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such
class. The Plan may be renewed from year to year if approved by a vote of the
Board of Trustees and a vote of the non-interested Trustees who have no direct
or indirect financial interest in the Plan cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan may be continued only if the
trustees who vote to approve such continuance conclude, in the exercise of rea-
sonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under applica-
ble law, that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the
Fund and its shareholders. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially
the cost which a class of shares may bear under the Plan without the approval
of the shareholders of the affected class, and any other material amendments of
the Plan must be approved by the non-interested trustees by a vote cast
 
B-36
<PAGE>
 
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments.
During the continuance of the Plan, the selection and nomination of the non-in-
terested trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-
interested trustees then in office.
 
                  INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND CUSTODIAN
 
[], independent public accountants, [address] have been selected as auditors
for the Trust. In addition to audit services, [] will provide consultation and
assistance on accounting, internal control, tax and related matters. The finan-
cial statements included in this Statement of Additional Information have been
audited by [] as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are in-
cluded in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
report.
 
The custodian of the assets of the Funds is The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 770
Broadway, New York, New York 10003. The custodian performs custodial, fund ac-
counting and portfolio accounting services.
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
To be filed by Pre-Effective Amendment.
 
                                                                            B-37
<PAGE>
 
                       APPENDIX A--RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
 
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP--A brief description of the applicable Standard
& Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") rating symbols and their meanings (as published
by S&P) follows:
 
                                 LONG TERM DEBT
 
An S&P corporate or municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the cred-
itworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This assess-
ment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers, or
lessees.
 
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security,
inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a partic-
ular investor.
 
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or ob-
tained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an
audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited fi-
nancial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other
circumstances.
 
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
  1. Likelihood of default--capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the
     timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with
     the terms of the obligation;
 
  2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
  3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
     event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws
     of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA  Debt rated "AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to
     pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
AA   Debt rated "AA' has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
     principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small de-
     gree.
 
A    Debt rated "A' has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay princi-
     pal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
     changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher
     rated categories.
 
BBB  Debt rated "BBB' is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay in-
     terest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate pro-
     tection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circum-
     stances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest
     and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated
     categories.
 
<PAGE>
 
SPECULATIVE GRADE RATING
Debt rated "BB', "B', "CCC', "CC' and "C' is regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. "BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and "C' the highest.
While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics
these are outweighed by major uncertainties or major exposures to adverse con-
ditions.
 
BB   Debt rated "BB' has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
     speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
     exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which
     could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and princi-
     pal payments. The "BB' rating category is also used for debt subordi-
     nated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BBB-' rat-
     ing.
 
B    Debt rated "B' has a greater vulnerability to default but currently
     has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
     Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair
     capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
 
     The "B' rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
     debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB' or "BB-' rating.
 
CCC  Debt rated "CCC' has a currently identifiable vulnerability to de-
     fault, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and eco-
     nomic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of
     principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic
     conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and
     repay principal.
 
     The "CCC' rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
     debt that is assigned an actual or implied "B' or "B-' rating.
 
CC   The rating "CC' typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior
     debt that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC' debt rating.
 
C    The rating "C' typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior
     debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-' debt rating. The
     "C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy peti-
     tion has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.
 
CI   The rating "CI' is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is
     being paid.
 
D    Debt rated "D' is in payment default. The "D' rating category is used
     when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date
     due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
     believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The
     "D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition
     if debt service payments are jeopardized.
 
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA' to "CCC' may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
 
PROVISIONAL RATINGS: The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A
provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by
the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is
largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the
project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to
comple-
 
A-2
<PAGE>
 
tion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of de-
fault upon failure of, such completion. The investor should exercise judgment
with respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
L    The letter "L' indicates that the rating pertains to the principal
     amount of those bonds to the extent that the underlying deposit col-
     lateral is federally insured by the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance
     Corp. or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.* and interest is ade-
     quately collateralized. In the case of certificates of deposit the
     letter "L' indicates that the deposit, combined with other deposits
     being held in the same right and capacity will be honored for princi-
     pal and accrued pre-default interest up to the federal insurance lim-
     its within 30 days after closing of the insured institution or, in the
     event that the deposit is assumed by a successor insured institution,
     upon maturity.
 
NR   Indicates no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient in-
     formation on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a par-
     ticular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
 
                                MUNICIPAL NOTES
 
An S&P note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks
unique to notes. Notes due in 3 years or less will likely receive a note rat-
ing. Notes maturing beyond 3 years will most likely receive a long-term debt
rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:
 
     --Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to
      other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
 
     --Source of payment (the more dependent the issue is on the market for
      its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
 
NOTE RATING SYMBOLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to
     possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+)
     designation.
 
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some vulnera-
     bility to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the
     notes.
 
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
A note rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security in-
asmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particu-
lar investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by
the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P
does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion,
rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended,
or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information or
based on other circumstances.
 
*Continuance of the rating is contingent upon S&P's receipt of an executed copy
of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and
cash flow.
 
 
                                                                             A-3
<PAGE>
 
                                COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
 
Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the highest
quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
 
A-1  This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
     payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong
     safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
 
A-2  Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satis-
     factory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
     issues designated "A-1."
 
A-3  Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely
     payment. They are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse
     effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the
     higher designations.
 
B    Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for
     timely payment.
 
C    This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful
     capacity for payment.
 
D    Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used
     when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date
     due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
     believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.
 
A commercial rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a secu-
rity inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a
particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to
S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable.
S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occa-
sion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, sus-
pended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such infor-
mation or based on other circumstances.
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.--A brief description of the applicable Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating symbols and their meanings (as pub-
lished by Moody's) follows:
 
                                 LONG TERM DEBT
 
AAA  Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
     carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally re-
     ferred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large
     or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While
     the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as
     can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong
     position of such issues.
 
AA   Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all stan-
     dards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally
     known as high grade bonds. They are rated
 
A-4
<PAGE>
 
     lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
     large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may
     be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which
     make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securi-
     ties.
 
A    Bonds which are rated A possess may favorable investment attributes
     and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors
     giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but
     elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment
     sometime in the future.
 
BAA  Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
     i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest
     payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
     certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristi-
     cally unrealiable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack out-
     standing investment characteristics and in fact have speculative char-
     acteristics as well.
 
BA   Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
     their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protec-
     tion of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and
     thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the
     future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
 
B    Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desir-
     able investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
     maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of
     time may be small.
 
CAA  Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
     default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to
     principal or interest.
 
CA   Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative
     in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other
     marked shortcomings.
 
C    Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and is-
     sues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of
     ever attaining any real investment standing.
 
CON( . . . )
     Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act
     or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These
     are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b)
     earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals
     which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which
     some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes
     probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination
     of basis of condition.
 
NOTE:Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes
     possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the sym-
     bols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.
 
                           MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM LOANS
 
MIG 1/VMIG 1     This designation denotes best quality. There is present
                 strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquid-
                 ity support or demonstrated broadbased access to the market
                 for refinancing.
 
                                                                             A-5
<PAGE>
 
MIG 2/VMIG 2     This designation denotes high quality. Margins or protection
                 are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
MIG 3/VMIG 3     This designation denotes favorable quality. All security ele-
                 ments are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable
                 strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow
                 protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is
                 likely to be less well-established.
 
MIG 4/VMIG 4     This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection com-
                 monly regarded as required of an investment security is pres-
                 ent and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative,
                 there is specific risk.
 
                                COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
Issuers rated PRIME-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior ca-
pacity for repayment of senior short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 re-
payment capacity will often be evidenced by many of the following characteris-
tics:
 
  --Leading market positions in well-established industries.
 
  --High rates of return on funds employed.
 
  --Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and
   ample asset protection.
 
  --Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
   internal cash generation.
 
  --Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
   sources of alternate liquidity.
 
Issuers rated PRIME-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capac-
ity for repayment of senior short-term promissory obligations. This will nor-
mally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
 
Issuers rated PRIME-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an acceptable
capacity for repayment of senior short-term promissory obligations. The effect
of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of
debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial lever-
age. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
 
Issuers rated NOT PRIME do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
 
A-6
<PAGE>
 
DUFF & PHELPS, INC.--A brief description of the applicable Duff & Phelps, Inc.
("D&P") ratings symbols and their meanings (as published by D&P) follows:
 
                                 LONG TERM DEBT
 
These ratings represent a summary opinion of the issuer's long-term fundamental
quality. Rating determination is based on qualitative and quantitative factors
which may vary according to the basic economic and financial characteristics of
each industry and each issuer. Important considerations are vulnerability to
economic cycles as well as risks related to such factors as competition, gov-
ernment action, regulation, technological obsolescence, demand shifts, cost
structure, and management depth and expertise. The projected viability of the
obligor at the trough of the cycle is a critical determination.
 
Each rating also takes into account the legal form of the security, (e.g.,
first mortgage bonds, subordinated debt, preferred stock, etc.). The extent of
rating dispersion among the various classes of securities is determined by sev-
eral factors including relative weightings of the different security classes in
the capital structure, the overall credit strength of the issuer, and the na-
ture of covenant protection.
 
The Credit Rating Committee formally reviews all ratings once per quarter (more
frequently, if nec- essary). Ratings of "BBB-' and higher fall within the defi-
nition of investment grade securities, as defined by bank and insurance super-
visory authorities. Structured finance issues, including real estate, asset-
backed and mortgage-backed financings, use this same rating scale. Duff &
Phelps Credit Rating claims paying ability ratings of insurance companies use
the same scale with minor modification in the definitions. Thus, an investor
can compare the credit quality of investment alternatives across industries and
structural types. A "Cash Flow Rating" (as noted for specific ratings) ad-
dresses the likelihood that aggregate principal and interest will equal or ex-
ceed the rated amount under appropriate stress conditions.
 
RATING SCALEDEFINITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
AAA         Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being
            only slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
AA+         High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is mod-
AA          est, but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic
AA-         conditions.
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
A+          Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
A           are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
A-
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
BBB+        Below average protection factors but still considered sufficient
BBB         for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
BBB-        economic cycles.
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                                                             A-7
<PAGE>
 
BB+         Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
BB          due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate
BB-         according to industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall
            quality may move up or down frequently within this category.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
B+          Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will
B           not be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate
B-          widely according to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or
            company fortunes. Potential exists for frequent changes in the
            rating within this category or into a higher or lower rating
            grade.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CCC         Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty
            exists as to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred
            dividends. Protection factors are narrow and risk can be substan-
            tial with unfavorable economic/industry conditions, and/or with
            unfavorable company developments.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DD          Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled prin-
            cipal and/or interest payments.
DP          Preferred stock with dividend arrearages.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
 
Duff & Phelps' short-term ratings are consistent with the rating criteria used
by money market participants. The ratings apply to all obligations with matu-
rities of under one year, including commercial paper, the uninsured portion of
certificates of deposit, unsecured bank loans, master notes, bankers accept-
ances, irrevocable letters of credit, and current maturities of long-term
debt. Asset-backed commercial paper is also rated according to this scale.
 
Emphasis is placed on liquidity which is defined as not only cash from opera-
tions, but also access to alternative sources of funds including trade credit,
bank lines, and the capital markets. An important consideration is the level
of an obligor's reliance on short-term funds on an ongoing basis.
 
The distinguishing feature of Duff & Phelps Credit Ratings' short-term ratings
is the refinement of the traditional "1' category. The majority of short-term
debt issuers carry the highest rating, yet quality differences exist within
that tier. As a consequence, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating has incorporated gra-
dations of "1+' (one plus) and "1-' (one minus) to assist investors in recog-
nizing those differences.
 
These ratings are recognized by the SEC for broker-dealer requirements, spe-
cifically capital computation guidelines. These ratings meet Department of La-
bor ERISA guidelines governing pension and profit sharing investments. State
regulators also recognize the ratings of Duff & Phelps Credit Rating for in-
surance company investment portfolios.
 
A-8
<PAGE>
 
RATING SCALE:
            DEFINITION
 
            HIGH GRADE
D-1+        Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity, includ-
            ing internal operating factors and/or access to alternative
            sources of funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below risk-
            free U.S. Treasury short-term obligations.
 
D-1         Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are ex-
            cellent and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk
            factors are minor.
 
D-1-        High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are strong and
            supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are
            very small.
 
            GOOD GRADE
D-2         Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company
            fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may enlarge
            total financing requirements, access to capital markets is good.
            Risk factors are small.
 
            SATISFACTORY GRADE
D-3         Satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors qualify issue
            as to investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject to
            more variation. Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
 
            NON-INVESTMENT GRADE
D-4         Speculative investment characteristics. Liquidity is not suffi-
            cient to insured against disruption in debt service. Operating
            factors and market access may be subject to a high degree of vari-
            ation.
 
            DEFAULT
D-5         Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or interest pay-
            ments.
 
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.--A brief description of the applicable Fitch In-
vestors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") ratings symbols and meanings (as published by
Fitch) follows:
 
                                 LONG TERM DEBT
 
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining
the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings represent
Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a spe-
cific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
 
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its rela-
tionship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective finan-
cial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as
well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength and credit quality.
 
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by in-
surance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
 
                                                                             A-9
<PAGE>
 
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differ-
ences in the degrees of credit risk.
 
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security. Rat-
ings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any se-
curity for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.
 
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors,
underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be reliable.
Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Rat-
ings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the
unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
 
AAA  Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
     quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay inter-
     est and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasona-
     bly foreseeable events.
 
AA   Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quali-
     ty. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very
     strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA'. Because
     bonds rated in the "AAA' and "AA' categories are not significantly
     vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of the
     issuers is generally rated "F-1+'.
 
A    Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality.
     The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is consid-
     ered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in
     economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
 
BBB  Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
     quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
     considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
     circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on
     these bonds and, therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that
     the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher
     than for bonds with higher ratings.
 
Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determin-
ing the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings ("BB' to
"C') represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of prin-
cipal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond issues
not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD' to "D') is an assessment
of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation.
 
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its rela-
tionship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective finan-
cial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as
well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength.
 
A-10
<PAGE>
 
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories cannot fully reflect the differ-
ences in the degrees of credit risk.
 
BB   Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay inter-
     est and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic
     changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identi-
     fied which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service re-
     quirements.
 
B    Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
     currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of con-
     tinued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's
     limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and eco-
     nomic activity throughout the life of the issue.
 
CCC  Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not reme-
     died, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
     advantageous business and economic environment.
 
CC   Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
     principal seems probable over time.
 
C    Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
 
DDD, Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds
DD   are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
AND Dultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obli-
     gor. "DDD' represents the highest potential for recovery of these
     bonds, and "D' represents the lowest potential for recovery.
 
                              SHORT-TERM RATINGS
 
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on de-
mand or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal
and investment notes.
 
The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.
 
F-1+ EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG CREDIT QUALITY Issues assigned this rating are
     regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely pay-
     ment.
 
F-1  VERY STRONG CREDIT QUALITY Issues assigned this rating reflect an as-
     surance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues
     rated "F-1+'.
 
F-2  GOOD CREDIT QUALITY Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory
     degree of assurance for timely payment but the margin of safety is not
     as great as for issues assigned "F-1+' and "F-1' ratings.
 
F-3  FAIR CREDIT QUALITY Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
     suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is ade-
     quate; however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities
     to be rated below investment grade.
 
                                                                           A-11
<PAGE>
 
F-S  WEAK CREDIT QUALITY Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
     suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are
     vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic con-
     ditions.
 
D    DEFAULT Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment
     default.
 
LOC  The symbol LOC indicates that the rating is based on a letter of
     credit issued by a commercial bank.
 
A-12
<PAGE>
 
                           PART C--OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 24: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Financial statements:
 
  Included in the Prospectus:
 
    Not Applicable
 
  Included in the Statement of Additional Information:
 
    Statement of Net Assets,          , 1996, for each of the Nuveen Select
    Stock Fund, Nuveen Balanced Fund and Nuveen Income and Growth Fund
 
    Report of Independent Public Accountants dated         , 1996
 
(b) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     <C>       <S>                                                          <C>
      1(a).    Declaration of Trust of Registrant.
      1(b).    Certificate for the Establishment and Designation of
               Series and Classes, dated          , 1996.
      2.       By-Laws of Registrant.
      3.       Not applicable.
      4(a).    Specimen certificates of Class A Shares of each Fund.*
      4(b).    Specimen certificates of Class B Shares of each Fund.*
      4(c).    Specimen certificates of Class C Shares of each Fund.*
      4(d).    Specimen certificates of Class R Shares of each Fund.*
      5(a).    Form of Management Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen
               Institutional Advisory Corp.*
      5(b).    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Nuveen
               Institutional Advisory Corp and Institutional Capital
               Corporation.*
      6(a).    Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant and John
               Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.*
      7.       Not applicable.
      8.       Form of Custodian Agreement among Registrant, Nuveen
               Institutional Advisory Corp. and Chase Manhattan Bank,
               N.A.*
      9(a).    Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and
               Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.*
      9(b).    Form of Transfer Agency Agreement among Registrant, Nuveen
               Institutional Advisory Corp. and Shareholder Services,
               Inc.*
     10(a).    Opinion and consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz,
               dated          , 1996.*
     10(b).    Opinion and consent of Bingham, Dana & Gould, dated
                        , 1996.*
</TABLE>
 
 
                                                                             C-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     <C>       <S>                                                         <C>
     11.       Consent of Independent Public Accountants.*
     12.       Not applicable.
     13.       Subscription Agreement with              .*
     14.       Not applicable.
     15.       Plan of Distribution and Service Pursuant to Rule 12b-1
               for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
               of each Fund.*
     16.       Not applicable.
     17.       Financial Data Schedule.*
     18.       Multi-Class Plan.*
     99(a).    Original Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Schwertfeger and
               Dean, Trustees, authorizing, among others, James J.
               Wesolowski and Gifford R. Zimmerman to execute the
               Registration Statement.
</TABLE>
- --------
*To be filed by pre-effective amendment.
 
ITEM 25: PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 26: NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
At          , 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NUMBER OF
      TITLE OF SERIES                                             RECORD HOLDERS
      ---------------                                             --------------
      <S>                                                         <C>
      Nuveen Select Stock Fund...................................        0
      Nuveen Income and Growth Fund..............................        0
      Nuveen Balanced Fund.......................................        0
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 27: INDEMNIFICATION
Section 4 of Article XII of Registrant's Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust provides as follows:
 
Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every
person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust,
including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees,
officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an
interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a
"Covered Person"), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent per-
mitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or
paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which
he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having
been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts
paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
 
C-2
<PAGE>
 
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
 
  (a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a
  final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding
  was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negli-
  gence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
  office;
 
  (b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adju-
  dicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his
  action was in the best interests of the Trust; or
 
  (c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final
  adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a pay-
  ment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that
  such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
  negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
  his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other
  disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily
  available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not
  engage in such conduct:
 
    (i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the
    matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in
    office act on the matter); or
 
    (ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.
 
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by poli-
cies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other
rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall con-
tinue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which
Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or oth-
erwise under law.
 
Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action,
suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4
shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it
is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this
Section 4, provided that either:
 
  (a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate
  security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any
  such advances; or
 
  (b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided
  that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the
  matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine,
  based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full
  trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ul-
  timately will be found entitled to indemnification.
 
                                                                             C-3
<PAGE>
 
As used in this Section 4, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one (x) who is not an
Interested Person of the Trust (including, as such Disinterested Trustee, any-
one who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regula-
tion or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions,
suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the
same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.
 
As used in this Section 4, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding"
shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, admin-
istrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the word "li-
ability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees,
costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other lia-
bilities.
 
                               -----------------
 
The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by an Investment Trust
Errors and Omission policy in the aggregate amount of $20,000,000 (with a maxi-
mum deductible of $350,000) against liability and expenses of claims of wrong-
ful acts arising out of their position with the Registrant, except for matters
which involved willful acts, bad faith, gross negligence and willful disregard
of duty (i.e., where the insured did not act in good faith for a purpose he or
she reasonably believed to be in the best interest of Registrant or where he or
she shall have had reasonable cause to believe this conduct was unlawful).
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to the officers, trustees or controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Ex-
change Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indem-
nification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by an officer or trustee or controlling person of
the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such officer, trustee or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
ITEM 28: BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
(a) Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. serves as investment adviser or manager
to the following closed-end management type investment companies: Nuveen Select
Tax-Free Income Portfolio; Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2; Nuveen
Insured California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio; Nuveen Insured New York
Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio; Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3 and
the Registrant. The principal business address for all of these investment com-
panies is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. In addition, Nuveen
Institutional Advisory Corp. serves as investment adviser to separately managed
accounts.
 
For a description of other business, profession, vocation or employment of a
substantial nature in which any director or officer of the investment adviser
has engaged during the last two years for his account or
 
C-4
<PAGE>
 
in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, see the de-
scriptions under "Management" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
(b) Institutional Capital Corporation (ICAP) acts as investment adviser to the
ICAP Funds, Inc. and as sub-investment adviser to the Registrant. In addition,
ICAP serves as investment adviser to separately managed accounts.
 
The following is a listing of each director and officer of ICAP. The principal
business address for each person is 225 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                POSITIONS AND OFFICES     POSITIONS AND OFFICES
               NAME                   WITH ICAP              WITH REGISTRANT
               ----             ---------------------     ---------------------
      <S>                    <C>                          <C>
      Robert H. Lyon........ President, Chief Investment         Trustee
                             Officer and Director
      Pamela H. Conroy...... Senior Vice President                None
      Donald D. Niemann..... Executive Vice President and         None
                             Director
      Gary S. Maurer........ Executive Vice President and         None
                             Director
      Barbara A. Chiesa..... Vice President and Director          None
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 29: PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated ("Nuveen") acts as principal underwriter to
the following open-end management type investment companies: Nuveen Municipal
Bond Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free Re-
serves, Inc., Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free Bond Fund,
Inc., Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc. and Nuveen Tax-Free Money Market
Fund, Inc. Nuveen also acts as depositor and principal underwriter of the
Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, a registered unit investment trust. Nuveen has also
served or is serving as co-managing underwriter to the following closed-end
management type investment companies: Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen
California Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund,
Inc., Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Cal-
ifornia Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Performance Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Advantage Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal
Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal Market Opportunity
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Investment Quality Mu-
nicipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen New Jersey Investment Quality Munici-
pal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen
Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Select Quality Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality
Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Florida Quality Income Municipal Fund,
 
                                                                             C-5
<PAGE>
 
Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Cali-
fornia Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Quality Income Mu-
nicipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier
Insured Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio,
Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Insured California Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund, Nuveen Arizona Premium In-
come Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Florida Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New Jersey
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 4, Inc., Nuveen Insured Cali-
fornia Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium In-
come Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen
Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Mu-
nicipal Fund, Nuveen Washington Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecti-
cut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Pre-
mium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income
Portfolio 2, Nuveen Insured California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen
Insured New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Select Tax-Free In-
come Portfolio 3 and the Registrant.
 
(b)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                            <C>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL          POSITIONS AND OFFICES          POSITIONS AND OFFICES
BUSINESS ADDRESS            WITH UNDERWRITER               WITH REGISTRANT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony T. Dean             Executive Vice President       President and Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive       and Director
Chicago, IL 60606
Timothy R. Schwertfeger     Executive Vice President       Chairman and Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive       and Director
Chicago, IL 60606
John P. Amboian             Executive Vice President       None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
William Adams IV            Vice President                 None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Kathleen M. Flanagan        Vice President                 Vice President
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Stephen D. Foy              Vice President                 None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
</TABLE>
 
 
C-6
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                             <C>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL           POSITIONS AND OFFICES           POSITIONS AND OFFICES
BUSINESS ADDRESS             WITH UNDERWRITER                WITH REGISTRANT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert D. Freeland           Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Michael G. Gaffney           Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
James W. Gratehouse          Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Anna R. Kucinskis            Vice President                  Vice President
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Robert B. Kuppenheimer       Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Larry W. Martin              Vice President and              Vice President and
333 West Wacker Drive        Assistant Secretary             Assistant Secretary
Chicago, IL 60606
Thomas C. Muntz              Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
O. Walter Renfftlen          Vice President                  Vice President and
333 West Wacker Drive        and Controller                  Controller
Chicago, IL 60606
Stuart W. Rogers             Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Bradford W. Shaw, Jr.        Vice President                  None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
H. William Stabenow          Vice President                  Vice President and
333 West Wacker Drive        and Treasurer                   Treasurer
Chicago, IL 60606
James J. Wesolowski          Vice President,                 Vice President and
333 West Wacker Drive        General Counsel                 Secretary
Chicago, IL 60606            and Secretary
</TABLE>
 
 
                                                                             C-7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                               <C>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL          POSITIONS AND OFFICES             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
BUSINESS ADDRESS            WITH UNDERWRITER                  WITH REGISTRANT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul C. Williams            Vice President                    None
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Gifford R. Zimmerman        Vice President                    Vice President and
333 West Wacker Drive       and Assistant Secretary           Assistant Secretary
Chicago, IL 60606
</TABLE>
 
(c) Not applicable.
 
ITEM 30: LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
Nuveen Advisory Corp., 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, main-
tains the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, minutes of trustees and shareholder
meetings and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the in-
vestment adviser.
 
Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 770 Broadway, New York, New York 10003, maintains
all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all
portfolio purchases and sales, and all other required records not maintained by
Nuveen Advisory Corp., or Shareholder Services, Inc.
 
Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5330, Denver, Colorado 80217-5330, main-
tains all the required records in its capacity as transfer, dividend paying,
and shareholder service agent for the Registrant.
 
ITEM 31: MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 32: UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Not applicable.
 
(b) The Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to its regis-
    tration statement, using financial statements which need not be certified,
    within four to six months from the effective date of Registrant's 1933 Act
    registration statement.
 
(c) The Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is
    delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest Annual Report to Share-
    holders upon request and without charge.
 
C-8
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT
COMPANY ACT OF 1940, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN
THE CITY OF CHICAGO, AND STATE OF ILLINOIS, ON THE      DAY OF       , 1996.
 
                                        NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                                            /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                         Gifford R. Zimmerman, Vice President
 
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND
ON THE DATE INDICATED.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           SIGNATURE                     TITLE                       DATE
           ---------                     -----                       ----
<S>                             <C>                      <C>
  /s/ O. Walter Renfftlen
- -------------------------------
      O. Walter Renfftlen       Vice President and
                                 Controller (Principal
                                                                               Financial and
                                 Accounting Officer)
                                Trustee
        Anthony T. Dean         President and Trustee
                                Trustee
                                Trustee
                                Trustee
                                Trustee
    Timothy R. Schwertfeger     Chairman and Trustee
                                 (Principal Executive       /s/ Gifford R.
                                 Officer)                     Zimmerman
</TABLE>
                                                    By_________________________
                                                          Gifford R. Zimmerman
                                                            Attorney-in-Fact
 
                                                                     , 1996
 
AN ORIGINAL POWER OF ATTORNEY AUTHORIZING, AMONG OTHERS, JAMES J. WESOLOWSKI
AND GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN TO EXECUTE THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AND AMENDMENTS
THERETO, FOR EACH OF THE OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OF REGISTRANT ON WHOSE BEHALF
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS FILED, HAS BEEN EXECUTED AND FILED WITH THE SE-
CURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SEQUENTIALLY
 EXHIBIT                                                             NUMBERED
 NUMBER                           EXHIBIT                              PAGE
 -------                          -------                          ------------
(b) Exhibits
 
 <C>       <S>                                                     <C>
  1(a).    Declaration of Trust of Registrant.
  1(b).    Certificate for the Establishment and Designation of
           Series and Classes, dated          , 1996.
  2.       By-Laws of Registrant.
  3.       Not applicable.
  4(a).    Specimen certificates of Class A Shares of each
           Fund.*
  4(b).    Specimen certificates of Class B Shares of each
           Fund.*
  4(c).    Specimen certificates of Class C Shares of each
           Fund.*
  4(d).    Specimen certificates of Class R Shares of each
           Fund.*
  5(a).    Form of Management Agreement between Registrant and
           Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.*
  5(b).    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Nuveen
           Institutional Advisory Corp and Institutional Capital
           Corporation.*
  6(a).    Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant and
           John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated.*
  7.       Not applicable.
  8.       Form of Custodian Agreement among Registrant, Nuveen
           Institutional Advisory Corp. and Chase Manhattan
           Bank, N.A.*
  9(a).    Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant
           and Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.*
  9(b).    Form of Transfer Agency Agreement among Registrant,
           Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and Shareholder
           Services, Inc.*
 10(a).    Opinion and consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman &
           Kammholz, dated          , 1996.*
 10(b).    Opinion and consent of Bingham, Dana & Gould, dated
                    , 1996.*
 11.       Consent of Independent Public Accountants.*
 12.       Not applicable.
 13.       Subscription Agreement with              .*
 14.       Not applicable.
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SEQUENTIALLY
 EXHIBIT                                                             NUMBERED
 NUMBER                           EXHIBIT                              PAGE
 -------                          -------                          ------------
 <C>       <S>                                                     <C>
 15.       Plan of Distribution and Service Pursuant to Rule
           12b-1 for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and
           Class C Shares of each Fund.*
 16.       Not applicable.
 17.       Financial Data Schedule.*
 18.       Multi-Class Plan.*
 99(a).    Original Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Schwertfeger
           and Dean, Trustees, authorizing, among others, James
           J. Wesolowski and Gifford R. Zimmerman to execute the
           Registration Statement.
</TABLE>
- --------
*To be filed by pre-effective amendment.

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 1(a)
 
                              DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                       OF
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST

     DECLARATION OF TRUST made as of this 6th day of May, 1996 by the 
Trustees hereunder.

     WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a trust fund for the purposes of
carrying on the business of a management investment company; and

     WHEREAS, in furtherance of such purpose, the Trustees and any successor
Trustees elected in accordance with Article V hereof are acquiring and may
hereafter acquire assets and properties which they will hold and manage as
trustees of a Massachusetts business trust with transferable shares in
accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees and any successor Trustees elected or
appointed in accordance with Article V hereof hereby declare that they will hold
all cash, securities and other assets and properties, which they may from time
to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder, IN TRUST, and that they
will manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of shares of beneficial interest in
this Trust as hereinafter set forth.


                                   ARTICLE I

                              NAME AND DEFINITIONS

     Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as the "Nuveen Investment Trust"
and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any
other name as they may from time to time determine.

     Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by
the context or specifically provided:
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


          (a) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts voluntary association
     established by this Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time;

          (b) "Trustee" or "Trustees" refers to each signatory to this
     Declaration of Trust so long as such signatory shall continue in office in
     accordance with the terms hereof, and all other individuals who at the time
     in question have been duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance
     with Article V hereof and are then in office;

          (c) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest described in
     Article IV hereof and include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;

          (d) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;

          (e) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and
     any successor statute) and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as
     amended from time to time;

          (f) The terms "Commission," "Interested Person," "Principal
     Underwriter" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities"
     shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act;

          (g) "Declaration of Trust" or "Declaration" shall mean this
     Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to time; and

          (h) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time
     to time.

   
                                   ARTICLE II

                          NATURE AND PURPOSE OF TRUST

     The Trust is a voluntary association with transferable shares (commonly
known as a business trust) of the type referred to in Chapter 182 of the General
Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The Trust is not intended to be,
shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as, a general or a limited
partnership, joint venture, corporation or joint stock company, nor shall the
Trustees or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be deemed to be, or be
treated in any way whatsoever as though they were, liable or responsible
hereunder as 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

partners or joint venturers. The purpose of the Trust is to engage in, operate
and carry on the business of an open-end management investment company and to do
any and all acts or things as are necessary, convenient, appropriate, incidental
or customary in connection therewith.
 
     The Trust set forth in this instrument shall be deemed made in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by
and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth.  The
Trust shall be of the type commonly called a business trust, and without
limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are
ordinarily exercised by such a trust.  No provision of this Declaration shall be
effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation or
order of the Commission thereunder.


                                  ARTICLE III

                 REGISTERED AGENT; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS

     The name of the registered agent of the Trust is CT Corporation System at 2
Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts.  The principal place of business of the
Trust is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.  The Trustees may,
without the approval of Shareholders, change the registered agent of the Trust
and the principal place of business of the Trust.
   

                                   ARTICLE IV
    
                              BENEFICIAL INTEREST

     Section 1.  Shares of Beneficial Interest.  The beneficial interest in the
Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of beneficial interest, of
such series or classes, and of such designations and par values (if any) and
with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as shall be
determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion, without Shareholder
approval, from time to time and shall initially consist of one class of
transferable shares, par value $.01 per share.  The number of Shares is
unlimited and each Share shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  The Trustees
shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion and without
obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or of
the Shareholders of any series or class of Shares, to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

create and establish (and to change in any manner) Shares or any series or
classes thereof with such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges as
the Trustees may from time to time determine; to divide or combine the Shares or
the Shares of any series or classes thereof into a greater or lesser number; to
classify or reclassify any issued Shares into one or more series or classes of
Shares; to abolish any one or more series or classes of Shares; and to take such
other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable.
Except as may be specifically set forth in Section 2 of this Article IV or in an
instrument establishing and designating classes or series of Shares, the Shares
shall have the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions described below:

          (i) In the event of the termination of the Trust the holders of the
     Shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata the net distributable assets
     of the Trust.

          (ii) Each holder of Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each
     Share held on each matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, and the
     holders of outstanding Shares shall vote together as a single class.

          (iii)  Dividends or other distributions to Shareholders, when, as and
     if declared or made by the Trustees, shall be shared equally by the holders
     of Shares on a share for share basis, such dividends or other distributions
     or any portion thereof to be paid in cash or to be reinvested in full and
     fractional Shares of the Trust as the Trustees shall direct.

          (iv) Any Shares purchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired by the
     Trust shall be retired automatically and such retired Shares shall have the
     status of authorized but unissued Shares.
 
          (v) Shares may be issued from time to time, without the vote of the
     Shareholders (or, if the Trustees in their sole discretion deem advisable,
     with a vote of Shareholders), either for cash or for such other
     consideration (which may be in any one or more instances a certain
     specified consideration or certain specified considerations) and on such
     terms as the Trustees, from time to time, may deem advisable, and the Trust
     may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of
     assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of liabilities).
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

          (vi) The Trust may issue Shares in fractional denominations to the
     same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations
     shall be Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions
     represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares, including, without
     limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and
     distributions and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust.
     The Trustees may from time to time, without the vote of Shareholders,
     divide or combine Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby
     changing their proportionate beneficial interest in the Trust.

     Section 2.  Establishment of Series and Classes of Shares.
  
     (a) Series.  The Trustees, in their sole discretion, without obtaining any
prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or of the
Shareholders of any series or class of Shares, from time to time may authorize
the division of Shares into two or more series, the number and relative rights,
privileges and preferences of which shall be established and designated by the
Trustees, in their discretion, upon and subject to the following provisions:

          (i) All Shares shall be identical except that there may be such
variations as shall be fixed and determined by the Trustees between different
series as to purchase price, right of redemption, and the price, terms and
manner or redemption, and special and relative rights as to dividends and on
liquidation.

          (ii) The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each
series that may be issued shall be unlimited.  The Trustees may classify or
reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of
any series into one or more series that may be established and designated from
time to time.  The Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some
other series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may
determine, or cancel any Shares of any series reacquired by the Trust at their
discretion from time to time.

          (iii)  The power of the Trustees to invest and reinvest the assets of
the Trust allocated or belonging to any particular series shall be governed by
Section 1, Article VI hereof unless otherwise provided in the instrument of the
Trustees establishing such series which is hereinafter described.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-
    
          (iv) Each Share of a series shall represent a beneficial interest in
the net assets allocated or belonging to such series only, and such interest
shall not extend to the assets of the Trust generally.  Dividends and
distributions on Shares of a particular series may be paid with such frequency
as the Trustees may determine, which may be monthly or otherwise, pursuant to a
standing vote or votes adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees
may determine, to the Shareholders of that series only, from such of the income
and capital gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that
series.  All dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular series shall
be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that series in proportion to the
number of Shares of that series held by such Shareholders at the date and time
of record established for the payment of such dividends or distributions.
Shares of any particular series of the Trust may be redeemed solely out of the
assets of the Trust allocated or belonging to that series.  Upon liquidation or
termination of a series of the Trust, Shareholders of such series shall be
entitled to receive a pro rata share of the net assets of such series only.
   
          (v) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, on any
matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Trust, all Shares then
entitled to vote shall be voted by individual series, except that (i) when
required by the 1940 Act to be voted in the aggregate, Shares shall not be voted
by individual series, (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter
affects only the interests of Shareholders of one or more series, only
Shareholders of such series shall be entitled to vote thereon, and (iii) all
series shall vote together on the election of Trustees.

          (vi) The establishment and designation of any series of Shares shall
be effective upon the execution by a majority of the Trustees of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and
preferences of such series or as otherwise provided in such instrument.

     (b) Classes.  Notwithstanding anything in this Declaration to the contrary,
the Trustees may, in their discretion, without obtaining any prior authorization
or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or of the Shareholders of any series or
class of Shares, from time to time authorize the division of Shares of the Trust
or any series thereof into Shares of one or more classes upon the execution by a
majority of the Trustees of an instrument setting forth such establishment and
designation and the relative rights and preferences of such class or clases. All
Shares of a class shall be identical with each other and with the Shares of each
other
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-


class of the same series except for such variations between classes as may be
approved by the Board of Trustees and set forth in such instrument of
establishment and designation and be permitted under the 1940 Act or pursuant to
any exemptive order issued by the Commission.

     Section 3. Ownership of Shares. The ownership and transfer of Shares shall
be recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. No
certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the
Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such
rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates,
transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust, as kept
by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent of the Trust, shall be conclusive
as to who are the holders of Shares and as to the number of Shares held from
time to time by each Shareholder.

     Section 4. No Preemptive Rights, Etc. The holders of Shares shall not, as
such holders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Shares or
securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than such
right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine. The holders of
Shares shall have no appraisal rights with respect to their Shares and, except
as otherwise determined by resolution of the Trustees in their sole discretion,
shall have no exchange or conversion rights with respect to their Shares.

     Section 5. Assets and Liabilities of Series. In the event that the Trust,
pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Article IV, shall authorize the division of
Shares into two or more series, the following provisions shall apply:

     (a) All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares
of a particular series, together with all assets in which such consideration is
invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such
assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds
in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably belong to that series for
all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors, and shall be so recorded
upon the books of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings,
profits and proceeds, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or
liquidation of such assets and any funds or payments derived from any
reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, together with
any General Items (as hereinafter defined) allocated to that series as provided
in the following sentence, are herein referred to as "Assets belonging to" that

<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

series. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits or
proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not readily identifiable as
belonging to any particular series (collectively "General Items"), the Trustees
shall allocate such General Items to and among any one or more of the series
created from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their
sole discretion, deem fair and equitable; and any General Items allocated to a
particular series shall belong to that series. Each such allocation by the
Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all series for
all purposes.

     (b) The assets belonging to a particular series shall be charged with the
liabilities of the Trust in respect of that series and with all expenses, costs,
charges and reserves attributable to that series and shall be so recorded upon
the books of the Trust. Liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves
charged to a particular series, together with any General Items (as hereinafter
defined) allocated to that series as provided in the following sentence, are
herein referred to as "liabilities belonging to" that series. In the event there
are any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust
which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series
(collectively "General Items"), the Trustees shall allocate and charge such
General Items to and among any one or more of the series created from time to
time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion
deem fair and equitable; and any General Items so allocated and charges to a
particular series shall belong to that series. Each such allocation by the
Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all series for
all purposes.

     Section 6. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares
shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this
instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be
held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of
Trust and to have become a party thereto. The death of a Shareholder during the
continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the same nor entitle the
representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any
action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the
rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle
the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust
property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an
accounting. Neither the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the
Trust shall have any power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon
any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever
other than such as the Shareholder may at any

<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-


time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE V
                              
                                 THE TRUSTEES

     Section 1. Management of the Trust. The business and affairs of the Trust
shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and
desirable to carry out that responsibility.

     Section 2. Qualification and Number. Each Trustee shall be a natural
person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or
a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By the vote or consent of a
majority of the Trustees then in office, the Trustees may fix the number of
Trustees at a number not less than two (2) nor more than twelve (12) and may
fill the vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees.
Except as determined from time to time by resolution of the Trustees, no
decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee
from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may
be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to Section 4
of Article V.

     Section 3. Term and Election. Each Trustee shall hold office until the next
meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the election or
re-election of such Trustee or of a successor to such Trustee, and until his
successor is elected and qualified, and any Trustee who is appointed by the
Trustees in the interim to fill a vacancy as provided hereunder shall have the
same remaining term as that of his predecessor, if any, or such term as the
Trustees may determine. Any vacancy resulting from a newly created Trusteeship
or the death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of a Trustee may
be filled by the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the Trustees then
in office.
 
     Section 4. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust or
retire as a Trustee (without need for prior or subsequent accounting except in
the event of removal) by an instrument in writing signed by him and delivered or
mailed to the Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary, and such
resignation or retirement shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later
date according to the terms of the instrument. Any Trustee who has become
incapacitated by illness or injury as determined by a majority of the other
Trustees, may be retired
<PAGE>
 
                                      -10-

by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees. Except as
aforesaid, any Trustee may be removed from office only for "Cause" (as
hereinafter defined) and only (i) by action of at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Shares, or (ii) by written instrument,
signed by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the remaining
Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective. "Cause"
shall require willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud or a felony conviction.

     Section 5. Vacancies. The death, declination, resignation, retirement,
removal, or incapacity, of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate
to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the
terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, or the number of
Trustees as fixed is reduced, the Trustees in office, regardless of their
number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees, and during the period
during which any such vacancy shall occur, only the Trustees then in office
shall be counted for the purposes of the existence of a quorum or any action to
be taken by such Trustees.
 
     Section 6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust shall
be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity
other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. All
of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as automatically
vested in the Trustees as shall be from time to time in office. Upon the
resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity or death of a Trustee, such Trustee
shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the
Trust property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust
property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective without the execution or delivery of any
conveyancing or other instruments. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a
severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any right of
partition or possession thereof.

     Section 7. Voting Requirements. In addition to the voting requirements
imposed by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the
provisions set forth in this Article V may not be amended, altered or repealed
in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent with this Article V be
adopted, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Shares. In the event the holders
of the outstanding shares of any series or class are required by law or any
other provision of this Declaration of
<PAGE>
 
                                      -11-

Trust to approve such an action by a class vote of such holders, such action
must be approved by the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent 
(66-2/3%) of the outstanding Shares of such series or class or such lower
percentage as may be required by law or any other provision of this Declaration
of Trust.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                              POWERS OF TRUSTEES

     Section 1. Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall have full, absolute
and exclusive power, control and authority over the Trust assets and the
business and affairs of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the
sole and absolute owners thereof in their own right. The Trustees shall have
full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and
all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in
connection with the management of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific
power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid powers. In
construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, there shall be a
presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Trustees.
Subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration, the Trustees shall
have power and authority:

          (a) To invest and reinvest in, to buy or otherwise acquire, to hold,
     for investment or otherwise, to sell or otherwise dispose of, to lend or to
     pledge, to trade in or deal in securities or interests of all kinds,
     however evidenced, or obligations of all kinds, however evidenced, or
     rights, warrants, or contracts to acquire such securities, interests, or
     obligations, of any private or public company, corporation, association,
     general or limited partnership, trust or other enterprise or organisation
     foreign or domestic, or issued or guaranteed by any national or state
     government, foreign or domestic, or their agencies, instrumentalities or
     subdivisions (including but not limited to, bonds, debentures, bills, time
     notes and all other evidences or indebtedness); negotiable or non-
     negotiable instruments; any and all options and futures contracts,
     derivatives or structured securities; government securities and money
     market instruments (including but not limited to, bank certificates of
     deposit, finance paper, commercial paper, bankers acceptances, and all
     kinds of repurchase agreements) and, without limitation, all other kinds
     and types of financial instruments;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -12-

          (b) To adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust
     providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and
     repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the
     Shareholders;

          (c) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
     agents as they consider appropriate;

          (d) To set record dates for any purpose;

          (e) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any
     officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, investment subadviser,
     transfer agent, custodian, underwriter or other independent contractor or
     agent;

          (f) Subject to Article IX, Section 1 hereof, to merge, or consolidate
     the Trust with any other corporation, association, trust or other
     organisation; or to sell, convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially
     all of the assets of the Trust;

          (g) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
     respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and
     deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the
     Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power
     and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees
     shall deem proper;

          (h) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which
     in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;

          (i) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
     trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either
     in their or the Trust's name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or
     nominees;

          (j) To issue, sell, repurchase, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell,
     reissue, dispose of, transfer and otherwise deal in Shares and in any
     options, warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or any other interests
     in the Trust other than Shares;  

          (k) To set apart, from time to time, out of any funds of the Trust a
     reserve or reserves for any proper purpose, and to abolish any such
     reserve;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -13-

          (l) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
     consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or
     property of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease,
     mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and
     to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the
     Trust;
     
          (m) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
     or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not
     limited to, claims for taxes;

          (n) To make distributions to Shareholders;
        
          (o) To borrow money and to pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate the
    assets of the Trust;
    
          (p) To establish, from time to time, a minimum total investment for
     Shareholders, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any
     Shareholders whose investment is less than such minimum upon such terms as
     shall be established by the Trustees;

          (q) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee,
     depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit
     any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee,
     depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority
     with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred)
     as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such
     portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or
     trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;

          (r) To purchase and pay for out of Trust property such insurance as
     they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of
     the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the
     assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its
     portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders,
     Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, investment
     subadvisers or managers, principal underwriters, or independent contractors
     of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every
     nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office
     or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or
     omitted by any such person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee,
     agent, investment adviser, subadviser or manager,
<PAGE>
 

                                     -14-

     principal underwriter, or independent contractor, whether or not any such
     action may be determined to constitute negligence, and whether or not the
     Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability;
     and

          (s) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the
     Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing,
     share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement,
     incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the
     purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing
     such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees,
     officers, employees and agents of the Trust.

     Any determination made by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees in
good faith and consistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust shall
be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder at
any time of Shares, including, but not limited to the following matters: the
amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust; the
amount of the net income of the Trust from dividends, capital gains, interest or
other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally
available for the payment of dividends or distributions; the amount, purpose,
time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any
reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or
liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid
or discharged); the market value, or any quoted price to be applied in
determining the market value, of any security or other asset owned or held by
the Trust; the fair value of any security for which quoted prices are not
readily available, or of any other asset owned or held by the Trust; the number
of Shares of the Trust issued or issuable; the net asset value per Share; any
matter relating to the acquisition, holding and depositing of securities and
other assets by the Trust; any question as to whether any transaction
constitutes a purchase of securities on margin, a short sale of securities, a
borrowing, or an underwriting of the sale of, or participation in any
underwriting or selling group in connection with the public distribution of, any
securities, and any matter relating to the issue, sale, redemption, repurchase,
and/or other acquisition or disposition of Shares of the Trust. No provision of
this Declaration of Trust shall be effective to protect or purport to protect
any Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -15-

     Section 2. Manner of Acting, By-Laws. The By-Laws shall make provision from
time to time for the manner in which the Trustees may take action, including,
without limitation, at meetings within or without Massachusetts, including
meetings held by means of a conference telephone or other communications
equipment, or by written consents, the quorum and notice, if any, that shall be
required for any meeting or other action, and the delegation of some or all of
the power and authority of the Trustees to any one or more committees which they
may appoint from their own number, and terminate, from time to time.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                             EXPENSES OF THE TRUST

     The Trustees shall have the power to reimburse themselves from the Trust
property for their expenses and disbursements, to pay reasonable compensation to
themselves from the Trust property, and to incur and pay out of the Trust
property any other expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary
or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration of Trust, or
to exercise any of the powers of the Trustees hereunder.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                        INVESTMENT ADVISER, UNDERWRITER
                              AND TRANSFER AGENT

     Section 1. Investment Adviser. The Trust may enter into written contracts
with one or more persons (which term shall include any firm, corporation, trust
or association), to act as investment adviser or investment subadviser to the
Trust, and as such to perform such functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable
and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management,
research, valuation of assets, clerical and administrative functions, under such
terms and conditions, and for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their
discretion deem advisable.

     Upon the termination of any contract with Nuveen Institutional Advisory
Corp., or any corporation affiliated with John Nuveen & co. Incorporated, acting
as investment adviser or manager, the Trustees are hereby required to promptly
change the name of the Trust to a name which does not include "Nuveen" or any
approximation or abbreviation thereof.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -16-

     Section 2. Underwriter; Transfer Agent. The Trust may enter into a written
contract or contracts with an underwriter or underwriters or distributor or
distributors whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other
party or parties to the contract or appoint such other party or parties its
sales agent or agents for such Shares and with such other provisions as the
Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, and the Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time enter into transfer agency and/or shareholder
service contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing
for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable.

     Section 3. Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described in
Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII or in Article X hereof may be entered into
with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, including,
without limitation, the investment adviser, any investment subadviser or an
affiliate of the investment adviser or investment subadviser, although one or
more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director,
trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, or
otherwise interested in such contract and no such contract shall be invalidated
or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor
shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such
relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said
contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly
therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Article VIII, Article X, or the By-Laws. The same
person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may be
the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 above or
Article X, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise
affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts
mentioned in this Section 3.

                                  ARTICLE IX
                                                                             
                   SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS

     Section 1. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only:
(a) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article V, (b) with
respect to any investment advisory or management contract to the extent required
by the 1940 Act, (c) with respect to any termination of the Trust or a series
thereof to the extent and as provided in this Article IX, Section 1, (d) with
respect to any amendment of this Declaration of
<PAGE>
 

                                     -17-


Trust to the extent and as provided in Article XIII, Section 4, (e) with respect
to a merger or consolidation of the Trust or any series thereof with any
corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization or
recapitalization of the Trust or series thereof, or a sale, lease or transfer of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any series thereof (other
than in the regular course of the Trust's investment activities) to the extent
and as provided in this Article IX, Section 1, (f) to the same extent as the
shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively
or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders, and (g) with
respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by
law, the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws of the Trust, or any
registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees
may consider necessary or desirable.
 
     An affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two thirds
percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Shares of the Trust (or, in the event of
any action set forth below affecting only one or more series or classes of the
Trust, an affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent of the outstanding Shares of such affected series or class) shall be
required to approve, adopt or authorize (i) a merger or consolidation of the
Trust or a series of the Trust with any corporation, association, trust or other
organization or a reorganization or recapitalization of the Trust or a series of
the Trust, (ii) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Trust or series of the Trust (other than in the regular course of
the Trust's investment activities), or (iii) a termination of the Trust or a
series of the Trust (other than a termination by the Trustees as provided for in
Section 1 of Article XIII hereof), unless in any case such action is
recommended by the Trustees, in which case the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the affected series or class
shall be required. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring
approval of Shareholders for any transaction, whether deemed a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Trust issues Shares in
connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to
liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity).

     Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders of the Trust or any one
or more series thereof may be called and held from time to time for the purpose
of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or, authority of the
Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter
<PAGE>
 

                                     -18-

deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Meetings of the
Shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as shall be
fixed by the Trustees, and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of the
Shareholders may be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees
upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the
outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least
ten days' written notice of any meeting, except where the meeting is an
adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at
the time of the adjournment.

     Section 3. Quorum and Action. (a) The Trustees shall set in the By-Laws the
quorum required for the transaction of business by the Shareholders at a
meeting, which quorum shall in no event be less than thirty percent (30%) of the
Shares entitled to vote at such meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly
called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to
transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of
Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number
otherwise required for a quorum.

     (b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which
shall only require a plurality, of the Shares present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present,
except as may be otherwise required by any provision of this Declaration of
Trust or the By-Laws.

     Section 4. Voting. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any
matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except that Shares held in the
treasury of the Trust shall not be voted. In the event that there is more than
one series of the Shares, Shares shall be voted by individual series on any
matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Trust except as provided
in Sections 2(a)(v) and 2(b) of Article IV. There shall be no cumulative voting
in the election of Trustees or on any other matter submitted to a vote of the
Shareholders. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares are
issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any
action required or permitted by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws of
the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.

     Section 5. Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders
may be taken without a meeting by written action
<PAGE>
 

                                      -19-

signed by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written
action is effective when it has been signed by all of those Shareholders, unless
a different effective time is provided in the written action.

                                   ARTICLE X

                                   CUSTODIAN

     All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by one or more
custodians and subcustodians, each meeting the requirements for a custodian
contained in the 1940 Act, or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the
1940 Act.

                                  ARTICLE XI

                         DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS

     Section 1. Distributions. The Trustees may in their sole discretion from
time to time declare and pay, or may prescribe and set forth in a duly adopted
vote or votes of the Trustees, the bases and time for the declaration and
payment of, such dividends and distributions to Shareholders as they may deem
necessary or desirable, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and
liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined
in accordance with good accounting practices.

     Section 2. Redemption of Shares. All shares of the Trust shall be
redeemable, at the redemption price determined in the manner set out in this
Declaration. The Trust shall redeem the Shares of the Trust or any series or
class thereof at the price determined as hereinafter set forth, upon the
appropriately verified application of the record holder thereof (or upon such
other form of request as the Trustees may determine) at such office or agency as
may be designated from time to time for that purpose by the Trustees. The
Trustees may from time to time specify additional conditions, not inconsistent
with the 1940 Act, regarding the redemption of Shares in the Trust's then
effective prospectus under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
     Section 3. Redemption Price. Shares shall be redeemed at their net asset
value (less any applicable redemption fee or sales charge) determined as set
forth in Section 7 of this Article XI as of such time as the Trustees shall have
theretofore prescribed by resolution. In the
<PAGE>
 

                                     -20-

absence of such resolution, the redemption price of Shares deposited shall be
the net asset value of such Shares next determined as set forth in such Section
hereof after receipt of such application.

     Section 4. Payment. Payment of the redemption price of Shares of the Trust
or any series or class thereof shall be made in cash or in property or partly in
cash and partly in property to the Shareholder at such time and in the manner,
not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or other applicable laws, as may be
specified from time to time in the Trust's then effective prospectus under the
Securities Act of 1933.

     Section 5. Redemption of Shareholder's Interest. The Trustees, in their
sole discretion, may cause the Trust to redeem all of the Shares of the Trust or
one or more series of the Trust held by any Shareholder if the value of such
Shares held by such Shareholder is less than the minimum amount established from
time to time by the Trustees.

     Section 6. Suspension of Right of Redemption. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Trust may postpone payment of the redemption price and may
suspend the right of the holders of Shares to require the Trust to redeem Shares
(a) during any period when the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is
closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in
the markets the Trust normally utilizes is restricted, or an emergency exists as
determined by the Commission so that disposal of the Trust's investments or
determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable, or (c) for
such other periods as the Commission may by order, rule or otherwise permit.

     Section 7. Determination of Net Asset Value and Valuation of Portfolio
Assets. The Trustees may in their sole discretion from time to time prescribe
and shall set forth in the By-Laws or in a duly adopted vote or votes of the
Trustees such bases and times for determining the per Share net asset value of
the Shares and the valuation of portfolio assets as they may deem necessary or
desirable.

     The Trust may suspend the determination of net asset value during any
period when it may suspend the right of the holders of Shares to require the
Trust to redeem Shares.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -21-

                                  ARTICLE XII

                  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

     Section 1. Limitation of Liability. No personal liability for any debt or
obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Without
limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any
event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment
adviser, subadviser, principal underwriter or custodian of the Trust, nor shall
any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other
Trustee. Nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee against any
liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.

     Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or undertaking
and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the
Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to
their or his capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or
Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.

     Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or
issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall give notice that this
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on
behalf of the Trust by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or officer and
not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding
upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the
assets and property of the Trust, and may contain such further recitals as they
or he may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind
any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder
individually.

     All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim
against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment under
such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees,
nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -22-

     Section 2. Trustees' Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety.
The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions thereunder shall be
binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable only for his own
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else,
and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The
Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning
and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees
hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance
with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their
duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon
the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees
by any officer appointed by them, any independent public accountant and (with
respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or
responsible employee of any other party to any contract entered into hereunder.
The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a
bond is required.

     Section 3. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person
dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the
application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon
its order.

     Section 4. Indemnification. Subject to the exceptions and limitations
contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the
request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of
another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder,
creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person"), shall be
indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against
liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in
connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes
involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a
Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or
incurred by him in settlement thereof.


     No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

          (a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason
     of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the
     proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful
<PAGE>
 

                                     -23-

     misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
     duties involved in the conduct of his office;

          (b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally
     adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that
     his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

          (c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a
     final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a
     payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination
     that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith,
     gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
     conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement
     or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of
     readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he
     did not engage in such conduct:

               (i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting
          on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees
          then in office act on the matter); or

               (ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.

     The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by
policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other
rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a
person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or
otherwise under law.

     Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action,
suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4
shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is
ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this
Section 4, provided that either:

          (a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other
     appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising
     out of any such advances; or
<PAGE>
 

                                     -24-

          (b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter
     (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act
     on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall
     determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed
     to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the
     recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

     As used in this Section 4, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one (x) who is not
an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested
Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule,
regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such
actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding
on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.

     As used in this Section 4, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or
"proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil,
criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and
the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation,
attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties
and other liabilities.

     Section 5. Shareholders. No personal liability for any debt or obligation
of the Trust shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust.
In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be
personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and
not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder
or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal
representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate
or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to
be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from
such liability; provided, however, there shall be no liability or obligation of
the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by
reason of such Shareholder's ownership of any Share or for losses suffered by
reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon
request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any
claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and
satisfy any judgment thereon.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -25-

                                 ARTICLE XIII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 1. Termination of Trust. Unless terminated as provided herein, the
Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust or any series of the
Trust may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the
Shareholders of the Trust, or such Series as the case may be, without a vote of
the Shareholders of the Trust, or of such series, or the Trust or any series of
the Trust may be terminated by the affirmative vote of the Shareholders in
accordance with Section 1 of Article IX hereof.

     Upon termination of the Trust or any series thereof, after paying or
otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether
due or accrued or anticipated, as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust
shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate,
reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or of the particular series thereof to
distributable form in cash or other securities, or any combination thereof, and
distribute the proceeds to the holders of the Shares of the Trust or such series
in the manner set forth by resolution of the Trustees.

     Section 2. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy
of this instrument and of each amendment hereto shall be kept in the office of
the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this
instrument and of each amendment shall be filed by the Trustees with the
Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as any other
governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required,
provided, however, that the failure to so file will not invalidate this
instrument or any properly authorized amendment hereto. Anyone dealing with the
Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to
whether or not any such amendments have been made and as to any matters in
connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to
be a copy of this instrument or of any such amendments. In this instrument or in
any such amendment, references to this instrument, and all expressions like
"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument
as a whole and as amended or affected by any such amendment, and masculine
pronouns shall be deemed to include the feminine and the neuter, as the context
shall require. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only, and
in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument,
<PAGE>
 

                                     -26-

rather than the headings, shall control. This instrument may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

     Section 3. Trustees May Resolve Ambiguities. The Trustees may construe any
of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be
ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions hereof, and any such
construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the
meaning to be given to such provisions.

     Section 4. Amendments. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Declaration of Trust, this Declaration of Trust may be amended at any time by an
instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees with the consent
of Shareholders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of Shares entitled to vote
except that an amendment which in the determination of the Trustees shall affect
the holders of one or more series or classes of Shares but not the holders of
all outstanding series or classes shall be authorized by vote of the
Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote of each series
and class affected and no vote of Shareholders of a series or class not affected
shall be required. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision to the
contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may amend this
Declaration of Trust without the vote or consent of Shareholders (i) at any time
if the Trustees deem it necessary in order for the Trust or any series or class
thereby to meet the requirements of applicable Federal or State laws or
regulations, or the requirements of the regulated investment company provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) to designate series or classes or exercise
other powers with respect thereto in accordance with Section 1 and 2 or Article
IV hereof, (iii) change the name of the Trust or to supply any omission, cure
any ambiguity or cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent
provision contained herein, or (iv) for any reason at any time before a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering
the initial public offering of Shares has become effective.
<PAGE>
 

                                     -27-

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole Trustee(s) of the
Trust, have executed this instrument as of the date first written above.
 




/s/ Anthony T. Dean                      /s/ Timothy R. Schwertfeger 
- -----------------------------            -------------------------------
Anthony T. Dean,                         Timothy R. Schwertfeger,
 as Trustee                               as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive                    333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606                  Chicago, Illinois 60606


STATE OF ILLINOIS    )
                     ) SS.
COUNTY OF COOK       )


     Then personally appeared the above-named person(s) who are known to me to
be Trustee(s) of the Trust whose name(s) and signature(s) are affixed to the
foregoing Declaration of Trust and who acknowledged the same to be his/her free
act and deed, before me this 6th day of May, 1996.


                                         /s/ Olivia Rubio
                                         -------------------------------
                                         Notary Public
                                         My Commission Expires: 2/25/97
                                                                --------
                                       
                                         --------------------------------
                                                   "OFFICIAL SEAL"
                                                    Olivia Rubio
                                         Notary Public, State of Illinois  
                                           My Commission Expires 2/25/97
                                         --------------------------------

<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 1(b)
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST

                   ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF SERIES OF

                         SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST


     Pursuant to Section 2 of Article IV of the Declaration of Trust dated May
__, 1996 (the "Declaration"), of Nuveen Investment Trust, a Massachusetts
business trust (the "Trust"), the Trustees of the Trust, this __ day of May,
1996, hereby establish and designate three series of Shares (as defined in the
Declaration) (each a "Fund") to have the special and relative rights described
below.

     1.   The following three Funds are established and designated:

          Nuveen Select Stock Fund

          Nuveen Income and Growth Fund

          Nuveen Balanced Fund

     2.   Each Fund shall be authorized to hold cash, invest in securities,
instruments and other property and use investment techniques as from time to
time described in the Trust's then currently effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933 to the extent pertaining to the offering of
Shares of such Fund.  Each Share of each Fund shall be redeemable, shall be
entitled to one vote (or fraction thereof in respect of a fractional share) on
matters on which Shareholders of that Fund may vote in accordance with the
Declaration, shall represent a pro rata beneficial interest in the assets
allocated or belonging to such Fund, and shall be entitled to receive its pro
rata share of the net assets of such Fund upon liquidation of such Fund, all as
provided in Article IV, Sections 2 and 5 of the Declaration.  The proceeds of
the sale of Shares of each Fund, together with any income and gain thereon, less
any diminution or expenses thereof, shall irrevocably belong to such Fund,
unless otherwise required by law.

     3.   Shareholders of each Fund shall vote either separately as a class on
any matter to the extent required by, and any matter shall be deemed to have
been effectively acted upon with respect to such Fund as provided in, Rule 18f-
2, as from time to time in effect, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, or any successor rules, and by the Declaration.

     4.   The assets and liabilities of the Trust shall be allocated among each
Fund as set forth in Article IV, Section 5 of the Declaration.

     5.   The designation of the three Funds hereby shall not impair the power 
of the Trustees from time to time to designate additional series of Shares of
the Trust.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


     6.  Subject to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the provisions
of Article IV, Sections 2 and 5 of the Declaration, the Trustees shall have the
right at any time and from time to time to reallocate assets and expenses or to
change the designation of each Fund now or hereafter created, or to otherwise
change the special relative rights of each Fund designated hereby without any
action or consent of the Shareholders.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole Trustee(s) of the
Trust, have executed this instrument as of this ___ day of May, 1996.



 
- ----------------                       ------------------------
Anthony T. Dean,                       Timothy R. Schwertfeger,
 as Trustee                             as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive                  333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606                Chicago, Illinois  60606



STATE OF ILLINOlS  )
                   ) SS.
COUNTY OF COOK     )

     Then personally appeared the above-named person(s) who are known to me to 
be Trustee(s) of the Trust whose name(s) and signature(s) are affixed to the
foregoing Declaration of Trust and who acknowledged the same to be his/her free
act and deed, before me this ____ day of _____________, 1996.


                                         .....................................
                                         Notary Public
                                         My Commission Expires: ..............
<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 1(b)
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST

                    ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF CLASSES


     The undersigned, being the sole Trustees of Nuveen Investment Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), acting pursuant to Sections 1 and 2
of Article IV of the Declaration of Trust dated May __, 1996, (the
"Declaration"), do hereby divide the Shares of its series, whether currently
existing or created in the future, into four Classes of Shares effective as of
the date hereof, as follows:

     1.  The four Classes of Shares are designated "Class A Shares", "Class B
Shares", "Class C Shares" and "Class R Shares".

     2.   Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares
shall be entitled to all the rights and preferences accorded to Shares under the
Declaration.

     3.  The number of Shares of each Class designated hereby shall be
unlimited.

     4.  The purchase price of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares
and Class R Shares, the method of determination of the net asset value of Class
A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares, the price, terms
and manner of redemption of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Class R Shares, any conversion or exchange feature or privilege of the Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares, and the relative
dividend rights of the holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares
and Class R Shares shall be established by the Trustees of the Trust in
accordance with the Declaration and shall be set forth in the current prospectus
and statement of additional information of the Trust or any series thereof, as
amended from time to time, contained in the Trust's registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Prospectus").

     5.  Each of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R
Shares shall bear the expenses of payments under any distribution and service
agreements entered into by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to that Class,
and any other expenses that are properly allocated to such Class in accordance
with the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any rule or order issued thereunder
and applicable to the Trust (the "1940 Act").

     6.  As to any matter on which shareholders are entitled to vote, Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares of a series shall vote
together as a single class; provided however, that notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 4 of Article IX of the Declaration to the contrary, (a) as
to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any Class is required by
the 1940 Act or is required by a separate agreement applicable to such Class,
such requirements as to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


a separate vote by the Class shall apply, (b) except as required by (a) above,
to the extent that a matter affects more than one Class and the interests of two
or more Classes in the matter are not materially different, then the Shares of
such Classes whose interests in the matter are not materially different shall
vote together as a single Class, but to the extent that a matter affects more
than one Class and the interests of a Class in the matter are materially
different from that of each other Class, then the Shares of such Class shall
vote as a separate class; and (c) except as required by (a) above or as
otherwise required by the 1940 Act, as to any matter which does not affect the
interests of a particular Class, only the holders of Shares of the one or more
affected Classes shall be entitled to vote.
  
     7.  The designation of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Class R Shares hereby shall not impair the power of the Trustees from time to
time to designate additional classes of Shares of the Trust.

     8.  Subject to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may
from time to time modify the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges
of any of the Classes designated hereby or redesignate any of the Classes
designated hereby without any action or consent of the Shareholders.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole Trustee(s) of the
Trust, have executed this instrument as of this ___ day of May, 1996.


______________________                     _________________________  
Anthony T. Dean,                           Timothy R. Schwertfeger,
 as Trustee                                 as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive                      333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606                    Chicago, Illinois  60606



STATE OF ILLINOIS                   )
                                    ) SS.
COUNTY OF COOK                      )

          Then personally appeared the above-named person(s) who are known to me
to be Trustee(s) of the Trust whose name(s) and signature(s) are affixed to the
foregoing Declaration of Trust and who acknowledged the same to be his/her free
act and deed, before me this ____ day of _____________, 1996.


                              .........................................
                              Notary Public
                              My Commission Expires: ..................

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 2
                                    BY-LAWS
                                      OF
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST


                                   ARTICLE I


                             DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                      AND
                                    OFFICES

     Section 1.1.  Declaration of Trust.  These By-Laws shall be subject to the
Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the "Declaration of
Trust"), of Nuveen Investment Trust, the Massachusetts business trust
established by the Declaration of Trust (the "Trust").

     Section 1.2.  Other Offices.  The Trust may have such other offices and
places of business within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the
Board of Trustees shall determine.

                                  ARTICLE II

                                 SHAREHOLDERS

     Section 2.1.  Place of Meetings.  Meetings of the Shareholders may be held
at such place or places within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as
shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees and stated in the notice of the
meeting.

     Section 2.2.  Regular Meeting.  Regular meetings of the Shareholders for
the election of Trustees and the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting shall be held on an annual or other less
frequent periodic basis at such date and time as the Board of Trustees by
resolution shall designate, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

     Section 2.3.  Special Meeting.  Special meetings of the Shareholders for
any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the
President or two or more Trustees, and must be called at the written request
stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting, of Shareholders entitled to cast
at least 10 percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. 

<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


     Section 2.4.  Notice of Meetings.  Notice stating the time and place of the
meeting and in the case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes thereof and
by whom called, shall be delivered to each Shareholder not less than ten nor
more than sixty days prior to the meeting, except where the meeting is an
adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at
the time of the adjournment.

     Section 2.5.  Quorum and Action.  (a) The holders of thirty percent (30%)
of the voting power of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (the
"Shares") entitled to vote at a meeting are a quorum for the transaction of
business. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened,
the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment,
even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves
less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum.

     (b)  The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which
shall only require a plurality, of the voting power of the Shares present and
entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present,
except as may be otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), or the Declaration of Trust.

     Section 2.6.  Voting.  At each meeting of the Shareholders, every holder of
Shares then entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy and shall have one
vote for each Share registered in his name.

     Section 2.7.  Proxy Representation.  A Shareholder may cast or authorize
the casting of a vote by filing a written appointment of a proxy with an officer
of the Trust at or before the meeting at which the appointment is to be
effective. The appointment of a proxy is valid for eleven months, unless a
longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. No appointment is
irrevocable unless the appointment is coupled with an interest in the Shares or
in the Trust. 

    Section 2.8.  Adjourned Meetings.  Any meeting of Shareholders may be
adjourned to a designated time and place by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote thereat even though less
than a quorum is so present without any further notice except by announcement at
the meeting. An adjourned meeting may reconvene as designed, and when a quorum
is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at
the meeting as originally called.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-


                                  ARTICLE III

                                   TRUSTEES

     Section 3.1.  Qualifications and Number: Vacancies.  Each Trustee shall be
a natural person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United
States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The number of
Trustees of the Trust, their term and election and the filling of vacancies,
shall be as provided in the Declaration of Trust.

     Section 3.2.  Powers.  The business and affairs of the Trust shall be
managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees. All powers of the Trust
may be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees, except
those conferred on or reserved to the Shareholders by statute, the Declaration
of Trust or these By-Laws.

     Section 3.3.  Investment Policies.  It shall be the duty of the Board of
Trustees to ensure that the purchase, sale, retention and disposal of portfolio
securities and the other investment practices of the Trust are at all times
consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions with
respect to securities investments and otherwise of the Trust filed from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as required by the 1940
Act, unless such duty is delegated to an investment adviser pursuant to a
written contract, as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The Trustees,
however, may delegate the duty of management of the assets of the Trust to an
individual or corporate investment adviser or subadviser to act as investment
adviser or subadviser pursuant to a written contract.

     Section 3.4.  Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held
without notice at such times as the Trustees shall fix. Special meetings of the
Trustees may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President, and shall
be called at the written request of two or more Trustees. Unless waived by each
Trustee, three days' notice of special meetings shall be given to each Trustee
in person, by mail, by telephone, or by telegram or cable, or by any other means
that reasonably may be expected to provide similar notice. Notice of special
meetings need not state the purpose or purposes thereof. Meetings of the
Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. A conference among Trustees by any means of communication through
which the Trustees may simultaneously hear each other during the conference
constitutes a meeting of the Trustees or of a committee of the

<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-


Trustees, if the notice requirements have been met (or waived) and if the number
of Trustees participating in the conference would be sufficient to constitute a
quorum at such meeting. Participation in such meeting by that means constitutes
presence in person at the meeting.


     Section 3.5.  Quorum and Action.  A majority of the Trustees currently
holding office, or in the case of a meeting of a committee of the Trustees, a
majority of the members of such committee, shall constitute a quorum for the
trancaction of business at any meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly
called or held meeting is convened, the Trustees present may continue to
transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of
Trustees originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise
required for a quorum. At any duly held meeting at which a quorum is present,
the affirmative vote of the majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of
the Trustees or the committee, as the case may be, on any question, except where
the act of a greater number is required by these By-Laws or by the Declaration
of Trust.

     Section 3.6.  Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meetings of
Trustees.  An action which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be taken by written action
signed by the number of Trustees that would be required to take the same action
at a meeting of the Trustees or committee, as the case may be, at which all
Trustees were present. The written action is effective when signed by the
required number of Trustees, unless a different effective time is provided in
the written action. When written action is taken by less than all Trustees, all
Trustees shall be notified immediately of its text and effective date.

     Section 3.7.  Committees.  The Trustees, by resolution adopted by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees, may designate from their members
an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and any other committee or
committees, each such committee to consist of two or more Trustees and to have
such powers and authority (to the extent permitted by law) as may be provided in
such resolution. Any such committee may be terminated at any time by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                                   OFFICERS

<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

     Section 4.1. Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Trust shall
include a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Controller, one or more Vice
Presidents (one of whom may be designated an Executive Vice President), a
Treasurer, and a Secretary. Any two or more offices may be held by the same
person. Unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, each officer shall be
appointed by the Trustees for a term which shall continue until the meeting of
the Trustees following the next regular meeting of Shareholders and until his
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his death, or
until he shall have resigned or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in
these By-Laws. The Trustees may from time to time elect, or delegate to the
Chairman of the Board or the President, or both, the power to appoint, such
officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant
Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents as may be
necessary or desirable for the business of the Trust. Such other officers shall
hold office for such terms as may be prescribed by the Trustees or by the
appointing authority.

     Section 4.2. Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time
by giving written notice of his resignation to the Trustees, the Chairman of the
Board, the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at
the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall
not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt, and, unless otherwise
specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to
make it effective.
  
     Section 4.3. Removal. An officer may be removed at any time, with or
without cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Trustees present at a duly convened meeting of the Trustees.

     Section 4.4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause, may be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term by the Trustees, or in the manner determined by
the Trustees.

     Section 4.5. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be
elected from among the Trustees. He shall be the chief executive officer of the
Trust and shall:

          (a) have general active management of the business of the Trust;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

          (b) when present, preside at all meetings of the Trustees and of the
     Shareholders;

          (c) see that all orders and resolutions of the Trustees are carried
     into effect;

          (d) sign and deliver in the name of the Trust any deeds, mortgages,
     bonds, contracts or other instruments pertaining to the business of the
     Trust, except in cases in which the authority to sign and deliver is
     required by law to be exercised by another person or is expressly delegated
     by the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or by the Trustees to some other
     officer or agent of the Trust; and

          (e) maintain records of and, whenever necessary, certify all
     proceedings of the Trustees and the Shareholders.

     The Chairman of the Board shall be authorized to do or cause to be done all
things necessary or appropriate, including preparation, execution and filing of
any documents, to effectuate the registration from time to time of the Shares of
the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. He shall perform all duties incident to the office of
Chairman of the Board and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned
to him by the Trustees or by these By-Laws.

     Section 4.6. The President. The President shall be the chief operating
officer of the Trust and, subject to the Chairman of the Board, he shall have
general authority over and general management and control of the business and
affairs of the Trust. In general, he shall discharge all duties incident to the
office of the chief operating officer of the Trust and such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Trustees and the Chairman of the Board from time to time.
In the absence of the Chairman of the Board or in the event of his disability,
or inability to act or to continue to act, the President shall perform the
duties of the Chairman of the Board and when so acting shall have all the powers
of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chairman of the Board.

     Section 4.7. Executive Vice-President. In the case of the absence or
inability to act of the President and the Chairman of the Board, any Executive
Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
President. Any Executive Vice-President shall perform all duties incident to the
office of Executive Vice-President and
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees,
the President or these By-Laws,

     Section 4.8. Vice Presidents. Each Vice-President shall perform all such
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chairman
of the Board or the President.

     Section 4.9. Controller. The Controller shall:

          (a) keep accurate financial records for the Trust;

          (b) render to the Chairman of the Board, the President and the
     Trustees, whenever requested, an account of all transactions by and of the
     financial condition of the Trust; and

          (c) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of
     Controller and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to
     him by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

     Section 4.10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

          (a) have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds
     and securities of the Trust, except those which the Trust has placed in the
     custody of a bank or trust company pursuant to a written agreement
     designating such bank: or trust company as custodian of the property of the
     Trust, as required by Section 6.5 of these By-Laws;

          (b) deposit all money, drafts, and checks in the name of and to the
     credit of the Trust in the banks and depositories designated by the
     Trustees;

          (c) endorse for deposit all notes, checks, and drafts received by the
     Trust making proper vouchers therefor:
     
          (d) disburse corporate funds and issue checks and drafts in the name
     of the Trust, as ordered by the Trustees; and
     
          (e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of
     Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him
     by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

     Section 4.11. Secretary. The Secretary shall:

          (a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the
     purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Trustees, the committees of the
     Trustees and the Shareholders;

          (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
     provisions of these By-Laws and as required by statute;

          (c) be custodian of the records of the Trust;

          (d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other
     documents and records required by statute to be kept and filed are properly
     kept and filed; and

          (e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of
     Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him
     by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

     Section 4.12. Salaries. The salaries of all officers shall be fixed by the
Trustees.

                                   ARTICLE V
                   
                                    SHARES

     Section 5.1. Share Certificates. Each owner of Shares of the Trust shall be
entitled upon request to have a certificate, in such form as shall be approved
by the Trustees, representing the number of whole Shares of the Trust owned by
him. Certificates representing fractional Shares shall not be issued. The
certificates representing whole Shares shall be signed in the name of the Trust
by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Executive Vice President or a
Vice President and by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer (which signatures may be either manual or facsimile,
engraved or printed). In case any officer who shall have signed such certificate
shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificates shall be issued,
they may nevertheless be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if such
officer were still in office at the date of their issuance.

     Section 5.2. Books and Records; Inspection. The Trust shall keep at its
principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United
States determined by the Trustees, a share register not more than
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-


one year old, containing the names and addresses of the shareholders and the
number of Shares held by each Shareholder. The Trust shall also keep, at its
principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United
States determined by the Trustees, a record of the dates on which certificates
representing Shares were issued.

     Section 5.3.  Share Transfers.  Upon compliance with any provisions
restricting the transferability of Shares that may be set forth in the
Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws, or any resolution or written agreement in
respect thereof, transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the
books of the Trust by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney
thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with an
officer of the Trust, or with a transfer agent or a registrar and on surrender
of any certificate or certificates for such Shares properly endorsed and the
payment of all taxes thereon. Except as may be otherwise provided by law or
these By-Laws, the person in whose name Shares stand on the books of the Trust
shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust;
provided that whenever any transfer of Shares shall be made for collateral
security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to an officer of the Trust,
shall be so expressed in the entry of transfer.

     Section 5.4.  Regulations.  The Trustees may make such additional rules and
regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as they may deem expedient
concerning the issue, certification, transfer and registration of Shares of the
Trust. They may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or
more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars
and may require all certificates for Shares to bear the signature or signatures
of any of them. 

     Section 5.5.  Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates.  The holder of 
any certificate representing Shares of the Trust shall immediately notify the
Trust of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Trust
may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued
by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or
which shall have been mutilated, and the Trustees may, in their discretion,
require such owner or his legal representatives to give to the Trust a bond in
such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or
sureties as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine, to
indemnify the Trust against any claim that may be made against it on account of
the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of a
new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees,
in their absolute discretion, may

<PAGE>
 
                                     -10-


refuse to issue any such new certificate, except as otherwise required by law.

     Section 5.6.  Record Date: Certification of Beneficial Owner.  (a) The
Trustees may fix a date not more than ninety days before the date of a meeting
of Shareholders as the date for the determination of the holders of Shares
entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment
thereof.

     (b)  The Trustees may fix a date for determining Shareholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or distribution or allotment of any rights or
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange
of Shares.

     (c)  In the absence of such fixed record date, (i) the date for
determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at a
meeting of Shareholders shall be the later of the close of business on the day
on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the thirtieth day before the
meeting, and (ii) the date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or distribution or an allotment of any rights or
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange
of Shares shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of
the Trustees is adopted.

     (c)  A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Trustees present may establish a procedure whereby a Shareholder may certify in
writing to the Trust that all or a portion of the Shares registered in the name
of the Shareholder are held for the account of one or more beneficial owners.
Upon receipt by the Trust of the writing, the persons specified as beneficial
owners, rather than the actual Shareholders, are deemed the Shareholders for the
purposes specified in the writing.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                              
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 6.1.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Trust shall be as fixed
by the Trustees of the Trust.

     Section 6.2.  Notice and Waiver of Notice.  (a) Any notice of a meeting
required to be given under these By-Laws to Shareholders or Trustees, or both,
may be waived by any such person (i) orally or in writing signed by such person
before, at or after the meeting or (ii) by

<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-


attendance at the meeting in person or, in the case of a Shareholder, by proxy.

     (b)  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required
by these By-Laws shall be printed or written, and shall be delivered either
personally, by telecopy, telegraph or cable, or by mail or courier or delivery
service, and, if mailed, shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder or Trustee at
his address as it appears on the records of the Trust.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  AMENDMENTS

     Section 7.1.  These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, or new By-Laws may
be adopted, by the Trustees at any meeting thereof or by action of the Trustees
by written consent in lieu of a meeting.


<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 99(a)
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
                               _________________

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               _________________

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above
referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints ANTHONY T. DEAN, JAMES
J. WESOLOWSKI, LARRY W. MARTIN AND GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN, and each of them (with
full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign, execute and affix his seal thereto and file one or more
Registration Statements on Form N-1A, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any
amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other
documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state,
relating to the reorganization, without limitation, granting unto said
attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises
in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization
has hereunto set his hand this 13th of May, 1996.

                                         /s/  Timothy R. Schwertfeger
                                         ----------------------------
                                         Timothy R. Schwertfeger

STATE OF ILLINOIS   )
                    )SS
COUNTY OF COOK      )

On this 13th of May, 1996, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in
and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be
the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of
Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the
intent and purposes therein set forth.

- --------------------------------                                        
       "OFFICIAL SEAL"
        KAREN L. HEALY
Notary Public, State of Illinois
 My Commission Expires 12/30/99
- --------------------------------                                        

                                         /s/  Karen L. Healy
                                         -------------------
My Commission Expires: 12/30/99
<PAGE>
 
                            NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST
                               _________________

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               _________________

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above
referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints TIMOTHY R.
SCHWERTFEGER, JAMES J. WESOLOWSKI, LARRY W. MARTIN AND GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN, and
each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and affix his seal thereto
and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-1A, under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and
all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal
or state, relating to the reorganization, without limitation, granting unto said
attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises
in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization
has hereunto set his hand this 13th of May, 1996.

                                         /s/  Anthony T. Dean
                                         --------------------
                                         Anthony T. Dean

STATE OF ILLINOIS   )
                    )SS
COUNTY OF COOK      )

On this 13th of May, 1996, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in
and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be
the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of
Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the
intent and purposes therein set forth.


 
- --------------------------------                                        
        "OFFICIAL SEAL"
         KAREN L. HEALY
Notary Public, State of Illinois
 My Commission Expires 12/30/99
- --------------------------------                                        
                                         /s/  Karen L. Healy
                                         -------------------
My Commission Expires: 12/30/99


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