Rule 497(c)
Securities Act File No. 333-15419
Investment Company Act File No. 811-07901
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PROSPECTUS
December 31, 1996
WARBURG PINCUS
HEALTH SCIENCES FUND
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PROSPECTUS December 31, 1996
Warburg Pincus Funds are a family of open-end mutual funds that offer investors
a variety of investment opportunities. One fund is described in this Prospectus:
WARBURG PINCUS HEALTH SCIENCES FUND seeks capital appreciation by investing in
equity and debt securities of companies that are principally engaged in the
research, development, production or distribution of products or services
related to health care, medicine or the life sciences (collectively termed
'health sciences'). The Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets
in equity securities of health sciences companies. THE FUND WILL CEASE OFFERING
ITS SHARES TO NEW INVESTORS WHEN TOTAL ASSETS REACH $150 MILLION.
NO LOAD CLASS OF COMMON SHARES
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Common Shares that are 'no load' are offered by this Prospectus (i) directly
from the Fund's distributor, Counsellors Securities Inc., and (ii) through
various brokerage firms including Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. Mutual Fund
OneSourceTM Program; Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc. FundsNetworkTM Program;
Jack White & Company, Inc.; and Waterhouse Securities, Inc.
LOW MINIMUM INVESTMENT
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The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $2,500 ($500 for an IRA or Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act account) and the minimum subsequent investment is $100.
Through the Automatic Monthly Investment Plan, subsequent investment minimums
may be as low as $50. See 'How to Purchase Shares.'
This Prospectus briefly sets forth certain information about the Fund that
investors should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the
Fund, contained in a Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and is available for
reference, along with other related materials, on the SEC Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). The Statement of Additional Information is also available
to investors without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874.
Information regarding the status of shareholder accounts may be obtained by
calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874. The Statement of Additional
Information, as amended or supplemented from time to time, bears the same date
as this Prospectus and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this
Prospectus.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY ANY BANK, AND SHARES ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
INVESTMENTS IN SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
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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.
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THE FUND'S EXPENSES
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Warburg Pincus Health Sciences Fund (the 'Fund') is authorized to offer two
separate classes of shares: Common Shares and Advisor Shares. The Fund currently
offers only Common Shares. For a description of Advisor Shares see 'General
Information.' Common Shares pay the Fund's distributor a 12b-1 fee. See
'Management of the Funds -- Distributor.'
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<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)........................................ 0
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees.............................................................. .63%
12b-1 Fees................................................................... .25%
Other Expenses............................................................... .71%
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Total Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waivers)`D'......................... 1.59%
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...................................................................... $16
3 years..................................................................... $50
</TABLE>
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`D' Absent the anticipated waiver of fees by the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator, Management Fees would equal 1.00%, Other Expenses would
equal .81% and Total Fund Operating Expenses would equal 2.06%. Other
Expenses for the Fund are based on annualized estimates of expenses for the
fiscal year ending October 31, 1997, net of any fee waivers or expense
reimbursements.The investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers.
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The expense table shows the costs and expenses that an investor will bear
directly or indirectly as a Common Shareholder of the Fund. Certain broker-
dealers and financial institutions also may charge their clients fees in
connection with investments in the Fund's Common Shares, which fees are not
reflected in the table. The Example should not be considered a representation of
past or future expenses; actual Fund expenses may be greater or less than those
shown. Moreover, while the Example assumes a 5% annual return, the Fund's actual
performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. Long-
term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charges permitted by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the 'NASD').
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
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Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc. ('Warburg'), the Fund's investment adviser,
believes that the aging of the population in the United States and other
industrialized nations will have a fundamental impact on financial markets. The
Fund is designed to enable investors to participate in the opportunities that
changing demographic forces can be expected to create as health sciences
companies respond to the challenges ahead.
The Fund's investment objective is capital appreciation. This objective is a
fundamental policy and may not be amended without first obtaining the approval
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any investment involves
risk and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective. See 'Portfolio Investments' and 'Certain Investment
Strategies' for descriptions of certain types of investments the Fund may make.
The Fund is a diversified management investment company. The Fund intends to
invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of health sciences
companies, and under normal market conditions will invest at least 65% of its
assets in equity and debt securities of health science companies. Equity
securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks. Health sciences companies
are companies that are principally engaged in the research, development,
production or distribution of products or services related to health care,
medicine or the life sciences (collectively termed 'health sciences'). A company
is considered to be 'principally engaged' in health sciences when at least 50%
of its assets are committed to, or at least 50% of its revenues or operating
profits are derived from, the activities described in the previous sentence. A
company will also be considered 'principally engaged' in health sciences if, in
the judgment of Warburg, that company has the potential for capital appreciation
primarily as a result of particular products, technology, patents or other
market advantages in a health sciences business and (a) the company holds itself
out to the public as being primarily engaged in a health sciences business, and
(b) a substantial percentage of the company's expenses are related to a health
sciences business and these expenses exceed revenues from non-health sciences
businesses.
Warburg believes that health sciences companies can be divided into four
major categories: (1) Buyers, notably HMOs; (2) Providers, including doctors and
group practices, and also services, including hospitals and nursing homes; (3)
Suppliers, including pharmaceuticals, equipment and devices; and (4) Innovators,
including biotechnology, gene therapy and drug delivery systems. Warburg
believes that active management of the Fund's portfolio among these categories
provides more diversification than a focus on any one category. The Fund may
invest in a variety of businesses in these categories, which may include:
Alternative Site Health Care Delivery
Biotechnology
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Dental Products
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Laboratory Supplies and Equipment
Environmental Products and Services
Health Care Information Systems
Health Care, Life Sciences Pharmaceutical and Dental Products
Distribution
Health Care REITs
Hospital Management
Hospital Supply and Medical Device Technology
Long-Term Care, Sub-Acute Care, Rehabilitation Services and Home
Health Care
Managed Care: HMOs
Managed Care: Specialty Cost Containment
Medical, Diagnostic and Biochemical Research and Development
Nutrition and Food
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals (including Generics)
Physician Practice Management
Retail Drug and Other Health Stores
Vendors to Health Sciences Companies
The Fund intends to concentrate its investments in health sciences companies
in three industries: services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The Fund
will, under normal market conditions, invest at least 25% of its total assets in
the aggregate in these three industries. This policy may expose the Fund to
greater risk than a health sciences fund that invests more broadly among
industries.
The Fund may invest in companies of any size and may invest up to 35% of its
assets in foreign securities.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
________________________________________________________________________________
DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt
securities (other than money market obligations) for the purpose of seeking
capital appreciation. The interest income to be derived may be considered as one
factor in selecting debt securities for investment by Warburg. Because the
market value of debt obligations can be expected to vary inversely to changes in
prevailing interest rates, investing in debt obligations may provide an
opportunity for capital appreciation when interest rates are expected to
decline. The success of such a strategy is dependent upon Warburg's ability to
accurately forecast changes in interest rates. The market value of debt
obligations may also be expected to vary depending upon, among other factors,
the ability of the issuer to repay principal and interest, any change in
investment rating and general economic conditions. The Fund may invest in debt
securities rated below investment grade and as low as C by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ('Moody's') or D by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ('S&P') and
may invest in unrated issues that are believed by
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Warburg to have financial characteristics that are comparable and that are
otherwise similar in quality to the rated issues it purchases.
MONEY MARKET OBLIGATIONS. The Fund is authorized to invest, under normal
market conditions, up to 20% of its total assets in domestic and foreign
short-term (one year or less remaining to maturity) and medium-term (five years
or less remaining to maturity) money market obligations and for temporary
defensive purposes may invest in these securities without limit. These
instruments consist of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or a foreign government, their agencies or instrumentalities; bank obligations
(including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances of
domestic or foreign banks, domestic savings and loans and similar institutions)
that are high quality investments or, if unrated, deemed by Warburg to be high
quality investments; commercial paper rated no lower than A-2 by S&P or Prime-2
by Moody's or the equivalent from another major rating service or, if unrated,
of an issuer having an outstanding, unsecured debt issue then rated within the
three highest rating categories; and repurchase agreements with respect to the
foregoing.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreement
transactions on portfolio securities with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System and certain non-bank dealers. Repurchase agreements are contracts under
which the buyer of a security simultaneously commits to resell the security to
the seller at an agreed-upon price and date. Under the terms of a typical
repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire any underlying security for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an
obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation
at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the
Fund's holding period. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that
is not subject to market fluctuations during the Fund's holding period. The
value of the underlying securities will at all times be at least equal to the
total amount of the purchase obligation, including interest. The Fund bears a
risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement
defaults on its obligations or becomes bankrupt and the Fund is delayed or
prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral securities,
including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying
securities during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert this right.
Warburg, acting under the supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors (the
'Board'), monitors the creditworthiness of those bank and non-bank dealers with
which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate this risk. A
repurchase agreement is considered to be a loan under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act').
Money Market Mutual Funds. Where Warburg believes that it would be beneficial
to the Fund and appropriate considering the factors of return and liquidity, the
Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities of money market mutual
funds that are unaffiliated with the Fund, Warburg or the Fund's
co-administrator, PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'). As a shareholder in any mutual
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fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of the mutual fund's expenses,
including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the Fund's
administration fees and other expenses with respect to assets so invested.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. government securities in which the Fund may
invest include: direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and obligations issued
by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including instruments that
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities in which the Fund may invest,
including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be
converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of
common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities enable an investor
to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Convertible securities provide higher yields than the underlying equity
securities, but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to
changes in interest rates like bonds and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to
the underlying common stock.
WARRANTS. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in warrants.
Warrants are securities that give the holder the right, but not the obligation,
to purchase newly created equity issues of the company issuing the warrants, or
a related company, at a fixed price either on a date certain or during a set
period.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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Investing in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks is
subject to the inherent risk of fluctuations in the prices of such securities.
For certain additional risks relating to each Fund's investments, see 'Portfolio
Investments' beginning at page 4 and 'Certain Investment Strategies' beginning
at page 9.
HEALTH SCIENCES COMPANIES. Since the Fund focuses its investments on
companies involved in the health sciences, an investment in the Fund may involve
a greater degree of risk than an investment in other mutual funds that seek
capital appreciation by investing in a broader mix of issuers. Companies engaged
in biotechnology, drugs and medical devices are affected by, among other things,
limited patent duration, intense competition, obsolescence brought about by
rapid technological change and regulatory requirements. In addition, many health
sciences companies are smaller and less seasoned, suffer from inexperienced
management, offer limited product lines (or may not yet offer products), and may
have persistent losses or erratic revenue patterns. Securities of these smaller
companies may have more limited marketability and, thus, may be more volatile.
Because small companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger
companies, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant
amounts of such shares
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without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. There is also typically less
publicly available information concerning smaller companies than for larger,
more established ones.
Other health sciences companies, including pharmaceutical companies,
companies undertaking research and development, and operators of health care
facilities and their suppliers are subject to government regulation, product or
service approval and, with respect to medical devices, the receipt of necessary
reimbursement codes, which could have a significant effect on the price and
availability of such products and services, and may adversely affect the
revenues of these companies. These companies are also susceptible to product
liability claims and competition from manufacturers and distributors of generic
products. Companies engaged in the ownership or management of health care
facilities receive a substantial portion of their revenues from federal and
state governments through Medicare and Medicaid payments. These sources of
revenue are subject to extensive regulation and government appropriations to
fund these expenditures are under intense scrutiny. Numerous federal and state
legislative initiatives are being considered that seek to control health care
costs and, consequently, could affect the profitability and stock prices of
companies engaged in the health sciences.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES. There are certain factors associated with lower-rated
securities. The Fund may invest in securities rated as low as C by Moody's or D
by S&P. The Fund may invest in unrated securities considered to be of equivalent
quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody's comprise the lowest rated class
and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to be
in default upon maturity or payment date.
Lower-rated and comparable unrated securities (commonly referred to as 'junk
bonds') (i) will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that,
in the judgment of the rating organization, are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are
predominately speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market
values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than
higher-quality securities. In addition, medium- and lower-rated securities and
comparable unrated securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk.
The risk of loss due to default by such issuers is significantly greater because
medium- and lower-rated securities and unrated securities generally are
unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior
indebtedness.
The market value of securities in lower-rated categories is more volatile
than that of higher quality securities. In addition, the Fund may have
difficulty disposing of certain of these securities because there may be a thin
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trading market. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may
have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to dispose of particular issues and
may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for
purposes of valuing the Fund's shares and calculating their respective net asset
values.
For a complete description of the rating systems of Moody's and S&P, see the
Appendix to the Statement of Additional Information.
NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES; RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase
securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the 'Securities Act'), but that can be sold to 'qualified institutional buyers'
in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act ('Rule 144A Securities').
An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid and therefore
subject to the Fund's limitation on the purchase of illiquid securities, unless
the Board determines on an ongoing basis that an adequate trading market exists
for the security. In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board will also
consider factors such as trading activity, availability of reliable price
information and other relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A
Security is liquid. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing
the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional
buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The
Board will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A
Securities. The Board may adopt guidelines and delegate to Warburg the daily
function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A Securities,
although the Board will retain ultimate responsibility for any determination
regarding liquidity.
Non-publicly traded securities (including Rule 144A Securities) may involve a
high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.
These securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities, and the
Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for
publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately
negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be less than
those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not
publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor
protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly
traded. The Fund's investment in illiquid securities is subject to the risk that
should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not
available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the
value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected.
WARRANTS. At the time of issue, the cost of a warrant is substantially less
than the cost of the underlying security itself, and price movements in the
underlying security are generally magnified in the price movements of the
warrant. This leveraging effect enables the investor to gain exposure to the
underlying security with a relatively low capital investment. This leveraging
increases an investor's risk, however, in the event of a decline in the value of
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the underlying security and can result in a complete loss of the amount invested
in the warrant. In addition, the price of a warrant tends to be more volatile
than, and may not correlate exactly to, the price of the underlying security. If
the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the
warrant on its expiration date, the warrant will generally expire without value.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER RATE
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The Fund will attempt to purchase securities with the intent of holding them
for investment but may purchase and sell portfolio securities whenever Warburg
believes it to be in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund will not consider
portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions
consistent with its investment objective and policies. It is not possible to
predict the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. However, it is anticipated that the
Fund's annual turnover rate should not exceed 100%. High portfolio turnover
rates (100% or more) may result in dealer mark ups or underwriting commissions
as well as other transaction costs, including correspondingly higher brokerage
commissions. In addition, short-term gains realized from portfolio turnover may
be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. See 'Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes -- Taxes' below and 'Investment Policies -- Portfolio Transactions' in the
Statement of Additional Information.
All orders for transactions in securities or options on behalf of the Fund
are placed by Warburg with broker-dealers that it selects, including Counsellors
Securities Inc., the Funds' distributor ('Counsellors Securities'). The Fund may
utilize Counsellors Securities in connection with a purchase or sale of
securities when Warburg believes that the charge for the transaction does not
exceed usual and customary levels and when doing so is consistent with
guidelines adopted by the Board.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
________________________________________________________________________________
Although there is no intention of doing so during the coming year, the Fund
is authorized to engage in the following investment strategies: (i) purchasing
securities on a when-issued basis and purchasing or selling securities for
delayed delivery, (ii) lending portfolio securities and (iii) entering into
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Detailed information concerning
the Fund's strategies and their related risks is contained below and in the
Statement of Additional Information.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in the
securities of foreign issuers. There are certain risks involved in investing in
securities of companies and governments of foreign nations which are in addition
to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks include those
resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, revaluation of
currencies, future adverse political and economic developments and the possible
imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or
restrictions, reduced availability of public
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information concerning issuers, the lack of uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards and other regulatory practices and requirements
that are often generally less rigorous than those applied in the United States.
Moreover, securities of many foreign companies may be less liquid and their
prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Certain foreign countries are known to experience long delays between the trade
and settlement dates of securities purchased or sold. In addition, with respect
to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscatory taxation and limitations on the use or removal of
funds or other assets of the Fund, including the withholding of dividends.
Foreign securities may be subject to foreign government taxes that would reduce
the net yield on such securities. Moreover, individual foreign economies may
differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth
of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource
self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Investment in foreign
securities will also result in higher operating expenses due to the cost of
converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars, the payment of fixed brokerage
commissions on foreign exchanges, which generally are higher than commissions on
U.S. exchanges, higher valuation and communications costs and the expense of
maintaining securities with foreign custodians.
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. At the discretion of Warburg, the
Fund may, but is not required to, engage in a number of strategies involving
options, futures and forward currency contracts. These strategies, commonly
referred to as 'derivatives,' may be used (i) for the purpose of hedging against
a decline in value of the Fund's current or anticipated portfolio holdings, (ii)
as a substitute for purchasing or selling portfolio securities or (iii) to seek
to generate income to offset expenses or increase return. TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE
NOT CONSIDERED HEDGING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE AND MAY SERVE TO
INCREASE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT RISK. Transaction costs and any premiums
associated with these strategies, and any losses incurred, will affect the
Fund's net asset value and performance. Therefore, an investment in the Fund may
involve a greater risk than an investment in other mutual funds that do not
utilize these strategies. The Fund's use of these strategies may be limited by
position and exercise limits established by securities and commodities exchanges
and the NASD and by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code').
Securities and Stock Index Options. The Fund may write covered call and put
options on up to 25% of the net asset value of the stock and debt securities in
its portfolio and will realize fees (referred to as 'premiums') for granting the
rights evidenced by the options. The Fund may utilize up to 10% of its assets to
purchase options on stocks and debt securities that are traded on U.S. and
foreign exchanges, as well as over-the-counter ('OTC') options. The purchaser of
a put option on a security has the right to compel the purchase by the writer of
the underlying security, while the purchaser of a call option
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has the right to purchase the underlying security from the writer. In addition
to purchasing and writing options on securities, the Fund may also utilize up to
10% of its total assets to purchase exchange-listed and OTC put and call options
on stock indexes, and may also write such options. A stock index measures the
movement of a certain group of stocks by assigning relative values to the common
stocks included in the index.
The potential loss associated with purchasing an option is limited to the
premium paid, and the premium would partially offset any gains achieved from its
use. However, for an option writer the exposure to adverse price movements in
the underlying security or index is potentially unlimited during the exercise
period. Writing securities options may result in substantial losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or at
less advantageous prices, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund could
realize on its investments or require the Fund to hold securities it would
otherwise sell.
Futures Contracts and Related Options. The Fund may enter into foreign
currency, interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write
(sell) related options that are traded on an exchange designated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the 'CFTC') or, if consistent with CFTC
regulations, on foreign exchanges. These futures contracts are standardized
contracts for the future delivery of foreign currency or an interest rate
sensitive security or, in the case of stock index and certain other futures
contracts, are settled in cash with reference to a specified multiplier times
the change in the specified index, exchange rate or interest rate. An option on
a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in a futures contract.
Aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions other
than those considered by the CFTC to be 'bona fide hedging' will not exceed 5%
of the Fund's net asset value, after taking into account unrealized profits and
unrealized losses on any such contracts. Although the Fund is limited in the
amount of assets that may be invested in futures transactions, there is no
overall limit on the percentage of Fund assets that may be at risk with respect
to futures activities.
Currency Exchange Transactions. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange
transactions either (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in
the currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into futures contracts or
options on futures contracts (as described above), (iii) through entering into
forward contracts to purchase or sell currency or (iv) by purchasing
exchange-traded currency options. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price
set at the time of the contract. An option on a foreign currency operates
similarly to an option on a security. Risks associated with currency forward
contracts and purchasing currency options are similar to those described in this
Prospectus for futures contracts and securities and stock index options. In
addition, the use of currency transactions could result in
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losses from the imposition of foreign exchange controls, suspension of
settlement or other governmental actions or unexpected events. The Fund will
only engage in currency exchange transactions for hedging purposes.
Hedging Considerations. The Fund may engage in options, futures and currency
transactions for, among other reasons, hedging purposes. A hedge is designed to
offset a loss on a portfolio position with a gain in the hedge position; at the
same time, however, a properly correlated hedge will result in a gain in the
portfolio position being offset by a loss in the hedge position. As a result,
the use of options, futures contracts and currency exchange transactions for
hedging purposes could limit any potential gain from an increase in value of the
position hedged. In addition, the movement in the portfolio position hedged may
not be of the same magnitude as movement in the hedge. The Fund will engage in
hedging transactions only when deemed advisable by Warburg, and successful use
of hedging transactions will depend on Warburg's ability to correctly predict
movements in the hedge and the hedged position and the correlation between them,
which could prove to be inaccurate. Even a well-conceived hedge may be
unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected market behavior or trends.
Additional Considerations. To the extent that the Fund engages in the
strategies described above, the Fund may experience losses greater than if these
strategies had not been utilized. In addition to the risks described above,
these instruments may be illiquid and/or subject to trading limits, and the Fund
may be unable to close out an option or futures position without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. The Fund is also subject to the risk of a default
by a counterparty to an off-exchange transaction.
Asset Coverage. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements
designed to eliminate any potential for leverage with respect to options written
by the Fund on securities and indexes; currency, interest rate and stock index
futures contracts and options on these futures contracts; and forward currency
contracts. The use of these strategies may require that the Fund maintain cash
or certain liquid securities that are acceptable as collateral to the
appropriate regulatory authority in a segregated account with its custodian or a
designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund's obligations with respect to
these strategies are not otherwise 'covered' through ownership of the underlying
security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by
other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets
cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their
place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a
possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund's assets could
impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or
other current obligations.
SHORT SELLING. The Fund may from time to time sell securities short. A short
sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells borrowed securities in
anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. Possible losses
from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a
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security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from
purchases can equal only the total amount invested. The current market value of
the securities sold short (excluding short sales 'against the box') will not
exceed 10% of the Fund's assets.
When the Fund makes a short sale, the proceeds it receives from the sale are
retained by a broker until the Fund replaces the borrowed securities. To deliver
the securities to the buyer, the Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow
the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the
securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement, whatever
that price may be. The Fund may have to pay a premium to borrow the securities
and must pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities until they are
replaced.
The Fund's obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a
short sale will be secured by cash or liquid securities deposited as
collateral with the broker. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated
account with its custodian or a qualified subcustodian an amount of cash or
liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the
market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (ii)
any cash or certain liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in
connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale).
Until it replaces the borrowed securities, the Fund will maintain the segregated
account daily at a level so that (a) the amount deposited in the account plus
the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short
sale) will equal the current market value of the securities sold short and (b)
the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker
(not including the proceeds from the short sale) will not be less than the
market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
Short Sales Against the Box. The Fund may, in addition to engaging in short
sales as described above, enter into a short sale of securities such that when
the short position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of the securities sold
short or owns preferred stocks or debt securities, convertible or exchangeable
without payment of further consideration, into an equal number of securities
sold short. The kind of short sale, which is referred to as one 'against the
box,' will be entered into by the Fund for the purpose of receiving a portion of
the interest earned by the executing broker from the proceeds of the sale. The
proceeds of the sale will generally be held by the broker until the settlement
date when the Fund delivers securities to close out its short position. Although
prior to delivery the Fund will have to pay an amount equal to any dividends
paid on the securities sold short, the Fund will receive the dividends from the
securities sold short or the dividends from the preferred stock or interest from
the debt securities convertible or exchangeable into the securities sold short,
plus a portion of the interest earned from the proceeds of the short sale. The
Fund will deposit, in a segregated account with its custodian or a qualified
subcustodian, the
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<PAGE>
securities sold short or convertible or exchangeable preferred stocks or debt
securities in connection with short sales against the box. The Fund will
endeavor to offset transaction costs associated with short sales against the box
with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds. Not more than 10% of
the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) may be held as collateral for
short sales against the box at any time.
The extent to which the Fund may make short sales may be limited by Code
requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company. See
'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes' for other tax considerations applicable to
short sales.
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
________________________________________________________________________________
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities with
contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that are not
readily marketable ('illiquid securities'), including (i) securities issued as
part of a privately negotiated transaction between an issuer and one or more
purchasers; (ii) repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days;
(iii) time deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days; and (iv) certain
Rule 144A Securities. The Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes, such as meeting anticipated redemption requests, provided that reverse
repurchase agreements and any other borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 30% of
its total assets, and may pledge its assets in connection with borrowings.
Whenever borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) exceed 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any investments
(including roll-overs). Except for the limitations on borrowing, the investment
guidelines set forth in this paragraph may be changed at any time without
shareholder consent by vote of the Board, subject to the limitations contained
in the 1940 Act. A complete list of investment restrictions that the Fund has
adopted identifying additional restrictions that cannot be changed without the
approval of the majority of the Fund's outstanding shares is contained in the
Statement of Additional Information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
________________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT ADVISERS. The Fund employs Warburg as its investment adviser.
Warburg, subject to the control of the Fund's officers and the Board, manages
the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and stated investment policies, makes investment
decisions for the Fund and places orders to purchase or sell securities on
behalf of the Fund. Warburg also employs a support staff of management personnel
to provide services to the Fund and furnishes the Fund with office space,
furnishings and equipment.
For the services provided by Warburg, the Fund pays Warburg a fee calculated
at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Warburg and
the Fund's co-administrators may voluntarily waive a portion
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<PAGE>
of their fees from time to time and temporarily limit the expenses to be paid by
the Fund.
Warburg is a professional investment counselling firm which provides
investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowment
funds, foundations and other institutions and individuals. As of October 31,
1996, Warburg managed approximately $18.4 billion of assets, including
approximately $9.8 billion of investment company assets. Incorporated in 1970,
Warburg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P.
('Warburg G.P.'), a New York general partnership. E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co.,
Inc. ('EMW') controls Warburg through its ownership of a class of voting
preferred stock of Warburg. Warburg G.P. has no business other than being a
holding company of Warburg and its subsidiaries. Warburg's address is 466
Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS. Susan L. Black and Patricia F. Widner are portfolio
managers of the Fund. Ms. Black is a senior managing director of EMW and has
been with Warburg since 1985. Ms. Widner is a vice president of EMW and has been
with Warburg since 1991.
CO-ADMINISTRATORS. The Fund employs Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
('Counsellors Service'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, as a co-
administrator. As co-administrator, Counsellors Service provides shareholder
liaison services to the Fund including responding to shareholder inquiries and
providing information on shareholder investments. Counsellors Service also
performs a variety of other services, including furnishing certain executive and
administrative services, acting as liaison between the Fund and its various
service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial services, which include
preparing materials for meetings of the Board, preparing proxy statements and
annual, semiannual and quarterly reports, assisting in other regulatory filings
as necessary and monitoring and developing compliance procedures for the Fund.
As compensation, the Fund pays Counsellors Service a fee calculated at an annual
rate of .10% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund employs PFPC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PNC Bank
Corp., as a co-administrator. As a co-administrator, PFPC calculates the Fund's
net asset value, provides all accounting services for the Fund and assists in
related aspects of the Fund's operations. As compensation the Fund pays PFPC a
fee calculated at an annual rate of .10% of the Fund's first $500 million in
average daily net assets, .075% of the next $1 billion in assets and .05% of
assets exceeding $1.5 billion, exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses. PFPC has its
principal offices at 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
CUSTODIANS. PNC Bank, National Association ('PNC') serves as custodian of the
Fund's U.S. assets and Fiduciary Trust Company International ('Fiduciary')
serves as custodian of the Fund's non-U.S. assets. Like PFPC, PNC is a
subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp. and its principal business address is
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<PAGE>
Broad and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101. Fiduciary's
principal business address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
TRANSFER AGENT. State Street Bank and Trust Company ('State Street') acts as
shareholder servicing agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for
the Fund. It has delegated to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned
subsidiary ('BFDS'), responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions.
State Street's principal business address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. BFDS's principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive,
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.
DISTRIBUTOR. Counsellors Securities serves as distributor of the shares of
the Fund. Counsellors Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg and is
located at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147. Counsellors
Securities receives a fee at an annual rate equal to .25% of the average daily
net assets of the Fund's Common Shares for distribution services, pursuant to a
shareholder servicing and distribution plan (the '12b-1 Plan') adopted by the
Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Amounts paid to Counsellors
Securities under the 12b-1 Plan may be used by Counsellors Securities to cover
expenses that are primarily intended to result in, or that are primarily
attributable to, (i) the sale of the Common Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing
and/or maintenance of the accounts of Common Shareholders of the Fund and (iii)
sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services
related to the sale of the Common Shares, all as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan.
Payments under the 12b-1 Plan are not tied exclusively to the distribution
expenses actually incurred by Counsellors Securities and the payments may exceed
distribution expenses actually incurred. The Board evaluates the appropriateness
of the 12b-1 Plan on a continuing basis and in doing so considers all relevant
factors, including expenses borne by Counsellors Securities and amounts received
under the 12b-1 Plan.
Warburg or its affiliates may, at their own expense, provide promotional
incentives to parties who support the sale of shares of the Fund, consisting of
securities dealers who have sold Fund shares or others, including banks and
other financial institutions, under special arrangements. In some instances,
these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected sale of
significant amounts of Fund shares.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day
operations and are directly responsible to the Board. The Board sets broad
policies for the Fund and chooses the Fund's officers. A list of the Directors
and officers of the Fund and a brief statement of their present positions and
principal occupations during the past five years are set forth in the Statement
of Additional Information.
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HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
________________________________________________________________________________
In order to invest in the Fund, an investor must first complete and sign an
account application. To obtain an application, an investor may telephone Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874. An investor may also obtain an account
application by writing to:
Warburg Pincus Funds
P.O. Box 9030
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
Completed and signed account applications should be mailed to Warburg Pincus
Funds at the above address.
RETIREMENT PLANS AND UGMA ACCOUNTS. For information (i) about investing in
the Fund through a tax-deferred retirement plan, such as an Individual
Retirement Account ('IRA') or a Simplified Employee Pension IRA ('SEP-IRA'), or
(ii) about opening a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors
Act ('UGMA') account, an investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800)
927-2874 or write to Warburg Pincus Funds at the address set forth above.
Investors should consult their own tax advisers about the establishment of
retirement plans and UGMA accounts.
CHANGES TO ACCOUNT. For information on how to make changes to an account, an
investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
________________________________________________________________________________
The Fund will cease offering its shares to new investors for a period of
at least six months when total assets reach $150 million. This limitation will
not apply to existing shareholders of record who will be permitted to continue
to authorize investment in the Fund and to reinvest any dividends or capital
gains distributions. After the Fund has been closed for six months, the
Fund will evaluate whether to reopen the Fund to new investors.
Common Shares of the Fund may be purchased either by mail or, with special
advance instructions, by wire. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is
$2,500 and the minimum subsequent investment is $100, except that subsequent
minimum investments can be as low as $50 under the Automatic Monthly Investment
Plan described below. For retirement plans and UGMA accounts, the minimum
initial investment is $500. The Fund reserves the right to change the initial
and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time. In addition, the
Fund may, in its sole discretion, waive the initial and subsequent investment
minimum requirements with respect to investors who are employees of EMW or its
affiliates or persons with whom Warburg has entered into an investment advisory
agreement. Existing investors will be given 15 days' notice by mail of any
increase in investment minimum requirements.
After an investor has made his initial investment, additional shares may be
purchased at any time by mail or by wire in the manner outlined below. Wire
payments for initial and subsequent investments should be preceded by an order
placed with the Fund and should clearly indicate the investor's account
17
<PAGE>
number and the name of the Fund in which shares are being purchased. In the
interest of economy and convenience, physical certificates representing shares
in the Funds are not normally issued.
BY MAIL. If the investor desires to purchase Common Shares by mail, a check
or money order made payable to the Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds (in U.S.
currency) should be sent along with the completed account application to Warburg
Pincus Funds through its distributor, Counsellors Securities, at the address set
forth above. Checks payable to the investor and endorsed to the order of the
Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds will not be accepted as payment and will be
returned to the sender. If payment is received in proper form by the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the 'NYSE') (currently 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on a day that the Fund calculates its net asset value (a
'business day'), the purchase will be made at the Fund's net asset value
calculated at the end of that day. If payment is received after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, the purchase will be effected at the Fund's net
asset value determined for the next business day after payment has been
received. Checks or money orders that are not in proper form or that are not
accompanied or preceded by a complete account application will be returned to
the sender. Shares purchased by check or money order are entitled to receive
dividends and distributions beginning on the day after payment has been
received. Checks or money orders in payment for shares of more than one Warburg
Pincus Fund should be made payable to Warburg Pincus Funds and should be
accompanied by a breakdown of amounts to be invested in each fund. If a check
used for purchase does not clear, the Fund will cancel the purchase and the
investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred. For a description of the
manner of calculating the Fund's net asset value, see 'Net Asset Value' below.
BY WIRE. Investors may also purchase Common Shares in the Fund by wiring
funds from their banks. Telephone orders by wire will not be accepted until a
completed account application in proper form has been received and an account
number has been established. Investors should place an order with the Fund prior
to wiring funds by telephoning (800) 927-2874. Federal funds may be wired to
Counsellors Securities using the following wire address:
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02101
ABA# 0110 000 28
Attn: Mutual Funds/Custody Dept.
[Insert Warburg Pincus Fund name(s) here]
DDA# 9904-649-2
[Shareowner name]
[Shareowner account number]
If a telephone order is received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE
and payment by wire is received on the same day in proper form in
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<PAGE>
accordance with instructions set forth above, the shares will be priced
according to the net asset value of the Fund on that day and are entitled to
dividends and distributions beginning on that day. If payment by wire is
received in proper form by the close of the NYSE without a prior telephone
order, the purchase will be priced according to the net asset value of the Fund
on that day and is entitled to dividends and distributions beginning on that
day. However, if a wire in proper form that is not preceded by a telephone order
is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the payment will be
held uninvested until the order is effected at the close of business on the next
business day. Payment for orders that are not accepted will be returned to the
prospective investor after prompt inquiry. If a telephone order is placed and
payment by wire is not received on the same day, the Fund will cancel the
purchase and the investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred.
PURCHASES THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES. Common Shares of the Fund are available
through the Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. Mutual Fund OneSource'tm' Program;
Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc. Funds-Network'tm' Program; Jack White &
Company, Inc.; and Waterhouse Securities, Inc. Generally, these programs do not
require customers to pay a transaction fee in connection with purchases. The
Fund is also available through certain broker-dealers, financial institutions
and other industry professionals (including the programs described above,
collectively, 'Service Organizations'), which may impose certain conditions on
their clients or customers that invest in the Fund, which are in addition to or
different than those described in this Prospectus, and may charge their clients
or customers direct fees. Certain features of the Fund, such as the initial
and subsequent investment minimums, redemption fees and certain trading
restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service
Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct
fees, which charges or fees would not be imposed if Fund shares are purchased
directly from the Fund. Therefore, a client or customer should contact the
Service Organization acting on his behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged
in connection with a purchase or redemption of Fund shares and should read this
Prospectus in light of the terms governing his accounts with the Service
Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly
transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Fund in
accordance with their agreements with clients or customers. Service
Organizations that have entered into agreements with the Fund or its agent
may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with
payment to follow no later than the Fund's pricing on the following business
day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be
held liable for resulting fees or losses.
For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services,
Warburg, Counsellors Securities or their affiliates may pay Service
Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations with whom they enter into
agreements a fee generally up to .35% (the 'Service Fee') of the annual
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<PAGE>
average value of accounts maintained by such Service Organizations or
recordkeepers with the Fund. A portion of the Service Fee may be borne by the
Fund as a transfer agency fee. In addition, a Service Organization or
recordkeeper may directly or indirectly pay a portion of its Service Fee to the
Fund's custodian or transfer agent for costs related to accounts of its clients
or customers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization or
recordkeeper is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature
and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the
relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or
recordkeeper.
AUTOMATIC MONTHLY INVESTING. Automatic monthly investing allows shareholders
to authorize the Fund to debit their bank account monthly ($50 minimum) for the
purchase of Fund shares on or about either the tenth or twentieth calendar day
of each month. To establish the automatic monthly investing option, obtain a
separate application or complete the 'Automatic Investment Program' section of
the account applications and include a voided, unsigned check from the bank
account to be debited. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial
institution which is an automated clearing house member may be used.
Shareholders using this service must satisfy the initial investment minimum for
the Fund prior to or concurrent with the start of any Automatic Investment
Program. Please refer to an account application for further information, or
contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874 for information or to modify or
terminate the program. Investors should allow a period of up to 30 days in order
to implement an Automatic Investment Program. The failure to provide complete
information could result in further delays.
GENERAL. The Fund reserves the right to reject any specific purchase order.
The Fund may discontinue sales or its shares if management believes that a
substantial further increase in assets may adversely affect the Fund's ability
to achieve its investment objective. In such event, however, it is anticipated
that existing shareholders would be permitted to continue to authorize
investment in the Fund and to reinvest any dividends or capital gain
distributions.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE SHARES
________________________________________________________________________________
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. An investor in the Fund may redeem (sell) his shares on
any day that the Fund's net asset value is calculated (see 'Net Asset Value'
below).
Common Shares of the Fund may either be redeemed by mail or by telephone.
Investors should realize that in using the telephone redemption and exchange
option, you may be giving up a measure of security that you may have if you were
to redeem or exchange your shares in writing. If an investor desires to redeem
his shares by mail, a written request for redemption should be sent to Warburg
Pincus Funds at the address indicated above under 'How to Open an Account.' An
investor should be sure that the redemption request identifies the Fund, the
number of shares to be redeemed and the investor's account number. In order to
change the bank account or
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<PAGE>
address designated to receive the redemption proceeds, the investor must send a
written request (with signature guarantee of all investors listed on the account
when such a change is made in conjunction with a redemption request) to Warburg
Pincus Funds. Each mail redemption request must be signed by the registered
owner(s) (or his legal representative(s)) exactly as the shares are registered.
If an investor has applied for the telephone redemption feature on his account
application, he may redeem his shares by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800)
927-2874 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any business day. An
investor making a telephone withdrawal should state (i) the name of the Fund,
(ii) the account number of the Fund, (iii) the name of the investor(s) appearing
on the Fund's records, (iv) the amount to be withdrawn and (v) the name of the
person requesting the redemption.
After receipt of the redemption request by mail or by telephone,
the redemption proceeds will, at the option of the investor, be paid by check
and mailed to the investor of record or be wired to the investor's bank as
indicated in the account application previously filled out by the
investor. The Fund currently does not impose a service charge for effecting
wire transfers but the Fund reserves the right to do so in the future.
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone redemptions
may be difficult to implement. If an investor is unable to contact
Warburg Pincus Funds by telephone, an investor may deliver the redemption
request to Warburg Pincus Funds by mail at the address shown above under
'How to Open an Account.' Although the Fund will redeem shares purchased by
check or through the Automatic Investment Program before the check or
funds clear, payments of the redemption proceeds will be delayed for five
days (for funds received through the Automatic Investment Program) or ten
days (for check purchases)from the date of purchase. Investors should consider
purchasing shares using a certified or bank check or money order if they
anticipate an immediate need for redemption proceeds.
If a redemption order is received by the Fund or its agent, prior to the
close of regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at
the net asset value per share as determined on that day. If a redemption order
is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order
will be effected at the net asset value as next determined. Except as noted
above, redemption proceeds will normally be mailed or wired to an investor on
the next business day following the date a redemption order is effected. If,
however, in the judgment of Warburg, immediate payment would adversely affect
the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption proceeds within
seven days after the redemption order is effected. Furthermore, the Fund may
suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption
(as well as suspend or postpone the recordation of an exchange of shares) for
such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act.
The proceeds paid upon redemption may be more or less than the amount
invested depending upon a share's net asset value at the time of redemption.
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<PAGE>
If an investor redeems all the shares in his account, all dividends and
distributions declared up to and including the date of redemption are paid along
with the proceeds of the redemption.
If, due to redemptions, the value of an investor's account drops to less than
$2,000 ($250 in the case of a retirement plan or UGMA account), the Fund
reserves the right to redeem the shares in that account at net asset value.
Prior to any redemption, the Fund will notify an investor in writing that this
account has a value of less than the minimum. The investor will then have 60
days to make an additional investment before a redemption will be processed by
the Fund.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS. In order to request redemptions by telephone,
investors must have completed and returned to Warburg Pincus Funds an account
application containing a telephone election. Unless contrary instructions are
elected, an investor will be entitled to make exchanges by telephone. Neither
the Fund nor its agents will be liable for following instructions communicated
by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine. Reasonable procedures
will be employed on behalf of the Fund to confirm that instructions communicated
by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include providing written confirmation
of telephone transactions, tape recording telephone instructions and requiring
specific personal information prior to acting upon telephone instructions.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The Fund offers investors an automatic cash
withdrawal plan under which investors may elect to receive periodic cash
payments of at least $250 monthly or quarterly. To establish this service,
complete the 'Automatic Withdrawal Plan' section of the account application and
attach a voided check from the bank account to be credited. For further
information regarding the automatic cash withdrawal plan or to modify or
terminate the plan, investors should contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800)
927-2874.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES. An investor may exchange Common Shares of the Fund for
Common Shares of another Warburg Pincus Fund at their respective net asset
values. Exchanges may be effected by mail or by telephone in the manner
described under 'Redemption of Shares' above. If an exchange request is received
by Warburg Pincus Funds or its agent prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE, the exchange will be made at the Fund's net asset value determined at
the end of that business day. Exchanges may be effected without a sales charge
but must satisfy the minimum dollar amount necessary for new purchases. Due to
the costs involved in effecting exchanges, the Fund reserves the right to refuse
to honor more than three exchange requests by a shareholder in any 30-day
period. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60
days' notice to shareholders. Currently, exchanges may be made with the
following other funds:
WARBURG PINCUS CASH RESERVE FUND -- a money market fund investing in
short-term, high quality money market instruments;
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<PAGE>
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK TAX EXEMPT FUND -- a money market fund investing in
short-term, high quality municipal obligations designed for New York investors
seeking income exempt from federal, New York State and New York City income
tax;
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL FUND -- an intermediate-term
municipal bond fund designed for New York investors seeking income exempt from
federal, New York State and New York City income tax;
WARBURG PINCUS TAX FREE FUND -- a bond fund seeking maximum current income
exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital;
WARBURG PINCUS INTERMEDIATE MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND -- an intermediate-term
bond fund investing in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities;
WARBURG PINCUS FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund seeking current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of
fixed-income securities;
WARBURG PINCUS GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund investing in a portfolio
consisting of investment grade fixed-income securities of governmental and
corporate issuers denominated in various currencies, including U.S. dollars;
WARBURG PINCUS BALANCED FUND -- a fund seeking maximum total return through a
combination of long-term growth of capital and current income consistent with
preservation of capital through diversified investments in equity and debt
securities;
WARBURG PINCUS GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term growth
of capital and income and a reasonable current return;
WARBURG PINCUS CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
capital appreciation by investing principally in equity securities of
medium-sized domestic companies;
WARBURG PINCUS STRATEGIC VALUE FUND -- an equity fund seeking capital
appreciation by investing in undervalued companies and market sectors;
WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING GROWTH FUND -- an equity fund seeking maximum capital
appreciation by investing in emerging growth companies;
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of small
companies;
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND -- an equity fund seeking capital
growth by investing in equity securities of small-sized domestic companies;
WARBURG PINCUS POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
growth of capital by investing principally in equity securities of issuers in
their post-venture capital stage of development;
23
<PAGE>
WARBURG PINCUS GLOBAL POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND -- an equity fund seeking
long-term growth of capital by investing principally in equity securities of
U.S. and foreign issuers in their post-venture capital stage of development;
WARBURG PINCUS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of non-United
States issuers;
WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING MARKETS FUND -- an equity fund seeking growth of
capital by investing primarily in securities of non-United States issuers
consisting of companies in emerging securities markets;
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN GROWTH FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term growth of
capital by investing primarily in equity securities of Japanese issuers; and
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term capital
appreciation by investing in a portfolio of securities traded in the Japanese
over-the-counter market.
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state in
which the Common Shares being acquired may legally be sold. When an investor
effects an exchange of shares, the exchange is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption. Therefore, the investor may realize a taxable gain or
loss in connection with the exchange. Investors wishing to exchange Common
Shares of the Fund for Common Shares in another Warburg Pincus Fund should
review the prospectus of the other fund prior to making an exchange. For further
information regarding the exchange privilege or to obtain a current prospectus
for another Warburg Pincus Fund, an investor should contact Warburg Pincus Funds
at (800) 927-2874.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
________________________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund calculates its dividends from net
investment income. Net investment income includes interest accrued and dividends
earned on the Fund's portfolio securities for the applicable period less
applicable expenses. The Fund declares dividends from its net investment income
and net realized short-term and long-term capital gains annually and pays them
in the calendar year in which they are declared, generally in November or
December. Net investment income earned on weekends and when the NYSE is not open
will be computed as of the next business day. Unless an investor instructs the
Fund to pay dividends or distributions in cash, dividends and distributions will
automatically be reinvested in additional Common Shares of the relevant Fund at
net asset value. The election to receive dividends in cash may be made on the
account application or, subsequently, by writing to Warburg Pincus Funds at the
address set forth under 'How to Open an Account' or by calling Warburg Pincus
Funds at (800) 927-2874.
The Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes 31% of all
distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their
correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications,
24
<PAGE>
or who have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that they are
subject to backup withholding.
TAXES. The Fund intends to qualify each year as a 'regulated investment
company' within the meaning of the Code. The Fund, if it qualifies as a
regulated investment company, will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax
measured with respect to certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and
capital gain. The Fund expects to pay such additional dividends and to make such
additional distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this tax.
Dividends paid from net investment income and distributions of net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to investors as ordinary income, and
distributions derived from net realized long-term capital gains are taxable to
investors as long-term capital gains, in each case regardless of the length of
time the shareholder has held Fund shares and whether received in cash or
reinvested in additional Fund shares. As a general rule, an investor's gain or
loss on a sale or redemption of his Fund shares will be a long-term capital gain
or loss if he has held his shares for more than one year and will be a
short-term capital gain or loss if he has held his shares for one year or less.
However, any loss realized upon the sale or redemption of shares within six
months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital
loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital
gain during such six-month period with respect to such shares. Investors may be
proportionately liable for taxes on income and gains of the Fund, but investors
not subject to tax on their income will not be required to pay tax on amounts
distributed to them. The Fund's investment activities, including short sales of
securities, will not result in unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt
investor. A portion of the Fund's dividends may qualify for the dividends
received deduction for corporations.
Certain provisions of the Code may require that a gain recognized by the Fund
upon the closing of a short sale be treated as a short-term capital gain, and
that a loss recognized by the Fund upon the closing of a short sale be treated
as a long-term capital loss, regardless of the amount of time that the Fund held
the securities used to close the short sale. The Fund's use of short sales may
also affect the holding periods of certain securities held by the Fund if such
securities are 'substantially identical' to securities used by the Fund to close
the short sale. The Fund's short selling activities will not result in unrelated
business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor.
GENERAL. Statements as to the tax status of each investor's dividends and
distributions are mailed annually. Each investor will also receive, if
applicable, various written notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable
year with respect to certain dividends and distributions which were received
from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations,
including their state and local tax liabilities.
25
<PAGE>
NET ASSET VALUE
________________________________________________________________________________
The Fund's net asset value per share is calculated as of the close of regular
trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each business day,
Monday through Friday, except on days when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of
these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. The net asset value
per share of the Fund generally changes each day.
The net asset value per Common Share of the Fund is computed by adding the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the value of the Fund's assets, deducting the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the Fund's liabilities and the liabilities
specifically allocated to Common Shares and then dividing the result by the
total number of outstanding Common Shares.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including securities traded
through the Nasdaq National Market System) or foreign securities exchange or
traded in an over-the-counter market will be valued at the most recent sale
price when the valuation is made. Options and futures contracts will be valued
similarly. Debt obligations that mature in 60 days or less from the valuation
date are valued on the basis of amortized cost, unless the Board determines that
using this valuation method would not reflect the investments' value.
Securities, options and futures contracts for which market quotations are not
readily available and other assets will be valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures established
by the Board. Further information regarding valuation policies is contained in
the Statement of Additional Information.
PERFORMANCE
________________________________________________________________________________
The Fund quotes the performance of Common Shares separately from Advisor
Shares. The net asset value of Common Shares is listed in The Wall Street
Journal each business day under the heading 'Warburg Pincus Funds.' From time to
time, the Fund may advertise the average annual total return of its Common
Shares over various periods of time. These total return figures show the average
percentage change in value of an investment in the Common Shares from the
beginning of the measuring period to the end of the measuring period. The
figures reflect changes in the price of the Common Shares assuming that any
income dividends and/or capital gain distributions made by the Fund during the
period were reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. Total return will be shown
for recent one-, five- and ten-year periods, and may be shown for other periods
as well (such as from commencement of the Fund's operations or on a
year-by-year, quarterly or current year-to-date basis).
When considering average total return figures for periods longer than one
year, it is important to note that the annual total return for one year in the
period might have been greater or less than the average for the entire period.
26
<PAGE>
When considering total return figures for periods shorter than one year,
investors should bear in mind that the Fund seeks capital appreciation and that
such return may not be representative of any Fund's return over a longer market
cycle. The Fund may also advertise aggregate total return figures of its Common
Shares for various periods, representing the cumulative change in value of an
investment in the Common Shares for the specific period (again reflecting
changes in share prices and assuming reinvestment of dividends and
distributions). Aggregate and average total returns may be shown by means of
schedules, charts or graphs and may indicate various components of total return
(i.e., change in value of initial investment, income dividends and capital gain
distributions).
Investors should note that total return figures are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Statement of
Additional Information describes the method used to determine the total return.
Current total return figures may be obtained by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at
(800) 927-2874.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material,
the Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund.
The Fund may compare its performance with (i) that of other mutual funds as
listed in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth
in the publications listed below; (ii) various unmanaged indexes, developed and
maintained by S&P, relating to the securities of health sciences companies; or
(iii) other appropriate indexes of investment securities or with data developed
by Warburg derived from such indexes. The Fund may include evaluations of the
Fund published by nationally recognized ranking services and by financial
publications that are nationally recognized, such as Barron's, Business Week,
Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Institutional Investor, Investor's
Business Daily, Money, Morningstar, Inc., Mutual Fund Magazine, SmartMoney and
The Wall Street Journal.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, the Fund
may also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
managers of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
managers describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. In addition, the Fund and its portfolio managers may render updates
of Fund activity, which may include a discussion of significant portfolio
holdings and analysis of holdings by industry, country, credit quality and other
characteristics. The Fund may also refer to or describe demographic trends in
the U.S. and other countries, political and government actions to address health
care issues such as costs, specific health sciences companies and trends in and
relative performance of health sciences industries. The Fund may also discuss
measures of risk, the continuum of risk and return relating to different
investments and the potential impact of foreign stocks on a portfolio otherwise
composed of domestic securities.
27
<PAGE>
Morningstar, Inc. rates funds in broad categories based on risk/reward analyses
over various time periods. In addition, the Fund may from time to time compare
the expense ratio of its Common Shares to that of investment companies with
similar objectives and policies, based on data generated by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. or similar investment services that monitor mutual funds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
________________________________________________________________________________
ORGANIZATION. The Fund was incorporated on October 31, 1996 under the laws of
the State of Maryland under the name 'Warburg, Pincus Health Sciences Fund,
Inc.'
The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three billion full and
fractional shares of capital stock, $.001 par value per share, of which one
billion shares are designated Common Shares and one billion shares are
designated Advisor Shares. Under the Fund's charter documents, the Board may
classify or reclassify any unissued shares of the Fund into one or more
additional classes by setting or changing in any one or more respects their
relative rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption. The Board may similarly
classify or reclassify any class of the Fund's shares into one or more series
and, without shareholder approval, may increase the number of authorized shares
of the Fund.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE. Although it currently does not do so, the Fund is
authorized to offer a separate class of shares, the Advisor Shares, pursuant to
a separate prospectus. Individual investors could only purchase Advisor Shares
through institutional shareholders of record, broker-dealers, financial
institutions, depository institutions, retirement plans and financial
intermediaries. Shares of each class would represent equal pro rata interests in
the Fund and accrue dividends and calculate net asset value and performance
quotations in the same manner. Because of the higher fees paid by the Advisor
Shares, the total return on such shares can be expected to be lower than the
total return on Common Shares.
VOTING RIGHTS. Investors in the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full
share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders of the
Fund will vote in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and
except that each class will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its
distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements. There will normally be no
meetings of investors for the purpose of electing members of the Board unless
and until such time as less than a majority of the members holding office have
been elected by investors. Any member of the Board may be removed from office
upon the vote of shareholders holding at least a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares, at a meeting called for that purpose. A meeting will be
called for the purpose of voting on the removal of a Board member at the written
request of holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
28
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. Each investor will receive a quarterly statement
of his account, as well as a statement of his account after any transaction that
affects his share balance or share registration (other than the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions or investment made through the Automatic Investment
Program). The Fund will also send to its investors a semiannual report and an
audited annual report, each of which includes a list of the investment
securities held by the Fund and a statement of the performance of the Fund.
Periodic listings of the investment securities held by the Fund, as well as
certain statistical characteristics of the Fund, may be obtained by calling
Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 927-2874.
------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FUND'S
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SHARES OF THE FUND, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE
COMMON SHARES OF THE FUNDS IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH
OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
29
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The Fund's Expenses..................................................... 2
Investment Objective and Policies....................................... 3
Portfolio Investments................................................... 4
Risk Factors and Special Considerations................................. 6
Portfolio Transactions and Turnover Rate................................ 9
Certain Investment Strategies........................................... 9
Investment Guidelines................................................... 14
Management of the Fund.................................................. 14
How to Open an Account.................................................. 17
How to Purchase Shares.................................................. 17
How to Redeem and Exchange Shares....................................... 20
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes...................................... 24
Net Asset Value......................................................... 26
Performance............................................................. 26
General Information..................................................... 28
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Logo]
P.O. BOX 9030, BOSTON, MA 02205-9030
800-WARBURG (800-927-2874)
WPHSF-1-1296
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The trademark symbol shall be expressed as.............................. 'tm'
The dagger symbol shall be expressed as................................ 'D'
<PAGE>1
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
December 31, 1996
WARBURG PINCUS HEALTH SCIENCES FUND
P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
For information, call (800) WARBURG
Contents
Page
----
Investment Objective.........................................................2
Investment Policies..........................................................2
Management of the Fund......................................................25
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information..............................32
Exchange Privilege..........................................................33
Additional Information Concerning Taxes.....................................33
Determination of Performance................................................35
Independent Accountants and Counsel.........................................36
Appendix -- Description of Ratings.........................................A-1
Report of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., Independent Accountants...............A-5
This Statement of Additional Information is meant to be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Common Shares of Warburg Pincus
Health Sciences Fund (the "Fund"), dated December 31, 1996, as amended or
supplemented from time to time, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety
into that Prospectus. Because this Statement of Additional Information is not
itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely
upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Fund's Prospectus and
information regarding the Fund's current performance may be obtained by calling
the Fund at (800) 927-2874. Information regarding the status of shareholder
accounts may also be obtained by calling the Fund at the same number or by
writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030.
<PAGE>2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following policies supplement the descriptions of the
Fund's investment objective and policies in the Prospectus.
Options, Futures and Currency Exchange Transactions
Securities Options. The Fund may write covered put and call
options on stock and debt securities and may purchase such options that are
traded on foreign and U.S. exchanges, as well as over-the-counter ("OTC").
The Fund realizes fees (referred to as "premiums")
for granting the rights evidenced by the options it has written. A put
option embodies the right of its purchaser to compel the writer of the
option to purchase from the option holder an underlying security at a
specified price for a specified time period or at a specified time. In
contrast, a call option embodies the right of its purchaser to compel the
writer of the option to sell to the option holder an underlying security at a
specified price for a specified time period or at a specified time.
The principal reason for writing covered options on a security
is to attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than
would be realized on the securities alone. In return for a premium, the Fund as
the writer of a covered call option forfeits the right to any appreciation in
the value of the underlying security above the strike price for the life of the
option (or until a closing purchase transaction can be effected). Nevertheless,
the Fund as a put or call writer retains the risk of a decline in the price of
the underlying security. The size of the premiums that the Fund may receive may
be adversely affected as new or existing institutions, including other
investment companies, engage in or increase their option-writing activities.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect
to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it
received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the
writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a
lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer a
loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying
instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the
option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
In the case of options written by the Fund that are deemed
covered by virtue of the Fund's holding convertible or exchangeable preferred
stock or debt securities, the time required to convert or exchange and obtain
physical delivery of the underlying common stock with respect to which the Fund
has written options may exceed the time within which the Fund must make delivery
in accordance with an exercise notice. In these instances, the Fund may
<PAGE>3
purchase or temporarily borrow the underlying securities for purposes of
physical delivery. By so doing, the Fund will not bear any market risk,
since the Fund will have the absolute right to receive from the issuer of the
underlying security an equal number of shares to replace the borrowed
securities, but the Fund may incur additional transaction costs or
interest expenses in connection with any such purchase or borrowing.
Additional risks exist with respect to certain of the
securities for which the Fund may write covered call options. For example, if
the Fund writes covered call options on mortgage-backed securities, the
mortgage-backed securities that it holds as cover may, because of scheduled
amortization or unscheduled prepayments, cease to be sufficient cover. If this
occurs, the Fund will compensate for the decline in the value of the cover by
purchasing an appropriate additional amount of mortgage-backed securities.
Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration
dates between one and nine months from the date written. The exercise price of
the options may be below, equal to or above the market values of the underlying
securities at the times the options are written. In the case of call options,
these exercise prices are referred to as "in-the-money," "at-the-money" and
"out-of-the-money," respectively. The Fund may write (i) in-the-money call
options when Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser
("Warburg"), expects that the price of the underlying security will remain flat
or decline moderately during the option period, (ii) at-the-money call options
when Warburg expects that the price of the underlying security will remain flat
or advance moderately during the option period and (iii) out-of-the-money call
options when Warburg expects that the premiums received from writing the call
option plus the appreciation in market price of the underlying security up to
the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the
underlying security alone. In any of the preceding situations, if the market
price of the underlying security declines and the security is sold at this lower
price, the amount of any realized loss will be offset wholly or in part by the
premium received. Out-of-the-money, at-the-money and in-the-money put options
(the reverse of call options as to the relation of exercise price to market
price) may be used in the same market environments that such call options are
used in equivalent transactions. To secure its obligation to deliver the
underlying security when it writes a call option, the Fund will be required to
deposit in escrow the underlying security or other assets in accordance with the
rules of the Options Clearing Corporation (the "Clearing Corporation") and of
the securities exchange on which the option is written.
Prior to their expirations, put and call options may be sold
in closing sale or purchase transactions (sales or purchases by the Fund prior
to the exercise of options that it has purchased or written, respectively, of
options of the same series) in which the Fund may realize a profit or loss from
the sale. An option position may be closed out only where there exists a
secondary market for an option of the same series on a recognized securities
exchange or in the over-the-counter market. When the Fund has purchased an
option and engages in a closing sale transaction, whether the Fund realizes a
profit or loss will depend upon whether the amount received in the closing sale
transaction is more or less than the premium the Fund initially paid for the
original option plus the related transaction costs. Similarly, in cases where
the Fund has written an option, it will realize a profit if the cost of the
closing purchase
<PAGE>4
transaction is less than the premium received upon writing the original option
and will incur a loss if the cost of the closing purchase transaction
exceeds the premium received upon writing the original option. The Fund may
engage in a closing purchase transaction to realize a profit, to prevent
an underlying security with respect to which it has written an option from
being called or put or, in the case of a call option, to unfreeze an
underlying security (thereby permitting its sale or the writing of a new
option on the security prior to the outstanding option's expiration). The
obligation of the Fund under an option it has written would be terminated
by a closing purchase transaction, but the Fund would not be deemed to own
an option as a result of the transaction. So long as the obligation of the
Fund as the writer of an option continues, the Fund may be assigned an
exercise notice by the broker-dealer through which the option was sold,
requiring the Fund to deliver the underlying security against payment of the
exercise price. This obligation terminates when the option expires or the
Fund effects a closing purchase transaction. The Fund can no longer effect
a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option once it has been
assigned an exercise notice.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest will
exist to create a liquid secondary market on a securities exchange for any
particular option or at any particular time, and for some options no such
secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may cease to
exist for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher than
anticipated trading activity or order flow or other unforeseen events have at
times rendered certain of the facilities of the Clearing Corporation and various
securities exchanges inadequate and resulted in the institution of special
procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders
or trading halts or suspensions in one or more options. There can be no
assurance that similar events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the
timely execution of customers' orders, will not recur. In such event, it might
not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options. Moreover,
the Fund's ability to terminate options positions established in the
over-the-counter market may be more limited than for exchange-traded options and
may also involve the risk that securities dealers participating in
over-the-counter transactions would fail to meet their obligations to the Fund.
The Fund, however, intends to purchase over-the-counter options only from
dealers whose debt securities, as determined by Warburg, are considered to be
investment grade. If, as a covered call option writer, the Fund is unable to
effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able
to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the
underlying security upon exercise. In either case, the Fund would continue to be
at market risk on the security and could face higher transaction costs,
including brokerage commissions.
Securities exchanges generally have established limitations
governing the maximum number of calls and puts of each class which may be held
or written, or exercised within certain time periods by an investor or group of
investors acting in concert (regardless of whether the options are written on
the same or different securities exchanges or are held, written or exercised in
one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). It is possible that the
Fund and other clients of Warburg and certain of its affiliates may be
considered to be such a group. A securities exchange may order the liquidation
of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose certain
other sanctions. These limits may restrict the number of options the Fund will
be able to purchase on a particular security.
<PAGE>5
Stock Index Options. The Fund may purchase and write exchange-listed
and OTC put and call options on stock indexes. A stock index measures the
movement of a certain group of stocks by assigning relative values to the
common stocks included in the index, fluctuating with changes in the
market values of the stocks included in the index. Some stock index options
are based on a broad market index, such as the NYSE Composite Index, or a
narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indexes may also be
based on a particular industry or market segment.
Options on stock indexes are similar to options on stock
except that (i) the expiration cycles of stock index options are monthly, while
those of stock options are currently quarterly, and (ii) the delivery
requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery
of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the
right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (a) the amount, if
any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a
put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying
index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (b) a fixed "index multiplier."
Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of the stock
index upon which the option is based being greater than, in the case of a call,
or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the index and the
exercise price of the option times a specified multiple. The writer of the
option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of
this amount. Stock index options may be offset by entering into closing
transactions as described above for securities options.
OTC Options. The Fund may purchase OTC or dealer options or
sell covered OTC options. Unlike exchange-listed options where an intermediary
or clearing corporation, such as the Clearing Corporation, assures that all
transactions in such options are properly executed, the responsibility for
performing all transactions with respect to OTC options rests solely with the
writer and the holder of those options. A listed call option writer, for
example, is obligated to deliver the underlying stock to the clearing
organization if the option is exercised, and the clearing organization is then
obligated to pay the writer the exercise price of the option. If the Fund were
to purchase a dealer option, however, it would rely on the dealer from whom it
purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. If the dealer
fails to honor the exercise of the option by the Fund, the Fund would lose the
premium it paid for the option and the expected benefit of the transaction.
Listed options generally have a continuous liquid market while
dealer options have none. Consequently, the Fund will generally be able to
realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising it or
reselling it to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a
dealer option, it generally will be able to close out the option prior to its
expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer
to which the Fund originally wrote the option. Although the Fund will seek to
enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and that are
expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate a dealer
option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. The inability to
enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund.
Until the Fund, as a covered OTC call option writer, is able to effect a closing
purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other
assets) used to cover the written option until
<PAGE>6
the option expires or is exercised. This requirement may impair the
Fund's ability to sell portfolio securities or, with respect to currency
options, currencies at a time when such sale might be advantageous. In the
event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a
dealer option.
Futures Activities. The Fund may enter into foreign currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write (sell)
related options traded on exchanges designated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (the "CFTC") or consistent with CFTC regulations on foreign
exchanges. These transactions may be entered into for "bona fide hedging"
purposes as defined in CFTC regulations and other permissible purposes including
hedging against changes in the value of portfolio securities due to anticipated
changes in currency values, interest rates and/or market conditions and
increasing return.
The Fund will not enter into futures contracts and related
options for which the aggregate initial margin and premiums (discussed below)
required to establish positions other than those considered to be "bona fide
hedging" by the CFTC exceed 5% of the Fund's net asset value after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has
entered into. The ability of the Fund to trade in futures contracts and options
on futures contracts may be limited by the requirements of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable to a regulated investment
company.
Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract
provides for the future sale by one party and the purchase by the other party of
a certain amount of a specified non-U.S. currency at a specified price, date,
time and place. An interest rate futures contract provides for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by the other party of a certain amount of a
specific interest rate sensitive financial instrument (debt security) at a
specified price, date, time and place. Stock indexes are capitalization weighted
indexes which reflect the market value of the stock listed on the indexes. A
stock index futures contract is an agreement to be settled by delivery of an
amount of cash equal to a specified multiplier times the difference between the
value of the index at the close of the last trading day on the contract and the
price at which the agreement is made.
No consideration is paid or received by the Fund upon entering
into a futures contract. Instead, the Fund is required to deposit in a
segregated account with its custodian an amount of cash or cash equivalents,
such as U.S. government securities or other liquid high-grade debt obligations,
equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject
to change by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and brokers may
charge a higher amount). This amount is known as "initial margin" and is in the
nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is
returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. The broker will have access to
amounts in the margin account if the Fund fails to meet its contractual
obligations. Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from the
broker, will be made daily as the currency, financial instrument or stock index
underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions
in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as
"marking-to-market." The Fund will also incur brokerage costs in connection with
entering into futures transactions.
<PAGE>7
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, the
Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will
operate to terminate the Fund's existing position in the contract. Positions in
futures contracts and options on futures contracts (described below) may be
closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a
linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although the
Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market
for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist at
any particular time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily
limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day
at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods
during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the
daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading,
thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at an advantageous
price and subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. In such event, and in the
event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash
payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Fund had insufficient
cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition,
if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in such circumstances
the Fund may realize a loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset
by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses incurred in futures
transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the Fund's
performance.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write
put and call options on foreign currency, interest rate and stock index futures
contracts and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options
to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected; the ability to establish and close out positions
on such options will be subject to the existence of a liquid market.
An option on a currency, interest rate or stock index futures
contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the
purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a
futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the
expiration date of the option. The writer of the option is required upon
exercise to assume an offsetting futures position (a short position if the
option is a call and a long position if the option is a put). Upon exercise of
an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to
the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated
balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by
which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call,
or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the
futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on
futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus
transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of
sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in
the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does
change daily and that change would be reflected in the net asset value of the
Fund.
Currency Exchange Transactions. The value in U.S. dollars of
the assets of the Fund that are invested in foreign securities may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by
<PAGE>8
changes in exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in
connection with conversion between various currencies. Currency exchange
transactions may be from any non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars or into
other appropriate currencies. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange
transactions (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in
the currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into futures
contracts or options on such contracts (as described above), (iii) through
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell currency or (iv)
by purchasing exchange-traded currency options.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract
involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed
upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts
are entered into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks and brokers) and their customers.
Forward currency contracts are similar to currency futures contracts, except
that futures contracts are traded on commodities exchanges and are standardized
as to contract size and delivery date.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may
either sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the currency, or retain
the security and fully or partially offset its contractual obligation to deliver
the currency by negotiating with its trading partner to purchase a second,
offsetting contract. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in
an offsetting transaction, the Fund, at the time of execution of the offsetting
transaction, will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that movement has
occurred in forward contract prices.
Currency Options. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded put
and call options on foreign currencies. Put options convey the right to sell the
underlying currency at a price which is anticipated to be higher than the spot
price of the currency at the time the option is exercised. Call options convey
the right to buy the underlying currency at a price which is expected to be
lower than the spot price of the currency at the time the option is exercised.
Currency Hedging. The Fund's currency hedging will be limited
to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward currency with respect to
specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally accruing in connection
with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities. Position hedging is the
sale of forward currency with respect to portfolio security positions. The Fund
may not position hedge to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at
the time of entering into the hedge) of the hedged securities.
A decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency in
which the Fund's securities are denominated will reduce the U.S. dollar value of
the securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant.
The use of currency hedges does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be
achieved in the future. For example, in order to protect against diminutions in
the U.S. dollar value of securities it holds, the Fund may purchase currency put
options. If the
<PAGE>9
value of the currency does decline, the Fund will have the right to sell
the currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in
whole or in part, the adverse effect on the U.S. dollar value of its securities
that otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, if a rise in the U.S. dollar
value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is
projected, thereby potentially increasing the cost of the securities, the
Fund may purchase call options on the particular currency. The purchase of
these options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse
movements in exchange rates. The benefit to the Fund derived from purchases
of currency options, like the benefit derived from other types of options,
will be reduced by premiums and other transaction costs. Because
transactions in currency exchange are generally conducted on a principal
basis, no fees or commissions are generally involved. Currency hedging
involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with
similar instruments. Although currency hedges limit the risk of loss due to
a decline in the value of a hedged currency, at the same time, they also
limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency
increase. If a devaluation is generally anticipated, the Fund may not be
able to contract to sell a currency at a price above the devaluation level it
anticipates.
While the values of currency futures and options on futures,
forward currency contracts and currency options may be expected to correlate
with exchange rates, they will not reflect other factors that may affect the
value of the Fund's investments and a currency hedge may not be entirely
successful in mitigating changes in the value of the Fund's investments
denominated in that currency. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a
Yen-denominated bond against a decline in the Yen, but will not protect the Fund
against a price decline if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
Hedging. In addition to entering into options, futures and
currency exchange transactions for other purposes, including generating current
income to offset expenses or increase return, the Fund may enter into these
transactions as hedges to reduce investment risk, generally by making an
investment expected to move in the opposite direction of a portfolio position. A
hedge is designed to offset a loss in a portfolio position with a gain in the
hedged position; at the same time, however, a properly correlated hedge will
result in a gain in the portfolio position being offset by a loss in the hedged
position. As a result, the use of options, futures, contracts and currency
exchange transactions for hedging purposes could limit any potential gain from
an increase in the value of the position hedged. In addition, the movement in
the portfolio position hedged may not be of the same magnitude as movement in
the hedge. With respect to futures contracts, since the value of portfolio
securities will far exceed the value of the futures contracts sold by the Fund,
an increase in the value of the futures contracts could only mitigate, but not
totally offset, the decline in the value of the Fund's assets.
In hedging transactions based on an index, whether the Fund
will realize a gain or loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index
depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market
generally or, in the case of certain indexes, in an industry or market segment,
rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. The risk of imperfect
correlation increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio varies from the
composition of the index. In an effort to compensate for imperfect correlation
of relative
<PAGE>10
movements in the hedged position and the hedge, the Fund's hedge positions
may be in a greater or lesser dollar amount than the dollar amount of the
hedged position. Such "over hedging" or "under hedging" may adversely
affect the Fund's net investment results if market movements are not as
anticipated when the hedge is established. Stock index futures transactions
may be subject to additional correlation risks. First, all participants in
the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance
requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements,
investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which
would distort the normal relationship between the stock index and futures
markets. Secondly, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements
in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by
speculators in the futures market also may cause temporary price distortions.
Because of the possibility of price distortions in the futures market and the
imperfect correlation between movements in the stock index and movements in
the price of stock index futures, a correct forecast of general market
trends by Warburg still may not result in a successful hedging transaction.
The Fund will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed
advisable by Warburg, and successful use by the Fund of hedging transactions
will be subject to Warburg's ability to predict trends in currency, interest
rate or securities markets, as the case may be, and to correctly predict
movements in the directions of the hedge and the hedged position and the
correlation between them, which predictions could prove to be inaccurate. This
requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of
individual securities, and there can be no assurance that the use of these
strategies will be successful. Even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful
to some degree because of unexpected market behavior or trends. Losses incurred
in hedging transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the
Fund's performance.
Asset Coverage for Forward Contracts, Options, Futures and
Options on Futures. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund will comply with
guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
with respect to coverage of forward currency contracts; options written by the
Fund on securities and indexes; and currency, interest rate and index futures
contracts and options on these futures contracts. These guidelines may, in
certain instances, require segregation by the Fund of cash or certain liquid
securities that are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory
authority.
For example, a call option written by the Fund on securities
may require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities
convertible into the securities without additional consideration) or to
segregate assets (as described above) sufficient to purchase and deliver the
securities if the call is exercised. A call option written by the Fund on an
index may require the Fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the
index or to segregate assets (as described above) equal to the excess of the
index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written by
the Fund may require the Fund to segregate assets (as described above) equal to
the exercise price. The Fund could purchase a put option if the strike price of
that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by
the Fund. If the Fund holds a futures or forward contract, the Fund could
purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with a strike
price as high or higher than the
<PAGE>11
price of the contract held. The Fund may enter into fully or partially
offsetting transactions so that its net position, coupled with any
segregated assets (equal to any remaining obligation), equals its
net obligation. Asset coverage may be achieved by other means when consistent
with applicable regulatory policies.
Additional Information on Other Investment Practices
Foreign Investments. Investors should recognize that investing
in foreign companies involves certain risks, including those discussed below,
which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. Since the
Fund may invest in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar, and since the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits or other
money market investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in
the exchange rate between such currencies and the dollar. A change in the value
of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding
change in the dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in that foreign
currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value
of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of
securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to
shareholders by the Fund. The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other
currencies is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign
exchange markets. Changes in the exchange rate may result over time from the
interaction of many factors directly or indirectly affecting economic and
political conditions in the United States and a particular foreign country,
including economic and political developments in other countries. Of particular
importance are rates of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments
and the extent of government surpluses or deficits in the United States and the
particular foreign country, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary,
fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of the United States and
foreign countries important to international trade and finance. Governmental
intervention may also play a significant role. National governments rarely
voluntarily allow their currencies to float freely in response to economic
forces. Sovereign governments use a variety of techniques, such as intervention
by a country's central bank or imposition of regulatory controls or taxes, to
affect the exchange rates of their currencies. The Fund may use hedging
techniques with the objective of protecting against loss through the fluctuation
of the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the
forward market in foreign exchange, currency options and currency futures. See
"Currency Transactions" and "Futures Activities" above.
Many of the foreign securities held by the Fund will not be
registered with, nor the issuers thereof be subject to reporting requirements
of, the SEC. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about
the securities and about the foreign company or government issuing them than is
available about a domestic company or government entity. Foreign companies are
generally not subject to uniform financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. In addition, with
respect to some foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of
the Fund, political or social instability, or domestic developments which could
affect U.S. investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign
economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in
<PAGE>12
such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation,
capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments
positions. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign governments (or
agencies or instrumentalities thereof), and many, if not all, of the
foregoing considerations apply to such investments as well.
Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and their
prices are more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Certain
foreign countries are known to experience long delays between the trade and
settlement dates of securities purchased or sold. Due to the increased exposure
of the Fund to market and foreign exchange fluctuations brought about by such
delays, and due to the corresponding negative impact on Fund liquidity, the Fund
will avoid investing in countries which are known to experience settlement
delays which may expose the Fund to unreasonable risk of loss.
U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in debt
obligations of varying maturities issued or guaranteed by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities").
Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury include a variety of securities that
differ in their interest rates, maturities and dates of issuance. U.S.
Government Securities also include securities issued or guaranteed by the
Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Loan Administration, Export-Import
Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, Central Bank for
Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal
Land Banks, Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board
and Student Loan Marketing Association. The Fund may also invest in instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality. Because
the U.S. government is not obligated by law to provide support to an
instrumentality it sponsors, the Fund will invest in obligations issued by such
an instrumentality only if Warburg determines that the credit risk with respect
to the instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable for investment by
the Fund.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet
capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the
Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board"). These loans, if and when made, may not
exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets taken at value. The Fund will not lend
portfolio securities to affiliates of Warburg unless it has applied for and
received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio securities
will be collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities,
which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the
current market value of the loaned securities. Any gain or loss in the market
price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan
would be for the account of the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may return a
part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received for
securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party that is unaffiliated with
the Fund and that is acting as a "finder."
<PAGE>13
By lending its securities, the Fund can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest and any dividends on the loaned securities as
well as by either investing the collateral received for securities loaned in
short-term instruments or obtaining yield in the form of interest paid by the
borrower when U.S. Government Securities are used as collateral. Although the
generation of income is not an investment objective of the Fund, income received
could be used to pay the Fund's expenses and would increase an investor's total
return. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio
securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral
or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from
the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the
market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii)
the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (iv) the Fund must
receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or
other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value;
(v) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan;
and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower,
provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment
occurs, the Board must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the
securities. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or
insolvency of the other party including possible delays or restrictions upon the
Fund's ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for
the loan.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed-Delivery Transactions. The
Fund may utilize up to 20% of its total assets to purchase securities on a
"when-issued" basis or purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery (i.e.,
payment or delivery occur beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price
and yield). When-issued transactions normally settle within 30-45 days. The Fund
will enter into a when-issued transaction for the purpose of acquiring portfolio
securities and not for the purpose of leverage, but may sell the securities
before the settlement date if Warburg deems it advantageous to do so. The
payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on when-issued
securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Due to
fluctuations in the value of securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis, the yields obtained on such securities may be higher or
lower than the yields available in the market on the dates when the investments
are actually delivered to the buyers.
When the Fund agrees to purchase when-issued or
delayed-delivery securities, its custodian will set aside cash, U.S. Government
Securities or other liquid high-grade debt obligations or other securities that
are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory authority equal to
the amount of the commitment in a segregated account. Normally, the custodian
will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment, and in
such a case the Fund may be required subsequently to place additional assets in
the segregated account in order to ensure that the value of the account remains
equal to the amount of the Fund's commitment. It may be expected that the Fund's
net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio
securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash. When
the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions, it relies on
the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of the seller to do so may
result in the Fund's incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a
price considered to be advantageous.
<PAGE>14
Securities of Smaller Companies. The Fund's investments
involve considerations that are not applicable to investing in securities of
established, larger-capitalization issuers, including reduced and less reliable
information about issuers and markets, less stringent accounting standards,
illiquidity of securities and markets, higher brokerage commissions and fees and
greater market risk in general. In addition, securities of smaller companies may
involve greater risks since these securities may have limited marketability and,
thus, may be more volatile.
Securities of Health Sciences Companies. Because the Fund will
focus its investments in securities of companies that are principally engaged in
the health sciences, the value of its shares will be especially affected by
factors relating to the health sciences, resulting in greater volatility in
share price than may be the case with funds that invest in a wider range of
industries.
Health sciences companies are generally subject to greater
governmental regulation than other industries at both the state and federal
levels. Changes in governmental policies may have a material effect on the
demand for or costs of certain products and services. A health sciences company
must receive government approval before introducing new drugs and medical
devices or procedures. This process may delay the introduction of these products
and services to the marketplace, resulting in increased development costs,
delayed cost-recovery and loss of competitive advantage to the extent that rival
companies have developed competing products or procedures, adversely affecting
the company's revenues and profitability. Expansion of facilities by health care
providers is subject to "determinations of need" by the appropriate government
authorities. This process not only increases the time and cost involved in these
expansions, but also makes expansion plans uncertain, limiting the revenue and
profitability growth potential of health care facilities operators, and
negatively affecting the price of their securities.
Certain health science companies depend on the exclusive
rights or patents for the products they develop and distribute. Patents have a
limited duration and, upon expiration, other companies may market substantially
similar "generic" products which have cost less to develop and may cause the
original developer of the product to lose market share and/or reduce the price
charged for the product, resulting in lower profits for the original developer.
Because the products and services of health sciences companies
affect the health and well-being of many individuals, these companies are
especially susceptible to product liability lawsuits. The share price of a
health sciences company can drop dramatically not only as a reaction to an
adverse judicial ruling, but also from the adverse publicity accompanying
threatened litigation.
Short Sales. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed
security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the
identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold
and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs.
If the Fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the short position will
be maintained by the Fund's custodian or qualified sub-custodian. While the
short sale is
<PAGE>15
open, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account an amount of securities
equal in value to the securities sold short.
While a short sale is made by selling a security the Fund does
not own, a short sale is "against the box" to the extent that the Fund
contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities
identical to those sold short. The Fund does not intend to engage in short sales
against the box for investment purposes. The Fund may, however, make a short
sale as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline,
causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security
convertible or exchangeable for such security), or when the Fund wants to sell
the security at an attractive current price, but also wishes to defer
recognition of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for
purposes of satisfying certain tests applicable to regulated investment
companies under the Code. In such case, any future losses in the Fund's long
position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any
gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The
extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of
the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be
certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales against the
box, but the Fund will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the
investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
American, European and Continental Depositary Receipts. The
assets of the Fund may be invested in the securities of foreign issuers in the
form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts
("EDRs"). These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts
typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs, which are sometimes
referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs"), are receipts issued in
Europe typically by non-U.S. banks and trust companies that evidence ownership
of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are
designed for use in U.S. securities markets and EDRs and CDRs in bearer form are
designed for use in European securities markets.
Warrants. The Fund may purchase warrants issued by domestic
and foreign companies to purchase newly created equity securities consisting of
common and preferred stock. The equity security underlying a warrant is
outstanding at the time the warrant is issued or is issued together with the
warrant.
Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for
profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and,
thus, can be a speculative investment. The value of a warrant may decline
because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of
time, changes in interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the
company whose equity underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to
the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof.
Warrants generally pay no dividends and confer no voting or other rights other
than to purchase the underlying security.
<PAGE>16
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls. The Fund may
enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same parties with whom it may
enter into repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale
of securities held by the Fund pursuant to its agreement to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon date, price and rate of interest. At the time the Fund
enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish and maintain a
segregated account with an approved custodian containing cash or certain liquid
securities having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued
interest). The assets contained in the segregated account will be
marked-to-market daily and additional assets will be placed in such account on
any day in which the assets fall below the repurchase price (plus accrued
interest). The Fund's liquidity and ability to manage its assets might be
affected when it sets aside cash or portfolio securities to cover such
commitments. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market
value of the securities retained in lieu of sale may decline below the price of
the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. In the event
the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may
receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund's
obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund's use of the proceeds of
the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such
decision.
The Fund also may enter into "dollar rolls," in which the Fund
sells fixed-income securities for delivery in the current month and
simultaneously contracts to repurchase similar but not identical (same type,
coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the roll
period, the Fund would forego principal and interest paid on such securities.
The Fund would be compensated by the difference between the current sales price
and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by the interest earned
on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. At the time the Fund enters into a
dollar roll transaction, it will place in a segregated account maintained with
an approval custodian cash or other liquid obligations having a value not less
than the repurchase price (including accrued interest) and will subsequently
monitor the account to ensure that its value is maintained. Reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls that are accounted for as financings are considered
to be borrowings under the 1940 Act.
Non-Publicly Traded and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may not
invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including
securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available
market, time deposits maturing in more than seven days, certain Rule 144A
Securities (as defined below) and repurchase agreements which have a maturity of
longer than seven days. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions
on resale but have a readily available market are not considered illiquid for
purposes of this limitation. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed
to have a maturity equal to the notice period.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities
subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase
agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have
not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private
placements or
<PAGE>17
restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in
the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant
amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the
potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on
resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio
securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or
other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might
thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A
mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in
order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has
developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities
Act including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities,
municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors
depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment.
The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the
general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity
of such investments.
Rule 144A Securities. Rule 144A under the Securities Act
adopted by the SEC allows for a broader institutional trading market for
securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public.
Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional
buyers. Warburg anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities
such as institutional commercial paper will expand further as a result of this
regulation and use of automated systems for the trading, clearance and
settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as
the PORTAL System sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered
illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund's 15% limit on the purchase of
illiquid securities unless the Board or its delegates determines that the Rule
144A Securities are liquid. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Board and its
delegates may consider, inter alia, the following factors: (i) the unregistered
nature of the security; (ii) the frequency of trades and quotes for the
security; (iii) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security
and the number of other potential purchasers; (iv) dealer undertakings to make a
market in the security and (v) the nature of the security and the nature of the
marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method
of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer).
Below Investment Grade Securities. The Fund may hold up to 20%
of its net assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade and as
low as C by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's) or D by Standard and
Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"), and in comparable unrated securities. While the
market values of medium- and lower-rated securities and unrated securities of
comparable quality tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate levels
than do those of higher-rated securities, the market values of certain of these
securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments
and changes in economic conditions than higher-quality securities. In addition,
medium- and
<PAGE>18
lower-rated securities and comparable unrated securities generally
present a higher degree of credit risk. Issuers of medium- and
lower-rated securities and unrated securities are often highly leveraged and
may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them so that
their ability to service their obligations during an economic downturn or
during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. The risk of
loss due to default by such issuers is significantly greater because
medium- and lower-rated securities and unrated securities generally are
unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior
indebtedness.
The market for medium- and lower-rated and unrated securities
is relatively new and has not weathered a major economic recession. Any such
recession could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may
adversely affect the value of such securities and the ability of the issuers of
such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon.
Certain of these securities may be difficult to dispose of
because there may be a thin trading market. Because there is no established
retail secondary market for many of these securities, it is anticipated that
these securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or
institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market for these
securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the secondary market for
higher-rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market, as well as
adverse publicity and investor perception with respect to these securities, may
have an adverse impact on market price and the ability to dispose of particular
issues when necessary to meet liquidity needs or in response to a specific
economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.
The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities also may make it
more difficult to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuation
and calculation of net asset value.
The market value of securities in medium- and lower-rated
categories is more volatile than that of higher quality securities. Factors
adversely impacting the market value of these securities will adversely impact
the Fund's net asset value. Normally, medium- and lower-rated and comparable
unrated securities are not intended for short-term investment. Additional
expenses may be incurred, to the extent required to seek recovery upon a default
in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings of such
securities. Recent adverse publicity regarding lower-rated securities may have
depressed the prices for such securities to some extent. Whether investor
perceptions will continue to have a negative effect on the price of such
securities is uncertain.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow up to 30% of its total assets
for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet portfolio redemption
requests so as to permit the orderly disposition of portfolio securities or to
facilitate settlement transactions on portfolio securities. Additional
investments (including roll-overs) will not be made when borrowings exceed 5% of
the Fund's net assets. Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed,
the Fund's assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is
outstanding. The Fund expects that some of its borrowings may be made on a
secured basis. In such situations, either the custodian will segregate the
pledged assets for the benefit of the lender or arrangements will be made with a
suitable subcustodian, which may include the lender.
<PAGE>19
Other Investment Limitations
The investment limitations numbered 1 through 9 may not be
changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares. Such majority is defined as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of
the shares present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more
than 50% of the outstanding shares. Investment limitations 10 through 13 may be
changed by a vote of the Board at any time.
The Fund may not:
1. Borrow money except that the Fund may (a) borrow from banks
for temporary or emergency purposes and (b) enter into reverse repurchase
agreements; provided that reverse repurchase agreements, dollar roll
transactions that are accounted for as financings and any other transactions
constituting borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's
total assets at the time of such borrowing. For purposes of this restriction,
short sales, the entry into currency transactions, options, futures contracts,
options on futures contracts, forward commitment transactions and dollar roll
transactions that are not accounted for as financings (and the segregation of
assets in connection with any of the foregoing) shall not constitute borrowing.
2. Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of
the value of the Fund's total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in
the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the
same industry except that the Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets
in the health services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices industries; provided
that there shall be no limit on the purchase of U.S. Government Securities.
3. Purchase the securities of any issuer if as a result more
than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of such issuer, except that this 5% limitation does not apply to U.S.
Government Securities and except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to this 5% limitation.
4. Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold
fixed-income securities, including loan participations, assignments and
structured securities, lend portfolio securities and enter into repurchase
agreements.
5. Underwrite any securities issued by others except to the
extent that the investment in restricted securities and the sale of securities
in accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations may
be deemed to be underwriting.
6. Purchase or sell real estate or invest in oil, gas or
mineral exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest in
(a) securities secured by real estate, mortgages or interests therein and (b)
securities of companies that invest in or sponsor oil, gas or mineral
exploration or development programs.
7. Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may
obtain any short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and
sales of securities. For
<PAGE>20
purposes of this restriction, the deposit or payment of initial or
variation margin in connection with transactions in currencies, options,
futures contracts or related options will not be deemed to be a purchase
of securities on margin.
8. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase
and sell futures contracts, including those relating to securities, currencies
and indexes, and options on futures contracts, securities, currencies or
indexes, purchase and sell currencies on a forward commitment or
delayed-delivery basis and enter into stand-by commitments.
9. Issue any senior security except as permitted in the
Fund's investment limitations.
10. Purchase securities of other investment companies except
in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or offer
of exchange, or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act.
11. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the
extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with the purchase of securities on a
forward commitment or delayed-delivery basis and collateral and initial or
variation margin arrangements with respect to currency transactions, options,
futures contracts, and options on futures contracts.
12. Invest more than 15% of the Fund's net assets in
securities which may be illiquid because of legal or contractual restrictions on
resale or securities for which there are no readily available market quotations.
For purposes of this limitation, repurchase agreements with maturities greater
than seven days shall be considered illiquid securities.
13. Make additional investments (including roll-overs) if
the Fund's borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.
If a percentage restriction (other than the percentage
limitation set forth in No. 1 above) is adhered to at the time of an investment,
a later increase or decrease in the percentage of assets resulting from a change
in the values of portfolio securities or in the amount of the Fund's assets will
not constitute a violation of such restriction.
Portfolio Valuation
The Prospectus discusses the time at which the net asset value
of the Fund is determined for purposes of sales and redemptions. The following
is a description of the procedures used by the Fund in valuing its assets.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including
securities traded through the Nasdaq National Market System) or foreign
securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market will be valued at
the most recent sale as of the time the valuation is made or, in the absence of
sales, at the mean between the bid and asked quotations. If there are no such
quotations, the value of the securities will be taken to be the highest bid
quotation on the exchange or market. Options and futures contracts will be
valued similarly. A security
<PAGE>21
which is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation
on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security.
Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which constitutes fair value as determined by the Board.
Amortized cost involves valuing a portfolio instrument at its initial cost
and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any
discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates
on the market value of the instrument. The amortized cost method of valuation
may also be used with respect to other debt obligations with 60 days or
less remaining to maturity. In determining the market value of portfolio
investments, the Fund may employ outside organizations (a "Pricing
Service") which may use a matrix, formula or other objective method that takes
into consideration market indexes, matrices, yield curves and other specific
adjustments. The procedures of Pricing Services are reviewed periodically by
the officers of the Fund under the general supervision and responsibility of
the Board, which may replace a Pricing Service at any time. Securities,
options and futures contracts for which market quotations are not
available and other assets of the Fund will be valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures
established by the Board. In addition, the Board or its delegates may value a
security at fair value if it determines that such security's value
determined by the methodology set forth above does not reflect its fair value.
Trading in securities in certain foreign countries is
completed at various times prior to the close of business on each business day
in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is
open for trading). In addition, securities trading in a particular country or
countries may not take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore,
trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not business
days in New York and days on which the Fund's net asset value is not calculated.
As a result, calculation of the Fund's net asset value may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of certain portfolio
securities used in such calculation. Events affecting the values of portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close
of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless the Board or its delegates deems that the particular
event would materially affect net asset value, in which case an adjustment may
be made. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency
values will be converted into U.S. dollar values at the prevailing rate as
quoted by a Pricing Service. If such quotations are not available, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied
procedures established by the Board.
Portfolio Transactions
Warburg is responsible for establishing, reviewing and, where
necessary, modifying the Fund's investment program to achieve its investment
objective. Purchases and sales of newly issued portfolio securities are usually
principal transactions without brokerage commissions effected directly with the
issuer or with an underwriter acting as principal. Other purchases and sales may
be effected on a securities exchange or over-the-counter, depending on where it
appears that the best price or execution will be obtained. The purchase price
paid by the Fund to underwriters of newly issued securities usually includes a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases of securities
from dealers, acting as either
<PAGE>22
principals or agents in the after market, are normally executed at a
price between the bid and asked price, which includes a dealer's mark-up or
mark-down. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges and some foreign stock
exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. On
exchanges on which commissions are negotiated, the cost of transactions may
vary among different brokers. On most foreign exchanges, commissions are
generally fixed. There is generally no stated commission in the case of
securities traded in domestic or foreign over-the-counter markets, but the
price of securities traded in over-the-counter markets includes an
undisclosed commission or mark-up. U.S. Government Securities are generally
purchased from underwriters or dealers, although certain newly issued U.S.
Government Securities may be purchased directly from the U.S. Treasury
or from the issuing agency or instrumentality.
Warburg will select specific portfolio investments and effect
transactions for the Fund and in doing so seeks to obtain the overall best
execution of portfolio transactions. In evaluating prices and executions,
Warburg will consider the factors it deems relevant, which may include the
breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial
condition and execution capability of a broker or dealer and the reasonableness
of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing
basis. Warburg may, in its discretion, effect transactions in portfolio
securities with dealers who provide brokerage and research services (as those
terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to
the Fund and/or other accounts over which Warburg exercises investment
discretion. Warburg may place portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer
with whom it has negotiated a commission that is in excess of the commission
another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction if
Warburg determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable
in relation to the value of such brokerage and research services provided by
such broker or dealer viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or
of the overall responsibilities of Warburg. Research and other services received
may be useful to Warburg in serving both the Fund and its other clients and,
conversely, research or other services obtained by the placement of business of
other clients may be useful to Warburg in carrying out its obligations to the
Fund. Research may include furnishing advice, either directly or through
publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the advisability of
purchasing or selling specific securities and the availability of securities or
purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing seminars, information, analyses
and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, trading markets and
methods, legislative developments, changes in accounting practices, economic
factors and trends and portfolio strategy; access to research analysts,
corporate management personnel, industry experts, economists and government
officials; comparative performance evaluation and technical measurement services
and quotation services; and products and other services (such as third party
publications, reports and analyses, and computer and electronic access,
equipment, software, information and accessories that deliver, process or
otherwise utilize information, including the research described above) that
assist Warburg in carrying out its responsibilities. Research received from
brokers or dealers is supplemental to Warburg's own research program. The fees
to Warburg under its advisory agreement with the Fund are not reduced by reason
of its receiving any brokerage and research services.
<PAGE>23
Investment decisions for the Fund concerning specific
portfolio securities are made independently from those for other clients advised
by Warburg. Such other investment clients may invest in the same securities as
the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same security are made at substantially
the same time on behalf of such other clients, transactions are averaged as to
price and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which
Warburg believes to be equitable to each client, including the Fund. In some
instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or
received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold for the Fund.
To the extent permitted by law, securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund
may be aggregated with those to be sold or purchased for such other investment
clients in order to obtain best execution.
Any portfolio transaction for the Fund may be executed through
Counsellors Securities Inc., the Fund's distributor ("Counsellors Securities"),
if, in Warburg's judgment, the use of Counsellors Securities is likely to result
in price and execution at least as favorable as those of other qualified
brokers, and if, in the transaction, Counsellors Securities charges the Fund a
commission rate consistent with those charged by Counsellors Securities to
comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions. All transactions with
affiliated brokers will comply with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or
sold to Warburg or Counsellors Securities or any affiliated person of such
companies. In addition, the Fund will not give preference to any institutions
with whom the Fund enters into distribution or shareholder servicing agreements
concerning the provision of distribution services or support services.
Transactions for the Fund may be effected on foreign
securities exchanges. In transactions for securities not actively traded on a
foreign securities exchange, the Fund will deal directly with the dealers who
make a market in the securities involved, except in those circumstances where
better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are
acting as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be
purchased directly from the issuer. Such portfolio securities are generally
traded on a net basis and do not normally involve brokerage commissions.
Securities firms may receive brokerage commissions on certain portfolio
transactions, including options, futures and options on futures transactions and
the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon exercise of options.
The Fund may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding
for the purchase of securities for the Fund's portfolio directly from an issuer
in order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of
such a group. The Fund will engage in this practice, however, only when Warburg,
in its sole discretion, believes such practice to be otherwise in the Fund's
interest.
<PAGE>24
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund does not intend to seek profits through short-term
trading, but the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund
deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. The Fund's portfolio turnover
rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of its portfolio
securities for the year by the monthly average value of the portfolio
securities. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or less at the date
of acquisition are excluded from the calculation.
Certain practices that may be employed by the Fund could
result in high portfolio turnover. For example, options on securities may be
sold in anticipation of a decline in the price of the underlying security
(market decline) or purchased in anticipation of a rise in the price of the
underlying security (market rise) and later sold. To the extent that its
portfolio is traded for the short-term, the Fund will be engaged essentially in
trading activities based on short-term considerations affecting the value of an
issuer's stock instead of long-term investments based on fundamental valuation
of securities. Because of this policy, portfolio securities may be sold without
regard to the length of time for which they have been held. Consequently, the
annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may be higher than mutual funds
having a similar objective that do not invest in special situation companies.
<PAGE>25
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Officers and Board of Directors
The names (and ages) of the Fund's Directors and officers,
their addresses, present positions and principal occupations during the past
five years and other affiliations are set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Richard N. Cooper (62) Director
Harvard University National Intelligence Counsel; Professor at Harvard
1737 Cambridge Street University; Director or Trustee of CircuitCity Stores,
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Inc. (retail electronics and appliances) and Phoenix
Home Life Mutual Insurance Company.
Donald J. Donahue (72) Director
27 Signal Rd. Chairman of Magma Copper from December 1987 until
Stamford, Connecticut 06902 December 1995; Chairman and Director of NAC Holdings
from September 1990-June 1993; Director of Pioneer
Companies, Inc. (chlor-alkali chemicals) and
predecessor companies since 1990 and Vice Chairman
since December 1995.
Jack W. Fritz (69) Director
2425 North Fish Creek Road Private investor; Consultant and Director of Fritz
P.O. Box 483 Broadcasting, Inc. and Fritz Communications (developers
Wilson, Wyoming 83014 and operators of radio stations); Director of Advo,
Inc. (direct mail advertising).
John L. Furth* (66) Director and Chief Executive Officer
466 Lexington Avenue Vice Chairman and Director of E.M. Warburg, Pincus &
New York, New York 10017-3147 Co., Inc. ("EMW"); Associated with EMW since 1970;
Chairman of the Board and officer of other
investment companies advised by Warburg.
* Indicates a Director who is an "interested person" of the Fund as
defined in the 1940 Act.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Thomas A. Melfe (64) Director
30 Rockefeller Plaza Partner in the law firm of Donovan Leisure Newton &
New York, New York 10112 Irvine; Chairman of the Board, Municipal Fund for New
York Investors, Inc.
Alexander B. Trowbridge (67) Director
1317 F Street, N.W., 5th Floor President of Trowbridge Partners, Inc. (business
Washington, DC 20004 consulting) from January 1990-November 1996; President
of the National Association of Manufacturers from 1980
to 1990; Director or Trustee of New England Mutual
Life Insurance Co., ICOS Corporation
(biopharmaceuticals), WMX Technologies Inc. (solid and
hazardous waste collection and disposal), The Rouse
Company (real estate development), Harris Corp.
(electronics and communications equipment), The
Gillette Co. (personal care products) and Sun Company
Inc. (petroleum refining and marketing).
Arnold M. Reichman* (48) Director and President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director and Assistant Secretary of EMW;
New York, New York 10017-3147 Associated with EMW since 1984; Senior Vice President,
Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Counsellors
Securities; Officer of other investment companies
advised by Warburg.
Eugene L. Podsiadlo (39) Senior Vice President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director of EMW; Associated with EMW since
New York, New York 10017-3147 1991; Vice President of Citibank, N.A. from 1987 to
1991; Senior Vice President of Counsellors
Securities and officer of other investment
companies advised by Warburg.
Stephen Distler (43) Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director, Controller and Assistant Secretary
New York, New York 10017-3147 of EMW; Associated with EMW since 1984; Treasurer of
Counsellors Securities; Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Accounting Officer or Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of other investment companies
advised by Warburg.
* Indicates a Director who is an "interested person" of the Fund as
defined in the 1940 Act.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>27
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Eugene P. Grace (45) Vice President and Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since April 1994; Attorney-at-law
New York, New York 10017-3147 from September 1989-April 1994; life insurance agent,
New York Life Insurance Company from 1993-1994;
General Counsel and Secretary, Home Unity
Savings Bank from 1991-1992; Vice President and Chief
Compliance Officer of Counsellors Securities; Vice
President and Secretary of other investment companies
advised by Warburg.
Howard Conroy (42) Vice President
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since 1992; Associated with Martin
New York, New York 10017-3147 Geller, C.P.A. from 1990-1992; Vice President, Finance
with Gabelli/Rosenthal & Partners, L.P. until 1990;
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer
of other investment companies advised by Warburg.
Daniel S. Madden, CPA (31) Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since 1995; Associated with
New York, New York 10017-3147 BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. from September
1994 to October 1996; Associated with BEA
Associates from April 1993 to September 1994;
Associated with Ernst & Young LLP from 1990
to 1993. Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer
of other investment companies advised by Warburg.
Janna Manes, Esq. (29) Assistant Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since 1996; Associated with the
New York, New York 10017-3147 law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher from 1993-1996;
Assistant Secretary of other investment companies
advised by Warburg.
</TABLE>
No employee of Warburg or PFPC Inc., the Fund's
co-administrator ("PFPC"), or any of their affiliates receives any compensation
from the Fund for acting as an officer or director of the Fund. Each Director
who is not a director, trustee, officer or employee of Warburg, PFPC or any of
their affiliates receives an annual fee of $500, and $250 for each meeting of
the Board attended by him for his services as Director and is reimbursed for
expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at Board meetings.
<PAGE>28
Directors' Compensation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Total Compensation from all
Compensation from Investment Companies Managed by
Name of Director Fund+ Warburg+*
---------------- ----------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John L. Furth None** None**
Arnold M. Reichman None** None**
Richard N. Cooper $1,500 $48,000
Donald J. Donahue $1,500 $48,000
Jack W. Fritz $1,500 $48,000
Thomas A. Melfe $1,500 $48,000
Alexander B. Trowbridge $1,500 $48,000
<FN>
- ---------------
+ Amounts shown are estimates of future payments to be made in the
fiscal year ending October 31, 1997 pursuant to existing arrangements.
* Each Director also serves as a Director or Trustee of 22 other
investment companies advised by Warburg.
** Mr. Furth and Mr. Reichman are considered to be interested persons of
the Fund and Warburg, as defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940
Act, and, accordingly, receive no compensation from the Fund or any
other investment company managed by Warburg.
</TABLE>
Ms. Susan L. Black is co-manager of the U.S. Mid Cap Sector
Portfolio of Warburg Pincus Balanced Fund, as well as co-president and
co-portfolio manager of Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund and the
director of research and a senior portfolio manager of the institutional growth
equity product at Warburg. From 1961 until 1973 Ms. Black was employed by Argus
Research, first as a securities analyst, then as director of research. From 1973
until 1977 and from 1978 until 1979 she was a vice president of research at
Drexel Burnham Lambert. From 1977 until 1978 she was a vice president of
Research at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, and from 1979 until 1985 Ms. Black
was a partner at Century Capital Associates. Ms. Black received a B.A. degree
from Mount Holyoke College.
Ms. Patricia F. Widner is a vice president of research at
Warburg, which she joined in 1991 as the healthcare securities analyst for the
firm. From 1985 to 1991, she was a vice president and securities analyst,
investing in the securities of venture capital and small capitalization
healthcare companies, for Citibank Investment Management, which changed its name
in 1988 to Chancellor Capital Management. From 1984 to 1985, Ms. Widner served
as a marketing director at Whittaker Health Services, a start-up HMO which later
was sold to The Travelers Group. In 1984, Ms. Widner was employed by Merrill
Lynch as an investment banker specializing in not-for-profit hospitals. Between
1979 and 1982, she was a practicing
<PAGE>29
dietitian and a sales representative for Abbott Laboratories. Ms. Widner
received an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a B.S.
from Marymount College and completed the Registered Dietitian program at Peter
Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Investment Adviser and Co-Administrators
Warburg serves as investment adviser to the Fund, Counsellors
Funds Service, Inc. ("Counsellors Service") serves as co-administrator to the
Fund and PFPC serves as co-administrator to the Fund pursuant to separate
written agreements (the "Advisory Agreement," the "Counsellors Service
Co-Administration Agreement" and the "PFPC Co-Administration Agreement,"
respectively). The services provided by, and the fees payable by the Fund to,
Warburg under the Advisory Agreement, Counsellors Service under the Counsellors
Service Co-Administration Agreement and PFPC under the PFPC Co-Administration
Agreement are described in the Prospectus. Each class of shares of the Fund
bears its proportionate share of fees payable to Warburg, Counsellors Service
and PFPC in the proportion that its assets bear to the aggregate assets of the
Fund at the time of calculation. These fees are calculated at an annual rate
based on a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets. See the
Prospectus, "Management of the Fund."
Custodians and Transfer Agent
PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC") and Fiduciary Trust
Company International ("Fiduciary") serve as custodians of the Fund's U.S. and
foreign assets, respectively, pursuant to separate custodian agreements (the
"Custodian Agreements"). Under the Custodian Agreements, PNC and Fiduciary each
(i) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund, (ii) holds
and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Fund, (iii) makes receipts
and disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund, (iv) collects and receives all
income and other payments and distributions for the account of the Fund's
portfolio securities held by it and (v) makes periodic reports to the Board
concerning the Fund's custodial arrangements. PNC may delegate its duties under
its Custodian Agreement with the Fund to a wholly owned direct or indirect
subsidiary of PNC or PNC Bank Corp. upon notice to the Fund and upon the
satisfaction of certain other conditions. With the approval of the Board,
Fiduciary is authorized to select one or more foreign banking institutions and
foreign securities depositories to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund.
PNC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp., and its principal
business address is Broad and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19101. The principal business address of Fiduciary is Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048.
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") acts as
the shareholder servicing, transfer and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund
pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, under which State Street
(i) issues and redeems shares of the Fund, (ii) addresses and mails all
communications by the Fund to record owners of Fund shares, including reports to
shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy material for its
meetings of shareholders, (iii) maintains shareholder accounts and, if
requested, sub-accounts and (iv) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning
the transfer agent's operations with
<PAGE>30
respect to the Fund. State Street has delegated to Boston Financial Data
Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary ("BFDS"), responsibility for most
shareholder servicing functions. State Street's principal business address
is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. BFDS's principal
business address is 2 Heritage Drive, Boston, Massachusetts 02171.
Organization of the Fund
The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three billion
full and fractional shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share ("Common
Stock"), of which one billion shares are designated "Common Shares" and one
billion shares are designated "Advisor Shares." Only Common Shares have been
issued by the Fund.
All shareholders of the Fund in each class, upon liquidation,
will participate ratably in the Fund's net assets. Shares do not have cumulative
voting rights, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting
for the election of Directors can elect all Directors. Shares are transferable
but have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights.
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing
Common Shares. The Fund has entered into a Shareholder
Servicing and Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Plan"), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund will pay Counsellors Securities, in
consideration for Services (as defined below), a fee calculated at an annual
rate of .25% of the average daily net assets of the Common Shares of the Fund.
Services performed by Counsellors Securities include (i) the sale of the Common
Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Selling Services"), (ii) ongoing
servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of Common Shareholders of the Fund,
as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Shareholder Services"), and (iii) sub-transfer
agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to
the sale of the Common Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Administrative
Services" and collectively with Selling Services, "Services") including, without
limitation, (a) payments reflecting an allocation of overhead and other office
expenses of Counsellors Securities related to providing Services; (b) payments
made to, and reimbursement of expenses of, persons who provide support services
in connection with the distribution of the Common Shares including, but not
limited to, office space and equipment, telephone facilities, answering routine
inquiries regarding the Fund, and providing any other Shareholder Services; (c)
payments made to compensate selected dealers or other authorized persons for
providing any Services; (d) costs relating to the formulation and implementation
of marketing and promotional activities for the Common Shares, including, but
not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper,
magazine and other mass media advertising, and related travel and entertainment
expenses; (e) costs of printing and distributing prospectuses, statements of
additional information and reports of the Fund to prospective shareholders of
the Fund; and (f) costs involved in obtaining whatever information, analyses and
reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities that the Fund may,
from time to time, deem advisable.
<PAGE>31
Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, Counsellors Securities provides
the Board with periodic reports of amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan and the
purpose for which the expenditures were made.
Advisor Shares. The Fund may, in the future, enter into
agreements ("Agreements") with institutional shareholders of record,
broker-dealers, financial institutions, depository institutions, retirement
plans and financial intermediaries ("Institutions") to provide certain
distribution, shareholder servicing, administrative and/or accounting services
for their clients or customers (or participants in the case of retirement plans)
("Customers") who are beneficial owners of Advisor Shares. Agreements will be
governed by a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund will pay in consideration for
services, a fee calculated at an annual rate of .50% of the average daily net
assets of the Advisor Shares of the Fund. The Distribution Plan requires the
Board, at least quarterly, to receive and review written reports of amounts
expended under the Distribution Plan and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
An Institution with which the Fund has entered into an
Agreement with respect to its Advisor Shares may charge a Customer one or more
of the following types of fees, as agreed upon by the Institution and the
Customer, with respect to the cash management or other services provided by the
Institution: (i) account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year); (ii)
transaction fees (a fixed amount per transaction processed); (iii) compensation
balance requirements (a minimum dollar amount a Customer must maintain in order
to obtain the services offered); or (iv) account maintenance fees (a periodic
charge based upon the percentage of assets in the account or of the dividend
paid on those assets). Services provided by an Institution to Customers are in
addition to, and not duplicative of, the services to be provided under the
Fund's co-administration and distribution and shareholder servicing
arrangements. A Customer of an Institution should read the relevant Prospectus
and this Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with the Agreement
and other literature describing the services and related fees that would be
provided by the Institution to its Customers prior to any purchase of Fund
shares. Prospectuses are available from the Fund's distributor upon request. No
preference will be shown in the selection of Fund portfolio investments for the
instruments of Institutions.
General. The Distribution Plan and the 12b-1 Plan will
continue in effect for so long as their continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not
interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or the 12b-1 Plan, as the
case may be ("Independent Directors"). Any material amendment of the
Distribution Plan or the 12b-1 Plan would require the approval of the Board in
the manner described above. The Distribution Plan or the 12b-1 Plan may not be
amended to increase materially the amount to be spent thereunder without
shareholder approval of the Advisor Shares or the Common Shares, as the case may
be. Neither the Distribution Plan nor the 12b-1 Plan may be terminated at any
time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Directors or by
a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Advisor Shares
or the Common Shares, as the case may be.
<PAGE>32
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The offering price of the Fund's shares is equal to the per
share net asset value of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. Information
on how to purchase and redeem Fund shares and how such shares are priced is
included in the Prospectus under "Net Asset Value."
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may suspend the right of
redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during
which the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or
during which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during which (as determined
by the SEC) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or fair valuation
of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods
as the SEC may permit. (The Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation of
an exchange of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing
conditions.)
If the Board determines that conditions exist which make
payment of redemption proceeds wholly in cash unwise or undesirable, the Fund
may make payment wholly or partly in securities or other investment instruments
which may not constitute securities as such term is defined in the applicable
securities laws. If a redemption is paid wholly or partly in securities or other
property, a shareholder would incur transaction costs in disposing of the
redemption proceeds. The Fund will comply with Rule 18f-1 promulgated under the
1940 Act with respect to redemptions in kind.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. An automatic cash withdrawal
plan (the "Plan") is available to shareholders who wish to receive specific
amounts of cash periodically. Withdrawals may be made under the Plan by
redeeming as many shares of the Fund as may be necessary to cover the stipulated
withdrawal payment. To the extent that withdrawals exceed dividends,
distributions and appreciation of a shareholder's investment in the Fund, there
will be a reduction in the value of the shareholder's investment and continued
withdrawal payments may reduce the shareholder's investment and ultimately
exhaust it. Withdrawal payments should not be considered as income from
investment in the Fund. All dividends and distributions on shares in the Plan
are automatically reinvested at net asset value in additional shares of the
Fund.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
An exchange privilege with certain other funds advised by
Warburg is available to investors in the Fund. The funds into which exchanges of
Common Shares currently can be made are listed in the Common Share Prospectus.
Exchanges may also be made between certain Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds.
The exchange privilege enables shareholders to acquire shares
in a fund with a different investment objective when they believe that a shift
between funds is an appropriate investment decision. This privilege is available
to shareholders residing in any state in which the Common Shares or Advisor
Shares being acquired, as relevant, may legally be sold. Prior to any exchange,
the investor should obtain and review a copy of the current prospectus of the
<PAGE>33
relevant class of each fund into which an exchange is being considered.
Shareholders may obtain a prospectus of the relevant class of the fund into
which they are contemplating an exchange from Counsellors Securities.
Upon receipt of proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents, shares submitted for exchange are redeemed at the
then-current net asset value of the relevant class and the proceeds are invested
on the same day, at a price as described above, in shares of the relevant class
of the fund being acquired. Warburg reserves the right to reject more than three
exchange requests by a shareholder in any 30-day period. The exchange privilege
may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES
The discussion set out below of tax considerations generally
affecting the Fund and its shareholders is intended to be only a summary and is
not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning by prospective
shareholders. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated
investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. If it qualifies as a
regulated investment company, the Fund will pay no federal income taxes on its
taxable net investment income (that is, taxable income other than net realized
capital gains) and its net realized capital gains that are distributed to
shareholders. To qualify under Subchapter M, the Fund must, among other things:
(i) distribute to its shareholders the sum of at least 90% of its taxable net
investment income (for this purpose consisting of taxable net investment income
and net realized short-term capital gains) plus at least 90% of its net tax
exempt interest income; (ii) derive at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of securities, gains from
the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other
income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, and forward
contracts) derived with respect to the Fund's business of investing in such
securities or currencies; (iii) derive less than 30% of its annual gross income
from the sale or other disposition of securities, options, futures, forward
contracts or certain other assets held for less than three months; and (iv)
diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Fund
(a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by
cash, U.S. Government Securities and other securities, with those other
securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to an amount no greater in
value than 5% of the Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the
market value of the Fund's assets is invested in the securities of any one
issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other regulated
investment companies) or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that
are determined to be in the same or similar trades or businesses or related
trades or businesses. In meeting these requirements, the Fund may be restricted
in the selling of securities held by the Fund for less than three months and in
the utilization of certain of the investment techniques described above and in
the Fund's Prospectus. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will be
subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax measured with respect to certain
undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain required to
<PAGE>34
be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula requires
payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions
representing at least 98% of the Fund's taxable ordinary income for the
calendar year and at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over
capital losses realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during
such year, together with any undistributed, untaxed amounts of ordinary
income and capital gains from the previous calendar year. The Fund expects to
pay the dividends and make the distributions necessary to avoid the application
of this excise tax.
The Fund's transactions, if any, in foreign currencies,
forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options, futures
contracts and forward contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to
special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the
character of gains and losses recognized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether
gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to
the Fund, defer Fund losses and cause the Fund to be subject to
hyperinflationary currency rules. These rules could therefore affect the
character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions
also (i) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of its positions
(i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) and (ii) may cause the Fund to
recognize income without receiving cash with which to pay dividends or make
distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for
avoiding income and excise taxes. The Fund will monitor its transactions, will
make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in its
books and records when it acquires any foreign currency, forward contract,
option, futures contract or hedged investment so that (a) neither the Fund nor
its shareholders will be treated as receiving a materially greater amount of
capital gains or distributions than actually realized or received, (b) the Fund
will be able to use substantially all of its losses for the fiscal years in
which the losses actually occur and (c) the Fund will continue to qualify as a
regulated investment company.
Upon the sale or exchange of shares, a shareholder will
realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the amount realized and the basis
in the shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the
shares are capital assets in the shareholder's hands, and, as described in the
Prospectus, will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder's
holding period for the shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be
disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including
replacement through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions in the Fund, within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before
and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the
basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.
A shareholder of the Fund receiving dividends or distributions
in additional shares should be treated for federal income tax purposes as
receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that a
shareholder receiving cash dividends or distributions receives, and should have
a cost basis in the shares received equal to that amount. Investors considering
buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be
aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the
amount of the forthcoming distribution, those who purchase just prior to a
distribution will receive a distribution that will nevertheless be taxable to
them.
<PAGE>35
Each shareholder will receive an annual statement as to the
federal income tax status of his dividends and distributions from the Fund for
the prior calendar year. Furthermore, shareholders will also receive, if
appropriate, various written notices after the close of the Fund's taxable year
regarding the federal income tax status of certain dividends and distributions
that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the Fund to its
shareholders during the preceding year.
If a shareholder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer
identification number, fails to report fully dividend or interest income, or
fails to certify that he has provided a correct taxpayer identification number
and that he is not subject to "backup withholding," the shareholder may be
subject to a 31% "backup withholding" tax with respect to (i) taxable dividends
and distributions and (ii) the proceeds of any sales or repurchases of shares of
the Fund. An individual's taxpayer identification number is his social security
number. Corporate shareholders and other shareholders specified in the Code are
or may be exempt from backup withholding. The backup withholding tax is not an
additional tax and may be credited against a taxpayer's federal income tax
liability. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and local
taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation.
DETERMINATION OF PERFORMANCE
From time to time, the Fund may quote the total return of its
Common Shares and/or Advisor Shares in advertisements or in reports and other
communications to shareholders. These figures are calculated by finding the
average annual compounded rates of return for the one-, five- and ten- (or such
shorter period as the relevant class of shares has been offered) year periods
that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value
according to the following formula: P (1 + T)[*GRAPHIC OMITTED-SEE FOOTNOTE
BELOW]= ERV. For purposes of this formula, "P" is a hypothetical investment of
$1,000; "T" is average annual total return; "n" is number of years; and "ERV"
is the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the
beginning of the one-, five- or ten-year periods (or fractional portion
thereof). Total return or "T" is computed by finding the average annual change
in the value of an initial $1,000 investment over the period and assumes that
all dividends and distributions are reinvested during the period.
The Fund may advertise, from time to time, comparisons of the
performance of its Common Shares and/or Advisor Shares with that of one or more
other mutual funds with similar investment objectives. The Fund may advertise
average annual calendar year-to-date and calendar quarter returns, which are
calculated according to the formula set forth in the preceding paragraph, except
that the relevant measuring period would be the number of months that have
elapsed in the current calendar year or most recent three months, as the case
may be.
The performance of a class of Fund shares will vary from time
to time depending upon market conditions, the composition of the Fund's
portfolio and operating expenses allocable to it. As described above, total
return is based on historical earnings and is not intended to indicate future
performance. Consequently, any given performance quotation should not be
considered as representative of performance for any specified period in the
- --------------------
* The expression (1 + T) is being raised to the nth power.
<PAGE>36
future. Performance information may be useful as a basis for comparison with
other investment alternatives. However, the Fund's performance will
fluctuate, unlike certain bank deposits or other investments which pay a
fixed yield for a stated period of time. Any fees charged by Institutions
or other institutional investors directly to their customers in connection
with investments in Fund shares are not reflected in the Fund's total
return, and such fees, if charged, will reduce the actual return received
by customers on their investments.
Reference may be made in advertising a class of Fund shares to
opinions of Wall Street economists and analysts regarding economic cycles and
their effects historically on the performance of small companies, both as a
class and relative to other investments. The Fund may also discuss its beta, or
volatility relative to the market, and make reference to its relative
performance in various market cycles in the United States.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND COUNSEL
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("Coopers & Lybrand"), with principal
offices at 2400 Eleven Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as
independent accountants for the Fund. The statement of assets and liabilities of
the Fund, as of December 12, 1996, that appears in this Statement of Additional
Information has been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, whose report thereon appears
elsewhere herein and has been included herein in reliance upon the report of
such firm of independent accountants given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher serves as counsel for the Fund as
well as counsel to Warburg, Counsellors Service and Counsellors Securities.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The Fund's financial statement follows the Report of
Independent Accountants.
<PAGE>A-1
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Commercial Paper Ratings
Commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard and Poor's Ratings
Services ("S&P") indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign designation. Capacity for timely
payment on commercial paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree
of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating
assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). Issuers rated Prime-1
(or related supporting institutions) are considered to have a superior capacity
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 (or
related supporting institutions) are considered to have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced
by many of the characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.
Corporate Bond Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P for corporate
bonds:
AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt
obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal.
AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal and differs from AAA 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 - This is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB is
regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Although 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 bonds in this category than for
bonds in higher rated categories.
<PAGE>A-2
BB, B and CCC - Debt rated BB and B is regarded, on balance,
as predominately speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB represents a lower
degree of speculation than B, and CCC the highest degree of speculation. While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
BB - Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default
than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could
lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The
BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B - Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but
currently have the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity
or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is
also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC - Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable
vulnerability to default and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and
economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of
principal. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions,
it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The
CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to
senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to
senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C
rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been
filed, but debt service payments are continued.
Additionally, the rating CI is reserved for income bonds on
which no interest is being paid. Such debt is rated between debt rated C and
debt rated D.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the
ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within this major rating category.
D - Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category
is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will
be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
<PAGE>A-3
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for
corporate bonds:
Aaa - Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa - Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality
by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally
known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements
may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.
Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba - Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty
of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B - Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of
desirable investments. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers (1, 2 and 3) with respect
to the bonds rated "Aa" through "B." The modifier 1 indicates that the bond
being rated 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 bond
ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
Caa - Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. These
issues may be in default or present elements of danger may exist 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.
<PAGE>A-4
C - Bonds which are rated C comprise 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.
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
of Warburg, Pincus Health Sciences Fund, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities of
Warburg, Pincus Health Sciences Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") as of December 12,
1996. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement 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 financial statement is free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Warburg, Pincus Health
Sciences Fund, Inc. as of December 12, 1996 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 16, 1996
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WARBURG, PINCUS HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
as of December 12, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Assets:
Cash $100,000
Deferred Organizational Costs 20,514
Deferred Offering Costs 94,610
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Total Assets 215,124
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Liabilities:
Accrued Organizational Costs 20,514
Accrued Offering Costs 94,610
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Total Liabilities 115,124
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Net Assets 100,000
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Net Asset Value, Redemption and Offering Price Per
Share (three billion shares authorized, consisting of 1
billion Common Shares and 1 billion Advisor Shares -
$.001 per share designated) applicable to
10,000 Common Shares. $10.00
======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.
<PAGE>1
WARBURG, PINCUS HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC.
Notes to Financial Statement
December 12, 1996
1. Organization:
Warburg, Pincus Health Sciences Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was incorporated on
October 31, 1996 under the laws of the State of Maryland. The Fund is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an
open-end management investment company. The Fund's charter authorizes its
Board of Directors to issue three billion full and fractional shares of
capital stock, $.001 par value per share, of which one billion shares are
designated Common Shares and one billion are designated Advisor Shares.
Common Shares bear fees of .25% of average daily net asset value pursuant to a
12b-1 distribution plan. Advisor Shares bear fees not to exceed .75% of
average daily net asset value pursuant to a 12b-1 distribution plan. The
assets of each class are segregated, and a shareholder's interest is
limited to the class in which shares are held. The Fund has not
commenced operations except those related to organizational matters and
the sale of 10,000 Common Shares (the "Initial Shares") to Warburg, Pincus
Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"), on December
12, 1996.
2. Organizational Costs, Offering Costs and Transactions with Affiliates:
Organizational costs have been capitalized by the Fund and are being
amortized over sixty months commencing with operations. In the event any of
the Initial Shares of the Fund are redeemed by any holder thereof during
the period that the Fund is amortizing its organizational costs, the
redemption proceeds payable to the holder thereof by the Fund will be
reduced by unamortized organizational costs in the same ratio as the
number of Initial Shares being redeemed bears to the number of Initial
Shares outstanding at the time of redemption. Offering costs, including
initial registration costs, have been deferred and will be charged to expense
during the fund's first year of operation.
Certain officers and a director of the Fund are also officers and a director
of the Adviser. These officers and director are paid no fees by the Fund for
serving as an officer or director of the Fund.
