1933 Act Registration No. 333-13331
1940 Act File No. 811-07823
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 3 [X]
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Registrant
One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone Number: 1-800-338-2550
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Cameron S. Avery
Executive Vice-President Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
& Secretary Three First National Plaza
Stein Roe Institutional Trust Suite 3300
One South Wacker Drive 70 W. Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606 Chicago, Illinois 60602
(Agents for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box):
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] on May 28, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
Registrant has previously elected to register pursuant to Rule 24f-2
an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest of the series
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund.
This Registration Statement has also been signed by SR&F Base Trust
as it relates to Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund.
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
ITEM
NO. CAPTION
- ----- -------
PART A (PROSPECTUS)
1 Front cover
2 Fee Table; Summary
3 (a) Inapplicable
(b) Inapplicable
(c) Investment Return
(d) Inapplicable
4 Organization and Description of Shares; The Fund;
Investment Policies; Investment Restrictions; Risks
and Investment Considerations; Portfolio Investments and
Strategies; Summary--Investment Risks
5 (a) Management--Trustees and Investment Adviser
(b) Management--Trustees and Investment Adviser, Fees and
Expenses
(c) Management--Portfolio Managers
(d) Inapplicable
(e) Management--Transfer Agent
(f) Management--Fees and Expenses
(g) Inapplicable
5A Inapplicable
6 (a) Organization and Description of Shares; see statement of
additional information: General Information and History
(b) Inapplicable
(c) Organization and Description of Shares
(d) Organization and Description of Shares
(e) For More Information
(f) Distributions and Income Taxes
(g) Distributions and Income Taxes
(h) Special Considerations Regarding Master Fund/Feeder Fund
Structure
7 How to Purchase Shares
(a) Management--Distributor
(b) How to Purchase Shares; Net Asset Value
(c) How to Purchase Shares
(d) How to Purchase Shares
(e) Inapplicable
(f) Inapplicable
8 (a) How to Redeem Shares
(b) How to Redeem Shares
(c) Inapplicable
(d) How to Redeem Shares
9 Inapplicable
PART B (STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
10 Cover page
11 Table of Contents
12 General Information and History
13 Investment Policies; Portfolio Investments and Strategies;
Investment Restrictions
14 Management
15(a) Inapplicable
(b) Principal Shareholders
(c) Inapplicable
16(a) Investment Advisory Services; Management; see prospectus:
Management
(b) Investment Advisory Services
(c) Inapplicable
(d) Investment Advisory Services
(e) Inapplicable
(f) Inapplicable
(g) Inapplicable
(h) Custodian; Independent Auditors
(i) Transfer Agent
17(a) Portfolio Transactions
(b) Inapplicable
(c) Portfolio Transactions
(d) Inapplicable
(e) Inapplicable
18 General Information and History
19(a) Purchases and Redemptions; see prospectus: How to Purchase
Shares, How to Redeem Shares
(b) Purchases and Redemptions; see prospectus: Net Asset Value
(c) Purchases and Redemptions
20 Additional Income Tax Considerations; Portfolio Investments
and Strategies--Taxation of Options and Futures
21(a) Distributor
(b) Inapplicable
(c) Inapplicable
22 Investment Performance
23 Balance Sheet
PART C
24 Financial Statements and Exhibits
25 Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with
Registrant
26 Number of Holders of Securities
27 Indemnification
28 Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
29 Principal Underwriters
30 Location of Accounts and Records
31 Management Services
32 Undertakings
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE
INSTITUTIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
Prospectus
May 28, 1997
Institutional High Yield Fund
[Stein Roe Mutual Funds logo]
<PAGE> 1
PROSPECTUS
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund
Institutional High Yield Fund seeks total return by investing for
a high level of current income and capital growth. Institutional
High Yield Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing all of
its net investable assets in SR&F High Yield Portfolio, which has
the same investment objective and substantially the same
investment policies as Institutional High Yield Fund. High Yield
Portfolio invests primarily in high-yield, high-risk medium- and
lower-quality debt securities. Lower-quality securities, commonly
known as "junk bonds," are subject to a greater risk with regard
to payment of interest and return of principal than higher-rated
bonds. Investors should carefully consider the risks associated
with junk bonds before investing. (See Investment Policies, Risks
and Investment Considerations, Special Considerations Regarding
Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure, and Appendix.)
Institutional High Yield Fund is a "no-load" fund. There are no
sales or redemption charges, and the Fund has no 12b-1 plan.
Institutional High Yield Fund is a series of the Stein Roe
Institutional Trust and High Yield Portfolio is a series of SR&F
Base Trust. Each Trust is a diversified open-end management
investment company.
Shares of Institutional High Yield Fund are available primarily
through Intermediaries who provide accounting, recordkeeping, and
other services to investors and who hold Fund shares in omnibus
accounts for their clients. (See How to Purchase Shares.)
This prospectus contains information you should know before
investing in Institutional High Yield Fund. Please read it
carefully and retain it for future reference.
A Statement of Additional Information dated May 28, 1997,
containing more detailed information, has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and (together with any
supplements thereto) is incorporated herein by reference. The
Statement of Additional Information may be obtained without charge
by writing to Stein Roe Funds, Suite 3200, One South Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60606, or by calling Stein Roe Advisor and
Dealer Services at 800-322-0593.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is May 28, 1997.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Summary.....................................2
Fee Table ..................................3
The Fund....................................5
Investment Policies.........................5
Portfolio Investments and Strategies........7
Investment Restrictions ...................11
Risks and Investment Considerations........12
How to Purchase Shares.....................13
How to Redeem Shares ......................13
Net Asset Value ...........................14
Distributions and Income Taxes.............14
Investment Return..........................15
Management ................................16
Organization and Description of Shares.....18
Special Considerations Regarding
Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure........18
For More Information ......................21
Appendix...................................21
SUMMARY
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund ("Institutional High Yield
Fund") is a series of the Stein Roe Institutional Trust, an open-
end diversified management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust. Institutional High Yield Fund
offers institutional investors the advantage of a "no-load" fund,
with Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated and its affiliates providing
customized services as investment adviser, administrator, transfer
agent, and distributor. (See The Fund and Organization and
Description of Shares.) This prospectus is not a solicitation in
any jurisdiction in which shares of Institutional High Yield Fund
are not qualified for sale.
Investment Objectives and Policies. Institutional High Yield Fund
invests all of its net investable assets in SR&F High Yield
Portfolio ("High Yield Portfolio"). High Yield Portfolio invests
in a diversified portfolio of securities in accordance with the
identical investment objective and substantially the same
investment policies as those of Institutional High Yield Fund.
High Yield Portfolio seeks total return by investing for a high
level of current income and capital growth. High Yield Portfolio
invests primarily in high-yield, high-risk medium- and lower-
quality debt securities. Medium-quality debt securities, although
considered investment grade, may have some speculative
characteristics. Lower-quality debt securities are obligations of
issuers that are considered predominantly speculative with respect
to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal
according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry
greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer
default and bankruptcy, and are commonly referred to as "junk
bonds."
For a more detailed discussion of the investment objectives and
policies, please see Investment Policies and Portfolio Investments
and Strategies. There is, of course, no assurance that
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio will
achieve their common investment objective.
Investment Risks. The risks inherent in Institutional High Yield
Fund depend primarily upon the term and quality of the obligations
in the investment portfolio of High Yield Portfolio, as well as on
market conditions. Interest rate fluctuations will affect the
Fund's net asset value and, therefore, the total return from an
investment in Institutional High Yield Fund. Interest rate
fluctuations will affect income on variable rate securities and on
securities purchased as other portfolio securities mature. Since
yields on debt securities available for purchase vary over time,
no specific yield on shares of Institutional High Yield Fund can
be assured. Institutional High Yield Fund is designed for
investors who can accept the heightened level of risk and
principal fluctuation inherent in a portfolio that invests at
least 65% of its assets in medium- and lower-quality debt
securities. High Yield Portfolio may invest in foreign
securities, which may entail a greater degree of risk than
investing in securities of domestic issuers. Please see
Investment Restrictions and Risks and Investment Considerations
for further information.
Purchases and Redemptions. Fund shares are available primarily
through pension plan administrators, broker-dealers, or other
intermediaries (each an "Intermediary"), who provide accounting,
recordkeeping, and other services to investors and who hold Fund
shares in omnibus accounts for their clients. For additional
information on purchasing (buying) and redeeming (selling) shares,
see How to Purchase Shares and How to Redeem Shares.
Distributions. Dividends are declared each business day and are
paid monthly. Dividends will be reinvested in additional shares
of Institutional High Yield Fund unless the Intermediary holding
the omnibus account elects to receive them in cash. (See
Distributions and Income Taxes.)
Management and Fees. Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated (the
"Adviser") is investment adviser to High Yield Portfolio. In
addition, it provides administrative services to Institutional
High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio. For a description of
the Adviser and its fees, see Management.
FEE TABLE
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases....................None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.........None
Deferred Sales Load................................None
Redemption Fees....................................None
Exchange Fees......................................None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waiver;
as a percentage of average net assets)
Management and Administrative Fees (after fee
waiver)..........................................0.50%
12b-1 Fees.........................................None
Other Expenses (after fee waiver)..................0.10%
-----
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after fee
waiver).......................................0.60%
=====
Example.
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment
assuming (1) 5% annual return; and (2) redemption at the end of
each time period:
1 year 3 years
------ -------
$6 $19
The purpose of the Fee Table is to assist you in understanding the
various costs and expenses that you will bear directly or
indirectly as an investor in Institutional High Yield Fund.
Because Institutional High Yield Fund has no operating history,
the information in the table is based upon an estimate of
expenses, assuming net assets of $50 million. The figures assume
that the percentage amounts listed under Annual Fund Operating
Expenses remain the same during each of the periods and that all
income dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in
additional Fund shares.
From time to time, the Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of
its fees and absorb certain expenses payable by Institutional High
Yield Fund and the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses
payable by High Yield Portfolio. The Adviser has agreed to
voluntarily waive such fees and absorb such expenses to the extent
the ordinary operating expenses of Institutional High Yield Fund
exceed 0.60% of its annual average net assets. This commitment
expires on October 31, 1999, subject to earlier review and
possible termination by the Adviser on 30 days' notice to the
Fund. Absent such expense undertaking, the estimated Management
and Administrative Fees, Other Expenses and Total Fund Operating
Expenses would be 0.65%, 0.38% and 1.03%, respectively. Any such
reimbursement will lower Institutional High Yield Fund's overall
expense ratio and increase its overall return to investors. (Also
see Management--Fees and Expenses.)
Institutional High Yield Fund pays the Adviser an administrative
fee based on its average daily net assets and High Yield Portfolio
pays the Adviser a management fee based on its average daily net
assets. The Fee Table summarizes the expenses of both
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio. Fees and
expenses are described under Management. Institutional High Yield
Fund bears its proportionate share of Portfolio expenses. The
Trustees of Institutional Trust have considered whether the annual
operating expenses of Institutional High Yield Fund, including its
proportionate share of the fees and expenses of High Yield
Portfolio, would be more or less than if Institutional High Yield
Fund invested directly in the securities held by High Yield
Portfolio, and concluded that Institutional High Yield Fund's
expenses would not be materially greater in such case.
The figures in the Example are not necessarily indicative of past
or future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less
than those shown. Although information such as that shown in the
Example and Fee Table is useful in reviewing Institutional High
Yield Fund's expenses and in providing a basis for comparison with
other mutual funds, it should not be used for comparison with
other investments using different assumptions or time periods.
THE FUND
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund ("Institutional High Yield
Fund") is a no-load, diversified "mutual fund." Institutional
High Yield Fund does not impose commissions or charges when shares
are purchased or redeemed. Institutional High Yield Fund is a
series of the Stein Roe Institutional Trust ("Institutional
Trust"), an open-end management investment company, which is
authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate
series.
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated (the "Adviser") provides
portfolio management services to High Yield Portfolio and
administrative services to Institutional High Yield Fund and High
Yield Portfolio.
Rather than invest in securities directly, Institutional High
Yield Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by using the
"master fund/feeder fund" structure. Under that structure,
Institutional High Yield Fund and other investment companies with
the same investment objective invest their assets in another
investment company having the same investment objective and
substantially the same investment policies as Institutional High
Yield Fund. The purpose of such an arrangement is to achieve
greater operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Institutional
High Yield Fund invests all of its net investable assets in shares
of SR&F High Yield Portfolio ("High Yield Portfolio"), which is a
series of SR&F Base Trust ("Base Trust"). (See Special
Considerations Regarding Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure.)
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio each seek
total return by investing for a high level of current income and
capital growth. Further information on portfolio investments and
strategies may be found under Portfolio Investments and Strategies
in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.
Institutional High Yield Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing all of its assets in High Yield Portfolio. The
investment policies of High Yield Portfolio are substantially
identical to those of Institutional High Yield Fund.
High Yield Portfolio invests principally in high-yield, high-risk
medium- and lower-quality debt securities. The medium- and lower-
quality debt securities in which High Yield Portfolio invests
normally offer a current yield or yield to maturity that is
significantly higher than the yield from securities rated in the
three highest categories assigned by rating services such as
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") and Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's").
Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of High Yield Portfolio's
assets will be invested in high-yield, high-risk medium- and
lower-quality debt securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or
lower than BBB by S&P, or equivalent ratings as determined by
other rating agencies, or unrated securities that the Adviser
determines to be of comparable quality. Medium-quality debt
securities, although considered investment grade, have some
speculative characteristics. Lower-quality debt securities are
obligations of issuers that are considered predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal according to the terms of the
obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk,
including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy, and
are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." The lowest rating
assigned by Moody's is for bonds that can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing. Some issuers of debt securities choose not to have
their securities rated by a rating service, and High Yield
Portfolio may invest in unrated securities that the Adviser has
researched thoroughly and believes are suitable for investment.
High Yield Portfolio may invest in debt obligations that are in
default, but such obligations are not expected to exceed 10% of
High Yield Portfolio's assets.
High Yield Portfolio may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
other securities including, but not limited to, pay-in-kind bonds,
securities issued in private placements, bank loans, zero coupon
bonds, foreign securities, convertible securities, futures, and
options. High Yield Portfolio may also invest in higher-quality
debt securities. Under normal market conditions, however, High
Yield Portfolio is unlikely to emphasize higher-quality debt
securities since generally they offer lower yields than medium-
and lower-quality debt securities with similar maturities. High
Yield Portfolio may also invest in common stocks and securities
that are convertible into common stocks, such as warrants.
Investment in medium- or lower-quality debt securities involves
greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer
default or bankruptcy. High Yield Portfolio seeks to reduce
investment risk through diversification, credit analysis, and
evaluation of developments in both the economy and financial
markets.
An economic downturn could severely disrupt the high-yield market
and adversely affect the value of outstanding bonds and the
ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. In
addition, lower-quality bonds are less sensitive to interest rate
changes than higher-quality instruments (see Risks and Investment
Considerations) and generally are more sensitive to adverse
economic changes or individual corporate developments. During a
period of adverse economic changes, including a period of rising
interest rates, issuers of such bonds may experience difficulty in
servicing their principal and interest payment obligations.
Achievement of the investment objective will be more dependent on
the Adviser's credit analysis than would be the case if High Yield
Portfolio were investing in higher-quality debt securities. Since
the ratings of rating services (which evaluate the safety of
principal and interest payments, not market risks) are used only
as preliminary indicators of investment quality, the Adviser
employs its own credit research and analysis, from which it has
developed a proprietary credit rating system based upon
comparative credit analyses of issuers within the same industry.
These analyses may take into consideration such quantitative
factors as an issuer's present and potential liquidity,
profitability, internal capability to generate funds, debt/equity
ratio and debt servicing capabilities, and such qualitative
factors as an assessment of management, industry characteristics,
accounting methodology, and foreign business exposure.
Medium- and lower-quality debt securities tend to be less
marketable than higher-quality debt securities because the market
for them is less broad. The market for unrated debt securities is
even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets,
the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase
significantly, and High Yield Portfolio may have greater
difficulty selling its portfolio securities. (See Net Asset
Value.) The market value of these securities and their liquidity
may be affected by adverse publicity and investor perceptions.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES
Foreign Securities. High Yield Portfolio may invest in foreign
securities, but will not invest in a foreign security if, as a
result of such investment, more than 25% of its total assets would
be invested in foreign securities. For purposes of this
restriction, foreign debt securities do not include securities
represented by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), foreign debt
securities denominated in U.S. dollars, or securities guaranteed
by a U.S. person such as a corporation domiciled in the United
States that is a parent or affiliate of the issuer of the
securities being guaranteed. High Yield Portfolio may invest in
sponsored or unsponsored ADRs. In addition to, or in lieu of,
such direct investment, High Yield Portfolio may construct a
synthetic foreign position by (a) purchasing a debt instrument
denominated in one currency, generally U.S. dollars; and (b)
concurrently entering into a forward contract to deliver a
corresponding amount of that currency in exchange for a different
currency on a future date and at a specified rate of exchange.
Because of the availability of a variety of highly liquid U.S.
dollar debt instruments, a synthetic foreign position utilizing
such U.S. dollar instruments may offer greater liquidity than
direct investment in foreign currency debt instruments. In
connection with the purchase of foreign securities, High Yield
Portfolio may contract to purchase an amount of foreign currency
sufficient to pay the purchase price of the securities at the
settlement date. (See Risks and Investment Considerations.)
Derivatives. Consistent with its objective, High Yield Portfolio
may invest in a broad array of financial instruments and
securities, including conventional exchange-traded and non-
exchange traded options, futures contracts, futures options,
securities collateralized by underlying pools of mortgages or
other receivables, and other instruments, the value of which is
"derived" from the performance of an underlying asset or a
"benchmark" such as a security index, an interest rate, or a
currency ("Derivatives"). High Yield Portfolio does not expect to
invest more than 5% of its net assets in any type of Derivative
except options, futures contracts, and futures options.
Derivatives are most often used to manage investment risk or to
create an investment position indirectly because they are more
efficient or less costly than direct investment. They also may be
used in an effort to enhance portfolio returns.
The successful use of Derivatives depends on the Adviser's ability
to correctly predict changes in the levels and directions of
movements in security prices, interest rates and other market
factors affecting the Derivative itself or the value of the
underlying asset or benchmark. In addition, correlations in the
performance of an underlying asset to a Derivative may not be well
established. Finally, privately negotiated and over-the-counter
Derivatives may not be as well regulated and may be less
marketable than exchange-traded Derivatives. For additional
information on Derivatives, please refer to the Statement of
Additional Information.
Mortgage and Other Asset-Backed Debt Securities. High Yield
Portfolio may invest in securities secured by mortgages or other
assets such as automobile or home improvement loans and credit
card receivables. These instruments may be issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities or
by private entities such as commercial, mortgage and investment
banks and financial companies or financial subsidiaries of
industrial companies.
Securities issued by GNMA represent an interest in a pool of
mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the
Farmers Home Administration, or guaranteed by the Veterans
Administration. Securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC, U.S.
Government-sponsored corporations, also represent an interest in a
pool of mortgages.
The timely payment of principal and interest on GNMA securities is
guaranteed by GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Treasury. FNMA guarantees full and timely payment of
interest and principal on FNMA securities. FHLMC guarantees
timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on
FHLMC securities. FNMA and FHLMC securities are not backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.
Mortgage-backed debt securities, such as those issued by GNMA,
FNMA, and FHLMC, are of the "modified pass-through type," which
means the interest and principal payments on mortgages in the pool
are "passed through" to investors. Mortgage-backed securities
provide either a pro rata interest in underlying mortgages or an
interest in collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), which
represent a right to interest and/or principal payments from an
underlying mortgage pool. CMOs are not guaranteed by either the
U.S. Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities and are
usually issued in multiple classes, each of which has different
payment rights, pre-payment risks, and yield characteristics.
Mortgage-backed securities involve the risk of prepayment of the
underlying mortgages at a faster or slower rate than the
established schedule. Prepayments generally increase with falling
interest rates and decrease with rising rates, but they also are
influenced by economic, social, and market factors. If mortgages
are prepaid during periods of declining interest rates, there
would be a resulting loss of the full-term benefit of any premium
paid by High Yield Portfolio on purchase of the security, and the
proceeds of prepayment would likely be invested at lower interest
rates. High Yield Portfolio tends to invest in CMOs of classes
known as planned amortization classes ("PACs") which have
prepayment protection features tending to make them less
susceptible to price volatility.
Non-mortgage asset-backed securities usually have less prepayment
risk than mortgage-backed securities, but have the risk that the
collateral will not be available to support payments on the
underlying loans which finance payments on the securities
themselves. Therefore, greater emphasis is placed on the credit
quality of the security issuer and the guarantor, if any.
Asset-backed securities tend to experience greater price
volatility than straight debt securities.
Floating Rate Instruments. High Yield Portfolio may also invest
in floating rate instruments which provide for periodic
adjustments in coupon interest rates that are automatically reset
based on changes in amount and direction of specified market
interest rates. In addition, the adjusted duration of some of
these instruments may be materially shorter than their stated
maturities. To the extent such instruments are subject to
lifetime or periodic interest rate caps or floors, such
instruments may experience greater price volatility than debt
instruments without such features. Adjusted duration is an
inverse relationship between market price and interest rates and
refers to the approximate percentage change in price for a 100
basis point change in yield. For example, if interest rates
decrease by 100 basis points, a market price of a security with an
adjusted duration of 2 would increase by approximately 2%. High
Yield Portfolio does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net
assets in floating rate instruments.
Futures and Options. High Yield Portfolio may purchase and write
both call options and put options on securities, indexes and
foreign currencies, and enter into interest rate, index and
foreign currency futures contracts. High Yield Portfolio may also
write options on such futures contracts and purchase other types
of forward or investment contracts linked to individual
securities, indexes or other benchmarks, consistent with its
investment objective, in order to provide additional revenue, or
to hedge against changes in security prices, interest rates, or
currency fluctuations. High Yield Portfolio may write a call or
put option only if the option is covered. As the writer of a
covered call option, High Yield Portfolio foregoes, during the
option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in market
value of the security covering the call option above the sum of
the premium and the exercise price of the call. There can be no
assurance that a liquid market will exist when High Yield
Portfolio seeks to close out a position. Because of low margin
deposits required, the use of futures contracts involves a high
degree of leverage, and may result in losses in excess of the
amount of the margin deposit.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. Subject to certain restrictions,
High Yield Portfolio may lend portfolio securities to broker-
dealers and banks. Any such loan must be continuously secured by
collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current
basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the
securities loaned by High Yield Portfolio. High Yield Portfolio
would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or
dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would
also receive an additional return that may be in the form of a
fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. High Yield Portfolio
would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities
loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days.
In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, High
Yield Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the
loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses
including (a) possible decline in the value of the collateral or
in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the
Portfolio seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible
subnormal levels of income and lack of access to income during
this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights. High Yield
Portfolio may participate in an interfund lending program subject
to certain restrictions described in the Statement of Additional
Information.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Securities; Standby Commitments.
High Yield Portfolio's assets may include securities purchased on
a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Although the payment and
interest terms of these securities are established at the time the
purchaser enters into the commitment, the securities may be
delivered and paid for a month or more after the date of purchase,
when their value may have changed. High Yield Portfolio makes
such commitments only with the intention of actually acquiring the
securities, but may sell the securities before settlement date if
the Adviser deems it advisable for investment reasons. Securities
purchased in this manner involve a risk of loss if the value of
the security purchased declines before the settlement date.
When-issued or delayed-delivery securities may sometimes be
purchased on a "dollar roll" basis, meaning that High Yield
Portfolio will sell securities with a commitment to purchase
similar, but not identical, securities at a future date.
Generally, the securities are repurchased at a price lower than
the sales price. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk of
restrictions on the Portfolio's ability to repurchase the security
if the counterparty becomes insolvent; an adverse change in the
price of the security during the period of the roll or that the
value of the security repurchased will be less than the security
sold; and transaction costs exceeding the return earned by High
Yield Portfolio on the sales proceeds of the dollar roll.
High Yield Portfolio may also invest in securities purchased on a
standby commitment basis, which is a delayed-delivery agreement in
which High Yield Portfolio binds itself to accept delivery of a
security at the option of the other party to the agreement.
PIK and Zero Coupon Bonds. High Yield Portfolio may invest up to
20% of its total assets in zero coupon bonds and bonds the
interest on which is payable in kind ("PIK bonds"). A zero coupon
bond is a bond that does not pay interest for its entire life. A
PIK bond pays interest in the form of additional securities. The
market prices of both zero coupon and PIK bonds are affected to a
greater extent by changes in prevailing levels of interest rates
and thereby tend to be more volatile in price than securities that
pay interest periodically and in cash. In addition, because High
Yield Portfolio accrues income with respect to these securities
prior to the receipt of such interest in cash, it may have to
dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous
circumstances in order to obtain cash needed to pay income
dividends in amounts necessary to avoid unfavorable tax
consequences.
Short Sales Against the Box. High Yield Portfolio may sell short
securities it owns or has the right to acquire without further
consideration, a technique called selling short "against the box."
Short sales against the box may protect against the risk of losses
in the value of its portfolio securities because any unrealized
losses with respect to such securities should be wholly or partly
offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. However,
any potential gains in such securities should be wholly or
partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position.
Short sales against the box may be used to lock in a profit on a
security when, for tax reasons or otherwise, the Adviser
does not want to sell the security. For a more complete
explanation, please refer to the Statement of Additional
Information.
Portfolio Turnover. In attempting to attain its objective, High
Yield Portfolio may sell portfolio securities without regard to
the period of time they have been held. Further, the Adviser may
purchase and sell securities for the investment portfolio with a
view to maximizing current return, even if portfolio changes would
cause the realization of capital gains. Although the average
stated maturity of High Yield Portfolio will be from five to ten
years, the Adviser may adjust the average effective maturity of
the investment portfolio from time to time, depending on its
assessment of the relative yields available on securities of
different maturities and its expectations of future changes in
interest rates. As a result, the turnover rate of High Yield
Portfolio may vary from year to year. The turnover rate for High
Yield Portfolio may exceed 100%, but is not expected to exceed
200% under normal market conditions. A high rate of portfolio
turnover may result in increased transaction expenses and the
realization of capital gains (which may be taxable) or losses.
(See Distributions and Income Taxes.)
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Neither Institutional High Yield Fund nor High Yield Portfolio may
invest in a security if, as a result of such investment: (1) with
respect to 75% of its assets, more than 5% of its total assets
would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, except for
U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements /1/ for such
securities; or (2) 25% or more of its total assets would be
invested in the securities of a group of issuers in the same
industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government Securities. Notwithstanding these limitations,
Institutional High Yield Fund, but not High Yield Portfolio, may
invest all of its assets in another registered investment company
having the same investment objective and substantially similar
investment policies as the Fund.
Neither Institutional High Yield Fund nor High Yield Portfolio may
make loans except that each may (1) purchase money market
instruments and enter into repurchase agreements; (2) acquire
publicly distributed or privately placed debt securities; (3) lend
portfolio securities under certain conditions; and (4) participate
in an interfund lending program with other Stein Roe Funds and
Portfolios. Neither may borrow money, except for nonleveraging,
temporary, or emergency purposes or in connection with
participation in the interfund lending program. Neither the
aggregate borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) nor
the aggregate loans at any one time may exceed 33 1/3% of the
value of total assets. Additional securities may not be purchased
when borrowings, less proceeds receivable from sales of portfolio
securities, exceed 5% of total assets.
The policies set forth in the first two paragraphs under
Investment Restrictions (but not the footnote) are fundamental
policies of Institutional High Yield Fund
and High Yield Portfolio. /2/ The Statement of Additional
Information contains all of the investment restrictions.
- ------------
/1/ A repurchase agreement involves a sale of securities to High
Yield Portfolio with the concurrent agreement of the seller (bank
or securities dealer) to repurchase the securities at the same
price plus an amount equal to an agreed-upon interest rate within
a specified time. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default
of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio could
experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities
and losses. The Portfolio may not invest more than 10% of its net
assets in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days
and other illiquid securities.
- ---------------
/2/ A fundamental policy may be changed only with the approval of
a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" as defined in
the Investment Company Act.
- ---------------
RISKS AND INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The risks inherent in Institutional High Yield Fund depend
primarily upon the term and quality of the obligations in High
Yield Portfolio's investment portfolio, as well as on market
conditions. Although High Yield Portfolio seeks to reduce risk by
investing in a diversified portfolio, this does not eliminate all
risk. Institutional High Yield Fund is designed for investors who
can accept the heightened level of risk and principal fluctuation
which might result from a portfolio that invests at least 65% of
its assets in medium- and lower-quality debt securities.
The market value of securities in the investment portfolio tends
to vary inversely with the level of interest rates. As a result,
interest rate fluctuations may affect net asset value. (Because
yields on debt securities available for purchase vary over time,
no specific yield on shares of Institutional High Yield Fund can
be assured.) In addition, if the bonds in the investment
portfolio contain call, prepayment or redemption provisions,
during a period of declining interest rates, these securities are
likely to be redeemed, and High Yield Portfolio may have to
replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in
a decreased return for investors.
Investments in foreign securities, including ADRs, represent both
risks and opportunities not typically associated with investments
in domestic issuers. Risks of foreign investing include currency
risk, less complete financial information on issuers, different
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, different
settlement practices, less market liquidity, more market
volatility, less well-developed and regulated markets, and greater
political instability. In addition, various restrictions by
foreign governments on investments by nonresidents may apply,
including imposition of exchange controls and withholding taxes on
dividends, and seizure or nationalization of investments owned by
nonresidents. Foreign investments also tend to involve higher
transaction and custody costs.
High Yield Portfolio may enter into foreign currency forward
contracts and use options and futures contracts, as described
elsewhere in this prospectus, to limit or reduce foreign currency
risk.
There can be no assurance that Institutional High Yield Fund or
High Yield Portfolio will achieve its objective, nor can High
Yield Portfolio assure that payments of interest and principal on
portfolio securities will be made when due. If, after purchase by
High Yield Portfolio, the rating of a portfolio security is lost
or reduced, High Yield Portfolio would not be required to sell the
security, but the Adviser would consider such a change in deciding
whether to retain the security in the investment portfolio.
The investment objective of Institutional High Yield Fund and High
Yield Portfolio is not fundamental and may be changed by the
respective Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Fund shares are available primarily through pension plan
administrators, broker-dealers, or other intermediaries (each an
"Intermediary") who provide accounting, recordkeeping, and other
services to investors and who hold Fund shares in omnibus accounts
for their clients. Shares may also be available to clients of the
Adviser if, in the judgment of the Adviser, the sale of shares to
such clients would not adversely affect the Fund or its
shareholders. The initial purchase minimum is $250,000 and the
minimum subsequent investment is $10,000. Institutional Trust
reserves the right to waive or lower its investment minimum for
any reason. Investors may be charged a fee if they effect
transactions in Fund shares through a broker or agent. The
Adviser and Institutional High Yield Fund do not recommend,
endorse, or receive compensation from any Intermediary.
Each Intermediary will establish its own procedures applicable to
its clients for the purchase of Institutional High Yield Fund
shares in its account, including minimum initial and additional
investments and the acceptable methods of payment for shares.
Shares are purchased at the net asset value next determined after
receipt of your order by the Fund's transfer agent. Net asset
value is calculated as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE"), generally 3:00 p.m., central time. Your Intermediary
may be closed on days when the NYSE is open. As a result, prices
for Fund shares may be significantly affected on days when you
have no access to your Intermediary to buy shares. Institutional
High Yield Fund will not issue a certificate for your shares.
Any purchase of shares must be paid for in U.S. dollars.
Institutional High Yield Fund has the right to suspend the
offering of its shares for a period of time. Institutional High
Yield Fund also has the right to accept or reject a purchase order
in its sole discretion, including certain purchase orders using an
exchange of shares.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
If you purchased shares through an Intermediary, you can redeem
(sell) all or some of your Fund shares only through an account
with that Intermediary and in accordance with procedures
established by the Intermediary applicable to its clients for the
redemption of Fund shares. Shares are redeemed at the net asset
value next calculated after a redemption order is received and
accepted by the Fund's transfer agent. Your Intermediary may be
closed on days when the NYSE is open. As a result, prices for
Institutional High Yield Fund shares may be significantly affected
on days when you have no access to your Intermediary to redeem
shares.
Redemption proceeds will be paid to Intermediaries as agreed with
Institutional High Yield Fund, but in any case within seven
calendar days. Institutional High Yield Fund may suspend
redemptions or postpone payments on days when the NYSE is closed
(other than weekends and holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Institutional Trust reserves the right to redeem shares in any
account and send the proceeds to the appropriate Intermediary if
shares in that account do not have a value of at least $250,000.
An Intermediary would be notified that its account is below the
minimum and would be allowed 30 days to increase the account
before the redemption is processed.
For information regarding exchanging shares of Institutional High
Yield Fund for shares of another Stein Roe Fund, please see the
Statement of Additional Information.
NET ASSET VALUE
The purchase and redemption price of Institutional High Yield
Fund's shares is its net asset value per share. Institutional
High Yield Fund determines the net asset value of its shares as of
the close of trading on the NYSE (currently 3:00 p.m., central
time) by dividing the difference between the values of its assets
and liabilities by the number of shares outstanding. High Yield
Portfolio allocates net asset value, income, and expenses to
Institutional High Yield Fund and any other of its feeder funds in
proportion to their respective interests in High Yield Portfolio.
Net asset value will not be determined on days when the NYSE is
closed unless, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, the net
asset value of Institutional High Yield Fund should be determined
on any such day, in which case the determination will be made at
3:00 p.m., central time.
Securities for which market quotations are readily available at
the time of valuation are valued on that basis. Long-term
straight-debt securities for which market quotations are not
readily available are valued at a fair value based on valuations
provided by pricing services approved by the Board, which may
employ electronic data processing techniques, including a matrix
system, to determine valuations. Short-term debt securities with
remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at their
amortized cost, which does not take into account unrealized gains
or losses. The Board believes that the amortized cost represents
a fair value for such securities. Short-term debt securities with
remaining maturities of more than 60 days for which market
quotations are not readily available are valued by use of a matrix
prepared by the Adviser based on quotations for comparable
securities. Other assets and securities held by High Yield
Portfolio for which these valuation methods do not produce a fair
value are valued by a method that the Board believes will
determine a fair value.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND INCOME TAXES
Distributions. Income dividends are declared each business day,
paid monthly, and confirmed at least quarterly. Institutional
High Yield Fund intends to distribute by the end of each calendar
year at least 98% of any net capital gains realized from the sale
of securities during the 12-month period ended October 31 in that
year. It intends to distribute any undistributed net investment
income and net realized capital gains in the following year.
All income dividends and capital gains distributions paid on
shares in an account will be reinvested in additional shares
unless the Intermediary or other account holder elects to have
distributions paid in cash. Reinvestment normally occurs on the
payable date. Institutional Trust reserves the right to reinvest
the proceeds and future distributions in additional shares of
Institutional High Yield Fund if checks for distributions mailed
to the account holder are returned as undeliverable or are not
presented for payment within six months.
Income Taxes. Distributions to shareholders will be taxable,
under income tax law, whether received in cash or reinvested in
additional shares. For federal income tax purposes, any
distribution that is paid in January but was declared in the prior
calendar year is deemed paid in the prior calendar year.
Shareholders will be subject to federal income tax at ordinary
rates on income dividends and distributions of net short-term
capital gains. Distributions of net long-term capital gains will
be taxable to you as long-term capital gains regardless of the
length of time you have held your shares.
Shareholders will be advised annually as to the source of
distributions. If you are not subject to tax on your income, you
will not be required to pay tax on these amounts.
If a shareholder realizes a loss on the sale or exchange of Fund
shares held for six months or less, the short-term loss is
recharacterized as long-term to the extent of any long-term
capital gains distributions received with respect to those shares.
For federal income tax purposes, Institutional High Yield Fund is
treated as a separate taxable entity distinct from any other
series of the Institutional Trust. It intends to qualify for the
special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, so that it will
be relieved of federal income tax on that part of its net
investment income and net capital gains that is distributed to
shareholders.
This section is not intended to be a full discussion of income tax
laws and their effect on shareholders. You may wish to consult
your own tax advisor.
INVESTMENT RETURN
The total return from an investment in Institutional High Yield
Fund is measured by the distributions received (assuming
reinvestment) plus or minus the change in the net asset value per
share for a given period. A total return percentage may be
calculated by dividing the value of a share at the end of the
period (including reinvestment of distributions) by the value of
the share at the beginning of the period and subtracting one. For
a given period, an average annual total return may be calculated
by finding the average annual compounded rate that would equate a
hypothetical $1,000 investment to the ending redeemable value.
The yield of Institutional High Yield Fund is calculated by
dividing its net investment income per share (a hypothetical
figure as defined in the SEC rules) during a 30-day period by
the net asset value per share on the last day of the period.
The yield formula provides for semiannual compounding,
which assumes that net investment income is earned and reinvested
at a constant rate and annualized at the end of a six-month
period.
Comparison of Institutional High Yield Fund's yield or total
return with those of alternative investments should consider
differences between Institutional High Yield Fund and the
alternative investments, the periods and methods used in
calculation of the return being compared, and the impact of taxes
on alternative investments. Yield figures are not based on actual
dividends paid. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of
future results. To obtain current yield or total return
information, you may call 800-322-0593.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees and Investment Adviser. The Board of Trustees of the
Institutional Trust has overall management responsibility for
Institutional Trust and Institutional High Yield Fund; the Board
of Base Trust has overall management responsibility for High Yield
Portfolio. See Management in the Statement of Additional
Information for the names of and other information about the
trustees and officers. Since Institutional Trust and Base Trust
have the same trustees, the trustees have adopted conflict of
interest procedures to monitor and address potential conflicts
between the interests of Institutional High Yield Fund and High
Yield Portfolio.
The Adviser, Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, One South Wacker
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, is responsible for managing the
investment portfolio of High Yield Portfolio and the business
affairs of Institutional High Yield Fund, High Yield Portfolio,
Institutional Trust, and Base Trust, subject to the direction of
the respective Board. The Adviser is registered as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Adviser
and its predecessor have advised and managed mutual funds since
1949. The Adviser is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. ("Liberty Financial"), which in
turn is a majority owned indirect subsidiary of Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company.
Portfolio Managers. Stephen F. Lockman has been portfolio manager
of High Yield Portfolio since March 1997. Associate portfolio
manager of Stein Roe Income Fund since October 1995 and of High
Yield Portfolio since its inception in November 1996, Mr. Lockman
joined the Adviser in January 1994. As a senior research analyst
for the Adviser's fixed income department from 1994 to 1997, Mr.
Lockman has broad expertise in the fixed income markets, with
specialties in the high yield sector and the aerospace,
broadcasting, entertainment, insurance, mining/metals,
paper/forest products, printing, publishing and real estate
industries. In addition, he served as the fixed income
department's sovereign debt analyst from 1994 to 1997, evaluating
securities for its more than $1 billion portfolio of dollar-
denominated foreign investments. Mr. Lockman previously served as
portfolio manager for the Illinois State Board of Investment from
1987 to 1994, and as a trust investment officer for LaSalle
National Bank from 1983 to 1987. A chartered financial analyst,
Mr. Lockman earned a bachelor's degree in 1983 from the University
of Illinois and a master's degree in 1986 from DePaul University.
Michael T. Kennedy has been associate portfolio manager since
April 1997. He is a senior vice president of the Adviser, having
been associated with it since 1987. From 1984 to 1987, he was
employed by Homewood Federal Savings and Loan. A chartered
financial analyst and a chartered investment counselor, he
received his B.S. degree from Marquette University in 1984 and his
M.M. from Northwestern University in 1988. Mr. Kennedy is
secretary of the Adviser's Fixed Income Policy Committee
Fees and Expenses. The Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly
administrative fee from Institutional High Yield Fund, computed
and accrued daily, at an annual rate of .150% of the first $500
million of average net assets and .125% thereafter; and a monthly
management fee from High Yield Portfolio, computed and accrued
daily, at an annual rate of .500% of the first $500 million of
average net assets and .475% thereafter. However, as noted above
under Fee Table, the Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of
its fees.
The Adviser provides office space and executive and other
personnel to Institutional Trust and Base Trust and bears any
sales or promotional expenses. All expenses of Institutional High
Yield Fund (other than those paid by the Adviser) including, but
not limited to, printing and postage charges, securities
registration fees, custodian and transfer agency fees, legal and
auditing fees, compensation of trustees not affiliated with the
Adviser, and expenses incidental to its organization are paid out
of the assets of Institutional High Yield Fund.
Under a separate agreement with each Trust, the Adviser provides
certain accounting and bookkeeping services to Institutional High
Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio including computation of net
asset value and calculation of net income and capital gains and
losses on disposition of assets.
Portfolio Transactions. The Adviser places the orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities and options and futures
contracts. In doing so, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best
combination of price and execution, which involves a number of
judgmental factors.
Transfer Agent. SteinRoe Services Inc. ("SSI"), One South Wacker
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Liberty Financial, is the agent of Institutional Trust for the
transfer of shares, disbursement of dividends, and maintenance of
shareholder accounting records.
Distributor. The shares of Institutional High Yield Fund are
offered for sale through Liberty Securities Corporation
("Distributor") without any sales commissions or charges to
Institutional High Yield Fund or to its shareholders. The
Distributor is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Financial. The business address of the Distributor is 600
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210; however, all Fund
correspondence (including purchase and redemption orders) should
be mailed to SteinRoe Services Inc. at P.O. Box 8900, Boston,
Massachusetts 02205. All distribution and promotional expenses
are paid by the Adviser, including payments to the Distributor for
sales of Fund shares.
Custodian. State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"), 225
Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02101, is the custodian for
Institutional High Yield Fund. Foreign securities are maintained
in the custody of foreign banks and trust companies that are
members of the Bank's Global Custody Network or foreign
depositories used by such members. (See Custodian in the
Statement of Additional Information.)
ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Institutional Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized
under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of
Trust") dated July 31, 1996, which provides that each shareholder
shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the terms thereof.
The Declaration of Trust may be amended by a vote of either
Institutional Trust's shareholders or its trustees. Institutional
Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares, in one or more
series as the Board may authorize. Currently, Institutional High
Yield Fund is the only series authorized and outstanding.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business
trust such as Institutional Trust could, in some circumstances, be
held personally liable for unsatisfied obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust provides that persons extending credit
to, contracting with, or having any claim against, Institutional
Trust or any particular series shall look only to the assets of
Institutional Trust or of the respective series for payment under
such credit, contract or claim, and that the shareholders,
trustees and officers shall have no personal liability therefor.
The Declaration of Trust requires that notice of such disclaimer
of liability be given in each contract, instrument or undertaking
executed or made on behalf of Institutional Trust. The
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of any
shareholder against any loss and expense arising from personal
liability solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is believed to be remote, because
it would be limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer was
inoperative and Institutional Trust was unable to meet its
obligations.
The risk of a particular series incurring financial loss on
account of unsatisfied liability of another series of
Institutional Trust also is believed to be remote, because it
would be limited to claims to which the disclaimer did not apply
and to circumstances in which the other series was unable to meet
its obligations.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING MASTER FUND/FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Institutional High Yield Fund, an open-end management investment
company, seeks to achieve its objective by investing all of its
assets in shares of another mutual fund having an investment
objective identical to that of Institutional High Yield Fund. The
initial shareholder of Institutional High Yield Fund approved this
policy of permitting Institutional High Yield Fund to act as a
feeder fund by investing in High Yield Portfolio. Please refer to
Investment Policies, Portfolio Investments and Strategies, and
Investment Restrictions for a description of the investment
objectives, policies, and restrictions of Institutional High Yield
Fund and High Yield Portfolio. The management and expenses of
both Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio are
described under Fee Table and Management. Institutional High
Yield Fund bears its proportionate share of Portfolio expenses.
The Adviser has provided investment management services in
connection with other mutual funds employing the master
fund/feeder fund structure since 1991.
SR&F High Yield Portfolio is a separate series of SR&F Base Trust
("Base Trust"), a Massachusetts common law trust organized under
an Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust")
dated August 23, 1993. The Declaration of Trust of Base Trust
provides that Institutional High Yield Fund and other investors in
High Yield Portfolio will each be liable for all obligations of
High Yield Portfolio that are not satisfied by High Yield
Portfolio. However, the risk of Institutional High Yield Fund
incurring financial loss on account of such liability is limited
to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and
High Yield Portfolio itself were unable to meet its obligations.
Accordingly, the trustees of Institutional Trust believe that
neither Institutional High Yield Fund nor its shareholders will be
adversely affected by reason of Institutional High Yield Fund's
investing in High Yield Portfolio.
The Declaration of Trust of Base Trust provides that High Yield
Portfolio will terminate 120 days after the withdrawal of
Institutional High Yield Fund or any other investor in High Yield
Portfolio, unless the remaining investors vote to agree to
continue the business of High Yield Portfolio. The trustees of
Institutional Trust may vote Institutional High Yield Fund's
interests in High Yield Portfolio for such continuation without
approval of Institutional High Yield Fund's shareholders.
The common investment objective of Institutional High Yield Fund
and High Yield Portfolio is non-fundamental and may be changed
without shareholder approval, subject, however, to at least 30
days' advance written notice to Institutional High Yield Fund's
shareholders.
The fundamental policies of Institutional High Yield Fund and the
corresponding fundamental policies of the Portfolio can be changed
only with shareholder approval.
If Institutional High Yield Fund, as a Portfolio investor, is
requested to vote on a proposed change in fundamental policy of
High Yield Portfolio or any other matter pertaining to High Yield
Portfolio (other than continuation of the business of High Yield
Portfolio after withdrawal of another investor), Institutional
High Yield Fund will solicit proxies from its shareholders and
vote its interest in High Yield Portfolio for and against such
matters proportionately to the instructions to vote for and
against such matters received from Fund shareholders.
Institutional High Yield Fund will vote shares for which it
receives no voting instructions in the same proportion as the
shares for which it receives voting instructions. If there are
other investors in High Yield Portfolio, there can be no assurance
that any matter receiving a majority of votes cast by Fund
shareholders will receive a majority of votes cast by all High
Yield Portfolio investors. If other investors hold a majority
interest in High Yield Portfolio, they could have voting control
over High Yield Portfolio.
In the event that High Yield Portfolio's fundamental policies were
changed so as to be inconsistent with those of Institutional High
Yield Fund, the Board of Trustees of Institutional Trust would
consider what action might be taken, including changes to
Institutional High Yield Fund's fundamental policies, withdrawal
of Institutional High Yield Fund's assets from High Yield
Portfolio and investment of such assets in another pooled
investment entity, or the retention of another investment adviser.
Any of these actions would require the approval of Institutional
High Yield Fund's shareholders. Institutional High Yield Fund's
inability to find a substitute master fund or comparable
investment management could have a significant impact upon its
shareholders' investments. Any withdrawal of Institutional High
Yield Fund's assets could result in a distribution in kind of
portfolio securities (as opposed to a cash distribution) to
Institutional High Yield Fund. Should such a distribution occur,
Institutional High Yield Fund would incur brokerage fees or other
transaction costs in converting such securities to cash. In
addition, a distribution in kind could result in a less
diversified portfolio of investments for Institutional High Yield
Fund and could affect the liquidity of Institutional High Yield
Fund.
Each investor in High Yield Portfolio, including Institutional
High Yield Fund, may add to or reduce its investment in High Yield
Portfolio on each day the NYSE is open for business. The
investor's percentage of the aggregate interests in High Yield
Portfolio will be computed as the percentage equal to the fraction
(i) the numerator of which is the beginning of the day value of
such investor's investment in High Yield Portfolio on such day
plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of any additions to
or withdrawals from the investor's investment in High Yield
Portfolio effected on such day; and (ii) the denominator of which
is the aggregate beginning of the day net asset value of High
Yield Portfolio on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the
amount of the net additions to or withdrawals from the aggregate
investments in High Yield Portfolio by all investors in High Yield
Portfolio. The percentage so determined will then be applied to
determine the value of the investor's interest in High Yield
Portfolio as of the close of business.
Base Trust may permit other investment companies and/or other
institutional investors to invest in High Yield Portfolio, but
members of the general public may not invest directly in High
Yield Portfolio. Other investors in High Yield Portfolio are not
required to sell their shares at the same public offering price as
Institutional High Yield Fund, could incur different
administrative fees and expenses than Institutional High Yield
Fund, and their shares might be sold with a sales commission.
Therefore, Fund shareholders might have different investment
returns than shareholders in another investment company that
invests exclusively in High Yield Portfolio. Investment by such
other investors in High Yield Portfolio would provide funds for
the purchase of additional portfolio securities and would tend to
reduce the Portfolio's operating expenses as a percentage of its
net assets. Conversely, large-scale redemptions by any such other
investors in High Yield Portfolio could result in untimely
liquidations of High Yield Portfolio's security holdings, loss of
investment flexibility, and increases in the operating expenses of
High Yield Portfolio as a percentage of its net assets. As a
result, High Yield Portfolio's security holdings may become less
diverse, resulting in increased risk.
Information regarding any other investors in High Yield Portfolio
may be obtained by writing to SR&F Base Trust, Suite 3200, One
South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling 800-338-
2550. The Adviser may provide administrative or other services to
one or more of such investors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Stein Roe Advisor and Dealer Services at 800-322-0593 for
more information about Institutional High Yield Fund.
APPENDIX--RATINGS
RATINGS IN GENERAL
A rating of a rating service represents the service's opinion as
to the credit quality of the security being rated. However, the
ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality or
guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Consequently,
the Adviser believes that the quality of debt securities in which
High Yield Portfolio invests should be continuously reviewed and
that individual analysts give different weightings to the various
factors involved in credit analysis. A rating is not a
recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security because it
does not take into account market value or suitability for a
particular investor. When a security has received a rating from
more than one service, each rating should be evaluated
independently. Ratings are based on current information furnished
by the issuer or obtained by the rating services from other
sources that they consider reliable. Ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability
of such information, or for other reasons.
The following is a description of the characteristics of ratings
used by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P").
CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Ratings By Moody's
Aaa. Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be 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 an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
Although the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are more unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such bonds.
Aa. Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are
generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than
the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large
as in Aaa bonds 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 bonds.
A. Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate,
but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future.
Baa. Bonds rated Baa are considered 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.
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.
NOTE: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each
generic rating classification from Aa through B in its corporate
bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the
modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic
rating category.
Ratings By S&P
AAA. Debt rated AAA has the highest rating. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA. Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in
small 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 for debt in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, or 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.
C1. This rating 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. The D rating is also used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments
are jeopardized.
NOTES: The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus (+) or minus (--) sign to show relative standing within
the major rating categories. Foreign debt is rated on the same
basis as domestic debt measuring the creditworthiness of the
issuer; ratings of foreign debt do not take into account currency
exchange and related uncertainties.
The "r" is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain
other obligations that S&P believes may experience high volatility
or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks.
Examples of such obligations are: securities whose principal or
interest return is indexed to equities, commodities, or
currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and
principal only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r" symbol
should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will
exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Ratings By Moody's
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be
investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers:
Prime-1 Highest Quality
Prime-2 Higher Quality
Prime-3 High Quality
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its commercial paper
obligations are supported by the credit of another entity or
entities, Moody's, in assigning ratings to such issuers, evaluates
the financial strength of the indicated affiliated corporations,
commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or
other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating
assessment.
Ratings By S&P
A brief description of the applicable rating symbols and their
meaning follows:
A. Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the
greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are
further refined with the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the
relative degree of safety.
A-1. This designation indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is very strong. Those issues determined
to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be denoted
with a plus (+) sign designation.
______________________
<PAGE>
Stein Roe Mutual Funds
P.O. Box 8900
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8900
Financial Advisors call: 1-800-322-0593
Shareholders call: 1-800-338-2550
http:/www.steinroe.com
Liberty Securities Corporation, Distributor
Member SIPC
<PAGE> 1
Statement of Additional Information Dated May 28, 1997
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund
Suite 3200, One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus
but provides additional information that should be read in
conjunction with the Prospectus dated May 28, 1997 and any
supplements thereto. The Prospectus may be obtained at no charge
by telephoning Stein Roe Advisor and Dealer Services at 800-322-
0593.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information and History........................2
Investment Policies....................................3
Portfolio Investments and Strategies...................5
Investment Restrictions...............................21
Additional Investment Considerations..................24
Purchases and Redemptions.............................25
Management............................................26
Principal Shareholders................................29
Investment Advisory Services..........................29
Distributor...........................................31
Transfer Agent........................................32
Custodian.............................................32
Independent Auditors..................................33
Portfolio Transactions................................33
Additional Income Tax Considerations..................34
Investment Performance................................35
Balance Sheet.........................................39
<PAGE> 2
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund ("Institutional High
Yield Fund") is a series of the Stein Roe Institutional Trust
("Institutional Trust"). Institutional High Yield Fund invests
all of its net investable assets in SR&F High Yield Portfolio
("High Yield Portfolio"), which is a series of SR&F Base Trust
("Base Trust").
Currently Institutional High Yield Fund is the only series of
Institutional Trust authorized and outstanding. Each share of a
series, without par value, is entitled to participate pro rata in
any dividends and other distributions declared by the Board on
shares of that series, and all shares of a series have equal
rights in the event of liquidation of that series. Each whole
share (or fractional share) outstanding on the record date
established in accordance with the By-Laws shall be entitled to a
number of votes on any matter on which it is entitled to vote
equal to the net asset value of the share (or fractional share) in
United States dollars determined at the close of business on the
record date (for example, a share having a net asset value of
$10.50 would be entitled to 10.5 votes). As a business trust,
Institutional Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder
meetings. However, special meetings may be called for purposes
such as electing or removing trustees, changing fundamental
policies, or approving an investment advisory contract. If
requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of its
outstanding shares, Institutional Trust will call a special
meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of
a trustee or trustees and will assist in the communications with
other shareholders as required by Section 16(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. All shares of Institutional Trust are voted
together in the election of trustees. On any other matter
submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares are voted by
individual series and not in the aggregate, except that shares are
voted in the aggregate when required by the Investment Company Act
of 1940 or other applicable law. When the Board of Trustees
determines that the matter affects only the interests of one or
more series, shareholders of the unaffected series are not
entitled to vote on such matters.
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated (the "Adviser") provides
administrative and accounting and recordkeeping services to
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio and
provides investment advisory services to High Yield Portfolio.
Special Considerations Regarding Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure
Rather than invest in securities directly, Institutional High
Yield Fund seeks to achieve its objective by pooling its assets
with those of other investment companies for investment in
another mutual fund having the same investment objective and
substantially the same investment policies. The purpose of such
an arrangement is to achieve greater operational efficiencies and
reduce costs. For more information, please refer to the
Prospectus under the caption Special Considerations Regarding the
Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure.
<PAGE> 3
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the
investment objective and policies of Institutional High Yield Fund
and High Yield Portfolio described in the Prospectus. In pursuing
its objective, High Yield Portfolio will invest as described below
and may employ the investment techniques described in the
Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information under
Portfolio Investments and Strategies. The investment objective is
a non-fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding
voting securities."/1/
Institutional High Yield Fund seeks to achieve its objective
by investing all of its assets in High Yield Portfolio. The
investment objective and policies of Institutional High Yield Fund
and High Yield Portfolio are substantially identical. High Yield
Portfolio seeks total return by investing for a high level of
current income and capital growth.
High Yield Portfolio invests principally in high-yield, high-
risk medium- and lower-quality debt securities. The medium- and
lower-quality debt securities in which High Yield Portfolio
invests normally offer a current yield or yield to maturity that
is significantly higher than the yield from securities rated in
the three highest categories assigned by rating services such as
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") and Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's").
Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of High Yield
Portfolio's assets will be invested in high-yield, high-risk
medium- and lower-quality debt securities rated lower than Baa by
Moody's or lower than BBB by S&P, or equivalent ratings as
determined by other rating agencies, or unrated securities that
the Adviser determines to be of comparable quality. Medium-
quality debt securities, although considered investment grade,
have some speculative characteristics. Lower-quality debt
securities are obligations of issuers that are considered
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to
pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the
obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk,
including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy, and
are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." Some issuers of debt
securities choose not to have their securities rated by a rating
service, and High Yield Portfolio may invest in unrated securities
that the Adviser has researched thoroughly and believes are
suitable for investment. High Yield Portfolio may invest in debt
obligations that are in default, but such obligations are not
expected to exceed 10% of High Yield Portfolio's assets.
High Yield Portfolio may invest up to 35% of its total assets
in other securities including, but not limited to, pay-in-kind
bonds, securities issued in private placements, bank loans, zero
coupon bonds, foreign securities, convertible securities, futures,
and options. High Yield Portfolio may also invest in higher-
quality debt
- -----------
/1/ A "majority of the outstanding voting securities" means the
approval of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares at a
meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
- -----------
<PAGE> 4
securities. Under normal market conditions, however, High Yield
Portfolio is unlikely to emphasize higher-quality debt securities
since generally they offer lower yields than medium- and lower-
quality debt securities with similar maturities. High Yield
Portfolio may also invest in common stocks and securities that are
convertible into common stocks, such as warrants.
Investment in medium- or lower-quality debt securities
involves greater investment risk, including the possibility of
issuer default or bankruptcy. High Yield Portfolio seeks to
reduce investment risk through diversification, credit analysis,
and evaluation of developments in both the economy and financial
markets.
An economic downturn could severely disrupt the high-yield
market and adversely affect the value of outstanding bonds and the
ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. In
addition, lower-quality bonds are less sensitive to interest rate
changes than higher-quality instruments and generally are more
sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate
developments. During a period of adverse economic changes,
including a period of rising interest rates, issuers of such bonds
may experience difficulty in servicing their principal and
interest payment obligations.
Achievement of the investment objective will be more
dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis than would be the case
if High Yield Portfolio were investing in higher-quality debt
securities. Since the ratings of rating services (which evaluate
the safety of principal and interest payments, not market risks)
are used only as preliminary indicators of investment quality, the
Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, from which
it has developed a proprietary credit rating system based upon
comparative credit analyses of issuers within the same industry.
These analyses may take into consideration such quantitative
factors as an issuer's present and potential liquidity,
profitability, internal capability to generate funds, debt/equity
ratio and debt servicing capabilities, and such qualitative
factors as an assessment of management, industry characteristics,
accounting methodology, and foreign business exposure.
Lower-quality debt securities are obligations of issuers that
are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to
the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater
investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and
bankruptcy, and are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." The
lowest rating assigned by Moody's is for bonds that can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Medium- and lower-quality debt securities tend to be less
marketable than higher-quality debt securities because the market
for them is less broad. The market for unrated debt securities is
even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets,
the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase
significantly, and High Yield Portfolio may have greater
difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The market value of
these securities and their liquidity may be affected by adverse
publicity and investor perceptions.
<PAGE> 5
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES
Derivatives
Consistent with its objective, High Yield Portfolio may
invest in a broad array of financial instruments and securities,
including conventional exchange-traded and non-exchange traded
options, futures contracts, futures options, securities
collateralized by underlying pools of mortgages or other
receivables, and other instruments the value of which is "derived"
from the performance of an underlying asset or a "benchmark" such
as a security index, an interest rate, or a currency
("Derivatives").
Derivatives are most often used to manage investment risk or
to create an investment position indirectly because it is more
efficient or less costly than direct investment that cannot be
readily established directly due to portfolio size, cash
availability, or other factors. They also may be used in an
effort to enhance portfolio returns.
The successful use of Derivatives depends on the Adviser's
ability to correctly predict changes in the levels and directions
of movements in security prices, interest rates and other market
factors affecting the Derivative itself or the value of the
underlying asset or benchmark. In addition, correlations in the
performance of an underlying asset to a Derivative may not be well
established. Finally, privately negotiated and over-the-counter
Derivatives may not be as well regulated and may be less
marketable than exchange-traded Derivatives.
High Yield Portfolio does not intend to invest more than 5%
of its assets in any type of Derivative except for options,
futures contracts, and futures options.
Mortgage and Other Asset-Backed Securities
High Yield Portfolio may invest in securities secured by
mortgages or other assets such as automobile or home improvement
loans and credit card receivables. These instruments may be
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or by its agencies or
instrumentalities or by private entities such as commercial,
mortgage and investment banks and financial companies or financial
subsidiaries of industrial companies.
Mortgage-backed securities provide either a pro rata interest
in underlying mortgages or an interest in collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") which represent a right to interest and/or
principal payments from an underlying mortgage pool. CMOs are not
guaranteed by either the U.S. Government or by its agencies or
instrumentalities, and are usually issued in multiple classes each
of which has different payment rights, pre-payment risks and yield
characteristics. Mortgage-backed securities involve the risk of
pre-payment on the underlying mortgages at a faster or slower rate
than the established schedule. Pre-payments generally increase
with falling interest rates and decrease with rising rates but
they also are influenced by economic, social and market factors.
If mortgages are pre-paid during periods of declining interest
rates, there would be a resulting loss of the full-term benefit of
any
<PAGE> 6
premium paid by High Yield Portfolio on purchase of the CMO, and
the proceeds of pre-payment would likely be invested at lower
interest rates. High Yield Portfolio intends to invest in CMOs of
classes known as planned amortization classes ("PACs") which have
pre-payment protection features tending to make them less
susceptible to price volatility.
Non-mortgage asset-backed securities usually have less pre-
payment risk than mortgage-backed securities, but have the risk
that the collateral will not be available to support payments on
the underlying loans which finance payments on the securities
themselves. Therefore, greater emphasis is placed on the credit
quality of the security issuer and the guarantor, if any.
Floating Rate Instruments
High Yield Portfolio may also invest in floating rate
instruments which provide for periodic adjustments in coupon
interest rates that are automatically reset based on changes in
amount and direction of specified market interest rates. In
addition, the adjusted duration of some of these instruments may
be materially shorter than their stated maturities. To the extent
such instruments are subject to lifetime or periodic interest rate
caps or floors, such instruments may experience greater price
volatility than debt instruments without such features. Adjusted
duration is an inverse relationship between market price and
interest rates and refers to the approximate percentage change in
price for a 100 basis point change in yield. For example, if
interest rates decrease by 100 basis points, a market price of a
security with an adjusted duration of 2 would increase by
approximately 2%. High Yield Portfolio does not intend to invest
more than 5% of its net assets in floating rate instruments.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Subject to restriction (7) under Investment Restrictions,
High Yield Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to broker-
dealers and banks. Any such loan must be continuously secured by
collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current
basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the
securities loaned by High Yield Portfolio. High Yield Portfolio
would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or
dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would
also receive an additional return that may be in the form of a
fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. High Yield Portfolio
would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities
loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days.
In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, High
Yield Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the
loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses
including (a) possible decline in the value of the collateral or
in the value of the securities loaned during the period while it
seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible subnormal levels
of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c)
expenses of enforcing its rights.
Repurchase Agreements
High Yield Portfolio may invest in repurchase agreements,
provided that it will not invest more than 10% of net assets in
repurchase agreements maturing in
<PAGE> 7
more than seven days and any other illiquid securities. A
repurchase agreement is a sale of securities to High Yield
Portfolio in which the seller agrees to repurchase the securities
at a higher price, which includes an amount representing interest
on the purchase price, within a specified time. In the event of
bankruptcy of the seller, High Yield Portfolio could experience
both losses and delays in liquidating its collateral.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Securities; Reverse Repurchase
Agreements; Standby Commitments
High Yield Portfolio may purchase instruments on a when-
issued or delayed-delivery basis. Although payment terms are
established at the time High Yield Portfolio enters into the
commitment, the instruments may be delivered and paid for some
time after the date of purchase, when their value may have changed
and the yields available in the market may be greater. High Yield
Portfolio will make such commitments only with the intention of
actually acquiring the instruments, but may sell them before
settlement date if it is deemed advisable for investment reasons.
Securities purchased in this manner involve risk of loss if the
value of the security purchased declines before settlement date.
High Yield Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued
or delayed-delivery basis, as described in the Prospectus. High
Yield Portfolio makes such commitments only with the intention of
actually acquiring the securities, but may sell the securities
before settlement date if the Adviser deems it advisable for
investment reasons. Securities purchased on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis are sometimes done on a "dollar roll"
basis. Dollar roll transactions consist of the sale by High Yield
Portfolio of securities with a commitment to purchase similar but
not identical securities, generally at a lower price at a future
date. A dollar roll may be renewed after cash settlement and
initially may involve only a firm commitment agreement by High
Yield Portfolio to buy a security. A dollar roll transaction
involves the following risks: if the broker-dealer to whom High
Yield Portfolio sells the security becomes insolvent, High Yield
Portfolio's right to purchase or repurchase the security may be
restricted; the value of the security may change adversely over
the term of the dollar roll; the security which High Yield
Portfolio is required to repurchase may be worth less than a
security which it originally held; and the return earned by High
Yield Portfolio with the proceeds of a dollar roll may not exceed
transaction costs.
High Yield Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with banks and securities dealers. A reverse
repurchase agreement is a repurchase agreement in which High Yield
Portfolio is the seller of, rather than the investor in,
securities and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time
and price. Use of a reverse repurchase agreement may be
preferable to a regular sale and later repurchase of securities
because it avoids certain market risks and transaction costs.
At the time High Yield Portfolio enters into a binding
obligation to purchase securities on a when-issued basis or enters
into a reverse repurchase agreement, liquid assets (cash, U.S.
Government or other "high grade" debt obligations) of High Yield
Portfolio having a value at least as great as the purchase price
of the securities to be purchased will be segregated on the books
of High Yield Portfolio and held by the custodian throughout the
period of the obligation. The use of these investment
<PAGE> 8
strategies, as well as borrowing under a line of credit as
described below, may increase net asset value fluctuation.
Standby commitment agreements create an additional risk for
High Yield Portfolio because the other party to the standby
agreement generally will not be obligated to deliver the security,
but High Yield Portfolio will be obligated to accept it if
delivered. Depending on market conditions, High Yield Portfolio
may receive a commitment fee for assuming this obligation. If
prevailing market interest rates increase during the period
between the date of the agreement and the settlement date, the
other party can be expected to deliver the security and, in
effect, pass any decline in value to High Yield Portfolio. If the
value of the security increases after the agreement is made,
however, the other party is unlikely to deliver the security. In
other words, a decrease in the value of the securities to be
purchased under the terms of a standby commitment agreement will
likely result in the delivery of the security, and, therefore,
such decrease will be reflected in High Yield Portfolio's net
asset value. However, any increase in the value of the securities
to be purchased will likely result in the non-delivery of the
security and, therefore, such increase will not affect the net
asset value unless and until High Yield Portfolio actually obtains
the security.
Short Sales Against the Box
High Yield Portfolio may sell securities short against the
box; that is, enter into short sales of securities that it
currently owns or has the right to acquire through the conversion
or exchange of other securities that it owns at no additional
cost. High Yield Portfolio may make short sales of securities
only if at all times when a short position is open it owns at
least an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for securities of the same issue as, and
equal in amount to, the securities sold short, at no additional
cost.
In a short sale against the box, High Yield Portfolio does
not deliver from its portfolio the securities sold. Instead,
High Yield Portfolio borrows the securities sold short from a
broker-dealer through which the short sale is executed, and the
broker-dealer delivers such securities, on behalf of High Yield
Portfolio, to the purchaser of such securities. High Yield
Portfolio is required to pay to the broker-dealer the amount of
any dividends paid on shares sold short. Finally, to secure its
obligation to deliver to such broker-dealer the securities sold
short, High Yield Portfolio must deposit and continuously maintain
in a separate account with its custodian an equivalent amount of
the securities sold short or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for such securities at no additional cost. High
Yield Portfolio is said to have a short position in the securities
sold until it delivers to the broker-dealer the securities sold.
High Yield Portfolio may close out a short position by purchasing
on the open market and delivering to the broker-dealer an equal
amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering
portfolio securities.
Short sales may protect High Yield Portfolio against the risk
of losses in the value of its portfolio securities because any
unrealized losses with respect to such portfolio securities should
be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding gain in the short
position. However, any potential gains in such portfolio
securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding
loss in the short position. The extent to
<PAGE> 9
which such gains or losses are offset will depend upon the amount
of securities sold short relative to the amount High Yield
Portfolio owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case
where High Yield Portfolio owns convertible securities, changes in
the conversion premium.
Short sale transactions involve certain risks. If the price
of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time High Yield Portfolio replaces the borrowed
security, High Yield Portfolio will incur a loss and if the price
declines during this period, High Yield Portfolio will realize a
short-term capital gain. Any realized short-term capital gain
will be decreased, and any incurred loss increased, by the amount
of transaction costs and any premium, dividend or interest which
High Yield Portfolio may have to pay in connection with such short
sale. Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit
the degree to which High Yield Portfolio is able to enter into
short sales. There is no limitation on the amount of High Yield
Portfolio's assets that, in the aggregate, may be deposited as
collateral for the obligation to replace securities borrowed to
effect short sales and allocated to segregated accounts in
connection with short sales. High Yield Portfolio currently
expects that no more than 5% of its total assets would be involved
in short sales against the box.
Line of Credit
Subject to restriction (8) under Investment Restrictions,
High Yield Portfolio may establish and maintain a line of credit
with a major bank in order to permit borrowing on a temporary
basis to meet share redemption requests in circumstances in which
temporary borrowing may be preferable to liquidation of portfolio
securities.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Institutional High Yield Fund has received
permission to lend money to, and borrow money from, other mutual
funds advised by the Adviser. Institutional High Yield Fund will
borrow through the program when borrowing is necessary and
appropriate and the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of
bank loans.
PIK and Zero Coupon Bonds
High Yield Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in
zero coupon bonds and bonds the interest on which is payable in
kind ("PIK bonds"). A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not
pay interest for its entire life. A PIK bond pays interest in the
form of additional securities. The market prices of both zero
coupon and PIK bonds are affected to a greater extent by changes
in prevailing levels of interest rates and thereby tend to be more
volatile in price than securities that pay interest periodically
and in cash. In addition, because High Yield Portfolio accrues
income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of
such interest in cash, it may have to dispose of portfolio
securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to obtain
cash needed to pay income dividends in amounts necessary to avoid
unfavorable tax consequences.
<PAGE> 10
Rated Securities
For a description of the ratings applied by rating services
to debt securities, please refer to the Appendix to the
Prospectus. The rated debt securities described under Investment
Policies include securities given a rating conditionally by
Moody's or provisionally by S&P. If the rating of a security is
withdrawn or reduced, High Yield Portfolio is not required to sell
the security, but the Adviser will consider such fact in
determining whether to continue to hold the security. To the
extent that the ratings accorded by Moody's or S&P for debt
securities may change as a result of changes in such
organizations, or changes in their rating systems, High Yield
Portfolio will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for
its investments in debt securities in accordance with its
investment policies.
Foreign Securities
High Yield Portfolio may invest up to 25% of total assets
(taken at market value at the time of investment) in securities of
foreign issuers that are not publicly traded in the United States
("foreign securities"). For purposes of these limits, foreign
securities do not include securities represented by American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), securities denominated in U.S.
dollars, or securities guaranteed by U.S. persons. Investment in
foreign securities may involve a greater degree of risk (including
risks relating to exchange fluctuations, tax provisions, or
expropriation of assets) than does investment in securities of
domestic issuers.
High Yield Portfolio may invest in both "sponsored" and
"unsponsored" ADRs. In a sponsored ADR, the issuer typically pays
some or all of the expenses of the depositary and agrees to
provide its regular shareholder communications to ADR holders. An
unsponsored ADR is created independently of the issuer of the
underlying security. The ADR holders generally pay the expenses
of the depositary and do not have an undertaking from the issuer
of the underlying security to furnish shareholder communications.
High Yield Portfolio does not expects to invest as much as 5% of
its total assets in unsponsored ADRs.
With respect to portfolio securities that are issued by
foreign issuers or denominated in foreign currencies, investment
performance is affected by the strength or weakness of the U.S.
dollar against these currencies. For example, if the dollar falls
in value relative to the Japanese yen, the dollar value of a yen-
denominated stock held in the investment portfolio will rise even
though the price of the stock remains unchanged. Conversely, if
the dollar rises in value relative to the yen, the dollar value of
the yen-denominated stock will fall. (See discussion of
transaction hedging and portfolio hedging under Currency Exchange
Transactions.)
Investors should understand and consider carefully the risks
involved in foreign investing. Investing in foreign securities,
positions which are generally denominated in foreign currencies,
and utilization of forward foreign currency exchange contracts
involves certain considerations comprising both risks and
opportunities not typically associated with investing in U.S.
securities. These considerations include: fluctuations in
exchange rates of foreign currencies; possible imposition of
exchange control regulation or currency restrictions that would
prevent cash from being
<PAGE> 11
brought back to the United States; less public information with
respect to issuers of securities; less governmental supervision of
stock exchanges, securities brokers, and issuers of securities;
lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
standards; lack of uniform settlement periods and trading
practices; less liquidity and frequently greater price volatility
in foreign markets than in the United States; possible imposition
of foreign taxes; possible investment in securities of companies
in developing as well as developed countries; and sometimes less
advantageous legal, operational, and financial protections
applicable to foreign sub-custodial arrangements.
Although High Yield Portfolio will try to invest in companies
and governments of countries having stable political environments,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, seizure or nationalization of foreign bank deposits or
other assets, establishment of exchange controls, the adoption of
foreign government restrictions, or other adverse political,
social or diplomatic developments that could affect investment in
these nations.
Currency Exchange Transactions. Currency exchange
transactions may be conducted either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis
at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in
the foreign exchange market or through forward currency exchange
contracts ("forward contracts"). Forward contracts are
contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at
a specified future date (or within a specified time period) and
price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are
usually entered into with banks and broker-dealers, are not
exchange traded, and are usually for less than one year, but may
be renewed.
High Yield Portfolio's foreign currency exchange transactions
are limited to transaction and portfolio hedging involving either
specific transactions or portfolio positions, except to the extent
described below under Synthetic Foreign Positions. Transaction
hedging is the purchase or sale of forward contracts with respect
to specific receivables or payables of High Yield Portfolio
arising in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio
securities. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward contracts
with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted
in a particular foreign currency. Portfolio hedging allows High
Yield Portfolio to limit or reduce its exposure in a foreign
currency by entering into a forward contract to sell such foreign
currency (or another foreign currency that acts as a proxy for
that currency) at a future date for a price payable in U.S.
dollars so that the value of the foreign-denominated portfolio
securities can be approximately matched by a foreign-denominated
liability. High Yield Portfolio may not engage in portfolio
hedging with respect to the currency of a particular country to an
extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of
making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio
denominated or quoted in that particular currency, except that
High Yield Portfolio may hedge all or part of its foreign currency
exposure through the use of a basket of currencies or a proxy
currency where such currencies or currency act as an effective
proxy for other currencies. In such a case, High Yield Portfolio
may enter into a forward contract where the amount of the foreign
currency to be sold exceeds the value of the securities
denominated in such currency. The use of this basket hedging
technique may be more efficient and economical than entering into
separate
<PAGE> 12
forward contracts for each currency held in High Yield Portfolio.
High Yield Portfolio may not engage in "speculative" currency
exchange transactions.
At the maturity of a forward contract to deliver a particular
currency, High Yield Portfolio may either sell the portfolio
security related to such contract and make delivery of the
currency, or it may retain the security and either acquire the
currency on the spot market or terminate its contractual
obligation to deliver the currency by purchasing an offsetting
contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase
on the same maturity date the same amount of the currency.
It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the
market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a
forward contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for High Yield
Portfolio to purchase additional currency on the spot market (and
bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of currency it is obligated to
deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make
delivery of the currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell
on the spot market some of the currency received upon the sale of
the portfolio security if its market value exceeds the amount of
currency High Yield Portfolio is obligated to deliver.
If High Yield Portfolio retains the portfolio security and
engages in an offsetting transaction, High Yield Portfolio will
incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been movement
in forward contract prices. If High Yield Portfolio engages in an
offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new
forward contract to sell the currency. Should forward prices
decline during the period between High Yield Portfolio's entering
into a forward contract for the sale of a currency and the date it
enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the
currency, High Yield Portfolio will 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, High Yield Portfolio will 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. A default on the
contract would deprive High Yield Portfolio of unrealized profits
or force High Yield Portfolio to cover its commitments for
purchase or sale of currency, if any, at the current market price.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not
eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or
prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such
transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value
of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be
possible for High Yield Portfolio to hedge against a devaluation
that is so generally anticipated that High Yield Portfolio is not
able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the
devaluation level it anticipates. The cost to High Yield
Portfolio of engaging in currency exchange transactions varies
with such factors as the currency involved, the length of the
contract period, and prevailing market conditions. Since currency
exchange transactions are usually conducted on a principal basis,
no fees or commissions are involved.
<PAGE> 13
Synthetic Foreign Positions. High Yield Portfolio may invest
in debt instruments denominated in foreign currencies. In
addition to, or in lieu of, such direct investment, High Yield
Portfolio may construct a synthetic foreign position by (a)
purchasing a debt instrument denominated in one currency,
generally U.S. dollars, and (b) concurrently entering into a
forward contract to deliver a corresponding amount of that
currency in exchange for a different currency on a future date and
at a specified rate of exchange. Because of the availability of a
variety of highly liquid U.S. dollar debt instruments, a synthetic
foreign position utilizing such U.S. dollar instruments may offer
greater liquidity than direct investment in foreign currency debt
instruments. The results of a direct investment in a foreign
currency and a concurrent construction of a synthetic position in
such foreign currency, in terms of both income yield and gain or
loss from changes in currency exchange rates, in general should be
similar, but would not be identical because the components of the
alternative investments would not be identical.
High Yield Portfolio may also construct a synthetic foreign
position by entering into a swap arrangement. A swap is a
contractual agreement between two parties to exchange cash flows--
at the time of the swap agreement and again at maturity, and, with
some swaps, at various intervals through the period of the
agreement. The use of swaps to construct a synthetic foreign
position would generally entail the swap of interest rates and
currencies. A currency swap is a contractual arrangement between
two parties to exchange principal amounts in different currencies
at a predetermined foreign exchange rate. An interest rate swap
is a contractual agreement between two parties to exchange
interest payments on identical principal amounts. An interest
rate swap may be between a floating and a fixed rate instrument, a
domestic and a foreign instrument, or any other type of cash flow
exchange. A currency swap generally has the same risk
characteristics as a forward currency contract, and all types of
swaps have counter-party risk. Depending on the facts and
circumstances, swaps may be considered illiquid. Illiquid
securities usually have greater investment risk and are subject to
greater price volatility. The net amount of the excess, if any,
of High Yield Portfolio's obligations over which it is entitled to
receive with respect to an interest rate or currency swap will be
accrued daily and liquid assets (cash, U.S. Government securities,
or other "high grade" debt obligations) of High Yield Portfolio
having a value at least equal to such accrued excess will be
segregated on the books of High Yield Portfolio and held by the
custodian for the duration of the swap.
High Yield Portfolio may also construct a synthetic foreign
position by purchasing an instrument whose return is tied to the
return of the desired foreign position. An investment in these
"principal exchange rate linked securities" (often called PERLS)
can produce a similar return to a direct investment in a foreign
security.
Rule 144A Securities
High Yield Portfolio may purchase securities that have been
privately placed but that are eligible for purchase and sale under
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. That Rule permits certain qualified
institutional buyers, such as High Yield Portfolio, to trade in
privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale
under the 1933 Act. The Adviser, under the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, will consider whether securities purchased
under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to High
<PAGE> 14
Yield Portfolio's restriction of investing no more than 10% of its
net assets in illiquid securities. A determination of whether a
Rule 144A security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In
making this determination, the Adviser will consider the trading
markets for the specific security, taking into account the
unregistered nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition, the
Adviser could consider the (1) frequency of trades and quotes, (2)
number of dealers and potential purchasers, (3) dealer
undertakings to make a market, and (4) nature of the security and
of marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the
security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of
transfer). The liquidity of Rule 144A securities would be
monitored and if, as a result of changed conditions, it is
determined that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, High
Yield Portfolio's holdings of illiquid securities would be
reviewed to determine what, if any, steps are required to assure
that High Yield Portfolio does not invest more than 10% of its
assets in illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities
could have the effect of increasing the amount of assets invested
in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are
unwilling to purchase such securities. High Yield Portfolio does
not expect to invest as much as 5% of its total assets in Rule
144A securities that have not been deemed to be liquid by the
Adviser.
Portfolio Turnover
The turnover rate for High Yield Portfolio in the future may
vary greatly from year to year, and when portfolio changes are
deemed appropriate due to market or other conditions, such
turnover rate may be greater than might otherwise be anticipated.
A high rate of portfolio turnover may result in increased
transaction expenses and the realization of capital gains or
losses. Distributions of any net realized gains are subject to
federal income tax. (See Risks and Investment Considerations and
Distributions and Income Taxes in the Prospectus, and Additional
Income Tax Considerations in this Statement of Additional
Information.)
Options on Securities and Indexes
High Yield Portfolio may purchase and may sell both put
options and call options on debt or other securities or indexes in
standardized contracts traded on national securities exchanges,
boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on Nasdaq, and
agreements, sometimes called cash puts, that may accompany the
purchase of a new issue of bonds from a dealer.
An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives
the purchaser (holder) of the option, in return for a premium, the
right to buy from (call) or sell to (put) the seller (writer) of
the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value
of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the
term of the option. The writer of an option on an individual
security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver
the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to
pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security.
Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to
pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the
exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the
index option. (An index is designed to reflect specified facets
of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group
of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic
indicators.)
<PAGE> 15
High Yield Portfolio will write call options and put options
only if they are "covered." In the case of a call option on a
security, the option is "covered" if High Yield Portfolio owns the
security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that security without additional cash
consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required,
cash or cash equivalents in such amount are held in a segregated
account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities held in its portfolio.
If an option written by High Yield Portfolio expires, High
Yield Portfolio realizes a capital gain equal to the premium
received at the time the option was written. If an option
purchased by High Yield Portfolio expires, it realizes a capital
loss equal to the premium paid.
Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an option may
be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of
the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index,
exercise price, and expiration). There can be no assurance,
however, that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be
effected when High Yield Portfolio desires.
High Yield Portfolio will realize a capital gain from a
closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is
less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it
is more, it will realize a capital loss. If the premium received
from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to
purchase the option, High Yield Portfolio will realize a capital
gain or, if it is less, it will realize a capital loss. The
principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call
option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current
market price of the underlying security or index in relation to
the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying
security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration
date.
A put or call option purchased by High Yield Portfolio is an
asset of High Yield Portfolio, valued initially at the premium
paid for the option. The premium received for an option written
by High Yield Portfolio is recorded as a deferred credit. The
value of an option purchased or written is marked-to-market daily
and is valued at the closing price on the exchange on which it is
traded or, if not traded on an exchange or no closing price is
available, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indexes.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on
securities and on indexes. For example, there are significant
differences between the securities markets and options markets
that could result in an imperfect correlation between these
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its
objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options
involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-
conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because
of market behavior or unexpected events.
<PAGE> 16
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist
when High Yield Portfolio seeks to close out an option position.
If High Yield Portfolio were unable to close out an option that it
had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option
in order to realize any profit or the option would expire and
become worthless. If High Yield Portfolio were unable to close
out a covered call option that it had written on a security, it
would not be able to sell the underlying security until the option
expired. As the writer of a covered call option, High Yield
Portfolio foregoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to
profit from increases in the market value of the security covering
the call option above the sum of the premium and the exercise
price of the call.
If trading were suspended in an option purchased by High
Yield Portfolio, it would not be able to close out the option. If
restrictions on exercise were imposed, High Yield Portfolio might
be unable to exercise an option it has purchased.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
High Yield Portfolio may use interest rate futures contracts
and index futures contracts. An interest rate or index futures
contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by
another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument or
the cash value of an index /2/ at a specified price and time. A
public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of
indexes as well as the following financial instruments: U.S.
Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-
month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank
certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; and
foreign currencies. It is expected that other futures contracts
will be developed and traded.
High Yield Portfolio may purchase and write call and put
futures options. Futures options possess many of the same
characteristics as options on securities and indexes (discussed
above). A futures option gives the holder the right, in return
for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short
position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price
at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a
call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures
contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position.
In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. High Yield
Portfolio might, for example, use futures contracts to hedge
against or gain exposure to fluctuations in the general level of
security prices, anticipated changes in interest rates or currency
fluctuations that might adversely affect either the value of its
securities or the price of the securities that it intends to
purchase. Although other techniques could be used to reduce
exposure to security price, interest rate and currency
fluctuations, High Yield Portfolio may be able to achieve its
exposure more effectively and perhaps at a lower cost by using
futures contracts and futures options.
- --------------
/2/ A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to
which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of
cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the
close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at
which the index contract was originally written. Although the
value of a securities index is a function of the value of certain
specified securities, no physical delivery of those securities is
made.
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<PAGE> 17
High Yield Portfolio will only enter into futures contracts
and futures options that are standardized and traded on an
exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an
automated quotation system.
The success of any futures transaction depends on the Adviser
correctly predicting changes in the level and direction of
security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other
factors. Should those predictions be incorrect, High Yield
Portfolio's return might have been better had the transaction not
been attempted; however, in the absence of the ability to use
futures contracts, the Adviser might have taken portfolio actions
in anticipation of the same market movements with similar
investment results but, presumably, at greater transaction costs.
When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made, High
Yield Portfolio is required to deposit with its custodian (or
broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of cash or U.S.
Government securities or other securities acceptable to the broker
("initial margin"). The margin required for a futures contract is
set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be
modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is
in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the
futures contract that is returned to High Yield Portfolio upon
termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations
have been satisfied. High Yield Portfolio expects to earn
interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures
contract held by High Yield Portfolio is valued daily at the
official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded.
Each day High Yield Portfolio pays or receives cash, called
"variation margin," equal to the daily change in value of the
futures contract. This process is known as "marking-to-market."
Variation margin paid or received by High Yield Portfolio does not
represent a borrowing or loan by High Yield Portfolio but is
instead settlement between High Yield Portfolio and the broker of
the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract had
expired at the close of the previous trading day. In computing
daily net asset value, High Yield Portfolio will mark-to-market
its open futures positions.
High Yield Portfolio is also required to deposit and maintain
margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts
written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the
nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial
margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and
other futures positions held by High Yield Portfolio.
Although some futures contracts call for making or taking
delivery of the underlying securities, usually these obligations
are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales
of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security
or index, and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is
less than the original sale price, High Yield Portfolio realizes a
capital gain, or if it is more, it realizes a capital loss.
Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original
purchase price, High Yield Portfolio realizes a capital gain, or
if it is less, it realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs
must also be included in these calculations.
<PAGE> 18
Risks Associated with Futures
There are several risks associated with the use of futures
contracts and futures options as hedging techniques. A purchase
or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of
the amount invested in the futures contract. In trying to
increase or reduce market exposure, there can be no guarantee that
there will be a correlation between price movements in the futures
contract and in the portfolio exposure sought. In addition, there
are significant differences between the securities and futures
markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its
objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on
circumstances such as: variations in speculative market demand for
futures, futures options and debt securities, including technical
influences in futures trading and futures options and differences
between the financial instruments and the instruments underlying
the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as
interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers.
A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the
exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived
transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market
behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.
Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single
trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that
the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from
the previous day's settlement price at the end of the current
trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a
futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made
on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs
only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore
does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to
prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example,
futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for
several consecutive trading days with little or no trading,
thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting
some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at
a time when High Yield Portfolio seeks to close out a futures or a
futures option position. High Yield Portfolio would be exposed to
possible loss on the position during the interval of inability to
close and would continue to be required to meet margin
requirements until the position is closed. In addition, many of
the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments
without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be
no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or
continue to exist.
Limitations on Options and Futures
If other options, futures contracts, or futures options of
types other than those described herein are traded in the future,
High Yield Portfolio may also use those investment vehicles,
provided the Board of Trustees determines that their use is
consistent with the investment objective.
High Yield Portfolio will not enter into a futures contract
or purchase an option thereon if, immediately thereafter, the
initial margin deposits for futures
<PAGE> 19
contracts held plus premiums paid by it for open futures option
positions, less the amount by which any such positions are "in-
the-money," /3/ would exceed 5% of total assets.
When purchasing a futures contract or writing a put on a
futures contract, High Yield Portfolio must maintain with its
custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) cash or cash
equivalents (including any margin) equal to the market value of
such contract. When writing a call option on a futures contract,
High Yield Portfolio similarly will maintain with its custodian
cash or cash equivalents (including any margin) equal to the
amount by which such option is in-the-money until the option
expires or is closed out by High Yield Portfolio.
High Yield Portfolio may not maintain open short positions in
futures contracts, call options written on futures contracts or
call options written on indexes if, in the aggregate, the market
value of all such open positions exceeds the current value of the
securities in its portfolio, plus or minus unrealized gains and
losses on the open positions, adjusted for the historical relative
volatility of the relationship between the portfolio and the
positions. For this purpose, to the extent High Yield Portfolio
has written call options on specific securities in its portfolio,
the value of those securities will be deducted from the current
market value of the securities portfolio.
In order to comply with Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Regulation 4.5 and thereby avoid being deemed a "commodity pool
operator," High Yield Portfolio will use commodity futures or
commodity options contracts solely for bona fide hedging purposes
within the meaning and intent of Regulation 1.3(z), or, with
respect to positions in commodity futures and commodity options
contracts that do not come within the meaning and intent of
1.3(z), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
establish such positions will not exceed 5% of the fair market
value of the assets of High Yield Portfolio, after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such
contracts it has entered into [in the case of an option that is
in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount (as
defined in Section 190.01(x) of the Commission Regulations) may be
excluded in computing such 5%].
Taxation of Options and Futures
If High Yield Portfolio exercises a call or put option that
it holds, the premium paid for the option is added to the cost
basis of the security purchased (call) or deducted from the
proceeds of the security sold (put). For cash settlement options
and futures options exercised by High Yield Portfolio, the
difference between the cash received at exercise and the premium
paid is a capital gain or loss.
If a call or put option written by High Yield Portfolio is
exercised, the premium is included in the proceeds of the sale of
the underlying security (call) or reduces the cost basis of the
security purchased (put). For cash settlement options and
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/3/ A call option is "in-the-money" if the value of the futures
contract that is the subject of the option exceeds the exercise
price. A put option is "in-the-money" if the exercise price
exceeds the value of the futures contract that is the subject of
the option.
- ------------
<PAGE> 20
futures options written by High Yield Portfolio, the difference
between the cash paid at exercise and the premium received is a
capital gain or loss.
Entry into a closing purchase transaction will result in
capital gain or loss. If an option written by High Yield
Portfolio was in-the-money at the time it was written and the
security covering the option was held for more than the long-term
holding period prior to the writing of the option, any loss
realized as a result of a closing purchase transaction will be
long-term. The holding period of the securities covering an in-
the-money option will not include the period of time the option is
outstanding.
A futures contract held until delivery results in capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between the price at which
the futures contract was entered into and the settlement price on
the earlier of delivery notice date or expiration date. If High
Yield Portfolio delivers securities under a futures contract, it
also realizes a capital gain or loss on those securities.
For federal income tax purposes, High Yield Portfolio
generally is required to recognize as income for each taxable year
its net unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the year on
options, futures and futures options positions ("year-end mark-to-
market"). Generally, any gain or loss recognized with respect to
such positions (either by year-end mark-to-market or by actual
closing of the positions) is considered to be 60% long-term and
40% short-term, without regard to the holding periods of the
contracts. However, in the case of positions classified as part
of a "mixed straddle," the recognition of losses on certain
positions (including options, futures and futures options
positions, the related securities and certain successor positions
thereto) may be deferred to a later taxable year. Sale of futures
contracts or writing of call options (or futures call options) or
buying put options (or futures put options) that are intended to
hedge against a change in the value of securities held by High
Yield Portfolio: (1) will affect the holding period of the hedged
securities; and (2) may cause unrealized gain or loss on such
securities to be recognized upon entry into the hedge.
In order for High Yield Portfolio to continue to qualify for
federal income tax treatment as a regulated investment company, at
least 90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived
from qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest, income derived
from loans of securities, and gains from the sale of securities or
foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to
gains from options, futures, and forward contracts). In addition,
gains realized on the sale or other disposition of securities held
for less than three months must be limited to less than 30% of
annual gross income. Any net gain realized from futures (or
futures options) contracts will be considered gain from the sale
of securities and therefore be qualifying income for purposes of
the 90% requirement. In order to avoid realizing excessive gains
on securities held less than three months, High Yield Portfolio
may be required to defer the closing out of certain positions
beyond the time when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.
Institutional High Yield Fund distributes to shareholders
annually any net capital gains that have been recognized for
federal income tax purposes (including
<PAGE> 21
year-end mark-to-market gains) on options and futures
transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions
of capital gains realized on the other investments and
shareholders are advised of the nature of the payments.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio
operate under the following investment restrictions.
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio may not:
(1) invest in a security if, as a result of such investment,
more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the
time of such investment) would be invested in the securities of
issuers in any particular industry, except that this restriction
does not apply to U.S. Government Securities, and [Institutional
High Yield Fund only] 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;
(2) invest in a security if, with respect to 75% of its
assets, as a result of such investment, more than 5% of its total
assets (taken at market value at the time of such investment)
would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, except that
this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government Securities or
repurchase agreements for such securities and [Institutional High
Yield Fund only] 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;
(3) invest in a security if, as a result of such investment,
it would hold more than 10% (taken at the time of such investment)
of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer,
[Institutional High Yield Fund only] 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;
(4) purchase or sell real estate (although it may purchase
securities secured by real estate or interests therein, or
securities issued by companies which invest in real estate, or
interests therein);
(5) purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts or
oil, gas or mineral programs, except that it may enter into (i)
futures and options on futures and (ii) forward contracts;
(6) purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-
term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of
portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in
connection with transactions in options, futures, and options on
futures;
(7) make loans, although it may (a) lend portfolio
securities and participate in an interfund lending program with
other Stein Roe Funds and Portfolios provided that no such loan
may be made if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would
exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (taken at market
value at the time of such
<PAGE> 22
loans); (b) purchase money market instruments and enter into
repurchase agreements; and (c) acquire publicly distributed or
privately placed debt securities;
(8) borrow except that it may (a) borrow for nonleveraging,
temporary or emergency purposes, (b) engage in reverse repurchase
agreements and make other borrowings, provided that the
combination of (a) and (b) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value
of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (other than borrowings) or such other percentage
permitted by law, and (c) enter into futures and options
transactions; it may borrow from banks, other Stein Roe Funds and
Portfolios, and other persons to the extent permitted by
applicable law;
(9) act as an underwriter of securities, except insofar as
it may be deemed to be an "underwriter" for purposes of the
Securities Act of 1933 on disposition of securities acquired
subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale,
[Institutional High Yield Fund only] 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; or
(10) issue any senior security except to the extent
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The above restrictions are fundamental policies and may not
be changed without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding
voting securities" of the Fund or High Yield Portfolio, as
previously defined herein. The policy on the scope of
transactions involving lending of portfolio securities to broker-
dealers and banks (as set forth herein under Portfolio Investments
and Strategies) is also a fundamental policy.
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio are
also subject to the following restrictions and policies that may
be changed by the Board of Trustees. None of the following
restrictions shall prevent Institutional High Yield Fund from
investing all or substantially all of its assets in another
investment company having the same investment objective and
substantially similar investment policies as the Fund. Unless
otherwise indicated, Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield
Portfolio may not:
(A) invest for the purpose of exercising control or
management;
(B) purchase more than 3% of the stock of another investment
company or purchase stock of other investment companies equal to
more than 5% of its total assets (valued at time of purchase) in
the case of any one other investment company and 10% of such
assets (valued at time of purchase) in the case of all other
investment companies in the aggregate; any such purchases are to
be made in the open market where no profit to a sponsor or dealer
results from the purchase, other than the customary broker's
commission, except for securities acquired as part of a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of assets; /4/
- ------------
/4/ Stein Roe Funds have been informed that the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that the
issuers of certain CMOs and certain other collateralized assets
are investment companies and that subsidiaries of foreign banks
may be investment companies for purposes of Section 12(d)(1) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, which limits the ability of
one investment company to invest in another investment company.
Accordingly, High Yield Portfolio intends to operate within the
applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of that Act.
- -----------
<PAGE> 23
(C) purchase portfolio securities from, or sell portfolio
securities to, any of the officers and directors or trustees of
the Trust or of its investment adviser;
(D) purchase shares of other open-end investment companies,
except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or
reorganization;
(E) invest more than 5% of its net assets (valued at time of
investment) in warrants, nor more than 2% of its net assets in
warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchange;
(F) purchase a put or call option if the aggregate premiums
paid for all put and call options exceed 20% of its net assets
(less the amount by which any such positions are in-the-money),
excluding put and call options purchased as closing transactions;
(G) write an option on a security unless the option is
issued by the Options Clearing Corporation, an exchange, or
similar entity;
(H) buy or sell an option on a security, a futures
contract, or an option on a futures contract unless the option,
the futures contract, or the option on the futures contract is
offered through the facilities of a national securities
association or listed on a national exchange or similar entity;
(I) invest in limited partnerships in real estate unless
they are readily marketable;
(J) sell securities short unless (i) it owns or has the
right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to those
sold short at no added cost or (ii) the securities sold are "when
issued" or "when distributed" securities which it expects to
receive in a recapitalization, reorganization, or other exchange
for securities it contemporaneously owns or has the right to
obtain and provided that transactions in options, futures, and
options on futures are not treated as short sales;
(K) invest more than 15% of its total assets (taken at
market value at the time of a particular investment) in restricted
securities, other than securities eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933;
(L) invest more than 10% of its net assets (taken at market
value at the time of a particular investment) in illiquid
securities /5/, including repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days.
- -----------------
/5/ In the judgment of the Adviser, Private Placement Notes,
which are issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933, generally are readily marketable even though they are
subject to certain legal restrictions on resale. As such, they
are not treated as being subject to the limitation on illiquid
securities.
- -----------------
<PAGE> 24
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The Adviser seeks to provide superior long-term investment
results through a disciplined, research-intensive approach to
investment selection and prudent risk management. In working to
build wealth for generations, it has been guided by three primary
objectives which it believes are the foundation of a successful
investment program. These objectives are preservation of capital,
limited volatility through managed risk, and consistent above-
average returns, as appropriate for the particular client or
managed account.
Because every investor's needs are different, Stein Roe
mutual funds are designed to accommodate different investment
objectives, risk tolerance levels, and time horizons. In
selecting a mutual fund, investors should ask the following
questions:
What are my investment goals?
It is important to a choose a fund that has investment objectives
compatible with your investment goals.
What is my investment time frame?
If you have a short investment time frame (e.g., less than three
years), a mutual fund that seeks to provide a stable share price,
such as a money market fund, or one that seeks capital
preservation as one of its objectives may be appropriate. If you
have a longer investment time frame, you may seek to maximize your
investment returns by investing in a mutual fund that offers
greater yield or appreciation potential in exchange for greater
investment risk.
What is my tolerance for risk?
All investments, including those in mutual funds, have risks which
will vary depending on investment objective and security type.
However, mutual funds seek to reduce risk through professional
investment management and portfolio diversification.
In general, equity mutual funds emphasize long-term capital
appreciation and tend to have more volatile net asset values than
bond or money market mutual funds. Although there is no guarantee
that they will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of
$1.00 per share, money market funds emphasize safety of principal
and liquidity, but tend to offer lower income potential than bond
funds. Bond funds tend to offer higher income potential than
money market funds but tend to have greater risk of principal and
yield volatility.
In addition, the Adviser believes that investment in a high
yield fund provides an opportunity to diversify an investment
portfolio because the economic factors that affect the performance
of high-yield, high-risk debt securities differ from those that
affect the performance of high-quality debt securities or equity
securities.
<PAGE> 25
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Purchases and redemptions are discussed in the Prospectus
under the headings How to Purchase Shares, How to Redeem Shares,
and Net Asset Value, and that information is incorporated herein
by reference. The Prospectus discloses that shares may be
purchased (or redeemed) through investment dealers, banks, or
other intermediaries. It is the responsibility of any such
intermediary to establish procedures insuring the prompt
transmission to Institutional Trust of any such purchase order.
The state of Texas has asked that mutual funds disclose in their
Statement of Additional Information, as a reminder to any such
intermediary, that it must be registered as a dealer in Texas.
Through an account with an Intermediary, a shareholder may be
able to exchange shares of Institutional High Yield Fund for
shares of another Stein Roe Fund. Each Intermediary will
establish its own exchange policy and procedures for its accounts.
Shares are exchanged at the next price calculated on a day the
NYSE is open, after an exchange order is received and accepted by
an Intermediary.
- - Shares can be exchanged only between accounts registered in
the same name, address, and taxpayer ID number of the
Intermediary.
- - An exchange can be made only into a Stein Roe Fund whose
shares are eligible for sale in the state where the
Intermediary is located.
- - An exchange may have tax consequences.
- - Institutional High Yield Fund may refuse any exchange
orders from any Intermediary if for any reason they are not
deemed to be in the best interests of the Fund and its
shareholders.
- - Institutional High Yield Fund may impose other restrictions
on the exchange privilege, or modify or terminate the
privilege, but will try to give each Intermediary advance
notice whenever it can reasonably do so.
Institutional High Yield Fund's net asset value is determined
on days on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open
for trading. The NYSE is regularly closed on Saturdays and
Sundays and on New Year's Day, the third Monday in February, Good
Friday, the last Monday in May, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays falls on a
Saturday or Sunday, the NYSE will be closed on the preceding
Friday or the following Monday, respectively. Net asset value
will not be determined on days when the NYSE is closed unless, in
the judgment of the Board of Trustees, net asset value of
Institutional High Yield Fund should be determined on any such
day, in which case the determination will be made at 3:00 p.m.,
central time.
Institutional Trust reserves the right to suspend or postpone
redemptions of shares of its series during any period when: (a)
trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the NYSE is closed for other than
customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) the Securities and
Exchange Commission has by order permitted such suspension; or (c)
an emergency, as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, exists, making disposal of portfolio securities or
valuation of net assets of a series not reasonably practicable.
<PAGE> 26
Institutional Trust intends to pay all redemptions in cash
and is obligated to redeem shares of its series solely in cash up
to the lesser of $250,000 or one percent of the net assets of
Institutional High Yield Fund during any 90-day period for any one
shareholder. However, redemptions in excess of such limit may be
paid wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities. If
redemptions were made in kind, the redeeming shareholders might
incur transaction costs in selling the securities received in the
redemptions.
Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining smaller
accounts, Institutional Trust reserves the right to redeem shares
in any account for their then-current value (which will be
promptly paid to the investor) if at any time the shares in the
account do not have a value of at least $100,000. An investor
will be notified that the value of his account is less than the
minimum and allowed at least 30 days to bring the value of the
account up to at least $100,000 before the redemption is
processed. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also authorizes
Institutional Trust to redeem shares under certain other
circumstances as may be specified by the Board of Trustees.
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with
respect to trustees and officers of Institutional Trust:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) HELD WITH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AGE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
<C> <S> <S> <S>
Gary A. Anetsberger (4) 41 Senior Vice-President Chief financial officer of the Mutual Funds
division of Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
(the "Adviser"); senior vice president of the
Adviser since April, 1996; vice president of the
Adviser prior thereto
Timothy K. Armour (1) 48 President; Trustee President of the Mutual Funds division of the
(2) (4) Adviser and director of the Adviser since June,
1992; senior vice president and director of
marketing of Citibank Illinois prior thereto
Jilaine Hummel Bauer(4) 41 Executive Vice-President; General counsel and secretary of the Adviser
Secretary since November 1995; senior vice president of
the Adviser
Kenneth L. Block (3)(4) 77 Trustee Chairman Emeritus of A. T. Kearney, Inc.
(international management consultants)
William W. Boyd (3)(4) 70 Trustee Chairman and director of Sterling Plumbing
Group, Inc. (manufacturer of plumbing products)
Thomas W. Butch (4) 40 Executive Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser since
September, 1994; first vice president, corporate
communications, of Mellon Bank Corporation prior
thereto
<PAGE> 27
Lindsay Cook (1)(4) 45 Trustee Executive vice president of Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. (the indirect parent of the
Adviser) since March 1997; senior vice president
of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. prior
thereto
Philip J. Crosley 50 Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser since
February, 1996; vice president, institutional
sales and advisor sales, Invesco Funds Group
prior thereto
Douglas A. Hacker(3)(4) 41 Trustee Senior vice president and chief financial
officer, United Airlines, since July, 1994;
senior vice president--Finance, United Airlines,
February, 1993 to July, 1994; vice president,
American Airlines prior thereto
Janet Langford Kelly 39 Trustee Senior vice president, secretary and general
(3) (4) counsel of Sara Lee Corporation (branded,
packaged, consumer-products manufacturer), since
1995; partner, Sidley & Austin (law firm) prior
thereto
Michael T. Kennedy 35 Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser since
October, 1994; vice president of the Adviser
prior thereto
Stephen F. Lockman 35 Vice-President Senior vice president, portfolio manager, and
credit analyst of the Adviser
Lynn C. Maddox 56 Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser
Anne E. Marcel 39 Vice-President Vice president of the Adviser since April, 1996;
manager, mutual fund sales & services of the
Adviser since October, 1994; supervisor of the
Counselor Department of the Adviser from
October, 1992 to October, 1994; vice president
of Selected Financial Services prior thereto
Francis W. Morley 76 Trustee Chairman of Employer Plan Administrators and
(2) (3) (4) Consultants Co. (designer, administrator, and
communicator of employee benefit plans)
Jane M. Naeseth 47 Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser
Charles R. Nelson(3)(4) 54 Trustee Van Voorhis Professor of Political Economy of
the University of Washington
Nicolette D. Parrish(4) 47 Vice-President; Senior compliance administrator and assistant
Assistant Secretary secretary of the Adviser since November 1995;
senior legal assistant for the Adviser prior
thereto
Judith E. Perrie (4) 29 Treasurer Compliance manager for the Adviser's Mutual
Funds division since April, 1997; tax manager,
Strong Capital Management, Inc. (investment
advisory firm) since June 1996; associate with
Strong's corporate tax department prior thereto
Cynthia A. Prah (4) 34 Vice-President Manager of shareholder transaction processing
for the Adviser
Sharon R. Robertson (4) 35 Controller Accounting manager for the Adviser's Mutual
Funds division
Janet B. Rysz (4) 41 Assistant Secretary Senior compliance administrator and assistant
secretary of the Adviser
<PAGE> 28
Thomas P. Sorbo 36 Vice-President Senior vice president of the Adviser since
January, 1994; vice president of the Adviser
from September, 1992 to December, 1993;
associate of Travelers Insurance Company prior
thereto
Thomas C. Theobald 60 Trustee Managing director, William Blair Capital Partners
(3) (4) (private equity fund) since 1994; chief executive
officer and chairman of the Board of Directors
of Continental Bank Corporation prior thereto
Heidi J. Walter (4) 29 Vice-President Legal counsel for the Adviser since March,
1995; associate with Beeler Schad & Diamond
PC (law firm) prior thereto
Stacy H. Winick (4) 32 Vice-President Senior legal counsel for the Adviser since
October, 1996; associate of Bell, Boyd &
Lloyd (law firm) from June, 1993 to September,
1996; associate of Debevoise & Plimpton (law
firm) prior thereto
Hans P. Ziegler (4) 56 Executive Vice-President Chief executive officer of the Adviser since
May, 1994; president of the Investment Counsel
division of the Adviser from July, 1993 to June,
1994; president and chief executive officer,
Pitcairn Financial Management Group prior thereto
Margaret O. Zwick 30 Assistant Treasurer Accounting manager for the Adviser since April
1997; compliance manager for the Adviser's
Mutual Funds division, August 1995 to April
1997; compliance accountant, January 1995 to
July 1995; section manager, January 1994 to
January 1995; supervisor prior thereto
<FN>
______________________
(1) Trustee who is an "interested person" of Institutional
Trust and of the Adviser, as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
(2) Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees, which is authorized to exercise all powers of
the Board with certain statutory exceptions.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board, which makes
recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of
auditors and confers with the auditors regarding the
scope and results of the audit.
(4) This person holds the corresponding officer or trustee
position with Base Trust.
</TABLE>
Certain of the trustees and officers of Institutional Trust
and of Base Trust are trustees or officers of other investment
companies managed by the Adviser. Mr. Armour, Ms. Bauer, Mr.
Cook, and Ms. Walter are also vice presidents of Institutional
High Yield Fund's distributor, Liberty Securities Corporation.
The address of Mr. Block is 11 Woodley Road, Winnetka, Illinois
60093; that of Mr. Boyd is 2900 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows,
Illinois 60008; that of Mr. Cook is 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston,
MA 02210; that of Mr. Hacker is P.O. Box 66100, Chicago, IL 60666;
that of Ms. Kelly is Three First National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
60602; that of Mr. Morley is 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2275,
Chicago, Illinois 60606; that of Mr. Nelson is Department of
Economics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195;
that of Mr. Theobald is Suite 3300, 222 West Adams Street,
Chicago, IL 60606; and that of the officers is One South Wacker
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
<PAGE> 29
Officers and trustees affiliated with the Adviser serve
without any compensation from Institutional Trust. In
compensation for their services to Institutional Trust, trustees
who are not "interested persons" of Institutional Trust or the
Adviser are paid an annual retainer of $8,000 (divided equally
among the series of Institutional Trust) plus an attendance fee
from each series for each meeting of the Board or standing
committee thereof attended at which business for the series is
conducted. The attendance fees (other than for a Nominating
Committee or Compensation Committee meeting) are based on each
series' net assets as of the preceding December 31. For a series
with net assets of less than $50 million, the fee is $50 per
meeting; with $51 to $250 million, the fee is $200 per meeting;
with $251 million to $500 million, $350; with $501 million to $750
million, $500; with $751 million to $1 billion, $650; and with
over $1 billion in net assets, $800. For Institutional High Yield
Fund and any other series of Institutional Trust participating in
the master fund/feeder fund structure, the trustees' attendance
fees are paid solely by the master portfolio. Each non-interested
trustee also receives $500 from Institutional Trust for attending
each meeting of the Nominating Committee and the Compensation
Committee. Institutional Trust has no retirement or pension plan.
The following table sets forth compensation paid to the trustees:
Estimated Compensation Total Compensation from
from Institutional Trust the Stein Roe Fund
for Fiscal Year Ending Complex for the Year
Name of Trustee June 30, 1997* Ended June 30, 1996**
- --------------- ------------------------ -----------------------
Timothy K. Armour -0- -0-
Lindsay Cook -0- -0-
Douglas A. Hacker $4,000 -0-
Janet Langford Kelly 4,000 -0-
Thomas C. Theobald 4,000 -0-
Kenneth L. Block 4,000 $82,417
William W. Boyd 4,000 86,317
Francis W. Morley 4,000 82,017
Charles R. Nelson 4,000 86,317
Gordon R. Worley -0- 82,817
____________________
* Assuming less than $50 million in net assets and no nominating
committee meeting held during the period.
** During this period, the Stein Roe Fund Complex consisted of six
series of Stein Roe Income Trust, four series of Stein Roe
Municipal Trust, eight series of Stein Roe Investment Trust,
and one series of Base Trust. Messrs. Hacker and Theobald were
elected trustees of those Trusts on June 18, 1996, and,
therefore, did not receive any compensation for the year ended
June 30, 1996; Mr. Worley retired as a trustee on December 31,
1996; and Ms. Kelly became a trustee on January 1, 1997.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information,
Institutional High Yield Fund had only one shareholder, Stein Roe
& Farnham Incorporated, which held 10,000 shares.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated provides administrative
services to Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio
and portfolio management services to High Yield Portfolio. The
Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of SteinRoe
<PAGE> 30
Services Inc. ("SSI"), Institutional High Yield Fund's transfer
agent, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. ("Liberty Financial"), which is a majority owned
subsidiary of LFC Holdings, Inc., which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Equity Corporation, which is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company is a mutual insurance company,
principally in the property/casualty insurance field, organized
under the laws of Massachusetts in 1912.
The directors of the Adviser are Kenneth R. Leibler, Harold
W. Cogger, C. Allen Merritt, Jr., Timothy K. Armour, and Hans P.
Ziegler. Mr. Leibler is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Liberty Financial; Mr. Cogger is Executive Vice President of
Liberty Financial; Mr. Merritt is Executive Vice President and
Treasurer of Liberty Financial; Mr. Armour is President of the
Adviser's Mutual Funds division; and Mr. Ziegler is Chief
Executive Officer of the Adviser. The business address of Messrs.
Leibler, Cogger, and Merritt is Federal Reserve Plaza, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210; and that of Messrs. Armour and Ziegler is One
South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
The Adviser and its predecessor have been providing
investment advisory services since 1932. The Adviser acts as
investment adviser to wealthy individuals, trustees, pension and
profit sharing plans, charitable organizations, and other
institutional investors. As of December 31, 1996, the Adviser
managed over $26.7 billion in assets: over $8 billion in equities
and over $18.7 billion in fixed income securities (including $1.6
billion in municipal securities). The $26.7 billion in managed
assets included over $7.5 billion held by open-end mutual funds
managed by the Adviser (approximately 16% of the mutual fund
assets were held by clients of the Adviser). These mutual funds
were owned by over 227,000 shareholders. The $7.5 billion in
mutual fund assets included over $743 million in over 47,000 IRA
accounts. In managing those assets, the Adviser utilizes a
proprietary computer-based information system that maintains and
regularly updates information for approximately 6,500 companies.
The Adviser also monitors over 1,400 issues via a proprietary
credit analysis system. At December 31, 1996, the Adviser
employed 19 research analysts and 55 account managers. The
average investment-related experience of these individuals was 22
years.
Please refer to the descriptions of the Adviser, the
management and administrative agreements, fees, expense
limitations, and transfer agency services under Management and Fee
Table in the Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
The Adviser provides office space and executive and other
personnel to Institutional High Yield Fund and bears any sales or
promotional expenses. Institutional High Yield Fund pays all
expenses other than those paid by the Adviser, including but not
limited to printing and postage charges and securities
registration and custodian fees and expenses incidental to its
organization.
Institutional High Yield Fund's administrative agreement
provides that the Adviser shall reimburse the Fund to the extent
that its total annual expenses
<PAGE> 31
(including fees paid to the Adviser, but excluding taxes,
interest, brokers' commissions and other normal charges incident
to the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, and expenses of
litigation to the extent permitted under applicable state law)
exceed the applicable limits prescribed by any state in which
shares of Institutional High Yield Fund are being offered for sale
to the public; however, such reimbursement for any fiscal year
will not exceed the amount of the fees paid by Institutional High
Yield Fund under that agreement for such year. In addition, in
the interest of further limiting Institutional High Yield Fund's
expenses, the Adviser may voluntarily waive its management fee
and/or absorb certain its expenses, as described in the Prospectus
under Fee Table. Any such reimbursements will enhance the yield
of the Fund.
High Yield Portfolio's management agreement provides that
neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers,
stockholders (or partners of stockholders), agents, or employees
shall have any liability to Base Trust or any shareholder of High
Yield Portfolio for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any
loss arising out of any investment, or for any other act or
omission in the performance by the Adviser of its duties under the
agreement, except for liability resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Adviser's part
in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the
Adviser of the Adviser's obligations and duties under that
agreement.
Any expenses that are attributable solely to the
organization, operation, or business of Institutional High Yield
Fund shall be paid solely out of that Fund's assets. Any expenses
incurred by Institutional Trust that are not solely attributable
to a particular series are apportioned in such manner as the
Adviser determines is fair and appropriate, unless otherwise
specified by the Board of Trustees.
Bookkeeping and Accounting Agreement
Pursuant to separate agreements with Advisor Trust and Base
Trust, the Adviser receives a fee for performing certain
bookkeeping and accounting services. For services provided to
Institutional High Yield Fund, the Adviser receives an annual fee
of $25,000 plus .0025 of 1% of average net assets over $50
million.
DISTRIBUTOR
Shares of Institutional High Yield Fund are distributed by
Liberty Securities Corporation ("LSC"), under a Distribution
Agreement as described under Management in the Prospectus, which
is incorporated herein by reference. The Distribution Agreement
continues in effect from year to year, provided such continuance
is approved annually (i) by a majority of the trustees or by a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of Institutional
Trust, and (ii) by a majority of the trustees who are not parties
to the Agreement or interested persons of any such party.
Institutional Trust has agreed to pay all expenses in connection
with registration of its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and auditing and filing fees in connection with
registration of its shares under the various state blue sky laws
and assumes the cost of preparation of prospectuses and other
expenses.
<PAGE> 32
As agent, LSC offers shares of Institutional High Yield Fund
to investors in states where the shares are qualified for sale, at
net asset value, without sales commissions or other sales load to
the investor. No sales commission or "12b-1" payment is paid by
Institutional High Yield Fund. LSC offers Institutional High
Yield Fund's shares only on a best-efforts basis.
TRANSFER AGENT
SSI performs certain transfer agency services for
Institutional Trust, as described under Management in the
Prospectus. For performing these services, SSI receives from
Institutional High Yield Fund a fee based on an annual rate of .05
of 1% of its average daily net assets. The Board of Trustees
believes the charges by SSI are comparable to those of other
companies performing similar services. (See Investment Advisory
Services.) Under a separate agreement, SSI provides certain
investor accounting services to High Yield Portfolio.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"), 225
Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02101, is the custodian for
Institutional Trust and Base Trust. It is responsible for holding
all securities and cash, receiving and paying for securities
purchased, delivering against payment securities sold, receiving
and collecting income from investments, making all payments
covering expenses, and performing other administrative duties, all
as directed by authorized persons. The custodian does not
exercise any supervisory function in such matters as purchase and
sale of portfolio securities, payment of dividends, or payment of
expenses.
Portfolio securities purchased in the U.S. are maintained in
the custody of the Bank or of other domestic banks or
depositories. Portfolio securities purchased outside of the U.S.
are maintained in the custody of foreign banks and trust companies
that are members of the Bank's Global Custody Network, and foreign
depositories ("foreign sub-custodians"). Each of the domestic and
foreign custodial institutions holding portfolio securities has
been approved by the Board of Trustees in accordance with
regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Each Board of Trustees reviews, at least annually, whether it
is in the best interests of Institutional High Yield Fund, High
Yield Portfolio, and their shareholders to maintain assets in each
custodial institution. However, with respect to foreign sub-
custodians, there can be no assurance that it, and the value of
its shares, will not be adversely affected by acts of foreign
governments, financial or operational difficulties of the foreign
sub-custodians, difficulties and costs of obtaining jurisdiction
over, or enforcing judgments against, the foreign sub-custodians,
or application of foreign law to the foreign sub-custodial
arrangements. Accordingly, an investor should recognize that the
non-investment risks involved in holding assets abroad are greater
than those associated with investing in the United States.
<PAGE> 33
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio may
invest in obligations of the custodian and may purchase or sell
securities from or to the custodian.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for Institutional Trust and High
Yield Portfolio are Ernst & Young LLP, 233 South Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60606. The independent auditors audit and
report on the annual financial statements, review certain
regulatory reports and the federal income tax returns, and perform
other professional accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services
when engaged to do so by the applicable Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Adviser places the orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities and options and futures contracts for High
Yield Portfolio. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are
ordinarily transacted with the issuer or with a primary market
maker acting as principal or agent for the securities on a net
basis, with no brokerage commission being paid by High Yield
Portfolio. Transactions placed through dealers reflect the spread
between the bid and asked prices. Occasionally, High Yield
Portfolio may make purchases of underwritten issues at prices that
include underwriting discounts or selling concessions.
The Adviser's overriding objective in effecting portfolio
transactions is to seek to obtain the best combination of price
and execution. The best net price, giving effect to transaction
charges, if any, and other costs, normally is an important factor
in this decision, but a number of other judgmental factors may
also enter into the decision. These include: the Adviser's
knowledge of current transaction costs; the nature of the security
being traded; the size of the transaction; the desired timing of
the trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for
the particular security; confidentiality; the execution, clearance
and settlement capabilities of the broker or dealer selected and
others that are considered; the Adviser's knowledge of the
financial stability of the broker or dealer selected and such
other brokers or dealers; and the Adviser's knowledge of actual or
apparent operational problems of any broker or dealer.
Recognizing the value of these factors, High Yield Portfolio may
incur a transaction charge in excess of that which another broker
or dealer may have charged for effecting the same transaction.
Evaluations of the reasonableness of the costs of portfolio
transactions, based on the foregoing factors, are made on an
ongoing basis by the Adviser's staff and reports are made annually
to the Board of Trustees.
With respect to issues of securities involving brokerage
commissions, when more than one broker or dealer is believed to be
capable of providing the best combination of price and execution
with respect to a particular portfolio transaction for High Yield
Portfolio, the Adviser often selects a broker or dealer that has
furnished it with research products or services such as research
reports, subscriptions to financial publications and research
compilations, compilations of securities prices, earnings,
dividends and similar data, and computer databases, quotation
equipment and services, research-oriented computer software and
services, and services of economic
<PAGE> 34
and other consultants. Selection of brokers or dealers is not
made pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any of the
brokers or dealers; however, the Adviser uses an internal
allocation procedure to identify those brokers or dealers who
provide it with research products or services and the amount of
research products or services they provide, and endeavors to
direct sufficient commissions generated by its clients' accounts
in the aggregate, including High Yield Portfolio, to such brokers
or dealers to ensure the continued receipt of research products or
services the Adviser feels are useful. In certain instances, the
Adviser receives from brokers and dealers products or services
which are used both as investment research and for administrative,
marketing, or other non-research purposes. In such instances, the
Adviser makes a good faith effort to determine the relative
proportions of such products or services which may be considered
as investment research. The portion of the costs of such products
or services attributable to research usage may be defrayed by the
Adviser (without prior agreement or understanding, as noted above)
through brokerage commissions generated by transactions of clients
(including High Yield Portfolio), while the portion of the costs
attributable to non-research usage of such products or services is
paid by the Adviser in cash. No person acting on behalf of High
Yield Portfolio is authorized, in recognition of the value of
research products or services, to pay a price in excess of that
which another broker or dealer might have charged for effecting
the same transaction. The Adviser may also receive research in
connection with selling concessions and designations in fixed
price offerings in which High Yield Portfolio participates.
Research products or services furnished by brokers and dealers
through whom transactions are effected may be used in servicing
any or all of the clients of the Adviser and not all such research
products or services are used in connection with the management of
High Yield Portfolio.
The Board has reviewed the legal developments pertaining to
and the practicability of attempting to recapture underwriting
discounts or selling concessions when portfolio securities are
purchased in underwritten offerings. The Board has been advised
by counsel that recapture by a mutual fund currently is not
permitted under the Rules of the Association of the National
Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD").
ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Institutional High Yield Fund and High Yield Portfolio intend
to comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
that relieve it of federal income tax to the extent of net
investment income and capital gains currently distributed to
shareholders.
Because capital gain distributions reduce net asset value, if
a shareholder purchases shares shortly before a record date, he
will, in effect, receive a return of a portion of his investment
in such distribution. The distribution would nonetheless be
taxable to him, even if the net asset value of shares were reduced
below his cost. However, for federal income tax purposes the
shareholder's original cost would continue as his tax basis.
<PAGE> 35
Institutional High Yield Fund expects that none of its
dividends will qualify for the deduction for dividends received by
corporate shareholders.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Institutional High Yield Fund may quote yield figures from
time to time. "Yield" is computed by dividing the net investment
income per share earned during a 30-day period (using the average
number of shares entitled to receive dividends) by the net asset
value per share on the last day of the period. The Yield formula
provides for semiannual compounding which assumes that net
investment income is earned and reinvested at a constant rate and
annualized at the end of a six-month period. For a given period,
an "Average Annual Total Return" may be computed by finding the
average annual compounded rate that would equate a hypothetical
initial amount invested of $1,000 to the ending redeemable value.
6
The Yield formula is as follows: YIELD = 2[((a-b/cd) +1) -1].
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period
. (For this purpose, the Fund will recalculate the
yield to maturity based on market value of each
portfolio security on each business day on which
net asset value is calculated.)
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 ending net asset value of Institutional High
Yield Fund for the period.
_____________________
Institutional High Yield Fund may quote total return
figures from time to time. A "Total Return" on a per share
basis is the amount of dividends received per share plus or
minus the change in the net asset value per share for a period.
A "Total Return Percentage" may be calculated by dividing the
value of a share at the end of a period (including reinvestment
of distributions) by the value of the share at the beginning of
the period and subtracting one.
n
Average Annual Total Return is computed as follows: ERV = P(1+T)
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the period at the
end of the period (or fractional portion thereof).
Investment performance figures assume reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions and do not take into account any
federal, state, or local income taxes which shareholders must pay
on a current basis. They are not necessarily indicative of future
results. The performance of Institutional High Yield Fund is a
result of conditions in the securities markets, portfolio
management, and operating expenses.
<PAGE> 36
Although investment performance information is useful in reviewing
Institutional High Yield Fund's performance and in providing some
basis for comparison with other investment alternatives, it should
not be used for comparison with other investments using different
reinvestment assumptions or time periods.
In advertising and sales literature, Institutional High Yield
Fund may compare its yield and performance with that of other
mutual funds, indexes or averages of other mutual funds, indexes
of related financial assets or data, and other competing
investment and deposit products available from or through other
financial institutions. The composition of these indexes or
averages differs from that of Institutional High Yield.
Comparison of Institutional High Yield Fund to an alternative
investment should be made with consideration of differences in
features and expected performance.
All of the indexes and averages noted below will be obtained
from the indicated sources or reporting services, which
Institutional Trust believes to be generally accurate.
Institutional High Yield Fund may also note its mention in
newspapers, magazines, or other media from time to time. However,
Institutional Trust assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of
such data. Newspapers and magazines that might mention
Institutional High Yield Fund include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Architectural Digest
Arizona Republic
Atlanta Constitution
Associated Press
Barron's
Bloomberg
Boston Herald
Business Week
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Cleveland Plain Dealer
CNBC
CNN
Crain's Chicago Business
Consumer Reports
Consumer Digest
Dow Jones Newswire
Fee Advisor
Financial Planning
Financial World
Forbes
Fortune
Fund Action
Fund Decoder
Gourmet
Individual Investor
Investment Adviser
Investment Dealers' Digest
Investor's Business Daily
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
Knight-Ridder
Lipper Analytical Services
Los Angeles Times
Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street
Money
Morningstar
Mutual Fund Market News
Mutual Fund News Service
Mutual Funds Magazine
Newsweek
The New York Times
No-Load Fund Investor
Pension World
Pensions and Investment
Personal Investor
Physicians Financial News
Jane Bryant Quinn (syndicated column)
The San Francisco Chronicle
Securities Industry Daily
Smart Money
Smithsonian
Strategic Insight
Time
Travel & Leisure
USA Today
U.S. News & World Report
Value Line
The Wall Street Journal
The Washington Post
Working Women
Worth
Your Money
Institutional High Yield Fund may compare its performance to
the Consumer Price Index (All Urban), a widely-recognized measure
of inflation.
<PAGE> 37
The performance of Institutional High Yield Fund may be
compared to the following benchmarks:
CS First Boston High Yield Index
ICD High Yield Index
Lehman High Yield Bond Index
Lehman High Yield Corporate Bond Index
Merrill Lynch High-Yield Master Index
Morningstar Corporate Bond (General) Average
Salomon Brothers Extended High Yield Market Index
Salomon Brothers High Yield Market Index
The Lipper and Morningstar averages are unweighted averages
of total return performance of mutual funds as classified,
calculated, and published by these independent services that
monitor the performance of mutual funds. Institutional High Yield
Fund may also use comparative performance as computed in a ranking
by these services or category averages and rankings provided by
another independent service. Should these services reclassify
Institutional High Yield Fund to a different category or develop
(and place it into) a new category, it may compare its performance
or rank against other funds in the newly-assigned category (or the
average of such category) as published by the service.
In advertising and sales literature, Institutional High Yield
Fund may also cite its rating, recognition, or other mention by
Morningstar or any other entity. Morningstar's rating system is
based on risk-adjusted total return performance and is expressed
in a star-rating format. The risk-adjusted number is computed by
subtracting a fund's risk score (which is a function of its
monthly returns less the 3-month T-bill return) from its load-
adjusted total return score. This numerical score is then
translated into rating categories, with the top 10% labeled five
star, the next 22.5% labeled four star, the next 35% labeled three
star, the next 22.5% labeled two star, and the bottom 10% one
star. A high rating reflects either above-average returns or
below-average risk, or both.
Of course, past performance is not indicative of future
results.
____________________
To illustrate the historical returns on various types of
financial assets, Institutional High Yield Fund may use historical
data provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc. ("Ibbotson"), a
Chicago-based investment firm. Ibbotson constructs (or obtains)
very long-term (since 1926) total return data (including, for
example, total return indexes, total return percentages, average
annual total returns and standard deviations of such returns) for
the following asset types:
Common stocks
Small company stocks
Long-term corporate bonds
Long-term government bonds
Intermediate-term government bonds
U.S. Treasury bills
Consumer Price Index
____________________
<PAGE> 38
Institutional High Yield Fund may also use hypothetical
returns to be used as an example in a mix of asset allocation
strategies. One such example is reflected in the chart below,
which shows the effect of tax deferral on a hypothetical
investment. This chart assumes that an investor invested $2,000 a
year on January 1, for any specified period, in both a Tax-
Deferred Investment and a Taxable Investment, that both
investments earn either 6%, 8% or 10% compounded annually, and
that the investor withdrew the entire amount at the end of the
period. (A tax rate of 39.6% is applied annually to the Taxable
Investment and on the withdrawal of earnings on the Tax-Deferred
Investment.)
TAX-DEFERRED INVESTMENT VS. TAXABLE INVESTMENT
INTEREST RATE 6% 8% 10% 6% 8% 10%
Compounding
Years Tax-Deferred Investment Taxable Investment
30 $124,992 $171,554 $242,340 $109,197 $135,346 $168,852
25 90,053 115,177 150,484 82,067 97,780 117,014
20 62,943 75,543 91,947 59,362 68,109 78,351
15 41,684 47,304 54,099 40,358 44,675 49,514
10 24,797 26,820 29,098 24,453 26,165 28,006
5 11,178 11,613 12,072 11,141 11,546 11,965
1 2,072 2,096 2,121 2,072 2,096 2,121
Average Life Calculations. From time to time,
Institutional High Yield Fund may quote an average life figure
for its portfolio. Average life is the weighted average period
over which the Adviser expects the principal to be paid, and
differs from stated maturity in that it estimates the effect of
expected principal prepayments and call provisions. With
respect to GNMA securities and other mortgage-backed securities,
average life is likely to be substantially less than the stated
maturity of the mortgages in the underlying pools. With respect
to obligations with call provisions, average life is typically
the next call date on which the obligation reasonably may be
expected to be called. Securities without prepayment or call
provisions generally have an average life equal to their stated
maturity.
Dollar Cost Averaging. Dollar cost averaging is an
investment strategy that requires investing a fixed amount of
money in Fund shares at set intervals. This allows you to
purchase more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when
prices are high. Over time, this tends to lower your average
cost per share. Like any investment strategy, dollar cost
averaging can't guarantee a profit or protect against losses
in a steadily declining market. Dollar cost averaging involves
uninterrupted investing regardless of share price and
therefore may not be appropriate for every investor.
<PAGE> 39
BALANCE SEET
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund
Statement of Net Assets
December 12, 1996
Assets:
Cash $100,000
Unamortized organization costs 50,000
--------
Total Assets 150,000
========
Liabilities:
Payable to the Adviser for
organization costs incurred 50,000
Capital
Paid in Capital (net assets) 100,000
--------
Total Liabilities and Capital $150,000
========
Shares Outstanding (Unlimited number
authorized) 10,000
========
Net Asset Value (Capital) Per Share $ 10.00
========
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
Note 1. Organization:
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund (the "Fund") is a
separate series of the Stein Roe Institutional Trust (the
"Trust"), an open-end diversified management investment
company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Fund will invest all of its net investable assets in SR&F
High Yield Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a separate series of
the SR&F Base Trust. The Fund is inactive except for matters
relating to its organization and registration as an open-end
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
and the sale of 10,000 shares of the Fund for $100,000 to
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated (the "Adviser"), an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
Organization costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis
against income over various periods of up to sixty months
from the commencement of public offering by the Fund,
depending on the nature of the individual costs.
Note 2. Transactions with Affiliates:
Upon commencement of investment operations, the Adviser will
receive a management fee from the Portfolio computed and
accrued daily, at an annual rate of 0.500% of the first $500
million of daily net assets and 0.475% thereafter. The
Adviser will also receive an administrative fee from the
Fund, computed and accrued daily, at an annual rate of 0.150%
of the first $500 million of daily net assets and 0.125%
thereafter.
<PAGE> 40
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Trustees
Stein Roe Institutional Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets of
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund, a series of Stein
Roe Institutional Trust, as of December 12, 1996. This
statement of net assets is the responsibility of the Fund's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
this statement of net assets based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the statement of net assets is free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
statement of net assets. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall statement of
net assets presentation. We believe that our audit of the
statement of net assets provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above
presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund at
December 12, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
December 12, 1996
<PAGE>
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) 1. Financial statements included in Part A of this
Registration Statement: None.
2. Financial statements included in Part B of this Registration
Statement:
(a) Balance sheet as of December 12 1996.
(b) Report of independent auditors.
(b) Exhibits: [Note: As used herein, the term "Registration
Statement" refers to the Registration Statement of the
Registrant on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, No.
333-13331. The terms "Pre-Effective Amendment" and "PEA"
refer, respectively, to a pre-effective amendment and a post-
effective amendment to the Registration Statement.]
1. Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended through
December 13, 1996.
2. By-Laws of Registrant as amended on October 30, 1997.
(Exhibit 2 to Pre-Effective Amendment.)*
3. None.
4. None.
5. None.
6. Form of underwriting agreement between Registrant and
Liberty Securities Corporation. (Exhibit 6 to Pre-
Effective Amendment.)*
7. None.
8. Form of custodian contract between Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company. (Exhibit 8 to Pre-Effective
Amendment.)*
9. (a) Form of transfer agency agreement between Registrant
and Stein Roe Services Inc. (Exhibit 9(a) to Pre-
Effective Amendment.)*
(b) Administrative agreement between Registrant and Stein
Roe & Farnham Incorporated dated December 12, 1996.
(Exhibit 9(b) to Pre-Effective Amendment.)*
(c) Accounting and bookkeeping agreement between Regis-
trant and Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated dated
December 12, 1996.. (Exhibit 9(c) to Pre-Effective
Amendment.)*
(d) Sub-transfer agent agreement with Colonial Investors
Service Center as amended through January 1,1997.
10. Opinion and consent of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd. (Exhibit 10 to
Pre-Effective Amendment.)*
11. Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
12. None.
13. Subscription agreement. (Exhibit 13 to Pre-Effective
Amendment.)*
14. None.
15. None.
16. Inapplicable.
17. Inapplicable.
18. Inapplicable.
-----------
*Incorporated by reference.
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH
REGISTRANT.
The Registrant does not consider that it is directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with other
persons within the meaning of this Item. See "Investment Advisory
Services," "Management," and "Transfer Agent" in the Statement of
Additional Information, each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
Number of Record Holders
Title of Series as of May 15, 1997
--------------- -----------------------
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund 1
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Article VIII of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of
Registrant (Exhibit 1), which Article is incorporated herein by
reference, provides that Registrant shall provide indemnification
of its trustees and officers (including persons who serve or
have served at Registrant's request as directors, officers, or
trustees of another organization in which Registrant has any
interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) ("Covered
Persons") under specified circumstances.
Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act")
provides that neither the Agreement and Declaration of Trust nor
the By-Laws of Registrant, nor any other instrument pursuant to
which Registrant is organized or administered, shall contain any
provision which protects or purports to protect any trustee or
officer of Registrant against any liability to Registrant or its
shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. In
accordance with Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, Article VIII shall
not protect any person against any liability to Registrant or its
shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Unless otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act,
(i) Article VIII does not protect any person against any
liability to Registrant or to its shareholders to which he would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office;
(ii) in the absence of a final decision on the merits by a
court or other body before whom a proceeding was brought that a
Covered Person was not liable to the Registrant or its shareholders
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office, indemnification is permitted under Article VIII if (a)
approved as in the best interest of the Registrant, after notice
that it involves such indemnification, by at least a majority of
the Trustees who are disinterested persons are not "interested
persons" as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act
("disinterested trustees"), upon determination, based upon a review
of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry) that
such Covered Person is not liable to the Registrant or its
shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such Covered Person's office or (b) there has been
obtained a opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based
upon a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type
inquiry) to the effect that such indemnification would not protect
such Covered Person against any liability to the Trust to which
such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of his office; and
(iii) Registrant will not advance expenses, including counsel
fees(but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines or penalties), incurred by a Covered Person
unless Registrant receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Covered Person to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined
that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized by Article
VII and (a) the Covered Person provides security for his
undertaking, or (b) Registrant is insured against losses arising by
reason of such Covered Person's failure to fulfill his undertaking,
or (c) a majority of the disinterested trustees of Registrant or an
independent legal counsel as expressed in a written opinion,
determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed
to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that
the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Any approval of indemnification pursuant to Article VIII does not
prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to
such Covered Person in accordance with Article VIII as
indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated
by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been liable to the
Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.
Article VIII also provides that its indemnification provisions
are not exclusive.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers, and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer,
or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee,
officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Registrant, its trustees and officers, its investment adviser, the
other investment companies advised by the adviser, and persons
affiliated with them are insured against certain expenses in
connection with the defense of actions, suits, or proceedings, and
certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such
actions, suits, or proceedings. Registrant will not pay any
portion of the premiums for coverage under such insurance that
would (1) protect any trustee or officer against any liability to
Registrant or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office or (2) protect its investment adviser or
principal underwriter, if any, against any liability to Registrant
or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence, in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its
reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under its
contract or agreement with the Registrant; for this purpose the
Registrant will rely on an allocation of premiums determined by
the insurance company.
Registrant expects to enter into an indemnification agreement among
Registrant, its transfer agent and its investment adviser pursuant
to which Registrant, its trustees, officers and employees, its
transfer agent and the transfer agent's directors, officers and
employees are indemnified by Registrant's investment adviser
against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims and
expenses arising out of any act or omission of Registrant or its
transfer agent performed in conformity with a request of the
investment adviser that the transfer agent and Registrant deviate
from their normal procedures in connection with the issue,
redemption or transfer of shares for a client of the investment
adviser.
Registrant, its trustees, officers, employees and representatives
and each person, if any, who controls the Registrant within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 are
indemnified by the distributor of Registrant's shares (the
"distributor"), pursuant to the terms of the distribution
agreement, which governs the distribution of Registrant's shares,
against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims and
expenses arising out of the acquisition of any shares of the
Registrant by any person which (i) may be based upon any wrongful
act by the distributor or any of the distributor's directors,
officers, employees or representatives or (ii) may be based upon
any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information, shareholder report or other information
covering shares of the Registrant filed or made public by the
Registrant or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Registrant by the
distributor in writing. In no case does the distributor's
indemnity indemnify an indemnified party against any liability to
which such indemnified party would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance of its or his duties or by reason of its or his
reckless disregard of its or his obligations and duties under the
distribution agreement.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SteinRoe Services Inc.
("SSI"), which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., which is a majority owned subsidiary of
LFC Holdings, Inc., which in turn is a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual
Equity Corporation, which in turn is a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company. The Adviser acts as investment adviser to
individuals, trustees, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable
organizations, and other investors. In addition to Registrant, it
also acts as investment adviser to other investment companies
having different investment policies.
For a two-year business history of officers and directors of the
Adviser, please refer to the Form ADV of Stein Roe & Farnham
Incorporated and to the section of the statement of additional
information (part B) entitled "Investment Advisory Services."
Certain directors and officers of the Adviser also serve and have
during the past two years served in various capacities as
officers, directors, or trustees of SSI and of the Registrant,
Stein Roe Investment Trust, Stein Roe Municipal Trust, SR&F Base
Trust, Stein Roe Income Trust, Stein Roe Advisor Trust,
Stein Roe Trust, SteinRoe Variable Investment Trust and LFC Utilities
Trust, investment companies managed by the Adviser. (The listed
entities are located at One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
60606, except for SteinRoe Variable Investment Trust, which is
located at Federal Reserve Plaza, Boston, MA 02210 and LFC Utilities
Trust, which is located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111.)
A list of such capacities is given below.
POSITION FORMERLY
HELD WITHIN
CURRENT POSITION PAST TWO YEARS
------------------- --------------
STEINROE SERVICES INC.
Gary A. Anetsberger Vice President
Timothy K. Armour Vice President
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Vice President; Secretary
Kenneth J. Kozanda Vice President; Treasurer
Kenneth R. Leibler Director
C. Allen Merritt, Jr. Director; Vice President
Hans P. Ziegler Director, President, Vice Chairman
Chairman
SR&F BASE TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President Controller
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive Vice-President; Secy.
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President
Michael T. Kennedy Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Jane M. Naeseth Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEIN ROE INCOME TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President Controller
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive V-P; Secretary
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President Vice-President
Philip J. Crosley Vice-President
Michael T. Kennedy Vice-President
Steven P. Luetger Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Anne E. Marcel Vice-President
Jane M. Naeseth Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEIN ROE INVESTMENT TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President Controller
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive V-P; Secretary
Bruno Bertocci Vice-President
David P. Brady Vice-President
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President Vice-President
Daniel K. Cantor Vice-President
Philip J. Crosley Vice-President
E. Bruce Dunn Vice-President
Erik P. Gustafson Vice-President
David P. Harris Vice-President
Harvey B. Hirschhorn Vice-President
Eric S. Maddix Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Anne E. Marcel Vice-President
Richard B. Peterson Vice-President
Gloria J. Santella Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEIN ROE MUNICIPAL TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President Controller
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive V-P; Secretary
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President Vice-President
Joanne T. Costopoulos Vice-President
Philip J. Crosley Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Anne E. Marcel Vice-President
M. Jane McCart Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEIN ROE ADVISOR TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive V-P; Secretary
Bruno Bertocci Vice-President
David P. Brady Vice-President
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President Vice-President
Daniel K. Cantor Vice-President
Philip J. Crosley Vice-President
E. Bruce Dunn Vice-President
Erik P. Gustafson Vice-President
David P. Harris Vice-President
Harvey B. Hirschhorn Vice-President
Eric S. Maddix Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Anne E. Marcel Vice-President
Richard B. Peterson Vice-President
Gloria J. Santella Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST and STEIN ROE TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Senior Vice-President
Timothy K. Armour President; Trustee
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Executive V-P; Secretary
Thomas W. Butch Executive Vice-President Vice-President
Philip J. Crosley Vice-President
Michael T. Kennedy Vice-President
Steven P. Luetger Vice-President
Lynn C. Maddox Vice-President
Anne E. Marcel Vice-President
Jane M. Naeseth Vice-President
Thomas P. Sorbo Vice-President
Hans P. Ziegler Executive Vice-President
STEINROE VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Treasurer
Timothy K. Armour Vice President
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Vice President
E. Bruce Dunn Vice President
Erik P. Gustafson Vice President
Harvey B. Hirschhorn Vice President
Michael T. Kennedy Vice President
Jane M. Naeseth Vice President
Richard B. Peterson Vice President
LFC UTILITIES TRUST
Gary A. Anetsberger Vice President
Ophelia L. Barsketis Vice President
Deborah A. Jansen Vice President
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
Registrant's principal underwriter, Liberty Securities
Corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Investment
Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial
Services, Inc. which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. Liberty Financial Companies,
Inc. is a public corporation whose majority shareholder is LFC
Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Equity
Corporation. Liberty Mutual Equity Corporation is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.
Liberty Securities Corporation is principal underwriter for the
following investment companies:
Stein Roe Income Trust
Stein Roe Municipal Trust
Stein Roe Investment Trust
Stein Roe Institutional Trust
Stein Roe Advisor Trust
Stein Roe Trust
Set forth below is information concerning the directors and
officers of Liberty Securities Corporation:
Positions
Positions and Offices and Offices
Name with Underwriter with Registrant
- ------------------ -------------------- ---------------
Porter P. Morgan Chairman of the Board; Director None
Frank L. Tarantino President; Chief Operating
Officer; Director None
Robert L. Spadafora Executive Vice President -
Sales and Marketing None
John T. Treece, Jr. Senior Vice President - Operations None
John W. Reading Senior Vice President and
Assistant Secretary None
Valerie A. Arendell Senior Vice President - Sales None
Gerald H. Stanney, Vice President and Compliance
Jr. Officer (Boston) None
Jilaine Hummel Bauer Vice President and Compliance Exec. V-P &
Officer (Chicago) Secretary
Bruce F. Ripepi Vice President, General Counsel None
and Assistant Secretary
Timothy K. Armour Vice President President,
Trustee
Lindsay Cook Vice President Trustee
Ralph E. Nixon Vice President None
Joyce B. Riegel Vice President None
Heidi J. Walter Vice President V-P
Glenn E. Williams Assistant Vice President None
Philip J. Iudice Treasurer None
John A. Benning Secretary None
John A. Davenport Assistant Secretary None
Marjorie M. Pluskota Assistant Secretary None
C. Allen Merritt, Jr. Assistant Treasurer; Assistant
Secretary; Director None
The principal business address of Mr. Armour,Ms. Bauer, Ms.
Pluskota, Ms. Riegel and Ms. Walter is One South Wacker Drive,
Chicago, IL 60606; that of Mr. Williams is Two Righter Parkway,
Wilmington, DE 19803; that of Mr. Ripepi is 100 Manhattanville
Road, Purchase, NY 10577; and that of the other officers is 600
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210-2214.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
Jilaine Hummel Bauer
Executive Vice-President and Secretary
One South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
None.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
Registrant hereby undertakes to file a post-effective amendment
using financial statements, which need not be certified, within
four to six months from the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it
meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this
registration statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities
Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 21st day of
May, 1997.
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
By TIMOTHY K. ARMOUR
Timothy K. Armour
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature* Title Date
- ------------------------ --------------------- ------------------
TIMOTHY K. ARMOUR President and Trustee May 21, 1997
Timothy K. Armour
Principal Executive Officer
GARY A. ANETSBERGER Senior Vice-President May 21, 1997
Gary A. Anetsberger
Principal Financial Officer
SHARON R. ROBERTSON Controller May 21, 1997
Sharon R. Robertson
Principal Accounting Officer
KENNETH L. BLOCK Trustee May 21, 1997
Kenneth L. Block
WILLIAM W. BOYD Trustee May 21, 1997
William W. Boyd
LINDSAY COOK Trustee May 21, 1997
Lindsay Cook
DOUGLAS A. HACKER Trustee May 21, 1997
Douglas A. Hacker
JANET LANGFORD KELLY Trustee May 21, 1997
Janet Langford Kelly
FRANCIS W. MORLEY Trustee May 21, 1997
Francis W. Morley
CHARLES R. NELSON Trustee May 21, 1997
Charles R. Nelson
THOMAS C. THEOBALD Trustee May 21, 1997
Thomas C. Theobald
*This Registration Statement has also been signed by the above
persons in their capacities as trustees and officers of SR&F Base
Trust
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
INDEX TO EXHIBITS FILED WITH THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------- -------------
1 Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended
9(d) Sub-transfer agent agreement
11 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
EXHIBIT 1
<PAGE> 1
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made at Boston,
Massachusetts, this 31st day of July, 1996 by the Trustees
hereunder, and by the holders of shares of beneficial
interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WITNESSETH that
WHEREAS, this Trust has been formed to carry on the
business of an investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property
coming into their hands as trustees of a Massachusetts
business trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter
set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they
will hold all cash, securities and other assets, which they
may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees
hereunder, IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon
the following terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit
of the holders from time to time of Shares in this Trust as
hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Name
Section 1. This Trust shall be known as "Stein Roe
Institutional Trust", and the Trustees shall conduct the
business of the Trust under that name or any other name as
they may from time to time determine.
<PAGE> 2
Definitions
Section 2. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise
required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business
trust established by this Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
as amended from time to time;
(b) "Trustees" refers to the Trustee or Trustees of the
Trust named herein or elected in accordance with Article IV;
(c) "Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable
units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the
Trust shall be divided from time to time or, if more than one
series of Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the equal
proportionate units into which each series of Shares shall be
divided from time to time or, if more than one class of
Shares of any series is authorized by the Trustees, the equal
proportionate units into which each class of such series of
Shares shall be divided from time to time;
(d) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(e) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act
of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as
amended from time to time;
(f) The terms "Affiliated Person," "Assignment,"
"Commission," "Interested Person," "Principal Underwriter"
and "Majority Shareholder Vote" (the 67% or 50% requirement
of the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act,
whichever may be applicable) shall have the meanings given
them in the 1940 Act;
(g) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Agreement and
Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to
time; and
(h) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as
amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Trust is to engage in the business of
a management investment company and to provide investors a
managed investment primarily in securities, commodities and
debt instruments.
<PAGE> 3
ARTICLE III
SHARES
Division of Beneficial Interest
Section 1. The Shares of the Trust shall be issued in
one or more series as the Trustees may, without Shareholder
approval, authorize. The Trustees may, without Shareholder
approval, divide the Shares of any series into two or more
classes, Shares of each such class having such preferences or
special or relative rights or privileges (including
conversion rights, if any) as the Trustees may determine and
as are not inconsistent with any provision of this
Declaration of Trust. Each series shall be preferred over
all other series in respect of the assets allocated to that
series. The beneficial interest in each series shall at all
times be divided into Shares, without par value, each of
which shall, except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize
in the case of any series that is divided into two or more
classes, represent an equal proportionate interest in the
series with each other Share of the same series, none having
priority or preference over another. The number of Shares
authorized shall be unlimited, and the Shares so authorized
may be represented in part by fractional shares. The
Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares
of any series or class into a greater or lesser number
without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial
interests in the series or class.
Ownership of Shares
Section 2. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on
the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. No
certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be
issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from
time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they
consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates,
the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books
of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar
agent of the Trust, as the case may be, shall be conclusive
as to who are the Shareholders of each series and class and
as to the number of Shares of each series and class held from
time to time by each Shareholder.
Investments in the Trust; Assets of the Series
Section 3. The Trustees may accept investments in the
Trust from such persons and on such terms and, subject to any
requirements of law, for such consideration, which may
consist of cash or tangible or intangible property or a
combination thereof, as they from time to time authorize.
All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or
sale of Shares of each series, together with all income,
earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, including any
proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation
thereof, and any funds or payments derived
<PAGE> 4
from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the
same may be, shall irrevocably belong to the series of Shares
with respect to which the same were received by the Trust for
all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors, and
shall be so handled upon the books of account of the Trust
and are herein referred to as "assets of" such series.
No Preemptive Rights
Section 4. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or
other right to receive, purchase or subscribe for any
additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust.
Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability
Section 5. Shares shall be deemed to be personal
property giving only the rights provided in this instrument.
Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder
shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the
terms hereof and to have become a party hereto. The death of
a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not
operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative
of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any
action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the
Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this
Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder
to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust
property or right to call for a partition or division of the
same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares
constitute the Shareholders partners. Neither the Trust nor
the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the
Trust, shall have any power to bind personally any
Shareholder, nor except as specifically provided herein to
call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money
or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder
may at any time personally agree to pay.
Derivative Claims
Section 6. No Shareholder shall have the right to bring
or maintain any court action, proceeding or claim on behalf
of this Trust or any series without first making demand on
the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain
such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall be
excused only when the plaintiff makes a specific showing that
irreparable injury to the Trust or series would otherwise
result. Such demand shall be mailed to the Secretary of the
Trust at the Trust's principal office and shall set forth in
reasonable detail the nature of the proposed court action,
proceeding or claim and the essential facts relied upon by
the Shareholder to support the allegations made in the
demand. The Trustees shall consider such demand within 45
days of its receipt by the Trust. In their sole discretion,
the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders
of the Trust or series, as appropriate. Any decision by the
Trustees to bring, maintain or settle (or not to bring,
maintain or settle) such court action, proceeding or claim,
or to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders shall be
made by the Trustees in their business judgment and shall be
binding upon the Shareholders.
<PAGE> 5
ARTICLE IV
THE TRUSTEES
Election; Removal
Section 1. The number of Trustees shall be fixed by the
Trustees, except that, subsequent to any sale of Shares
pursuant to a public offering, there shall be not less than
three Trustees. Any vacancies occurring in the Board of
Trustees may be filled by the Trustees if, immediately after
filling any such vacancy, at least two-thirds of the Trustees
then holding office shall have been elected to such office by
the Shareholders. In the event that at any time less than a
majority of the Trustees then holding office were elected to
such office by the Shareholders, the Trustees shall call a
meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees.
Each Trustee elected by the Shareholders or by the Trustees
shall serve until the next meeting of Shareholders called for
the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and
qualification of his or her successor, or until he or she
sooner dies, resigns or is removed. The initial Trustees,
each of whom shall serve until the first meeting of
Shareholders at which Trustees are elected and until his or
her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she
sooner dies, resigns or is removed, shall be Antonio
DeSpirito, III and such other persons as the Trustee or
Trustees then in office shall, prior to any sale of Shares
pursuant to a public offering, appoint. By vote of a
majority of the Trustees then in office, the Trustees may
remove a Trustee with or without cause. At any meeting
called for the purpose, a Trustee may be removed, with or
without cause, by vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares.
Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee
Section 2. The death, declination, resignation,
retirement, removal or incapacity of the Trustees, or any one
of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke
any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this
Declaration of Trust.
Powers
Section 3. Subject to the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be
managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers
necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may adopt By-
Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust
providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and
may amend and repeal them to the extent that such By-Laws do
not reserve that right to the Shareholders; they may fill
vacancies in their number, including vacancies resulting from
increases in their number, and may elect and remove such
officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they
consider appropriate; they may appoint from their own number,
and terminate, any one or more committees consisting of two
or more Trustees, including an executive committee which may,
when the Trustees are not in session, exercise some or all of
the power and authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may
determine;
<PAGE> 6
they may appoint an advisory board, the members of which
shall not be Trustees and need not be Shareholders; they may
employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and
may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to
deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems
for the central handling of securities, retain a transfer
agent or a Shareholder services agent, or both, provide for
the distribution of Shares by the Trust, through one or more
principal underwriters or otherwise, set record dates for the
determination of Shareholders with respect to various
matters, and in general delegate such authority as they
consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any
committee of the Trustees and to any agent or employee of the
Trust or to any such custodian or underwriter.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have
power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest in securities, options,
futures contracts, options on futures contracts and other
property, and to hold cash uninvested;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage,
hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the
assets of the Trust;
(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of
ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or
property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of
attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem
proper, granting to such person or persons such power and
discretion with relation to securities or property as the
Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or
otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of
securities or other assets;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not
indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or
other negotiable form, or in the name of the Trustees or of
the Trust or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or
other depository or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;
(f) Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 3,
to allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to
a particular series of Shares or to apportion the same among
two or more series, provided that any liabilities or expenses
incurred by a particular series of Shares shall be payable
solely out of the assets of that series; and to the extent
necessary or appropriate to give effect to the preferences
and special or relative rights and privileges of any classes
of Shares, to allocate assets, liabilities, income and
expenses of a series to a particular class of Shares of that
series or to apportion the same among two or more classes of
Shares of that series;
(g) To consent to or participate in any plan for the
reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or
issuer, any security of which is or was held in the
<PAGE> 7
Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase
or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay
calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in
the Trust;
(h) To join with other security holders in acting
through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise,
and in that connection to deposit any security with, or
transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or
trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority
with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or
transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree
to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and
compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the
Trustees shall deem proper;
(i) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims
in favor of or against the Trust on any matter in
controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;
(j) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited
partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(k) To borrow funds, securities or other assets;
(1) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or
other obligations of any person; to make contracts of
guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for
payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust
property or any part thereof to secure any of or all of such
obligations or obligations incurred pursuant to subparagraph
(k) hereof;
(m) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust
property such insurance as they may deem necessary or
appropriate for the conduct of the business, including,
without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of
the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its
portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents,
investment advisers or managers, principal underwriters or
independent contractors of the Trust individually against all
claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of
holding, being or having held any such office or position, or
by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted
by any such person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer,
employee, agent, investment adviser or manager, principal
underwriter or independent contractor, including any action
taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute
negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to
indemnify such person against such liability; and
(n) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed
appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and
carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share
purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and
benefit plans, trusts and
<PAGE> 8
provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and
annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and
other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust.
The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by
any present or future law or custom in regard to investments
by Trustees. Except as otherwise provided herein or from
time to time in the By-Laws, any action to be taken by the
Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present
at a meeting of the Trustees (a quorum being present), within
or without Massachusetts, including any meeting held by means
of a conference telephone or other communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting
can hear each other at the same time, and participation by
such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting,
or by written consents of a majority of the Trustees then in
office.
Payment of Expenses by Trust
Section 4. The Trustees are authorized to pay or to
cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust,
or partly out of principal and partly out of income, as they
deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities
incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in
connection with the management thereof, including, but not
limited to, the Trustees' compensation and such expenses and
charges for the services of the Trust's officers, employees,
investment adviser or manager, principal underwriter,
auditor, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder
services agent and such other agents or independent
contractors, and such other expenses and charges, as the
Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur, provided,
however, that all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and
liabilities incurred or arising in connection with a
particular series of Shares, as determined by the Trustees,
shall be payable solely out of the assets of that series.
Ownership of Assets of the Trust
Section 5. Title to all of the assets of each series of
Shares and of the Trust shall at all times be considered as
vested in the Trustees.
Advisory, Management and Distribution
Section 6. Subject to a favorable Majority Shareholder
Vote, the Trustees may, at any time and from time to time,
contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory and/or
management services with Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, or
any other partnership, corporation, trust, association or
other organization (the "Adviser"), every such contract to
comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set
forth in the By-Laws; and any such contract may contain such
other terms interpretive of or in addition to said
requirements and restrictions as the Trustees may determine,
including, without limitation, authority to determine from
time to time what investments shall be purchased, held, sold
or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of the
Trust shall be held uninvested, and to make changes
<PAGE> 9
in the Trust's investments. The Trustees may also, at any
time and from time to time, contract with the Adviser or any
other corporation, trust, association or other organization,
appointing it exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or
principal underwriter for the Shares, every such contract to
comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set
forth in the By-Laws; and any such contract may contain such
other terms interpretive of or in addition to said
requirements and restrictions as the Trustees may determine.
The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the
Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or
distributor or agent of or for any corporation, trust,
association or other organization, or of or for any parent or
affiliate of any organization, with which an advisory or
management contract, or principal underwriter's or
distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder services or
other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made,
or that any organization, or any parent or affiliate thereof,
is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust, or that
(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other
organization with which an advisory or management contract or
principal underwriter's or distributor's contract, or
transfer, Shareholder services or other agency contract may
have been or may hereafter be made also has an advisory or
management contract, or principal underwriter's or
distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder services or
other agency contract with one or more other corporations,
trusts, associations or other organizations, or has other
business or interests
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or
disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust
from voting upon or executing the same or create any
liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.
ARTICLE V
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Voting Powers
Section 1. The Shareholders shall have power to vote
only (i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Article
IV, Section 1, (ii) with respect to any Adviser as provided
in Article IV, Section 6, (iii) with respect to any
termination of this Trust to the extent and as provided in
Article IX, Section 4, (iv) with respect to any amendment of
this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in
Article IX, Section 7, and (v) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required
by law, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any
registration of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (or
<PAGE> 10
any successor agency) or any state, or as the Trustees may
consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share (or
fractional share) outstanding on the record date established
in accordance with the By-Laws shall be entitled to a number
of votes on any matter on which it is entitled to vote equal
to the net asset value of the share (or fractional share) in
United States dollars determined at the close of business on
the record date (for example, a share having a net asset
value of $10.50 would be entitled to 10.5 votes).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of
Trust, on any matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, all
Shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall be voted in
the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or
class except: (1) when required by the 1940 Act or when the
Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or
more series or classes materially differently, Shares shall
be voted by individual series or class; and (2) when the
Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the
interests of one or more series or classes, then only
Shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to
vote thereon. There shall be no cumulative voting in the
election of Trustees.
Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. A proxy with
respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons
shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or
prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific
written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder
shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its
exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on
the challenger. The placing of a shareholder's name on a
proxy pursuant to telephone or electronically transmitted
instructions obtained pursuant to procedures reasonably
designed to verify that such instructions have been
authorized by such shareholder shall constitute execution of
such proxy by or on behalf of such shareholder in writing.
At all meetings of Shareholders, unless inspectors of
election have been appointed, all questions relating to the
qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the
acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the
chairman of the meeting. Unless otherwise specified in the
proxy, the proxy shall apply to all Shares of each series of
the Trust owned by the Shareholder.
Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all
rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by
law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws to be taken by
Shareholders.
Voting Power and Meetings
Section 2. Meetings of Shareholders of the Trust or of
any series or class may be called by the Trustees or such
other person or persons as may be specified in the By-Laws
and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action
upon any matter requiring the vote or the authority of the
Shareholders of the Trust or any series or class as herein
provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to
be necessary or desirable. Meetings of Shareholders of the
Trust or of any series or class shall be called by the
Trustees or such other person or persons as may be specified
in the By-Laws upon written application. The
<PAGE> 11
Shareholders shall be entitled to at least seven days'
written notice of any meeting of the Shareholders.
Quorum and Required Vote
Section 3. Shares representing thirty percent of the
votes entitled to vote shall be a quorum for the transaction
of business at a Shareholders' meeting, except that where any
provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust permits or
requires that holders of any series or class shall vote as a
series or class, then Shares representing thirty percent of
the votes of that series or class entitled to vote shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business by that series or class. Any lesser number,
however, shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned
session or sessions may be held within a reasonable time
after the date set for the original meeting without the
necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is
required by any provision of this Declaration of Trust or the
By-Laws, Shares representing a majority of the votes voted
shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a
Trustee, provided that where any provision of law or of this
Declaration of Trust permits or requires that the holders of
any series or class shall vote as a series or class, then
Shares representing a majority of the votes of that series or
class voted on the matter (or a plurality with respect to the
election of a Trustee) shall decide that matter insofar as
that series or class is concerned.
Action by Written Consent
Section 4. Any action taken by Shareholders may be
taken without a meeting if a majority of Shareholders
entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion
thereof as shall be required by any express provision of this
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws) consent to the action in
writing and such written consents are filed with the records
of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be
treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of
Shareholders.
Additional Provisions
Section 5. The ByLaws may include further provisions
for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters.
<PAGE> 12
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS, REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES,
AND DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Distributions
Section 1. The Trustees may, but need not, each year
distribute to the Shareholders of each series or class such
income and gains, accrued or realized, as the Trustees may
determine, after providing for actual and accrued expenses
and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may
establish) determined in accordance with good accounting
practices. The Trustees shall have full discretion to
determine which items shall be treated as income and which
items as capital and their determination shall be binding
upon the Shareholders. Distributions of each year's income
of each series, if any be made, may be made in one or more
payments, which shall be in Shares, in cash or otherwise and
on a date or dates and as of a record date or dates
determined by the Trustees. At any time and from time to
time in their discretion, the Trustees may distribute to the
Shareholders of any one or more series or classes as of a
record date or dates determined by the Trustees, in Shares,
in cash or otherwise, all or part of any gains realized on
the sale or disposition of property of the series or
otherwise, or all or part of any other principal of the Trust
attributable to the series. In the case of any series not
divided into two or more classes of Shares, each distribution
pursuant to this Section 1 shall be made ratably according to
the number of Shares of the series held by the several
Shareholders on the applicable record date thereof, provided
that no distribution need be made on Shares purchased
pursuant to orders received, or for which payment is made,
after such time or times as the Trustees may determine. In
the case of any series divided into two or more classes, each
distribution pursuant to this Section 1 may be made in whole
or in such parts as the Trustees may determine to the
Shareholders of any one or more classes, and the distribution
to the Shareholders of any class shall be made ratably
according to the number of Shares of the class (but need not
be made ratably according to the number of Shares of the
series, considered without regard to class) held by the
several Shareholders on the record date thereof, provided
that no distribution need be made on Shares purchased
pursuant to orders received, or for which payment is made,
after such time or times as the Trustees may determine. Any
such distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net
asset value thereof as determined in accordance with Section
7 of this Article VI.
Redemptions and Repurchases
Section 2. Any holder of Shares of the Trust may by
presentation of a written request, together with his or her
certificates, if any, for such Shares, in proper form for
transfer, at the office of the Trust or at a principal office
of a transfer agent appointed by the Trust, redeem his or her
Shares for the net asset value thereof determined and
computed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2
and the provisions of Section 7 of this Article VI.
<PAGE> 13
Upon receipt by the Trust or its transfer agent of such
written request for redemption of Shares, such Shares shall
be redeemed at the net asset value per share of the
appropriate series next determined after such Shares are
tendered in proper order for transfer to the Trust or
determined as of such other time fixed by the Trustees as may
be permitted or required by the 1940 Act, provided that no
such tender shall be required in the case of Shares for which
a certificate or certificates have not been issued, and in
such case such Shares shall be redeemed at the net asset
value per share of the appropriate series next determined
after such request has been received or determined at such
other time fixed by the Trustees as may be permitted or
required by the 1940 Act.
The obligation of the Trust to redeem its Shares of each
series or class as set forth above in this Section 2 shall be
subject to the conditions that during any time of emergency,
as hereinafter defined, such obligation may be suspended by
the Trust by or under authority of the Trustees for such
period or periods during such time of emergency as shall be
determined by or under authority of the Trustees. If there
is such a suspension, any Shareholder may withdraw any demand
for redemption and any tender of Shares which has been
received by the Trust during any such period and any tender
of Shares, the applicable net asset value of which would but
for such suspension be calculated as of a time during such
period. Upon such withdrawal, the Trust shall return to the
Shareholder the certificates therefor, if any. For the
purposes of any such suspension, "time of emergency" shall
mean, either with respect to all Shares or any series of
Shares, any period during which:
a. the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than for
customary weekend and holiday closings; or
b. the Trustees or authorized officers of the Trust
shall have determined, in compliance with any applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, either that trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is restricted, or that an emergency exists as a
result of which (i) disposal by the Trust of securities owned
by it is not reasonably practicable or (ii) it is not
reasonably practicable for the Trust fairly to determine the
current value of its net assets; or
c. the suspension or postponement of such obligations
is permitted by order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The Trust may also purchase, repurchase or redeem Shares
in accordance with such other methods, upon such other terms
and subject to such other conditions as the Trustees may from
time to time authorize at a price not exceeding the net asset
value of such Shares in effect when the purchase or
repurchase or any contract to purchase or repurchase is made.
<PAGE> 14
Payment in Kind
Section 3. Subject to any generally applicable
limitation imposed by the Trustees, any payment on redemption
of Shares may, if authorized by the Trustees, be made wholly
or partly in kind, instead of in cash. Such payment in kind
shall be made by distributing securities or other property
constituting, in the opinion of the Trustees, a fair
representation of the various types of securities and other
property then held by the series of Shares being redeemed
(but not necessarily involving a portion of each of the
series' holdings) and taken at their value used in
determining the net asset value of the Shares in respect of
which payment is made.
Redemptions at the Option of the Trust
Section 4. The Trust shall have the right at its option
and at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the
net asset value thereof as determined in accordance with
Section 7 of Article VI of this Declaration of Trust: (i) if
at such time such Shareholder owns fewer Shares than, or
Shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than, an
amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (ii)
to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of a
particular series of Shares equal to or in excess of a
percentage of the outstanding Shares of that series
(determined without regard to class) determined from time to
time by the Trustees; or (iii) to the extent that such
Shareholder owns Shares of the Trust representing a
percentage equal to or in excess of such percentage of the
aggregate number of outstanding Shares of the Trust or the
aggregate net asset value of the Trust determined from time
to time by the Trustees.
Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions and Repurchases
Section 5. No dividend or distribution (including,
without limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of
the Trust or of any series) with respect to, nor any
redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any series (or of
any class) shall be effected by the Trust other than from the
assets of such series (or of the series of which such class
is a part).
Additional Provisions Relating to Redemptions and
Repurchases
Section 6. The completion of redemption of Shares shall
constitute a full discharge of the Trust and the Trustees
with respect to such shares, and the Trustees may require
that any certificate or certificates issued by the Trust to
evidence the ownership of such Shares shall be surrendered to
the Trustees for cancellation or notation.
<PAGE> 15
Determination of Net Asset Value
Section 7. The term "net asset value" of the Shares of
each series or class shall mean: (i) the value of all the
assets of such series or class; (ii) less the total
liabilities of such series or class; (iii) divided by the
number of Shares of such series or class outstanding, in each
case at the time of each determination. The "number of
Shares of such series or class outstanding" for the purposes
of such computation shall be exclusive of any Shares of such
series or class to be redeemed and not then redeemed as to
which the redemption price has been determined, but shall
include Shares of such series or class presented for
repurchase and not then repurchased and Shares of such series
or class to be redeemed and not then redeemed as to which the
redemption price has not been determined and Shares of such
series or class the sale of which has been confirmed. Any
fractions involved in the computation of net asset value per
share shall be adjusted to the nearer cent unless the
Trustees shall determine to adjust such fractions to a
fraction of a cent.
The Trustees, or any officer or officers or agent of
this Trust designated for the purpose by the Trustees, shall
determine the net asset value of the Shares of each series or
class, and the Trustees shall fix the times as of which the
net asset value of the Shares of each series or class shall
be determined and shall fix the periods during which any such
net asset value shall be effective as to sales, redemptions
and repurchases of, and other transactions in, the Shares of
such series or class, except as such times and periods for
any such transaction may be fixed by other provisions of this
Declaration of Trust or by the By-Laws.
In valuing the portfolio investments of any series or
class for determination of net asset value per share of such
series or class:
(a) Each security for which market quotations are
readily available shall be valued at current market value
determined by methods specified by the Board of Trustees;
(b) Each other security, including any security within
(a) for which the specified price does not appear to
represent a dependable quotation for such security as of the
time of valuation, shall be valued at a fair value as
determined in good faith by the Trustees;
(c) Any cash on hand shall be valued at the face amount
thereof;
(d) Any cash on deposit, accounts receivable, and cash
dividends and interest declared or accrued and not yet
received, any prepaid expenses, and any other current asset
shall be valued at the face amount thereof, unless the
Trustees shall determine that any such item is not worth its
face amount, in which case such asset shall be valued at a
fair value determined in good faith by the Trustees; and
<PAGE> 16
(e) Any other asset shall be valued at a fair value
determined in good faith by the Trustees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, short-term debt obligations,
commercial paper and repurchase agreements may be, but need
not be, valued on the basis of quoted yields for securities
of comparable maturity, quality and type, or on the basis of
amortized cost.
Liabilities of any series or class for accounts payable
for investments purchased and for Shares tendered for
redemption and not then redeemed as to which the redemption
price has been determined shall be stated at the amounts
payable therefor. In determining the net asset value of any
series or class, the person or persons making such
determination on behalf of the Trust may include in
liabilities such reserves, estimated accrued expenses and
contingencies as such person or persons may in its, his or
their best judgment deem fair and reasonable under the
circumstances. Any income dividends and gains distributions
payable by the Trust shall be deducted as of such time or
times on the record date therefor as the Trustees shall
determine.
The manner of determining the net assets of any series
or class or of determining the net asset value of the Shares
of any series or class may from time to time be altered as
necessary or desirable in the judgment of the Trustees to
conform to any other method prescribed or permitted by any
applicable law or regulation.
Determinations under this Section 7 made in good faith
and in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act shall
be binding on all parties concerned.
ARTICLE VII
COMPENSATION AND LIMITATION
OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES
Compensation
Section 1. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to
reasonable compensation from the Trust; they may fix the
amount of their compensation. Nothing herein shall in any
way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory,
management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other
services and payment for the same by the Trust.
Limitation of Liability
Section 2. The Trustees shall not be responsible or
liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any
officer, agent, employee, adviser or principal underwriter of
the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act
or omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein
contained shall protect any Trustee against any liability to
which he or she would
<PAGE> 17
otherwise be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate,
Share or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever
executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees
or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or
with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or
Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally
liable thereon.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Trustees, Officers, etc.
Section 1. The Trust shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the
Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another
organization in which the Trust has any interest as a
shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to
as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities and expenses,
including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and
counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action,
suit or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, and any appeal therefrom,
before any court or administrative or legislative body, in
which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as
a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may
have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by
reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except
that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any
liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such
Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office.
Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such
Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be
paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final
disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered
Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is
ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses
is not authorized under this Article, provided that (a) such
Covered Person shall provide security for his undertaking,
(b) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by
reason of such Covered Person's failure to fulfill his
undertaking or (c) a majority of the Trustees who are
disinterested persons and who are not Interested Persons
(provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act
on the matter), or independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
available facts (but not a full
<PAGE> 18
trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe such
Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to
indemnification.
Compromise Payment
Section 2. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a
compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or
otherwise) without an adjudication in a decision on the
merits by a court, or by any other body before which the
proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person is liable to
the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office, indemnification shall be provided if
(a) approved as in the best interest of the Trust, after
notice that it involves such indemnification, by at least a
majority of the Trustees who are disinterested persons and
are not Interested Persons (provided that a majority of such
Trustees then in office act on the matter), upon a
determination, based upon a review of readily available facts
(but not a full trial-type inquiry) that such Covered Person
is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of
wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office, or (b) there has been obtained an
opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based upon a
review of readily available facts (but not a full-trial type
inquiry) to the effect that such indemnification would not
protect such Covered Person against any liability to the
Trust to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject
by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of his office.
Any approval pursuant to this Section shall not prevent
the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to
such Covered Person in accordance with this Section as
indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently
adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been
liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office.
Indemnification Not Exclusive; Definitions
Section 3. The right of indemnification hereby provided
shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which
any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this
Article VIII, the term "Covered Person" shall include such
person's heirs, executors and administrators, and a
"disinterested person" is a person against whom none of the
actions, suits or other proceedings in question or another
action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar
grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in
this article shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and
officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or
otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase
and maintain liability insurance on behalf of such persons.
<PAGE> 19
Shareholders
Section 4. In case any Shareholder or former
Shareholder shall be held to be personally liable solely by
reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder and
not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other
reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her
heirs, executors, administrators or other legal
representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other
entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be
entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified against all
loss and expense arising from such liability, but only out of
the assets of the particular series of Shares of which he or
she is or was a Shareholder.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Trustees, Shareholders, etc. Not Personally Liable; Notice
Section 1. All persons extending credit to, contracting
with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular
series of Shares shall look only to the assets of the Trust
or the assets of that particular series of Shares for payment
under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's
officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this
Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee against any
liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
the office of Trustee.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or
undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers
or officer shall give notice that this Declaration of Trust
is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall recite that the same was executed or
made by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustees or
Trustee or as officers or officer and not individually and
that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon
any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding
only upon the assets and property of the Trust, and may
contain such further recital as he or she or they may deem
appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to
bind any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or
Shareholders or Shareholder individually.
Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety
Section 2. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers
and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone
interested. A Trustee shall be liable for his or her own
wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office
of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees
may take advice of counsel or other experts
<PAGE> 20
with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration
of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or
omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to
follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to
give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees
Section 3. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be
bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any
transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to
the application of any payments made or property transferred
to the Trust or upon its order.
Duration and Termination of Trust
Section 4. Unless terminated as provided herein, the
Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust
may be terminated at any time by vote of Shareholders holding
at least two-thirds of the Shares of each series entitled to
vote or by the Trustees by written notice to the
Shareholders. Any series of Shares may be terminated at any
time by vote of Shareholders holding at least two-thirds of
the votes represented by the outstanding Shares of such
series entitled to vote or by the Trustees by written notice
to the Shareholders of such series.
Upon termination of the Trust or of any one or more
series of Shares, after paying or otherwise providing for all
charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or
accrued or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees,
the Trust shall in accordance with such procedures as the
Trustees consider appropriate reduce the remaining assets to
distributable form in cash or shares or other securities, or
any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the
Shareholders of the series involved, ratably according to the
number of Shares of such series held by the several
Shareholders of such series on the date of termination,
except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the
preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of
any classes of Shares of that series, provided that any
distribution to the Shareholders of a particular class of
Shares shall be made to such Shareholders pro rata in
proportion to the number of Shares of such class held by each
of them.
Filing of Copies, References, Headings
Section 5. The original or a copy of this instrument
and of each amendment hereto shall be kept at the office of
the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A
copy of this instrument and of each amendment hereto shall be
filed by the Trust with the Secretary of State of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with the Clerk of the City
of Boston, as well as any other governmental office where
such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone
dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an
officer of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments
have been made and as to any matters in connection with the
Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy
<PAGE> 21
certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this
instrument or of any such amendments. In this instrument and
in any such amendment, references to this instrument, and all
expressions such as "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall
be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or affected
by any such amendments. Headings are placed herein for
convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a
part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or
effect of this instrument. This instrument may be executed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original.
Applicable Law
Section 6. This Declaration of Trust is made in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is
to be governed by and construed and administered according to
the laws of said Commonwealth. The Trust shall be of the
type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, and
without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may
exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a
trust.
Amendments
Section 7. This Declaration of Trust may be amended at
any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of
the then Trustees when authorized so to do by a vote of the
holders of a majority of the votes represented by outstanding
Shares entitled to vote, except that an amendment which shall
affect the holders of one or more series or classes of Shares
but not the holders of all outstanding series and classes
shall be authorized by vote of holders of a majority of the
votes represented by outstanding Shares entitled to vote of
each series and class affected and no vote of Shareholders of
a series or class not affected shall be required. Amendments
having the purpose of changing the name of the Trust or of
supplying any omission, curing any ambiguity or curing,
correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent
provision contained herein shall not require authorization by
Shareholder vote.
<PAGE> 22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
in the City of Boston, Massachusetts for himself and his
assigns, as of this 31st day of July, 1996.
ANTONIO DE SPIRITO, III
Antonio DeSpirito, III
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Boston ss. July 31, 1996
Then personally appeared the above-named Trustee and
acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act and
deed, before me,
DIANE ROTONDI
Notary Public
My commission expires: 9/23/99
(Notary's Seal)
The address of the Trust is One South Wacker Drive, Chicago,
Illinois 60606
The Resident Agent is CT Corporation, 2 Oliver Street,
Boston, MA 02109.
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
The undersigned, being a majority of the duly elected
and qualified Trustees of Stein Roe Institutional Trust, a
voluntary association with transferable shares organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant
to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 31, 1996
(the "Declaration of Trust"), do hereby amend the Declaration
of Trust as follows and hereby consent to such amendment:
Article VI, Section II of the Declaration of Trust is
deleted and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:
Section 2. Any holder of Shares of the Trust may by
presentation of a written request, together with his or
her certificates, if any, for such Shares, in proper
form for transfer, at the office of the Trust or at a
principal office of a transfer agent appointed by the
Trust, redeem his or her Shares for the net asset value
thereof determined and computed in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2 and the provisions of
Section 7 of this Article VI.
Upon receipt by the Trust or its transfer agent of
such written request for redemption of Shares, such
Shares shall be redeemed at the net asset value per
share of the appropriate series next determined after
such Shares are tendered in proper order for transfer to
the Trust or determined as of such other time fixed by
the Trustees as may be permitted or required by the 1940
Act, provided that no such tender shall be required in
the case of Shares for which a certificate or
certificates have not been issued, and in such case such
Shares shall be redeemed at the net asset value per
share of the appropriate series next determined after
such request has been received or determined at such
other time fixed by the Trustees as may be permitted or
required by the 1940 Act.
The amount payable by the Trust upon redemption shall
be reduced by such redemption fee, if any, as the
Trustees may authorize.
The obligation of the Trust to redeem its Shares of
each series or class as set forth above in this Section
2 shall be subject to the conditions that during any
time of emergency, as hereinafter defined, such
obligation may be suspended by the Trust by or under
authority of the Trustees for such period of periods
during such time of emergency as shall be determined by
or under authority of the Trustees. If there is such a
suspension, any Shareholder may withdraw any demand for
redemption and any tender of Shares which has been
received by the Trust during any such period and any
tender of Shares, the applicable net asset value of
which would but for such suspension be calculated as of
a time during such period. Upon such withdrawal, the
Trust shall return to the Shareholder the certificates
therefor, if any. For the purposes of any such
suspension, "time of emergency" shall mean, either with
respect to all Shares of any series of Shares, any
period during which:
a. the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than for
customary weekend and holiday closings; or
b. the Trustees or authorized officers of the Trust
shall have determined, in compliance with any
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, either that trading on the
New York Stock Exchange is restricted, or that an
emergency exists as a result of which (i) disposal
by the Trust of securities owned by it is not
reasonably practicable or (ii) it is not reasonably
practicable for the Trust fairly to determine the
current value of its net assets; or
c. the suspension or postponement of such obligations
is permitted by order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The Trust may also purchase, repurchase or redeem
Shares in accordance with such other methods, upon such
other terms and subject to such other conditions as the
Trustees may from time to time authorize at a price not
exceeding the net asset value of such Shares in effect
when the purchase or repurchase or any contract to
purchase or repurchase is made.
This instrument may be executed in several counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
taken together shall be one instrument.
Dated: December 13, 1996
TIMOTHY K. ARMOUR DOUGLAS A. HACKER
Timothy K. Armour Douglas A. Hacker
KENNETH L. BLOCK FRANCIS W. MORLEY
Kenneth L. Block Francis W. Morley
WILLIAM W. BOYD CHARLES R. NELSON
William W. Boyd Charles R. Nelson
LINDSAY COOK THOMAS C. THEOBALD
Lindsay Cook Thomas C. Theobald
GORDON R. WORLEY
Gordan R. Worley
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 9(d)
SUB-TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT
Agreement dated as of July 3, 1996, between SteinRoe
Services Inc. ("SSI"), a Massachusetts corporation, for
itself and on behalf SteinRoe Municipal Trust, SteinRoe
Income Trust and SteinRoe Investment Trust, each a
Massachusetts business trust (all referred to herein as the
"Trust") comprised of the series of portfolios listed in
Schedule A (as the same may from time to time be amended to
add or to delete one or more series, all referred to herein
as the "Fund"), and Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
("CISC"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Trust has appointed SSI as Transfer Agent,
Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund, a
registered investment company, pursuant to Restated Agency
Agreement dated August 1, 1995 ("Transfer Agent Agreement");
WHEREAS, SSI is a registered transfer agent duly
authorized to appoint CISC as its agent for purposes of
performing certain transfer agency, registration and dividend
disbursement services in respect of the Trust;
WHEREAS, CISC desires to accept such appointment and to
perform such services upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Stein Roe & Farnham, Inc. ("SRF") is the
investment adviser to the Fund and Liberty Securities
Corporation is the principal underwriter of its shares.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises
and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Appointment. SSI hereby appoints CISC to act as its
agent in respect of the purchase, redemption and transfer of
Fund shares and dividend disbursing services in connection
with such shares other than with respect to Fund shares (a)
held under Stein Roe Counselor [service mark] for which SSI
shall perform such services and (b) held in omnibus accounts
with respect to which such services are performed by third
party financial institutions as described in the Fund's
Prospectus from time to time. CISC accepts such appointments
and will perform the duties and functions described herein in
the manner hereinafter set forth. In respect of its duties
and obligations pursuant to this Agreement, CISC will act as
agent of SSI and not as agent of the Trust nor the Fund.
CISC agrees to provide the necessary facilities,
equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations
hereunder in accordance with the practice of transfer agents
of investment companies registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and in compliance with all laws
applicable to mutual fund transfer agents and the Fund.
<PAGE> 2
CISC agrees that it shall perform usual and ordinary
services as transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing
agent, which are necessary and appropriate for investment
companies registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, except as otherwise specifically excluded herein,
including but not limited to: receiving and processing
payments for purchases of Fund shares, opening shareholder
accounts, receiving and processing requests for liquidation
of Fund shares , transferring and canceling stock
certificates, maintaining all shareholder accounts, preparing
annual shareholder meetings lists, corresponding with
shareholders regarding transaction rejections, providing
order room services to brokers, withholding taxes on
accounts, disbursing income dividends and capital gains
distributions, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department
Form 1099 for shareholders, preparing and mailing
confirmation forms to shareholders for all purchases and
liquidations of Fund shares and other confirmable
transactions in shareholder accounts, recording reinvestment
of dividends and distributions in Fund shares, and causing
liquidation of shares and disbursements to be made to
withdrawal plan holders. The services to be performed by
CISC under this Agreement may be set forth in a procedures
manual and other documents as mutually agreed to by CISC and
SSI. Specifically excluded from the services to be provided
by CISC are the following: mailing proxy materials,
receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing shareholder reports
and prospectuses, account research, shareholder
correspondence and telephone services regarding general
inquiries, information requests and all other matters except
transaction rejections, all of which SRS agrees to continue
to perform directly on behalf of the Trust and the Fund.
2. Fees and Charges. SSI will pay CISC for the services
provided hereunder in accordance with and in the manner set
forth in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3. Representations and Warranties of CISC. CISC
represents and warrants to SSI that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts;
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(c) It is empowered under applicable state and federal
laws and by its Articles of Organization and By-Laws
to enter into and perform the services contemplated
by this Agreement and it is in compliance and shall
continue during the term of this Agreement to be in
compliance with all such applicable laws;
(d) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken
to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(e) It has and shall continue to have and maintain the
necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to
perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement; and
<PAGE> 3
(f) It has filed a Registration Statement on SEC Form TA-
1 and will file timely an amendment to same
respecting this Sub-Transfer Agent Agreement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, it is duly
registered as a transfer agent as provided in Section
17Ac of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and
it will remain so registered and will comply with all
state and federal laws and regulations relating to
transfer agents throughout the term of this
Agreement.
4. Representations and Warranties of SSI. SSI
represents and warrants to CISC that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts;
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the
State of Illinois;
(c) It is empowered under applicable state and federal
laws and by its Articles of Organization and By-Laws
to enter into and perform the services contemplated
in this Agreement and in the Transfer Agent Agreement
and it is in compliance and shall continue during the
term of this Agreement to be in compliance with the
Transfer Agent Agreement and all such applicable
laws;
(d) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken
to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(e) It has and shall continue to have and maintain the
necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to
perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement and the Transfer Agent Agreement; and
(f) It has filed a Registration Statement on SEC Form TA-
1 and will file timely an amendment to same
respecting this Sub-Transfer Agent Agreement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission; it is duly
registered as a Transfer Agent as provided in Section
17Ac of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and it
will remain so registered and comply with all state
and federal laws and regulations relating to transfer
agents throughout the term of this Agreement.
5. Representations and Warranties of the Trust. The
Trust represents and warrants to CISC that:
(a) It is a business trust duly organized and existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Massachusetts;
(b) The Fund is an open-end diversified management
investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
<PAGE> 4
(c) Registration statements under the Securities Act of
1933 and applicable state laws are currently
effective and will remain effective at all times with
respect to all shares of the Fund being offered for
sale;
(d) The Trust is empowered under applicable laws and
regulations and by its Agreement and Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement; and
(e) All requisite proceedings and actions have been
taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
6. Copies of Documents. SSI promptly from time to time
will furnish CISC with copies of the following Trust and Fund
documents and all amendments or supplements thereto: the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust ; the By-Laws; and the
Registration Statement under Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
together with any other information reasonably requested by
CISC. The Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
contained in such Registration Statement, as from time to
time amended and supplemented, are herein collectively
referred to as the "Fund's Prospectus."
On or before the date of effectiveness of this
Agreement, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably
practicable, and from time-to-time thereafter, SSI will
furnish CISC with certified copies of the resolutions of the
Trustees of the Trust authorizing this Agreement and
designating authorized persons to give instructions to CISC;
if applicable, a specimen of the certificate for shares of
the Fund in the form approved by the Trustees of the Trust,
with a certificate of the Secretary of the Trust as to such
approval; and certificates as to any change in any officer,
director, or authorized person of the SSI and the Trust.
7. Share Certificates. The Fund has resolved that all
of the Fund's shares shall hereafter be issued in
uncertificated form. Thus, CISC shall not be responsible for
the issuance of certificates representing shares in the Fund.
However, CISC shall maintain a record of each certificate
previously issued and outstanding, the number of shares
represented thereby, and the holder of record of such shares.
8. Lost or Destroyed Certificates. In case of the
alleged loss or destruction of any share certificate, no new
certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to CISC an affidavit of loss or non-
receipt by the holder of shares with respect to which a
certificate has been lost or destroyed, supported by an
appropriate bond paid for by the shareholder which is
satisfactory to CISC and issued by a surety company
satisfactory to CISC. CISC shall place and maintain stop
transfer instructions on all lost certificates as to which it
receives notice.
9. Receipt of Funds for Investment. CISC will maintain
one or more accounts with The First National Bank of Boston
("Bank"),in the name of SSI into which
<PAGE> 5
it will deposit funds payable to CISC or SSI as agent for, or
otherwise identified as being for the account of, the Trust
or the Fund.
10. Shareholder Accounts. Upon receipt of any funds
referred to in paragraph 9, CISC will compute the number of
shares purchased by the shareholder according to the net
asset value of Fund shares determined in accordance with
applicable federal laws and regulations and as described in
the Prospectus of the Fund and:
(a) In the case of a new shareholder, open and maintain
an open account for such shareholder in the name or
names set forth in the subscription application form;
(b) Send to the shareholder a confirmation indicating the
amount of full and fractional shares purchased (in
the case of fractional shares, rounded to three
decimal places) and the price per share;
(c) In the case of a request to establish a plan or
program being offered by the Fund's Prospectus, open
and maintain such plan or program for the shareholder
in accordance with the terms thereof; and
(d) Perform such other services and initiate and maintain
such other books and records as are customarily
undertaken by transfer agents in maintaining
shareholder accounts for registered investment
company investors;
all subject to requirements set forth in the Fund's
Prospectus with respect to rejection of orders.
For closed accounts, CISC will maintain account records
through June of the calendar year following the year in which
the account is closed, or such other period of time as CISC
and SSI shall mutually agree in writing from time to time.
11. Unpaid Checks; Accounts Assigned for Collection.
If any check or other order for payment of money on the
account of any shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid
for any reason, CISC will:
(a) Give prompt notification to SRS of such non-payment
by facsimile sent prior to 9 a.m. E.S.T.; and
(b) Upon SSI's written instruction, received by facsimile
delivery not later than 11 a.m. E.S.T., authorize
payment of such order notwithstanding insufficient
shareholder account funds, on the condition that SSI
shall indemnify CISC and payor bank in respect of
such payment.
12. Dividends and Distributions. SSI will promptly
notify CISC of the declaration of any dividend or
distribution with respect to Fund shares, the amount of
<PAGE> 6
such dividend or distribution, the date each such dividend or
distribution shall be paid, and the record date for
determination of shareholders entitled to receive such
dividend or distribution. As dividend disbursing agent, CISC
will, on or before the payment date of any such dividend or
distribution, notify the Trust's custodian of the estimated
amount of cash required to pay such dividend or distribution,
and the Trust agrees that on or before the mailing date of
such dividend or distribution it will instruct its custodian
to make available to CISC sufficient funds in the dividend
and distribution account maintained by CISC with the Bank.
As dividend disbursing agent, CISC will prepare and
distribute to shareholders any funds to which they are
entitled by reason of any dividend or distribution and, in
the case of shareholders entitled to receive additional
shares by reason of any such dividend or distribution, CISC
will make appropriate credits to their accounts and cause to
be prepared and mailed to shareholders confirmation
statements and, of such additional shares. CISC will maintain
all records necessary to reflect the crediting of dividends
and distributions which are reinvested in shares of the Fund.
13. Redemptions. CISC will receive and process for
redemption in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus, share
certificates and requests for redemption of shares as
follows:
(a) If such certificate or request complies with
standards for redemption, CISC will, in accordance
with the Fund's current Prospectus, pay to the
shareholder from funds deposited by the Fund from
time to time in the redemption account maintained by
CISC with the Bank, the appropriate redemption price
as set forth in the Fund's Prospectus; and
(b) If such certificate or request does not comply with
the standards for redemption, CISC will promptly
notify the shareholder and shall effect the
redemption at the price in effect at the time of
receipt of documents complying with the standard.
14. Transfer and Exchanges. CISC will review and
process transfers of shares of the Fund and to the extent, if
any, permitted in the Prospectus of the Fund, exchanges
between series of the Trust received by CISC. If shares to
be transferred are represented by outstanding certificates,
CISC will, upon surrender to it of the certificates in proper
form for transfer, credit the same to the transferee on its
books. If shares are to be exchanged for shares of another
Fund, CISC will process such exchange in the same manner as a
redemption and sale of shares, in accordance with the Fund's
Prospectus may in its.
15. Plans. CISC will process such plans or programs
for investing in shares, and such systematic withdrawal
plans, as are provided for in the Fund's Prospectus.
16. Tax Returns and Reports. CISC will prepare and
file tax returns and reports with the Internal Revenue
Service and any other federal, state or local governmental
agency which may require such filings, including state
abandoned
<PAGE> 7
property laws, and conduct appropriate communications
relating thereto, and, if required, mail to shareholders such
forms for reporting dividends and distributions paid by the
Fund as are required by applicable laws, rules and
regulations, and CISC will withhold such sums as are required
to be withheld under applicable Federal and state income tax
laws, rules and regulations. CISC will periodically provide
SSI with reports showing dividends and distributions paid and
any amounts withheld. CISC will also make reasonable attempt
to obtain such tax withholding information from shareholders
as is required to be obtained on behalf of the Trust under
applicable federal or state laws.
17. Record Keeping. CISC will maintain records, which
at all times will be the property of the Trust and available
for inspection by SSI, showing for each shareholder's account
the following information and such other information as CISC
and SSI shall mutually agree in writing from time to time:
(a) Name, address, and United States taxpayer
identification or Social Security number, if provided
(or amounts withheld with respect to dividends and
distributions on shares if a taxpayer identification
or Social Security number is not provided);
(b) Number of shares held for which certificates have not
been issued and for which certificates have been
issued;
(c) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions
paid, if any, gross proceeds of sales transactions,
and the date and price for transactions on a
shareholder's account;
(d) Any stop or restraining order placed against a
shareholder's account of which SSI has notified CISI;
(e) Information with respect to withholdings of taxes as
required under applicable Federal and state laws and
regulations;
(f) Any capital gain or dividend reinvestment order and
plan application relating to the current maintenance
of a shareholder's account; and
(g) Any instructions as to record addresses and any
correspondence or instructions relating to the
current maintenance of a shareholder's account.
SSI hereby agrees that CISC shall have no liability or
obligation with respect to the accuracy or completeness of
shareholder account information received by CISC on or about
the Operational Date.
<PAGE> 8
By mutual agreement of CISC and SSI, CISC shall
administer a program whereby reasonable attempt is made to
identify current address information from shareholders whose
mail from the Trust is returned.
CISC shall maintain at its expense those records
necessary to carry out its duties under this Agreement. In
addition, CISC shall maintain at its expense for periods
prescribed by law all records which the Fund or CISC is
required to keep and maintain pursuant to any applicable
statute, rule or regulation, including without limitation
Rule 31(a)-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
relating to the maintenance of records in connection with the
services to be provided hereunder. Upon mutual agreement of
CISC and SSI, CISC shall also maintain other records
requested from time to time by SSI, at SSI's expense.
At the end of the period in which records must be
retained by law, such records and documents will either be
provided to the Trust or destroyed in accordance with prior
written authorization from the Trust.
18. Retirement Plan Services. CISC shall provide sub-
accounting services for retirement plan shareholders
representing group relationships with special recordkeeping
needs.
19. Other Information Furnished. CISC will furnish to
SSI such other information, including shareholder lists and
statistical information as may be agreed upon from time to
time between CISC and SSI. CISC shall notify SSI and the
Trust of any request or demand to inspect the share records
of the Fund, and will not permit or refuse such inspection
until receipt of written instructions from the Trust as to
such permission or refusal unless required by law.
CISC shall provide to the Trust any results of studies
and evaluations of systems of internal accounting controls
performed for the purpose of meeting the requirements of
Regulation 240.17Ad-13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
20. Shareholder Inquiries. CISC will not respond to
written correspondence from fund shareholders or others
relating to the Fund other than those regarding transaction
rejections and clarification of transaction instructions, but
shall forward all such correspondence to SSI.
21. Communications to Shareholders and Meetings. CISC
will determine all shareholders entitled to receive, and will
cause to be addressed and mailed, all communications by the
Fund to its shareholders, including quarterly and annual
reports, proxy material for meetings, and periodic
communications. CISC will cause to be received, examined and
tabulated return proxy cards for meetings of shareholders and
certify the vote to the Trust Fund.
22. Other Services by CISC. CISC shall provide SSI,
with the following additional services:
<PAGE> 9
(a) All CTRAN, CIMAGE, Price Waterhouse Blue Sky 2, and
Pegashares functionality and enhancements (on a
remote basis) as they now exist and as they are
developed and made available to CISC clients;
(b) Initial programs and report enhancements to the CTRAN
System which are necessary to accommodate the Fund as
a no-load fund group;
(c) Development, systems training, technical support,
implementation, and maintenance of special programs
and systems to enhance overall shareholder servicing
capability;
(d) Product and system training for personnel of
institutional servicing agents.
23. Insurance. CISC will not reduce or allow to lapse
any of its insurance coverages from time to time in effect,
including but not limited to errors and omissions, fidelity
bond and electronic data processing coverage, without the
prior written consent of SSI. Attached as Schedule D to this
Agreement is a list of the insurance coverage which CISC has
in effect as of the date of execution of this Agreement and,
if different, will have in effect on the Operational Date.
24. Duty of Care and Indemnification. CISC will at all
times use reasonable care, due diligence and act in good
faith in performing its duties hereunder. CISC will not be
liable or responsible for delays or errors by reason of
circumstances beyond its control, including without
limitation acts of civil or military authority, national or
state emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical
breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection,
war, riots or failure of transportation, communication or
power supply.
CISC may rely on certifications of those individuals
designated as authorized persons to give instructions to CISC
as to proceedings or facts in connection with any action
taken by the shareholders of the Fund or Trustees of the
Trust, and upon instructions not inconsistent with this
Agreement from individuals who have been so authorized. Upon
receiving authorization from an individual designated as an
authorized person to give instructions to CISC, CISC may
apply to counsel for the Trust, or counsel for SSI or the
Fund's investment adviser, at the Fund's expense, for advice.
With respect to any action reasonably taken on the basis of
such certifications or instructions or in accordance with the
advice of counsel of the Trust, or counsel for SSI or the
Fund's investment adviser, the Fund will indemnify and hold
harmless CSC from any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees
and expenses).
SSI will indemnify CISC against and hold CISC harmless
from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) in
respect of any claim, demand, action or suit not resulting
from CISC's bad faith, negligence, lack of due diligence or
willful misconduct and arising out of, or in connection with
its duties under this Agreement.
<PAGE> 10
CISC shall indemnify SSI against and hold SSI harmless
from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) in
respect to any claim, demand, action or suit resulting from
CISC's bad faith, negligence, lack of due diligence or
willful misconduct, and arising out of, or in connection
with, its duties under this Agreement. For purposes of this
Sub-Transfer Agent Agreement, "lack of due diligence" shall
mean the processing by CISC of a Fund share transaction in
accordance with a practice that is not substantially in
compliance with (1) a transaction processing practice of SSI
approved by Fund Trustees, (2) insurance coverages, or (3)
generally accepted industry practices of mutual fund agents.
CISC shall also be indemnified and held harmless by SSI
against any loss, claim, damage, liability and expenses
(including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) by reason of
any act done by it in good faith with due diligence and in
reasonable reliance upon any instrument or certificate for
shares reasonably believed by it (a) to be genuine and (b) to
be signed, countersigned or executed by any person or persons
authorized to sign, countersign, or execute such instrument
or certificate.
In addition, SSI will indemnify and hold CISC harmless
against any loss, claim, damage, liability and expense
(including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) in respect
of any claim, demand, action or suit as a result of the
negligence of the Fund, Trust SRF or SSI, or as a result of
CISC's acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by
CISC to have been executed or orally communicated by a duly
authorized officer or employee of the Fund, Trust SRF or SSI,
or as a result of acting in reliance upon written or oral
advice reasonably believed by CISC to have been given by
counsel for the Fund, Trust SRF or SSI.
In any case in which a party to this Agreement may be
asked to indemnify or hold harmless the other party hereto,
the party seeking indemnification shall advise the other
party of all pertinent facts concerning the situation giving
rise to the claim or potential claim for indemnification, and
each party shall use reasonable care to identify and notify
the other promptly concerning any situation which presents or
appears likely to present a claim for indemnification.
Prior to admitting to or agreeing to settle any claim subject
to this Section, each party shall give the other reasonable
opportunity to defend against said claim in either party's
name.
25. Employees. CISC and SSI are separately
responsible for the employment, control and conduct of their
respective agents and employees and for injury to such agents
or employees or to others caused by such agents or employees.
CISC and SSI severally assume full responsibility for their
respective agents and employees under applicable statues and
agree to pay all employer taxes thereunder. The conduct of
their respective agents and employees shall be included in
any reference to the conduct of CISC or SSI for all purposes
hereunder.
26. Termination and Amendment. This Agreement shall
continue in effect for eighteen (18) months from the
Operational Date, and will automatically be
<PAGE> 11
renewed for successive one year terms thereafter. After
eighteen (18) months from the Operational Date the Agreement
may be terminated at any time by not less than one hundred
eighty (180) days written notice. Upon termination hereof,
SSI shall pay CISC such compensation as may be due to CISC as
of the date of such termination for services rendered and
expenses incurred, as described in Schedule B. This
Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by
mutual agreement between SSI and CISC.
27. Successors. In the event that in connection with
termination of this Agreement a successor to any of CISC's
duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by SSI by
written notice to CISC, CISC shall promptly at the expense of
SSI, transfer to such successor, or if no successor is
designated, transfer to the Trust, a certificate list of the
shareholders of the Fund (with name, address and taxpayer
identification or Social Security number), a historical
record of the account of each shareholder and the status
thereof, all other relevant books, records, correspondence
and other data established or maintained by CISC under this
Agreement in machine readable form and will cooperate in the
transfer of such duties and responsibilities, and in the
establishment of books, records and other data by such
successor. CISC shall be entitled to reimbursement of its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in respect of assistance
provided in accordance with the preceding sentence.
28. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be construed
in accordance with and governed by the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit
any of the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise affect
their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
CISC shall keep confidential all records and information
provided to CISC by the Trust, SSI, SRF, and prior, present
or prospective shareholders of the Fund, except, after notice
to SSI , to the extent disclosures are required by this
Agreement, by the Fund's registration statement, or by a
reasonable request or a valid subpoena or warrant issued by a
court, state or federal agency or other governmental
authority.
Neither CISC nor SSI may use each other's name in any
written material without written consent of such other party,
provided , however, that such consent shall not unreasonably
withheld. CISC and SSI hereby consent to all uses of their
respective names which refer in accurate terms to appointment
and duties under this Agreement or which are required by any
governmental or regulatory authority including required
filings. SSI, SRF, the Trust and the Fund consent to use of
their respective names and logos by CISC for shareholder
correspondence and statements
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of SSI and CISC and their respective successors
and assigns. Neither SSI nor CISC shall assign this
<PAGE> 12
Agreement nor its rights and obligations under this Agreement
without the express written consent of the other party.
This Agreement may be amended only in writing by mutual
agreement of the parties.
Any notice and other instrument in writing authorized or
required by this Agreement t be given to SSI or CISC shall
sufficiently be given if addressed to that party and mailed
or delivered to it as its office set for the below or at such
other place as it may from time to time designate in writing.
SSI, the Trust and the Fund:
SteinRoe Services Inc.
One South Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attn: Jilaine Hummel Bauer, Esq.
CISC:
Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Attn: Mary McKenzie; with a separate copy to
Attn: Nancy L. Conlin, Esq., Legal Department
<PAGE> 13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and sealed as of the date first
above written.
STEINROE SERVICES INC.
By: TIMOTHY K. ARMOUR
Name:
Title: Vice President
COLONIAL INVESTORS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
By: D.S. SCOON
Name: Davey S. Scoon
Title: President
Assented to on behalf of Trust and Stein Roe Mutual Funds:
STEIN ROE INCOME TRUST
STEIN ROE INVESTMENT TRUST
STEIN ROE MUNICIPAL TRUST
By: TIMOTHY K. ARMOUR
Name: Timothy K. Armour
Title: President
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
Stein Roe Mutual Funds (the "Fund"), consists of the
following series of portfolios:
Stein Roe Investment Trust
- --------------------------
Stein Roe Growth & Income Fund
Stein Roe International Fund
Stein Roe Young Investor Fund
Stein Roe Balanced Fund
Stein Roe Growth Stock Fund
Stein Roe Capital Opportunities Fund
Stein Roe Special Fund
Stein Roe Special Venture Fund
Stein Roe Income Trust
- ----------------------
Stein Roe Income Fund
Stein Roe Government Income Fund
Stein Roe Intermediate Bond Fund
Stein Roe Cash Reserves Fund
Stein Roe Government Reserves Fund
Stein Roe Limited Maturity Income Fund
Stein Roe Municipal Trust
- -------------------------
Stein Roe Intermediate Municipals Fund
Stein Roe High-Yield Municipals Fund
Stein Roe Municipal Money Market Fund
Stein Roe Managed Municipals Fund
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
This Schedule B is attached to and is part of a certain
Sub-Transfer Agent Agreement ("Agreement") dated July 3, 1996
between SteinRoe Services Inc. ("SSI") and Colonial Investors
Center, Inc. ("CISC").
A. SSI will pay CISC for services rendered under the
Agreement and in accordance with a negotiated allocation of
revenues and reimbursement of costs as follows:
1. As of the Operational Date, CISC and SSI shall agree upon
a fixed monthly per account fee to be paid under the
Agreement, which shall be in an amount equal to 1/12 (a) the
estimated total, determined on an annualized basis, of (1)
all incremental costs incurred by CISC in connection with the
sub-transfer agency relationship, plus (2) 1/2 the net
economic benefit derived by Liberty Financial Companies, the
parent company of both CISC and SSI, as a result of the sub-
transfer agency relationship, (b) divided by the number of
shareholder accounts to be serviced by CISC pursuant to the
Agreement as of the Operational Date.
2. For the first eighteen (18) months of the Agreement, SSI
shall pay CISC, monthly in arrears, commencing with the first
day of August, 1996, and on the first day of each month
thereafter, the greater of (a) the product of the fixed per
account fee determined as provided in paragraph 1. above
multiplied by the number of shareholder accounts serviced by
CISC pursuant to the Agreement as of the end of the preceding
month, and (b) 1/12 the annualized estimated total costs and
benefit determined pursuant to (a) of paragraph 1. above.
All estimates under this paragraph shall be determined no
later than September 30, 1996. The annual fee for the first
eighteen months shall not be less than $1.4 million.
3. Commencing January 1, 1998, and during each calendar year
thereafter, SSI shall pay CISC a fee equal to CISC's budgeted
annual per account expense of providing services pursuant to
the Agreement. Said fee shall be paid monthly in arrears, on
the first day of each month, in an amount equal to the
product of 1/12 the budgeted annual per account fee
multiplied by the number of shareholder accounts serviced by
CISC pursuant to the Agreement as of the end of the preceding
month. All budgeted numbers under this paragraph shall be
determined no later than November 30 each year.
B. The Fund shall be credited each month with balance
credits earned on all Fund cash balances.
Upon thirty (30) days' notice to SSI, CISC may increase
the fees it charges to the extent the cost to CISC of
providing services increases (i) because of changes in the
Fund's Prospectus, or (ii) on account of any change after the
date hereof in law or regulations governing performance of
obligations hereunder.
Fees for any additional services not provided herein, ad
hoc reports or special programming requirements to be
provided by CISC shall be agreed upon by SSI and CISC at such
time as CISC agrees to provide any such services.
In addition to paying CISC fees as described herein, SSI
agrees to reimburse CISC for any and all out-of-pocket
expenses and charges in performing services under the
Agreement (other than charges for normal data processing
services and related software, equipment and facilities)
including, but not limited to, mailing service, postage,
printing of shareholder statements, the cost of any and all
forms of the Trust and other materials used in communicating
with shareholders of the Trust, the cost of any equipment or
service used for communicating with the Trust's custodian
bank or other agent of the Trust, and all costs of telephone
communication with or on behalf of shareholders allocated in
a manner mutually acceptable to CISC and SSI.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE C
SRS and CSC hereby agree that the date on which the
complete services began ("Operational Date") under the Sub-
Transfer Agent Agreement between them dated July 3, 1996, is:
July , 1996
STEINROE SERVICES INC.
By:________________________________________
Name:
Title: Vice President
COLONIAL INVESTORS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
By:________________________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO
SUB-TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT
This Amendment dated as of January 1, 1997, and
effective that date unless otherwise indicated below, amends
the agreement dated as of July 3, 1996 (the "Agreement"),
between SteinRoe Services Inc.("SSI"), Stein Roe Municipal
Trust, Stein Roe Income Trust and Stein Roe Investment Trust
(collectively the "Trust") and Colonial Investors Service
Center, Inc. ("CISC") to add Stein Roe Advisor Trust
(effective February 14, 1997), Stein Roe Institutional Trust
(effective January 2, 1997) and Stein Roe Trust (effective
February 14, 1997), comprised of the Series listed on
Schedule A, as amended, and assenting parties to the contract
and to add new series of the existing Trusts. The amended
Schedule A is as follows:
STEIN ROE INCOME TRUST
Stein Roe Income Fund
Stein Roe Government Income Fund
Stein Roe Intermediate Bond Fund
Stein Roe High Yield Fund
STEIN ROE MUNICIPAL TRUST
Stein Roe Intermediate Municipals Fund
Stein Roe High-Yield Municipals Fund
Stein Roe Managed Municipals Fund
STEIN ROE INVESTMENT TRUST
Stein Roe International Fund
Stein Roe Growth & Income Fund
Stein Roe Balanced Fund
Stein Roe Young Investor Fund
Stein Roe Growth Stock Fund
Stein Roe Special Fund
Stein Roe Special Venture Fund
Stein Roe High-Yield Municipals Fund
STEIN ROE ADVISOR TRUST
Stein Roe Advisor Balanced Fund
Stein Roe Advisor Growth & Income Fund
Stein Roe Advisor Growth Stock Fund
Stein Roe Advisor International Fund
Stein Roe Advisor Special Fund
Stein Roe Advisor Special Venture Fund
Stein Roe Advisor Young Investor Fund
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Stein Roe Institutional High Yield Fund
STEIN ROE TRUST
Stein Roe Institutional Client High Yield Fund
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment to be duly executed and sealed as of the date first
above written.
SteinRoe Services Inc.
By: HEIDI J. WALTER
Name:: Heidi J. Walter
Title: Vice President
Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
By: MARY DILLON MCKENZIE
Name: Mary Dillon McKenzie
Title: Senior Vice President
Assented to on behalf of Trust and Stein Roe Mutual Funds:
Stein Roe Income Trust
Stein Roe Investment Trust
Stein Roe Municipal Trust
Stein Roe Advisor Trust
Stein Roe Institutional Trust
Stein Roe Trust
By: JILAINE HUMMEL BAUER
Name: Jilaine Hummel Bauer
Title: Executive Vice President and Secretary
EXHIBIT 11
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Independent Auditors" and to the use of our report dated
December 12, 1996 with respect to Stein Roe Institutional
High Yield Fund in the Registration Statement (Form N-1A) of
Stein Roe Institutional Trust and related Statement of
Additional Information of Stein Roe Institutional High Yield
Fund, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration No.
333-13331) and in this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(Registration No. 811-07823).
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
May 16, 1997
