[LOGO] KEMPER FUNDS
Kemper Global and International Funds
PROSPECTUS March 1, 1999
KEMPER GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (800) 621-1048
This prospectus describes a choice of funds managed by Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc.
Global Discovery Fund
Growth Fund Of Spain
Kemper Asian Growth Fund
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
Kemper Europe Fund
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund
Kemper Global Income Fund
Kemper International Fund
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund
Kemper Latin America Fund
Mutual funds:
o are not FDIC-insured
o have no bank guarantees
o may lose value
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
FOREIGN INVESTING
INVESTMENT APPROACH
The funds described in this prospectus invest primarily in non-U.S. issuers.
Each fund has its own investment objective, investment strategy and risk
profile.
PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS
There are market and investment risks with any security and the value of an
investment in the funds will fluctuate over time and it is possible to lose
money invested in the funds.
Stock Market. Each stock fund's returns and net asset value will go up and down.
Stock market movements will affect the funds' share prices on a daily basis.
Declines in value are possible both in the overall stock market and in the types
of securities held by the funds.
Bond Market. When interest rates rise, the price of bonds typically falls in
proportion to their duration. It is also possible that bonds in the fund's
portfolio could be downgraded in credit rating or go into default.
Duration, a measurement based on the estimated pay-back period or duration of a
bond (or portfolio of bonds), is the most widely used gauge of sensitivity to
interest rate change. Like maturity, duration is expressed in years. The longer
a fund's duration, the more sharply its share price is likely to rise or fall
when interest rates change.
Portfolio Strategy. The portfolio managers' skill in choosing appropriate
investments for the funds will determine in large part the funds' ability to
achieve their respective investment objectives.
Foreign Securities. Foreign investments, particularly investments in emerging
markets, carry added risks due to inadequate or inaccurate financial information
about companies, potential political disturbances and fluctuations in currency
exchange rates.
2 Global Investing
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUNDS
GROWTH FUND OF SPAIN
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Growth Fund Of Spain seeks long-term capital appreciation. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's investment objective and policies are fundamental and
cannot be changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity
securities of Spanish companies. A company is deemed to be Spanish if it is:
o organized under the laws of Spain; or
o traded in the Spanish securities markets and doing business in Spain.
Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the fund's total assets will be
invested in equity securities of Spanish companies. The fund may invest up to
25% of its total assets in unlisted equity and debt securities, including
convertible debt securities, and in other securities that are not readily
marketable, a significant portion of which may be considered illiquid. The fund
may invest up to 35% of its total assets in investment-grade fixed income
securities denominated in Pesetas or U.S. dollars.
As an operating policy the investment manager intends to evaluate investment
opportunities throughout the Iberian Peninsula (i.e., Spain and Portugal). As a
matter of non-fundamental policy, the fund may invest up to 35% of its total
assets in equity securities of companies other than Spanish companies, and may
focus such investments in whole or in part in equity securities of companies
organized under the laws of Portugal or traded in the Portuguese securities
markets and doing business in Portugal.
In selecting its investments, the fund will look for companies with (i) strong
and sustainable earnings growth, (ii) solid management and (iii) reasonable
stock market valuations.
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, (i) the
stock has reached its fair market value, (ii) a company's fundamentals have
deteriorated and (iii) the fund's portfolio is too heavily weighted in a
particular industry or sector.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Growth Fund Of Spain 3
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, utilize other
investments and investment techniques that may impact fund performance,
including, but not limited to, options, futures and other derivatives (financial
instruments that derive their value from other securities or commodities, or
that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may vary from its investment
objective and may invest, without limit, in high quality debt instruments, such
as U.S. and Spanish government securities. In such a case, the fund would not be
pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective. The fund may also at
any time invest funds in U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments as
reserves for expenses and dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The securities markets of Spain and Portugal have substantially less volume than
the securities markets of the U.S. and securities of some companies in Spain and
Portugal are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S.
companies. Accordingly, these markets may be subject to greater influence by
adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading
significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the U.S.
Because the fund is non-diversified, the fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Accordingly, the fund's
investment returns are more likely to be impacted by changes in the market value
and returns of any one portfolio holding.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The fund is the successor entity to The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc., a closed-end
fund whose shares were exchanged for Class A shares of the fund in connection
with a reorganization transaction completed on December 11, 1998. The
information provided in the chart is for The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc. through
December 11, 1998 and for the fund's Class A shares thereafter, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return. Open-end funds generally have higher
expenses than closed-end funds and, accordingly, the fund expects that
4 Growth Fund Of Spain
<PAGE>
its expense ratio will be higher than that of its predecessor. Expenses
adversely affect performance.
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1991................. 15.82%
1992................. -23.48%
1993................. 28.79%
1994................. 2.26%
1995................. 22.11%
1996................. 31.12%
1997................. 19.47%
1998................. 49.85%
For the period included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 32.17% (the first quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -21.84% (the third quarter of 1992).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended
December 31, 1998 Class A[ Class B Class C IBEX 35 Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- -------------
One Year 41.21% -- -- 47.47%
Five Years 22.52% -- -- 25.23%
Ten Years -- -- -- --
Since Class
Inception* 13.19% 3.22%** 6.44%** ***
- -----------
[ The information provided is for The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc. through
December 11, 1998 and for the fund's Class A shares thereafter, and
assumes deduction of the Class A sales charge.
* Inception date for Class A shares is 2/14/90, which was the inception date
for the fund's predecessor, The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc. and for Class B
and C shares is 12/14/98.
** Aggregate returns.
*** Index return for the life of each class: 14.82% (2/14/90) for Class A
shares, and 4.65% (12/14/98) for Class B and C shares.
The IBEX 35 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of the 35 most liquid
Spanish stocks traded on the continuous markets. Index returns assume
reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund returns, do not reflect any fees,
expenses or sales charges.
Growth Fund Of Spain 5
<PAGE>
Fee and Expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the costs of
investing in the fund. Each class of shares has a different set of transaction
fees, which will vary based on the length of time you hold shares in the fund
and the amount of your investment. You will find details about fee discounts and
waivers in the Buying shares and Choosing a share class -- Special features
sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) 2.00%* 2.00%* 2.00%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 1.10% 1.35% 1.30%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.85% 2.85% 2.80%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* A 2% redemption fee, which is retained by the fund, is imposed upon
redemptions or exchanges of shares held less than one year, with limited
exceptions. See "Redemption Fee."
** The fund was reorganized from a closed-end fund to an open-end fund in
December 1998. The fees and expenses of open-end funds are, in many cases,
higher than those of closed-end funds. Accordingly, the expense ratios
shown above are estimated, based on the fund's current fee schedule and
expenses incurred by the fund during its most recent fiscal year, for the
fund's current fiscal year ending on October 31, 1999. The actual expenses
for each class of shares in future years may be more or less than the
numbers in the tables above, depending on a number of factors, including
changes in actual value of the fund's assets represented by each class of
shares.
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
6 Growth Fund of Spain
<PAGE>
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold your shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $941 $888 $583
3 Years $1,123 $1,183 $868
5 Years $1,518 $1,704 $1,479
10 Years $2,619 $2,719 $3,128
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $752 $288 $283
3 Years $1,123 $883 $868
5 Years $1,518 $1,504 $1,479
10 Years $2,619 $2,719 $3,128
Growth Fund Of Spain 7
<PAGE>
KEMPER ASIAN GROWTH FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Asian Growth Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's investment objective and policies may be changed without a
vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified
portfolio consisting primarily of equity securities of Asian companies.
Under normal circumstances the fund will invest at least 85% of its total assets
in equity securities of Asian companies. The fund considers an issuer of
securities to be an Asian company if:
o the company is organized under the laws of an Asian country and has a
principal office in an Asian country;
o the company derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in
Asia; or
o the company's equity securities are traded principally on a stock exchange
in Asia.
Furthermore, the fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
of Asian companies which satisfy at least one of the first two criteria
described above.
The fund invests principally in developing or emerging countries. The fund may
invest without limit in emerging Asian countries, such as China, Indonesia,
Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan. The fund may also invest
without limit in developed Asian countries, such as Japan and Singapore.
However, the fund will only invest in Japan when economic conditions warrant,
and then only in limited amounts. From time to time, the fund may have 40% or
more of its total assets invested in any major Asian industrial or developed
country.
The fund's investment manager determines the appropriate distribution of
investments among various Asian countries and geographic regions by considering
numerous factors, including the following, among other things:
o prospects for relative economic growth of Asian countries;
o expected levels of inflation;
o relative price levels of the various capital markets;
o government policies influencing business conditions;
o the outlook for currency relationships; and
o the range of individual investment opportunities available to investors in
Asian companies.
In selecting its investments, the fund will look for companies with (i)
identifiable market niches, (ii) clean balance sheets and (iii) strong
valuations.
8 Kemper Asian Growth Fund
<PAGE>
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, (i) the
stock has reached its fair market value, (ii) a company's fundamentals have
deteriorated and (iii) the fund's portfolio is too heavily weighted in a
particular industry or sector.
Because the fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio
securities, the fund may have higher transaction costs which would lower the
fund's performance over time. In addition, shareholders may incur taxes on any
realized capital gains.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest in other types of securities including, but not limited to,
equity securities of non-Asian companies, bonds, notes, and other debt
securities of domestic or foreign companies and obligations of domestic or
foreign governments and their political subdivisions. The fund does not
currently intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in debt securities.
The fund considers Asian equity securities to include shares of closed-end
management investment companies, the assets of which are invested primarily in
equity securities of Asian companies and depository receipts where the
underlying or deposited securities are equity securities of Asian companies.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in high-grade debt securities, cash and cash equivalents. In such a case, the
fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The fund invests primarily in one geographic region. Common economic forces and
other factors may affect investments in a single region, even though a number of
different countries within a region may be represented within the fund. Factors
affecting Asian investments may present a greater risk to the fund than
investments in a more geographically diversified fund.
Kemper Asian Growth Fund 9
<PAGE>
The fund expects to trade securities actively. This strategy could increase
transaction costs and reduce performance.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1997................. -34.60%
1998................. -19.02%
For the periods included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 19.46% (the fourth quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -33.05% (the second quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
MSCI All Country
For periods ended Asia Free
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C Ex-Japan Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- --------------
One Year -23.70% -22.37% -20.06% -4.82%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
Since Class
Inception** -25.10% -24.90% -23.77% *
- -----------
* Index returns for the life of each class: -26.49% (11/30/96) for Class A,
B, and C, respectively.
** Inception date for Class A, B and C shares is 10/21/96.
10 Kemper Asian Growth Fund
<PAGE>
The Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country Asia Free Ex-Japan Index is
a capitalized weighted index that is representative of the equity securities for
the following countries: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea (at 20%), Malaysia,
Philippines free, Singapore free and Thailand. Index returns assume reinvestment
of dividends and unlike the fund's returns, do not reflect any fees, expenses,
or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 1.80% 2.69% 2.96%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.65% 4.29% 4.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.80%, Class B shares to 2.78%, and Class C shares to 2.71%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. As a result, for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
"Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" were reduced by 0.85%, 1.51% and 1.85%
for Class A, Class B and Class C and actual total
Kemper Asian Growth Fund 11
<PAGE>
annual fund operating expenses were 1.80% for Class A, 2.78% for Class B and
2.71% for Class C.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited to 1.85% for Class A
shares, 2.79% for Class B shares, and 3.25% for Class C shares; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject
to this reimbursement. Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related
out-of-pocket expenses were to exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses
for a particular class during the period of the reimbursement (contrary to
current estimates), such expenses would be charged to the class in the actual
amount incurred and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for the class would
exceed the limits described above during the period. Provided further, that such
reimbursement may be discontinued at any time. It is estimated that Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses, without the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will
be 3.23% for Class A shares, 4.11% for Class B shares and 6.30% for Class C
shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $828 $831 $557
3 Years $1,351 $1,601 $1,377
5 Years $1,899 $2,383 $2,305
10 Years $3,387 $3,788 $4,662
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $828 $431 $457
3 Years $1,351 $1,301 $1,377
5 Years $1,899 $2,183 $2,305
10 Years $3,387 $3,788 $4,662
12 Kemper Asian Growth Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER EMERGING MARKETS GROWTH FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Unless
otherwise indicated, the fund's investment objective and policies may be changed
without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through equity investment in
emerging markets around the globe. Normally, at least 65% of the fund's total
assets will be invested in the equity securities of emerging market issuers.
The investment manager takes a top-down approach to evaluating investments for
the fund, using extensive fundamental and field research. The process begins
with a study of the economic fundamentals of each country and region, as well as
an examination of regional themes such as growing trade, increases in direct
foreign investment and deregulation of capital markets. Understanding regional
themes allows the investment manager to identify industries and companies that
the investment manager believes are most likely to benefit from the political,
social and economic changes taking place in a given region of the world.
Within a market, the investment manager looks for, among other things,
individual companies with exceptional business prospects, which may be due to
market dominance, unique franchises, high growth potential, or innovative
services, products or technologies. The investment manager seeks to identify
companies with favorable potential for appreciation through growing earnings or
greater market recognition over time. While these companies may be among the
largest in their local markets, they may be small by the standards of U.S. stock
market capitalization.
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager (i) the
stock has reached it fair market value and its appreciation is limited, (ii) a
company's fundamentals have deteriorated, (iii) the fund's portfolio is too
heavily weighted in a particular industry or sector, and (iv) country risk
outweighs probable return.
The fund considers "emerging markets" to include any country that is defined as
an emerging or developing economy by any of the following: the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (i.e., the World Bank), the
International Finance Corporation or the United Nations or its authorities.
The investment manager may pursue investment opportunities in Asia, Africa,
Latin America, the Middle East and the developing countries of Europe, primarily
in Eastern Europe. The fund deems an issuer to be located in an emerging market
if:
o the issuer is organized under the laws of an emerging market country;
o the issuer's principal securities trading market is in an emerging market;
or
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund 13
<PAGE>
o at least 50% of the issuer's non-current assets, capitalization, gross
revenue or profit in any one of the two most recent fiscal years is
derived (directly or indirectly through subsidiaries) from assets or
activities located in emerging markets.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in emerging market and
domestic debt securities which may be below investment-grade or unrated if the
investment manager determines that capital appreciation of debt securities is
likely to equal or exceed the capital appreciation of equity securities.
Under normal market conditions, the fund may invest up to 35% of its total
assets in equity securities of issuers in the U.S. and other developed markets.
The fund may invest in closed-end investment companies investing primarily in
the emerging markets. Such closed-end company investments will generally only be
made when market access or liquidity considerations restricts direct investment
in the market.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may hold, without limit, debt
instruments, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including foreign and
domestic money market instruments, short-term government and corporate
obligations, and repurchase agreements. In such a case, the fund would not be
pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
Because the fund is non-diversified, the fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Accordingly, the fund's
investment returns are more likely to be impacted by changes in the market value
and returns of any one portfolio holding.
14 Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund
<PAGE>
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 21.13% 22.06% 22.03%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 22.38% 24.06% 24.03%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 2.28%, Class B shares to 3.18%, and Class C shares to 3.15%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. In addition, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the investment manager agreed to waive 0.35% of its management fee. As a result,
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, "Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" were reduced by 20.10%, 20.88% and 20.88% for Class A, Class B and
Class C and actual total annual fund operating expenses were 2.28% for Class A,
3.18% for Class B and 3.15% for Class C.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited to 2.19% for Class A
shares, 3.06% for Class B shares, and 3.03% for Class C shares; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject
to this reimbursement. Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related
out-of-pocket expenses were to exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses
for a particular class during the period of the reimbursement (contrary
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund 15
<PAGE>
to current estimates), such expenses would be charged to the class in the actual
amount incurred and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for the class would
exceed the limits described above during the period. Provided further, that such
reimbursement may be discontinued at any time. The investment manager has agreed
to continue to waive 0.35% of its management fee until December 31, 1999. It is
estimated that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, without the effect of any
waiver or reimbursement, will be 17.82% for Class A shares, 19.05% for Class B
shares and 17.48% for Class C shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $2,501 $2,577 $2,274
3 Years $5,407 $5,665 $5,360
5 Years $7,391 $7,653 $7,449
10 Years $10,014 $9,914 $10,042
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $2,501 $2,177 $2,174
3 Years $5,407 $5,365 $5,360
5 Years $7,391 $7,453 $7,449
10 Years $10,014 $9,914 $10,042
16 Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER EMERGING MARKETS INCOME FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund has dual investment objectives. The fund's
primary investment objective is to provide investors with high current income.
As a secondary investment objective, the fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's investment objectives and
policies may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
In pursuing its investment objectives, the fund invests primarily in
high-yielding debt securities issued by governments and corporations in emerging
markets.
The fund can invest entirely in high yield/high risk bonds (also called "junk"
bonds). The fund invests in lower quality securities of emerging market issuers,
some of which have defaulted in the past on certain of their financial
obligations. The fund's weighted average maturity may vary from period to
period.
In seeking high current income and, secondarily, long-term capital appreciation,
the fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total
assets in debt securities issued by governments, government-related entities and
corporations in emerging markets, or in debt securities, the return on which is
derived primarily from emerging markets.
The fund considers "emerging markets" to include any country that is defined as
an emerging or developing economy by any of the following: the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (i.e., the World Bank), the
International Finance Corporation or the United Nations or its authorities.
The investment manager may pursue investment opportunities in Asia, Africa,
Latin America, the Middle East and the developing countries of Europe, primarily
in Eastern Europe. The fund deems an issuer to be located in an emerging market
if:
o The issuer is organized under the laws of an emerging market country;
o The issuer's principal securities trading market is in an emerging market;
or
o at least 50% of the issuer's non-current assets, capitalization, gross
revenue or profit in any one of the two most recent fiscal years is
derived (directly or indirectly from subsidiaries) from assets or
activities located in emerging markets.
The portfolio manager seeks to buy securities of companies with good credit,
strong fundamentals and strong valuations, and conversely, to sell securities
which cannot meet these criteria.
In an attempt to reduce or eliminate currency risk, the debt securities in which
the fund invests are exclusively U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities, or
foreign currency denominated debt securities that are fully hedged back into the
U.S. dollar.
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund 17
<PAGE>
Because the fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio
securities, the fund may have higher transaction costs which would lower the
fund's performance over time. In addition, shareholders may incur taxes on any
realized capital gains.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities other than debt
obligations issued in emerging markets. These holdings include debt securities
and money market instruments issued by corporations and governments based in
developed markets.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in U.S. fixed income
instruments which may be below investment-grade.
The fund may acquire shares of closed-end investment companies that invest
primarily in emerging market debt securities.
The fund is authorized to borrow from banks and other entities in an amount
equal to up to 20% of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed),
less all liabilities and indebtedness other than the borrowing, and may use
proceeds of the borrowings for investment purposes. Borrowing creates leverage,
which is a speculative characteristic.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
The fund will not commit more than 40% of its total assets to issuers in a
single country.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limit in U.S. debt
securities, including short-term money market securities. In such a case, the
fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
18 Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
<PAGE>
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the bond market, the
investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The fund invests in emerging securities markets that may have substantially less
volume and are subject to less government supervision than U.S. securities
markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may be less liquid and
more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. In addition, there
is less regulation of securities exchanges, securities dealers, and listed and
unlisted companies in emerging markets than in the U.S.
Emerging markets have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in
certain markets there have been times when settlements have not kept pace with
the volume of securities transactions. Certain emerging markets require prior
governmental approval of the type and/or amount of investments by foreign
persons.
Issuers whose bonds are below investment-grade may be in impaired financial
condition and may be affected by stock market shifts. The prices of their bonds,
therefore, tend to change based on stock market movements to a greater degree
than investment-grade bond prices.
Because the fund is non-diversified, the fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Accordingly, the fund's
investment returns are more likely to be impacted by changes in the market value
and returns of any one portfolio holding.
The fund expects to trade securities actively. This strategy could increase
transaction costs and reduce performance.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund 19
<PAGE>
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1998................. -36.38%
For the period included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 10.31% (the fourth quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -38.46% (the second quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended JP Morgan
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C EMBI+ Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- -----------
One Year* -39.20% -38.78% -36.96% -14.35%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
- -----------
* Inception date for Class A, B and C shares is 12/31/97.
The unmanaged JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus (EMBI+) tracks total
returns for traded external debt instruments in the emerging markets. Included
in the index are U.S. dollar and other external-currency-denominated Brady
bonds, loans, Eurobonds, and local market instruments. Index returns assume
reinvestment of dividends and unlike the fund's returns, do not reflect any
fees, expenses or sales charges.
Fee and Expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
20 Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 4.5% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 4.12% 5.00% 4.97%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 5.12% 6.75% 6.72%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.68%, Class B shares to 2.56%, and Class C shares to 2.53%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. In addition, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the investment manager agreed to waive 0.70% of its management fee. As a result,
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, "Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" were reduced by 3.44%, 4.19% and 4.19% for Class A, Class B and Class
C and actual total annual fund operating expenses were 1.68% for Class A, 2.56%
for Class B and 2.53% for Class C.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited at the same level as
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998; provided, however transfer agency
fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject to this reimbursement.
Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were to
exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses for a particular class during
the period of the reimbursement (contrary to current estimates), such expenses
would be charged to the class in the actual amount incurred and Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses for the class would exceed the limits described above
during the period. Provided further that such reimbursement may be discontinued
at any time. The investment manager has agreed to continue to waive 0.70% of its
management fee until December 31, 1999. It is estimated that Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses, without the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will be
4.71% for Class A shares, 4.49% for Class B shares and 4.94% for Class C shares.
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund 21
<PAGE>
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $939 $1,069 $766
3 Years $1,914 $2,272 $1,964
5 Years $2,887 $3,430 $3,218
10 Years $5,310 $5,622 $6,170
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $939 $669 $666
3 Years $1,914 $1,972 $1,964
5 Years $2,887 $3,230 $3,218
10 Years $5,310 $5,622 $6,170
22 Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER EUROPE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Europe Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Unless otherwise indicated,
the fund's investment objective and policies may be changed without a vote of
shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified
portfolio consisting primarily of equity securities of European companies.
Under normal circumstances the fund will invest at least 85% of its total assets
in securities of European companies. The fund considers an issuer of securities
to be a European company if:
o the company is organized under the laws of a European country and has a
principal office in a European country;
o the company derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in
Europe; or
o the company's equity securities are traded principally on a stock exchange
in Europe.
Furthermore, the fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
of European companies which satisfy at least one of the first two criteria
described above.
The fund invests principally in developed countries, but may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in developing or "emerging" countries. Currently, the developed
European countries in which the fund may invest without limit include Austria,
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, United
Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The fund may
invest without limit in other European countries in the future if they become
developed countries. From time to time, the fund may have 25% or more of its
total assets invested in any major European industrial or developed country.
The fund's investment manager determines the appropriate distribution of
investments among various European countries and geographic regions by
considering numerous factors, including the following, among other things:
o prospects for relative economic growth of European countries;
o expected levels of inflation;
o relative price levels of the various capital markets;
o government policies influencing business conditions;
o the outlook for currency relationships; and
o the range of individual investment opportunities available to investors in
European companies.
Kemper Europe Fund 23
<PAGE>
In selecting its investments, the fund will look for companies with (i) strong
earnings growth, (ii) clean balance sheets, (iii) strong management and (iv)
increasing revenue.
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, (i) the
stock has reached a predetermined value, (ii) the company's fundamentals have
deteriorated, and (iii) the company deviates from a previously demonstrated
business plan.
Because the fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio
securities, the fund may have higher transaction costs which would lower the
fund's performance over time. In addition, shareholders may incur taxes on any
realized capital gains.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest in other types of securities including, but not limited to,
equity securities of non-European companies, bonds, notes, and other debt
securities of domestic or foreign companies and obligations of domestic or
foreign governments and their political subdivisions.
The fund considers European equity securities to include shares of closed-end
management investment companies, the assets of which are invested primarily in
equity securities of European companies and depository receipts where the
underlying or deposited securities are equity securities of European companies.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in high-grade debt securities, cash and cash equivalents. In such a case, the
fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The fund invests primarily in one geographic region. Common economic forces and
other factors may affect investments in a single region, even though a
24 Kemper Europe Fund
<PAGE>
number of different countries within a region may be represented within the
fund. Factors affecting European investments may present a greater risk to the
fund than investments in a more geographically diversified fund.
The fund expects to trade securities actively. This strategy could increase
transaction costs and reduce performance.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1997................. 15.87%
1998................. 19.96%
For the periods included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 18.12% (the first quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -15.94% ( the third quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended FT/S&P World Europe
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- -----
One Year 13.10% 15.63% 19.26% 27.55%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
Since Class
Inception** 17.39% 18.07% 19.19% *
- -----------
* Index returns for the life of each class: 25.92% (4/30/96) for Class A, B,
and C shares, respectively.
** Inception date for the Class A, B and C shares is 5/1/96.
Kemper Europe Fund 25
<PAGE>
The Financial Times/Standard & Poor's Actuaries World Index - Europe is an
unmanaged index that is generally representative of the equity securities of
European Markets. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and unlike the
fund's returns, do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 1.53% 2.92% 1.39%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.28% 4.42% 2.89%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.53%, Class B shares to 2.67%, and Class C shares to 2.08%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. As a result, for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
"Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" were reduced by 0.75%, 1.75% and 0.81%
for Class A, Class B and Class C and actual total annual fund operating expenses
were 1.53% for Class A, 2.67% for Class B and 2.08% for Class C.
26 Kemper Europe Fund
<PAGE>
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited to 1.75% for Class A
shares, 2.65% for Class B shares, and 2.62% for Class C shares; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject
to this reimbursement. Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related
out-of-pocket expenses were to exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses
for a particular class during the period of the reimbursement (contrary to
current estimates), such expenses would be charged to the class in the actual
amount incurred and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for the class would
exceed the limits described above during the period. Provided further, that such
reimbursement may be discontinued at any time. It is estimated that Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses, without the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will
be 1.73% for Class A shares, 3.27% for Class B shares and 2.38% for Class C
shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $793 $843 $392
3 Years $1,246 $1,638 $895
5 Years $1,725 $2,442 $1,523
10 Years $3,040 $3,695 $3,214
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $793 $443 $292
3 Years $1,246 $1,338 $895
5 Years $1,725 $2,242 $1,523
10 Years $3,040 $3,695 $3,214
Kemper Europe Fund 27
<PAGE>
Proposed reorganization
The Board of Trustees of the Kemper Europe Fund has agreed in principle to
propose to shareholders that the Fund be reorganized into the Scudder New Europe
Fund, Inc. In connection with the reorganization, the Scudder New Europe Fund,
which is currently a closed-end investment company, will be converted to an
open-end investment company (mutual fund). After the reorganization, it is
expected that the Scudder New Europe Fund will change its name to the Kemper
Europe Fund, Inc. and will become a part of the Kemper family of funds.
The reorganization is expected to occur during the third quarter of 1999 and is
subject to a number of conditions, including final approval by the board and
approval by shareholders of each fund.
28 Kemper Europe Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER GLOBAL BLUE CHIP FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's investment objective and policies may be changed without a
vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund will pursue its investment objective through a diversified worldwide
portfolio of marketable securities, primarily equity securities, including
common stock, preferred stocks and debt securities convertible into common
stocks.
The fund will emphasize investments in common stocks of large, well known
companies. Companies of this general type are often referred to as "blue chip"
companies. "Blue Chip" companies are generally identified by their:
o substantial capitalization;
o established history of earnings and dividends;
o easy access to credit;
o good industry position; and
o superior management structure.
Global "blue chip" companies are believed to generally exhibit less investment
risk and less price volatility, on average, than companies lacking these
characteristics, such as smaller, less seasoned companies. In addition, the
large market of publicly held shares for such companies and the generally high
trading volume in those shares usually results in a relatively high degree of
liquidity for such investments.
In general, the fund will seek to invest in companies that the investment
manager believes will benefit from global economic trends, promising
technologies or products and specific country opportunities resulting from
changing geopolitical, currency or economic relationships. The fund will also
invest in companies which possess attractive valuations.
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, (i) it
no longer has favorable fundamentals or valuations and (ii) it is not expected
to benefit from long-term changes in the global economy.
The fund will invest primarily in developed markets. The fund may be invested
100% in non-U.S. issues, although under normal circumstances, it is expected
that both foreign and U.S. investments will be represented in the fund's
portfolio.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund 29
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in debt or equity securities
of developing or emerging markets. The fund may invest in closed-end investment
companies that invest primarily in emerging market debt securities.
The fund may invest in securities traded over-the-counter. The fund may invest
in high-quality debt securities with credit ratings of Aaa/AAA through Baa/BBB
(and their unrated equivalents) of U.S. and foreign issuers. The fund may also
invest up to 5% of its total assets in debt securities rated Baa/BBB or below
(and their unrated equivalents), often referred to as "junk" bonds of U.S. and
foreign issuers.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in U.S. issues, high-grade debt securities, cash and cash equivalents. In such a
case, the fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment
objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
Convertible debt securities in which the fund may invest are subject to some of
the same interest rate risk as bonds; that is, their prices tend to drop when
interest rates rise.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
30 Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund
<PAGE>
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1998................. 13.79%
For the period included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 10.32% (the first quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -8.00% (the third quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C MSCI World Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------------
One Year* 7.24% 9.63% 12.84% 24.80%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
- -----------
* Inception date for Class A, B and C shares is 12/31/97.
The MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) World Index measures performance
of a range of developed country general stock markets, including the United
States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Index returns
assume reinvestment of dividends and unlike the fund's returns, do not reflect
any fees, expenses or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund 31
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 5.06% 5.94% 5.91%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6.06% 7.69% 7.66%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.80%, Class B shares to 2.68%, and Class C shares to 2.65%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. In addition, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the investment manager agreed to waive 0.15% of its management fee. As a result,
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, "Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" were reduced by 4.26%, 5.01% and 5.01% for Class A, Class B and Class
C and actual total annual fund operating expenses were 1.80% for Class A, 2.68%
for Class B and 2.65% for Class C.
32 Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund
<PAGE>
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited at the same level as
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998; provided, however transfer agency
fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject to this reimbursement.
Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were to
exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses for a particular class during
the period of the reimbursement (contrary to current estimates), such expenses
would be charged to the class in the actual amount incurred and Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses for the class would exceed the limits described above
during the period. Provided further, that such reimbursement may be discontinued
at any time. The investment manager has agreed to continue to waive 0.15% of its
management fee until December 31, 1999. It is estimated that Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses, without the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will be
3.63% for Class A shares, 4.53% for Class B shares and 5.81% for Class C shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,143 $1,159 $856
3 Years $2,261 $2,515 $2,208
5 Years $3,356 $3,795 $3,583
10 Years $5,993 $6,207 $6,715
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,143 $759 $756
3 Years $2,261 $2,215 $2,208
5 Years $3,356 $3,595 $3,583
10 Years $5,993 $6,207 $6,715
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund 33
<PAGE>
KEMPER GLOBAL DISCOVERY FUND*
* Kemper Global Discovery Fund refers to the Kemper shares of Global
Discovery Fund which are offered through this prospectus.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks above-average capital appreciation over the long term. Unless
otherwise indicated, the fund's investment objective and strategies may be
changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of
small rapidly growing companies throughout the world that the fund's management
believes offer the potential for above-average returns relative to large
companies, yet are frequently overlooked, and thus, undervalued by the market.
Under normal circumstances the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
the equity securities of small companies. These companies are similar in size to
the smallest 20% of world market capitalization as represented by the Salomon
Brothers Broad Market Index - typically these companies have a market value of
between approximately $50 million and $2 billion. However, the fund may invest
in companies with smaller market values. Under current market conditions, the
median market capitalizations of the companies in which the fund invests is not
expected to exceed $750 million.
The fund may invest in any region of the world. It can invest in the securities
of companies based in emerging markets, typically in the Far East, Latin America
and lesser developed countries in Europe, as well as in companies operating in
developed economies, such as some of those of the United States, Japan and
Western Europe. The fund intends to allocate investments among at least three
countries at all times, one of which may be the United States.
The fund's investment manager determines which securities to invest in by
evaluating potential investments from both a macroeconomic and microeconomic
perspective, using fundamental analysis, including field research. The fund's
investment manager determines which securities to sell using the same criteria.
In evaluating the growth potential and relative value of a possible investment,
the investment manager considers many factors, including, among other things:
o the depth and quality of management;
o a company's product line, business strategy and competitive position;
o research and development efforts;
o financial strength, including degree of leverage;
o cost structure;
o revenue and earnings growth potential;
o price-to-earnings ratios and other stock valuation measures; and
o the attractiveness of the country and region in which a company is
located.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
34 Global Discovery Fund
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (i) equity securities of
larger companies located throughout the world and in (ii) debt securities if the
fund's investment adviser determines that the capital appreciation of debt
securities is likely to exceed the capital appreciation of equity securities.
The fund may purchase investment-grade bonds, those rated Aaa, Aa, A, Baa/AAA,
AA, A, BBB. The fund may also invest up to 5% of its net assets in debt
securities rated below investment-grade.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest, without limit, in cash
and cash equivalents. In such a case, the fund would not be pursuing, and may
not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities, primarily global small company stocks. You will find a discussion of
these risks under "Foreign Investing" at the front of this prospectus.
In pursuit of higher investment returns, this fund may incur greater risks and
more dramatic fluctuations in value than a fund that invests in stocks of larger
companies. The inherent business characteristics and risks of small companies
include such things as untested management, key personnel with varying degrees
of experience, less diversified product lines and weaker financial positions.
Also, small companies tend to have less predictable earnings and less liquid
securities than more established companies.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance. Because
Classes A, B and C commenced operations during the course of 1998, the
performance information set forth below is for Class S shares. It does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Global Discovery Fund 35
<PAGE>
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1992................. -0.07%
1993................. 38.18%
1994................. -7.68%
1995................. 17.84%
1996................. 21.47%
1997................. 9.93%
1998................. 16.43%
The fund currently offers four classes of shares. This prospectus sets forth
information about classes A, B and C. The original class of shares is designated
as Class S, and is not offered in this prospectus. All share classes invest in
the same underlying portfolio of securities and have the same management team.
Because of different fees and expenses, performance of share classes will
differ. Otherwise, the share classes will have substantially similar returns.
For the periods included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 20.25% (the fourth quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -16.62% (the third quarter of 1998).
Average annual total returns
Salomon Brothers
For periods ended Global World Equity
December 31, 1998 Discovery Fund Extended Market Index
- ----------------- -------------- ---------------------
One Year 16.43% 20.57%
Five Years 11.08% 15.94%
Since Inception (9/10/91) 12.83% 14.05%*
* Index comparison begins August 30, 1991.
The Salomon Brothers World Equity Extended Market Index is an unmanaged small
capitalization index made up of holdings selected from a 22 country universe.
Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund returns, do not
reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
36 Global Discovery Fund
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.10% 1.10% 1.10%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 1.10% 1.28% 1.38%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.20% 3.13% 3.23%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.95%, Class B shares to 2.83%, and Class C shares to 2.80%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. As a result, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
"Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" were reduced by 0.25%, 0.30% and 0.43%
for Class A, Class B and Class C and actual total annual fund operating expenses
were 1.95% for Class A, 2.83% for Class B and 2.80% for Class C.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited at the same level as
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998; provided, however transfer agency
fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject to this reimbursement.
Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were to
exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses for a particular class during
the period of the reimbursement (contrary to current estimates), such expenses
would be charged to the class in the actual amount incurred and Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses for the class would exceed the limits described above
during the period. Provided further, that such reimbursement may be discontinued
at any time. It is estimated that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, without
the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will be 2.07% for Class A shares,
2.81% for Class B shares and 2.75% for Class C shares.
Global Discovery Fund 37
<PAGE>
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $785 $716 $426
3 Years $1,224 $1,266 $995
5 Years $1,687 $1,840 $1,688
10 Years $2,963 $3,007 $3,531
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $785 $316 $326
3 Years $1,224 $966 $995
5 Years $1,687 $1,640 $1,688
10 Years $2,963 $3,007 $3,531
38 Global Discovery Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER GLOBAL INCOME FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Global Income Fund seeks to provide high current income consistent with
prudent total return asset management. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's
investment objective and policies may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in
investment grade foreign and domestic fixed income securities. In managing the
fund's portfolio to provide a high level of current income, the investment
manager also seeks to protect net asset value and to provide investors with a
total return, which is measured by changes in net asset value as well as income
earned. The fund's weighted average maturity may vary from period to period.
The fund may invest in securities issued by any issuer and in any currency and
may hold foreign currency. Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest
at least 65% of its assets in the securities of issuers located in at least
three countries, one of which may be the United States. It is currently
anticipated that the fund's assets will be invested principally within
Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and Western Europe,
and in securities denominated in the currencies of these countries or
denominated in multinational currency units, such as the Euro.
In managing the fund's portfolio in an effort to reduce volatility and increase
returns, the fund may allocate its assets among securities of various issuers,
geographic regions, and currency denominations in a manner that is consistent
with its investment objective based upon the following:
o relative interest rates among currencies;
o the outlook for changes in these interest rates; and
o anticipated changes in worldwide exchange rates.
In considering these factors, a country's economic and political state,
including such factors as inflation rate, growth prospects, global trade
patterns and government policies, will be evaluated.
The fund will buy and sell its investments on the basis of, among other things,
various economic fundamentals, including inflation rates, interest rates and
exchange rates.
Because the fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio
securities, the fund may have higher transaction costs which would lower the
fund's performance over time. In addition, shareholders may incur taxes on any
realized capital gains.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Kemper Global Income Fund 39
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, utilize other
investments and investment techniques that may impact fund performance,
including, but not limited to, options, futures and other derivatives (financial
instruments that derive their value from other securities or commodities, or
that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in high-grade debt securities, cash and cash equivalents. In such a case, the
fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the bond market, the
investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
Because the fund is non-diversified, the fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Accordingly, the fund's
investment returns are more likely to be impacted by changes in the market value
and returns of any one portfolio holding.
The fund expects to trade securities actively. This strategy could increase
transaction costs and reduce performance. Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
40 Kemper Global Income Fund
<PAGE>
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1990................. 22.66%
1991................. 11.13%
1992................. -1.90%
1993................. 10.23%
1994................. -1.47%
1995................. 19.89%
1996................. 5.87%
1997................. 1.80%
1998................. 10.48%
For the periods included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 11.23% (the first quarter of 1995), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -4.32% (the first quarter of 1992).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended SB World Government
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C Bond Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
One Year 5.56% 6.56% 9.72% 6.92%
Five Years 6.08% -- -- 7.34%
Ten Years -- -- -- --
Since Class
Inception** 8.21% 7.49% 7.93% *
- -----------
* Index returns for the life of each class: 9.57% (10/1/89) for Class A
shares and 8.77% (5/31/94) for B, and C shares.
** Inception dates for Class A, B, and C shares are 10/1/89, 5/31/94 and
5/31/94, respectively.
The Salomon Smith Barney World Government Bond Index is an unmanaged index
comprised of government bonds from eighteen countries (United States, Japan,
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia,
Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden) with maturities greater than one year. Index returns assume
reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund returns, do not reflect any fees,
expenses or sales charges.
Fee and Expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
Kemper Global Income Fund 41
<PAGE>
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 4.5% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 0.83% 0.82% 0.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.58% 2.32% 2.13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $603 $635 $316
3 Years $926 $1,024 $667
5 Years $1,272 $1,440 $1,144
10 Years $2,244 $2,302 $2,462
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $603 $235 $216
3 Years $926 $724 $667
5 Years $1,272 $1,240 $1,144
10 Years $2,244 $2,302 $2,462
42 Kemper Global Income Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER INTERNATIONAL FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper International Fund seeks total return, a combination of capital growth
and income. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's investment objective and
policies may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
In pursuing its investment objective, the fund invests primarily in common
stocks of established non-U.S. companies believed to have potential for capital
growth, income or both.
There is no limitation on the percentage or amount of the fund's assets that may
be invested in growth or income, and therefore at any particular time the
investment emphasis may be placed solely or primarily on growth of capital or on
income. In determining whether the fund will be invested for capital growth or
income, the investment manager analyzes the international equity and fixed
income markets and seeks to assess the degree of risk and level of return that
can be expected from each market.
The fund invests primarily in non-U.S. issuers, and under normal circumstances
more than 80% of the fund's total assets will be invested in non-U.S. issuers.
From time to time, the fund may have more than 25% of its assets invested in any
major industrial or developed country which in the view of the investment
manager poses no unique investment risk.
In determining the appropriate distribution of investments among various
countries and geographic regions, the investment manager ordinarily considers
the following factors, among other things:
o prospects for relative economic growth among foreign countries;
o expected levels of inflation;
o relative price levels of the various capital markets;
o government policies influencing business conditions;
o the outlook for currency relationships; and
o the range of individual investment opportunities available to the
international investor.
In selecting its investments, the fund will look for companies with (i) strong
earnings growth, (ii) clean balance sheets, (iii) strong management and (iv)
increasing revenue. The fund will also look for previously unmanaged companies
which are undergoing a turnaround as a result of new management, product focus
or balance sheet restructuring.
A stock is typically sold when the stock (i) has reached a predetermined value,
(ii) the company's fundamentals have deteriorated, and (iii) the company
deviates from a previously demonstrated business plan.
Kemper International Fund 43
<PAGE>
Because the fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio
securities, the fund may have higher transaction costs which would lower the
fund's performance over time. In addition, shareholders may incur taxes on any
realized capital gains.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest in debt securities that can be converted into common stocks,
also known as convertibles. The fund may also invest in debt securities,
preferred stocks, bonds, notes and other debt securities of companies and
futures contracts.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in U.S. Government obligations or securities of companies incorporated in and
having their principal activities in the United States. In such cases, the fund
would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
The fund may also establish and maintain reserves for defensive purposes and to
enable the fund to take advantage of buying opportunities. The fund's reserves
may be invested in domestic as well as foreign short-term money market
instruments.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The fund expects to trade securities actively. This strategy could increase
transaction costs and reduce performance.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
44 Kemper International Fund
<PAGE>
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1989................. 18.57%
1990................. -7.50%
1991................. 9.13%
1992................. -4.79%
1993................. 35.65%
1994................. -4.00%
1995................. 12.96%
1996................. 17.05%
1997................. 9.00%
1998................. 7.88%
For the periods included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 14.53% (the fourth quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -17.89% (the third quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C MSCI EAFE Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ---------------
One Year 1.65% 4.05% 6.79% 20.33%
Five Years 7.07% -- -- 9.50%
Ten Years 8.08% -- -- 5.85%
Since Class
Inception** 11.92% 8.29% 8.63% *
- -----------
* Index returns for the life of each class: 14.02% (5/31/81) for Class A
shares and 8.71% (5/31/94) for Class B and C shares.
** Inception date for the Class A shares is 5/21/81 and Class B and C shares
is 5/31/94.
The EAFE Index (Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Austral-Asia, Far
East Index) is a generally accepted benchmark for performance of major overseas
markets. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund
returns, do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
Kemper International Fund 45
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.73% 0.73% 0.73%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 0.91% 1.14% 1.07%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.64% 2.62% 2.55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $732 $665 $358
3 Years $1,063 $1,114 $794
5 Years $1,415 $1,590 $1,355
10 Years $2,407 $2,496 $2,885
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $732 $265 $258
3 Years $1,063 $814 $794
5 Years $1,415 $1,390 $1,355
10 Years $2,407 $2,496 $2,885
46 Kemper International Fund
<PAGE>
KEMPER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
and current income. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's investment objective
and policies may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in
foreign equity securities. The fund invests generally in common stocks of
established companies listed on foreign exchanges, which offer prospects for
growth of earnings while paying relatively high current dividends.
At least 80% of the fund's net assets will normally be invested in the equity
securities of established non-U.S. companies. The fund focuses its investments
on the developed foreign countries included in the Morgan Stanley Capital
International World ex-US Index.
Stocks are selected for the fund using a disciplined, multi-part investment
approach with four stages as follows:
o Stage 1: The investment manager analyzes the pool of dividend-paying
foreign securities, primarily from the world's more mature markets,
targeting stocks that have high relative yields compared to the average
for their markets.
o Stage 2: The investment manager identifies what it believes are the most
promising stocks for the fund's portfolio.
o Stage 3: The investment manager diversifies the fund's portfolio among
different industry sectors.
o Stage 4: The investment manager diversifies the fund's portfolio among
different countries.
A stock is typically sold when a company's dividend yield reaches a
predetermined level versus the market yield. A stock is also sold when, in the
opinion of the portfolio manager, a company's financial situation begins to
deteriorate, especially through the assumption of large amounts of debt.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund 47
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
Under normal conditions, the fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in
debt securities convertible into common stock and fixed income securities of
governments, governmental agencies, supranational agencies and private issuers
when the investment manager believes the potential for appreciation and income
will equal or exceed that available from investments in equity securities. These
securities will predominantly be "investment grade" securities which are those
rated Aaa/AAA through Baa/BBB (and their unrated equivalents).
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limit in cash and
cash equivalents which may include domestic and foreign money market
instruments, short-term government and corporate obligations and repurchase
agreements. The fund may also hold up to 20% of its net assets in the U.S. and
foreign fixed income securities for temporary defensive purposes. In such cases,
the fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
48 Kemper International Growth and Income Fund
<PAGE>
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1998................. 8.94%
For the period included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 14.21% (the first quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -16.55% (the third quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended MSCI EAFE+Canada
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- -----
One Year* 2.67% 5.03% 8.04% 19.11%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
- -----------
* Inception date for Class A, B and C shares is 12/31/97.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International World+Canada Index is an unmanaged
index of global stock markets, excluding the U.S. Index returns assume
reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund returns, do not reflect any fees,
expenses or sales charges.
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund 49
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 12.58% 13.46% 13.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 13.58% 15.21% 15.18%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 1.81%, Class B shares to 2.69%, and Class C shares to 2.66%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. In addition, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the investment manager agreed to waive 0.30% of its management fee. As a result,
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, "Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" were reduced by 11.77%, 12.52% and 12.52% for Class A, Class B and
Class C and actual total annual fund operating expenses were 1.81% for Class A,
2.69% for Class B and 2.66% for Class C.
50 Kemper International Growth and Income Fund
<PAGE>
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited at the same level as
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998; provided, however transfer agency
fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject to this reimbursement.
Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were to
exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses for a particular class during
the period of the reimbursement (contrary to current estimates), such expenses
would be charged to the class in the actual amount incurred and Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses for the class would exceed the limits described above
during the period. Provided further, that such reimbursement may be discontinued
at any time. The investment manager has agreed to continue to waive 0.30% of its
management fee until December 31, 1999. It is estimated that Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses, without the effect of any waiver or reimbursement, will be
13.43% for Class A shares, 14.49% for Class B shares and 14.27% for Class C
shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,800 $1,843 $1,541
3 Years $3,944 $4,203 $3,897
5 Years $5,735 $6,086 $5,879
10 Years $9,031 $9,043 $9,316
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,800 $1,443 $1,441
3 Years $3,944 $3,903 $3,897
5 Years $5,735 $5,886 $5,879
10 Years $9,031 $9,043 $9,316
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund 51
<PAGE>
KEMPER LATIN AMERICA FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Kemper Latin America Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's investment objective and policies may be changed without a
vote of shareholders.
Main investment strategies
The fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its total
assets in Latin American equity securities. Latin America is defined as Mexico,
Central America, South America and the islands of the Caribbean.
The fund defines securities of Latin American issuers as follows:
o securities of companies organized under the laws of a Latin American
country or for which the principal trading market is in Latin America;
o securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a Latin American
country, its agencies or instrumentalities, political subdivisions or the
central bank of such country;
o securities of companies, wherever organized, when at least 50% of an
issuer's non-current assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit in
any one of the two most recent fiscal years represents assets or
activities located in Latin America; or
o securities of Latin American issuers, as defined above, in the form of
depositary shares.
In managing its portfolio, the investment manager seeks out investment
opportunities created from changing economic and political trends in Latin
America. These trends are supported by governmental initiatives designed to
promote freer trade and market-oriented economies. The investment manager
believes that active management, based on disciplined fundamental research, will
yield promising investment opportunities for long-term capital appreciation.
In selecting companies for investment, the investment manager typically
evaluates, among other things, industry trends, a company's financial strength,
its competitive position in domestic and export markets, technology, recent
developments and profitability, together with overall growth prospects. Other
considerations generally include quality and depth of management, governmental
regulation, and availability and cost of labor and raw materials.
A stock is typically sold when, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, the
stock no longer falls within certain valuation parameters.
Presently, the fund expects to focus its investments in Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. However, the fund may invest in other
countries in Latin America when the investment manager deems it appropriate.
Of course, there can be no guarantee that by following these investment
strategies, the fund will achieve its objective.
52 Kemper Latin America Fund
<PAGE>
Other investments
To a more limited extent, the fund may, but is not required to, invest in the
following:
The fund may invest in debt securities when the investment manager determines
that the capital appreciation of debt securities is likely to equal or exceed
that of equity securities. The fund may also invest in debt securities which are
rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "junk bonds").
In addition, the fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in the equity
securities of U.S. and other non-Latin American issuers. In evaluating non-Latin
American investments, the investment manager generally seeks investments where
an issuer's Latin American business activities and the impact of developments in
Latin America may have a positive and significant effect on the issuer's
business results.
The fund may invest in closed-end investment companies investing primarily in
Latin America.
The fund may utilize other investments and investment techniques that may impact
fund performance, including, but not limited to, options, futures and other
derivatives (financial instruments that derive their value from other securities
or commodities, or that are based on indices).
Risk management strategies
The fund may, but is not required to, use certain derivatives in an attempt to
manage risk. The use of certain derivatives could magnify losses.
For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limit in cash or
cash equivalents and money market instruments, or invest all or a portion of its
assets in securities of U.S. or other non-Latin American issuers. In such a
case, the fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment
objective.
Main risks
The fund's principal risks are associated with investing in the stock market,
the investment manager's skill in managing the fund's portfolio and foreign
securities. You will find a discussion of these risks under "Foreign Investing"
at the front of this prospectus.
The fund invests primarily in one geographic region. Common economic forces and
other factors may affect investments in a single region, even though a number of
different countries within a region may be represented within the fund. Factors
affecting Latin American investments may present a greater risk to the fund than
investments in a more geographically diversified fund.
Because the fund is non-diversified, the fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Accordingly, the fund's
investment returns are more likely to be impacted by changes in the market value
and returns of any one portfolio holding.
Kemper Latin America Fund 53
<PAGE>
Past performance
The chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by illustrating how the fund has performed from year to year and
comparing this information to a broad measure of market performance. Of course,
past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
The information provided in the chart is for Class A shares, and does not
reflect sales charges, which reduce return.
Total returns for years ended December 31
[The following table was originally a bar chart in the printed materials.]
1998................. -24.32%
For the period included in the bar chart, the fund's highest return for a
calendar quarter was 7.14% (the fourth quarter of 1998), and the fund's lowest
return for a calendar quarter was -19.35% (the third quarter of 1998).
Average Annual Total Returns
IFC Latin America
For periods ended Investable
December 31, 1998 Class A Class B Class C Return Index
- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------------
One Year* -28.68% -27.20% -25.05% -38.10%
Five Years -- -- -- --
Ten Years -- -- -- --
- -----------
* Inception date for Class A, B and C shares is 12/31/97.
The IFC Latin America Investable Return Index is prepared by the International
Finance Corporation. It is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted
representation of stock performance in seven Latin American markets, and
measures the returns of stocks that are legally and practically available to
investors. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike fund
returns, do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.
54 Kemper Latin America Fund
<PAGE>
Fee and expense information
The following information is designed to help you understand the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. Each class of
shares has a different set of transaction fees, which will vary based on the
length of time you hold shares in the fund and the amount of your investment.
You will find details about fee discounts and waivers in the Buying shares and
Choosing a share class -- Special features sections of this prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder fees: Fees paid directly from your investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Purchases (as % of
offering price) 5.75% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends/Distributions None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee (as % of amount
redeemed, if applicable) None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses: Expenses that are deducted from fund assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None 0.75% 0.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 11.50% 12.38% 12.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 12.75% 14.38% 14.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The redemption of Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if
redeemed during the second year of purchase.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
agreed to reimburse temporarily certain operating expenses to the extent
necessary to limit the fund's "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" of Class A
shares to 2.21%, Class B shares to 3.09%, and Class C shares to 3.06%; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses were not subject
to this reimbursement. In addition, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the investment manager agreed to waive 0.35% of its management fee. As a result,
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, "Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" were reduced by 10.54%, 11.29% and 11.28% for Class A, Class B and
Class C and actual total annual fund operating expenses were 2.21% for Class A,
3.09% for Class B and 3.06% for Class C.
Kemper Latin America Fund 55
<PAGE>
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are currently limited to 2.19% for Class A
shares, 3.07% for Class B shares, and 3.04% for Class C shares; provided,
however transfer agency fees and related out-of-pocket expenses are not subject
to this reimbursement. Therefore, if transfer agency fees and related
out-of-pocket expenses were to exceed the limits upon Total Operating Expenses
for a particular class during the period of the reimbursement (contrary to
current estimates), such expenses would be charged to the class in the actual
amount incurred and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for the class would
exceed the limits described above during the period. Provided further, that such
reimbursement may be discontinued at any time. The investment manager has agreed
to continue to waive 0.35% of its management fee until December 31, 1999. It is
estimated that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, without the effect of any
waiver or reimbursement, will be 9.28% for Class A shares, 10.36% for Class B
shares and 11.02% for Class C shares.
The information contained in the above table and the example below reflects the
expenses of the fund without taking into account any applicable fee waivers
and/or reimbursements.
Example
This example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This example illustrates the impact of the above fees and expenses on an account
with an initial investment of $10,000, based on the expenses shown above. It
assumes a 5% annual return, the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
and "annual fund operating expenses" remaining the same each year. The example
is hypothetical: actual fund expenses and return vary from year to year, and may
be higher or lower than those shown.
Fees and expenses if you sold shares after:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,730 $1,771 $1,467
3 Years $3,779 $4,038 $3,730
5 Years $5,522 $5,882 $5,672
10 Years $8,827 $8,856 $9,146
Fees and expenses if you did not sell your shares:
Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
1 Year $1,730 $1,371 $1,367
3 Years $3,779 $3,738 $3,730
5 Years $5,522 $5,682 $5,672
10 Years $8,827 $8,856 $9,146
56 Kemper Latin America Fund
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Each fund retains the investment management firm of Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York, to manage its daily
investment and business affairs subject to the policies established by the
funds' Boards. Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. actively manages the funds'
investments. Professional management can be an important advantage for investors
who do not have the time or expertise to invest directly in individual
securities. Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. is one of the largest and most
experienced investment management organizations worldwide, managing more than
$280 billion in assets globally for mutual fund investors, retirement and
pension plans, institutional and corporate clients, and private family and
individual accounts.
Each fund pays the investment manager a (graduated) monthly investment
management fee. Fees paid for each fund's most recently completed fiscal year
are shown below:
As a % of average
daily net assets
----------------
Growth Fund Of Spain 0.75%
Kemper Asian Growth Fund 0.85%
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund* 1.25%
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund* 1.00%
Kemper Europe Fund 0.75%
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund* 1.00%
Global Discovery Fund 1.10%
Kemper Global Income Fund 0.75%
Kemper International Fund 0.73%
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund* 1.00%
Kemper Latin America Fund* 1.25%
- ----------
* The investment manager has agreed to waive 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.70%, 0.35%, and
0.35% of its management fee until December 31, 1999 for Kemper Global Blue
Chip Fund, Kemper International Growth and Income Fund, Kemper Emerging
Markets Income Fund, Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund and Kemper Latin
America Fund, respectively.
Scudder Investments (U.K.) Limited, 1 South Place, London, U.K., an affiliate of
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., is the sub-adviser for Kemper Europe Fund,
Kemper Global Income Fund, and Kemper International Fund. Scudder Investments
(U.K.) Limited has served as sub-adviser for mutual funds since December, 1996
and investment adviser for certain institutional accounts since August, 1998.
Investment Manager 57
<PAGE>
Scudder Investments (U.K.) Limited renders investment advisory and management
services with regard to the portion of each fund's portfolio as allocated to
Scudder Investments (U.K.) Limited by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. from
time-to-time for management, including services related to foreign securities,
foreign currency transactions and related investments.
For its services, Scudder Investments (U.K.) Limited will receive from Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.30% for Kemper
Global Income Fund and 0.35% for each of Kemper Europe Fund and Kemper
International Fund of the portion of the average daily net assets of each fund
allocated by the investment manager to the sub-adviser for management.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The following investment professionals are associated with the funds as
indicated:
Growth Fund Of Spain
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joan R. Gregory 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1992.
Lead Manager She is a member of the firm's
Global Equity Group and is on
the portfolio management teams
for other affiliated
international mutual funds. She
began her investment career in
1989. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, she worked in the
international investment
department at a bank.
Nicholas Bratt 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1976 as
Manager a portfolio manager. Since then
he has served as portfolio
manager for other affiliated
international mutual funds and
has over 20 years of
international investment
experience. He is Head of the
firm's Global Equity Group,
responsible for the strategic
direction of the firm's equity
management business.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58 Investment Manager
<PAGE>
Kemper Asian Growth Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Theresa Gusman 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1992 as an
Lead Manager equity analyst responsible for
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and
Taiwan. She then joined the Pacific
Basin portfolio management team in
1996. She began her investment
career in 1983. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, she was an equity
research analyst at an unaffiliated
investment management company.
Elizabeth J. Allan 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1987,
Manager researching investments for some of
the firm's other international
mutual funds. Since then she has
served as a portfolio manager for
other affiliated mutual funds. She
has numerous years of Pacific Basin
research and investing experience.
Prior to joining Scudder Kemper, she
spent several years working for an
unaffiliated investment management
company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joyce E. Cornell 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1991 and
Lead Manager has been a portfolio manager since
1993. She is a member of the firm's
Global Equity Group, focusing her
portfolio management and research
responsibilities on the emerging
markets. She began her investment
career in 1987. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, she was a security
analyst at an unaffiliated
investment management company.
Andre J. DeSimone 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1997 as
Manager part of the firm's emerging markets
portfolio management teams. He began
his investment career in 1981. Prior
to joining Scudder Kemper, he was
the founder and Chief Executive
Officer of a stock brokerage company
in Kenya.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Manager 59
<PAGE>
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund (continued)
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tara C. Kenney 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1995 as a
Manager portfolio manager. She is a member
of the firm's Global Equity Group,
focusing on portfolio management of
Latin American equity securities.
She has 15 years of experience in
the field. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, she was responsible for the
origination and execution of
corporate finance transactions in
Latin America at a banking trust
company.
Theresa Gusman 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1992 as an
Manager equity analyst responsible for
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and
Taiwan. She then joined the Pacific
Basin portfolio management team in
1996. She began her investment
career in 1983. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, she was an equity
research analyst at an unaffiliated
investment management company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Isabel Saltzman 1997 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1990 as a
Lead Manager portfolio manager. She is the
Product Leader and a Senior
Portfolio Manager for the firm's
Emerging Markets Bond Group. She
began her investment career in
1979. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, she worked in international
finance at a bank.
Susan E. Dahl 1997 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1987 as
Manager head of fixed income trading. She
has over seven years of emerging
markets investment experience as a
portfolio manager. She is the
Capital Markets Strategist and a
Senior Portfolio Manager for the
firm's Emerging Markets Bond Group.
She began her investment career in
1987.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 Investment Manager
<PAGE>
Kemper Europe Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Slendebroek 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1994 as a
Lead Manager European equity analyst. He is an
International Portfolio Manager at
Scudder Investments, UK Ltd., an
affiliated investment management
company. He began his investment
career in 1990. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, he worked for an
unaffiliated investment management
company responsible for the Dutch
equity research product.
Carol L. Franklin 1999 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1981 as a
Manager portfolio manager. She is a member
of the firm's Global Equity Group
and is a portfolio manager for
other affiliated international
mutual funds. She began her
investment career in 1975. Prior to
joining Scudder Kemper, she worked
for an unaffiliated investment
management company.
Joan R. Gregory 1999 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1992. She
Manager is a member of the firm's Global
Equity Group and is on the portfolio
management teams for other
affiliated international mutual
funds. She began her investment
career in 1989. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, she worked in the
international investment department
at a bank.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Manager 61
<PAGE>
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diego Espinosa 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1996 as an
Lead Manager analyst for Latin American equity
securities. He has over five years
of direct investment experience as
both an analyst and portfolio
manager. He began his investment
career in 1991. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, he was a Latin
American equities securities analyst
for an unaffiliated investment
management company.
William E. Holzer 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1980 as an
Manager analyst and portfolio manager. He is
Product Leader of the firm's global
equity investment product and is on
the portfolio management teams for
other affiliated international
mutual funds. He began his
investment career in 1970. Prior to
joining Scudder Kemper, he was a
credit analyst in the international
department at a banking trust
company.
Nicholas Bratt 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1976 as a
Manager portfolio manager. Since then he has
served as portfolio manager for
other affiliated international
mutual funds and has over 20 years
of international investment
experience. He is Head of the firm's
Global Equity Group, responsible for
the strategic direction of the
firm's equity management business.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62 Investment Manager
<PAGE>
Global Discovery Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald J. Moran 1991 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1968 as an
Lead Manager analyst. Since then he has worked
within the firm's research
department and has served as
portfolio manager for other
affiliated mutual funds. For the
last decade, he has worked
exclusively with small cap stocks.
He has over 30 years of industry
experience.
Sewall F. Hodges 1996 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1995 as a
Manager portfolio manager. He is a member of
the firm's Global Equity Group. He
began his investment career in 1978.
Prior to joining the firm, he was a
global equity portfolio manager and
research analyst at an unaffiliated
investment management company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kemper Global Income Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terence C. Prideaux 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1989 as an
Lead Manager associate director. He is an
International Portfolio Manager at
Scudder Investments, UK Ltd., an
affiliated investment management
company. He has over 20 years of
investment experience. Prior to
joining Scudder Kemper, he was a
fund manager for the fixed income
portfolios of a life insurance
company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Manager 63
<PAGE>
Kemper International Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Dexter 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1986 as an
Co-Lead Manager equity analyst. Since then he has
served as a portfolio manager for
other affiliated mutual funds. He
began his investment career in
1983. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, he worked for an
unaffiliated investment management
company where he followed venture
capital and small cap companies.
Marc J. Slendebroeck 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1994 as a
Co-Lead Manager European equity analyst. He is an
International Portfolio Manager at
Scudder Investments, UK Ltd., an
affiliated investment management
company. He began his investment
career in 1990. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, he worked for an
unaffiliated investment management
company responsible for the Dutch
equity research product.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheridan P. Reilly 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1995 as an
Lead Manager analyst. He is a member of the
firm's Global Equity Group and is on
the portfolio management teams for
other affiliated international
mutual funds. He began his
investment career in 1987. Prior to
joining Scudder Kemper, he focused
on strategies for global bonds
portfolios, currency hedging, and
foreign equity markets at an
unaffiliated investment management
company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64 Investment Manager
<PAGE>
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund (continued)
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irene T. Cheng 1998 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1993 as a
Manager portfolio manager. She is a member
of the firm's Global Equity Group
and has over six years of
experience as a portfolio manager.
She began her investment career in
1985. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, she spent three years in
merchant banking activities and
three years as an equity analyst.
Lauren C. Lambert 1999 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1994 as a
European equity analyst. He is an
International Portfolio Manager at
Scudder Investments, UK Ltd., an
affiliated investment management
company. He began his investment
career in 1990. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper, he worked for an
unaffiliated investment management
company responsible for the Dutch
equity research product.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Manager 65
<PAGE>
Kemper Latin America Fund
Joined the Fund
as a Portfolio
Name & Title Manager Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tara C. Kenney 1996 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1995 as a
Lead Manager portfolio manager. She is a member
of the firm's Global Equity Group,
focusing on portfolio management of
Latin American equity securities.
She has 15 years of experience in
the field. Prior to joining Scudder
Kemper, she was responsible for the
origination and execution of
corporate finance transactions in
Latin America at a banking trust
company.
Edmund B. Games, Jr. 1992 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1960. Since
Manager then he has served as portfolio
manager for other affiliated
international mutual funds and has
over 39 years of international
investment experience. He is a
member of the firm's Global Equity
Group.
Paul H. Rogers 1996 Joined Scudder Kemper in 1994 and
Manager was responsible for Latin American
corporate bond research in the
firm's Emerging Markets/High Yield
Bond Group. Since then he has served
as portfolio manager for other
affiliated international mutual
funds. He began his investment
career in 1985. Prior to joining
Scudder Kemper he worked in the
Latin American group for a bank.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66 Investment Manager
<PAGE>
Year 2000 readiness
Like other mutual funds and financial and business organizations worldwide, the
funds could be adversely affected if computer systems on which a fund relies,
which primarily include those used by the investment manager, its affiliates or
other service providers, are unable to process correctly date-related
information on and after January 1, 2000. This risk is commonly called the Year
2000 Issue. Failure to address successfully the Year 2000 Issue could result in
interruptions to and other material adverse effects on the funds' business and
operations, such as problems with calculating net asset value and difficulties
in implementing a fund's purchase and redemption procedures. The investment
manager has commenced a review of the Year 2000 Issue as it may affect the funds
and is taking steps it believes are reasonably designed to address the Year 2000
Issue, although there can be no assurances that these steps will be sufficient.
In addition, there can be no assurances that the Year 2000 Issue will not have
an adverse effect on the issuers whose securities are held by a fund or on
global markets or economies generally.
Euro conversion
The introduction of a new European currency, the Euro, may result in
uncertainties for European securities and the operation of each fund. The Euro
was introduced on January 1, 1999 by eleven European countries that are members
of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The introduction of the Euro
will require the redenomination of European debt and equity securities over a
period of time, which may result in various accounting differences and/or tax
treatments. Additional questions are raised by the fact that certain other
European community members, including the United Kingdom, did not officially
implement the Euro on January 1, 1999.
The investment manager is actively working to address Euro-related issues and
understands that other key service providers are taking similar steps. At this
time, however, no one knows precisely what the degree of impact will be. To the
extent that the market impact or effect on a fund's holdings is negative, it
could hurt the fund's performance.
Investment Manager 67
<PAGE>
ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Each fund provides investors with the option of purchasing shares in the
following ways:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares(1) Offered at net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of
5.75% of the offering price, or 4.5% of the offering price
in the cases of Kemper Global Income Fund and Kemper
Emerging Markets Income Fund.
Reduced sales charges apply to purchases of $50,000 or
more for all funds except Kemper Global Income Fund and
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund. Reduced sales charges
apply to purchases of $100,000 or more for Kemper Global
Income Fund and Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund.
Class A shares purchased at net asset value under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a 1%
contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within one
year of purchase and a 0.50% contingent deferred sales
change if redeemed during the second year of purchase.
Class B Shares(1) Offered at net asset value without an initial sales
charge, but subject to a 0.75% Rule 12b-1
distribution fee and a contingent deferred sales charge
that declines from 4% to zero on certain redemptions made
within six years of purchase. Class B shares
automatically convert into Class A shares (which have
lower ongoing expenses) six years after purchase.
Class C Shares(1) Offered at net asset value without an initial sales
charge, but subject to a 0.75% Rule 12b-1 distribution fee
and a 1% contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions
made within one year of purchase. Class C shares do not
convert into another class.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Class A, B and C shares of Growth Fund Of Spain are subject to a 2%
redemption fee on shares redeemed or exchanged within one year after
purchase, with limited exceptions.
When placing purchase orders, investors must specify whether the order is for
Class A, Class B or Class C shares. Each class of shares represents interests in
the same portfolio of investments of a fund.
The decision as to which class to choose depends on a number of factors,
including the amount and intended length of the investment. Investors that
qualify for reduced sales charges might consider Class A shares. Investors who
prefer not to pay an initial sales charge and who plan to hold their investment
for more than six years might consider Class B shares. Investors who prefer not
to pay an initial sales charge but who plan to redeem their shares within six
years might consider Class C shares. For more information about these sales
arrangements, consult your financial representative or the Shareholder Service
Agent. Be aware that financial services firms may receive different compensation
depending upon which class of shares they sell.
68 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
Rule 12b-1 plan
Each fund has adopted a plan under Rule 12b-1 that provides for fees payable as
an expense of the Class B shares and the Class C shares that are used by the
transfer agent to pay for distribution and other services provided to
shareholders of those classes. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of fund assets on
an ongoing basis, they will, over time, increase the cost of investment and may
cost more than other types of sales charges. Long-term shareholders may pay more
than the economic equivalent of the maximum initial sales charges permitted by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, although Kemper Distributors,
Inc. believes that it is unlikely, in the case of Class B shares, because of the
automatic conversion feature of the shares.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases. Each fund's Class A shares (or the
equivalent) may be purchased at the rate applicable to the discount bracket
attained by combining concurrent investments in Class A shares of most Kemper
Funds.
Class A Shares -- Letter of Intent. The same reduced sales charges for Class A
shares also apply to the aggregate amount of purchases made by any purchaser
within a 24-month period under a written Letter of Intent ("Letter") provided by
Kemper Distributors. The Letter, which imposes no obligation to purchase or sell
additional Class A shares, provides for a price adjustment depending upon the
actual amount purchased within such period.
Class A Shares -- Cumulative Discount. Class A shares of a fund may also be
purchased at the rate applicable to the discount bracket attained by adding to
the cost of shares of a fund being purchased, the value of all Class A shares of
the above mentioned Kemper Funds (computed at the maximum offering price at the
time of the purchase for which the discount is applicable) already owned by the
investor.
Class A Shares -- Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege. Class A shares of a fund
may be purchased at net asset value by any purchaser provided that the amount
invested in such fund or other Kemper Funds totals at least $1,000,000 including
purchases of Class A shares pursuant to the "Combined Purchases," "Letter of
Intent" and "Cumulative Discount" features described above (the "Large Order NAV
Purchase Privilege").
Exchange Privilege -- General. Shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares may exchange their shares for shares of the corresponding class of Kemper
Mutual Funds. Currently, shares of a Kemper Fund with a value in excess of
$1,000,000 (except Kemper Cash Reserves Fund) acquired by exchange from another
Kemper Fund, or from a Money Market Fund, may not be exchanged thereafter until
they have been owned for 15 days (the "15 Day Hold Policy"). Effective June 1,
1999, shares of a Kemper Fund with a value of $1,000,000 or less (except Kemper
Cash Reserves Fund) acquired by exchange from another Kemper Fund, or from a
Money Market Fund, may not
About Your Investment 69
<PAGE>
be exchanged thereafter until they have been owned for 15 days if, in the
investment manager's judgement, the exchange activity may have an adverse effect
on the fund. In particular, a pattern of exchanges that coincides with a "market
timing" strategy may be disruptive to the Fund and therefore may be subject to
the 15-Day Hold Policy. For purposes of determining whether the 15 Day Hold
Policy applies to a particular exchange, the value of the shares to be exchanged
shall be computed by aggregating the value of shares being exchanged for all
accounts under common control, direction or advice, including without limitation
accounts administered by a financial services firm offering market timing, asset
allocation or similar services.
For purposes of determining any contingent deferred sales charge that may be
imposed upon the redemption of the shares received on exchange, amounts
exchanged retain their original cost and purchase date.
Upon the exchange of any class of shares of the Growth Fund Of Spain held for
less than one year, a fee of 2% of the current net asset value of the shares
will be assessed and retained by the fund for the benefit of the remaining
shareholders (see "Redemption Fee" below). Redemptions for any one shareholder
during any 90-day period in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the fund at the beginning of the period are not eligible for the
exchange privilege, and will be effected pursuant to the fund's redemption
policies described in the fund's Statement of Additional Information under
"Redemption-in-kind."
BUYING SHARES
You may purchase shares of a fund by contacting the securities dealer or other
financial services firm from whom you received this prospectus.
CLASS A SHARES -- All funds, except Kemper Global Income Fund and Kemper
Emerging Markets Income Fund
Public Offering Price. Including Sales Charge
Sales Charge
------------
As a % of As a % of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Net Amount Invested*
- ------------------ -------------- --------------------
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.60 2.67
$500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04
$1 million and over 0.00** 0.00**
- -----------
* Rounded to nearest one hundredth percent.
** Redemption of shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
and, in the case of Growth Fund Of Spain, a redemption fee, as discussed
below.
70 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
CLASS A SHARES -- Kemper Global Income Fund and Kemper Emerging Markets Income
Fund
Public Offering Price. Including Sales Charge
Sales Charge
------------
As a % of As a % of Net Amount
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Invested*
- ------------------ -------------- ---------
Less than $100,000 4.50% 4.71%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.60 2.67
$500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04
$1 million and over 0.00** 0.00**
- -----------
* Rounded to nearest one hundredth percent.
** Redemption of shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
as discussed below.
NAV Purchases
Class A shares of a fund may be purchased at net asset value by:
o shareholders in connection with the investment or reinvestment of income
and capital gain dividends;
o a participant-directed qualified retirement plan or a participant-directed
non-qualified deferred compensation plan or a participant-directed
qualified retirement plan which is not sponsored by a K-12 school
district, provided in each case that such plan has not less than 200
eligible employees;
o any purchaser with Kemper Funds investment totals of at least $1,000,000
o unitholders of unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson & Associates,
Inc. or its predecessors through reinvestment programs described in the
prospectuses of such trusts that have such programs;
o officers, trustees, directors, employees (including retirees) and sales
representatives of a fund, its investment manager, its principal
underwriter or certain affiliated companies, for themselves or members of
their families, any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan
for only such persons;
o persons who purchase shares through bank trust departments that process
such trades through an automated, integrated mutual fund clearing program
provided by a third party clearing firm;
o registered representatives and employees of broker-dealers having selling
group agreements with Kemper Distributors or any trust, pension,
profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons;
o officers, directors, and employees of service agents of the funds;
o members of the plaintiff class in the proceeding known as Howard and
Audrey Tabankin, et al. v. Kemper Short-Term Global Income Fund, et. al.,
Case No. 93 C 5231 (N.D.IL);
About Your Investment 71
<PAGE>
o selected employees (including their spouses and dependent children) of
banks and other financial services firms that provide administrative
services related to the funds pursuant to an agreement with Kemper
Distributors or one of its affiliates;
o certain professionals who assist in the promotion of Kemper Funds pursuant
to personal services contracts with Kemper Distributors, for themselves or
members of their families;
o in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or
consolidation with another investment company;
o shareholders who owned shares of Kemper Value Series, Inc. ("KVS") on
September 8, 1995, and have continuously owned shares of KVS (or a Kemper
Fund acquired by exchange of KVS shares) since that date, for themselves
or members of their families, any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other
benefit plan for only such persons;
o persons who purchase shares of the fund through Kemper Distributors as
part of an automated billing and wage deduction program administered by
RewardsPlus of America;
o through certain investment advisers registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 and other financial services firms, acting solely as
agent for their clients, that adhere to certain standards established by
Kemper Distributors, including a requirement that such shares be purchased
for the benefit of their clients participating in an investment advisory
program under which such clients pay a fee to the investment advisor or
other firm for portfolio management or agency brokerage services.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed upon redemption of Class A
shares purchased under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege as follows: 1% if
they are redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if redeemed during the
second year following purchase. The charge will not be imposed upon redemption
of reinvested dividends or share appreciation. The contingent deferred sales
charge will be waived in the event of:
o redemptions under a fund's Systematic Withdrawal Plan at a maximum of 10%
per year of the net asset value of the account;
o redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner)
who has died;
o redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner)
who after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled
(as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security
Administration);
72 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
o redemptions by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan or a
participant-directed non-qualified deferred compensation plan or a
participant-directed qualified retirement plan which is not sponsored by a
K-12 school district;
o redemptions by employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the
subaccount record keeping system made available through the Shareholder
Service Agent or its affiliates;
o redemptions of shares whose dealer of record at the time of the investment
notifies Kemper Distributors that the dealer waives the commission
applicable to such Large Order NAV Purchase.
Rule 12b-1 Fee
None
Exchange Privilege
Class A shares may be exchanged for each other at their relative net asset
values. Shares of Money Market Funds and Kemper Cash Reserves Fund acquired by
purchase (not including shares acquired by dividend reinvestment) are subject to
the applicable sales charge on exchange.
Class A shares purchased under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be
exchanged for Class A shares of any Kemper Fund or a Money Market Fund without
paying any contingent deferred sales charge. If the Class A shares received on
exchange are redeemed thereafter, a contingent deferred sales charge may be
imposed.
Shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less than one year are subject to a 2%
redemption fee upon exchange.
Redemption fee
Upon the redemption of any class of shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less
than one year, a fee of 2% of the current net asset value of the shares will be
assessed and retained by the fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders.
CLASS B SHARES
Public Offering Price
Net asset value per share without any sales charge at the time of purchase.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed upon redemption of Class B
shares. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or
reinvested dividends. The charge is computed at the following rates applied to
the value of the shares redeemed excluding amounts not subject to the charge.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year of Redemption
After Purchase: First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge: 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Your Investment 73
<PAGE>
The contingent deferred sales charge will be waived:
o for redemptions to satisfy required minimum distributions after age 70 1/2
from an IRA account (with the maximum amount subject to this waiver being
based only upon the shareholder's Kemper IRA accounts);
o for redemptions made pursuant to any IRA systematic withdrawal based on
the shareholder's life expectancy including, but not limited to,
substantially equal periodic payments described in Code Section
72(t)(2)(A)(iv) prior to age 59 1/2;
o for redemptions made pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan;
o in the event of the total disability (as evidenced by a determination by
the federal Social Security Administration) of the shareholder (including
a registered joint owner) occurring after the purchase of the shares being
redeemed;
o in the event of the death of the shareholder (including a registered joint
owner).
The contingent deferred sales charge will also be waived in connection with the
following redemptions of shares held by employer sponsored employee benefit
plans maintained on the subaccount record keeping system made available by
Kemper Service Company, the Shareholder Service Agent:
o redemptions to satisfy participant loan advances (note that loan
repayments constitute new purchases for purposes of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the conversion privilege);
o redemptions in connection with retirement distributions (limited at any
one time to 10% of the total value of plan assets invested in a fund);
o redemptions in connection with distributions qualifying under the hardship
provisions of the Code;
o redemptions representing returns of excess contributions to such plans.
Rule 12b-1 Fee
0.75%
Conversion Feature
Class B shares of a fund will automatically convert to Class A shares of the
same fund six years after issuance on the basis of the relative net asset value
per share. Shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and other
distributions paid with respect to Class B shares in a shareholder's fund
account will be converted to Class A shares on a pro rata basis.
Exchange Privilege
Class B shares of a fund and Class B shares of most Kemper Funds may be
exchanged for each other at their relative net asset values without paying any
contingent deferred sales charge. Shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less
than one year are subject to a 2% redemption fee upon exchange.
74 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
Redemption fee
Upon the redemption of any class of shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less
than one year, a fee of 2% of the current net asset value of the shares will be
assessed and retained by the fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders.
CLASS C SHARES
Public Offering Price
Net asset value per share without any sales charge at the time of purchase.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may be imposed upon redemption of Class
C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. The charge will not be imposed
upon redemption of reinvested dividends or share appreciation. The contingent
deferred sales charge will be waived in the event of:
o redemptions by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan described
in Code Section 401(a) or a participant-directed non-qualified deferred
compensation plan described in Code Section 457;
o redemptions by employer sponsored employee benefit plans (or their
participants) using the subaccount record keeping system made available
through the Shareholder Service Agent or its affiliates;
o redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner)
who has died;
o redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner)
who after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled
(as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security
Administration);
o redemptions under a fund's systematic withdrawal plan at a maximum of 10%
per year of the net asset value of the account;
o redemption of shares by an employer sponsored employee benefit plan that
offers funds in addition to Kemper Funds and whose dealer of record has
waived the advance of the first year administrative service and
distribution fees applicable to such shares and agrees to receive such
fees quarterly;
o redemption of shares purchased through a dealer-sponsored asset allocation
program maintained on an omnibus record-keeping system provided the dealer
of record has waived the advance of the first year administrative services
and distribution fees applicable to such shares and has agreed to receive
such fees quarterly.
Rule 12b-1 Fee
0.75%
Conversion Feature
None
About Your Investment 75
<PAGE>
Exchange Privilege
Class C shares of a fund and Class C shares of most Kemper Funds may be
exchanged for each other at their relative net asset values without paying any
contingent deferred sales charge. Shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less
than one year are subject to a 2% redemption fee upon exchange.
Redemption fee
Upon the redemption of any class of shares of Growth Fund Of Spain held for less
than one year, a fee of 2% of the current net asset value of the shares will be
assessed and retained by the fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders.
SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHARES
General
Contact your securities dealer or other financial services firm to arrange for
share redemptions or exchanges.
Any shareholder may require a fund to redeem his or her shares. When shares are
held for the account of a shareholder by the funds' transfer agent, the
shareholder may redeem them by sending a written request with signatures
guaranteed to Kemper Mutual Funds, Attention: Redemption Department, P.O.
Box 419557, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6557.
An exchange of shares entails the sale of fund shares and subsequent purchase of
shares of another Kemper Mutual Fund.
The rate of the contingent deferred sales charge is determined by the length of
the period of ownership. Investments are tracked on a monthly basis. The period
of ownership for this purpose begins the first day of the month in which the
order for the investment is received. For example, an investment made in
December, 1996 will be eligible for the second year's charge if redeemed on or
after December 1, 1997. In the event no specific order is requested when
redeeming shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, the redemption
will be made first from shares representing reinvested dividends and then from
the earliest purchase of shares. KDI receives any contingent deferred sales
charge directly.
Share certificates
When certificates for shares have been issued, they must be mailed to or
deposited with Kemper Service Company, along with a duly endorsed stock power
and accompanied by a written request for redemption. Redemption requests and a
stock power must be endorsed by the account holder with signatures guaranteed.
The redemption request and stock power must be signed exactly as the account is
registered, including any special capacity of the registered owner. Additional
documentation may be requested, and a signature guarantee is normally required,
from institutional and fiduciary account holders, such as corporations,
custodians (e.g., under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act), executors,
administrators, trustees or guardians.
76 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
Reinvestment privilege
Under certain circumstances, a shareholder who has redeemed Class A shares may
reinvest up to the full amount redeemed at net asset value at the time of the
reinvestment. These reinvested shares will retain their original cost and
purchase date for purposes of the contingent deferred sales charge. Also, a
holder of Class B shares who has redeemed shares may reinvest up to the full
amount redeemed, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge that may
have been imposed upon the redemption of such shares, at net asset value in
Class A shares. The reinvestment privilege may be terminated or modified at any
time. The reinvestment privilege can be used only once as to any specific shares
and reinvestment must be effected within six months of the redemption.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends and capital gains distributions
Each fund normally distributes dividends of net investment income as follows:
annually for Kemper Asian Growth Fund, Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund,
Kemper Europe Fund, Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund, Global Discovery Fund, Growth
Fund Of Spain, Kemper International Fund, and Kemper Latin America Fund;
semi-annually for Kemper International Growth and Income Fund; monthly for
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund and Kemper Global Income Fund. Each fund
distributes any net realized short-term and long-term capital gains at least
annually.
Income and capital gains dividends, if any, of a fund will be credited to
shareholder accounts in full and fractional shares of the same class of that
fund at net asset value on the reinvestment date, except that, upon written
request to the Shareholder Service Agent, Kemper Service Company, a shareholder
may select one of the following options:
1. To receive income and short-term capital gains dividends in cash and
long-term capital gains dividends in shares of the same class at net asset
value; or
2. To receive income and capital gains dividends in cash.
Any dividends of a fund that are reinvested will normally be reinvested in
shares of the same class of that same fund. However, by writing to the
Shareholder Service Agent, you may choose to have dividends of a fund invested
in shares of the same class of another Kemper fund at the net asset value of
that class and fund. To use this privilege, you must maintain a minimum account
value of $1,000 in the fund distributing the dividends. The funds will reinvest
dividend checks (and future dividends) in shares of that same fund and class if
checks are returned as undeliverable. Dividends and other distributions in the
aggregate amount of $10 or less are automatically reinvested in shares of the
same fund unless you request that such policy not be applied to your account.
Distributions are generally taxable, whether received in cash or reinvested.
About Your Investment 77
<PAGE>
Taxes
Dividends representing net investment income are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable to
individual shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of
time shareholders have owned shares. Short-term capital gains and any other
taxable income distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income. A portion of
dividends from ordinary income may qualify for the dividends-received deduction
for corporations.
A dividend received shortly after the purchase of shares reduces the net asset
value of the shares by the amount of the dividend and, although in effect a
return of capital, is taxable to you.
A sale or exchange of your shares is a taxable event and may result in a capital
gain or loss which may be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how
long you owned the shares. Shareholders of a fund may be subject to state, local
and foreign taxes on fund distributions and dispositions of fund shares. You
should consult your tax advisor regarding the particular tax consequences of an
investment in a fund.
Any dividends or capital gains distributions declared in October, November or
December with a record date in such month and paid during the following January
are taxable to you as if paid on December 31 of the calendar year in which they
were declared.
Each fund sends you detailed tax information about the amount and type of its
distributions by January 31 of the following year. In certain years, you may be
able to claim a credit or deduction on your income tax return for your share of
foreign taxes paid by a fund.
Each fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 31%
of all taxable distributions payable to you if you fail to provide the fund with
your correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications,
or if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup
withholding. Any such withheld amounts may be credited against your U.S. federal
income tax liability.
TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Share price
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation determines the net asset value per share of
the funds as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange,
normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time, on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading. Market prices are used to determine the value of the funds' assets.
If market prices are not readily available for a security or if a security's
price is not considered to be market indicative, that security may be valued by
another method that the Board or its delegate believes accurately reflects fair
value. In those circumstances where a security's price is not considered to be
market indicative, the security's valuation may differ from an available market
quotation.
78 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
The net asset value per share of each fund is the value of one share and is
determined separately for each class by dividing the value of a fund's net
assets attributable to that class, less all liabilities of that class, by the
number of shares of that class outstanding. The per share net asset value of the
Class B and Class C shares of a fund will generally be lower than that of the
Class A shares of a fund because of the higher annual expenses borne by the
Class B and Class C shares.
To the extent that the funds invest in foreign securities, these securities may
be listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the funds do not price
their shares. As a result, the net asset value per share of the funds may change
at a time when shareholders are not able to purchase or redeem their shares.
Redemption Fee
Upon the redemption or exchange of any class of shares of Growth Fund Of Spain
held for less than one year, a fee of 2% of the current net asset value of the
shares will be assessed and retained by the fund for the benefit of the
remaining shareholders. The fee is waived for all shares purchased through
certain retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, Keogh
accounts, and other pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit plans. However,
if such shares are purchased through a broker, financial institution or
recordkeeper maintaining an omnibus account for the shares, such waiver may not
apply. (Before purchasing shares, please check with your account representative
concerning the availability of the fee waiver.) In addition this waiver does not
apply to any IRA or SEP-IRA accounts. This fee is intended to encourage
long-term investment in the fund, to avoid transaction and other expenses caused
by early redemptions, and to facilitate portfolio management. The fee is not a
deferred sales charge, is not a commission paid to the investment manager or its
subsidiaries, and does not benefit the investment manager in any way. The fund
reserves the right to modify the terms of or terminate this fee at any time.
The fee applies to redemptions from the fund and exchanges to other Kemper
Funds, but not to dividend or capital gains distributions which have been
automatically reinvested in the fund. The fee is applied to the shares being
redeemed or exchanged in the order in which they were purchased. In the event
that a shareholder has acquired shares of the fund in connection with the fund's
acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with another investment
company, the shareholder will generally be permitted to add the period he or she
held shares of the acquired fund to the time he or she has held Class A shares
of the fund in determining the applicability of the redemption fee. In such a
case, the shareholder bears the burden of demonstrating to the fund the period
of ownership of the acquired fund. Proof of ownership for the required period
may be demonstrated by providing copies of brokerage account statements or other
appropriate share records in connection with a redemption under cover of the
redemption and certification form.
About Your Investment 79
<PAGE>
With respect to Growth Fund Of Spain, for redemptions in excess of the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the fund during any 90-day period, a
redemption request will be considered valid only if accompanied by a properly
completed redemption and certification form which can be obtained by contacting
the Shareholder Service Agent. The form details, among other things, the
shareholder's valid custodial arrangements in Spain, Portugal and the U.S. No
redemptions requests subject to in-kind redemption may be made other than by a
written request accompanied by a properly completed redemption and certification
form.
Processing time
All requests to buy and sell shares that are received in good order by the
funds' transfer agent by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange are executed at the net asset value per share calculated at the close
of trading that day (subject to any applicable sales load or contingent deferred
sales charge). Orders received by dealers or other financial services firms
prior to the determination of net asset value and received by the funds'
transfer agent prior to the close of its business day will be confirmed at a
price based on the net asset value effective on that day. If an order is
accompanied by a check drawn on a foreign bank, funds must normally be collected
before shares will be purchased.
Payment for shares you sell will be made in cash as promptly as practicable but
in no event later than seven days after receipt of a properly executed request.
If you have share certificates, these must accompany your order in proper form
for transfer. When you place an order to sell shares for which the fund may not
yet have received good payment (i.e., purchases by check, EXPRESS-Transfer or
Bank Direct Deposit), the fund may delay transmittal of the proceeds until it
has determined that collected funds have been received for the purchase of such
shares. This may be up to 10 days from receipt by a fund of the purchase amount.
The redemption of shares within certain time periods may be subject to
contingent deferred sales charges, as noted above.
Signature guarantees
A signature guarantee is required unless you sell $50,000 or less worth of
shares (prior to the imposition of any contingent deferred sales charge) and the
proceeds are payable to the shareholder of record at the address of record. You
can obtain a guarantee from most brokerage houses and financial institutions,
although not from a notary public. The funds will normally send you the proceeds
within one business day following your request, but may take up to seven
business days (or longer in the case of shares recently purchased by check).
Purchase restrictions
Purchases and sales should be made for long-term investment purposes only. The
funds and their transfer agent each reserves the right to reject purchases of
fund shares (including exchanges) for any reason, including when there is
evidence of a pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to
short-term fluctuations in a fund's share price. Each fund reserves the right to
80 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
withdraw all or any part of the offering made by this prospectus and to reject
purchase orders. Also, from time to time, each fund may temporarily suspend the
offering of its shares or a class of its shares to new investors. During the
period of such suspension, persons who are already shareholders normally are
permitted to continue to purchase additional shares and to have dividends
reinvested.
Minimum balances
The minimum initial investment for each fund is $1,000 and the minimum
subsequent investment is $100. The minimum initial investment for an Individual
Retirement Account is $250 and the minimum subsequent investment is $50. Under
an automatic investment plan, such as Bank Direct Deposit, Payroll Direct
Deposit or Government Direct Deposit, the minimum initial and subsequent
investment is $50. These minimum amounts may be changed at any time in
management's discretion.
Because of the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the funds may assess a
quarterly fee of $9 on an account with a balance below $1,000 for the quarter.
The fee will not apply to accounts enrolled in an automatic investment program,
Individual Retirement Accounts or employer sponsored employee benefit plans
using the subaccount record keeping system made available through the
Shareholder Service Agent.
Third party transactions
If you buy and sell shares of a fund through a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (other than the funds' distributor,
Kemper Distributors), that member may charge a fee for that service. This
prospectus should be read in connection with such firms' material regarding
their fees and services.
Redemption-in-kind
Each fund reserves the right to honor any request for redemption or repurchase
by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities
("redemption in kind"). These securities will be chosen by the fund and valued
as they are for purposes of computing the fund's net asset value. A shareholder
may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
It is the policy of Growth Fund Of Spain to redeem its shares, with respect to
any one shareholder during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the fund at the beginning of the
period. As an operating policy, the fund will satisfy redemption requests in
excess of such amount by distributing portfolio securities in lieu of cash.
Shareholders whose redemptions are effected in-kind may bear expenses in excess
of 1% of the net asset value of the shares of the fund redeemed, which expenses
are in addition to any applicable redemption fee or contingent deferred sales
charge (see the Statement of Additional Information about redemptions-in-kind).
About Your Investment 81
<PAGE>
With respect to Growth Fund Of Spain, for redemptions in excess of the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the fund during any 90-day period, a
redemption request will be considered valid only if accompanied by a properly
completed redemption and certification form which can be obtained by contacting
the Shareholder Service Agent. The form details, among other things, the
shareholder's valid custodial arrangements in Spain, Portugal and the U.S. No
redemptions requests subject to in-kind redemption may be made other than by a
written request accompanied by a properly completed redemption and certification
form.
82 About Your Investment
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights tables below are intended to help you understand the
funds' financial performance for the periods reflected below. Certain
information reflects the financial results for a single fund share. The total
return figures show what a shareholder in a fund would have earned (or lost)
assuming reinvestment of all distributions. This information, for all funds
except Global Discovery Fund, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP. With
respect to Global Discovery Fund, this information has been audited by
Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP. The reports of each of the auditors, along with the
funds' financial statements, are included in the funds' annual reports, which
are available upon request by calling Kemper at 1-800-621-1048.
Growth Fund Of Spain is the successor entity to The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc.,
a closed-end management investment company that had one class of shares. In
connection with the December 11, 1998 reorganization of The Growth Fund of
Spain, Inc. as Growth Fund Of Spain, an open-end series of Kemper
Global/International Series, Inc., the shares of The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc.
were exchanged on that date for Class A shares of the fund. Accordingly, the
following table shows financial information for Growth Fund Of Spain's Class A
shares expressed in terms of one share outstanding throughout the relevant
period, and reflects the operations of The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc. as a
closed-end investment company. Financial information is not available for the
fund's Class B and Class C shares since the reorganization took place after the
close of the fund's most recent fiscal year. Effective as of the fund's 1998
fiscal year, the fund's fiscal year end was changed to October 31.
Financial Highlights 83
<PAGE>
The Growth Fund of Spain, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Eleven
months
ended
October
31, Year ended November 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of period $19.06 15.67 13.33 12.40 10.67
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .11 .24 .36 .37 .32
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain 5.72 4.15 2.69 1.01 1.41
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations 5.83 4.39 3.05 1.38 1.73
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income .11 .17 .42 .45 --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution from net
realized gain 1.36 .83 .29 -- --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends 1.47 1.00 .71 .45 --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $23.42 19.06 15.67 13.33 12.40
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 32.90% 29.86 24.12 11.62 16.21
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 1.43% 1.22 1.25 1.22 1.23
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .58% 1.29 2.46 2.89 2.57
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data
Net assets at end of period
(in thousands) $387,126 315,059 263,935 227,997 213,972
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate
(annualized) 10% 29 45 69 85
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Note: Total return reflects reinvestment of dividends.
84 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper Asian Growth Fund
October 21
Year ended to November
November 30, 30,
CLASS A 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $6.65 10.04 9.50
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .11 .08 --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.27) (3.47) .54
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (1.16) (3.39) .54
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net investment income .08 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.41 6.65 10.04
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (17.66)% (33.76) 5.68
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 1.80% 1.60 1.46
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 2.05% .97 .74
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.65% 2.62 1.46
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) 1.20% (.05) .74
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 21
Year ended to November
November 30, 30,
CLASS B 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $6.58 10.03 9.50
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .06 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.28) (3.45) .53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (1.22) (3.45) .53
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net investment
income .02 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.34 6.58 10.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (18.65)% (34.40) 5.58
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 2.78% 2.57 2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) 1.07% -- (.14)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 4.29% 3.51 2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.44)% (.94) (.14)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights 85
<PAGE>
October 21
Year ended to November
November 30, 30,
CLASS C 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $6.60 10.03 9.50
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .05 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.28) (3.43) .53
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (1.23) (3.43) .53
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net investment
income .02 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.35 6.60 10.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (18.72)% (34.20) 5.58
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 2.71% 2.54 2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) 1.14% .03 (.14)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 4.56% 3.55 2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.71)% (.98) (.14)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 21
Year ended to November
November 30, 30,
1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $7,416,000 6,398,000 1,949,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 131% 155 74
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the fund during the years ended November
30, 1998 and 1997. The Other Ratios to Average Net Assets are computed without
this expense waiver or absorption.
86 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund
For the period from January 9, 1998
(commencement of operations)
to October 31, 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.50 9.50 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) .03 (.01) (.03)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized loss (1.73) (1.75) (1.71)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (1.70) (1.76) (1.74)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $7.80 7.74 7.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (17.89)% (18.53) (18.32)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses absorbed by the fund 2.28% 3.18 3.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) .40% (.50) (.47)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 22.38% 24.06 24.03
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (19.70)% (21.38) (21.35)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $1,771,222
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the fund. The Other Ratios to Average Net
Assets are computed without this expense waiver or absorption.
Financial Highlights 87
<PAGE>
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund
For the period from December 31,
1997 (commencement of operations)
to October 31, 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.50 9.50 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .64 .53 .54
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized loss (4.14) (4.09) (4.09)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (3.50) (3.56) (3.55)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net investment
income .61 .56 .56
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $5.39 5.38 5.39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (38.39)% (38.87) (38.75)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses absorbed by the fund before
interest expense 1.68% 2.56 2.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses absorbed by the fund after
interest expense 2.46% 3.34 3.31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 10.59% 9.71 9.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses before interest expense 5.12% 6.75 6.72
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses after interest expense 5.90% 7.53 7.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 7.15% 5.52 5.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $5,040,189
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 294%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the fund. The Other Ratios to Average Net
Assets are computed without this expense waiver or absorption.
88 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper Europe Fund
Year ended May 1 to
November 30, November 30,
CLASS A 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.43 11.02 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .04 .03 .01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain 2.07 1.51 1.51
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 2.11 1.54 1.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net investment income .05 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution from net realized gain .15 .13 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .20 .13 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $14.34 12.43 11.02
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 17.25% 14.18 16.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 1.53% 1.52 1.49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .32% .34 .46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.28% 1.75 4.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) (.43)% .11 (2.79)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 1 to
November 30, November 30,
CLASS B 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.27 10.97 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment loss (.05) (.05) (.02)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain 1.98 1.48 1.49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 1.93 1.43 1.47
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net realized gain .15 .13 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $14.05 12.27 10.97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 15.92% 13.23 15.47
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 2.67% 2.45 2.44
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.82)% (.59) (.49)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 4.42% 2.66 5.63
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (2.57)% (.80) (3.68)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights 89
<PAGE>
Year ended May 1 to
November 30, November 30,
CLASS C 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.28 10.97 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment loss -- (.05) (.01)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain 2.00 1.49 1.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 2.00 1.44 1.47
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net realized gain .15 .13 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $14.13 12.28 10.97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 16.48% 13.32 15.47
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses 2.08% 2.38 2.34
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.23)% (.52) (.39)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.89% 2.59 5.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (1.04)% (.73) (3.55)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 1 to
November 30, November 30,
1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period (in
thousands) $67,308 23,910 3,856
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 132% 101 96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive a portion of its
management fee and absorb certain operating expenses of the fund. The Other
Ratios to Average Net assets are computed without this expense waiver or
absorption.
90 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund
For the period from December 31,
1997 (commencement of operations)
to October 31, 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.50 9.50 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .05 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain .66 .63 .64
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations .71 .63 .64
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $10.21 10.13 10.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 7.47% 6.63 6.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses absorbed by the fund 1.80% 2.68 2.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .92% .04 .07
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 6.06% 7.69 7.66
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (3.34)% (4.97) (4.94)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $9,539,623
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 84%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the fund. The Other Ratios to Average Net
Assets are computed without this expense waiver or absorption.
Financial Highlights 91
<PAGE>
Global Discovery Fund
For the For the For the
Period Period Period
April 16, April 16, April 16,
1998 1998 1998
(commence- (commence- (commence-
ment sale ment sale ment sale
of Class A of Class B of Class C
shares) to shares) to shares) to
October 31, October October 31,
1998 31, 1998 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $23.98 $23.98 $23.98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) (.09) (.18) (.17)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments transactions (4.11) (4.10) (4.11)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (4.20) (4.28) (4.28)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $19.78 $19.70 $19.70
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (%)(b)(c) (17.51)** (17.85)** (17.85)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 11 6 2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of operating expenses, net to
average daily
net assets (%) 1.95* 2.83* 2.80*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of operating expenses before expense
reductions, to average daily net assets (%) 2.20* 3.13* 3.23*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average daily net assets (%) (1.00)* (1.87)* (1.88)*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 40.6 40.6 40.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Based on monthly average shares outstanding during the period.
(b) Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
(c) Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
92 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper Global Income Fund
Year ended December 31,
CLASS A 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of year $8.58 8.97 9.05 8.55 9.29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .37 .48 .52 .61 .60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) .50 (.33) (.02) 1.05 (.74)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations .87 .15 .50 1.66 (.14)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income .40 .47 .58 1.16 .38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax return of capital
distribution .11 .07 -- -- .22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .51 .54 .58 1.16 .60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
year $8.94 8.58 8.97 9.05 8.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return 10.48% 1.80 5.87 19.89 (1.47)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses 1.58% 1.32 1.48 1.34 1.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 4.31% 5.56 5.77 6.43 6.67
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 31 to
December
Year ended December 31, 31,
CLASS B 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of period $8.60 9.00 9.09 8.56 8.70
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .31 .41 .46 .56 .30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) .49 (.33) (.02) 1.05 (.14)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations .80 .08 .44 1.61 .16
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income .34 .42 .53 1.08 .19
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax return of capital
distribution .10 .06 -- -- .11
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .44 .48 .53 1.08 .30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
period $8.96 8.60 9.00 9.09 8.56
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not
annualized) 9.56% 1.03 5.11 19.21 1.89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.32% 2.18 2.14 1.98 2.27
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 3.57% 4.70 5.11 5.79 5.89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights 93
<PAGE>
May 31 to
December
Year ended December 31, 31,
CLASS C 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of period $8.62 9.02 9.09 8.56 8.70
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .32 .42 .48 .57 .30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) .49 (.33) (.02) 1.05 (.14)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations .81 .09 .46 1.62 .16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income .34 .43 .53 1.09 .19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax return of capital
distribution .10 .06 -- -- .11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .44 .49 .53 1.09 .30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
period $8.99 8.62 9.02 9.09 8.56
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not
annualized) 9.72% 1.09 5.31 19.26 1.91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.13% 2.11 2.06 2.06 2.23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 3.76% 4.77 5.19 5.71 5.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of year
(in thousands) $84,795 99,054 131,761 152,959 170,700
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 313% 283 276 220 378
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Per share
data for 1998, 1997 and 1996 were determined based on average shares
outstanding.
94 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper International Fund
Year ended October 31,
CLASS A 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of year $12.68 11.96 10.59 11.13 10.56
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .04 -- .04 .07 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain .01 1.52 1.50 .05 .86
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations .05 1.52 1.54 .12 .86
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income .08 .12 .12 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution from net
realized gain .55 .68 .05 .66 .29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .63 .80 .17 .66 .29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
year $12.10 12.68 11.96 10.59 11.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return .45% 13.49 14.70 1.69 8.32
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses 1.64% 1.57 1.64 1.57 1.54
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .36% .16 .34 .83 .02
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 31 to
October
Year ended October 31, 31,
CLASS B 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of period $12.50 11.81 10.46 11.09 10.58
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment loss (.08) (.12) (.06) (.02) (.04)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain .03 1.51 1.47 .05 .55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations (.05) 1.39 1.41 .03 .51
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income -- .02 .01 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution from net
realized gain .55 .68 .05 .66 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .55 .70 .06 .66 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
period $11.90 12.50 11.81 10.46 11.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not
annualized) (.37)% 12.32 13.59 .84 4.82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.62% 2.57 2.53 2.50 2.58
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.62)% (.84) (.55) (.10) (.97)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights 95
<PAGE>
May 31 to
October
Year ended October 31, 31,
CLASS C 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning
of period $12.51 11.81 10.46 11.09 10.58
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment loss (.08) (.09) (.06) (.02) (.04)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain .03 1.49 1.47 .05 .55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations (.05) 1.40 1.41 .03 .51
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Distribution from net
investment income -- .02 .01 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution from net
realized gain .55 .68 .05 .66 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends .55 .70 .06 .66 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
period $11.91 12.51 11.81 10.46 11.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not
annualized) (.37)% 12.45 13.59 .84 4.82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 2.55% 2.49 2.50 2.50 2.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.55)% (.76) (.52) (.10) (.91)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended October 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of year
(in thousands) $604,684 588,069 472,243 364,708 418,282
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 105% 76 104 114 103
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Per share
data were determined based on average shares outstanding for the years ended
1995, 1996 and 1998, respectively.
96 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund
For the period from December 31,
1997 (commencement of operations)
to October 31, 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.50 9.50 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .13 .04 .05
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain .20 .22 .21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations .33 .26 .26
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distribution from net investment
income .10 .05 .05
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $9.73 9.71 9.71
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) 3.31% 2.64 2.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses absorbed by the fund 1.81% 2.69 2.66
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 1.54% .66 .69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 13.58% 15.21 15.18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (10.23)% (11.86) (11.83)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $4,270,979
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 97%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the fund. The Other Ratios to Average Net
Assets are computed without this expense waiver or absorption.
Financial Highlights 97
<PAGE>
Kemper Latin America Fund
For the period from December 31,
1997 (commencement of operations)
to October 31, 1998
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.50 9.50 9.50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .06 .04 .04
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized loss (2.25) (2.28) (2.28)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (2.19) (2.24) (2.24)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $7.31 7.26 7.26
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return (not annualized) (23.05)% (23.58) (23.58)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets (annualized)
Expenses absorbed by the fund 2.21% 3.09 3.06
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 1.38% .50 .53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ratios to average net assets
(annualized)
Expenses 12.75% 14.38 14.34
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (9.16)% (10.79) (10.75)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental data for all classes
Net assets at end of period $1,460,498
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized) 55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. has agreed to temporarily waive its management fee and
absorb certain operating expenses of the Fund. The Other Ratios to Average Net
Assets are computed without this expense waiver or absorption.
98 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
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intentionally
left blank.
<PAGE>
This Page
intentionally
left blank.
<PAGE>
1
Additional information about each fund may be found in the Statement of
Additional Information, the Shareholder Services Guide and in shareholder
reports. Shareholder inquiries may be made by calling the toll-free telephone
number listed below. The Statement of Additional Information contains more
detailed information on fund investments and operations. The Shareholder
Services Guide contains more information about purchases and sales of fund
shares. The semiannual and annual shareholder reports contain a discussion of
the market conditions and the investment strategies that significantly affected
the funds' performance during the last fiscal year, as well as a listing of
portfolio holdings and financial statements. These and other fund documents may
be obtained without charge from the following sources:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Telephone Call the Kemper Funds at: 1-800-621-1048
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Mail Kemper Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
or
Public Reference Section,
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549-6009
(a duplication fee is charged)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Person Public Reference Room
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.
(Call 1-800-SEC-0330
for more information.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Internet http://www.sec.gov
http://www.kemper.com
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each of the funds, the respective Statement of Additional Information dated
March 1, 1999 is incorporated by reference into this prospectus (is legally a
part of this prospectus).
Investment Company Act file numbers:
Growth Fund Of Spain 811-08395
Kemper Asian Growth Fund 811-7731
Kemper Emerging Markets Growth Fund 811-08395
Kemper Emerging Markets Income Fund 811-08395
Kemper Europe Fund 811-7479
Kemper Global Blue Chip Fund 811-08395
Global Discovery Fund 811-4670
Kemper Global Income Fund 811-5829
Kemper International Fund 811-3136
Kemper International Growth and Income Fund 811-08395
Kemper Latin America Fund 811-08395
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
March 1, 1999
KEMPER ASIAN GROWTH FUND (the "Asian Fund")
KEMPER EUROPE FUND (the "Europe Fund")
KEMPER GLOBAL INCOME FUND (the "Global Fund")
KEMPER INTERNATIONAL FUND (the "International Fund")
222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606
1-800-621-1048
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It is the combined
Statement of Additional Information for the Asian, Europe, Global and
International Funds (the "Funds"). It should be read in conjunction with the
combined prospectus of the Funds dated March 1, 1999. The prospectus may be
obtained without charge from the Funds and is also available along with other
related materials on the SEC's Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
--------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Investment Restrictions............................... 2
Investment Policies and Techniques.................... 5
Dividends and Taxes................................... 20
Performance........................................... 26
Investment Manager and Underwriter.................... 33
Portfolio Transactions................................ 40
Purchase, Repurchase and Redemption of Shares......... 41
Officers and Trustees................................. 55
Shareholder Rights.................................... 60
Appendix--Ratings of Investments....................... 62
The financial statements appearing in each Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders
are incorporated herein by reference. The Report for the Fund for which this
Statement of Additional Information is requested accompanies this document.
KIF-13 3/99 printed on recycled paper
1
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions which cannot
be changed without approval of a "majority" of its outstanding voting shares. As
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, this means the lesser of (1) 67%
of the Fund's shares present at a meeting where more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present in person or by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
The Asian Growth, Europe, and International Funds are classified as diversified
open-end management investment companies. The Global Income Fund is a
non-diversified open-end investment management company.
Each Fund, with the exception of the International Fund, may not, as a
fundamental policy:
1. Make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
2. Borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
3. Concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or
modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
4. Purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities.
5. Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except
to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection
with the disposition of portfolio securities.
6. Issue senior securities except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
7. Purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of
companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by
real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of
action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund's
ownership of securities.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage beyond the specified limit resulting from a
change in values or net assets will not be considered a violation. Each Fund has
also adopted the following non-fundamental restrictions, which may be changed by
the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The Asian Fund may not, as a non-fundamental policy:
i. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another
issuer.
ii. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or
reorganization, or by purchase in the open market of securities of
closed-end investment companies where no underwriter or dealer's
commission or profit, other than customary broker's commission, is
involved and only if immediately thereafter not more than (i) 3% of
the total outstanding voting stock of such company is owned by the
Fund, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in any one
such company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in such securities; except that all or substantially all of
the assets of the Fund may be invested in another registered
investment company having the same investment objective and
substantially similar investment policies as the Fund.
iii. Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
2
<PAGE>
iv. Purchase more than 10% of any class of voting securities of any
issuer, except that all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund
may be invested in another registered investment company having the
same investment objective and substantially similar investment
policies as the Fund.
v. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber more than 15% of
its total assets and then only to secure borrowings. (The collateral
arrangements with respect to options and financial futures
transactions and any margin payments in connection therewith are not
deemed to be pledges or other encumbrances.)
vi. Make short sales of securities, or purchase any securities on margin
except to obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of transactions; however, the Fund may make margin deposits
in connection with options and financial futures transactions.
vii. Write or sell put or call options, combinations thereof or similar
options on more than 25% of the Fund's net assets; nor may it purchase
put or call options if more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in premiums on put and call options, combinations thereof or
similar options; however, the Fund may buy or sell options on
financial futures contracts.
The Europe Fund may not, as a non-fundamental policy:
i. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another
issuer.
ii. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or
reorganization, or by purchase in the open market of securities of
closed-end investment companies where no underwriter or dealer's
commission or profit, other than customary broker's commission, is
involved and only if immediately thereafter not more than (i) 3% of
the total outstanding voting stock of such company is owned by the
Fund, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in any one
such company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in such securities.
iii. Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
iv. Purchase more than 10% of any class of voting securities of any
issuer.
v. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber more than 15% of
its total assets and then only to secure borrowings. (The collateral
arrangements with respect to options and financial futures
transactions and any margin payments in connection therewith are not
deemed to be pledges or other encumbrances.)
vi. Make short sales of securities, or purchase any securities on margin
except to obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of transactions; however, the Fund may make margin deposits
in connection with options and financial futures transactions.
vii. Write or sell put or call options, combinations thereof or similar
options on more than 25% of the Fund's net assets; nor may it purchase
put or call options if more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in premiums on put and call options, combinations thereof or
similar options; however, the Fund may buy or sell options on
financial futures contracts.
The Global Fund may not, as a non-fundamental policy:
i. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another
issuer.
ii. Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
3
<PAGE>
iii. Purchase securities of other open-end investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition
of assets; except that all or substantially all of the assets of the
Fund may be invested in another registered investment company having
the same investment objective and substantially similar investment
policies as the Fund.
iv. Purchase more than 10% of any class of voting securities of any
issuer, except that all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund
may be invested in another registered investment company having the
same investment objective and substantially similar investment
policies as the Fund.
v. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber more than 15% of
its total assets and then only to secure borrowings. (The collateral
arrangements with respect to options, financial futures and delayed
delivery transactions and any margin payments in connection therewith
are not deemed to be pledges or other encumbrances.)
vi. Purchase securities on margin, except to obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions;
however, the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with options
and financial futures transactions.
vii. Make short sales of securities or other assets or maintain a short
position for the account of the Fund unless at all times when a short
position is open it owns an equal amount of such securities or other
assets or owns securities which, without payment of any further
consideration, are convertible into or exchangeable for securities or
other assets of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the
securities or other assets sold short and unless not more than 10% of
the Fund's total assets is held as collateral for such sales at any
one time.
viii.Write or sell put or call options, combinations thereof or similar
options on more than 25% of the Fund's net assets; nor may the Fund
purchase put or call options if more than 5% of the Fund's net assets
would be invested in premiums on put and call options, combinations
thereof or similar options; however, the Fund may buy or sell options
on financial futures contracts.
The International Fund may not, as a fundamental policy:
1. Purchase more than 10% of any class of securities of any issuer except
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities. All debt securities and all preferred stocks
are each considered as one class.
2. Make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
3. Borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
4. Concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or
modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
5. Purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical
commodities.
6. Purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of
companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by
real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of
action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund's
ownership of securities.
7. Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except
to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection
with the disposition of portfolio securities.
8. Issue senior securities except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
4
<PAGE>
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage beyond the specified limit resulting from a
change in values or net assets will not be considered a violation. The
International Fund did not borrow money as permitted by investment restriction
number 4 in the latest fiscal year and it has no present intention of borrowing
during the current year. The International Fund has adopted the following
non-fundamental restrictions, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees
without shareholder approval.
The International Fund may not, as a non-fundamental policy:
i. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another
issuer.
ii. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or
reorganization, or by purchase in the open market of securities of
closed-end investment companies where no underwriter or dealer's
commission or profit, other than customary broker's commission, is
involved and only if immediately thereafter not more than (i) 3% of
the total outstanding voting stock of such company is owned by the
Fund, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in any one
such company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in such securities.
iii. Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
iv. Purchase more than 10% of any class of securities of any issuer except
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities. All debt securities and all preferred
stocks are each considered as one class.
v. Make short sales of securities, or purchase any securities on margin
except to obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of transactions; however, the Fund may make margin deposits
in connection with financial futures and options transactions.
vi. Write or sell put or call options, combinations thereof or similar
options on more than 25% of the Fund's net assets; nor may it purchase
put or call options if more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in premiums on put and call options, combinations thereof or
similar options; however, the Fund may buy or sell options on
financial futures contracts.
vii. Pledge the Fund's securities or receivables or transfer or assign or
otherwise encumber them in an amount exceeding the amount of the
borrowing secured thereby.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The following information sets forth each Fund's investment objective and
policies. Each Fund's returns and net asset value will fluctuate and there is no
assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective.
ASIAN FUND. The objective of the Asian Fund is long-term capital growth. The
Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio
consisting primarily of equity securities of Asian companies ("Asian Equity
Securities"). Asian Equity Securities include common stocks, preferred stocks,
securities convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred stocks,
equity investments in partnerships, joint ventures and other forms of
non-corporate investment and warrants, options and rights exercisable for equity
securities that are issued by Asian companies as defined below.
The Fund considers an issuer of securities to be an Asian company if: (i) it is
organized under the laws of an Asian country and has a principal office in an
Asian country; (ii) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business
in Asia; or (iii) its equity securities are traded principally on a stock
exchange in Asia. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 85%
of its total assets in Asian Equity Securities and will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in Asian Equity Securities of issuers meeting at least one of
the first two criteria described in the preceding sentence. For purposes of the
foregoing policies, the Fund also considers Asian Equity Securities to include:
(i)
5
<PAGE>
shares of closed-end management investment companies, the assets of which are
invested primarily in Asian Equity Securities and (ii) depository receipts (such
as American Depository Receipts) where the underlying or deposited securities
are Asian Equity Securities.
Currently, the Fund invests principally in developing or "emerging" countries
(see "Special Risk Factors -- Emerging Markets" below). Some examples of
emerging countries in which the Fund may invest without limit include China,
Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan. The Fund may, in
the discretion of the Fund's investment manager, invest without limit in
developed Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore; however, the
Fund will only invest in Japan when economic conditions warrant and then only in
limited amounts.
In pursuing its objective, the Fund invests primarily in Asian Equity Securities
believed to have potential for capital growth. However, there is no requirement
that the Fund invest exclusively in Asian Equity Securities. Subject to limits
described above, the Fund may invest in any other type of security including,
but not limited to, equity securities of non-Asian companies, bonds, notes and
other debt securities of domestic or foreign companies (including Asian-currency
instruments and securities) and obligations of domestic or foreign governments
and their political subdivisions. Currently, the Fund does not intend to invest
more than 5% of its net assets in debt securities (except for temporary
defensive investments described below).
The Fund makes investments in various Asian countries. Under normal
circumstances, business activities in not less than four different Asian
countries will be represented in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund may, from time
to time, have 40% or more of its assets invested in any major Asian industrial
or developed country which, in the view of the Fund's investment manager, poses
no unique investment risk. Investments may include securities issued by
enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing privatization.
In determining the appropriate distribution of investments among various Asian
countries and geographic regions, the Fund's investment manager ordinarily
considers such factors as prospects for relative economic growth among Asian
countries; expected levels of inflation; relative price levels of the various
capital markets; government policies influencing business conditions; the
outlook for currency relationships and the range of individual investment
opportunities available to investors in Asian companies.
When the investment manager deems it appropriate to invest for temporary
defensive purposes, such as during periods of adverse market conditions, up to
100% of the Fund's assets may be invested in cash (including foreign currency)
or cash equivalent short-term obligations, either rated as high quality or
considered to be of comparable quality in the opinion of the investment manager,
including, but not limited to, certificates of deposit, commercial paper,
short-term notes, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any
of its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured thereby.
In particular, for temporary defensive purposes the Fund's assets may be
invested without limitation in U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations to reduce the
risks inherent in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated assets.
Generally, the Fund will not trade in securities for short-term profits but,
when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without regard to the length
of time held.
The Fund may purchase and write (sell) options and engage in financial futures
and foreign currency transactions and may lend its portfolio securities. See
"Additional Investment Information" below.
EUROPE FUND. The objective of the Europe Fund is long-term capital growth. The
Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio
consisting primarily of equity securities of European companies ("European
Equity Securities"). European Equity Securities include common stocks, preferred
stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred
stocks, equity investments in partnerships, joint ventures and other forms of
non-corporate investments and warrants, options and rights exercisable for
equity securities that are issued by European companies as defined below.
The Fund considers an issuer of securities to be a European company if: (i) it
is organized under the laws of a European country and has a principal office in
a European country; (ii) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from
business in Europe; or (iii) its equity securities are traded principally on a
stock exchange in Europe. Under
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normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 85% of its total assets in
European Equity Securities and will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
European Equity Securities of issuers meeting at least one of the first two
criteria described in the preceding sentence. For purposes of the foregoing
policies, the Fund also considers European Equity Securities to include: (i)
shares of closed-end management investment companies, the assets of which are
invested primarily in European Equity Securities and (ii) depository receipts
(such as American Depository Receipts and European Depository Receipts) where
the underlying or deposited securities are European Equity Securities.
The Fund invests principally in developed countries, but it may invest up to 25%
of its total assets in developing or "emerging" countries (see "Special Risk
Factors -- Emerging Markets" below). Currently, the developed European countries
in which the Fund may invest without limit include Austria, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Ireland,
Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The Fund may, in the discretion of
the Fund's investment manager, invest without limit in other European countries
in the future if they become developed countries. Some examples of emerging
European countries are Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Poland and the Czech
Republic.
In pursuing its objective, the Fund invests primarily in European Equity
Securities believed to have potential for capital growth. However, there is no
requirement that the Fund invest exclusively in European Equity Securities.
Subject to limits described above, the Fund may invest in any other type of
security including, but not limited to, equity securities of non-European
companies, bonds, notes and other debt securities of domestic or foreign
companies (including Euro-currency instruments and securities) and obligations
of domestic or foreign governments and their political subdivisions. Currently,
the Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in debt
securities during the coming year (except for temporary defensive investments
described below).
The Fund makes investments in various European countries. Under normal
circumstances, business activities in not less than five different European
countries will be represented in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund may, from time
to time, have 25% or more of its assets invested in any major European
industrial or developed country which, in the view of the Fund's investment
manager, poses no unique investment risk. Investments may include securities
issued by enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing
privatization.
In determining the appropriate distribution of investments among various
European countries and geographic regions, the Fund's investment manager
ordinarily considers such factors as prospects for relative economic growth
among European countries; expected levels of inflation; relative price levels of
the various capital markets; government policies influencing business
conditions; the outlook for currency relationships and the range of individual
investment opportunities available to investors in European companies.
When the investment manager deems it appropriate to invest for temporary
defensive purposes, such as during periods of adverse market conditions, up to
100% of the Fund's assets may be invested in cash (including foreign currency)
or cash equivalent short-term obligations, either rated as high quality or
considered to be of comparable quality in the opinion of the investment manager,
including, but not limited to, certificates of deposit, commercial paper,
short-term notes, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any
of its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured thereby.
In particular, for temporary defensive purposes the Fund's assets may be
invested without limitation in U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations to reduce the
risks inherent in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated assets.
Generally, the Fund will not trade in securities for short-term profits but,
when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without regard to the length
of time held.
The Fund may purchase and write (sell) options and engage in financial futures
and foreign currency transactions and may lend its portfolio securities. See
"Additional Investment Information" below.
GLOBAL FUND. The objective of the Global Fund is to provide high current income
consistent with prudent total return asset management. In seeking to achieve its
objective, the Fund will invest primarily in investment grade foreign and
domestic fixed income securities. In managing the Fund's portfolio to provide a
high level of current income, the investment manager will also be seeking to
protect net asset value and to provide investors with a total return, which is
measured by changes in net asset value as well as income earned. In so managing
the Fund's
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portfolio in an effort to reduce volatility and increase returns, the investment
manager may, as is discussed more fully below, adjust the Fund's portfolio
across various global markets, maturity ranges, quality ratings and issuers
based upon its view of interest rates and other market conditions prevailing
throughout the world.
As a global fund, the Fund may invest in securities issued by any issuer and in
any currency and may hold foreign currency. Under normal market conditions, as a
non-fundamental policy, at least 65% of the Fund's assets will be invested in
the securities of issuers located in at least three countries, one of which may
be the United States. Securities of issuers within a given country may be
denominated in the currency of another country, or in multinational currency
units such as the European Currency Unit ("ECU"). Since the Fund invests in
foreign securities, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by
fluctuations in currency exchange rates. See "Special Risk Factors" below.
The Fund may seek to capitalize on investment opportunities presented throughout
the world and in international financial markets influenced by the increasing
interdependence of economic cycles and currency exchange rates. Currently, more
than 50% of the value of the world's debt securities is represented by
securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Over the past
ten years, debt securities offered by certain foreign governments provided
higher investment returns than U.S. Government debt securities. Such returns
reflect interest rates prevailing in those countries and the effect of gains and
losses in the denominated currencies, which have had a substantial impact on
investment in foreign fixed income securities. The relative performance of
various countries' fixed income markets historically has reflected wide
variations relating to the unique characteristics of each country's economy.
Year-to-year fluctuations in certain markets have been significant, and negative
returns have been experienced in various markets from time to time. The
investment manager believes that investment in a global portfolio can provide
investors with more opportunities for attractive returns than investment in a
portfolio comprised exclusively of U.S. debt securities. Also, the flexibility
to invest in fixed income markets around the world can reduce risk since, as
noted above, different world markets have often performed, at a given time, in
radically different ways.
The Fund will allocate its assets among securities of various issuers,
geographic regions, and currency denominations in a manner that is consistent
with its objective based upon relative interest rates among currencies, the
outlook for changes in these interest rates, and anticipated changes in
worldwide exchange rates. In considering these factors, a country's economic and
political state, including such factors as inflation rate, growth prospects,
global trade patterns and government policies, will be evaluated.
It is currently anticipated that the Fund's assets will be invested principally
within Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Western
Europe, and in securities denominated in the currencies of these countries or
denominated in multinational currency units such as the ECU. The Fund may also
acquire securities and currency in less developed countries and in developing
countries.
The Fund may invest in debt securities of supranational entities denominated in
any currency. A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the
national governments of two or more countries to promote economic reconstruction
or development. Examples of supranational entities include, among others, the
World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The
Fund may, in addition, invest in debt securities denominated in the ECU of an
issuer in any country (including supranational issuers). The Fund is further
authorized to invest in "semi-governmental securities," which are debt
securities issued by entities owned by either a national, state or equivalent
government or are obligations of such a government jurisdiction that are not
backed by its full faith and credit and general taxing powers.
The Fund is authorized to invest in the securities of any foreign or domestic
issuer. Investments by the Fund in fixed income securities may include
obligations issued or guaranteed by United States or foreign governments
(including foreign states, provinces and municipalities) or their agencies and
instrumentalities; obligations issued or guaranteed by supranational entities;
debt obligations of foreign and domestic corporations, banks and other business
organizations; and other foreign and domestic debt securities such as
convertible securities and preferred stocks, cash and cash equivalents and
repurchase agreements. Under normal market conditions, the Fund, as a
non-fundamental policy, will invest at least 65%, and may invest up to 100%, of
its total assets in fixed income securities. Some of the Fund's fixed income
securities may be convertible into common stock or be traded together with
warrants for the purchase of common stock, and the Fund may convert such
securities into equities and hold
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them as equity upon conversion. Investments may include securities issued by
enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing privatization.
The securities in which the Fund may invest will be "investment grade"
securities. Investment grade securities are those rated at the time of purchase
within the four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or IBCA Limited (including
its affiliate IBCA, Inc.) ("IBCA"); or that are unrated but are of comparable
quality in the opinion of the investment manager. Most foreign fixed income
securities are unrated. The characteristics of the securities in the Fund's
portfolio, such as the maturity and the type of issuer, will affect yields and
yield differentials, which vary over time. The actual yield realized by the
investor is subject, among other things, to the Fund's expenses and the
investor's transaction costs.
When the investment manager deems it appropriate to invest for temporary
defensive purposes, such as during periods of adverse market conditions, or when
relative yields in other securities are not deemed attractive, part or all of
the Fund's assets may be invested in cash (including foreign currency) or cash
equivalent short-term obligations, either rated as high quality or considered to
be of comparable quality in the opinion of the investment manager, including,
but not limited to, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, short-term notes,
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies
or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured thereby. In particular,
for defensive purposes a larger portion of the Fund's assets may be invested in
U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations to reduce the risks inherent in non-U.S.
Dollar-denominated assets.
The Fund will not normally engage in the trading of securities for the purpose
of realizing short-term profits, but it will adjust its portfolio as considered
advisable in view of prevailing or anticipated market conditions and the Fund's
investment objective. Accordingly, the Fund may sell portfolio securities in
anticipation of a rise in interest rates and purchase securities for inclusion
in its portfolio in anticipation of a decline in interest rates.
The Fund may purchase and sell options on securities, index options, financial
futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts, may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign currency options and
foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon and may engage in delayed
delivery transactions. See "Additional Investment Information" below.
INTERNATIONAL FUND. The International Fund seeks a total return, a combination
of capital growth and income, principally through an internationally diversified
portfolio of equity securities. Investments may be made for capital growth or
for income or any combination thereof for the purpose of achieving a high
overall return. There is no limitation on the percentage or amount of the Fund's
assets that may be invested in growth or income, and therefore at any particular
time the investment emphasis may be placed solely or primarily on growth of
capital or on income. While the Fund invests principally in equity securities of
non-U.S. issuers, it may also invest in convertible and debt securities and
foreign currencies. The Fund invests primarily in non-U.S. issuers, and under
normal circumstances more than 80% of the Fund's total assets will be invested
in non-U.S. issuers. In determining whether the Fund will be invested for
capital growth or income, the investment manager analyzes the international
equity and fixed income markets and seeks to assess the degree of risk and level
of return that can be expected from each market. See "Special Risk Factors."
In pursuing its objective, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks of
established non-U.S. companies believed to have potential for capital growth,
income or both. However, there is no requirement that the Fund invest
exclusively in common stocks or other equity securities. The Fund may invest in
any other type of security including, but not limited to, convertible securities
(including warrants), preferred stocks, bonds, notes and other debt securities
of companies (including Euro-currency instruments and securities) or obligations
of domestic or foreign governments and their political subdivisions. When the
investment manager believes that the total return potential in debt securities
equals or exceeds the potential return on equity securities, the Fund may
substantially increase its holdings in such debt securities. The Fund may
establish and maintain reserves for defensive purposes or to enable it to take
advantage of buying opportunities. The Fund's reserves may be invested in
domestic as well as foreign short-term money market instruments including, but
not limited to, government obligations, certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, time deposits, commercial paper, short-term corporate debt
securities and repurchase agreements.
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The Fund makes investments in various countries. Under normal circumstances,
business activities in not less than three different foreign countries will be
represented in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund may, from time to time, have more
than 25% of its assets invested in any major industrial or developed country
which in the view of the investment manager poses no unique investment risk. The
Fund may purchase securities of companies, wherever organized, that have their
principal activities and interests outside the United States. Investments may
include securities issued by enterprises that have undergone or are currently
undergoing privatization. Under exceptional economic or market conditions
abroad, the Fund may, for defensive purposes, invest all or a major portion of
its assets in U.S. Government obligations or securities of companies
incorporated in and having their principal activities in the United States. The
Fund may also invest its reserves in domestic short-term money-market
instruments as described above.
In determining the appropriate distribution of investments among various
countries and geographic regions, the investment manager ordinarily considers
such factors as prospects for relative economic growth among foreign countries;
expected levels of inflation; relative price levels of the various capital
markets; government policies influencing business conditions; the outlook for
currency relationships and the range of individual investment opportunities
available to the international investor.
Generally, the Fund will not trade in securities for short-term profits but,
when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without regard to the length
of time held.
The Fund may purchase and write (sell) options and engage in financial futures
and foreign currency transactions. See "Additional Investment Information"
below.
SPECIAL RISK FACTORS. There are risks inherent in investing in any security,
including shares of each Fund. The investment manager attempts to reduce risk
through fundamental research; however, there is no guarantee that such efforts
will be successful and each Fund's returns and net asset value will fluctuate
over time. There are special risks associated with each Fund's investments that
are discussed below.
Foreign securities involve currency risks. The U.S. Dollar value of a foreign
security tends to decrease when the value of the U.S. Dollar rises against the
foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when
the value of the U.S. Dollar falls against such currency. Fluctuations in
exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign
entity issuing the security. Dividend and interest payments may be repatriated
based upon the exchange rate at the time of disbursement or payment, and
restrictions on capital flows may be imposed. Losses and other expenses may be
incurred in converting between various currencies in connection with purchases
and sales of foreign securities.
Foreign securities may be subject to foreign government taxes that reduce their
attractiveness. Other risks of investing in such securities include political or
economic instability in the country involved, the difficulty of predicting
international trade patterns and the possible imposition of exchange controls.
The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic
securities and the markets for such securities may be less liquid. In addition,
there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers than
about domestic issuers. Many foreign issuers are not subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers. There is generally less regulation of stock
exchanges, brokers, banks and listed companies abroad than in the United States.
With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of
expropriation or diplomatic developments that could affect investment in these
countries.
Because the Asian Fund concentrates its investments in Asian companies, the
performance of the Asian Fund is closely tied to economic and political
conditions within Asia. The current economies and political structures of many
of the countries the Asian Fund may invest in do not compare favorably with the
United States or other mature economies in terms of wealth and stability. As a
result, such investments will be subject to more risk and erratic and abrupt
price movements; particularly in the emerging Asian countries. Concentration of
the Asian Fund's investments in Asian companies presents greater risk than
investment in a more diversified portfolio of foreign securities.
Because the Europe Fund concentrates its investments in European companies, the
performance of the Europe Fund is closely tied to economic and political
conditions within Europe. Some European countries, particularly those in
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Eastern Europe, have less stable economies than those in Western Europe. The
movement of many Eastern European countries toward market economies and the
movement toward a unified common market may significantly affect European
economies and markets. Economic growth transformation and renewal are currently
taking place in different areas and different ways including: a trend toward
privatizations and corporate restructurings, deregulation and modernization of
securities markets; reduction in trade barriers and currency restrictions;
global expansion by major European companies of both exports and production;
steps toward the broadening of the European Community; economic reform and
modernization of the former communist countries of Eastern Europe; expected
further growth of an already large middle class and a general increase in
consumer spending; and anticipated labor market restructuring. There can be no
assurance, of course, that these trends and conditions will continue or that
anticipated economic benefits will be realized. Concentration of the Europe
Fund's investments in European companies may present greater risk than
investment in a more diversified portfolio of foreign securities.
EMERGING MARKETS. While the Europe, Global and International Funds' investments
in foreign securities will principally be in developed countries, a Fund may,
and in the case of the Asian Fund will principally, invest in countries
considered by the Fund's investment manager to be developing or "emerging"
markets. The Europe Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in such
countries and, while no specific limits apply, it is currently anticipated that
less than 25% of the total assets for each of the Global and International Funds
will be invested in such countries. Developing or emerging markets involve
exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature than
in the United States, and to political systems that may be less stable. A
developing country or emerging market country can be considered to be a country
that is in the initial stages of its industrialization cycle. Currently,
emerging markets generally include every country in the world other than the
United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and
most Western European countries. Currently, investing in many emerging markets
may not be desirable or feasible because of the lack of adequate custody
arrangements for a Fund's assets, overly burdensome repatriation and similar
restrictions, the lack of organized and liquid securities markets, unacceptable
political risks or other reasons. As opportunities to invest in securities in
emerging markets develop, a Fund may expand and further broaden the group of
emerging markets in which it invests. In the past, markets of developing
countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries;
however, such markets often have provided higher rates of return to investors.
The investment manager believes that these characteristics can be expected to
continue in the future.
Many of the risks described above relating to foreign securities generally will
be greater for emerging markets than for developed countries. For instance,
economies in individual developing markets may differ favorably or unfavorably
from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product,
rates of inflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource
self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many emerging markets have
experienced substantial rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have very negative
effects on the economies and securities markets of certain developing markets.
Economies in emerging markets generally are dependent heavily upon international
trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by
trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency
values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries
with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be
affected adversely by economic conditions in the countries with which they
trade.
Also, the securities markets of developing countries are substantially smaller,
less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the
United States and other more developed countries. Disclosure, regulatory and
accounting standards in many respects are less stringent than in the United
States and other developed markets. There also may be a lower level of
monitoring and regulation of developing markets and the activities of investors
in such markets, and enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely
limited.
In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating
to investment in foreign markets generally are more expensive than in the United
States; this is particularly true with respect to emerging markets. Such markets
have different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets there
have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume
of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
Such settlement problems may cause emerging market securities to be illiquid.
The inability of a Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could
result either in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security or, if a Fund has entered into a
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contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the
purchaser. Certain emerging markets may lack clearing facilities equivalent to
those in developed countries. Accordingly, settlements can pose additional risks
in such markets and ultimately can expose a Fund to the risk of losses resulting
from a Fund's inability to recover from a counterparty.
The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or more
emerging markets as a result of which trading securities may cease or may be
substantially curtailed and prices for a Fund's portfolio securities in such
markets may not be readily available. A Fund's portfolio securities in the
affected markets will be valued at fair value determined in good faith by or
under the direction of its Board of Trustees.
Investment in certain emerging market securities is restricted or controlled to
varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude
foreign investment in certain emerging market securities and increase the costs
and expenses of a Fund. Emerging markets may require governmental approval for
the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments, the market could impose temporary
restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
FIXED INCOME. Since most foreign fixed income securities are not rated, a Fund
will invest in foreign fixed income securities based upon the investment
manager's analysis without relying on published ratings. Since such investments
will be based upon the investment manager's analysis rather than upon published
ratings, achievement of a Fund's goals may depend more upon the abilities of the
investment manager than would otherwise be the case.
The value of the fixed income securities held by a Fund, and thus the net asset
value of the Fund's shares, generally will fluctuate with (a) changes in the
perceived creditworthiness of the issuers of those securities, (b) movements in
interest rates, and (c) changes in the relative values of the currencies in
which a Fund's investments in fixed income securities are denominated with
respect to the U.S. Dollar. The extent of the fluctuation will depend on various
factors, such as the average maturity of a Fund's investments in foreign fixed
income securities, and the extent to which a Fund hedges its interest rate,
credit and currency exchange rate risks. Many of the foreign fixed income
obligations in which a Fund will invest will have long maturities. A longer
average maturity generally is associated with a higher level of volatility in
the market value of such securities in response to changes in market conditions.
Investments in sovereign debt, including Brady Bonds, involve special risks.
Brady Bonds are debt securities issued under a plan implemented to allow debtor
nations to restructure their outstanding commercial bank indebtedness. Foreign
governmental issuers of debt or the governmental authorities that control the
repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or pay
interest when due. In the event of default, there may be limited or no legal
recourse in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts
of the defaulting party. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity's
willingness to meet the terms of its fixed income securities, are of
considerable significance. Also, there can be no assurance that the holders of
commercial bank loans to the same sovereign entity may not contest payments to
the holders of sovereign debt in the event of default under commercial bank loan
agreements. In addition, there is no bankruptcy proceeding with respect to
sovereign debt on which a sovereign has defaulted, and a Fund may be unable to
collect all or any part of its investment in a particular issue.
Foreign investment in certain sovereign debt is restricted or controlled to
varying degrees, including requiring governmental approval for the repatriation
of income, capital or proceed of sales by foreign investors. These restrictions
or controls may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in certain
sovereign debt or increase the costs and expenses of a Fund. A significant
portion of the sovereign debt in which a Fund may invest is issued as part of
debt restructuring and such debt is to be considered speculative. There is a
history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private
entities issuing Brady Bonds. All or a portion of the interest payments and/or
principal repayment with respect to Brady Bonds may be uncollateralized.
PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES. Investments in foreign securities may include securities
issued by enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing
privatization. The governments of certain foreign countries have, to varying
degrees, embarked on privatization programs contemplating the sale of all or
part of their interests in state enterprises. A Fund's investments in the
securities of privatized enterprises include privately negotiated investments in
a government- or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise that has not
yet conducted an initial equity
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offering, investments in the initial offering of equity securities of a state
enterprise or former state enterprise and investments in the securities of a
state enterprise following its initial equity offering.
In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as a Fund, to
participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or terms
on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous than for
local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments that have
embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their ownership of
state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or that
governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized.
In the case of the enterprises in which a Fund may invest, large blocks of the
stock of those enterprises may be held by a small group of stockholders, even
after the initial equity offerings by those enterprises. The sale of some
portion or all of those blocks could have an adverse effect on the price of the
stock of any such enterprise.
Prior to making an initial equity offering, most state enterprises or former
state enterprises go through an internal reorganization or management. Such
reorganizations are made in an attempt to better enable these enterprises to
compete in the private sector. However, certain reorganizations could result in
a management team that does not function as well as the enterprise's prior
management and may have a negative effect on such enterprise. In addition, the
privatization of an enterprise by its government may occur over a number of
years, with the government continuing to hold a controlling position in the
enterprise even after the initial equity offering for the enterprise.
Prior to privatization, most of the state enterprises in which a Fund may invest
enjoy the protection of and receive preferential treatment from the respective
sovereigns that own or control them. After making an initial equity offering
these enterprises may no longer have such protection or receive such
preferential treatment and may become subject to market competition from which
they were previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to
effectively operate in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience
bankruptcy due to such competition.
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. Each Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in
the form of American Depository Receipts ("ADRs"). For many foreign securities,
there are U.S. Dollar denominated ADRs, which are bought and sold in the United
States and are issued by domestic banks. ADRs represent the right to receive
securities of foreign issuers deposited in the domestic bank or a correspondent
bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in the securities
of foreign issuers, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates. However,
by investing in ADRs rather than directly in foreign issuers' stock, a Fund
avoids currency risks during the settlement period. In general, there is a
large, liquid market in the United States for most ADRs. The Funds may also
invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of Global Depository
Receipts ("GDRs"), and European Depository Receipts ("EDRs") for the Europe,
Global and International Funds, which are receipts evidencing an arrangement
with a bank, similar to that for ADRs, and are designed for use in other foreign
securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily denominated in the
currency of the underlying security.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION. The Funds will have increased opportunities
to adjust their portfolios across various markets and may experience a high
portfolio turnover rate (over 100%), which involves correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions or other transaction costs. Higher portfolio turnover may
result in the realization of greater net short-term capital gains. See
"Dividends and Taxes" below.
The Global Fund has registered as a "non-diversified" investment company so that
it will be able to invest more than 5% of its assets in the obligations of an
issuer, subject to the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to the Fund. This allows the Global Fund, as to
50% of its assets, to invest more than 5% of its assets, but not more than 25%,
in the fixed income securities of an individual foreign government or corporate
issuer. Currently, the Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its assets
in any individual corporate issuer. Since the Fund may invest a relatively high
percentage of its assets in the obligations of a limited number of issuers, the
Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory
occurrence than a diversified investment company.
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As noted above, the Global Fund may invest in securities that are rated within
the four highest grades by S&P, Moody's or IBCA or, if unrated, are of
comparable quality as determined by the investment manager. Securities rated
within the four highest grades are generally considered to be "investment
grade." Like higher rated securities, securities rated in the fourth grade are
considered to have adequate capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they may have fewer protective provisions than higher rated securities and thus
may be adversely affected by severe economic circumstances and are considered to
have speculative characteristics. The characteristics of the rating categories
are described in the "Appendix -- Ratings of Investments."
Since interest rates vary with changes in economic, market, political and other
conditions, there can be no assurance that past interest rates are indicative of
future rates. The values of fixed income securities in a Fund's portfolio will
fluctuate depending upon market factors and inversely with current interest rate
levels.
The Global Fund may take full advantage of the entire range of maturities of
fixed income securities and may adjust the average maturity of its portfolio
from time to time, depending upon its assessment of relative yields on
securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in
interest rates. Thus, the average maturity of the Fund's portfolio may be
relatively short (under five years, for example) at some times and relatively
long (over 10 years, for example) at other times. Generally, since shorter term
debt securities tend to be more stable than longer term debt securities, the
portfolio's average maturity will be shorter when interest rates are expected to
rise and longer when interest rates are expected to fall. Since in most foreign
markets debt securities generally are issued with maturities of ten years or
less, it is currently anticipated that the average maturity of the Fund's
portfolio will normally be in the intermediate range (three to ten years).
A Fund will not purchase illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days, if, as a result thereof, more than 15% of the
Fund's net assets valued at the time of the transaction would be invested in
such securities. If the Fund holds a material percentage of its assets in
illiquid securities, there may be a question concerning the ability of the Fund
to make payment within seven days of the date its shares are tendered for
redemption. SEC guidelines provide that the usual limit on aggregate holdings by
an open-end investment company of illiquid assets is 15% of its net assets. See
"Investment Policies and Techniques -- Over-the-Counter Options" for a
description of the extent to which over- the-counter traded options are in
effect considered as illiquid for purposes of each Fund's limit on illiquid
securities. A Fund may invest in securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933. This rule permits otherwise restricted
securities to be sold to certain institutional buyers, such as the Funds. Such
securities may be illiquid and subject to a Fund's limitation on illiquid
securities. A "Rule 144A" security may be treated as liquid, however, if so
determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Investing in
Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of
illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become
uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A securities.
Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions, which are
presented above and that, together with any policies of the Fund specifically
designated in this statement of additional information as fundamental, cannot be
changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding voting
shares. As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), this
means the lesser of the vote of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present at a
meeting where more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or
by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Policies
of a Fund that are neither designated as fundamental nor incorporated into any
of the fundamental investment restrictions referred to above may be changed by
the Board of Trustees of the applicable Fund without shareholder approval.
GENERAL. Each Fund may engage in futures, options and other derivatives
transactions in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Funds
intends to engage in such transactions if it appears to the investment manager
to be advantageous for the Funds to do so, in order to pursue its investment
objective, to hedge against the effects of fluctuating interest rates and to
stabilize the value of its assets and not for speculation. The use of futures
and options, and possible benefits and attendant risks, are discussed below,
along with information concerning certain other investment policies and
techniques.
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS. Each Fund may enter into financial futures
contracts for the future delivery of a financial instrument, such as a security,
or an amount of foreign currency, or the cash value of a securities index or
other appropriate index, as available, such as a foreign currency index. This
investment technique
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is designed primarily to hedge (i.e., protect) against anticipated future
changes in market conditions or foreign exchange rates which otherwise might
adversely affect the value of securities or other assets which the Fund holds or
intends to purchase. A "sale" of a futures contract means the undertaking of a
contractual obligation to deliver the securities or the cash value of an index
or foreign currency called for by the contract at a specified price during a
specified delivery period. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the
undertaking of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities or cash value
of an index or foreign currency at a specified price during a specified delivery
period. At the time of delivery in the case of fixed income securities pursuant
to the contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value arising
from the delivery of securities with a different interest rate than that
specified in the contract. In some cases, securities called for by a futures
contract may not have been issued at the time the contract was written.
Although some financial futures contracts by their terms call for the actual
delivery or acquisition of securities or other assets, in most cases a party
will close out the contractual commitment before delivery of the underlying
assets by purchasing (or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange
an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a
transaction, if effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation
to make or take delivery of the underlying securities or other assets. All
transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a
clearing house associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded. A
Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells contracts, and will be
required to maintain margin deposits. At the time a Fund enters into a futures
contract, it is required to deposit with its custodian, on behalf of the broker,
a specified amount of cash or eligible securities, called "initial margin." The
initial margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which
the contract is traded. Subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and
from the broker are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures
contract fluctuates. The costs incurred in connection with futures transactions
could reduce a Fund's return. Futures contracts entail risks. If the investment
manager's judgment about the general direction of markets or exchange rates is
wrong, the overall performance may be poorer than if no such contracts had been
entered into.
There may be an imperfect correlation between movements in prices of futures
contracts and portfolio assets being hedged. In addition, the market prices of
futures contracts may be affected by certain factors. If participants in the
futures market elect to close out their contracts through offsetting
transactions rather than meet margin requirements, distortions in the normal
relationship between the assets and futures markets could result. Price
distortions also could result if investors in futures contracts decide to make
or take delivery of underlying securities or other assets rather than engage in
closing transactions because of the resultant reduction in the liquidity of the
futures market. In addition, from the point of view of speculators, the margin
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in
the cash market, increased participation by speculators in the futures market
could cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortions in the futures market and because of the imperfect correlation
between movements in the prices of securities or other assets and movements in
the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of market trends by the
investment manager still may not result in a successful hedging transaction. If
any of these events should occur, the Fund could lose money on the financial
futures contracts and also on the value of its portfolio assets.
OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS. Each Fund may purchase and write call
and put options on financial futures contracts. An option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a
position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during
the period of the option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option delivers the
futures contract to the holder at the exercise price. A Fund would be required
to deposit with its custodian initial margin and maintenance margin with respect
to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Each Fund will
establish segregated accounts or will provide cover with respect to written
options on financial futures contracts in a manner similar to that described
under "Options on Securities." Options on futures contracts involve risks
similar to those risks relating to transactions in financial futures contracts
described above. Also, an option purchased by a Fund may expire worthless, in
which case the Fund would lose the premium paid therefor.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. Each Fund may write (sell) "covered" call options on
securities as long as it owns the underlying securities subject to the option or
an option to purchase the same underlying securities, having an exercise price
equal to or less than the exercise price of the "covered" option, or will
establish and maintain for the term of the option a segregated account
consisting of cash or other liquid securities ("eligible securities") to the
extent required by applicable regulation in connection with the optioned
securities. A Fund may write "covered" put
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options provided that, as long as the Fund is obligated as a writer of a put
option, the Fund will own an option to sell the underlying securities subject to
the option, having an exercise price equal to or greater than the exercise price
of the "covered" option, or it will deposit and maintain in a segregated account
eligible securities having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price
of the option. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and the
writer the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the exercise price
during or at the end of the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the
right to sell, and the writer has the obligation to buy, the underlying security
at the exercise price during or at the end of the option period. The premium
received for writing an option will reflect, among other things, the current
market price of the underlying security, the relationship of the exercise price
to such market price, the price volatility of the underlying security, the
option period, supply and demand and interest rates. The Funds may write or
purchase spread options, which are options for which the exercise price may be a
fixed dollar spread or yield spread between the security underlying the option
and another security that is used as a bench mark. The exercise price of an
option may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the
underlying security at the time the option is written. The buyer of a put who
also owns the related security is protected by ownership of a put option against
any decline in that security's price below the exercise price less the amount
paid for the option. The ability to purchase put options allows a Fund to
protect capital gains in an appreciated security it owns, without being required
to actually sell that security. At times a Fund would like to establish a
position in a security upon which call options are available. By purchasing a
call option, a Fund is able to fix the cost of acquiring the security, this
being the cost of the call plus the exercise price of the option. This procedure
also provides some protection from an unexpected downturn in the market because
a Fund is only at risk for the amount of the premium paid for the call option
which it can, if it chooses, permit to expire.
During the option period the covered call writer gives up the potential for
capital appreciation above the exercise price should the underlying asset rise
in value, and the secured put writer retains the risk of loss should the
underlying security decline in value. For the covered call writer, substantial
appreciation in the value of the underlying asset would result in the security
being "called away." For the secured put writer, substantial depreciation in the
value of the underlying security would result in the security being "put to" the
writer. If a covered call option expires unexercised, the writer realizes a gain
in the amount of the premium received. If the covered call option writer has to
sell the underlying security because of the exercise of a call option, it
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, with the
proceeds being increased by the amount of the premium.
If a secured put option expires unexercised, the writer realizes a gain from the
amount of the premium. If the secured put writer has to buy the underlying
security because of the exercise of the put option, the secured put writer
incurs an unrealized loss to the extent that the current market value of the
underlying security is less than the exercise price of the put option. However,
this would be offset in whole or in part by gain from the premium received.
OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS. As indicated herein (see "Investment Objectives,
Policies and Risk Factors"), each Fund may deal in over-the-counter traded
options ("OTC options"). OTC options differ from exchange traded options in
several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a
clearing corporation, and there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a
result of the insolvency of such dealer or otherwise, in which event a Fund may
experience material losses. However, in writing options the premium is paid in
advance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of
securities, and a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices, than are
exchange traded options. Since there is no exchange, pricing is normally done by
reference to information from market makers, which information is carefully
monitored by the investment manager and verified in appropriate cases.
A writer or purchaser of a put or call option can terminate it voluntarily only
by entering into a closing transaction. In the case of OTC options, there can be
no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option at any specific time. Consequently, a Fund may be able to
realize the value of an OTC option it has purchased only by exercising it or
entering into a closing sale transaction with the dealer that issued it.
Similarly, when a Fund writes an OTC option, it generally can close out that
option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase
transaction with the dealer to which the Fund originally wrote it. If a covered
call option writer cannot effect a closing transaction, it cannot sell the
underlying security until the option expires or the option is exercised.
Therefore, a covered call option writer of an OTC option may not be able to sell
an underlying security even though it might otherwise be advantageous to do so.
Likewise, a secured put writer of an OTC option may be unable to sell the
securities pledged to secure the put for other investment purposes while it is
obligated as a put
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writer. Similarly, a purchaser of such put or call option might also find it
difficult to terminate its position on a timely basis in the absence of a
secondary market.
The Funds understand the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") to be that purchased OTC options and the securities used as
"cover" for written OTC options are illiquid securities. The investment manager
disagrees with this position and has found the dealers with which it engages in
OTC options transactions generally agreeable to and capable of entering into
closing transactions. The Funds have adopted procedures for engaging in OTC
options for the purpose of reducing any potential adverse effect of such
transactions upon the liquidity of the Funds' portfolios. A brief description of
such procedures is set forth below.
A Fund will only engage in OTC options transactions with dealers approved by the
investment manager pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of
Trustees. The investment manager believes that the approved dealers should be
able to enter into closing transactions if necessary and, therefore, present
minimal credit risks to a Fund. The investment manager will monitor the
creditworthiness of the approved dealers on an ongoing basis. A Fund currently
will not engage in OTC options transactions if the amount invested by the Fund
in OTC options, plus a "liquidity charge" related to OTC options written by the
Fund, plus the amount invested by the Fund in illiquid securities, would exceed
15% of the Fund's net assets. The "liquidity charge" referred to above is
computed as described below.
The Funds anticipate entering into agreements with dealers to which a Fund sells
OTC options. Under these agreements a Fund would have the absolute right to
repurchase the OTC options from the dealer at any time at a price no greater
than a price established under the agreements (the "Repurchase Price"). The
"liquidity charge" referred to above for a specific OTC option transaction will
be the Repurchase Price related to the OTC option less the intrinsic value of
the OTC option. The intrinsic value of an OTC call option for such purposes will
be the amount by which the current market value of the underlying security
exceeds the exercise price. In the case of an OTC put option, intrinsic value
will be the amount by which the exercise price exceeds the current market value
of the underlying security. If there is no such agreement requiring a dealer to
allow the Fund to repurchase a specific OTC option written by the Fund, the
"liquidity charge" will be the current market value of the securities serving as
"cover" for such OTC option.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. Each Fund also may purchase and write call and
put options on securities indices in an attempt to hedge against market
conditions affecting the value of securities that the Fund owns or intends to
purchase, and not for speculation. Through the writing or purchase of index
options, a Fund can achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of
options on individual securities. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of
cash if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based
is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the
exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference
between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option. The
writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make
delivery of this amount. Unlike security options, all settlements are in cash
and gain or loss depends upon price movements in the market generally (or in a
particular industry or segment of the market), rather than upon price movements
in individual securities. Price movements in securities that the Fund owns or
intends to purchase will probably not correlate perfectly with movements in the
level of an index since the prices of such securities may be affected by
somewhat different factors and, therefore, the Fund bears the risk that a loss
on an index option would not be completely offset by movements in the price of
such securities.
When a Fund writes an option on a securities index, it will segregate and
mark-to-market eligible securities to the extent required by applicable
regulation. In addition, where the Fund writes a call option on a securities
index at a time when the contract value exceeds the exercise price, the Fund
will segregate and mark-to-market, until the option expires or is closed out,
cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess.
Each Fund may also purchase and sell options on other appropriate indices, as
available, such as foreign currency indices. Options on a securities index
involve risks similar to those risks relating to transactions in financial
futures contracts described above. Also, an option purchased by a Fund may
expire worthless, in which case the Fund would lose the premium paid therefor.
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FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS. Each Fund may engage in foreign currency options
transactions. A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right
to buy or sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price at a
specified date or during the option period. A call option gives its owner the
right, but not the obligation, to buy the currency, while a put option gives its
owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. The option seller
(writer) is obligated to fulfill the terms of the option sold if it is
exercised. However, either seller or buyer may close its position during the
option period in the secondary market for such options any time prior to
expiration.
A call rises in value if the underlying currency appreciates. Conversely, a put
rises in value if the underlying currency depreciates. While purchasing a
foreign currency option can protect the Fund against an adverse movement in the
value of a foreign currency, it does not limit the gain which might result from
a favorable movement in the value of such currency. For example, if a Fund were
holding securities denominated in an appreciating foreign currency and had
purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the
currency, it would not have to exercise its put. Similarly, if the Fund has
entered into a contract to purchase a security denominated in a foreign currency
and had purchased a foreign currency call to hedge against a rise in value of
the currency but instead the currency had depreciated in value between the date
of purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not have to exercise its
call but could acquire in the spot market the amount of foreign currency needed
for settlement.
FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. As part of its financial futures
transactions (see "Financial Futures Contracts" and "Options on Financial
Futures Contracts" above), each Fund may use foreign currency futures contracts
and options on such futures contracts. Through the purchase or sale of such
contracts, a Fund may be able to achieve many of the same objectives as through
forward foreign currency exchange contracts more effectively and possibly at a
lower cost.
Unlike forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign currency futures
contracts and options on foreign currency futures contracts are standardized as
to amount and delivery period and are traded on boards of trade and commodities
exchanges. It is anticipated that such contracts may provide greater liquidity
and lower cost than forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Each Fund may engage in forward
foreign currency transactions. A forward foreign currency exchange contract
involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days ("term") from the date of the contract
agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These
contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial
banks) and their customers. The investment manager believes that it is important
to have the flexibility to enter into such forward contracts when it determines
that to do so is in the best interests of a Fund. A Fund will not speculate in
foreign currency exchange.
If a Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
transaction with respect to a forward contract, the Fund will incur a gain or a
loss (as described below) to the extent that there has been movement in forward
contract prices. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may
subsequently enter into a new forward contract to sell the foreign currency.
Should forward prices decline during the period between the Fund's entering into
a forward contract for the sale of foreign currency and the date it enters into
an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund would
realize a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to sell
exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward
prices increase, the Fund would suffer a loss to the extent the price of the
currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has
agreed to sell. Although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to
a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any
potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase.
The Fund will have to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
Dollars from time to time in order to meet such needs as Fund expenses and
redemption requests. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread")
between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
A Fund will not enter into forward contracts or maintain a net exposure in such
contracts when the Fund would be obligated to deliver an amount of foreign
currency in excess of the value of the Fund's securities or other assets
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denominated in that currency. See "Foreign Currency Transactions" under
"Investment Objectives, Policies and Risk Factors--Additional Investment
Information" herein. There is no limitation as to the percentage of the Global
Fund's assets that may be committed to forward contracts for the purchase of a
foreign currency; each of the Asian, Europe and International Funds does not
intend to enter into such forward contracts if it would have more than 15% of
the value of its total assets committed to such contracts. A Fund segregates
eligible securities to the extent required by applicable regulation in
connection with forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for the
purchase of a foreign currency. If the value of the securities segregated
declines, additional cash or securities are added so that the segregated amount
is not less than the amount of the Fund's commitments with respect to such
contracts. A Fund generally does not enter into a forward contract with a term
longer than one year.
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. The Global Fund may purchase or sell portfolio
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. When-issued or delayed
delivery transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell
securities with payment and delivery to take place in the future in order to
secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at
the time of entering into the transaction. When the Fund enters into a delayed
delivery purchase, it becomes obligated to purchase securities and it has all
the rights and risks attendant to ownership of a security, although delivery and
payment occur at a later date. The value of fixed income securities to be
delivered in the future will fluctuate as interest rates vary. At the time the
Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the liability for the
purchase and the value of the security in determining its net asset value.
Likewise, at the time the Fund makes the commitment to sell a security on a
delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction and include the proceeds
to be received in determining its net asset value; accordingly, any fluctuations
in the value of the security sold pursuant to a delayed delivery commitment are
ignored in calculating net asset value so long as the commitment remains in
effect. The Fund generally has the ability to close out a purchase obligation on
or before the settlement date, rather than take delivery of the security.
To the extent the Global Fund engages in when-issued or delayed delivery
purchases, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring portfolio securities
consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies. The Fund reserves
the right to sell these securities before the settlement date if deemed
advisable.
DERIVATIVES. In addition to options and financial futures transactions,
consistent with its objective, a Fund may invest in a broad array of financial
instruments and securities in which the value of the instrument or security is
"derived" from the performance of an underlying asset or a "benchmark" such as a
security index, an interest rate or a foreign currency ("derivatives").
Derivatives are most often used to manage investment risk, to increase or
decrease exposure to an asset class or benchmark (as a hedge or to enhance
return), or to create an investment position directly (often because it is more
efficient or less costly than direct investment). There is no guarantee that
these results can be achieved through the use of derivatives. The types of
derivatives used by a Fund and the techniques employed by the investment manager
may change over time as new derivatives and strategies are developed or
regulatory changes occur.
REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS. To the extent required to comply with applicable
regulation, when purchasing a futures contract, writing a put option or entering
into a delayed delivery purchase or a forward foreign currency exchange
purchase, a Fund will maintain eligible securities in a segregated account. A
Fund will use cover in connection with selling a futures contract.
A Fund will not engage in transactions in financial futures contracts or options
thereon for speculation, but only to attempt to hedge against changes in market
conditions affecting the values of securities or other assets which the Fund
holds or intends to purchase.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A Fund may invest in repurchase agreements, which are
instruments under which the Fund acquires ownership of a security from a
broker-dealer or bank that agrees to repurchase the security at a mutually
agreed upon time and price (which price is higher than the purchase price),
thereby determining the yield during the Fund's holding period. In the event of
a bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund
might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses,
including a decline in the value of the underlying securities and loss of
income. The securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be
marked-to-market every business day so that the value of such securities is at
least equal to the investment value of
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the repurchase agreement, including any accrued interest thereon. Each Fund
currently does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in repurchase
agreements during the current year.
SHORT SALES AGAINST-THE-BOX. Each of the Asian, Europe and Global Funds may make
short sales against-the-box for the purpose of, but not limited to, deferring
realization of loss when deemed advantageous for federal income tax purposes. A
short sale "against-the-box" is a short sale in which the Fund owns at least an
equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, securities of
the same issue as, and at least equal in amount to, the securities or other
assets sold short. The Fund may engage in such short sales only to the extent
that not more than 10% of the Fund's total assets (determined at the time of the
short sale) is held as collateral for such sales. The Fund currently does not
intend, however, to engage in such short sales to the extent that more than 5%
of its net assets will be held as collateral therefor during the current year.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, each of the Asian, Europe and Global Funds may lend its portfolio
securities (principally to broker-dealers) without limit where such loans are
callable at any time and are continuously secured by segregated collateral (cash
or other liquid securities) equal to no less than the market value, determined
daily, of the securities loaned. A Fund will receive amounts equal to dividends
or interest on the securities loaned. It also will earn income for having made
the loan. Any cash collateral pursuant to these loans will be invested in
short-term money market instruments. As with other extensions of credit, there
are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans would be
made only to firms deemed by the Fund's investment manager to be of good
standing, and when the Fund's investment manager believes the potential earnings
justify the attendant risk. Management will limit such lending to not more than
one-third of the value of a Fund's total assets.
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. The Global Fund normally distributes monthly dividends of net
investment income, the Asian, Europe and International Funds normally distribute
annual dividends of net investment income and each Fund distributes any net
realized short-term and long-term capital gains at least annually.
The level of income dividends per share (as a percentage of net asset value)
will be lower for Class B and Class C shares than for Class A shares primarily
as a result of the distribution services fee applicable to Class B and Class C
shares. Distributions of capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount
for each class.
A Fund may at any time vary the foregoing dividend practice and, therefore,
reserves the right from time to time either to distribute or to retain for
reinvestment such of its net investment income and its net short-term and
long-term capital gains as the Board of Trustees of the Fund determines
appropriate under then current circumstances. In particular, and without
limiting the foregoing, a Fund may make additional distributions of net
investment income or capital gain net income in order to satisfy the minimum
distribution requirements contained in the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").
Income dividends and capital gain dividends, if any, of a Fund will be credited
to shareholder accounts in full and fractional Fund shares of the same class at
net asset value except that, upon written request to the Shareholder Service
Agent, a shareholder may select one of the following options:
(1) To receive income and short-term capital gain dividends in cash and
long-term capital gain dividends in shares of the same class at net asset value;
or
(2) To receive income and capital gain dividends in cash.
Any dividends of a Fund that are reinvested normally will be reinvested in Fund
shares of the same class. However, upon written request to the Shareholder
Service Agent, a shareholder may elect to have dividends of a Fund invested
without sales charge in shares of the same class of another Kemper Fund at the
net asset value of such class of such other fund. See "Special Features -- Class
A Shares -- Combined Purchases" for a list of such other Kemper Funds. To use
this privilege of investing dividends of a Fund in shares of another Kemper
Fund, shareholders must maintain
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a minimum account value of $1,000 in the Fund distributing the dividends. The
Funds reinvest dividend checks (and future dividends) in shares of that same
class of the Fund and class if checks are returned as undeliverable. Dividends
and other distributions in the aggregate amount of $10 or less are automatically
reinvested in shares of the same Fund unless the shareholder requests that such
policy not be applied to the shareholder's account.
TAXES. Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code and, if so qualified, will not be liable
for federal income taxes to the extent its earnings are distributed. Such
qualification does not involve governmental supervision or management of
investment practices or policy.
A regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the Code is
required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment
company taxable income (including net short-term capital gain) and generally is
not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes annually its
investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains in the manner
required under the Code. Dividends derived from net investment income and net
short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and
long-term capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gain regardless of how long the shares have been held and whether
received in cash or shares. Long-term capital gain dividends received by
individual shareholders are taxed at a maximum rate of 20% on gains realized by
a Fund from securities held more than 18 months and at a maximum rate of 28% on
gains realized by a Fund from securities held more than 12 months but not more
than 18 months. Dividends declared in October, November or December to
shareholders of record as of a date in one of those months and paid during the
following January are treated as paid on December 31 of the calendar year
declared. A portion of the dividends paid by the Funds may qualify for the
dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
A dividend received shortly after the purchase of shares reduces the net asset
value of the shares by the amount of the dividend and, although in effect a
return of capital, will be taxable to the shareholder. If the net asset value of
shares were reduced below the shareholder's cost by dividends representing gains
realized on sales of securities, such dividends would be a return of investment
though taxable as stated above.
A Fund's options, futures and foreign currency transactions are subject to
special tax provisions that may accelerate or defer recognition of certain gains
or losses, change the character of certain gains or losses, or alter the holding
periods of certain of the Fund's securities.
The mark-to-market rules of the Code may require a Fund to recognize unrealized
gains and losses on certain options and futures held by the Fund at the end of
the fiscal year. Under these provisions, 60% of any capital gain or loss
recognized will generally be treated as long-term and 40% as short-term.
However, although certain forward contracts on foreign currency are
marked-to-market, the gain or loss is generally ordinary under Section 988 of
the Code. In addition, the straddle rules of the Code would require deferral of
certain losses realized on positions of a straddle to the extent that the Fund
had unrealized gains in offsetting positions at year end.
A 4% excise tax is imposed on the excess of the required distribution for a
calendar year over the distributed amount for such calendar year. The required
distribution is the sum of 98% of a Fund's net investment income for the
calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period
ending October 31, plus any undistributed net investment income from the prior
calendar year, plus any undistributed capital gain net income from the one year
period ended October 31 in the prior calendar year, minus any overdistribution
in the prior calendar year. For purposes of calculating the required
distribution, foreign currency gains or losses occurring after October 31 are
taken into account in the following calendar year. The Funds intend to declare
or distribute dividends during the appropriate periods of an amount sufficient
to prevent imposition of the 4% excise tax. If any net realized long-term
capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses are retained
by a Fund for reinvestment, requiring federal income taxes to be paid thereon by
a Fund, the Fund intends to elect to treat such capital gains as having been
distributed to shareholders. As a result, each shareholder will report such
capital gains as long-term capital gains, will be able to claim a relative share
of federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such gains as a credit against
personal federal income tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the
adjusted tax basis on Fund shares by the difference between a pro rata share of
such gains owned and the individual tax credit.
It is anticipated that only a small portion, if any, of the ordinary income
dividends from the Funds will be eligible for the
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dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders. The aggregate
amount eligible for the dividends received deduction may not exceed the
aggregate qualifying dividends received by a Fund for the fiscal year.
A shareholder who redeems shares of a Fund will recognize capital gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes measured by the difference between the value of
the shares redeemed and the adjusted cost basis of the shares. Any loss
recognized on the redemption of Fund shares held six months or less will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that the shareholder has
received any long-term capital gain dividends on such shares. A shareholder who
has redeemed shares of a Fund or any other Kemper Mutual Fund listed herein
under "Special Features--Class A Shares--Combined Purchases" (other than shares
of Kemper Cash Reserves Fund not acquired by exchange from another Kemper Mutual
Fund) may reinvest the amount redeemed at net asset value at the time of the
reinvestment in shares of the Fund or in shares of the other Kemper Mutual Funds
within six months of the redemption as describedherein under "Redemption or
Repurchase of Shares--Reinvestment Privilege." If redeemed shares were held less
than 91 days, then the lesser of (a) the sales charge waived on the reinvested
shares, or (b) the sales charge incurred on the redeemed shares, is included in
the basis of the reinvested shares and is not included in the basis of the
redeemed shares. If a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption or exchange
of a Fund's shares and reinvests in shares of the same Fund within 30 days
before or after the redemption or exchange, the transactions may be subject to
the wash sale rules resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss
for federal income tax purposes. An exchange of a Fund's shares for shares of
another fund is treated as a redemption and reinvestment for federal income tax
purposes upon which gain or loss may be recognized.
Investment income derived from foreign securities may be subject to foreign
income taxes withheld at the source. Because the amount of a Fund's investments
in various countries will change from time to time, it is not possible to
determine the effective rate of such taxes in advance.
A Fund may invest in shares of certain foreign corporations which may be
classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). If
a Fund receives a so-called "excess distribution" with respect to PFIC stock,
the Fund itself may be subject to a tax on a portion of the excess distribution.
Certain distributions from a PFIC as well as gains from the sale of the PFIC
shares are treated as "excess distributions." In general, under the PFIC rules,
an excess distribution is treated as having been realized ratably over the
period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund will be subject to
tax on the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is allocated to prior
Fund taxable years and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the
tax had been payable in such prior taxable years. Excess distributions allocated
to the current taxable year are characterized as ordinary income even though,
absent application of the PFIC rules, certain excess distributions might have
been classified as capital gain.
A Fund may make an election to mark to market its shares of these foreign
investment companies in lieu of being subject to U.S. federal income taxation.
At the end of each taxable year to which the election applies, the Fund would
report as ordinary income the amount by which the fair market value of the
foreign company's stock exceeds the Fund's adjusted basis in these shares; any
mark to market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of shares would be
deductible as ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark to market gains
included in income in prior years. The effect of the election would be to treat
excess distributions and gain on dispositions as ordinary income which is not
subject to a fund level tax when distributed to shareholders as a dividend.
Alternatively, a Fund may elect to include as income and gain its share of the
ordinary earnings and net capital gain of certain foreign investment companies
in lieu of being taxed in the manner described above.
Equity options (including covered call options on portfolio stock) and
over-the-counter options on debt securities written or purchased by a Fund will
be subject to tax under Section 1234 of the Code. In general, no loss is
recognized by a Fund upon payment of a premium in connection with the purchase
of a put or call option. The character of any gain or loss recognized (i.e.,
long-term or short-term) will generally depend, in the case of a lapse or sale
of the option, on the Fund's holding period for the option, and in the case of
an exercise of a put option, on the Fund's holding period for the underlying
stock. The purchase of a put option may constitute a short sale for federal
income tax purposes, causing an adjustment in the holding period of the
underlying stock or substantially identical stock in the Fund's portfolio. If a
Fund writes a put or call option, no gain is recognized upon its receipt of a
premium. If the option lapses or is closed out, any gain or loss is treated as a
short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, any resulting
gain or loss is a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the
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holding period of the underlying stock. The exercise of a put option written by
a Fund is not a taxable transaction for the Fund.
Many futures contracts and certain foreign currency forward contracts entered
into by a Fund and all listed non-equity options written or purchased by a Fund
(including options on futures contracts and options on broad-based stock
indices) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code. Absent a tax election to
the contrary, gain or loss attributable to the lapse, exercise or closing out of
any such position generally will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gain or loss, and on the last trading day of the Fund's fiscal year, all
outstanding Section 1256 positions will be marked to market (i.e. treated as if
such positions were closed out at their closing price on such day), with any
resulting gain or loss recognized as 60% long-term and 40% short-term. Under
Section 988 of the Code, discussed below, foreign currency gain or loss from
foreign currency-related forward contracts and similar financial instruments
entered into or acquired by a Fund will be treated as ordinary income. Under
certain circumstances, entry into a futures contract to sell a security may
constitute a short sale for federal income tax purposes, causing an adjustment
in the holding period of the underlying security or a substantially identical
security in the Fund's portfolio.
Positions of a Fund which consist of at least one stock and at least one other
position with respect to a related security which substantially diminishes a
Fund's risk of loss with respect to such stock could be treated as a "straddle"
which is governed by Section 1092 of the Code, the operation of which may cause
deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding periods of stock or securities
and conversion of short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. An
exception to these straddle rules exists for certain "qualified covered call
options" on stock written by the Fund.
Positions of a Fund which consist of at least one position not governed by
Section 1256 and at least one futures or forward contract or non-equity option
governed by Section 1256 which substantially diminishes a Fund's risk of loss
with respect to such other position will be treated as a "mixed straddle."
Although mixed straddles are subject to the straddle rules of Section 1092 of
the Code, certain tax elections exist for them which reduce or eliminate the
operation of these rules. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions in
options and futures and may make certain tax elections in connection with these
investments.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, recent tax law changes may require a Fund
to recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain
"appreciated financial positions" if a Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting
notional principal contract, futures or forward contract transaction with
respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property.
Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are
interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in
stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and
certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment of appreciated financial
positions does not apply to certain transactions closed in the 90-day period
ending with the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, if certain
conditions are met.
Similarly, if a Fund enters into a short sale of property that becomes
substantially worthless, the Fund will be required to recognize gain at that
time as though it had closed the short sale. Future regulations may apply
similar treatment to other strategic transactions with respect to property that
becomes substantially worthless.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates
which occur between the time a Fund accrues receivables or liabilities
denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such
receivables, or pays such liabilities, generally are treated as ordinary income
or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a
foreign currency, and on disposition of certain options, futures contracts and
forward contracts, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of
foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and
the date of disposition are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains
or losses, referred to under the Code as "Section 988" gains or losses, may
increase or decrease the amount of a Fund's investment company taxable income to
be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.
Dividends from domestic corporations are expected to comprise a substantial part
of each Fund's gross income. To the extent that such dividends constitute a
portion of a Fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of the
Fund may be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations.
Shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends which so qualify. The
dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent the shares of a
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Fund with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as
debt-financed under federal income tax law, and is eliminated if either those
shares or the shares of the Fund are deemed to have been held by a Fund or the
shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 90-day period
beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend.
Properly designated distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been
held by such shareholders. Such distributions are not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares
held at the time of redemption for six months or less will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of
long-term capital gain during such six-month period.
Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital
gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or in cash.
Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares
will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received
equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital
gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each
shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends and capital gains
distributions declared in October, November or December and payable to
shareholders of record in such a month will be deemed to have been received by
shareholders on December 31 if paid during January of the following year.
Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of another Scudder fund,
may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also
subject to these reporting requirements.
The Funds will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all
distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from
the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt
shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the
Code, distributions of taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the
redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be
subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31% in the case of
non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their
taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their
status under the federal income tax law. Withholding may also be required if the
Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that the taxpayer identification number
furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously
failed to report interest or dividend income. If the withholding provisions are
applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be
withheld.
Shareholders of a Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions
received from a Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares. Each distribution
is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form and character of the
distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a
statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
Each Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is not liable for
any income or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that
it qualifies as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
An individual may make a deductible IRA contribution for any taxable year only
if (i) the individual is not an active participant in an employer's retirement
plan, or (ii) the individual has an adjusted gross income below a certain level
($50,000 for married individuals filing a joint return, with a phase-out of the
deduction for adjusted gross income between $50,000 and $60,000; $30,000 for a
single individual, with a phase-out for adjusted gross income between $30,000
and $40,000). An individual is not considered an active participant in an
employer's retirement plan if the individual's spouse is an active participant
in such a plan. However, in the case of a joint return, the amount of the
deductible contribution by the individual who is not an active participant (but
whose spouse is) is phased out for adjusted gross income between $150,000 and
$160,000. However, an individual not permitted to make a deductible contribution
to an IRA for any such taxable year may nonetheless make nondeductible
contributions up to $2,000 to an IRA (up to $2,000 per individual for married
couples if only one spouse has earned income) for that year. There are special
rules for determining how withdrawals are to be taxed if an IRA contains both
deductible and nondeductible
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amounts. In general, a proportionate amount of each withdrawal will be deemed to
be made from nondeductible contributions; amounts treated as a return of
nondeductible contributions will not be taxable. Also, annual contributions may
be made to a spousal IRA even if the spouse has earnings in a given year if the
spouse elects to be treated as having no earnings (for IRA contribution
purposes) for the year.
Distributions by a Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the
Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a
shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though,
from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just
prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the
amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a
distribution will then receive a partial return of capital upon the
distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them.
Shareholders who are non-resident aliens are subject to U.S. withholding tax on
ordinary income dividends (whether received in cash or shares) at a rate of 30%
or such lower rate as prescribed by any applicable tax treaty. Each Fund is
required by law to withhold 31% of taxable dividends and redemption proceeds
paid to certain shareholders who do not furnish a correct taxpayer
identification number (in the case of individuals, a social security number) and
in certain other circumstances. Trustees of qualified retirement plans and
403(b)(7) accounts are required by law to withhold 20% of the taxable portion of
any distribution that is eligible to be "rolled over". The 20% withholding
requirement does not apply to distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts
(IRAs) or any part of a distribution that is transferred directly to another
qualified retirement plan, 403(b)(7) account, or IRA. Shareholders should
consult with their tax Advisors regarding the 20% withholding requirement.
After each transaction, shareholders will receive a confirmation statement
giving complete details of the transaction except that statements will be sent
quarterly for transactions involving reinvestment of dividends and periodic
investment and redemption programs. Information for income tax purposes,
including, when appropriate, information regarding any foreign taxes and
credits, will be provided after the end of the calendar year. Shareholders are
encouraged to retain copies of their account confirmation statements or year-end
statements for tax reporting purposes. However, those who have incomplete
records may obtain historical account transaction information at a reasonable
fee.
When more than one shareholder resides at the same address, certain reports and
communications to be delivered to such shareholders may be combined in the same
mailing package, and certain duplicate reports and communications may be
eliminated. Similarly, account statements to be sent to such shareholders may be
combined in the same mailing package or consolidated into a single statement.
However, a shareholder may request that the foregoing policies not be applied to
the shareholder's account.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and
U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not
a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership
of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be
subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under an
applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting ordinary income received
by him or her, where such amounts are treated as income from U.S. sources under
the Code.
Dividend and interest income received by a Fund from sources outside the U.S.
may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign
jurisdictions. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce
or eliminate these foreign taxes, however, and foreign countries generally do
not impose taxes on capital gains respecting investments by foreign investors.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of the
provisions of tax law described in this Statement of Additional Information in
light of their particular tax situations.
NET ASSET VALUE
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The net asset value per share of a Fund is the value of one share and is
determined separately for each class by dividing the value of a Fund's net
assets attributable to the class by the number of shares of that class
outstanding. The per share net asset value of each of Class B and Class C shares
of the Fund will generally be lower than that of the Class A shares of a Fund
because of the higher expenses borne by the Class B and Class C shares. The net
asset value of shares of a Fund is computed as of the close of regular trading
(the "value time") on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") on each day
the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the
following holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
Portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available are
generally valued at market value as of the value time in the manner described
below. All other securities may be valued at fair value as determined in good
faith by or under the direction of the Board.
With respect to the Funds with securities listed primarily on foreign exchanges,
such securities may trade on days when the Fund's net asset value is not
computed; and therefore, the net asset value of a Fund may be significantly
affected on days when the investor has no access to the Fund.
An exchange-traded equity security is valued at its most recent sale price.
Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the calculated mean between the
most recent bid quotation and the most recent asked quotation (the "Calculated
Mean"). Lacking a Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the most recent bid
quotation. An equity security which is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.
("Nasdaq") is valued at its most recent sale price. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the most recent bid quotation. The value of an equity
security not quoted on Nasdaq, but traded in another over-the-counter market, is
its most recent sale price. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the
Calculated Mean. Lacking a Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the most
recent bid quotation.
Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) which
reflect broker/dealer supplied valuations and electronic data processing
techniques. Money market instruments purchased with an original maturity of
sixty days or less, maturing at par, shall be valued at amortized cost, which
the Board believes approximates market value. If it is not possible to value a
particular debt security pursuant to these valuation methods, the value of such
security is the most recent bid quotation supplied by a bona fide marketmaker.
If it is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to the above
methods, the investment manager of the particular fund may calculate the price
of that debt security, subject to limitations established by the Board.
An exchange-traded options contract on securities, currencies, futures and other
financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on such exchange.
Lacking any sales, the options contract is valued at the Calculated Mean.
Lacking any Calculated Mean, the options contract is valued at the most recent
bid quotation in the case of a purchased options contract, or the most recent
asked quotation in the case of a written options contract. An options contract
on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded
over-the-counter is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a
purchased options contract and at the most recent asked quotation in the case of
a written options contract. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent
settlement price. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are valued at the
value of the underlying currency at the prevailing exchange rate on the
valuation date.
If a security is traded on more than one exchange, or upon one or more exchanges
and in the over-the-counter market, quotations are taken from the market in
which the security is traded most extensively.
If, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee of the Board of Trustees, the
value of a portfolio asset as determined in accordance with these procedures
does not represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of
the portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the
Valuation Committee, represents fair market value on the basis of all available
information. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by a Fund is determined
in a manner which, in the discretion of the Valuation Committee, most fairly
reflects market value of the property on the valuation date.
Following the valuations of securities or other portfolios assets in terms of
the currency in which the market quotation used is expressed ("Local Currency"),
the value of these portfolio assets in terms of U.S. dollars is
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calculated by converting the Local Currency into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
currency exchange rate on the valuation date.
PERFORMANCE
A Fund may advertise several types of performance information for a class of
shares, including "yield" and "average annual total return" and "total return."
Performance information will be computed separately for each class. Each of
these figures is based upon historical results and is not representative of the
future performance of any class of a Fund. A Fund with fees or expenses being
waived or absorbed by Scudder Kemper may also advertise performance information
before and after the effect of the fee waiver or expense absorption.
A Fund's historical performance or return for a class of shares may be shown in
the form of "average annual total return" and "total return" figures, and for
the Global Fund may be shown in the form of "yield" figures. These various
measures of performance are described below. Performance information will be
computed separately for each class.
Yield is a measure of the net investment income per share earned over a specific
one month or 30-day period expressed as a percentage of the maximum offering
price of the Global Fund's shares (which is net asset value for Class B and
Class C shares) at the end of the period. Average annual total return and total
return measure both the net investment income generated by, and the effect of
any realized or unrealized appreciation or depreciation of, the underlying
investments in the Fund's portfolio.
The Global Fund's yield is computed in accordance with a standardized method
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund's Class
A, Class B and Class C shares' yields based upon the one-month period ended
December 31, 1998 were 2.09%, 1.25%, and 2.50%, respectively. The Fund's yield
is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the
specified one month or 30-day period by the maximum offering price per share
(which is net asset value for Class B and Class C shares) on the last day of the
period, according to the following formula:
YIELD = 2[(a - b + 1)^6 - 1]
-----
cd
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period.
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during
the period that were entitled to receive dividends.
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period (which is net asset value for Class B and Class C
shares).
In computing the foregoing yield, the Global Fund follows certain standardized
accounting practices specified by Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
These practices are not necessarily consistent with those that the Fund uses to
prepare its annual and interim financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Each Fund's average annual total return quotation is computed in accordance with
a standardized method prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The average annual total return for a Fund for a specific period is
found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment ("initial investment") in
the Fund's shares on the first day of the period, adjusting to deduct the
maximum sales charge (in the case of Class A shares), and computing the
"redeemable value" of that investment at the end of the period. The redeemable
value in the case of Class B or Class C shares may or may not include the effect
of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge that may be imposed at the
end of the period. The redeemable value is then divided by the initial
investment, and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N representing the
number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the result, which is
27
<PAGE>
then expressed as a percentage. The calculation assumes that all income and
capital gains dividends paid by the Fund have been reinvested at net asset value
on the reinvestment dates during the period. Average annual total return figures
may also be calculated without deducting the maximum sales charge.
Calculation of a Fund's total return is not subject to a standardized formula,
except when calculated for the Fund's "Financial Highlights" table in the Fund's
financial statements and prospectus. Total return performance for a specific
period is calculated by first taking a hypothetical investment ("initial
investment") in the Fund's shares on the first day of the period, either
adjusting or not adjusting to deduct the maximum sales charge (in the case of
Class A shares), and computing the "ending value" of that investment at the end
of the period. The total return percentage is then determined by subtracting the
initial investment from the ending value and dividing the remainder by the
initial investment and expressing the result as a percentage. The ending value
in the case of Class B and Class C shares may or may not include the effect of
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge that may be imposed at the end
of the period. The calculation assumes that all income and capital gains
dividends paid by the Fund have been reinvested at net asset value on the
reinvestment dates during the period. Total return may also be shown as the
increased dollar value of the hypothetical investment over the period. Total
return calculations that do not include the effect of the sales charge for Class
A shares or the contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares would be
reduced if such charge were included.
Average annual total return and total return figures measure both the net
investment income generated by, and the effect of any realized and unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of, the underlying investments in a Fund's
portfolio for the period referenced, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends.
Thus, these figures reflect the change in the value of an investment in a Fund
during a specified period. Average annual total return will be quoted for at
least the one-, five- and ten-year periods ending on a recent calendar quarter
(or if such periods have not yet elapsed, at the end of a shorter period
corresponding to the life of the Fund for performance purposes). Average annual
total return figures represent the average annual percentage change over the
period in question. Total return figures represent the aggregate percentage or
dollar value change over the period in question.
A Fund's performance figures are based upon historical results and are not
representative of future performance. The Global Fund's Class A shares are sold
at net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 4.5% of the offering price and
each of the Asian, Europe and International Funds' Class A shares are sold at
net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price.
Class B and Class C shares are sold at net asset value. Redemption of Class B
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge that is 4% in the
first year following the purchase, declines by a specified percentage each year
thereafter and becomes zero after six years. Redemption of Class C shares may be
subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge in the first year following
purchase. Average annual total return figures do, and total return figures may,
include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge for the Class B
shares and Class C shares that may be imposed at the end of the period in
question. Performance figures for the Class B shares and Class C shares not
including the effect of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge would be
reduced if it were included. Returns and net asset value will fluctuate. Factors
affecting each Fund's performance include general market conditions, operating
expenses and investment management. Any additional fees charged by a dealer or
other financial services firm would reduce returns described in this section.
Shares of each Fund are redeemable at the then current net asset value, which
may be more or less than original cost.
A Fund's performance may be compared to that of the Consumer Price Index or
various unmanaged bond indexes including, but not limited to, the Salomon
Brothers High Grade Corporate Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Adjustable Rate
Index, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Government/
Corporate Bond Index, the Salomon Brothers Long-Term High Yield Index, the
Salomon Brothers 30 Year GNMA Index and the Merrill Lynch Market Weighted Index
and may also be compared to the performance of other mutual funds or mutual fund
indexes with similar objectives and policies as reported by independent mutual
fund reporting services such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper").
Lipper performance calculations are based upon changes in net asset value with
all dividends reinvested and do not include the effect of any sales charges.
Information may be quoted from publications such as Morningstar, Inc., The Wall
Street Journal, Money Magazine, Forbes, Barron's, Fortune, The Chicago Tribune,
USA Today, Institutional Investor and Registered Representative. Also, investors
may want to compare the historical returns of various investments, performance
indexes of those investments or economic indicators, including but not limited
to stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit and other bank products, money market
funds and U.S. Treasury obligations. Bank product performance may be based upon,
among
28
<PAGE>
other things, the BANK RATE MONITOR National Index(TM) or various certificate of
deposit indexes. Money market fund performance may be based upon, among other
things, the IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund Report(R) or Money Market Insight(R),
reporting services on money market funds. Performance of U.S. Treasury
obligations may be based upon, among other things, various U.S. Treasury bill
indexes. Certain of these alternative investments may offer fixed rates of
return and guaranteed principal and may be insured. Economic indicators may
include, without limitation, indicators of market rate trends and cost of funds,
such as Federal Home Loan Bank Board 11th District Cost of Funds Index ("COFI").
A Fund may depict the historical performance of the securities in which the Fund
may invest over periods reflecting a variety of market or economic conditions
either alone or in comparison with alternative investments, performance indexes
of those investments or economic indicators. A Fund may also describe its
portfolio holdings and depict its size or relative size compared to other mutual
funds, the number and make-up of its shareholder base and other descriptive
factors concerning the Fund.
Each Fund's returns and net asset value will fluctuate and shares of a Fund are
redeemable by an investor at the then current net asset value, which may be more
or less than original cost. Redemption of Class B shares and Class C shares may
be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as described above. Additional
information about each Fund's performance also appears in its Annual Report to
Shareholders, which is available without charge from the applicable Fund.
The figures below show performance information for various periods.
The net asset value and returns of the Funds will fluctuate. No adjustment has
been made for taxes payable on dividends. The periods indicated were ones of
fluctuating securities prices and interest rates.
ASIAN FUND--NOVEMBER 30, 1998
Fund Fund Fund
AVERAGE ANNUAL Class A Class B Class C
TOTAL RETURN TABLE Shares Shares Shares
------------------ ------ ------ ------
Life of Class(+) (25.11) (24.88) (23.72)
One Year (22.44) (21.08) (18.72)
(+) Since October 21, 1996 for all classes.
EUROPE FUND--NOVEMBER 30, 1998
29
<PAGE>
Fund Fund Fund
AVERAGE ANNUAL Class A Class B Class C
TOTAL RETURN TABLE Shares Shares Shares
------------------ ------ ------ ------
Life of Class(+) 15.88 16.55 17.71
One Year 10.49 12.92 16.48
(+) Since May 1, 1996 for all classes.
GLOBAL FUND--DECEMBER 31, 1998
Fund Fund Fund
AVERAGE ANNUAL Class A Class B Class C
TOTAL RETURN TABLE Shares Shares Shares
------------------ ------ ------ ------
Life of Class(+) 8.09 6.89 7.70
Five Years 5.70 * *
Three Years 4.33 4.58 5.30
One Year 3.90 (1.84) 8.30
(+) Since October 1, 1989 for Class A shares. Since May 31, 1994 for Class B
and Class C shares.
* Does not apply
INTERNATIONAL FUND--OCTOBER 31, 1998
Fund Fund Fund
AVERAGE ANNUAL Class A Class B Class C
TOTAL RETURN TABLE Shares Shares Shares
------------------ ------ ------ ------
Life of Class(+) 11.49% 6.55 (0.37)
Ten Years 7.51 * *
Five Years 6.31 * *
One Year (5.31) (0.37) (6.94)
(+) Since May 21, 1981 for Class A shares. Since May 31, 1994 for Class B and
Class C shares.
* Does not apply.
FOOTNOTES FOR ALL FUNDS
30
<PAGE>
(1) The Initial Investment and adjusted amounts for Class A shares were
adjusted for the maximum initial sales charge at the beginning of the
period, which is 5.75% for the Asian, Europe and International Funds and
4.5% for the Global Fund. The Initial Investment for Class B and Class C
shares was not adjusted. Amounts were adjusted for Class B shares for the
contingent deferred sales charge that may be imposed at the end of the
period based upon the schedule for shares sold currently, see "Redemption
or Repurchase of Shares" herein. No adjustments were made to Class C
shares.
Investors may want to compare a Fund's performance to that of certificates of
deposit issued by banks and other depository institutions. Certificates of
deposit may offer fixed or variable interest rates and principal is guaranteed
and may be insured. Withdrawal of the deposit prior to maturity will normally be
subject to a penalty. Rates offered by banks and other depository institutions
are subject to change at any time specified by the issuing institution. The
shares of the Fund are not insured and net asset value as well as yield will
fluctuate. Shares of a Fund are redeemable at net asset value which may be more
or less than original cost. Redemption of Class B and Class C shares may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The bonds in the Global Fund's
portfolio are generally of longer term than most certificates of deposit and may
reflect longer term market interest rate fluctuations.
Investors may also want to compare a Fund's performance to that of U.S. Treasury
bills, notes or bonds. Rates of Treasury obligations are fixed at the time of
issuance and payment of principal and interest is backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Treasury. The market value of such instruments will generally
fluctuate inversely with interest rates prior to maturity and will equal par
value at maturity. Shares of a Fund are redeemable at net asset value, which may
be more or less than original cost. The Funds' returns will also fluctuate.
In order to appreciate more fully the opportunities for income throughout the
world and the potential advantages of investing in the Global Fund, investors
may want to compare the historical performance of various bond markets around
the world. Such performance, of course, would not necessarily be representative
of future actual or relative performance of such markets, or of the past or
future performance of the Fund.
The following table compares the performance of the Class A shares of each Fund
over various periods with that of other mutual funds within the category
described below according to data reported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), New York, New York, which is a mutual fund reporting service. Lipper
performance figures are based on changes in net asset value, with all income and
capital gain dividends reinvested. Such calculations do not include the effect
of any sales charges. Future performance cannot be guaranteed. Lipper publishes
performance analyses on a regular basis.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASIAN FUND
Lipper Mutual Fund
Performance Analysis
--------------------
Pacific Ex-Japan Funds
----------------------
One Year (Period ended 11/30/98).......................................... #58 of 87 funds
The Lipper Pacific Ex-Japan Fund category includes funds that concentrate
their investments in equity securities with primary trading markets or
operations concentrated in the Pacific region (including Asian countries)
and that specifically does not invest in Japan.
EUROPE FUND
Lipper Mutual Fund
Performance Analysis
--------------------
European Region Funds
---------------------
One Year (Period ended 11/30/98).......................................... #64 of 95 funds
The Lipper European Region Fund category includes funds that concentrate their
investments in equity securities whose primary trading markets
31
<PAGE>
or operations are concentrated in the European region or a single country
within this region.
GLOBAL FUND
Lipper Mutual Fund
Performance Analysis
--------------------
Global Income Funds
-------------------
Five Years (Period ended 12/31/98)............................ #40 of 145 funds
Three Years (Period ended 12/31/98)....................................... #72 of 111 funds
One Year (Period ended 12/31/98).......................................... #18 of 67 funds
The Lipper Global Income Fund category includes funds which by prospectus or
portfolio practice invest primarily in U.S. Dollar and non-U.S. Dollar debt
instruments of issuers located in at least 3 countries, one of which may be in
the United States. This category includes funds with a variety of objectives,
policies and market and credit risks that should be considered in reviewing
these rankings.
INTERNATIONAL FUND
Lipper Mutual Fund
Performance Analysis
--------------------
International Funds
-------------------
Fifteen Years (Period ended 11/30/98)................................... #7 of 12 funds
Ten Years (Period ended 11/30/98)...................................... #18 of 36 funds
Five Years (Period ended 11/30/98)........................................ #61 of 145 funds
One Year (Period ended 11/30/98).......................................... #370 of 489 funds
</TABLE>
The Lipper International Funds category includes funds which invest their assets
in securities whose primary trading markets are outside of the United States.
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND UNDERWRITER
INVESTMENT MANAGER. Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. ("Scudder Kemper" or "the
Adviser"), 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York, is each Fund's investment
manager. Scudder Kemper is approximately 70% owned by Zurich Financial Services,
a newly formed global insurance and financial services company. The balance of
the Adviser is owned by its officers and employees. Pursuant to investment
management agreements, Scudder Kemper acts as each Fund's investment adviser,
manages its investments, administers its business affairs, furnishes office
facilities and equipment, provides clerical and administrative services, and
permits any of its officers or employees to serve without compensation as
trustees or officers of a Fund if elected to such positions. The investment
management agreements provide that the Fund shall pay the charges and expenses
of its operations, including the fees and expenses of the trustees (except those
who are affiliated with officers or employees of Scudder Kemper), independent
auditors, counsel, custodian and transfer agent and the cost of share
certificates, reports and notices to shareholders, brokerage commissions or
transaction costs, costs of calculating net asset value and maintaining all
accounting records related thereto, taxes and membership dues. Each Fund bears
the expenses of registration of its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, while Kemper Distributors, Inc., ("KDI") as principal underwriter,
pays the cost of qualifying and maintaining the qualification of each Fund's
shares for sale under the securities laws of the various states.
The investment management agreements provide that Scudder Kemper shall not be
liable for any error of judgment or of law, or for any loss suffered by a Fund
in connection with the matters to which the agreements relate, except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of
Scudder Kemper in the
32
<PAGE>
performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under each agreement.
Each Fund's investment management agreement continues in effect from year to
year so long as its continuation is approved at least annually by a majority of
the trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any
such party except in their capacity as trustees of the Fund and by the
shareholders of the Fund subject thereto or the Board of Trustees. Each Fund's
investment management agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days'
notice by either party, or by a majority vote of the outstanding shares of the
Fund subject thereto, and will terminate automatically upon assignment. If
additional Funds become subject to an investment management agreement, the
provisions concerning continuation, amendment and termination shall be on a Fund
by Fund basis. Additional Funds may be subject to a different agreement.
Responsibility for overall management of each Fund rests with its Board of
Trustees and officers. Professional investment supervision is provided by
Scudder Kemper. The investment management agreements provide that Scudder Kemper
shall act as each Fund's investment Advisor, manage its investments and provide
it with various services and facilities.
On December 31, 1997, pursuant to the terms of an agreement, Scudder, Stevens &
Clark, Inc. ("Scudder") and Zurich Insurance Company ("Zurich") formed a new
global organization by combining Scudder with Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc., a
former subsidiary of Zurich and the former investment manager to each Fund, and
Scudder changed its name to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. As a result of the
transaction, Zurich owned approximately 70% of the Advisor, with the balance
owned by the Advisor's officers and employees.
On September 7, 1998, the businesses of Zurich (including Zurich's 70% interest
in Scudder Kemper) and the financial services businesses of B.A.T Industries
p.l.c. ("B.A.T") were combined to form a new global insurance and financial
services company known as Zurich Financial Services, Inc. By way of a dual
holding company structure, former Zurich shareholders initially owned
approximately 57% of Zurich Financial Services, Inc., with the balance initially
owned by former B.A.T shareholders.
Upon consummation of this transaction, each Fund's existing investment
management agreement with Scudder Kemper was deemed to have been assigned and,
therefore, terminated. The Board has approved a new investment management
agreement with Scudder Kemper, which is substantially identical to the current
investment management agreement, except for the date of execution and
termination. This agreement became effective upon the termination of the then
current investment management agreement and was approved by shareholders at a
special meeting which concluded in December 1998.
Each Fund pays Scudder Kemper an investment management fee, payable monthly, at
1/12 of the annual rates shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Management Fee Rates
---------------------------
Europe, Global and
Average Daily Net Assets of the Fund International Asian
- ------------------------------------ ------------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
$0 - $250 million 0.75% 0.85%
$250 million - $1 billion 0.72 0.82
$1 billion - $2.5 billion 0.70 0.80
$2.5 billion - $5 billion 0.68 0.78
$5 billion - $7.5 billion 0.65 0.75
$7.5 billion - $10 billion 0.64 0.74
$10 billion - $12.5 billion 0.63 0.73
Over $12.5 billion 0.62 0.72
</TABLE>
The expenses of each Fund, and of other investment companies investing in
foreign securities, can be expected to be higher than for investment companies
investing primarily in domestic securities since the costs of operation are
higher, including custody and transaction costs for foreign securities and
investment management fees.
33
<PAGE>
The investment management fees incurred by each Fund for its last three fiscal
years are shown in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1997 Fiscal 1996
- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Asian................................ None* $45,000 $1,000^o
Europe............................... None** $95,000 $7,000^oo
Global............................... $675,000 $858,000 $1,050,000
International........................ $4,612,000 $4,131,000 $3,177,000
</TABLE>
* After waiver of $58,000.
** After waiver of $349,000.
^o For the period October 21, 1996 (commencement of operations) to
November 30, 1996.
^oo For the period May 1, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1996.
Fund Sub-Adviser. Scudder Investments U.K., Limited ("Scudder UK"), 1 South
Place, London, U.K. EC42M 2ZS, an affiliate of Scudder Kemper, is the
sub-adviser for the Europe, Global Income, and International Funds. Scudder UK
acts as sub-adviser pursuant to the terms of the sub-advisory agreement between
it and Scudder Kemper for each Fund. Scudder UK is subject to regulations by the
Investment Management Regulatory Organization (IMRO) in England as well as the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreement for a Fund, Scudder UK renders
investment advisory and management services with regard to that portion of the
Fund's portfolio as may be allocated to Scudder UK by the Adviser from time to
time for management, including services related to foreign securities, foreign
currency transactions and related investments. Scudder UK may, under the terms
of each sub-advisory agreement, render similar services to others including
other investment companies. For its services, Scudder UK will receive from the
Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.30% for the Global Income Fund and
0.35% for each of the Europe and International Funds of the portion of the
average daily net assets of each Fund allocated by the Adviser to Scudder UK for
management. Scudder UK permits any of its officers or employees to serve without
compensation as trustees or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions.
Each sub-advisory agreement provides that Scudder UK will not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in
connection with matters to which the sub-advisory agreement relates, except a
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of Scudder UK in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard
by Scudder UK of its obligations and duties under the sub-advisory agreement.
Each sub-advisory agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as its
continuation is approved at least annually by a majority of the trustees who are
not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party except in
their capacity as trustees of the Fund and by the shareholders of the Fund
subject thereto or the Board of Trustees. Each sub-advisory agreement may be
terminated at any time for a Fund upon 60 days notice by Scudder Kemper, Scudder
UK or the Board of Trustees, or by a majority vote of the outstanding shares of
the Fund subject thereto, and will terminate automatically upon assignment or
upon the termination of the Fund's investment management agreement. If
additional Funds become subject to a sub-advisory agreement, the provisions
concerning continuation, amendment and termination shall be on a Fund-by-Fund
basis. Additional Funds may be subject to a different agreement. No sub-advisory
fees were paid by the Adviser to Scudder UK for periods prior to the 1997 fiscal
year, although in such periods the Adviser has paid Scudder UK for its services
to Scudder Kemper with respect to foreign securities investments of the Funds.
The sub-advisory fees paid by each Fund for its last fiscal year are shown
below.
Fund Fiscal 1998*
- ---- ------------
Europe................................................ $163,000
Global................................................ $270,000
International......................................... $1,890,000
34
<PAGE>
* Estimated.
FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT. Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("SFAC"), Two
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, a subsidiary of Scudder
Kemper, is responsible for determining the daily net asset value per share of
the Funds and maintaining all accounting records related thereto. Currently,
SFAC receives no fee for its services to the Funds; however, subject to Board
approval, some time in the future, SFAC may seek payment for its services under
this agreement.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER. Pursuant to separate underwriting and distribution
services agreements ("distribution agreements"), Kemper Distributors, Inc.
("KDI"), 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60606, an affiliate of
Scudder Kemper, is the principal underwriter and distributor for the shares of
each Fund and acts as agent of the Fund in the continuous offering of its
shares. KDI bears all of its expenses of providing services pursuant to the
distribution agreement, including the payment of any commissions. Each Fund pays
the cost for the prospectus and shareholder reports to be set in type and
printed for existing shareholders, and KDI pays for the printing and
distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering of shares to
prospective investors. KDI also pays for supplementary sales literature and
advertising costs.
Each distribution agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as
such continuance is approved for each class at least annually by a vote of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, including the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
agreement. Each agreement automatically terminates in the event of its
assignment and may be terminated for a class at any time without penalty by a
Fund or by KDI upon 60 days' notice. Termination by a Fund with respect to a
class may be by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of
the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct
or indirect financial interest in the agreement, or a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" of the class of the Fund, as defined under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. The agreement may not be amended for a class to
increase the fee to be paid by a Fund with respect to such class without
approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such class of the
Fund and all material amendments must in any event be approved by the Board of
Trustees in the manner described above with respect to the continuation of the
agreement. The provisions concerning the continuation, amendment and termination
of the distribution agreement are on a Fund by Fund basis and for each Fund on a
class by class basis.
CLASS A SHARES. KDI receives no compensation from the Funds as principal
underwriter for Class A shares and pays all expenses of distribution of each
Fund's Class A shares under the distribution agreements not otherwise paid by
dealers or other financial services firms. As indicated under "Purchase of
Shares," KDI retains the sales charge upon the purchase of shares and pays or
allows concessions or discounts to firms for the sale of each Fund's shares. The
following information concerns the underwriting commissions paid in connection
with the distribution of each Fund's Class A shares for the fiscal years noted.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Commissions Commissions Commissions Paid To
Retained By Underwriter Paid Kemper Affiliated
Fund Fiscal Year Underwriter To All Firms Firms
---- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian 1998 $3,000 $37,000 --
1997 $14,000 $59,000 --
1996* $1,000 $3,000 --
Europe 1998 $22,000 $217,000 --
1997 $20,000 $99,000 --
1996** $5,000 $24,000 $1,000
Global 1998 $3,000 $24,000 --
1997 $9,000 $49,000 --
1996 $31,000 $72,000 $1,000
International 1998 $105,000 $887,000 --
1997 $96,000 $959,000 --
35
<PAGE>
1996 $95,000 $714,000 $26, 000
- -------------------
</TABLE>
* For the period October 21, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November
30, 1996.
** For the period May 1, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1996.
Class B Shares. For its services under the distribution agreement, KDI receives
a fee from each Fund under a Rule 12b-1 Plan, payable monthly, at the annual
rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of each Fund attributable to Class B
shares. This fee is accrued daily as an expense of Class B shares. KDI also
receives any contingent deferred sales charges. See "Redemption or Repurchase of
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares." KDI currently
compensates firms for sales of Class B shares at a commission rate of 3.75%.
Class C Shares. For its services under the distribution agreement, KDI receives
a fee from each Fund under a Rule 12b-1 Plan, payable monthly, at the annual
rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of each Fund attributable to Class C
shares. This fee is accrued daily as an expense of Class C shares. KDI currently
advances to firms the first year distribution fee at a rate of 0.75% of the
purchase price of Class C shares. For periods after the first year, KDI
currently pays firms for sales of Class C shares a distribution fee, payable
quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of net assets attributable to Class C
shares maintained and serviced by the firm and the fee continues until
terminated by KDI or a Fund. KDI also receives any contingent deferred sales
charges. See "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges--Class C Shares".
CLASS B SHARES AND CLASS C SHARES. Each Fund has adopted a plan under Rule 12b-1
that provides for fees payable as an expense of the Class B shares and Class C
shares that are used by KDI to pay for distribution and services for those
classes. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of fund assets on an ongoing basis,
they will, over time, increase the cost of an investment and cost more than
other types of sales charges.
Expenses of the Funds and of KDI, in connection with the Rule 12b-1 Plans for
the Class B and Class C shares are set forth below. A portion of the marketing,
sales and operating expenses shown below could be considered overhead expense.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Commissions
Distribution Contingent Total Paid By
Fees Paid By Deferred Sales Commissions Paid Underwriter To
Fund Class B Fiscal Fund To Charges To By Underwriter Affiliated
Shares Year Underwriter Underwriter To Firms Firms
------ ---- ----------- ----------- -------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian 1998 $21,000 $6,000 $53,000 --
1997 $18,000 $7,000 $103,000 --
1996* -- -- $2,000 --
Europe 1998 $103,000 $43,000 $408,000 --
1997 $41,000 $15,000 $253,000 --
1996** $3,000 -- $29,000 --
Global 1998 $120,000 $52,000 $58,000 --
1997 $270,000 $62,000 $147,000 --
1996 $347,000 $84,000 $173,000 $1,000
International 1998 $1,234,000 $285,000 $1,313,000 --
1997 $970,000 $227,000 $1,709,000 --
1996 $541,000 $127,000 $972,000 $15,000
<CAPTION>
Other Distribution Expenses Paid By
Underwriter
------------------------------------------------------
Misc. Interest
Fund Class B Advertising and Prospectus Marketing and Operating Fund
Shares Literature Printing Sales Expenses Expenses Expenses
------ ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian $7,000 $1,000 $14,000 $28,000 $18,000
$12,000 $1,000 $25,000 $4,000 $9,000
$1,000 -- $2,000 $3,000 --
Europe $43,000 $5,000 $84,000 $50,000 $75,000
$19,000 $1,000 $56,000 $21,000 $18,000
$3,000 -- $7,000 $6,000 $1,000
Global $7,000 $1,000 $12,000 $19,000 ($41,000)
$22,000 $2,000 $64,000 $25,000 --
$39,000 $3,000 $83,000 $27,000 --
International $173,000 $20,000 $358,000 $74,000 $509,000
$219,000 $15,000 $595,000 $94,000 $395,000
$229,000 $22,000 $463,000 $98,000 $212,000
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution Contingent Total Commissions Paid
Fees Paid By Deferred Sales Commissions Paid By Underwriter
Fund Class Fiscal Fund To Charges To By Underwriter To Affiliated
C Shares Year Underwriter Underwriter To Firms Firms
-------- ---- ----------- ----------- -------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian 1998 $2,000 -- $4,000 --
1997 $2,000 -- $3,000 --
1996* -- -- -- --
Europe 1998 $18,000 $1,000 $17,000 --
1997 $4,000 -- $6,000 --
1996** $1,000 -- $1,000 --
Global 1998 $12,000 -- $13,000 --
1997 $9,000 $1,000 $8,000 --
1996 $4,000 -- $8,000 --
International 1998 $162,000 $7,000 $171,000 --
1997 $96,000 $3,000 $117,000 --
1996 $32,000 -- $46,000 --
<CAPTION>
Other Distribution Expenses Paid By Underwriter
----------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising Misc. Interest
Fund Class and Prospectus Marketing and Operating Fund
C Shares Literature Printing Sales Expenses Expenses Expenses
------ ---------- -------- -------------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian $1,000 -- $1,000 $12,000 $3,000
$2,000 -- $4,000 $10,000 $1,000
-- -- $1,000 $1,000 --
Europe $5,000 $1,000 $12,000 $15,000 $4,000
$2,000 -- $5,000 $8,000 $2,000
$1,000 -- $3,000 $2,000 --
Global $3,000 -- $5,000 $12,000 $8,000
$4,000 -- $11,000 $4,000 $6,000
$5,000 -- $11,000 $3,000 $3,000
International $48,000 $7,000 $103,000 $27,000 $45,000
$45,000 $3,000 $118,000 $4,000 $26,000
$30,000 $3,000 $53,000 $7,000 $11,000
</TABLE>
- -------------------
* For the period October 21, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November
30, 1996.
**For the period May 1, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1996.
If a Rule 12b-1 Plan (the "Plan") is terminated in accordance with its terms,
the obligation of a Fund to make payments to KDI pursuant to the Plan will cease
and the Fund will not be required to make any payments past the termination
date. Thus, there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay any expenses
incurred by KDI in excess of its fees under a Plan, if for any reason the Plan
is terminated in accordance with its terms. Future fees under a Plan may or may
not be sufficient to reimburse KDI for its expenses incurred.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. Administrative services are provided to each Fund under
an administrative services agreement ("administrative agreement") with KDI. KDI
bears all its expenses of providing services pursuant to the administrative
agreement between KDI and each Fund, including the payment of service fees. For
the services under the administrative agreement, each Fund pays KDI an
administrative services fee, payable monthly, at the annual rate of up to 0.25%
of average daily net assets of Class A, B and C shares of the Fund.
KDI enters into related arrangements with various broker-dealers and other
service or administrative firms ("firms"), that provide services and facilities
for their customers or clients who are investors of a Fund. The firms provide
such office space and equipment, telephone facilities and personnel as is
necessary or beneficial for providing information and services to their clients.
Such services and assistance may include, but are not limited to, establishing
and maintaining accounts and records, processing purchase and redemption
transactions, answering routine inquiries regarding the Funds, assistance to
clients in changing dividend and investment options, account designations and
addresses and such other services as may be agreed upon from time to time and
permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. With respect to Class A
shares, KDI pays each firm a service fee, normally payable quarterly, at an
annual rate of (a) up to 0.15% of the net assets for the Global and 0.25% of the
net assets for the International Fund of these accounts in the fund that it
maintains and services that are attributable to Class A shares acquired prior to
October 1, 1993, and (b) up to 0.25% of the net assets in Fund accounts that it
maintains and services attributable to Class A shares acquired on or after
October 1, 1993, in each case commencing with the month after investment. With
respect to Class B shares and Class C shares, KDI currently advances to firms
the first-year service fee at a rate of up to 0.25% of the purchase price of
such shares. For periods after the first year, KDI currently intends to pay
firms a service fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% (calculated monthly and
normally paid quarterly) of the net assets attributable to Class B and Class C
shares maintained and serviced by the firm and the fee continues until
terminated by KDI or the Fund. Firms to which service fees may be paid include
broker-dealers affiliated with KDI.
The following information concerns the administrative services fee paid by each
Fund.
37
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Administrative Service Fees Paid By Fund Service Fees Paid By Service Fees Paid By
---------------------------------------- Administrator Administrator
Fund Fiscal Period Class A Class B Class C To Firms To Affiliated Firms
---- ------------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian 1998 $8,000 $6,000 -- $20,000 --
1997* $1,000 $5,000 $1,000 $19,000 --
1996^o -- -- -- -- --
Europe 1998 $46,000 -- $5,000 $113,000 --
1997* $7,000 $13,000 -- $37,000 --
1996^oo $1,000 $1,000 -- $4,000 --
Global 1998 $147,000 $38,000 $4,000 $192,000 --
1997 $149,000 $86,000 $3,000 $239,000 --
1996 $173,000 $113,000 $1,000 $291,000 $12,000
International 1998 $1,013,000 $360,000 $51,000 $1,438,000 --
1997 $926,000 $322,000 $32,000 $1,301,000 --
1996 $772,000 $179,000 $11,000 $984,000 $16,000
- ----------------
</TABLE>
^o For the period October 21, 1996 (commencement of operations) to
November 30, 1996.
^oo For the period May 1, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1996.
* Amounts shown after expense waiver.
KDI also may provide some of the above services and may retain any portion of
the fee under the administrative agreement not paid to firms to compensate
itself for administrative functions performed for a Fund. Currently, the
administrative services fee payable to KDI is based only upon Fund assets in
accounts for which there is a firm listed on the Fund's records and it is
intended that KDI will pay all the administrative services fees that it receives
from the Fund to firms in the form of service fees. The effective administrative
services fee rate to be charged against all assets of each Fund while this
procedure is in effect will depend upon the proportion of Fund assets that is in
accounts for which there is a firm of record as well as, with respect to the
Global Fund's Class A shares, the date when shares representing such assets were
purchased. The Board of Trustees of a Fund, in its discretion, may approve
basing the fee to KDI on all Fund assets in the future.
Certain trustees or officers of each Fund are also directors or officers of
Scudder Kemper, Scudder UK or KDI as indicated under "Officers and Trustees."
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AGENT. The Chase Manhattan
Bank, Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11245, as custodian, has
custody of all securities and cash of each Fund held outside the United States.
Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"), 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas
City, Missouri 64105, as custodian, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225
Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, as sub-custodian, have custody of
all securities and cash of each Fund maintained in the United States. They
attend to the collection of principal and income, and payment for and collection
of proceeds of securities bought and sold by each Fund. IFTC is also each Fund's
transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Pursuant to a services agreement with
IFTC, Kemper Service Company ("KSvC"), an affiliate of Scudder Kemper, serves as
"Shareholder Service Agent" of each Fund and, as such, performs all of IFTC's
duties as transfer agent and dividend paying agent. IFTC receives as transfer
agent, and pays to KSvC as follows: prior to January 1, 1999, annual account
fees at a maximum rate of $6 per account plus account set up, transaction,
maintenance charges, annual fees associated with the contingent deferred sales
charge (Class B only) and out-of-pocket expense reimbursement and effective
January 1, 1999, for the Asian, Europe, and International Funds annual account
fees of $10.00 ($18.00 for retirement accounts) plus set up charges, annual fees
associated with the contingent deferred sales charges (Class B only), an
asset-based fee of 0.08% and out-of-pocket reimbursement, and for the Global
Fund annual account fees of $14.00 ($23.00 for retirement accounts) plus set up
charges, annual fees associated with the contingent deferred sales charges
(Class B only), an asset-based fee of 0.05% and out-of-pocket reimbursement.
IFTC's fee is reduced by certain earnings credits in favor of each Fund.
38
<PAGE>
The following shows for each Fund's 1998 fiscal year the shareholder service
fees IFTC remitted to KSvC.
Fees IFTC
Fund Paid to KSVC
- ---- ------------
Asian $78,000
Europe $581,000
Global $197,000
International $2,432,000
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Funds' independent
auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
audit and report on the Funds' annual financial statements, review certain
regulatory reports and the Funds' federal income tax return, and perform other
professional accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services when engaged to do
so by the Funds. Shareholders will receive annual audited financial statements
and semi-annual unaudited financial statements.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, 222 North LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60601, serves as legal counsel to the Funds.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage
Allocation of brokerage is supervised by the Adviser (which also includes
Scudder UK for purposes of the following disclosure).
The primary objective of the Adviser in placing orders for the purchase and sale
of securities for a Fund's portfolio is to obtain the most favorable net results
taking into account such factors as price, commission where applicable, size of
order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the executing
broker/dealer. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) through the familiarity of
the Distributor with commissions charged on comparable transactions, as well as
by comparing commissions paid by a Fund to reported commissions paid by others.
The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission rates, execution and
settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons.
The Funds' purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally placed
by the Advisor with primary market makers for these securities on a net basis,
without any brokerage commission being paid by a Fund. Trading does, however,
involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as primary market
makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of
underwritten issues may be made, which will include an underwriting fee paid to
the underwriter.
When it can be done consistently with the policy of obtaining the most favorable
net results, it is the Adviser's practice to place such orders with
broker/dealers who supply research, market and statistical information to a
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; and analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
The Adviser is authorized when placing portfolio transactions for a Fund to pay
a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might charge for
executing the same transaction solely on account of the receipt of research,
market or statistical information. The Adviser may place orders with
broker/dealers on the basis that the broker/dealer has or has not sold shares of
a Fund. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter securities, orders are
placed with the principal market makers for the security being traded unless,
after exercising care, it appears that more favorable results are available
elsewhere.
To the maximum extent feasible, it is expected that the Adviser will place
orders for portfolio transactions through Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
("SIS"), a corporation registered as a broker-dealer and a subsidiary of the
Adviser. SIS will place orders on behalf of the Funds with issuers, underwriters
or other brokers and dealers. SIS will not receive any commission, fee or other
remuneration from the Funds for this service.
39
<PAGE>
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
broker/dealers may be useful to a Fund and to the Adviser, it is the opinion of
the Adviser that such information only supplements its own research effort since
the information must still be analyzed, weighed and reviewed by the Adviser's
staff. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to
clients other than the Funds and not all such information is used by the Adviser
in connection with a Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Adviser
by broker/dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect securities
transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to a Fund.
The Board members review from time to time whether the recapture for the benefit
of a Fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions or similar fees paid by a
Fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable.
Each Fund's average portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of sales
or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned
during the year, excluding all securities with maturities or expiration dates at
the time of acquisition of one year or less. A higher rate involves greater
brokerage transaction expenses to a Fund and may result in the realization of
net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed.
Purchases and sales are made for a Fund's portfolio whenever necessary, in
management's opinion, to meet a Fund's objective.
The table below shows total brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the last
three fiscal periods and for the most recent fiscal year, the percentage thereof
that was allocated to firms based upon research information provided.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Allocated to
------------
Firms Based on
--------------
Research in
-----------
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1997 Fiscal 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asian $99,000* 100%* $142,000 $15,000^o
Europe $340,000* 93%* $89,000 $9,000^oo
Global $0 0% $0 $0
International $2,888,000* 96%* $2,339,000 $2,982,000
</TABLE>
- --------------------
* Estimated.
^o For the period October 21, 1996 (commencement of operations) to
November 30, 1996.
^oo For the period May 1, 1996 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1996.
PURCHASE, REPURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS. Class A shares of each Fund are sold to
investors subject to an initial sales charge. Class B shares are sold without an
initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A
shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions.
Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares six years after issuance.
Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to
higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares, are subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within the first year
following purchase and do not convert into another class. When placing purchase
orders, investors must specify whether the order is for Class A, Class B or
Class C shares.
The primary distinctions among the classes of each Fund's shares lie in their
initial and contingent deferred sales charge structures and in their ongoing
expenses, including asset-based sales charges in the form of Rule 12b-1
distribution fees. These differences are summarized in the table below. See,
also, "Summary of Expenses." Each class has distinct advantages and
disadvantages for different investors, and investors may choose the class that
best suits their circumstances and objectives.
40
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual 12b-1 Fees (As a % of
Sales Charge Average Daily Net Assets) Other Information
------------ ------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Maximum initial sales charge of None Initial sales charge waived or
4.5% (for the Global Fund) and reduced for certain purchases
5.75% (for each of the Asian,
Europe and International Funds)
of the public offering price
Class B Maximum contingent deferred 0.75% Shares convert to Class A
sales charge of 4% of redemption shares six years after issuance
proceeds; declines to zero after
six years
Class C Contingent deferred sales charge 0.75% No conversion feature
of 1% of redemption proceeds for
redemptions made during first
year after purchase
</TABLE>
The minimum initial investment for each Fund is $1,000 and the minimum
subsequent investment is $100. The minimum initial investment for an Individual
Retirement Account is $250 and the minimum subsequent investment is $50. Under
an automatic investment plan, such as Bank Direct Deposit, Payroll Direct
Deposit or Government Direct Deposit, the minimum initial and subsequent
investment is $50.
These minimum amounts may be changed at any time in management's discretion.
Share certificates will not be issued unless requested in writing and may not be
available for certain types of account registrations. It is recommended that
investors not request share certificates unless needed for a specific purpose.
You cannot redeem shares by telephone or wire transfer or use the telephone
exchange privilege if share certificates have been issued. A lost or destroyed
certificate is difficult to replace and can be expensive to the shareholder (a
bond worth 2% or more of the certificate value is normally required).
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE -- CLASS A SHARES. The public offering price of
Class A shares for purchasers of the Global Fund choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the net asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Global Fund -- Sales Charge
--------------------------------------------------------
As A Percentage As A Percentage Allowed To Dealers As
Of Offering of Net Asset A Percentage Of
Amount of Purchase Price Value* Offering Price
------------------ --------------- --------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $100,000..................... 4.50% 4.71% 4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000........ 3.50 3.63 3.00
$250,000 but less than $500,000........ 2.60 2.67 2.25
$500,000 but less than $1 million...... 2.00 2.04 1.75
$1 million and over.................... 0.00** 0.00** ***
- ---------------
</TABLE>
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
** Redemption of shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
as discussed below.
*** Commission is payable by KDI as discussed below.
The public offering price of Class A shares for purchasers of the Asian, Europe
or International Fund choosing the initial sales charge alternative is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Asian, Europe And International Funds -- Sales Charge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As A Percentage As A Percentage Allowed To Dealers As A
Amount of Purchase Of Offering Price of Net Asset Value* Percentage Of Offering Price
------------------ ----------------- ------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000.................. 5.75% 6.10% 5.20%
$50,000 but less than $100,000..... 4.50 4.71 4.00
41
<PAGE>
$100,000 but less than $250,000.... 3.50 3.63 3.00
$250,000 but less than $500,000.... 2.60 2.67 2.25
$500,000 but less than $1 million.. 2.00 2.04 1.75
$1 million and over................ 0.00** 0.00** ***
</TABLE>
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
** Redemption of shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
as discussed below.
*** Commission is payable by KDI as discussed below.
Each Fund receives the entire net asset value of all Class A shares sold. KDI,
the Funds' principal underwriter, retains the sales charge on sales of Class A
shares from which it allows discounts from the applicable public offering price
to investment dealers, which discounts are uniform for all dealers in the United
States and its territories. The normal discount allowed to dealers is set forth
in the above table. Upon notice to all dealers with whom it has sales
agreements, KDI may reallow up to the full applicable sales charge, as shown in
the above table, during periods and for transactions specified in such notice
and such reallowances may be based upon attainment of minimum sales levels.
During periods when 90% or more of the sales charge is reallowed, such dealers
may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act
of 1933.
Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased at net asset value to the extent that
the amount invested represents the net proceeds from a redemption of shares of a
mutual fund for which Scudder Kemper or an affiliate does not serve as
investment manager ("non-Kemper Fund") provided that: (a) the investor has
previously paid either an initial sales charge in connection with the purchase
of the non-Kemper Fund shares redeemed or a contingent deferred sales charge in
connection with the redemption of the non-Kemper Fund shares, and (b) the
purchase of Fund shares is made within 90 days after the date of such
redemption. To make such a purchase at net asset value, the investor or the
investor's dealer must, at the time of purchase, submit a request that the
purchase be processed at net asset value pursuant to this privilege. The
redemption of the shares of the non-Kemper fund is, for federal income tax
purposes, a sale upon which a gain or loss may be realized. KDI may in its
discretion compensate firms for sales of Class A shares under this privilege at
a commission rate of 0.50% of the amount of Class A shares purchased.
Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased at net asset value by: (a) any
purchaser provided that the amount invested in the Fund or other Kemper Mutual
Funds listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases"
totals at least $1,000,000 including purchases of Class A shares pursuant to the
"Combined Purchases," "Letter of Intent" and "Cumulative Discount" features
described under "Special Features"; or (b) a participant-directed qualified
retirement plan described in Code Section 401(a) or a participant-directed
non-qualified deferred compensation plan described in Code Section 457 or a
participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Code Section
403(b)(7) which is not sponsored by a K-12 school district provided in each case
that such plan has not less than 200 eligible employees (the "Large Order NAV
Purchase Privilege"). Redemption within two years of shares purchased under the
Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge. See "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares -- Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge -- Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege."
KDI may in its discretion compensate investment dealers or other financial
services firms in connection with the sale of Class A shares of each Fund at net
asset value in accordance with the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege up to the
following amounts: 1.00% of the net asset value of shares sold on amounts up to
$5 million, 0.50% on the next $45 million and 0.25% on amounts over $50 million.
The commission schedule will be reset on a calendar year basis for sales of
shares pursuant to the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege to employer sponsored
employee benefit plans using the subaccount recordkeeping system made available
through KSvC. For purposes of determining the appropriate commission percentage
to be applied to a particular sale, KDI will consider the cumulative amount
invested by the purchaser in the Fund and other Kemper Mutual Funds listed under
"Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases," including purchases
pursuant to the "Combined Purchases," "Letter of Intent" and "Cumulative
Discount" features referred to above. The privilege of purchasing Class A shares
of a Fund at net asset value under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege is not
available if another net asset value purchase privilege also applies.
Class A shares of a Fund or any other Kemper Mutual Fund listed under "Special
Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases" may be purchased at net asset
value in any amount by members of the plaintiff class in the
42
<PAGE>
proceeding known as HOWARD AND AUDREY TABANKIN, ET AL. V. KEMPER SHORT-TERM
GLOBAL INCOME FUND, ET AL., Case No. 93 C 5231 (N.D.IL). This privilege is
generally non-transferrable and continues for the lifetime of individual class
members and for a ten year period for non-individual class members. To make a
purchase at net asset value under this privilege, the investor must, at the time
of purchase, submit a written request that the purchase be processed at net
asset value pursuant to this privilege specifically identifying the purchaser as
a member of the "Tabankin Class." Shares purchased under this privilege will be
maintained in a separate account that includes only shares purchased under this
privilege. For more details concerning this privilege, class members should
refer to the Notice of (1) Proposed Settlement with Defendants; and (2) Hearing
to Determine Fairness of Proposed Settlement dated August 31, 1995, issued in
connection with the aforementioned court proceeding. For sales of Fund shares at
net asset value pursuant to this privilege, KDI may in its discretion pay
investment dealers and other financial services firms a concession, payable
quarterly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of net assets attributable to such
shares maintained and serviced by the firm. A firm becomes eligible for the
concession based upon assets in accounts attributable to shares purchased under
this privilege in the month after the month of purchase and the concession
continues until terminated by KDI. The privilege of purchasing Class A shares of
the Fund at net asset value under this privilege is not available if another net
asset value purchase privilege also applies.
Class A shares may be sold at net asset value in any amount to: (a) officers,
trustees, directors, employees (including retirees) and sales representatives of
the Fund, its investment manager, its principal underwriter or certain
affiliated companies, for themselves or members of their families; (b)
registered representatives and employees of broker-dealers having selling group
agreements with KDI and officers, directors and employees of service agents of
the Fund, for themselves or their spouses or dependent children; (c)
shareholders who owned shares of Kemper Value Series, Inc. ("KVS") on September
8, 1995, and have continuously owned shares of KVS (or a Kemper Fund acquired by
exchange of KVS shares) since that date, for themselves or members of their
families; and (d) any trust or pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for
only such persons. Class A shares may be sold at net asset value in any amount
to selected employees (including their spouses and dependent children) of banks
and other financial services firms that provide administrative services related
to order placement and payment to facilitate transactions in shares of each Fund
for their clients pursuant to an agreement with KDI or one of its affiliates.
Only those employees of such banks and other firms who as part of their usual
duties provide services related to transactions in Fund shares may purchase Fund
Class A shares at net asset value hereunder. Class A shares may also be sold at
net asset value in any amount to unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson &
Associates, Inc. In addition, unitholders of unit investment trusts sponsored by
Ranson & Associates, Inc. or its predecessors may purchase Fund Class A shares
at net asset value through reinvestment programs described hereines of such
trusts that have such programs. Class A shares of a Fund may be sold at net
asset value through certain investment advisers registered under the 1940 Act
and other financial services firms that adhere to certain standards established
by KDI, including a requirement that such shares be sold for the benefit of
their clients participating in an investment advisory program under which such
clients pay a fee to the investment adviser or other firm for portfolio
management and other services. Such shares are sold for investment purposes and
on the condition that they will not be resold except through redemption or
repurchase by the Fund. Each Fund may also issue Class A shares at net asset
value in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or
consolidation with another investment company, or to shareholders in connection
with the investment or reinvestment of income and capital gain dividends.
Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased at net asset value by persons who
purchase such shares through bank trust departments that process such trades
through an automated, integrated mutual fund clearing program provided by a
third party clearing firm.
Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased at net asset value in any amount by
certain professionals who assist in the promotion of Kemper Funds pursuant to
personal services contracts with KDI, for themselves or members of their
families. KDI in its discretion may compensate financial services firms for
sales of Class A shares under this privilege at a commission rate of 0.50% of
the amount of Class A shares purchased.
Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased at net asset value by persons who
purchase shares of the Fund through KDI as part of an automated billing and wage
deduction program administered by RewardsPlus of America for the benefit of
employees of participating employer groups.
The sales charge scale is applicable to purchases made at one time by any
"purchaser" which includes an individual; or an individual, his or her spouse
and children under the age of 21; or a trustee or other fiduciary of a single
trust
43
<PAGE>
estate or single fiduciary account; or an organization exempt from federal
income tax under Section 501(c)(3) or (13) of the Code; or a pension,
profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan whether or not qualified under
Section 401 of the Code; or other organized group of persons whether
incorporated or not, provided the organization has been in existence for at
least six months and has some purpose other than the purchase of redeemable
securities of a registered investment company at a discount. In order to qualify
for a lower sales charge, all orders from an organized group will have to be
placed through a single investment dealer or other firm and identified as
originating from a qualifying purchaser.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE -- CLASS B SHARES. Investors choosing the
deferred sales charge alternative may purchase Class B shares at net asset value
per share without any sales charge at the time of purchase. Since Class B shares
are being sold without an initial sales charge, the full amount of the
investor's purchase payment will be invested in Class B shares for his or her
account. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed upon redemption of
Class B shares. See "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares -- Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge -- Class B Shares."
KDI compensates firms for sales of Class B shares at the time of sale at a
commission rate of up to 3.75% of the amount of Class B shares purchased. KDI is
compensated by each Fund for services as distributor and principal underwriter
for Class B shares. See "Investment Manager and Underwriter."
Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Class A shares of the
same Fund six years after issuance on the basis of the relative net asset value
per share. The purpose of the conversion feature is to relieve holders of Class
B shares from the distribution services fee when they have been outstanding long
enough for KDI to have been compensated for distribution related expenses. For
purposes of conversion to Class A shares, shares purchased through the
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions paid with respect to Class B
shares in a shareholder's Fund account will be converted to Class A shares on a
pro rata basis.
PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES. The public offering price of the Class C shares of a
Fund is the next determined net asset value. No initial sales charge is imposed.
Since Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge, the full amount
of the investor's purchase payment will be invested in Class C shares for his or
her account. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed upon the
redemption of Class C shares if they are redeemed within one year of purchase.
See "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge --
Class C Shares." KDI currently advances to firms the first year distribution fee
at the rate of 0.75% of the purchase price of such shares. For periods after the
first year, KDI currently intends to pay firms for sales of Class C shares a
distribution fee, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of net assets
attributable to Class C shares maintained and serviced by the firm. KDI is
compensated by each Fund for services as distributor and principal underwriter
for Class C shares. See "Investment Manager and Underwriter."
WHICH ARRANGEMENT IS BETTER FOR YOU? The decision as to which class of shares
provides a more suitable investment for an investor depends on a number of
factors, including the amount and intended length of the investment. Investors
making investments that qualify for reduced sales charges might consider Class A
shares. Investors who prefer not to pay an initial sales charge and who plan to
hold their investment for more than six years might consider Class B shares.
Investors who prefer not to pay an initial sales charge but who plan to redeem
their shares within six years might consider Class C shares. Orders for Class B
shares or Class C shares for $500,000 or more will be declined. Orders for Class
B shares or Class C shares by employer sponsored employee benefit plans using
the subaccount record keeping system made available through the Shareholder
Service Agent will be invested instead in Class A shares at net asset value
where the combined subaccount value in a Fund or other Kemper Mutual Funds
listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases" is in
excess of $5 million including purchases pursuant to the "Combined Purchases,"
"Letter of Intent" and "Cumulative Discount" features described under "Special
Features." For more information about the three sales arrangements, consult your
financial representative or the Shareholder Service Agent. Financial services
firms may receive different compensation depending upon which class of shares
they sell.
GENERAL. Banks and other financial services firms may provide administrative
services related to order placement and payment to facilitate transactions in
shares of a Fund for their clients, and KDI may pay them a transaction fee up to
the level of the discount or commission allowable or payable to dealers as
described above. Banks currently are prohibited under the Glass-Steagall Act
from providing certain underwriting or distribution
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services. Banks or other financial services firms may be subject to various
state laws regarding the services described above and may be required to
register as dealers pursuant to state law. If banking firms were prohibited from
acting in any capacity or providing any of the described services, management
would consider what action, if any, would be appropriate. KDI does not believe
that termination of a relationship with a bank would result in any material
adverse consequences to the Fund.
KDI may, from time to time, pay or allow to firms a 1% commission on the amount
of shares of a Fund sold by the firm under the following conditions: (i) the
purchased shares are held in a Kemper IRA account, (ii) the shares are purchased
as a direct "roll over" of a distribution from a qualified retirement plan
account maintained on a participant subaccount record keeping system provided by
KSvC, (iii) the registered representative placing the trade is a member of
ProStar, a group of persons designated by KDI in acknowledgement of their
dedication to the employee benefit plan area and (iv) the purchase is not
otherwise subject to a commission.
In addition to the discounts or commissions described above, KDI will, from time
to time, pay or allow additional discounts, commissions or promotional
incentives, in the form of cash, to firms that sell shares of the Funds. In some
instances, such discounts, commissions or other incentives will be offered only
to certain firms that sell or are expected to sell during specified time periods
certain minimum amounts of shares of a Fund or other funds underwritten by KDI.
Orders for the purchase of shares of a Fund will be confirmed at a price based
on the net asset value of that Fund next determined after receipt by KDI of the
order accompanied by payment. However, orders received by dealers or other firms
prior to the determination of net asset value (see "Net Asset Value") and
received by KDI prior to the close of its business day will be confirmed at a
price based on the net asset value effective on that day ("trade date"). The
Funds reserve the right to determine the net asset value more frequently than
once a day if deemed desirable. Dealers and other financial services firms are
obligated to transmit orders promptly. Collection may take significantly longer
for a check drawn on a foreign bank than for a check drawn on a domestic bank.
Therefore, if an order is accompanied by a check drawn on a foreign bank, funds
must normally be collected before shares will be purchased.
Investment dealers and other firms provide varying arrangements for their
clients to purchase and redeem Fund shares. Some may establish higher minimum
investment requirements than set forth above. Firms may arrange with their
clients for other investment or administrative services. Such firms may
independently establish and charge additional amounts to their clients for such
services, which charges would reduce the clients' return. Firms also may hold
Fund shares in nominee or street name as agent for and on behalf of their
customers. In such instances, the Funds' transfer agent will have no information
with respect to or control over accounts of specific shareholders. Such
shareholders may obtain access to their accounts and information about their
accounts only from their firm. Certain of these firms may receive compensation
from the Funds through the Shareholder Service Agent for recordkeeping and other
expenses relating to these nominee accounts. In addition, certain privileges
with respect to the purchase, repurchase and redemption of shares or the
reinvestment of dividends may not be available through such firms. Some firms
may participate in a program allowing them access to their clients' accounts for
servicing including, without limitation, transfers of registration and dividend
payee changes; and may perform functions such as generation of confirmation
statements and disbursement of cash dividends. Such firms, including affiliates
of KDI, may receive compensation from the Funds through the Shareholder Service
Agent for these services.
Each Fund reserves the right to withdraw all or any part of the offering made by
the prospectus and this statement of additional information and to reject
purchase orders. Also, from time to time, a Fund may temporarily suspend the
offering of any class of its shares to new investors. During the period of such
suspension, persons who are already shareholders of such class of such Fund
normally are permitted to continue to purchase additional shares of such class
and to have dividends reinvested.
Shareholders should direct their inquiries to KSvC, 811 Main Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64105-2005 or to the firm from which they received this statement
of additional information.
As described herein, Fund shares are sold at their public offering price, which
is the net asset value next determined after an order is received in proper form
plus, with respect to Class A shares, an initial sales charge. The minimum
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initial investment is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $100 but
such minimum amounts may be changed at any time. An order for the purchase of
shares that is accompanied by a check drawn on a foreign bank (other than a
check drawn on a Canadian bank in U.S. Dollars) will not be considered in proper
form and will not be processed unless and until the Fund determines that it has
received payment of the proceeds of the check. The time required for such a
determination will vary and cannot be determined in advance. The amount received
by a shareholder upon redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the
amount paid for such shares depending on the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time.
The Funds have authorized certain members of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), other than Kemper Distributors, Inc. ("KDI")
to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares. Those brokers
may also designate other parties to accept purchase and redemption orders on the
Fund's behalf. Orders for purchase or redemption will be deemed to have been
received by the Fund when such brokers or their authorized designees accept the
orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the broker,
ordinarily orders will be priced as the Fund's net asset value next computed
after acceptance by such brokers or their authorized designees. Further, if
purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and settlement is
made at an investor's election through any other authorized NASD member, that
member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The Board of
Trustees or Directors as the case may be ("Board") of the Fund and KDI each has
the right to limit the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to sell to, any
person. The Board and KDI may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the
Fund at any time for any reason.
REDEMPTION OR REPURCHASE OF SHARES
GENERAL. Any shareholder may require the Fund to redeem his or her shares. When
shares are held for the account of a shareholder by the Fund's transfer agent,
the shareholder may redeem them by sending a written request with signatures
guaranteed to Kemper Mutual Funds, Attention: Redemption Department, P.O. Box
419557, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6557. When certificates for shares have been
issued, they must be mailed to or deposited with the Shareholder Service Agent,
along with a duly endorsed stock power and accompanied by a written request for
redemption. Redemption requests and a stock power must be endorsed by the
account holder with signatures guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company,
savings and loan association, federal savings bank, member firm of a national
securities exchange or other eligible financial institution. The redemption
request and stock power must be signed exactly as the account is registered
including any special capacity of the registered owner. Additional documentation
may be requested, and a signature guarantee is normally required, from
institutional and fiduciary account holders, such as corporations, custodians
(e.g., under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act), executors, administrators,
trustees or guardians.
The redemption price for shares of a Fund will be the net asset value per share
of that Fund next determined following receipt by the Shareholder Service Agent
of a properly executed request with any required documents as described above.
Payment for shares redeemed will be made in cash as promptly as practicable but
in no event later than seven days after receipt of a properly executed request
accompanied by any outstanding share certificates in proper form for transfer.
When a Fund is asked to redeem shares for which it may not have yet received
good payment (i.e., purchases by check, EXPRESS-Transfer or Bank Direct
Deposit), it may delay transmittal of redemption proceeds until it has
determined that collected funds have been received for the purchase of such
shares, which will be up to 10 days from receipt by the Fund of the purchase
amount. The redemption within two years of Class A shares purchased at net asset
value under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge (see "Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales
Charge Alternative -- Class A Shares") and the redemption of Class B shares
within six years may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge -- Class B Shares" below) and the redemption
of Class C shares within the first year following purchase may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge -- Class
C Shares" below).
Because of the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Funds may assess a
quarterly fee of $9 on an account with a balance below $1,000 for the quarter.
The fee will not apply to accounts enrolled in an automatic investment program,
Individual Retirement Accounts or employer sponsored employee benefit plans
using the subaccount record keeping system made available through the
Shareholder Service Agent.
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Shareholders can request the following telephone privileges: expedited wire
transfer redemptions and EXPRESS-Transfer transactions (see "Special Features")
and exchange transactions for individual and institutional accounts and
pre-authorized telephone redemption transactions for certain institutional
accounts. Shareholders may choose these privileges on the account application or
by contacting the Shareholder Service Agent for appropriate instructions. Please
note that the telephone exchange privilege is automatic unless the shareholder
refuses it on the account application. A Fund or its agents may be liable for
any losses, expenses or costs arising out of fraudulent or unauthorized
telephone requests pursuant to these privileges unless the Fund or its agents
reasonably believe, based upon reasonable verification procedures, that the
telephone instructions are genuine. The shareholder will bear the risk of loss
including loss resulting from fraudulent or unauthorized transactions, so long
as the reasonable verification procedures are followed. The verification
procedures include recording instructions, requiring certain identifying
information before acting upon instructions and sending written confirmations.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS. If the proceeds of the redemption (prior to the
imposition of any contingent deferred sales charge) are $50,000 or less and the
proceeds are payable to the shareholder of record at the address of record,
normally a telephone request or a written request by any one account holder
without signature guarantee is sufficient for redemptions by individual or joint
account holders, and trust, executor and guardian account holders (excluding
custodial accounts for gifts and transfers to minors), provided the trustee,
executor or guardian is named in the account registration. Other institutional
account holders and guardian account holders of custodial accounts for gifts and
transfers to minors may exercise this special privilege of redeeming shares by
telephone request or written request without signature guarantee subject to the
same conditions as individual account holders and subject to the limitations on
liability described under "General" above, provided that this privilege has been
pre-authorized by the institutional account holder or guardian account holder by
written instruction to the Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed.
Telephone requests may be made by calling 1-800-621-1048. Shares purchased by
check or through EXPRESS-Transfer or Bank Direct Deposit may not be redeemed
under this privilege of redeeming shares by telephone request until such shares
have been owned for at least 10 days. This privilege of redeeming shares by
telephone request or by written request without a signature guarantee may not be
used to redeem shares held in certificated form and may not be used if the
shareholder's account has had an address change within 30 days of the redemption
request. During periods when it is difficult to contact the Shareholder Service
Agent by telephone, it may be difficult to use the telephone redemption
privilege, although investors can still redeem by mail. The Funds reserve the
right to terminate or modify this privilege at any time.
REPURCHASES (CONFIRMED REDEMPTIONS). A request for repurchase may be
communicated by a shareholder through a securities dealer or other financial
services firm to KDI, which a Fund has authorized to act as its agent. There is
no charge by KDI with respect to repurchases; however, dealers or other firms
may charge customary commissions for their services. Dealers and other financial
services firms are obligated to transmit orders promptly. The repurchase price
will be the net asset value next determined after receipt of a request by KDI.
However, requests for repurchases received by dealers or other firms prior to
the determination of net asset value (see "Net Asset Value") and received by KDI
prior to the close of KDI's business day will be confirmed at the net asset
value effective on that day. The offer to repurchase may be suspended at any
time. Requirements as to stock powers, certificates, payments and delay of
payments are the same as for redemptions.
EXPEDITED WIRE TRANSFER REDEMPTIONS. If the account holder has given
authorization for expedited wire redemption to the account holder's brokerage or
bank account, shares of a Fund can be redeemed and proceeds sent by federal wire
transfer to a single previously designated account. Requests received by the
Shareholder Service Agent prior to the determination of net asset value will
result in shares being redeemed that day at the net asset value effective on
that day and normally the proceeds will be sent to the designated account the
following business day. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request of
$250,000 or more may be delayed by the Fund for up to seven days if Scudder
Kemper deems it appropriate under then current market conditions. Once
authorization is on file, the Shareholder Service Agent will honor requests by
telephone at 1-800-621-1048 or in writing, subject to the limitations on
liability described under "General" above. The Funds are not responsible for the
efficiency of the federal wire system or the account holder's financial services
firm or bank. The Funds currently do not charge the account holder for wire
transfers. The account holder is responsible for any charges imposed by the
account holder's firm or bank. There is a $1,000 wire redemption minimum
(including any contingent deferred sales charge). To change the designated
account to receive wire redemption proceeds, send a written request to the
Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed as described above or
contact the firm through which shares of the Fund were purchased. Shares
purchased by check or through EXPRESS-Transfer or Bank Direct Deposit may not be
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redeemed by wire transfer until such shares have been owned for at least 10
days. Account holders may not use this privilege to redeem shares held in
certificated form. During periods when it is difficult to contact the
Shareholder Service Agent by telephone, it may be difficult to use the expedited
wire transfer redemption privilege. The Funds reserve the right to terminate or
modify this privilege at any time.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- LARGE ORDER NAV PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. A
contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed upon redemption of Class A
shares that are purchased under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege as
follows: 1% if they are redeemed within one year of purchase and 0.50% if they
are redeemed during the second year following purchase. The charge will not be
imposed upon redemption of reinvested dividends or share appreciation. The
charge is applied to the value of the shares redeemed excluding amounts not
subject to the charge. The contingent deferred sales charge will be waived in
the event of: (a) redemptions by a participant-directed qualified retirement
plan described in Code Section 401(a) or a participant-directed non-qualified
deferred compensation plan described in Code Section 457 or a
participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Code Section
403(b)(7) which is not sponsored by a K-12 school district; (b) redemptions by
employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the subaccount record keeping
system made available through the Shareholder Service Agent; (c) redemption of
shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who has died; (d)
redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who
after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled (as
evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security Administration); (e)
redemptions under a Fund's Systematic Withdrawal Plan at a maximum of 10% per
year of the net asset value of the account; and (f) redemptions of shares whose
dealer of record at the time of the investment notifies KDI that the dealer
waives the commission applicable to such Large Order NAV Purchase.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- CLASS B SHARES. A contingent deferred sales
charge may be imposed upon redemption of Class B shares. There is no such charge
upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends on Class B
shares. The charge is computed at the following rates applied to the value of
the shares redeemed excluding amounts not subject to the charge.
Contingent Deferred
Year Of Redemption After Purchase Sales Charge
- --------------------------------- ------------
First....................................................... 4%
Second...................................................... 3%
Third....................................................... 3%
Fourth...................................................... 2%
Fifth....................................................... 2%
Sixth....................................................... 1%
The contingent deferred sales charge will be waived: (a) in the event of the
total disability (as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security
Administration) of the shareholder (including a registered joint owner)
occurring after the purchase of the shares being redeemed, (b) in the event of
the death of the shareholder (including a registered joint owner), (c) for
redemptions made pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan (see "Special Features
- -- Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below), (d) for redemptions made pursuant to any
IRA systematic withdrawal based on the shareholder's life expectancy including,
but not limited to, substantially equal periodic payments described in Internal
Revenue Code Section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) prior to age 59 1/2 and (e) for redemptions
to satisfy required minimum distributions after age 70 1/2 from an IRA account
(with the maximum amount subject to this waiver being based only upon the
shareholder's Kemper IRA accounts). The contingent deferred sales charge will
also be waived in connection with the following redemptions of shares held by
employer sponsored employee benefit plans maintained on the subaccount record
keeping system made available by the Shareholder Service Agent: (a) redemptions
to satisfy participant loan advances (note that loan repayments constitute new
purchases for purposes of the contingent deferred sales charge and the
conversion privilege), (b) redemptions in connection with retirement
distributions (limited at any one time to 10% of the total value of plan assets
invested in a Fund), (c) redemptions in connection with distributions qualifying
under the hardship provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and (d) redemptions
representing returns of excess contributions to such plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- CLASS C SHARES. A contingent deferred sales
charge of 1% may be imposed upon redemption of Class C shares if they are
redeemed within one year of purchase. The
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charge will not be imposed upon redemption of reinvested dividends or share
appreciation. The charge is applied to the value of the shares redeemed
excluding amounts not subject to the charge. The contingent deferred sales
charge will be waived: (a) in the event of the total disability (as evidenced by
a determination by the federal Social Security Administration) of the
shareholder (including a registered joint owner) occurring after the purchase of
the shares being redeemed, (b) in the event of the death of the shareholder
(including a registered joint owner), (c) for redemptions made pursuant to a
systematic withdrawal plan (limited to 10% of the net asset value of the account
during the first year, see "Special Features -- Systematic Withdrawal Plan"),
(d) for redemptions made pursuant to any IRA systematic withdrawal based on the
shareholder's life expectancy including, but not limited to, substantially equal
periodic payments described in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv)
prior to age 59 1/2, (e) for redemptions to satisfy required minimum
distributions after age 70 1/2 from an IRA account (with the maximum amount
subject to this waiver being based only upon the shareholder's Kemper IRA
accounts), (f) for any participant-directed redemption of shares held by
employer sponsored employee benefit plans maintained on the subaccount record
keeping system made available by the Shareholder Service Agent and (g)
redemption of shares by an employer sponsored employee benefit plan that offers
funds in addition to Kemper Funds and whose dealer of record has waived the
advance of the first year administrative service and distribution fees
applicable to such shares and agrees to receive such fees quarterly.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- GENERAL. The following example will
illustrate the operation of the contingent deferred sales charge. Assume that an
investor makes a single purchase of $10,000 of a Fund's Class B shares and that
16 months later the value of the shares has grown by $1,000 through reinvested
dividends and by an additional $1,000 in appreciation to a total of $12,000. If
the investor were then to redeem the entire $12,000 in share value, the
contingent deferred sales charge would be payable only with respect to $10,000
because neither the $1,000 of reinvested dividends nor the $1,000 of share
appreciation is subject to the charge. The charge would be at the rate of 3%
($300) because it was in the second year after the purchase was made.
The rate of the contingent deferred sales charge is determined by the length of
the period of ownership. Investments are tracked on a monthly basis. The period
of ownership for this purpose begins the first day of the month in which the
order for the investment is received. For example, an investment made in March
1999 will be eligible for the second year's charge if redeemed on or after March
1, 2000. In the event no specific order is requested, the redemption will be
made first from shares representing reinvested dividends and then from the
earliest purchase of shares. KDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge
directly.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has redeemed Class A shares of a Fund
or any other Kemper Mutual Fund listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares
- -- Combined Purchases" (other than shares of Kemper Cash Reserves Fund purchased
directly at net asset value) may reinvest up to the full amount redeemed at net
asset value at the time of the reinvestment in Class A shares of the Fund or of
the other listed Kemper Mutual Funds. A shareholder of a Fund or any other
Kemper Mutual Fund who redeems Class A shares purchased under the Large Order
NAV Purchase Privilege (see "Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales Charge
Alternative -- Class A Shares"), Class B shares or Class C shares and incurs a
contingent deferred sales charge may reinvest up to the full amount redeemed at
net asset value at the time of the reinvestment in Class A shares, Class B
shares or Class C shares, as the case may be, of a Fund or of other Kemper
Mutual Funds. The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge also will be
reinvested. These reinvested shares will retain their original cost and purchase
date for purposes of the contingent deferred sales charge. Also, a holder of
Class B shares who has redeemed shares may reinvest up to the full amount
redeemed, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge that may have
been imposed upon the redemption of such shares, at net asset value in Class A
shares of a Fund or of the other Kemper Mutual Funds listed under "Special
Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined Purchases." Purchases through the
reinvestment privilege are subject to the minimum investment requirements
applicable to the shares being purchased and may only be made for Kemper Mutual
Funds available for sale in the shareholder's state of residence as listed under
"Special Features -- Exchange Privilege." The reinvestment privilege can be used
only once as to any specific shares and reinvestment must be effected within six
months of the redemption. If a loss is realized on the redemption of Fund
shares, the reinvestment in the same Fund may be subject to the "wash sale"
rules if made within 30 days of the redemption, resulting in a postponement of
the recognition of such loss for federal income tax purposes. The reinvestment
privilege may be terminated or modified at any time.
SPECIAL FEATURES
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CLASS A SHARES -- COMBINED PURCHASES. A Fund's Class A shares (or the
equivalent) may be purchased at the rate applicable to the discount bracket
attained by combining concurrent investments in Class A shares of any of the
following funds: Kemper Technology Fund, Kemper Total Return Fund, Kemper Growth
Fund, Kemper Small Capitalization Equity Fund, Kemper Income and Capital
Preservation Fund, Kemper Municipal Bond Fund, Kemper Strategic Income Fund,
Kemper High Yield Series, Kemper U.S. Government Securities Fund, Kemper
International Fund, Kemper State Tax-Free Income Series, Kemper Blue Chip Fund,
Kemper Global Income Fund, Kemper Target Equity Fund (series are subject to a
limited offering period), Kemper Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Kemper Cash
Reserves Fund, Kemper U.S. Mortgage Fund, Kemper Short-Intermediate Government
Fund, Kemper Value Series, Inc., Kemper Value Plus Growth Fund, Kemper Horizon
Fund, Kemper Europe Fund, Kemper Asian Growth Fund, Kemper Aggressive Growth
Fund, Kemper Global/International Series, Inc., Kemper Equity Trust, Kemper
Income Trust, Kemper Funds Trust, and Kemper Securities Trust ("Kemper Mutual
Funds"). Except as noted below, there is no combined purchase credit for direct
purchases of shares of Zurich Money Funds, Cash Equivalent Fund, Tax-Exempt
California Money Market Fund, Cash Account Trust, Investors Municipal Cash Fund
or Investors Cash Trust ("Money Market Funds"), which are not considered "Kemper
Mutual Funds" for purposes hereof. For purposes of the Combined Purchases
feature described above as well as for the Letter of Intent and Cumulative
Discount features described below, employer sponsored employee benefit plans
using the subaccount record keeping system made available through the
Shareholder Service Agent may include: (a) Money Market Funds as "Kemper Mutual
Funds", (b) all classes of shares of any Kemper Mutual Fund and (c) the value of
any other plan investments, such as guaranteed investment contracts and employer
stock, maintained on such subaccount record keeping system.
CLASS A SHARES -- LETTER OF INTENT. The same reduced sales charges for Class A
shares, as shown in the applicable prospectus, also apply to the aggregate
amount of purchases of such Kemper Mutual Funds listed above made by any
purchaser within a 24-month period under a written Letter of Intent ("Letter")
provided by KDI. The Letter, which imposes no obligation to purchase or sell
additional Class A shares, provides for a price adjustment depending upon the
actual amount purchased within such period. The Letter provides that the first
purchase following execution of the Letter must be at least 5% of the amount of
the intended purchase, and that 5% of the amount of the intended purchase
normally will be held in escrow in the form of shares pending completion of the
intended purchase. If the total investments under the Letter are less than the
intended amount and thereby qualify only for a higher sales charge than actually
paid, the appropriate number of escrowed shares are redeemed and the proceeds
used toward satisfaction of the obligation to pay the increased sales charge.
The Letter for an employer sponsored employee benefit plan maintained on the
subaccount record keeping system available through the Shareholder Service Agent
may have special provisions regarding payment of any increased sales charge
resulting from a failure to complete the intended purchase under the Letter. A
shareholder may include the value (at the maximum offering price) of all shares
of such Kemper Mutual Funds held of record as of the initial purchase date under
the Letter as an "accumulation credit" toward the completion of the Letter, but
no price adjustment will be made on such shares. Only investments in Class A
shares of a Fund are included for this privilege.
CLASS A SHARES -- CUMULATIVE DISCOUNT. Each Fund's Class A shares also may be
purchased at the rate applicable to the discount bracket attained by adding to
the cost of Fund shares being purchased the value of all Class A shares of the
above mentioned Kemper Mutual Funds (computed at the maximum offering price at
the time of the purchase for which the discount is applicable) already owned by
the investor.
CLASS A SHARES -- AVAILABILITY OF QUANTITY DISCOUNTS. An investor or the
investor's dealer or other financial services firm must notify the Shareholder
Service Agent or KDI whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is
applicable to a purchase. Upon such notification, the investor will receive the
lowest applicable sales charge. Quantity discounts described above may be
modified or terminated at any time.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares may
exchange their shares for shares of the corresponding class of other Kemper
Mutual Funds in accordance with the provisions below.
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares of the Kemper Mutual Funds and shares of the
Money Market Funds listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined
Purchases" above may be exchanged for each other at their relative net asset
values. Shares of Money Market Funds and Kemper Cash Reserves Fund that were
acquired by purchase (not including shares acquired by dividend reinvestment)
are subject to the applicable sales charge on exchange. Series of Kemper Target
Equity Fund are available on exchange only during the offering period for such
50
<PAGE>
series as described in the applicable prospectus or statement of additional
information. Cash Equivalent Fund, Tax-Exempt California Money Market Fund, Cash
Account Trust, Investors Municipal Cash Fund and Investors Cash Trust are
available on exchange but only through a financial services firm having a
services agreement with KDI.
Class A shares of a Fund purchased under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege
may be exchanged for Class A shares of another Kemper Mutual Fund or a Money
Market Fund under the exchange privilege described above without paying any
contingent deferred sales charge at the time of exchange. If the Class A shares
received on exchange are redeemed thereafter, a contingent deferred sales charge
may be imposed in accordance with the foregoing requirements provided that the
shares redeemed will retain their original cost and purchase date for purposes
of the contingent deferred sales charge.
CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares of a Fund and Class B shares of any other Kemper
Mutual Fund listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined
Purchases" may be exchanged for each other at their relative net asset values.
Class B shares may be exchanged without any contingent deferred sales charge
being imposed at the time of exchange. For purposes of the contingent deferred
sales charge that may be imposed upon the redemption of the Class B shares
received on exchange, amounts exchanged retain their original cost and purchase
date.
CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares of a Fund and Class C shares of any other Kemper
Mutual Fund listed under "Special Features -- Class A Shares -- Combined
Purchases" may be exchanged for each other at their relative net asset values.
Class C shares may be exchanged without a contingent deferred sales charge being
imposed at the time of exchange. For determining whether there is a contingent
deferred sales charge that may be imposed upon the redemption of the Class C
shares received by exchange, the cost and purchase date of the shares that were
originally purchased and exchanged are retained.
GENERAL. Shares of a Kemper Mutual Fund with a value in excess of $1,000,000
(except Kemper Cash Reserves Fund) acquired by exchange from another Kemper
Mutual Fund, or from a Money Market Fund, may not be exchanged thereafter until
they have been owned for 15 days (the "15 Day Hold Policy"). Effective June 1,
1999, each fund reserves the right to invoke the 15-Day Hold Policy for accounts
of $1,000,000 or less if, in the investment manager's judgement, the exchange
activity may have an adverse effect on the fund. In particular, a pattern of
exchanges that coincides with a "market timing" strategy may be disruptive to
the fund and therefore may be subject to the 15 Day Hold Policy.
For purposes of determining whether the 15 Day Hold Policy applies to a
particular exchange, the value of the shares to be exchanged shall be computed
by aggregating the value of shares being exchanged for all accounts under common
control, direction or advice, including without limitation, accounts
administered by a financial services firm offering market timing, asset
allocation or similar services. The total value of shares being exchanged must
at least equal the minimum investment requirement of the Kemper Fund into which
they are being exchanged. Exchanges are made based on relative dollar values of
the shares involved in the exchange. There is no service fee for an exchange;
however, dealers or other firms may charge for their services in effecting
exchange transactions. Exchanges will be effected by redemption of shares of the
fund held and purchase of shares of the other fund. For federal income tax
purposes, any such exchange constitutes a sale upon which a gain or loss may be
realized, depending upon whether the value of the shares being exchanged is more
or less than the shareholder's adjusted cost basis of such shares. Shareholders
interested in exercising the exchange privilege may obtain prospectuses of the
other funds from dealers, other firms or KDI. Exchanges may be accomplished by a
written request to KSvC, Attention: Exchange Department, P.O. Box 419557, Kansas
City, Missouri 64141-6557, or by telephone if the shareholder has given
authorization. Once the authorization is on file, the Shareholder Service Agent
will honor requests by telephone at 1-800-621-1048, subject to the limitations
on liability under "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares -- General." Any share
certificates must be deposited prior to any exchange of such shares. During
periods when it is difficult to contact the Shareholder Service Agent by
telephone, it may be difficult to implement the telephone exchange privilege.
The exchange privilege is not a right and may be suspended, terminated or
modified at any time. Exchanges may only be made for Kemper Funds that are
eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of residence. Currently Tax-Exempt
California Money Market Fund is available for sale only in California and the
portfolios of Investors Municipal Cash Fund are available for sale only in
certain states.
SYSTEMATIC EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The owner of $1,000 or more of any class of the
shares of a Kemper Mutual Fund or Money Market Fund may authorize the automatic
exchange of a specified amount ($100 minimum)
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<PAGE>
of such shares for shares of the same class of another such Kemper Fund. If
selected, exchanges will be made automatically until the privilege is terminated
by the shareholder or the other Kemper Fund. Exchanges are subject to the terms
and conditions described above under "Exchange Privilege," except that the
$1,000 minimum investment requirement for the Kemper Fund acquired on exchange
is not applicable. This privilege may not be used for the exchange of shares
held in certificated form.
EXPRESS-TRANSFER. EXPRESS-Transfer permits the transfer of money via the
Automated Clearing House System (minimum $100 and maximum $5,000) from a
shareholder's bank, savings and loan, or credit union account to purchase shares
in the Fund. Shareholders can also redeem shares (minimum $100 and maximum
$50,000) from their Fund account and transfer the proceeds to their bank,
savings and loan, or credit union checking account. Shares purchased by check or
through EXPRESS-Transfer or Bank Direct Deposit may not be redeemed under this
privilege until such shares have been owned for at least 10 days. By enrolling
in EXPRESS-Transfer, the shareholder authorizes the Shareholder Service Agent to
rely upon telephone instructions from ANY PERSON to transfer the specified
amounts between the shareholder's Fund account and the predesignated bank,
savings and loan or credit union account, subject to the limitations on
liability under "Redemption or Repurchase of Shares -- General." Once enrolled
in EXPRESS-Transfer, a shareholder can initiate a transaction by calling Kemper
Shareholder Services toll free at 1-800-621-1048 Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Chicago time. Shareholders may terminate this privilege by
sending written notice to KSvC, P.O. Box 419415, Kansas City, Missouri
64141-6415. Termination will become effective as soon as the Shareholder Service
Agent has had a reasonable time to act upon the request. EXPRESS-Transfer cannot
be used with passbook savings accounts or for tax-deferred plans such as
Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs").
BANK DIRECT DEPOSIT. A shareholder may purchase additional Fund shares through
an automatic investment program. With the Bank Direct Deposit Purchase Plan,
investments are made automatically (minimum $50, maximum $50,000) from the
shareholder's account at a bank, savings and loan or credit union into the
shareholder's Fund account. By enrolling in Bank Direct Deposit, the shareholder
authorizes the Fund and its agents to either draw checks or initiate Automated
Clearing House debits against the designated account at a bank or other
financial institution. This privilege may be selected by completing the
appropriate section on the Account Application or by contacting the Shareholder
Service Agent for appropriate forms. A shareholder may terminate his or her Plan
by sending written notice to KSvC, P.O. Box 419415, Kansas City, Missouri
64141-6415. Termination by a shareholder will become effective within thirty
days after the Shareholder Service Agent has received the request. A Fund may
immediately terminate a shareholder's Plan in the event that any item is unpaid
by the shareholder's financial institution. A Fund may terminate or modify this
privilege at any time.
PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT AND GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT. A shareholder may invest
in a Fund through Payroll Direct Deposit or Government Direct Deposit. Under
these programs, all or a portion of a shareholder's net pay or government check
is automatically invested in a Fund account each payment period. A shareholder
may terminate participation in these programs by giving written notice to the
shareholder's employer or government agency, as appropriate. (A reasonable time
to act is required.) A Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the
employer or government agency making the payment or any financial institutions
transmitting payments.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The owner of $5,000 or more of a class of a Fund's
shares at the offering price (net asset value plus, in the case of Class A
shares, the initial sales charge) may provide for the payment from the owner's
account of any requested dollar amount up to $50,000 to be paid to the owner or
a designated payee monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. The $5,000
minimum account size is not applicable to Individual Retirement Accounts. The
minimum periodic payment is $100. The maximum annual rate at which Class B
shares may be redeemed (and Class A shares purchased under the Large Order NAV
Purchase Privilege and Class C shares in their first year following the
purchase) under a systematic withdrawal plan is 10% of the net asset value of
the account. Shares are redeemed so that the payee will receive payment
approximately the first of the month. Any income and capital gain dividends will
be automatically reinvested at net asset value. A sufficient number of full and
fractional shares will be redeemed to make the designated payment. Depending
upon the size of the payments requested and fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares redeemed, redemptions for the purpose of making such payments may
reduce or even exhaust the account.
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<PAGE>
The purchase of Class A shares while participating in a systematic withdrawal
plan ordinarily will be disadvantageous to the investor because the investor
will be paying a sales charge on the purchase of shares at the same time that
the investor is redeeming shares upon which a sales charge may already have been
paid. Therefore, the Funds will not knowingly permit additional investments of
less than $2,000 if the investor is at the same time making systematic
withdrawals. KDI will waive the contingent deferred sales charge on redemption
of Class A shares purchased under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege, Class
B shares and Class C shares made pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan. The
right is reserved to amend the systematic withdrawal plan on 30 days' notice.
The plan may be terminated at any time by the investor or the Funds.
TAX-SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS. The Shareholder Service Agent provides
retirement plan services and documents and KDI can establish investor accounts
in any of the following types of retirement plans:
o Traditional, Roth and Education Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs")
with IFTC as custodian. This includes Savings Incentive Match Plan for
Employees of Small Employers ("SIMPLE") IRA accounts and Simplified
Employee Pension Plan ("SEP") IRA accounts and prototype documents.
o 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts also with IFTC as custodian. This type of plan
is available to employees of most non-profit organizations.
o Prototype money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans may be adopted by
employers. The maximum annual contribution per participant is the lesser of
25% of compensation or $30,000.
Brochures describing the above plans as well as model defined benefit plans,
target benefit plans, 457 plans, 401(k) plans, SIMPLE 401(k) plans and materials
for establishing them are available from the Shareholder Service Agent upon
request. The brochures for plans with IFTC as custodian describe the current
fees payable to IFTC for its services as custodian. Investors should consult
with their own tax advisers before establishing a retirement plan.
Upon receipt by the Shareholder Service Agent of a request for redemption,
shares of a Fund will be redeemed by the Fund at the applicable net asset value
per share of such Fund as described in the Funds' prospectus.
Scheduled variations in or the elimination of the initial sales charge for
purchases of Class A shares or the contingent deferred sales charge for
redemptions of Class B or Class C shares by certain classes of persons or
through certain types of transactions as described herein are provided because
of anticipated economies in sales and sales-related efforts.
A Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment more than seven days
(a) during any period when the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed
other than customary weekend and holiday closings or during any period in which
trading on the Exchange is restricted, (b) during any period when an emergency
exists as a result of which (i) disposal of a Fund's investments is not
reasonably practicable, or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to
determine the value of its net assets, or (c) for such other periods as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of a
Fund's shareholders.
Although it is each of the Asian, Europe and Global Funds' present policy to
redeem in cash, if the Board of Trustees determines that a material adverse
effect would be experienced by the remaining shareholders if payment were made
wholly in cash, the Fund will satisfy the redemption request in whole or in part
by a distribution of portfolio securities in lieu of cash, in conformity with
the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, taking such
securities at the same value used to determine net asset value, and selecting
the securities in such manner as the Board of Trustees may deem fair and
equitable. If such a distribution occurred, shareholders receiving securities
and selling them could receive less than the redemption value of such securities
and in addition would incur certain transaction costs. Such a redemption would
not be so liquid as a redemption entirely in cash. Each of the Asian, Europe and
Global Funds has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 pursuant to which 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 of record.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may be subject to the
continuing availability of an opinion of counsel, ruling by the Internal Revenue
Service or other assurance acceptable to each Fund to the effect that (a) the
53
<PAGE>
assessment of the distribution services fee with respect to Class B shares and
not Class A shares does not result in the Fund's dividends constituting
"preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code, and (b) that the
conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable
event under the Internal Revenue Code. The conversion of Class B shares to Class
A shares may be suspended if such assurance is not available. In that event, no
further conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might continue to
be subject to the distribution services fee for an indefinite period that may
extend beyond the proposed conversion date as described herein.
OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The officers and trustees of each Fund, their birthdates, their principal
occupations and their affiliations, if any, with Scudder Kemper, the investment
manager, Scudder UK, the sub-adviser of the Funds, and KDI, principal
underwriter, are listed below. All persons named as trustees also serve in
similar capacities for other funds advised by Scudder Kemper.
TRUSTEES--ASIAN, GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
LEWIS A. BURNHAM (1/8/33), Trustee, 16410 Avila Boulevard, Tampa, Florida;
Retired; formerly, Partner, Business Resources Group; formerly, Executive Vice
President, Anchor Glass Container Corporation.
DONALD L. DUNAWAY (3/8/37), Trustee, 7515 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, Florida;
Retired; formerly, Executive Vice President, A. O. Smith Corporation
(diversified manufacturer).
ROBERT B. HOFFMAN (12/11/36), Trustee, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis,
Missouri; Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Monsanto Company
(agricultural, pharmaceutical and nutritional/food products); prior thereto,
Vice President, Head of International Operations, FMC Corporation (manufacturer
of machinery and chemicals).
DONALD R. JONES (1/17/30), Trustee, 182 Old Wick Lane, Inverness, Illinois;
Retired; Director, Motorola, Inc. (manufacturer of electronic equipment and
components); formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Motorola, Inc.
THOMAS W. LITTAUER (4/26/55), Trustee*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper; formerly, Head of Broker
Dealer Division of an unaffiliated investment management firm during 1997; prior
thereto, President of Client Management Services of an unaffiliated investment
management firm from 1991 to 1996.
SHIRLEY D. PETERSON (9/3/41), Trustee, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, Maryland;
President, Hood College; formerly, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson (attorneys); prior
thereto, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service; prior thereto, Assistant
Attorney General, U.S.
Department of Justice; Director, Bethlehem Steel Corp.
DANIEL PIERCE (3/18/34), Trustee*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York; Chairman
of the Board and Managing Director, Scudder Kemper; Director, Fiduciary Trust
Company and Fiduciary Company Incorporated.
WILLIAM P. SOMMERS (7/22/33), Trustee, 24717 Harbour View Drive, Ponte Vedra
Beach, Florida; Consultant and Director, SRI International (research and
development); prior thereto, President and Chief Executive Officer, SRI
International; prior thereto, Executive Vice President, Iameter (medical
information and educational service provider); prior thereto, Senior Vice
President and Director, Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc. (management consulting
firm) ; Director, PSI Inc., Evergreen Solar, Inc., and Litton Industries.
TRUSTEES--EUROPE FUND
54
<PAGE>
JAMES E. AKINS (10/15/26), Trustee, 2904 Garfield Terrace N.W., Washington,
D.C.; Consultant on International, Political and Economic Affairs; formerly, a
career United States Foreign Service Officer; Energy Adviser for the White
House; United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 1973-1976.
ARTHUR R. GOTTSCHALK (2/13/25), Trustee, 10642 Brookridge Drive, Frankfort,
Illinois; Retired; formerly, President, Illinois Manufacturers Association;
Trustee, Illinois Masonic Medical Center; formerly, Illinois State Senator;
formerly, Vice President, The Reuben H. Donnelley Corp.; formerly, attorney.
FREDERICK T. KELSEY (4/25/27), Trustee, 4010 Arbor Lane, Unit 102, Northfield,
Illinois; Retired; formerly, consultant to Goldman, Sachs & Co.; formerly,
President, Treasurer and Trustee of Institutional Liquid Assets and its
affiliated mutual funds; Trustee of the Northern Institutional Funds; formerly,
Trustee of the Pilot Funds.
THOMAS W. LITTAUER (4/26/55), Trustee*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper; formerly, Head of Broker
Dealer Division of an unaffiliated investment management firm during 1997; prior
thereto, President of Client Management Services of an unaffiliated investment
management firm from 1991 to 1996.
DANIEL PIERCE (3/18/34), Trustee*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York; Chairman
of the Board and Managing Director, Scudder Kemper; Director, Fiduciary Trust
Company and Fiduciary Company Incorporated.
FRED B. RENWICK (2/1/30), Trustee, 3 Hanover Square, New York, New York;
Professor of Finance, New York University, Stern School of Business; Director;
TIFF Industrial Program, Inc.; Director, The Wartburg Home Foundation; Chairman,
Investment Committee of Morehouse College Board of Trustees; Chairman, American
Bible Society Investment Committee; formerly, member of the Investment Committee
of Atlanta University Board of Trustees; formerly, Director of Board of
Pensions, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
JOHN B. TINGLEFF (5/4/35), Trustee, 2015 South Lake Shore Drive, Harbor Springs,
Michigan; Retired; formerly, President, Tingleff & Associates (management
consulting firm); formerly, Senior Vice President, Continental Illinois National
Bank & Trust Company. JOHN G. WEITHERS (8/8/33), Trustee, 311 Spring Lake,
Hinsdale, Illinois; Retired; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, Chicago Stock Exchange; Director, Federal Life Insurance Company;
President of the Members of the Corporation and Trustee, DePaul University;
Director, Systems Imagineering, Inc.
OFFICERS -- ALL FUNDS
MARK S. CASADY (9/21/60), President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York;
Managing Director, Scudder Kemper.
PHILIP J. COLLORA (11/15/45), Vice President and Secretary*, 222 South Riverside
Plaza, Chicago, Illinois; Attorney, Senior Vice President and Assistant
Secretary, Scudder Kemper.
THOMAS W. LITTAUER (4/26/55), Vice President*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper.
ANN M. McCREARY (11/6/56), Vice President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York;
Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
KATHRYN L. QUIRK (12/3/52), Vice President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New
York; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper.
LINDA J. WONDRACK (9/12/64), Vice President*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
JOHN R. HEBBLE (6/27/58), Treasurer*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
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<PAGE>
BRENDA LYONS (2/21/63), Assistant Treasurer*, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts; Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
CAROLINE PEARSON (4/1/62), Assistant Secretary*, Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts; Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
MAUREEN E. KANE (2/14/62), Assistant Secretary*, Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts; Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
ELIZABETH C. WERTH (10/1/47), Assistant Secretary*, 222 South Riverside Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois; Vice President, Scudder Kemper; Vice President and Director
of State Registrations, KDI.
Additional Officer for Global Fund only:
ROBERT C. PECK, JR. (10/1/46), Vice President*, 222 South Riverside Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper; formerly, Executive Vice
President and Chief Investment Officer with an unaffiliated investment
management firm from 1988 to June 1997.
Additional Officers for Asian Fund only:
THERESA GUSMAN (2/29/60), Vice President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York;
Senior Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
CORNELIA M. SMALL (7/28/44), Vice President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New
York; Managing Director, Scudder Kemper.
Additional Officers for Europe Fund only:
CORNELIA M. SMALL*, See above.
Additional Officers for International Fund only:
STEPHEN P. DEXTER, Vice President*, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York; Senior
Vice President, Scudder Kemper.
CORNELIA M. SMALL*, See above.
* Interested persons of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940.
The trustees and officers who are "interested persons" as designated above
receive no compensation from the Funds. The tables below shows amounts paid or
accrued to those trustees who are not designated "interested persons" during
each Fund's 1998 fiscal year except that the information in the last column is
for calendar year 1998.
Trustees -- Asian, Global and International Funds
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Compensation From Funds Total Compensation
From Funds and Kemper
Fund Complex
Name of Trustee Asian Global International Paid To Trustees**
- --------------- ----- ------ ------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lewis A. Burnham............. $400 $2,000 $3,300 $126,100
Donald L. Dunaway*........... $400 $2,200 $3,600 $135,000
Robert B. Hoffman............ $400 $1,900 $3,200 $116,100
Donald R. Jones.............. $400 $2,100 $3,400 $129,600
Shirley D. Peterson.......... $400 $1,800 $3,000 $108,800
William P. Sommers........... $400 $1,800 $3,000 $108,800
</TABLE>
56
<PAGE>
- ---------------------
* Includes deferred fees. Pursuant to deferred compensation agreements with
the funds, deferred amounts accrue interest monthly at a rate equal to the
yield of Zurich Money Funds -- Zurich Money Market Fund. Total deferred
fees (including interest thereon) payable from Asian, Global and
International Funds, respectively are $0, $16,200 and $18,000 for Mr.
Dunaway.
** Includes compensation for service on the boards of 26 Kemper funds with 48
fund portfolios. Each trustee currently serves as a trustee of 26 Kemper
Funds with 45 fund portfolios.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trustees -- Europe Fund
Aggregate Total Compensation From Kemper
Compensation Fund Complex Paid
Name Of Trustee From Fund To Board Members(2)
--------------- --------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James E. Akins............................... $1,700 $130,000
Arthur R. Gottschalk(1)...................... $1,800 $133,200
Frederick T. Kelsey.......................... $1,700 $130,500
Fred B. Renwick.............................. $1,700 $130,500
John B. Tingleff............................. $1,800 $134,800
John G. Weithers............................. $1,800 $134,800
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Includes deferred fees. Pursuant to deferred compensation agreements with
the fund, deferred amounts accrue interest monthly at a rate equal to the
yield of Zurich Money Funds--Zurich Money Market Fund. Total deferred fees
(including interest thereon) payable from the fund are $3,700 for Mr.
Gottschalk.
(2) Includes compensation for service on the Boards of 15 Kemper Funds with 53
fund portfolios. Each trustee currently serves as a board member of 15
Kemper funds with 53 fund portfolios.
As of January 29, 1999, the trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1%
of the then outstanding shares of each Fund and no person owned of record more
than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of either Fund, except as shown
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Kemper International Fund
-------------------------
Name and Address Class Percentage
- ---------------- ----- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
National Financial Svcs Corp., C 5.07
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Kemper Europe Fund
- ------------------
Name and Address Class Percentage
- ---------------- ----- ----------
National Financial Svcs Corp., A 8.27
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette A 6.14
1 Pershin Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
National Financial Svcs Corp., B 7.04
57
<PAGE>
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette B 6.70
1 Pershin Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
Lincoln Trust Company B 5.09
Attn: 1900 Monarch Tower
3424 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
National Financial Svcs Corp., C 7.42
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette C 9.90
1 Pershin Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
Sterling Trust Co. C 5.89
LM Kohn & Company
9810 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Kemper Global Income Fund
- -------------------------
Name and Address Class Percentage
- ---------------- ----- ----------
National Financial Svcs Corp., A 6.46
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Everen Securities Inc. A 8.29
77 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
National Financial Svcs Corp., B 6.73
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Everen Securities Inc. B 16.86
77 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette C 46.32
1 Pershin Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
MLPF&S for the sole Benefit of ITS C 17.56
Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
58
<PAGE>
Kemper Asian Growth
- -------------------
Name and Address Class Percentage
- ---------------- ----- ----------
National Financial Svcs Corp., A 7.09
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
National City Bank of Pennsylvania A 7.36
McKeesport Healthcare Pension
P.O. Box 94984
Cleveland, OH 44101
National Financial Svcs Corp., B 12.18
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. C 7.10
1 N. Jefferson Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
Coldstream Capital LLC C 5.35
811 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
</TABLE>
- --------------------
* Record and beneficial owner.
** Record owner only.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The Funds are open-end management investment companies, organized as separate
business trusts under the laws of Massachusetts. The Asian and Europe Funds were
each organized as a business trust under the laws of Massachusetts on June 12,
1995. The Global Fund was organized as a business trust under the laws of
Massachusetts on August 3, 1988. The International Fund was organized as a
business trust under the laws of Massachusetts on October 24, 1985 and,
effective January 31, 1986, that Fund pursuant to a reorganization succeeded to
the assets and liabilities of Kemper International Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation organized in 1980.
The Asian Fund and the Global Fund each may in the future seek to achieve its
investment objective by pooling its assets with assets of other mutual funds for
investment in another investment company having the same investment objective
and substantially the same investment policies and restrictions as such Fund.
The purpose of such an arrangement is to achieve greater operational
efficiencies and to reduce costs. It is expected that any such investment
company will be managed by Scudder Kemper in substantially the same manner as
the corresponding Fund. Shareholders of a Fund will be given at least 30 days'
prior notice of any such investment, although they will not be entitled to vote
on the action. Such investment would be made only if the Trustees determine it
to be in the best interests of the respective Fund and its shareholders.
Each Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest in one
or more series or "Portfolios," all having no par value, which may be divided by
the Board of Trustees into classes of shares. While only shares of a single
Portfolio are presently being offered by each Fund, the Board of Trustees of
each Fund may authorize the
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issuance of additional classes and additional Portfolios if deemed desirable,
each with its own investment objective, policies and restrictions. Since the
Funds may offer multiple Portfolios, each is known as a "series company."
Currently, each Fund offers four classes of shares of a single Portfolio. These
are Class A, Class B and Class C shares, as well as Class I shares, which have
different expenses, which may affect performance, and that are available for
purchase exclusively by the following investors: (a) tax-exempt retirement plans
of Scudder Kemper and its affiliates; and (b) the following investment advisory
clients of Scudder Kemper and its investment advisory affiliates that invest at
least $1 million in a Fund: (1) unaffiliated benefit plans (other than
individual retirement accounts and self-directed retirement plans); (2)
unaffiliated banks and insurance companies purchasing for their own accounts;
and (3) endowment funds of unaffiliated non-profit organizations. Shares of a
Fund have equal noncumulative voting rights except that Class B and Class C
shares have separate and exclusive voting rights with respect to each Fund's
Rule 12b-1 Plan. Shares of each class also have equal rights with respect to
dividends, assets and liquidation of such Fund subject to any preferences (such
as resulting from different Rule 12b-1 distribution fees), rights or privileges
of any classes of shares of a Fund. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable when
issued, are transferable without restriction and have no preemptive or
conversion rights. The Funds are not required to hold annual shareholder
meetings and do not intend to do so. However, they will hold special meetings as
required or deemed desirable for such purposes as electing trustees, changing
fundamental policies or approving an investment management agreement. Subject to
the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of each Fund, shareholders may remove
trustees. If shares of more than one Portfolio are outstanding, shareholders
will vote by Portfolio and not in the aggregate or by class except when voting
in the aggregate is required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, such as
for the election of trustees, or when voting by class is appropriate.
The Funds generally are not required to hold meetings of their shareholders.
Under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of each Fund ("Declaration of
Trust"), however, shareholder meetings will be held in connection with the
following matters: (a) the election or removal of trustees if a meeting is
called for such purpose; (b) the adoption of any contract for which approval by
shareholders is required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"); (c)
any termination of the Fund or a class to the extent and as provided in the
Declaration of Trust; (d) any amendment of the Declaration of Trust (other than
amendments changing the name of the Fund, supplying any omission, curing any
ambiguity or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent
provision thereof); and (e) such additional matters as may be required by law,
the Declaration of Trust, the By-laws of the Fund, or any registration of the
Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state, or as the
trustees may consider necessary or desirable. The shareholders also would vote
upon changes in fundamental investment policies.
Each Fund's activities are supervised by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Each trustee serves until the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for
the purpose of electing trustees and until the election and qualification of a
successor or until such trustee sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed by a
majority vote of the shares entitled to vote (as described below) or a majority
of the trustees. In accordance with the 1940 Act (a) each Fund will hold a
shareholder meeting for the election of trustees at such time as less than a
majority of the trustees have been elected by shareholders, and (b) if, as a
result of a vacancy in the Board of Trustees, less than two-thirds of the
trustees have been elected by the shareholders, that vacancy will be filled only
by a vote of the shareholders.
Trustees may be removed from office by a vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares at a meeting called for that purpose, which meeting shall
be held upon the written request of the holders of not less than 10% of the
outstanding shares. Upon the written request of ten or more shareholders who
have been such for at least six months and who hold shares constituting at least
1% of the outstanding shares of a Fund stating that such shareholders wish to
communicate with the other shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the
signatures necessary to demand a meeting to consider removal of a trustee, each
Fund has undertaken to disseminate appropriate materials at the expense of the
requesting shareholders.
Each Fund's Declaration of Trust provides that the presence at a shareholder
meeting in person or by proxy of at least 30% of the shares entitled to vote on
a matter shall constitute a quorum. Thus, a meeting of shareholders of a Fund
could take place even if less than a majority of the shareholders were
represented on its scheduled date. Shareholders would in such a case be
permitted to take action which does not require a larger vote than a majority of
a quorum, such as the election of trustees and ratification of the selection of
independent auditors. Some matters
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requiring a larger vote under the Declaration of Trust, such as termination or
reorganization of a Fund and certain amendments of the Declaration of Trust,
would not be affected by this provision; nor would matters which under the 1940
Act require the vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" as
defined in the 1940 Act.
Each Fund's Declaration of Trust specifically authorizes the Board of Trustees
to terminate the Fund or any Portfolio or class by notice to the shareholders
without shareholder approval.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for obligations of a
Fund. The Declaration of Trust, however, disclaims shareholder liability for
acts or obligations of each Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be
given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by a
Fund or the Fund's trustees. Moreover, the Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification out of Fund property for all losses and expenses of any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of a Fund and each Fund
will be covered by insurance which the trustees consider adequate to cover
foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is considered by Scudder Kemper remote
and not material, since it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is
inoperative and such Fund itself is unable to meet its obligations.
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APPENDIX--RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
Standard & Poor's Corporation Bond Ratings
AAA. Debt rated AAA had the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA. Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB. Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC and C. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded, on balance,
as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
CI. The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D. Debt rated D is in default, and payment of interest and/or repayment of
principal is in arrears.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Bond Ratings
AAA. Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa. Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A. Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa. Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba. Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
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B. Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa. Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
IBCA Limited Bond Ratings
AAA. Obligations for which there is the lowest expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial, such
that adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions are unlikely
to increase investment risk significantly.
AA. Obligations for which there is a very low expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial. Adverse
changes in business, economic or financial conditions may increase investment
risk albeit not very significantly.
A. Obligations for which there is a low expectation of investment risk. Capacity
for timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, although adverse
changes in business, economic or financial conditions may lead to increased
investment risk.
BBB. Obligations for which there is currently a low expectation of investment
risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is adequate,
although adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions are more
likely to lead to increased investment risk than for obligations in higher
categories.
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