Registration No. 333-44817
1940 Act No. 811-05903
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 3 to Form S-6
FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF SECURITIES
OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
A. Exact name of trust:
FT 239
B. Name of depositor:
NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
C. Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices:
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
D. Name and complete address of agents for service:
Copy to:
JAMES A. BOWEN ERIC F. FESS
c/o Nike Securities L.P. c/o Chapman and Cutler
1001 Warrenville Road 111 West Monroe Street
Lisle, Illinois 60532 Chicago, Illinois 60603
E. Title of Securities Being Registered:
An indefinite number of Units pursuant to Rule 24f-2
promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended
F. Approximate date of proposed sale to public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the
Registration Statement.
|XXX|Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become
effective on February 24, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. pursuant to Rule
487.
________________________________
FT 239
Cross-Reference Sheet
(Form N-8B-2 Items required by Instructions as
to the Prospectus in Form S-6)
Form N-8B-2 Item Number Form S-6 Heading in Prospectus
I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. (a) Name of trust Prospectus front cover
(b) Title of securities issued Summary of Essential
Information
2. Name and address of each depositor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
3. Name and address of trustee Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
4. Name and address of principal Information as to
underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
5. State of organization of trust The FT Series
6. Execution and termination of Other Information
trust agreement
7. Changes of name *
8. Fiscal year *
9. Litigation *
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
10. (a) Registered or bearer Public Offering
securities
(b) Cumulative or distributive The FT Series
securities
(c) Redemption Rights of Unitholders
(d) Conversion, transfer, etc. Rights of Unitholders
(e) Periodic payment plan *
(f) Voting rights Rights of Unitholders
(g) Notice of certificateholders Other Information
(h) Consents required Rights of Unitholders;
Other Information
(i) Other provisions The FT Series
11. Types of securities comprising The FT Series
units Schedule of
Investments
12. Certain information regarding
periodic payment certificates *
13. (a) Load, fees, expenses, etc. Summary of Essential
Information; Public
Offering; The FT
Series
(b) Certain information regarding
periodic payment certificates *
(c) Certain percentages Summary of Essential
Information; The FT
Series; Public
Offering
(d) Certain other fees, etc.
payable by holders Rights of Units
Holders
(e) Certain profits receivable
by depositor, principal,
underwriters, trustee or The FT Series
affiliated persons
(f) Ratio of annual charges *
to income
14. Issuance of trust's securities Rights of Unit Holders
15. Receipt and handling of payments
from purchasers *
16. Acquisition and disposition of
underlying securities The FT Series; Rights
of Unit Holders;
17. Withdrawal or redemption The FT Series; Public
Offering; Rights of
Unit Holders
18. (a) Receipt, custody and Rights of Unit Holders
disposition of income
(b) Reinvestment of distributions Rights of Unit Holders
(c) Reserves or special funds Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(d) Schedule of distributions *
19. Records, accounts and reports Rights of Unit Holders
20. Certain miscellaneous provisions
of trust agreement
(a) Amendment Other Information
(b) Termination Other Information
(c) and (d) Trustee, removal Information as
and successor to Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator
(e) and (f) Depositor, removal Information as
and successor to Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator
21. Loans to security holders *
22. Limitations on liability The FT Series;
Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator
23. Bonding arrangements Contents of
Registration
Statement
24. Other material provisions *
of trust agreement
III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25. Organization of depositor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
26. Fees received by depositor *
27. Business of depositor Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
28. Certain information as to
officials and affiliated *
persons of depositor
29. Voting securities of depositor *
30. Persons controlling depositor *
31. Payment by depositor for certain
services rendered to trust *
32. Payment by depositor for certain
other services rendered to trust *
33. Remuneration of employees of
depositor for certain services
rendered to trust *
34. Remuneration of other persons
for certain services rendered *
to trust
IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION
35. Distribution of trust's Public Offering
securities by states
36. Suspension of sales of trust's
securities *
37. Revocation of authority to *
distribute
38. (a) Method of distribution Public Offering
(b) Underwriting agreements Public Offering
(c) Selling agreements Public Offering
39. (a) Organization of principal Information as
underwriters to Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator
(b) N.A.S.D. membership of
principal underwriters Information as to
Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
40. Certain fees received by See Items 13(a) and
principal underwriters 13(e)
41. (a) Business of principal Information as to
underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and
Evaluator
(b) Branch offices of
principal underwriters *
(c) Salesmen of principal *
underwriters
42. Ownership of trust's securities
by certain persons *
43. Certain brokerage commissions
received by principal *
underwriters
44. (a) Method of valuation Summary of Essential
Information; The FT
Series, Public
Offering
(b) Schedule as to offering *
price
(c) Variation in offering Public Offering
price to certain persons
45. Suspension of redemption rights *
46. (a) Redemption valuation Rights of Unit Holders
(b) Schedule as to redemption *
price
47. Maintenance of position in Public Offering;
underlying securities Rights
of Unit Holders
V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48. Organization and regulation of Information as
trustee to Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator
49. Fees and expenses of trustee The FT Series
50. Trustee's lien The FT Series
VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF
SECURITIES
51. Insurance of holders of
trust's securities *
VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52. (a) Provisions of trust The FT Series;
agreement with respect to Rights of Unit Holders
selection or elimination of
underlying securities
(b) Transactions involving
elimination of underlying *
securities
(c) Policy regarding substitution The FT Series;
or elimination of underlying Rights of Unit Holders
securities
(d) Fundamental policy not
otherwise covered *
53. Tax status of Trust The FT Series
VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION
54. Trust's securities during *
last ten years
55.
56.
57. Certain information regarding
periodic payment certificates *
58.
59. Financial statements Report of Independent
(Instruction 1(c) to Form S-6) Auditors
Statement of Net
Assets
* Inapplicable, answer negative or not required.
RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
The Trust. FT 239 (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust consisting of
a portfolio of common stocks issued by financial institutions and
insurance companies which are incorporated or headquartered in the
United States (the "Equity Securities").
The objective of the Trust is to provide for a high level of potential
capital appreciation and increasing dividend income by investing the
Trust's portfolio in the Equity Securities. See "Schedule of
Investments." The Trust has a mandatory termination date ("Mandatory
Termination Date" or "Trust Ending Date") as set forth under "Summary of
Essential Information." There is, of course, no guarantee that the
objective of the Trust will be achieved.
Each Unit of the Trust represents an undivided fractional interest in
all the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities
deposited in the Trust's portfolio have no fixed maturity date and the
value of these underlying Equity Securities will fluctuate with changes
in the values of stocks in general. See "Portfolio."
The Sponsor may, from time to time during a period of up to
approximately 360 days after the Initial Date of Deposit, deposit
additional Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust. Such
deposits of additional Equity Securities or cash will be done in such a
manner that the original proportionate relationship amongst the
individual issues of the Equity Securities shall be maintained. Any
deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities, or the purchase
of additional Equity Securities pursuant to a cash deposit, will
duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original proportionate
relationship established on the Initial Date of Deposit, not the actual
proportionate relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, since the
two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption
or liquidation of any Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on the
Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "What is the FT
Series?" and "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Equity Securities be
Removed from the Trust?"
Public Offering Price. The Public Offering Price per Unit of the Trust
during the initial offering period is equal to the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of
over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata
share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust,
divided by the number of Units outstanding, plus a maximum sales charge
of 4.75% (equivalent to 4.987% of the net amount invested). A pro rata
share of accumulated dividends, if any, in the Income Account is
included in the Public Offering Price. The secondary market Public
Offering Price per Unit will be based upon the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid prices of
over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata
share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust
plus a maximum sales charge of 4.75% (equivalent to 4.987% of the net
amount invested) subject to reduction of 1/2 of 1% on each March 1,
beginning March 1, 1999 to a minimum sales charge of 3.25%. The minimum
amount which
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Ryan Beck & Co.
The date of this Prospectus is February 24, 1998
Page 1
which an investor may purchase of the Trust is $5,000 ($2,000 for IRAs
and other retirement plans). The sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least 10,000 Units. See "Public Offering-
How is the Public Offering Price Determined?"
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY,
ANY BANK, AND UNITS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK
INCLUDING LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
Estimated Net Annual Distributions. The estimated net annual dividend
distributions to Unit holders (based on the most recent quarterly or
semi-annual ordinary dividend declared with respect to the Equity
Securities in the Trust) on the Initial Date of Deposit was $.1283 per
Unit. The actual net annual dividend distributions per Unit will vary
with changes in fees and expenses of the Trust, with changes in
dividends received and with the sale or liquidation of Equity
Securities; therefore, there is no assurance that the net annual
dividend distributions will be realized in the future.
Dividend and Capital Distributions. Distributions of dividends and
capital, if any, received by the Trust will be paid on the Distribution
Date to Unit holders of record on the Record Date as set forth in the
"Summary of Essential Information." Distributions of funds in the
Capital Account, if any, will be made at least annually in December of
each year. Any distribution of income and/or capital will be net of the
expenses of the Trust. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit
Holders?" Additionally, upon termination of the Trust, the Trustee will
distribute, upon surrender of Units for redemption, to each Unit holder
his or her pro rata share of the Trust's assets, less expenses, in the
manner set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and
Capital Distributed?"
Secondary Market for Units. After the initial offering period, while
under no obligation to do so, both the Sponsor and the Underwriter
intend to maintain a market for Units of the Trust and offer to
repurchase such Units at prices which are based on the aggregate
underlying value of Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined
by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid
prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash,
if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. If a secondary
market is maintained during the initial offering period, the prices at
which Units will be repurchased will also be based upon the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and
the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. If
a secondary market is not maintained, a Unit holder may redeem Units
through redemption at prices based upon the aggregate underlying value
of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and either the ask
prices (during the initial offering period) or the bid prices
(subsequent to the initial offering period) of over-the-counter traded
Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any, in
the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. A Unit holder tendering
2,500 Units or more for redemption may request a distribution of shares
of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges) (an "In-Kind Distribution") in lieu of payment in cash. See
"Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?"
Termination. Commencing no later than the Mandatory Termination Date,
Equity Securities will begin to be sold as prescribed by the Sponsor.
The Trustee shall provide written notice of any termination of the Trust
to Unit holders which will include a form to enable Unit holders to
elect an In-Kind Distribution if such Unit holder owns at least 2,500
Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash for such Unit
holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition by
the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be effective, the election form,
together with other documentation required by the Trustee, must be
returned to the Trustee at least ten business days prior to the
Mandatory Termination Date. Unit holders not electing a distribution of
shares of Equity Securities will receive a cash distribution within a
reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. See "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" and "Other Information-
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?"
Risk Factors. An investment in the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the risks associated therewith, including, among other
factors, the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of
the issuers of the Equity Securities or the general condition of the
stock market, volatile interest rates, economic recession or increased
regulation of financial institutions and insurance companies. The
Trust's portfolio is not managed and Equity Securities will not be sold
by the Trust regardless of market fluctuations, although some Equity
Securities may be sold under certain limited circumstances. See "What
are the Equity Securities?-Risk Factors."
Page 2
Summary of Essential Information
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
of the Equity Securities-February 24, 1998
Underwriter: Ryan, Beck & Co.
Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P.
Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank
Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
General Information
<S> <C>
Initial Number of Units (1) 15,031
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/15,031
Public Offering Price:
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities in Portfolio (2) $143,175
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities per Unit $ 9.525
Sales Charge of 4.75% of the Public Offering Price per Unit
(4.987% of the net amount invested) $ .475
Public Offering Price per Unit (3) $ 10.000
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit $ 9.525
Redemption Price per Unit (based on aggregate underlying value of Equity Securities) (4) $ 9.525
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
CUSIP Number 30264N 750
Security Code 55131
First Settlement Date February 27, 1998
Mandatory Termination Date February 28, 2002
Discretionary Liquidation Amount The Trust may be terminated if the value thereof is less than the
lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity Securities
deposited in the Trust during the initial offering period.
Trustee's Annual Fee $.0096 per Unit outstanding.
Evaluator's Annual Fee $.0030 per Unit outstanding, payable to an affiliate of the Sponsor.
Evaluations for purposes of sale, purchase or redemption of Units are
made as of the close of trading (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on
the New York Stock Exchange on each day on which it is open.
Supervisory Fee (5) Maximum of $.0035 per Unit outstanding annually payable to an
affiliate of the Sponsor.
Estimated Annual Amortization of
Organizational and Offering Costs (6) $.0038 per Unit.
Income Distribution Record Dates Fifteenth day of each February, May, August and November commencing
May 15, 1998.
Income Distribution Dates (7) Last day of each February, May, August and November commencing May 29,
1998.
____________
<FN>
(1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, the
number of Units of the Trust may be adjusted so that the Public Offering
Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. Therefore, to the extent
of any such adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will
increase or decrease accordingly, from the amounts indicated above.
(2) Each Equity Security listed on a national securities exchange or The
Nasdaq Stock Market is valued at the last closing sale price, or if no
such price exists or if the Equity Security is not so listed, at the
closing ask price thereof.
(3) On the Initial Date of Deposit there will be no accumulated dividends
in the Income Account. Anyone ordering Units after such date will pay a
pro rata share of any accumulated dividends in such Income Account. The
Public Offering Price as shown reflects the value of the Equity
Securities at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit and
establishes the original proportionate relationship amongst the
individual securities. No sales to investors will be executed at this
price. Additional Equity Securities will be deposited during the day of
the Initial Date of Deposit which will be valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time and sold to investors at a Public Offering Price per Unit based on
this valuation.
(4) See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?"
(5) In addition, the Sponsor will be reimbursed for bookkeeping and other
administrative expenses currently at a maximum annual rate of $.0028
per Unit.
(6) The Trust (and therefore Unit holders) will bear all or a portion of
its organizational and offering costs (including costs of preparing the
registration statement, the trust indenture and other closing documents,
registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including the expenses
incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and
expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other
advertising materials and any other selling expenses) as is common for
mutual funds. Total organizational and offering expenses will be charged
off over a period not to exceed the life of the Trust (approximately
four years). See "What are the Expenses and Charges?" and "Statement of
Net Assets."
(7) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly payable
on the last day of the month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth
day of such month if the amount available for distribution equals at
least $0.01 per Unit. Notwithstanding, distributions of funds in the
Capital Account, if any, will be made in December of each year.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 3
RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
FT 239
What is the FT Series?
FT 239 is one of a series of investment companies created by the Sponsor
under the name of the FT Series, all of which are generally similar but
each of which is separate and is designated by a different series number
(the "Trust"). The FT Series was previously known as The First Trust
Special Situations Trust. This Series consists of an underlying separate
unit investment trust designated as: Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance
Opportunity Trust, Series 6. The Trust was created under the laws of the
State of New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"), dated
the Initial Date of Deposit, with Nike Securities L.P. as Sponsor, The
Chase Manhattan Bank as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P. as
Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee
confirmations of contracts for the purchase of the Equity Securities,
together with an irrevocable letter or letters of credit of a financial
institution in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such
securities. In exchange for the deposit of securities or contracts to
purchase securities in the Trust, the Trustee delivered to the Sponsor
documents evidencing the entire ownership of the Trust.
The objective of the Trust is to provide for a high level of potential
capital appreciation and increasing dividend income. In the opinion of
Ryan, Beck & Co. (the "Underwriter"), these benefits may stem from the
following factors: strong fundamentals, industry takeover activity,
favorable interest rates and market conditions. The Equity Securities
have been selected for the Trust by the Underwriter's experienced
research analysts based upon their comprehensive understanding of the
fundamental factors influencing financial institutions and insurance
companies. The factors considered in choosing the financial institutions
and insurance companies for the Trust include expected earnings growth,
dividend potential, low relative valuations, asset quality, franchise
strength and possible acquisition value.
The financial services sector can be expected to benefit as more
individuals invest and save for the future. Due to the strong U.S.
economy, the Underwriter believes that financial institutions' earnings
will continue to be positively impacted as businesses and consumers
increase their borrowings. In the opinion of the Underwriter, the
economic expansion will also continue to benefit insurance companies
through increased demand for personal and commercial insurance products.
Insurance companies with product and/or distribution niches may realize
additional earnings potential.
Both the financial institutions industry and the insurance industry
continue to experience significant consolidation activity. In the
Underwriter's opinion, certain of the Equity Securities selected for the
Trust, because of attractive fundamentals and franchises, may be
potential acquirors and/or acquisition targets. Investors may benefit
from companies expanding their earnings potential through acquisitions,
and the resulting efficiency gains and market share expansion. Investors
may also benefit from takeover premiums if certain companies in the
Trust are acquired.
It is important to note, however, that financial institutions and
insurance companies are subject to the adverse effects of volatile
interest rates, economic recession, potential asset quality problems,
increased competition from new entrants and the potential for increased
regulation of financial institutions and insurance companies.
See "Schedule of Investments" and "What are the Equity Securities?-Risk
Factors" for the Trust. There is, of course, no guarantee that the
objective of the Trust will be achieved.
With the deposit of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of
Deposit, the Sponsor established a percentage relationship between the
amounts of individual Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio. From
time to time following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor,
pursuant to the Indenture, may create additional Units of the Trust by
depositing additional Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of
credit) with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in
the Trust. Units may be continuously offered for sale to the public by
means of this Prospectus, resulting in a potential increase in the
outstanding number of Units of the Trust. Any deposit by the Sponsor of
Page 4
additional Equity Securities or cash will duplicate, as nearly as is
practicable, the original proportionate relationship and not the actual
proportionate relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, since the
two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption
or liquidation of any of the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on
the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "Rights of Unit
Holders-How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" The
original percentage relationship of each Equity Security to the Trust is
set forth herein under "Schedule of Investments." Since the prices of
the underlying Equity Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio, on a
market value basis, will also change daily. The portion of Equity
Securities represented by each Unit will not change as a result of the
deposit of additional Equity Securities in the Trust. If the Sponsor
deposits cash, however, existing and new investors may experience a
dilution of their investment and a reduction in their anticipated income
because of fluctuations in the price of the Equity Securities and
because the Trust will pay the associated brokerage fees. To minimize
this effect, the Trust will try to purchase the Equity Securities as
close to the evaluation time or as close to the evaluation price as
possible. The Trustee may from time to time retain and pay compensation
to the Sponsor (or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to act as agent for the
Trust with respect to acquiring Equity Securities for the Trust. In
acting in such capacity, the Sponsor or its affiliate will be held
subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of the Trust represented the
undivided fractional interest in the Equity Securities as set forth
under "Summary of Essential Information." To the extent that Units of
the Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value of the Equity Securities in
the Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional interest
represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will increase.
However, if additional Units are issued by the Trust in connection with
the deposit of additional Equity Securities or cash by the Sponsor, the
aggregate value of the Equity Securities in the Trust will be increased
by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the fractional undivided
interest represented by each Unit of the Trust will be decreased
proportionately. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?"
What are the Expenses and Charges?
With the exception of the brokerage fees discussed above and bookkeeping
and other administrative services provided to the Trust, for which the
Sponsor may be reimbursed in amounts as set forth under "Summary of
Essential Information," the Sponsor will not receive any fees in
connection with its activities relating to the Trust.
First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive an
annual supervisory fee, which is not to exceed the amount set forth
under "Summary of Essential Information," for providing portfolio
supervisory services for the Trust. Such fee is based on the number of
Units outstanding in the Trust on January 1 of each year, except for the
year or years in which an initial offering period occurs, in which case
the fee for a month is based on the number of Units outstanding at the
end of such month. In providing such supervisory services, the Portfolio
Supervisor may purchase research services from a variety of sources
which may include underwriters or dealers of the Trust.
Subsequent to the initial offering period, First Trust Advisors L.P., in
its capacity as Evaluator for the Trust, will receive a fee as indicated
in the "Summary of Essential Information."
The Trustee pays certain expenses of the Trust for which it is
reimbursed by the Trust. The Trustee will receive for its ordinary
recurring services to the Trust an annual fee as set forth in "Summary
of Essential Information." Such fee will be based upon the largest
aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any time during
the year. For a discussion of the services performed by the Trustee
pursuant to its obligations under the Indenture, reference is made to
the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders."
The Trustee's and above described fees are payable from the Income
Account of the Trust to the extent funds are available, and then from
the Capital Account of the Trust. Since the Trustee has the use of the
funds being held in the Capital and Income Accounts for payment of
expenses and redemptions and since such Accounts are noninterest-bearing
to Unit holders, the Trustee benefits thereby. Part of the Trustee's
compensation for its services to the Trust is expected to result from
the use of these funds.
Each of the above mentioned fees may be increased without approval of
the Unit holders by amounts not exceeding proportionate increases under
the category "All Services Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer Price
Page 5
Index published by the United States Department of Labor. In addition,
with respect to the fees payable to the Sponsor or an affiliate of the
Sponsor for providing bookkeeping and other administrative services,
supervisory services and evaluation services, such individual fees may
exceed the actual costs of providing such services for the Trust, but at
no time will the total amount received for such services rendered to all
unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor in
any calendar year exceed the actual cost to the Sponsor or its affiliate
of supplying such services in such year.
Certain or all of the expenses incurred in establishing the Trust,
including costs of preparing the registration statement, the trust
indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and registering or qualifying the
Units with the states, the initial audit of the Trust's portfolio, legal
fees, the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other out-of-
pocket expenses, will be paid by the Trust and charged off over a period
not to exceed the life of the Trust (approximately four years). The
following additional charges are or may be incurred by the Trust: all
legal and annual auditing expenses of the Trustee incurred by or in
connection with its responsibilities under the Indenture; the expenses
and costs of any action undertaken by the Trustee to protect the Trust
and the rights and interests of the Unit holders; fees of the Trustee
for any extraordinary services performed under the Indenture;
indemnification of the Trustee for any loss, liability or expense
incurred by it without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on
its part, arising out of or in connection with its acceptance or
administration of the Trust; indemnification of the Sponsor for any
loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of the Trust; all taxes and
other government charges imposed upon the Equity Securities or any part
of the Trust (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to
the knowledge of the Sponsor, contemplated). The above expenses and the
Trustee's annual fee, when paid or owing to the Trustee, are secured by
a lien on the Trust. In addition, the Trustee is empowered to sell
Equity Securities in the Trust in order to make funds available to pay
all these amounts if funds are not otherwise available in the Income and
Capital Accounts of the Trust. Since the Equity Securities are all
common stocks and the income stream produced by dividend payments is
unpredictable, the Sponsor cannot provide any assurance that dividends
will be sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. As
described above, if dividends are insufficient to cover expenses, it is
likely that Equity Securities will have to be sold to meet Trust
expenses. These sales may result in capital gains or losses to Unit
holders. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
The Indenture requires the Trust to be audited on an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent auditors selected by the Sponsor. So
long as the Sponsor is making a secondary market for the Units, the
Sponsor is required to bear the cost of such annual audits to the extent
such cost exceeds $0.0050 per Unit. Unit holders of the Trust covered by
an audit may obtain a copy of the audited financial statements upon
request.
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?
This is a general discussion of certain of the Federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Units.
The summary is limited to investors who hold the Units as "capital
assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Unit
holders should consult their tax advisers in determining the Federal,
state, local and any other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of Units in the Trust. For purposes of the following
discussion and opinion, it is assumed that each Equity Security is
equity for Federal income tax purposes.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, special counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:
1. The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for
Federal income tax purposes; each Unit holder will be treated as the
owner of a pro rata portion of each of the assets of the Trust under the
Code; and the income of the Trust will be treated as income of the Unit
holders thereof under the Code. Each Unit holder will be considered to
have received his or her pro rata share of the income derived from each
Equity Security when such income is considered to be received by the
Trust.
2. Each Unit holder will be considered to have received all of the
dividends paid on his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security
when such dividends are considered to be received by the Trust. Unit
holders will be taxed in this manner regardless of whether distributions
from such Trust are actually received by the Unit holder.
Page 6
3. Each Unit holder will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes
of an Equity Security (whether by sale, taxable exchange, liquidation,
redemption, payment on maturity or otherwise) or upon the sale or
redemption of Units by such Unit holder (except to the extent an In-Kind
distribution of stocks is received by such Unit holder as described
below). The price a Unit holder pays for his or her Units is allocated
among the pro rata portion of each Equity Security held by the Trust (in
proportion to the fair market values thereof on the valuation date
closest to the date the Unit holder purchases his or her Units) in order
to determine the tax basis for his or her pro rata portion of each
Equity Security held by such Trust. Unit holders should consult their
own tax advisors with regard to calculation of basis. For Federal income
tax purposes, a Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends, as defined
by Section 316 of the Code, paid by a corporation with respect to an
Equity Security held by the Trust is taxable as ordinary income to the
extent of such corporation's current and accumulated "earnings and
profits." A Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends paid on such
Equity Security which exceed such current and accumulated earnings and
profits will first reduce a Unit holder's tax basis in such Equity
Security, and to the extent that such dividends exceed a Unit holder's
tax basis in such Equity Security shall generally be treated as capital
gain. In general, the holding period for such capital gain will be
determined by the period of time a Unit holder has held his or her Units.
4. A Unit holder's portion of gain, if any, upon the sale or
redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the
Trust will generally be considered a capital gain except in the case of
a dealer or a financial institution. A Unit holder's portion of loss, if
any, upon the sale or redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity
Securities held by the Trust will generally be considered a capital loss
(except in the case of a dealer or a financial institution). Unit
holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the recognition of
such capital gains and losses for Federal income tax purposes.
Dividends Received Deduction. A corporation that owns Units will
generally be entitled to a 70% dividends received deduction with respect
to such Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends received by the
Trust (to the extent such dividends are taxable as ordinary income, as
discussed above, and are attributable to domestic corporations) in the
same manner as if such corporation directly owned the Equity Securities
paying such dividends (other than corporate Unit holders, such as "S"
corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their
special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes
such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding
corporation tax). However, a corporation owning Units should be aware
that Sections 246 and 246A of the Code impose additional limitations on
the eligibility of dividends for the 70% dividends received deduction.
These limitations include a requirement that stock (and therefore Units)
must generally be held at least 46 days (as determined under Section
246(c) of the Code). Final regulations have been issued which address
special rules that must be considered in determining whether the 46-day
holding period requirement is met. Moreover, the allowable percentage of
the deduction will be reduced from 70% if a corporate Unit holder owns
certain stock (or Units) the financing of which is directly attributable
to indebtedness incurred by such corporation.
It should be noted that various legislative proposals that would affect
the dividends received deduction have been introduced. Unit holders
should consult with their tax advisers with respect to the limitations
on and possible modifications to the dividends received deduction.
Limitations on Deductibility of the Trust's Expenses by Unit Holders.
Each Unit holder's pro rata share of each expense paid by the Trust is
deductible by the Unit holder to the same extent as though the expense
had been paid directly by such Unit holder. It should be noted that as a
result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized
deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return preparation fees and
employee business expenses will be deductible by an individual only to
the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted gross income.
Unit holders may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the
Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
Recognition of Taxable Gain or Loss Upon Disposition of Securities by
the Trust or Disposition of Units. As discussed above, a Unit holder may
recognize taxable gain (or loss) when an Equity Security is disposed of
by the Trust or if the Unit holder disposes of a Unit. For taxpayers
other than corporations, net capital gains (which are defined as net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for the taxable
Page 7
year) are subject to a maximum marginal stated tax rate of either 28% or
20%, depending upon the holding period of the capital assets. Capital
gain or loss is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more
than one year and is short-term if the holding period for the asset is
one year or less. Generally, capital gains realized from assets held for
more than one year but not more than 18 months are taxed at a maximum
marginal stated tax rate of 28% and capital gains realized from assets
(with certain exclusions) held for more than 18 months are taxed at a
maximum marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain
taxpayers in the lowest tax bracket). Further, capital gains realized
from assets held for one year or less are taxed at the same rates as
ordinary income. Legislation is currently pending that provides the
appropriate methodology that should be applied in netting the realized
capital gains and losses. Such legislation is proposed to be effective
retroactively for tax years ending after May 6, 1997. The date on which
a Unit is acquired (i.e., the "trade date") is excluded for purposes of
determining the holding period of the Unit. It should be noted that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax
rates and could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and
capital gains are taxed.
In addition, please note that capital gains may be recharacterized as
ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are
considered "conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered
into after April 30, 1993. Unit holders and prospective investors should
consult with their tax advisers regarding the potential effect of this
provision on their investment in Units.
If a Unit holder disposes of a Unit, he or she is deemed thereby to have
disposed of his or her entire pro rata interest in all assets of the
Trust including his or her pro rata portion of all the Equity Securities
represented by the Unit.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Tax Act") includes provisions
that treat certain transactions designed to reduce or eliminate risk of
loss and opportunities for gain (e.g., short sales, off-setting notional
principal contracts, futures or forward contracts, or similar
transactions) as constructive sales for purposes of recognition of gain
(but not loss) and for purposes of determining the holding period. Unit
holders should consult their own tax advisors with regard to any such
constructive sale rules.
Special Tax Consequences of In-Kind Distributions Upon Redemption of
Units or Termination of the Trust. As discussed in "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?", under certain
circumstances a Unit holder who owns at least 2,500 Units of the Trust
may request an In-Kind Distribution upon the redemption of Units or the
termination of the Trust. The Unit holder requesting an In-Kind
Distribution will be liable for expenses related thereto (the
"Distribution Expenses") and the amount of such In-Kind Distribution
will be reduced by the amount of the Distribution Expenses. See "Rights
of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" As previously
discussed, prior to the redemption of Units or the termination of the
Trust, a Unit holder is considered as owning a pro rata portion of each
of the Trust's assets for Federal income tax purposes. The receipt of an
In-Kind Distribution will result in a Unit holder receiving an undivided
interest in whole shares of stock plus, possibly, cash.
The potential tax consequences that may occur under an In-Kind
Distribution will depend on whether or not a Unit holder receives cash
in addition to Equity Securities. An "Equity Security" for this purpose
is a particular class of stock issued by a particular corporation. A
Unit holder will not recognize gain or loss if a Unit holder only
receives Equity Securities in exchange for his or her pro rata portion
in the Equity Securities held by the Trust. However, if a Unit holder
also receives cash in exchange for a fractional share of an Equity
Security held by the Trust, such Unit holder will generally recognize
gain or loss based upon the difference between the amount of cash
received by the Unit holder and his or her tax basis in such fractional
share of an Equity Security held by the Trust.
Because the Trust will own many Equity Securities, a Unit holder who
requests an In-Kind Distribution will have to analyze the tax
consequences with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust.
The amount of taxable gain (or loss) recognized upon such exchange will
generally equal the sum of the gain (or loss) recognized under the rules
described above by such Unit holder with respect to each Equity Security
owned by the Trust. Unit holders who request an In-Kind Distribution are
advised to consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Computation of the Unit Holder's Tax Basis. Initially, a Unit holder's
tax basis in his or her Units will generally equal the price paid by
such Unit holder for his or her Units. The cost of the Units is
allocated among the Equity Securities held in the Trust in accordance
Page 8
with the proportion of the fair market values of such Equity Securities
as of the valuation date nearest the date the Units are purchased in
order to determine such Unit holder's tax basis for his or her pro rata
portion of each Equity Security.
A Unit holder's tax basis in his or her Units and his or her pro rata
portion of an Equity Security held by the Trust will be reduced to the
extent dividends paid with respect to such Equity Security are received
by the Trust which are not taxable as ordinary income as described above.
General. Each Unit holder will be requested to provide the Unit holder's
taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that the
Unit holder has not been notified that payments to the Unit holder are
subject to back-up withholding. If the proper taxpayer identification
number and appropriate certification are not provided when requested,
distributions by the Trust to such Unit holder (including amounts
received upon the redemption of Units) will be subject to back-up
withholding. Distributions by the Trust will generally be subject to
United States income taxation and withholding in the case of Units held
by non-resident alien individuals, foreign corporations or other non-
United States persons. Such persons should consult their tax advisers.
Unit holders will be notified annually of the amounts of dividends
includable in the Unit holder's gross income and amounts of Trust
expenses which may be claimed as itemized deductions.
Unit holders desiring to purchase Units for tax-deferred plans and IRAs
should consult their broker for details on establishing such accounts.
Units may also be purchased by persons who already have self-directed
plans established. See "Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for
Retirement Plans?"
The foregoing discussion relates only to the tax treatment of U.S. Unit
holders ("U.S. Unit holders") with regard to federal and certain aspects
of New York State and City income taxes. Unit holders may be subject to
taxation in New York or in other jurisdictions and should consult their
own tax advisers in this regard. As used herein, the term "U.S. Unit
holder" means an owner of a Unit in the Trusts that (a) is (i) for
United States federal income tax purposes a citizen or resident of the
United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust the income of
which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of
its source or (b) does not qualify as a U.S. Unit holder in paragraph
(a) but whose income from a Unit is effectively connected with such Unit
holder's conduct of a United States trade or business. The term also
includes certain former citizens of the United States whose income and
gain on the Units will be taxable.
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to the
Trust for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax laws of
the State of New York, each Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation and the income of such Trusts will be treated as the income
of the Unit holders thereof.
Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for Retirement Plans?
Units of the Trust are eligible for purchase by Individual Retirement
Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred retirement
plans. Generally, the Federal income tax relating to capital gains and
income received in each of the foregoing plans is deferred until
distributions are received. Distributions from such plans are generally
treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases, be eligible for
special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Investors
considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax
laws related thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers
with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such
plans are offered by brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary.
PORTFOLIO
What are the Equity Securities?
The Trust consists of different issues of Equity Securities issued by
financial institutions and insurance companies and are listed on a
national securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market or traded in the
over-the-counter market. See "What are the Equity Securities Selected
for Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance Opportunity Trust, Series 6?" for a
general description of the companies.
Risk Factors. An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the problems and risks inherent in the financial
institutions and insurance industries in general.
Financial Institutions. Financial institutions, banks, thrifts and their
holding companies are especially subject to the adverse effects of
Page 9
economic recession, volatile interest rates, portfolio concentrations in
geographic markets and in commercial and residential real estate loans,
and competition from new entrants in their fields of business. Banks and
thrifts are highly dependent on net interest income. Recent profits have
benefitted from a favorable interest rate environment allowing for a
relatively high yield on earning assets and relatively low cost of
funds. There is no certainty that such conditions will continue,
especially in a rising interest rate environment. Commercial loan demand
for banks has not been robust and an increasing number of commercial
loans have been securitized, which may have a potentially adverse effect
on the market share of the commercial banking system. Bank and thrift
institutions have received significant consumer mortgage fee income as a
result of activity in mortgage and refinance markets. As initial home
purchasing and refinancing activity subsides, this income is expected to
diminish to a lower level. Economic conditions in the real estate
markets, which have been weak in the recent past, can have a substantial
effect upon banks and thrifts because they generally have a portion of
their assets invested in loans secured by real estate, as has recently
been the case for a number of banks and thrifts with respect to
commercial real estate in the northeastern and southwestern regions of
the United States. Banks, thrifts and their holding companies are
subject to extensive federal regulation and, when such institutions are
state-chartered, to state regulation as well. Such regulations impose
strict capital requirements and limitations on the nature and extent of
business activities that banks and thrifts may pursue. Furthermore, bank
regulators have a wide range of discretion in connection with their
supervisory and enforcement authority and may substantially restrict the
permissible activities of a particular institution if deemed to pose
significant risks to the soundness of such institution or the safety of
the federal deposit insurance fund. Regulatory actions, such as
increases in the minimum capital requirements applicable to banks and
thrifts and increases in deposit insurance premiums required to be paid
by banks and thrifts to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC"), can negatively impact earnings and the ability of a company to
pay dividends. Neither federal insurance of deposits nor governmental
regulations, however, insures the solvency or profitability of banks or
their holding companies, or insures against any risk of investment in
the securities issued by such institutions.
The statutory requirements applicable to and regulatory supervision of
banks, thrifts and their holding companies have increased significantly
and have undergone substantial change in recent years. To a great
extent, these changes are embodied in the Financial Institutions Reform,
Recovery and Enforcement Act; enacted in August 1989, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, the Resolution
Trust Corporation Refinancing, Restructuring, and Improvement Act of
1991 and the regulations promulgated under these laws. Many of the
regulations promulgated pursuant to these laws have only recently been
finalized and their impact on the business, financial condition and
prospects of the Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio cannot be
predicted with certainty. Periodic efforts by recent Administrations to
introduce legislation broadening the ability of banks to compete with
new products have not been successful, but if enacted could lead to more
failures as a result of increased competition and added risks. Failure
to enact such legislation, on the other hand, may lead to declining
earnings and an inability to compete with unregulated competitors.
Efforts to expand the ability of federal thrifts to branch on an
interstate basis have been initially successful through promulgation of
regulations, and legislation to liberalize interstate banking has
recently been signed into law. Ongoing consolidation of the industry is
likely to increase as a result. The Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Financial Accounting Standards Board require the expanded use of
market value accounting by banks and have imposed rules requiring market
accounting for investment securities held in trading accounts or
available for sale. Adoption of additional such rules may result in
increased volatility in the reported health of the industry, and
mandated regulatory intervention to correct such problems. Additional
legislative and regulatory changes may be forthcoming. For example, the
bank regulatory authorities have proposed substantial changes to the
Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, rules and regulations,
and there can be no certainty as to the effect, if any, that such
changes would have on the Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio. In
addition, from time to time the deposit insurance system is reviewed by
Congress and federal regulators, and proposed reforms of that system
could, among other things, further restrict the ways in which deposited
monies can be used by banks or reduce the dollar amount or number of
deposits insured for any depositor. Such reforms could reduce
profitability as investment opportunities available to bank institutions
Page 10
become more limited and as consumers look for savings vehicles other
than bank deposits. Banks and thrifts face significant competition from
other service companies such as mutual funds, credit unions, mortgage
banking companies and insurance companies, and increased competition may
result from legislative broadening of regional and national interstate
banking powers as has been recently enacted. Among other benefits,
recent legislation allows banks and bank holding companies to acquire
across previously prohibited state lines and to consolidate their
various bank subsidiaries into one unit. The Sponsor makes no prediction
as to what, if any, manner of bank and thrift regulatory actions might
ultimately be adopted or what ultimate effect such actions might have on
the Trust's portfolio.
The Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 generally prohibits a bank
holding company from (1) acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of a bank or
bank holding company, (2) acquiring control of a bank or another bank
holding company, (3) acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a
bank, or (4) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company,
without first obtaining Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") approval. In
considering an application with respect to any such transaction, the FRB
is required to consider a variety of factors, including the potential
anti-competitive effects of the transaction, the financial condition and
future prospects of the combining and resulting institutions, the
managerial resources of the resulting institution, the convenience and
needs of the communities the combined organization would serve, the
record of performance of each combining organization under the Community
Reinvestment Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the
prospective availability to the FRB of information appropriate to
determine ongoing regulatory compliance with applicable banking laws. In
addition, the federal Change In Bank Control Act and various state laws
impose limitations on the ability of one or more individuals or other
entities to acquire control of banks or bank holding companies.
The FRB has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends
by bank holding companies. In the policy statement, the FRB expressed
its view that a bank holding company experiencing earnings weaknesses
should not pay cash dividends which exceed its net income or which could
only be funded in ways that would weaken its financial health, such as
by borrowing. The FRB also may impose limitations on the payment of
dividends as a condition to its approval of certain applications,
including applications for approval of mergers and acquisitions. The
Sponsor makes no prediction as to the effect, if any, such laws will
have on the Equity Securities or whether such approvals, if necessary,
will be obtained.
Insurance Companies. Companies involved in the insurance industry are
engaged in underwriting, reinsuring, selling, distributing or placing of
property and casualty, life or health insurance. Other growth areas
within the insurance industry include brokerage, reciprocals, claims
processors and multiline insurance companies. Multiline insurance
companies provide property and casualty coverage, as well as life and
health insurance. The Trust may also invest in diversified financial
companies with subsidiaries (including insurance brokerage, reciprocals
and claims processors) engaged in underwriting, reinsuring, selling,
distributing or placing insurance with independent third parties.
Insurance company profits are affected by interest rate levels, general
economic conditions, and price and marketing competition. Property and
casualty insurance profits may also be affected by weather catastrophes
and other disasters. Life and health insurance profits may be affected
by mortality and morbidity rates. Individual companies may be exposed to
material risks including reserve inadequacy and the inability to collect
from reinsurance carriers. Insurance companies are subject to extensive
governmental regulation, including the imposition of maximum rate
levels, which may not be adequate for some lines of business. Proposed
or potential tax law changes may also adversely affect insurance
companies' policy sales, tax obligations, and profitability. In addition
to the foregoing, profit margins of these companies continue to shrink
due to the commoditization of traditional businesses, new competitors,
capital expenditures on new technology and the pressures to compete
globally.
In addition to the normal risks of business, companies involved in the
insurance industry are subject to significant risk factors, including
those applicable to regulated insurance companies, such as: (i) the
inherent uncertainty in the process of establishing property-liability
loss reserves, particularly reserves for the cost of environmental,
asbestos and mass tort claims, and the fact that ultimate losses could
materially exceed established loss reserves which could have a material
adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition; (ii)
the fact that insurance companies have experienced, and can be expected
Page 11
in the future to experience, catastrophe losses which could have a
material adverse impact on their financial condition, results of
operations and cash flow; (iii) the inherent uncertainty in the process
of establishing property-liability loss reserves due to changes in loss
payment patterns caused by new claims settlement practices; (iv) the
need for insurance companies and their subsidiaries to maintain
appropriate levels of statutory capital and surplus, particularly in
light of continuing scrutiny by rating organizations and state insurance
regulatory authorities, and in order to maintain acceptable financial
strength or claims-paying ability rating; (v) the extensive regulation
and supervision to which insurance companies' subsidiaries are subject,
various regulatory initiatives that may affect insurance companies, and
regulatory and other legal actions; (vi) the adverse impact that
increases in interest rates could have on the value of an insurance
company's investment portfolio and on the attractiveness of certain of
its products; (vii) the need to adjust the effective duration of the
assets and liabilities of life insurance operations in order to meet the
anticipated cash flow requirements of its policyholder obligations; and
(vii) the uncertainty involved in estimating the availability of
reinsurance and the collectibility of reinsurance recoverables.
The state insurance regulatory framework has, during recent years, come
under increased federal scrutiny, and certain state legislatures have
considered or enacted laws that alter and, in many cases, increase state
authority to regulate insurance companies and insurance holding company
systems. Further, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
("NAIC") and state insurance regulators are re-examining existing laws
and regulations, specifically focusing on insurance companies,
interpretations of existing laws and the development of new laws. In
addition, Congress and certain federal agencies have investigated the
condition of the insurance industry in the United States to determine
whether to promulgate additional federal regulation. The Underwriter is
unable to predict whether any state or federal legislation will be
enacted to change the nature or scope of regulation of the insurance
industry, or what effect, if any, such legislation would have on the
industry.
All insurance companies are subject to state laws and regulations that
require diversification of their investment portfolios and limit the
amount of investments in certain investment categories. Failure to
comply with these laws and regulations would cause non-conforming
investments to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of
measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, would require
divestiture.
Environmental pollution clean-up is the subject of both federal and
state regulation. By some estimates, there are thousands of potential
waste sites subject to clean up. The insurance industry is involved in
extensive litigation regarding coverage issues. The Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
("Superfund") and comparable state statutes ("mini-Superfund") govern
the clean-up and restoration by "Potentially Responsible Parties"
("PRP's"). Superfund and the mini-Superfunds ("Environmental Clean-up
Laws or "ECLs") establish a mechanism to pay for clean-up of waste sites
if PRP's fail to do so, and to assign liability to PRP's. The extent of
liability to be allocated to a PRP is dependent on a variety of factors.
Further, the number of waste sites subject to clean-up is unknown. Very
few sites have been subject to clean-up to date. The extent of clean-up
necessary and the assignment of liability has not been established. The
insurance industry is disputing many such claims. Key coverage issues
include whether Superfund response costs are considered damages under
the policies, when and how coverage is triggered, applicability of
pollution exclusions, the potential for joint and several liability and
definition of an occurrence. Similar coverage issues exist for clean up
and waste sites not covered under Superfund. To date, courts have been
inconsistent in their rulings on these issues. An insurer's exposure to
liability with regard to its insureds which have been, or may be, named
as PRPs is uncertain. Superfund reform proposals have been introduced in
Congress, but none have been enacted. There can be no assurance that any
Superfund reform legislation will be enacted or that any such
legislation will provide for a fair, effective and cost-efficient system
for settlement of Superfund related claims.
Proposed federal legislation which would permit banks greater
participation in the insurance business could, if enacted, present an
increased level of competition for the sale of insurance products. In
addition, while current federal income tax law permits the tax-deferred
accumulation of earnings on the premiums paid by an annuity owner and
holders of certain savings-oriented life insurance products, no
assurance can be given that future tax law will continue to allow such
tax deferrals. If such deferrals were not allowed, consumer demand for
the affected products would be substantially reduced. In addition,
proposals to lower the federal income tax rates through a form of flat
tax or otherwise could have, if enacted, a negative impact on the demand
for such products.
Page 12
General. The Trust consists of such of the Equity Securities listed
under "Schedule of Investments" as may continue to be held from time to
time in the Trust and any additional Equity Securities acquired and held
by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture, together with
cash held in the Income and Capital Accounts. Neither the Sponsor nor
the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any failure in any of the
Equity Securities. However, should any contract for the purchase of any
of the Equity Securities initially deposited hereunder fail, the Sponsor
will, unless substantially all of the moneys held in the Trust to cover
such purchase are reinvested in substitute Equity Securities in
accordance with the Indenture, refund the cash and sales charge
attributable to such failed contract to all Unit holders on the next
distribution date.
Because certain of the Equity Securities from time to time may be sold
under certain circumstances described herein, and because the proceeds
from such events will be distributed to Unit holders and will not be
reinvested, no assurance can be given that the Trust will retain for any
length of time its present size and composition. Although the Portfolio
is not managed, the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to sell Equity
Securities under certain limited circumstances. Pursuant to the
Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell or keep any
securities or other property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities
such as those acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction.
See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Equity Securities be Removed from
the Trust?" Equity Securities, however, will not be sold by the Trust to
take advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of
appreciation or depreciation. In fact, no Equity Security will be sold
prior to termination of the Trust (except to satisfy redemption requests
or to pay expenses and in certain other limited circumstances) even if
the Underwriter comes to believe that such Equity Security no longer has
the potential for capital appreciation, or issues a "sell"
recommendation with respect to such Equity Security.
Whether or not the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities
exchange, the principal trading market for the Equity Securities may be
in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of a liquid
trading market for the Equity Securities may depend on whether dealers
will make a market in the Equity Securities. There can be no assurance
that a market will be made for any of the Equity Securities, that any
market for the Equity Securities will be maintained or of the liquidity
of the Equity Securities in any markets made. In addition, the Trust may
be restricted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 from selling
Equity Securities to the Sponsor. The price at which the Equity
Securities may be sold to meet redemptions and the value of the Trust
will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Equity Securities
are limited or absent.
An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the risks
which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that
the financial condition of the issuers of the Equity Securities or the
general condition of the common stock market may worsen, and the value
of the Equity Securities and therefore the value of the Units may
decline. Common stocks are especially susceptible to general stock
market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value as
market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These
perceptions are based on unpredictable factors, including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation
and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises. Shareholders of common
stocks have rights to receive payments from the issuers of those common
stocks that are generally subordinate to those of creditors of, or
holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of, such issuers.
Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Trust have a right
to receive dividends only when and if and in the amounts declared by the
issuer's board of directors, and they have a right to participate in
amounts available for distribution by the issuer only after all other
claims on the issuer have been paid or provided for. Common stocks do
not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not offer
any assurance of income or provide the same degree of protection of
capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt
securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of
principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the
ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its
common stock or the rights of holders of common stock with respect to
assets of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of common
stocks is subject to market fluctuations for as long as the common
stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the Equity Securities
in the Portfolio may be expected to fluctuate over the life of the Trust
to values higher or lower than those prevailing on the Initial Date of
Deposit.
Page 13
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred
stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of
the entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the
issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt
obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative
preferred stock dividends must be paid before common stock dividends,
and any cumulative preferred stock dividend omitted is added to future
dividends payable to the holders of cumulative preferred stock.
Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled to rights on
liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders.
Unit holders will be unable to dispose of any of the Equity Securities
in the Portfolio, as such, and will not be able to vote the Equity
Securities. As the holder of the Equity Securities, the Trustee will
have the right to vote all of the voting stocks in the Trust and will
vote such stocks in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor.
Investors should note that because the Underwriter uses the list of
Equity Securities which comprises the portfolio in its independent
capacity as an investment advisor to individuals, mutual funds, employee
benefit plans and other institutions and persons and distributes this
information to various individuals and entities, the Underwriter may
recommend or effect from time to time the purchase or sale of one or
more of the Equity Securities. This may have an effect on the prices of
the Equity Securities which is adverse to the interests of the
purchasers of Units of the Trust. Additionally, this may have an impact
on the price paid by the Trust for the Equity Securities as well as the
price received upon redemption of the Units or upon the termination of
the Trust. Investors should also note that Equity Securities will not be
removed from the Trust and additional Units of the Trust may be created
even if the Underwriter no longer believes certain or all of the Equity
Securities have the potential to provide capital appreciation and
increasing dividend income over the life of the Trust or issues a sell
recommendation regarding any of the Equity Securities included in the
Trust.
The Underwriter has acquired or may acquire the Equity Securities for
the Sponsor and thereby may benefit. The Underwriter in its general
securities business acts as agent or principal in connection with the
purchase and sale of equity securities, including the Equity Securities
in the Trust, and may act as a market maker in certain of the Equity
Securities. The Underwriter also from time to time may issue reports on
and make recommendations relating to equity securities, which may
include the Equity Securities. The Underwriter has performed investment
banking services for certain of the issuers of the Equity Securities.
What are the Equity Securities Selected for Ryan Beck Banking and
Insurance Opportunity Trust, Series 6?
Amerin Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, through wholly-
owned Amerin Guaranty Corp., provides private mortgage insurance
coverage in the United States to mortgage bankers, savings institutions,
commercial banks and other lenders.
Arrow Financial Corporation, headquartered in Glens Falls, New York,
through subsidiaries, operates a banking business through 17 offices in
five counties in eastern New York.
Associated Banc Corporation, headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin,
through subsidiaries, conducts a general banking business through 96
offices in Illinois and Wisconsin. The company also provides fiduciary,
investment advisory, corporate agency and mortgage banking services.
Bankers Trust New York Corporation, headquartered in New York, New York,
with subsidiaries, operates a general banking business through banking
offices in New York City, other cities, foreign branches and has equity
investments in banking and financial institutions in numerous countries.
The company provides finance, advisory, risk management, transaction
processing, trading and positioning services.
W.R. Berkley Corporation, headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut,
through subsidiaries, conducts regional property casualty insurance,
specialty lines of insurance (including excess and surplus lines and
commercial transportation), reinsurance, alternative markets (including
the management of alternative insurance market mechanisms) and
international operations.
Cape Cod Bank & Trust Company, headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusestts,
conducts a general banking business through 25 banking offices in
Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The bank receives substantially all of
its deposits from, and makes substantially all of its loans to,
individuals and businesses on Cape Cod.
Cathay Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, California, through
Page 14
wholly-owned Cathay Bank, offers a full range of banking services mainly
to Asian-American customers through 20 domestic bank offices in Southern
and Northern California, a branch office in Taiwan and a representative
office in Hong Kong.
Charter One Financial, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, through
wholly-owned Charter One Bank, F.S.B., operates a banking business
through 172 full-service banking offices in Michigan and Ohio and nine
loan production offices in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
Chase Manhattan Corporation, headquartered in New York, New York,
through subsidiaries, conducts domestic and international financial
services business with operations in more than 50 countries and clients
throughout the world. Principal bank subsidiaries of the company are The
Chase Manhattan Bank, a N.Y. banking corporation; Texas Commerce Bank,
N.A., a national bank; and Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., a national
bank.
Commerce Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri,
conducts a banking business through 164 traditional branches and 96 non-
branch automated teller machines. The bank underwrites credit life and
credit accident and health insurance, sells property and casualty
insurance, and provides mortgage banking and real estate services.
D&N Financial Corporation, headquartered in Hancock, Michigan, through
D&N Bank, operates a savings and loan business that focuses on the
delivery of retail financial services through a network of 37 community
banking offices in Michigan.
F.N.B. Corporation, headquartered in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, through
subsidiaries, conducts banking, savings and loan and consumer finance
businesses through 95 offices in Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, Florida and
southwestern New York. The company also sells credit life and accident
and health insurance.
First American Corporation, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee,
through subsidiaries, conducts a general commercial banking business
through 168 banking offices and 302 ATMs in Kentucky, Tennessee and
Virginia. The company also provides trust and investment advisory
services and underwrites credit life and accident and health insurance.
First Union Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina,
through subsidiaries, conducts a wide range of commercial and retail
banking and trust services. The company also provides other financial
services including mortgage banking, investment banking, home equity
lending, leasing, insurance and securities brokerage.
Frontier Insurance Group, Inc., headquartered in Rock Hill, New York,
through wholly-owned subsidiaries, operates as a specialty property and
casualty insurer and reinsurer and is licensed in 49 states, Washingotn,
D.C., Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. The company also
performs claims adjusting and management services.
HUBCO, Inc., headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, through subsidiaries,
conducts a general banking business through 58 branches in Bergen,
Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Union and Passaic Counties,
New Jersey and 27 offices in New Haven and Fairfield Counties in
Connecticut.
Harleysville National Corporation, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, through
subsidiaries conducts a general banking banking business through 28
banking offices. The company also offers trust services, mutual funds
and leasing services.
Haven Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Woodhaven, New York, through
wholly-owned Columbia Federal Savings Bank, conducts a savings and loan
business through nine full-service banking facilities and five
supermarket banking facilities located in New York.
InterWest Bancorp Inc., headquartered in Oak Harbor, Wshington, through
wholly-owned InterWest Bank, operates a commercial banking business
through 37 full service branch offices and one lending office in western
and central Washington.
MBIA, Inc., headquartered in Armonk, New York, through wholly-owned MBIA
Insurance Corp., writes primarily municipal bond insurance which also
provides financial guarantee of the payment of principal and interest
when due on insured municipal bonds. MBIA Insurance Corp. also writes
insurance for asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities, as
well as provides investment management products.
Mercantile Bankshares Corporation, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland,
through subsidiaries, conducts a general banking business through 164
offices in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The company also provides
mortgage banking, insurance, reinsurance of credit insurance and
extensions of credit in Pennsylvania.
Page 15
North Fork Bancorporation, Inc., headquartered in Melville, New York,
through wholly-owned North Fork Bank, operates a full-service retail and
commercial banking business through 82 branch locations in New York. The
company also provides broker-dealer services to financial institutions,
individual investors and traders.
Penn Treaty American Corporation, headquartered in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, through subsidiaries, provides primarily long-term nursing
home and home healthcare insurance to persons age 65 and over. The
company is licenced in 49 states and Washington D.C., with most of the
business generated in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois,
Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
People's Bank, headquartered in Bridgeport, Connecticut, conducts a
savings bank business through 72 banking offices and 21 supermarket
branches in Connecticut. The bank also operates a discount brokerage
firm and provides personal and corporate trust services.
Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Portland,
Maine, through subsidiaries, conducts a general banking business through
130 offices in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The company also
leases equipment and provides financial planning and securities
brokerage activities.
Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corporation, headquartered in Bala-
Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, designs, markets and underwrites specialty
commercial property and casualty insurance products for selected classes
of business.
Popular, Inc., headquartered in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, through
subsidiaries, conducts a general banking business through 230 branches
throughout Puerto Rico, the United States, and the U.S. and British
Virgin Islands. The company also makes personal and mortgage loans;
leases and rents motor vehicles; and provides investment banking and
broker/dealer services.
Presidential Life Corporation, headquartered in Nyack, New York, through
wholly-owned Presidential Life Insurance Co., writes a variety of single
premium and flexible premium annuity products, as well as annual and
single premium life insurance products.
Provident Financial Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Riverside,
California, is a holding company for Provident Savings Bank which is a
savings and loan and mortgage bank that accepts deposits from customers
in communities surrounding its full-service offices and invests the
funds in one- to four-family mortgage, consumer and other loans. The
bank has seven offices in Riverside County and one in San Bernardino,
California.
S&T Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, through
wholly-owned S&T Bank, operates 35 banking offices in Allegheny,
Armstrong, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson and Westmoreland counties in
western Pennsylvania.
Selective Insurance Group, Inc., headquartered in Branchville, New
Jersey, through subsidiaries, offers property and casualty insurance
products, including workers' compensation, automobile, liability,
homeowners and other coverages which are sold in suburban and rural
areas of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Virginia and other mid-atlantic and southeastern states.
SierraWest Bancorp, headquartered in Truckee, California, through wholly-
owned SierraWest Bank, conducts a general banking business and maintains
lending offices through 11 sites in California and Nevada.
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., headquartered in New York, New York,
through subsidiaries, provides property and casualty reinsurance on a
treaty and facultative basis, directly and through brokers, to insurance
and reinsurance companies in both the United States and international
markets.
UNUM Corporation, headquartered in Portland, Maine, writes group and
individual long-term and short-term disability insurance in the U.S. and
U.K. The company also provides employee benefits programs.
USBANCORP, Inc., headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, conducts a
general banking business through 44 branches in Allegheny, Cambria,
Clearfield, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties in
Pennsylvania. The company also underwrites as a reinsurer of credit life
and disability insurance and provides trust services.
United Bankshares, Inc., headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia,
through United National Bank and United Bank, both wholly-owned,
conducts a commercial banking business in West Virginia and Virginia.
Washington Federal, Inc., headquartered in Seattle, Washington, through
wholly-owned Washington Federal Savings & Loan Association (Seattle),
Page 16
operates a savings and loan business through 93 offices in Arizona,
Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors?
Investors should be aware of certain other considerations before making
a decision to invest in the Trust.
The value of the Equity Securities will fluctuate over the life of the
Trust and may be more or less than the price at which they were
deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities may appreciate or
depreciate in value (or pay dividends), depending on the full range of
economic and market influences affecting these securities, including the
impact of the Sponsor's purchase and sale of the Equity Securities
(especially during the initial offering period of Units of the Trust)
and other factors.
The Sponsor and the Trustee shall not be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any Security. In the event of a notice
that any Equity Security will not be delivered ("Failed Contract
Obligations") to the Trust, the Sponsor is authorized under the
Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire other Equity Securities
("Replacement Securities"). Any Replacement Security will be identical
to those which were the subject of the failed contract. The Replacement
Securities must be purchased within 20 days after delivery of the notice
of a failed contract, and the purchase price may not exceed the amount
of funds reserved for the purchase of the Failed Contract Obligations.
If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraphs is not utilized to acquire Replacement Securities in the
event of a failed contract, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge
attributable to such Failed Contract Obligations to all Unit holders of
the Trust, and the Trustee will distribute the principal attributable to
such Failed Contract Obligations not more than 120 days after the date
on which the Trustee received a notice from the Sponsor that a
Replacement Security would not be deposited in the Trust. In addition,
Unit holders should be aware that, at the time of receipt of such
principal, they may not be able to reinvest such proceeds in other
securities at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such
proceeds would have earned for Unit holders of the Trust.
The Indenture also authorizes the Sponsor to increase the size of the
Trust and the number of Units thereof by the deposit of additional
Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust and
the issuance of a corresponding number of additional Units. If the
Sponsor deposits cash, however, existing and new investors may
experience a dilution of their investment and a reduction in their
anticipated income because of fluctuations in the prices of the Equity
Securities between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the
Equity Securities and because the Trust will pay the associated
brokerage fees.
The Trust consists of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" (or contracts to purchase such Securities) as may continue
to be held from time to time in the Trust and any additional Equity
Securities acquired and held by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of
the Indenture (including provisions with respect to deposits into the
Trust of Equity Securities or cash in connection with the issuance of
additional Units).
Once all of the Equity Securities in the Trust are acquired, the Trustee
will have no power to vary the investments of the Trust, i.e., the
Trustee will have no managerial power to take advantage of market
variations to improve a Unit holder's investment, and may dispose of
Equity Securities only under limited circumstances. See "Rights of Unit
Holders-How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?"
Like other investment companies, financial and business organizations
and individuals around the world, the Trust could be adversely affected
if the computer systems used by the Sponsor, Evaluator, Portfolio
Supervisor or Trustee or other service providers to the Trust do not
properly process and calculate date-related information and data from
and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000
Problem." The Sponsor, Evaluator, Portfolio Supervisor and Trustee are
taking steps that they believe are reasonably designed to address the
Year 2000 Problem with respect to computer systems that they use and to
obtain reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by
the Trust's other service providers. At this time, however, there can be
no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse
impact to the Trust.
The Year 2000 Problem is expected to impact corporations, which may
Page 17
include issuers of the Securities contained in the Trust, to varying
degrees based upon various factors, including, but not limited to, their
industry sector and degree of technological sophistication. The Sponsor
is unable to predict what impact, if any, the Year 2000 Problem will
have on issuers of the Securities contained in the Trust.
To the best of the Sponsor's knowledge, there is no litigation pending
as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Equity Security
which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Trust. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, litigation may
be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the Equity
Securities. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether any such litigation
will be instituted, or if instituted, whether such litigation might have
a material adverse effect on the Trust.
Legislation. From time to time Congress considers proposals to reduce
the rate of the dividends-received deductions. Enactment into law of a
proposal to reduce the rate would adversely affect the after-tax return
to investors who can take advantage of the deduction. Unit holders are
urged to consult their own tax advisers. Further, at any time after the
Initial Date of Deposit, legislation may be enacted that could
negatively affect the Equity Securities in the Trust or the issuers of
the Equity Securities. There can be no assurance that future
legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse
effect on the Trust or will not impair the ability of the issuers of the
Equity Securities to achieve their business goals.
PUBLIC OFFERING
How is the Public Offering Price Determined?
Units are offered at the Public Offering Price. During the initial
offering period, the Public Offering Price is based on the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sales prices of listed Equity Securities and
the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust,
divided by the number of Units outstanding, plus a sales charge of 4.75%
(equivalent to 4.987% of the net amount invested), subject to reduction
of 1/2 of 1% on each March 1, beginning March 1, 1999, to a minimum
sales charge of 3.25%.
During the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is
based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the
Trust (generally determined by the closing sales prices of listed Equity
Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust divided by the number of Units of the Trust
outstanding. For secondary market sales after the completion of the
initial offering period, the Public Offering Price is also based on the
aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust
(generally determined by the closing sales prices of listed Equity
Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust, divided by the number of outstanding Units of the
Trust, plus a maximum sales charge of 4.75% of the Public Offering Price
(equivalent to 4.987% of the net amount invested).
The minimum amount which an investor may purchase of the Trust is $5,000
($2,000 for IRAs and other retirement plans). The applicable sales
charge for both primary and secondary market sales is reduced by a
discount as indicated below for volume purchases as a percentage of the
Public Offering Price (except for sales made pursuant to a "wrap fee
account" or similar arrangements as set forth below):
Number of Units* Discount
__________________ _________
10,000 to 24,999 0.50%
25,000 to 49,999 1.00%
50,000 or more 1.50%
* The breakpoint sales charges are also applied on a dollar basis
utilizing a breakpoint equivalent in the above table of $10.00 per Unit
and will be applied on whichever basis is more favorable to the
investor. The breakpoints will be adjusted to take into consideration
purchase orders stated in dollars which cannot be completely fulfilled
due to the requirement that only whole Units be issued.
Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the selling
Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. The reduced
sales charge structure will apply on all purchases of Units in the Trust
by the same person on any one day from the Underwriter or any one
broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. Additionally, Units
purchased in the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a
Page 18
child of such purchaser under 21 years of age will be deemed, for the
purposes of calculating the applicable sales charge, to be additional
purchases by the purchaser. The reduced sales charges will also be
applicable to a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a
single trust estate or single fiduciary account. The purchaser must
inform the Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent of
any such combined purchase prior to the sale, in order to obtain the
indicated discount. In addition, with respect to the employees, officers
and directors (including their immediate family members, defined as
spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings,
mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and
trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the benefit of such persons) of
the Sponsor, Underwriter and broker/dealers, banks or other selling
agents and their subsidiaries, the sales charge is reduced by 2.0% of
the Public Offering Price for purchases of Units during the primary and
secondary public offering periods.
Investors who purchase Units through registered broker/dealers who
charge periodic fees for financial planning, investment advisory or
asset management services or provide such services in connection with
the establishment of an investment account for which a comprehensive
"wrap fee" charge is imposed may purchase Units in the primary or
secondary market at the Public Offering Price, less the concession the
Sponsor typically would allow such broker/dealer. See "Public Offering-
How are Units Distributed?"
Had the Units of the Trust been available for sale on the business day
prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price would
have been as indicated in "Summary of Essential Information." The Public
Offering Price of Units on the date of the prospectus or during the
initial offering period may vary from the amount stated under "Summary
of Essential Information" in accordance with fluctuations in the prices
of the underlying Equity Securities. During the initial offering period,
the aggregate value of the Units of the Trust shall be determined on the
basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities therein
plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities will be
determined in the following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed,
this evaluation is generally based on the closing sale prices on that
exchange (unless it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as
a basis for valuation) or, if there is no closing sale price on that
exchange, at the closing ask prices. If the Equity Securities are not so
listed or, if so listed and the principal market therefor is other than
on the exchange, the evaluation shall generally be based on the current
ask prices on the over-the-counter market (unless it is determined that
these prices are inappropriate as a basis for evaluation). If current
ask prices are unavailable, the evaluation is generally determined (a)
on the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities, (b) by
appraising the value of the Equity Securities on the ask side of the
market or (c) by any combination of the above.
After the completion of the initial offering period, the secondary
market Public Offering Price will be equal to the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities therein, plus or minus cash, if any, in
the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust plus the applicable sales
charge. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities for
secondary market sales is calculated in the same manner as described
above for sales made during the initial offering period with the
exception that bid prices are used instead of ask prices.
Although payment is normally made three business days following the
order for purchase (the "date of settlement"), payment may be made prior
thereto. A person will become owner of Units on the date of settlement
provided payment has been received. Cash, if any, made available to the
Sponsor prior to the date of settlement for the purchase of Units may be
used in the Sponsor's business and may be deemed to be a benefit to the
Sponsor, subject to the limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Delivery of documentation evidencing Units so ordered will be made
three business days following such order or shortly thereafter. See
"Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?" for information
regarding the ability to redeem Units ordered for purchase.
How are Units Distributed?
During the initial offering period (i) for Units issued on the Initial
Date of Deposit and (ii) for additional Units issued after such date as
additional Equity Securities are deposited by the Sponsor, Units will be
distributed to the public at the then current Public Offering Price. The
initial offering period may be up to approximately 360 days. During such
period, the Sponsor may deposit additional Equity Securities in the
Trust and create additional Units. Units reacquired by the Sponsor
Page 19
during the initial offering period (at prices based upon the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus a
pro rata share of cash, if any in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust) may be resold at the then current Public Offering Price. Upon the
termination of the initial offering period, unsold Units created or
reacquired during the initial offering period will be sold or resold at
the then current Public Offering Price.
Upon completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased in the
secondary market (see "Public Offering-Will There be a Secondary
Market?") may be offered by this prospectus at the secondary market
public offering price determined in the manner described above.
It is the intention of the Sponsor to qualify Units of the Trust for
sale in a number of states. Sales initially will be made to dealers and
other selling agents at prices which represent a concession or agency
commission of 2.9% of the Public Offering Price, and, for secondary
market sales, 2.9% of the Public Offering Price (or 65% of the then
current maximum sales charge after March 1, 1999).
Effective on each March 1, commencing March 1, 1999, such sales charge
will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% to a minimum sales charge of 3.25%.
However, resales of Units of the Trust by such dealers and other selling
agents to the public will be made at the Public Offering Price described
in the prospectus. The Sponsor reserves the right to change the amount
of the concession or agency commission from time to time. Certain
commercial banks may be making Units of the Trust available to their
customers on an agency basis. A portion of the sales charge paid by
these customers is retained by or remitted to the banks in the amounts
indicated above. Under the Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from
underwriting Trust Units; however, the Glass-Steagall Act does permit
certain agency transactions and the banking regulators have not
indicated that these particular agency transactions are not permitted
under such Act. In Texas and in certain other states, any banks making
Units available must be registered as broker/dealers under state law.
What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits?
The Underwriter of the Trust will receive a gross sales commission equal
to 4.75% of the Public Offering Price of the Units (equivalent to 4.987%
of the net amount invested) less any reduced sales charge as described
under "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" See
"Underwriting" for information regarding the receipt of the excess gross
sales commissions by the Sponsor from the Underwriter and additional
concessions available to the Underwriter, dealers and others. In
addition, the Sponsor may be considered to have realized a profit or to
have sustained a loss, as the case may be, in the amount of any
difference between the cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust (which
is based on the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate offering
price of the underlying Equity Securities of such Trust on the Initial
Date of Deposit as well as subsequent deposits) and the cost of such
Equity Securities to the Sponsor. See "Underwriting" and Note (2) of
"Schedule of Investments." During the initial offering period, the
Sponsor, Underwriter, dealers and other selling agents also may realize
profits or sustain losses as a result of fluctuations after the Initial
Date of Deposit in the Public Offering Price received by the Sponsor,
Underwriter, dealers and other selling agents upon the sale of Units.
In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor and Underwriter will
also realize profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference
between the price at which Units are purchased and the price at which
Units are resold (which price includes a sales charge of 4.75% subject
to reduction beginning March 1, 1999) or redeemed. The secondary market
public offering price of Units may be greater or less than the cost of
such Units to the Sponsor or the Underwriter.
Will There be a Secondary Market?
After the initial offering period, although not obligated to do so, both
the Sponsor and the Underwriter intend to maintain a market for the
Units and continuously offer to purchase Units at prices, subject to
change at any time, based upon the aggregate underlying value of the
Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income
and Capital Accounts of the Trust. All expenses incurred in maintaining
a secondary market, other than the fees of the Evaluator and the costs
of the Trustee in transferring and recording the ownership of Units,
will be borne by the Sponsor. If the supply of Units exceeds demand, or
for some other business reason, the Sponsor or Underwriter may
discontinue purchases of Units at such prices. IF A UNIT HOLDER WISHES
TO DISPOSE OF HIS OR HER UNITS, HE OR SHE SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE
UNDERWRITER OR SPONSOR AS TO CURRENT MARKET PRICES PRIOR TO MAKING A
TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE.
Page 20
RIGHTS OF UNIT HOLDERS
How is Evidence of Ownership Issued and Transferred?
The Trustee is authorized to treat as the record owner of Units that
person who is registered as such owner on the books of the Trustee.
Unit holders will hold their Units in uncertificated form (i.e., book
entry). The Trustee will maintain an account for each such Unit holder
and will credit each such account with the number of Units purchased by
that Unit holder. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer
of Units, the Trustee will send to the registered owner of Units a
written initial transaction statement containing a description of the
Trust; the number of Units issued or transferred; the name, address and
taxpayer identification number, if any, of the new registered owner; a
notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer and any adverse
claims to which such Units are or may be subject or a statement that
there are no such liens, restrictions or adverse claims; and the date
the transfer was registered. Units are transferable by presentation to
the Trustee of a written instrument or instruments of transfer. A Unit
holder must sign the instrument or instruments of transfer exactly as
his or her name appears on the records of the Trustee with the signature
guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program ("STAMP") or such other signature guaranty program in addition
to, or in substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee. In
certain instances, the Trustee may require additional documents such as,
but not limited to, trust instruments, certificates of death,
appointments as executor or administrator or certificates of corporate
authority.
Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, a Unit holder may
be required to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with the transfer or exchange of Units.
How are Income and Capital Distributed?
The Trustee will distribute any net income received with respect to any
of the securities in the Trust on or about the Income Distribution Dates
to Unit holders of record on the preceding Income Record Date. See
"Summary of Essential Information." Persons who purchase Units will
commence receiving distributions only after such person becomes a record
owner. Notification to the Trustee of the transfer of Units is the
responsibility of the purchaser, but in the normal course of business
such notice is provided by the selling broker/dealer. The pro rata share
of cash in the Capital Account of the Trust will be computed as of the
fifteenth day of each month. Proceeds received on the sale of any Equity
Securities in the Trust, to the extent not used to meet redemptions of
Units or pay expenses, will, however, be distributed on the last day of
each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month
if the amount available for distribution equals at least $0.01 per Unit.
The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the Capital
Account of the Trust (but may itself earn interest thereon and therefore
benefit from the use of such funds). Notwithstanding, distributions of
funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made on the last day of
each December to Unit holders of record as of December 15. See "What is
the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"
Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of any distribution made by
the Trust if the Trustee has not been furnished the Unit holder's tax
identification number in the manner required by such regulations. Any
amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service and
may be recovered by the Unit holder only when filing a tax return. Under
normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unit holder's tax
identification number from the selling broker. However, a Unit holder
should examine his or her statements from the Trustee to make sure that
the Trustee has been provided a certified tax identification number in
order to avoid this possible "back-up withholding." In the event the
Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one should be
provided as soon as possible.
Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, each Unit holder
will, upon surrender of his or her Units for redemption, receive: (i)
the pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition of
Equity Securities, unless he or she elects an In-Kind Distribution as
described under "Other Information-How May the Indenture be Amended or
Terminated?" and (ii) a pro rata share of any other assets of the Trust,
less expenses of the Trust.
The Trustee will credit to the Income Account of the Trust any dividends
received on the Equity Securities therein. All other receipts (e.g.
return of capital, etc.) are credited to the Capital Account of the Trust.
Page 21
The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the
Trust for state and local taxes, if any, and any governmental charges
payable out of the Trust.
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive?
The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders in connection with each
distribution a statement of the amount of income, if any, and the amount
of other receipts, if any, which are being distributed, expressed in
each case as a dollar amount per Unit. Within a reasonable period of
time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to
each person who at any time during the calendar year was a Unit holder
of the Trust the following information in reasonable detail: (1) a
summary of transactions in the Trust for such year; (2) any Equity
Securities sold during the year and the Equity Securities held at the
end of such year by the Trust; (3) the redemption price per Unit based
upon a computation thereof on the 31st day of December of such year (or
the last business day prior thereto); and (4) amounts of income and
capital distributed during such year.
In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements,
Unit holders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee, evaluations
of the Securities in the Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator.
How May Units be Redeemed?
A Unit holder may redeem all or a portion of his or her Units by
tendering to the Trustee, at its corporate trust office in the City of
New York, a request for redemption, duly endorsed or accompanied by
proper instruments of transfer with signature guaranteed as explained
above and payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. No
redemption fee will be charged. On the third business day following such
tender, the Unit holder will be entitled to receive in cash an amount
for each Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit next computed after
receipt by the Trustee of such tender of Units. The "date of tender" is
deemed to be the date on which Units are received by the Trustee (if
such day is a day in which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading), except that as regards Units received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time (or as of any earlier closing time on a day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time),
the date of tender is the next day on which the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading and such Units will be deemed to have been tendered
to the Trustee on such day for redemption at the redemption price
computed on that day. Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
Any Unit holder tendering 2,500 Units or more for redemption may request
by written notice submitted at the time of tender from the Trustee, in
lieu of a cash redemption, a distribution of shares of Equity Securities
in an amount and value of Equity Securities per Unit equal to the
Redemption Price per Unit as determined as of the evaluation next
following tender. However, no In-Kind Distribution requests submitted
during the nine business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date
will be honored. To the extent possible, In-Kind Distributions shall be
made by the Trustee through the distribution of each of the Equity
Securities in book-entry form to the account of the Unit holder's bank
or broker/dealer at the Depository Trust Company. An In-Kind
Distribution will be reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges. The tendering Unit holder will receive his or her pro rata
number of whole shares of each of the Equity Securities comprising the
portfolio and cash from the Capital Account equal to the fractional
shares to which the tendering Unit holder is entitled. The Trustee may
adjust the number of shares of any issue of Equity Securities included
in a Unit holder's In-Kind Distribution to facilitate the distribution
of whole shares, such adjustment to be made on the basis of the value of
Equity Securities on the date of tender. If funds in the Capital Account
are insufficient to cover the required cash distribution to the
tendering Unit holder, the Trustee may sell Equity Securities in the
manner described above.
Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a
Unit redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unit
holder's tax identification number in the manner required by such
regulations. For further information regarding this withholding, see
"Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" In the
event the Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one must
be provided at the time redemption is requested.
Any amounts paid on redemption representing income shall be withdrawn
from the Income Account of the Trust to the extent that funds are
available for such purpose, or from the Capital Account. All other
amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Capital Account
of the Trust.
Page 22
The Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities of the Trust in order
to make funds available for redemption. To the extent that Equity
Securities are sold, the size and diversity of the Trust will be
reduced. Such sales may be required at a time when Equity Securities
would not otherwise be sold and might result in lower prices than might
otherwise be realized.
The Redemption Price per Unit (as well as the secondary market Public
Offering Price) will be determined on the basis of the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus
cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. The
Redemption Price per Unit is the pro rata share of each Unit determined
by the Trustee by adding: (1) the cash on hand in the Trust other than
cash deposited in the Trust to purchase Equity Securities not applied to
the purchase of such Equity Securities; (2) the aggregate value of the
Equity Securities held in the Trust, as determined by the Evaluator on
the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in
the Trust next computed; and (3) dividends receivable on the Equity
Securities trading ex-dividend as of the date of computation; and
deducting therefrom: (1) amounts representing any applicable taxes or
governmental charges payable out of the Trust; (2) any amounts owing to
the Trustee for its advances; (3) an amount representing estimated
accrued expenses of the Trust, including but not limited to fees and
expenses of the Trustee (including legal and auditing fees), the
Evaluator and supervisory fees, if any; (4) cash held for distribution
to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the business day prior to
the evaluation being made; and (5) other liabilities incurred by the
Trust; and finally dividing the results of such computation by the
number of Units of the Trust outstanding as of the date thereof.
The aggregate value of the Equity Securities will be determined in the
following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed, this evaluation
is generally based on the closing sale prices on that exchange (unless
it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for
valuation) or, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange, at
the closing ask prices (during the initial offering period) or at the
closing bid prices (subsequent to the initial offering period). If the
Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal
market therefor is other than on the exchange, the evaluation shall
generally be based on the current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) on
the over-the-counter market (unless these prices are inappropriate as a
basis for evaluation). If current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) are
unavailable, the evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of
current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) for comparable securities,
(b) by appraising the value of the Equity Securities on the ask or bid
side of the market (as appropriate) or (c) by any combination of the
above.
The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for any
period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than
for customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which the
Securities and Exchange Commission determines that trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted or any emergency exists, as a result
of which disposal or evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission may by order permit. Under certain extreme circumstances, the
Sponsor may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for an order
permitting a full or partial suspension of the right of Unit holders to
redeem their Units. The Trustee is not liable to any person in any way
for any loss or damage which may result from any such suspension or
postponement.
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor or Underwriter?
The Trustee shall notify the Sponsor and Underwriter of any tender of
Units for redemption. If the Sponsor's or Underwriter's bid in the
secondary market at that time equals or exceeds the Redemption Price per
Unit, the Sponsor or the Underwriter may purchase such Units by
notifying the Trustee before 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same business
day and by making payment therefor to the Unit holder not later than the
day on which the Units would otherwise have been redeemed by the
Trustee. Units held by the Sponsor or the Underwriter may be tendered to
the Trustee for redemption as any other Units. In the event the Sponsor
or the Underwriter does not purchase Units, the Trustee may sell Units
tendered for redemption in the over-the-counter market, if any, as long
as the amount to be received by the Unit holder is equal to the amount
he or she would have received on redemption of the Units.
The offering price of any Units acquired by the Sponsor or the
Underwriter will be in accord with the Public Offering Price described
Page 23
in the then effective prospectus describing such Units. Any profit or
loss resulting from the resale or redemption of such Units will belong
to the Sponsor or the Underwriter.
How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?
The Portfolio of the Trust is not "managed" by the Sponsor or the
Trustee; their activities described herein are governed solely by the
provisions of the Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Sponsor may
(but need not) direct the Trustee to dispose of an Equity Security in
the event that an issuer defaults in the payment of a dividend that has
been declared, that any action or proceeding has been instituted
restraining the payment of dividends or there exists any legal question
or impediment affecting such Equity Security, that the issuer of the
Equity Security has breached a covenant which would affect the payments
of dividends, the credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the
sound investment character of the Equity Security, that the issuer has
defaulted on the payment on any other of its outstanding obligations, or
that the price of the Equity Security has declined to such an extent or
other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the Sponsor,
the retention of such Equity Securities would be detrimental to the
Trust. Except as stated under "Portfolio-What are Some Additional
Considerations for Investors?" for Failed Contract Obligations, the
acquisition by the Trust of any securities or other property other than
the Equity Securities is prohibited. Pursuant to the Indenture and with
limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell any securities or other
property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities such as those
acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction. If offered
such new or exchanged securities or property, the Trustee shall reject
the offer. However, in the event such securities or property are
nonetheless acquired by the Trust, they may be accepted for deposit in
the Trust and either sold by the Trustee or held in the Trust pursuant
to the direction of the Sponsor (who may rely on the advice of the
Portfolio Supervisor). Proceeds from the sale of Equity Securities (or
any securities or other property received by the Trust in exchange for
Equity Securities) by the Trustee are credited to the Capital Account of
the Trust for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemptions. The
Trustee may from time to time retain and pay compensation to the Sponsor
(or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to act as agent for the Trust with
respect to selling Equity Securities from the Trust. In acting in such
capacity the Sponsor or its affiliate will be held subject to the
restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Trustee may also sell Equity Securities designated by the Sponsor,
or if not so directed, in its own discretion, for the purpose of
redeeming Units of the Trust tendered for redemption and the payment of
expenses.
The Sponsor, in designating Equity Securities to be sold by the Trustee,
will generally make selections in order to maintain, to the extent
practicable, the proportionate relationship among the number of shares
of individual issues of Equity Securities. To the extent this is not
practicable, the composition and diversity of the Equity Securities may
be altered. In order to obtain the best price for the Trust, it may be
necessary for the Sponsor to specify minimum amounts (generally 100
shares) in which blocks of Equity Securities are to be sold.
INFORMATION AS TO UNDERWRITER, SPONSOR, TRUSTEE AND EVALUATOR
Who is the Underwriter?
Ryan, Beck & Co. ("Ryan Beck") is one of the nation's leading investment
banking firms providing investment banking and consulting services to
regional and community financial institutions. Ryan Beck was organized
in 1946 and has been publicly held since 1986. The firm is registered as
a broker/dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and the
Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Ryan Beck maintains sales
and research departments that specialize in the securities of the
financial services industry, including banks, thrifts and insurance
companies. Ryan Beck has positioned itself among the largest market
makers for such securities. Ryan Beck's Corporate Finance Department is
dedicated to financial institutions, and it is one of the nation's
largest such specialized groups. It provides a full range of advisory
services in connection with mergers and acquisitions, capital formation,
branch sales, bank holding company formation and development,
shareholder/investor relations and financial management issues.
The research team for the Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance Opportunity
Trust is led by Lawrence W. Cohn, CFA, Senior Vice President. Mr. Cohn
has followed the banking industry for 27 years. Before joining Ryan Beck
as Director of Research, Mr. Cohn was the senior banking analyst at
Page 24
Paine Webber. Prior to joining Paine Webber, Mr. Cohn was a Managing
Director at The Chase Manhattan Bank, providing investment banking
services to commercial banks. Before joining Chase, Mr. Cohn was senior
banking analyst at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Merrill Lynch, and Dean
Witter Reynolds. In 1993, Mr. Cohn was ranked as the #1 banking analyst
by the Wall Street Journal, and he has been designated a runner-up by
Institutional Investor Magazine in its All-Star Analyst Poll for 10
years, most recently in 1995. Mr. Cohn is a Chartered Financial Analyst
and has been a member of both the New York Society of Securities
Analysts and the Bank and Financial Analysts Association for the last 20
years.
Who is the Sponsor?
Nike Securities L.P., the Sponsor, specializes in the underwriting,
trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities.
Nike Securities L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991,
acts as Sponsor for successive series of The First Trust Combined
Series, the FT Series (formerly known as The First Trust Special
Situations Trust), The First Trust Insured Corporate Trust, The First
Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds and The First Trust GNMA. First Trust
introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974 and to date
more than $9 billion in First Trust unit investment trusts have been
deposited. The Sponsor's employees include a team of professionals with
many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry. The
Sponsor is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and Securities Investor Protection Corporation and has its
principal offices at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532;
telephone number (630) 241-4141. As of December 31, 1996, the total
partners' capital of Nike Securities L.P. was $9,005,203 (audited).
(This paragraph relates only to the Sponsor and not to the Trust or to
any series thereof or to the Underwriter. The information is included
herein only for the purpose of informing investors as to the financial
responsibility of the Sponsor and its ability to carry out its
contractual obligations. More detailed financial information will be
made available by the Sponsor upon request.)
Who is the Trustee?
The Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, with its principal executive
office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit
investment trust office at 4 New York Plaza, 6th floor, New York, New
York 10004-2413. Unit holders who have questions regarding the Trust may
call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee is
subject to supervision by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of
New York, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
The Trustee, whose duties are ministerial in nature, has not
participated in the selection of the Equity Securities. For information
relating to the responsibilities of the Trustee under the Indenture,
reference is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit
Holders."
The Trustee and any successor trustee may resign by executing an
instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor and mailing a
copy of a notice of resignation to all Unit holders. Upon receipt of
such notice, the Sponsor is obligated to appoint a successor trustee
promptly. If the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt
or its affairs are taken over by public authorities, the Sponsor may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor as provided in the Indenture.
If upon resignation of a trustee no successor has accepted the
appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee may
apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor. The resignation or removal of a trustee becomes effective
only when the successor trustee accepts its appointment as such or when
a court of competent jurisdiction appoints a successor trustee.
Any corporation into which a Trustee may be merged or with which it may
be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which a Trustee shall be a party, shall be the
successor Trustee. The Trustee must be a banking corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or any State and having at all times
an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$5,000,000.
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee
The Sponsor and the Trustee shall be under no liability to Unit holders
for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good
faith pursuant to the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be
liable only for their own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
Page 25
negligence (ordinary negligence in the case of the Trustee) or reckless
disregard of their obligations and duties. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the
Trustee of any of the Equity Securities. In the event of the failure of
the Sponsor to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder
and shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith under
the Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges imposed upon or in respect of the Equity Securities or upon the
interest thereon or upon it as Trustee under the Indenture or upon or in
respect of the Trust which the Trustee may be required to pay under any
present or future law of the United States of America or of any other
taxing authority having jurisdiction. In addition, the Indenture
contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee.
If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the
Indenture or becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its
affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may (a)
appoint a successor Sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the
Trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding amounts prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or (b) terminate the Indenture and
liquidate the Trust as provided herein, or (c) continue to act as
Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
Who is the Evaluator?
The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited
partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The
Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The
Evaluator may resign or may be removed by the Sponsor or the Trustee, in
which event the Sponsor and the Trustee are to use their best efforts to
appoint a satisfactory successor. Such resignation or removal shall
become effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor
Evaluator. If upon resignation of the Evaluator no successor has
accepted appointment within 30 days after notice of resignation, the
Evaluator may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor.
The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on any evaluation
furnished by the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator under the Indenture
shall be made in good faith upon the basis of the best information
available to it, provided, however, that the Evaluator shall be under no
liability to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for errors in
judgment. This provision shall not protect the Evaluator in any case of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties.
OTHER INFORMATION
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?
The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend the Indenture
without the consent of any of the Unit holders when such an amendment is
(1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of
the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision contained therein, or (2) to make such other provisions as
shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unit holders (as
determined in good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee).
The Indenture provides that the Trust shall terminate upon the Mandatory
Termination Date indicated herein under "Summary of Essential
Information." The Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100%
of the Unit holders of the Trust or by the Trustee when the value of the
Equity Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any evaluation, is less
than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity
Securities deposited in such Trust during the initial offering period,
or in the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more
than 60% of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption by the
Underwriter, including the Sponsor. If the Trust is liquidated because
of the redemption of unsold Units of the Trust by the Underwriter, the
Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units of the Trust the entire
sales charge and the transaction fees paid by such purchaser. In the
event of termination, written notice thereof will be sent by the Trustee
to all Unit holders of the Trust. Within a reasonable period after
termination, the Trustee will follow the procedures set forth under
"Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?"
Commencing during the period beginning nine business days prior to and
no later than the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity Securities will
begin to be sold in connection with the termination of the Trust. The
Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution of the sale of
the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination of the Trust
Page 26
shall be given by the Trustee to each Unit holder at his or her address
appearing on the registration books of the Trust maintained by the
Trustee. At least 60 days prior to the Maturity Date of the Trust, the
Trustee will provide written notice thereof to all Unit holders and will
include with such notice a form to enable Unit holders to elect a
distribution of shares of Equity Securities (reduced by customary
transfer and registration charges), if such Unit holder owns at least
2,500 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash for
such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the
disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be effective, the
election form, together with other documentation required by the
Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee at least ten business days
prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Unit holders not
electing a distribution of shares of Equity Securities will receive a
cash distribution from the sale of the remaining Equity Securities
within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. Regardless of
the distribution involved, the Trustee will deduct from the funds of the
Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or indemnities provided by
the Trust Agreement, including estimated compensation of the Trustee and
costs of liquidation and any amounts required as a reserve to provide
for payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges. Any
sale of Equity Securities in the Trust upon termination may result in a
lower amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not
required at such time. In addition, to the extent that Equity Securities
are sold prior to the Mandatory Termination Date, Unit holders will not
benefit from any stock appreciation they would have received had the
Equity Securities not been sold at such time. The Trustee will then
distribute to each Unit holder his or her pro rata share of the balance
of the Income and Capital Accounts.
Legal Opinions
The legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters relating to
Federal tax law have been passed upon by Chapman and Cutler, 111 West
Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, as counsel for the Sponsor.
Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, will act as counsel for the Trustee and as
special New York tax counsel for the Trust.
Experts
The statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of
the Trust at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit
appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement has been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement,
and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriter named below has purchased Units in the following amount:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number
Name Address of Units
______ _________ ________
<S> <C> <C>
Ryan, Beck & Co. 220 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, New Jersey 07039 15,031
=======
</TABLE>
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Underwriter of the Trust became the
owner of the Units of the Trust and entitled to the benefits thereof, as
well as the risks inherent therein.
The Underwriter Agreement provides that a public offering of the Units
of the Trust will be made at the Public Offering Price described in the
prospectus. Units may also be sold to or through dealers and other
selling agents during the initial offering period and in the secondary
market at prices representing a concession or agency commission as
described in "Public Offering-How are Units Distributed?"
The Underwriter has agreed to underwrite additional Units of the Trust
as they become available. The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriter
the difference between the gross sales commission and the Underwriter
concession listed below. The Underwriter concession will be calculated
as a percentage of the Public Offering Price per Unit according to the
following schedule:
Underwriting Concession
_____________ __________
Less than $5,000,000 3.65%
$5,000,000 but less than $10,000,000 3.75%
$10,000,000 or more 3.90%
Page 27
From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which
Underwriters and dealers of the Trust may receive nominal awards from
the Sponsor for each of their registered representatives who have sold a
minimum number of UIT Units during a specified time period. In addition,
at various times the Sponsor may implement other programs under which
the sales force of an Underwriter or dealer may be eligible to win other
nominal awards for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor
will reallow to any such Underwriter or dealer that sponsors sales
contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by
the Sponsor, or participates in sales programs sponsored by the Sponsor,
an amount not exceeding the total applicable sales charges on the sales
generated by such person at the public offering price during such
programs. Also, the Sponsor in its discretion may from time to time
pursuant to objective criteria established by the Sponsor pay fees to
qualifying Underwriters or dealers for certain services or activities
which are primarily intended to result in sales of Units of the Trust.
Such payments are made by the Sponsor out of its own assets, and not out
of the assets of the Trust. These programs will not change the price
Unit holders pay for their Units or the amount that the Trust will
receive from the Units sold.
The Sponsor may from time to time in its advertising and sales materials
compare the then current estimated returns on the Trust and returns over
specified periods on other similar Trusts sponsored by Nike Securities
L.P. with returns on other taxable investments such as corporate or U.S.
Government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts or money market
funds, each of which has investment characteristics that may differ from
those of the Trust. U.S. Government bonds, for example, are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and bank CDs and money
market accounts are insured by an agency of the federal government.
Money market accounts and money market funds provide stability of
principal, but pay interest at rates that vary with the condition of the
short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Information on percentage changes in the dollar value of Units, on the
basis of changes in Unit price may be included from time to time in
advertisements, sales literature, reports and other information
furnished to current or prospective Unit holders. Total return figures
are not averaged, and may not reflect deduction of the sales charge,
which would decrease the return. Average annualized return figures
reflect deduction of the maximum sales charge. No provision is made for
any income taxes payable.
Past performance may not be indicative of future results. The Trust's
portfolio is not managed. Unit price and return fluctuate with the value
of the common stocks in the Trust's portfolio, so there may be a gain or
loss when Units are sold.
Trust performance may be compared to performance on a total return basis
with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, or performance data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar Publications, Inc. or from publications such as Money, The
New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Business Week, Forbes or
Fortune. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should
not be considered representative of the Trust's relative performance for
any future period.
Page 28
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
FT 239
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of FT 239, comprised of Ryan Beck Banking and
Insurance Opportunity Trust, Series 6, as of the opening of business on
February 24, 1998. This statement of net assets is the responsibility of
the Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
statement of net assets based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statement of net assets is
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement
of net assets. Our procedures included confirmation of the letter of
credit held by the Trustee and deposited in the Trust on February 24,
1998. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by the Sponsor, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the statement of net assets. We believe that our
audit of the statement of net assets provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FT 239,
comprised of Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance Opportunity Trust, Series
6, at the opening of business on February 24, 1998 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 24, 1998
Page 29
Statement of Net Assets
RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
FT 239
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-February 24, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS
<S> <C>
Investment in Equity Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $143,175
Organizational and offering costs (3) 45,000
________
188,175
Less accrued organizational and offering costs (3) (45,000)
________
Net assets $143,175
========
Units outstanding 15,031
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Cost to investors (4) $150,315
Less sales charge (4) (7,140)
________
Net Assets $143,175
========
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
(1) Aggregate cost of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value.
(2) An irrevocable letter of credit totaling $200,000 issued by The Chase
Manhattan Bank has been deposited with the Trustee as collateral, which
is sufficient to cover the monies necessary for the purchase of the
Equity Securities pursuant to contracts for the purchase of such Equity
Securities.
(3) The Trust will bear all or a portion of its estimated organizational
and offering costs which will be deferred and charged off over a period
not to exceed the life of the Trust (approximately four years). The
estimated organizational and offering costs are based on 3,000,000 Units
of the Trust expected to be issued. To the extent the number of Units
issued is larger or smaller, the estimate will vary.
(4) The aggregate cost to investors includes a sales charge computed at
the rate of 4.75% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.987% of
the net amount invested), assuming no reduction of sales charge as set
forth under "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?"
Page 30
Schedule of Investments
RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
FT 239
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-February 24, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Market Cost of
of Aggregate Value Equity
Number Ticker Symbol and Offering per Securities
of Shares Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1) Price Share to Trust (2)
_________ _______________________________________ ____________ _______ ___________
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
148 AMRN Amerin Corporation 3.00% $ 29.000 $ 4,292
69 AROW Arrow Financial Corporation 1.50% 31.188 2,152
97 ASBC Associated Banc Corporation 3.57% 52.625 5,105
44 BT Bankers Trust New York Corporation 3.45% 112.375 4,945
93 BKLY W.R. Berkley Corporation 2.99% 46.000 4,278
51 CCBT Cape Cod Bank & Trust Company 1.51% 42.375 2,161
57 CATY Cathay Bancorp, Inc. 1.42% 35.688 2,034
71 COFI Charter One Financial, Inc. 3.03% 61.063 4,335
41 CMB Chase Manhattan Corporation (3) 3.47% 121.188 4,969
73 CBSH Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 3.51% 68.938 5,032
140 DNFC D&N Financial Corporation 2.49% 25.500 3,570
58 FBAN F.N.B. Corporation 1.51% 37.250 2,160
104 FATN First American Corporation 3.50% 48.125 5,005
97 FTU First Union Corporation 3.54% 52.313 5,074
178 FTR Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. 2.98% 23.938 4,261
136 HUBC HUBCO, Inc. 3.48% 36.625 4,981
52 HNBC Harleysville National Corporation 1.48% 40.875 2,126
131 HAVN Haven Bancorp, Inc. 1.99% 21.750 2,849
90 IWBK InterWest Bancorp Inc. 2.53% 40.188 3,617
61 MBI MBIA, Inc. 3.01% 70.688 4,312
124 MRBK Mercantile Bankshares Corporation 3.04% 35.125 4,355
126 NFB North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. 2.99% 34.000 4,284
143 PTAC Penn Treaty American Corporation 2.97% 29.750 4,254
114 PBCT People's Bank 3.00% 37.625 4,289
95 PHBK Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc. 3.04% 45.875 4,358
214 PHLY Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corporation 2.98% 19.938 4,267
84 BPOP Popular, Inc. 2.99% 50.969 4,281
216 PLFE Presidential Life Corporation 3.00% 19.875 4,293
96 PROV Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. 1.52% 22.625 2,172
59 STBA S&T Bancorp, Inc. 2.00% 48.500 2,862
159 SIGI Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 2.99% 26.906 4,278
83 SWBS SierraWest Bancorp 2.03% 35.000 2,905
58 TRH Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 3.01% 74.188 4,303
84 UNM UNUM Corporation 2.96% 50.438 4,237
51 UBAN USBANCORP, Inc. 2.52% 70.875 3,615
60 UBSI United Bankshares, Inc. 2.01% 48.000 2,880
149 WFSL Washington Federal, Inc. 2.99% 28.750 4,284
______ ________
Total Investments 100% $143,175
====== ========
Page 31
____________
<FN>
(1) All Equity Securities are represented by regular way contracts to
purchase such Equity Securities for the performance of which an
irrevocable letter of credit has been deposited with the Trustee. The
contracts to purchase Equity Securities were entered into by the Sponsor
on February 23, 1998.
(2) The cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust represents the
aggregate underlying value with respect to the Equity Securities
acquired (generally determined by the last sale prices of the listed
Equity Securities and the ask prices of the over-the-counter traded
Equity Securities on the business day preceding the Initial Date of
Deposit). The valuation of the Equity Securities has been determined by
the Evaluator, an affiliate of the Sponsor. The aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit was
$143,175. Cost and loss to Sponsor relating to the Equity Securities
sold to the Trust were $143,208 and $33, respectively.
(3) The Chase Manhattan Corporation is the holding company for The Chase
Manhattan Bank, the Trustee for the Trust.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 32
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Page 33
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Page 34
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Page 35
CONTENTS:
Summary of Essential Information:
Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance Opportunity Trust,
Series 6 3
FT 239:
What is the FT Series? 4
What are the Expenses and Charges? 5
What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? 6
Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for
Retirement Plans? 9
Portfolio:
What are the Equity Securities? 9
Risk Factors 9
What are the Equity Securities Selected for
Ryan Beck Banking and Insurance Opportunity
Trust, Series 6? 14
What are Some Additional Considerations
for Investors? 17
Public Offering:
How is the Public Offering Price Determined? 18
How are Units Distributed? 18
What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits? 20
Will There be a Secondary Market? 20
Rights of Unit Holders:
How is Evidence of Ownership Issued
and Transferred? 21
How are Income and Capital Distributed? 21
What Reports will Unit Holders Receive? 22
How May Units be Redeemed? 22
How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor
or Underwriter? 23
How May Equity Securities be Removed
from the Trust? 24
Information as to Underwriter, Sponsor, Trustee
and Evaluator:
Who is the Underwriter? 24
Who is the Sponsor? 25
Who is the Trustee? 25
Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee 26
Who is the Evaluator? 26
Other Information:
How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated? 26
Legal Opinions 27
Experts 27
Underwriting 27
Report of Independent Auditors 29
Statement of Net Assets 30
Notes to Statement of Net Assets 30
Schedule of Investments 31
____________
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS RELATING THERETO, WHICH THE FUND
HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AND TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE.
Ryan, Beck & Co.
RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE
OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
Ryan, Beck & Co.
220 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, New Jersey 07039
1-800-342-2325
603 Village Blvd.
West Palm Beach, Florida 33409
1-800-793-7226
150 Monument Road
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004
1-800-223-8969
740 Broad Street
Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702
1-888-231-7226
Trustee:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza, 6th floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
1-800-682-7520
24-Hour Pricing Line:
1-800-446-0132
Security Code: 55131
February 24, 1998
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Page 36
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
A. Bonding Arrangements of Depositor:
Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Brokers' Fidelity Bond,
in the total amount of $1,000,000, the insurer being
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh.
B. This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the
following papers and documents:
The facing sheet
The Cross-Reference Sheet
The Prospectus
The signatures
Exhibits
Financial Data Schedule
S-1
SIGNATURES
The Registrant, FT 239, hereby identifies The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 4 Great Lakes Growth and
Treasury Trust, Series 1; The First Trust Special Situations
Trust, Series 18 Wisconsin Growth and Treasury Securities Trust,
Series 1; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 69
Target Equity Trust Value Ten Series; The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 108; The First Trust Special Situations
Trust, Series 119 Target 5 Trust, Series 2 and Target 10 Trust,
Series 8; and The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series
190 Biotechnology Growth Trust, Series 3 for purposes of the
representations required by Rule 487 and represents the
following:
(1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series
as to the securities of which this Registration Statement is
being filed do not differ materially in type or quality from
those deposited in such previous series;
(2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the
specific portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide
essential financial information for, the series with respect to
the securities of which this Registration Statement is being
filed, this Registration Statement does not contain disclosures
that differ in any material respect from those contained in the
registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and
(3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities
Act of 1933.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the Registrant, FT 239, has duly caused this Amendment to
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Village of Lisle
and State of Illinois on February 24, 1998.
FT 239
By NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
Depositor
By Robert M. Porcellino
Vice President
S-2
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed
below by the following person in the capacity and on the date
indicated:
NAME TITLE* DATE
Robert D. Van Kampen Director of )
Nike Securities )
Corporation, the ) February 24, 1998
General Partner of )
Nike Securities L.P.)
)
)
David J. Allen Director of ) Robert M. Porcellino
Nike Securities ) Attorney-in-Fact**
Corporation, the )
General Partner of )
Nike Securities L.P.
* The title of the person named herein represents his
capacity in and relationship to Nike Securities L.P.,
Depositor.
** An executed copy of the related power of attorney
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 of The
First Trust Combined Series 258 (File No. 33-63483) and
the same is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
S-3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts" and to the use of our report dated February 24, 1998 in
Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-6) (File
No. 333-44817) and related Prospectus of FT 239.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 24, 1998
CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
The consents of counsel to the use of their names in the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement will be
contained in their respective opinions to be filed as Exhibits
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.
The consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. to the use of its
name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement
will be filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
S-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 22 and
certain subsequent Series, effective November 20, 1991
among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, United States
Trust Company of New York as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and First Trust
Advisors L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
43693] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 22).
1.1.1 Form of Trust Agreement for Series 239 among Nike
Securities L.P., as Depositor, The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Trustee, First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator, and
First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor.
1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of Nike
Securities L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.3 Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership
Agreement of Nike Securities L.P. (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.4 Copy of Articles of Incorporation of Nike Securities
Corporation, the general partner of Nike Securities
L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.5 Copy of By-Laws of Nike Securities Corporation, the
general partner of Nike Securities L.P., Depositor
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-
6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.6 Underwriter Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42755] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 19).
2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit
1.1 filed herewith on page 2 and incorporated herein by
reference).
S-5
3.1 Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being
registered.
3.2 Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of
securities being registered.
3.3 Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of
securities being registered.
3.4 Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by
Trustee.
4.1 Consent of First Trust Advisors L.P.
6.1 List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other
related information (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 18).
7.1 Power of Attorney executed by the Director listed on
page S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-
63483] filed on behalf of The First Trust Combined
Series 258).
S-6
FT 239
TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated: February 24, 1998
The Trust Agreement among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P.,
as Evaluator and Portfolio Supervisor, sets forth certain
provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference
to the document entitled "Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust
for The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 22 and
certain subsequent Series, Effective November 20, 1991" (herein
called the "Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust"), and such
provisions as are incorporated by reference constitute a single
instrument. All references herein to Articles and Sections are
to Articles and Sections of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust.
WITNESSETH THAT:
In consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements herein contained, the Depositor, the Trustee, the
Evaluator and the Portfolio Supervisor agree as follows:
PART I
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
Subject to the provisions of Part II and Part III hereof,
all the provisions contained in the Standard Terms and Conditions
of Trust are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety
and shall be deemed to be a part of this instrument as fully and
to the same extent as though said provisions had been set forth
in full in this instrument.
PART II
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
FOR RYAN BECK BANKING AND INSURANCE OPPORTUNITY TRUST, SERIES 6
The following special terms and conditions are hereby agreed
to:
A. The Securities initially deposited in the Trust
pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust are set forth in the Schedules hereto.
B. (1) The aggregate number of Units outstanding for the
Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit and the initial fractional
undivided interest in and ownership of the Trust represented by
each Unit thereof are set forth in the Prospectus in the section
"Summary of Essential Information."
Documents representing this number of Units for the Trust
are being delivered by the Trustee to the Depositor pursuant to
Section 2.03 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust.
C. The Percentage Ratio on the Initial Date of Deposit is
as set forth in the Prospectus under "Schedule of Investments."
D. The Record Date shall be as set forth in the prospectus
for the sale of Units dated the date hereof (the "Prospectus")
under "Summary of Essential Information."
E. The Distribution Date shall be as set forth in the
Prospectus under "Summary of Essential Information."
F. The Mandatory Termination Date for the Trust shall be
as set forth in the Prospectus under "Summary of Essential
Information."
G. The Evaluator's compensation as referred to in
Section 4.03 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust shall
be an annual fee as set forth in the Prospectus under "Summary of
Essential Information," calculated based on the largest number of
Units outstanding during each period in respect of which a
payment is made pursuant to Section 3.05, payable on a
Distribution Date. Such fee may exceed the actual cost of
providing such evaluation services for the Trust, but at no time
will the total amount received for evaluation services rendered
to unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the
sponsor in any calendar year exceed the aggregate cost to the
Evaluator of supplying such services in such year.
H. The Trustee's Compensation Rate pursuant to
Section 6.04 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust shall
be an annual fee as set forth in the Prospectus under "Summary of
Essential Information," calculated based on the largest number of
Units outstanding during the calendar year except during the
initial offering period as determined in Section 4.01 of this
Indenture, in which case the fee is calculated based on the
number of units outstanding during the period for which the
compensation is paid (such annual fee to be pro rated for any
calendar year in which the Trustee provides services during less
than the whole of such year). However, in no event, except as
may otherwise be provided in the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust, shall the Trustee receive compensation in any one year
from any Trust of less than $2,000 for such annual compensation.
I. The Initial Date of Deposit for the Trust is February
24, 1998.
J. The minimum amount of Equity Securities to be sold by
the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.02 of the Indenture for the
redemption of Units shall be 100 shares.
PART III
A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust, references to subsequent
Series established after the date of effectiveness of the First
Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 24 shall include FT 239.
B. The term "Principal Account" as set forth in the
Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust shall be replaced with the
term "Capital Account."
C. Section 1.01(2) shall be amended to read as follows:
"(2) "Trustee" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank, or
any successor trustee appointed as hereinafter provided."
All references to United States Trust Company of New York in
the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust shall be amended to
refer to The Chase Manhattan Bank.
D. Section 1.01(3) shall be amended to read as follows:
"(3) "Evaluator" shall mean First Trust Advisors L.P.
and its successors in interest, or any successor evaluator
appointed as hereinafter provided."
E. Section 1.01(4) shall be amended to read as follows:
"(4) "Portfolio Supervisor" shall mean First Trust
Advisors L.P. and its successors in interest, or any
successor portfolio supervisor appointed as hereinafter
provided."
F. Section 1.01(29) shall be added to read as follows:
"(29) The term "Distribution Agent" shall refer to the
Trustee acting in its capacity as distribution agent
pursuant to Section 5.02 herein."
G. Paragraph (b) of Section 2.01 shall be restated in its
entirety as follows:
(b)(1)From time to time following the Initial Date of
Deposit, the Depositor is hereby authorized, in its
discretion, to assign, convey to and deposit with the
Trustee (i) additional Securities, duly endorsed in blank or
accompanied by all necessary instruments of assignment and
transfer in proper form, (ii) Contract Obligations relating
to such additional Securities, accompanied by cash and/or
Letter(s) of Credit as specified in paragraph (c) of this
Section 2.01, or (iii) cash (or a Letter of Credit in lieu
of cash) with instructions to purchase additional
Securities, in an amount equal to the portion of the Unit
Value of the Units created by such deposit attributable to
the Securities to be purchased pursuant to such
instructions. Except as provided in the following
subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) the Depositor, in each case,
shall ensure that each deposit of additional Securities
pursuant to this Section shall maintain, as nearly as
practicable, the Percentage Ratio. Each such deposit of
additional Securities shall be made pursuant to a Notice of
Deposit of Additional Securities delivered by the Depositor
to the Trustee. Instructions to purchase additional
Securities shall be in writing, and shall specify the name
of the Security, CUSIP number, if any, aggregate amount,
price or price range and date to be purchased. When
requested by the Trustee, the Depositor shall act as broker
to execute purchases in accordance with such instructions;
the Depositor shall be entitled to compensation therefor in
accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Trustee
shall have no liability for any loss or depreciation
resulting from any purchase made pursuant to the Depositor's
instructions or made by the Depositor as broker.
(2) Additional Securities (or Contract Obligations
therefor) may, at the Depositor's discretion, be deposited
or purchase in round lots. If the amount of the deposit is
insufficient to acquire round lots of each Security to be
acquired, the additional Securities shall be deposited or
purchased in the order of the Security in the Trust most
under-represented immediately before the deposit with
respect to the Percentage Ratio.
(3) If at the time of a deposit of additional
Securities, Securities of an issue deposited on the Initial
Date of Deposit (or of an issue of Replacement Securities
acquired to replace an issue deposited on the Initial Date
of Deposit) are unavailable, cannot be purchased at
reasonable prices or their purchase is prohibited or
restricted by applicable law, regulation or policies, the
Depositor may (i) deposit, or instruct the Trustee to
purchase, in lieu thereof, another issue of Securities or
Replacement Securities or (ii) deposit cash or a letter of
credit in an amount equal to the valuation of the issue of
Securities whose acquisition is not feasible with
instructions to acquire such Securities of such issue when
they become available.
(4) Any contrary authorization in the preceding
subparagraphs (1) through (3) notwithstanding, deposits of
additional Securities made after the 90-day period
immediately following the Initial Date of Deposit (except
for deposits made to replace Failed Contract Obligations if
such deposits occur within 20 days from the date of a
failure occurring within such initial 90-day period) shall
maintain exactly the Percentage Ratio existing immediately
prior to such deposit.
(5) In connection with and at the time of any deposit
of additional Securities pursuant to this Section 2.01(b),
the Depositor shall exactly replicate Cash (as defined
below) received or receivable by the Trust as of the date of
such deposit. For purposes of this paragraph, "Cash" means,
as to the Capital Account, cash or other property (other
than Securities) on hand in the Capital Account or
receivable and to be credited to the Capital Account as of
the date of the deposit (other than amounts to be
distributed solely to persons other than holders of Units
created by the deposit) and, as to the Income Account, cash
or other property (other than Securities) received by the
Trust as of the date of the deposit or receivable by the
Trust in respect of a record date for a payment on a
Security which has occurred or will occur before the Trust
will be the holder of record of a Security, reduced by the
amount of any cash or other property received or receivable
on any Security allocable (in accordance with the Trustee's
calculations of distributions from the Income Account
pursuant to Section 3.05) to a distribution made or to be
made in respect of a Record Date occurring prior to the
deposit. Such replication will be made on the basis of a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Units
created by the deposit and the denominator of which is the
number of Units which are outstanding immediately prior to
the deposit.
H. The following shall be added immediately following the
first sentence of paragraph (c) of Section 2.01:
"The Trustee may allow the Depositor to substitute for any
Letter(s) of Credit deposited with the Trustee in connection with
the deposits described in Section 2.01(a) and (b) cash in an
amount sufficient to satisfy the obligations to which the
Letter(s) of Credit relates. Any substituted Letter(s) of Credit
shall be released by the Trustee."
I. Section 2.03(a) of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust shall be amended by adding the following sentence after the
first sentence of such section:
"The number of Units may be increased through a split
of the Units or decreased through a reverse split thereof,
as directed in writing by the Depositor, at any time when
the Depositor is the only beneficial holder of Units, which
revised number of Units shall be recorded by the Trustee on
its books. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the
Depositor's direction as certification that no person other
than the Depositor has a beneficial interest in the Units
and the Trustee shall have no liability to any person for
action taken pursuant to such direction."
J. Section 3.01 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust shall be replaced in its entirety with the following:
"Section 3.01. Initial Cost. The expenses incurred in
establishing a Trust, including the cost of the preparation
and typesetting of the registration statement, prospectuses
(including preliminary prospectuses), the indenture and
other documents relating to the Trust, printing of
Certificates, Securities and Exchange Commission and state
blue sky registration fees, the costs of the initial
valuation of the portfolio and audit of the Trust, the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee, and legal and
other out-of-pocket expenses related thereto, but not
including the expenses incurred in the printing of
preliminary prospectuses and prospectuses, expenses incurred
in the preparation and printing of brochures and other
advertising materials and any other selling expenses, to the
extent not borne by the Depositor, shall be borne by the
Trust. To the extent the funds in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust shall be insufficient to pay the
expenses borne by the Trust specified in this Section 3.01,
the Trustee shall advance out of its own funds and cause to
be deposited and credited to the Income Account such amount
as may be required to permit payment of such expenses. The
Trustee shall be reimbursed for such advance on each Record
Date from funds on hand in the Income Account or, to the
extent funds are not available in such Account, from the
Capital Account, in the amount deemed to have accrued as of
such Record Date as provided in the following sentence (less
prior payments on account of such advances, if any), and the
provisions of Section 6.04 with respect to the reimbursement
of disbursements for Trust expenses, including, without
limitation, the lien in favor of the Trustee therefor and
the authority to sell Securities as needed to fund such
reimbursement, shall apply to the payment of expenses and
the amounts advanced pursuant to this Section. For the
purposes of the preceding sentence and the addition provided
in clause (4) of the first sentence of Section 5.01, the
expenses borne by the Trust pursuant to this Section shall
be deemed to have been paid on the date of the Trust
Agreement and to accrue at a daily rate over the time period
specified for their amortization provided in the Prospectus;
provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
prevent, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, full
reimbursement for any advances made pursuant to this Section
no later than the termination of the Trust. For purposes of
calculating the accrual of organizational expenses under
this Section 3.01, the Trustee shall rely on the written
estimates of such expenses provided by the Depositor
pursuant to Section 5.01."
K. The second paragraph of Section 3.02 of the Standard
Terms and Conditions is hereby deleted and replaced with the
following sentence:
"Any non-cash distributions (other than a non-taxable
distribution of the shares of the distributing corporation
which shall be retained by a Trust) received by a Trust
shall be dealt with in the manner described at Section 3.11,
herein, and shall be retained or disposed of by such Trust
according to those provisions. The proceeds of any
disposition shall be credited to the Income Account of a
Trust. Neither the Trustee nor the Depositor shall be
liable or responsible in any way for depreciation or loss
incurred by reason of any such sale."
L. Section 3.05.II(a) of the Standard Terms and Conditions
of Trust is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"II. (a) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall
distribute to each Unit holder of record at the close of
business on the Record Date immediately preceding such
Distribution Date an amount per Unit equal to such Unit
holder's Income Distribution (as defined below), plus such
Unit holder's pro rata share of the balance of the Capital
Account (except for monies on deposit therein required to
purchase Contract Obligations) computed as of the close of
business on such Record Date after deduction of any amounts
provided in Subsection I, provided, however, that the
Trustee shall not be required to make a distribution from
the Capital Account unless the amount available for
distribution shall equal $1.00 per 100 Units.
Each Trust shall provide the following distribution
elections: (1) distributions to be made by check mailed to
the post office address of the Unit holder as it appears on
the registration books of the Trustee, or (2) if provided
for in the Prospectus, the following reinvestment option:
The Trustee will, for any Unit holder who provides
the Trustee written instruction, properly executed and
in form satisfactory to the Trustee, received by the
Trustee no later than its close of business 10 business
days prior to a Record Date (the "Reinvestment Notice
Date"), reinvest such Unit holder's distribution from
the Income and Capital Accounts in Units of the Trust,
purchased from the Depositor, to the extent the
Depositor shall make Units available for such purchase,
at the Depositor's offering price as of the third
business day prior to the following Distribution Date,
and at such reduced sales charge as may be described in
the prospectus for the Trusts. If, for any reason, the
Depositor does not have Units of the Trust available
for purchase, the Trustee shall distribute such Unit
holder's distribution from the Income and Capital
Accounts in the manner provided in clause (1) of the
preceding paragraph. The Trustee shall be entitled to
rely on a written instruction received as of the
Reinvestment Notice Date and shall not be affected by
any subsequent notice to the contrary. The Trustee
shall have no responsibility for any loss or
depreciation resulting from any reinvestment made in
accordance with this paragraph, or for any failure to
make such reinvestment in the event the Depositor does
not make Units available for purchase.
Any Unit holder who does not effectively elect
reinvestment in Units of their respective Trust pursuant to
the preceding paragraph shall receive a cash distribution in
the manner provided in clause (1) of the second preceding
paragraph."
M. Section 3.05.II(b) of the Standard Terms and Conditions
of Trust is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"II. (b) For purposes of this Section 3.05, the Unit
holder's Income Distribution shall be equal to such Unit
holder's pro rata share of the cash balance in the Income
Account computed as of the close of business on the Record
Date immediately preceding such Income Distribution after
deduction of (i) the fees and expenses then deductible
pursuant to Section 3.05.I. and (ii) the Trustee's estimate
of other expenses properly chargeable to the Income Account
pursuant to the Indenture which have accrued, as of such
Record Date, or are otherwise properly attributable to the
period to which such Income Distribution relates."
N. Paragraph (c) of Subsection II of Section 3.05 of the
Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust is hereby amended to read
as follows:
"On each Distribution Date the Trustee shall distribute
to each Unit holder of record at the close of business on
the Record Date immediately preceding such Distribution Date
an amount per Unit equal to such Unit holder's pro rata
share of the balance of the Capital Account (except for
monies on deposit therein required to purchase Contract
Obligations) computed as of the close of business on such
Record Date after deduction of any amounts provided in
Subsection I."
O. Section 3.05 of Article III of the Standard Terms and
Conditions of Trust is hereby amended to include the following
subsection:
"Section 3.05.I.(e) deduct from the Interest Account
or, to the extent funds are not available in such Account,
from the Capital Account and pay to the Depositor the amount
that it is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 3.14.
P. Section 3.11 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
following language:
"Section 3.11. Notice to Depositor.
In the event that the Trustee shall have been notified
at any time of any action to be taken or proposed to be
taken by at least a legally required number of holders of
any Securities deposited in a Trust, the Trustee shall take
such action or omit from taking any action, as appropriate,
so as to insure that the Securities are voted as closely as
possible in the same manner and the same general proportion
as are the Securities held by owners other than such Trust.
In the event that an offer by the issuer of any of the
Securities or any other party shall be made to issue new
securities, or to exchange securities, for Trust Securities,
the Trustee shall reject such offer. However, should any
issuance, exchange or substitution be effected
notwithstanding such rejection or without an initial offer,
any securities, cash and/or property received shall be
deposited hereunder and shall be promptly sold, if
securities or property, by the Trustee pursuant to the
Depositor's direction, unless the Depositor advises the
Trustee to keep such securities or property. The Depositor
may rely on the Portfolio Supervisor in so advising the
Trustee. The cash received in such exchange and cash
proceeds of any such sales shall be distributed to Unit
holders on the next distribution date in the manner set
forth in Section 3.05 regarding distributions from the
Capital Account. The Trustee shall not be liable or
responsible in any way for depreciation or loss incurred by
reason of any such sale.
Neither the Depositor nor the Trustee shall be liable
to any person for any action or failure to take action
pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.11.
Whenever new securities or property is received and
retained by a Trust pursuant to this Section 3.11, the
Trustee shall, within five days thereafter, mail to all Unit
holders of such Trust notices of such acquisition unless
legal counsel for such Trust determines that such notice is
not required by The Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended."
Q. The first sentence of Section 3.13. shall be amended to
read as follows:
"As compensation for providing supervisory portfolio
services under this Indenture, the Portfolio Supervisor
shall receive, in arrears, against a statement or statements
therefor submitted to the Trustee monthly or annually an
aggregate annual fee in an amount which shall not exceed
$0.0035 per Unit outstanding as of January 1 of such year
except for a Trust during the year or years in which an
initial offering period as determined in Section 4.01 of
this Indenture occurs, in which case the fee for a month is
based on the number of Units outstanding at the end of such
month (such annual fee to be pro rated for any calendar year
in which the Portfolio Supervisor provides services during
less than the whole of such year), but in no event shall
such compensation when combined with all compensation
received from other series of the Trust for providing such
supervisory services in any calendar year exceed the
aggregate cost to the Portfolio Supervisor for the cost of
providing such services."
R. Article III of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust is hereby amended by inserting the following paragraphs
which shall be entitled Section 3.14.:
"Section 3.14. Bookkeeping and Administrative Expenses.
As compensation for providing bookkeeping and other
administrative services of a character described in Section
26(a)(2)(C) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the
extent such services are in addition to, and do not
duplicate, the services to be provided hereunder by the
Trustee or the Portfolio Supervisor, the Depositor shall
receive against a statement or statements therefor submitted
to the Trustee monthly or annually an aggregate annual fee
in an amount as set forth in the Prospectus times the number
of Units outstanding as of January 1 of such year except for
a year or years in which an initial offering period as
determined by Section 4.01 of this Indenture occurs, in
which case the fee for a month is based on the number of
Units outstanding at the end of such month (such annual fee
to be pro rated for any calendar year in which the Depositor
provides service during less than the whole of such year),
but in no event shall such compensation when combined with
all compensation received from other unit investment trusts
for which the Depositor hereunder is acting as Depositor for
providing such bookkeeping and administrative services in
any calendar year exceed the aggregate cost to the Depositor
providing services to such unit investment trusts. Such
compensation may, from time to time, be adjusted provided
that the total adjustment upward does not, at the time of
such adjustment, exceed the percentage of the total
increase, after the date hereof, in consumer prices for
services as measured by the United States Department of
Labor Consumer Price Index entitled "All Services Less Rent
of Shelter" or similar index, if such index should no longer
be published. The consent or concurrence of any Unit holder
hereunder shall not be required for any such adjustment or
increase. Such compensation shall be paid by the Trustee,
upon receipt of an invoice therefor from the Depositor, upon
which, as to the cost incurred by the Depositor of providing
services hereunder the Trustee may rely, and shall be
charged against the Income and Capital Accounts on or before
the Distribution Date following the Monthly Record Date on
which such period terminates. The Trustee shall have no
liability to any Certificateholder or other person for any
payment made in good faith pursuant to this Section.
If the cash balance in the Income and Capital Accounts
shall be insufficient to provide for amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 3.14, the Trustee shall have the
power to sell (i) Securities from the current list of
Securities designated to be sold pursuant to Section 5.02
hereof, or (ii) if no such Securities have been so
designated, such Securities as the Trustee may see fit to
sell in its own discretion, and to apply the proceeds of any
such sale in payment of the amounts payable pursuant to this
Section 3.14.
Any moneys payable to the Depositor pursuant to this
Section 3.14 shall be secured by a prior lien on the Trust
Fund except that no such lien shall be prior to any lien in
favor of the Trustee under the provisions of Section 6.04
herein.
S. Section 5.01 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust shall be amended as follows:
(i) The first sentence of the first paragraph of
Section 5.01 shall be amended by deleting the phrase
"together with all other assets of the Trust" at the end of
such sentence and adding the following at the conclusion
thereof: ", plus (4) amounts representing organizational
expenses paid from the Trust less amounts representing
accrued organizational expenses of the Trust, plus (5) all
other assets of the Trust."
(ii) The following shall be added at the end of the
first paragraph of Section 5.01:
Until the Depositor has informed the Trustee that
there will be no further deposits of Additional
Securities pursuant to section 2.01(b), the Depositor
shall provide the Trustee with written estimates of (i)
the total organizational expenses to be borne by the
Trust pursuant to Section 3.01 and (ii) the total
number of Units to be issued in connection with the
initial deposit and all anticipated deposits of
additional Securities. For purposes of calculating the
Trust Fund Evaluation and Unit Value, the Trustee shall
treat all such anticipated expenses as having been paid
and all liabilities therefor as having been incurred,
and all Units as having been issued, in each case on
the date of the Trust Agreement, and, in connection
with each such calculation, shall take into account a
pro rata portion of such expense and liability based on
the actual number of Units issued as of the date of
such calculation. In the event the Trustee is informed
by the Depositor of a revision in its estimate of total
expenses or total Units and upon the conclusion of the
deposit of additional Securities, the Trustee shall
base calculations made thereafter on such revised
estimates or actual expenses, respectively, but such
adjustment shall not affect calculations made prior
thereto and no adjustment shall be made in respect
thereof.
T. Section 5.02 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust is amended by adding the following after the second
paragraph of such section:
"Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in
the event that any tender of Units pursuant to this Section
5.02 would result in the disposition by the Trustee of less
than a whole Security, the Trustee shall distribute cash in
lieu thereof and sell such Securities as directed by the
Sponsors as required to make such cash available.
Subject to the restrictions set forth in the
Prospectus, Unit holders may redeem 2,500 Units or more of a
Trust and request a distribution in kind of (i) such Unit
holder's pro rata portion of each of the Securities in such
Trust, in whole shares, and (ii) cash equal to such Unit
holder's pro rata portion of the Income and Capital Accounts
as follows: (x) a pro rata portion of the net proceeds of
sale of the Securities representing any fractional shares
included in such Unit holder's pro rata share of the
Securities and (y) such other cash as may properly be
included in such Unit holder's pro rata share of the sum of
the cash balances of the Income and Capital Accounts in an
amount equal to the Unit Value determined on the basis of a
Trust Fund Evaluation made in accordance with Section 5.01
determined by the Trustee on the date of tender less amounts
determined in clauses (i) and (ii)(x) of this Section.
Subject to Section 5.05 with respect to Rollover Unit
holders, if applicable, to the extent possible,
distributions of Securities pursuant to an in kind
redemption of Units shall be made by the Trustee through the
distribution of each of the Securities in book-entry form to
the account of the Unit holder's bank or broker-dealer at
the Depository Trust Company. Any distribution in kind will
be reduced by customary transfer and registration charges."
U. Paragraph (g) of Section 6.01 of the Standard Terms and
Conditions of Trust is hereby amended by inserting the following
after the first word thereof:
"(i) the value of any Trust as shown by an evaluation
by the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.01 hereof shall be less
than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of
Securities deposited in such Trust during the initial
offering period, or (ii)"
V. Section 8.02 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of
Trust shall be amended as follows:
(i) The fourth sentence of the second paragraph shall
be deleted and replaced with the following:
"The Trustee will honor duly executed requests for in-
kind distributions received (accompanied by the electing
Unit holder's Certificate, if issued) by the close of
business ten business days prior to the Mandatory
Termination Date."
(ii) The first sentence of the fourth paragraph shall
be deleted and replaced with the following:
"Commencing no earlier than the business day following
that date on which Unit holders must submit to the Trustee
notice of their request to receive an in-kind distribution
of Securities at termination, the Trustee will liquidate the
Securities not segregated for in-kind distributions during
such period and in such daily amounts as the Depositor shall
direct."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nike Securities L.P., The Chase
Manhattan Bank and First Trust Advisors L.P. have each caused
this Trust Agreement to be executed and the respective corporate
seal to be hereto affixed and attested (if applicable) by
authorized officers; all as of the day, month and year first
above written.
NIKE SECURITIES L.P.,
Depositor
By Robert M. Porcellino
Vice President
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
Trustee
By Rosalia A. Raviele
Vice President
[SEAL]
ATTEST:
John Koopman
Assistant Treasurer
FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.,
Evaluator
By Robert M. Porcellino
Vice President
FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.,
Portfolio Supervisor
By Robert M. Porcellino
Vice President
SCHEDULE A TO TRUST AGREEMENT
Securities Initially Deposited
FT 239
(Note: Incorporated herein and made a part hereof for the
Trust is the "Schedule of Investments" for the Trust as set forth
in the Prospectus.)
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
February 24, 1998
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Re: FT 239
Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Nike Securities L.P., as
Sponsor and Depositor of FT 239 in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of a Trust Agreement dated
February 24, 1998 among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P. as
Evaluator and Portfolio Supervisor, pursuant to which the
Depositor has delivered to and deposited the Securities listed in
Schedule A to the Trust Agreement with the Trustee and pursuant
to which the Trustee has issued to or on the order of the
Depositor a certificate or certificates representing units of
fractional undivided interest in and ownership of the Fund
created under said Trust Agreement.
In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent
records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed
necessary in order to enable us to express the opinions
hereinafter set forth.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. the execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement and
the execution and issuance of certificates evidencing the Units
in the Fund have been duly authorized; and
2. the certificates evidencing the Units in the Fund when
duly executed and delivered by the Depositor and the Trustee in
accordance with the aforementioned Trust Agreement, will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Fund and the
Depositor in accordance with the terms thereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (File No. 333-44817)
relating to the Units referred to above, to the use of our name
and to the reference to our firm in said Registration Statement
and in the related Prospectus.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EFF:erg
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
February 24, 1998
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
Re: FT 239
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Nike Securities L.P., Depositor
of FT 239 (the "Fund"), in connection with the issuance of units
of fractional undivided interest in the Trust of said Fund (the
"Trust"), under a Trust Agreement, dated February 24, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Trustee and Muller Data Corporation, as
Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio
Supervisor.
In this connection, we have examined the Registration
Statement, the form of Prospectus proposed to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Indenture and such other
instruments and documents we have deemed pertinent. The opinions
expressed herein assume that the Trust will be administered, and
investments by the Trust from proceeds of subsequent deposits, if
any, will be made, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
The Trust holds Equity Securities as such term is defined in the
Prospectus. For purposes of the following discussion and
opinion, it is assumed that each Equity Security is equity for
Federal income tax purposes.
Based upon the foregoing and upon an investigation of such
matters of law as we consider to be applicable, we are of the
opinion that, under existing United States Federal income tax
law:
I. The Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation for Federal income tax purposes, but will be governed
by the provisions of subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter
1, Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"); each Unit holder
will be treated as the owner of a pro rata portion of each of the
assets of the Trust, in the proportion that the number of Units
held by him bears to the total number of Units outstanding; under
Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Code, income of the
Trust will be treated as income of the Unit holders in the
proportion described above; and an item of Trust income will have
the same character in the hands of a Unit holder as it would have
in the hands of the Trustee. Each Unit holder will be considered
to have received his pro rata share of income derived from the
Trust asset when such income is considered to be received by the
Trust.
II. The price a Unit holder pays for his Units, generally
including sales charges, is allocated among his pro rata portion
of each Equity Security held by the Trust (in proportion to the
fair market values thereof on the valuation date closest to the
date the Unit holder purchases his Units) in order to determine
his tax basis for his pro rata portion of each Equity Security
held by the Trust. For Federal income tax purposes, a Unit
holder's pro rata portion of distributions of cash or property by
a corporation with respect to an Equity Security ("dividends" as
defined by Section 316 of the Code) is taxable as ordinary income
to the extent of such corporation's current and accumulated
"earnings and profits." A Unit holder's pro rata portion of
dividends paid on such Equity Security which exceeds such current
and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a Unit
holder's tax basis in such Equity Security, and to the extent
that such dividends exceed a Unit holder's tax basis in such
Equity Security shall be treated as gain from the sale or
exchange of property.
III. Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unit holder
(subject to various nonrecognition provisions under the Code)
upon redemption or sale of his Units, except to the extent an in
kind distribution of stock is received by such Unit holder from
the Trust as discussed below. Such gain or loss is measured by
comparing the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the
adjusted basis of his Units. Before adjustment, such basis would
normally be cost if the Unit holder had acquired his Units by
purchase. Such basis will be reduced, but not below zero, by the
Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends with respect to each
Equity Security which is not taxable as ordinary income.
IV. If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by
sale, exchange, liquidation, redemption, payment on maturity or
otherwise) gain or loss will be recognized to a Unit holder
(subject to various nonrecognition provisions under the Code) and
the amount thereof will be measured by comparing the Unit
holders aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed
of. Such basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for
his Units (as of the date on which the Units were acquired) among
each of the Trusts assets (as of the date on which his Units
were acquired) ratably according to their values as of the
valuation date nearest the date on which he purchased the Units.
A Unit holders basis in his Units and his fractional interest in
each of the Trust assets must be reduced, but not below zero, by
the Unit holders pro rata portion of dividends with respect to
each Equity Security which are not taxable as ordinary income.
V. Under the indenture, under certain circumstances, a
Unit holder tendering Units for redemption may request an in kind
distribution of Equity Securities upon the redemption of Units or
upon the termination of the Trust. As previously discussed,
prior to the redemption of Units or the termination of the Trust,
a Unit holder is considered as owning a pro rata portion of each
of the Trust's assets. The receipt of an in kind distribution
will result in a Unit holder receiving an undivided interest in
whole shares of stock and possibly cash. The potential federal
income tax consequences which may occur under an in kind
distribution with respect to each Equity Security owned by the
Trust will depend upon whether or not a Unit holder receives cash
in addition to Equity Securities. An "Equity Security" for this
purpose is a particular class of stock issued by a particular
corporation. A Unit holder will not recognize gain or loss if a
Unit holder only receives Equity Securities in exchange for his
or her pro rata portion of the Equity Securities held by the
Trust. However, if a Unit holder also receives cash in exchange
for a fractional share of an Equity Security held by the Trust,
such Unit holder will generally recognize gain or loss based upon
the difference between the amount of cash received by the Unit
holder and his tax basis in such fractional share of an Equity
Security held by the Trust. The total amount of taxable gains
(or losses) recognized upon such redemption will generally equal
the sum of the gain (or loss) recognized under the rules
described above by the redeeming Unit holder with respect to each
Equity Security owned by the Trust.
A domestic corporation owning Units in the Trust may be
eligible for the 70% dividends received deduction pursuant to
Section 243(a) of the Code with respect to such Unit holders' pro
rata portion of dividends received by the Trust (to the extent
such dividends are taxable as ordinary income, as discussed
above, and are attributable to domestic corporations), subject to
the limitations imposed by Sections 246 and 246A of the Code.
Section 67 of the Code provides that certain miscellaneous
itemized deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return
preparation fees and employee business expenses will be
deductible by an individual only to the extent they exceed 2% of
such individual's adjusted gross income. Unit holders may be
required to treat some or all of the expenses of the Trust as
miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
A Unit holder will recognize taxable gain (or loss)when all
or part of the pro rata interest in an Equity Security is either
sold by the Trust or redeemed or when a Unit holder disposes of
his Units in a taxable transaction, in each case for an amount
greater (or less) than his tax basis therefor; subject to various
nonrecognition provisions of the Code.
Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or exchange will,
under current law, generally be capital gain or loss.
The scope of this opinion is expressly limited to the
matters set forth herein, and, except as expressly set forth
above, we express no opinion with respect to any other taxes,
including foreign, state or local taxes or collateral tax
consequences with respect to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Units.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (File No. 333-44817)
relating to the Units referred to above and to the use of our
name and to the reference to our firm in said Registration
Statement and in the related Prospectus.
Very truly yours,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
EFF/erg
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
2 WALL STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
February 24, 1998
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee of
FT 239
4 New York Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
Attention: Mr. Thomas Porrazzo
Vice President
Re: FT 239
Dear Sirs:
We are acting as special counsel with respect to New York
tax matters for the unit investment trust or trusts contained in
FT 239 (each, a "Trust"), which will be established under certain
Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust dated November 20, 1991,
and a related Trust Agreement dated as of today (collectively,
the "Indenture") among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor (the
"Depositor"), First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator, First
Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Pursuant to the
terms of the Indenture, units of fractional undivided interest in
the Trust (the "Units") will be issued in the aggregate number
set forth in the Indenture.
We have examined and are familiar with originals or
certified copies, or copies otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. In giving this
opinion, we have relied upon the two opinions, each dated today
and addressed to the Trustee, of Chapman and Cutler, counsel for
the Depositor, with respect to the matters of law set forth
therein.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust will not constitute an association taxable as
a corporation under New York law, and accordingly will not be
subject to the New York State franchise tax or the New York City
general corporation tax.
2. Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New
York, the income of the Trust will be considered the income of
the holders of the Units.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement (No. 333-44817) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the
registration of the sale of the Units and to the references to
our name under the captions "What is the Federal Tax Status of
Unit-holders?" and "Legal Opinions" in such Registration
Statement and the preliminary prospectus included therein.
Very truly yours,
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
2 WALL STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
February 24, 1998
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee of
FT 239
4 New York Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
Attention: Mr. Thomas Porrazzo
Vice President
Re: FT 239
Dear Sirs:
We are acting as counsel for The Chase Manhattan Bank
("Chase") in connection with the execution and delivery of a
Trust Agreement ("the Trust Agreement") dated today's date (which
Trust Agreement incorporates by reference certain Standard Terms
and Conditions of Trust dated November 20, 1991, and the same are
collectively referred to herein as the "Indenture") among Nike
Securities L.P., as Depositor (the "Depositor"), First Trust
Advisors L.P., as Evaluator; First Trust Advisors L.P., as
Portfolio Supervisor; and Chase, as Trustee (the "Trustee"),
establishing the unit investment trust or trusts included in FT
239 (each, a "Trust"), and the confirmation by Chase, as Trustee
under the Indenture, that it has registered on the registration
books of the Trust the ownership by the Depositor of a number of
units constituting the entire interest in the Trust (such
aggregate units being herein called "Units"), each of which
represents an undivided interest in the respective Trust which
consists of common stocks (including, confirmations of contracts
for the purchase of certain stocks not delivered and cash, cash
equivalents or an irrevocable letter of credit or a combination
thereof, in the amount required for such purchase upon the
receipt of such stocks), such stocks being defined in the
Indenture as Securities and referenced in the Schedule to the
Indenture.
We have examined the Indenture, a specimen of the
certificates to be issued hereunder (the "Certificates"), the
Closing Memorandum dated todays date, and such other documents
as we have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. Chase is a duly organized and existing corporation
having the powers of a Trust Company under the laws of the State
of New York.
2. The Trust Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Chase and, assuming due execution and delivery by
the other parties thereto, constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of Chase.
3. The Certificates are in proper form for execution and
delivery by Chase, as Trustee.
4. Chase, as Trustee, has registered on the registration
books of the Trust the ownership of the Units by the Depositor.
Upon receipt of confirmation of the effectiveness of the
registration statement for the sale of the Units filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, the Trustee may deliver Certificates for such Units, in
such names and denominations as the Depositor may request, to or
upon the order of the Depositor as provided in the Closing
Memorandum.
5. Chase, as Trustee, may lawfully advance to the Trust
amounts as may be necessary to provide periodic interest
distributions of approximately equal amounts, and be reimbursed,
without interest, for any such advances from funds in the
interest account, as provided in the Indenture.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have not considered,
among other things, whether the Securities have been duly
authorized and delivered.
Very truly yours,
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
First Trust Advisors L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
February 24, 1998
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, IL 60532
Re: FT 239
Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement File No.
333-44817 for the above captioned fund. We hereby consent to the
use in the Registration Statement of the references to First
Trust Advisors L.P. as evaluator.
You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sincerely,
First Trust Advisors L.P.
Robert M. Porcellino
Vice President
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