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Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
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6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated November 30, 1998 Revised May 1, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This
document contains additional information about the Fund and supplements
information in the Prospectus dated November 30, 1998. It should be read
together with the Prospectus, which may be obtained by writing to the Fund's
Transfer Agent, OppenheimerFunds Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado
80217, by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown above, or by
downloading it from the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site at
www.oppenheimerfunds.com..
Contents Page
About the Fund
Additional Information about the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks... 2
The Fund's Investment Policies....................................... 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies........................... 16
Other Investment Restrictions........................................ 31
How the Fund is Managed................................................. 33
Organization and History............................................. 33
Trustees and Officers of the Fund.................................... 34
The Manager ......................................................... 40
Brokerage Policies of the Fund.......................................... 41
Distribution and Service Plans.......................................... 43
Performance of the Fund................................................. 46
About Your Account
How To Buy Shares....................................................... 50
How To Sell Shares...................................................... 58
How To Exchange Shares.................................................. 62
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes...................................... 64
Additional Information About the Fund................................... 66
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report............................................ 67
Financial Statements ................................................... 68
Appendix A: CFTC Exemption for Qualifying Hybrid Instruments ..........A-1
Appendix B: CFTC Exemption for Swap Transactions ......................B-1
Appendix C: Bond Ratings ..............................................C-1
Appendix D: Corporate Industry Classifications.........................D-1
Appendix E: Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers..............E-1
<PAGE>
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A B O U T T H E F U N D
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Additional Information About the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks
The investment objective and policies of the Fund are discussed in the
Prospectus. Set forth below is supplemental information about those policies and
the types of securities in which the Fund may invest, as well as the strategies
the Fund may use to try to achieve its investment objective. Certain capitalized
terms used in this Statement of Additional Information have the same meanings as
those terms have in the Prospectus.
The Fund's Investment Policies.
The Fund intends to invest in a portfolio consisting primarily of
commodity-linked derivative investments and debt obligations, including
structured notes that are hybrid instruments, options, futures and forward
contracts, swaps and other securities. The prices of these investments may move
in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt
securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to
adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation,
historically debt securities have tended to decline in value due to the general
increase in interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising
inflation, historically the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and
metals, have tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that
these investments will perform in that manner in the future.
During the period 1970 through 1996, the correlation between the quarterly
investment returns of commodities and the quarterly investment returns of
traditional financial assets such as stocks and bonds generally was negative.
That is, as financial assets increased in value, the value of commodities tended
to decrease in value. This inverse relationship occurred generally because
commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during
different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at
various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of
financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification
benefits. In fact, during 1995 and 1996 commodities prices generally were not
negatively correlated with financial assets. However, in 1997 commodity prices
generally were negatively correlated with financial assets.
The reverse may be true during "bull markets," when the value of
traditional securities such as stocks and bonds is increasing. Under such
favorable economic conditions, the Fund's investments may be expected not to
perform as well as an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term,
the returns on the Fund's investments are expected to exhibit low or negative
correlation with stocks and bonds.
The Fund intends to spread its investments among instruments linked to at
least five broad commodity market sectors under normal market conditions. The
five principal sectors of the GSCI include:(1) energy, which includes crude oil,
natural gas, gasoline and heating oil; (2) livestock, which includes cattle and
hogs; (3) agriculture, which includes wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, coffee,
sugar and cocoa; (4) industrial metals, which includes aluminum, copper, lead,
nickel, tin and zinc; and (5) precious metals, which includes gold, platinum and
silver.
The percentage of the Fund's assets linked to particular commodity markets
will vary from time to time based on the Sub-Advisor's assessment of the
appreciation possibilities of particular markets as well as rates of inflation,
interest rates, current spot market prices and other non-economic and political
factors that may affect specific markets. In addition, the Fund may invest in
mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgages, obligations, other debt
securities, equities, real estate investment trusts, money market instruments,
and government securities to maintain liquidity and provide income.
In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (the "Sub-Advisor") evaluates the merits of the securities
primarily through the exercise of its own investment analysis. In the case of
hybrid instruments, that process may include the evaluation of the underlying
commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable that is linked to
the instrument, the issuer of the instrument, and whether the principal of the
instrument is protected.
n Investments in Hybrid Instruments. A primary vehicle for gaining
exposure to the commodities markets is through hybrid instruments. These are
either equity or debt derivative securities with one or more commodity-dependent
components that have payment features similar to a commodity futures contract, a
commodity option contract, or a combination of both. Therefore, these
instruments are "commodity-linked." They are considered "hybrid" instruments
because they have both commodity-like and security-like characteristics. Hybrid
instruments are derivative instruments because at least part of their value is
derived from the value of an underlying commodity, futures contract, index or
other readily measurable economic variable.
o Qualifying Hybrid Instruments. The Fund may invest in hybrid
instruments that qualify under Part 34 of the rules under the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC") for an exemption from all provisions of the
Commodity Exchange Act (the "Act"). See Appendix A to this Statement of
Additional Information, "CFTC Exemption for Qualifying Hybrid Instruments."
o Principal Protection. Hybrid instruments may be principal
protected, partially protected, or offer no principal protection. A principal
protected hybrid instrument means that the issuer will pay, at a minimum, the
par value of the note at maturity. Therefore, if the commodity value to which
the hybrid instrument is linked declines over the life of the note, the Fund
will receive at maturity the face or stated value of the note.
With full principal protection, the Fund will receive at maturity of the
hybrid instrument either the stated par value of the hybrid instrument, or
potentially, an amount greater than the stated par value if the underlying
commodity, index, futures contract or economic variable to which the hybrid
instrument is linked has increased in value. Partially protected hybrid
instruments may suffer some loss of principal if the underlying commodity,
index, futures contract or economic variable to which the hybrid instrument is
linked declines in value during the term of the hybrid instrument. However,
partially protected hybrid instruments have a specified limit as to the amount
of principal that they may lose.
With a principal protected hybrid instrument, the Fund will receive at
maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the increase in value of
the underlying commodity or index. This protection is, in effect, an option
whose value is subject to the volatility and price level of the underlying
commodity. This optionality can be added to a hybrid structure, but only for a
cost higher than that of a partially protected (or no protection) hybrid
instrument. The Sub-Advisor's decision on whether to use principal protection
depends on the cost of the protection. Principal protection will be a tactical
decision of the Sub-Advisor if it represents good value.
o Hybrid Instruments Without Principal Protection. The Fund may also
invest in hybrid instruments that offer no principal protection. At maturity,
there is a risk that the underlying commodity price, futures contract, index or
other economic variable may have declined sufficiently in value such that some
or all of the face value of the hybrid instrument might not be returned. Some of
the hybrid instruments that the Fund may invest in may have no principal
protection and the hybrid instrument could lose all of its value.
With a partially protected or no-principal-protection hybrid instrument,
the Fund may receive at maturity an amount less than the note's par value if the
commodity, index or other economic variable value to which the note is linked
declines over the term of the note. The Sub-Advisor, at its discretion, may
invest in a partially protected principal structured note or a note without
principal protection. In deciding to purchase a note without principal
protection, the Sub-Advisor may consider, among other things, the expected
performance of the underlying commodity futures contract, index or other
economic variable over the term of the note, the cost of the note, and any other
economic factors which the Sub-Advisor believes is relevant.
o Counterparty Risk. A significant risk of Hybrid Instruments is
counterparty risk. Unlike exchange-traded futures and options, which are
standard contracts, hybrid instruments are customized securities, tailor-made by
a specific issuer. With a listed futures or options contract, an investor's
counterparty is the exchange clearinghouse. Exchange clearinghouses are
capitalized by the exchange members and typically have high investment grade
ratings (ratings of AAA or AA by Standard & Poor's). Therefore, the risk is
small that an exchange clearinghouse might be unable to meet its obligations at
maturity.
However, with a hybrid instrument, the Fund will take on the counterparty
credit risk of the issuer. That is, at maturity of the hybrid instrument, there
is a risk that the issuer may be unable to perform its obligations under the
structured note. Issuers of hybrid instruments are typically large money center
banks, broker-dealers, other financial institutions and large corporations. To
minimize this risk the Fund will transact, to the extent possible, with issuers
who have an investment grade credit rating from a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("NRSRO").
n Commodity Futures Contracts. The Fund can invest a substantial portion
of its assets in commodity futures contracts. Some of the special
characteristics and risks of these investments are described below.
Commodity futures contracts are an agreement between two parties. One
party agrees to buy an asset from the other party at a later date at a price and
quantity agreed upon when the contract is made. Commodity futures contracts are
traded on futures exchanges. These futures exchanges offer a central marketplace
in which to transact futures contracts, a clearing corporation to process
trades, a standardization of expiration dates and contract sizes, and the
availability of a secondary market. Futures markets also specify the terms and
conditions of delivery as well as the maximum permissible price movement during
a trading session. Additionally, the commodity futures exchanges have position
limit rules that limit the amount of futures contracts that any one party may
hold in a particular commodity at any point in time. These position limit rules
are designed to prevent any one participant from controlling a significant
portion of the market.
In the futures markets, the exchange clearing corporation takes the other
side in all transactions, either buying or selling directly to the market
participants. The clearinghouse acts as the counterparty to all exchange trade
futures contracts. That is, the Fund's obligation is to the clearinghouse, and
the Fund will look to the clearinghouse to satisfy the Fund's rights under the
futures contract.
When purchasing stocks or bonds, the buyer acquires ownership in the
security, however buyers of futures contracts are not entitled to ownership of
the underlying commodity until and unless they decide to accept delivery at
expiration of the contract. In practice, delivery of the underlying commodity to
satisfy a futures contract rarely occurs because most futures traders use the
liquidity of the central marketplace to sell their futures contract before
expiration.
o Price limits. The commodity futures exchanges impose on each
commodity futures contract a maximum permissible price movement for each trading
session. If the maximum permissible price movement is achieved on any trading
day, no more trades may be executed above (or below, if the price has moved
downward) that limit. If the Fund wishes to execute a trade outside the daily
permissible price movement, it would be prevented from doing so by exchange
rules, and would have to wait for the another trading session to execute its
transaction.
o Price volatility. Despite the daily price limits on the futures
exchanges, the price volatility of commodity futures contracts has been
historically greater than that for traditional securities such as stocks and
bonds. To the extent that the Fund invests in commodity futures contracts, the
assets of the Fund, and therefore the prices of Fund shares, may be subject to
greater volatility.
o Mark-to-market of futures positions. The futures clearinghouse marks
every futures contract to market at the end of each trading day, to ensure that
the outstanding futures obligations are limited by the maximum daily permissible
price movement. This process of marking-to-market is designed to prevent losses
from accumulating in any futures account. Therefore, if the Fund's futures
positions have declined in value, the Fund may be required to post additional
margin to cover this decline. Alternatively, if the Fund's futures positions
have increased in value, this increase will be credited to the Fund's account.
n Special Risks of Commodity Futures Contracts.
o Storage Costs. As in the financial futures markets, there are
hedgers and speculators in the commodity futures markets. However, unlike
financial instruments, there are costs of physical storage associated with
purchasing the underlying commodity. For instance, a large manufacturer of baked
goods that wishes to hedge against a rise in the price of wheat has two choices:
(i) it can purchase the wheat today in the cash market and store the commodity
at a cost until it needs the wheat for its manufacturing process, or (ii) it can
buy commodity futures contracts. The price of the commodity futures contract
will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity.
These storage costs include the time value of money invested in the
physical commodity plus the actual costs of storing the commodity less any
benefits from ownership of the physical commodity that are not obtained by the
holder of a futures contract (this is sometimes referred to as the "convenience
yield"). To the extent that these storage costs change for an underlying
commodity while the Fund is long futures contracts on that commodity, the value
of the futures contract may change commensurately.
o Reinvestment Risk. In the commodity futures markets, if producers
of the underlying commodity wish to hedge the price risk of selling the
commodity, they will sell futures contracts today to lock in the price of the
commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to take the
corresponding long side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer
must be willing to sell the futures contract at a price that is below the
expected future spot price. Conversely, if the predominate hedgers in the
futures market are the purchasers of the underlying commodity who purchase
futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only
take the short side of the futures contract if the futures price is greater than
the expected future spot price of the commodity.
The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity
markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected
future spot price. This can have significant implications for the Fund when it
is time to reinvest the proceeds from a maturing futures contract into a new
futures contract. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets
has shifted such that commodity purchasers are the predominate hedgers in the
market, the Fund might reinvest at higher futures prices or choose other related
commodity investments.
o Additional Economic Factors. The values of commodities which
underlie commodity futures contracts are subject to additional variables which
may be less significant to the values of traditional securities such as stocks
and bonds. Variables such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease,
embargoes and tariffs may have a larger impact on commodity prices and
commodity-linked instruments, including futures contracts, hybrid instruments,
commodity options and commodity swaps, than on traditional securities. These
additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject the
Fund's investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional
securities.
o Leverage. There is much greater leverage in futures trading than
in stocks. As a registered investment company, the Fund must pay in full for all
securities it purchases. In other words, the Fund is not allowed to purchase
securities on margin. However, the Fund is allowed to purchase futures contracts
on margin. The initial margin requirements are typically between 3% and 6% of
the face value of the contract. That means the Fund is only required to pay up
front between 3% to 6% percent of the face value of the futures contract.
Therefore, the Fund has a higher degree of leverage in its futures contract
purchases than in its stock purchases. As a result there may be differences in
the volatility of rates of return between securities purchases and futures
contract purchases, with the returns from futures contracts being more volatile.
n Options. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on
commodity futures contracts, commodity indices, financial indices, currencies,
financial futures, swaps and securities. A call option gives the buyer the
right, but not the obligation, to purchase an underlying asset at a specified
(strike) price. A put option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation,
to sell an underlying asset at a specified price. Options may be exchange traded
or traded over the counter (off the exchange markets) directly with dealers. The
Fund may use options as part of its trading strategy as well as for hedging
purposes, as described in "Hedging," below.
o Over-the-Counter Options. The Fund may buy and sell over the
counter options. Over the counter options are not traded on an exchange. They
are traded directly with dealers. To the extent an over the counter option is a
tailored investment for the Fund, it may be less liquid than an exchange-traded
option. Further, as with other derivative investments, over the counter options
are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund will have the credit risk that the
seller of an over the counter option will not perform its obligations under the
option agreement if the Fund exercises the option. To reduce this risk, the Fund
intends to transact these trades, to the extent practicable, with issuers that
have an investment-grade credit rating. The Fund may buy and sell over the
counter options on commodity indices, individual commodities, commodity futures
contracts, securities, financial indices, interest rates, currencies and swaps.
o Exchange-Traded Options. The Fund buy and sell trade listed
options on commodity futures contracts. Options on commodity futures contracts
are traded on the same exchange on which the underlying futures contract is
listed. The Fund may purchase and sell options on commodity futures listed on
U.S. and foreign futures exchanges. Options purchased on futures contracts on
foreign exchanges are exposed to the risk of foreign currency fluctuations
against the U.S. dollar. The Fund may also buy and sell exchange listed options
on securities, commodity indices, financial indices, interest rates and
currencies.
|_| Options on Swaps. The Fund may trade options on swap contracts
or "swap options." Swap call options provide the holder of the option with the
right to enter a swap contract having a specified (strike) swap formula, while
swap put options provide the holder with the right to sell or terminate a swap
contract. Swap options are not exchange-traded and the Fund will bear the credit
risk of the option seller. Additionally, if the Fund exercises a swap call
option with the option seller, the credit risk of the counterparty is extended
to include the term of the swap agreement.
n Swaps. A swap contract is essentially like a portfolio of forward
contracts, under which one party agrees to exchange an asset (for example,
bushels of wheat) for another asset (cash) at specified dates in the future. A
one-period swap contract operates in a manner similar to a forward or futures
contract because there is an agreement to swap a commodity for cash at only one
forward date.
The Fund may invest in total return swaps to gain exposure to the overall
commodity markets. In a total return commodity swap the Fund will receive the
price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single
commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is
for one period, the Fund will pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the
swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with
interim swap payments, the Fund will pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a
"floating" rate, the fee is pegged to a base rate such as the London Interbank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest
rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to
pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.
o Counterparty Risk. Swap contracts are private transactions that
are customized to meet the specific investment requirements of the parties. The
Fund will be exposed to the performance risk of its counterparty. If the
counterparty is unable to perform its obligations under the swap contract at
maturity of the swap or any interim payment date, the Fund may not receive the
payments due it under the swap agreement. To reduce this risk, the Fund will
enter in swaps, to the extent possible, with counterparties who have an
investment grade rating from an NRSRO.
o Contractual Liability. Swaps are privately negotiated transactions
between the Fund and a counterparty. All of the rights and obligations of the
Fund are detailed in the swap contract, which binds the Fund and its
counterparty. Because a swap transaction is a privately-negotiated contract, the
Fund remains liable for all obligations under the contract until the swap
contract matures or is purchased by the swap counterparty. Therefore, even if
the Fund were to sell the swap contract to a third party, the Fund would remain
primarily liable for the obligations under the swap transaction. The only way
for the Fund to eliminate its primary obligations under the swap agreement is to
sell the swap contract back to the original counterparty. Additionally, the Fund
must identify liquid assets on its books to the extent of the Fund's obligations
to pay the counterparty under the swap agreement.
o Price Risk. Total return commodity swaps expose the Fund to the
price risk of the underlying commodity, index, futures contract or economic
variable. If the price of the underlying commodity or index increases in value
during the term of the swap, the Fund will receive the price appreciation.
However, if the price of the commodity or index declines in value during the
term of the swap, the Fund will be required to pay to its counterparty the
amount of the price depreciation. The amount of the price depreciation paid by
the Fund to its counterparty would be in addition to the financing fee paid by
the Fund to the same counterparty.
o Lack of Liquidity. Although the swap market is well-developed for
primary participants, there is only a limited secondary market. Swaps are not
traded or listed on an exchange and over the counter trading of existing swap
contracts is limited. Therefore, if the Fund wishes to sell its swap contract to
a third party, it may not be able to do so at a favorable price.
o Regulatory Risk. Qualifying swap transactions are exempt from
regulation by the CFTC. Additionally, swap contracts have not been determined to
be securities under the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"). Consequently, swap contracts are not regulated by either the
CFTC or the SEC, and swap participants may not be afforded the protections of
the Commodity Exchange Act or the federal securities laws.
To reduce this risk, the Sub-Advisor will only enter into swap
agreements with counterparties who use standard International Swap and Dealers
Association, Inc. ("ISDA") contract documentation. ISDA establishes industry
standards for the documentation of swap agreements. Virtually all principal swap
participants use ISDA documentation because it has an established set of
definitions, contract terms, and counterparty obligations.
ISDA documentation also includes a "master netting agreement" which
provides that all swaps transacted between the Fund and a counterparty under the
master agreement shall be regarded as parts of an integral agreement. If, on any
date, amounts are payable in the same currency in respect of one or more swap
transactions, the net amount payable on that date in that currency shall be
paid. In addition, the master netting agreement may provide that if one party
defaults generally or on one swap, the counterparty may terminate the remaining
swaps with that party. Under such agreements, if there is a default resulting in
a loss to one party, the measure of that party's damages is calculated by
reference to the average cost of a replacement swap with respect to each swap
(i.e., the mark-to-market value at the time of the termination of each swap).
The gains and losses on all swaps are then netted, and the result is the
counterparty's gain or loss on termination. The termination of all swaps and the
netting of gains and losses on termination is generally referred to as
"aggregation."
n Other Debt Securities. Additional information is provided below about
the types of debt and fixed income securities the Fund may invest in, primarily
for liquidity purposes.
o U.S. Treasury Obligations. These include Treasury Bills (which
have maturities of one year or less when issued), Treasury Notes (which have
maturities of one to ten years when issued) and Treasury Bonds (which have
maturities generally greater than ten years when issued). U.S. Treasury
obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and are
considered to be of the highest credit quality, although they are generally not
rated by rating organizations.
|_| Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities. The Fund can buy
these U.S. Treasury securities, called "TIPS," that are designed to provide an
investment vehicle that is not vulnerable to inflation. The interest rate paid
by TIPS is fixed. The principal value rises or falls semi-annually based on
changes in the published Consumer Price Index. If inflation occurs, the
principal and interest payments on TIPS are adjusted to protect investors from
inflationary loss. If deflation occurs, the principal and interest payments will
be adjusted downward, although the principal will not fall below its face amount
at maturity.
o Zero-Coupon Securities. The Fund may buy zero-coupon U.S.
government securities. These will typically be U.S. Treasury Notes and Bonds
that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons
themselves, or certificates representing interests in those stripped debt
obligations and coupons.
Zero-coupon securities do not make periodic interest payments and are sold
at a deep discount from their face value at maturity. The buyer recognizes a
rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is
redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date. This discount depends on
the time remaining until maturity, as well as prevailing interest rates, the
liquidity of the security and the credit quality of the issuer. The discount
typically decreases as the maturity date approaches.
Because zero-coupon securities pay no interest and compound semi-annually
at the rate fixed at the time of their issuance, their value is generally more
volatile than the value of other debt securities that pay interest. Their value
may fall more dramatically than the value of interest-bearing securities when
interest rates rise. When prevailing interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities
tend to rise more rapidly in value because they have a fixed rate of return.
The Fund's investment in zero-coupon securities may cause the Fund to
recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any
cash payments on the zero-coupon investment. To generate cash to satisfy those
distribution requirements, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that
it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other
sources such as the sale of Fund shares.
o Mortgage-Related Securities. Mortgage-related securities are a
form of derivative investment collateralized by pools of commercial or
residential mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for
sale to investors by government agencies or entities or by private issuers.
These securities include collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), mortgage
pass-through securities, stripped mortgage pass-through securities, interests in
real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") and other real-estate
related securities.
Mortgage-related securities that are issued or guaranteed by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. government have relatively little credit risk
(depending on the nature of the issuer) but are subject to interest rate risks
and prepayment risks, as described in the Prospectus.
As with other debt securities, the prices of mortgage-related securities
tend to move inversely to changes in interest rates. The Fund can buy
mortgage-related securities that have interest rates that move inversely to
changes in general interest rates, based on a multiple of a specific index.
Although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest
rates rise, the converse is not always the case.
In periods of declining interest rates, mortgages are more likely to be
prepaid. Therefore, a mortgage-related security's maturity can be shortened by
unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Therefore, it is not
possible to predict accurately the security's yield. The principal that is
returned earlier than expected may have to be reinvested in other investments
having a lower yield than the prepaid security. Therefore, these securities may
be less effective as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest
rates, and they may have less potential for appreciation during periods of
declining interest rates, than conventional bonds with comparable stated
maturities.
Prepayment risks can lead to substantial fluctuations in the value of a
mortgage related security. In turn, this can affect the value of the Fund's
shares. If a mortgage-related security has been purchased at a premium, all or
part of the premium the Fund paid may be lost if there is a decline in the
market value of the security, whether that results from interest rate changes or
prepayments on the underlying mortgages. In the case of stripped
mortgage-related securities, if they experience greater rates of prepayment than
were anticipated, the Fund may fail to recoup its initial investment on the
security.
During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of
mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower
prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security's expected
duration. Generally, that would cause the value of the security to fluctuate
more widely in responses to changes in interest rates. If the prepayments on the
Fund's mortgage-related securities were to decrease broadly, the Fund's
effective duration, and therefore its sensitivity to interest rate changes,
would increase.
As with other debt securities, the values of mortgage related securities
may be affected by changes in the market's perception of the creditworthiness of
the entity issuing the securities or guaranteeing them. Their values may also be
affected by changes in government regulations and tax policies.
o Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. CMOs are multi-class bonds that are
backed by pools of mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through certificates. They
may be collateralized by:
(1) pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or
Freddie Mac,
(2) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration
or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs,
(3) unsecuritized conventional mortgages,
(4) other mortgage-related securities, or
(5) any combination of these.
Each class of CMO, referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific
coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal
prepayments on the underlying mortgages may cause the CMO to be retired much
earlier than the stated maturity or final distribution date. The principal and
interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes
of a series of a CMO in different ways. One or more tranches may have coupon
rates that reset periodically at a specified increase over an index. These are
floating rate CMOs, and typically have a cap on the coupon rate. Inverse
floating rate CMOs have a coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an
applicable index. The coupon rate on these CMOs will increase as general
interest rates decrease. These are usually much more volatile than fixed rate
CMOs or floating rate CMOs.
o U.S. Government Mortgage Related Securities. The Fund can
invest in a variety of mortgage related securities that are issued by U.S.
Government entities or instrumentalities, some of which are described below.
o GNMA Certificates. The Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA") is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United
States within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA's
principal programs involve its guarantees of privately-issued securities backed
by pools of mortgages. GNMA Certificates are debt securities representing an
interest in one or a pool of mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans
Administration.
The GNMA Certificates in which the Fund invests are of the "fully modified
pass-through" type. They provide that the registered holders of the Certificates
will receive timely monthly payments of the pro-rata share of the scheduled
principal payments on the underlying mortgages, whether or not those amounts are
collected by the issuers. Amounts paid include, on a pro rata basis, any
prepayment of principal of such mortgages and interest (net of servicing and
other charges) on the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the GNMA
Certificates, whether or not the interest on the underlying mortgages has been
collected by the issuers.
The GNMA Certificates purchased by the Fund are guaranteed as to timely
payment of principal and interest by GNMA. It is expected that payments received
by the issuers of GNMA Certificates on account of the mortgages backing the
Certificates will be sufficient to make the required payments of principal of
and interest on those GNMA Certificates. However if those payments are
insufficient, the guaranty agreements between the issuers of the Certificates
and GNMA require the issuers to make advances sufficient for the payments. If
the issuers fail to make those payments, GNMA will do so.
Under Federal law, the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be required to be paid under any
guaranty issued by GNMA as to such mortgage pools. An opinion of an Assistant
Attorney General of the United States, dated December 9, 1969, states that such
guaranties "constitute general obligations of the United States backed by its
full faith and credit." GNMA is empowered to borrow from the United States
Treasury to the extent necessary to make any payments of principal and interest
required under those guaranties.
GNMA Certificates are backed by the aggregate indebtedness secured by the
underlying FHA-insured, FMHA-insured or VA-guaranteed mortgages. Except to the
extent of payments received by the issuers on account of such mortgages, GNMA
Certificates do not constitute a liability of those issuers, nor do they
evidence any recourse against those issuers. Recourse is solely against GNMA.
Holders of GNMA Certificates (such as the Fund) have no security interest in or
lien on the underlying mortgages.
Monthly payments of principal will be made, and additional prepayments of
principal may be made, to the Fund with respect to the mortgages underlying the
GNMA Certificates held by the Fund. All of the mortgages in the pools relating
to the GNMA Certificates in the Fund are subject to prepayment without any
significant premium or penalty, at the option of the mortgagors. While the
mortgages on 1-to-4-family dwellings underlying certain GNMA Certificates have a
stated maturity of up to 30 years, it has been the experience of the mortgage
industry that the average life of comparable mortgages, as a result of
prepayments, refinancing and payments from foreclosures, is considerably less.
o Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates. FHLMC, a corporate
instrumentality of the United States, issues FHLMC Certificates representing
interests in mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees to each registered holder of a
FHLMC Certificate timely payment of the amounts representing a holder's
proportionate share in: (i) interest payments less servicing and guarantee fees,
(ii) principal prepayments and (iii) the ultimate collection of amounts
representing the holder's proportionate interest in principal payments on the
mortgage loans in the pool represented by the FHLMC Certificate, in each case
whether or not such amounts are actually received.
The obligations of FHLMC under its guarantees are obligations solely of
FHLMC and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
o Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
Certificates. Fannie Mae, a federally-chartered and privately-owned corporation,
issues Fannie Mae Certificates which are backed by a pool of mortgage loans.
Fannie Mae guarantees to each registered holder of a Fannie Mae Certificate that
the holder will receive amounts representing the holder's proportionate interest
in scheduled principal and interest payments, and any principal prepayments, on
the mortgage loans in the pool represented by such Certificate, less servicing
and guarantee fees, and the holder's proportionate interest in the full
principal amount of any foreclosed or other liquidated mortgage loan. In each
case the guarantee applies whether or not those amounts are actually received.
The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guarantees are obligations solely of
Fannie Mae and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
or any of its agencies or instrumentalities other than Fannie Mae.
o Commercial (Privately-Issued) Mortgage Related Securities. The Fund may
invest in commercial mortgage related securities issued by private entities.
Generally these are multi-class debt or pass through certificates secured by
mortgage loans on commercial properties. They are subject to the credit risk of
the issuer. These securities typically are structured to provide protection to
investors in senior classes from possible losses on the underlying loans. They
do so by having holders of subordinated classes take the first loss if there are
defaults on the underlying loans. They may also be protected to some extent by
guarantees, reserve funds or additional collateralization mechanisms.
o "Stripped" Mortgage Related Securities. The Fund may invest
in stripped mortgage-related securities that are created by segregating the cash
flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or
more new securities. Each has a specified percentage of the underlying
security's principal or interest payments. These are a form of derivative
investment.
Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so that each class receives
some interest and some principal. However, they may be completely stripped. In
that case all of the interest is distributed to holders of one type of security,
known as an "interest-only" security, or "I/O," and all of the principal is
distributed to holders of another type of security, known as a "principal-only"
security or "P/O." Strips can be created for pass through certificates or CMOs.
The yields to maturity of I/Os and P/Os are very sensitive to principal
repayments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgages. If the
underlying mortgages experience greater than anticipated prepayments of
principal, the Fund might not fully recoup its investment in an I/O based on
those assets. If underlying mortgages experience less than anticipated
prepayments of principal, the yield on the P/Os based on them could decline
substantially.
o Forward Rolls. The Fund can enter into "forward roll"
transactions with respect to mortgage related securities. In this type of
transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage related security to a buyer and
simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security (the same type of
security, and having the same coupon and maturity) at a later date at a set
price. The securities that are repurchased will have the same interest rate as
the securities that are sold, but typically will be collateralized by different
pools of mortgages (with different prepayment histories) than the securities
that have been sold. Proceeds from the sale are invested in short-term
instruments, such as repurchase agreements. The income from those investments,
plus the fees from the forward roll transaction, are expected to generate income
to the Fund in excess of the yield on the securities that have been sold.
The Fund will only enter into "covered" rolls. To assure its future
payment of the purchase price, the Fund will identify on its books cash, U.S.
government securities or other high-grade debt securities in an amount equal to
the payment obligation under the roll.
These transactions have risks. During the period between the sale and the
repurchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal
payments on the securities that have been sold. It is possible that the market
value of the securities the Fund sells may decline below the price at which the
Fund is obligated to repurchase securities.
|_| Commercial Paper. The Fund may invest in commercial
paper, including the following:
o Variable Amount Master Demand Notes. Master demand notes are
corporate obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts by the
Fund at varying rates of interest under direct arrangements between the Fund, as
lender, and the borrower. They permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The
Fund has the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the
full amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease the amount. The
borrower may prepay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. These
notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit.
Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and
borrower, it is not expected that there will be a trading market for them. There
is no secondary market for these notes, although they are redeemable (and thus
are immediately repayable by the borrower) at principal amount, plus accrued
interest, at any time. Accordingly, the Fund's right to redeem such notes is
dependent upon the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on
demand.
The Fund has no limitations on the type of issuer from whom these notes
will be purchased. However, in connection with such purchases and on an ongoing
basis, the Sub-Advisor will consider the earning power, cash flow and other
liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on
demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand
simultaneously. Investments in master demand notes that are deemed illiquid are
subject to the limitation on investments by the Fund in illiquid securities,
described in the Prospectus.
o Floating Rate and Variable Rate Obligations. Variable rate
demand obligations have a demand feature that allows the Fund to tender the
obligation to the issuer or a third party prior to its maturity. The tender may
be at par value plus accrued interest, according to the terms of the
obligations.
The interest rate on a floating rate demand note is based on a stated
prevailing market rate, such as a bank's prime rate, the 91-day U.S. Treasury
Bill rate, or some other standard, and is adjusted automatically each time such
rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is also based
on a stated prevailing market rate but is adjusted automatically at specified
intervals of not less than one year. Generally, the changes in the interest rate
on such securities reduce the fluctuation in their market value. As interest
rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation or
depreciation is less than that for fixed-rate obligations of the same maturity.
The Sub-Advisor may determine that an unrated floating rate or variable rate
demand obligation meets the Fund's quality standards by reason of being backed
by a letter of credit or guarantee issued by a bank that meets those quality
standards.
Floating rate and variable rate demand notes that have a stated maturity
in excess of one year may have features that permit the holder to recover the
principal amount of the underlying security at specified intervals not exceeding
one year and upon no more than 30 days' notice. The issuer of that type of note
normally has a corresponding right in its discretion, after a given period, to
prepay the outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest.
Generally the issuer must provide a specified number of days' notice to the
holder.
o Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are
typically based on account receivables or consumer loans. The value of an
asset-backed security is affected by changes in the market's perception of the
asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the
loan pool, the originator of the loans, or the financial institution providing
any credit enhancement, and is also affected if any credit enhancement has been
exhausted. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately
related to payment of consumer loans by the individual borrowers. As a purchaser
of an asset-backed security, the Fund would generally have no recourse to the
entity that originated the loans in the event of default by a borrower. The
underlying loans are subject to prepayments, which may shorten the weighted
average life of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in the same
manner as in the case of mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, described above,
for prepayments of a pool of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-backed
securities.
o Zero Coupon Securities of Private Issuers. The Fund may also
invest in zero coupon securities issued by private issuers such as domestic or
foreign corporations. These securities have the same interest rate risks as
described above for zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities. An additional risk of
private-issuer zero coupon securities is the credit risk that the issuer will be
unable to make payment at maturity of the obligation.
o Bank Obligations and Instruments Secured By Them. The bank
obligations the Fund may invest in include time deposits, certificates of
deposit, and bankers' acceptances. They must be (i) obligations of a domestic
bank with total assets of at least $1 billion or (ii) obligations of a foreign
bank with total assets of at least U.S. $1 billion. The Fund may also invest in
instruments secured by such obligations (for example, debt that is guaranteed by
the bank). For purposes of this policy, the term "bank" includes commercial
banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations which may or may not be
members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits in a bank for a specified period
of time at a stated interest rate. They may or may not be subject to early
withdrawal penalties. However, time deposits that are subject to withdrawal
penalties, other than those maturing in seven days or less, are subject to the
limitation on investments by the Fund in illiquid investments.
Bankers' acceptances are marketable short-term credit instruments used to
finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are deemed
"accepted" when a bank guarantees their payment at maturity.
o Board-Approved Instruments. The Fund may invest in other
debt instruments (including new instruments that may be developed in the future)
that the Fund's Board of Trustees determines are consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and investment policies.
o High-Yield Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total
assets in high-risk, high-yield, lower-grade debt securities (commonly called
"junk bonds"), whether they are rated or unrated. While the Fund may invest in
lower-grade debt securities, it is not currently contemplated that the Fund will
do so to a significant extent. The Sub-Advisor will not rely solely on the
ratings assigned by rating services, and the Fund may invest, without
limitation, in unrated securities which offer, in the opinion of the
Sub-Advisor, comparable yields and risks as those rated securities in which the
Fund may invest.
High-yield securities are rated "BB" or below by Standard & Poor's
Corporation or "Ba" or below by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or have a
similar credit risk rating by another rating organization. If they are unrated,
the Sub-Advisor will assign a rating to them that the Sub-Advisor believes is of
comparable quality to rated securities. High-yield securities are considered
more risky than investment-grade bonds because there is greater uncertainty
regarding the economic viability of the issuer. The Fund may invest in
securities rated as low as "C" by Moody's or "D" by S&P.
o Special Risks of High-Yield Securities. Risks of
high-yield securities may include:
(1) limited liquidity and secondary market support,
(2) substantial market price volatility resulting from changes in prevailing
interest rates,
(3) subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior lenders,
(4) the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption provisions during
periods of declining interest rates that could cause the Fund to reinvest
premature redemption proceeds only in lower yielding portfolio securities,
(5) the possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient to meet its
debt service, and
(6) the issuer's low creditworthiness and potential for insolvency during
periods of rising interest rates and economic downturn.
As a result of the limited liquidity of high-yield securities, their
prices have at times experienced significant and rapid decline when a
substantial number of holders decided to sell. A decline is also likely in the
high-yield bond market during an economic downturn. An economic downturn or an
increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for high-yield
bonds and adversely affect the value of outstanding bonds and the ability of the
issuers to repay principal and interest.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies
n Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities (which may be
denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currencies) issued or guaranteed by
foreign corporations, certain supranational entities (described below) and
foreign governments or their agencies or instrumentalities, and in securities
issued by U.S. corporations denominated in non-U.S. currencies. The types of
foreign debt obligations and other securities in which the Fund may invest are
the same types of debt securities identified above. Foreign securities are
subject, however, to additional risks not associated with domestic securities,
as discussed below. These additional risks may be more pronounced as to
investments in securities issued by emerging market countries or by companies
located in emerging market countries.
o Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities may
offer special opportunities for investing but also present special additional
risks and considerations not typically associated with investments in domestic
securities. Some of these additional risks are:
o reduction of income by foreign taxes;
o fluctuation in value of foreign investments due to changes in currency rates
or currency control regulations (for example, currency blockage);
o transaction charges for currency exchange;
o lack of public information about foreign issuers;
o lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in
foreign countries comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers;
o less volume on foreign exchanges than on U.S. exchanges;
o greater volatility and less liquidity on foreign markets than in the U.S.;
o less governmental regulation of foreign issuers, stock exchanges and brokers
than in the U.S.;
o greater difficulties in commencing lawsuits;
o higher brokerage commission rates than in the U.S.;
o increased risks of delays in settlement of portfolio transactions or loss of
certificates for portfolio securities;
o possibilities in some countries of expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
political, financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic developments;
and
o unfavorable differences between the U.S. economy and foreign economies.
In the past, U.S. Government policies have discouraged certain
investments abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or other restrictions,
and it is possible that such restrictions could be re-imposed.
o Risks of Conversion to Euro. On January 1, 1999, eleven countries
in the European Monetary Union will adopt the euro as their official currency.
However, their current currencies (for example, the franc, the mark, and the
lira) will also continue in use until January 1, 2002. After that date, it is
expected that only the euro will be used in those countries. A common currency
is expected to confer some benefits in those markets, by consolidating the
government debt market for those countries and reducing some currency risks and
costs. But the conversion to the new currency will affect the Fund operationally
and also has potential risks, some of which are listed below. Among other
things, the conversion will affect:
o issuers in which the Fund invests, because of changes in the competitive
environment from a consolidated currency market and greater operational costs
from converting to the new currency. This might depress stock values. o vendors
the Fund depends on to carry out its business, such as its Custodian (which
holds the foreign securities the Fund buys), the Manager (which must price the
Fund's investments to deal with the conversion to the euro) and brokers, foreign
markets and securities depositories. If they are not prepared, there could be
delays in settlements and additional costs to the Fund. o exchange contracts and
derivatives that are outstanding during the transition to the euro. The lack of
currency rate calculations between the affected currencies and the need to
update the Fund's contracts could pose extra costs to the Fund.
The Manager is upgrading (at its expense) its computer and bookkeeping
systems to deal with the conversion. The Fund's Custodian has advised the
Manager of its plans to deal with the conversion, including how it will update
its record keeping systems and handle the redenomination of outstanding foreign
debt. The Fund's portfolio managers will also monitor the effects of the
conversion on the issuers in which the Fund invests. The possible effect of
these factors on the Fund's investments cannot be determined with certainty at
this time, but they may reduce the value of some of the Fund's holdings and
increase its operational costs.
n Investment-Grade Bonds. The Fund may invest in investment-grade debt
obligations rated in the four highest investment categories by Standard & Poor's
Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or by another nationally
recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO""). If they are unrated, they
will be assigned a rating by the Sub-Advisor to be considered of similar quality
to obligations that are rated investment grade. These investments may include:
o Corporate Bonds. The Fund may invest in debt securities
issued by domestic corporations.
o Foreign Bonds. The Fund may invest in bonds and other debt
securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Generally,
these securities are issued by foreign corporations and foreign governments and
are traded on foreign markets. Investment in foreign debt securities that are
denominated in foreign currencies involve certain additional risks, which are
described above, in "Foreign Securities."
o Participation Interests. Participation interests are interests in loans
made to U.S. or foreign companies or to foreign governments. These interests are
typically acquired from banks or brokers that have made the loan or are members
of the lending syndicate. No more than 5% of the Fund's net assets may be
invested in participation interests of the same borrower.
The Manager has set certain creditworthiness standards for issuers of loan
participations, and monitors their creditworthiness. The value of loan
participation interests depends primarily upon the creditworthiness of the
borrower, and its ability to pay interest and principal. Borrowers may have
difficulty making payments. If a borrower fails to make scheduled interest or
principal payments, the Fund could experience a decline in the net asset value
of its shares. Certain participation interests may be illiquid and are subject
to the Fund's limitations on investments in illiquid securities. The Manager has
set certain creditworthiness standards for issuers of loan participations, and
monitors their creditworthiness. Some borrowers may have senior securities rated
as low as "C" by Moody's or "D" by S&P, but may be deemed acceptable credit
risks.
Participation interests provide the Fund an undivided interest in a loan
made by the issuing financial institution in the proportion that the Fund's
participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the loan. The
issuing financial institution may have no obligation to the Fund other than to
pay the Fund the proportionate amount of the principal and interest payments it
receives. In the event of a failure by the financial institution to perform its
obligation in connection with the participation agreement, the Fund might incur
certain costs and delays in realizing payment or may suffer a loss of principal
and/or interest.
n Borrowing. From time to time, the Fund may borrow from banks on an
unsecured basis. Such borrowing may be used to fund shareholder redemptions or
for other purposes. The Fund will borrow only from banks. Under the requirements
of the Investment Company Act, the Fund may borrow only to the extent that the
value of that Fund's total assets, less its liabilities other than borrowings,
is equal to at least 300% of all borrowings including the proposed borrowing. If
the value of the Fund's assets so computed should fail to meet the 300% asset
coverage requirement, the Fund is required within three days to reduce its bank
debt to the extent necessary to meet such requirement. It might have to sell a
portion of its investments at a time when independent investment judgment would
not dictate such sale.
Since substantially all of the Fund's assets fluctuate in value, but
borrowing obligations are fixed, when the Fund has outstanding borrowings, its
net asset value per share correspondingly will tend to increase and decrease
more when portfolio assets fluctuate in value than otherwise would be the case.
While borrowings from banks may represent up to one-third of the Fund's total
assets, the Fund does not intend to make any investment purchases while its
borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.
|X| When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund can purchase
securities on a "when-issued" basis, and may purchase or sell such securities on
a "delayed delivery" basis. "When-issued" or "delayed delivery" refers to
securities whose terms and indenture are available and for which a market
exists, but which are not available for immediate delivery.
When such transactions are negotiated the price (which is generally
expressed in yield terms) is fixed at the time the commitment is made. Delivery
and payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally the
settlement date is within six months of the purchase of bonds and notes.
However, the Fund may, from time to time, purchase municipal securities having a
settlement date more than six months and possibly as long as two years or more
after the trade date. The securities are subject to change in value from market
fluctuation during the settlement period. The value at delivery may be less than
the purchase price. For example, changes in interest rates in a direction other
than that expected by the Sub-Advisor before settlement will affect the value of
such securities and may cause loss to the Fund.
The Fund will engage in when-issued transactions in order to secure what
is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into
the obligation. When the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed delivery
transactions, it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to complete
the transaction. Their failure to do so may cause the Fund to lose the
opportunity to obtain the security at a price and yield it considers
advantageous.
When the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, it
does so for the purpose of acquiring or selling securities consistent with its
investment objective and policies for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to
options contracts it has entered into, and not for the purposes of investment
leverage. Although the Fund will enter into when-issued or delayed-delivery
purchase transactions to acquire securities, the Fund may dispose of a
commitment prior to settlement. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to
acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or to dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain or
loss.
At the time the Fund makes a commitment to purchase or sell a security on
a when-issued or forward commitment basis, it records the transaction on its
books and reflects the value of the security purchased. In a sale transaction,
it records the proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset value. The
Fund will identify on its books cash, U.S. Government securities or other high
grade debt obligations at least equal to the value of purchase commitments until
the Fund pays for the investment. The Fund may "roll" these transactions by
selling the when-issued security before the settlement date and purchasing
another substantially similar security. For accounting purposes, the Fund
records a "rolled" transaction as a purchase and sale of securities.
When-issued transactions and forward commitments can be used by the Fund
as a defensive technique to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates
and prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling
prices, the Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment
basis to attempt to limit its exposure to anticipated falling prices. In periods
of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell portfolio
securities and purchase the same or similar securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis, to obtain the benefit of currently higher cash yields.
n Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements. It may do so for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated
redemptions of Fund shares, or pending the investment of the proceeds from sales
of Fund shares, or pending the settlement of portfolio securities.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security from, and
simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor for delivery on an agreed-upon
future date. Approved vendors include U.S. commercial banks, U.S. branches of
foreign banks, or broker-dealers that have been designated as primary dealers in
government securities. They must meet credit requirements set by the Fund's
Board of Trustees from time to time. The resale price exceeds the purchase price
by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period
during which the repurchase agreement is in effect.
The majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery
pursuant to the resale typically occurs within one to five days of the purchase.
Repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days are subject to the
Fund's limits on holding illiquid investments. The Fund will not enter into a
repurchase agreement that causes more than 10% of its net assets to be subject
to repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days. There is no limit
on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be subject to repurchase
agreements having maturities of seven days or less.
Repurchase agreements, considered "loans" under the Investment Company
Act, are collateralized by the underlying security. The Fund's repurchase
agreements require that at all times while the repurchase agreement is in
effect, the value of the collateral must equal or exceed the repurchase price to
fully collateralize the repayment obligation. However, if the vendor fails to
pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in disposing
of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability
to do so. The Sub-Advisor will impose creditworthiness requirements to confirm
that the vendor is financially sound and will continuously monitor the
collateral's value.
n Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may also enter into reverse
repurchase agreements where the Fund sells securities to a buyer and
simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities from the buyer at a future date
at an agreed-on price. Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of borrowing by
the Fund. Therefore, the Fund's investment in reverse repurchase agreements
shall be subject to the same borrowing limits discussed under "Borrowing."
n Illiquid and Restricted Securities. To enable the Fund to sell
restricted securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the Fund
may have to cause those securities to be registered. The expenses of
registration of restricted securities may be negotiated by the Fund with the
issuer at the time such securities are purchased by the Fund, if such
registration is required before such securities may be sold publicly. When
registration must be arranged because the Fund wishes to sell the security, a
considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the
securities and the time the Fund would be permitted to sell them. The Fund would
bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during that period. The Fund
expects to acquire hybrid instruments having regulatory or contractual
restrictions on their resale, which might limit the Fund's ability to dispose of
such securities and might lower the amount realizable upon the sale of such
securities.
The Fund has percentage limitations that apply to purchases of restricted
and illiquid securities, as stated in the Prospectus. Those percentage
restrictions do not limit purchases of restricted securities that are eligible
for sale to qualified institutional purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, provided that those securities have been determined to
be liquid by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the Manager under
Board-approved guidelines. Those guidelines take into account the trading
activity for such securities and the availability of reliable pricing
information, among other factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in a
particular Rule 144A security, the Fund's holding of that security may be deemed
to be illiquid.
n Loans of Portfolio Securities. To attempt to generate income, the Fund
may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial
institutions. The Fund must receive collateral for a loan. These loans are
limited to not more than one-third of the Fund's net assets and are subject to
other conditions described below. The Fund presently does not intend to lend its
portfolio securities, but if it does, the value of securities loaned is not
expected to exceed one-third of the value of its total assets in the coming
year.
Under applicable regulatory requirements (which are subject to change),
the loan collateral must, on each business day, at least equal the market value
of the loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank letters of credit, U.S.
government securities, or other cash equivalents in which the Fund is permitted
to invest. To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must obligate a
bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the terms of the
letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be satisfactory to the Fund.
In a portfolio securities lending transaction, the Fund receives from the
borrower an amount equal to the interest paid or the dividends declared on the
loaned securities during the term of the loan as well as the interest on the
collateral securities, less any finders' or administrative fees the Fund pays in
arranging the loan. The Fund may share the interest it receives on the
collateral securities with the borrower as long as it realizes at least a
minimum amount of interest required by the lending guidelines established by its
Board of Trustees. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities to any
officer, trustee, employee or affiliate of the Fund or its Manager or
Sub-Advisor. The terms of the Fund's loans must meet certain tests under the
Internal Revenue Code and permit the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five
business days' notice or in time to vote on any important matter.
n Hedging. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund can use hedging
instruments. To attempt to protect against declines in the market value of the
Fund's portfolio, to permit the Fund to retain unrealized gains in the value of
portfolio securities which have appreciated, or to facilitate selling securities
for investment reasons, the Fund could:
sell futures contracts, buy puts on such futures or on securities, or write
covered calls on securities or futures. Covered calls may also be used to
increase the Fund's income, but the Sub-Advisor does not expect to engage
extensively in that practice.
The Fund may use hedging to establish a position in the securities market
as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities. In that case the
Fund will normally seek to purchase the securities and then terminate that
hedging position. The Fund might also use this type of hedge to attempt to
protect against the possibility that its portfolio securities would not be fully
included in a rise in value of the market. To do so the Fund could: buy futures,
or
|_| buy calls on such futures or on securities.
When hedging to protect against declines in the dollar value of a foreign
currency-denominated security, the Fund may: buy puts on that foreign currency
and on foreign currency Futures, write calls on that currency or on such futures
contracts, or enter into forward contracts at a higher or lower rate than the
spot ("cash") rate.
The particular hedging instruments the Fund can use are described below.
The Fund may employ new hedging instruments and strategies when they are
developed, if those investment methods are consistent with the Fund's investment
objective and are permissible under applicable regulations governing the Fund.
|_|Futures. The Fund may buy and sell interest rate futures
contracts, commodities futures contracts, financial futures and forward
contracts. No payment is paid or received by the Fund on the purchase or sale of
a future. Upon entering into a futures transaction, the Fund will be required to
deposit an initial margin payment with the futures commission merchant (the
"futures broker"). Initial margin payments will be deposited with the Fund's
Custodian bank in an account registered in the futures broker's name. However,
the futures broker can gain access to that account only under specified
conditions. As the future is marked to market (that is, its value on the Fund's
books is changed) to reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin
payments, called variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures broker
daily.
At any time prior to expiration of the future, the Fund may elect to close
out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time a final
determination of variation margin is made and any additional cash must be paid
by or released to the Fund. Any loss or gain on the future is then realized by
the Fund for tax purposes. All futures transactions are effected through a
clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded.
While the terms of interest rate futures contracts call for settlement by
delivery or acquisition of debt securities, in most cases the obligation is
fulfilled by entering into an offsetting position. Financial futures contracts
are similar to interest rate futures, but settlement is made in cash.
|_| Forward Contracts. Forward contracts are foreign currency
exchange contracts. They are used to buy or sell foreign currency for future
delivery at a fixed price. The Fund uses them to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price
of a security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund has bought or
sold, or to protect against possible losses from changes in the relative values
of the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency. The Fund limits its exposure in
foreign currency exchange contracts in a particular foreign currency to the
amount of its assets denominated in that currency or a closely-correlated
currency. The Fund may also use "cross-hedging" where the Fund hedges against
changes in currencies other than the currency in which a security it holds is
denominated.
Under a forward contract, one party agrees to purchase, and another party
agrees to sell, a specific currency at a future date. That date may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties. The
transaction price is set at the time the contract is entered into. These
contracts are traded in the inter-bank market conducted directly among currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
The Fund may use forward contracts to protect against uncertainty in the
level of future exchange rates. The use of forward contracts does not eliminate
the risk of fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund
owns or intends to acquire, but it does fix a rate of exchange in advance.
Although forward contracts may reduce the risk of loss from a decline in the
value of the hedged currency, at the same time they limit any potential gain if
the value of the hedged currency increases.
When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a
security denominated in a foreign currency, or when it anticipates receiving
dividend payments in a foreign currency, the Fund may desire to "lock-in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of the dividend
payments. To do so, the Fund may enter into a forward contract for the purchase
or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying
transaction, in a fixed amount of U.S. dollars per unit of the foreign currency.
This is called a "transaction hedge." The transaction hedge will protect the
Fund against a loss from an adverse change in the currency exchange rates during
the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold or on
which the payment is declared, and the date on which the payments are made or
received.
The Fund may also use forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value
of portfolio positions. This is called a "position hedge." When the Fund
believes that foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of that foreign
currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in that foreign currency. When the Fund believes that the
U.S. dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it may
enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar
amount. Alternatively, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell a
different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount if the Fund believes
that the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency to be sold pursuant to its
forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value
of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated. That
is referred to as a "cross hedge."
The Fund will cover its short positions in these cases by identifying to
its Custodian bank assets having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the
Fund's commitment under forward contracts. The Fund will not enter into forward
contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts if the consummation of
the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency
in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or other assets
denominated in that currency or another currency that is the subject of the
hedge.
However, to avoid excess transactions and transaction costs, the Fund may
maintain a net exposure to forward contracts in excess of the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities or other assets denominated in foreign currencies if
the excess amount is "covered" by liquid securities denominated in any currency.
The cover must be at least equal at all times to the amount of that excess. As
one alternative, the Fund may purchase a call option permitting the Fund to
purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract
at a price no higher than the forward contract price. As another alternative,
the Fund may purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of
foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high or
higher than the forward contact price.
The precise matching of the amounts under forward contracts and the value
of the securities involved generally will not be possible because the future
value of securities denominated in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements between the date the forward contract is entered
into and the date it is sold. In some cases the Sub-Advisor may decide to sell
the security and deliver foreign currency to settle the original purchase
obligation. If the market value of the security is less than the amount of
foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver, the Fund may have to purchase
additional foreign currency on the "spot" (that is, cash) market to settle the
security trade. If the market value of the security instead exceeds the amount
of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver to settle the trade, the
Fund may have to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received
upon the sale of the security. There will be additional transaction costs on the
spot market in those cases.
The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is
highly uncertain. Forward contracts involve the risk that anticipated currency
movements will not be accurately predicted, causing the Fund to sustain losses
on these contracts and to pay additional transactions costs. The use of forward
contracts in this manner may reduce the Fund's performance if there are
unanticipated changes in currency prices to a greater degree than if the Fund
had not entered into such contracts.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract requiring the Fund to sell
a currency, the Fund might sell a portfolio security and use the sale proceeds
to make delivery of the currency. In the alternative the Fund might retain the
security and offset its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by
purchasing a second contract. Under that contract the Fund will obtain, on the
same maturity date, the same amount of the currency that it is obligated to
deliver. Similarly, the Fund might close out a forward contract requiring it to
purchase a specified currency by entering into a second contract entitling it to
sell the same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first
contract. The Fund would realize a gain or loss as a result of entering into
such an offsetting forward contract under either circumstance. The gain or loss
will depend on the extent to which the exchange rate or rates between the
currencies involved moved between the execution dates of the first contract and
offsetting contract.
The costs to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors
such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the
market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered
into on a principal basis, no brokerage fees or commissions are involved.
Because these contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund must evaluate
the credit and performance risk of the counterparty under each forward contract.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund may convert foreign currency from time to time, and
will incur costs in doing so. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, but they do seek to realize a profit based on the difference between
the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer might
offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a
lesser rate of exchange if the Fund desires to resell that currency to the
dealer.
o Comparison of Commodity Futures and Forward Contracts. Futures
contracts and forward contracts achieve the same economic effect: both are an
agreement to purchase a specified amount of a specified commodity at a specified
future date for a price agreed upon today. However, there are significant
differences in the operation of the two contracts. Forward contracts are
individually negotiated transactions and are not exchange traded. Therefore,
with a forward contract, the Fund would make a commitment to carry out the
purchase or sale of the underlying commodity at expiration.
For example, if the Fund were to buy a forward contract to purchase a
certain amount of gold at a set price per ounce for delivery in three months'
time and then, two months later, the Fund wished to liquidate that position, it
would contract for the sale of the gold at a new price per ounce for delivery in
one months' time. At expiration of both forward contracts, the Fund would be
required to buy the gold at the set price under the first forward contract and
sell it at the agreed upon price under the second forward contract. Even though
the Fund has effectively offset its gold position with the purchase and sale of
the two forward contracts, it must still honor the original commitment at
maturity of the two contracts. By contrast, futures exchanges have central
clearinghouses which keep track of all positions. To offset a long position in a
futures contract, the Fund simply needs to sell a similar contract on the
exchange. The exchange clearinghouse will record both the original futures
contract purchase and the offsetting sale, and there is no further commitment on
the part of the Fund.
Only a very small percentage of commodity futures contracts result in
actual delivery of the underlying commodity. Additionally, any gain or loss on
the purchase and sale of the futures contracts is recognized immediately upon
the offset, while with a forward contract, profit or loss is recognized upon
maturity of the forward contracts.
o Put and Call Options. The Fund may buy and sell certain kinds of
put options ("puts") and call options ("calls"). The Fund may buy and sell
exchange-traded and over-the-counter put and call options, including index
options, securities options, currency options, commodities options, and options
on swaps and the other types of futures described above.
o Writing Covered Call Options. The Fund may write (that is,
sell) covered calls. If the Fund sells a call option, it must be covered. That
means the Fund must own the security subject to the call while the call is
outstanding, or, for certain types of calls, the call may be covered by
segregating liquid assets to enable the Fund to satisfy its obligations if the
call is exercised. Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be subject to calls
the Fund writes.
When the Fund writes a call, it receives cash (a premium). The Fund agrees
to sell the underlying security to a purchaser of a corresponding call on the
same security during the call period at a fixed exercise price regardless of
market price changes during the call period. The call period is usually not more
than nine months. The exercise price may differ from the market price of the
underlying security. The Fund has the risk of loss that the price of the
underlying security may decline during the call period. That risk may be offset
to some extent by the premium the Fund receives. If the value of the investment
does not rise above the call price, it is likely that the call will lapse
without being exercised. In that case the Fund would keep the cash premium and
the investment.
The Fund's Custodian, or a securities depository acting for the Custodian,
will act as the Fund's escrow agent, through the facilities of the Options
Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), as to the investments on which the Fund has
written calls traded on exchanges or as to other acceptable escrow securities.
In that way, no margin will be required for such transactions. OCC will release
the securities on the expiration of the option or when the Fund enters into a
closing transaction.
When the Fund writes an over-the-counter ("OTC") option, it will enter
into an arrangement with a primary U.S. government securities dealer which will
establish a formula price at which the Fund will have the absolute right to
repurchase that OTC option. The formula price will generally be based on a
multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the
option is exercisable below the market price of the underlying security (that
is, the option is "in the money"). When the Fund writes an OTC option, it will
treat as illiquid (for purposes of its restriction on holding illiquid
securities) the mark-to-market value of any OTC option it holds, unless the
option is subject to a buy-back agreement by the executing broker.
To terminate its obligation on a call it has written, the Fund may
purchase a corresponding call in a "closing purchase transaction." The Fund will
then realize a profit or loss, depending upon whether the net of the amount of
the option transaction costs and the premium received on the call the Fund wrote
is more or less than the price of the call the Fund purchases to close out the
transaction. The Fund may realize a profit if the call expires unexercised,
because the Fund will retain the underlying security and the premium it received
when it wrote the call. Any such profits are considered short-term capital gains
for Federal income tax purposes, as are the premiums on lapsed calls. When
distributed by the Fund they are taxable as ordinary income. If the Fund cannot
effect a closing purchase transaction due to the lack of a market, it will have
to hold the callable securities until the call expires or is exercised.
The Fund may write call options on financial and commodity indices. When
writing a call on a index, the Fund receives a premium and agrees to pay to the
call buyer a cash amount equal to the appreciation of the index in excess of the
option strike price over the call period. If the index declines in value the
Fund has no payment obligation and retains the option premium. When writing a
call option on an index, the Fund will segregate liquid assets equal to the
settlement value of the option.
The Fund may also write calls on a futures contract without owning the
futures contract or securities deliverable under the contract. To do so, at the
time the call is written, the Fund must cover the call by segregating an
equivalent dollar amount of liquid assets. The Fund will segregate additional
liquid assets if the value of the segregated assets drops below 100% of the
current value of the future. Because of this segregation requirement, in no
circumstances would the Fund's receipt of an exercise notice as to that future
require the Fund to deliver a futures contract. It would simply put the Fund in
a short futures position, which is permitted by the Fund's hedging policies.
o Writing Put Options. The Fund may sell put options. A put
option on securities gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the writer the
obligation to buy, the underlying investment at the exercise price during the
option period. The Fund will not write puts if, as a result, more than 25% of
the Fund's net assets would be required to be segregated to cover such put
options.
If the Fund writes a put, the put must be covered by segregated liquid
assets. Writing a put covered by segregated liquid assets equal to the exercise
price of the put has the same economic effect to the Fund as writing a covered
call. The premium the Fund receives from writing a put represents a profit, as
long as the price of the underlying investment remains equal to or above the
exercise price of the put. However, the Fund also assumes the obligation during
the option period to buy the underlying investment from the buyer of the put at
the exercise price, even if the value of the investment falls below the exercise
price. If a put the Fund has written expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a
gain in the amount of the premium less the transaction costs incurred. If the
put is exercised, the Fund must fulfill its obligation to purchase the
underlying investment at the exercise price. That price will usually exceed the
market value of the investment at that time. In that case, the Fund may incur a
loss if it sells the underlying investment. That loss will be equal to the sum
of the sale price of the underlying investment and the premium received minus
the sum of the exercise price and any transaction costs the Fund incurred.
When writing a put option on a security, to secure its obligation to pay
for the underlying security the Fund will deposit in escrow liquid assets with a
value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the underlying securities.
The Fund therefore foregoes the opportunity of investing the segregated assets
or writing calls against those assets.
As long as the Fund's obligation as the put writer continues, it may be
assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer through which the put was sold.
That notice will require the Fund to take delivery of the underlying security
and pay the exercise price. The Fund has no control over when it may be required
to purchase the underlying security, since it may be assigned an exercise notice
at any time prior to the termination of its obligation as the writer of the put.
That obligation terminates upon expiration of the put. It may also terminate if,
before it receives an exercise notice, the Fund effects a closing purchase
transaction by purchasing a put of the same series as it sold. Once the Fund has
been assigned an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase
transaction.
The Fund may decide to effect a closing purchase transaction to realize a
profit on an outstanding put option it has written or to prevent the underlying
security from being put. Effecting a closing purchase transaction will also
permit the Fund to write another put option on the security, or to sell the
security and use the proceeds from the sale for other investments. The Fund will
realize a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction depending on
whether the cost of the transaction is less or more than the premium received
from writing the put option. Any profits from writing puts are considered
short-term capital gains for Federal tax purposes, and when distributed by the
Fund, are taxable as ordinary income.
o Purchasing Calls and Puts. The Fund may purchase calls to
protect against the possibility that the Fund's portfolio will not participate
in an anticipated rise in the securities market. When the Fund buys a call
(other than in a closing purchase transaction), it pays a premium. The Fund then
has the right to buy the underlying investment from a seller of a corresponding
call on the same investment during the call period at a fixed exercise price.
The Fund benefits only if it sells the call at a profit or if, during the call
period, the market price of the underlying investment is above the sum of the
call price plus the transaction costs and the premium paid for the call and the
Fund exercises the call. If the Fund does not exercise the call or sell it
(whether or not at a profit), the call will become worthless at its expiration
date. In that case the Fund will have paid the premium but lost the right to
purchase the underlying investment.
The Fund may buy puts whether or not it holds the underlying investment in
its portfolio. When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as
to puts on indices, has the right to sell the underlying investment to a seller
of a put on a corresponding investment during the put period at a fixed exercise
price. Buying a put on securities or Futures the Fund owns enables the Fund to
attempt to protect itself during the put period against a decline in the value
of the underlying investment below the exercise price by selling the underlying
investment at the exercise price to a seller of a corresponding put. If the
market price of the underlying investment is equal to or above the exercise
price and, as a result, the put is not exercised or resold, the put will become
worthless at its expiration date. In that case the Fund will have paid the
premium but lost the right to sell the underlying investment. However, the Fund
may sell the put prior to its expiration. That sale may or may not be at a
profit.
When the Fund purchases a call or put on an index or Future, it pays a
premium, but settlement is in cash rather than by delivery of the underlying
investment to the Fund. Gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question
(and thus on price movements in the securities market generally) rather than on
price movements in individual securities or futures contracts.
o Buying and Selling Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund can buy
and sell calls and puts on foreign currencies. They include puts and calls that
trade on a securities or commodities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets
or are quoted by major recognized dealers in such options. The Fund would use
these calls and puts to try to protect against declines in the dollar value of
foreign securities and increases in the dollar cost of foreign securities the
Fund wants to acquire.
If the Sub-Advisor anticipates a rise in the dollar value of a foreign
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated, the increased cost
of those securities may be partially offset by purchasing calls or writing puts
on that foreign currency. If the Sub-Advisor anticipates a decline in the dollar
value of a foreign currency, the decline in the dollar value of portfolio
securities denominated in that currency may be partially offset by writing calls
or purchasing puts on that foreign currency. However, the currency rates could
fluctuate in a direction adverse to the Fund's position. The Fund will then have
incurred option premium payments and transaction costs without a corresponding
benefit.
A call the Fund writes on a foreign currency is "covered" if the Fund owns
the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or it can do so for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its Custodian bank) upon conversion or exchange of other
foreign currency held in its portfolio.
The Fund may write a call on a foreign currency to provide a hedge against
a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund owns or has the
right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the option.
That decline may be one that occurs due to an expected adverse change in the
exchange rate. This is known as a "cross-hedging" strategy. In those
circumstances, the Fund covers the option by maintaining cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid, high grade debt securities in an amount equal to the
exercise price of the option, in a segregated account with the Fund's Custodian
bank.
o Risks of Hedging with Options and Futures. The use of hedging
instruments requires special skills and knowledge of investment techniques that
are different than what is required for normal portfolio management. If the
Sub-Advisor uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges market
conditions incorrectly, hedging strategies may reduce the Fund's return. The
Fund could also experience losses if the prices of its futures and options
positions were not correlated with its other investments.
The Fund's option activities may affect its portfolio turnover rate and
brokerage commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund may cause the
Fund to sell related portfolio securities, thus increasing its turnover rate.
The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities will cause the sale of underlying
investments, increasing portfolio turnover. Although the decision whether to
exercise a put it holds is within the Fund's control, holding a put might cause
the Fund to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist in the
absence of the put.
The Fund may pay a brokerage commission each time it buys a call or put,
sells a call or put, or buys or sells an underlying investment in connection
with the exercise of a call or put. Those commissions may be higher on a
relative basis than the commissions for direct purchases or sales of the
underlying investments. Premiums paid for options are small in relation to the
market value of the underlying investments. Consequently, put and call options
offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage offered by trading in options
could result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive to changes in
the value of the underlying investment.
If a covered call written by the Fund is exercised on an investment that
has increased in value, the Fund will be required to sell the investment at the
call price. It will not be able to realize any profit if the investment has
increased in value above the call price.
An option position may be closed out only on a market that provides
secondary trading for options of the same series, and there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. The Fund could
experience losses if it could not close out a position because of an illiquid
market for the future or option.
There is a risk in using short hedging by selling futures or purchasing
puts on broadly-based indices or futures to attempt to protect against declines
in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The risk is that the prices of
the futures or the applicable index will correlate imperfectly with the behavior
of the cash prices of the Fund's securities. For example, it is possible that
while the Fund has used hedging instruments in a short hedge, the market may
advance and the value of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio may
decline. If that occurred, the Fund would lose money on the hedging instruments
and also experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. However,
while this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over
time the value of a diversified portfolio of securities will tend to move in the
same direction as the indices upon which the hedging instruments are based.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable index.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the
portfolio securities being hedged and movements in the price of the hedging
instruments, the Fund may use hedging instruments in a greater dollar amount
than the dollar amount of portfolio securities being hedged. It might do so if
the historical volatility of the prices of the portfolio securities being hedged
is more than the historical volatility of the applicable index.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets are
subject to distortions, due to differences in the nature of those markets.
First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and
maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and
futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore,
increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
price distortions.
The Fund can use hedging instruments to establish a position in the
securities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual
securities (long hedging) by buying futures and/or calls on such futures,
broadly-based indices or on securities. It is possible that when the Fund does
so the market may decline. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in
securities because of concerns that the market may decline further or for other
reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the hedging instruments that is not
offset by a reduction in the price of the securities purchased.
o Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. When using futures and
options on futures, the Fund is required to operate within certain guidelines
and restrictions with respect to the use of futures as established by the
Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"). In particular, the Fund is
exempted from registration with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if the
Fund complies with the requirements of Rule 4.5 adopted by the CFTC. The Rule
does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be used for futures
margin and related options premiums for a bona fide hedging position. However,
under the Rule, the Fund must limit its aggregate initial futures margin and
related options premiums to not more than 5% of the Fund's net assets for
hedging strategies that are not considered bona fide hedging strategies under
the Rule. Under the Rule, the Fund must also use short futures and options on
futures solely for bona fide hedging purposes within the meaning and intent of
the applicable provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations established
by the option exchanges. The exchanges limit the maximum number of options that
may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in
concert. Those limits apply regardless of whether the options were written or
purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts
or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more brokers. Thus,
the number of options that the Fund may write or hold may be affected by options
written or held by other entities, including other investment companies having
the same adviser as the Fund (or an adviser that is an affiliate of the Fund's
adviser). The exchanges also impose position limits on Futures transactions. An
exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of
those limits and may impose certain other sanctions.
Under the Investment Company Act, when the Fund purchases a future, it
must maintain cash or readily marketable short-term debt instruments in an
amount equal to the market value of the securities underlying the future, less
the margin deposit applicable to it. The account must be a segregated account or
accounts held by the Fund's Custodian bank.
o Tax Aspects of Certain Hedging Instruments. Certain foreign
currency exchange contracts in which the Fund may invest are treated as "section
1256 contracts" under the Internal Revenue Code. In general, gains or losses
relating to section 1256 contracts are characterized as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gains or losses under the Code. However, foreign currency
gains or losses arising from section 1256 contracts that are forward contracts
generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, section 1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year are
"marked-to-market," and unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they
were realized. These contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of
determining the excise tax applicable to investment company distributions and
for other purposes under rules prescribed pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
An election can be made by the Fund to exempt those transactions from this
marked-to-market treatment.
Certain forward contracts the Fund enters into may result in "straddles"
for Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character and
timing of gains (or losses) recognized by the Fund on straddle positions.
Generally, a loss sustained on the disposition of a position making up a
straddle is allowed only to the extent that the loss exceeds any unrecognized
gain in the offsetting positions making up the straddle. Disallowed loss is
generally allowed at the point where there is no unrecognized gain in the
offsetting positions making up the straddle, or the offsetting position is
disposed of.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the following gains or losses are treated
as ordinary income or loss:
(1) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that
occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables
or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign
currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or
pays such liabilities, and
(2) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of a foreign
currency between the date of acquisition of a debt security denominated
in a foreign currency or foreign currency forward contracts and the
date of disposition.
Currency gains and losses are offset against market gains and losses on
each trade before determining a net "Section 988" gain or loss under the
Internal Revenue Code for that trade, which may increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's investment company income available for distribution to its
shareholders.
Other Investment Restrictions
n What Are "Fundamental Policies?" Fundamental policies are those policies
that the Fund has adopted to govern its investments that can be changed only by
the vote of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Under the
Investment Company Act, a "majority" vote is defined as the vote of the holders
of the lesser of:
o 67% or more of the shares present or represented by proxy at a
shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present or represented by proxy, or o more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy. Other policies
described in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information are
"fundamental" only if they are identified as such. The Fund's Board of Trustees
can change non-fundamental policies without shareholder approval. However,
significant changes to investment policies will be described in supplements or
updates to the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information, as
appropriate. The Fund's most significant investment policies are described in
the Prospectus.
n Does the Fund Have Additional Fundamental Policies? The following
investment restrictions are fundamental policies of the Fund.
o The Fund will not purchase the securities, hybrid instruments and other
instruments of any issuer if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund's total
assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business
activities are in the same industry. This restriction does not apply to
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities, or repurchase agreements secured by them. However, the Fund
will invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities, hybrid instruments
and other instruments, including futures and forward contracts, related options
and swaps, linked to the energy and natural resources, agriculture, livestock,
industrial metals, and precious metals industries. The individual components of
an index will be considered as separate industries for this purpose.
o The Fund will not make loans. However if it is appropriate under its
investment program, the Fund may (a) purchase bonds, debentures, other debt
securities and hybrid instruments, including short-term obligations; (b) enter
into repurchase transactions; and (c) lend portfolio securities provided that
the value of such loaned securities does not exceed one-third of the Fund's
total assets.
o The Fund will not issue any senior security. However, the Fund may enter
into commitments to purchase securities in accordance with the Fund's investment
program, including reverse repurchase agreements, delayed delivery and
when-issued securities, which may be considered the issuance of senior
securities. Additionally, the Fund may engage in transactions that may result in
the issuance of a senior security to the extent permitted under the Investment
Company Act and applicable regulations, interpretations of the Investment
Company Act or an exemptive order. The Fund may also engage in short sales of
securities to the extent permitted in its investment program and other
restrictions. The purchase or sale of hybrid instruments, futures contracts and
related options shall not be considered to involve the issuance of senior
securities. Moreover, the Fund may borrow money as authorized by the Investment
Company Act.
o The Fund will not borrow money. However the Fund may enter into
commitments to purchase securities and instruments in accordance with its
investment program, including delayed-delivery and when-issued securities and
reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the total amount of any borrowing
does not exceed 33-1/3% of the Fund's total assets. Additionally; the Fund may
borrow money in an amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets
at the time when the loan is made. Borrowings representing more than 33-1/3% of
the Fund's total assets must be repaid before the Fund may make additional
investments.
o The Fund will not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired
as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction
shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling hybrid instruments,
options and futures contracts with respect to individual commodities or indices,
or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical
commodities or indices.
o The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a
result of direct ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction
shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate
business, including real estate investment trusts. This restriction does not
preclude the Fund from buying securities backed by mortgages on real estate or
securities of companies engaged in such activities. The Fund can also invest in
real estate operating companies and shares of companies engaged in other real
estate related businesses.
o The Fund cannot buy securities on margin. However the Fund may make
margin deposits in connection with any of the hedging instruments that it may
use.
o The Fund cannot underwrite securities issued by other persons. A
permitted exception is in case it is deemed to be an underwriter under the
Securities Act of 1933 when reselling securities held in its own portfolio.
o The Fund cannot invest in or hold securities of any issuer if officers
and Trustees of the Fund or the Manager individually beneficially own more than
1/2 of 1% of the securities of that issuer and together own more than 5% of the
securities of that issuer.
o The Fund cannot invest in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs or leases. However the Fund may invest in hybrid
instruments, options swaps, futures contracts and other investments which are
linked to oil, gas and mineral values.
o The Fund cannot buy the securities of any company for the purpose of
exercising management control, except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of assets.
The percentage restrictions described above and in the Fund's Prospectus
(other than the percentage limitations that apply on an on-going basis) apply
only at the time of investment and require no action by the Fund as a result of
subsequent changes in relative values.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate its assets as
described in the Fund's Prospectus, the Fund has adopted the corporate industry
classifications set forth in Appendix D to this Statement of Additional
Information. This is not a fundamental policy.
Non-Diversification. The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund intends to limit its investments so that at the end of each
quarter, (1) the Fund will invest no more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer, and (2) with respect to at least 50% of its total
assets, the Fund will not (a) invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer, or (b) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of a single issuer.
How the Fund Is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management
investment company with an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in July 1996.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The Trustees
meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's activities, review
its performance, and review the actions of the Manager. Although the Fund will
not normally hold annual meetings of its shareholders, it may hold shareholder
meetings from time to time on important matters, and shareholders have the right
to call a meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Fund's Declaration of Trust.
o Classes of Shares. The Board of Trustees has the power, without
shareholder approval, to divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more
classes. The Board has done so, and the Fund currently has four classes of
shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. All classes invest in the same
investment portfolio. Each class of shares: o has its own dividends and
distributions, o pays certain expenses which may be different for the different
classes, o may have a different net asset value, o may have separate voting
rights on matters in which interests of one
class are different from interests of another class, and o votes as
a class on matters that affect that class alone.
Shares are freely transferable, and each share of each class has one vote
at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally on matters
submitted to the vote of shareholders. Each share of the Fund represents an
interest in the Fund proportionately equal to the interest of each other share
of the same class.
The Trustees are authorized to create new series and classes of shares.
The Trustees may reclassify unissued shares of the Fund into additional series
or classes of shares. The Trustees also may divide or combine the shares of a
class into a greater or lesser number of shares without changing the
proportionate beneficial interest of a shareholder in the Fund. Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights or preemptive or subscription rights. Shares may
be voted in person or by proxy at shareholder meetings.
|_| Meetings of Shareholders. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund
is not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings of
shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law. It will also do so when a
shareholder meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders.
Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to remove a Trustee. The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the written request of the record holders of 10% of its outstanding shares.
If the Trustees receive a request from at least 10 shareholders stating that
they wish to communicate with other shareholders to request a meeting to remove
a Trustee, the Trustees will then either make the Fund's shareholder list
available to the applicants or mail their communication to all other
shareholders at the applicants' expense. The shareholders making the request
must have been shareholders for at least six months and must hold shares of the
Fund valued at $25,000 or more or constituting at least 1% of the Fund's
outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Trustees may also take other action
as permitted by the Investment Company Act.
|_| Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Fund's Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder or Trustee liability for the
Fund's obligations. It also provides for indemnification and reimbursement of
expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder held personally liable
for its obligations. The Declaration of Trust also states that upon request, the
Fund shall assume the defense of any claim made against a shareholder for any
act or obligation of the Fund and shall satisfy any judgment on that claim.
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the Fund)
to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain circumstances.
However, the risk that a Fund shareholder will incur financial loss from being
held liable as a "partner" of the Fund is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Fund's contractual arrangements state that any person doing business
with the Fund (and each shareholder of the Fund) agrees under its Declaration of
Trust to look solely to the assets of the Fund for satisfaction of any claim or
demand that may arise out of any dealings with the Fund. The contracts further
state that the Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to
the extent permitted by law.
Trustees and Officers of the Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers and their
principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five years are
listed below. Trustees denoted with an asterisk (*) below are deemed to be
"interested persons" of the Fund under the Investment Company Act. All of the
Trustees are also trustees, directors or managing general partners of the
following Denver-based Oppenheimer funds1:
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Income Fund Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund Panorama Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund Centennial America Fund, L. P.
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Centennial Government Trust
Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. Centennial Money Market Trust
Oppenheimer Municipal Fund Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Swain, Bishop, Wixted, Donohue, Farrar and Zack,
who are officers of the Fund, respectively hold the same offices with the other
Denver-based Oppenheimer funds. As of November 2, 1998, the Trustees and
officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund. The foregoing statement does not reflect shares held of record by an
employee benefit plan for employees of the Manager other than shares
beneficially owned under that plan by the officers of the Fund listed below. Ms.
Macaskill and Mr. Donohue, are trustees of that plan.
1. Ms. Macaskill and Mr. Bowen are not Trustees or Directors of Oppenheimer
Integrity Funds, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund, Panorama Series Fund,
Inc. or Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds. Mr. Fossel and Mr. Bowen are not
Trustees of Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust or Managing General Partners
of Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Robert G. Avis, Trustee*; Age 67
One North Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G. Edwards,
Inc. (its parent holding company); Chairman of A.G.E. Asset Management and A.G.
Edwards Trust Company (its affiliated investment adviser and trust company,
respectively).
William A. Baker, Trustee; Age 83
197 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs,
California 92264
Management Consultant.
George C. Bowen, Trustee*; Age 62
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Formerly (until April 1999) Mr. Bowen held the following positions: Senior Vice
President (since September 1987) and Treasurer (since March 1985) of the
Manager; Vice President (since June 1983) and Treasurer (since March 1985) of
the Distributor; Vice President (since October 1989) and Treasurer (since April
1986) of HarbourView Asset Management ; Senior Vice President (since February
1992), Treasurer (since July 1991) and a director (since December 1991) of
Centennial Asset Management; President, Treasurer and a director of Centennial
Capital Corporation (since June 1989); Vice President and Treasurer (since
August 1978) and Secretary (since April 1981) of Shareholder Services, Inc.;
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
(since November 1989); Assistant Treasurer of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.
(since March 1998); Treasurer of Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc. (since
November 1989); Vice President and Treasurer of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since July 1996); Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer;
Treasurer of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd. and Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc (since October 1997)
Charles Conrad, Jr., Trustee; Age 68
1501 Quail Street, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Chairman and CEO of Universal Space Lines, Inc. (a space services management
company); formerly Vice President of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. and
associated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Jon S. Fossel, Trustee; Age 56
P.O. Box 44, Mead Street, Waccabuc, New York 10597
Formerly Chairman and a director of the Manager, President and a director of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., Shareholder Services, Inc. and Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc.
Sam Freedman, Trustee; Age: 58
4975 Lakeshore Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80123
Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OppenheimerFunds Services,
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Shareholder Services, Inc.
and Shareholder Financial Services, Inc., Vice President and a director of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. and a director of the Manager.
Raymond J. Kalinowski, Trustee; Age 69
44 Portland Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Director of Wave Technologies International, Inc. (a computer products training
company).
C. Howard Kast, Trustee; Age 76
2552 East Alameda, Denver, Colorado 80209
Formerly Managing Partner of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an accounting firm).
Robert M. Kirchner, Trustee; Age 77
7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112
President of The Kirchner Company (management consultants).
Bridget A. Macaskill, President and Trustee*; Age: 50
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048
President (since June 1991), Chief Executive Officer (since September 1995) and
a director (since December 1994) of the Manager; President and a director (since
June 1991) of HarbourView Asset Management Corp.; Chairman and a director (since
August 1994) of Shareholder Services, Inc. and (since September 1995)
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.; President (since September 1995) and a
director (since October 1990) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; President (since
September 1995) and a director (since November 1989) of Oppenheimer Partnership
Holdings, Inc., a holding company subsidiary of the Manager; a director of
Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. (since July 1996); President and a
director (since October 1997) of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd., an
offshore fund management subsidiary of the Manager, and Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc; President and a director of other Oppenheimer funds; a director of
Hillsdown Holdings plc (a U.K. food company); formerly an Executive Vice
President of the Manager.
Ned M. Steel, Trustee; Age 83
3416 South Race Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter; a director of Visiting Nurse
Corporation of Colorado.
James C. Swain, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee*; Age 65 6803
South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112 Vice Chairman of the Manager (since
September 1988); formerly President and a director of Centennial Asset
Management Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Shareholder Services, Inc.
Mark J. P. Anson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age: 40.
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203
Vice President of the Sub-Advisor (since March 1997) and of the Manager (since
July 1996); previously a Registered Options Principal on the equity derivatives
desk at Salomon Brothers, Inc., prior to which he was an attorney with Chapman
and Cutler (a law firm).
Russell Read, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age: 35 Two World Trade
Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203 Vice President of the
Sub-Advisor (since March 1997) and of the Manager (since July 1995); formerly an
investment manager for The Prudential, prior to which he was an Associate
Economist for The First National Bank of Chicago.
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President and Secretary; Age 48
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048
Executive Vice President (since January 1993), General Counsel (since October
1991) and a Director (since September 1995) of the Manager; Executive Vice
President (since September 1993) and a director (since January 1992) of the
Distributor; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and a director of
HarbourView Asset Management Corp., Shareholder Services, Inc., Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc. and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc. (since
September 1995); President and a director of Centennial Asset Management Corp.
(since September 1995); President and a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since July 1996); General Counsel (since May 1996) and
Secretary (since April 1997) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; Vice President
and a Director of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd. and Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Brian W. Wixted, Treasurer; Age: 39.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Senior Vice President and Treasurer (since April 1999) of the Manager; formerly
Principal and Chief Operating Officer, Bankers Trust Company - Mutual Fund
Services Division (1995-1999); Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CS
First Boston Investment Management Corp. (1991-1995); and Vice President and
Accounting Manager, Merrill Lynch Asset Management (1987-1991).
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age 40
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
the Manager.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age 33
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood,
Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); Assistant
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer
of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
the Manager.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age 50 Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor,
New York, New York 10048-0203 Senior Vice President (since May 1985) and
Associate General Counsel (since May 1981) of the Manager, Assistant Secretary
of Shareholder Services, Inc. (since May 1985), and Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc. (since November 1989); Assistant Secretary of Oppenheimer
Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997) and OppenheimerFunds International
Ltd.; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
n Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund and three Trustees of
the Fund (Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Bowen and Swain) are affiliated with the
Manager and receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The remaining Trustees of
the Fund received the compensation shown below. The compensation from the Fund
was paid during its fiscal year ended August 31, 1998. The compensation from all
of the Denver-based Oppenheimer funds includes the compensation from the Fund
and represents compensation received as a director, trustee, managing general
partner or member of a committee of the Board during the calendar year
1997.
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Total Compensation
Aggregate from all
Compensation Denver-Based
Trustee's Name and Position from Fund Oppenheimer Funds1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert G. Avis $300 $63,501
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William A. Baker
Audit and Review Committee $355 $77,502
Ex-Officio Member2
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Charles Conrad, Jr. 3 $333 $72,000
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Jon. S. Fossel $299 $63,277
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Sam Freedman
Audit and Review $316 $66,501
Committee Member2
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond J. Kalinowski
Audit and Review $336 $71,561
Committee Member2
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Howard Kast
Audit and Review $359 $76,503
Committee Chairman2
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert M. Kirchner3 $333 $72,000
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ned M. Steel $300 $63,501
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ____ For the 1997 calendar year. 2. Committee positions effective July 1,
1997.
3. Prior to July 1, 1997, Messrs. Conrad and Kirchner were members of the
Audit and Review Committee.
n Deferred Compensation Plan. The Board of Trustees has adopted a Deferred
Compensation Plan for disinterested Trustees that enables them to elect to defer
receipt of all or a portion of the annual fees they are entitled to receive from
the Fund. Under the plan, the compensation deferred by a Trustee is periodically
adjusted as though an equivalent amount had been invested in shares of one or
more Oppenheimer funds selected by the Trustee. The amount paid to the Trustee
under the plan will be determined based upon the performance of the selected
funds.
Deferral of Trustee's fees under the plan will not materially affect the
Fund's assets, liabilities and net income per share. The plan will not obligate
the fund to retain the services of any Trustee or to pay any particular level of
compensation to any Trustee. Pursuant to an Order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest in the funds selected by the Trustee
under the plan without shareholder approval for the limited purpose of
determining the value of the Trustee's deferred fee account.
Major Shareholders. As of November 13, 1998 the only persons who owned of record
or were known by the Fund to own beneficially 5% or more of the Fund's
outstanding Class A, Class B, Class C or Class Y shares were:
Class A Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 101 Montgomery Street, San
Francisco, California 94104, who is the record owner of 1,711,489.294
Class A shares (representing approximately 15.96% of the Funds'
outstanding Class A shares). CIBC Oppenheimer Corporation, P.O. Box 3484,
Church Street Station, New York, New York 10008, who is the record owner
of 1,137,905.295 Class A shares (representing approximately 10.61% of the
Funds' outstanding Class A shares). Class B Shares: Merrill Lynch Pierce
Fenner & Smith, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Floor 3, Jacksonville, Florida
32246, who is the record owner of 367,554.750 Class B shares (representing
approximately 12.62% of the Funds' outstanding Class B shares).
Class C Shares: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, 4800 Deer Lake Drive
East, Floor 3, Jacksonville, Florida 32246, who is the record owner of
301,173.496 Class C shares (representing approximately 16.19% of the
Funds' outstanding Class C shares).
Class Y Shares: OppenheimerFunds, Inc., 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood,
Colorado 80112, who owns 100.00 Class Y shares (representing 100.00% of
the Funds' outstanding Class Y shares).
The Fund understands that Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., CIBC Oppenheimer
Corporation and Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith own the shares listed above
for the exclusive for the benefit of their respective customers, none of whom
owns 5% or more of such shares.
The Manager and the Sub-Advisor. The Manager is wholly-owned by Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp., a holding company controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company. The Sub-Advisor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager.
The Manager, the Sub-Advisor and the Fund each have a Code of Ethics. It is
designed to detect and prevent improper personal trading by certain employees,
including portfolio managers, that would compete with or take advantage of the
Fund's portfolio transactions. Compliance with the Code of Ethics is carefully
monitored and strictly enforced by the Manager and the Sub-Advisor.
n The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The
Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Manager and
the Fund requires the Manager, at its expense, to provide the Fund with adequate
office space, facilities and equipment, and to provide and supervise the
activities of all administrative and clerical personnel required to provide
effective corporate administration for the Fund, including the compilation and
maintenance of records with respect to its operations, the preparation and
filing of specified reports, and composition of proxy materials and registration
statements for continuous public sale of shares of the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the Advisory Agreement
or the Sub-Advisor under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund. The
Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement lists examples of expenses
paid by the Fund. The major categories relate to interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, custodian and
transfer agent and custodian expenses, share issuance costs, certain printing
and registration costs and non-recurring expenses, including litigation costs.
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Fiscal Years Ended 8/31 Management Fees Paid to OppenheimerFunds, Inc.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19972 $130,525
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $938,980
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Includes subadvisory fees paid by the Manager to the Sub-Advisor. 2. Fiscal
period from inception of the Fund, March 31, 1997.
The advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement provide that in the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties, or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under the
advisory agreement, the Manager and the Sub-Advisor are not liable for any loss
resulting from a good faith error or omission on their part with respect to any
of their duties thereunder. The advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement
permit the Manager and the Sub-Advisor to act as investment adviser for any
other person, firm or corporation and to use the name "Oppenheimer" in
connection with other investment companies for which they may act as investment
adviser or general distributor. If either the Manager or the Sub-Advisor shall
no longer act as an investment adviser to the Fund, the right of the Fund to use
the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its name may be withdrawn.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory
Agreement. One of the duties of the Sub-Advisor under the Sub-Advisory Agreement
is to arrange the portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Sub-Advisory
Agreement contains provisions relating to the employment of broker-dealers to
effect the Fund's portfolio transactions in securities and futures contracts.
The Sub-Advisor is authorized by the Sub-Advisory Agreement to employ
broker-dealers, including "affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the
Investment Company Act, as may, in its best judgment based on all relevant
factors, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the
"best execution" of such transactions. "Best execution" means prompt and
reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable. The Sub-Advisor need
not seek competitive commission bidding but is expected to be aware of the
current rates of eligible brokers and to minimize the commissions paid to the
extent consistent with the interest and policies of the Fund as established by
its Board of Trustees.
Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Advisor is authorized to select
brokers (other than affiliates) that provide brokerage and/or research services
for the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Sub-Advisor or its
affiliates have investment discretion. The commissions paid to such brokers may
be higher than another qualified broker would have charged if a good faith
determination is made by the Sub-Advisor that the commission is fair and
reasonable in relation to the services provided. Subject to these
considerations, as a factor in selecting brokers for the Fund's portfolio
transactions, the Sub-Advisor may also consider sales of shares of the Fund and
other investment companies for which the Sub-Advisor or an affiliate serves as
investment adviser.
Brokerage Practices Followed by the Sub-Advisor. Most securities purchases
made by the Fund are in principal transactions at net prices. The Fund usually
deals directly with the selling or purchasing principal or market maker without
incurring charges for the services of a broker on its behalf unless the
Sub-Advisor determines that a better price or execution may be obtained by using
the services of a broker. Therefore, the Fund does not incur substantial
brokerage costs. Portfolio securities purchased from underwriters include a
commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter in the price of
the security. Portfolio securities purchased from dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price. The Fund seeks to obtain prompt execution of
these orders at the most favorable net price.
The Sub-Advisor allocates brokerage for the Fund subject to the provisions
of the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the procedures and rules described above.
Generally, the Sub-Advisor's portfolio traders allocate brokerage based upon
recommendations from the Sub-Advisor's portfolio managers. In certain instances,
portfolio managers may directly place trades and allocate brokerage. In either
case, the Sub-Advisor's executive officers supervise the allocation of
brokerage.
Transactions in securities other than those for which an exchange is the
primary market are generally done with principals or market makers. In
transactions on foreign exchanges, the Fund may be required to pay fixed
brokerage commissions and therefore would not have the benefit of negotiated
commissions available in U.S. markets. Brokerage commissions are paid primarily
for effecting transactions in listed securities or for certain fixed-income
agency transactions in the secondary market. Otherwise brokerage commissions are
paid only if it appears likely that a better price or execution can be obtained
by doing so.
In an option transaction, the Fund ordinarily uses the same broker for the
purchase or sale of the option and any transaction in the securities to which
the option relates. When possible, the Sub-Advisor tries to combine concurrent
orders to purchase or sell the same security by more than one of the accounts
managed by the Sub-Advisor or its affiliates. The transactions under those
combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated in accordance with the
purchase or sale orders actually placed for each account.
The investment advisory agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement permit the
Manager and the Sub-Advisor to allocate brokerage for research services. The
investment research services provided by a particular broker may be useful only
to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager, the Sub-Advisor and
their affiliates. The investment research received for the commissions of those
other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of the Manager's
or the Sub-Advisor's other accounts. Investment research may be supplied to the
Sub-Advisor by a third party at the instance of a broker through which trades
are placed.
Investment research services include information and analysis on particular
companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio
strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, information systems,
computer hardware and similar products and services. If a research service also
assists the Manager or the Sub-Advisor in a non-research capacity (such as
bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or
component that provides assistance to the Manager or the Sub-Advisor in the
investment decision-making process may be paid in commission dollars.
The Board of Trustees permits the Manager and the Sub-Advisor to use stated
commissions on secondary fixed-income agency trades to obtain research if the
broker represents to the Manager or to the Sub-Advisor that: (i) the trade is
not from or for the broker's own inventory, (ii) the trade was executed by the
broker on an agency basis at the stated commission, and (iii) the trade is not a
riskless principal transaction. The Board of Trustees permits the Manager and
the Sub-Advisor to use concessions on fixed-price offerings to obtain research,
in the same manner as is permitted for agency transactions.
The research services provided by brokers broadens the scope and supplements
the research activities of the Manager and the Sub-Advisor. That research
provides additional views and comparisons for consideration, and helps the
Manager and the Sub-Advisor to obtain market information for the valuation of
securities that are either held in the Fund's portfolio or are being considered
for purchase. The Sub-Advisor provides information to the Board about the
commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services, together with the
Sub-Advisor's representation that the amount of such commissions was reasonably
related to the value or benefit of such services.
Other funds advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor have investment
policies similar to those of the Fund. Those other funds may purchase or sell
the same securities as the Fund at the same time as the Fund, which could affect
the supply and price of the securities. If two or more funds advised by the
Manager or the Sub-Advisor purchase the same security on the same day from the
same dealer, the Manager or the Sub-Advisor may average the price of the
transactions and allocate the average among the funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended 8/31: Total Brokerage Commissions Paid by the Fund1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19972 $33,431
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $142,8413
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Amounts do not include spreads or concessions on principal transactions on a
net trade basis.
2. Fiscal period from inception of the Fund March 31, 1997. 3. In the fiscal
year ended 8/31/98, the amount of transactions directed
to brokers for research services was $3,044,470 and the amount of the
commissions paid to broker-dealers for those services was $720.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Distributor. Under its General Distributor's Agreement with the Fund, the
Distributor acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in the continuous public
offering of the Fund's classes of shares. The Distributor is not obligated to
sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally attributable to sales are
borne by the Distributor. They exclude payments under the Distribution and
Service Plans but include advertising and the cost of printing and mailing
prospectuses (other than those furnished to existing shareholders).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Class A
Front-End Front-End Commissions Commissions Commissions
Fiscal Sales Sales on Class A on Class B on Class C
Year Charges on Charges Shares Shares Shares
Ended Class A Retained by Advanced by Advanced by Advanced by
8/31: Shares Distributor Distributor1 Distributor1 Distributor1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19972 $437,358 $109,980 N/A $563,129 $ 88,495
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $725,009 $155,030 $139,534 $774,603 $111,824
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Distributor advances commission payments to dealers for certain sales of
Class A shares and for sales of Class B and Class C shares from its own
resources at the time of sale.
2. Fiscal period from inception of the Fund, 3/31/97.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Contingent Class B Contingent Class C Contingent
Deferred Sales Deferred Sales Deferred Sales
Fiscal Years Charges Retained by Charges Retained by Charges Retained by
Ended 8/31: Distributor Distributor Distributor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997* $0 $847 $1,580
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $0 $145,593 $39,184
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* From inception of the Fund, 3/31/97.
Distribution and Service Plans. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A
shares and Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares Rule
12b-1 of the Investment Company Act. Under those plans the Fund pays the
Distributor for distribution services in connection with the distribution and/or
servicing of the shares of the particular class.
Each plan has been approved by a vote of the Board of Trustees, including a
majority of the Independent Trustees2, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on that plan. Each plan has also been approved by the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares
of the applicable class. The shareholder votes for the plans were cast by the
Manager as the sole initial holder of each class of shares of the Fund.
2. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act, the term
"Independent Trustees" in this Statement of Additional Information refers to
those Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund and who do not have
any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the distribution
plan or any agreement under the plan.
Under the plans, the Manager and the Distributor, in their sole discretion,
from time to time, may use their own resources to make payments to brokers,
dealers or other financial institutions for distribution and administrative
services they perform, at no cost to the Fund. The Manager may use its profits
from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund. In their sole discretion, the
Distributor and the Manager may increase or decrease the amount of payments they
make from their own resources to plan recipients.
Unless a plan is terminated as described below, the plan continues in effect
from year to year but only if the Fund's Board of Trustees and its Independent
Trustees specifically vote annually to approve its continuance. Approval must be
by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
continuing the plan. A plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a
"majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares
of that class.
The Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees must approve all material
amendments to a plan. An amendment to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under a plan must be approved by shareholders of the class affected
by the amendment. Because Class B shares of the Fund automatically convert into
Class A shares after six years, the Fund must obtain the approval of both Class
A and Class B shareholders for a proposed material amendment to the Class A Plan
that would materially increase payments under the Plan. That approval must be by
a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of each
Class, voting separately by class.
While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall provide
separate written reports on the plans to the Board of Trustees at least
quarterly for its review. The Reports shall detail the amount of all payments
made under a plan and the purpose for which the payments were made. The reports
on the Class B Plan and Class C Plan shall also include the Distributor's
distribution costs for that quarter and in the case of the Class B plan the
amount of those costs for previous fiscal periods that are unreimbursed. Those
reports are subject to the review and approval of the Independent Trustees.
Each Plan states that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination of
those Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund is
committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This does not prevent
the involvement of others in the selection and nomination process as long as the
final decision as to selection or nomination is approved by a majority of the
Independent Trustees.
Under the plans, no payment will be made to any recipient in any quarter in
which the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares held by the recipient for
itself and its customers does not exceed a minimum amount, if any, that may be
set from time to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Board of
Trustees has set no minimum amount of assets to qualify for payments under the
plans.
o Class A Service Plan Fees. Under the Class A service plan, the
Distributor currently uses the fees it receives from the Fund to pay brokers,
dealers and other financial institutions (they are referred to as "recipients")
for personal services and account maintenance services they provide for their
customers who hold Class A shares. The services include, among others, answering
customer inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and providing
other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor. While the plan
permits the Board to authorize payments to the Distributor to reimburse itself
for services under the plan, the Board has not yet done so. The Distributor
makes payments to plan recipients quarterly at an annual rate not to exceed
0.25% of the average annual net assets consisting of Class A shares held in the
accounts of the recipients or their customers.
For the fiscal period ended August 31, 1998 payments under the Class A
Plan totaled $144,458, all of which was paid by the Distributor to recipients.
That included $3,360 paid to an affiliate of the Manager's parent company. Any
unreimbursed expenses the Distributor incurs with respect to Class A shares in
any fiscal year cannot be recovered in subsequent years. The Distributor may not
use payments received the Class A Plan to pay any of its interest expenses,
carrying charges, or other financial costs, or allocation of overhead.
o Class B and Class C Service and Distribution Plan Fees. Under each plan,
service fees and distribution fees are computed on the average of the net asset
value of shares in the respective class, determined as of the close of each
regular business day during the period. The plans provide for the Distributor to
be compensated at a flat rate, whether the Distributor's distribution expenses
are more or less than the amounts paid by the Fund under the plans during the
period for which the fee is paid.
The Class B and the Class C Plans permit the Distributor to retain both
the asset-based sales charges and the service fees or to pay recipients the
service fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in advance. However, the
Distributor currently intends to pay the service fee to recipients in advance
for the first year after the shares are purchased. After the first year shares
are outstanding, the Distributor makes payments quarterly on those shares. The
advance payment is based on the net asset value of shares sold. Shares purchased
by exchange do not qualify for the service fee payment. If Class B or Class C
shares are redeemed during the first year after their purchase, the recipient of
the service fees on those shares will be obligated to repay the Distributor a
pro rata portion of the advance payment of the service fee made on those shares.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class B shares.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class C shares during
the first year the shares are outstanding. It pays the asset-based sales charge
as an ongoing commission to the recipient on Class C shares outstanding for a
year or more. If a dealer has a special agreement with the Distributor, the
Distributor will pay the Class B and/or Class C service fee and the asset-based
sales charge to the dealer quarterly in lieu of paying the sales commissions and
service fee in advance at the time of purchase.
The asset-based sales charges on Class B and Class C shares allow
investors to buy shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing the
Distributor to reimburse dealers that sell those shares. The Fund pays the
asset-based sales charges to the Distributor for its services rendered in
distributing Class B and Class C shares. The payments are made to the
Distributor in recognition that the Distributor: o pays sales commissions to
authorized brokers and dealers at the time of
sale and pays service fees as described above,
o may finance payment of sales commissions and/or the advance of
the service fee payment to recipients under the plans, or may provide
such financing from its own resources or from the resources of an
affiliate,
o employs personnel to support distribution of Class B and Class C
shares, and
o bears the costs of sales literature, advertising and
prospectuses (other than those furnished to current shareholders) and
state "blue sky" registration fees and certain other distribution
expenses.
For the fiscal period ended August 31, 1998, payments under the Class B
plan totaled $226,561. The Distributor retained $221,715 of the total amount.
For the fiscal period ended August 31, 1998, payments under the Class C plan
totaled $120,605. The Distributor retained $114,437 of the total amount.
The Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class B and Class C shares
may be more than the payments it receives from the contingent deferred sales
charges collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the plans. As of
August 31, 1998, the Distributor had incurred unreimbursed expenses under the
Class B plan in the amount of $1,408,959 (equal to 8.12% of the Fund's net
assets represented by Class B shares on that date) and unreimbursed expenses
under the Class C plan of $40,178 (equal to 0.39% of the Fund's net assets
represented by Class C shares on that date). If either the Class B or the Class
C plan is terminated by the Fund, the Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to
continue payments of the asset-based sales charge to the Distributor for
distributing shares before the plan was terminated.
All payments under the Class B and the Class C plans are subject to the
limitations imposed by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of asset-based sales charges and service
fees.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses a variety of terms to
illustrate its investment performance. Those terms include "cumulative total
return," "average annual total return," "average annual total return at net
asset value" and "total return at net asset value." An explanation of how total
returns are calculated is set forth below. The chart belows show the Fund's
performance for the Fund's most recent fiscal year end. You can obtain current
performance information by calling the Fund's Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048
or by visiting the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site at
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com.
The Fund's illustrations of its performance data in advertisements must
comply with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those rules
describe the types of performance data that may be used and how it is to be
calculated. In general, any advertisement by the Fund of its performance data
must include the average annual total returns for the advertised class of shares
of the Fund. Those returns must be shown for the 1, 5 and 10-year periods (or
the life of the class, if less) ending as of the most recently ended calendar
quarter prior to the publication of the advertisement (or its submission for
publication).
Use of standardized performance calculations enables an investor to
compare the Fund's performance to the performance of other funds for the same
periods. However, a number of factors should be considered before using the
Fund's performance information as a basis for comparison with other investments:
|_| Total returns measure the performance of a hypothetical account in the
Fund over various periods and do not show the performance of each shareholder's
account. Your account's performance will vary from the model performance data if
your dividends are received in cash, or you buy or sell shares during the
period, or you bought your shares at a different time and price than the shares
used in the model.
|_| An investment in the Fund is not insured by the FDIC or any other
government agency.
|_| The principal value of the Fund's shares and total returns are not
guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis.
|_| When an investor's shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less
than their original cost.
o The Fund's performance returns do not reflect the effects of taxes on
dividends or capital gains distributions.
|_| Total returns for any given past period represent historical
performance information and are not, and should not be considered, a prediction
of future returns.
The performance of each class of shares is shown separately, because the
performance of each class of shares will usually be different. That is because
of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. The total returns of each
class of shares of the Fund are affected by market conditions, the quality of
the Fund's investments, the maturity of debt investments, the types of
investments the Fund holds, and its operating expenses that are allocated to the
particular class.
|X| Total Return Information. There are different types of "total returns"
to measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of a
hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that all
dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional shares
and that the investment is redeemed at the end of the period. Because of
differences in expenses for each class of shares, the total returns for each
class are separately measured. The cumulative total return measures the change
in value over the entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual
total return shows the average rate of return for each year in a period that
would produce the cumulative total return over the entire period. However,
average annual total returns do not show actual year-by-year performance. The
Fund uses standardized calculations for its total returns as prescribed by the
SEC. The methodology is discussed below.
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum
sales charge of 5.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from
the initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown without sales charge,
as described below). For Class B shares, payment of the applicable contingent
deferred sales charge is applied, depending on the period for which the return
is shown: 5.0% in the first year, 4.0% in the second year, 3.0% in the third and
fourth years, 2.0% in the fifth year, 1.0% in the sixth year and none
thereafter. For Class C shares, the 1% contingent deferred sales charge is
deducted for returns for the 1-year period.
|_| Average Annual Total Return. The "average annual total return"
of each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year in a
specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the change in value
of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the formula below) held
for a number of years ("n" in the formula) to achieve an Ending Redeemable Value
("ERV" in the formula) of that investment, according to the following formula:
1/n
(ERV)
(---) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
|_| Cumulative Total Return. The "cumulative total return"
calculation measures the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000
over an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same factors as
average annual total return, but it does not average the rate of return on an
annual basis. Cumulative total return is determined as follows:
ERV - P
------- = Total Return
P
|_| Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote a cumulative or an average annual total return "at net asset value"
(without deducting sales charges) for Class A, Class B or Class C shares. Each
is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the beginning and the
end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that class of shares (without
considering front-end or contingent deferred sales charges) and takes into
consideration the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Total Returns for the Periods Ended 8/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Total
Class of Returns (Life of
Shares Class) Average Annual Total Returns
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-Year (Life-of-Class)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
After Without After Without After Without
Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales
Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -44.06% -40.65% -45.74% -42.43% -33.64%1 -30.81%1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -43.65% -41.35% -45.70% -42.89% -33.30%2 -31.382
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -41.38% -41.38% -43.43% -42.87% -31.41%3 -31.41%3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y N/A -40.59% N/A -42.38% N/A -30.76%4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Inception of Class A: 3/31/97
2. Inception of Class B: 3/31/97
3. Inception of Class C: 3/31/97
4. Inception of Class Y: 3/31/97
Other Performance Comparisons. The Fund compares its performance annually to
that of an appropriate broadly based market index in its Annual Report to
shareholders. You can obtain that information by contacting the Transfer Agent
at the addresses or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information. The Fund may also compare its performance to that of
other investments, including other mutual funds, or use rankings of its
performance by independent ranking entities. Examples of these performance
comparisons are set forth below.
|_| Lipper Rankings. From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of
the performance of its classes of shares by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
Lipper is a widely-recognized independent mutual fund monitoring service. Lipper
monitors the performance of regulated investment companies, including the Fund,
and ranks their performance for various periods based on categories relating to
investment objectives. Lipper currently ranks the Fund's performance against all
other specialty funds. The Lipper performance rankings are based on total
returns that include the reinvestment of capital gain distributions and income
dividends but do not take sales charges or taxes into consideration. Lipper also
publishes "peer-group" indices of the performance of all mutual funds in a
category that it monitors and averages of the performance of the funds in
particular categories.
|_| Morningstar Rankings. From time to time the Fund may publish the star
ranking of the performance of its classes of shares by Morningstar, Inc., an
independent mutual fund monitoring service. Morningstar ranks mutual funds in
broad investment categories: domestic stock funds, international stock funds,
taxable bond funds and municipal bond funds. The Fund is not yet ranked by
Morningstar because its inception was less than three years ago.
Morningstar star rankings are based on risk-adjusted total investment
return. Investment return measures a fund's (or class's) one, three, five and
ten-year average annual total returns (depending on the inception of the fund or
class) in excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns after considering the
fund's sales charges and expenses. Risk measures a fund's (or class's)
performance below 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns. Risk and investment return
are combined to produce star rankings reflecting performance relative to the
average fund in a fund's category. Five stars is the "highest" ranking (top 10%
of funds in a category), four stars is "above average" (next 22.5%), three stars
is "average" (next 35%), two stars is "below average" (next 22.5%) and one star
is "lowest" (bottom 10%). The current star ranking is the fund's (or class's)
3-year ranking or its combined 3-and 5-year ranking (weighted 60%/40%
respectively), or its combined 3-, 5-, and 10-year ranking (weighted 40%, 30%
and 30%, respectively), depending on the inception date of the fund (or class).
Rankings are subject to change monthly.
The Fund may also compare its performance to that of other funds in its
Morningstar category. In addition to its star rankings, Morningstar also
categorizes and compares a fund's 3-year performance based on Morningstar's
classification of the fund's investments and investment style, rather than how a
fund defines its investment objective. Morningstar's four broad categories
(domestic equity, international equity, municipal bond and taxable bond) are
each further subdivided into categories based on types of investments and
investment styles. Those comparisons by Morningstar are based on the same risk
and return measurements as its star rankings but do not consider the effect of
sales charges.
|_| Performance Rankings and Comparisons by Other Entities and
Publications. From time to time the Fund may include in its advertisements and
sales literature performance information about the Fund cited in newspapers and
other periodicals such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's,
or similar publications. That information may include performance quotations
from other sources, including Lipper and Morningstar. The performance of the
Fund's classes of shares may be compared in publications to the performance of
various market indices or other investments, and averages, performance rankings
or other benchmarks prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services.
Investors may also wish to compare the returns on the Fund's share classes
to the return on fixed-income investments available from banks and thrift
institutions. Those include certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-paying
checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable time
deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills. However, the
Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any
other agency and will fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be
insured by the FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return. Repayment of
principal and payment of interest on Treasury securities is backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. government.
From time to time, the Fund may publish rankings or ratings of the Manager
or Transfer Agent, and of the investor services provided by them to shareholders
of the Oppenheimer funds, other than performance rankings of the Oppenheimer
funds themselves. Those ratings or rankings of shareholder and investor services
by third parties may include comparisons of their services to those provided by
other mutual fund families selected by the rating or ranking services. They may
be based upon the opinions of the rating or ranking service itself, using its
research or judgment, or based upon surveys of investors, brokers, shareholders
or others.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A B O U T Y O U R A C C O U N T
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Buy Shares
Additional information is presented below about the methods that can be
used to buy shares of the Fund. Appendix E contains more information about the
special sales charge arrangements offered by the Fund, and the circumstances in
which sales charges may be reduced or waived for certain classes of investors.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase must
be at least $25. Shares will be purchased on the regular business day the
Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing House ("ACH")
transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin to accrue on shares purchased
with the proceeds of ACH transfers on the business day the Fund receives Federal
Funds for the purchase through the ACH system before the close of The New York
Stock Exchange. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., but may close earlier
on certain days. If Federal Funds are received on a business day after the close
of the Exchange, the shares will be purchased and dividends will begin to accrue
on the next regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally
received by the Fund 3 days after the transfers are initiated. The Distributor
and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting
from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales charge
rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Right of Accumulation and Letters
of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts and reduction in expenses
realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers making such sales. No sales
charge is imposed in certain other circumstances described in Appendix E to this
Statement of Additional Information because the Distributor or dealer or broker
incurs little or no selling expenses.
n Right of Accumulation. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that
apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you and your spouse can add
together:
o Class A and Class B shares you purchase for your individual
accounts, or for your joint accounts, or for trust or custodial
accounts on behalf of your children who are minors, and
o current purchases of Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and
other Oppenheimer funds to reduce the sales charge rate that applies
to current purchases of Class A shares, and
o Class A and Class B shares of Oppenheimer funds you previously
purchased subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge
to reduce the sales charge rate for current purchases of Class A
shares, provided that you still hold your investment in one of the
Oppenheimer funds.
A fiduciary can count all shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the same
employer) that has multiple accounts. The Distributor will add the value, at
current offering price, of the shares you previously purchased and currently own
to the value of current purchases to determine the sales charge rate that
applies. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases. You must
request it when you buy shares.
n The Oppenheimer Funds. The Oppenheimer funds are those mutual funds
for which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor and
currently include the following
Oppenheimer Bond Fund Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund Oppenheimer Main Street California
Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Income Fund Oppenheimer Main Street Growth & Income
Fund
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund Oppenheimer MidCap Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Disciplined Allocation Fund Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Disciplined Value Fund Oppenheimer New Jersey Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Fund
Oppenheimer Europe Fund Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Florida Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund,
Inc.
Oppenheimer Global Fund Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Value Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Municipal Fund Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Limited-Term New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer International Small Rochester Fund Municipals
Company Fund
and the following money market funds:
Centennial America Fund, L. P. Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares of each
of the Oppenheimer funds except the money market funds. Under certain
circumstances described in this Statement of Additional Information, redemption
proceeds of certain money market fund shares may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge.
Letters of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, if you purchase Class A shares or
Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds during a
13-month period, you can reduce the sales charge rate that applies to your
purchases of Class A shares. The total amount of your intended purchases of both
Class A and Class B shares will determine the reduced sales charge rate for the
Class A shares purchased during that period. You can include purchases made up
to 90 days before the date of the Letter.
A Letter of Intent is an investor's statement in writing to the
Distributor of the intention to purchase Class A shares or Class A and Class B
shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) during a 13-month period (the
"Letter of Intent period"). At the investor's request, this may include
purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the Letter. The Letter states
the investor's intention to make the aggregate amount of purchases of shares
which, when added to the investor's holdings of shares of those funds, will
equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter. Purchases made by
reinvestment of dividends or distributions of capital gains and purchases made
at net asset value without sales charge do not count toward satisfying the
amount of the Letter.
A Letter enables an investor to count the Class A and Class B shares
purchased under the Letter to obtain the reduced sales charge rate on purchases
of Class A shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) that applies under
the Right of Accumulation to current purchases of Class A shares. Each purchase
of Class A shares under the Letter will be made at the public offering price
(including the sales charge) that applies to a single lump-sum purchase of
shares in the amount intended to be purchased under the Letter.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares. However, if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the investor's
holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal or exceed the
intended purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the additional amount of
sales charge applicable to such purchases. That amount is described in "Terms of
Escrow," below (those terms may be amended by the Distributor from time to
time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the intended
purchase amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent subject to the
Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and the Application used
for a Letter of Intent. If those terms are amended, as they may be from time to
time by the Fund, the investor agrees to be bound by the amended terms and that
those amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent period do
not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the commissions previously
paid to the dealer of record for the account and the amount of sales charge
retained by the Distributor will be adjusted to the rates applicable to actual
total purchases. If total eligible purchases during the Letter of Intent period
exceed the intended purchase amount and exceed the amount needed to qualify for
the next sales charge rate reduction set forth in the Prospectus, the sales
charges paid will be adjusted to the lower rate. That adjustment will be made
only if and when the dealer returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount
of commissions allowed or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that
apply to the actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the
Distributor will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's
account at the net asset value per share in effect on the date of such purchase,
promptly after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
The Transfer Agent will not hold shares in escrow for purchases of shares
of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds by OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k)
plans under a Letter of Intent. If the intended purchase amount under a Letter
of Intent entered into by an OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plan is not
purchased by the plan by the end of the Letter of Intent period, there will be
no adjustment of commissions paid to the broker-dealer or financial institution
of record for accounts held in the name of that plan.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter, shares
redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of Intent period
will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer of record and/or the
investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter in placing any purchase
orders for the investor during the Letter of Intent period. All of such
purchases must be made through the Distributor.
[_] Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary) made
pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value up to 5% of the intended
purchase amount specified in the Letter shall be held in escrow by the Transfer
Agent. For example, if the intended purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall
be shares valued in the amount of $2,500 (computed at the public offering price
adjusted for a $50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions
on the escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the total minimum investment specified under the Letter is completed
within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed shares will be
promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the total
purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase amount
specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor an amount
equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales charges actually paid
and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid if the total amount
purchased had been made at a single time. That sales charge adjustment will
apply to any shares redeemed prior to the completion of the Letter. If the
difference in sales charges is not paid within twenty days after a request from
the Distributor or the dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the
expiration of the Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to
realize such difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining
after such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received to
redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales charge, the
sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any
or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the holding of
which may be counted toward completion of a Letter) include:
(a) Class A shares sold with a front-end sales charge or subject to a
Class A contingent deferred sales charge,
(b) Class B shares of other Oppenheimer funds acquired subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, and
(c) Class A or Class B shares acquired by exchange of either (1) Class
A shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were acquired
subject to a Class A initial or contingent deferred sales charge or
(2) Class B shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were
acquired subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged for
shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described in the
section of the Prospectus entitled "How to Exchange Shares" and the escrow will
be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan to buy shares directly
from a bank account, you must enclose a check (minimum $25) for the initial
purchase with your application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments
from bank accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent
purchases described in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans also enable
shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use their fund account to make
monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other Oppenheimer funds.
If you make payments from your bank account to purchase shares of the
Fund, your bank account will be automatically debited, normally four to five
business days prior to the investment dates selected in the Application. Neither
the Distributor, the Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall be responsible for any
delays in purchasing shares resulting from delays in ACH transmission.
Before initiating Asset Builder payments, obtain a prospectus of the
selected fund(s) from the Distributor or your financial advisor and request an
application from the Distributor, complete it and return it. The amount of the
Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic investments may be
terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent
requires a reasonable period (approximately 15 days) after receipt of such
instructions to implement them. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend,
or discontinue offering Asset Builder plans at any time without prior notice.
Retirement Plans. Certain types of Retirement Plans are entitled to purchase
shares of the Fund without sales charge or at reduced sales charge rates, as
described in the Appendix E to this Statement of Additional Information. Certain
special sales charge arrangements described in that Appendix apply to Retirement
Plans whose records are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch
Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. or an independent record keeper that has a contract
or special arrangement with Merrill Lynch. If on the date the plan sponsor
signed the Merrill Lynch record keeping service agreement the Plan has less than
$3 million in assets (other than assets invested in money market funds) invested
in Applicable Investments, then the Retirement Plan may purchase only Class B
shares of the Oppenheimer funds. Any Retirement Plans in that category that
currently invest in Class B shares of the Fund will have their Class B shares
converted to Class A shares of the Fund when the Plan's Applicable Investments
reach $5 million.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the Fund's
shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund unpaid)
causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the Fund's shares on
the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date. That loss is equal to
the amount of the decline in the net asset value per share multiplied by the
number of shares in the purchase order. The investor is responsible for that
loss. If the investor fails to compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor
will do so. The Fund may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming
shares from any account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the
Distributor may seek other redress.
Classes of Shares. Each class of shares of the Fund represents an interest in
the same portfolio of investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class B or
Class C shares and the dividends payable on Class B or Class C shares will be
reduced by incremental expenses borne solely by that class. Those expenses
include the asset-based sales charges to which Class B and Class C are subject.
The availability of different classes of shares permits an investor to
choose the method of purchasing shares that is more appropriate for the
investor. That may depend on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the
investor expects to hold shares, and other relevant circumstances. Class A
shares in general are sold subject to an initial sales charge. While Class B and
Class C shares have no initial sales charge, the purpose of the deferred sales
charge and asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C shares is the same as
that of the initial sales charge on Class A shares- to compensate the
Distributor and brokers, dealers and financial institutions that sell shares of
the Fund. A salesperson who is entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund
shares may receive different levels of compensation for selling to one class of
shares than another.
The Distributor will not accept any order in the amount of $500,000 or
more for Class B shares or $1 million or more for Class C shares on behalf of a
single investor (not including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts). That
is because generally it will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase
Class A shares of the Fund.
[_] Class B Conversion. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after six years is subject to the continuing availability of a private
letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel or tax
adviser, to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares does not constitute
a taxable event for the holder under Federal income tax law. If such a revenue
ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion feature may
be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B shares would
occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although Class B shares could
then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of relative net asset value of
the two classes, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, such exchange
could constitute a taxable event for the holder, and absent such exchange, Class
B shares might continue to be subject to the asset-based sales charge for longer
than six years.
[_] Allocation of Expenses. The Fund pays expenses related to its daily
operations, such as custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal
fees and auditing costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and
are not paid directly by shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net
asset value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's share classes recognizes two types of expenses.
General expenses that do not pertain specifically to any one class are allocated
pro rata to the shares of all classes. The allocation is based on the percentage
of the Fund's total assets that is represented by the assets of each class, and
then equally to each outstanding share within a given class. Such general
expenses include management fees, legal, bookkeeping and audit fees, printing
and mailing costs of shareholder reports, Prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information and other materials for current shareholders, fees to unaffiliated
Trustees, custodian expenses, share issuance costs, organization and start-up
costs, interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and non-recurring expenses,
such as litigation costs.
Other expenses that are directly attributable to a particular class are
allocated equally to each outstanding share within that class. Examples of such
expenses include distribution and service plan (12b-1) fees, transfer and
shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses, share registration fees and
shareholder meeting expenses (to the extent that such expenses pertain only to a
specific class).
Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per share of
each class of shares of the Fund are determined as of the close of business of
The New York Stock Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open. The
calculation is done by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable
to a class by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The
Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but may close earlier on
some other days (for example, in case of weather emergencies or on days falling
before a holiday). All references to time in this Statement of Additional
Information mean "New York time." The Exchange's most recent annual announcement
(which is subject to change) states that it will close on New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It may also
close on other days.
Dealers other than Exchange members may conduct trading in certain
securities on days on which the Exchange is closed (including weekends and
holidays) or after 4:00 P.M. on a regular business day. Because the Fund's net
asset values will not be calculated on those days, the Fund's net asset values
per share may be significantly affected on such days when shareholders may not
purchase or redeem shares. For example, trading on European and Asian stock
exchanges and over-the-counter markets normally is completed before the close of
The New York Stock Exchange.
Changes in the values of securities traded on foreign exchanges or markets
as a result of events that occur after the prices of those securities are
determined, but before the close of The New York Stock Exchange, will not be
reflected in the Fund's calculation of its net asset values that day unless the
Board of Trustees determines that the event is likely to effect a material
change in the value of the security. The Manager may make that determination,
under procedures established by the Board.
n Securities Valuation. The Fund's Board of Trustees has established
procedures for the valuation of the Fund's securities. In general those
procedures are as follows:
o Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or on NASDAQ
are valued as follows: (1) if last sale information is regularly reported, they
are valued at the
last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which
they are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, on that day, or
(2) if last sale information is not available on a valuation date,
they are valued at the last reported sale price preceding the
valuation date if it is within the spread of the closing "bid"
and "asked" prices on the valuation date or, if not, at the
closing "bid" price on the valuation date.
o Equity securities traded on a foreign securities exchange generally
are valued in one of the following ways: (1) at the last sale price available to
the pricing service approved by the
Board of Trustees, or
(2) at the last sale price obtained by the Manager from the report of
the principal exchange on which the security is traded at its
last trading session on or immediately before the valuation date,
or
(3) at the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices obtained from
the principal exchange on which the security is traded or, on the
basis of reasonable inquiry, from two market makers in the
security.
o Long-term debt securities having a remaining maturity in excess of 60
days are valued based on the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices
determined by a portfolio pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry.
o The following securities are valued at the mean between the "bid" and
"asked" prices determined by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry: (1) debt instruments that have a
maturity of more than 397 days when
issued,
(2) debt instruments that had a maturity of 397 days or less when
issued and have a remaining maturity of more than 60 days, and
(3) non-money market debt instruments that had a maturity of 397 days
or less when issued and which have a remaining maturity of 60
days or less.
o The following securities are valued at cost, adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts: (1) money market debt
securities held by a non-money market fund that had a
maturity of less than 397 days when issued that have a remaining
maturity of 60 days or less, and
(2) debt instruments held by a money market fund that have a
remaining maturity of 397 days or less.
o Securities (including restricted securities) not having
readily-available market quotations are valued at fair value determined under
the Board's procedures. If the Manager is unable to locate two market makers
willing to give quotes, a security may be priced at the mean between the "bid"
and "asked" prices provided by a single active market maker (which in certain
cases may be the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available).
In the case of U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities,
corporate bonds and foreign government securities, when last sale information is
not generally available, the Manager may use pricing services approved by the
Board of Trustees. The pricing service may use "matrix" comparisons to the
prices for comparable instruments on the basis of quality, yield and maturity.
Other special factors may be involved (such as the tax-exempt status of the
interest paid by municipal securities). The Manager will monitor the accuracy of
the pricing services. That monitoring may include comparing prices used for
portfolio valuation to actual sales prices of selected securities.
The closing prices in the London foreign exchange market on a particular
business day that are provided to the Manager by a bank, dealer or pricing
service that the Manager has determined to be reliable are used to value foreign
currency, including forward contracts, and to convert to U.S. dollars securities
that are denominated in foreign currency.
Puts, calls, and futures are valued at the last sale price on the
principal exchange on which they are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, as
determined by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees or by the
Manager. If there were no sales that day, they shall be valued at the last sale
price on the preceding trading day if it is within the spread of the closing
"bid" and "asked" prices on the principal exchange or on NASDAQ on the valuation
date. If not, the value shall be the closing bid price on the principal exchange
or on NASDAQ on the valuation date. If the put, call or future is not traded on
an exchange or on NASDAQ, it shall be valued by the mean between "bid" and
"asked" prices obtained by the Manager from two active market makers. In certain
cases that may be at the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available.
When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is
included in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset. An
equivalent credit is included in the liability section. The credit is adjusted
("marked-to-market") to reflect the current market value of the option. In
determining the Fund's gain on investments, if a call or put written by the Fund
is exercised, the proceeds are increased by the premium received. If a call or
put written by the Fund expires, the Fund has a gain in the amount of the
premium. If the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will have a
gain or loss, depending on whether the premium received was more or less than
the cost of the closing transaction. If the Fund exercises a put it holds, the
amount the Fund receives on its sale of the underlying investment is reduced by
the amount of premium paid by the Fund.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the Prospectus.
The information below provides additional information about the procedures and
conditions for redeeming shares.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder may
reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of:
|_| Class A shares that you purchased subject to an initial sales charge
or Class A shares on which a contingent deferred sales charge which was
paid, or |_| Class B shares that were subject to the Class B contingent
deferred sales charge when redeemed.
The reinvestment may be made without sales charge only in Class A shares
of the Fund or any of the other Oppenheimer funds into which shares of the Fund
are exchangeable as described in "How to Exchange Shares" below. Reinvestment
will be at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer Agent receives
the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the Transfer Agent for that
privilege at the time of reinvestment. This privilege does not apply to Class C
shares. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this reinvestment
privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such amendment,
suspension or cessation.
Any capital gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is
taxable, and reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that
gain. If there has been a capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the
loss may not be tax deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the
reinvestment. Under the Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds of
Fund shares on which a sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares of the
Fund or another of the Oppenheimer funds within 90 days of payment of the sales
charge, the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund that were redeemed may
not include the amount of the sales charge paid. That would reduce the loss or
increase the gain recognized from the redemption. However, in that case the
sales charge would be added to the basis of the shares acquired by the
reinvestment of the redemption proceeds.
Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares tendered for
redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, the Board of Trustees of the
Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the
remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment of a redemption order wholly
or partly in cash. In that case, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in
whole or in part by a distribution "in kind" of securities from the portfolio of
the Fund, in lieu of cash.
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act. Under that rule, the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in
cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or other costs in selling the
securities for cash. The Fund will value securities used to pay redemptions in
kind using the same method the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities
described above under "Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share." That
valuation will be made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right to cause the
involuntary redemption of the shares held in any account if the aggregate net
asset value of those shares is less than $200 or such lesser amount as the Board
may fix. The Board will not cause the involuntary redemption of shares in an
account if the aggregate net asset value of such shares has fallen below the
stated minimum solely as a result of market fluctuations. If the Board exercises
this right, it may also fix the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholders in question (not less than 30 days). The Board may alternatively
set requirements for the shareholder to increase the investment, or set other
terms and conditions so that the shares would not be involuntarily redeemed.
Transfers of Shares. A transfer of shares to a different registration is not an
event that triggers the payment of sales charges. Therefore, shares are not
subject to the payment of a contingent deferred sales charge of any class at the
time of transfer to the name of another person or entity. It does not matter
whether the transfer occurs by absolute assignment, gift or bequest, as long as
it does not involve, directly or indirectly, a public sale of the shares. When
shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are transferred, the
transferred shares will remain subject to the contingent deferred sales charge.
It will be calculated as if the transferee shareholder had acquired the
transferred shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring
shareholder.
If less than all shares held in an account are transferred, and some but
not all shares in the account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge if redeemed at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the
Prospectus under "How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class B or Class
C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in determining the order in
which shares are transferred.
Distributions From Retirement Plans. Requests for distributions from
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRAs, 403(b)(7) custodial plans, 401(k) plans or
pension or profit-sharing plans should be addressed to "Trustee,
OppenheimerFunds Retirement Plans," c/o the Transfer Agent at its address listed
in "How To Sell Shares" in the Prospectus or on the back cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. The request must (1) state the reason for the
distribution; (2) state the owner's awareness of tax penalties if the
distribution is
premature; and
(3) conform to the requirements of the plan and the Fund's other redemption
requirements.
Participants (other than self-employed persons) in
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored pension or profit-sharing plans with shares of the
Fund held in the name of the plan or its fiduciary may not directly request
redemption of their accounts. The plan administrator or fiduciary must sign the
request.
Distributions from pension and profit sharing plans are subject to special
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and certain documents (available
from the Transfer Agent) must be completed and submitted to the Transfer Agent
before the distribution may be made. Distributions from retirement plans are
subject to withholding requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, and IRS
Form W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) must be submitted to the Transfer
Agent with the distribution request, or the distribution may be delayed. Unless
the shareholder has provided the Transfer Agent with a certified tax
identification number, the Internal Revenue Code requires that tax be withheld
from any distribution even if the shareholder elects not to have tax withheld.
The Fund, the Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent assume no
responsibility to determine whether a distribution satisfies the conditions of
applicable tax laws and will not be responsible for any tax penalties assessed
in connection with a distribution.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers. The
Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from authorized dealers
or brokers on behalf of their customers. Shareholders should contact their
broker or dealer to arrange this type of redemption. The repurchase price per
share will be the net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives
an order placed by the dealer or broker. However, if the Distributor receives a
repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of The New York Stock
Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that day's net asset
value if the order was received by the dealer or broker from its customers prior
to the time the Exchange closes. Normally, the Exchange closes at 4:00 P.M., but
may do so earlier on some days. Additionally, the order must have been
transmitted to and received by the Distributor prior to its close of business
that day (normally 5:00 P.M.).
Ordinarily, for accounts redeemed by a broker-dealer under this procedure,
payment will be made within three business days after the shares have been
redeemed upon the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents in
proper form. The signature(s) of the registered owners on the redemption
documents must be guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the Fund
valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem shares
(having a value of at least $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the shareholder for
receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to $1,500 per month may be
requested by telephone if payments are to be made by check payable to all
shareholders of record. Payments must also be sent to the address of record for
the account and the address must not have been changed within the prior 30 days.
Required minimum distributions from OppenheimerFunds-sponsored retirement plans
may not be arranged on this basis.
Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders having AccountLink
privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to have Automatic Withdrawal
Plan payments transferred to the bank account designated on the Account
Application or by signature-guaranteed instructions sent to the Transfer Agent.
Shares are normally redeemed pursuant to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan three
business days before the payment transmittal date you select in the Account
Application. If a contingent deferred sales charge applies to the redemption,
the amount of the check or payment will be reduced accordingly.
The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment on the date requested. The
Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering these plans at
any time without prior notice. Because of the sales charge assessed on Class A
share purchases, shareholders should not make regular additional Class A share
purchases while participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class B and Class
C shareholders should not establish withdrawal plans, because of the imposition
of the contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the
contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in "Waivers of Class B
and Class C Sales Charges" below).
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the shareholder
agrees to the terms and conditions that apply to such plans, as stated below.
These provisions may be amended from time to time by the Fund and/or the
Distributor. When adopted, any amendments will automatically apply to existing
Plans.
[_] Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the Transfer
Agent to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of the Fund for shares (of
the same class) of other Oppenheimer funds automatically on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The
minimum amount that may be exchanged to each other fund account is $25.
Instructions should be provided on the OppenheimerFunds Application or
signature-guaranteed instructions. Exchanges made under these plans are subject
to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in "How to Exchange
Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of Additional Information.
[_] Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as
necessary to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales charge
will be redeemed first. Shares acquired with reinvested dividends and capital
gains distributions will be redeemed next, followed by shares acquired with a
sales charge, to the extent necessary to make withdrawal payments. Depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. Payments
made under these plans should not be considered as a yield or income on your
investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan as agent for the shareholder(s) (the "Planholder") who executed the Plan
authorization and application submitted to the Transfer Agent. Neither the Fund
nor the Transfer Agent shall incur any liability to the Planholder for any
action taken or not taken by the Transfer Agent in good faith to administer the
Plan. Share certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased for
and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will credit all such shares to
the account of the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share certificates
held by a Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with
the Plan application so that the shares represented by the certificate may be
held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done at
net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in the account
may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Shares will be redeemed to make withdrawal payments at the net asset value
per share determined on the redemption date. Checks or AccountLink payments
representing the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will normally be transmitted three
business days prior to the date selected for receipt of the payment, according
to the choice specified in writing by the Planholder. Receipt of payment on the
date selected cannot be guaranteed.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address to
which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent may be
changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer Agent. The
Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time after mailing such notification
for the requested change to be put in effect. The Planholder may, at any time,
instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice to redeem all, or any part of, the
shares held under the Plan. That notice must be in proper form in accordance
with the requirements of the then-current Prospectus of the Fund. In that case,
the Transfer Agent will redeem the number of shares requested at the net asset
value per share in effect and will mail a check for the proceeds to the
Planholder.
The Planholder may terminate a Plan at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Fund may also give directions to the Transfer Agent to terminate a
Plan. The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon its receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it that the Planholder has died or is legally incapacitated.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that have
not been redeemed will be held in uncertificated form in the name of the
Planholder. The account will continue as a dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated
account unless and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder,
his or her executor or guardian, or another authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the Planholder
may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated form. Upon
written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will determine the
number of shares for which a certificate may be issued without causing the
withdrawal checks to stop. However, should such uncertificated shares become
exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund, the
Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer agent to act
as agent in administering the Plan.
How to Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of Oppenheimer
funds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged only for shares of
the same class of other Oppenheimer funds. Shares of Oppenheimer funds that have
a single class without a class designation are deemed "Class A" shares for this
purpose. You can obtain a current list showing which funds offer which classes
by calling the Distributor at 1-800-525-7048.
o All of the Oppenheimer funds currently offer Class A, B and C shares
except Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Centennial Money Market Trust,
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust, Centennial New York
Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, and Centennial America
Fund, L.P., which only offer Class A shares.
o Oppenheimer Main Street California Municipal Fund currently offers only
Class A and Class B shares.
o Class B and Class C shares of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves are generally
available only by exchange from the same class of shares of other Oppenheimer
funds or through OppenheimerFunds sponsored 401 (k) plans.
o Class Y shares of Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund may not be exchanged for
shares of any other Fund.
Class A shares of Oppenheimer funds may be exchanged at net asset value
for shares of any money market fund offered by the Distributor. Shares of any
money market fund purchased without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares
of Oppenheimer funds offered with a sales charge upon payment of the sales
charge. They may also be used to purchase shares of Oppenheimer funds subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge.
Shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. purchased with the
redemption proceeds of shares of other mutual funds (other than funds managed by
the Manager or its subsidiaries) redeemed within the 30 days prior to that
purchase may subsequently be exchanged for shares of other Oppenheimer funds
without being subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. To
qualify for that privilege, the investor or the investor's dealer must notify
the Distributor of eligibility for this privilege at the time the shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. are purchased. If requested, they must
supply proof of entitlement to this privilege.
For accounts established on or before March 8, 1996 holding Class M shares
of Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund, Class M shares can be exchanged only
for Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds. Exchanges to Class M shares of
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund are permitted from Class A shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. or Oppenheimer Cash Reserves that were
acquired by exchange of Class M shares. No other exchanges may be made to Class
M shares.
Shares of the Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions
from any of the other Oppenheimer funds or from any unit investment trust for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor may be
exchanged at net asset value for shares of any of the Oppenheimer funds.
[_] How Exchanges Affect Contingent Deferred Sales Charges. No
contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of any class
purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. However, when Class A
shares acquired by exchange of Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds
purchased subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed
within 18 months of the end of the calendar month of the initial purchase of the
exchanged Class A shares, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge is
imposed on the redeemed shares. The Class B contingent deferred sales charge is
imposed on Class B shares acquired by exchange if they are redeemed within 6
years of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class B shares. The Class C
contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares acquired by
exchange if they are redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase of the
exchanged Class C shares.
When Class B or Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the imposition
of the Class B or the Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed
in determining the order in which the shares are exchanged. Before exchanging
shares, shareholders should take into account how the exchange may affect any
contingent deferred sales charge that might be imposed in the subsequent
redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders owning shares of more than one
Class must specify which class of shares they intend to exchange.
[_] Limits on Multiple Exchange Orders. The Fund reserves the right to
reject telephone or written exchange requests submitted in bulk by anyone on
behalf of more than one account. The Fund may accept requests for exchanges of
up to 50 accounts per day from representatives of authorized dealers that
qualify for this privilege.
[_] Telephone Exchange Requests. When exchanging shares by telephone, a
shareholder must either have an existing account in the fund to which the
exchange is to be made. Otherwise, the investors must obtain a Prospectus of
that fund before the exchange request may be submitted. For full or partial
exchanges of an account made by telephone, any special account features such as
Asset Builder Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be switched to the new
account unless the Transfer Agent is instructed otherwise. If all telephone
lines are busy (which might occur, for example, during periods of substantial
market fluctuations), shareholders might not be able to request exchanges by
telephone and would have to submit written exchange requests.
[_] Processing Exchange Requests. Shares to be exchanged are redeemed
on the regular business day the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in
proper form (the "Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired
are purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by
either fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The Fund
reserves the right, in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request that may
disadvantage it. For example, if the receipt of multiple exchange requests from
a dealer might require the disposition of portfolio securities at a time or at a
price that might be disadvantageous to the Fund, the Fund may refuse the
request.
In connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged
may be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or this
Statement of Additional Information, or would include shares covered by a share
certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those cases, only the
shares available for exchange without restriction will be exchanged.
The different Oppenheimer funds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks. A shareholder should assure that the
fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should be aware of
the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax purposes, an
exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and a
purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege," above, discusses some
of the tax consequences of reinvestment of redemption proceeds in such cases.
The Fund, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are unable to provide
investment, tax or legal advice to a shareholder in connection with an exchange
request or any other investment transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. The Fund has no fixed dividend rate and there can
be no assurance as to the payment of any dividends or the realization of any
capital gains. The dividends and distributions paid by a class of shares will
vary from time to time depending on market conditions, the composition of the
Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne by the Fund or borne separately by a class.
Dividends are calculated in the same manner, at the same time, and on the same
day for each class of shares. However, dividends on Class B and Class C shares
are expected to be lower than dividends on Class A and Class Y shares. That is
because of the effect of the asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C
shares. Those dividends will also differ in amount as a consequence of any
difference in the net asset values of the different classes.
Dividends, distributions and proceeds of the redemption of Fund shares
represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal Service as
undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Reinvestment will be made as promptly as possible after the return of such
checks to the Transfer Agent, to enable the investor to earn a return on
otherwise idle funds. Unclaimed accounts may be subject to state escheatment
laws, and the Fund and the Transfer Agent will not be liable to shareholders or
their representatives for compliance with those laws in good faith.
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal tax treatment
of the Fund's dividends and capital gains distributions is briefly highlighted
in the Prospectus.
Special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code govern the eligibility of
the Fund's dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporate
shareholders. Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
deduction. The amount of dividends paid by the Fund that may qualify for the
deduction is limited to the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends that the
Fund derives from portfolio investments that the Fund has held for a minimum
period, usually 46 days. A corporate shareholder will not be eligible for the
deduction on dividends paid on Fund shares held for 45 days or less. To the
extent the Fund's dividends are derived from gross income from option premiums,
interest income or short-term gains from the sale of securities or dividends
from foreign corporations, those dividends will not qualify for the deduction.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year, the Fund must
distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1 through
December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized in the period
from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the current year. If it
does not, the Fund must pay an excise tax on the amounts not distributed. It is
presently anticipated that the Fund will meet those requirements. However, the
Board of Trustees and the Manager might determine in a particular year that it
would be in the best interests of shareholders for the Fund not to make such
distributions at the required levels and to pay the excise tax on the
undistributed amounts. That would reduce the amount of income or capital gains
available for distribution to shareholders.
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code (although it reserves the right not to qualify). That
qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its income and realized capital
gains to shareholders without having to pay tax on them. This avoids a double
tax on that income and capital gains, since shareholders normally will be taxed
on the dividends and capital gains they receive from the Fund (unless the Fund's
shares are held in a retirement account or the shareholder is otherwise exempt
from tax). If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on amounts
paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as a regulated
investment company in its last fiscal year. The Internal Revenue Code contains a
number of complex tests relating to qualification which the Fund might not meet
in any particular year. If it did not so qualify, the Fund would be treated for
tax purposes as an ordinary corporation and receive no tax deduction for
payments made to shareholders.
If prior distributions made by the Fund must be re-characterized as a
non-taxable return of capital at the end of the fiscal year as a result of the
effect of the Fund's investment policies, they will be identified as such in
notices sent to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect to
reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains distributions in shares of the same
class of any of the other Oppenheimer funds listed above. Reinvestment will be
made without sales charge at the net asset value per share in effect at the
close of business on the payable date of the dividend or distribution. To elect
this option, the shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing and must
have an existing account in the fund selected for reinvestment. Otherwise the
shareholder first must obtain a prospectus for that fund and an application from
the Distributor to establish an account. Dividends and/or distributions from
shares of certain other Oppenheimer funds (other than Oppenheimer Cash Reserves)
may be invested in shares of this Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Transfer Agent. OppenheimerFunds Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent, is
responsible for maintaining the Fund's shareholder registry and shareholder
accounting records, and for shareholder servicing and administrative functions.
The Custodian. The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's
portfolio securities, collecting income on the portfolio securities and handling
the delivery of such securities to and from the Fund. It will be the practice of
the Fund to deal with the Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking
relationship the Custodian may have with the Manager and its affiliates. The
Fund's cash balances with the Custodian in excess of $100,000 are not protected
by Federal deposit insurance. Such uninsured balances at times may be
substantial.
Independent Auditors. Deloitte & Touche LLP are the independent auditors of the
Fund. They audit the Fund's financial statements and perform other related audit
services. They also act as auditors for the Manager, the Sub-Advisor and certain
other funds advised by the Manager and its affiliates.
<PAGE>
30 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Auditors' Report
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the statement of investments, of Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund as of August 31,
1998, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the
statements of changes in net assets for the year ended August 31, 1998 and the
period ended August 31, 1997, and the financial highlights for the period March
31, 1997 to August 31, 1998. These financial statements and financial highlights
are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned at August 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; and
where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing
procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oppenheimer
Real Asset Fund at August 31, 1998, the results of its operations, the changes
in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated
periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Denver, Colorado
September 22, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Investments August 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount See Note 1
===============================================================================================
<S>
<C> <C>
Mortgage-Backed Obligations--58.2%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government Agency--48.7%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Collateralized Mtg.
Obligations, Gtd. Multiclass Mtg. Participation Certificates,
Series 1451, Cl. G, 7%, 9/15/06 $
8,000,000 $ 8,212,480
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Interest-Only Stripped
Mtg.-Backed Security, Series 1820, Cl. PI, 7.93%, 2/15/10(1)
14,450,277 1,774,675
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal National Mortgage Assn.:
6%, 6/30/99(2)
6,500,000 6,536,530
6.03%, 7/7/99(2)
6,540,000 6,578,847
6.07%, 7/1/99(2)
1,220,000 1,227,625
6.29%, 5/7/99(2)
3,480,000 3,502,307
Collateralized Mtg. Obligations, Gtd. Real Estate Mtg
Investment Conduit Pass-Through Certificates,
Trust 1992-188, Cl. PG, 6.65%, 1/25/17
7,711,350 7,807,742
Gtd. Real Estate Mtg. Investment Conduit Pass-Through Certificates,
Trust 1993-183, Cl. G, 6%, 1/25/19
3,000,000 3,045,930
Gtd. Real Estate Mtg. Investment Conduit Pass-Through Certificates,
Trust 1996-64, Cl. PB, 6.50%, 1/18/19
3,000,000 3,041,250
Interest-Only Stripped Mtg.-Backed Security, Trust 1993-23,
Cl. PN, (3.484)%, 4/25/22(1)
3,624,240 1,141,635
Interest-Only Stripped Mtg.-Backed Security, Trust 1997-3,
5.62%, 3/18/26(1)(2)
3,424,713 736,313
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government National Mortgage Assn., Interest-Only Stripped
Mtg.-Backed Security, Series 1997-5, Cl. PJ, 1.96%, 5/20/22(1)
2,442,142 309,847
- -----------
43,915,181
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Private--9.5%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial--6.6%
NC Finance Trust, Collateralized Mtg. Obligations,
Series 1998-I, Cl. 1, 5%, 5/25/28(3)
5,196,967 4,989,089
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resolution Trust Corp., Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates,
Series 1994-C2, Cl. G, 8%, 4/25/25
906,993 908,269
- -----------
5,897,358
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential--2.9%
Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities VII,
Series 1998-2, Cl. 1, 5%, 11/25/27(3)
2,751,347 2,644,733
- -----------
Total Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost
$52,821,471) 52,457,272
</TABLE>
13 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Investments (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount See Note 1
============================================================================================
<S>
<C> <C>
Corporate Bonds and Notes--5.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 6.52% Debs., 1/2/02
(Cost $4,997,691) $
4,870,000 $ 5,051,218
============================================================================================
Structured Instruments--33.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIG International, Inc.:
Commodity Index Excess Return Linked Nts., 5.813%, 8/4/99(6)
2,000,000 1,682,886
Commodity Index Total Return Linked Nts., 5.50%, 9/15/99(4)
6,000,000 5,519,742
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of America NT & SA (London Branch), Goldman Sachs
Commodity Index Excess Return Linked Nts., 5.50%, 1/5/00(4)
8,000,000 4,817,600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Development Bank Canada, Goldman Sachs Commodity
Index Excess Return Linked Nts., 5.45%, 1/24/00(4)
2,000,000 1,367,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cargill Financial Services Corp., Goldman Sachs Commodity
Index Total Return Linked Nts., Series 2, 5.80%, 9/13/99(4)
8,000,000 6,879,751
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Assn.:
Chase Physical Commodity Index Linked Deposit Nts.,
5.40%, 8/30/99(5)
5,500,000 5,244,250
Chase Physical Commodity Index Linked Nts.,
5.60%, 7/26/99(5)
5,000,000 3,697,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerzbank International SA, Natural Gas Linked Nts.,
5.25%, 5/22/99
2,000,000 1,375,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Structured Instruments (Cost
$38,500,000) 30,583,629
============================================================================================
Repurchase Agreements--2.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase agreement with Zion First National Bank, 5.75%, dated 8/31/98, to be
repurchased at $2,100,335 on 9/1/98, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Bonds,
9.125%, 5/15/18, with a value of $2,145,512 (Cost $2,100,000) 2,100,000
2,100,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments, at Value (Cost $98,419,162)
100.0% 90,192,119
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
(0.0) (24,403)
- ------------ ------------
Net Assets
100.0% $90,167,716
============ ============
</TABLE>
14 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1). Interest-Only Strips represent the right to receive the monthly interest
payments on an underlying pool of mortgage loans. These securities typically
decline in price as interest rates decline. Most other fixed income securities
increase in price when interest rates decline. The principal amount of the
underlying pool represents the notional amount on which current interest is
calculated. The price of these securities is typically more sensitive to changes
in prepayment rates than traditional mortgage-backed securities (for example,
GNMA pass-throughs). Interest rates disclosed represent current yields based
upon the current cost basis and estimated timing and amount of future cash
flows.
(2). Securities with an aggregate market value of $18,581,622 are held in
collateralized accounts to cover initial margin requirements on open futures
sales contracts. See Note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(3). Identifies issues considered to be illiquid or restricted--See Note 7 of
Notes to Financial Statements.
(4). Security is linked to the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index or the Goldman
Sachs Commodity Excess Return Index. The indexes are composed of the future
prices of twenty-two different commodities in five main commodity groups
(energy, agriculture, livestock, industrial metals and precious metals) in rough
proportion to the value of their production in the world economy.
(5). The CPCI is the Chase Physical Commodity Index. It is a total return
commodity index that is passively managed. The index holds unleveraged long
positions in the futures contracts of physical commodities. The index invests
across five main commodity markets: energy, grains, livestock, metals, and
food/fiber.
(6). Security is linked to the AIG Commodity Index (AIGCI). The AIGCI is a
passively managed index showing the total return from holding unleveraged long
positions in futures contracts of physical commodities. Twenty commodity markets
representing six major commodity industry groups [grains, base metals, precious
metals, energy, livestock, and softs (food/fiber)] are included in the
calculation of the AIGCI.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
15 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets and Liabilities August 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>
<C>
====================================================================================
Assets
Investments, at value (cost $98,419,162)--see accompanying statement $
90,192,119
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash
143,014
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivables:
Investments sold
5,021,954
Interest and dividends
901,607
Shares of beneficial interest sold
382,296
Daily variation on futures contracts--Note 5
16,250
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred organization costs--Note 1
26,993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
1,908
- -------------
Total assets
96,686,141
====================================================================================
Liabilities
Options written, at value (premiums received $95,750)--
see accompanying statement--Note 6
216,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables and other liabilities:
Investments purchased
5,500,000
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed
630,713
Daily variation on futures contracts--Note 5
89,827
Distribution and service plan fees
42,721
Shareholder
reports 4,912
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent
fees 2,493
Other
31,759
- -------------
Total liabilities
6,518,425
====================================================================================
Net Assets $
90,167,716
=============
====================================================================================
Composition of Net Assets
Paid-in capital
$144,675,754
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income
2,823,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions
(48,003,142)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
(9,327,911)
- -------------
Net assets $
90,167,716
=============
</TABLE>
16 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Net Asset Value Per Share
Class A Shares:
Net asset value and redemption price per share (based on net assets of
$62,567,785 and 10,765,358 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $5.81
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value plus sales charge of 5.75% of
offering price) $6.16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price (excludes applicable contingent deferred sales
charge) and offering price per share (based on net assets of $17,356,789 and
3,012,187 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $5.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price (excludes applicable contingent deferred sales
charge) and offering price per share (based on net assets of $10,242,561 and
1,778,693 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $5.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price and offering price per share (based on net
assets of $581 and 100 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $5.81
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
17 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations For the Year Ended August 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>
<C>
===================================================================================
Investment Income
Interest $
5,880,931
===================================================================================
Expenses
Management fees--Note 4
938,980
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service plan fees--Note 4:
Class A
144,458
Class B
226,561
Class C
120,605
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees--Note 4
182,526
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder reports
89,716
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal, auditing and other professional fees
63,533
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration and filing fees
14,064
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian fees and expenses
11,678
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred organization expenses
9,465
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance expenses
3,878
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees' fees and expenses
2,931
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
5,624
- ------------
Total expenses
1,814,019
===================================================================================
Net Investment Income
4,066,912
===================================================================================
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments
(50,795,170)
Closing of futures contracts
1,718,464
Closing and expiration of option contracts written--Note 6
1,347,690
- ------------
Net realized loss
(47,729,016)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments
(10,943,262)
- ------------
Net realized and unrealized loss
(58,672,278)
===================================================================================
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$(54,605,366)
============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
18 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Period Ended
August 31, August 31,
1998 1997(1)
=========================================================================================================
<S>
<C> <C>
Operations
Net investment income
$ 4,066,912 $ 514,287
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss
(47,729,016) (273,092)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
(10,943,262) 1,615,351
- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
(54,605,366) 1,856,546
=========================================================================================================
Dividends to Shareholders Dividends from net investment income:
Class
A
(1,102,914) --
Class
B
(441,240) --
Class
C
(236,846) --
Class
Y
(21) --
=========================================================================================================
Beneficial Interest Transactions
Net increase in net assets resulting from
beneficial interest transactions--Note 2:
Class
A
61,012,518 36,531,028
Class
B
14,242,312 16,023,891
Class
C
6,523,710 10,363,098
Class
Y
- -- 1,000
=========================================================================================================
Net Assets
Total
increase
25,392,153 64,775,563
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of
period
64,775,563 --
- ------------ ------------
End of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $2,823,015 and $537,526, respectively)
$ 90,167,716 $ 64,775,563
============ ============
</TABLE>
(1). For the period from March 31, 1997 (commencement of operations) to August
31, 1997.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
19 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class
A
- ------------------------
Year Ended August
31,
1998
1997(1)
================================================================================
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.31
$10.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .29
.09
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (4.59)
.22
------
- ------
Total income (loss) from investment operations (4.30)
.31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends from net investment income (.20)
- --
------
- ------
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders (.20)
- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.81
$10.31
======
======
================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(2) (42.43)%
3.10%
================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $62,568
$37,687
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $59,251
$18,361
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 4.59%
4.27%(3)
Expenses 1.66%
1.74%(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(4) 105.2%
38.9%
1. For the period from March 31, 1997 (commencement of operations) to August 31,
1997.
2. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period (or commencement of operations), with all
dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment
date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day
of the fiscal period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns.
Total returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
3. Annualized.
20 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class
B Class C Class Y
- ----------------------- ----------------------
- ---------------------
Year Ended August
31, Year Ended August 31, Year Ended August 31,
1998
1997(1) 1998 1997(1) 1998 1997(1)
================================================================================================================================
<S> <C>
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating
Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.27
$10.00 $10.26 $10.00 $10.31 $10.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .28
.07 .26 .08 .42 .20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (4.62)
.20 (4.60) .18 (4.71) .11
------
- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total income (loss) from investment operations (4.34)
.27 (4.34) .26 (4.29) .31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends from net investment income (.17)
- -- (.16) -- (.21) --
------
- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders (.17)
- -- (.16) -- (.21) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.76
$10.27 $5.76 $10.26 $5.81 $10.31
======
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
================================================================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(2) (42.89)%
2.70% (42.87)% 2.60% (42.38)% 3.10%
================================================================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental
Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $17,357
$16,471 $10,243 $10,616 $1 $1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $22,659
$7,388 $12,060 $5,599 $1 $1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net
assets:
Net investment income 3.87%
3.35%(3) 3.87% 3.34%(3) 4.84% 4.75%(3)
Expenses 2.39%
2.56%(3) 2.38% 2.56%(3) 1.40% 1.57%(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(4) 105.2%
38.9% 105.2% 38.9% 105.2% 38.9%
</TABLE>
4. The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities owned
during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at the time of
acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation. Purchases and
sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the period
ended August 31, 1998 were $189,668,387 and $78,381,855, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
21 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified, open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended. Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund is a mutual fund that seeks to provide
total return as its investment objective. The Fund's investment advisor is
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (the Advisor). The Sub-Advisor is Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (the Manager), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Advisor. The
Fund offers Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares are
sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B and Class C shares may be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge. All classes of shares have identical rights
to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except that each class has its own
expenses directly attributable to that class and exclusive voting rights with
respect to matters affecting that class. Classes A, B and C have separate
distribution and/or service plans. No such plan has been adopted for Class Y
shares. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares six years
after the date of purchase. The following is a summary of significant accounting
policies consistently followed by the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Structured Notes. The Fund invests in commodity-linked structured notes whereby
the market value and redemption price are linked to commodity indices. The
structured notes are leveraged, which increases the Fund's exposure to
commodities and increases the notes' volatility relative to the face value of
the security. At August 31, 1998, the Fund owned such securities with a face
amount of $38,500,000, which generated exposure to commodity indices of
$107,583,629. Fluctuations in the value of the security related to this
commodity exposure are recorded as unrealized gains and losses in the
accompanying financial statements. During the year ended August 31, 1998, the
market value of these securities comprised an average of 39% of the Fund's net
assets, and resulted in realized and unrealized losses of $58,867,596. The Fund
also hedges a portion of the commodity exposure generated by these securities,
as discussed in Note 5.
22 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
Investment Valuation. Portfolio securities are valued at the close of the New
York Stock Exchange on each trading day. Listed and unlisted securities for
which such information is regularly reported are valued at the last sale price
of the day or, in the absence of sales, at values based on the closing bid or
the last sale price on the prior trading day. Long-term and short-term
"non-money market" debt securities are valued by a portfolio pricing service
approved by the Board of Trustees. Such securities which cannot be valued by an
approved portfolio pricing service are valued using dealer-supplied valuations
provided the Manager is satisfied that the firm rendering the quotes is reliable
and that the quotes reflect current market value, or are valued under
consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees to
determine fair value in good faith. Short-term "money market type" debt
securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at cost (or
last determined market value) adjusted for amortization to maturity of any
premium or discount. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued
based on the closing prices of the forward currency contract rates in the London
foreign exchange markets on a daily basis as provided by a reliable bank or
dealer. Options are valued based upon the last sale price on the principal
exchange on which the option is traded or, in the absence of any transactions
that day, the value is based upon the last sale price on the prior trading date
if it is within the spread between the closing bid and asked prices. If the last
sale price is outside the spread, the closing bid is used.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund requires the custodian to take possession, to
have legally segregated in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System or to have
segregated within the custodian's vault, all securities held as collateral for
repurchase agreements. The market value of the underlying securities is required
to be at least 102% of the resale price at the time of purchase. If the seller
of the agreement defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if the
seller enters an insolvency proceeding, realization of the value of the
collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains and Losses. Income, expenses (other than
those attributable to a specific class), gains and losses are allocated daily to
each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets
represented by such class. Operating expenses directly attributable to a
specific class are charged against the operations of that class.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to comply with provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gain on
investments not offset by loss carryovers, to shareholders. Therefore, no
federal income or excise tax provision is required. At August 31, 1998, the Fund
had available for federal income tax purposes an unused capital loss carryover
of approximately $49,041,000, which expires in 2006.
23 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Distributions to Shareholders. The Fund intends to declare dividends separately
for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares from net investment income
annually. Distributions from net realized gains on investments, if any, will be
declared at least once each year.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization Costs. The Advisor advanced $37,476 for organization and start-up
costs of the Fund. Such expenses are being amortized over a five-year period
from the date operations commenced. In the event that all or part of the
Advisor's initial investment in shares of the Fund is withdrawn during the
amortization period, by any holder thereof, the redemption proceeds will be
reduced by the proportionate amount of the unamortized organization costs
represented by the ratio that the number of shares redeemed bears to the number
of initial shares outstanding at the time of such redemption.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification of Distributions to Shareholders. Net investment income (loss)
and net realized gain (loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes
primarily because of paydown gains and losses. The character of distributions
made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ
from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to
timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are
distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain
was recorded by the Fund.
The Fund adjusts the classification of distributions to shareholders
to reflect the differences between financial statement amounts and distributions
determined in accordance with income tax regulations. Accordingly, during the
year ended August 31, 1998, amounts have been reclassified to reflect a decrease
in paid-in capital of $41, a decrease in undistributed net investment income of
$402, and a decrease in accumulated net realized loss on investments of $443.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are
purchased or sold (trade date) and dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Discount on securities purchased is amortized over the life of
the respective securities, in accordance with federal income tax requirements.
Realized gains and losses on investments and options written and unrealized
appreciation and depreciation are determined on an identified cost basis, which
is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
24 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
2. Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of beneficial
interest of each class. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended August 31, 1998 Period Ended
August 31, 1997(1)
---------------------------
- -------------------------------
Shares Amount
Shares Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
<C> <C>
Class A:
Sold 11,980,392 $101,952,769
4,102,350 $40,994,666
Dividends reinvested 111,164 1,045,978
- -- --
Redeemed (4,981,608) (41,986,229)
(446,940) (4,463,638)
---------- ------------
- --------- -----------
Net increase 7,109,948 $ 61,012,518
3,655,410 $36,531,028
========== ============
========= ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B:
Sold 2,490,310 $ 22,171,281
1,629,263 $16,280,408
Dividends reinvested 42,367 397,911
- -- --
Redeemed (1,124,288) (8,326,880)
(25,465) (256,517)
---------- ------------
- --------- -----------
Net increase 1,408,389 $ 14,242,312
1,603,798 $16,023,891
========== ============
========= ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C:
Sold 1,579,842 $ 13,009,004
1,071,035 $10,719,401
Dividends reinvested 24,009 227,456
- -- --
Redeemed (860,150) (6,712,750)
(36,043) (356,303)
---------- ------------
- --------- -----------
Net increase 743,701 $ 6,523,710
1,034,992 $10,363,098
========== ============
========= ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y:
Sold -- $ --
100 $ 1,000
Dividends reinvested -- --
- -- --
Redeemed -- --
- -- --
---------- ------------
- --------- -----------
Net increase -- $ --
100 $ 1,000
========== ============
========= ===========
</TABLE>
(1). For the period from March 31, 1997 (commencement of operations) to August
31, 1997.
================================================================================
3. Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments
At August 31, 1998, net unrealized depreciation on investments and options
written of $8,347,293 was composed of gross appreciation of $365,499, and gross
depreciation of $8,712,792.
25 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
4. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Management fees paid to the Advisor were in accordance with the investment
advisory agreement with the Fund which provides for a fee of 1.00% of the first
$200 million of average net assets, 0.90% of the next $200 million, 0.85% of the
next $200 million, 0.80% of the next $200 million, and 0.75% of net assets in
excess of $800 million. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Manager receives
from the Advisor the following portions of the annual fees: 0.50% of the first
$200 million of average net assets, 0.45% of the next $200 million, 0.425% of
the next $200 million, 0.40% of the next $200 million, and 0.375% of the net
assets in excess of $800 million.
For the year ended August 31, 1998, commissions (sales charges paid
by investors) on sales of Class A shares totaled $725,009, of which $155,030 was
retained by OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (OFDI), a subsidiary of the
Advisor, as general distributor, and by an affiliated broker/dealer. Sales
charges advanced to broker/dealers by OFDI on sales of the Fund's Class B and
Class C shares totaled $774,603 and $111,824, respectively, of which $20,063 was
paid to an affiliated broker/dealer for Class B shares. During the year ended
August 31, 1998, OFDI received contingent deferred sales charges of $145,593 and
$39,184, respectively, upon redemption of Class B and C shares as reimbursement
for sales commissions advanced by OFDI at the time of sale of such shares.
OppenheimerFunds Services (OFS), a division of the Advisor, is the
transfer and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund and other Oppenheimer
funds. OFS's total costs of providing such services are allocated ratably to
these funds.
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares to reimburse
OFDI for a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the personal service
and maintenance of shareholder accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement
is made quarterly at an annual rate that may not exceed 0.25% of the average
annual net assets of Class A shares of the Fund. OFDI uses the service fee to
reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions quarterly for
providing personal service and maintenance of accounts of their customers that
hold Class A shares. During the year ended August 31, 1998, OFDI paid $3,360 to
an affiliated broker/dealer as reimbursement for Class A personal service and
maintenance expenses.
26 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
The Fund has adopted Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C
shares to compensate OFDI for its costs in distributing Class B and Class C
shares and servicing accounts. Under the Plans, the Fund pays OFDI an annual
asset-based sales charge of 0.75% per year on Class B and Class C shares for its
services rendered in distributing Class B and Class C shares. OFDI also receives
a service fee of 0.25% per year to compensate dealers for providing personal
services for accounts that hold Class B and Class C shares. Each fee is computed
on the average annual net assets of Class B or Class C shares, determined as of
the close of each regular business day. During the year ended August 31, 1998,
OFDI retained $221,715 and $114,437, respectively, as compensation for Class B
and Class C sales commissions and service fee advances, as well as financing
costs. If either Plan is terminated by the Fund, the Board of Trustees may allow
the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based sales charge to OFDI for
distributing shares before the Plan was terminated. As of August 31, 1998, OFDI
had incurred excess distribution and servicing costs of $1,408,959 for Class B
and $40,178 for Class C.
================================================================================
5. Futures Contracts
The Fund may buy and sell interest rate futures contracts in order to gain
exposure to or protect against changes in interest rates. The Fund may buy and
sell commodity futures contracts, primarily to hedge the various exposures
inherent in its holdings structured notes that are linked to commodities
indices. The Fund may also buy or write put or call options on these futures
contracts.
The Fund generally sells futures contracts to hedge against
increases in interest rates or decreases in commodity prices and the resulting
negative effect on the value of fixed rate portfolio securities. The Fund may
also purchase futures contracts without owning the underlying fixed-income
security as an efficient or cost effective means to gain exposure to changes in
interest rates or commodity prices. The Fund will then either purchase the
underlying fixed-income security or close out the futures contract.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to
deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) in an amount equal to a
certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin)
are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are
equal to the daily changes in the contract value and are recorded as unrealized
gains and losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract
is closed or expires.
27 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
5. Futures Contracts (continued)
Securities held in collateralized accounts to cover initial margin requirements
on open futures contracts are noted in the Statement of Investments. The
Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects a receivable or payable for the
daily mark to market for variation margin.
Risks of entering into futures contracts (and related options)
include the possibility that there may be an illiquid market and that a change
in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the
value of the underlying securities.
At August 31, 1998, the Fund had outstanding futures contracts as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unrealized
Expiration Number of Valuation as
of Appreciation
Date Contracts August 31,
1998 (Depreciation)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
<C> <C>
Contracts to Purchase
- ---------------------
COMMODITIES
Agriculture
Corn 12/98 165 $
1,645,875 $ (409,188)
Soybean 11/98 15
383,625 (74,625)
Wheat 12/98 100
1,270,000 (68,625)
Energy
Crude Oil 11/98 667
9,251,290 (1,030,610)
Crude Oil 9/98 532
7,096,880 (75,480)
Natural Gas 12/98 150
3,574,500 (500)
Precious Metals
Silver 12/98 150
3,508,500 (518,000)
- ----------
(2,177,028)
- ----------
Contracts to Sell
- -----------------
COMMODITIES
Agriculture
Corn 3/99 100
1,058,750 74,750
Wheat 12/98 40
557,500 101,000
Energy
Crude Oil 11/99 667
10,718,690 714,620
Industrial Metals
Copper 12/98 85
1,516,188 56,313
Aluminum 9/98 30
1,009,523 (24,023)
INDICES
Goldman Sachs
Commodities Index 9/98 150
5,130,000 273,750
- ----------
1,196,410
- ----------
$ (980,618)
==========
</TABLE>
28 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
6. Option Activity
The Fund may buy and sell put and call options, or write put and covered call
options on portfolio securities in order to produce incremental earnings or
protect against changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The Fund generally purchases put options or writes covered call
options to hedge against adverse movements in the value of portfolio holdings.
When an option is written, the Fund receives a premium and becomes obligated to
sell or purchase the underlying securities at a fixed price, upon exercise of
the option.
Options are valued daily based upon the last sale price on the
principal exchange on which the option is traded and unrealized appreciation or
depreciation is recorded. The Fund will realize a gain or loss upon the
expiration or closing of the option transaction. When an option is exercised,
the proceeds on sales for a written call option, the purchase cost for a written
put option, or the cost of the security for a purchased put or call option is
adjusted by the amount of premium received or paid.
Securities designated to cover outstanding call options are noted in
the Statement of Investments where applicable. Shares subject to call,
expiration date, exercise price, premium received and market value are detailed
in a footnote to the Statement of Investments. Options written are reported as a
liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains and losses are
reported in the Statement of Operations.
The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the
opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the
option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur
a loss if the market price of the security decreases and the option is
exercised. The risk in buying an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether
or not the option is exercised. The Fund also has the additional risk of not
being able to enter into a closing transaction if a liquid secondary market does
not exist.
Written option activity for the year ended August 31, 1998 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Call Options Put Options
----------------------
- --------------------
Number of Amount of Number of
Amount of
Options Premiums Options
Premiums
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
<C>
Options outstanding at
August 31, 1997 -- $ -- --
$ --
Options written 1,195 1,099,790 675
555,500
Options closed or expired (1,195) (1,099,790) (575)
(459,750)
------ ----------- ----
- -----------
Options outstanding at
August 31, 1998 -- $ -- 100 $
95,750
====== =========== ====
===========
</TABLE>
29 Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
6. Option Activity (continued)
A sufficient amount of liquid assets are available to cover outstanding written
put options described as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Contracts Expiration Exercise
Premium Market
Subject to Put Date Price
Received Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
<C> <C>
December 98 Silver
Futures Contracts 100 11/13/98 $5.00
$95,750 $216,000
</TABLE>
================================================================================
7. Illiquid and Restricted Securities
At August 31, 1998, investments in securities included issues that are illiquid
or restricted. Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement
transactions, are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, may have
contractual restrictions on resale, and are valued under methods approved by the
Board of Trustees as reflecting fair value. A security may be considered
illiquid if it lacks a readily available market or if its valuation has not
changed for a certain period of time. The Fund intends to invest no more than
10% of its net assets (determined at the time of purchase and reviewed
periodically) in illiquid or restricted securities. Certain restricted
securities, eligible for resale to qualified institutional investors, are not
subject to that limit. The aggregate value of illiquid or restricted securities
subject to this limitation at August 31, 1998, was $7,633,822, which represents
8.47% of the Fund's net assets.
================================================================================
8. Bank Borrowings
The Fund may borrow from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes including,
without limitation, funding of shareholder redemptions provided asset coverage
for borrowings exceeds 300%. The Fund has entered into an agreement which
enables it to participate with other Oppenheimer funds in an unsecured line of
credit with a bank, which permits borrowings up to $400 million, collectively.
Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.35%. Borrowings are payable 30 days after such
loan is executed. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata
share of the average unutilized amount of the credit facility at a rate of
0.0575% per annum.
The Fund had no borrowings outstanding during the year ended
August
31, 1998.
<PAGE>
A-1
Appendix A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFTC EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFYING HYBRID INSTRUMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 34.3 Hybrid Instrument Exemption
(a) A hybrid instrument is exempt from all provisions of the Commodity Exchange
Act (the "Act") and any person or class of persons offering, entering into,
rendering advice or rendering other services with respect to such exempt hybrid
instrument is exempt for such activity from all provisions of the Act (except in
each case Section 2(a)(1)(B)), provided the following terms and conditions are
met:
(1) The instrument is:
(i) An equity or debt security within the meaning of Section 2(l) of the
Securities Act of 1933; or
(ii) A demand deposit, time deposit or transaction account within the
meaning of 12 CFR 204.2(b)(1), (c)(1) and (e), respectively, offered by
an insured depository institution as defined in Section 3 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act; an insured credit union as defined in Section 101
of the Federal Credit Union Act; or a Federal or State branch or agency
of a foreign bank as defined in Section 1 of the International Banking
Act;
(2) The sum of the commodity-dependent values of the commodity-dependent
components is less than the commodity-independent value of the
commodity-independent component;
(3) Provided that:
(i) An issuer must receive full payment of the hybrid instrument's
purchase price, and a purchaser or holder of a hybrid instrument may not be
required to make additional out-of-pocket payments to the issuer during the
life of the instrument or at maturity; and
(ii) The instrument is not marketed as a futures contract or a commodity
option, or, except to the extent necessary to describe the functioning
of the instrument or to comply with applicable disclosure requirements,
as having the characteristics of a futures contract or a commodity
option; and
(iii) The instrument does not provide for settlement in the form of a
delivery instrument that is specified as such in the rules of a
designated contract market;
(4) The instrument is initially issued or sold subject to applicable federal
or state securities or banking laws to persons permitted thereunder to
purchase or enter into the hybrid instrument.
<PAGE>
B-1
Appendix B
CFTC EXEMPTION FOR SWAP TRANSACTIONS
Section 35.2 Exemption
A swap agreement is exempt from all provisions of the Act and any person or
class of persons offering, entering into, rendering advice, or rendering other
services with respect to such agreement, is exempt for such activity from all
provisions of the Act (except in each case the provisions of Sections
2(a)(1)(B), 4b, and 4o of the Act and Section 32.9 of this chapter as adopted
under Section 4c(b) of the Act, and the provisions of Sections 6(c) and 9(a)(2)
of the Act to the extent these provisions prohibit manipulation of the market
price of any commodity in interstate commerce or for future delivery on or
subject to the rules of any contract market), provided the following terms and
conditions are met:
(a) the swap agreement is entered into solely between eligible swap
participants at the time such persons enter into the swap agreement;
(b) the swap agreement is not part of a fungible class of agreements that
are standardized as to their material economic terms;
(c) the creditworthiness of any party having an actual or potential
obligation under the swap agreement would be a material consideration in
entering into or determining the terms of the swap agreement, including pricing,
cost, or credit enhancement terms of the swap agreement; and
(d) the swap agreement is not entered into and traded on or through a
multilateral transaction execution facility; provided, however, that subsections
(b) and (d) of Rule 35.2 shall not be deemed to preclude arrangements or
facilities between parties to swap agreements, that provide for netting of
payment obligations resulting from such swap agreements nor shall these
subsections be deemed to preclude arrangements or facilities among parties to
swap agreements, that provide for netting of payments resulting from such swap
agreements; provided further, that any person may apply to the Commission for
exemption from any of the provisions of the Act (except 2(a)(1)(B)) for other
arrangements or facilities, on such terms and conditions as the Commission deems
appropriate, including but not limited thereto, the applicability of other
regulatory regimes.
<PAGE>
C-3
Appendix C
Bond Ratings
Description of Moody's Investor Services, Inc. Bond Ratings
Aaa: Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality and to carry the smallest
degree of investment risk. 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, the changes that can be expected are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not
be as large as with 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 those of Aaa securities.
A: Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations; that is, they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative
characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements. Their future cannot
be considered well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during both good and bad
times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class.
B: Bonds rated B generally lack characteristics of desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing and may be in default or there may
be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high
degree and are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds rated C can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
retaining any real investment standing.
Description of Standard & Poor's Corporation Bond Ratings
AAA: AAA is the highest rating assigned to a debt obligation and indicates an
extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse effects of change in circumstances
and economic conditions. BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate
capacity to pay principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B, CCC, CC: Bonds rated BB, B, CCC and CC are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and CC the highest degree. While such bonds
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
C, D: Bonds on which no interest is being paid are rated C. Bonds rated D
are in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in
arrears.
Description of Fitch IBCA, Inc. Ratings
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are considered to be investment grade and of the highest
credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest
and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA: Bonds rated AA are considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. 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 these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A: Bonds rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered
to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic
conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds rate BBB are 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.
BB: Bonds rated BB are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic
changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which
could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Bonds rated B are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class
are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity through the
life of the issue.
CCC: Bonds rated CCC have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not
remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
advantageous business and economic environment.
CC: Bonds rated CC are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest
and/or principal seems probable over time.
C: Bonds rated C are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, and D: Bonds in these rating categories are in default on interest
and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and should be
valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or
reorganization of the obligor. DDD represents the highest potential for recovery
of these bonds, and D represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) Minus (-) Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the DDD, DD, or D categories.
Description of Duff & Phelps' Ratings
Long-Term Debt and Preferred Stock
AAA: Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free US Treasury debt.
AA+, AA & AA-: High credit quality protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+, A & A-: Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
BBB+, BBB & BBB-: Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
BB+, BB & BB-: Below investment grade but deemed to meet obligations when due.
Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down
frequently within the category.
B+, B & B-: Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate 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 of
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 substantial with unfavorable economic
industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company developments.
DD: Defaulted debt obligations issuer failed to meet scheduled principal
and/or interest payments.
DP: Preferred stock with dividend arrearages.
<PAGE>
D-1
Appendix D
Industry Classifications
Aerospace/Defense Food and Drug Retailers
Air Transportation Gas Utilities
Asset-Backed Health Care/Drugs
Auto Parts and Equipment Health Care/Supplies & Services
Automotive Homebuilders/Real Estate
Bank Holding Companies Hotel/Gaming
Banks Industrial Services
Beverages Information Technology
Broadcasting Insurance
Broker-Dealers Leasing & Factoring
Building Materials Leisure
Cable Television Manufacturing
Chemicals Metals/Mining
Commercial Finance Nondurable Household Goods
Communication Equipment Office Equipment
Computer Hardware Oil - Domestic
Computer Software Oil - International
Conglomerates Paper
Consumer Finance Photography
Consumer Services Publishing
Containers Railroads & Truckers
Convenience Stores Restaurants
Department Stores Savings & Loans
Diversified Financial Shipping
Diversified Media Special Purpose Financial
Drug Wholesalers Specialty Printing
Durable Household Goods Specialty Retailing
Education Steel
Electric Utilities Telecommunications - Long Distance
Electrical Equipment Telephone - Utility
Electronics Textile, Apparel & Home Furnishings
Energy Services Tobacco
Entertainment/Film Trucks and Parts
Environmental Wireless Services
Food
<PAGE>
E-11
Appendix E
OppenheimerFunds Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers
In certain cases, the initial sales charge that applies to purchases of
Class A shares1 of the Oppenheimer funds or the contingent deferred sales charge
that may apply to Class A, Class B or Class C shares may be waived. That is
because of the economies of sales efforts realized by OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc., (referred to in this document as the "Distributor"), or by
dealers or other financial institutions that offer those shares to certain
classes of investors.
Not all waivers apply to all funds. For example, waivers relating to
Retirement Plans do not apply to Oppenheimer municipal funds, because shares of
those funds are not available for purchase by or on behalf of retirement plans.
Other waivers apply only to shareholders of certain funds that were merged into
or became Oppenheimer funds.
For the purposes of some of the waivers described below and in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the applicable Oppenheimer
funds, the term "Retirement Plan" refers to the following types of plans: (1)
plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code,
(2) non-qualified deferred compensation plans, (3) employee benefit plans2
(4) Group Retirement Plans3 (5) 403(b)(7) custodial plan accounts (6) Individual
Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"), including traditional IRAs,
Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs or SIMPLE plans
The interpretation of these provisions as to the applicability of a
special arrangement or waiver in a particular case is in the sole discretion of
the Distributor or the transfer agent (referred to in this document as the
"Transfer Agent") of the particular Oppenheimer fund. These waivers and special
arrangements may be amended or terminated at any time by a particular fund, the
Distributor, and/or OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (referred to in this document as the
"Manager").
Waivers that apply at the time shares are redeemed must be requested by the
shareholder and/or dealer in the redemption request.
- --------------
1. Certain waivers also apply to Class M. shares of Oppenheimer
Convertible Securities Fund.
2. An "employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement, whether or not it
is "qualified" under the Internal Revenue Code, under which Class A shares of
an Oppenheimer fund or funds are purchased by a fiduciary or other
administrator for the account of participants who are employees of a single
employer or of affiliated employers. These may include, for example, medical
savings accounts, payroll deduction plans or similar plans. The fund accounts
must be registered in the name of the fiduciary or administrator purchasing
the shares for the benefit of participants in the plan.
3. The term "Group Retirement Plan" means any qualified or non-qualified
retirement plan for employees of a corporation or sole proprietorship,
members and employees of a partnership or association or other organized
group of persons (the members of which may include other groups), if the
group has made special arrangements with the Distributor and all members of
the group participating in (or who are eligible to participate in) the plan
purchase Class A shares of an Oppenheimer fund or funds through a single
investment dealer, broker or other financial institution designated by the
group. Such plans include 457 plans, SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE plans and
403(b) plans other than plans for public school employees. The term "Group
Retirement Plan" also includes qualified retirement plans and non-qualified
deferred compensation plans and IRAs that purchase Class A shares of an
Oppenheimer fund or funds through a single investment dealer, broker or other
financial institution that has made special arrangements with the Distributor
enabling those plans to purchase Class A shares at net asset value but
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge.
I. Applicability of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain Cases
Purchases of Class A Shares of Oppenheimer Funds That Are Not Subject to Initial
Sales Charge but May Be Subject to the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(unless a waiver applies).
There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of any of
the Oppenheimer funds in the cases listed below. However, these purchases may be
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18
months of the end of the calendar month of their purchase, as described in the
Prospectus (unless a waiver described elsewhere in this Appendix applies to the
redemption). Additionally, on shares purchased under these waivers that are
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge, the Distributor will
pay the applicable commission described in the Prospectus under "Class A
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."1 This waiver provision applies to:
1 However, that commission will not be paid on purchases of shares in amounts of
$1 million or more (including any right of accumulation) by a Retirement Plan
that pays for the purchase with the redemption proceeds of Class C shares of one
or more Oppenheimer funds held by the Plan for more than one year.
o Purchases of Class A shares aggregating $1 million or more.
o Purchases by a Retirement Plan (other than an IRA or 403(b)(7)
custodial plan) that:
(1) buys shares costing $500,000 or more, or
(2) has, at the time of purchase, 100 or more eligible employees or
total plan assets of $500,000 or more, or
(3) certifies to the Distributor that it projects to have annual plan
purchases of $200,000 or more.
o Purchases by an OppenheimerFunds-sponsored Rollover IRA, if the
purchases are made:
(1) through a broker, dealer, bank or registered investment adviser that
has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those
purchases, or
(2) by a direct rollover of a distribution from a qualified Retirement
Plan if the administrator of that Plan has made special arrangements
with the Distributor for those purchases.
o Purchases of Class A shares by Retirement Plans that have any of the
following record-keeping arrangements:
(1) The record keeping is performed by Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith,
Inc. ("Merrill Lynch") on a daily valuation basis for the
Retirement Plan. On the date the plan sponsor signs the
record-keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan
must have $3 million or more of its assets invested in (a) mutual
funds, other than those advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), that are made available under a
Service Agreement between Merrill Lynch and the mutual fund's
principal underwriter or distributor, and (b) funds advised or
managed by MLAM (the funds described in (a) and (b) are referred
to as "Applicable Investments").
(2) The record keeping for the Retirement Plan is performed on a daily
valuation basis by a record keeper whose services are provided
under a contract or arrangement between the Retirement Plan and
Merrill Lynch. On the date the plan sponsor signs the record
keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan must have
$3 million or more of its assets (excluding assets invested in
money market funds) invested in Applicable Investments.
(3) The record keeping for a Retirement Plan is handled under a service
agreement with Merrill Lynch and on the date the plan sponsor signs
that agreement, the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees (as
determined by the Merrill Lynch plan conversion manager).
o Purchases by a Retirement Plan whose record keeper had a
cost-allocation agreement with the Transfer Agent on or before May 1,
1999.
<PAGE>
II. Waivers of Class A Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
A. Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges for Certain
Purchasers.
Class A shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any
Class A sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases):
o The Manager or its affiliates.
o Present or former officers, directors, trustees and employees (and
their "immediate families") of the Fund, the Manager and its
affiliates, and retirement plans established by them for their
employees. The term "immediate family" refers to one's spouse,
children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, parents-in-law,
brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling's spouse, a
spouse's siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; relatives by
virtue of a remarriage (step-children, step-parents, etc.) are
included.
o Registered management investment companies, or separate accounts of
insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the
Distributor for that purpose.
o Dealers or brokers that have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if
they purchase shares for their own accounts or for retirement plans for
their employees.
o Employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described above or financial institutions that have
entered into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and
which are identified as such to the Distributor) or with the
Distributor. The purchaser must certify to the Distributor at the
time of purchase that the purchase is for the purchaser's own
account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or minor
children).
o Dealers, brokers, banks or registered investment advisors that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing specifically
for the use of shares of the Fund in particular investment products
made available to their clients. Those clients may be charged a
transaction fee by their dealer, broker, bank or advisor for the
purchase or sale of Fund shares.
o Investment advisors and financial planners who have entered into an
agreement for this purpose with the Distributor and who charge an
advisory, consulting or other fee for their services and buy shares for
their own accounts or the accounts of their clients.
o "Rabbi trusts" that buy shares for their own accounts, if the purchases
are made through a broker or agent or other financial intermediary that
has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those purchases.
o Clients of investment advisors or financial planners (that have entered
into an agreement for this purpose with the Distributor) who buy
shares for their own accounts may also purchase shares without sales
charge but only if their accounts are linked to a master account of
their investment advisor or financial planner on the books and
records of the broker, agent or financial intermediary with which
the Distributor has made such special arrangements . Each of these
investors may be charged a fee by the broker, agent or financial
intermediary for purchasing shares.
o Directors, trustees, officers or full-time employees of OpCap Advisors
or its affiliates, their relatives or any trust, pension, profit
sharing or other benefit plan which beneficially owns shares for those
persons.
o Accounts for which Oppenheimer Capital (or its successor) is the
investment advisor (the Distributor must be advised of this
arrangement) and persons who are directors or trustees of the company
or trust which is the beneficial owner of such accounts.
o A unit investment trust that has entered into an appropriate agreement
with the Distributor.
o Dealers, brokers, banks, or registered investment advisers that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor to sell shares to
defined contribution employee retirement plans for which the dealer,
broker or investment adviser provides administration services.
o
<PAGE>
Retirement Plans and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund
those plans (including, for example, plans qualified or created under
sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code),
in each case if those purchases are made through a broker, agent or
other financial intermediary that has made special arrangements with
the Distributor for those purchases.
o A TRAC-2000 401(k) plan (sponsored by the former Quest for Value
Advisors) whose Class B or Class C shares of a Former Quest for Value
Fund were exchanged for Class A shares of that Fund due to the
termination of the Class B and Class C TRAC-2000 program on November
24, 1995.
o A qualified Retirement Plan that had agreed with the former Quest for
Value Advisors to purchase shares of any of the Former Quest for Value
Funds at net asset value, with such shares to be held through
DCXchange, a sub-transfer agency mutual fund clearinghouse, if that
arrangement was consummated and share purchases commenced by December
31, 1996.
B. Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain
Transactions.
Class A shares issued or purchased in the following transactions are not subject
to sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases): o Shares issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset
acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party.
o Shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or other
distributions reinvested from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds
(other than Oppenheimer Cash Reserves) or unit investment trusts for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor.
o Shares purchased through a broker-dealer that has entered into a
special agreement with the Distributor to allow the broker's
customers to purchase and pay for shares of Oppenheimer funds using
the proceeds of shares redeemed in the prior 30 days from a mutual
fund (other than a fund managed by the Manager or any of its
subsidiaries) on which an initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge was paid. This waiver also applies to shares
purchased by exchange of shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund,
Inc. that were purchased and paid for in this manner. This waiver
must be requested when the purchase order is placed for shares of
the Fund, and the Distributor may require evidence of qualification
for this waiver.
o Shares purchased with the proceeds of maturing principal units of any
Qualified Unit Investment Liquid Trust Series.
o Shares purchased by the reinvestment of loan repayments by a
participant in a Retirement Plan for which the Manager or an affiliate
acts as sponsor.
C. Waivers of the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain
Redemptions.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if shares that would
otherwise be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed in the
following cases: o To make Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited
annually to
no more than 12% of the account value measured at the time the Plan is
established, adjusted annually.
o Involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law or involuntary
redemptions of small accounts (please refer to "Shareholder Account
Rules and Policies," in the applicable fund Prospectus).
o For distributions from Retirement Plans, deferred compensation plans or
other employee benefit plans for any of the following purposes:
(1) Following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary. The death or
disability must occur after the participant's account was
established.
(2) To return excess contributions.
(3) To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
(4) Hardship withdrawals, as defined in the plan.2
2 This provision does not apply to IRAs.
(5) Under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code, or, in the case of an IRA, a divorce or separation agreement
described in Section 71(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(6) To meet the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(7) To make "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in
Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(8) For loans to participants or beneficiaries.
(9) Separation from service.3
3 This provision does not apply to 403(b)(7) custodial plans if the participant
is less than age 55, nor to IRAs.
(10)Participant-directed redemptions to purchase shares of a mutual
fund (other than a fund managed by the Manager or a subsidiary of
the Manager) if the plan has made special arrangements with the
Distributor.
(11) Plan termination or "in-service distributions," if the redemption
proceeds are rolled over directly to an
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRA.
o For distributions from Retirement Plans having 500 or more eligible
employees, except distributions due to termination of all of the
Oppenheimer funds as an investment option under the Plan.
o For distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers that
have entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing
this waiver.
III. Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will not be applied to
shares purchased in certain types of transactions or redeemed in certain
circumstances described below.
A. Waivers for Redemptions in Certain Cases.
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will be waived for
redemptions of shares in the following cases: o Shares redeemed involuntarily,
as described in "Shareholder Account
Rules and Policies," in the applicable Prospectus.
o Redemptions from accounts other than Retirement Plans following the
death or disability of the last surviving shareholder, including a
trustee of a grantor trust or revocable living trust for which the
trustee is also the sole beneficiary. The death or disability must have
occurred after the account was established, and for disability you must
provide evidence of a determination of disability by the Social
Security Administration.
o Distributions from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has
entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this
waiver.
o Redemptions of Class B shares held by Retirement Plans whose records
are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch or an
independent record keeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch.
o Redemptions of Class C shares of Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust from
accounts of clients of financial institutions that have entered into a
special arrangement with the Distributor for this purpose.
o Redemptions requested in writing by a Retirement Plan sponsor of Class
C shares of an Oppenheimer fund in amounts of $1 million or more held
by the Retirement Plan for more than one year, if the redemption
proceeds are invested in Class A shares of one or more Oppenheimer
funds.
o Distributions from Retirement Plans or other employee benefit plans for
any of the following purposes:
(1) Following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary. The death or
disability must occur after the participant's account was
established in an Oppenheimer fund.
(2) To return excess contributions made to a participant's account.
(3) To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
(4) To make hardship withdrawals, as defined in the plan.4
4 This provision does not apply to IRAs.
(5) To make distributions required under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order
or, in the case of an IRA, a divorce or separation agreement described in
Section 71(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(6) To meet the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(7) To make "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in
Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(8) For loans to participants or beneficiaries.5
5 This provision does not apply to loans from 403(b)(7) custodial plans.
(9) On account of the participant's separation from service.6
6 This provision does not apply to 403(b)(7) custodial plans if the participant
is less than age 55, nor to IRAs.
(10) Participant-directed redemptions to purchase shares of a mutual fund (other
than a fund managed by the Manager or a subsidiary of the Manager) offered as an
investment option in a Retirement Plan if the plan has made special arrangements
with the Distributor.
(11) Distributions made on account of a plan termination or "in-service"
distributions," if the redemption proceeds are rolled over directly to an
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRA.
(12) Distributions from Retirement Plans having 500 or more eligible
employees, but excluding distributions made because of the
Plan's elimination as investment options under the Plan of all
of the Oppenheimer funds that had been offered.
(13) For distributions from a participant's account under an
Automatic Withdrawal Plan after the participant reaches age
59 1/2, as long as the aggregate value of the distributions
does not exceed 10% of the account's value annually (measured
from the establishment of the Automatic Withdrawal Plan).
B. Waivers for Shares Sold or Issued in Certain Transactions.
The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on Class B and Class C
shares sold or issued in the following cases:
o Shares sold to the Manager or its affiliates.
o Shares sold to registered management investment companies or separate
accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or
the Distributor for that purpose.
|_| Shares issued in plans of reorganization to which the Fund is a
party.
<PAGE>
IV. Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain Oppenheimer
Funds Who Were Shareholders of Former Quest for Value Funds
The initial and contingent deferred sales charge rates and waivers for Class A,
Class B and Class C shares described in the Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information of the Oppenheimer funds are modified as described below
for certain persons who were shareholders of the former Quest for Value Funds.
To be eligible, those persons must have been shareholders on November 24, 1995,
when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment advisor to those former Quest
for Value Funds. Those funds include:
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc. Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value
Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund
Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity
Value Fund
These arrangements also apply to shareholders of the following funds when
they merged (were reorganized) into various Oppenheimer funds on November 24,
1995:
Quest for Value U.S. Government Income Quest for Value New York Tax-Exempt
Fund Fund
Quest for Value Investment Quality Quest for Value National Tax-Exempt
Income Fund Fund
Quest for Value Global Income Fund Quest for Value California Tax-Exempt
Fund
All of the funds listed above are referred to in this Appendix as the
"Former Quest for Value Funds." The waivers of initial and contingent deferred
sales charges described in this Appendix apply to shares of an Oppenheimer fund
that are either: o acquired by such shareholder pursuant to an exchange of
shares of an
Oppenheimer fund that was one of the Former Quest for Value Funds or
o purchased by such shareholder by exchange of shares of another
Oppenheimer fund that were acquired pursuant to the merger of any of
the Former Quest for Value Funds into that other Oppenheimer fund on
November 24, 1995.
A. Reductions or Waivers of Class A Sales Charges.
|X| Reduced Class A Initial Sales Charge Rates for Certain Former Quest
for Value Funds Shareholders.
Purchases by Groups and Associations. The following table sets forth the initial
sales charge rates for Class A shares purchased by members of "Associations"
formed for any purpose other than the purchase of securities. The rates in the
table apply if that Association purchased shares of any of the Former Quest for
Value Funds or received a proposal to purchase such shares from OCC Distributors
prior to November 24, 1995.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Sales Initial Sales
Number of Eligible Charge as a % of Charge as a % of Commission as %
Employees or Members Offering Price Net Amount Invested of Offering Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 or Fewer 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 10 but not 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
more than 49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purchases by Associations having 50 or more eligible employees or
members, there is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares, but
those shares are subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge
described in the applicable fund's Prospectus.
<PAGE>
Purchases made under this arrangement qualify for the lower of either the
sales charge rate in the table based on the number of members of an Association,
or the sales charge rate that applies under the Right of Accumulation described
in the applicable fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Individuals who qualify under this arrangement for reduced sales charge rates as
members of Associations also may purchase shares for their individual or
custodial accounts at these reduced sales charge rates, upon request to the
Distributor.
|X| Waiver of Class A Sales Charges for Certain Shareholders. Class A
shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any Class A
initial or contingent deferred sales charges:
o Shareholders who were shareholders of the AMA Family of Funds on
February 28, 1991 and who acquired shares of any of the Former Quest
for Value Funds by merger of a portfolio of the AMA Family of Funds.
o Shareholders who acquired shares of any Former Quest for Value Fund by
merger of any of the portfolios of the Unified Funds.
|X| Waiver of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge in Certain
Transactions. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to
redemptions of Class A shares purchased by the following investors who were
shareholders of any Former Quest for Value Fund:
Investors who purchased Class A shares from a dealer that is or was not
permitted to receive a sales load or redemption fee imposed on a shareholder
with whom that dealer has a fiduciary relationship, under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and regulations adopted under that law.
B. Class A, Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers.
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased Prior to March 6, 1995. In
the following cases, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for
redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The
shares must have been acquired by the merger of a Former Quest for Value Fund
into the fund or by exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest
for Value Fund or into which such fund merged. Those shares must have been
purchased prior to March 6, 1995 in connection with: o withdrawals under an
automatic withdrawal plan holding only either
Class B or Class C shares if the annual withdrawal does not exceed 10%
of the initial value of the account, and
o liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset value
of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum value
of such accounts.
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased on or After March 6, 1995
but Prior to November 24, 1995. In the following cases, the contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived for redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The shares must have been acquired by the merger
of a Former Quest for Value Fund into the fund or by exchange from an
Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest For Value Fund or into which such
Former Quest for Value Fund merged. Those shares must have been purchased on or
after March 6, 1995, but prior to November 24, 1995: o redemptions following the
death or disability of the shareholder(s) (as
evidenced by a determination of total disability by the U.S. Social
Security Administration);
o withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal plan (but only for Class B or
Class C shares) where the annual withdrawals do not exceed 10% of the
initial value of the account; and
o liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset value
of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum account
value.
A shareholder's account will be credited with the amount of any contingent
deferred sales charge paid on the redemption of any Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Oppenheimer fund described in this section if the proceeds are
invested in the same Class of shares in that fund or another Oppenheimer fund
within 90 days after redemption.
<PAGE>
V. Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain
Oppenheimer Funds Who Were Shareholders of Connecticut Mutual Investment
Accounts, Inc.
The initial and contingent deferred sale charge rates and waivers for Class A
and Class B shares described in the respective Prospectus (or this Appendix) of
the following Oppenheimer funds (each is referred to as a "Fund" in this
section): o Oppenheimer U. S. Government Trust, o Oppenheimer Bond Fund, o
Oppenheimer Disciplined Value Fund and o Oppenheimer Disciplined Allocation Fund
are modified as described below for those Fund shareholders who were
shareholders of the following funds (referred to as the "Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds") on March 1, 1996, when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the
investment adviser to the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds:
Connecticut Mutual Liquid Account Connecticut Mutual Total Return
Account
Connecticut Mutual Government Securities CMIA LifeSpan Capital Appreciation
Account Account
Connecticut Mutual Income Account CMIA LifeSpan Balanced Account
Connecticut Mutual Growth Account CMIA Diversified Income Account
A. Prior Class A CDSC and Class A Sales Charge Waivers.
n Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Certain shareholders of a Fund
and the other Former Connecticut Mutual Funds are entitled to continue to make
additional purchases of Class A shares at net asset value without a Class A
initial sales charge, but subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales
charge that was in effect prior to March 18, 1996 (the "prior Class A CDSC").
Under the prior Class A CDSC, if any of those shares are redeemed within one
year of purchase, they will be assessed a 1% contingent deferred sales charge on
an amount equal to the current market value or the original purchase price of
the shares sold, whichever is smaller (in such redemptions, any shares not
subject to the prior Class A CDSC will be redeemed first).
Those shareholders who are eligible for the prior Class A CDSC are: (1)
persons whose purchases of Class A shares of a Fund and other Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds were $500,000 prior to March 18, 1996, as a
result of direct purchases or purchases pursuant to the Fund's policies
on Combined Purchases or Rights of Accumulation, who still hold those
shares in that Fund or other Former Connecticut Mutual Funds, and
(2) persons whose intended purchases under a Statement of Intention entered
into prior to March 18, 1996, with the former general distributor of
the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds to purchase shares valued at
$500,000 or more over a 13-month period entitled those persons to
purchase shares at net asset value without being subject to the Class A
initial sales charge.
Any of the Class A shares of a Fund and the other Former Connecticut Mutual
Funds that were purchased at net asset value prior to March 18, 1996, remain
subject to the prior Class A CDSC, or if any additional shares are purchased
by those shareholders at net asset value pursuant to this arrangement they
will be subject to the prior Class A CDSC.
n Class A Sales Charge Waivers. Additional Class A shares of a Fund may be
purchased without a sales charge, by a person who was in one (or more) of the
categories below and acquired Class A shares prior to March 18, 1996, and still
holds Class A shares: (1)
<PAGE>
anypurchaser, provided the total initial amount invested in the Fund or
any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled $500,000
or more, including investments made pursuant to the Combined Purchases,
Statement of Intention and Rights of Accumulation features available at
the time of the initial purchase and such investment is still held in
one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds or a Fund into which
such Fund merged;
(2) any participant in a qualified plan, provided that the total initial
amount invested by the plan in the Fund or any one or more of the
Former Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled $500,000 or more;
(3) Directors of the Fund or any one or more of the Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds and members of their immediate families;
(4) employee benefit plans sponsored by Connecticut Mutual Financial
Services, L.L.C. ("CMFS"), the prior distributor of the Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds, and its affiliated companies;
(5) one or more members of a group of at least 1,000 persons (and persons
who are retirees from such group) engaged in a common business,
profession, civic or charitable endeavor or other activity, and the
spouses and minor dependent children of such persons, pursuant to a
marketing program between CMFS and such group; and
(6) an institution acting as a fiduciary on behalf of an individual or
individuals, if such institution was directly compensated by the
individual(s) for recommending the purchase of the shares of the Fund
or any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds, provided the
institution had an agreement with CMFS.
Purchases of Class A shares made pursuant to (1) and (2) above may be
subject to the Class A CDSC of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds described
above.
Additionally, Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased without a sales
charge by any holder of a variable annuity contract issued in New York State by
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company through the Panorama Separate Account
which is beyond the applicable surrender charge period and which was used to
fund a qualified plan, if that holder exchanges the variable annuity contract
proceeds to buy Class A shares of the Fund.
B. Class A and Class B Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers.
In addition to the waivers set forth in the Prospectus and in this Appendix,
above, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for redemptions of
Class A and Class B shares of a Fund and exchanges of Class A or Class B shares
of a Fund into Class A or Class B shares of a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund
provided that the Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to be redeemed or
exchanged were (i) acquired prior to March 18, 1996 or (ii) were acquired by
exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund.
Additionally, the shares of such Former Connecticut Mutual Fund must have been
purchased prior to March 18, 1996: (1) by the estate of a deceased shareholder;
(2) upon the disability of a shareholder, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of
the Internal Revenue Code;
(3) for retirement distributions (or loans) to participants or
beneficiaries from retirement plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or
403(b)(7)of the Code, or from IRAs, deferred compensation plans created
under Section 457 of the Code, or other employee benefit plans;
(4) as tax-free returns of excess contributions to such retirement or
employee benefit plans;
(5) in whole or in part, in connection with shares sold to any state,
county, or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority, or
agency thereof, that is prohibited by applicable investment laws from
paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of
shares of any registered investment management company;
(6) in connection with the redemption of shares of the Fund due to a
combination with another investment company by virtue of a merger,
acquisition or similar reorganization transaction;
(7) in connection with the Fund's right to involuntarily redeem or
liquidate the Fund;
(8)
<PAGE>
in connection with automatic redemptions of Class A shares and Class B
shares in certain retirement plan accounts pursuant to an Automatic
Withdrawal Plan but limited to no more than 12% of the original value
annually; or
(9) as involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law, or under
procedures set forth in the Fund's Articles of Incorporation, or as
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
VI. Special Reduced Sales Charge for Former Shareholders of Advance America
Funds, Inc.
Shareholders of Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund, Oppenheimer U.S. Government
Trust, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund and Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund who
acquired (and still hold) shares of those funds as a result of the
reorganization of series of Advance America Funds, Inc. into those Oppenheimer
funds on October 18, 1991, and who held shares of Advance America Funds, Inc. on
March 30, 1990, may purchase Class A shares of those four Oppenheimer funds at a
maximum sales charge rate of 4.50%.
VII. Sales Charge Waivers on Purchases of Class M Shares of Oppenheimer
Convertible Securities Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund (referred to as the "Fund" in this
section) may sell Class M shares at net asset value without any initial sales
charge to the classes of investors listed below who, prior to March 11, 1996,
owned shares of the Fund's then-existing Class A and were permitted to purchase
those shares at net asset value without sales charge:
o the Manager and its affiliates,
o present or former officers, directors, trustees and employees (and
their "immediate families" as defined in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information) of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates,
and retirement plans established by them or the prior investment
advisor of the Fund for their employees,
o registered management investment companies or separate accounts of
insurance companies that had an agreement with the Fund's prior
investment advisor or distributor for that purpose,
o dealers or brokers that have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if
they purchase shares for their own accounts or for retirement plans for
their employees,
o employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described in the preceding section or financial institutions
that have entered into sales arrangements with those dealers or brokers
(and whose identity is made known to the Distributor) or with the
Distributor, but only if the purchaser certifies to the Distributor at
the time of purchase that the purchaser meets these qualifications,
o dealers, brokers, or registered investment advisors that had entered
into an agreement with the Distributor or the prior distributor of
the Fund specifically providing for the use of Class M shares of the
Fund in specific investment products made available to their
clients, and dealers, brokers or registered investment advisors that
had entered into an agreement with the Distributor or prior
distributor of the Fund's shares to sell shares to defined
contribution employee retirement plans for which the dealer, broker,
or investment advisor provides administrative services.
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Web Site:
www.oppenheimerfunds.com
Investment Adviser
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian Bank
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
555 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
Special Counsel
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
67890
PX735.1198 (Rev. 5/99)
