EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST /DE/
485BPOS, 1999-05-18
Previous: EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST /DE/, 485BPOS, 1999-05-18
Next: EVERGREEN MUNICIPAL TRUST /DE/, 485BPOS, 1999-05-18







                         1933 Act Registration No. 333-76129

                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   Form N-14

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                [ ] Pre-Effective            [X] Post-Effective
                    Amendment No.            Amendment No. 1


                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
                  (Evergreen Fund and Evergreen Micro Cap Fund)
               [Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                 Area Code and Telephone Number: (617) 210-3200

                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                       -----------------------------------
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                             Michael H. Koonce, Esq.
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                    -----------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                        
         Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as possible after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.

         The Registrant has registered an indefinite  amount of securities under
the  Securities  Act of 1933  pursuant  to Section  24(f)  under the  Investment
Company Act of 1940 (File No. 333-50059); accordingly, no fee is payable
herewith.  Pursuant  to Rule 429,  this  Registration  Statement  relates to the
aforementioned   registration  on  Form  N-1A.  A  Rule  24f-2  Notice  for  the
Registrant's fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 was filed with the Commission on or
about September 29, 1998.

         It is proposed  that this filing will become effective immediately
upon filing pursuant to Rule 488 of the Securities Act of 1933.


<PAGE>

                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET


         Pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act of 1933


                                               Location in Prospectus/
Item of Part A of Form N-14                    Proxy Statement
- ---------------------------                    -----------------------

1.       Beginning of Registration             Cross Reference Sheet;
         Statement and Outside                 Cover Page
         Front Cover Page of
         Prospectus

2.       Beginning and Outside                 Table of Contents
         Back Cover Page of
         Prospectus

3.       Fee Table, Synopsis and               Comparison of Fees and
         Risk Factors                          Expenses; Summary;
                                               Comparison of Investment
                                               Objectives and Policies;
                                               Risks

4.       Information About the                 Summary; Reasons for the
         Transaction                           Merger; Information on 
                                               Shareholders' Rights;
                                               Exhibit A (Agreement and
                                               Plan of Reorganization)


5.       Information about the                 Cover Page; Summary;
         Registrant                            Risks; Comparison of
                                               Investment Objectives and
                                               Policies; Information on
                                               Shareholders' Rights;
                                               Additional Information


6.       Information about the                 Cover Page; Summary;
         Company Being Acquired                Risks; Comparison of
                                               Investment Objective and
                                               Policies; Information on
                                               Shareholders' Rights;
                                               Additional Information

7.       Voting Information                    Cover Page; Summary;
                                               Voting Information
                                               Concerning the Meeting

8.       Interest of Certain                   Financial Statements and
         Persons and Experts                   Experts; Legal Matters

9.       Additional Information                Inapplicable
         Required for Reoffering
         by Persons Deemed to be
         Underwriters


                                               Location in Prospectus/
Item of Part B of Form N-14                    Proxy Statement
- ---------------------------                    -----------------------

10.      Cover Page                            Cover Page

11.      Table of Contents                     Omitted

12.      Additional Information                Statement of Additional
         About the Registrant                  Information of Evergreen
                                               Income and Growth Fund
                                               Dated April 1, 1998.



13.      Additional Information                Statement of Additional
         about the Company Being               Information of American
         Acquired                              Retirement Fund dated
                                               August 1, 1998;




14.      Financial Statements                  Financial Statements
                                               of Income and Growth
                                               dated March 31, 1998
                                               Financial Statements
                                               of Evergreen Fund
                                               dated September 30, 1998.


                                              Location in Prospectus/
Item of Part C of Form N-14                   Proxy Statement
- ---------------------------                   -----------------------

                                               Incorporated by Reference
15.      Indemnification                       to Part A Caption -
                                               "Information on Shareholders'
                                               Rights - Liability and
                                               Liability and
                                               Indemnification of
                                               Trustees"

16.      Exhibits                              Item 16.          Exhibits

17.      Undertakings                          Item 17.          Undertakings

<PAGE>

[Logo]                 Prospectus/Proxy StatementJune 1999

                    Important News For Evergreen Shareholders

We  encourage  you to read  the  attached  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  in full;
however,  the  following  answers to common  shareholder  questions  may provide
helpful information.

Q.       Why is Evergreen sending me this prospectus /proxy statement?

         Mutual fund  companies are required to obtain  shareholders'  votes for
         certain types of changes  affecting their funds. As a shareholder,  you
         have  the  right  to vote on  major  policy  decisions,  such as  those
         included here.

Q.       What are the issues contained in this prospectus/proxy statement?

         We would  like you to vote to  approve a  proposal  to merge  Evergreen
         American Retirement Fund into Evergreen Income and Growth Fund.

Q.       Why is Evergreen proposing this fund merger?

         There were a number of factors  behind the decision to merge  Evergreen
         American  Retirement  Fund  into  Evergreen  Income  and  Growth  Fund,
         including  the lack of  demand  for  American  Retirement  Fund and its
         declining performance.  The decision to merge this fund into Income and
         Growth  Fund was  logical  for three  primary  reasons:  the funds have
         similar portfolio characteristics,  similar risk  characteristics,  and
         are managed by Irene O'Neill.

Q.       How will these changes affect shareholders?

         The  reorganization  of this fund into Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
         means that  Evergreen  American  Retirement  Fund would no longer exist
         after July 23, 1999.  Shareholders would receive shares of the new fund
         in the  same  class,  with  comparable  or  lower  fees  and  the  same
         contingent  deferred  sales  charges  as the  shares  held prior to the
         reorganization. This is a non-taxable event for shareholders.

Q.       How do the board members of my fund recommend I vote?

         The Board  members of each fund  recommend  you vote in favor of or FOR
         the proposal on the enclosed Proxy Card.

Q.       Whom do I call for more information or to place my vote?

         Please call Shareholder  Communications  Corporation at  1-800-645-7816
         for  additional  information.  You may vote using any of the  following
         methods:

         Use the enclosed Proxy Card to record your vote either FOR,  AGAINST or
         ABSTAIN, then return the card in the postpaid envelope provided, or

         Complete the enclosed Proxy Card and FAX both sides of the card to
         1-800-451-8683, or

         Call 1-800-690-6903 and record your vote by telephone. Please have your
         Proxy Card at hand when you call and enter the 12 digit Control  Number
         found on the card, then follow the simple instructions, or

         Vote on the Internet by going to the website www.proxyvote.com or go to
         the   Proxy   Voting   link  on  the   Evergreen   Funds   website   at
         www.evergreen-funds.com.  Enter the 12 digit  Control  Number  found on
         your Proxy Card, then follow the simple instructions.

<PAGE>



                                      LOGO

   
                       EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND
                               200 Berkeley Street
                                Boston, MA 02116
    


 June 2, 1999

Dear Shareholder,

     As  a  shareholder  of  Evergreen   American   Retirement  Fund  ("American
Retirement Fund"), you are invited to vote on an important matter affecting your
Fund.  Specifically,  you are  invited to vote on a proposal  to merge  American
Retirement  Fund into  Evergreen  Income and  Growth  Fund  ("Income  and Growth
Fund"). Income and Growth Fund is another mutual fund managed by Evergreen Asset
Management  Corp.  that  invests  primarily  in  common  stocks  and  securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks and fixed income securities.

     If the merger is approved you will receive shares of Income and Growth Fund
having  the same  total  value as the  shares of  American  Retirement  Fund you
currently  own.  Details  about Income and Growth Fund's  investment  objective,
portfolio management team, performance,  etc., along with additional information
about the  proposed  merger,  are  contained  in the  attached  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.  You will not  incur  any  Federal  income  taxes as a result  of the
merger.

     The Board of Trustees of Evergreen Equity Trust has approved the merger and
recommends that you vote FOR this proposal.

     I realize that the attached  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  will take time to
review,  but your vote is very  important.  Please take the time to  familiarize
yourself with this information.  Votes on the proposal will be cast at a special
meeting of American  Retirement  Fund  shareholders to be held on July 23, 1999.
Although you are welcome to attend the meeting in person,  you do not need to do
so in order to vote your  shares.  If you do not expect to attend  the  meeting,
please  complete,  date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed
postage  paid  envelope.  Instructions  on how to  complete  the proxy  card are
included immediately after the Notice of Special Meeting.

   
     If you have any questions about the proposal or the proxy card, please call
Shareholder  Communications  Corporation at 800-645-7816.  You may also FAX your
completed  and  signed  proxy  card (both  front and back  sides) to  Management
Information  Services an ADP Company,  our proxy  tabulator,  at 800-451-8683 or
vote on the  Internet by going to the website  www.proxyvote.com  or by going to
the Voting link on the Evergreen Funds website at www.evergreen-funds.com.
    

     Thank you for  taking  this  matter  seriously  and  participating  in this
important process.


                                   Sincerely,

                              
                                  [ Signature ]

                                William M. Ennis
                                Managing Director
                                 Evergreen Funds



<PAGE>





                       EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116


                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON JULY 23, 1999



     Notice  is  hereby  given  that  a  Special   Meeting  (the  "Meeting")  of
Shareholders of Evergreen American Retirement Fund ("American Retirement Fund"),
a series of Evergreen Equity Trust, will be held at the offices of the Evergreen
funds, 26th Floor, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, on July 23,
1999 at 2:00 p.m. for the following purposes:

          1. To consider and act upon the Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization
     (the "Plan") dated as of April 30, 1999,  providing for the  acquisition of
     all of the  assets of  American  Retirement  Fund by  Evergreen  Income and
     Growth Fund ("Income and Growth Fund"), a series of Evergreen Equity Trust,
     in  exchange  for shares of Income and Growth  Fund and the  assumption  by
     Income and Growth Fund of the identified liabilities of American Retirement
     Fund. The Plan also provides for distribution of these shares of Income and
     Growth Fund to shareholders of American  Retirement Fund in liquidation and
     subsequent  termination of American Retirement Fund. A vote in favor of the
     Plan is a vote in favor of the  liquidation  and  dissolution  of  American
     Retirement Fund.

          2. To transact any other  business  which may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     On behalf of American  Retirement  Fund,  the Trustees of Evergreen  Equity
Trust have fixed the close of business on May 5, 1999 as the record date for the
determination  of  shareholders of the Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY.  SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT
EXPECT TO  ATTEND IN PERSON  ARE  URGED TO SIGN  WITHOUT  DELAY AND  RETURN  THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED  ENVELOPE,  WHICH  REQUIRES NO POSTAGE,  SO THAT
THEIR SHARES MAY BE  REPRESENTED  AT THE MEETING.  YOUR PROMPT  ATTENTION TO THE
ENCLOSED PROXY WILL HELP TO AVOID THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION.


                                             By Order of the Board of Trustees



                                                 Michael H. Koonce
                                                 Secretary

June 2, 1999


<PAGE>



                     INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXECUTING PROXY CARDS

     The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to
you and may help to avoid the time and expense  involved in validating your vote
if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

          1. INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the
     Registration on the proxy card.

          2. JOINT  ACCOUNTS:  Either party may sign,  but the name of the party
     signing should conform  exactly to a name shown in the  Registration on the
     proxy card.

          3. ALL OTHER  ACCOUNTS:  The  capacity of the  individual  signing the
     proxy  card  should  be  indicated  unless it is  reflected  in the form of
     Registration. For example:

          REGISTRATION                         VALID SIGNATURE

          CORPORATE ACCOUNTS
          (1) ABC Corp.                        ABC Corp.
          (2) ABC Corp.                        John Doe, Treasurer
          (3) ABC Corp.                        John Doe, Treasurer
              c/o John Doe, Treasurer
          (4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan    John Doe, Trustee

          TRUST ACCOUNTS
          (1) ABC Trust                        Jane B. Doe, Trustee
          (2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee             Jane B. Doe
              u/t/d 12/28/78

          CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS
          (1) John B. Smith, Cust.             John B. Smith
              f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA
          (2) John B. Smith                    John B. Smith, Jr., Executor




<PAGE>


                  PROSPECTUS/PROXY STATEMENT DATED JUNE 2, 1999

                            Acquisition of Assets of

                       EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND
                                   a series of
                             Evergreen Equity Trust
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116

                        By and in Exchange for Shares of

                        EVERGREEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
                                   a series of
                             Evergreen Equity Trust
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116

     This Prospectus/Proxy  Statement is being sent to shareholders of Evergreen
American Retirement Fund ("American Retirement Fund") to ask them to approve the
Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  (the  "Plan")  at a Special  Meeting  of
Shareholders  to be held on July 23,  1999 at 2:00 p.m.  at the  offices  of the
Evergreen funds, 200 Berkeley Street, 26th Floor,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02116,
and any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting").

     Under the Plan,  American  Retirement  Fund will be merged  into  Evergreen
Income and Growth Fund ("Income and Growth Fund").  This will be accomplished by
Income and Growth Fund acquiring all of the assets of American  Retirement  Fund
in  exchange  for shares of Income and Growth  Fund.  Along with  acquiring  the
assets of American  Retirement Fund, Income and Growth Fund will also assume the
identified  liabilities of American  Retirement  Fund. This  transaction will be
referred to as the  "Merger"  for the rest of this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement.
American  Retirement  Fund and Income and Growth Fund are sometimes  referred to
each  as  the  "Fund"  or  together  as the  "Funds"  in  this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.  After the Merger, American Retirement Fund shareholders will receive
shares  of  Income  and  Growth  Fund  and  American  Retirement  Fund  will  be
terminated. American Retirement Fund shareholders will receive Income and Growth
Fund shares that have the same letter  description (i.e. Class A, Class B, Class
C  or  Class   Y),   and  the  same   distribution-related   fees,   shareholder
servicing-related fees and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs"),  if any,
as the shares they currently hold ("Corresponding Shares").  American Retirement
Fund   shareholders  will  incur  no  fees  in  connection  with  receiving  the
Corresponding  Shares.   American  Retirement  Fund  shareholders  will  receive
Corresponding  Shares that have the same aggregate net asset value as the shares
they hold.  The Merger is being  structured  as a  tax-free  reorganization  for
federal income tax purposes.

   
      American  Retirement  Fund and Income and Growth  Fund are each a separate
series of Evergreen  Equity Trust,  an open-end  management  investment  company
registered  under the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as amended  (the "1940
Act").  The  investment  objective  of Income and Growth Fund is to seek current
income and  capital  appreciation  in the value of its  shares.  The  investment
objectives  of  American  Retirement  Fund  in  order  of  priority  are to seek
conservation of capital, reasonable income and capital growth.
    

     This Prospectus/Proxy Statement, which should be kept for future reference,
sets forth concisely the information  about Income and Growth Fund that American
Retirement Fund  shareholders  should know before voting on the Merger.  Certain
relevant  documents listed below,  which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission  ("SEC"),  are incorporated in whole or in part by reference
to  (which  means,  legally  considered  to be part  of)  this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.  A Statement of Additional Information dated June 2, 1999 relating to
this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement and the Merger, which includes the most recent
annual and  semi-annual  financial  statements  of Income  and  Growth  Fund and
American  Retirement Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is legally considered
to be part of this Prospectus/Proxy

   
Statement.  A copy of such Statement of Additional Information is available upon
request and without  charge by writing to Income and Growth Fund at 200 Berkeley
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 or by calling toll-free 1-800-645-7816.

     The two Prospectuses of Income and Growth Fund, one offering Class A, Class
B and Class C shares and the other  offering  Class Y shares,  dated December 1,
1998,  and its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 are legally
considered to be part of this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement insofar as they relate
to Income and  Growth  Fund only and not to any other  fund  described  therein.
Along with this Prospectus/Proxy Statement,  shareholders of American Retirement
Fund will receive copies of the Prospectus  pertaining to the class of shares of
Income  and  Growth  Fund  that  they will  receive  as a result of the  Merger.
Additional  information  about  Income  and  Growth  Fund  is  contained  in its
Statement of Additional Information dated December 1, 1998, which has been filed
with the SEC and which is available  upon request and without  charge by writing
to or calling  Income and Growth Fund at the address or telephone  number listed
in the paragraph above.

     The two  Prospectuses  of American  Retirement  Fund, one offering Class A,
Class B and Class C shares and the other offering  Class Y shares,  dated August
1, 1998 are legally  considered  to be part of this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement
insofar as they  relate to  American  Retirement  Fund only and not to any other
fund described  therein.  Copies of the  Prospectuses,  the related Statement of
Additional  Information,  and the Annual  Report for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1998 are  available  upon request and without  charge by writing to American
Retirement Fund at the address listed on the cover page of this Prospectus/Proxy
Statement or by calling toll-free 1-800-645-7816.
    

     THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  PASSED
UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS/PROXY   STATEMENT.   ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

     The shares offered by this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement are not deposits or
obligations  of any bank and are not insured or otherwise  protected by the U.S.
government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board
or any other government agency and involve  investment risk,  including possible
loss of capital.


<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page
COMPARISON OF FEES AND EXPENSES..........................................    7

   
SUMMARY .                                                                    9
     Proposed Plan of Reorganization.....................................   10
     Tax Consequences....................................................   10
     Investment Objectives and Policies of the Funds.....................   10
     Comparative Performance Information for each Fund...................   11
     Management of the Funds.............................................   11
     Investment Advisors.................................................   11
     Portfolio Management................................................   12
     Distribution of Shares..............................................   12
     Purchase and Redemption Procedures..................................   14
     Exchange Privileges.................................................   14
     Dividend Policy.....................................................   14
     Risks...............................................................   15

REASONS FOR THE MERGER...................................................   16
     Agreement and Plan of Reorganization................................   17
     Federal Income Tax Consequences.....................................   18
     Pro-forma Capitalization............................................   20
     Shareholder Information.............................................   20
    

COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.........................   22

   
INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS......................................   22
     Form of Organization................................................   22
     Capitalization......................................................   22
     Shareholder Liability...............................................   22
     Shareholder Meetings and Voting Rights..............................   23
     Liquidation or Dissolution..........................................   23
     Liability and Indemnification of Trustees...........................   23
    

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................................................   24

   
VOTING INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING................................   24

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS.........................................   25
    

LEGAL MATTERS............................................................   26

OTHER BUSINESS...........................................................   26

EXHIBIT A................................................................   A-1

EXHIBIT B................................................................   B-1


<PAGE>



                         COMPARISON OF FEES AND EXPENSES

   
     The amounts of fees and  expenses for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y
shares of American  Retirement  Fund and Income and Growth Fund are set forth in
the  following  tables and in the  examples.  The amounts given are based on the
actual expenses of American  Retirement Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998 and Income and Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. The pro
forma  amounts  for Class A,  Class B,  Class C and Class Y shares of Income and
Growth  Fund are based on what the  estimated  combined  expenses  of Income and
Growth Fund would be for the twelve months ended January 31, 1999.
    

     The following tables show:
   
o             the  shareholder  transaction  expenses and annual fund  operating
              expenses  associated  with an  investment in the Class A, Class B,
              Class C and Class Y shares of each of American Retirement Fund and
              Income and Growth Fund, and
    
o             the  shareholder  transaction  expenses and annual fund  operating
              expenses  associated  with an  investment in the Class A, Class B,
              Class C and Class Y shares of Income and Growth Fund  assuming the
              Merger takes place ("Income and Growth Fund Pro Forma").


                     Comparison of Class A, Class B, Class C
                and Class Y Shares of Income and Growth Fund With
                  Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y Shares
                           of American Retirement Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Income and Growth Fund                         American Retirement Fund

                           Class A   Class B      Class C      Class Y     Class A      Class B    Class C      Class Y
         
  <S>                         <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>           <C> 
Shareholder
   Transaction
   Expenses
Maximum Sales
   Load Imposed on
   Purchases (as a
   Percentage of
   Offering price)...... 4.75%      None     None          None         4.75%     None         None        None
Contingent Deferred                                                                             
   Sales Charge (as                                                                             
   A percentage of                                                                              
   Original purchase                                                                            
   Price or                                                                                     
   Redemption                                                                                   
   Proceeds,                                                                                    
   Whichever is                                                                                 
   Lower)............... None(1)    5.00% in 1.00% in      None         None(1)   5.00% in     1.00% in    None
                                    the      the first year                       the first    the first
                                    first    and 0.00%                            year         year
                                    year     thereafter                           declining to and 0.00%
                                    declining                                     1.00% in     thereafter
                                    to                                            the sixth
                                    1.00% in                                      year and
                                    the sixth                                     0.00%
                                    year and                                      thereafter
                                    0.00%
                                    thereafter



                                                 Income and Growth Fund          American Retirement Fund
                                            Class A Class B  Class C Class Y Class A Class B  Class C Class Y
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a
   Percentage of average daily net assets)
Management Fee ...........................   0.98%   0.98%    0.98%   0.98%   0.75%   0.75%    0.75%   0.75%
12b-1 Fees  (2)...........................   0.25%   1.00%    1.00%    None   0.25%   1.00%    1.00%    None
Other Expenses............................   0.27%   0.27%    0.27%   0.27%   0.40%   0.40%    0.40%   0.39%
                                             -----   -----    -----   -----   -----   -----    -----   -----
Annual Fund Operating Expenses ...........   1.50%   2.25%    2.25%   1.25%   1.40%   2.15%    2.15%   1.14%


                                                                                 Income and Growth Fund Pro
                                                                                 Forma
                                                          Class A     Class B             Class       Class Y
                                                                                        C
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a
   Percentage of offering price)......................    4.75%        None             None       None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage                                 
   Of original purchase price or redemption                                       
   Proceeds, whichever is lower)......................  None(1)   5.00% in the   1.00% in the firstNone
                                                                  first          year and 0.00%
                                                                  year declining thereafter
                                                                  to
                                                                  1.00% in the
                                                                  sixth year and
                                                                  0.00%
                                                                  thereafter


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a
   Percentage of average daily net assets)
   
     <S>                                                    <C>          <C>            <C>              <C>       
Management Fee (3)....................................    0.95%        0.95%           0.95%           0.95%
12b-1 Fees (2)........................................    0.25%        1.00%           1.00%            None
Other Expenses........................................    0.26%        0.26%           0.26%           0.26%
                                                          -----        -----           -----           -----
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (3)....................    1.46%        2.21%           2.21%           1.21%
    
</TABLE>

(1)  Investments  of $1 million or more are not  subject  to a  front-end  sales
     charge,  but may be subject to a contingent  deferred sales charge of 1.00%
     upon redemption within one year after the month of purchase.
(2)  Class A shares can pay up to 0.75% of  average  daily net assets as a 12b-1
     fee. For the foreseeable  future, the Class A 12b-1 fees will be limited to
     0.25% of average daily net assets.
   
(3)  For  a period of at least one year after  completion  of the Merger, Income
     and Growth Fund's investment advisor will waive 0.07% of its management
     fee. Including  such waiver, the  management fee would be 0.88% and Annual
     Fund Operating Expenses would be 1.39%, 2.14%, 2.14% and 1.14% for the
     Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares, respectively.


         Examples.  The  following  tables  show for Income and Growth  Fund and
American Retirement Fund, and for Income and Growth Fund pro forma, assuming the
Merger takes place, examples of the cumulative effect of shareholder transaction
expenses  and  annual  fund  operating  expenses  indicated  above on a  $10,000
investment in each class of shares for the periods specified,  assuming (i) a 5%
annual return,  and (ii)  redemption at the end of such period.  For Class B and
Class C shares, the tables also show the effect of shareholder expenses assuming
the shares are not  redeemed.  In the case of Income and Growth  Fund pro forma,
the  examples  reflect  the  imposition  of the  4.75%  maximum  sales  load  on
purchases.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Income and Growth Fund
                                                                              
                                                                          Three   Five
                                                                 One Year Years  Years  Ten Years
  <S>                                                                  <C>     <C>   <C>       <C>
Class A........................................................       $620   $927 $1,255    $2,180
Class B (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $728 $1,003 $1,405    $2,308
Class B (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $228   $703 $1,205    $2,308
Class C (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $328   $703 $1,205    $2,585
Class C (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $228   $703 $1,205    $2,585
Class Y........................................................                                       $127   $397   $686    $1,511

                                                                            American Retirement
                                                                              Fund
                                                                          Three   Five
                                                                 One Year Years  Years  Ten Years
     <S>                                                               <C>     <C>   <C>       <C>
Class A........................................................       $611   $897 $1,204    $2,075
Class B (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $718   $973 $1,354    $2,203
Class B (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $218   $673 $1,154    $2,203
Class C (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $318   $673 $1,154    $2,483
Class C (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $218   $673 $1,154    $2,483
Class Y........................................................       $116   $362   $628    $1,386

                                                                    Income and Growth Fund Pro
                                                                             Forma
                                                                          Three   Five
                                                                 One Year Years  Years  Ten Years
   

   <S>                                                                 <C>     <C>   <C>       <C>
Class A........................................................       $610   $894 $1,199    $2,064
Class B (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $724   $991 $1,385    $2,266
Class B (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $224   $691 $1,185    $2,266
Class C (assuming redemption at the end of the period).........       $324   $691 $1,185    $2,544
Class C (assuming no redemption at the end of the period)......       $224   $691 $1,185    $2,544
Class Y........................................................       $123   $384   $665    $1,466
    
</TABLE>

     The purpose of the foregoing examples is to assist American Retirement Fund
shareholders in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in
Income  and  Growth  Fund as a result of the  Merger  would  bear  directly  and
indirectly,  as compared with the various direct and indirect expenses currently
borne by a shareholder in American Retirement Fund. These examples should not be
considered a representation of past or future expenses or annual return.  Actual
expenses may be greater or less than those shown.


                                     SUMMARY

   
     This summary is  qualified  in its entirety by reference to the  additional
information  contained  elsewhere  in  this  Prospectus/Proxy   Statement,   the
Prospectuses of Income and Growth Fund dated December 1, 1998, the  Prospectuses
of American  Retirement Fund dated August 1, 1998 (which are legally  considered
to be a part of this Prospectus/Proxy Statement) and the Plan, the form of which
is attached to this Prospectus/Proxy Statement as Exhibit A.
    


Proposed Plan of Reorganization

     The Plan generally provides for the following:

o    the transfer of all of the assets of American  Retirement Fund in exchange
     for shares of Income and Growth Fund, and
o    the assumption by Income and Growth Fund of the identified liabilities of
     American Retirement Fund. (The identified liabilities consist only of those
     liabilities reflected on American Retirement Fund's statement of assets and
     liabilities determined immediately preceding the Merger.)

     The Plan also  calls for the  distribution  of shares of Income  and Growth
Fund to American  Retirement  Fund's  shareholders  in  liquidation  of American
Retirement  Fund as part of the Merger.  After the Merger,  the  shareholders of
American Retirement Fund will own Corresponding Shares of Income and Growth Fund
having the same aggregate net asset value as that of the shareholders' shares of
American  Retirement Fund, as of the close of business  immediately prior to the
date that American  Retirement  Fund's assets are exchanged for shares of Income
and  Growth  Fund.   See  "Reasons  for  the   Merger--Agreement   and  Plan  of
Reorganization."

     The Trustees of Evergreen Equity Trust,  including the Trustees who are not
"interested  persons," as such term is defined in the 1940 Act (the "Independent
Trustees"),  have  concluded  that the Merger would be in the best  interests of
American  Retirement  Fund  shareholders,  and that their  interests will not be
diluted as a result of the Merger. Accordingly,  the Trustees have submitted the
Plan for the approval of American Retirement Fund's shareholders.


                 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
         RECOMMENDS APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS OF AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND
                        OF THE PLAN EFFECTING THE MERGER.

     The  Trustees of  Evergreen  Equity  Trust have also  approved  the Plan on
behalf of Income and Growth Fund.

     Approval of the Merger will require the following:

o         In  order to have  the  Meeting,  at  least  25% (a  "quorum")  of the
          outstanding  shares of American  Retirement Fund entitled to vote must
          be represented at the Meeting in person or by shareholders  sending in
          a proxy card.
o         All classes of American Retirement  Fund will vote together as if they
          were a single class.
o         A majority (greater than 50%) of American Retirement Fund shares voted
          must vote FOR the Merger.

      See "Voting Information Concerning the Meeting."

     The  Merger  is  scheduled  to take  place on or about  July 30,  1999.  If
American  Retirement Fund  shareholders  do not vote to approve the Merger,  the
Trustees will consider other possible courses of action in the best interests of
shareholders.

Tax Consequences

     Prior to or at the completion of the Merger,  American Retirement Fund will
have  received an opinion of  Sullivan & Worcester  LLP that the Merger has been
structured  so  that  no  gain or  loss  will  be  realized  by the  Fund or its
shareholders for federal income tax purposes as a result of receiving Income and
Growth  Fund  shares in  connection  with the  Merger.  The  holding  period and
aggregate  tax basis of shares of Income and Growth  Fund that are  received  by
American  Retirement Fund's  shareholders will be the same as the holding period
and  aggregate  tax  basis  of  shares  of the  Fund  previously  held  by  such
shareholders,  provided that shares of the Fund are held as capital  assets.  In
addition,  the holding period and tax basis of the assets of American Retirement
Fund in the hands of Income  and Growth  Fund as a result of the Merger  will be
the same as in the hands of the Fund  immediately  prior to the  Merger,  and no
gain or loss will be  recognized  by Income and Growth  Fund upon the receipt of
the assets of the Fund in exchange  for shares of Income and Growth Fund and the
assumption by Income and Growth Fund of American  Retirement  Fund's  identified
liabilities.

Investment Objectives and Policies of the Funds

         The  investment  objectives  of Income  and  Growth  Fund and  American
Retirement Fund are similar.

   
         The  investment  objective of Income and Growth Fund is to seek current
income and capital growth in the value of its shares. The Fund invests primarily
in common  stocks and  securities  convertible  into  common  stocks that on the
purchase date pay a yield higher than the average yield of companies included in
the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index ("S&P500"). Also, the Fund may invest up
to 50% of its  total  assets  in the  securities  of  foreign  issuers  or other
securities  convertible  into  securities of foreign  issuers,  and up to 25% in
bonds.

     The investment  objectives of American Retirement Fund in order of priority
are to seek conservation of capital,  reasonable income and capital growth.  The
Fund offers a structured  investment approach designed specifically for retirees
and  persons  contemplating  retirement  which may also be  appropriate  for the
qualified  retirement  plans of  smaller  companies.  The Fund will  invest in a
diversified and balanced portfolio of equity and fixed income  securities,  with
emphasis on  income-producing  securities  which  appear to have  potential  for
capital  enhancement.  See  "Comparison  of Investment  Objectives  and Polices"
below.
    

Comparative Performance Information for each Fund

     Discussions  of the manner of  calculation of total return are contained in
the  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional   Information  of  the  American
Retirement  Fund and in the  Statement of Additional  Information  of Income and
Growth Fund. The following tables set forth, as applicable,  the total return of
the Class A, Class B,  Class C and Class Y shares of Income and Growth  Fund and
American   Retirement  Fund  for  the  periods  of  time  specified  below.  The
calculations  of total  return  assume the  reinvestment  of all  dividends  and
capital gains  distributions on the  reinvestment  date and the deduction of all
recurring expenses  (including sales charges) that were charged to shareholders'
accounts.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         Average Annual Total Return (1)

                           1 Year Ended   5 Years Ended   10 Years Ended   From Inception   Inception
                           Jan. 31, 1999    Jan. 31,      Jan. 31, 1999   To Jan. 31, 1999    Date
                                         1999

     <S>                        <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>           <C>       
Income and Growth Fund(2)
     Class A shares.....      -4.79%          8.95%            9.52%            13.57%      01/03/95
     Class B shares.....      -5.08%          9.08%            9.73%            13.67%      01/03/95
     Class C shares.....      -1.65%          9.35%            9.72%            13.67%      01/03/95
     Class Y shares.....       0.26%          10.22%          10.16%            13.89%      08/31/78
American Retirement
Fund(2)
     Class A shares.....      -3.96%          9.01%           10.11%            10.09%      01/03/95
     Class B shares.....      -4.79%          9.11%           10.30%            10.27%      01/03/95
     Class C shares.....      -0.86%          9.41%           10.31%            10.28%      01/03/95
     Class Y shares.....       1.11%          10.25%          10.73%            10.67%      03/14/88

</TABLE>


(1)       Reflects waiver of advisory fees and reimbursements  and/or waivers of
          expenses.  Without such  reimbursements  and/or  waivers,  the average
          annual total returns during the periods would have been lower.
(2)       Historical  performance  shown for  Classes  A, B and C prior to their
          inception is based on the  performance  of Class Y, the original class
          offered.  These  historical  returns  for Classes A, B, and C have not
          been  adjusted to reflect the effect of each class' 12b-1 fees.  These
          fees for Classes A, B, and C are .25%, 1.00%, and 1.00%, respectively.
          Class Y does not pay a 12b-1 fee.  If these  fees had been  reflected,
          returns would have been lower.

     Important  information  about  Income and Growth Fund is also  contained in
management's discussion of Income and Growth Fund's performance, attached hereto
as Exhibit B. This  information  also  appears in Income and Growth  Fund's most
recent Annual Report.

Management of the Funds

     The overall management of Income and Growth Fund and of American Retirement
Fund is the  responsibility  of, and is supervised  by, the Board of Trustees of
Evergreen Equity Trust.

Investment Advisors

   
     The  investment  advisor to Income and Growth Fund and American  Retirement
Fund is Evergreen Asset Management Corp. ("Evergreen Asset"). Evergreen Asset is
an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of First Union National Bank ("FUNB").  FUNB
is a subsidiary of First Union Corporation ("First Union"), the 6th largest bank
holding company in the United States based on total assets as of March 31, 1999.
Evergreen Asset, with its predecessors,  has served as an investment  advisor to
the Funds since 1971, and currently  manages over $18.7 billion in assets for 21
of the Evergreen funds.  Evergreen Asset is located at 2500 Westchester  Avenue,
Purchase, New York 10577. Leiber & Company is sub-advisor to the Funds. Leiber &
Company is an indirect,  wholly owned  subsidiary of FUNB and is located at 2500
Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577. Evergreen Asset and its affiliates
manage the Evergreen  family of mutual funds with assets of  approximately  $237
billion as of December  31,1998.  For further  information  regarding  Evergreen
Asset,  FUNB and First Union, see "General  Information - The Funds'  Investment
Advisors" in the  Prospectuses of Income and Growth Fund and  "Organization  and
Service Providers" in the Prospectuses of American Retirement Fund.
    

     Evergreen  Asset manages  investments  and  supervises  the daily  business
affairs of Income and Growth Fund and  American  Retirement  Fund subject to the
authority of the  Trustees.  Evergreen  Asset is entitled to receive from Income
and Growth  Fund an annual  fee equal to 1.00% of the first $750  million of the
Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.90% of the next $250 million, plus 0.80%
of the amounts  over $1  billion.  Evergreen  Asset is entitled to receive  from
American  Retirement Fund an annual fee equal to 0.75% of the first $750 million
of the Fund's  average  daily net  assets,  plus  0.70% of the amount  over $750
million.

   
     Evergreen  Asset  may,  at its  discretion,  reduce  or  waive  its  fee or
reimburse  a Fund for  certain  of its other  expenses  in order to  reduce  its
expense ratios. Unless otherwise agreed upon, Evergreen Asset may also reduce or
cease  these  voluntary  waivers  and  reimbursements  at any  time.  After  the
completion of the Merger, Income and Growth Fund's investment adviser has agreed
to waive 0.07% of its management fee for a period of at least one year.
    

     Year 2000 Risks.  Like other investment  companies,  financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world,  Income and Growth Fund could be
adversely  affected if the  computer  systems  used by  Evergreen  Asset and the
Fund's  other   service   providers  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."  Evergreen  Asset is taking steps to
address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to the computer  systems that it uses
and to obtain  assurances  that  comparable  steps are being taken by the Fund's
other major service providers.  At this time, however, there can be no assurance
that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund.

Portfolio Management

   
The  day-to-day  management  of Income and Growth Fund is handled by Nola Maddox
Falcone and Irene O'Neill.

Nola Maddox  Falcone  CFA,  co-manager of Income and  Growth  Fund,  who is also
President  and  Co-Chief  Officer of  Evergreen  Asset. Ms. Falcone has been the
Fund's  portfolio  manager since  its inception in  1978.  She  joined  Lieber &
Company  as  Senior Portfolio  Manager  in  1974 and  was a General Partner from
January  1981 to  June 1994.  Irene  O'Neill,  President and Co-Chief  Executive
Officer of  Evergreen Asset.  Ms. Falcone has been the Fund's portfolio  manager
since its inception in 1978.
    

Distribution of Shares

     Evergreen  Distributor,  Inc. ("EDI"),  an affiliate of BISYS Fund Services
("BISYS"),  acts as underwriter of shares of Income and Growth Fund and American
Retirement  Fund.  EDI  distributes  each  Fund's  shares  directly  or  through
broker-dealers,  banks (including FUNB), or other financial intermediaries. Each
Fund offers four classes of shares:  Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Each
class has  separate  distribution  arrangements  and bears its own  distribution
expenses. (See "Distribution-Related and Shareholder Servicing-Related Expenses"
below.)

     In the proposed Merger,  American Retirement Fund shareholders will receive
the Corresponding  Shares of Income and Growth Fund. The Corresponding Shares of
Income and Growth Fund that American  Retirement Fund  shareholders will receive
have  identical  arrangements  with  respect  to the  imposition  of Rule  12b-1
distribution  and service fees as the shares they  currently  hold.  Because the
Merger will be effected at net asset  value  without the  imposition  of a sales
charge,  American  Retirement Fund  shareholders  will receive Income and Growth
Fund shares  without  paying any initial sales charge or CDSC as a result of the
Merger.  Income and Growth Fund Class B and Class C shares  received by American
Retirement  Fund  shareholders  as a result of the Merger  will  continue  to be
subject to a CDSC upon subsequent redemption,  but the CDSC will be based on the
date of the original purchase of American Retirement Fund shares.

   
     The following is a summary description of charges and fees for the Class A,
Class B,  Class C and Class Y shares of Income  and  Growth  Fund  which will be
received by American  Retirement Fund shareholders in the Merger.  More detailed
descriptions  of the  distribution  arrangements  applicable  to the  classes of
shares are contained in the Income and Growth Fund and American  Retirement Fund
Prospectuses and in the Funds' Statements of Additional Information.
    

     Class A Shares.  Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial
sales charge and, as indicated below, are subject to distribution-related  fees.
For a description of the initial sales charges applicable to purchase of Class A
shares  see  "Purchase  and  Redemption  of Shares - How to Buy  Shares"  in the
Prospectus of Income and Growth Fund offering  Class A shares.  No initial sales
charge will be imposed on Class A shares of Income and Growth  Fund  received by
American Retirement Fund.

     Class B Shares. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but
are subject to a CDSC, which ranges from 5% to 1%, if shares are redeemed during
the first six years after the month of purchase. In addition, Class B shares are
subject to distribution-related  fees and shareholder  servicing-related fees as
described  below.  For purposes of determining when Class B shares issued in the
Merger to  shareholders  of  American  Retirement  Fund will  convert to Class A
shares, such shares will be deemed to have been purchased as of the date Class B
shares of American Retirement Fund were originally purchased.

     Class B shares  are  subject to higher  distribution-related  fees than the
corresponding Class A shares on which a front-end sales charge is imposed (until
they convert to Class A shares). The higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so
Class B shares  pay  correspondingly  lower  dividends  and may have a lower net
asset value than Class A shares of the Fund.

     Class C Shares.  Class C shares are sold without initial sales charges but,
as  indicated  below,  are  subject  to  distribution-related   and  shareholder
servicing-related  fees.  Class C shares are subject to a 1% CDSC if such shares
are  redeemed  within 13 months  of  purchase.  No CDSC is  imposed  on  amounts
redeemed  thereafter.  Class C  shares  incur  higher  distribution-related  and
shareholder  servicing-related  fees than  Class A shares,  but  unlike  Class B
shares, do not convert to any other class of shares.

     Class Y Shares.  Class Y shares  are sold at net asset  value  without  any
initial or deferred sales charge and are not subject to  distribution-related or
shareholder servicing-related fees. Class Y shares are only available to certain
classes of  investors as is more fully  described in the Class Y Prospectus  for
Income and Growth Fund.

     Additional  information  regarding  the  classes  of shares of each Fund is
included in its Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.

     Distribution-Related and Shareholder  Servicing-Related Expenses. Each Fund
has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan with respect to its Class A shares under which the
Class may pay for distribution-related  expenses at an annual rate which may not
exceed 0.75% of average  daily net assets  attributable  to the Class.  Payments
with respect to Class A shares are  currently  limited to 0.25% of average daily
net assets  attributable to the Class.  This amount may be increased to the full
plan rate for each Fund by the Trustees without shareholder approval.

     Each Fund has also  adopted a 12b-1  plan with  respect  to its Class B and
Class C shares under which the Class may pay for  distribution-related  expenses
at an annual rate which may not exceed 1.00%.  Of the total 1.00% 12b-1 fees, up
to 0.25% may be for  payment in respect of  "shareholder  services."  Consistent
with the  requirements  of Rule 12b-1 and the  applicable  rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., following the Merger, Income and Growth
Fund may make  distribution-related and shareholder  servicing-related  payments
with respect to American Retirement Fund shares sold prior to the Merger.

     Additional  information regarding the Rule 12b-1 plans adopted by each Fund
is included in its Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.

     No 12b-1 plan has been adopted for the Class Y shares of either Fund.


Purchase and Redemption Procedures

     Information  concerning  applicable sales charges and  distribution-related
and shareholder  servicing-related  fees is provided  above.  Investments in the
Funds are not insured. The minimum initial purchase requirement for each Fund is
$1,000.  There is no minimum for subsequent  purchases of shares of either Fund.
Each Fund provides for telephone, mail or wire redemption of shares at net asset
value,  less any CDSC, as next determined after receipt of a redemption  request
on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for trading. Additional
information  concerning purchases and redemptions of shares,  including how each
Fund's net asset value is determined,  is contained in the Funds'  Prospectuses.
Each Fund may involuntarily  redeem  shareholders'  accounts that have less than
$1,000 of invested  funds.  All funds invested in each Fund are invested in full
and fractional shares. The Funds reserve the right to reject any purchase order.

Exchange Privileges

     Holders  of shares of a class of each Fund may  exchange  their  shares for
shares of the same class of any other Evergreen fund. Each Fund limits exchanges
to five per  calendar  year and three per calendar  quarter.  No sales charge is
imposed on an exchange.  An exchange which  represents an initial  investment in
another  Evergreen  fund must amount to at least  $1,000.  The current  exchange
privileges,   and  the  requirements  and  limitations  attendant  thereto,  are
described in the Funds' Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.

Dividend Policy

     Each Fund  distributes its investment  company taxable income quarterly and
its net realized gains at least annually.  Shareholders  begin to earn dividends
on the first business day after shares are purchased unless shares were not paid
for, in which case  dividends  are not earned until the next  business day after
payment is received.  Dividends and  distributions  are reinvested in additional
shares  of the  same  class  of the  respective  Fund,  or  paid in  cash,  as a
shareholder has elected.  See the Funds'  Prospectuses  for further  information
concerning dividends and distributions.

     After the Merger, shareholders of American Retirement Fund who have elected
to have their  dividends  and/or  distributions  reinvested  will have dividends
and/or  distributions  received from Income and Growth Fund reinvested in shares
of Income and Growth Fund.  Shareholders  of American  Retirement  Fund who have
elected to receive dividends and/or distributions in cash will receive dividends
and/or  distributions  from  Income  and Growth  Fund in cash after the  Merger,
although  they  may,  after the  Merger,  elect to have  such  dividends  and/or
distributions reinvested in additional shares of Income and Growth Fund.

   
     Each of Income and Growth Fund and American  Retirement  Fund has qualified
and  intends to  continue  to qualify  to be treated as a  regulated  investment
company under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code").  To
remain qualified as a regulated investment company, the Fund must distribute 90%
of its taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income.  While so qualified,
so long as each  Fund  distributes  all of its net  investment  company  taxable
income and any net realized  gains to  shareholders,  it is expected that a Fund
will  not be  required  to pay  any  federal  income  taxes  on the  amounts  so
distributed.  A 4%  nondeductible  excise tax will be  imposed  on  amounts  not
distributed if a Fund does not meet certain distribution requirements by the end
of  each  calendar  year.  Each  Fund  anticipates   meeting  such  distribution
requirements.
    

Risks

         An  investment  in each Fund is subject to certain  risks.  There is no
assurance that investment  performances will be positive and that the Funds will
meet their investment objectives. For a discussion of each Fund's objectives and
policies, see "Comparison of Investment Objectives and Policies."

   
         Each Fund may invest in foreign securities.  Income and Growth Fund may
invest up to 50% of its assets in foreign securities and American Retirement may
invest up to 20% of its assets in  foreign  securities.  Investments  in foreign
securities require consideration of certain factors not normally associated with
investments in securities of U.S. issuers. For example, a change in the value of
any foreign currency  relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding
change in the U.S.  dollar value of  securities  denominated  in that  currency.
Securities  markets of foreign  countries  generally are not subject to the same
degree of  regulation  as the U.S.  markets  and may be more  volatile  and less
liquid.  Lack of liquidity may affect a Fund's ability to purchase or sell large
blocks of  securities  and thus obtain the best price.  In addition,  a Fund may
incur costs  associated  with  currency  hedging and the  conversion  of foreign
currency into U.S. dollars and may be adversely  affected by restrictions on the
conversion  or  transfer  of  foreign  currency.  Other  considerations  include
political  and  social  instability,   expropriation,   the  lack  of  available
information,  higher transaction costs (including brokerage charges),  increased
custodian  charges  associated  with holding  foreign  securities  and different
securities settlement practices. When a Fund invests in foreign securities, they
usually will be dominated in foreign currencies, and a Fund temporarily may hold
funds in foreign currencies. Thus, the value of a Fund's shares will be affected
by changes  in  exchange  rates.  Because  Growth  and Income  Fund may invest a
greater  percentage  of its assets in foreign  securities,  it is subject to the
risks of foreign investments to a greater degree than is American Retirement.
    

         American  Retirement  Fund  may  also  use  leverage  as an  investment
practice which involves  certain risks.  For example,  leveraging may exaggerate
changes  in the net asset  value of the  Fund's  shares  and in the yield on the
Fund's portfolio.

         Both Funds may invest up to 15% of their assets in investments  related
to real estate.  The risks associated with investment in securities of companies
in the real estate industry include: declines in the value of real estate, risks
related to general and local  economic  conditions,  overbuilding  and increased
competition,  increases in property  taxes and  operating  expenses,  changes in
zoning laws,  casualty or  condemnation  losses,  variations  in rental  income,
changes  in  neighborhood  values,  the  appeal of  properties  to  tenants  and
increases in interest rates. In addition,  equity real estate  investment trusts
may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying  property owned by the
trusts,  while  mortgages real estate  investment  trusts may be affected by the
quality of credit extended.

         Both Funds are subject to  interest  rate risk.  Interest  rate risk is
triggered by the tendency for the value of debt securities to fall when interest
rates go up. Since both Funds invest a significant portion of their portfolio in
debt securities, if interest rates rise, then the value of the Funds' securities
may decline.  When interest rates go down, interest earned by the Funds on their
investments may also decline, which could cause the Funds to reduce the dividend
they pay.

         Both Funds are subject to stock market  risk.  The Funds' value will be
affected by general  economic  conditions  such as prevailing  economic  growth,
inflation  and  interest  rates,  When  economic  growth  slows,  or interest or
inflation rates increase, securities tend to decline in value. Such events could
also cause companies to decrease the dividends they pay. If these events were to
occur, the value of an dividend yield and total return earned on a shareholder's
investment  in the  Funds'  would  likely  decline.  Even  if  general  economic
conditions do not change, a shareholder's investment in the Funds may decline in
value if the  particular  industries,  issuers or sectors the Funds invest in do
not perform well.

   
         Both  Funds  are also  subject  to  credit  risk.  The  value of a debt
security is directly affected by the issuer's ability to repay principal and pay
interest on time.  Since the Funds invest in debt  securities  then the value of
and total return earned on a  shareholder's  investment in the Funds may decline
if an issuer fails to pay an obligation on a timely basis.

         American  Retirement  Fund  may  invest  a  portion  of its  assets  in
securities rated below Baa by Moody's Investors  Services  ("Moody's") or BBB by
Standard and Poor's Ratings Services  ("S&P")  (commonly known as "junk bonds").
These  lower rated  securities  will  likely  have some  quality and  protective
characteristics  that are  outweighed  by  large  uncertainties  or  major  risk
exposures to adverse conditions. However, while the market values of lower-rated
securities  tend to react less to  fluctuations in interest rate levels than the
market  values  of  higher  rated  securities,  the  market  values  of  certain
lower-rated  securities  also tend to be more sensitive to individual  corporate
developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated securities. In
addition,  lower-rated  securities  generally  present a higher degree of credit
risk.  Issuers of lower-rated  securities are often highly leveraged and may not
have more  traditional  methods  of  financing  available  to them so that their
ability to service their debt obligations  during an economic downturn or during
sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. The risk of loss due
to  default  by  such  issuers  is  significantly  greater  because  lower-rated
securities  generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior
payment of senior indebtedness.
    


                             REASONS FOR THE MERGER

     At a  regular  meeting  held on March  12,  1999,  all of the  Trustees  of
Evergreen  Equity Trust,  including the  Independent  Trustees,  considered  and
approved  the  Merger  as in the best  interests  of  shareholders  of  American
Retirement  Fund and determined  that the interests of existing  shareholders of
American  Retirement  Fund will not be diluted  as a result of the  transactions
contemplated by the Merger.

     Before approving the Plan, the Trustees  reviewed various factors about the
Funds and the proposed Merger. The Trustees considered among other things:


o        the terms and conditions of the Merger;
o        whether the Merger would result in the dilution of shareholders'
         interests;
o        expense  ratios, fees and expenses of Income  and  Growth  Fund and
         American Retirement Fund;
o        the comparative  performance  records of each of the Funds;
o        compatibility  of their  investment  objectives  and policies;
o        the investment experience, expertise and resources of Evergreen  Asset;
o        the service and distribution resources available to the Evergreen funds
         and the broad array of investment alternatives available to
         shareholders of the Evergreen funds;
o        the personnel and financial resources of First Union and its
         affiliates;
o        the fact that FUNB will bear the expenses incurred by American
         Retirement Fund in  connection  with the  Merger;
o        the fact that Income and Growth Fund will assume the identified
         liabilities of American Retirement Fund;
o        the expected federal income tax  consequences  of the Merger and
o        alternatives available to shareholders of American Retirement Fund,
         including the ability to redeem their shares.

   
     In approving  the Merger,  the  Trustees  considered  the relative  size of
American Retirement Fund as well as investment style. The Trustees evaluated the
potential  economies of scale  associated with larger mutual funds and concluded
that operational  efficiencies may be achieved by combining American  Retirement
Fund with Income and Growth Fund.  As of December  31,  1998,  Income and Growth
Fund's total assets were  approximately  $892.9 million and American  Retirement
Fund's  total  assets were  approximately  $228.3  million.  The  Trustees  also
considered  that  although  Income and Growth Fund has a larger stock  component
than American  Retirement  Fund,  both Funds have  exhibited  similar  portfolio
characteristics.  For  example,  Income and Growth Fund has 136  holdings  and a
median market capitalization of $2.5 billion, while American Retirement Fund has
147 holdings and a median market capitalization of $2.7 billion. By merging into
Income and Growth Fund,  shareholders of American Retirement Fund would have the
benefit of a larger  fund with  greater  investment  flexibility  than  American
Retirement Fund, which is more conservative in nature.
    

     Although  the  past  year's   performance  has  been  higher  for  American
Retirement  Fund than for  Income  and  Growth  Fund,  the  Trustees  considered
American  Retirement  Fund's  redemption  activity.  The  Evergreen  Fund Family
currently  consists of four balanced funds, one of which is American  Retirement
Fund. Although total net assets in the balanced funds increased over 1998, there
was a decline in overall gross sales and American  Retirement  Fund  experienced
net  redemptions  during the last few months of 1998.  Concurrently,  during the
last  quarter of 1998 Income and Growth Fund  outperformed  American  Retirement
Fund by  approximately 3 basis points.  The Trustees also considered that during
the first quarter of 1999, net assets  decreased in American  Retirement Fund by
$20 million.

   
     The Trustees also considered the relative expenses of the Funds. Currently,
the expense ratio of American  Retirement  Fund is lower than that of Income and
Growth Fund.  If the Merger takes place,  Evergreen  Asset has agreed to waive a
portion of its advisory fee for one year, resulting in a decrease of seven basis
points in the advisory fee for the combined  fund.  This  advisory fee waiver as
well as the efficiencies  achieved in operating a larger mutual fund would bring
the  expenses of the combined  fund more into line with the current  expenses of
American Retirement Fund.
    

     Due to its  relative  size and recent  high  redemption  activity,  merging
American  Retirement  Fund into  Income and Growth  Fund would  provide  greater
potential benefit to shareholders.  Accordingly, for the reasons noted above and
recognizing  that there can be no assurance that any economies of scale or other
benefits will be realized,  the Trustees  believe that the proposed Merger would
be in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders.

     During  their  consideration  of the  Merger,  the  Trustees  met with Fund
counsel to the Independent Trustees regarding the legal issues involved.



                THE TRUSTEES OF EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST RECOMMEND
            THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND APPROVE
                              THE PROPOSED MERGER.


Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan
(Exhibit A hereto).

     The Plan  provides  that  Income and Growth  Fund will  acquire  all of the
assets of American  Retirement  Fund in exchange for shares of Income and Growth
Fund and the assumption by Income and Growth Fund of the identified  liabilities
of American  Retirement Fund on or about July 30, 1999 or such other date as may
be agreed upon by the parties (the "Closing  Date").  Prior to the Closing Date,
American Retirement Fund will endeavor to discharge all of its known liabilities
and  obligations.  Income and Growth  Fund will not  assume any  liabilities  or
obligations  of  American  Retirement  Fund  other than  those  reflected  in an
unaudited  statement  of assets and  liabilities  of  American  Retirement  Fund
prepared  as of the close of regular  trading on the NYSE,  currently  4:00 p.m.
Eastern time,  on the business day  immediately  prior to the Closing Date.  The
number of full and fractional  shares of each class of Income and Growth Fund to
be received by the  shareholders of American  Retirement Fund will be determined
by multiplying the respective outstanding class of shares of American Retirement
Fund by a factor  which shall be  computed  by dividing  the net asset value per
share of the respective  class of shares of American  Retirement Fund by the net
asset  value per share of the  respective  class of shares of Income  and Growth
Fund.  Such  computations  will take place as of the close of regular trading on
the NYSE on the  business day  immediately  prior to the Closing  Date.  The net
asset value per share of each class will be determined by dividing assets,  less
liabilities,  in each case  attributable  to the respective  class, by the total
number of outstanding shares.

     State Street Bank and Trust  Company,  the  custodian  for the Funds,  will
compute the value of each Fund's respective portfolio securities.  The method of
valuation  employed  will be  consistent  with the  procedures  set forth in the
Prospectuses and Statement of Additional  Information of Income and Growth Fund,
Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, and with the  interpretations of such Rule by the
SEC's Division of Investment Management.

   
     At or prior  to the  Closing  Date,  American  Retirement  Fund  will  have
declared a dividend  or  dividends  and  distribution  or  distributions  which,
together with all previous dividends and distributions, shall have the effect of
distributing to the Fund's  shareholders  (in shares of the Fund, or in cash, as
the shareholder has previously elected) all of the Fund's net investment company
taxable  income for the  taxable  period  ending on the Closing  Date  (computed
without  regard to any  deduction  for  dividends  paid),  all of the Fund's net
tax-exempt  income and all of its net  capital  gains  realized  in all  taxable
periods  ending on the Closing  Date  (after  reductions  for any  capital  loss
carryforward).
    

     As soon  after  the  Closing  Date as  conveniently  practicable,  American
Retirement Fund will liquidate and distribute pro rata to shareholders of record
as of the close of business on the Closing Date the full and  fractional  shares
of Income and Growth Fund received by American Retirement Fund. Such liquidation
and  distribution  will be accomplished by the  establishment of accounts in the
names of American  Retirement  Fund's  shareholders  on Income and Growth Fund's
share records of its transfer agent.  Each account will represent the respective
pro rata number of full and  fractional  shares of Income and Growth Fund due to
the  Fund's  shareholders.   All  issued  and  outstanding  shares  of  American
Retirement Fund, including those represented by certificates,  will be canceled.
The shares of Income and Growth  Fund to be issued  will have no  preemptive  or
conversion rights.  After these distributions and the winding up of its affairs,
American Retirement Fund will be terminated.

     The  consummation  of the Merger is subject to the  conditions set forth in
the  Plan,  including  approval  by  American  Retirement  Fund's  shareholders,
accuracy of various  representations  and  warranties and receipt of opinions of
counsel,  including  opinions  with  respect  to those  matters  referred  to in
"Federal Income Tax Consequences"  below.  Notwithstanding  approval of American
Retirement  Fund's  shareholders,  the Plan may be terminated  (a) by the mutual
agreement of American  Retirement  Fund and Income and Growth Fund; or (b) at or
prior to the Closing  Date by either  party (i) because of a breach by the other
party of any  representation,  warranty,  or agreement  contained  therein to be
performed at or prior to the Closing  Date if not cured within 30 days,  or (ii)
because a condition to the obligation of the terminating  party has not been met
and it reasonably appears that it cannot be met.

     Whether  or not the  Merger  is  consummated,  FUNB  will pay the  expenses
incurred by American  Retirement Fund in connection  with the Merger  (including
the cost of any proxy  soliciting  agent).  No portion of the  expenses  will be
borne directly or indirectly by American Retirement Fund or its shareholders.

     If American  Retirement Fund  shareholders  do not approve the Merger,  the
Trustees will consider other possible courses of action which may be in the best
interests of shareholders.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

     The Merger is  intended to qualify  for  federal  income tax  purposes as a
tax-free  reorganization under section 368(a) of the Code. As a condition to the
closing  of the  Merger,  American  Retirement  Fund will  receive an opinion of
Sullivan  &  Worcester  LLP to the  effect  that,  on the basis of the  existing
provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury  regulations  issued  thereunder,  current
administrative rules, pronouncements and court decisions, for federal income tax
purposes, upon consummation of the Merger:

          (1) The  transfer  of all of the assets of  American  Retirement  Fund
     solely in exchange for shares of Income and Growth Fund and the  assumption
     by Income and Growth Fund of the  identified  liabilities,  followed by the
     distribution of Income and Growth Fund's shares by American Retirement Fund
     in dissolution and liquidation of American Retirement Fund, will constitute
     a "reorganization"  within the meaning of section 368(a)(1)(C) of the Code,
     and Income  and Growth  Fund and  American  Retirement  Fund will each be a
     "party to a  reorganization"  within the  meaning of section  368(b) of the
     Code;

          (2) No gain or loss will be recognized by American  Retirement Fund on
     the  transfer  of all of its  assets to Income and  Growth  Fund  solely in
     exchange for Income and Growth Fund's  shares and the  assumption by Income
     and Growth Fund of the identified  liabilities of American  Retirement Fund
     or upon the  distribution  of Income and Growth  Fund's  shares to American
     Retirement  Fund's  shareholders  in exchange  for their shares of American
     Retirement Fund;

          (3) The tax basis of the assets transferred will be the same to Income
     and Growth Fund as the tax basis of such assets to American Retirement Fund
     immediately  prior to the Merger,  and the holding period of such assets in
     the hands of Income and Growth Fund will  include the period  during  which
     the assets were held by American Retirement Fund;

          (4) No gain or loss will be  recognized by Income and Growth Fund upon
     the receipt of the assets from American  Retirement Fund solely in exchange
     for the shares of Income and Growth Fund and the  assumption  by Income and
     Growth Fund of the identified liabilities of American Retirement Fund;

          (5) No gain or loss will be recognized by American  Retirement  Fund's
     shareholders  upon the  issuance of the shares of Income and Growth Fund to
     them,  provided  they  receive  solely  such shares  (including  fractional
     shares) in exchange for their shares of American Retirement Fund; and

          (6) The  aggregate  tax basis of the shares of Income and Growth Fund,
     including any fractional  shares,  received by each of the  shareholders of
     American  Retirement  Fund  pursuant  to the Merger will be the same as the
     aggregate tax basis of the shares of American  Retirement Fund held by such
     shareholder  immediately prior to the Merger, and the holding period of the
     shares of Income and Growth Fund, including fractional shares,  received by
     each such  shareholder  will include the period  during which the shares of
     American  Retirement Fund exchanged  therefor were held by such shareholder
     (provided  that the  shares  of  American  Retirement  Fund  were held as a
     capital asset on the date of the Merger).

     Opinions of counsel are not binding  upon the Internal  Revenue  Service or
the  courts.  If the Merger is  consummated  but does not  qualify as a tax-free
reorganization  under the Code, a shareholder of American  Retirement Fund would
recognize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference  between his or her tax
basis in his or her Fund shares and the fair  market  value of Income and Growth
Fund shares he or she received.  Shareholders of American Retirement Fund should
consult their tax advisers  regarding the effect, if any, of the proposed Merger
in light of  their  individual  circumstances. Since the  foregoing  discussion
relates only to the federal income tax consequences of the Merger, shareholders
of American Retirement Fund should also consult their tax advisers as to the
state and local tax  consequences,  if any, of the Merger.


Pro-forma Capitalization

   
     The following table sets forth the  capitalizations of American  Retirement
Fund and Income and Growth Fund as of January 31, 1999 and the capitalization of
Income and Growth  Fund on a pro forma basis as of that date,  giving  effect to
the  proposed  acquisition  of  assets at net asset  value.  The pro forma  data
reflects an exchange ratio of approximately  0.742, 0.744, 0.746 and 0.741 Class
A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares, respectively,  of Income and Growth Fund
issued for each Class A,  Class B, Class C and Class Y share,  respectively,  of
American Retirement Fund.
    



                   Capitalization of American Retirement Fund,
          Income and Growth Fund and Income and Growth Fund (Pro Forma)

                                American      Income and     Income and Growth
                               Retirement     Growth Fund   Fund (After Merger)
                                  Fund
Net Assets
     Class A................    $28,166,519      $13,379,023       $41,545,542
     Class B................   $157,742,467      $51,033,169      $208,775,636
     Class C................     $2,195,110       $1,074,297        $3,269,407
     Class Y................    $34,013,389     $806,846,513      $840,859,902
                             -- -----------   ------------  ---  ------------
     Total Net Assets.......   $222,117,485     $872,333,002    $1,094,450,487
Net Asset Value Per Share
     Class A................     $15.27          $20.59            $20.59
     Class B................     $15.18          $20.41            $20.41
     Class C................     $15.22          $20.41            $20.41
     Class Y................     $15.27          $20.60            $20.60
Shares Outstanding
     Class A................    1,844,690         649,834         2,017,897
     Class B................   10,388,825       2,500,100        10,226,820
     Class C................      144,220          52,629           160,176
     Class Y................    2,226,978      39,171,763        40,822,537
                                ---------      ----------        ----------
     All Classes............   14,604,713      42,374,326        53,227,430

     The table set forth  above  should not be relied upon to reflect the number
of  shares to be  received  in the  Merger;  the  actual  number of shares to be
received  will depend upon the net asset value and number of shares  outstanding
of each Fund at the time of the Merger.

Shareholder Information

     As of May 5, 1999 (the "Record Date"),  the following  number of each class
of shares of beneficial interest of American Retirement Fund was outstanding:

          Class of Shares
          Class A........     1,642,715.081
          Class B........     9,611,974.465
          Class C........       108,140.745
          Class Y........     1,937,468.733
          All Classes....    13,300,299.024

   
     As of the Record Date, the officers and Trustees of Evergreen  Equity Trust
beneficially owned as a group less than 1% of the outstanding shares of American
Retirement Fund. To Evergreen Equity Trust's  knowledge,  the following  persons
owned beneficially or of record more than 5% of American Retirement Fund's total
outstanding shares as of the Record Date:
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Percentage of       Percentage of
                                                                        Shares of          Shares of
                                                                      Class Before        Class After
    Name and Adress                Class            No. of Shares        Merger               Merger
  ------------------
         <S>                       <C>                  <C>                <C>                <C>                  

   
    Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.       Y                  424,388.416         21.87               1.09% 
    Special Custody Account
    Exclusive Benefit of Cust.
    Reinvest Account
    Attn: Mutual Fund
    101 Montgomery Street
    San Francisco, CA  94104-4122

    First Union Nat'l Bank EB/INT   Y                  301,589.114         15.54               .8%
    Reinvest Account
    Attn:Trust Operations Fund Group
    401 S. Tryon St, 3rd FL CMG 1151  
    Charlotte, NC  28202-1911 





</TABLE>

                COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

   
     The following discussion is based upon and qualified in its entirety by the
descriptions of the respective investment objectives,  policies and restrictions
set forth in the  Prospectuses  and Statements of Additional  Information of the
Funds. The investment objectives,  policies and restrictions of each Fund can be
found in the  Prospectuses  for Income and Growth Fund under the  caption  "Fund
Summaries  -  Evergreen  Income and  Growth  Fund" and in the  Prospectuses  for
American Retirement Fund under the caption  "Description of the Funds-Investment
Objectives  and  Policies."  The  Prospectuses  for Income  and Growth  Fund and
American  Retirement  Fund also offer  additional  funds  advised by FUNB or its
affiliates.  These  additional  funds  are not  involved  in the  Merger,  their
investment  objectives  and policies are not discussed in this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement and their shares are not offered hereby.  The investment  objective of
each Fund is non-fundamental and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without
shareholder approval.

         The  investment  objective of Income and Growth Fund is to seek current
income and capital growth in the value of its shares. The Fund invests in common
stocks, preferred stocks,  securities convertible into common stocks that on the
purchase date pay a higher yield than the average yield of companies included in
the S&P 500, and fixed  income  securities.  The Fund  focuses on companies  the
Fund's managers  believe are  undervalued,  companies with a trend of increasing
profits and prospects for future growth, and merger and acquisition  candidates.
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in the  securities  of foreign
securities  and up to 25% in bonds.  The quality  standards for debt  securities
include:  Obligations  of banks  having  total  assets of at least  one  billion
dollars which are members of the FDIC;  commercial paper rated no lower than P-2
by Moody's or A-2 by S&P; and  non-convertible  debt  securities  rated no lower
than Baa by Moody's or BBB by Standard and Poor's.
    

         Ordinarily Income and Growth Fund anticipates that approximately 75% of
its portfolio will consist of equity securities (including convertible preferred
stock)  and  the  other  25% of  debt  securities  (including  convertible  debt
securities).  In  seeking  capital  appreciation,  the  Fund  expects  that  its
investments will provide growth over the long-term.

   
         The  investment  objectives  of  American  Retirement  Fund in order of
priority are conservation of capital,  reasonable income and capital growth. The
Fund invests in a diversified and balanced  portfolio of equity and fixed income
securities, with an emphasis on income-producing securities which appear to have
potential for capital  enhancement.  The Fund's investment  advisor may vary the
amount  invested  in each  type of  security  in  response  to  changing  market
conditions to take advantage of relative  undervaluation  in either the stock or
bond markets.  The Fund anticipates that approximately 50% of its portfolio will
consist of equity  securities  (including  securities  convertible  into  equity
securities) and 50% of fixed income securities. Generally, approximately half of
the equity portion of the Fund's portfolio will be invested in common stocks and
half in bonds and  preferred  stocks  convertible  into common  stock.  The bond
component of the Fund's  portfolio  has an average  maturity of 12.68 years.  In
addition,  the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in  securities of foreign
issuers. The Fund offers a structured  investment approach designed specifically
for retirees and persons contemplating  retirement which may also be appropriate
for the  qualified  retirement  plans of  smaller  companies.  The Fund may also
invest a portion of its assets in  securities  rated below Baa by Moody's or BBB
by Standard & Poor's.
    

         American  Retirement Fund  anticipates that  approximately  half of the
fixed  income  portion of the Fund's  portfolio  will be invested in  marketable
obligations  of, or  guaranteed  by, the U.S.  government.  The balance  will be
invested in corporate  obligations  rated no lower than A by Moody's or S&P. The
Fund may at times  emphasize the  generation of interest  income by investing in
high-yielding debt securities, with short and medium to long-term maturities.

   
         After  the  Merger,  Income and Growth Fund may dispose of a portion of
the securities received from the American Retirement Fund in the ordinary course
of  business.  This may result in additional transaction costs and capital gains
to shareholders of  the Income and  Growth Fund.  The  characteristics  of  each
investment  policy  and  the  associated  risks are  described  in  the  Funds'
Prospectuses   and  Statements  of  Additional Information. The Funds have other
investment policies and restrictions which are also set forth in the Statements
of Additional Information.
    


                       INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS

Form of Organization

     Evergreen  Equity  Trust  is  an  open-end  management  investment  company
registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act, which continuously  offers shares to
the public. Evergreen Equity Trust is organized as a Delaware business trust and
is governed by its  Declaration  of Trust,  By-Laws,  a Board of Trustees and by
applicable  Delaware  and  federal  law.  Income  and Growth  Fund and  American
Retirement Fund are series of Evergreen Equity Trust.

Capitalization

     The beneficial  interests in Income and Growth Fund and American Retirement
Fund are represented by an unlimited number of transferable shares of beneficial
interest,  $.001 par value per share.  Evergreen  Equity Trust's  Declaration of
Trust  permits  the  Trustees to allocate  shares  into an  unlimited  number of
series, and classes thereof, with rights determined by the Trustees, all without
shareholder  approval.  Fractional  shares  may be issued by either  Fund.  Each
Fund's shares represent equal proportionate interests in the assets belonging to
the Fund.  Shareholders of each Fund are entitled to receive dividends and other
amounts  as  determined  by  the  Trustees.   Shareholders  of  each  Fund  vote
separately,  by class, as to matters,  such as approval of or amendments to Rule
12b-1 distribution plans, that affect only their particular class and by Fund as
to matters,  such as approval of or amendments to investment advisory agreements
or proposed mergers, that affect only their particular Fund.


Shareholder Liability

     Under Delaware law,  shareholders of a Delaware business trust are entitled
to the same  limitation  of  personal  liability  extended  to  stockholders  of
Delaware corporations. No similar statutory or other authority limiting business
trust  shareholder  liability  exists in any other  state.  As a result,  to the
extent  that  Evergreen  Equity  Trust  or  a  shareholder  is  subject  to  the
jurisdiction  of courts in those  states,  it is  possible  that a court may not
apply Delaware law, and may thereby  subject  shareholders  of Evergreen  Equity
Trust to liability.  To guard  against this risk,  the  Declaration  of Trust of
Evergreen Equity Trust (a) provides that any written obligation of the Trust may
contain a statement that such obligation may only be enforced against the assets
of the Trust or the  particular  series in question  and the  obligation  is not
binding  upon the  shareholders  of the Trust;  however,  the omission of such a
disclaimer  will not operate to create personal  liability for any  shareholder;
and (b) provides for  indemnification  out of Trust property of any  shareholder
held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.  Accordingly,  the risk
of a shareholder of Evergreen Equity Trust incurring  financial loss beyond that
shareholder's   investment  because  of  shareholder  liability  is  limited  to
circumstances  in which:  (i) the court  refuses to apply  Delaware law; (ii) no
contractual limitation of liability was in effect; and (iii) the Trust itself is
unable to meet its  obligations.  In light of  Delaware  law,  the nature of the
Trust's business,  and the nature of its assets,  the risk of personal liability
to a shareholder of Evergreen Equity Trust is remote.

Shareholder Meetings and Voting Rights

     Evergreen  Equity  Trust on behalf of Income and Growth  Fund and  American
Retirement  Fund  is not  required  to hold  annual  meetings  of  shareholders.
However,  a meeting of shareholders  for the purpose of voting upon the question
of removal of a Trustee must be called when  requested in writing by the holders
of at  least  10% of the  outstanding  shares  of  Evergreen  Equity  Trust.  In
addition,  Evergreen  Equity Trust is required to call a meeting of shareholders
for the purpose of electing  Trustees  if, at any time,  less than a majority of
the Trustees then holding office were elected by shareholders.  Evergreen Equity
Trust does not currently intend to hold regular shareholder meetings. Cumulative
voting is not  permitted.  Except when a larger quorum is required by applicable
law, with respect to both Funds, 25% of the outstanding  shares entitled to vote
constitutes a quorum for  consideration  of a matter.  For each Fund, a majority
(greater  than 50%) of the votes cast and entitled to vote is  sufficient to act
on a matter (unless otherwise  specifically required by the applicable governing
documents or other law, including the 1940 Act).

     Under the  Declaration  of Trust of Evergreen  Equity Trust,  each share of
Income and Growth Fund and American Retirement Fund will be entitled to one vote
for each dollar of net asset value applicable to such share.

Liquidation or Dissolution

     In the event of the  liquidation  of Income  and  Growth  Fund or  American
Retirement Fund, the shareholders are entitled to receive,  when and as declared
by the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging to such Fund or attributable
to the class over the  liabilities  belonging to the Fund or attributable to the
class. In either case, the assets so  distributable  to shareholders of the Fund
will be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to the number of shares
of a class of the Fund held by them and recorded on the books of the Fund.


Liability and Indemnification of Trustees

     Under the  Declaration  of Trust of Evergreen  Equity  Trust,  a Trustee is
liable to the Trust and its  shareholders  only for such  Trustee's  own willful
misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties
involved  in the  conduct  of the office of  Trustee  or the  discharge  of such
Trustee's  functions.  As provided in the Declaration of Trust,  each Trustee of
the Trust is entitled to be indemnified  against all liabilities  against him or
her, including the costs of litigation, unless it is determined that the Trustee
(i) did not act in good  faith in the  reasonable  belief  that  such  Trustee's
action was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust;  (ii) had acted
with willful  misfeasance,  bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such Trustee's duties; and (iii) in a criminal proceeding,  had reasonable cause
to believe that such Trustee's  conduct was unlawful  (collectively,  "disabling
conduct").  A determination that the Trustee did not engage in disabling conduct
and is, therefore,  entitled to indemnification may be based upon the outcome of
a court action or  administrative  proceeding  or by (a) a vote of a majority of
those Trustees who are neither  "interested  persons"  within the meaning of the
1940 Act nor parties to the proceeding or (b) an independent  legal counsel in a
written opinion.  The Trust may also advance money for such litigation  expenses
provided that the Trustee undertakes to repay the Trust if his or her conduct is
later  determined to preclude  indemnification  and certain other conditions are
met.

     The  foregoing  is  only  a  summary  of  certain  characteristics  of  the
operations of the  Declaration of Trust of Evergreen  Equity Trust,  its By-Laws
and Delaware law and is not a complete  description  of those  documents or law.
Shareholders  should  refer to the  provisions  of such  Declaration  of  Trust,
By-Laws and Delaware law directly for more complete information.


                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
     Income and Growth Fund. Information concerning the operation and management
of  Income  and  Growth  Fund is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  from  the
Prospectuses  dated  December  1, 1998,  copies of which are  enclosed,  and the
Statement of Additional  Information  of the same date. A copy of such Statement
of  Additional  Information  is  available  upon  request and without  charge by
writing  to Income and Growth  Fund at the  address  listed on the cover page of
this Prospectus/Proxy Statement or by calling toll-free 1-800-645-7816.

     American  Retirement  Fund.  Information  about the Fund is included in its
current  Prospectuses  dated August 1, 1998 and in the  Statement of  Additional
Information of the same date (as amended August 11, 1998),  that have been filed
with the SEC, all of which are incorporated  herein by reference.  Copies of the
Prospectuses and Statement of Additional  Information are available upon request
and without charge by writing to American  Retirement Fund at the address listed
on the cover page of this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  or by calling  toll-free
1-800-645-7816.
    

     Income and Growth Fund and American Retirement Fund are each subject to the
informational  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940
Act, and in accordance  therewith file reports and other  information  including
proxy material, and charter documents with the SEC. These items can be inspected
and copies obtained at the Public Reference Facilities  maintained by the SEC at
450 Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  and at the SEC's  Regional
Offices located at Northwest  Atrium Center,  500 West Madison Street,  Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511 and Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048.

     The SEC maintains a Web site  (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the Funds'
Statements  of  Additional   Information  and  other  material  incorporated  by
reference  herein together with other  information  regarding  Income and Growth
Fund and American Retirement Fund.



                    VOTING INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING

   
     This  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement is being sent to shareholders of American
Retirement  Fund in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Trustees of
Evergreen  Equity Trust, to be used at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be
held at 2:00 p.m.,  July 23, 1999,  at the offices of the Evergreen  funds,  200
Berkeley  Street,  26th  Floor,   Boston,   Massachusetts   02116,  and  at  any
adjournments thereof. This  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement,  along with a Notice of
the Meeting and a proxy card, is first being mailed to  shareholders of American
Retirement Fund on or about June 2, 1999. Only  shareholders of record as of the
close of  business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote
at,  the  Meeting  or  any  adjournment  thereof.  The  holders  of  25%  of the
outstanding  shares entitled to vote at the close of business on the Record Date
present  in person or  represented  by proxy  will  constitute  a quorum for the
Meeting. If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned in time
to be voted at the  Meeting,  the  proxies  named  therein  will vote the shares
represented by the proxy in accordance  with the  instructions  marked  thereon.
Unmarked proxies will be voted FOR the proposed Merger and FOR any other matters
deemed  appropriate.  Proxies that reflect  abstentions  and "broker  non-votes"
(i.e.,  shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not
been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote or (ii)
the broker or nominee does not have  discretionary  voting power on a particular
matter)  will be counted as shares  that are  present  and  entitled to vote for
purposes of determining  the presence of a quorum,  but will not have the effect
of being counted as votes against the Plan, which must be approved by a majority
of the votes cast and entitled to vote. A proxy may be revoked at any time on or
before the Meeting by written notice to the Secretary of Evergreen  Equity Trust
at the address set forth on the cover of this Prospectus/Proxy Statement. Unless
revoked,  all valid proxies will be voted in accordance with the  specifications
thereon or, in the absence of such specifications,  FOR approval of the Plan and
the Merger contemplated thereby.
    

     Approval of the Plan will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast and entitled to vote,  with all classes  voting  together as a single
class at the  Meeting at which a quorum of the Fund's  shares is  present.  Each
share  outstanding  is  entitled  to one vote for each dollar of net asset value
applicable to such share.

   
     Proxy solicitations will be made primarily by mail, but proxy solicitations
may also be made by  telephone,  through the  Internet or by Internet  voting or
personal  solicitations  conducted  by  officers  and  employees  of  FUNB,  its
affiliates or other representatives of American Retirement Fund (who will not be
paid  for  their  soliciting  activities).  If you  wish to  participate  in the
Meeting,  you may  submit  the proxy card  included  with this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement, vote by fax or attend in person. Any proxy given by you is revocable.
    

     In the event that  sufficient  votes to approve the Merger are not received
by July  23,  1999,  the  persons  named  as  proxies  may  propose  one or more
adjournments  of the  Meeting to permit  further  solicitation  of  proxies.  In
determining  whether  to adjourn  the  Meeting,  the  following  factors  may be
considered:  the  percentage of votes  actually cast, the percentage of negative
votes actually cast, the nature of any further  solicitation and the information
to be provided to shareholders with respect to the reasons for the solicitation.
Any such  adjournment  will  require  an  affirmative  vote by the  holders of a
majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The persons
named as proxies  will vote upon such  adjournment  after  consideration  of all
circumstances which may bear upon a decision to adjourn the Meeting.

     A shareholder who objects to the proposed Merger will not be entitled under
either  Delaware law or the  Declaration  of Trust of Evergreen  Equity Trust to
demand payment for, or an appraisal of, his or her shares. However, shareholders
should  be aware  that the  Merger  as  proposed  is not  expected  to result in
recognition of gain or loss to shareholders  for federal income tax purposes and
that,  if the  Merger is  consummated,  shareholders  will be free to redeem the
shares of Income and Growth Fund which they receive in the  transaction at their
then-current net asset value. Shares of American Retirement Fund may be redeemed
at any time prior to the  consummation  of the Merger.  Shareholders of American
Retirement  Fund may wish to  consult  their tax  advisers  as to any  differing
consequences  of redeeming  Fund shares prior to the Merger or  exchanging  such
shares in the Merger.

     American Retirement Fund does not hold annual shareholder  meetings. If the
Merger  is  not  approved,  shareholders  wishing  to  submit  proposals  to  be
considered  for  inclusion in a proxy  statement  for a  subsequent  shareholder
meeting should send their written proposals to the Secretary of Evergreen Equity
Trust at the address set forth on the cover of this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement
so that they will be received by the Fund in a  reasonable  period of time prior
to the meeting.

     The votes of the  shareholders  of  Income  and  Growth  Fund are not being
solicited by this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement and are not required to carry out
the Merger.

     NOTICE TO BANKS,  BROKER-DEALERS  AND VOTING  TRUSTEES AND THEIR  NOMINEES.
Please advise  American  Retirement  Fund whether  other persons are  beneficial
owners of shares for which proxies are being solicited and, if so, the number of
copies  of this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  needed  to  supply  copies  to the
beneficial owners of the respective shares.


                        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS

     The Annual  Report of Income and Growth Fund as of July 31,  1998,  and the
financial statements and financial highlights for the periods indicated therein,
have been incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration  Statement in
reliance upon the report of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP, independent  certified
public accountants,  incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

     The Annual Report of American Retirement Fund as of March 31, 1998, and the
financial highlights and financial statements for the periods indicated therein,
have been incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration  Statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent  certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference  herein and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.



                                  LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain  legal  matters  concerning  the  issuance  of shares of Income and
Growth Fund will be passed upon by Sullivan & Worcester LLP, Washington, D.C.


                                 OTHER BUSINESS

     The Trustees of  Evergreen  Equity Trust do not intend to present any other
business at the Meeting.  If,  however,  any other matters are properly  brought
before the Meeting,  the persons  named in the  accompanying  form of proxy will
vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.

     THE TRUSTEES OF EVERGREEN  EQUITY TRUST RECOMMEND  APPROVAL OF THE PLAN AND
ANY UNMARKED PROXIES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR
OF APPROVAL OF THE PLAN.


June 2, 1999

<PAGE>





                                                                 EXHIBIT A

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION  (the "Agreement") is made as of
this 30th day of April,  1999, by and between Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware
business  trust,  with its principal  place of business at 200 Berkeley  Street,
Boston,  Massachusetts 02116 (the "Trust"), with respect to its Evergreen Income
and Growth Fund series (the "Acquiring  Fund"),  and the Trust,  with respect to
its Evergreen American Retirement Fund series (the "Selling Fund").

     This   Agreement  is  intended  to  be,  and  is  adopted  as,  a  plan  of
reorganization and liquidation within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(C) of the
United  States  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code").  The
reorganization (the "Reorganization") will consist of (i) the transfer of all of
the assets of the Selling Fund in exchange  solely for Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Y shares of  beneficial  interest,  $.001 par value per share,  of the
Acquiring  Fund  (the  "Acquiring  Fund  Shares");  (ii) the  assumption  by the
Acquiring Fund of the identified  liabilities of the Selling Fund; and (iii) the
distribution,  after the Closing Date hereinafter  referred to, of the Acquiring
Fund  Shares to the  shareholders  of the  Selling  Fund in  liquidation  of the
Selling Fund as provided herein,  all upon the terms and conditions  hereinafter
set forth in this Agreement.

     WHEREAS,  the  Selling  Fund and the  Acquiring  Fund  are each a  separate
investment  series  of  an  open-end,   registered  investment  company  of  the
management  type and the Selling Fund owns  securities that generally are assets
of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;

     WHEREAS, both Funds are authorized to issue their shares of beneficial
interest;

     WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that the exchange of all
of the assets of the Selling Fund for Acquiring  Fund Shares and the  assumption
of the  identified  liabilities of the Selling Fund by the Acquiring Fund on the
terms and  conditions  hereinafter  set forth are in the best  interests  of the
Acquiring Fund's shareholders;

     WHEREAS,  the Trustees of the Trust have  determined  that the Selling Fund
should  exchange all of its assets and the identified  liabilities for Acquiring
Fund Shares and that the interests of the existing  shareholders  of the Selling
Fund will not be diluted as a result of the transactions contemplated herein;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
agreements  hereinafter  set forth,  the parties  hereto  covenant  and agree as
follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

    TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE SELLING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR THE ACQUIRING FUND
             SHARES AND ASSUMPTION OF SELLING FUND LIABILITIES AND
                         LIQUIDATION OF THE SELLING FUND

     1.1 The Exchange.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth and
on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Selling
Fund  agrees  to  transfer  all of the  Selling  Fund's  assets  as set forth in
paragraph  1.2 to the  Acquiring  Fund.  The  Acquiring  Fund agrees in exchange
therefor (i) to deliver to the Selling Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Shares,
including fractional Acquiring Fund Shares, determined by multiplying the shares
outstanding  of each class of the Selling Fund by the ratio computed by dividing
the net asset value per share of each such class of the Selling  Fund by the net
asset  value per  share of the  corresponding  class of  Acquiring  Fund  Shares
computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in  paragraph  2.2;
and (ii) to assume the identified  liabilities of the Selling Fund, as set forth
in paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take place at the closing provided for
in paragraph 3.1 (the "Closing Date").

     1.2 Assets to be Acquired. The assets of the Selling Fund to be acquired by
the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all property, including, without limitation,
all cash,  securities,  commodities,  interests  in  futures  and  dividends  or
interest  receivables,  that is owned by the  Selling  Fund and any  deferred or
prepaid  expenses  shown  as an asset on the  books of the  Selling  Fund on the
Closing Date.

     The  Selling  Fund has  provided  the  Acquiring  Fund with its most recent
audited  financial  statements,  which  contain a list of all of Selling  Fund's
assets as of the date thereof. The Selling Fund hereby represents that as of the
date of the  execution  of this  Agreement  there  have been no  changes  in its
financial  position as reflected in said financial  statements  other than those
occurring in the ordinary course of its business in connection with the purchase
and sale of securities  and the payment of its normal  operating  expenses.  The
Selling Fund  reserves the right to sell any of such  securities,  but will not,
without the prior written approval of the Acquiring Fund, acquire any additional
securities  other than  securities  of the type in which the  Acquiring  Fund is
permitted to invest.

     The  Acquiring  Fund will,  within a  reasonable  time prior to the Closing
Date,  furnish the Selling  Fund with a list of the  securities,  if any, on the
Selling Fund's list referred to in the second sentence of this paragraph that do
not  conform  to the  Acquiring  Fund's  investment  objectives,  policies,  and
restrictions. The Selling Fund will, within a reasonable period of time prior to
the  Closing  Date,  furnish  the  Acquiring  Fund with a list of its  portfolio
securities and other  investments.  In the event that the Selling Fund holds any
investments that the Acquiring Fund may not hold, the Selling Fund, if requested
by the  Acquiring  Fund,  will dispose of such  securities  prior to the Closing
Date. In addition,  if it is determined  that the Selling Fund and the Acquiring
Fund portfolios,  when aggregated,  would contain investments  exceeding certain
percentage  limitations  imposed  upon the  Acquiring  Fund with respect to such
investments, the Selling Fund if requested by the Acquiring Fund will dispose of
a sufficient  amount of such  investments as may be necessary to avoid violating
such limitations as of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  nothing
herein will require the Selling Fund to dispose of any investments or securities
if, in the  reasonable  judgment of the Selling  Fund,  such  disposition  would
adversely affect the tax-free nature of the  reorganization or would violate the
Selling Fund's fiduciary duty to its shareholders.

     1.3 Liabilities to be Assumed.  The Selling Fund will endeavor to discharge
all of its known  liabilities  and  obligations  prior to the Closing Date.  The
Acquiring Fund shall assume only those liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and
reserves  reflected on a Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Selling Fund
prepared on behalf of the Selling Fund, as of the Valuation  Date (as defined in
paragraph  2.1), in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles
consistently  applied from the prior audited  period.  The Acquiring  Fund shall
assume only those liabilities of the Selling Fund reflected in such Statement of
Assets  and  Liabilities  and shall not assume  any other  liabilities,  whether
absolute or  contingent,  known or unknown,  accrued or unaccrued,  all of which
shall remain the obligation of the Selling Fund.

     In  addition,  upon  completion  of the  reorganization,  for  purposes  of
calculating  the maximum  amount of sales charges  (including  asset based sales
charges)  permitted  to be imposed  by the  Acquiring  Fund  under the  National
Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  Conduct Rule 2830  ("Aggregate  NASD
Cap"),  the Acquiring Fund will add to its Aggregate NASD Cap immediately  prior
to the  reorganization  the Aggregate  NASD Cap of the Selling Fund  immediately
prior to the  reorganization,  in each case  calculated in accordance  with such
Rule 2830.

     1.4 Liquidation and  Distribution.  On or as soon after the Closing Date as
is conveniently  practicable (the "Liquidation Date"), (a) the Selling Fund will
liquidate and distribute pro rata to the Selling Fund's  shareholders of record,
determined as of the close of business on the Valuation  Date (the "Selling Fund
Shareholders"),  the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Selling Fund pursuant
to paragraph 1.1; and (b) the Selling Fund will thereupon proceed to dissolve as
set forth in paragraph 1.8 below.  Such  liquidation  and  distribution  will be
accomplished  by the transfer of the Acquiring  Fund Shares then credited to the
account of the Selling Fund on the books of the Acquiring  Fund to open accounts
on the share  records of the  Acquiring  Fund in the names of the  Selling  Fund
Shareholders  and  representing  the respective pro rata number of the Acquiring
Fund  Shares due such  shareholders.  All issued and  outstanding  shares of the
Selling Fund will  simultaneously  be canceled on the books of the Selling Fund.
The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates  representing the Acquiring Fund
Shares in connection with such exchange.

     1.5 Ownership of Shares.  Ownership of Acquiring  Fund Shares will be shown
on the books of the Acquiring  Fund's  transfer  agent.  Shares of the Acquiring
Fund will be issued in the manner described in the combined Prospectus and Proxy
Statement on Form N-14 to be distributed to  shareholders of the Selling Fund as
described in paragraph 5.7.

     1.6  Transfer  Taxes.  Any  transfer  taxes  payable  upon  issuance of the
Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered  holder of the Selling
Fund  shares  on the  books of the  Selling  Fund as of that  time  shall,  as a
condition  of such  issuance  and  transfer,  be paid by the person to whom such
Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.

     1.7 Reporting  Responsibility.  Any reporting responsibility of the Selling
Fund is and  shall  remain  the  responsibility  of the  Selling  Fund up to and
including  the  Closing  Date and such later date on which the  Selling  Fund is
terminated.

     1.8 Termination.  The Selling Fund shall be terminated  promptly  following
the Closing Date and the making of all distributions pursuant to paragraph 1.4.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                    VALUATION

     2.1  Valuation  of Assets.  The value of the  Selling  Fund's  assets to be
acquired  by the  Acquiring  Fund  hereunder  shall be the value of such  assets
computed  as of the close of  business  on the New York  Stock  Exchange  on the
business  day next  preceding  the  Closing  Date  (such  time  and  date  being
hereinafter  called the "Valuation  Date"),  using the valuation  procedures set
forth in the Trust's  Declaration of Trust and the Acquiring Fund's then current
prospectuses  and statement of additional  information  or such other  valuation
procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

     2.2  Valuation  of Shares.  The net asset value per share of the  Acquiring
Fund Shares  shall be the net asset value per share  computed as of the close of
business  on the New York  Stock  Exchange  on the  Valuation  Date,  using  the
valuation  procedures  set  forth in the  Trust's  Declaration  of Trust and the
Acquiring   Fund's  then  current   prospectuses  and  statement  of  additional
information.

     2.3 Shares to be Issued.  The number of the  Acquiring  Fund Shares of each
class to be issued  (including  fractional  shares,  if any) in exchange for the
Selling Fund's assets shall be determined by multiplying the shares  outstanding
of each class of the Selling  Fund by the ratio  computed  by  dividing  the net
asset value per share of the Selling Fund attributable to each of its classes by
the net asset value per share of the  respective  classes of the Acquiring  Fund
determined in accordance with paragraph 2.2.  Holders of Class A, Class B, Class
C and Class Y shares of the Selling Fund will receive  Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Y shares, respectively, of the Acquiring Fund.

     2.4  Determination  of Value.  All  computations  of value shall be made by
State Street Bank and Trust Company in accordance  with its regular  practice in
pricing the shares and assets of the Acquiring Fund.


                                   ARTICLE III

                            CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE

     3.1 Closing Date. The Closing (the "Closing")  shall take place on or about
July 30,  1999 or such other date as the  parties  may agree to in writing  (the
"Closing  Date").  All acts taking place at the Closing  shall be deemed to take
place simultaneously immediately prior to the opening of business on the Closing
Date unless otherwise provided. The Closing shall be held as of 9:00 a.m. at the
offices of the Evergreen  funds, 200 Berkeley  Street,  Boston,  MA 02116, or at
such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.

     3.2  Custodian's  Certificate.  State  Street  Bank and Trust  Company,  as
custodian for the Selling Fund (the "Custodian"), shall deliver at the Closing a
certificate  of an  authorized  officer  stating  that  (a) the  Selling  Fund's
portfolio  securities,  cash,  and any other assets shall have been delivered in
proper form to the  Acquiring  Fund on the Closing  Date;  and (b) all necessary
taxes including all applicable  federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any,
shall  have been paid,  or  provision  for  payment  shall  have been  made,  in
conjunction with the delivery of portfolio securities by the Selling Fund.

     3.3 Effect of  Suspension  in Trading.  In the event that on the  Valuation
Date (a) the New York Stock  Exchange  or  another  primary  trading  market for
portfolio  securities of the Acquiring  Fund or the Selling Fund shall be closed
to  trading  or  trading  thereon  shall be  restricted;  or (b)  trading or the
reporting of trading on said  Exchange or  elsewhere  shall be disrupted so that
accurate  appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring  Fund or the
Selling Fund is  impracticable,  the Valuation Date shall be postponed until the
first  business day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and
reporting shall have been restored.

     3.4 Transfer Agent's  Certificate.  Evergreen Service Company,  as transfer
agent for the Selling Fund,  shall  deliver at the Closing a  certificate  of an
authorized  officer  stating that its records contain the names and addresses of
the  Selling  Fund  Shareholders  and the number  and  percentage  ownership  of
outstanding  shares  owned by each  such  shareholder  immediately  prior to the
Closing.  The Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver or cause Evergreen  Service
Company, its transfer agent, to issue and deliver a confirmation  evidencing the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be credited on the Closing Date to the Secretary of the
Trust or provide  evidence  satisfactory to the Selling Fund that such Acquiring
Fund Shares have been credited to the Selling Fund's account on the books of the
Acquiring Fund. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such bills
of sale, checks,  assignments,  share  certificates,  if any, receipts and other
documents as such other party or its counsel may reasonably request.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     4.1   Representations of the Selling Fund.   The Selling Fund represents
    and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:

          (a) The  Selling  Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
     the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (b) The  Selling  Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust that is registered as an investment  company classified as a
     management  company of the open-end  type,  and its  registration  with the
     Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission")  as an investment
     company  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended (the "1940
     Act"), is in full force and effect.

          (c) The current  prospectuses and statement of additional  information
     of the Selling  Fund  conform in all  material  respects to the  applicable
     requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
     and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
     and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
     any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
     statements  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which they were
     made, not misleading.

          (d) The  Selling  Fund  is  not,  and  the  execution,  delivery,  and
     performance  of this Agreement  (subject to shareholder  approval) will not
     result,  in violation of any provision of the Trust's  Declaration of Trust
     or By-Laws or of any material agreement, indenture,  instrument,  contract,
     lease,  or other  undertaking  to which the  Selling  Fund is a party or by
     which it is bound.

          (e) The Selling Fund has no material  contracts  or other  commitments
     (other than this  Agreement)  that will be terminated  with liability to it
     prior to the Closing Date, except for liabilities, if any, to be discharged
     or reflected  in the  Statement  of Assets and  Liabilities  as provided in
     paragraph 1.3 hereof.

          (f) Except as  otherwise  disclosed  in writing to and accepted by the
     Acquiring Fund, no litigation,  administrative proceeding, or investigation
     of or before any court or governmental  body is presently pending or to its
     knowledge  threatened  against the Selling Fund or any of its properties or
     assets,  which,  if adversely  determined,  would  materially and adversely
     affect its financial condition, the conduct of its business, or the ability
     of the  Selling  Fund to carry out the  transactions  contemplated  by this
     Agreement. The Selling Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for
     the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the
     provisions of any order,  decree,  or judgment of any court or governmental
     body that  materially and adversely  affects its business or its ability to
     consummate the transactions herein contemplated.

          (g) The unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Selling Fund
     at September 30, 1998 are in accordance with generally accepted  accounting
     principles  consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have
     been  furnished  to  the  Acquiring  Fund)  fairly  reflect  the  financial
     condition  of the  Selling  Fund as of such  date,  and  there are no known
     contingent  liabilities  of the Selling Fund as of such date not  disclosed
     therein.

          (h) Since  September 30, 1998 there has not been any material  adverse
     change in the Selling Fund's financial condition,  assets,  liabilities, or
     business other than changes  occurring in the ordinary  course of business,
     or any  incurrence by the Selling Fund of  indebtedness  maturing more than
     one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred,  except as otherwise
     disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring  Fund.  For the purposes of this
     subparagraph  (h), a decline  in the net asset  value of the  Selling  Fund
     shall not constitute a material adverse change.

          (i) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports
     of the Selling Fund  required by law to have been filed by such dates shall
     have been filed,  and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns
     and reports shall have been paid, or provision shall have been made for the
     payment  thereof.  To the best of the  Selling  Fund's  knowledge,  no such
     return is currently  under audit,  and no assessment has been asserted with
     respect to such returns.

          (j) For each fiscal year of its  operation,  the Selling  Fund has met
     the  requirements  of  Subchapter  M of  the  Code  for  qualification  and
     treatment as a regulated  investment  company and has  distributed  in each
     such year all net investment income and realized capital gains.

          (k) All issued and outstanding  shares of the Selling Fund are, and at
     the Closing Date will be, duly and validly  issued and  outstanding,  fully
     paid  and  non-assessable  by the  Selling  Fund.  All of  the  issued  and
     outstanding  shares of the  Selling  Fund will,  at the time of the Closing
     Date, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of
     the transfer  agent as provided in paragraph 3.4. The Selling Fund does not
     have outstanding any options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or
     purchase  any of the Selling  Fund  shares,  nor is there  outstanding  any
     security convertible into any of the Selling Fund shares.

          (l) At  the  Closing  Date,  the  Selling  Fund  will  have  good  and
     marketable  title to the Selling  Fund's  assets to be  transferred  to the
     Acquiring  Fund  pursuant  to  paragraph  1.2 and full  right,  power,  and
     authority to sell,  assign,  transfer,  and deliver such assets  hereunder,
     and,  upon delivery and payment for such assets,  the  Acquiring  Fund will
     acquire good and marketable  title thereto,  subject to no  restrictions on
     the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under
     the 1933 Act, other than as disclosed to the Acquiring Fund and accepted by
     the Acquiring Fund.

          (m) The execution,  delivery,  and  performance of this Agreement have
     been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  action on the part of the Selling
     Fund and,  subject to  approval  by the  Selling  Fund  Shareholders,  this
     Agreement  constitutes a valid and binding  obligation of the Selling Fund,
     enforceable in accordance  with its terms,  subject as to  enforcement,  to
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating
     to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

          (n) The  information  to be  furnished  by the Selling Fund for use in
     no-action letters,  applications for orders, registration statements, proxy
     materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the
     transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall be accurate  and  complete in all
     material  respects and shall comply in all material  respects  with federal
     securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.

          (o) The  Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement  of the  Selling  Fund to be
     included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.7) (other
     than  information  therein that relates to the Acquiring Fund) will, on the
     effective date of the  Registration  Statement and on the Closing Date, not
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements
     therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which such  statements were
     made, not misleading.

     4.2   Representations of the Acquiring Fund.  The Acquiring Fund represents
     and warrants to the Selling Fund as follows:

          (a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under
     the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust that is registered as an investment  company classified as a
     management  company of the open-end  type,  and its  registration  with the
     Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and
     effect.

          (c) The current  prospectuses and statement of additional  information
     of the Acquiring  Fund conform in all material  respects to the  applicable
     requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
     of the Commission  thereunder and do not include any untrue  statement of a
     material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated
     therein  or  necessary  to make  the  statements  therein,  in light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          (d) The  Acquiring  Fund  is not,  and  the  execution,  delivery  and
     performance of this Agreement will not result,  in violation of the Trust's
     Declaration  of Trust or By-Laws or of any material  agreement,  indenture,
     instrument,  contract,  lease, or other  undertaking to which the Acquiring
     Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

          (e) Except as  otherwise  disclosed in writing to the Selling Fund and
     accepted by the Selling Fund, no litigation,  administrative  proceeding or
     investigation  of or before  any court or  governmental  body is  presently
     pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of
     its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined,  would materially
     and  adversely  affect  its  financial  condition  and the  conduct  of its
     business or the ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the transactions
     contemplated by this  Agreement.  The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that
     might form the basis for the  institution of such  proceedings and is not a
     party to or subject to the provisions of any order,  decree, or judgment of
     any court or governmental  body that  materially and adversely  affects its
     business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

          (f) The unaudited  semi-annual  financial  statements of the Acquiring
     Fund  at  January  31,  1999  are in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles  consistently applied, and such statements (copies of
     which have been furnished to the Selling Fund) fairly reflect the financial
     condition  of the  Acquiring  Fund as of such date,  and there are no known
     contingent  liabilities of the Acquiring Fund as of such date not disclosed
     therein.

          (g) Since  January  31, 1999 there has not been any  material  adverse
     change in the Acquiring Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities, or
     business other than changes  occurring in the ordinary  course of business,
     or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness  maturing more than
     one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred,  except as otherwise
     disclosed  to and  accepted by the Selling  Fund.  For the purposes of this
     subparagraph  (g), a decline in the net asset value of the  Acquiring  Fund
     shall not constitute a material adverse change.

          (h) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports
     of the Acquiring  Fund required by law then to be filed by such dates shall
     have been filed,  and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns
     and reports shall have been paid or provision  shall have been made for the
     payment  thereof.  To the best of the Acquiring Fund's  knowledge,  no such
     return is currently  under audit,  and no assessment has been asserted with
     respect to such returns.

          (i) For each fiscal year of its operation,  the Acquiring Fund has met
     the  requirements  of  Subchapter  M of  the  Code  for  qualification  and
     treatment as a regulated  investment  company and has  distributed  in each
     such year all net investment income and realized capital gains.

          (j) All issued and  outstanding  Acquiring Fund Shares are, and at the
     Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and  outstanding,  fully paid
     and  non-assessable.  The  Acquiring  Fund  does not have  outstanding  any
     options,  warrants,  or other  rights  to  subscribe  for or  purchase  any
     Acquiring Fund Shares,  nor is there  outstanding any security  convertible
     into any Acquiring Fund Shares.

          (k) The execution,  delivery,  and  performance of this Agreement have
     been duly  authorized by all necessary  action on the part of the Acquiring
     Fund, and this Agreement  constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
     Acquiring  Fund  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms,  subject as to
     enforcement,  to bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium, and
     other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
     principles.

          (l) The  Acquiring  Fund  Shares to be  issued  and  delivered  to the
     Selling Fund, for the account of the Selling Fund Shareholders, pursuant to
     the terms of this  Agreement  will,  at the  Closing  Date,  have been duly
     authorized  and,  when so issued and  delivered,  will be duly and  validly
     issued Acquiring Fund Shares, and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

          (m) The  information  to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in
     no-action letters,  applications for orders, registration statements, proxy
     materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the
     transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall be accurate  and  complete in all
     material  respects and shall comply in all material  respects  with federal
     securities and other laws and regulations applicable thereto.

          (n) The Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.7)
     to be included in the Registration Statement (only insofar as it relates to
     the  Acquiring  Fund)  will,  on the  effective  date  of the  Registration
     Statement  and on the Closing Date,  not contain any untrue  statement of a
     material  fact or omit to  state a  material  fact  required  to be  stated
     therein  or  necessary  to make  the  statements  therein,  in light of the
     circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

          (o) The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable  efforts to obtain
     the  approvals and  authorizations  required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act,
     and  such  of  the  state  Blue  Sky or  securities  laws  as it  may  deem
     appropriate in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.


                                    ARTICLE V

              COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE SELLING FUND

     5.1 Operation in Ordinary  Course.  The Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund
each will operate its business in the  ordinary  course  between the date hereof
and the Closing Date, it being  understood that such ordinary course of business
will include customary dividends and distributions.

     5.2 Approval of Shareholders.  The Trust will call a meeting of the Selling
Fund  Shareholders to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other
action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.

     5.3  Investment  Representation.   The  Selling  Fund  covenants  that  the
Acquiring  Fund Shares to be issued  hereunder  are not being  acquired  for the
purpose of making any  distribution  thereof other than in  accordance  with the
terms of this Agreement.

     5.4 Additional Information. The Selling Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund
in  obtaining  such  information  as  the  Acquiring  Fund  reasonably  requests
concerning the beneficial ownership of the Selling Fund shares.

     5.5  Further  Action.  Subject to the  provisions  of this  Agreement,  the
Acquiring  Fund and the Selling Fund will each take,  or cause to be taken,  all
action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably  necessary,  proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing Date.

     5.6 Statement of Earnings and Profits.  As promptly as practicable,  but in
any case  within  sixty days after the  Closing  Date,  the  Selling  Fund shall
furnish the Acquiring  Fund, in such form as is reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Acquiring  Fund, a statement of the earnings and profits of the Selling Fund for
federal income tax purposes that will be carried over by the Acquiring Fund as a
result of Section  381 of the Code,  and which will be  reviewed by KPMG LLP and
certified by the Trust's President and Treasurer.

     5.7 Preparation of Form N-14 Registration Statement.  The Selling Fund will
provide  the  Acquiring  Fund  with  information  reasonably  necessary  for the
preparation of a prospectus, which will include the proxy statement, referred to
in paragraph 4.1(o) (the "Prospectus and Proxy  Statement"),  all to be included
in  a   Registration   Statement  on  Form  N-14  of  the  Acquiring  Fund  (the
"Registration  Statement"),  in  compliance  with the 1933 Act,  the  Securities
Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended  (the  "1934  Act"),  and the  1940  Act in
connection  with the  meeting  of the  Selling  Fund  Shareholders  to  consider
approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.

     5.8 Capital Loss Carryforwards. As promptly as practicable, but in any case
within sixty days after the Closing  Date,  the  Acquiring  Fund and the Selling
Fund shall cause KPMG LLP to issue a letter  addressed to the Acquiring Fund and
the Selling Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Funds, setting forth
the federal income tax implications  relating to capital loss  carryforwards (if
any) of the Selling Fund.

                                   ARTICLE VI

             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLING FUND

     The obligations of the Selling Fund to consummate the transactions provided
for  herein  shall  be  subject,  at its  election,  to the  performance  by the
Acquiring  Fund of all the  obligations  to be  performed  by it hereunder on or
before the Closing  Date,  and,  in  addition  thereto,  the  following  further
conditions:

     6.1 All  representations,  covenants,  and warranties of the Acquiring Fund
contained in this Agreement  shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and
as of the  Closing  Date with the same  force and effect as if made on and as of
the Closing  Date,  and the Acquiring  Fund shall have  delivered to the Selling
Fund a  certificate  executed in its name by the Trust's  Secretary or Assistant
Secretary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Selling Fund and
dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the
Selling Fund shall reasonably request.

     6.2 The Selling  Fund shall have  received  on the Closing  Date an opinion
from Sullivan & Worcester LLP,  counsel to the Acquiring  Fund,  dated as of the
Closing Date, in a form reasonably  satisfactory  to the Selling Fund,  covering
the following points:

          (a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under
     the  laws of the  State  of  Delaware  and has the  power to own all of its
     properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.

          (b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and,
     to such counsel's  knowledge,  such  registration with the Commission as an
     investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.

          (c) This Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed,  and delivered
     by the  Acquiring  Fund and,  assuming  due  authorization,  execution  and
     delivery  of this  Agreement  by the Selling  Fund,  is a valid and binding
     obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable  against the Acquiring Fund in
     accordance  with its  terms,  subject  as to  enforcement,  to  bankruptcy,
     insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  and other  laws  relating  to or
     affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equity principles.

          (d) Assuming that a consideration therefor not less than the net asset
     value  thereof has been paid,  the  Acquiring  Fund Shares to be issued and
     delivered to the Selling Fund on behalf of the Selling Fund Shareholders as
     provided by this Agreement are duly  authorized and upon such delivery will
     be legally issued and outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable, and no
     shareholder  of the  Acquiring  Fund has any  preemptive  rights in respect
     thereof.

          (e) The Registration Statement, to such counsel's knowledge,  has been
     declared  effective by the  Commission and no stop order under the 1933 Act
     pertaining  thereto has been issued,  and to the knowledge of such counsel,
     no consent,  approval,  authorization or order of any court or governmental
     authority  of the United  States or the State of Delaware  is required  for
     consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein,
     except such as have been obtained  under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the
     1940 Act, and as may be required under state securities laws.

          (f) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  did not, and the
     consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby will not, result in a
     violation of the Trust's  Declaration  of Trust or By-Laws or any provision
     of any material agreement, indenture,  instrument, contract, lease or other
     undertaking  (in each case known to such  counsel)  to which the  Acquiring
     Fund is a party or by which it or any of its  properties may be bound or to
     the knowledge of such counsel, result in the acceleration of any obligation
     or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement,  judgment, or decree
     to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

          (g)  Only  insofar  as  they  relate  to  the  Acquiring   Fund,   the
     descriptions in the Prospectus and Proxy  Statement of statutes,  legal and
     governmental  proceedings and material contracts,  if any, are accurate and
     fairly present the information required to be shown.

          (h)  Such  counsel  does  not  know  of  any  legal  or   governmental
     proceedings, only insofar as they relate to the Acquiring Fund, existing on
     or before the effective date of the  Registration  Statement or the Closing
     Date required to be described in the Registration  Statement or to be filed
     as exhibits to the Registration  Statement which are not described or filed
     as required.

          (i) To the knowledge of such counsel,  no litigation or administrative
     proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental  body is
     presently  pending or  threatened  as to the  Acquiring  Fund or any of its
     properties or assets and the Acquiring Fund is not a party to or subject to
     the  provisions  of  any  order,   decree  or  judgment  of  any  court  or
     governmental  body,  which  materially and adversely  affects its business,
     other than as previously disclosed in the Registration Statement.

Such opinion shall contain such  assumptions  and limitations as shall be in the
opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP appropriate to render the opinions expressed
therein.

     In this  paragraph 6.2,  references to the  Prospectus and Proxy  Statement
include and relate to only the text of such  Prospectus and Proxy  Statement and
not to any exhibits or attachments  thereto or to any documents  incorporated by
reference therein.


                                   ARTICLE VII

            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

     The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the transactions provided
for herein shall be subject, at its election,  to the performance by the Selling
Fund of all the  obligations  to be  performed  by it hereunder on or before the
Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following conditions:

     7.1 All  representations,  covenants,  and  warranties  of the Selling Fund
contained in this Agreement  shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and
as of the  Closing  Date with the same  force and effect as if made on and as of
the Closing  Date,  and the Selling Fund shall have  delivered to the  Acquiring
Fund on the  Closing  Date a  certificate  executed  in its name by the  Trust's
Secretary or Assistant  Secretary,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the
Acquiring  Fund and dated as of the Closing  Date, to such effect and as to such
other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.

     7.2 The Selling Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a statement
of the  Selling  Fund's  assets  and  liabilities,  together  with a list of the
Selling Fund's portfolio  securities showing the tax costs of such securities by
lot  and the  holding  periods  of  such  securities,  as of the  Closing  Date,
certified by the Treasurer of the Trust.

     7.3 The  Acquiring  Fund shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion
of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, counsel to the Selling Fund, in a form satisfactory
to the Acquiring Fund covering the following points:

          (a) The  Selling  Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under
     the  laws of the  State  of  Delaware  and has the  power to own all of its
     properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.

          (b) The  Selling  Fund is a separate  investment  series of a Delaware
     business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and,
     to such counsel's  knowledge,  such  registration with the Commission as an
     investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.

          (c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Selling Fund and, assuming due authorization,  execution,  and delivery
     of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund, is a valid and binding  obligation
     of the Selling Fund enforceable against the Selling Fund in accordance with
     its  terms,   subject  as  to  enforcement,   to  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
     reorganization,   moratorium  and  other  laws  relating  to  or  affecting
     creditors' rights generally and to general equity principles.

          (d)  To  the  knowledge  of  such  counsel,   no  consent,   approval,
     authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United
     States or the State of Delaware is required for consummation by the Selling
     Fund of the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  except  such as have been
     obtained  under the 1933 Act,  the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and as may be
     required under state securities laws.

          (e) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  did not, and the
     consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby will not, result in a
     violation of the Trust's  Declaration of Trust or By-laws, or any provision
     of any material agreement, indenture,  instrument, contract, lease or other
     undertaking  (in each case known to such counsel) to which the Selling Fund
     is a party or by which it or any of its  properties may be bound or, to the
     knowledge of such counsel,  result in the acceleration of any obligation or
     the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement,  judgment, or decree to
     which the Selling Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

          (f) Only insofar as they relate to the Selling Fund, the  descriptions
     in the  Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement of statutes,  legal and government
     proceedings and material contracts, if any, are accurate and fairly present
     the information required to be shown.

          (g)  Such  counsel  does  not  know  of  any  legal  or   governmental
     proceedings,  insofar as they  relate to the  Selling  Fund  existing on or
     before the date of mailing of the  Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement and the
     Closing  Date,  required  to be  described  in  the  Prospectus  and  Proxy
     Statement or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration  Statement which
     are not described or filed as required.

          (h) To the knowledge of such counsel,  no litigation or administrative
     proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental  body is
     presently  pending  or  threatened  as to the  Selling  Fund  or any of its
     respective  properties or assets and the Selling Fund is neither a party to
     nor subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court
     or governmental  body, which materially and adversely  affects its business
     other than as previously disclosed in the Prospectus and Proxy Statement.

          (i) Assuming  that a  consideration  therefor of not less than the net
     asset  value  thereof  has been paid,  and  assuming  that such shares were
     issued in  accordance  with the terms of the  Selling  Fund's  registration
     statement,  or any  amendment  thereto,  in  effect  at the  time  of  such
     issuance, all issued and outstanding shares of the Selling Fund are legally
     issued and fully paid and non-assessable.

Such opinion shall contain such other assumptions and limitations as shall be in
the opinion of  Sullivan &  Worcester  LLP  appropriate  to render the  opinions
expressed therein.

     In this  paragraph 7.3,  references to the  Prospectus and Proxy  Statement
include and relate to only the text of such  Prospectus and Proxy  Statement and
not to any exhibits or attachments  thereto or to any documents  incorporated by
reference therein.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

               FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE
                       ACQUIRING FUND AND THE SELLING FUND

     If any of the  conditions  set forth  below do not  exist on or before  the
Closing Date with respect to the Selling Fund or the Acquiring  Fund,  the other
party to this Agreement shall, at its option,  not be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement:

     8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been
approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the  outstanding  shares of the
Selling Fund in accordance  with the  provisions of the Trust's  Declaration  of
Trust and  By-Laws  and  certified  copies of the  resolutions  evidencing  such
approval  shall  have been  delivered  to the  Acquiring  Fund.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Selling Fund
may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.1.

     8.2  On  the  Closing  Date,  the  Commission  shall  not  have  issued  an
unfavorable  report  under  Section  25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor  instituted  any
proceeding  seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement  under Section  25(c) of the 1940 Act and no action,  suit or
other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any court or governmental
agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other
relief in  connection  with,  this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated
herein.

     8.3 All required consents of other parties and all other consents,  orders,
and permits of federal,  state and local regulatory authorities (including those
of the Commission and of state Blue Sky  securities  authorities,  including any
necessary  "no-action"  positions of and exemptive  orders from such federal and
state  authorities)  to permit  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby  shall  have been  obtained,  except  where  failure  to obtain  any such
consent,  order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect
on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Selling Fund,  provided
that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.

     8.4 The  Registration  Statement shall have become effective under the 1933
Act, and no stop orders  suspending  the  effectiveness  thereof shall have been
issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties  hereto,  no  investigation  or
proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened
or contemplated under the 1933 Act.

     8.5 The Selling  Fund shall have  declared a dividend or  dividends  which,
together with all previous such dividends, shall have the effect of distributing
to the  Selling  Fund  Shareholders  all of the  Selling  Fund's net  investment
company taxable income for all taxable periods ending on or prior to the Closing
Date (computed  without  regard to any deduction for dividends  paid) and all of
its net capital gains realized in all taxable  periods ending on or prior to the
Closing Date (after reduction for any capital loss carryforward).

     8.6 The  parties  shall have  received a  favorable  opinion of  Sullivan &
Worcester LLP addressed to the Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund substantially
to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:

          (a) The transfer of all of the Selling Fund assets in exchange for the
     Acquiring  Fund  Shares and the  assumption  by the  Acquiring  Fund of the
     identified  liabilities of the Selling Fund followed by the distribution of
     the  Acquiring  Fund  Shares  to  the  Selling  Fund  in  dissolution   and
     liquidation of the Selling Fund will constitute a  "reorganization"  within
     the meaning of Section  368(a)(1)(C) of the Code and the Acquiring Fund and
     the  Selling  Fund will each be a "party to a  reorganization"  within  the
     meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

          (b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring  Fund upon the
     receipt  of the  assets of the  Selling  Fund  solely in  exchange  for the
     Acquiring  Fund  Shares and the  assumption  by the  Acquiring  Fund of the
     identified liabilities of the Selling Fund.

          (c) No gain or loss will be  recognized  by the Selling  Fund upon the
     transfer of the Selling Fund assets to the  Acquiring  Fund in exchange for
     the Acquiring  Fund Shares and the  assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
     identified  liabilities  of the  Selling  Fund  or  upon  the  distribution
     (whether  actual or  constructive)  of the Acquiring Fund Shares to Selling
     Fund Shareholders in exchange for their shares of the Selling Fund.

          (d)  No  gain  or  loss  will  be   recognized  by  the  Selling  Fund
     Shareholders  upon  the  exchange  of their  Selling  Fund  shares  for the
     Acquiring Fund Shares in liquidation of the Selling Fund.

          (e) The aggregate tax basis for the Acquiring Fund Shares  received by
     each Selling Fund Shareholder  pursuant to the  reorganization  will be the
     same as the  aggregate  tax basis of the  Selling  Fund shares held by such
     shareholder immediately prior to the reorganization, and the holding period
     of  the  Acquiring  Fund  Shares  to  be  received  by  each  Selling  Fund
     Shareholder  will  include the period  during which the Selling Fund shares
     exchanged therefor were held by such shareholder (provided the Selling Fund
     shares were held as capital assets on the date of the reorganization).

          (f) The tax basis of the Selling Fund assets acquired by the Acquiring
     Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets to the  Selling  Fund
     immediately  prior to the  reorganization,  and the  holding  period of the
     assets of the Selling Fund in the hands of the Acquiring  Fund will include
     the period during which those assets were held by the Selling Fund.

     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund
nor the Selling Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.6.

     8.7 The Acquiring Fund shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter addressed
to the Acquiring Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund,
to the effect that:

          (a) they are independent  certified public accountants with respect to
     the  Selling  Fund  within the  meaning of the 1933 Act and the  applicable
     published rules and regulations thereunder;

          (b) on the basis of limited  procedures  agreed upon by the  Acquiring
     Fund and  described in such letter (but not an  examination  in  accordance
     with generally  accepted  auditing  standards),  the  Capitalization  Table
     appearing in the Registration  Statement and Prospectus and Proxy Statement
     has been obtained from and is consistent with the accounting records of the
     Selling Fund; and

          (c) on the basis of limited  procedures  agreed upon by the  Acquiring
     Fund and  described in such letter (but not an  examination  in  accordance
     with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards),  the pro  forma  financial
     statements that are included in the  Registration  Statement and Prospectus
     and Proxy  Statement  agree with the underlying  accounting  records of the
     Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund or with written  estimates  provided by
     officers of the Evergreen funds who have  responsibility  for financial and
     reporting matters, and were found to be mathematically correct;

          (d) on the basis of limited  procedures  agreed upon by the  Acquiring
     Fund and  described in such letter (but not an  examination  in  accordance
     with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards),  the data  utilized in the
     calculations of the pro forma expense ratios  appearing in the Registration
     Statement and  Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement  agree with the  underlying
     accounting  records of the Selling Fund or with written estimates  provided
     by Selling Fund's management and were found to be mathematically correct.

     In addition,  unless waived by the Acquiring Fund, the Acquiring Fund shall
have  received from KPMG LLP a letter  addressed to the Acquiring  Fund dated on
the Closing Date, in form and substance  satisfactory  to the Acquiring Fund, to
the effect that on the basis of limited  procedures agreed upon by the Acquiring
Fund (but not an examination  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards),  the  net  asset  value  per  share  of the  Selling  Fund as of the
Valuation  Date was computed and the valuation of the  portfolio was  consistent
with the valuation policy of the Acquiring Fund.

     8.8 The Selling Fund shall have received  from KPMG LLP a letter  addressed
to the Selling  Fund, in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the Selling Fund,
indicating that:

          (a) they are independent  certified public accountants with respect to
     the  Acquiring  Fund within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the  applicable
     published rules and regulations thereunder;

          (b) they had performed  limited  procedures agreed upon by the Selling
     Fund and  described in such letter (but not an  examination  in  accordance
     with generally accepted auditing standards) which consisted of a reading of
     any unaudited pro forma financial  statements  included in the Registration
     Statement  and  Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement  and making  inquiries  of
     appropriate officials of the Trust responsible for financial and accounting
     matters whether such unaudited pro forma financial  statements comply as to
     form in all material respects with the applicable  accounting  requirements
     of the 1933 Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder;

          (c) on the basis of limited procedures agreed upon by the Selling Fund
     and described in such letter (but not an  examination  in  accordance  with
     generally accepted auditing standards),  the Capitalization Table appearing
     in the  Registration  Statement and Prospectus and Proxy Statement has been
     obtained  from  and  is  consistent  with  the  accounting  records  of the
     Acquiring Fund; and

          (d) on the basis of limited procedures agreed upon by the Selling Fund
     (but not an examination  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
     standards),  the data utilized in the calculations of the pro forma expense
     ratios  appearing in the  Registration  Statement and  Prospectus and Proxy
     Statement agree with written  estimates  provided by each Fund's management
     and were found to be mathematically correct.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    EXPENSES

     9.1  Except  as  otherwise   provided  for  herein,  all  expenses  of  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement incurred by the Selling Fund and the
Acquiring  Fund  will be borne by  First  Union  National  Bank  ("FUNB").  Such
expenses include,  without limitation,  (a) expenses incurred in connection with
the entering into and the carrying out of the provisions of this Agreement;  (b)
expenses  associated  with  the  preparation  and  filing  of  the  Registration
Statement  under the 1933 Act  covering the  Acquiring  Fund Shares to be issued
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement;  (c) registration or qualification
fees and  expenses of  preparing  and filing such forms as are  necessary  under
applicable  state  securities  laws to qualify the  Acquiring  Fund Shares to be
issued  in  connection  herewith  in  each  state  in  which  the  Selling  Fund
Shareholders  are resident as of the date of the mailing of the  Prospectus  and
Proxy Statement to such shareholders;  (d) postage; (e) printing; (f) accounting
fees;  (g)  legal  fees;  and  (h)   solicitation   costs  of  the  transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Acquiring Fund shall pay its own federal and
state registration fees.


                                    ARTICLE X

                    ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES

     10.1 The  Acquiring  Fund and the Selling Fund agree that neither party has
made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

     10.2 The  representations,  warranties,  and  covenants  contained  in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   TERMINATION

     11.1 This  Agreement  may be  terminated  by the  mutual  agreement  of the
Acquiring  Fund and the Selling Fund. In addition,  either the Acquiring Fund or
the Selling Fund may at its option  terminate  this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date because:

          (a) of a breach  by the  other  of any  representation,  warranty,  or
     agreement contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date,
     if not cured within 30 days; or

          (b) a condition herein expressed to be precedent to the obligations of
     the  terminating  party has not been met and it reasonably  appears that it
     will not or cannot be met.

     11.2 In the  event of any  such  termination,  in the  absence  of  willful
default,  there  shall be no  liability  for  damages  on the part of either the
Acquiring  Fund,  the  Selling  Fund,  the Trust,  the  respective  Trustees  or
officers,  to the other party or its Trustees or  officers,  but each shall bear
the expenses  incurred by it incidental to the  preparation  and carrying out of
this Agreement as provided in paragraph 9.1.



                                   ARTICLE XII

                                   AMENDMENTS

     12.1 This  Agreement  may be amended,  modified,  or  supplemented  in such
manner as may be mutually  agreed upon in writing by the authorized  officers of
the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund; provided,  however,  that following the
meeting of the Selling Fund Shareholders  called by the Selling Fund pursuant to
paragraph  5.2 of this  Agreement,  no such  amendment  may have the  effect  of
changing the provisions for  determining the number of the Acquiring Fund Shares
to be issued to the  Selling  Fund  Shareholders  under  this  Agreement  to the
detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

   HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

     13.1 The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference  purposes  only  and  shall  not  affect  in any  way the  meaning  or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     13.2   This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original.

     13.3 This Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of Delaware,  without  giving  effect to the  conflicts of
laws provisions thereof.

     13.4 This  Agreement  shall bind and inure to the  benefit  of the  parties
hereto and their respective  successors and assigns,  but, except as provided in
this paragraph, no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations
hereunder  shall be made by any party  without the written  consent of the other
party.  Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to
confer upon or give any person,  firm,  or  corporation,  other than the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Agreement.

     13.5 It is expressly  agreed that the obligations of the Acquiring Fund and
the  Selling  Fund  hereunder  shall not be  binding  upon any of the  Trustees,
shareholders,  nominees, officers, agents, or employees of the Trust personally,
but shall bind only the trust  property of the Acquiring Fund and of the Selling
Fund, as provided in the  Declaration  of Trust of the Trust.  The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been  authorized by the Trustees of the Trust on
behalf of the  Acquiring  Fund and the  Selling  Fund and  signed by  authorized
officers of the Trust,  acting as such, and neither such  authorization  by such
Trustees nor such  execution  and delivery by such  officers  shall be deemed to
have been made by any of them  individually or to impose any liability on any of
them  personally,  but shall bind only the trust  property of the Acquiring Fund
and of the Selling Fund as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as of the
date first written above.


                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
                             On behalf of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund


                                   
                             By:  /s/ Michael H. Koonce
                                _____________________________   
                                      Name: Michael H. Koonce
                                      Title: Secretary



                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
                             On behalf of Evergreen American Retirement Fund


                              By:  /s/ Michael H. Koonce
                                 ____________________________    
                                      Name: Michael H. Koonce
                                      Title: Secretary

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT B



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 [PICTURE OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                           Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  August 1978


                  [PICTURE OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                               Irene D. O'Neill
                            Tenure:  December 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                       1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    8/31/78
<S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge               2.80%     2.29%     6.16%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                7.93%     7.13%     7.13%      8.16%
 ................................................................................
3 years                               12.55%    12.77%    13.56%     14.68%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                  --        --        --      10.90%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                 --        --        --      10.78%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                       14.85%    14.99%    15.56%     14.25%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                   4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                   Front End    CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                       2.16%     1.50%     1.60%      2.53%
 ...............................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                           $  1.02   $  0.85   $  0.85   $   1.08
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share             $  1.59   $  1.59   $  1.59   $   1.59
 ................................................................................
</TABLE>
*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date             Class A          Wilshire 5000          LIFA             CPI

1/3/95              9,525              10,000            10,000           10,000
Jul-95             10,962              12,415            11,504           10,187
Jul-96             11,847              14,239            12,602           10,485
Jul-97             15,210              20,960            15,440           10,721
Jul-98             16,409              25,821            16,727           10,902



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Income and
Growth Fund Class A, the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lipper Income Funds Average
(LIFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).



Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lipper Income Funds Average
are unmanaged market indexes and do not include transaction costs associated
with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI is a
commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment return.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the year?

In the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, the Fund sustained its above-average
dividend distributions.  For Class Y shares, the oldest class, these dividends
were $0.27 per share each quarter, providing a yield in the top quartile of the
Lipper Income Funds category.  The Class Y shares have been able to sustain at
least this level of dividend for the past 13 years. Yet, the Class Y shares have
had an average annual total return of 14.25% since inception of the Fund on
August 31, 1978.  During the 12-month period that ended on July 31, 1998, the
Fund's Class Y shares had a return of 8.16%.  Class A, B and C shares had total
returns of 7.93%, 7.13% and 7.13% respectively, unadjusted for applicable sales
charges.  During the same period the average return on the Lipper Income Funds
category was 8.37% and the Wilshire 5000 Index had a return of 17.05%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                    $950,653,827
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           150
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 18.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.87
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98



How would you describe the long-term strategy of the Fund?

The Fund is designed to be an income-producing alternative to bond investing
while providing growth for greater protection against inflation.  The investment
strategy uses high yield undervalued convertible bonds, convertible preferred
stocks, and common stocks to enhance both the Fund's income and defensive
quality while aiming for significant capital appreciation.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(as a percentage of net assets)

[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]       Common Stock -- 65.7%
                               Convertible Preferred Stock -- 30.1%
                               Convertible Debentures -- 3.3%
                               Cash/Cash Equivalents -- 0.9%


What were some of the major contributors to performance?

The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.

Within the general health group, a leading performer was Bristol-Myers Squibb
Co., which has produced a steady flow of new products that helped propel the
company stock to a 44.7% return during the year.  Another leading performer in
the health group was ADAC Laboratories.  This company has introduced an
important imaging device that helps determine the spread of cancer.  With strong
revenue growth, this company's stock had a return of 39.8% during the fiscal
year.  A third health-related company that was a significant performer was
Shared Medical Systems Corp., which provides computerization services that help
hospitals and other health providers increase their operating efficiency.  The
stock in this company was up 41.4% during the fiscal year.

One of the principal investment themes at Evergreen is to invest in companies
that we believe are temporarily


                                                                              11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


out of favor in the stock market, but have attractive underlying value.  We call
this the "value timing" strategy.  A good example of this strategy in action was
the Fund's investment in American Home Products, a major pharmaceutical company.
The Fund purchased the stock on September 18, 1997, after the company's stock
price had suffered a steep decline in the face of the controversy over the
effects of the weight-control drug Fen-Phen.  Our analysis indicated that the
market had over-reacted to the potential liability and that the company's stock
price was significantly undervalued.  The stock produced a return of 46.4% for
the Fund from the investment to the end of the fiscal year.

Consolidation has helped the investments in the bank and thrift industries,
despite a slowdown in merger announcements by smaller banking institutions
during the second half of the fiscal year as attention turned to merger
announcements of very large banks.  Among the investments that generated large
returns for the Fund were several banks and thrifts that were acquired by larger
banks.  They included Firstbank of Illinois Co., which produced a return of 365%
since the initial investment in March, 1991; Hudson Chartered Bancorp Inc.,
produced a 367% return since the Fund's investment in December, 1992; and Eagle
Financial Corp., which produced a 280% return since the investment in November,
1992.

Among banks that have not been taken over, the best performers were M&T Bank
Corp. (formerly First Empire) of Buffalo, New York, which rose 59.3% during the
year, and First American Corp. of Tenn., which took over another Fund holding;
Deposit Guaranty Corp.  The investment in First American returned 67.3% during
the year.

                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.                                              4.1%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.                            3.6%
 ................................................................................
Qualcomm Financial Trust I, 5.75%, Conv. Pfd.                               3.3%
 ...............................................................................
Marketspan Corp.                                                            3.0%
 ................................................................................
Wendy's Financing I, 5.00%, TECONS                                          2.8%
 ................................................................................
Houston Industries, Inc., 7.00%, ACES                                       2.8%
 ................................................................................
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.                                            2.1%
 ................................................................................
Meditrust Co. REIT                                                          2.0%
 ................................................................................
Bankers Trust Corp.                                                         2.0%
 ................................................................................
Peoples Energy Corp.                                                        1.9%
 ................................................................................


Telecommunications-related investments helped the Fund significantly.  In fact,
the leading contributor to performance during the fiscal year was Frontier
Corp., which was up 67.3%.  This company, the former Rochester Telephone
Company, has expanded its long distance footprint through a savvy investment in
the Quest Communications network, a nationwide state of the art fiber optic
network which provides integrated voice, data and video communications.
Frontier is also a potential acquisition candidate.  Another telecommunications
investment that helped the Fund's performance was the Air Touch Communications
Convertible Preferred shares which were up 52% in the year.  This company
provides telecommunications services around the world.  Worldcom, Inc. which has
announced its intention to buy MCI, also provided a return of 54.8% for the Fund
during the year as investors began to understand the potential for global growth
in the telecommunications industry.  These three telecommunications companies
have potential to make inroads in telecom markets less encumbered by regulation
such as that which impacts the Regional Bell Operating Companies.

12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Consumer-related stocks were a fourth group that helped performance.  One of the
leading contributors was La-Z-Boy Chair Co., which had a 51.5% return since the
Fund's investment on August 4, 1997.

The primary weak areas were in the investments in foreign stocks, energy stocks
and real estate investment trusts (REITs).  Foreign investments, particularly
Australian investments, suffered in sympathy with the economic crisis in Asia.
During the year, we significantly reduced the foreign weighting in the Fund to
decrease the vulnerability to problems in Asia.

Energy-related stocks were hurt by the mild winter reducing the need for heat
and the worldwide slump in oil prices, while real estate stocks in general
lagged the overall market.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Banks                                                                      16.1%
 ...............................................................................
Utilities - Electric                                                        9.2%
 ................................................................................
Real Estate                                                                 7.4%
 ................................................................................
Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                      7.4%
 ................................................................................
Utilities - Gas                                                             7.1%
 ................................................................................


What Is your Outlook?

We expect the U.S. economy to grow with inflation remaining low.  The equity
market should be positive, particularly with the continued flow of funds into
stocks and the persistence of merger-and-acquisition activity.  We do have
concerns, however, about the slowdown in Asia and the effect it is having on
manufacturing employment in the United States.  Because of this, we believe the
market may experience continued volatility, which should produce opportunities
for our value timing strategy.  During the past year, the performance of the
major market indices has been helped chiefly by a very narrow base of stocks of
a relatively few large companies.  We believe this has left very attractive
investment opportunities in the securities of other companies.  We believe our
research discipline should enable us to identify opportunities to buy high-
quality issues with attractive yield at attractive valuations.  This positive
outlook, combined with the possibility of further gains from merger-and-
acquisition activity, gives us confidence for improving performance during the
coming year.






<PAGE>


                                     PART B

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                       OF

                             INCOME AND GROWTH FUND



<PAGE>



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                            Acquisition of Assets of

                       EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND

                                  A Series of

                            EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (800) 343-2898

                        By and In Exchange For Shares of

                        EVERGREEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND

                                   a Series of

                            EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (800) 343-2898


         This Statement of Additional Information,  relating specifically to the
proposed transfer of the assets and liabilities of Evergreen American Retirement
Fund (the "American  Retirement  Fund"),  a series of Evergreen Equity Trust, in
exchange  for  Class A shares  (to be  issued  to  holders  of Class A shares of
American  Retirement  Fund),  Class B shares (to be issued to holders of Class B
shares of American  Retirement Fund) and Class Y shares (to be issued to holders
of Class Y shares of American Retirement Fund) of beneficial interest, $.001 par
value per share, of Income and Growth Fund,  consists of this cover page and the
following described documents, each of which is attached hereto and incorporated
by reference herein.

(1)      The Statement of Additional Information of Income and Growth Fund dated
         April 1, 1998.


(2)      The Statement of Additional Information of American Retirement Fund
         dated August 1, 1998.

(3)      Annual Report of American Retirement Fund for the year ended
         March 31, 1998.

(4)      Semi-Annual  Report of American  Retirement Fund for the six month
         period ended September 30, 1998.

(5)      Annual Report of Income and Growth Fund for the year ended
         July 31, 1998.

(6)      Semi-Annual  Report of Income and Growth Fund for the six-month period
         ended January 31, 1999.

(7)      Pro Forma Financial Statements for January 31, 1999.


                This  Statement  of  Additional  Information,  which  is  not  a
        prospectus,  supplements,  and should be read in  conjunction  with, the
        Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  of Income  and  Growth  Fund and  Evergreen
        American   Retirement   Fund  dated   June  2,  1999.   A  copy  of  the
        Prospectus/Proxy  Statement may be obtained without charge by calling or
        writing to Evergreen Equity Trust at the telephone  numbers or addresses
        set forth above.

                  The date of this Statement of Additional  Information is April
1, 1998.



                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                               200 BERKELEY STREET
                           BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116
                                 (800) 633-2700

                             GROWTH AND INCOME FUNDS

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                  APRIL 1, 1998

                     EVERGREEN BLUE CHIP FUND ("BLUE CHIP")
               EVERGREEN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND ("GROWTH/INCOME")
               EVERGREEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND ("INCOME/GROWTH")
              EVERGREEN SMALL CAP EQUITY INCOME FUND ("SMALL CAP")
                EVERGREEN FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN ("TOTAL RETURN")
                       EVERGREEN UTILITY FUND ("UTILITY")
                         EVERGREEN VALUE FUND ("VALUE")
                     (EACH A "FUND"; TOGETHER, THE "FUNDS")


                      EACH FUND IS A SERIES OF AN OPEN-END
                     MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY KNOWN AS
                      EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST (THE "TRUST").



         This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  ("SAI")  pertains  to all
classes of shares of the Funds listed above.  It is not a prospectus  and should
be read in  conjunction  with the Funds'  prospectuses  dated April 1, 1998,  as
supplemented  from time to time.  The Funds are  offered  through  two  separate
prospectuses:  one offering Class A, Class B and Class C shares of each Fund and
one offering Class Y shares of each Fund. You may obtain these prospectuses from
Evergreen Distributor, Inc.



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



FUND INVESTMENTS..................................................3
           General Information....................................3
         Fundamental Policies....................................10
         Investment Guidelines...................................11
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST..........................................12
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES.................................15
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES...........................21
         Investment Adviser......................................21
         Investment Advisory Agreements..........................22
         Distributor.............................................23
         Distribution Plans and Agreements.......................23
         Additional Service Providers............................25
BROKERAGE........................................................25
         Brokerage Commissions...................................26
         Selection of Brokers....................................26
         Simultaneous Transactions...............................27
TRUST ORGANIZATION...............................................27
         Form of Organization....................................27
         Description of Shares...................................27
         Voting Rights...........................................27
         Limitation of Trustees' Liability.......................28
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES.......................28
         How the Funds Offer Shares to the Public................28
           Contingent Deferred Sales Charge......................29
         Sales Charge Waivers or Reductions......................29
         Exchanges...............................................31
         Calculation of Net Asset Value Per Share................32
         Valuation of Portfolio Securities.......................32
         Shareholder Services....................................32
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER............................................33
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION.......................................34
          Requirements for Qualification as a
               Registered Investment Company.....................34
          Taxes on Distributions.................................34
          Taxes on the Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares...........35
          Other Tax Considerations...............................35
FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................36
         Expenses................................................36
         Brokerage Commissions Paid..............................39
         Computation of Class A Offering Price...................40
         Performance.............................................40
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...........................................42
APPENDIX A......................................................A-1



                                                         2

<PAGE>



                                FUND INVESTMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

         The  investment  objective  of  each  Fund  and a  description  of  the
securities  in  which  each  Fund  may  invest  are set  forth  in  each  Fund's
prospectus.  The  following  expands  upon the  discussion  in the  prospectuses
regarding certain investments of the Fund.

U.S. Government Securities

         Each  Fund may  invest  in  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities.

         These securities are backed by (1) the  discretionary  authority of the
U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of agencies or instrumentalities
or (2) the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.

         Some  government  agencies  and   instrumentalities   may  not  receive
financial support from the U.S. Government. Examples of such agencies are:

              (i)  Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for
                   Cooperatives,  Farm Credit Banks and Banks for Cooperatives;

             (ii)  Farmers Home Administration;

            (iii)  Federal Home Loan Banks;

             (iv)  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;

              (v)  Federal National Mortgage Association; and

             (vi)  Student Loan Marketing Association.


Securities Issued by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA")

        The Funds may invest in  securities  issued by the GNMA,  a  corporation
wholly-owned by the U.S. Government. GNMA securities or "certificates" represent
ownership in a pool of underlying mortgages. The timely payment of principal and
interest due on these securities is guaranteed.

        Unlike  conventional  bonds,  the principal on GNMA  certificates is not
paid at  maturity  but  over  the  life of the  security  in  scheduled  monthly
payments. While mortgages pooled in a GNMA certificate may have maturities of up
to 30 years,  the certificate  itself will have a shorter  average  maturity and
less principal volatility than a comparable 30-year bond.

        The market value and interest  yield of GNMA  certificates  can vary due
not only to market  fluctuations,  but also to early  prepayments  of  mortgages
within  the pool.  Since  prepayment  rates vary  widely,  it is  impossible  to
accurately  predict  the  average  maturity  of a GNMA pool.  In addition to the
guaranteed  principal  payments,  GNMA  certificates  may also make  unscheduled
principal payments resulting from prepayments on the underlying mortgages.


                                                         3

<PAGE>



        Although GNMA  certificates may offer yields higher than those available
from other types of U.S. Government securities,  they may be less effective as a
means of  locking  in  attractive  long-term  rates  because  of the  prepayment
feature.  For instance,  when interest rates decline,  prepayments are likely to
increase as the  holders of the  underlying  mortgages  seek  refinancing.  As a
result,  the value of a GNMA  certificate  is not  likely to rise as much as the
value of a  comparable  debt  security  would in  response to same  decline.  In
addition, these prepayments can cause the price of a GNMA certificate originally
purchased at a premium to decline in price compared to its par value,  which may
result in a loss.

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions (Blue Chip,
Total Return, Utility and Value)

         The Funds may purchase  securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis  and may  purchase  or sell  securities  on a  forward  commitment  basis.
Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the
purchase or sale commitment is made.

         The Funds may purchase  securities  under such conditions only with the
intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to
sell the securities  before the settlement  date.  Since the value of securities
purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement,  a Fund may be required to pay more
at  settlement  than the security is worth.  In addition,  the  purchaser is not
entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement.

          Upon making a  commitment  to  purchase a security  on a  when-issued,
delayed  delivery or forward  commitment  basis,  a Fund will hold liquid assets
worth at least the  equivalent  of the amount  due.  The liquid  assets  will be
monitored on a daily basis and  adjusted as necessary to maintain the  necessary
value.

         Purchases  made under such  conditions are a form of leveraging and may
involve the risk that yields secured at the time of commitment may be lower than
otherwise  available by the time settlement  takes place,  causing an unrealized
loss to the fund. In addition,  when a Fund engages in such purchases, it relies
on the other party to  consummate  the sale. If the other party fails to perform
its  obligations,  the Fund may miss the  opportunity  to obtain a security at a
favorable price or yield.

Loans of Securities

         To  generate  income,  each  Fund  may  lend  portfolio  securities  to
broker-dealers and other financial  institutions.  A Fund will require borrowers
to provide  collateral  in cash or  government  securities at least equal to the
value of the securities  loaned. A Fund may invest such collateral in additional
portfolio  securities,  such as U.S.  Treasury  notes,  certificates of deposit,
other high-grade,  short-term  obligations or interest-bearing cash equivalents.
While  securities are on loan, the borrower will pay a Fund any income  accruing
on the security.

         Each Fund may make loans only to borrowers which meet credit  standards
set by the Board of Trustees. Income to be earned from the loan must justify the
attendant  risks.  If a borrower fails  financially,  a Fund may have difficulty
recovering the securities lent or may lose its right to the collateral.

         Each Fund has the right to call a loan and obtain the  securities  lent
upon giving notice of not more than five business days.



                                                         4

<PAGE>




Repurchase Agreements

         The Funds may enter into  repurchase  agreements with entities that are
registered as U.S. Government securities dealers,  including member banks of the
Federal Reserve System having at least $1 billion in assets,  primary dealers in
U.S.  Government  securities  or other  financial  institutions  believed by the
Adviser (as defined later) to be creditworthy. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund
obtains a security  and  simultaneously  commits to return the  security  to the
seller at a set price  (including  principal and interest) within period of time
usually not exceeding  seven days.  The resale price reflects the purchase price
plus an agreed upon market rate of  interest  which is  unrelated  to the coupon
rate or maturity of the underlying security. A repurchase agreement involves the
obligation  of the seller to pay the agreed upon price,  which  obligation is in
effect secured by the value of the underlying security.

         A Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities  subject
to repurchase  agreements,  and these securities will be marked to market daily.
To the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from a
Fund, a Fund could  receive less than the  repurchase  price on any sale of such
securities.  In the event that such a defaulting  seller filed for bankruptcy or
became  insolvent,  disposition of such  securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending  court  action.  Each  Fund's  Adviser  believes  that under the regular
procedures  normally  in effect for custody of the Fund's  portfolio  securities
subject to repurchase  agreements,  a court of competent jurisdiction would rule
in favor of the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities.  The
Funds will only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized
financial  institutions,  such  as  broker-dealers,  which  are  deemed  by  the
investment adviser to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines  established by the
Board of Trustees.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements (Blue Chip, Small Cap, Total Return, Utility and
Value)

         Each  Fund  may  enter  into  reverse  repurchase   agreements.   These
transactions are similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
Fund transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a
financial  institution,  broker,  or dealer,  in return for a percentage  of the
instrument's  market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated  date in the
future the Fund will  repurchase  the  portfolio  instrument  by  remitting  the
original consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.

         The use of  reverse  repurchase  agreements  may enable a Fund to avoid
selling  portfolio  instruments  at a  time  when a sale  may  be  deemed  to be
disadvantageous,  but the ability to enter into  reverse  repurchase  agreements
does  not  ensure  that  the  Fund  will  be  able to  avoid  selling  portfolio
instruments at a disadvantageous time.

         When effecting reverse repurchase agreements,  liquid assets of a Fund,
in a  dollar  amount  sufficient  to  make  payment  for the  obligations  to be
purchased,  are  segregated at the trade date.  These  securities  are marked to
market daily and maintained until the transaction is settled.

Options

         The  Funds  may buy or sell  (i.e.,  write)  put and  call  options  on
securities  they hold or  intends  to  acquire.  The Funds may also buy and sell
options on financial  futures  contracts.  The Funds will use options as a hedge
against decreases or increases in the value of securities it holds or intends to
acquire. The Funds may purchase put and call options for the purpose of


                                                         5

<PAGE>



offsetting previously written put and call options of the same series.

         The Funds may write only covered options. With regard to a call option,
this  means that a Fund will own,  for the life of the  option,  the  securities
subject to the call  option.  Each Fund will cover put options by holding,  in a
segregated  account,  liquid  assets having a value equal to or greater than the
price of securities  subject to the put option.  If a Fund is unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction with respect to the covered options it has sold, it
will not be able to sell the underlying  securities or dispose of assets held in
a segregated account until the options expire or are exercised.


Futures Transactions

         Each Fund may enter into currency and other financial futures contracts
and write  options  on such  contracts.  Each Fund  intends  to enter  into such
contracts and related  options for hedging  purposes.  Each Fund will enter into
futures contracts on securities, currencies or indices in order to hedge against
changes in interest or exchange rates or securities  prices.  A futures contract
on  securities  or  currencies  is an  agreement  to buy or sell  securities  or
currencies at a specified price during a designated month. A futures contract on
a  securities  index does not involve the actual  delivery  of  securities,  but
merely  requires  the  payment  of a cash  settlement  based on  changes  in the
securities  index.  A Fund does not make  payment  or  deliver  securities  upon
entering into a futures contract.  Instead, it puts down a margin deposit, which
is adjusted to reflect  changes in the value of the contract and which continues
until the contract is terminated.

         Each  Fund may  sell or  purchase  futures  contracts.  When a  futures
contract is sold by a Fund, the value of the contract will tend to rise when the
value of the underlying  securities  declines and to fall when the value of such
securities or currencies  increases.  Thus, each Fund sells futures contracts in
order to offset a possible decline in the value of its securities or currencies.
If a futures  contract is  purchased by a Fund,  the value of the contract  will
tend to rise when the value of the underlying securities or currencies increases
and to fall when the value of such securities or currencies declines.  Each Fund
intends to purchase futures  contracts in order to establish what is believed by
the  Adviser  to be a  favorable  price and rate of return  for  securities,  or
favorable exchange rate for currencies, the Fund intends to purchase.

         Each Fund also  intends  to  purchase  put and call  options on futures
contracts for hedging  purposes.  A put option purchased by a Fund would give it
the right to assume a  position  as the  seller  of a futures  contract.  A call
option  purchased  by a Fund would give it the right to assume a position as the
purchaser of a futures contract. The purchase of an option on a futures contract
requires a Fund to pay a premium.  In exchange for the  premium,  a Fund becomes
entitled to exercise the benefits, if any, provided by the futures contract, but
is not required to take any action under the  contract.  If the option cannot be
exercised  profitably  before it  expires,  a Fund's loss will be limited to the
amount of the premium and any transaction costs.

         Each Fund may enter into  closing  purchase  and sale  transactions  in
order to terminate a futures  contract and may sell put and call options for the
purpose of closing out its  options  positions.  A Fund's  ability to enter into
closing  transactions  depends on the  development  and  maintenance of a liquid
secondary  market.  There is no assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market will
exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. As a result,  there
can be no  assurance  that a Fund  will  be  able to  enter  into an  offsetting
transaction  with respect to a particular  contract at a particular  time.  If a
Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue
to be required to maintain  the margin  deposits on the contract and to complete
the contract according to its terms, in which case it would continue to bear


                                                         6

<PAGE>



market risk on the transaction.

         Although futures and options transactions are intended to enable a Fund
to manage market, interest rate or exchange rate risk,  unanticipated changes in
market  prices,  interest  rates  or  exchange  rates  could  result  in  poorer
performance  than if it had not  entered  into these  transactions.  Even if the
Adviser correctly predicts interest or exchange rate movements, a hedge could be
unsuccessful  if  changes  in the  value of a Fund's  futures  position  did not
correspond to changes in the value of its investments.  This lack of correlation
between a Fund's futures and securities or currencies positions may be caused by
differences  between the  futures and  securities  or  currencies  markets or by
differences  between the  securities or currencies  underlying a Fund's  futures
position and the securities or currencies held by or to be purchased for a Fund.
Each Fund's  Adviser  will  attempt to  minimize  these  risks  through  careful
selection and monitoring of the Fund's futures and options positions.

         The Funds do not intend to use futures  transactions for speculation or
leverage.  Each Fund has the ability to write options on futures,  but currently
intends to write such  options  only to close out options  purchased  by a Fund.
Each Fund will not change these policies without  supplementing  the information
in the prospectus and SAI.

         The Funds will not maintain open positions in futures  contracts it has
sold or call options it has written on futures  contracts if, in the  aggregate,
the value of the open  positions  (marked to market)  exceeds the current market
value of its securities  portfolio plus or minus the unrealized  gain or loss on
those open  positions,  adjusted for the  correlation of volatility  between the
hedged securities and the futures  contracts.  If this limitation is exceeded at
any time, each Fund will take prompt action to close out a sufficient  number of
open  contracts  to bring its open  futures  and options  positions  within this
limitation.

"Margin" in Futures Transactions

         Unlike  the  purchase  or sale of a  security,  the Funds do not pay or
receive money upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Rather, each Fund
is required to deposit an amount of  "initial  margin" in cash or U.S.  Treasury
bills with its custodian (or the broker,  if legally  permitted).  The nature of
initial  margin in  futures  transactions  is  different  from that of margin in
securities transactions in that futures contract initial margin does not involve
the borrowing of funds by a Fund to finance the transactions.  Initial margin is
in the nature of a performance  bond or good faith deposit on the contract which
is returned to a Fund upon  termination  of the futures  contract,  assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied.

          A  futures  contract  held by a Fund is valued  daily at the  official
settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day, a Fund pays or
receives cash, called "variation margin",  equal to the daily change in value of
the futures  contract.  This process is known as "marking to market".  Variation
margin  does  not  represent  a  borrowing  or  loan  by a Fund  but is  instead
settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other
if the futures contract expired.  In computing its daily net asset value, a Fund
will  mark-to-market its open futures positions.  The Funds are also required to
deposit and maintain margin when it writes call options on futures contracts.

Foreign Securities (excluding Growth/Income)

         Each Fund may invest in foreign securities or U.S. securities traded in
foreign markets.  Permissible  investments may consist of obligations of foreign
branches of U.S. banks and of


                                                         7

<PAGE>



foreign banks,  including invest in foreign securities or U.S. securities traded
in foreign  markets.  Permissible  investments  may  consist of  obligations  of
foreign  branches  of  U.S.  banks  and of  foreign  banks,  including  European
certificates  of deposit,  European  time  deposits,  Canadian time deposits and
Yankee  certificates of deposit,  and investments in Canadian  commercial paper,
foreign  securities  and  Europaper.  These  instruments  may  subject a Fund to
investment  risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments
in obligations of U.S. issuers.  Such risks include future adverse political and
economic developments;  the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest
or other income;  the possible  seizure,  nationalization,  or  expropriation of
foreign deposits; the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at
the source;  greater  fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or
the adoption of other foreign  governmental  restrictions  which might adversely
affect  the  payment  of  principal  and  interest  on  such  obligations.  Such
investments  may also entail higher  custodial fees and sales  commissions  than
domestic  investments.  Foreign  issuers of securities or obligations  are often
subject to accounting  treatment and engage in business practices different from
those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations.  Foreign
branches  of U.S.  banks and  foreign  banks may be  subject  to less  stringent
reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.

Foreign Currency Transactions (excluding Growth/Income)

     As one way of managing exchange rate risk, each Fund may enter into forward
currency  exchange  contracts  (agreements  to purchase or sell  currencies at a
specified price and date).  The exchange rate for the transaction (the amount of
currency a Fund will  deliver and receive  when the  contract is  completed)  is
fixed when a Fund enters into the contract. A Fund usually will enter into these
contracts to stabilize the U.S.  dollar value of a security it has agreed to buy
or sell. Each Fund intends to use these contracts to hedge the U.S. dollar value
of a security it already owns,  particularly if a Fund expects a decrease in the
value of the  currency in which the foreign  security is  denominated.  Although
each Fund will attempt to benefit from using forward  contracts,  the success of
its hedging strategy will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict  accurately
the future exchange rates between foreign  currencies and the U.S.  dollar.  The
value of a Fund's  investments  denominated in foreign currencies will depend on
the relative  strengths of those currencies and the U.S. dollar,  and a Fund may
be  affected  favorably  or  unfavorably  by  changes in the  exchange  rates or
exchange  control  regulations  between foreign  currencies and the U.S. dollar.
Changes  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates  also may  affect  the  value of
dividends  and  interest  earned,  gains  and  losses  realized  on the  sale of
securities  and net  investment  income and gains,  if any, to be distributed to
shareholders  by each Fund. Each Fund may also purchase and sell options related
to foreign currencies in connection with hedging strategies.

High Yield Bonds (Growth/Income and Total Return)

         Each Fund may invest in high yield, high risk bonds,  commonly known as
"junk bonds." While  investment in high yield bonds  provides  opportunities  to
maximize  return over time,  investors  should be aware of the  following  risks
associated with high yield bonds:

         (1) High yield  bonds are rated below  investment  grade,  i.e.,  BB or
lower by  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings  Group  ("S&P")  or Ba or lower by Moody's
Investors Service ("Moody's").  Securities so rated are considered predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  ability of the issuer to meet  principal  and
interest payments.

         (2) The lower ratings of these securities reflect a greater possibility
that adverse


                                                         8

<PAGE>



changes  in  the  financial  condition  of the  issuer  or in  general  economic
conditions,  or both, or an unanticipated  rise in interest rates may impair the
ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal,  especially if
the  issuer  is  highly  leveraged.  Such  issuer's  ability  to meet  its  debt
obligations may also be adversely affected by specific corporate developments or
the issuer's  inability to meet  specific  projected  business  forecasts or the
unavailability  of  additional  financing.  Also,  an  economic  downturn  or an
increase in interest rates may increase the potential for default by the issuers
of these securities.

         (3) Their value may be more  susceptible  to real or perceived  adverse
economic,  company or industry  conditions  and  publicity  than is the case for
higher quality securities.

         (4)  Their  value,  like  those  of  other  fixed  income   securities,
fluctuates  in  response  to changes in interest  rates,  generally  rising when
interest  rates decline and falling when interest  rates rise.  For example,  if
interest  rates  increase  after a  fixed  income  security  is  purchased,  the
security,  if sold prior to maturity,  may return less than its cost. The prices
of  below-investment  grade bonds,  however,  are  generally  less  sensitive to
interest  rate  changes  than the  prices of  higher-rated  bonds,  but are more
sensitive  to adverse or  positive  economic  changes  or  individual  corporate
developments.

         (5) The  secondary  market for such  securities  may be less  liquid at
certain  times than the  secondary  market for higher  quality debt  securities,
which may adversely effect (1) the market price of the security,  (2) the Fund's
ability  to dispose of  particular  issues and (3) the Fund's  ability to obtain
accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its assets.

         (6)  Zero   coupon   bonds   and  PIKs   involve   additional   special
considerations.  For example, zero coupon bonds pay no interest to holders prior
to maturity of interest.  PIKs are debt obligations that provide that the issuer
may,  at its  option,  pay  interest  on such  bonds  in cash or in the  form of
additional debt obligations. Such investments may experience greater fluctuation
in value  due to  changes  in  interest  rates  than debt  obligations  that pay
interest currently. Even though these investments do not pay current interest in
cash, the Fund is,  nonetheless,  required by tax laws to accrue interest income
on such  investments  and to  distribute  such  amounts  at  least  annually  to
shareholders. Thus, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate investments
in order to fulfill its  intention to  distribute  substantially  all of its net
income as  dividends.  The Fund will not be able to purchase  additional  income
producing securities with cash used to make such distributions,  and its current
income ultimately may be reduced as a result.

         Each Fund may  invest in  securities  rated as low as D by S&P or C- by
Moody's.  Such  securities  may have  defaulted on payments of principal  and/or
interest at the time of  investment.  (Rating  categories  are  described in the
Appendix.) A Fund will invest in debt so rated only when the investment  adviser
believes the issuer's financial condition will improve through reorganization or
other  measures.  Each Fund may also invest in high yield,  high risk securities
which are  unrated  or rated  under a  different  system if a Fund's  investment
adviser believes they are comparable to high yield securities in which each Fund
may otherwise invest.

         The  investment  adviser  considers  the  ratings  of S&P  and  Moody's
assigned  to  various  securities,  but does not rely  solely  on these  ratings
because (1) S&P and Moody's  assigned  ratings are based  largely on  historical
financial data and may not accurately  reflect the current  financial outlook of
companies;  and (2) there can be large  differences  among the current financial
conditions of issuers within the same category.



                                                         9

<PAGE>




FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

         The Funds have  adopted the  fundamental  investment  restrictions  set
forth  below  which may not be changed  without  the vote of a majority  of each
Fund's outstanding  shares, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act").  Unless otherwise stated, all references to the assets
of a Fund are in terms of current market value.

Diversification

         Each Fund may not make any  investment  that is  inconsistent  with its
classification as a diversified investment company under the 1940 Act.

Concentration

         Each Fund may not  concentrate  its  investments  in the  securities of
issuers primarily engaged in a particular industry (other than securities issued
or  guaranteed  by the U.S.  Government  or its agencies or  instrumentalities),
except that Utility will concentrate its investments in utility industries.

Issuing Senior Securities

         Except  as  permitted  under in the 1940  Act,  each Fund may not issue
senior securities.

Borrowing

         Each Fund may not  borrow  money,  except to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law.

Underwriting

         Each  Fund  may not  underwrite  securities  of other  issuers,  except
insofar  as each  Fund may be  deemed  an  underwriter  in  connection  with the
disposition of its portfolio securities.

Real Estate

         Each Fund may not  purchase or sell real estate,  except  that,  to the
extent  permitted by applicable law, each Fund may invest in (a) securities that
are directly or indirectly  secured by real estate,  or (b) securities issued by
issuers that invest in real estate.

Commodities

         Each  Fund  may  not  purchase  or sell  commodities  or  contracts  on
commodities  except to the extent that each Fund may engage in financial futures
contacts and related options and currency  contracts and related options and may
otherwise do so in accordance with applicable law, and without  registering as a
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Loans to Other Persons

         Each Fund may not make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may
lend its portfolio securities in accordance with applicable law. The acquisition
of investment securities or other

23602
                                                        10

<PAGE>



investment  instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan.

INVESTMENT GUIDELINES

         Unlike the Fundamental  Policies above, the following guidelines may be
changed by the Trust's Board of Trustees without  shareholder  approval.  Unless
otherwise stated, all references to the assets of a Fund are in terms of current
market value.

Diversification

         To remain classified as a diversified investment company under the 1940
Act, each Fund must conform with the  following:  With respect to the 75% of its
total assets,  a diversified  investment  company may not invest more than 5% of
its  total  assets,  determined  at market  or other  fair  value at the time of
purchase, in the securities of any one issuer, or invest in more than 10% of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of any one  issuer,  determined  at the time of
purchase.  These limitations do not apply to investments in securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

Borrowings

         Each Fund may borrow money from banks or enter into reverse  repurchase
agreements in an amount up to one third of its total assets.  Each Fund may also
borrow an additional 5% of its total assets from banks or others.  Each Fund may
borrow only as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Each
Fund will not purchase  securities  while  borrowings are outstanding  except to
exercise prior commitments and to exercise  subscription  rights.  Each Fund may
obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio  securities.  Each Fund may purchase securities on margin
to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

         Each Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in  securities
that are illiquid.  A security is illiquid  when a Fund cannot  dispose of it in
the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately  the value at
which each Fund has the investment on its books.

         Each  Fund may  invest in  "restricted"  securities,  i.e.,  securities
subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A") allows certain restricted securities to
trade freely among qualified institutional investors. Since Rule 144A securities
may have limited  markets,  the Board of Trustees  will  determine  whether such
securities should be considered illiquid for the purpose of determining a Fund's
compliance with the limit on illiquid  securities  indicated above. In determine
the  liquidity of Rule 144A  securities,  the Trustees  will  consider:  (1) the
frequency  of trades  and  quotes  for the  security;  (2) the number of dealers
willing to  purchase  or sell the  security  and the  number of other  potential
buyers;  (3) dealer  undertakings to make a market in the security;  and (4) the
nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.

Investment in Other Investment Companies

         Each Fund may purchase the shares of other investment  companies to the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act.  Currently,  each Fund may not (1) own more
than 3% of the outstanding


                                                        11

<PAGE>



voting  stock of another  investment  company,  (2)  invest  more than 5% of its
assets in any single  investment  company,  and (3) invest  more than 10% of its
assets  in  investment  companies.  However,  each  Fund may  invest  all of its
investable  assets in  securities  of a single  open-end  management  investment
company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives,  policies
and limitations as each Fund.

Short Sales

         Each Fund may not make short  sales of  securities  or maintain a short
position  unless,  at all times when a short  position is open, it owns an equal
amount of such securities or of securities which, without payment of any further
consideration,  are convertible  into or exchangeable for securities of the same
issue as, and equal in amount  to,  the  securities  sold  short.  Each Fund may
effect a short  sale in  connection  with an  underwriting  in which a Fund is a
participant.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

         Set forth below are the  Trustees  and  officers of the Trust and their
principal  occupations and some of their  affiliations over the last five years.
Unless  otherwise  indicated,  the address  for each  Trustee and officer is 200
Berkeley Street, Boston,  Massachusetts 02116. Each Trustee is also a Trustee of
each of the other Trusts in the  Evergreen  fund complex,  other than  Evergreen
Variable  Trust  of which  Messrs.  Howell,  Salton  and  Scofield  are the only
Trustees.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                 POSITION WITH TRUST             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------      --------------------------      ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                             <C>
Laurence B. Ashkin                   Trustee                         Real estate developer and construction consultant;
(DOB: 2/2/28)                                                        and President of Centrum Equities and Centrum Properties, Inc.

Charles A. Austin III                Trustee                         Investment Counselor to Appleton Partners, Inc.;
(DOB: 10/23/34)                                                      and former Managing Director, Seaward
                                                                     Management
Corporation (investment advice).

K. Dun Gifford                       Trustee                         Trustee, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance
 (DOB: 10/12/38)                                                     Committee, Cambridge College; Chairman Emeritus and
                                                                     Director,
                                                                     American
                                                                     Institute
                                                                     of Food and
                                                                     Wine;
                                                                     Chairman
                                                                     and
                                                                     President,
                                                                     Oldways
                                                                     Preservation
                                                                     and
                                                                     Exchange
                                                                     Trust
                                                                     (education);
                                                                     former
                                                                     Chairman of
                                                                     the  Board,
                                                                     Director,
                                                                     and
                                                                     Executive
                                                                     Vice
                                                                     President,
                                                                     The  London
                                                                     Harness
                                                                     Company;
                                                                     former
                                                                     Managing
                                                                     Partner,
                                                                     Roscommon
                                                                     Capital
                                                                     Corp.;
                                                                     former
                                                                     Chief
                                                                     Executive
                                                                     Officer,
                                                                     Gifford
                                                                     Gifts    of
                                                                     Fine Foods;
                                                                     former
                                                                     Chairman,
                                                                     Gifford,
                                                                     Drescher  &
                                                                     Associates
                                                                     (environmental
                                                                     consulting);
                                                                     and  former
                                                                     Director,
                                                                     Keystone
                                                                     Investments,
                                                                     Inc.

James S. Howell                      Chairman of the                 Former Chairman of the Distribution Foundation for
(DOB: 8/13/24)                       Board of  Trustees              the Carolinas; and former Vice President of Lance
                                                                     Inc. (food manufacturing).

</TABLE>

                                                        12

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                                 POSITION WITH TRUST             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------      --------------------------      -----------------------------------------
     <S>                                <C>                                <C>                                               
Leroy Keith, Jr.                     Trustee                         Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
(DOB: 2/14/39)                                                       Carson Products Company; Director of Phoenix Total
                                                                     Return Fund
                                                                     and
                                                                     Equifax,
                                                                     Inc.;
                                                                     Trustee  of
                                                                     Phoenix
                                                                     Series
                                                                     Fund,
                                                                     Phoenix
                                                                     Multi-Portfolio
                                                                     Fund,   and
                                                                     The Phoenix
                                                                     Big    Edge
                                                                     Series
                                                                     Fund;   and
                                                                     former
                                                                     President,
                                                                     Morehouse
                                                                     College.

Gerald M. McDonnell                  Trustee                         Sales Representative with Nucor-Yamoto, Inc.
(DOB: 7/14/39)                                                       (steel producer).

Thomas L. McVerry                    Trustee                         Former Vice President and Director of
(DOB: 8/2/39)                                                        Rexham Corporation; and former Director of Carolina
                                                                     Cooperative Federal Credit Union.

William Walt Pettit                  Trustee                         Partner in the law firm of William Walt Pettit, P.A.
(DOB: 8/26/55)                                                       David M. Richardson Trustee Vice Chair and
                                                                     former Executive Vice President, (DOB: 9/14/41) DHR
                                                                     International, Inc. (executive recruitment); former
                                                                     Senior Vice President, Boyden International Inc.
                                                                     (executive recruitment); and Director, Commerce and
                                                                     Industry Association of New Jersey, 411
                                                                     International, Inc., and J&M Cumming Paper Co.



Russell A. Salton, III MD            Trustee                         Medical Director, U.S. Health Care/Aetna Health
(DOB: 6/2/47)                                                        Services; former Managed Health Care Consultant;
                                                                     and former President, Primary Physician Care.


Michael S. Scofield                  Trustee                         Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.
(DOB: 2/20/43)

Richard J. Shima                     Trustee                         Former Chairman, Environmental  Warranty, Inc.
(DOB: 8/11/39)                                                       (insurance agency); Executive Consultant, Drake Beam Morin,
                                                                     Inc. (executive outplacement);
                                                                     Director of Connecticut
                                                                     Natural Gas Corporation,
                                                                     Hartford Hospital,
                                                                     Old   State House
                                                                     Association, Middlesex
                                                                     Mutual Assurance
                                                                     Company, and Enhance
                                                                     Financial Services, Inc.;
                                                                     Chairman, Board of Trustees,
                                                                     Hartford Graduate Center;
                                                                     Trustee, Greater
                                                                     Hartford YMCA;
                                                                     former Director,
                                                                     Vice Chairman
                                                                     and Chief Investment
                                                                     Officer, The Travelers
                                                                     Corporation; former
                                                                     Trustee, Kingswood-Oxford
                                                                     School; and former
                                                                     Managing Director and
                                                                     Consultant, Russell
                                                                     Miller, Inc.


                                                                              13
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                                 POSITION WITH TRUST             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
 <S>                                     <C>                                    <C>      
- ------------------------      --------------------------      ----------------------------------------------
William J. Tomko*                    President and                   Senior Vice President and Operations Executive,
(DOB:8/30/58)                        Treasurer                       BISYS Fund Services.

Nimish S. Bhatt*                     Vice President and              Vice President, Tax, BISYS Fund Services; former
(DOB: 6/6/63)                        Assistant Treasurer             Assistant Vice President, Evergreen Asset
                                                                     Management Corp./First Union Bank; former Senior
                                                                     Tax Consulting/Acting Manager, Investment
                                                                     Companies Group, Price Waterhouse, LLP, New
                                                                     York.

Bryan Haft*                          Vice President                  Team Leader, Fund Administration, BISYS Fund
(DOB: 1/23/65)                                                       Services

D'Ray Moore*                         Secretary                       Vice President, Client Services, BISYS Fund
(DOB: 3/30/59)                                                       Services
</TABLE>



*Address: BISYS, 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219-8001

         The  officers of the Trust are all officers  and/or  employees of BISYS
Fund Services.

Trustee Compensation

          Listed below is the Trustee  compensation for the twelve-month  period
ended July 31, 1997.


                                COMPENSATION FROM          COMPENSATION FROM
TRUSTEE                              TRUST              TRUST AND FUND  COMPLEX
Laurence B. Ashkin                  $9,657                     $60,900
Charles A. Austin III                 $811                     $45,700
K. Dun Gifford                        $781                     $42,100
James S. Howell                    $16,807                     $99,210
Leroy Keith Jr.                       $761                     $42,700
Gerald M. McDonnell                $13,996                     $84,250
Thomas L. McVerry                  $16,201                     $89,750
William Walt Pettit                $15,801                     $87,542
David M. Richardson                   $811                     $45,700
Russell A. Salton, III             $15,705                     $90,406
Michael S. Scofield                $14,941                     $91,606
Richard J. Shima                    $3,772                     $63,825
                                                        14

<PAGE>



                           PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES

         As of the date of this SAI,  the  officers  and  Trustees  of the Trust
owned as a group less than 1% of the outstanding of any class of each Fund.

         Set forth below is information with respect to each person who, to each
Fund's knowledge,  owned  beneficially or of record more than 5% of a class of a
Fund's outstanding shares as of February 28, 1998.


BLUE CHIP CLASS A
None


BLUE CHIP CLASS B
MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit              9.712%
of its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E 3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6468

BLUE CHIP CLASS C
DONALD C. MOORE AND                      55.982%
JUNE I. MOORE JTTEN
649 LAKE WORTH CIRCLE
HEATHROW, FL 32746-2429


First Trust Corp TTEE                    38.819%
U/A DTD 1/10/94
Julia E. Welch IRA
A/C #617143-0001
PO Box 173301
Denver, CO 80217-3301





                                                        15

<PAGE>




GROWTH/INCOME CLASS A
NONE



GROWTH/INCOME CLASS B
NONE

GROWTH/INCOME CLASS C
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT              23.228%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR. E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6484


GROWTH/INCOME CLASS Y
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK/EB/INT         50.581%
REINVEST ACCOUNT
ATTN: TRUST OPERATIONS FUND GROUP
401 S TRYON ST., 3RD FL CMG 1151
CHARLOTTE, NC 28202-1911


FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK/EB/INT         26.579%
CASH ACCOUNT
ATTN: TRUST OPERATIONS FUND GROUP
401 S TRYON ST., 3RD FL CMG 1151
CHARLOTTE, NC 28202-1911


INCOME/GROWTH CLASS A
NONE


INCOME/GROWTH CLASS B
NONE


                                                        16

<PAGE>


INCOME/GROWTH CLASS C
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT              7.133%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR. E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6484


FUBS & CO. FEBO                          6.266%
LAST STOP INC.
8661 COLESVILLE RD #D149
SILVER SPRING, MD  20910-3933


FIRST UNION NATL BANK-FL/C/F, INC.       5.35%
FRED W. COOKSON IRA
6704 WILLOW LN BRADEN WOODS
BRADENTON, FL 34202-9632

INCOME/GROWTH CLASS Y
NONE


SMALL CAP CLASS A
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT              5.681%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR. E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6468


SMALL CAP CLASS B
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT              10.990%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6468


                                                        17

<PAGE>


SMALL CAP CLASS C
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT              27.347%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR. E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6484

SMALL CAP CLASS Y
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK/EB/INT         56.008%
CASH ACCOUNT
ATTN: TRUST OPERATIONS FUND GROUP
401 S. TRYON ST, 3RD FL CMG 1151
CHARLOTTE, NC 28202-1191

FIRST NATIONAL BANK/EB/INT               23.473%
REINVEST ACCOUNT
ATTN: TRUST OPERATIONS FUND GROUP
401 S. TRYON ST 3RD FLR CMG 1151
CHARLOTTE, NC 28202-1911


CITIBANK, NA                             6.876%
DELTA AIRLINES MASTER TRUST 308235
JOE VILLELLA CITICORP SERVICES
1410 N WESTSHORE BLVD., FLOOR 5
TAMPA, FL 33607-4519

TOTAL RETURN CLASS A
MLPF&S FOR SOLE BENEFIT                  6.075%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6484


TOTAL RETURN CLASS B
MLPF&S FOR SOLE BENEFIT                  9.895%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6484



                                                        18




TOTAL RETURN CLASS C
LAVEDNA ELLINGSON                        13.982%
DOUGLAS ELLINGSON TTEES
LAVEDNA ELLINGSON MARITAL TRUST
U/A DTD 5/1/86
8510 MCCLINTOCK
TEMPE, AZ 85284-2527

MLPF&S FOR SOLE BENEFIT                  11.370%
OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE E 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246-6468


TOTAL RETURN CLASS Y
SSB Cust IRA Rollover                    63.126%
Gail L. Gulbenkian
3768 McCoy Road
Blacksburg, VA 24060-0652


STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CO CUST        23.859%
IRA FBO
KATHERINE ANN MEWHINNEY
2323 FAIRWAY DRIVE
WINSTON SALEM, NC 27103-3653


UTILITY CLASS A
NONE


UTILITY CLASS B
NONE


                                                        19




UTILITY CLASS C
FUBS & CO FEBO                           19.699%
ELSIE B. STROM
LEWIS F. STROM
906 WELLS STREET
BENNETTSVILLE, SC 29512-3240

FUBS & CO FEBO                           6.725%
THOMAS MCKINNEY AND
LOTTIE MCKINNEY
170 SCOTT BLVD
TYRONE, GA 30290-9767

FIRST UNION BROKERAGE SERVICES           6.413%
MAX RAY AND
JERALYNE RAY JTWROS
A/C 6993-2676
ROUTE 2 BOX 498
GREENMOUNTAIN, NC 28740-9209

FUBS & CO FEBO                           5.527%
EVELYN L. SMITH
CREG SMITH
3294 MYRTLE STREET
HAPEVILLE, GA 30354-1418

UTILITY CLASS Y
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK                61.639%
TRUST ACCOUNTS
ATTN: GINNY BATTEN
11TH FLOOR CMG-1151
301 S TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28288-0002


FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK                18.724%
TRUST ACCOUNTS
ATTN: GINNY BATTEN
11TH FLOOR, CMG-1151
301 S TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28288-0002


KHALID IQBAL C/F                         5.198%
FATIMA KHALID IQBAL
UNIF GIFT MIN ACCOUNT KY
401 BOGLE STREET
SOMERSET, KY 42503-2870

                                                        20




VALUE CLASS A
NONE


VALUE CLASS B
NONE


VALUE CLASS C
NONE


VALUE CLASS Y
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK                69.819%
TRUST ACCOUNTS
ATTN: GINNY BATTEN
CMG-1151 11TH FLOOR
301 S TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28288-0002


FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK                23.262%
TRUST ACCOUNTS
ATTN: GINNY BATTEN
11TH FLOOR CMG-1151
301 S TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28288-0002




                       INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

INVESTMENT ADVISER

         Each Fund has its own investment adviser (the "Adviser").  Each Adviser
is a  subsidiary  of First Union  Corporation  ("First  Union"),  a bank holding
company  headquartered  at 201 South College Street,  Charlotte,  North Carolina
28288-0630.  First Union and its subsidiaries provide a broad range of financial
services to individuals and businesses throughout the United States.

         Some  of  the  Funds   also   have  an   investment   subadviser   (the
"Subadviser").  Each Fund's  Adviser  and, if  applicable,  its  Subadviser,  is
discussed below, including a description of fees.






                                                        21





Blue Chip

         Keystone  Investment  Management  Company  ("Keystone"),  200  Berkeley
Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02116, is the Adviser to Blue Chip,  which pays
Keystone  an annual  percentage  of the  Fund's  average  daily net  assets,  as
follows:  0.70% of the first $100 million; 0.65% of the next $100 million; 0.60%
of the next $100 million; 0.55% of the next $100 million; 0.50% of the next $100
million;  0.45% of the next $500 million;  0.40% of the next $500 million;  plus
0.35% of amounts over $1.5 billion.

Growth/Income, Income/Growth and Small Cap

         Evergreen Asset Management Corp.  ("Evergreen Asset"), 2500 Westchester
Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577, is the Adviser to Growth/Income, Income/Growth
and Small Cap, each of which pays  Evergreen  Asset an annual  percentage of its
average daily net assets, as follows:  1.00% of the first $750 million; 0.90% of
the next $250 million;  and 0.80% of amounts over $1 billion.  Lieber & Company,
2500  Westchester  Avenue,  Purchase,  New  York  10577,  is the  Subadviser  to
Growth/Income,  Income/Growth  and Small Cap.  Lieber & Company is reimbursed by
Evergreen  Asset for the  direct and  indirect  costs of  providing  subadvisory
services to each Fund.

Total Return

         Keystone is the Adviser to Total Return,  which pays Keystone an annual
fee equal to 1.5% of the Fund's  gross  dividend  and  interest  income  plus an
annual percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets,  as follows:  0.60% of
the first $100 million;  0.55% of the next $100 million;  0.50% of the next $100
million;  0.45% of the next $100 million;  0.40% of the next $100 million; 0.35%
of the next $500 million; plus 0.30% of amounts over $1 billion.

Utility and Value

         The Capital Management Group of First Union National Bank (FUNB) is the
Adviser  to Utility  and  Value,  each of which pays FUNB an annual fee equal to
0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

         On  behalf  of  each  if its  Funds,  the  Trust  has  entered  into an
investment  advisory  agreement with the Adviser (the  "Advisory  Agreements") .
Under the Advisory  Agreements,  and subject to the  supervision  of the Trust's
Board of Trustees,  the Adviser  furnishes to the  appropriate  Fund  investment
advisory,   management  and  administrative  services,  office  facilities,  and
equipment in  connection  with its services  for  managing  the  investment  and
reinvestment  of the Fund's  assets.  The Adviser  pays for all of the  expenses
incurred in connection  with the  provision of its services.  Each Fund pays for
all charges and  expenses,  other than those  specifically  referred to as being
borne by the Adviser,  including,  but not limited to, (1) custodian charges and
expenses; (2) bookkeeping and auditors' charges and expenses; (3) transfer agent
charges  and  expenses;  (4) fees and  expenses  of  Independent  Trustees;  (5)
brokerage commissions, brokers' fees and expenses; (6) issue and transfer taxes;
(7) costs and expenses under the Distribution Plan (as applicable) (8) taxes and
trust fees payable to governmental agencies; (9) the cost of share certificates;
(10) fees and expenses of the  registration  and  qualification of such Fund and
its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or under state or
other securities


                                                        22





laws;  (11)  expenses of  preparing,  printing and mailing  prospectuses,  SAIs,
notices, reports and proxy materials to shareholders of each Fund; (12) expenses
of  shareholders'  and  Trustees'  meetings;  (13) charges and expenses of legal
counsel for each Fund and for the  Independent  Trustees of the Trust on matters
relating  to such Fund;  (14)  charges and  expenses of filing  annual and other
reports with the SEC and other  authorities;  and all extraordinary  charges and
expenses of such Fund. (See also the section entitled "Financial Information.")

Each  Advisory  Agreement  continues in effect for two years from its  effective
date and,  thereafter,  from year to year only if approved at least  annually by
the Board of  Trustees  of the Trust or by a vote of a majority  of each  Fund's
outstanding  shares.  In either case,  the terms of the Advisory  Agreement  and
continuance  thereof  must  be  approved  by  the  vote  of a  majority  of  the
Independent  Trustees  (Trustees  who are not  interested  persons of a Fund, as
defined in the 1940 Act) cast in person at a meeting  called for the  purpose of
voting on such approval.  The Advisory  Agreements  may be  terminated,  without
penalty,  on 60 days'  written  notice by the Trust's  Board of Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of outstanding shares. Each Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically upon its "assignment" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

Transactions Among Advisory Affiliates

         The Trust has adopted procedures pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act
("Rule 17a-7  Procedures").  The Rule 17a-7  Procedures  permit a Fund to buy or
sell securities from another  investment company for which a subsidiary of First
Union is an investment  adviser.  The Rule 17a-7 Procedures also allow the Funds
to buy or sell securities  from other advisory  clients for whom a subsidiary of
First Union is an investment  adviser.  The Funds may engage in such transaction
if they are equitable to each participant and consistent with each participant's
investment objective.

DISTRIBUTOR

         Evergreen  Distributor,  Inc.  (the  "Distributor")  markets  the Funds
through broker-dealers and other financial  representatives.  Its address is 125
W. 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.



DISTRIBUTION PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

         Distribution  fees are accrued daily and paid monthly on Class A, Class
B and  Class C  shares  and are  charged  as class  expenses,  as  accrued.  The
distribution fees attributable to the Class B and Class C shares are designed to
permit an investor to purchase such shares  through  broker-dealers  without the
assessment of a front-end  sales charge,  while at the same time  permitting the
Distributor  to compensate  broker-dealers  in connection  with the sale of such
shares.  In this regard,  the purpose and  function of the  combined  contingent
deferred  sales charge and  distribution  services fee on the Class B shares are
the  same as those of the  front-end  sales  charge  and  distribution  fee with
respect  to the  Class A shares in that in each  case the  sales  charge  and/or
distribution  fee provide for the  financing of the  distribution  of the Fund's
shares.

         Under the Rule 12b-1  Distribution Plans that have been adopted by each
Fund with  respect  to each of its Class A,  Class B and Class C shares  (each a
"Plan" and  collectively,  the "Plans"),  the Treasurer of the Trust reports the
amounts  expended  under the Plans for each Fund and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made to the Trustees of the Trust for their review on


                                                        23




a quarterly basis. Also, each Plan provides that the selection and nomination of
the disinterested Trustees are committed to the discretion of such disinterested
Trustees then in office.

         The  Adviser  may from time to time  from its own  funds or such  other
resources as may be permitted by rules of the SEC make payments for distribution
services  to the  Distributor;  the  latter  may in turn pay part or all of such
compensation to brokers or other persons for their distribution assistance.

         Each Plan and  Distribution  Agreement  will  continue  in  effect  for
successive  twelve-month  periods  provided,  however,  that such continuance is
specifically  approved at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding  voting securities of that class
and, in either case, by a majority of the Independent  Trustees of the Trust who
have no direct or indirect  financial  interest in the  operation of the Plan or
any agreement related thereto.

         The  Plans  permit  the  payment  of fees to  brokers  and  others  for
distribution   and   shareholder-related    administrative   services   and   to
broker-dealers,    depository   institutions,   financial   intermediaries   and
administrators  for  administrative  services as to Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. The Plans are designed to (i) stimulate brokers to provide  distribution
and administrative support services to each Fund and holders of Class A, Class B
and Class C shares and (ii) stimulate  administrators  to render  administrative
support services to the Fund and holders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
The  administrative  services are provided by a representative who has knowledge
of the shareholder's  particular  circumstances and goals, and include,  but are
not limited to providing  office space,  equipment,  telephone  facilities,  and
various personnel including clerical, supervisory, and computer, as necessary or
beneficial  to  establish  and  maintain   shareholder   accounts  and  records;
processing  purchase and redemption  transactions  and automatic  investments of
client account cash balances; answering routine client inquiries regarding Class
A, Class B and Class C shares;  assisting  clients in changing dividend options,
account  designations,  and addresses;  and providing such other services as the
Fund reasonably requests for its Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

         FUNB or its affiliates may finance the payments made by the Distributor
to compensate broker-dealers or other persons for distributing shares of a Fund.

         In the event that a Plan or Distribution Agreement is terminated or not
continued  with  respect to one or more classes of a Fund,  (i) no  distribution
fees (other than current  amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
Fund to the Distributor with respect to that class or classes, and (ii) the Fund
would not be obligated to pay the Distributor for any amounts expended under the
Distribution   Agreement  not  previously  recovered  by  the  Distributor  from
distribution services fees in respect of shares of such class or classes through
deferred sales charges.

         All material  amendments to any Plan or Distribution  Agreement must be
approved  by a vote of the  Trustees  of the Trust or the  holders of the Fund's
outstanding voting  securities,  voting separately by class, and in either case,
by a majority of the disinterested  Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called
for the  purpose  of  voting  on such  approval;  and any  Plan or  Distribution
Agreement  may not be amended in order to increase  materially  the costs that a
particular  class  of  shares  of a  Fund  may  bear  pursuant  to the  Plan  or
Distribution  Agreement without the approval of a majority of the holders of the
outstanding  voting  shares  of the  Class  affected.  Any Plan or  Distribution
Agreement  may be  terminated  (i) by a Fund  without  penalty  at any time by a
majority vote of the holders of the outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund,
voting separately by class or by a majority vote of the disinterested  Trustees,
or (ii) by the


                                                        24





Distributor.  To terminate any Distribution  Agreement,  any party must give the
other parties 60 days' written  notice;  to terminate a Plan only, the Fund need
give no notice to the  Distributor.  Any  Distribution  Agreement will terminate
automatically  in the event of its  assignment.  (See also the section  entitled
"Financial Information.")

ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

Administrator

         Evergreen Investment Services,  Inc. ("EIS") serves as administrator to
Utility and Value,  subject to the  supervision and control of the Trust's Board
of Trustees. EIS provides each Fund with facilities, equipment and personnel and
is  entitled  to  receive a fee from the Fund  based on the total  assets of all
mutual  funds  advised by First Union  subsidiaries,  as follows:  0.060% of the
first $7 billion;  0.425% of the next $3 billion; 0.035% of the next $5 billion;
0.025% of the next $10  billion;  0.019% of the next $5  billion  and  0.014% of
amounts over $30 billion.

Transfer Agent

         Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"),  a subsidiary of First Union, is the
Funds'  transfer  agent.  The  transfer  agent issues and redeems  shares,  pays
dividends  and  performs  other duties in  connection  with the  maintenance  of
shareholder  accounts.  The  transfer  agent's  address  is  Box  2121,  Boston,
Massachusetts 02106-2121.

Independent Auditors

         KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP, 99 High Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,
audits the annual financial statements of Global  Opportunities,  Latin America,
Natural Resources, Precious Metals and International Growth.

         Price Waterhouse LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas,  New York, New York,
10036,  audits the annual  financial  statements  of  Emerging  Markets,  Global
Leaders and International Equity.

Custodian

         State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Funds'  custodian.  The bank
keeps  custody of each Fund's  securities  and cash and performs  other  related
duties. The custodian's  address is 225 Franklin Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts
02110.

Legal Counsel

         Sullivan &  Worcester  LLP  provides  legal  advice to the  Funds.  Its
address is 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.


                                    BROKERAGE

         Due to regulatory  developments  affecting the securities exchanges and
brokerage  practices,  the Board of Trustees may modify or eliminate  any of the
following policies.



                                                        25



BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

         Generally, each Fund expects to purchase and sell its equity securities
through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from
underwriters  will  include  the  underwriting  commission  or  concession,  and
purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer's  mark-up
or  reflect  a  dealer's   mark-down.   Where   transactions  are  made  in  the
over-the-counter  market,  each Fund will deal with primary market makers unless
more favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.

         Each Fund expects to buy and sell its fixed income securities  directly
from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally,
each Fund will not pay brokerage  commissions  for such  purchases.  When a Fund
buys a security from an underwriter,  the purchase price will usually include an
underwriting commission or concession.  The purchase price for securities bought
from dealers  serving as market makers will similarly  include the dealer's mark
up or reflect a dealer's  mark down.  When a Fund executes  transactions  in the
over-the-counter  market,  it will deal with primary  market  makers unless more
favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.

SELECTION OF BROKERS

         When  buying and  selling  portfolio  securities,  each  Adviser  seeks
brokers who can provide the most  benefit to the Fund or Funds for which a trade
is being made.  When selecting a broker,  an Advisor will primarily look for the
best price at the lowest commission, but in the context of the broker's:

         1.       ability to provide the best net financial result to the Fund;
         2.       efficiency in handling trades;
         3.       ability to trade large blocks of securities;
         4.       readiness to handle difficult trades;
         5.       financial strength and stability; and
         6.       provision of "research services," defined as (a) reports and
                  analyses  concerning  issuers,   industries,   securities  and
                  economic  factors and (b) other  information  useful in making
                  investment decisions.

         Under  each  Advisory  Agreement,  each Fund may pay  higher  brokerage
commissions to a broker providing it with research services,  as defined in item
6, above. Pursuant to Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
practice  is  permitted  if the  commission  is  reasonable  in  relation to the
brokerage and research services provided. Research services provided by a broker
to an  Adviser  do not  replace,  but  supplement,  the  services  an Adviser is
required to deliver to a Fund under the Advisory Agreement.  It is impracticable
for an Adviser to allocate  the cost,  value and  specific  application  of such
research  services among its clients because research  services intended for one
client may indirectly benefit another.

         When  selecting  a broker for  portfolio  trades,  an Adviser  may also
consider  the  amount of Fund  shares a broker  has sold,  subject  to the other
requirements described above.

         Lieber & Company,  an affiliate of Evergreen  Asset and a member of the
New York and American Stock  Exchanges,  will to the extent  practicable  effect
substantially  all of the portfolio  transactions for Global Leaders effected on
those exchanges.




                                                        26


SIMULTANEOUS TRANSACTIONS

         Each Adviser makes investment  decisions for each Fund independently of
decisions  made for its other  clients.  When a  security  is  suitable  for the
investment  objective of more than one client,  it may be prudent for an Adviser
to engage in a simultaneous transaction,  that is, buy or sell the same security
for more than one client.  Each Adviser strives for an equitable  result in such
transactions  by using an allocation  formula.  The high volume involved in some
simultaneous  transactions  can  result in greater  value to the Funds,  but the
ideal price or trading volume may not always be achieved for an individual Fund.


                               TRUST ORGANIZATION


FORM OF ORGANIZATION

         Each Fund is a series of an  open-end  management  investment  company,
known as  "Evergreen  Equity  Trust"  (the  "Trust").  The Trust was formed as a
Delaware  business trust on September 17, 1997 (the  "Declaration of Trust").  A
copy  of the  Declaration  of  Trust  is on file as an  exhibit  to the  Trust's
Registration  Statement,  of which this SAI is a part. This summary is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Declaration of Trust.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

         The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial  interest of series and classes of shares. Each share of
each Fund  represents an equal  proportionate  interest with each other share of
that series and/or class.  Upon  liquidation,  shares are entitled to a pro rata
share of the Trust based on the relative net assets of each series and/or class.
Shareholders have no preemptive or conversion rights.  Shares are redeemable and
transferable.

VOTING RIGHTS

         Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust,  the Trust is not required
to hold annual meetings. At meetings called for the initial election of Trustees
or to consider other matters, each share is entitled to one vote for each dollar
of net asset value  applicable to such share.  Shares generally vote together as
one class on all  matters.  Classes  of shares  of each Fund have  equal  voting
rights.  No amendment  may be made to the  Declaration  of Trust that  adversely
affects  any class of shares  without  the  approval  of a majority of the votes
applicable  to the  shares of that  class.  Shares  have  non-cumulative  voting
rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the votes applicable to
shares  voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees to be
elected at a meeting  and, in such event,  the holders of the  remaining  50% or
less of the shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees.

         After the initial meeting as described  above,  no further  meetings of
shareholders for the purpose of electing  Trustees will be held, unless required
by law,  unless  and until  such time as less than a  majority  of the  Trustees
holding  office have been elected by  shareholders,  at which time, the Trustees
then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees.




                                                        27



LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY

         The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee will not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of
Trust  protects a Trustee  against any liability to which he would  otherwise be
subject  by reason of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross  negligence  or
reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of his office.



                       PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

HOW THE FUNDS OFFER SHARES TO THE PUBLIC

         You may buy shares of a Fund  through the  Distributor,  broker-dealers
that have entered into special  agreements with the Distributor or certain other
financial  institutions.  Each Fund  offers up to four  classes  of shares  that
differ primarily with respect to sales charges and distribution fees.  Depending
upon the class of shares,  you will pay an initial  sales  charge when you buy a
Fund's shares,  a contingent  deferred sales charge (a "CDSC") when you redeem a
Fund's shares or no sales charges at all.


Class A Shares

         With certain exceptions,  when you purchase Class A shares you will pay
a maximum  sales charge equal to 4.75% of the offering  price.  (The  prospectus
contains a complete table of applicable  sales charges and a discussion of sales
charge  reductions or waivers that may apply to purchases.  See also the section
in this SAI  entitled  "Financial  Information"  for an example of the method of
computing the offering  price of Class A shares.) If you purchase Class A shares
in the amount of $1 million or more,  without an initial sales charge, the Funds
will charge a CDSC of 1.00% if you redeem  during the month of your purchase and
the  12-month  period  following  the month of your  purchase  (see  "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge", below).

Class B Shares

         The Funds offer  Class B shares at net asset  value  without an initial
sales charge. With certain exceptions,  however, the Funds will charge a CDSC on
shares  you  redeem  within 72  months  after  the  month of your  purchase,  in
accordance with the following schedule:

    REDEMPTION TIMING                                             CDSC RATE
    Month of purchase and the first twelve-month
             period following the month of purchase..................5.00%
    Second twelve-month period following the month of purchase.......4.00%
    Third twelve-month period following the month of purchase........3.00%
    Fourth twelve-month period following the month of purchase.......3.00%
    Fifth twelve-month period following the month of purchase........2.00%
    Sixth twelve-month period following the month of purchase........1.00%
    Thereafter.......................................................0.00%

Class B shares  that have been  outstanding  for seven  years after the month of
purchase will


                                                        28





automatically  convert to Class A shares without imposition of a front-end sales
charge or  exchange  fee.  (Conversion  of Class B shares  represented  by stock
certificates will require the return of the stock certificate to ESC.)

Class C Shares

         Class C shares  are  available  only  through  broker-dealers  who have
entered into special  distribution  agreements with the  Distributor.  The Funds
offer Class C shares at net asset value without an initial  sales  charge.  With
certain exceptions, however, the Funds will charge a CDSC of 1.00% on shares you
redeem  within  12-months  after the  month of your  purchase.  See  "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge" below.


Class Y Shares

         No CDSC is imposed on the redemption of Class Y shares.  Class Y shares
are not offered to the general  public and are available only to (1) persons who
at or prior to  December  31,  1994  owned  shares in a mutual  fund  advised by
Evergreen Asset, (2) certain institutional investors and (3) investment advisory
clients of FUNB, Evergreen Asset, Keystone, or their affiliates.  Class Y shares
are offered at net asset value without a front-end or back-end  sales charge and
do not bear any Rule 12b-1 distribution expenses.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

         The Funds charge a CDSC as reimbursement for certain expenses,  such as
commissions or shareholder  servicing  fees,  that it has incurred in connection
with the sale of its shares (see "Distribution Plans and Agreements," above). If
imposed,  the Funds  deduct  the CDSC  from the  redemption  proceeds  you would
otherwise  receive.  The CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net asset
value of the shares at the time of redemption or (2) the shareholder's  original
net  cost for such  shares.  Upon  request  for  redemption,  to keep the CDSC a
shareholder must pay as low as possible, a Fund will first seek to redeem shares
not subject to the CDSC and/or shares held the longest,  in that order. The CDSC
on any  redemption  is, to the extent  permitted by the National  Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), paid to the Distributor or its predecessor.

SALES CHARGE WAIVERS OR REDUCTIONS

Reducing Class A Front-end Loads

         With a larger  purchase,  there are  several  ways that you can combine
multiple  purchases of Class A shares in Evergreen  funds and take  advantage of
lower sales charges.

Combined Purchases

         You can reduce  your sales  charge by  combining  purchases  of Class A
shares of multiple Evergreen funds. For example, if you invested $75,000 in each
of two  different  Evergreen  funds,  you  would pay a sales  charge  based on a
$150,000 purchase (i.e., 3.75% of the offering price, rather than 4.75%).




                                                        29




Rights of Accumulation

         You can reduce your sales  charge by adding the value of Class A shares
of  Evergreen  funds  you  already  own to the  amount  of  your  next  Class  A
investment.  For  example,  if you hold  Class A shares  valued at  $99,999  and
purchase an additional $5,000, the sales charge for the $5,000 purchase would be
at the next lower sales charge of 3.75%, rather than 4.75%.

Letter of Intent

         You  can,  by  completing  the  "Letter  of  Intent"   section  of  the
application, purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and receive the same
sales  charge as if you had  invested  all the money at once.  All  purchases of
Class A shares of an Evergreen  fund during the period will qualify as Letter of
Intent purchases.

Waiver of Initial Sales Charges

         The Funds may sell their  shares at net asset value  without an initial
sales charge to:

         1.       purchases of shares in the amount of $1 million or more;

         2.       a corporate or certain other  qualified  retirement  plan or a
                  non-qualified  deferred  compensation  plan  or a  Title 1 tax
                  sheltered  annuity or TSA plan  sponsored  by an  organization
                  having 100 or more eligible employees (a "Qualifying Plan") or
                  a TSA plan  sponsored by a public  educational  entity  having
                  5,000 or more eligible employees (an "Educational TSA Plan");

         3.       institutional   investors,   which  may  include   bank  trust
                  departments and registered investment advisers;

         4.       investment  advisers,  consultants  or financial  planners who
                  place  trades for their own  accounts or the accounts of their
                  clients and who charge such clients a management,  consulting,
                  advisory or other fee;

         5.       clients of investment advisers or financial planners who place
                  trades for their own  accounts if the  accounts  are linked to
                  master  account  of  such  investment  advisers  or  financial
                  planners on the books of the broker-dealer through whom shares
                  are purchased;

         6.       institutional clients of broker-dealers,  including retirement
                  and  deferred  compensation  plans and the trusts used to fund
                  these  plans,  which place trades  through an omnibus  account
                  maintained with a Fund by the broker-dealer;

         7.       employees  of  FUNB,  its  affiliates,  the  Distributor,  any
                  broker-dealer  with whom the  Distributor  has entered into an
                  agreement  to sell  shares of the  Funds,  and  members of the
                  immediate families of such employees;

         8.       certain  Directors,  Trustees,  officers and  employees of the
                  Evergreen  funds,  the Distributor or their  affiliates and to
                  the immediate families of such persons; or

         9.       a bank or trust company in a single account in the name of
                  such bank or trust


                                                        30





                  company  as  trustee  if  the  initial  investment  in or  any
                  Evergreen  fund  made  pursuant  to this  waiver  is at  least
                  $500,000 and any commission  paid at the time of such purchase
                  is not more than 1% of the amount invested.

         With respect to items 8 and 9 above, each Fund will only sell shares to
these parties upon the  purchasers  written  assurance  that the purchase is for
their  personal  investment  purposes only.  Such  purchasers may not resell the
securities except through  redemption by the Fund. The Funds will not charge any
CDSC on redemptions by such purchasers.

Waiver of CDSCS

         The  Funds do not  impose  a CDSC  when the  shares  you are  redeeming
represent:

         1.       an  increase  in the  share  value  above the net cost of such
                  shares;

         2.       certain  shares for which the Fund did not pay a commission on
                  issuance,  including shares acquired  through  reinvestment of
                  dividend income and capital gains distributions;

         3.       shares that are in the accounts of a shareholder  who has died
                  or become disabled;

         4.       a lump-sum  distribution  from a 401(k) plan or other  benefit
                  plan qualified under the Employee  Retirement  Income Security
                  Act of 1974 ("ERISA");

         5.       an automatic  withdrawal  from the ERISA plan of a shareholder
                  who is a least 59 1/2 years old;

         6.       shares in an account  that we have closed  because the account
                  has an aggregate net asset value of less than $1,000;

         7.       an automatic  withdrawal under an Systematic Income Plan of up
                  to 1.0% per month of your initial account balance;

         8.       a withdrawal consisting of loan proceeds to a retirement plan
                  participant;

         9.       financial hardship withdrawals made by a retirement plan
                  participant;

         10.      a withdrawal  consisting of returns of excess contributions or
                  excess deferral amounts made to a retirement plan; or

         11.      a redemption by an individual participant in a Qualifying Plan
                  that purchased Class C shares (this waiver is not available in
                  the event a Qualifying Plan, as a whole, redeems substantially
                  all of its assets).



EXCHANGES

         Investors may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of
any other Evergreen fund, as described under the section entitled "Exchanges" in
the prospectus.  Before you make an exchange,  you should read the prospectus of
the Evergreen fund into which you want to


                                                        31





exchange.  The Trust's  Board of Trustees reserves the right to discontinue,
alter or  limit  the exchange privilege at any time.


CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ("NAV")

         Each Fund  computes  its NAV once daily on Monday  through  Friday,  as
described  in the  prospectus.  A Fund will not  compute  its NAV on the day the
following  legal holidays are observed:  New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day,  Presidents' Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

         The NAV of each class of shares of a Fund is calculated by dividing the
value of a Fund's  net  assets  attributable  to that class by the number of all
shares issued for that class.


VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

         Current  values for a Fund's  portfolio  securities  are  determined as
follows:

         (1) Securities that are traded on an established securities exchange or
         the  over-the-counter  National Market System ("NMS") are valued on the
         basis of the last sales price on the exchange where primarily traded or
         on the NMS prior to the time of the valuation, provided that a sale has
         occurred.

         (2) Securities traded on an established  securities  exchange or in the
         over-the-counter  market  for  which  there  has been no sale and other
         securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean
         of the bid and asked prices at the time of valuation.

         (3) Short-term  investments maturing in more than sixty days, for which
         market quotations are readily  available,  are valued at current market
         value.

         (4) Short-term investments maturing in sixty days or less are valued at
         amortized cost, which approximates market.

         (5)  Securities,  including  restricted  securities,  for which  market
         quotations are not readily available; listed securities or those on NMS
         if,  in a Fund's  opinion,  the last  sales  price  does not  reflect a
         current  market value;  and other assets are valued at prices deemed in
         good  faith to be fair  under  procedures  established  by the Board of
         Trustees.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

         As  described in the  prospectus,  a  shareholder  may elect to receive
their  dividends  and capital  grains  distributions  in cash instead of shares.
However, ESC will automatically  convert a shareholder's  distribution option so
that the  shareholder  reinvests all dividends and  distributions  in additional
shares  when it learns  that the postal or other  delivery  service is unable to
deliver  checks or transaction  confirmations  to the  shareholder's  address of
record. The Funds will hold the returned  distribution or redemption proceeds in
a non  interest-bearing  account in the shareholder's name until the shareholder
updates  their  address.  No  interest  will  accrue on amounts  represented  by
uncashed distribution or redemption checks.




                                                        32





                              PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

         The  Distributor  is the principal  underwriter  for the Trust and with
respect to each  class of each  Fund.  The Trust has  entered  into a  Principal
Underwriting  Agreement  ("Underwriting  Agreement")  with the Distributor  with
respect to each class of each Fund. The Distributor is a subsidiary of The BISYS
Group, Inc.

         The  Distributor,  as agent, has agreed to use its best efforts to find
purchasers for the shares. The Distributor may retain and employ representatives
to promote distribution of the shares and may obtain orders from broker-dealers,
and others, acting as principals,  for sales of shares to them. The Underwriting
Agreement  provides  that the  Distributor  will bear the expense of  preparing,
printing,  and  distributing  advertising and sales  literature and prospectuses
used by it.

         All  subscriptions  and sales of shares by the  Distributor  are at the
public offering price of the shares,  which is determined in accordance with the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust,  By-Laws,  current  prospectuses
and SAI.  All  orders  are  subject  to  acceptance  by the  Trust and the Trust
reserves the right, in its sole discretion,  to reject any order received. Under
the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the Trust is not liable to anyone for  failure to
accept any order.

         The Distributor has agreed that it will, in all respects,  duly conform
with all  state and  federal  laws  applicable  to the sale of the  shares.  The
Distributor  has also agreed that it will  indemnify and hold harmless the Trust
and each  person  who has been,  is, or may be a Trustee or officer of the Trust
against  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by any of them in  connection  with any
claim,  action,  suit,  or  proceeding  to which any of them may be a party that
arises out of or is alleged to arise out of any misrepresentation or omission to
state a material  fact on the part of the  Distributor  or any other  person for
whose acts the  Distributor  is  responsible  or is  alleged to be  responsible,
unless such  misrepresentation  or omission  was made in reliance  upon  written
information furnished by the Trust.

         The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that it will remain in effect as
long as its terms  and  continuance  are  approved  annually  (i) by a vote of a
majority of the Trust's Independent Trustees,  and (ii) by vote of a majority of
the Trust's Trustees,  in each case, cast in person at a meeting called for that
purpose.

         The Underwriting  Agreement may be terminated,  without penalty,  on 60
days'  written  notice by the Board of  Trustees  or by a vote of a majority  of
outstanding  shares subject to such agreement.  The Underwriting  Agreement will
terminate  automatically  upon its  "assignment," as that term is defined in the
1940 Act.

         From time to time, if, in the Distributor's  judgment, it could benefit
the sales of shares,  the  Distributor  may provide to  selected  broker-dealers
promotional materials and selling aids, including,  but not limited to, personal
computers, related software, and data files.



                                                        33




                           ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

        REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION AS A REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY

          Each  Fund  intends  to  qualify  for  and  elect  the  tax  treatment
applicable to a regulated investment company (a "RIC") under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). (Such qualification does not involve
supervision  of management  or investment  practices or policies by the Internal
Revenue Service.) In order to qualify as a RIC, a Fund must, among other things,
(i) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,  interest,  payments
with respect to proceeds  from  securities  loans,  gains from the sale or other
disposition  of securities  or foreign  currencies  and other income  (including
gains from options,  futures or forward  contracts)  derived with respect to its
business of investing in such  securities;  and (ii)  diversify  its holdings so
that,  at the end of each quarter of its taxable  year,  (a) at least 50% of the
market value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash, U.S.  Government
securities  and other  securities  limited in respect of any one  issuer,  to an
amount not greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer,  and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its
total assets is invested in the  securities  of any one issuer  (other than U.S.
Government  securities and securities of other regulated investment  companies).
By so  qualifying,  a Fund is not  subject  to  federal  income tax if it timely
distributes its investment  company taxable income and any net realized  capital
gains. A 4% nondeductible  excise tax will be imposed on a Fund to the extent it
does not meet  certain  distribution  requirements  by the end of each  calendar
year. Each Fund anticipates meeting such distribution requirements.

TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS

         Distributions will be taxable to shareholders whether made in shares or
in  cash.  Shareholders  electing  to  receive  distributions  in  the  form  of
additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each
share  so  received  equal  to the net  asset  value of a share of a Fund on the
reinvestment date.

         To  calculate   ordinary   income  for  federal  income  tax  purposes,
shareholders  must  generally  include  dividends  paid  by the  Fund  from  its
investment  company  taxable  income  (net  taxable  investment  income plus net
realized  short-term  capital gains, if any). The Fund will include dividends it
receives  from  domestic   corporations  when  the  Fund  calculates  its  gross
investment  income.  The Fund  anticipates that all or a portion of the ordinary
dividends  which it pays will qualify for the 70%  dividends-received  deduction
for  corporations.  The Fund will inform  shareholders  of the  amounts  that so
qualify.

         From  time to time,  the Fund  will  distribute  the  excess of its net
long-term capital gains over its short-term capital loss to shareholders  (i.e.,
capital gain  dividends).  For federal tax purposes,  shareholders  must include
such capital gain dividends when calculating  their net long-term capital gains.
Capital  gain  dividends  are  taxable  as  net  long-term  capital  gains  to a
shareholder, no matter how long the shareholder has held the shares.

         Distributions by a Fund reduce its NAV. A distribution that reduces the
Fund's NAV below a  shareholder's  cost basis is  taxable  as  described  above,
although  from  an  investment  standpoint,  it  is  a  return  of  capital.  In
particular,  if a  shareholder  buys Fund  shares  just  before the Fund makes a
distribution, when the Fund makes the distribution the shareholder will


                                                        34





receive what is in effect a return of capital. Nevertheless, the shareholder may
incur  taxes  on the  distribution.  Therefore,  shareholders  should  carefully
consider the tax consequences of buying Fund shares just before a distribution.

         All distributions, whether received in shares or cash, must be reported
by each  shareholder on his or her federal income tax return.  Each  shareholder
should  consult a tax adviser to determine the state and local tax  implications
of Fund distributions.

         If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's  total assets at the end of a
fiscal year is  represented  by  securities of foreign  corporations  and a Fund
elects to make foreign tax credits available to its shareholders,  a shareholder
will be required  to include in his gross  income  both cash  dividends  and the
amount the Fund advises him is his pro rata portion of income taxes  withheld by
foreign  governments  from interest and dividends paid on a Fund's  investments.
The  shareholder  may be entitled,  however,  to take the amount of such foreign
taxes withheld as a credit against his U.S.  income tax, or to treat the foreign
tax withheld as an itemized  deduction from his gross income,  if that should be
to his advantage.  In substance,  this policy enables the shareholder to benefit
from the same foreign tax credit or deduction  that he would have received if he
had been the individual owner of foreign  securities and had paid foreign income
tax on the income  therefrom.  As in the case of  individuals  receiving  income
directly from foreign sources, the credit or deduction is subject to a number of
limitations.

TAXES ON THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES

Upon a sale or exchange of Fund  shares,  a  shareholder  will realize a taxable
gain or loss  depending on his or her basis in the shares.  A  shareholder  must
treat such gains or losses as a capital gain or loss if the shareholder held the
shares as capital  assets.  Capital  gain on assets held for more than  eighteen
months is generally  subject to a maximum  federal income tax rate of 20% for an
individual.  The maximum  capital  gains tax rate for capital  assets held by an
individual  for more than  twelve  months but not more than  eighteen  months is
generally  28%.  Generally,  the Code will not allow a shareholder  to realize a
loss  on  shares  he or  she  has  sold  or  exchanged  and  replaced  within  a
sixty-one-day  period  beginning thirty days before and ending thirty days after
he or she sold or exchanged the shares. The Code will treat a shareholder's loss
on shares held for six months or less as a long-term  capital loss to the extent
the shareholder received capital gain dividends on such shares.

         Shareholders who fail to furnish their taxpayer  identification numbers
to a Fund and to certify as to its  correctness  and certain other  shareholders
may be subject to a 31% federal  income tax backup  withholding  requirement  on
dividends,  distributions of capital gains and redemption  proceeds paid to them
by the Fund. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such dividends or
capital  gain  distributions  to these  shareholders,  whether  taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, and any redemption  proceeds will be reduced by
the amounts required to be withheld. Investors may wish to consult their own tax
advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS

         The foregoing  discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law
as  applicable  to U.S.  persons  (i.e.,  U.S.  citizens and  residents and U.S.
domestic  corporations,  partnerships,  trusts and estates). It does not reflect
the  special tax  consequences  to certain  taxpayers  (e.g.,  banks,  insurance
companies,  tax exempt  organizations  and foreign  persons).  Shareholders  are
encouraged  to  consult  their own tax  advisers  regarding  specific  questions
relating to federal,


                                                        35





state  and local  tax  consequences  of  investing  in  shares  of a Fund.  Each
shareholder  who is not a U.S.  person  should  consult  his or her tax  adviser
regarding  the U.S.  and foreign tax  consequences  of  ownership of shares of a
Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S.
withholding  tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower  rate  under a tax  treaty)  on
amounts treated as income from U.S. sources under the Code.




                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

EXPENSES

         The table below shows the total  dollar  amounts  paid by each Fund for
services rendered during the fiscal periods  specified.  For more information on
specific expenses,  see "Investment Advisory and Other Services,"  "Distribution
Plans and Agreements,"  "Principal  Underwriter"  and "Purchase,  Redemption and
Pricing of Shares."


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 FUND EXPENSES
                                                                                                    Total              Underwriting
                                               Class A           Class B           Class C          Underwriting       Commissions
FUND                      Advisory Fees        12b-1 Fees        12b-1 Fees        12b-1 Fees       Commissions        Retained
======================  ===================  ===============  ================  ===============  =================   ===============
<S>                         <C>                   <C>            <C>                  <C>           <C>                   <C>
Blue Chip (1)               $1,794,364             N/A           $1,535,556*          N/A           $1,017,961            $363,862
Growth/Income (2)           $5,736,248          $175,321         $2,170,223        $91,676          $1,796,199            $169,177
Income/Growth (3)           $4,371,784           $13,129           $186,670         $4,556             $41,996              $4,196
Income/Growth (4)           $8,823,541           $18,106           $252,431         $8,509            $187,403             $20,208
Small Cap (2)                 $180,153(a)         $1,710            $15,062         $5,553             $72,045              $8,281
Total Return (5)              $546,092           $66,585           $460,418       $119,908            $128,762              $7,709
Utility (2)                   $382,537(b)       $134,715           $214,190         $2,114             $15,633              $1,789
Value (2)                   $4,753,235          $509,860         $1,337,333        $10,924            $479,927             $51,343
</TABLE>


(1)      Year ended 8/31/97
(2)      Seven months ended 7/31/97
(3)      Six months ended 7/31/97
(4)      Year ended 1/31/97
(5)      Eight months ended 7/31/97
(a)      Of that amount, $35,183 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
(b)      Of that amount, $146,640 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
*        Not multiple class during this period; amount reflects all 12b-1 fees.




                                                        36




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 FUND EXPENSES
                                                                                                      Total            Underwriting
                                              Class A          Class B             Class C            Underwriting      Commissions
FUND                    Advisory Fees         12b-1 Fees       12b-1 Fees          12b-1 Fees         Commissions        Retained
===================  ===================== ===============  ==================  ================== ================== ==============
<S>                       <C>                   <C>             <C>                    <C>             <C>                <C>
Blue Chip (1)             $1,492,757             N/A            $1,738,556*             N/A            $1,415,505         $334,606
Growth/Income (2)         $5,287,338          $122,222          $1,254,549           $48,073           $1,473,258         $158,858
Income/Growth (3)         $9,343,195 (a)       $18,106             $62,182            $2,021              $98,890          $10,733
Small Cap (2)                $63,333 (b)          $618              $4,265              $356               $3,568             $340
Total Return (4)            $448,266              -0-             $260,237          $112,995             $355,043        ($595,877)
Utility (2)                 $725,733 (c)      $252,753            $378,500            $3,791              $74,988           $7,857
Value (2)                 $6,950,730          $767,254          $1,674,133           $11,608             $522,573          $56,609
</TABLE>



(1)      Year ended 8/31/96
(2)      Year ended 12/31/96
(3)      Year ended 1/31/96
(4)      Year ended 11/30/96
(a)      Of that amount, $53,576 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
(b)      Of that amount, $133,406 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
(c)      Of that amount, $396,483 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
*        Not multiple class during this period; amount reflects all 12b-1 fees.




                                                        37




1995 FUND EXPENSES*
                                                Total              Underwriting
                                                Underwriting       Commissions
FUND                     Advisory Fees          Commissions        Retained
===================== ===================== ================== =================
Blue Chip (1)              $1,318,897           $1,083,702           $629,377
Growth/Income (2)          $1,332,685 (a)         $326,249            $37,300
Income/Growth (3)          $8,542,289               $4,585               -0-
Small Cap (2)                 $45,397 (b)             $778               $284
Total Return (4)             $300,290             $190,327          ($243,621)
Utility (2)                  $456,021 (c)          $36,650             $3,955
Value (2)                  $5,120,579             $114,855            $12,616




(1)      Year ended 8/31/95
(2)      Year ended 12/31/95
(3)      Year ended 1/31/95
(4)      Year ended 11/30/95
(a)      Of that amount, $38,106 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
(b)      Entire amount waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
(c)      Of that amount, $350,922 waived or reimbursed by Adviser.
*        12b-1 fees not included.




                                                        38




BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID

         The table below shows (1) total  amounts paid by each Fund in brokerage
commissions and (2) brokerage commissions paid by each Fund to Lieber & Company,
an affiliate of FUNB, during each of the fiscal periods specified.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1997                                      1996                                       
FUND

                  Total                Paid to Lieber       Total                Paid to Lieber        Total                

<S>                      <C>                       <C>                 <C>                   <C>                  <C>        
Blue Chip                $656,022 (a)             -0-   (a)         $684,496 (a)         -0-      (a)          $621,829 (a)  
Growth/Income            $412,968 (b)          $348,590 (a)         $519,064 (b)         $429,888 (b)          $210,923 (b)  
Income/Growth           $1,575,483 (c)       $1,066,378 (c)        $3,255,068(c)       $2,982,640 (c)        $3,755,606 (c)  
                        $3,529,313 (d)       $2,835,293 (d)
Small Cap                  $74,018 (b)          $61,390 (b)          $14,647 (b)          $13,246 (b)            $5,968 (b)  
Total Return              $153,935 (e)       -0-        (e)         $227,013 (d)         -0-      (d)           $92,665 (d)  
Utility                   $220,091 (b)       -0 -       (b)         $323,978 (b)         -0-      (b)          $272,806 (b)  
Value                     $273,045 (b)       -0-        (b)        $3,164,292(b)         -0-      (b)        $1,644,077 (b)  


1995                  


Paid to Lieber         

                      FOOTNOTES 
            -0-  (a)   
        $160,659 (b)  (a)      Year ended 8/31/97
      $3,465,900 (c)  (b)      Seven months ended 7/31/97
                      (c)      Six months ended 7/31/97
          $4,863 (b)  (d)      Year ended 1/31/97
            -0-  (d)  (e)      Eight months ended 7/31/97
            -0-  (b)     
            -0-  (b)             
1996 FOOTNOTES:
(a)      Year ended 8/31/96
(b)      Year ended 12/31/96
(c)      Year ended 1/31/96
(d)      Year ended 11/30/96


1995 FOOTNOTES:
(a)      Year ended 8/31/95
(b)      Year ended 12/31/95
(c)      Year ended 1/31/95
(d)      Year ended 11/30/95


</TABLE>



                                                        39





COMPUTATION OF CLASS A OFFERING PRICE

         Class A shares  are sold at the NAV  plus a sales  charge.  Below is an
example of the method of computing the offering  price of Class A shares of each
Fund. The example  assumes a purchase  aggregating  less than $50,000 subject to
the schedule of sales charges set forth in the  prospectus at a price based upon
the NAV of each Fund's Class A shares as of July 31, 1997.



FUND*               NET ASSET             PER SHARE            OFFERING PRICE
                    VALUE                 SALES CHARGE         PER SHARE
=================== ====================  ===================  ===============
Growth/Income       $27.26                $1.36                $28.62
Income/Growth       $23.94                $1.19                $25.13
Small Cap           $15.69                $0.78                $16.47
Total Return        $20.69                $1.03                $21.72
Utility             $11.45                $0.57                $12.02
Value               $24.64                $1.23                $25.87

*Excludes Blue Chip, which had not yet offered Class A shares.


PERFORMANCE

Total Return

         Total  return  quotations  for a class of  shares of a Fund as they may
appear from time to time in advertisements are calculated by finding the average
annual  compounded  rates of return over one, five and ten year periods,  or the
time  periods for which such class of shares has been  effective,  whichever  is
relevant,  on a  hypothetical  $1,000  investment  that would equate the initial
amount  invested  in the class to the ending  redeemable  value.  To the initial
investment  all dividends and  distributions  are added,  and all recurring fees
charged to all shareholder  accounts are deducted.  The ending  redeemable value
assumes a complete redemption at the end of each period.

         The average  annual total returns for each class of shares of the Funds
(including  applicable  sales  charges)  as of August 31, 1997 for Blue Chip and
July 31, 1997 for the other Funds are as follows:

                                                        40






                                                     TEN YEARS OR
                                                         SINCE         INCEPTION
FUND/CLASS            ONE YEAR       FIVE YEARS        INCEPTION         DATE
=============== =============== ===============  =================== ===========
BLUE CHIP*             31.76%          15.36%            9.54%           9/11/35
GROWTH/INCOME
Class A                33.71%            --             28.25%           1/3/95
Class B                34.32%            --             29.00%           1/3/95
Class C                38.25%            --             29.80%           1/3/95
Class Y                40.66%          20.43%           15.06%          10/15/86
INCOME/GROWTH
Class A                22.24%            --             17.65%           1/3/95
Class B                22.40%            --             18.13%           1/3/95
Class C                26.37%            --             19.00%           1/3/95
Class Y                28.70%          11.99%            9.54%           8/31/78
SMALL CAP
Class A                36.08%            --             26.18%           1/3/95
Class B                36.69%            --             26.83%           1/3/95
Class C                41.71%            --             27.76%           1/24/95
Class Y                43.24%            --             18.98%           10/1/93
TOTAL RETURN
Class A                36.84%          16.32%           12.40%           2/13/87
Class B                37.44%            --             16.33%           2/1/93
Class C                41.58%            --             16.61%           2/1/93
Class Y                  --              --             17.22%           1/13/97
UTILITY
Class A                15.56%            --              8.95%           1/4/94
Class B                15.42%            --              9.00%           1/4/94
Class C                19.42%            --             13.55%           9/2/94
Class Y                21.54%            --             12.58%           2/28/94
VALUE
Class A                35.47%          15.86%           12.37%           4/12/85
Class B                36.20%            --             16.82%           2/2/93
Class C                40.24%            --             22.25%           9/2/94
Class Y                42.58%          17.32%           17.96%           1/1/91


         * Not multiple class during this period.


                                                        41




Non-Standardized Performance

       In addition to the performance  information  described  above, a Fund may
provide total return  information for designated  periods,  such as for the most
recent six months or most recent twelve months. This total return information is
computed as described under "Total Return" above except that no annualization is
made.

General

       From time to time, a Fund may quote its  performance in  advertising  and
other  types of  literature  as compared to the  performance  of the  Standard &
Poor's 500  Composite  Stock  Price  Index,  the Dow Jones  Industrial  Average,
Russell 2000 Index,  or any other commonly  quoted index of common stock prices.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index,  the Dow Jones Industrial
Average  and the Russell  2000 Index are  unmanaged  indices of selected  common
stock prices. A Fund's performance may also be compared to those of other mutual
funds having similar objectives. This comparative performance would be expressed
as a ranking prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar independent
services  monitoring  mutual  fund  performance.  A Fund's  performance  will be
calculated by assuming,  to the extent  applicable,  reinvestment of all capital
gains  distributions  and income  dividends  paid. Any such  comparisons  may be
useful to investors who wish to compare a Fund's past  performance  with that of
its competitors.  Of course,  past  performance  cannot be a guarantee of future
results.

Financial Statements

         The audited  financial  statements  and the reports  thereon are hereby
incorporated  by reference to each Fund's Annual Report,  a copy of which may be
obtained  without  charge  from  ESC,  P.O.  Box  2121,  Boston,   Massachusetts
02106-2121.



                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         Except as otherwise  stated in its  prospectus or required by law, each
Fund  reserves  the  right to  change  the  terms  of the  offer  stated  in its
prospectus without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or change
fees for services provided.

         No  dealer,  salesman  or  other  person  is  authorized  to  give  any
information or to make any  representation not contained in a Fund's prospectus,
SAI or in supplemental  sales literature issued by such Fund or the Distributor,
and no person is  entitled  to rely on any  information  or  representation  not
contained therein.

         Each Fund's  prospectus and SAI omit certain  information  contained in
the Trust's registration statement,  which you may obtain for a fee from the SEC
in Washington, D.C.





                                                        42





                                   APPENDIX A


                          S&P AND MOODY'S BOND RATINGS


S&P Bond Ratings


         An S&P bond rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of
an obligor,  including  obligors  outside the U.S.,  with  respect to a specific
obligation.  This  assessment  may  take  into  consideration  obligors  such as
guarantors,  insurers or lessees.  Ratings of foreign  obligors do not take into
account currency  exchange and related  uncertainties.  The ratings are based on
current  information  furnished  by the  issuer or  obtained  by S&P from  other
sources it considers reliable.

         The  ratings  are  based,   in  varying   degrees,   on  the  following
considerations:

         a. Likelihood of default and capacity and willingness of the obligor as
to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance  with
the terms of the obligation;

         b. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

         c.  Protection  afforded by and relative  position of the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy  reorganization  or other  arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

         PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): To provide more detailed  indications  of credit
quality, ratings from "AA" to "BBB" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

         A  provisional  rating  is  sometimes  used  by  S&P.  It  assumes  the
successful  completion of the project being financed by the debt being rated and
indicates  that  payment of debt  service  requirements  is largely or  entirely
dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating,
however,  while  addressing  credit  quality  subsequent  to  completion  of the
project,  makes no comment  on the  likelihood  of, or the risk of default  upon
failure of, such completion.

        S&P bond ratings are as follows:

         a.  AAA - Debt  rated  AAA  has the  highest  rating  assigned  by S&P.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

         b. AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong  capacity to pay  interest  and
repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.

         3. A - Debt rated A has a strong  capacity  to pay  interest  and repay
principal  although it is somewhat more  susceptible  to the adverse  effects of
changes in  circumstances  and  economic  conditions  than debt in higher  rated
categories.


                                                        A-1





         4. BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded  as having an adequate  capacity to
pay  interest  and  repay  principal.  Whereas  it  normally  exhibits  adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

         5. BB, B, CCC, CC and C - Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is  regarded,
on  balance,  as  predominantly  speculative  with  respect to  capacity  to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation.  BB
indicates  the  lowest  degree  of  speculation  and C  the  highest  degree  of
speculation.  While  such debt will  likely  have some  quality  and  protective
characteristics,  these are  outweighed  by large  uncertainties  or major  risk
exposures to adverse conditions.

Moody's Bond Ratings

Moody's ratings are as follows:

         1.  Aaa - Bonds  which  are  rated  Aaa are  judged  to be of the  best
quality.  They carry the smallest  degree of  investment  risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt-edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally   stable  margin  and  principal  is  secure.  While  the  various
protective  elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

         2. Aa - Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality by
all  standards.  Together  with the Aaa group they  comprise  what are generally
known as high grade  bonds.  They are rated  lower  than the best bonds  because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective  elements may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other elements
present  which  make the long term  risks  appear  somewhat  larger  than in Aaa
securities.

         3. A - Bonds  which  are  rated A  possess  many  favorable  investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade  obligations.  Factors
giving  security to principal and interest are considered  adequate but elements
may be present which  suggest a  susceptibility  to  impairment  sometime in the
future.

         4. Baa - Bonds  which  are  rated Baa are  considered  as medium  grade
obligations,  i.e.,  they are  neither  highly  protected  nor  poorly  secured.
Interest  payments and principal  security  appear  adequate for the present but
certain  protective  elements  may  be  lacking  or  may  be  characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

         5. Ba -  Bonds  which  are  rated  Ba are  judged  to have  speculative
elements.  Their  future  cannot  be  considered  as  well  assured.  Often  the
protection of interest and  principal  payments may be very moderate and thereby
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty
of position characterizes bonds in this class.

         6. B - Bonds which are rated B generally  lack  characteristics  of the
desirable  investment.  Assurance  of  interest  and  principal  payments  or of
maintenance  of other terms of the contract  over any long period of time may be
small.

         7. Caa - Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such issues
may be in default or there may be present  elements  of danger  with  respect to
principal or interest.


                                                        A-2





         8. Ca - Bonds  which  are  rated Ca  represent  obligations  which  are
speculative  in a high  degree.  Such issues are often in defauolt or have other
market shortcomings.

         9. C - Bonds  which are rated as C are the lowest  rated class of bonds
and issues so rated can be regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.

         Moody's applies numerical modifiers,  1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification  from Aa through Baa in its  corporate  bond rating  system.  The
modifier 1 indicates  that the  security  ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3  indicates  that  the  issue  ranks in the  lower  end of its  generic  rating
category.

                             MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS

         Money market  securities are instruments  with remaining  maturities of
one year or less such as bank  certificates  of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,
commercial paper (including  variable rate master demand notes), and obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,  its agencies or instrumentalities,
some of which may be subject to repurchase agreements.

Commercial Paper

         Commercial  paper will  consist of issues rated at the time of purchase
A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or F-1 by Fitch Investor Services,  L.P. If not
rated,  commercial  paper will be issued by companies  which have an outstanding
debt issue rated at the time of purchase Aaa, Aa or A by Moody's or AAA, AA or A
by S&P or Fitch, or will be determined by a Fund's  investment  adviser to be of
comparable quality. A. S&P Ratings

         An  S&P  commercial  paper  rating  is  a  current  assessment  of  the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days.  Ratings are graded  into four  categories,  ranging  from "A" for the
highest  quality  obligations  to "D" for the  lowest.  The top  category  is as
follows:

         1. A: Issues  assigned  this highest  rating are regarded as having the
greatest  capacity for timely  payment.  Issues in this category are  delineated
with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.

         2. A-1: This designation  indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess  overwhelming  safety  characteristics  are denoted with a plus (+) sign
designation.

B.       Moody's Ratings

         The  term  "commercial  paper"  as used  by  Moody's  means  promissory
obligations  not having an original  maturity in excess of nine months.  Moody's
commercial  paper  ratings  are  opinions  of the  ability  of  issuers to repay
punctually  promissory  obligations not having an original maturity in excess of
nine months. Moody's employs the following designation,  judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers.

         1. The rating Prime-1 is the highest  commercial  paper rating assigned
by Moody's.  Issuers  rated  Prime-1 (or related  supporting  institutions)  are
deemed to have a superior capacity for


                                                        A-3




repayment  of short  term  promissory obligations.  Repayment capacity of
Prime-1 issuers is normally evidenced by the following characteristics:

         1)       leading market positions in well-established industries;

         2)       high rates of return on funds employed;

         3)       conservative  capitalization structures with moderate
                  reliance on debt and ample asset  protection;

         4)       broad margins in earnings  coverage of fixed financial charges
                  and high internal cash generation; and

         5)       well  established  access to a range of financial  markets and
                  assured sources of alternate liquidity.

         In assigning  ratings to issuers whose commercial paper obligations are
supported by the credit of another  entity or entities,  Moody's  evaluates  the
financial strength of the affiliated  corporations,  commercial banks, insurance
companies,  foreign governments or other entities, but only as one factor in the
total rating assessment.

C.       Fitch Ratings

         Fitch's  short-term  ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of generally up to three years,  including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and
investment notes.

         The short-term  rating places greater  emphasis than a long-term rating
on the existence of liquidity  necessary to meet the issuer's  obligations  in a
timely manner.

         F-1+: Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality.  Issues assigned this rating
are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

         F-1: Very Strong Credit Quality.  Issues assigned this rating reflect
an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated
"F-1+."

         F-2:  Good  Credit  Quality.  Issues  assigned  to this  rating  have a
satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is
not as great as for issues assigned "F- 1+" and "F-1" ratings.

         F-3:   Fair  Credit   Quality.   Issues   assigned   this  rating  have
characteristics  suggesting  that the degree of assurance for timely  payment is
adequate;  however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be
rated below investment grade.

F-5:  Weak Credit  Quality.  Issues  assigned  this rating have  characteristics
suggesting a minimal  degree of assurance for timely  payment and are vulnerable
to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

         D: Default.  Issues assigned to this rating are in actual or imminent
payment default.

         LOC: The symbol LOC indicates that the rating is based on a letter of
credit issued by a commercial bank.

                                             A-4




<PAGE>
                                     PART B

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                       OF

                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND


<PAGE>


                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (800) 633-2700

                                 BALANCED FUNDS

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                 August 1, 1998

                    Evergreen Foundation Fund ("Foundation")
            Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund ("Tax Strategic")
           Evergreen American Retirement Fund ("American Retirement")
                      Evergreen Balanced Fund ("Balanced")

                     (Each a "Fund;" together, the "Funds")


          Each Fund is a series of an  open-end  management  investment  company
     known as Evergreen Equity Trust (the "Trust").



          This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  ("SAI")  pertains to all
     classes of shares of the Funds listed  above.  It is not a  prospectus  and
     should be read in conjunction with the Funds'  prospectuses dated August 1,
     1998, as supplemented  from time to time. The Funds are offered through two
     separate prospectuses:  one offering Class A, Class B and Class C shares of
     each Fund and one  offering  Class Y shares of each  Fund.  You may  obtain
     these prospectuses from Evergreen Distributor, Inc.



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

INVESTMENT POLICIES
         Fundamental Investment Policies
         Additional Information on Securities and Investment Practices
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
         Investment Advisors
         Investment Advisory Agreements
         Distributor
         Distribution Plans and Agreements
         Additional Service Providers
BROKERAGE
         Brokerage Commissions
         Selection of Brokers
         Simultaneous Transactions
TRUST ORGANIZATION
         Form of Organization
         Description of Shares
         Voting Rights
         Limitation of Trustees' Liability
PURCHASE,REDEMPTION  AND  PRICING  OF SHARES How the Funds  Offer  Shares to the
         Public  Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge  Sales  Charge  Waivers  or
         Reductions  Exchanges  Calculation of Net Asset Value Per Share ("NAV")
         Valuation of Portfolio Securities Shareholder Services
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION
         Requirements for Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
         Taxes on Distributions
         Taxes on the Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares
         Other Tax Considerations
         Special Tax Considerations for Tax Strategic
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
         Expenses
         Brokerage Commissions Paid
         Computation of Class A Offering Price
         Performance
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX A



                                                         2

<PAGE>



                               INVESTMENT POLICIES

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

         Each Fund has adopted the fundamental investment restrictions set forth
below  which may not be changed  without  the vote of a  majority  of the Fund's
outstanding shares, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). Where necessary,  an explanation  beneath a fundamental policy
describes a Fund's practices with respect to that policy,  as allowed by current
law. If the law  governing a policy  changes,  the Fund's  practices  may change
accordingly  without a shareholder vote. Unless otherwise stated, all references
to the assets of a Fund are in terms of current market value.

         1.  Diversification

         Each Fund may not make any  investment  that is  inconsistent  with its
classification as a diversified investment company under the 1940 Act.

         Further Explanation of Diversification Policy:

         To remain classified as a diversified investment company under the 1940
Act, a Fund must  conform with the  following:  With respect to 75% of its total
assets,  a  diversified  investment  company  may not invest more than 5% of its
total assets,  determined at market or other fair value at the time of purchase,
in the  securities  of any  one  issuer,  or  invest  in  more  than  10% of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of any one  issuer,  determined  at the time of
purchase.  These limitations do not apply to investments in securities issued or
guaranteed  by  the  United  States  ("U.S.")  government  or  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities.

         2.  Concentration

         Each Fund may not  concentrate  its  investments  in the  securities of
issuers primarily engaged in any particular industry (other than securities that
are  issued  or   guaranteed   by  the  U.S.   government  or  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities).

         Further Explanation of Concentration Policy:

         Each Fund may not invest  more than 25% of its total  assets,  taken at
market value , in the securities of issuers  primarily engaged in any particular
industry (other than securities  issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  government or
its agencies or instrumentalities).

         3.  Issuing Senior Securities

         Except as permitted  under the 1940 Act, each Fund may not issue senior
securities.

         4.  Borrowing

         Each Fund may not  borrow  money,  except to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law.

         Further  Explanation  of  Borrowing  Policy:  Each Fund may borrow from
banks in an  amount up to 33 1/3% of its total  assets,  taken at market  value.
Each Fund may also borrow up to an  additional 5% of its total assets from banks
or others.  A Fund may borrow only as a temporary  measure for  extraordinary or
emergency  purposes  such as the  redemption  of  Fund  shares.  A Fund  may not
purchase  securities while  borrowings are outstanding  except to exercise prior
commitments and to exercise  subscription rights (as defined in the 1940 Act) or
enter into reverse repurchase agreements,  in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total
assets  (including the amount  borrowed).  Each Fund may obtain such  short-term
credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities. A Fund may purchase securities



                                                         3

<PAGE>



on margin and engage in short sales to the extent permitted by applicable law.

         In addition to borrowing for temporary or emergency purposes,  American
Retirement intends to borrow for the purpose of leveraging.

         5.  Underwriting

         Each  Fund  may not  underwrite  securities  of other  issuers,  except
insofar as each Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter  in connection  with the
disposition of its portfolio securities.

         6.  Real Estate

         Each Fund may not  purchase or sell real estate,  except  that,  to the
extent  permitted by applicable law, each Fund may invest in (a) securities that
are directly or indirectly  secured by real estate,  or (b) securities issued by
issuers that invest in real estate.

         7.  Commodities

         Each  Fund  may  not  purchase  or sell  commodities  or  contracts  on
commodities, except to the extent that each Fund may engage in financial futures
contracts and related options and currency contracts and related options and may
otherwise do so in accordance with  applicable law and without  registering as a
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

         8.  Lending

         Each Fund may not make loans to other  persons,  except  that each Fund
may lend its  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with  applicable  law.  The
acquisition of investment  securities or other investment  instruments shall not
be deemed to be the making of a loan.

         Further Explanation of Lending Policy:

         To generate  income and offset  expenses,  each Fund may lend portfolio
securities to broker-dealers and other financial institutions in an amount up to
33 1/3% of its total assets,  taken at market  value.  While  securities  are on
loan, the borrower will pay each Fund any income accruing on the security.  Each
Fund may invest any collateral it receives in additional  portfolio  securities,
such  as  U.S.  Treasury  notes,  certificates  of  deposit,  other  high-grade,
short-term obligations or interest bearing cash equivalents.  Gains or losses in
the market value of a security lent will affect each Fund and its shareholders.

         When a Fund lends its securities,  it will require the borrower to give
the Fund  collateral  in cash or government  securities.  Each Fund will require
collateral  in an amount  equal to at least 100% of the current  market value of
the securities lent, including accrued interest. Each Fund has the right to call
a loan and obtain the  securities  lent any time on notice of not more than five
business days. Each Fund may pay reasonable fees in connection with such loans.

         9.  Investments in Federally Tax-Exempt Securities (Tax Strategic)

         Tax Strategic will, during periods of normal market conditions,  invest
its assets in accordance with applicable guidelines issued by the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") or its staff  concerning  investment in tax-exempt
securities for funds with the words  tax-exempt,  tax free or municipal in their
names.





                                                         4

<PAGE>



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES

         The  investment  objectives  of  each  Fund  and a  description  of the
securities  in  which  each  Fund  may  invest  are  set  forth  in  the  Funds'
prospectuses.  The following  expands upon the  discussion  in the  prospectuses
regarding certain investments of the Funds.

U.S. Government Securities

     Each  Fund may  invest  in  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the U.S.
government,  its  agencies or  instrumentalities,  including  issues of the U.S.
Treasury.  These securities are either backed by the discretionary  authority of
the  U.S.   government   to  purchase   certain   obligations   of  agencies  or
instrumentalities  or the credit of the agency or  instrumentality  issuing  the
obligations.

     Some government  agencies and  instrumentalities  may not receive financial
support from the U.S. government. Examples of such agencies are:

              (i)   Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for
                    Cooperatives, Farm Credit Banks and Banks for Cooperatives;

              (ii)  Farmers Home Administration;

              (iii) Federal Home Loan Banks;

              (iv)  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;

              (v)   Federal National Mortgage Association; and

              (vi)  Student Loan Marketing Association.

Securities Issued by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA")

              The  Funds  may  invest  in  securities  issued  by  the  GNMA,  a
corporation   wholly-owned   by  the  U.S.   government.   GNMA   securities  or
"certificates" represent ownership in a pool of underlying mortgages. The timely
payment of principal and interest due on these securities is guaranteed.

              Unlike  conventional  bonds, the principal on GNMA certificates is
not paid at  maturity  but over the life of the  security in  scheduled  monthly
payments. While mortgages pooled in a GNMA certificate may have maturities of up
to 30 years,  the certificate  itself will have a shorter  average  maturity and
less principal volatility than a comparable 30-year bond.

              The market value and interest yield of GNMA  certificates can vary
due not only to market fluctuations,  but also to early prepayments of mortgages
within  the pool.  Since  prepayment  rates vary  widely,  it is  impossible  to
accurately  predict  the  average  maturity  of a GNMA pool.  In addition to the
guaranteed  principal  payments,  GNMA  certificates  may also make  unscheduled
principal payments resulting from prepayments on the underlying mortgages.

              Although  GNMA  certificates  may offer  yields  higher than those
available  from  other  types of U.S.  government  securities,  they may be less
effective as a means of locking in  attractive  long-term  rates  because of the
prepayment feature. For instance,  when interest rates decline,  prepayments are
likely to increase as the holders of the underlying  mortgages seek refinancing.
As a result,  the value of a GNMA  certificate  is not likely to rise as much as
the value of a comparable  debt security  would in response to same decline.  In
addition, these prepayments can cause a GNMA certificate originally purchased at
a premium to decline in price  compared to its par value,  which may result in a
loss.



                                                         5

<PAGE>



Equity Securities

              The Funds may invest in equity  securities  consist  primarily  of
common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. Investing in common
stocks,  particularly those having growth  characteristics,  frequently involves
greater risks (and possibly  greater  rewards) than  investing in other types of
securities.  Common stock prices tend to be more volatile and  companies  having
growth characteristics may sometimes be unproven.

              Investing in companies with medium market capitalizations involves
greater  risk than  investing in larger  companies.  The stock prices of mid-cap
companies  can rise  quickly and drop  substantially  in a short period of time.
This volatility  results from a number of factors,  including  reliance by these
companies on relatively limited product lines, markets, and financial resources.
These and other factors may make mid-cap  companies more susceptible to setbacks
or downturns.

              Investing in companies with small market capitalizations  involves
greater  risk than  investing in larger  companies.  Their stock prices can rise
very quickly and drop  dramatically  in a short period of time.  This volatility
results  from a number of  factors,  including  reliance by these  companies  on
limited product lines,  markets, and financial and management  resources.  These
and other factors may make small cap companies  more  susceptible to setbacks or
downturns.  These  companies may experience  higher rates of bankruptcy or other
failures  than  larger  companies.  They  may be more  likely  to be  negatively
affected by changes in management. In addition, the stock of small cap companies
may be thinly traded.

Derivatives (Balanced and American Retirement)

              Derivatives are financial  contracts whose value depends on, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset,  reference rate or index.  These
assets,  rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks,  mortgages,  commodities,
interest  rates,  currency  exchange  rates,  bond  indices  and stock  indices.
Derivatives  may  be  standardized,  exchange-traded  contracts  or  customized,
privately  negotiated  contracts.  Exchange-traded  derivatives  tend to be more
liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately negotiated.

              There are four principal types of derivative instruments -options,
futures,  forwards,  and swaps -- from which  virtually  any type of  derivative
transaction can be created.  Debt  instruments  that  incorporate one or more of
these  building  blocks for the purpose of determining  the principal  amount of
and/or rate of interest payable on the debt instruments are often referred to as
"structured  securities."  An example  of this type of  structured  security  is
indexed  commercial paper. The term is also used to describe certain  securities
issued in connection with the restructuring of certain foreign obligations.  The
term "derivative" is also sometimes used to describe securities involving rights
to a portion of the cash flows from an  underlying  pool of  mortgages  or other
assets  from  which  payments  are  passed  through  to the  owner  of,  or that
collateralize, the securities.

              The Funds can use derivatives to earn income,  to enhance returns,
to  hedge  or  adjust  the  risk  profile  of the  portfolio,  in  place of more
traditional direct  investments or to obtain exposure to otherwise  inaccessible
markets.  A Fund's use of derivatives for non-hedging  purposes  entails greater
risks  than if a Fund  were to use  derivatives  solely  for  hedging  purposes.
Derivatives  are  a  valuable  tool  which,  when  used  properly,  can  provide
significant benefit to a Fund's shareholders.

              The  Funds'  investment  advisor  is not  an  aggressive  user  of
derivatives with respect to the Funds.  However, the Funds may take positions in
those derivatives that are within their investment policies if, in the Advisor's
(as hereinafter  defined)  judgment,  this  represents an effective  response to
current or anticipated  market  conditions.  The Advisor's use of derivatives is
subject to continuous  risk  assessment  and control from the  standpoint of the
Funds' investment objective and policies. While the judicious use of derivatives
by  experienced  investment  managers,  such as the Advisor,  can be beneficial,
derivatives  also involve risks different  from, and, in certain cases,  greater
than, the risks presented by more traditional



                                                         6

<PAGE>



investments.  Following is a general  discussion  of important  risk factors and
issues concerning the use of derivatives that investors should understand before
investing in the Funds.

              Market  Risk  --  This  is  the  general  risk  attendant  to  all
investments that the value of a particular  investment will decline or otherwise
change in a way detrimental to the Funds' interest.

              Management  Risk --  Derivative  products  are highly  specialized
instruments that require investment  techniques and risk analyses different from
those  associated  with stocks and bonds.  The use of a  derivative  requires an
understanding not only of the underlying instrument,  but also of the derivative
itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under
all possible market conditions.  Because derivatives are complex, a Fund and its
Advisor must (1) maintain controls to monitor the transactions entered into, (2)
assess the risk that a derivative  adds to a Fund's  portfolio  and (3) forecast
price, interest rate or currency exchange rate movements correctly.

              Credit Risk -- This is the risk that a Fund may lose money because
the other party to a derivative  (usually  called a "counter  party")  failed to
comply  with  the  terms  of  the  derivative  contract.  The  credit  risk  for
exchange-traded  derivatives  is generally  less than for  privately  negotiated
derivatives,  since the clearing house,  which is the issuer or counter party to
each  exchange-traded  derivative,  guarantees  performance.  This  guarantee is
supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements)  operated by the
clearing  house  to  reduce  overall  credit  risk.  For  privately   negotiated
derivatives,  there is no similar clearing agency guarantee.  Therefore,  a Fund
considers the  creditworthiness of each counter party to a privately  negotiated
derivative in evaluating potential credit risk.

              Liquidity  Risk -- Liquidity risk is the  possibility  that a Fund
will have difficulty buying or selling a particular instrument.  If a derivative
transaction is  particularly  large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is
the case with many privately negotiated derivatives),  a Fund may not be able to
initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous price.

              Leverage Risk -- Since many derivatives have a leverage component,
adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can
result  in a  loss  substantially  greater  than  the  amount  invested  in  the
derivative  itself.  In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is related
to a notional  principal  amount,  even if the parties have not made any initial
investment.   Certain   derivatives  have  the  potential  for  unlimited  loss,
regardless of the size of the initial investment.

              Other Risks -- Other risks in using  derivatives  include the risk
of  mispricing  or  improper  valuation  and the  inability  of  derivatives  to
correlate   perfectly  with  underlying   assets,   rates,  and  indices.   Many
derivatives,  in particular  privately negotiated  derivatives,  are complex and
often valued  subjectively.  Improper  valuations  can result in increased  cash
payment  requirements  to  counter  parties  or a  loss  of  value  to  a  Fund.
Derivatives do not always  perfectly or even highly correlate or track the value
of  the  assets,   rates  or  indices  they  are  designed  to  closely   track.
Consequently,  a Fund's use of derivatives  may not always be an effective means
of,  and  sometimes  could  be  counterproductive   to,  furthering  the  Fund's
investment objective.

Options Transactions (Balanced and American Retirement)

              Writing  Covered  Options.  A Fund may write (i.e.,  sell) covered
call and put options.  By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated during
the term of the option to deliver  the  securities  underlying  the option  upon
payment of the exercise price.  Writing a put option obligates a Fund during the
term of the  option to  purchase  the  securities  underlying  the option at the
exercise price if the option buyer  exercises the option.  A Fund also may write
straddles  (combinations  of  covered  puts and  calls  on the  same  underlying
security).

              A Fund may only write "covered"  options.  This means that while a
Fund is  obligated  as the  writer of a call  option it will own the  underlying
securities subject to the option or, with call options on U.S.



                                                         7

<PAGE>



Treasury bills, it might own similar U.S.  Treasury bills. If a Fund has written
options  against all of its securities  that are available for writing  options,
the Fund may be unable to write  additional  options unless it sells some of its
portfolio  holdings to obtain new securities against which it can write options.
If this were to occur,  higher portfolio  turnover and  correspondingly  greater
brokerage  commissions and other  transaction  costs may result. A Fund does not
expect,  however, that this will occur. A Fund will be considered "covered" with
respect to a put option it writes if, while it is obligated as the writer of the
put option, it deposits and maintains with its custodian in a segregated account
liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the exercise  price of the
option.

              The principal reason for writing call or put options is to obtain,
through a receipt of premiums,  a greater  current return than would be realized
on the  underlying  securities  alone.  A Fund receives a premium from writing a
call or put option, which it retains whether or not the option is exercised.  By
writing  a call  option,  a Fund  might  lose  the  potential  for  gain  on the
underlying  security while the option is open,  and, by writing a put option,  a
Fund might become  obligated to purchase the  underlying  security for more than
its current market price upon exercise.

              Purchasing  Options.  A Fund  may  purchase  put or call  options,
including  put or call  options for  offsetting  previously  written put or call
options of the same series.  Once a Fund has written a covered  option,  it will
continue to hold the segregated  securities or assets until it effects a closing
purchase transaction.  If a Fund is unable to close the option position, it must
hold the  segregated  securities  or  assets  until  the  option  expires  or is
exercised.  An option position may be closed out only in a secondary  market for
an option of the same  series.  Although  a Fund  generally  writes  only  those
options for which there appears to be an active  secondary  market,  there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at
any particular  time, and, for some options,  no secondary  market may exist. In
such event, effecting a closing transaction for a particular option might not be
possible.

              Options on some  securities are relatively new, and predicting how
much trading interest there will be for such options is impossible. There can be
no assurance that viable  markets will develop or continue.  The failure of such
markets to develop or continue  could  significantly  impair a Fund's ability to
use such options to achieve its investment objective.

              Options  Trading  Markets.  A Fund  trades  in  options  that  are
generally  listed on national  securities  exchanges,  currently  including  the
Chicago  Board  Options  Exchange  and  the  New  York,  American,  Pacific  and
Philadelphia  Stock  Exchanges.  Options  on some  securities  are traded in the
over-the-counter  market, and may not be listed on any exchange.  Options traded
in the  over-the-  counter  market  involve a greater  risk that the  securities
dealers  participating in the transactions  could fail to meet their obligations
to a Fund.

              A Fund will  include the  premiums it has paid for the purchase of
unlisted  options  and the  value of  securities  used to cover  options  it has
written for  purposes of  calculating  whether  the Fund has  complied  with its
policies on illiquid securities.

Futures Transactions and Related Options Transactions (Balanced and American
Retirement)

              A Fund may  enter  into  financial  futures  contracts  as a hedge
against  changes  in  prevailing  levels  of  interest  rates  to seek  relative
stability of principal and to establish more definitely the effective  return on
securities  held or intended  to be  acquired by the Fund or as a hedge  against
changes in the prices of  securities  held by the Fund or to be  acquired by the
Fund.  A Fund's  hedging may include  sales of futures as an offset  against the
effect  of  expected  increases  in  interest  rates or  securities  prices  and
purchases  of futures as an offset  against the effect of  expected  declines in
interest rates.

              For  example,  when a Fund  anticipates  a  significant  market or
market sector  advance,  it will  purchase a stock index  futures  contract as a
hedge against not  participating  in such advance at a time when the Fund is not
fully  invested.  The  purchase  of a futures  contract  serves  as a  temporary
substitute for the



                                                         8

<PAGE>



purchase of  individual  securities  which may then be  purchased  in an orderly
fashion. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of index based futures
contracts  would be terminated by offsetting  sales.  In contrast,  a Fund would
sell stock index futures  contracts in anticipation of or in a general market or
market sector  decline that may adversely  affect the market value of the Fund's
portfolio. To the extent that a Fund's portfolio changes in value in correlation
with a  given  index,  the  sale  of  futures  contracts  on  that  index  would
substantially  reduce the risk to the portfolio of a market decline or change in
interest  rates,  and, by doing so, provide an alternative to the liquidation of
the Fund's securities positions and the resulting transaction costs.

              A Fund intends to engage in options transactions which are related
to financial  futures  contracts for hedging purposes and in connection with the
hedging strategies described above.

              Although  techniques  other  than sales and  purchases  of futures
contracts  and  related  options  transactions  could be used to reduce a Fund's
exposure to interest  rate and/or market  fluctuations,  the Fund may be able to
hedge its exposure  more  effectively  and perhaps at a lower cost through using
futures contracts and related options transactions. While a Fund does not intend
to take delivery of the instruments  underlying  futures contracts it holds, the
Fund does not intend to engage in such futures contracts for speculation.

Futures Contracts (Balanced and American Retirement)

              Futures  contracts are  transactions  in the  commodities  markets
rather than in the securities  markets. A futures contract creates an obligation
by the seller to deliver to the buyer the commodity specified in the contract at
a specified  future time for a specified  price. The futures contract creates an
obligation  by the buyer to accept  delivery  from the  seller of the  specified
commodity at the specified future time for the specified  price. In contrast,  a
spot transaction  creates an immediate  obligation for the seller to deliver and
the buyer to accept delivery of and pay for an identified commodity. In general,
futures contracts involve  transactions in fungible goods such as wheat,  coffee
and  soybeans.  However,  in the last  decade an  increasing  number of  futures
contracts have been developed which specify financial instruments or financially
based indexes as the underlying commodity.

              U.S.  futures  contracts  are  traded  only  on  national  futures
exchanges  and are  standardized  as to maturity date and  underlying  financial
instrument.  The principal  financial futures exchanges in the United States are
The Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,  the
International  Monetary Market (a division of the Chicago Mercantile  Exchange),
the New York Futures Exchange and the Kansas City Board of Trade.  Each exchange
guarantees performance under contract provisions through a clearing corporation,
a  nonprofit  organization  managed by the  exchange  membership,  which is also
responsible for handling daily  accounting of deposits or withdrawals of margin.
A futures commission  merchant ("Broker") effects each transaction in connection
with futures  contracts  for a  commission.  Futures  exchanges  and trading are
regulated  under the  Commodity  Exchange Act by the Commodity  Futures  Trading
Commission ("CFTC") and National Futures Association ("NFA").

              Interest  Rate  Futures  Contracts.  The sale of an interest  rate
futures contract creates an obligation by a Fund, as seller, to deliver the type
of financial instrument specified in the contract at a specified future time for
a specified  price. The purchase of an interest rate futures contract creates an
obligation by a Fund, as purchaser,  to accept delivery of the type of financial
instrument  specified  at a specified  future time for a  specified  price.  The
specific securities delivered or accepted, respectively, at settlement date, are
not determined  until at or near that date. The  determination  is in accordance
with the rules of the  exchange on which the futures  contract  sale or purchase
was made.

              Currently,  interest  rate futures  contracts  can be purchased or
sold on 90-day U.S.  Treasury bills,  U.S.  Treasury bonds,  U.S. Treasury notes
with maturities between 6 1/2 and 10 years, (GNMA) certificates, 90-day domestic
bank  certificates of deposit,  90-day  commercial  paper, and 90-day Eurodollar
certificates  of  deposit.  It is expected  that  futures  contracts  trading in
additional financial instruments will be



                                                         9

<PAGE>



authorized. The standard contract size is $100,000 for futures contracts in
U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes and GNMA  certificates,  and $1,000,000
for the other designated  contracts.  While U.S.  Treasury bonds,  U.S. Treasury
bills,  U.S.  Treasury notes and GNMA  certificates are backed by the full faith
and  credit  of the  U.S.  government,  futures  contracts  in  U.S.  government
securities are not obligations of the U.S. Treasury.

              Index Based Futures Contracts, Other Than Stock Index Based. It is
expected that bond index and other  financially  based index  futures  contracts
will be developed in the future. It is anticipated that such index based futures
contracts  will be structured  in the same way as stock index futures  contracts
but will be  measured  by changes in interest  rates,  related  indexes or other
measures,  such as the  consumer  price  index.  In the event that such  futures
contracts  are  developed,  a Fund may sell  interest rate index and other index
based futures  contracts to hedge  against  changes which are expected to affect
the Fund's portfolio.

              The  purchase  or sale of a  futures  contract  differs  from  the
purchase or sale of a security, in that no price or premium is paid or received.
Instead,  to initiate trading an amount of cash, cash equivalents,  money market
instruments,  or U.S. Treasury bills equal to approximately 1 1/2% (up to 5%) of
the contract amount must be deposited by a Fund with the Broker.  This amount is
known as initial margin. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is
different from that of margin in security transactions.  Futures contract margin
does not  involve  the  borrowing  of  funds  by the  customer  to  finance  the
transactions.  Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond
or  good  faith  deposit  on the  contract  which  is  returned  to a Fund  upon
termination of the futures  contract  assuming all contractual  obligations have
been satisfied.  The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by
the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be  significantly  modified
from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract.

              Subsequent  payments,  called variation  margin, to the Broker and
from the  Broker,  are  made on a daily  basis  as the  value of the  underlying
instrument  or index  fluctuates  making  the long and  short  positions  in the
futures contract more or less valuable,  a process known as mark-to-market.  For
example,  when a Fund has  purchased  a  futures  contract  and the price of the
underlying  financial  instrument  or index has risen,  that  position will have
increased in value,  and a Fund will receive from the Broker a variation  margin
payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely,  where a Fund has purchased
a futures contract and the price of the underlying financial instrument or index
has declined, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required
to  make a  variation  margin  payment  to the  Broker.  At any  time  prior  to
expiration of the futures  contract,  a Fund may elect to close the position.  A
final  determination  of  variation  margin  is then  made,  additional  cash is
required to be paid to or released by the Broker,  and the Fund  realizes a loss
or gain.

              The Trust  intends to enter into  arrangements  with its custodian
and with Brokers to enable the initial margin of a Fund and any variation margin
to be held in a segregated account by its custodian on behalf of the Broker.

              Although  interest rate futures  contracts by their terms call for
actual delivery or acceptance of financial instruments,  and index based futures
contracts  call for the  delivery  of cash equal to the  difference  between the
closing value of the index on the expiration  date of the contract and the price
at which the futures  contract is  originally  made,  in most cases such futures
contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking
of delivery.  Closing out a futures  contract  sale is effected by an offsetting
transaction in which a Fund enters into a futures contract purchase for the same
aggregate amount of the specific type of financial  instrument or index and same
delivery  date.  If the price in the sale  exceeds  the price in the  offsetting
purchase,  the Fund is paid the  difference  and thus  realizes  a gain.  If the
offsetting  purchase price exceeds the sale price,  the Fund pays the difference
and realizes a loss.  Similarly,  the closing out of a futures contract purchase
is effected by an offsetting  transaction  in which a Fund enters into a futures
contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the Fund
realizes a gain.  If the purchase  price exceeds the  offsetting  sale price the
Fund realizes a loss. The amount of a Fund's gain or loss on any  transaction is
reduced or increased, respectively, by the amount of



                                                        10

<PAGE>



any transaction costs incurred by the Fund.

              As  an  example  of an  offsetting  transaction,  the  contractual
obligations  arising from the sale of one contract of  September  U.S.  Treasury
bills on an  exchange  may be  fulfilled  at any  time  before  delivery  of the
contract is required  (i.e.  on a specified  date in  September,  the  "delivery
month") by the purchase of one contract of September U.S.  Treasury bills on the
same exchange.  In such instance the  difference  between the price at which the
futures contract was sold and the price paid for the offsetting purchase,  after
allowance for transaction costs, represents the profit or loss to a Fund.

              There can be no  assurance,  however,  that a Fund will be able to
enter into an offsetting  transaction with respect to a particular contract at a
particular time. If a Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting  transaction,
the Fund will  continue to be required  to maintain  the margin  deposits on the
contract and to complete the contract according to its terms.

Options  on  Financial  Futures.  A Fund may  purchase  call and put  options on
financial  futures  contracts  and sell such  options to  terminate  an existing
position.  Options on futures  are  similar to options on stocks  except that an
option on a futures  contract  gives the purchaser the right,  in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the
option is a call and a short  position  if the option is a put)  rather  than to
purchase  or sell stock at a  specified  exercise  price at any time  during the
period of the option.  Upon exercise of the option,  the delivery of the futures
position  by the  writer of the  option  to the  holder  of the  option  will be
accompanied  by  delivery of the  accumulated  balance in the  writer's  futures
margin account.  This amount  represents the amount by which the market price of
the  futures  contract at exercise  exceeds,  in the case of a call,  or is less
than,  in the case of a put,  the  exercise  price of the option on the  futures
contract.  If an  option  is  exercised  on the last  trading  day  prior to the
expiration  date of the option,  the  settlement  will be made  entirely in cash
equal to the  difference  between the exercise  price of the option and value of
the futures contract.

              A Fund  intends to use options on financial  futures  contracts in
connection with hedging strategies.  In the future the Fund may use such options
for other purposes.

              Purchase  of Put  Options on Futures  Contracts.  The  purchase of
protective  put options on  financial  futures  contracts  is  analogous  to the
purchase of protective  puts on individual  stocks,  where an absolute  level of
protection is sought below which no  additional  economic loss would be incurred
by a Fund.  Put options may be  purchased to hedge a portfolio of stocks or debt
instruments  or a position in the futures  contract upon which the put option is
based.

              Purchase of Call  Options on Futures  Contracts.  The  purchase of
call  options on  financial  futures  contracts  represents a means of obtaining
temporary  exposure to market  appreciation  at limited risk. It is analogous to
the  purchase of a call option on an  individual  stock,  which can be used as a
substitute  for a position in the stock itself.  Depending on the pricing of the
option  compared to either the futures  contract upon which it is based, or upon
the price of the underlying financial instrument or index itself,  purchase of a
call option may be less risky than the  ownership of the interest  rate or index
based futures contract or the underlying  securities.  Call options on commodity
futures contracts may be purchased to hedge against an interest rate increase or
a market advance when a Fund is not fully invested.

              Use of  New  Investment  Techniques  Involving  Financial  Futures
Contracts  or  Related  Options.  A Fund may employ  new  investment  techniques
involving  financial  futures  contracts and related options.  A Fund intends to
take advantage of new techniques in these areas which may be developed from time
to time and which are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. The Trust
believes that no additional  techniques have been identified for employment by a
Fund in the foreseeable future other than those described above.





                                                        11

<PAGE>



              Limitations on Purchase and Sale of Futures  Contracts and Related
Options on Such Futures Contracts. A Fund will not enter into a futures contract
if, as a result  thereof,  more than 5% of the  Fund's  total  assets  (taken at
market value at the time of entering  into the  contract)  would be committed to
margin  deposits on such futures  contracts,  including  any  premiums  paid for
options on futures.

              A Fund  intends  that its futures  contracts  and related  options
transactions  will be entered into for traditional  hedging  purposes.  That is,
futures  contracts  will be sold to  protect  against a decline  in the price of
securities  that a Fund owns, or futures  contracts will be purchased to protect
the Fund against an increase in the price of  securities it intends to purchase.
A Fund does not intend to enter into futures contracts for speculation.

              In  instances  involving  the  purchase of futures  contracts by a
Fund,  an amount of cash and cash  equivalents  equal to the market value of the
futures  contracts will be deposited in a segregated  account and/or in a margin
account with a Broker to collateralize  the position and thereby insure that the
use of such futures is unleveraged.

              Risks of Futures Contracts. Financial futures contracts prices are
volatile and are  influenced,  among other  things,  by changes in stock prices,
market  conditions,  prevailing  interest rates and anticipation of future stock
prices,  market  movements or interest  rate  changes,  all of which in turn are
affected by economic conditions, such as government fiscal and monetary policies
and actions, and national and international political and economic events.

              At best,  the  correlation  between  changes  in prices of futures
contracts and of the securities being hedged can be only approximate. The degree
of  imperfection  of  correlation  depends upon various  circumstances,  such as
variations  in  speculative   market  demand  for  futures   contracts  and  for
securities,  including  technical  influences in futures contracts trading;  and
differences  between the securities  being hedged and the financial  instruments
and indexes underlying the standard futures contracts  available for trading, in
such  respects as interest  rate  levels,  maturities  and  creditworthiness  of
issuers, or identities of securities  comprising the index and those in a Fund's
portfolio.  In addition,  futures contract  transactions involve the remote risk
that a party may be unable to fulfill its obligations and that the amount of the
obligation  will be beyond the  ability of the  clearing  broker to  satisfy.  A
decision of whether,  when and how to hedge  involves  the exercise of skill and
judgment,  and even a well conceived  hedge may be  unsuccessful  to some degree
because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

              Because  of the low  margin  deposits  required,  futures  trading
involves an extremely high degree of leverage.  As a result,  a relatively small
price  movement in a futures  contract may result in immediate  and  substantial
loss, as well as gain, to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase,
10% of the value of the futures  contract is deposited as margin, a 10% decrease
in the value of the futures  contract would result in a total loss of the margin
deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs. If the account was then
closed out at a total decrease of 15% of the futures  contract,  it would result
in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit. Thus, a purchase or sale
of a futures  contract may result in losses in excess of the amount  invested in
the futures contract. However, a Fund would presumably have sustained comparable
losses if, instead of entering into the futures contract, it had invested in the
underlying financial instrument. Furthermore, in order to be certain that a Fund
has sufficient assets to satisfy its obligations  under a futures contract,  the
Fund  will  establish  a  segregated  account  in  connection  with its  futures
contracts which will hold cash or cash equivalents equal in value to the current
value of the underlying instruments or indices less the margins on deposit.

              Most  U.S.  futures  exchanges  limit the  amount  of  fluctuation
permitted  in futures  contract  prices  during a single  trading day. The daily
limit  establishes  the maximum amount that the price of a futures  contract may
vary either up or down from the previous day's  settlement price at the end of a
trading  session.  Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of
contract,  no trades may be made on that day at a price  beyond that limit.  The
daily limit  governs only price  movement  during a  particular  trading day and
therefore  does not limit  potential  losses  because  the limit may prevent the
liquidation of



                                                        12

<PAGE>



unfavorable  positions.  Futures contract prices have occasionally  moved to the
daily  limit for  several  consecutive  trading  days with little or no trading,
thereby  preventing prompt  liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some
futures traders to substantial losses.

              Risks of Options on Futures  Contracts.  In  addition to the risks
described above for financial futures contracts, there are several special risks
relating to options on futures contracts. The ability to establish and close out
positions on such options will be subject to the  development and maintenance of
a liquid secondary market.  There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
will exist for any particular  contract or at any  particular  time. A Fund will
not purchase  options on any futures  contract unless and until it believes that
the  market  for such  options  has  developed  sufficiently  that the  risks in
connection  with such options are not greater than the risks in connection  with
the futures contracts. Compared to the use of futures contracts, the purchase of
options on such  futures  involves  less  potential  risk to a Fund  because the
maximum  amount at risk is the premium  paid for the options  (plus  transaction
costs).  However,  there  may be  circumstances  when the use of an  option on a
futures  contract  would  result in a loss to a Fund,  even  though the use of a
futures  contract  would not,  such as when there is no movement in the level of
the futures contract.

Investment Company Securities

              Securities of other investment companies may be acquired by a Fund
to the extent  permitted  under the 1940 Act.  These  limits  require  that,  as
determined  immediately  after a  purchase  is made,  (i) not more  than 5% of a
Fund's total  assets will be invested in the  securities  of any one  investment
company,  (ii)  not more  than 10% of the  value  of its  total  assets  will be
invested in the aggregate in securities of investment  companies as a group, and
(iii) not more than 3% of the  outstanding  voting  stock of any one  investment
company will be owned by a Fund. As a shareholder of another investment company,
a Fund would bear,  along with other  shareholders,  its pro rata portion of the
other investment  company's  expenses,  including  advisory fees. These expenses
would be in  addition to the  advisory  and other  expenses  that the Fund bears
directly in connection with its own operations.  However,  a Fund may invest all
of  its  investable  assets  in  securities  of  a  single  open-end  management
investment   company  with   substantially   the  same  fundamental   investment
objectives, polices and limitations as the Fund.

Repurchase Agreements

              A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with entities that are
registered U.S.  government  securities  dealers,  including member banks of the
Federal Reserve System having at least $1 billion in assets,  primary dealers in
U.S.  government  securities  or other  financial  institutions  believed by the
Fund's  Advisor to be  creditworthy.  A repurchase  agreement is an agreement by
which a person (e.g., a Fund) obtains a security and  simultaneously  commits to
return the security to the seller (a member bank of the Federal  Reserve  System
or recognized  securities  dealer) at an agreed upon price (including  principal
and  interest) on an agreed upon date within a number of days  (usually not more
than seven) from the date of purchase.  The resale  price  reflects the purchase
price plus an agreed  upon market rate of  interest  which is  unrelated  to the
coupon rate or maturity  of the  underlying  security.  A  repurchase  agreement
involves  the  obligation  of the seller to pay the  agreed  upon  price,  which
obligation is in effect secured by the value of the underlying security.

              The Fund's  custodian or a third party will take possession of the
securities subject to repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked
to market daily.  To the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the
securities from a Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on
any sale of such  securities.  In the event that such a defaulting  seller filed
for bankruptcy or became  insolvent,  disposition  of such  securities by a Fund
might be delayed  pending court  action.  A Fund believes that under the regular
procedures  normally  in effect for custody of the Fund's  portfolio  securities
subject to repurchase  agreements,  a court of competent jurisdiction would rule
in favor of the Fund and allow  retention or disposition of such  securities.  A
Fund will only enter into repurchase  agreements with banks and other recognized
financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, which are deemed by the Advisor



                                                        13

<PAGE>



to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

              A Fund may also enter into reverse  repurchase  agreements.  These
transactions are similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
Fund transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a
financial  institution,  broker,  or dealer,  in return for a percentage  of the
instrument's  market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated  date in the
future the Fund will  repurchase  the  portfolio  instrument  by  remitting  the
original consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.

              The use of  reverse  repurchase  agreements  may  enable a Fund to
avoid selling  portfolio  instruments  at a time when a sale may be deemed to be
disadvantageous,  but the ability to enter into  reverse  repurchase  agreements
does  not  ensure  that  the  Fund  will  be  able to  avoid  selling  portfolio
instruments at a disadvantageous time.

              When effecting reverse repurchase  agreements,  liquid assets of a
Fund, in a dollar amount  sufficient to make payment for the  obligations  to be
purchased,  are  segregated at the trade date.  These  securities  are marked to
market daily and maintained until the transaction is settled.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

              A  Fund  may  not  invest  more  than  15% of its  net  assets  in
securities that are illiquid.  A security is illiquid when a Fund cannot dispose
of it in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately  the
value at which the Fund has the investment on its books.

              A Fund may invest in  "restricted"  securities,  i.e.,  securities
subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A") allows certain restricted securities to
trade freely among qualified institutional investors. Since Rule 144A securities
may have limited  markets,  the Board of Trustees  will  determine  whether such
securities should be considered illiquid for the purpose of determining a Fund's
compliance with the limit on illiquid securities indicated above. In determining
the  liquidity of Rule 144A  securities,  the Trustees  will  consider:  (1) the
frequency  of trades  and  quotes  for the  security;  (2) the number of dealers
willing to  purchase  or sell the  security  and the  number of other  potential
buyers;  (3) dealer  undertakings to make a market in the security;  and (4) the
nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

              A   Fund   may   purchase   securities   on   a   when-issued   or
delayed-delivery  basis  and  may  purchase  or  sell  securities  on a  forward
commitment basis.  These  transactions  involve the purchase of debt obligations
with delivery and payment normally taking place within a month or more after the
date of commitment to purchase.  A Fund will only make  commitments  to purchase
obligations on a when-issued basis with the intention of actually  acquiring the
securities,  but may sell them  before  the  settlement  date.  The  when-issued
securities  are subject to market  fluctuation,  and no interest  accrues on the
security to the purchaser  during this period.  The payment  obligation  and the
interest rate that will be received on the securities are each fixed at the time
the purchaser enters into the commitment.

              Segregated  accounts will be established  and a Fund will maintain
liquid assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Fund's  commitments to
purchase when-issued securities. If the value of these assets declines, the Fund
will place additional  liquid assets in the account on a daily basis so that the
value of the assets in the account is equal to the amount of such commitments.

              Purchasing  obligations  on  a  when-issued  basis  is a  form  of
leveraging  and can involve a risk that the yields  available in the market when
the delivery takes place may actually be higher than those



                                                        14

<PAGE>



obtained in the transaction itself.  In that case there could be an unrealized
loss at the time of delivery.

              A Fund uses when-issued,  delayed-delivery  and forward commitment
transactions to secure what it considers to be an  advantageous  price and yield
at the time of purchase.  When a Fund engages in  when-issued,  delayed-delivery
and forward  commitment  transactions,  it relies on the buyer or seller, as the
case may be, to  consummate  the sale.  If the buyer or seller fails to complete
the sale,  then the Fund may miss the  opportunity  to obtain the  security at a
favorable price or yield.

              Typically, no income accrues on securities a Fund has committed to
purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund
may earn income on securities it has in a segregated account.  When purchasing a
security on a when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment basis, a Fund
assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of
price and yield  fluctuations,  and takes such  fluctuations  into  account when
determining  its net asset value.  Because a Fund is not required to pay for the
security  until the  delivery  date,  these  risks are in  addition to the risks
associated with the Fund's other investments.

Foreign Currency Transactions

              As one way of managing  exchange  rate risk, a Fund may enter into
forward currency exchange  contracts  (agreements to purchase or sell currencies
at a specified  price and date).  The  exchange  rate for the  transaction  (the
amount  of  currency  a Fund will  deliver  and  receive  when the  contract  is
completed) is fixed when the Fund enters into the contract.  A Fund usually will
enter into these  contracts to stabilize the U.S.  dollar value of a security it
has agreed to buy or sell. Each Fund intends to use these contracts to hedge the
U.S.  dollar  value of a security it already  owns,  particularly  if the Fund's
advisor  expects a decrease  in the value of the  currency  in which the foreign
security  is  denominated.  Although a Fund will  attempt to benefit  from using
forward  contracts,  the  success of its  hedging  strategy  will  depend on the
Advisor's  ability  to predict  accurately  the future  exchange  rates  between
foreign  currencies  and the U.S.  dollar.  The  value  of a Fund's  investments
denominated in foreign currencies will depend on the relative strengths of those
currencies  and the  U.S.  dollar,  and the Fund may be  affected  favorably  or
unfavorably  by changes in the exchange  rates or exchange  control  regulations
between  foreign  currencies and the U.S.  dollar.  Changes in foreign  currency
exchange rates also may affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains
and losses  realized on the sale of  securities  and net  investment  income and
gains,  if any, to be  distributed  to  shareholders  by a Fund. A Fund may also
purchase and sell  options  related to foreign  currencies  in  connection  with
hedging strategies.

Foreign Securities

              A Fund may invest in foreign securities or U.S.  securities traded
in foreign  markets.  Permissible  investments  may  consist of  obligations  of
foreign  branches  of  U.S.  banks  and of  foreign  banks,  including  European
certificates  of deposit,  European  time  deposits,  Canadian time deposits and
Yankee  certificates of deposit,  and investments in Canadian  commercial paper,
foreign  securities  and  Europaper.  These  instruments  may  subject a Fund to
investment  risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments
in  obligations  of U.S.  domestic  issuers.  Such risks include  future adverse
political and economic  developments;  the possible  imposition  of  withholding
taxes on interest or other income;  the possible  seizure,  nationalization,  or
expropriation  of foreign  deposits;  the  possible  establishment  of  exchange
controls;  or  taxation  at the  source;  greater  fluctuations  in value due to
changes  in  exchange  rates,  or the  adoption  of other  foreign  governmental
restrictions  which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest
on such obligations.  Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and
sales  commissions than domestic  investments.  Foreign issuers of securities or
obligations  are often  subject to  accounting  treatment and engage in business
practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities
or obligations.  Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject
to less  stringent  reserve  requirements  than  those  applicable  to  domestic
branches of U.S. banks.





                                                        15

<PAGE>



Lower Rated Bonds (Balanced and American Retirement)

              Balanced and American  Retirement  may invest in high yield,  high
risk bonds, commonly known as "junk bonds." While investment in high yield, high
risk bonds provides opportunities to maximize return over time, investors should
be aware of the following risks associated with high yield, high risk bonds:

         (1) High yield, high risk bonds are rated below investment grade, i.e.,
BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Ba or lower by Moody's
Investors Service ("Moody's").  Securities so rated are considered predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  ability of the issuer to meet  principal  and
interest payments.  Balanced and American  Retirement may also invest in unrated
securities that, in their Advisor's judgment,  offer comparable yields and risks
as securities  that are rated as low as D by S&P or Cby Moody's.  It is possible
for  securities  rated D or C-,  respectively,  to have defaulted on payments of
principal and/or interest at the time of investment. (See Appendix A to this SAI
for a description of these rating categories.)  Balanced and American Retirement
intend  to  invest  in D rated  debt  only in cases  when,  in  their  Advisor's
judgment,  there is a distinct prospect of improvement in the issuer's financial
position as a result of the completion of reorganization or otherwise.

         (2) The lower ratings of these securities reflect a greater possibility
that  adverse  changes in the  financial  condition  of the issuer or in general
economic  conditions,  or both, or an  unanticipated  rise in interest rates may
impair the ability of the issuer to make  payments of  interest  and  principal,
especially if the issuer is highly leveraged.  Such issuer's ability to meet its
debt  obligations  may  also  be  adversely   affected  by  specific   corporate
developments  or the issuer's  inability  to meet  specific  projected  business
forecasts or the  unavailability  of  additional  financing.  Also,  an economic
downturn or an increase in interest rates may increase the potential for default
by the issuers of these securities.

         (3) The value of high yield, high risk bonds may be more susceptible to
real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions and publicity
than is the case for higher quality securities.

         (4) The value, of high yield,  high risk bonds like that of other fixed
income  securities,  fluctuates  in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates,
generally  rising when interest  rates  decline and falling when interest  rates
rise. For example,  if interest rates increase after a fixed income  security is
purchased,  the  security,  if sold prior to maturity,  may return less than its
cost. The prices of below-investment  grade bonds,  however,  are generally less
sensitive to interest rate changes than the prices of  higher-rated  bonds,  but
are more  sensitive  to  adverse or  positive  economic  changes  or  individual
corporate developments.

         (5) The  secondary  market for such  securities  may be less  liquid at
certain  times than the  secondary  market for higher  quality debt  securities,
which may adversely  effect (1) the market price of the  security,  (2) a Fund's
ability  to  dispose of  particular  issues  and (3) a Fund's  ability to obtain
accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its assets.

(6) Zero coupon bonds and payment-in-kind securities ("PIKs") involve additional
special  considerations.  For  example,  zero  coupon  bonds pay no  interest to
holders prior to maturity of interest.  PIKs are debt  obligations  that provide
that the issuer may, at its option, pay interest on such bonds in cash or in the
form of additional debt  obligations.  Such  investments may experience  greater
fluctuation in value due to changes in interest rates than debt obligations that
pay  interest  currently.  Even  though  these  investments  do not pay  current
interest  in  cash,  a Fund is,  nonetheless,  required  by tax  laws to  accrue
interest  income on such  investments  and to  distribute  such amounts at least
annually to  shareholders.  Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate
investments in order to fulfill its intention to distribute substantially all of
its net  income as  dividends.  A Fund will not be able to  purchase  additional
income producing  securities with cash used to make such distributions,  and its
current income ultimately may be reduced as a result.

         An Advisor considers the ratings of S&P and Moody's assigned to various
securities,  but does not rely  solely on these  ratings  because  (1) S&P's and
Moody's assigned ratings are based largely on historical



                                                        16

<PAGE>



financial data and may not accurately  reflect the current  financial outlook of
companies;  and (2) there can be large  differences  among the current financial
conditions of issuers within the same category.

                              MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

         Set forth below are the  Trustees  and  officers of the Trust and their
principal  occupations and their  affiliations over the last five years.  Unless
otherwise  indicated,  the address for each  Trustee and officer is 200 Berkeley
Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02116. Each Trustee is also a Trustee of each of
the other Trusts in the Evergreen fund complex.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                             POSITION WITH TRUST       PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------  ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                       <C>
Laurence B. Ashkin               Trustee                   Real estate developer and construction consultant;
(DOB: 2/2/28)                                              and President of Centrum Equities and Centrum
                                                           Properties, Inc.

Charles A. Austin III            Trustee                   Investment Counselor to Appleton Partners, Inc.;
(DOB: 10/23/34)                                            former Director, Executive Vice President and
                                                           Treasurer, State Street Research & Management
                                                           Company (investment advice); Director, The Andover
                                                           Companies (Insurance); and Trustee, Arthritis
                                                           Foundation of New England



                                                        15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                             POSITION WITH TRUST       PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
<S>                                     <C>                           <C>            <C>  
- -------------------------------  ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
K. Dun Gifford                    Trustee                  Trustee,  Treasurer  and  Chairman of the Finance  Committee,
(DOB: 10/12/38)                                            Cambridge College;  Chairman Emeritus and Director,  American
                                                           Institute of Food and
                                                           Wine;   Chairman  and
                                                           President,    Oldways
                                                           Preservation      and
                                                           Exchange        Trust
                                                           (education);   former
                                                           Chairman    of    the
                                                           Board,  Director, and
                                                           Executive        Vice
                                                           President, The London
                                                           Harness      Company;
                                                           former       Managing
                                                           Partner,    Roscommon
                                                           Capital Corp.; former
                                                           Chief       Executive
                                                           Officer,      Gifford
                                                           Gifts of Fine  Foods;
                                                           and former Chair man,
                                                           Gifford,  Drescher  &
                                                           Associates
                                                           (environmental
                                                           consulting)

James S. Howell                  Chairman of the           Former Chairman of the Distribution Foundation for
(DOB: 8/13/24)                   Board of Trustees         the Carolinas; and former Vice President of Lance Inc.
                                                           (food manufacturing).

Leroy Keith, Jr.                 Trustee                   Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer,  Carson
(DOB: 2/14/39)                                             Products  Company;  Director of Phoenix Total Return Fund and
                                                           Equifax,        Inc.;
                                                           Trustee   of  Phoenix
                                                           Series Fund,  Phoenix
                                                           Multi-Portfolio Fund,
                                                           and The  Phoenix  Big
                                                           Edge Series Fund; and
                                                           former     President,
                                                           Morehouse College.

Gerald M. McDonnell              Trustee                   Sales Representative with Nucor-Yamoto, Inc. (steel
(DOB: 7/14/39)                                             producer).

Thomas L. McVerry                Trustee                   Former Vice President and Director of Rexham
(DOB: 8/2/39)                                              Corporation; and former Director of Carolina
                                                           Cooperative Federal Credit Union.

William Walt Pettit              Trustee                   Partner in the law firm of William Walt Pettit, P.A.
(DOB: 8/26/55)

David M. Richardson              Trustee                   Vice Chair and former Executive Vice President, DHR
(DOB: 9/14/41)                                             International, Inc. (executive recruitment); former
                                                           Senior Vice President, Boyden International Inc.
                                                           (executive recruitment); and Director, Commerce and
                                                           Industry Association of New Jersey, 411
                                                           International, Inc., and J&M Cumming Paper Co.

Russell A. Salton, III MD        Trustee                   Medical Director, U.S. Health Care/Aetna Health
(DOB: 6/2/47)                                              Services; former Managed Health Care Consultant;
                                                           and former President, Primary Physician Care.

Michael S. Scofield              Trustee                   Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.
(DOB: 2/20/43)


</TABLE>
                                                        16

<PAGE>


<TABLE>

NAME                             POSITION WITH TRUST       PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR LAST FIVE YEARS
<S>                                     <C>                           <C>            
- -------------------------------  ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Richard J. Shima                 Trustee                   Former  Chairman,  Environmental  Warranty,  Inc.  (insurance
 (DOB: 8/11/39)                                            agency);   Executive  Consultant,   Drake  Beam  Morin,  Inc.
                                                           (executive outplacement); Director  of
                                                           Connecticut   Natural Gas Corporation,
                                                           Hartford    Hospital, Old State    House
                                                           Association, Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company,
                                                           and Enhance Financial Services, Inc.;
                                                           Chairman,   Board  of Trustees, Hartford
                                                           Graduate      Center; Trustee, Greater
                                                           Hartford YMCA; former Director, Vice
                                                           Chairman   and  Chief Investment Officer,
                                                           The         Travelers Corporation;   former
                                                           Trustee, Kingswood-Oxford School; and former
                                                           Managing Director and Consultant,   Russell
                                                           Miller, Inc.

William J. Tomko*                President and             Senior Vice President and Operations Executive,
(DOB: 8/30/58)                   Treasurer                 BISYS Fund Services.

Nimish S. Bhatt*                 Vice President and        Vice President, Tax, BISYS Fund Services; former
(DOB: 6/6/63)                    Assistant Treasurer       Assistant Vice President, Evergreen Asset
                                                           Management Corp./First Union
                                                           National Bank; former Senior    Tax
                                                           Consulting/Acting Manager,   Investment
                                                           Companies Group, Price Waterhouse LLP,
                                                           New York.

Bryan Haft*                      Vice President            Team Leader, Fund Administration, BISYS Fund
(DOB: 1/23/65)                                             Services.

D'Ray Moore*                     Secretary                 Vice President, Client Services, BISYS Fund Services.
(DOB: 3/30/59)
</TABLE>

*Address: BISYS Fund Services, 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219-8001





                                                        18

<PAGE>



Trustee Compensation

         Listed  below is the  Trustee  compensation  for the fiscal  year ended
March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         Pension or
                              Aggregate  Retirement Benefits  Estimated Annual    Total Compensation
                            Compensation Accrued As Part of   Benefits Upon       from Trust and
Trustee                      from Trust  Fund Expenses        Retirement          Fund Complex
<S>                            <C>          <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Laurence B. Ashkin             $ 9,856      $ 0                 $ 0                 $ 72,681
Charles A. Austin III            6,993(a)     0                   0                   49,297(b)
Foster Bam*                      7,722        0                   0                   53,236
K. Dun Gifford                   6,468        0                   0                   46,061
James S. Howell                 12,072(c)     0                   0                  109,570(d)
Robert J. Jeffries*              2,167        0                   0                   18,222
Leroy Keith Jr.                  6,633        0                   0                   46,461
Gerald M. McDonnell **          10,718        0                   0                   94,500
Thomas L. McVerry **            10,825        0                   0                   96,805
William Walt Pettit **           9,700        0                   0                   86,613
David M. Richardson              6,927        0                   0                   48,673
Russell A. Salton, III **       10,424        0                   0                   95,031
Michael S. Scofield             10,835        0                   0                   97,794
Richard J. Shima                 8,681        0                   0                   67,325
</TABLE>


(a) $1,049 of this amount payable in later years as deferred  compensation.  (b)
$7,395 of this  amount  payable in later  years as  deferred  compensation.  (c)
$9,658 of this  amount  payable in later  years as  deferred  compensation.  (d)
$87,656 of this amount payable in later years as deferred compensation.
 * Former  Trustee;  retired as of December 31, 1997 ** Entire amount payable in
later years as deferred compensation.


                          PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES

         As of July 1, 1998,  the  officers and Trustees of the Trust owned as a
group less than 1% of the outstanding of any class of each Fund.

         Set forth below is information with respect to each person who, to each
Fund's knowledge,  owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of a class of each
Fund's outstanding shares as of July 1, 1998.


Foundation Class A                                                  None

Foundation Class B                                                  None




                                                        19

<PAGE>




Foundation Class C
MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers
Attn: Fund Administration                                             26.21%
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

Foundation Class Y
First Union National Bank/EB/INT, Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group                                     10.43%
401 S. Tryon Street; 3rd Floor CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911

First Union National Bank/EB/INT, Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group                                     36.39%
401 S. Tryon Street;3rd Floor CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 29202-1911 Mac & Co.

Aetna Retirement Services/Central Valuation Unit                      12.01%
Attn: Mutual Funds Operations
P.O. Box 3198
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198

AETNA Life Insurance
Life & Annuity/Central Valuation Unit                                 5.41%
Attn: Jackie Johnson, Conveyor TS31
151 Farminton Ave.
Hartford, CT 06156-0001

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Special Custody Account fo r the Exclusive Benefit of Customers       6.46%
Reinvest Account Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122

Tax Strategic Class A                                                 None

Tax Strategic Class B
MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers
Attn: Fund Administration 97H99                                       10.52%
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

Tax Strategic Class C
MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers
Attn: Fund Administration                                             29.86%
4800 Deer Lake Dr.,  East 2nd Fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

Tax Strategic Class Y
Nola Maddox Falcone
70 Drake Rd.                                                          7.81%
Scarsdale, NY 10583-6447

First Union National Bank, EB/INT, Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group                                     7.79%
401 S. Tryon St. 3rd Floor CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911

Stephen A. Lieber
1210 Greacen Point Rd.                                                39.63%
Mamaroneck, NY 10543-4613




                                                        20

<PAGE>




First Union National Bank  EB/INT/ Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group                                     7.27%
401 S. Tryon St., 3rd Fl
Charlotte,  NC 28202-1911

American  Retirement Class A                                           None

American Retirement Class B                                            None

American  Retirement  Class  C                                         None

American  Retirement  Class Y
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Special Custody Account FBO Exclusive Benefit of Customers            21.21%
Reinvest Account, Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122

First Union National Bank/EB/INT, Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group                                     18.70%
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Fl., CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911

Balanced Class A                                                       None

Balanced Class B                                                       None

Balanced Class C
MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers
Attn: Fund Administration                                             15.72%
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

FUBS & Co. FEBO
FUNB NC FBO Goldstein S. Bldg./Supply Loan Account                    5.81%
Attn: Frank Pierce Loan Ofcs.
P.O. Box 3008, 6th Fl.
Raleigh, NC 27602-3008

Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc.                                           5.16%
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052

State Street Bank and Trust Company
Rollover IRA FBO Rita E. Resina                                       6.77%
291 Minneford
Bronx, NY 10464-1421

Balanced Class Y
First Union National Bank
Trust Accounts/ Attn: Ginny Batten                                    65.77%
11th Floor CMG - 1151
301 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202-1910

First Union National Bank
Trust Accounts Attn: Ginny Batten                                     30.89%
11th Floor CMG - 1151
301 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202-1910


                     INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

INVESTMENT ADVISORS

         Each Fund has its own investment advisor (the "Advisor").  Each Advisor
is a direct or indirect subsidiary of First Union Corporation ("First Union"), a
bank holding company headquartered at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North
Carolina  28288-0630.  First Union and its subsidiaries provide a broad range of
financial services to individuals and businesses throughout the United States.

         Some  of  the  Funds   also   have  an   investment   subadvisor   (the
"Subadvisor").  Each Fund's  Advisor  and, if  applicable,  its  Subadvisor,  is
discussed below,  including a description of fees. For a summary of amounts paid
by the Funds to their  Advisor for the last three  fiscal  years see the section
"Financial Information" below.

         Evergreen Asset Management Corp.  ("Evergreen Asset"), 2500 Westchester
Avenue,  Purchase,  New York 10577, is the Advisor to Foundation,  Tax Strategic
and American Retirement, each of which pays Evergreen Asset an annual percentage
of its average daily net assets, as follows:

                                                  Agregate Net Asset Value of
              Management Fee                      the Shares of a Fund
         Foundation and Tax Strategic:
              0.875% of the first                    $750,000,000; and
              0.750% of the next                     $250,000,000; and
              0.700% of amounts over                 $1,000,000,000.

                                                   Aggregate Net Asset Value of
              Management Fee                       the Shares of a Fund
             American Retirement:
              0.75% of the first                     $750,000,000; and
              0.70% of amounts over                  $750,000,000.

         Keystone  Investment  Management  Company  ("Keystone"),  200  Berkeley
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, is the Advisor to Balanced.

         Balanced pays Keystone a fee for its services at the annual rate set
forth below

                                     1.5% of Gross Dividend
                                     and Interest Income
Aggregate Net                        Plus Aggregate Net Asset Value
Management Fee                        of the Shares of the Fund
- --------------                        ---------------------------
0.60% of the first                    $100,000,000; plus
0.55% of the next                     $100,000,000; plus
0.50% of the next                     $100,000,000; plus
0.45% of the next                     $100,000,000; plus
0.40% of the next                     $100,000,000; plus
0.35% of the next                     $500,000,000; plus
0.30% of amounts over                 $1,000,000,000.

              Keystone's  fee is  computed  as of the  close  of  business  each
business day and is payable monthly.




                                                        21

<PAGE>



Lieber & Company,  2500  Westchester  Avenue,  Purchase,  New York 10577, is the
Subadvisor  to  Foundation,  Tax  Strategic  and American  Retirement.  Lieber &
Company is  reimbursed by Evergreen  Asset for the direct and indirect  costs of
providing subadvisory services to a Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

              On behalf of each of its  Funds,  the  Trust has  entered  into an
investment  advisory  agreement with each Advisor (the  "Advisory  Agreements").
Under each Advisory  Agreement,  and subject to the  supervision  of the Trust's
Board of Trustees,  the Advisor  furnishes to the  appropriate  Fund  investment
advisory,   management  and  administrative  services,  office  facilities,  and
equipment in  connection  with its services  for  managing  the  investment  and
reinvestment  of the Fund's  assets.  The Advisor  pays for all of the  expenses
incurred in connection  with the  provision of its services.  Each Fund pays for
all charges and  expenses,  other than those  specifically  referred to as being
borne by the Advisor,  including,  but not limited to: (1) custodian charges and
expenses; (2) bookkeeping and auditors' charges and expenses; (3) transfer agent
charges and expenses; (4) fees and expenses of Independent Trustees of the Trust
(Trustees  who are not  interested  persons of the Fund,  as defined in the 1940
Act);  (5) brokerage  commissions,  brokers'  fees and  expenses;  (6) issue and
transfer  taxes;  (7)  costs  and  expenses  under  the  Distribution  Plan  (as
applicable);  (8) taxes and trust fees payable to governmental agencies; (9) the
cost of share  certificates;  (10) fees and  expenses  of the  registration  and
qualification  of such Fund and its shares  with the SEC or under state or other
securities laws; (11) expenses of preparing,  printing and mailing prospectuses,
SAIs,  notices,  reports and proxy  materials to shareholders of such Fund; (12)
expenses of shareholders' and Trustees'  meetings;  (13) charges and expenses of
legal  counsel  for such Fund and for the  Independent  Trustees of the Trust on
matters  relating to such Fund;  (14) charges and expenses of filing  annual and
other  reports with the SEC and other  authorities;  and (15) all  extraordinary
charges and  expenses of such Fund.  (See also the section  entitled  "Financial
Information.")

              Each Advisory Agreement continues in effect for two years from its
effective  date and,  thereafter,  from year to year only if  approved  at least
annually  by the Board of  Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of a
Fund's  outstanding  shares. In either case, the terms of the Advisory Agreement
and  continuance  thereof  must be  approved  by the vote of a  majority  of the
Independent  Trustees  cast in person at a meeting  called  for the  purpose  of
voting on such approval.  The Advisory  Agreements  may be  terminated,  without
penalty,  on 60 days'  written  notice by the Trust's  Board of Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of outstanding shares. Each Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically upon its "assignment" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

Transactions Among Advisory Affiliates

              The Trust has adopted procedures  pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the
1940 Act ("Rule 17a-7  Procedures").  The Rule 17a-7 Procedures permit a Fund to
buy or sell securities from another investment company for which a subsidiary of
First Union is an investment  advisor.  The Rule 17a-7 Procedures also allow the
Funds  to  buy or  sell  securities  from  other  advisory  clients  for  whom a
subsidiary of First Union is an investment advisor. The Funds may engage in such
transactions if they are equitable to each  participant and consistent with each
participant's investment objective.

DISTRIBUTOR

     Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor") markets the Funds through
broker-dealers and other financial representatives.  Its address is 125 W. 55th
Street, New York, NY 10019.

DISTRIBUTION PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

              Distribution  fees are accrued  daily and paid monthly on Class A,
Class B and Class C shares and are charged as class  expenses,  as accrued.  The
distribution fees attributable to the Class B and Class



                                                        22

<PAGE>



C shares are  designed to permit an investor  to  purchase  such shares  through
broker-dealers  without the assessment of a front-end sales charge, while at the
same time permitting the Distributor to compensate  broker-dealers in connection
with the sale of such shares.  In this  regard,  the purpose and function of the
combined contingent  deferred sales charge and distribution  services fee on the
Class B  shares  are  the  same as  those  of the  front-end  sales  charge  and
distribution  fee with  respect  to the  Class A shares in that in each case the
sales  charge  and/or   distribution  fee  provide  for  the  financing  of  the
distribution of a Fund's shares.

              Under the Rule 12b-1  Distribution Plans that have been adopted by
each Fund with  respect to each of its Class A, Class B and Class C shares (each
a "Plan" and collectively,  the "Plans"), the Treasurer of the Trust reports the
amounts  expended  under the Plans for a Fund and the  purposes  for which  such
expenditures  were made to the  Trustees  of the  Trust  for  their  review on a
quarterly  basis.  Also, each Plan provides that the selection and nomination of
the  Independent  Trustees are committed to the  discretion of such  Independent
Trustees then in office.

              Each  Advisor  may from  time to time  from its own  funds or such
other  resources  as may be  permitted  by rules of the SEC  make  payments  for
distribution services to the Distributor; the latter may in turn pay part or all
of such  compensation  to  brokers  or  other  persons  for  their  distribution
assistance.

              Each Plan and  Distribution  Agreement will continue in effect for
successive  twelve-month  periods  provided,  however,  that such continuance is
specifically  approved at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding  voting securities of that Class
and, in either case, by a majority of the Independent  Trustees of the Trust who
have no direct or indirect  financial  interest in the  operation of the Plan or
any agreement related thereto.

              The Plans  permit the  payment  of fees to brokers  and others for
distribution   and   shareholder   related   administrative   services   and  to
broker-dealers,    depository   institutions,   financial   intermediaries   and
administrators  for  administrative  services as to Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. The Plans are designed to (i) stimulate brokers to provide  distribution
and  administrative  support  services to a Fund and holders of Class A, Class B
and Class C shares, and (ii) stimulate  administrators to render  administrative
support  services  to a Fund and holders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
The  administrative  services are provided by a representative who has knowledge
of the shareholder's  particular  circumstances and goals, and include,  but are
not limited to, providing office space,  equipment,  telephone  facilities,  and
various personnel including clerical, supervisory, and computer, as necessary or
beneficial  to  establish  and  maintain   shareholder   accounts  and  records;
processing  purchase and redemption  transactions  and automatic  investments of
client account cash balances; answering routine client inquiries regarding Class
A, Class B and Class C shares;  assisting  clients in changing dividend options,
account designations, and addresses; and providing such other services as a Fund
reasonably requests for its Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

              In the event that a Plan or  Distribution  Agreement is terminated
or not  continued  with  respect  to one  or  more  Classes  of a  Fund,  (i) no
distribution fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by Fund to the Distributor with respect to that Class or Classes,  and (ii)
the Fund would not be obligated to pay the Distributor for any amounts  expended
under the  Distribution  Agreement not previously  recovered by the  Distributor
from  distribution  services  fees in respect of shares of such Class or Classes
through deferred sales charges.

              All material amendments to any Plan or Distribution Agreement must
be  approved  by a vote of the  Trustees of the Trust or the holders of a Fund's
outstanding voting  securities,  voting separately by class, and in either case,
by a majority of the  Independent  Trustees,  cast in person at a meeting called
for the  purpose  of  voting  on such  approval;  and any  Plan or  Distribution
Agreement  may not be amended in order to increase  materially  the costs that a
particular class of shares of a Fund may bear pursuant to a Plan or Distribution
Agreement  without the approval of a majority of the holders of the  outstanding
voting shares of the Class affected.  Any Plan or Distribution  Agreement may be
terminated (i) by a Fund without penalty at



                                                        23

<PAGE>



any time by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding  voting securities
of a Fund,  voting  separately by Class or by a majority vote of the Independent
Trustees, or (ii) by the Distributor.  To terminate any Distribution  Agreement,
any party must give the other  parties 60 days' written  notice;  to terminate a
Plan  only,  a Fund need give no notice  to the  Distributor.  Any  Distribution
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

For a summary of  distribution  fees paid by the Funds for the last three fiscal
years see "Financial Information" below.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

Administrator
              Evergreen Investment Services,  Inc. ("EIS"), 200 Berkeley Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034,  serves as administrator to the Funds, subject
to the  supervision  and control of the Trust's Board of Trustees.  EIS provides
each Fund with facilities,  equipment and personnel and is entitled to receive a
fee from the  Fund at a rate  based on the  total  assets  of all  mutual  funds
advised by First Union subsidiaries,  and for which EIS serves as administrator,
as follows:


                                       Total assets of
Administrator Fee                     First Union subsidiaries
Foundation, Tax Strategic and American Retirement:

0.060% of the first                   $7 billion
0.0425% of the next                   $3 billion
0.035% of the next                    $5 billion
0.025% of the next                    $10 billion
0.019% of the next                    $5 billion
0.014% of amounts over                $30 billion

Aggregate Net                         Total assets of
Administrator Fee                     First Union subsidiaries
Balanced:

0.050% of the first                   $7 billion
0.035% of the next                    $3 billion
0.030% of the next                    $5 billion
0.020% of the next                    $10 billion
0.015% of the next                    $5 billion
0.010% of amounts over                $30 billion

Transfer Agent

              Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a subsidiary of First Union, is
the Funds'  transfer agent.  The transfer agent issues and redeems shares,  pays
dividends  and  performs  other duties in  connection  with the  maintenance  of
shareholder   accounts.   ESC's   address  is  200  Berkeley   Street,   Boston,
Massachusetts 02116-5034.

Independent Auditors

              KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP, is the Funds'  independent  auditor.  The
independent auditor audits the Funds' annual financial  statements.  The address
of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is 99 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.



                                                        24

<PAGE>



Custodian

     State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Funds' custodian.  The custodian
keeps  custody of each Fund's  securities  and cash and performs  other  related
duties.  State Street Bank and Trust Company's address is P.O. Box 9021, Boston,
Massachusetts 02205-9827.

Legal Counsel

     Sullivan & Worcester LLP provides legal advice to the Funds. Its address is
1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.


                                    BROKERAGE

              The Board of Trustees  periodically  reviews each Fund's brokerage
policy. Due to future regulatory developments affecting the securities exchanges
and  brokerage  practices,  the Board of Trustees may modify or eliminate any of
the following policies.

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

              Generally,  a  Fund  expects  to  purchase  and  sell  its  equity
securities  through  brokerage  transactions for which  commissions are payable.
Purchases  from  underwriters  will  include  the  underwriting   commission  or
concession,  and purchases from dealers  serving as market makers will include a
dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's mark-down.

              A Fund expects to purchase  and sell its fixed  income  securities
through  principal  transactions  directly from the issuer or an  underwriter or
market  maker  for the  securities.  Generally,  a Fund  will not pay  brokerage
commissions for such purchases. When a Fund buys a security from an underwriter,
the  purchase  price  will  usually  include  an   underwriting   commission  or
concession.  The purchase  price for securities  bought from dealers  serving as
market makers will similarly  include the dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's
mark-down.  When a Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it
will deal with primary market makers unless more favorable  prices are otherwise
obtainable.

SELECTION OF BROKERS

              When buying and selling portfolio  securities,  each Advisor seeks
brokers who can provide the most benefit to a Fund or Funds for which a trade is
being made. When selecting a broker, an Advisor will primarily look for the best
price at the lowest commission, but in the context of the broker's:

              1.  ability to provide the best net financial result to a Fund;
              2.  efficiency in handling trades;
              3.  ability to trade large blocks of securities;
              4.  readiness to handle difficult trades;
              5.  financial strength and stability; and
              6.  provision of "research  services,"  defined as (a) reports and
                  analyses  concerning  issuers,   industries,   securities  and
                  economic factors,  and (b) other information  useful in making
                  investment decisions.

              A Fund's management weighs these considerations in determining the
overall reasonableness of the brokerage commission paid.

              Research  services  provided  by a  broker  to an  Advisor  do not
replace,  but  supplement,  the  services an Advisor is required to deliver to a
Fund  under the  Advisory  Agreement.  It is  impracticable  for an  Advisor  to
allocate the cost,  value and specific  application  of such  research  services
among its clients



                                                        25

<PAGE>



because  research  services  intended  for one  client  may  indirectly  benefit
another.  Under its Investment Advisory Agreement,  Keystone is permitted to pay
higher brokerage  commissions for brokerage and research  services in accordance
with  Section  28(e) of the 1934  Act.  In the  event  Keystone  follows  such a
practice, it will do so on a basis that is fair and equitable to Balanced.

              The Trust's  Board of Trustees has  determined  that the Funds may
consider sales of Fund shares as a factor in the selection of brokers to execute
portfolio transactions,  subject to the requirements of best execution described
above.

              Lieber & Company ("Lieber"), an affiliate of Evergreen Asset and a
member  of the New  York  and  American  Stock  Exchanges,  will  to the  extent
practicable  effect   substantially  all  of  the  portfolio   transactions  for
Foundation, Tax Strategic and American Retirement effected on those exchanges.

              Under  Section 11(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act"), as amended, and the rules adopted thereunder by the SEC, Lieber may
be  compensated  for  effecting  transactions  in the rules  are met.  Each Fund
advised by Evergreen Asset has entered into an agreement with Lieber authorizing
Lieber to retain  compensation fro brokerage  services.  In accordance with such
agreement, it is contemplated that Lieber, a member of the New York and American
Stock Exchanges, will, to the extent practicable,  provide brokerage services to
Foundation,  Tax Strategic and American Retirement with respect to substantially
all  securities  transactions  effected  on the  New  York  and  American  Stock
Exchanges. In such transactions, the Advisor will seek the best execution at the
most favorable  price while paying a commission rate no higher than that offered
to other clients of Lieber or that comparable  execution capability in a similar
transaction.  However, no Fund will engage in transactions in which Lieber would
be a  principal.  While no Fund  advised by  Evergreen  Asset  contemplates  any
ongoing arrangements with other brokerage firms, brokerage business may be given
from  time to  time  to the  firms.  In  addition,  the  Trustees  have  adopted
procedures  pursuant  to Rule  17e-1  under  the  1940  Act to  ensure  that all
brokerage transactions with Lieber, as an affiliated broker-dealer, are fair and
reasonable.

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSACTIONS

              An Advisor makes investment  decisions for a Fund independently of
decisions  made for its other  clients.  When a  security  is  suitable  for the
investment  objective of more than one client,  it may be prudent for an Advisor
to engage in a simultaneous transaction,  that is, buy or sell the same security
for more than one client.  Each Advisor strives for an equitable  result in such
transactions  by using an allocation  formula.  The high volume involved in some
simultaneous  transactions  can  result in greater  value to the Funds,  but the
ideal price or trading volume may not always be achieved for an individual Fund.
In order to take advantage of the  availablility of lower purchase  prices,  the
Funds may occasionally participate in group bidding for the direct purchase from
an issuer of certain securities.

              For a summary of  brokerage  commission  paid by the Funds for the
last three fiscal years see "Financial Information" below.


                               TRUST ORGANIZATION

FORM OF ORGANIZATION

              Each  Fund  is a  series  of  an  open-end  management  investment
company,  known as Evergreen  Equity  Trust.  The Trust was formed as a Delaware
business trust under an Agreement and  Declaration of Trust dated  September 18,
1997 (the "Declaration of Trust"). A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file
at the SEC as an exhibit to the Trust's  Registration  Statement,  of which this
SAI is a part.  This  summary is  qualified  in its entirety by reference to the
Declaration of Trust.




                                                        26

<PAGE>



DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

              The  Declaration of Trust  authorizes the issuance of an unlimited
number of shares of  beneficial  interest of series and classes of shares.  Each
share of each Fund  represents an equal  proportionate  interest with each other
share of that series and/or class.  Upon  liquidation,  shares are entitled to a
pro rata share of the Trust  based on the  relative  net  assets of each  series
and/or class.  Shareholders have no preemptive or conversion rights.  Shares are
redeemable and transferable.

VOTING RIGHTS

              Under the  terms of the  Declaration  of  Trust,  the Trust is not
required to hold annual shareholder meetings. At meetings called for the initial
election of Trustees or to consider other matters, each share is entitled to one
vote for each  dollar  of net  asset  value  applicable  to such  share.  Shares
generally  vote together as one class on all matters.  Classes of shares of each
Fund have equal voting  rights.  No amendment may be made to the  Declaration of
Trust that  adversely  affects  any class of shares  without  the  approval of a
majority  of the votes  applicable  to the  shares of that  class.  Shares  have
non-cumulative  voting rights,  which means that the holders of more than 50% of
the votes  applicable  to shares  voting for the  election of Trustees can elect
100% of the Trustees to be elected at a meeting and, in such event,  the holders
of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees.

              After  the  initial   meeting  as  described   above,  no  further
shareholder  meetings for the purpose of electing  Trustees will be held, unless
required  by law,  unless  and until  such time as less than a  majority  of the
Trustees  holding  office have been elected by  shareholders,  at which time the
Trustees  then in office will call a  shareholders'  meeting for the election of
Trustees.

LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY

              The  Declaration  of Trust  provides  that a  Trustee  will not be
liable for errors of judgment  or  mistakes  of fact or law,  but nothing in the
Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee  against any liability to which he would
otherwise  be  subject  by reason  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross
negligence  or reckless  disregard of his duties  involved in the conduct of his
office.

                   PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

HOW THE FUNDS OFFER SHARES TO THE PUBLIC

              You  may  buy   shares  of  a  Fund   through   the   Distributor,
broker-dealers that have entered into special agreements with the Distributor or
certain other  financial  institutions.  Each Fund offers four classes of shares
that differ  primarily  with  respect to sales  charges and  distribution  fees.
Depending  upon the class of shares,  you will pay an initial  sales charge when
you buy a Fund's shares, a contingent  deferred sales charge (a "CDSC") when you
redeem a Fund's shares or no sales charges at all.

Class A Shares

              With certain exceptions, when you purchase Class A shares you will
pay a  maximum  sales  charge  equal  to  4.75%  of  the  offering  price.  (The
prospectuses  contain  a  complete  table  of  applicable  sales  charges  and a
discussion  of sales charge  reductions  or waivers that may apply to purchases.
See also the section in this SAI entitled "Financial Information" for an example
of the  method  of  computing  the  offering  price of Class A  shares.)  If you
purchase Class A shares in the amount of $1 million or more,  without an initial
sales  charge,  the Funds will  charge a CDSC of 1.00% if you redeem  during the
month of your  purchase  and the  12-month  period  following  the month of your
purchase. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below.



                                                        27

<PAGE>



Class B Shares

              The  Funds  offer  Class B shares at net asset  value  without  an
initial sales charge. With certain exceptions,  however, the Funds will charge a
CDSC on shares you redeem within 72 months after the month of your purchase,  in
accordance with the following schedule:



REDEMPTION TIMING                                                   CDSC RATE

Month of purchase and the first twelve-month
  period following the month of purchase                            5.00%
Second twelve-month period following the month of purchase          4.00%
Third twelve-month period following the month of purchase           3.00%
Fourth twelve-month period following the month of purchase          3.00%
Fifth twelve-month period following the month of purchase           2.00%
Sixth twelve-month period following the month of purchase           1.00%
Thereafter                                                          0.00%

         Class B shares  that have been  outstanding  for seven  years after the
month  of  purchase  will  automatically  convert  to  Class  A  shares  without
imposition of a front-end  sales charge or exchange fee.  (Conversion of Class B
shares  represented by stock  certificates  will require the return of the stock
certificate to ESC.)

Class C Shares

         Class C shares  are  available  only  through  broker-dealers  who have
entered into special  distribution  agreements with the  Distributor.  The Funds
offer Class C shares at net asset value without an initial  sales  charge.  With
certain exceptions, however, the Funds will charge a CDSC of 1.00% on shares you
redeem  within 12  months  after the  month of your  purchase.  See  "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge" below.

Class Y Shares

         No CDSC is imposed on the redemption of Class Y shares.  Class Y shares
are not offered to the general  public and are available only to (1) persons who
at or prior to  December  31,  1994  owned  shares in a mutual  fund  advised by
Evergreen Asset, (2) certain institutional investors and (3) investment advisory
clients of First Union national Bank ("FUNB"),  Evergreen  Asset,  Keystone,  or
their  affiliates.  Class Y shares  are  offered  at net asset  value  without a
front-end or back-end  sales charge and do not bear any Rule 12b-1  distribution
expenses.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

         A Funds charges a CDSC as reimbursement for certain  expenses,  such as
commissions or shareholder  servicing  fees,  that it has incurred in connection
with the sale of its shares (see "Distribution Plans and Agreements," above). If
imposed,  a Fund  deducts  the  CDSC  from the  redemption  proceeds  you  would
otherwise  receive.  The CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net asset
value of the shares at the time of redemption or (2) the shareholder's  original
net  cost for such  shares.  Upon  request  for  redemption,  to keep the CDSC a
shareholder must pay as low as possible, a Fund will first seek to redeem shares
not subject to the CDSC and/or shares held the longest,  in that order. The CDSC
on any  redemption  is, to the extent  permitted by the National  Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., paid to the Distributor or its predecessor.





                                                        28

<PAGE>



SALES CHARGE WAIVERS OR REDUCTIONS

Reducing Class A Front-end Loads

         With a larger  purchase,  there are  several  ways that you can combine
multiple  purchases of Class A shares in the Evergreen  funds and take advantage
of lower sales charges.

Combined Purchases

         You can reduce  your sales  charge by  combining  purchases  of Class A
shares of multiple Evergreen funds. For example, if you invested $75,000 in each
of two  different  Evergreen  funds,  you  would pay a sales  charge  based on a
$150,000 purchase (i.e., 3.75% of the offering price, rather than 4.75%).

Rights of Accumulation

         You can reduce your sales  charge by adding the value of Class A shares
of  Evergreen  funds  you  already  own to the  amount  of  your  next  Class  A
investment.  For  example,  if you hold  Class A shares  valued at  $99,999  and
purchase an additional $5,000, the sales charge for the $5,000 purchase would be
at the next lower sales charge of 3.75%, rather than 4.75%.

Letter of Intent

         You  can,  by  completing  the  "Letter  of  Intent"   section  of  the
application, purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and receive the same
sales  charge as if you had  invested  all the money at once.  All  purchases of
Class A shares of an Evergreen  fund during the period will qualify as Letter of
Intent purchases.

Waiver of Initial Sales Charges

         The Funds may sell their  shares at net asset value  without an initial
sales charge to:

         1.    purchasers of shares in the amount of $1 million or more;

         2.    a  corporate  or certain  other  qualified  retirement  plan or a
               non-qualified  deferred  compensation  plan  or  a  Title  1  tax
               sheltered annuity or TSA plan sponsored by an organization having
               100 or more  eligible  employees (a  "Qualifying  Plan") or a TSA
               plan  sponsored by a public  educational  entity  having 5,000 or
               more eligible employees (an "Educational TSA Plan");

         3.    institutional investors, which may include bank trust departments
               and registered investment advisers;

         4.    investment advisers,  consultants or financial planners who place
               trades for their own  accounts or the  accounts of their  clients
               and who charge such clients a management, consulting, advisory or
               other fee;

         5.    clients of  investment  advisers or financial  planners who place
               trades for their own  accounts  if the  accounts  are linked to a
               master account of such investment  advisers or financial planners
               on the  books  of  the  broker-dealer  through  whom  shares  are
               purchased;

         6.    institutional clients of broker-dealers, including retirement and
               deferred  compensation  plans and the  trusts  used to fund these
               plans,  which place trades through an omnibus account  maintained
               with a Fund by the broker-dealer;



                                                        29

<PAGE>




         7.    employees  of  FUNB,  its  affiliates,   the   Distributor,   any
               broker-dealer  with whom the  Distributor,  has  entered  into an
               agreement  to  sell  shares  of the  Funds,  and  members  of the
               immediate families of such employees;

         8.    certain  Directors,  Trustees,  officers  and  employees  of  the
               Evergreen  funds,  the  Distributor  or their  affiliates and the
               immediate families of such persons; or

         9.    a bank or trust  company in a single  account in the name of such
               bank or trust company as trustee if the initial  investment in or
               any  Evergreen  fund  made  pursuant  to this  waiver is at least
               $500,000 and any commission  paid at the time of such purchase is
               not more than 1% of the amount invested.

         With respect to items 8 and 9 above, each Fund will only sell shares to
these parties upon the  purchasers'  written  assurance that the purchase is for
their  personal  investment  purposes only.  Such  purchasers may not resell the
securities  except  through  redemption by a Fund. The Funds will not charge any
CDSC on redemptions by such purchasers.

Waiver of CDSC

         The  Funds do not  impose  a CDSC  when the  shares  you are  redeeming
represent:

         1.    an increase in the share value above the net cost of such shares;

         2.    certain  shares  for  which a Fund  did not pay a  commission  on
               issuance,  including  shares  acquired  through  reinvestment  of
               dividend income and capital gains distributions;

         3.    shares that are in the accounts of a shareholder  who has died or
               become disabled;

         4.    a lump-sum  distribution from a 401(k) plan or other benefit plan
               qualified  under the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
               1974 ("ERISA");

         5.    an automatic  withdrawal from the ERISA plan of a shareholder who
               is a least 59 1/2 years old;

         6.    shares in an account  that a Fund has closed  because the account
               has an aggregate net asset value of less than $1,000;

         7.    an automatic withdrawal under a Systematic  Withdrawal Plan of up
               to 1.0% per month of your initial account balance;

         8.    a withdrawal consisting of loan proceeds to a retirement  plan
               participant;

         9.    a financial   hardship   withdrawal  made  by a  retirement  plan
               participant;

         10.   a withdrawal  consisting  of returns of excess  contributions  or
               excess deferral amounts made to a retirement plan; or

         11.   a redemption by an individual  participant  in a Qualifying  Plan
               that  purchased  Class C shares (this waiver is not  available in
               the event a Qualifying  Plan, as a whole,  redeems  substantially
               all of its assets).





                                                        31

<PAGE>



EXCHANGES

         Investors may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of
any other Evergreen fund, as described under the section entitled "Exchanges" in
the prospectuses. Before you make an exchange, you should read the prospectus of
the  Evergreen  fund  into  which you want to  exchange.  The  Trust's  Board of
Trustees  reserves  the  right  to  discontinue,  alter or  limit  the  exchange
privilege at any time.

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ("NAV")

         Each Fund  computes  its NAV once daily on Monday  through  Friday,  as
described  in the  prospectuses.  A Fund will not compute its NAV on the day the
following  legal holidays are observed:  New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day,  Presidents' Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

         The NAV of each class of shares of a Fund is calculated by dividing the
value of a Fund's  net  assets  attributable  to that class by the number of all
shares issued for that class.

VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

         Current  values for a Fund's  portfolio  securities  are  determined as
follows:

         (1) An independent  pricing service values each Fund's  municipal bonds
at fair value  using a variety of factors  which may include  yield,  liquidity,
interest rate risk, credit quality, coupon, maturity and type of issue.

         (2) Short-term  investments with remaining  maturities of sixty days or
less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

         (3)  Securities  for which  valuations  are not available from an
independent pricing service, including restricted securities, are valued at fair
value according to procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

         As described in the  prospectuses,  a shareholder  may elect to receive
his or her dividends and capital gains  distributions in cash instead of shares.
However, ESC will automatically  convert a shareholder's  distribution option so
that the  shareholder  reinvests all dividends and  distributions  in additional
shares  when it learns  that the postal or other  delivery  service is unable to
deliver  checks or transaction  confirmations  to the  shareholder's  address of
record. The Funds will hold the returned  distribution or redemption proceeds in
a non  interest-bearing  account in the shareholder's name until the shareholder
updates his or her address.  No interest will accrue on amounts  represented  by
uncashed distribution or redemption checks.


                              PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

         The  Distributor  is the principal  underwriter  for the Trust and with
respect to each  class of each  Fund.  The Trust has  entered  into a  Principal
Underwriting  Agreement  ("Underwriting  Agreement")  with the Distributor  with
respect to each class of each Fund. The Distributor is a subsidiary of The BISYS
Group, Inc.

         The  Distributor,  as agent, has agreed to use its best efforts to find
purchasers for the shares. The Distributor may retain and employ representatives
to promote distribution of the shares and may obtain



                                                        32

<PAGE>



orders from  broker-dealers,  and  others,  acting as  principals,  for sales of
shares to them. The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that the Distributor will
bear the expense of preparing,  printing, and distributing advertising and sales
literature and prospectuses used by it.

         All  subscriptions  and sales of shares by the  Distributor  are at the
public ofering price of the shares,  which is determined in accordance  with the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust,  By-Laws,  current  prospectuses
and SAI.  All  orders  are  subject  to  acceptance  by the  Trust and the Trust
reserves the right, in its sole discretion,  to reject any order received. Under
the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the Trust is not liable to anyone for  failure to
accept any order.

         The Distributor  has agreed that it will, in all respects,  duly comply
with all  state and  federal  laws  applicable  to the sale of the  shares.  The
Distributor  has also agreed that it will  indemnify and hold harmless the Trust
and each  person  who has been,  is, or may be a Trustee or officer of the Trust
against  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by any of them in  connection  with any
claim,  action,  suit,  or  proceeding  to which any of them may be a party that
arises out of or is alleged to arise out of any misrepresentation or omission to
state a material  fact on the part of the  Distributor  or any other  person for
whose acts the  Distributor  is  responsible  or is  alleged to be  responsible,
unless such  misrepresentation  or omission  was made in reliance  upon  written
information furnished by the Trust.

         The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that it will remain in effect as
long as its terms  and  continuance  are  approved  annually  (i) by a vote of a
majority of the Trust's Independent Trustees,  and (ii) by vote of a majority of
the Trust's Trustees,  in each case, cast in person at a meeting called for that
purpose.

         The Underwriting  Agreement may be terminated,  without penalty,  on 60
days'  written  notice by the Board of  Trustees  or by a vote of a majority  of
outstanding  shares subject to such agreement.  The Underwriting  Agreement will
terminate  automatically  upon its  "assignment," as that term is defined in the
1940 Act.

         From time to time, if, in the Distributor's  judgment, it could benefit
the sales of shares,  the  Distributor  may provide to  selected  broker-dealers
promotional materials and selling aids, including,  but not limited to, personal
computers, related software, and data files.

                         ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT
COMPANY

         Each Fund has  qualified  and  intends to  continue  to qualify for and
elect the tax treatment  applicable to a regulated  investment company (a "RIC")
under the Code. (Such  qualification does not involve  supervision of management
or investment  practices or policies by the Internal Revenue  Service.) In order
to qualify as a RIC, a Fund must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from  dividends,  interest,  payments  with respect to proceeds
from securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or
foreign  currencies and other income  (including gains from options,  futures or
forward  contracts)  derived  with  respect to its business of investing in such
securities;  and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter
of its taxable  year,  (a) at least 50% of the market  value of the Fund's total
assets is represented by cash, U.S.  government  securities and other securities
limited in respect of any one issuer,  to an amount not  greater  than 5% of the
Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total  assets is  invested  in the
securities  of any  one  issuer  (other  than  U.S.  government  securities  and
securities of other regulated investment companies). By so qualifying, a Fund is
not  subject  to  federal  income tax if it timely  distributes  its  investment
company taxable income and any net realized capital gains. A 4% nondeductible



                                                        33

<PAGE>



excise  tax will be  imposed  on a Fund to the  extent it does not meet  certain
distribution   requirements  by  the  end  of  each  calendar  year.  Each  Fund
anticipates meeting such distribution requirements.

TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS

         Distributions   will  be  taxable  to  shareholders   whether  made  in
additional shares or in cash.  Shareholders electing to receive distributions in
the form of  additional  shares  will have a cost basis for  federal  income tax
purposes in each share so received  equal to the net asset value of a share of a
Fund on the reinvestment date.

         To  calculate   ordinary   income  for  federal  income  tax  purposes,
shareholders must generally include dividends paid by a Fund from its investment
company  taxable  income  (net  taxable  investment  income  plus  net  realized
short-term  capital  gains,  if any). A Fund will include  dividends it receives
from domestic  corporations  when it calculates its gross  investment  income. A
Fund anticipates  that all or a portion of the ordinary  dividends which it pays
will qualify for the 70% dividends-received  deduction for corporations.  A Fund
will inform shareholders of the amounts that so qualify.

         From  time to  time,  a Fund  will  distribute  the  excess  of its net
long-term  capital  gains over its  short-term  capital  losses to  shareholders
(i.e.,  capital gain  dividends).  For federal tax purposes,  shareholders  must
include such capital gain dividends when calculating their net long-term capital
gains.  Capital gain  dividends are taxable as net long-term  capital gains to a
shareholder,  no matter how long the shareholder has held the shares.  Each Fund
will inform its shareholders of the portion, if any, of a long-term capital gain
distribution which is subject to tax at the maximum 28% rate and the portion, if
any, of a long term  capital  gain  distribution  which is subject to tax at the
maximum 20% rate.  Distributions of long-term  capital gains are taxable as such
to a shareholder, no matter how long the shareholder has held the shares.

         Distributions  by a Fund reduce its NAV. A distribution  that reduces a
Fund's NAV below a  shareholder's  cost basis is  taxable  as  described  above,
although  from  an  investment  standpoint,  it  is  a  return  of  capital.  In
particular,  if a  shareholder  buys  Fund  shares  just  before a Fund  makes a
distribution,  when the Fund makes the distribution the shareholder will receive
what is in effect a return of capital.  Nevertheless,  the shareholder may incur
taxes on the distribution. Therefore, shareholders should carefully consider the
tax consequences of buying Fund shares just before a distribution.

         All distributions,  whether received in additional shares or cash, must
be reported by each  shareholder on his or her federal  income tax return.  Each
shareholder  should  consult his or her tax advisor to  determine  the state and
local tax implications of Fund distributions.

         If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's  total assets at the end of a
fiscal year is  represented by securities of foreign  corporations  and the Fund
elects to make foreign tax credits available to its shareholders,  a shareholder
will be required  to include in his gross  income  both cash  dividends  and the
amount the Fund advises him is his pro rata portion of income taxes  withheld by
foreign  governments from interest and dividends paid on the Fund's investments.
The  shareholder  may be entitled,  however,  to take the amount of such foreign
taxes withheld as a credit against his U.S.  income tax, or to treat the foreign
tax withheld as an itemized  deduction from his gross income,  if that should be
to his advantage.  In substance,  this policy enables the shareholder to benefit
from the same foreign tax credit or deduction  that he would have received if he
had been the individual owner of foreign  securities and had paid foreign income
tax on the income  therefrom.  As in the case of  individuals  receiving  income
directly from foreign sources, the credit or deduction is subject to a number of
limitations.

TAXES ON THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES

         Upon a sale or exchange of Fund shares, a shareholder will realize a
taxable gain or loss



                                                        34

<PAGE>



depending on his or her basis in the shares. A shareholder must treat such gains
or  losses  as a  capital  gain or loss if the  shareholder  held the  shares as
capital  assets.  Capital gain on assets held for more than  eighteen  months is
generally subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 20% for an individual.
The maximum  capital gains tax rate for capital assets held by an individual for
more than twelve  months but not more than  eighteen  months is  generally  28%.
Generally,  the Code will not allow a shareholder to realize a loss on shares he
or she has  sold  or  exchanged  and  replaced  within  a  sixty-one-day  period
beginning  thirty  days  before and ending  thirty  days after he or she sold or
exchanged the shares.  The Code will treat a  shareholder's  loss on shares held
for six months or less as a long-term capital loss to the extent the shareholder
received capital gain dividends on such shares.

         Shareholders who fail to furnish their taxpayer  identification numbers
to a Fund and to certify as to its  correctness  and certain other  shareholders
may be subject to a 31% federal  income tax backup  withholding  requirement  on
dividends,  distributions of capital gains and redemption  proceeds paid to them
by a Fund. If the withholding  provisions are applicable,  any such dividends or
capital  gain  distributions  to these  shareholders,  whether  taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, and any redemption  proceeds will be reduced by
the amounts required to be withheld. Investors may wish to consult their own tax
advisors about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     The foregoing  discussion  relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as
applicable to U.S. persons (i.e.,  U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). It does not reflect the special
tax consequences to certain taxpayers (e.g.,  banks,  insurance  companies,  tax
exempt  organizations  and foreign  persons).  Shareholders  are  encouraged  to
consult their own tax advisors regarding specific questions relating to federal,
state  and local  tax  consequences  of  investing  in  shares  of a Fund.  Each
shareholder  who is not a U.S.  person  should  consult  his or her tax  advisor
regarding  the U.S.  and foreign tax  consequences  of  ownership of shares of a
Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S.
withholding  tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower  rate  under a tax  treaty)  on
amounts treated as income from U.S. sources under the Code.

SPECIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX STRATEGIC

         With respect to Tax Strategic,  to the extent that the Fund distributes
exempt-interest dividends to a shareholder, interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued  by such  shareholder  to purchase or carry  shares of the Fund is not
deductible.  Furthermore,  entities or persons who are  "substantial  users" (or
related  persons) of facilities  financed by "private  activity"  bonds (some of
which were  formerly  referred  to as  "industrial  development"  bonds)  should
consult  their  tax  advisors  before   purchasing   shares  of  Tax  Strategic.
"Substantial  user" is defined generally as including a "non-exempt  person" who
regularly  uses in its trade or business a part of a facility  financed from the
proceeds of industrial development bonds.

         The  percentage  of the  total  dividends  paid by Tax  Strategic  with
respect to any taxable year that qualifies as exempt-interest  dividends will be
the same for all shareholders of Tax Strategic  receiving dividends with respect
to such year. If a shareholder receives an exempt-interest dividend with respect
to any share and such  share has been held for six  months or less,  any loss on
the sale or  exchange of such  shares  will be  disallowed  to the extent of the
exempt-interest dividend amount.


                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

EXPENSES

         The table below shows the total  dollar  amounts  paid by each Fund for
services rendered during the fiscal periods  specified.  For more information on
specific expenses,  see "Investment Advisory and Other Services,"  "Distribution
Plans and Agreements" and "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares."



                                                        35

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                               Class A           Class B           Class C
                                Advisory    Distribution  Distribution  Distribution  Class B       Class C
                                Fees        Fees          Fees          Fees          Service Fees  Service Fees

1998 Fund Expenses

<S>                             <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Foundation                      $16,156,433 $695,844      $6,237,105    $274,265      $2,079,035    $91,422
Tax Strategic                   $1,451,786  $94,260       $734,118      $95,227       $244,706      $31,743
American Retirement             $1,350,506  $54,682       $870,882      $15,708       $290,294      $5,236
Balanced(d)                     $5,534,574  $611,968      $4,710,580    $907          $2,330,725    $303
1997 Fund Expenses

Expenses

Foundation(a)                   $3,246,270  $135,502      $1,113,659    $51,839       $371,220      $17,280
Tax Strategic(a)                $143,945    $8,004        $62,195       $8,824        $20,732       $2,941
American Retirement(a)          $255,438    $7,950        $124,370      $2,995        $41,475       $998
Balanced                        $1,170,691  $26,750       $205,485      $710          $68,495       $237
1996 Fund Expenses


Foundation                      $11,140,780 $414,289      $3,487,899    $152,488      $1,162,633    $50,829
Tax Strategic                   $354,958(b) $16,426       $131,282      $16,493       $43,761       $5,498

American Retirement             $549,949(c) $14,426       $199,829      $5,713        $66,610       $1,904

Balanced                        $4,765,912  $107,023      $810,803      $1,883        $270,267      $628
</TABLE>


(a)      Foundation,  Tax Strategic and American Retirement changed their fiscal
         year end from December 31 to March 31,  effective  March 31, 1997.  The
         expenses at March 31, 1997 reflect a 3 month period.
(b)      Of that  amount  $90,551  was  waived by the  Advisor.  (c) Of that
         amount, $24,841 was waived by the Advisor.
(d)      Balanced  changed  its  fiscal  year  end  from  June 30 to  March  31,
         effective March 31, 1998. The expenses at March 31, 1998 reflect a nine
         month period.

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID

         The table below shows (1) total  amounts paid by each Fund in brokerage
commissions and (2) brokerage commissions paid by each Fund to Lieber & Company,
an affiliate of FUNB, during each of the fiscal periods specified.

COMPUTATION OF CLASS A OFFERING PRICE

         Class A shares  are sold at the NAV  plus a sales  charge.  Below is an
example of the method of computing the offering  price of Class A shares of each
Fund. The example  assumes a purchase  aggregating  less than $50,000 subject to
the  schedule of sales  charges set forth in the Class A  prospectus  at a price
based upon the NAV of each Fund's Class A shares as of March 31, 1998.




                                                        36

<PAGE>




                         Per Share                  Offering Price
Fund:                 Net Asset Value Sales Charge   Per Share
Foundation                 $20.44         $1.02        $21.46
Tax Strategic              $16.36         $0.82        $17.18
American Retirement        $16.70         $0.83        $17.53
Balanced                   $12.87         $0.64        $13.51

PERFORMANCE

Total Return

         Total  return  quotations  for a class of  shares of a Fund as they may
appear from time to time in advertisements are calculated by finding the average
annual  compounded  rates of return over one, five and ten year periods,  or the
time  periods for which such class of shares has been  effective,  whichever  is
relevant,  on a  hypothetical  $1,000  investment  that would equate the initial
amount invested in the class to the ending  redeemable  value. All dividends and
distributions  are  added to the  initial  investment,  and all  recurring  fees
charged to all shareholder  accounts are deducted.  The ending  redeemable value
assumes a complete redemption at the end of each period.

         The average  annual total returns for each class of shares of the Funds
(including applicable sales charges) as of March 31, 1998 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Ten Years
                                                                             or Since           Inception
Fund/Class                            One Year           Five Years          Inception             Date
Foundation
<S>                                    <C>                <C>                 <C>               <C>   <C>
Class A                                27.52%                --               20.64%            01/03/95
Class B                                27.81%                --               20.92%            01/03/95
Class C                                31.81%                --               21.47%            01/03/95
Class Y                                34.12%              15.72%             17.83%            01/02/90
Tax Strategic
Class A                                18.49%                --               18.50%            01/17/95
Class B                                18.44%                --               19.15%            01/06/95
Class C                                22.49%                --               19.40%            03/03/95
Class Y                                24.73%                --               16.86%            11/02/93
American Retirement
Class A                                21.94%                --               18.07%            01/03/95
Class B                                22.06%                --               18.32%            01/03/95
Class C                                26.08%                --               18.97%            01/03/95
Class Y                                28.34%              13.59%             12.25%            03/14/88
Balanced
Class A                                  --                  --                2.28%            01/20/98
Class B                                21.77%              13.24%             12.29%            09/11/35
Class C                                  --                  --                5.58%            01/22/98
Class Y                                  --                  --                7.79%            01/26/98
</TABLE>

YIELD CALCULATIONS

         From time to time, a Fund may quote its yield in  advertisements  or in
reports or other communications to shareholders.  Yield quotations are expressed
in annualized terms and may be quoted on a compounded basis. Yields are computed
by dividing a Fund's interest income (as defined in the SEC



                                                        37

<PAGE>



yield formula) for a given 30-day or one month period,  net of expenses,  by the
average number of shares  entitled to receive  distributions  during the period,
dividing  this  figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the end of the
period and annualizing the result  (assuming  compounding of income) in order to
arrive at an annual  percentage  rate. The formula for  calculating  yield is as
follows:

                                            YIELD = 2[(a-b/cd + 1)6-1]

Where    a =  Dividends  and  interest  earned  during  the  period b = Expenses
         accrued for the period (net of  reimbursements)  c = The average  daily
         number of shares  outstanding  during the period that were  entitled to
         receive  dividends d = The maximum offering price per share on the last
         day of the period

         Income is  calculated  for purposes of yield  quotations  in accordance
with  standardized  methods  applicable  to all stock and bond funds.  Gains and
losses  generally  are excluded  from the  calculation.  Income  calculated  for
purposes of  determining a Fund's yield  differs from income as  determined  for
other accounting purposes. Because of the different accounting methods used, and
because of the compounding assumed in yield calculations,  the yields quoted for
a Fund may differ  from the rates of  distributions  the Fund paid over the same
period,   or  the  net  investment  income  reported  in  the  Fund's  financial
statements.

         Yield  information  is useful in  reviewing a Fund's  performance,  but
because yields fluctuate, such information cannot necessarily be used to compare
an  investment  in the Fund's shares with bank  deposits,  savings  accounts and
similar  investment  alternatives  which often  provide an agreed or  guaranteed
fixed yield for a stated period of time. Shareholders should remember that yield
is a function of the kind and quality of the instruments in a Fund's  investment
portfolios, portfolio maturity, operating expenses and market conditions.

         It should be recognized that in periods of declining interest rates the
yields will tend to be somewhat  higher than  prevailing  market  rates,  and in
periods of rising  interest  rates the yields  will tend to be  somewhat  lower.
Also,  when  interest  rates are falling,  the inflow of net new money to a Fund
from the  continuous  sale of its shares will likely be invested in  instruments
producing  lower  yields  than the  balance of the Fund's  investments,  thereby
reducing the current yield of the Fund. In periods of rising interest rates, the
opposite can be expected to occur.

         The  yield  of  Foundation,  Tax  Strategic,  American  Retirement  and
Balanced for the thirty-day period ended March 31, 1998 for each class of shares
offered by the Funds is set forth in the table below: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                          Yield      Tax-Equivalent Yield     Yield           Tax-Equivalent Yield

                                                           AMERICAN
FOUNDATION                                                RETIREMENT
<S>               <C>                 <C>                   <C>                    <C>                    <C>
  Class A         1.83%               N/A                   Class A                3.30%                   N/A
  Class B         1.18%               N/A                   Class B                2.72%                   N/A
  Class C         1.18%               N/A                   Class C                2.72%                   N/A
  Class Y         2.17%               N/A                   Class Y                3.71%                   N/A


TAX                                                       BALANCED
STRATEGIC
  Class A         1.95%                %                    Class A                2.76%                   N/A
  Class B         1.31%                %                    Class B                2.16%                   N/A
  Class C         1.31%                %                    Class C                2.16%                   N/A
  Class Y         2.30%                %                    Class Y                3.15%                   N/A

</TABLE>

Non-Standardized Performance




                                                        38

<PAGE>



         In addition to the performance  information described above, a Fund may
provide total return  information for designated  periods,  such as for the most
recent six months or most recent twelve months. This total return information is
computed as described under "Total Return" above except that no annualization is
made.

General

         From time to time, a Fund may quote its  performance in advertising and
other  types of  literature  as compared to the  performance  of the  Standard &
Poor's 500  Composite  Stock  Price  Index,  the Dow Jones  Industrial  Average,
Russell 2000 Index,  or any other commonly  quoted index of common stock prices.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index,  the Dow Jones Industrial
Average  and the Russell  2000 Index are  unmanaged  indices of selected  common
stock prices. A Fund's performance may also be compared to those of other mutual
funds having similar objectives. This comparative performance would be expressed
as a ranking prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar independent
services  monitoring  mutual  fund  performance.  A Fund's  performance  will be
calculated by assuming,  to the extent  applicable,  reinvestment of all capital
gains  distributions  and income  dividends  paid. Any such  comparisons  may be
useful to investors who wish to compare a Fund's past  performance  with that of
its competitors.  Of course,  past  performance  cannot be a guarantee of future
results.

Financial Statements

         The audited  financial  statements  and the reports  thereon are hereby
incorporated  by reference to each Fund's Annual Report,  a copy of which may be
obtained  without  charge  from ESC by calling  toll-free  1-800-633-2700  or by
writing to ESC at P.O. Box 2121, Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2121.


                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         Except as otherwise  stated in its  prospectuses  or required by law, a
Fund  reserves  the  right to  change  the  terms  of the  offer  stated  in its
prospectuses  without  shareholder  approval,  including  the right to impose or
change fees for services provided.

         No  dealer,  salesman  or  other  person  is  authorized  to  give  any
information   or  to  make  any   representation   not  contained  in  a  Fund's
prospectuses, SAI or in supplemental sales literature issued by such Fund or the
Distributor,   and  no  person  is  entitled  to  rely  on  any  information  or
representation not contained therein.

         Each Fund's prospectuses and SAI omit certain information  contained in
the Trust's Registration Statement,  which you may obtain for a fee from the SEC
in Washington, D.C.





                                                        39

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX A

S&P AND MOODY'S BOND RATINGS

S&P Bond Ratings

         An S&P bond rating is a current assessment of the  creditworthiness  of
an obligor,  including  obligors  outside the U.S.,  with  respect to a specific
obligation.  This  assessment  may  take  into  consideration  obligors  such as
guarantors,  insurers or lessees.  Ratings of foreign  obligors do not take into
account currency  exchange and related  uncertainties.  The ratings are based on
current  information  furnished  by the  issuer or  obtained  by S&P from  other
sources it considers reliable.

         The  ratings  are  based,   in  varying   degrees,   on  the  following
considerations:

         a. Likelihood of default and capacity and willingness of the obligor to
make the timely  payment of interest and  repayment  of principal in  accordance
with the terms of the obligation;

         b.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

      c.  Protection  afforded by and relative  position of the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy  reorganization  or other  arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

         PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): To provide more detailed  indications  of credit
quality, ratings from "AA" to "BBB" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

         A  provisional  rating  is  sometimes  used  by  S&P.  It  assumes  the
successful  completion of the project being financed by the debt being rated and
indicates  that  payment of debt  service  requirements  is largely or  entirely
dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating,
however,  while  addressing  credit  quality  subsequent  to  completion  of the
project,  makes no comment  on the  likelihood  of, or the risk of default  upon
failure of, such completion.

         S&P bond ratings are as follows:

         a.  AAA - Debt  rated  AAA  has the  highest  rating  assigned  by S&P.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

         b. AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong  capacity to pay  interest  and
repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.

         3. A - Debt rated A has a strong  capacity  to pay  interest  and repay
principal  although it is somewhat more  susceptible  to the adverse  effects of
changes in  circumstances  and  economic  conditions  than debt in higher  rated
categories.

         4. BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded  as having an adequate  capacity to
pay  interest  and  repay  principal.  Whereas  it  normally  exhibits  adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

         5. BB, B, CCC, CC and C - Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is  regarded,
on  balance,  as  predominantly  speculative  with  respect to  capacity  to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation.  BB
indicates  the  lowest  degree  of  speculation  and C  the  highest  degree  of
speculation.  While  such debt will  likely  have some  quality  and  protective
characteristics, these are



                                                        A-1

<PAGE>



outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

Moody's Bond Ratings

Moody's ratings are as follows:

         1.  Aaa - Bonds  which  are  rated  Aaa are  judged  to be of the  best
quality.  They carry the smallest  degree of  investment  risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt-edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally   stable  margin  and  principal  is  secure.  While  the  various
protective  elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

         2. Aa - Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality by
all  standards.  Together  with the Aaa group they  comprise  what are generally
known as high grade  bonds.  They are rated  lower  than the best bonds  because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective  elements may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other elements
present  which  make the long term  risks  appear  somewhat  larger  than in Aaa
securities.

         3. A - Bonds  which  are  rated A  possess  many  favorable  investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade  obligations.  Factors
giving  security to principal and interest are considered  adequate but elements
may be present which  suggest a  susceptibility  to  impairment  sometime in the
future.

         4. Baa - Bonds  which  are  rated Baa are  considered  as medium  grade
obligations,  i.e.,  they are  neither  highly  protected  nor  poorly  secured.
Interest  payments and principal  security  appear  adequate for the present but
certain  protective  elements  may  be  lacking  or  may  be  characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

         5. Ba -  Bonds  which  are  rated  Ba are  judged  to have  speculative
elements.  Their  future  cannot  be  considered  as  well  assured.  Often  the
protection of interest and  principal  payments may be very moderate and thereby
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty
of position characterizes bonds in this class.

         6. B - Bonds  which are rated B  generally  lack  characteristics  of a
desirable  investment.  Assurance  of  interest  and  principal  payments  or of
maintenance  of other terms of the contract  over any long period of time may be
small.

         7. Caa - Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such issues
may be in default or there may be present  elements  of danger  with  respect to
principal or interest.

         8. Ca - Bonds  which  are  rated Ca  represent  obligations  which  are
speculative  to a high  degree.  Such  issues are often in default or have other
market shortcomings.

         9. C - Bonds  which are rated as C are the lowest  rated class of bonds
and issues so rated can be regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.

         Moody's applies numerical modifiers,  1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification  from Aa through Baa in its  corporate  bond rating  system.  The
modifier 1 indicates  that the  security  ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3  indicates  that  the  issue  ranks in the  lower  end of its  generic  rating
category.





                                                        A-2

<PAGE>



MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS

         Money market  securities are instruments  with remaining  maturities of
one year or less such as bank  certificates  of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,
commercial paper (including  variable rate master demand notes), and obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,  its agencies or instrumentalities,
some of which may be subject to repurchase agreements.

Commercial Paper

         Commercial  paper will  consist of issues rated at the time of purchase
A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by  Moody's  or F-1 by Fitch IBCA Inc.  ("Fitch").  If not
rated,  commercial  paper will be issued by companies  which have an outstanding
debt issue rated at the time of purchase Aaa, Aa or A by Moody's or AAA, AA or A
by S&P or Fitch, or will be determined by a Fund's  investment  advisor to be of
comparable quality.

A.       S&P Ratings

         An  S&P  commercial  paper  rating  is  a  current  assessment  of  the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days.  Ratings are graded  into four  categories,  ranging  from "A" for the
highest  quality  obligations  to "D" for the  lowest.  The top  category  is as
follows:

         1. A: Issues  assigned  this highest  rating are regarded as having the
greatest  capacity for timely  payment.  Issues in this category are  delineated
with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.

         2. A-1: This designation  indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess  overwhelming  safety  characteristics  are denoted with a plus (+) sign
designation.

B.       Moody's Ratings

         The  term  "commercial  paper"  as used  by  Moody's  means  promissory
obligations  not having an original  maturity in excess of nine months.  Moody's
commercial  paper  ratings  are  opinions  as to the ability of issuers to repay
punctually  promissory  obligations not having an original maturity in excess of
nine months. Moody's employs the following designation,  judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers.

         1. The rating Prime-1 is the highest  commercial  paper rating assigned
by Moody's.  Issuers  rated  Prime-1 (or related  supporting  institutions)  are
deemed to have a  superior  capacity  for  repayment  of short  term  promissory
obligations.  Repayment capacity of Prime-1 issuers is normally evidenced by the
following characteristics:

         a)   leading market positions in well-established industries;

         b)   high rates of return on funds employed;

         c)   conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on
              debt and ample asset protection;

         d)   broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and
              high internal cash generation; and

         e)   well established access to a range of financial markets and
              assured sources of alternate liquidity.




                                                        A-3

<PAGE>


         In assigning  ratings to issuers whose commercial paper obligations are
supported by the credit of another  entity or entities,  Moody's  evaluates  the
financial strength of the affiliated  corporations,  commercial banks, insurance
companies,  foreign governments or other entities, but only as one factor in the
total rating assessment.

C.       Fitch Ratings

         Fitch's  short-term  ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of generally up to three years,  including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and
investment notes.

         The short-term  rating places greater  emphasis than a long-term rating
on the existence of liquidity  necessary to meet the issuer's  obligations  in a
timely manner.

     F-1+:  Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

     F-1: Very Strong Credit  Quality.  Issues  assigned this rating  reflect an
assurance  of timely  payment  only  slightly  less in degree than issues  rated
"F-1+."

         F-2:  Good  Credit  Quality.  Issues  assigned  to this  rating  have a
satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is
not as great as for issues assigned "F-1+" and "F-1" ratings.

         F-3:   Fair  Credit   Quality.   Issues   assigned   this  rating  have
characteristics  suggesting  that the degree of assurance for timely  payment is
adequate;  however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be
rated below investment grade.

         F-5:   Weak  Credit   Quality.   Issues   assigned   this  rating  have
characteristics  suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and
are  vulnerable  to  near-term   adverse   changes  in  financial  and  economic
conditions.

     D:  Default.  Issues  assigned  to this  rating  are in actual or  imminent
payment default.

     LOC:  The  symbol  LOC  indicates  that the  rating is based on a letter of
credit issued by a commercial bank.

<PAGE>                         


                                               Evergreen

                                               Balanced

                                                 Funds




March 31, 1998

Annual Report





                                        (picture of two businessmen shaking
                                           hands)












(Evergreen Funds(SM) logo appears here)





<PAGE>


                               Table of Contents




<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Letter to Shareholders .........................   1
Evergreen American Retirement Fund
   Fund at a Glance ............................   2
   Portfolio Manager Interview .................   3
Evergreen Balanced Fund
   Fund at a Glance ............................   6
   Portfolio Manager Interview .................   7
Evergreen Foundation Fund
   Fund at a Glance ............................  10
   Portfolio Manager Interview .................  11
Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation
Fund
   Fund at a Glance ............................  14
   Portfolio Manager Interview .................  15


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Financial Highlights
   Evergreen American Retirement Fund ..........  18
   Evergreen Balanced Fund .....................  21
   Evergreen Foundation Fund ...................  24
   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund .....  27
Schedules of Investments
   Evergreen American Retirement Fund ..........  29
   Evergreen Balanced Fund .....................  34
   Evergreen Foundation Fund ...................  40
   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund .....  45
Statements of Assets and Liabilities ...........  52
Statements of Operations .......................  53
Statements of Changes in Net Assets ............  54
Combined Notes to Financial
 Statements ....................................  57
Independent Auditors' Report:
   KPMG Peat Marwick LLP .......................  65
Additional Information .........................  66
</TABLE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Evergreen Funds

Evergreen Funds is one of the nation's fastest growing investment companies
with more than $47 billion in assets under management.

With over 80 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
capabilities, investors enjoy a broader range of quality investment products
and services designed to meet their needs.

The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
service and excellence in investment management.

This annual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
Evergreen fund contained herein. The prospectus contains more complete
information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully before
investing or sending money.


<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>
Mutual Funds: ARE NOT FDIC INSURED   May lose value o Are not bank guaranteed
</TABLE>



                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
     Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.
                                Copyright 1998.
<PAGE>





                            Letter to Shareholders

                                   May 1998






                                Dear Shareholders:


(picture of Wiiliam M. Ennis     The Evergreen Balanced Funds enjoyed an
appears here)                    exceptional year during the 12-month period
                                 that ended on March 31, 1998, each
                                 delivering healthy returns, consistent with
                                 the goals and strategies of each portfolio.
                                 Each fund has been designed for a specific
William M. Ennis                 investor need, with its own distinct
Managing Director                strategy and risk profile.

Over the full 12 months, the funds and the financial markets weathered some
significant short-term volatility, including the onset of a currency and
financial crisis in Asia that contributed to a significant stock market
correction in October 1997. Over the full 12 months, however, both the domestic
stock and bond markets overcame short-term worries to post exceptional returns.


The Standard & Poor's 500 Index had a return of 48% for the 12 months. Bonds
also had above-average performance, although certainly not as spectacular as
the stock market. To illustrate, the Lehman Aggregate Bond Index had a return
of 11.99% for the 12 months.

Balanced Strategies

It is not common for both the stock and bond markets to post strong relative
returns at the same time. For that reason, the Evergreen Balanced Funds were
designed to have the ability to take advantage of different

investment opportunities and to reduce overall portfolio risk by pursuing
diversified strategies.

We believe these balanced strategies have a place in the portfolios of most
investors, particularly for the longer-term investor who plans to follow a
consistent, diversified strategy through the ups and downs of market cycles.

Evergreen Funds

At Evergreen Funds, we are committed to providing a broad array of funds with
complementary objectives and strategies to help investors and their financial
advisors assemble personal portfolios that make sense for their needs and risk
tolerances. We recommend shareholders periodically review their portfolios with
professional investment advisors to make sure their allocations continue to be
in line with their financial plans.

If you have any questions about the Evergreen Balanced Funds or other Evergreen
Funds, we encourage you to consult your financial advisor or call us at
800-343-2898.

Sincerely,


/s/ William M. Ennis
William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds

                                       1
<PAGE>




                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund



                     Fund at a Glance as of March 31, 1998

We manage the Fund to participate in the growth opportunities in the stock
market, while seeking to protect investors' principal and avoid taking too much
risk.
                                   Portfolio
                                   Management
- ----------------------------------------




                          (Photo of Irene D. O'Neill)
                             Irene D. O'Neill, CFA
                               Tenure: March 1988



            -------------------------------------------------------
                            CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE





(Graphic appears      Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as
here)                 of 3/31/98.



(Graphic appears      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's
here)                 price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the
                      S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                      invests, or median market capitalization.



                      The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's
                      average effective maturity or duration and the average
                      credit rating of the bond portfolio.

                      Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Class A      Class B      Class C     Class Y
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Inception Date              1/3/95       1/3/95       1/3/95      3/14/88

Average Annual Returns

One year with sales charge   21.94%       22.06%       26.08%        n/a

One year w/o sales charge    28.02%       27.06%       27.08%       28.34%

3 years                      17.39%       17.68%       18.42%       19.51%

5 years                          -            -            -        13.59%

10 years                         -            -            -        12.25%

Since Inception              18.07%       18.32%       18.97%       12.18%

Maximum Sales Charge          4.75%        5.00%        1.00%        n/a
                            Front End      CDSC         CDSC

30-day SEC Yield              3.30%        2.72%        2.72%        3.71%

12-month income dividends
  per share                 $ 0.48      $ 0.36       $ 0.36       $ 0.52

12-month capital gain
  distributions per share   $ 0.34      $ 0.34       $ 0.34       $ 0.34
</TABLE>

*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH

(Chart appears here. See the table below for plot points.)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              1/95      3/95      9/95      3/96      9/96      3/97      9/97      3/98
<S>                           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>    
Class A Shares                9,525    10,099    11,362    12,294    12,740    13,390    15,903    17,140 
Consumer Price 
     Index (CPI)             10,000    10,113    10,234    10,389    10,541    10,688    10,768    10,835 
Lehman Brothers
     Government/Corporate 
     Bond Index              10,000    10,498    11,393    11,645    11,906    12,164    13,048    13,673  
Wilshire 5000                10,000    10,906    13,014    14,415    15,476    16,651    21,362    26,405    
</TABLE>



Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen American Retirement Fund, Class
A shares, versus a similar investment in the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lehman
Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).








Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost. The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index are unmanaged indices. These indices do not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, is through
March 31, 1998.

                                       2
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund



                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How did the Fund perform during the
     year?


     The Fund had very good performance. For the 12 months ended March 31,
     1998, the Fund's Class A shares had a total return of 28.02%, while B and
     C shares had returns of 27.06% and 27.08%, respectively. The Fund's Class
     Y shares had a total return of 28.34% for the 12 months. These returns are
     unadjusted for any applicable
     sales charges.
                           Portfolio Characteristics


       Total Net Assets                                           $233,819,342

       Number of Holdings                                                  184

       Beta                                                               0.48

       P/E Ratio                                                         16.5x
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What was the investment environment like during the 12 months, and how did
     that affect strategy?


     Clearly, over the 12-month period, we had strong markets in both stocks
     and bonds. The Asian financial and currency crisis caused a great deal of
     turmoil in the stock market during the fourth quarter of 1997. After the
     end of the year, however, the tone of the market changed and the growth
     stocks that had led the market for most of 1997 took over again. In
     general, the large-capitalization, low-yielding stocks of companies like
     General Electric, IBM and the growth stocks selling at high multiples of
     earnings outperformed the value stocks on which we focus.


     We remained true to our long-term strategy, emphasizing the stocks of
     undervalued, higher-yielding companies as well as convertible preferred
     stocks and bonds. The fixed-income strategy focuses on high quality issues
     that add stability to the portfolio. We manage the Fund to participate in
     the growth opportunities in the stock market, while seeking to protect
     investors' principal and avoid taking too much risk.


     At the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 1998, 44% of the Fund's assets
     were invested in common stocks, 27.2% in convertible securities, and 26.8%
     in bonds, with the remainder in cash.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ASSET ALLOCATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998

(Pie chart appears with the following values.)

              Common Stocks--44.0%
              Fixed Income--26.8%
              Convertible Preferred Stocks--16.7%
              Convertible Debentures--10.5%
              Cash/Cash Equivalents--2.0%




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What were your primary strategies during
     the year?


     We continued to invest in convertible securities as a way to participate
     in growth opportunities while also receiving income and reducing overall
     volatility. In particular, we invested in a number of companies that
     issued convertible stocks or bonds as a means of raising capital to make
     acquisitions to drive stronger earnings growth. Four investments that
     illustrate this emphasis are: Ingersoll Rand, a heavy equipment
     manufacturer; Pioneer Standard, a distributor of electronics and computer
     equipment; EVI, a company involved in oil field services; and Family Golf
     Centers, an operator of golf driving ranges.


     We also invested in the common stocks of a number of companies that were
     attempting to increase their earnings growth through restructurings. These
     included J.C. Penney, the retailer; Echlin and Dana, two auto


                                       3
<PAGE>



                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

     parts companies; Stride Rite, a shoe company; and Union Pacific, the
     railroad company. These were all companies that recognized the need to
     improve their rate of earnings growth and are taking action to
     achieve it.
                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Central Garden & Pet Co.                                           1.4%

       Family Golf Centers, Inc.                                          1.3%

       Nabors Industries, Inc.                                            1.2%

       Proffits, Inc.                                                     1.1%

       Pioneer Standard Financial Trust                                   1.1%

       Carpenter Technology Corp.                                         1.0%

       Shared Medical System Corp.                                        1.0%

       Thomas & Betts Corp.                                               1.0%

       Houston Industries, Inc.                                           1.0%

       Equitable Companies, Inc.                                          0.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What was the best performing industry
     for the Fund during the year?


     Four industries stood out: broadcasting and entertainment; banks and
     thrifts; healthcare; and retailing. The best performing group was
     broadcasting and entertainment, particularly the stocks of radio and cable
     television companies. In most cases, we owned the convertible security,
     rather than the common stock. The best performing investment for the Fund,
     however, was the common stock of Chancellor Media, a company that owns a
     group of radio stations. This stock, which was originally purchased as a
     convertible, was up 212.9% during the year. The entire group of radio
     company stocks performed very well, benefiting from stable audience trends
     and robust pricing power. Consolidation of station ownership has reduced
     competition, thereby driving strong revenue and cash flow growth of the
     stations.


     In the same industry category, we owned the convertible securities of a
     number of cable television companies, which performed well. Investors are
     expecting these companies to enjoy faster revenue growth by offering
     digital cable TV with expanded channel offerings and by raising prices.
     These companies are also beginning to offer interactive services, such as
     Internet access, which will drive future growth.

                          Industry Allocation-Equity


       Banks                                                              7.5%

       Utilities - Electric                                               5.8%

       Finance & Insurance                                                5.5%

       Oil Field Services                                                 5.1%

       Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment                           4.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What was responsible for the good
     performance of banks and thrifts,
     healthcare and retailing companies?


     In banks and thrifts, we emphasized regional institutions benefiting from
     a growing economy coupled with low inflation. These factors, combined with
     low interest rates are supporting earnings for the industry by reducing
     credit quality problems. These companies should continue to have good
     earnings growth, reflecting improvements in their operational efficiencies
     and modest loan growth. Stock prices of banks and thrifts also have been
     rising because ongoing consolidation of the industry has been driving
     valuations higher.


     The healthcare industry also enjoyed double-digit sales and earnings
     growth. Pharmaceutical stocks in particular performed very well, although
     the best-performing stock within the group was Shared Medical Systems,
     which provides information systems for hospitals and large healthcare
     networks. This company is experiencing strong growth as healthcare
     providers seek ways to cope with the pressures of managed care by reducing
     costs.


     The retailing industry was supported by strong gains in the disposable
     income of consumers. Two companies in particular drove the performance of
     this group:
     J.C. Penney, the national department store chain; and


                                       4
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

     Proffitt's, a regional department store chain that is growing through
     acquisitions.


     It is interesting to note that all four of these industries - broadcasting
     and entertainment, banks and thrifts, healthcare and retailing - were
     relatively untouched by the market uncertainty brought on by the Asian
     crisis.
                           Industry Allocation-Bonds


       Government Agency Notes & Bonds                                   24.4%

       Finance & Insurance                                                0.9%

       Treasury Notes & Bonds                                             0.7%

       Banks                                                              0.4%

       Telecommunication Services & Equipment                             0.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Were there any disappointing areas?


     The weakest area was energy, which we still believe has good long-term
     prospects. The performance of this group was directly tied to the price of
     crude oil, which started declining in the fall of 1997. The performance of
     the entire energy industry was influenced by fear of expanding energy
     supplies from OPEC combined with weaker energy demand caused by the Asian
     crisis, and the mild winter in the United States related to the El Nino
     effect.


     We are optimistic, however, that energy prices will recover. Weather
     effects are never permanent. Globally, demand for energy is growing at
     about 2% a year and this should continue. As emerging economies work
     through their current problems, demand will start increasing again. We
     think that energy is one of the more undervalued areas in the stock market
     today.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How is the fixed income portion of the
     portfolio invested?


     We continue to emphasize very high credit quality, with the great majority
     of the bonds in U.S. government or agency securities. The average credit
     quality is AAA. We also have kept average maturity relatively short. We
     manage the fixed income portfolio to seek healthy yields while trying to
     reduce the overall volatility of the portfolio by maintaining high credit
     quality and short maturities.
                              Top 5 Bond Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Federal National Mortgage Association                             10.1%

       Federal Home Loan Bank                                             9.4%

       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.                                   3.9%

       U.S. Treasury Bond                                                 0.7%

       American General Finance Corp.                                     0.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What is your outlook?


     We will continue to look for undervalued situations and good investment
     opportunities we believe haven't been recognized by the market. The Fund
     is managed conservatively, emphasizing companies with relatively higher
     yields so that no matter what the market condition, the Fund will continue
     to seek the stability we think shareholders expect.


                                       5
<PAGE>



                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                     Fund at a Glance as of March 31, 1998

               In the equity portion of the portfolio, we have emphasized large-
capitalization, dividend-paying stocks, consistent with our long-term strategy.
In the fixed income portion of the portfolio, we emphasized higher quality
bonds.
                                   Portfolio
                                   Management
                 ----------------------------------------




                          (Photo of Walter McCormick)
                             Walter McCormick, CFA
                              Tenure: January 1984

            -------------------------------------------------------
                            CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE


(Graphic appears      Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as
here)                 of 3/31/98.


(Graphic appears      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's
here)                 price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the
                      S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                      invests, or median market capitalization.


                      The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's
                      average effective maturity or duration and the average
                      credit rating of the bond portfolio.

                      Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Class A**     Class B    Class C**    Class Y**
<S>                          <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
Inception Date               1/20/98       9/11/35     1/22/98      1/26/98

Average Annual Returns

One year with sales charge        -          21.77%         -            -

One year w/o sales charge         -          26.77%         -            -

3 years                           -          19.91%         -            -

5 years                           -          13.24%         -            -

10 years                          -          12.29%         -            -

Since Inception                2.28%          8.55%      5.58%        7.79%

Maximum Sales Charge           4.75%          5.00%      1.00%          n/a
                              Front End       CDSC        CDSC

30-day SEC yield               2.76%          2.16%      2.16%        3.15%

12-month income dividends
  per share                  $ 0.12        $ 0.34      $ 0.09       $ 0.09

12-month capital gain
  distributions per share    $ 0.26        $ 1.59      $ 0.26            -
</TABLE>

 *Adjusted for maximum sales charge.

**The Fund's Class A, C, and Y shares have new inception dates due to the
  reorganization of the Keystone Balanced Fund and the Evergreen Balanced Fund
  in January 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH

(Graph appears here. See the table below for the plot points.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                              3/88      3/90      3/92      3/94      3/96      3/98
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>   
Class B Shares               10,000    12,478    15,255    17,045    22,292    31,862
Consumer Price
     Index (CPI)             10,000    11,047    11,957    12,635    13,350    13,923 
Lehman Brothers
     Government/Corporate
     Bond Index              10,000    11,729    14,696    17,263    20,025    23,511
S&P 500                      10,000    14,091    17,903    20,933    31,957    56,672    
</TABLE>


Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Balanced Fund, Class A shares,
versus a similar investment in the S & P 500 Index, the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).




Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S & P 500 Index and the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index are unmanaged indices. These indices do not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, is through
March 31, 1998.

                                       6
<PAGE>



                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How did the Fund perform?


     The Fund had a good year. For the 12 months ended March 31, 1998, the
     Fund's Class B shares had a total return of 26.77%, unadjusted for any
     sales charges. This is a healthy return, especially considering the
     conservative nature of the Fund. The Fund's assets grew by $214,923,155
     with the merger between the former Keystone Balanced Fund and the
     Evergreen Balanced Fund on January 23, 1998.

                           Portfolio Characteristics
                           -------------------------

       Total Net Assets                                         $1,897,153,741

       Number of Holdings                                                  741

       Beta                                                               0.66

       P/E Ratio                                                         21.0x
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How would you describe the investment
     environment during the 12 months?


     It was a spectacular year, especially for the stock market. The underlying
     conditions were good corporate earnings with low and declining inflation
     and interest rates. The markets also were supported by strong cash flows
     into mutual funds and institutional portfolios from investors who saw the
     best relative returns coming from financial assets.


     Within the equity market, the large-company stocks the Fund emphasizes
     were the market leaders. The healthcare and financial sectors were
     particularly strong contributors to market performance, as were individual
     dominant companies such as General Electric, Proctor
     & Gamble and Microsoft.

     Within the bond market, longer-maturity bonds tended to outperform
     shorter-maturity bonds as long-term rates declined substantially. The
     yield on the 30-year Treasury bond, for example, declined from 7.07% to
     5.93% during the 12 months. Corporate bonds also turned in solid
     performance, supported by the same factors that helped the
     stock market.


     --------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

     (as a percentage of net assets)

(Pie chart appears here with the following values.)

              Common Stock--56.3%
              Corporate Notes/Bonds--18.2%
              Mortgage-Backed Securities--7.8%
              Asset-Backed Securities--5.2%
              Foreign Bonds--5.1%
              Convertibles--3.9%
              Government Agency/Notes Bonds--2.0%
              Cash/Short-Term Investments--1.5%





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What were your primary strategies during
     the 12 months?


     Throughout the fiscal year, we kept a consistent asset allocation target
     of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. At the close of the year, stocks comprised
     60.2% of net assets, bonds accounted for 38.3% of net assets, with the
     remaining 1.5% in cash and cash equivalents.


     In the equity portion of the portfolio, we have emphasized
     large-capitalization, dividend-paying stocks, consistent with our
     long-term strategy. In the fixed income portion of the portfolio, we
     emphasized higher quality bonds.


                                       7
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       General Electric Co.                                               3.9%

       Johnson & Johnson                                                  2.5%

       Pfizer, Inc.                                                       1.7%

       BankBoston Corp.                                                   1.6%

       American Home Products Corp.                                       1.5%

       Merck & Co., Inc.                                                  1.4%

       Mobil Corp.                                                        1.3%

       Philip Morris Companies, Inc.                                      1.3%

       Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                        1.2%

       Atlantic Richfield Co.                                             1.2%

                          Industry Allocation-Equity


       Healthcare Products & Services                                    11.6%

       Banks/Finance & Insurance                                         10.6%

       Oil/Energy                                                         6.2%

       Electrical Equipment & Services                                    4.5%

       Chemical & Agricultural Products                                   3.7%

       Consumer Products & Services                                       3.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What industries did you emphasize in
     equities?


     During the year, our largest concentrations were in healthcare and finance
     stocks. Both these sectors performed very well for the Fund, as did the
     Fund's largest holding, General Electric, which had another terrific year,
     substantially outperforming the market.


     Healthcare stocks accounted for 11.6% of the portfolio at the end of the
     fiscal year, while Banks and Finance stocks accounted for 10.6%.
     Pharmaceutical companies are benefiting from strong secular trends as the
     aging population increases the demand for drugs. In addition, a strong
     flow of important new drugs continues to move into the market. Four of the
     top 10 holdings in the Fund at the end of the year were pharmaceutical
     companies: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, American Home Products and Merck &
     Co.


     The finance sector was helped by the strong performance of the capital
     markets, the combination of the healthy economy, declining interest rates
     and industry consolidation. The two finance stocks among the top 10
     holdings, BankBoston Corp., and Fleet Financial Group, both are potential
     candidates for acquisitions.


     The largest disappointment among the top ten stock holdings was Philip
     Morris, whose performance has been hurt by the continuing uncertainty and
     controversy over the proposed tobacco settlement.


     Energy stocks also did not do as well as the overall market during the
     year, as the price of crude oil has declined from the relatively high
     levels of a year ago. Over the longer term, we think the price of crude
     will migrate somewhat higher. We have representation in this industry
     because of its relative stability, the dividend income and the
     consideration that energy stocks can serve as a potential hedge against
     inflation.
                              Top 5 Bond Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Federal National Mortgage Association                              2.9%

       Realkredit Danmark                                                 1.5%

       Nykredit                                                           1.4%

       U.S. Treasury Bonds                                                0.9%

       Green Tree Financial Corp.                                         0.6%

                           Industry Allocation-Bonds


       Finance & Insurance                                                7.3%

       Asset-Backed Securities                                            5.2%

       Collateralized Mortgage Obligations                                5.2%

       Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates                                 2.7%

       Oil/Energy                                                         1.2%

                                       8
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What was the principal strategy in the
     Fund's bond portfolio?


     The bond portion of the portfolio is managed by
     Christopher Conkey, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer,
     Fixed Income. In bonds, the Fund continued to concentrate on relatively
     high credit quality. We actively manage the bond portfolio in terms of
     maturity and duration. The primary purpose of the
     bond portion of the portfolio is to produce income for the Fund.


     At the end of the fiscal year, the average credit quality of bonds
     remained at AA. Maturities were gradually lengthened during the year to
     take advantage of the declining interest rate environment. On March 31,
     the average weighted maturity of the bond portion of the portfolio was
     10.6 years.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What is your outlook?


     We remain optimistic as long as conditions continue in the current
     favorable balance of low inflation, low interest rates and strong
     corporate balance sheets and earnings. We think growth in the first half
     of the year may be somewhat slower than occurred in the first half of
     1997, influenced by lower energy profits. We believe the outlook for the
     second half of 1998 looks stronger. We would not be surprised, however, if
     some consolidation or market correction were to occur. In fact, we would
     welcome it as a way to vent whatever steam has been building in the
     market.


     Right now, we think the domestic economy is strong enough to contain any
     problems from the Asian financial crisis. This crisis has had its greatest
     effect on industrial, commodity and technology industries. Over time,
     however, we think these industries will overcome the challenges. The
     biggest risk to the markets would be if all the economies of the world
     were to move together into a period of strong growth. This could lead to
     inflationary pressures, which would force the Federal Reserve to respond
     by increasing short-term interest rates. We don't see signs of this
     happening at this time, however.


     This is the most positive environment I've seen in the market in 28 years
     of investing professionally. While one might be tempted to be overly
     concerned about the strong recent performance and the high stock valuation
     levels, the current confluence of positive factors shows no sign of
     reversing any time soon. It's steady as she goes.


                                       9
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                     Fund at a Glance as of March 31, 1998

Mergers and acquisitions once again yielded significant capital appreciation,
reflecting the fact that we had bought shares for the Fund, which other
companies considered to be undervalued.
                                   Portfolio
                                   Management
                   ----------------------------------------




                          (Photo of Stephen A. Lieber)
                               Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: January 1990





            -------------------------------------------------------
                            CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE






(Graphic appears      Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as
here)                 of 3/31/98.



(Graphic appears      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's
here)                 price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the
                      S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                      invests, or median market capitalization.



                      The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's
                      average effective maturity or duration and the average
                      credit rating of the bond portfolio.

                      Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Class A      Class B      Class C     Class Y
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Inception Date              1/3/95       1/3/95       1/3/95       1/2/90

Average Annual Returns

One year with sales charge   27.52%       27.81%       31.81%         n/a

One year w/o sales charge    33.88%       32.81%       32.81%       34.12%

3 years                      19.80%       20.15%       20.83%       22.03%

5 years                          -            -            -        15.72%

10 years                         -            -            -            -

Since Inception              20.64%       20.92%       21.47%       17.83%

Maximum Sales Charge          4.75%        5.00%        1.00%         n/a
                            Front End      CDSC         CDSC

30-day SEC Yield              1.83%        1.18%        1.18%        2.17%

12-month income dividends
  per share                 $ 0.44      $ 0.31       $ 0.31       $ 0.49

12-month capital gain
  distributions per share   $ 0.43      $ 0.43       $ 0.43       $ 0.43
</TABLE>

*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.






- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH


(Chart appears here. See the table below for the plot points.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                         1/95      3/95      9/95      3/96      9/96      3/97      9/97      3/98
<S>                      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>   
Class A Shares           9,525    10,180    11,742    12,166    12,761    13,727    16,608    18,379
Consumer Price
     Index (CPI)        10,000    10,113    10,234    10,389    10,541    10,688    10,768    10,835
Lipper Balanced Funds
     Average            10,000    10,632    12,042    12,893    13,573    14,305    16,901    18,459
S&P 500                 10,000    10,974    12,977    14,496    15,615    17,370    21,931    25,707     
</TABLE>







Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Foundation Fund, Class A
shares, versus a similar investment in the S & P 500 Index, the Lipper Balanced
Funds Average, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S & P 500 Index and the Lipper Balanced Funds
Average are unmanaged indices. These indices do not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities
nor any management fees. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of  inflation, is
through March 31, 1998.

                                       10
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How did the Fund perform for the year?


     The Foundation Fund had another very strong year. For the twelve month
     fiscal period that ended on March 31, 1998, the Fund's original Class Y
     shares had a total return of 34.12%. During the same year, the Class A
     shares had a total return of 33.88%, while the B and C Classes each had
     returns of 32.81%, unadjusted for any sales charges. This brings the
     Foundation Fund's cumulative annual returns since inception in 1990 to
     287.06%, equal to 17.83% per annum compounded (Class Y).

                           Portfolio Characteristics


       Total Net Assets                                         $2,641,227,612

       Number of Holdings                                                  295

       Beta                                                               0.66

       P/E Ratio                                                         18.5x
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How would you describe the basic investment strategy of the Foundation
     Fund?


     The Foundation Fund is intended to provide both investment risk reduction
     and the opportunity for capital appreciation which together make for the
     foundation of an investment portfolio. Assets are allocated between fixed
     income, equities, and cash equivalents in varying amounts intending to
     provide both opportunity for gain and risk avoidance. The fixed income
     portion is invested exclusively in United States government obligations
     with the goal of achieving both consistent and secure returns, as well as
     capital appreciation from the appropriate positioning in interest rate
     cycles. Stocks are bought for the Fund with the intention of achieving
     capital growth through the careful purchase and holding of securities
     believed to be undervalued, as compared with both their own potentials and
     the general level of the market. With a risk avoidance focus, the equities
     are principally held in companies with large market capitalizations and
     high liquidity.

     We believe this investment strategy has provided strong returns. For the
     twelve months ended on March 31, 1998, the equity portion of the portfolio
     had a return of 48.4%. Since inception of the Fund in January 1990, the
     equity performance of the portfolio has surpassed the return of the S & P
     500 in each year.


     The fixed income portion of the portfolio provided a return of 19.9% for
     the twelve months ended March 31, 1998. The emphasis has been on longer
     maturity bonds, which have provided above-average returns both in
     terms of current yield and in capital appreciation.


     --------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

     (as a percentage of net assets)


              (Pie chart appears here with the following values.)

              Common Stock--60.8%
              Treasury Notes/Bonds--25.7%
              Government Agency Notes/Bonds--0.8%
              Convertibles--0.8%
              Short-Term--11.3%
              Cash, other--0.6%



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How do you manage the asset allocation
     between stocks and bonds?


     In the effort to achieve maximum opportunity and reduced risk, a principle
     approach is asset allocation - having the Fund's portfolio concentrate in
     the right areas at the right time. Asset allocation is not static, it
     reflects a constant evaluation of the economic outlook in the effort to
     have the Fund benefit from anticipated trends. Illustratively, when the
     stock market was under severe pressure after the invasion of Kuwait in
     1990, we perceived an excellent opportunity for the purchase of


                                                                       11
<PAGE>




                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

     stocks on an undervalued basis. The allocation to equities then rose to
     more than 80% of the portfolio. Recently, equities have been in the range
     of just over 60% of the portfolio. A cash equivalent reserve of plus or
     minus 10% was held during the latter part of the recent fiscal year in
     order to be able to take advantage of volatility in the market, either
     overall market declines, or temporary under-valuations of specific stocks
     or sectors of the market.

                          Industry Allocation-Equity


       Finance & Insurance                                                9.1%

       Banks                                                              7.7%

       Information Services & Technology                                  6.3%

       Real Estate                                                        6.2%

       Healthcare Products & Services                                     6.0%

                           Industry Allocation-Bonds


       Treasury Notes & Bonds                                            25.7%

       Government Agency Notes & Bonds                                    0.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What were some of the top performing
     investments of the year?


     The top spot went to Lennar Corp., which returned 212.9% during the fiscal
     year. That position was established through the purchase of Pacific
     Greystone Corp., a California home-builder which was acquired by Lennar
     Corp. during the year. The next best performer was another home-building
     corporation, Continental Homes Holding Corp., which returned 178.8% for
     the fiscal year. It, in turn, had an acquisition bid from D.R. Horton,
     Inc. Lucent Technologies, Inc. provided a return of 141.3% during the
     year. It was originally a spin-off from American Telephone and Telegraph
     Co. Healthcare related companies were major contributors: Guidant Corp.,
     +137.8%, Pfizer, Inc., +137.7%, and Schering-Plough Corp., +123.6%. Others
     among the top ten performers were Trinity Industries, Inc., +127.0%,
     Computer Associates International, Inc., +122.1%, and First of America
     Bank Corp., +116.5%.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Did corporate consolidations continue
     to be a theme?


     Mergers and acquisitions once again yielded significant capital
     appreciation, reflecting the fact that we had bought shares for the Fund,
     which other companies considered to be undervalued. During the fiscal
     year, twenty-four Foundation Fund holdings received merger or acquisition
     offers, or completed previously announced offers. The average return to
     the end of the fiscal year on completed acquisitions was 67.57%. The
     largest single gain was in the shares of First of America Bank Corp.,
     which provided a gain of 215.1% from purchase to the receipt of its
     acquisition bid. Other banks or thrifts acquired, or with transactions
     pending at the end of the fiscal year included: Barnett Banks, Inc.,
     +160.6%, Central Fidelity Banks, Inc., +158.9%, and Standard Federal
     Bancorporation, Inc., +38.8%. While banks were the largest group among
     these merger and acquisition issues, the variety of companies bid for was
     quite large, including: Conrail, Inc., to PHH Corp., Living Centers of
     America, Inc., Reading & Bates Corp., Wyle Electronics, Columbus Realty
     Trust, Arbor Property Trust, Interstate Hotels Co., and 360- Communications
     Co.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Intel Corp.                                                        2.4%

       Federal National Mortgage Association                              1.7%

       General Electric Co.                                               1.7%

       BankBoston Corp.                                                   1.6%

       Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co.                                    1.5%

       Hewlett-Packard Co.                                                1.3%

       Microsoft Corp.                                                    1.2%

       Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.                                          1.0%

       First of America Bank Corp.                                        1.0%

       Marsh & Mclennan Co., Inc.                                         0.9%

                                       12
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What significant recent acquisitions has
     the Fund made?


     The Fund has been an active buyer of a broad variety of issues. Reflecting
     the underlying investment strategy, many commitments were made in recent
     months during periods of investor apprehension either about sectors of the
     market, industries, or companies. Illustratively, when the financial
     difficulties of the Asian nations became a negative preoccupation of the
     market, many companies directly involved in Asian commerce or perceived to
     be potentially impacted saw their shares rapidly sold down. The Fund made
     new commitments, or added to commitments, in a number of these companies
     where we saw the market as over-emphasizing the negative and ignoring
     significant growth potential. Among the issues purchased which have
     subsequently shown substantial capital gains were AFLAC, Inc. (the largest
     seller of cancer insurance in Japan), American International Group, Inc.
     (the largest American-based company in Asian insurance activities in
     Asia), Avon Products, Inc. (with substantial Asian sales), and United
     Technologies Corp. (active in Asia through both the Otis and Carrier
     Divisions, as well as provider of aircraft engines). By the end of the
     fiscal year, these recent purchases had provided significant gains ranging
     from 17% in Avon Products, Inc., to 38% in United Technologies Corp.


     The same principle of the search for undervaluation due to temporary
     adversities was also a factor in the Fund's purchase of major additions to
     its position in Union Pacific Corp., where the railroad has been
     handicapped by traffic congestion as a consequence of its integration of
     the recently acquired Southern Pacific Rail Corp.



                               Top Bond Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       U.S. Treasury Bonds, Various
       Coupon/Maturity                                                   24.4%

       Tennessee Valley Authority,
       Various Coupon/Maturity                                            0.7%

       Federal National Mortgage Assn.                                    0.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What is your outlook?


     At the beginning of the new fiscal year, the Fund is positioned for an
     outlook of sustained growth in the United States, with still minimal
     inflation.


     We anticipate that world commodity and manufactured goods conditions will
     continue to be highly competitive, and that this will tend to restrict
     price increases. This should be an environment which will continue to
     support a strong bond market, particularly as the real interest rate
     return remains at historically high levels, and the perception is that the
     U.S. Federal Reserve will remain watchful over the need to act in a
     restrictive fashion if the economy accelerates too rapidly. This should be
     an environment where equity markets find particular support from increased
     savings. Great investment opportunities will emerge from those
     corporations which generate exceptional profits. The goal of our
     investment management is to concentrate on the search for an investment in
     exceptional performance among equities.


                                                                       13
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                     Fund at a Glance as of March 31, 1998

The Fund's equity holdings powered the performance, as evidenced by the 51.0%
return of the equity portfolio.

                                   Portfolio
                                   Management
                   ----------------------------------------




                          (Photo of Stephen A. Lieber)
                               Stephen A. Lieber
                             Tenure: November 1993




                           (Photo of James Colby III)
                                James Colby III
                             Tenure: November 1993


            -------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE






(Graphic appears      Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as
here)                 of 3/31/98.



(Graphic appears      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's
here)                 price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the
                      S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                      invests, or median market capitalization.



                      The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's
                      average effective maturity or duration and the average
                      credit rating of the bond portfolio.

                      Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Class A      Class B      Class C     Class Y
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Inception Date              1/17/95      1/6/95       3/3/95      11/2/93

Average Annual Returns

One year with sales charge   18.49%       18.44%       22.49%        n/a

One year w/o sales charge    24.40%       23.44%       23.49%       24.73%

3 years                      18.43%       18.83%       19.49%       20.71%

Since Inception              18.50%       19.15%       19.40%       16.86%

Maximum Sales Charge          4.75%        5.00%        1.00%        n/a
                            Front End      CDSC         CDSC

30-day SEC Yield              1.95%        1.31%        1.31%        2.30%

12-month income dividends
  per share                 $ 0.30      $ 0.20       $ 0.20       $ 0.36

12-month capital gain
  distributions per share   $ 0.18      $ 0.18       $ 0.18       $ 0.18
</TABLE>

*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH

(Chart appears here. See the table below for the plot points.)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          1/95     3/95      9/95      3/96      9/96      3/97      9/97      3/98
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>   
Class A Shares            9,525    9,880    11,322    11,968    12,964    13,853    16,046    17,222
Consumer Price
     Index (CPI)         10,000   10,113    10,234    10,389    10,541    10,688    10,768    10,835
Lehman Brothers Municipal
     Bond Index          10,000   10,707    11,280    11,604    11,961    12,237    13,040    13,547
S&P 500                  10,000   10,974    12,977    14,496    15,615    17,370    21,931    25,707     
</TABLE>




Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund,
Class A shares, versus a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index, the Lehman
Brothers Municipal Bond Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).





Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S & P 500 Index and the Lehman Brothers Municipal
Bond Index are unmanaged indices. These indices do not include transaction
costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.
The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, is through March 31, 1998.


                                       14
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     How did the Fund perform during the
     fiscal year?


     The Fund performed very well in achieving its primary objective of growth
     with minimal taxable income or gains for shareholders. During the twelve
     month period ended March 31, 1998, the Fund's original Class Y shares had
     a total return of 24.73%. During the same period, the A share class had a
     return of 24.32%, while the B and C share classes had returns of 23.44%
     and 23.49%, respectively. These returns are unadjusted for any sales
     charges. Since inception of the Fund on November 2, 1993, the original
     Class Y shares had a compound annualized return of 16.86%.

                           Portfolio Characteristics


       Total Net Assets                                           $302,501,240

       Number of Holdings                                                  278

       Beta                                                               0.34

       P/E Ratio                                                         16.9x
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     The Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund has a very distinct objective
     and strategy. How do you describe it?


     The Fund is an outgrowth of the Evergreen Foundation Fund. We came to
     realize that many investors in the Foundation Fund were tax averse, and
     yet were in a Fund which was producing sizable taxable income and taxable
     gains. We decided we could help meet the needs of these investors by
     developing a Fund that would seek to produce the combination of defensive
     and growth characteristics of the Foundation Fund in a tax efficient
     manner; using tax exempt bonds and equities in the tax efficient portfolio
     strategy. Up until the Tax Strategic Foundation Fund's founding in 1993,
     there were no balanced funds using tax exempt bonds, and there were
     virtually no equity funds with a tax efficient management strategy.

     We developed this Fund with the goal of providing tax-exempt income and
     aiming for long-term capital appreciation, while managing the portfolio to
     reduce current taxable income and capital gains. We use a variety of
     selection techniques, especially including investment in companies whose
     policy is to use retained earnings to buy back stock in preference to
     paying out taxable dividends.

     The overall stock selection criteria are similar to those of the
     Foundation Fund - the search for growth opportunities which are
     comparatively undervalued. During the fiscal year, the Fund's equity
     portfolio achieved a total return of 51.0%.

     In the Fund's fixed income allocation, we emphasize highest quality bonds,
     as we do in the Foundation Fund, aiming to avoid credit risk and to focus
     on achieving the best combination of income and capital appreciation by
     correct positioning within the interest rate cycles. The entire fixed
     income portfolio is of the highest grade, either insured or AAA rated.
     During the fiscal year, the Fund's fixed income portfolio had a return of
     10.8%.

     We also manage the Fund with a strategy aimed at reducing taxable income
     through appropriate transactions. For example, in 1994, when there were
     substantial losses in the bond market, and substantial gains by the Fund in
     the stock market, we followed a policy of realizing bond losses and
     repurchasing different issues or maturities of the same quality to offset
     the gains the Fund earned in the stock market.

     --------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

     (as a percentage of net assets)

               (Pie chart appears here with the following values.)

              Long-term Municipal Bonds--52.2%
              Common Stock--39.8%
              Short-Term Municipal Obligations & Cash Equivalents--6.7%
              Convertibles--1.3%



                                                                       15
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What contributed to the strong
     performance during the past fiscal year?


     The equity holdings powered the performance, as evidenced by the 51.0%
     return of the equity portion. A diverse list of holdings provided these
     substantial returns. The one industry with the most impact was financial
     services, where eight of the top fifteen performers in the portfolio were
     involved in financial services. These included: First of America Bank
     Corp. (+116.5%), Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc. (+115.9%), Dime
     Bancorp, Inc. (+101.5%), FBL Financial Group, Inc. Class A (+94.3%), FPIC
     Insurance Group, Inc. (+88.2%), Comerica, Inc. (+86.9%), Legg Mason, Inc.
     (+86.9%), and NationsBank Corp. (+85.6%).


     Among the diverse industry holdings, the top performers were: Continental
     Homes Holding Corp. (+175.7%), Lucent Technologies Inc. (+141.3%),
     MacDermid, Inc. (+131.3%), Furon Co. (+120.9%), Cisco Systems, Inc.
     (+112.8%), Applied Power, Inc. Class A (+83.1%), and Gateway 2000, Inc.
     (82.9%).

                          Industry Allocation-Equity


       Banks                                                              7.6%

       Real Estate                                                        5.8%

       Finance & Insurance                                                5.2%

       Healthcare Products & Services                                     2.6%

       Electrical Equipment & Services                                    2.3%

                           Industry Allocation-Bonds


       Prerefunded                                                       31.9%

       Housing                                                           10.0%

       Electric Power                                                     6.3%

       Hospitals                                                          5.1%

       Toll Roads                                                         4.7%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Did mergers and acquisitions again contribute to the Fund's strong
     performance?


     The Fund benefited by twelve merger and acquisition transactions involving
     portfolio securities. The average return to date on the eight transactions
     completed was 68.9%, while the four pending at the end of the fiscal year
     showed an average gain in value of 101.9% to the end of the fiscal year.
     The largest single percentage increase was in the Fund's holding of
     Barnett Banks, Inc., which had been bought in November, 1994 at $18.94 per
     share, and received an acquisition bid from NationsBank Corp. valued at
     $68.95, for a gain of 264.0%. The second largest gain was from a pending
     transaction in First of America Bank Corp., which had a projected gain of
     227.7% (based on the March 31 closing price of National City Corp.) from
     its July, 1995 purchase. Other financials in this group included Standard
     Federal Bancorporation, Inc., North American Mortgage Co., FFVA Financial
     Corp., and PHH Corp. In the real estate related area, the largest gain was
     in the projected gain of Continental Homes Holding Corp. (based on the
     March 31 closing price of D.R. Horton, Inc.). Other real estate related
     acquisitions were Interstate Hotels Co. and LaQuinta Inns Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What were the top and bottom
     performers in the Fund for the fiscal year?


     The top eight performers in the portfolio all had gains of over 100%,
     ranging from the 175.7% during the fiscal year in Continental Homes
     Holding Corp., 141.3% for Lucent Technologies Inc., 131.3% for MacDermid,
     Inc., 120.9% for Furon Co., 116.5% for First of America Bank Corp., 115.9%
     for Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc., 112.8% for Cisco Systems, Inc.,
     and 101.5% for Dime Bancorp, Inc. (reflecting its acquisition of North
     American Mortgage Co.). Two of the holdings in the Fund had declines of
     10% or more. They were UCAR International, Inc., -16.8%, and Hammons (John
     Q) Hotels, L.P. Class A, -16.0%.

                                       16
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What significant recent purchases has
     the Fund made?


     Among the large new purchases toward the end of the fiscal year were
     shares of Union Pacific Corp., purchased after the shares had declined
     30%, largely because of what we believe are temporary traffic difficulties
     with the system's newly acquired Southern Pacific Rail Corp. Our view is
     that this is a temporary problem which will be satisfactorily overcome by
     this very well-experienced railroad management with the strengths
     developed in its role as a dominant transportation growth company. Another
     area where we established positions for the Fund in sectors of comparative
     undervaluation was the investment brokerage business. Positions were
     established or increased in Legg Mason, Inc., Lehman Brothers Holdings,
     Inc., and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Many of the new positions acquired
     during the fiscal year generated significant gains, such as Pfizer, Inc.,
     +80.7%, and Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc., +58.4%.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Boeing Co.                                                         0.8%

       Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.                                          0.8%

       American International Group, Inc.                                 0.8%

       BankBoston Corp.                                                   0.7%

       WBK Trust                                                          0.7%

       Del Webb Corp.                                                     0.7%

       CitiCorp                                                           0.7%

       First Empire State Corp.                                           0.7%

       Union Pacific Corp.                                                0.7%

       American Home Products Corp.                                       0.6%

                              Top 5 Bond Holdings
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


       Arapahoe County Colorado Pub. Hwy. Auth.                           1.4%

       University of Colorado Hospital Authority                          1.3%

       Philadelphia PA Hospital & Higher Ed. Facs. Auth.1.1%
       Northern Penn. Water Authority                                     1.0%

       Chicago IL Skyway Toll Bridge Refunded                             0.9%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     What is your outlook?


     At the beginning of the new fiscal year, the Fund is positioned for an
     outlook of sustained growth in the United States, with still minimal
     inflation. We anticipate that world commodity and manufactured goods
     conditions will continue to be highly competitive, and that this will tend
     to restrict price increases. This should be an environment which will
     continue to support a strong bond market, particularly as the real
     interest rate return remains at historically high levels, and the
     perception is that the U.S. Federal Reserve will remain watchful over the
     need to act in a restrictive fashion if the economy accelerates too
     rapidly. This should be an environment where equity markets find
     particular support from increased savings. Great investment opportunities
     will emerge from those corporations which generate exceptional profits.
     The goal of our investment management is to concentrate on the search for
     an investment in exceptional performance among equities.








                                                                       17
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended March 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                        1998           1997**
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   13.74        $   13.86
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.49             0.11

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 3.29           (   0.12)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       3.78           (   0.01)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.48)       (   0.11)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.34)              0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.82)       (   0.11)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   16.70        $   13.74
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         28.02   %    (   0.10   %)

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         1.40   %        1.37   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                     1.40   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements        N/A              1.68   %++

 Net investment income                                                  3.21   %        3.43   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     34%              9%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0596    $     0.0606

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $    29,005    $     14,590




<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                        1996            1995*
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   12.82        $     10.65
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.45                0.41

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 1.12                2.22
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       1.57                2.63
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.42)        (   0.46)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.11)               0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.53)        (   0.46)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   13.86        $     12.82
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         12.50   %          24.90%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         1.30   %           1.37%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                    N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements         1.33   %          10.96%++

 Net investment income                                                  3.53   %           3.73%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     16%              49%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0619         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $    11,116      $     1,335

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended March 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                        1998           1997**
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   13.67        $   13.80
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.38             0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 3.26           (   0.13)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       3.64           (   0.04)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.36)       (   0.09)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.34)              0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.70)       (   0.09)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   16.61        $   13.67
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         27.06   %    (   0.30   %)

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         2.15   %        2.11   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                     2.15   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements        N/A              2.43   %++

 Net investment income                                                  2.46   %        2.68   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     34%              9%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0596    $     0.0606

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $   158,252    $     76,791




<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                        1996            1995*
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   12.80        $     10.65
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.36                0.35

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 1.09                2.20
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       1.45                2.55
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.34)        (   0.40)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.11)               0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.45)        (   0.40)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   13.80        $     12.80
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         11.50   %          24.10%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         2.06   %           2.12%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                    N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements         2.09   %           4.20%++

 Net investment income                                                  2.79   %           2.97%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     16%              49%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0619         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $    57,622      $     4,839

</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.





                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       18
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended March 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
                                                                          1998            1997**
 CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   13.70        $   13.83
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.38             0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 3.27           (   0.13)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       3.65           (   0.04)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.36)       (   0.09)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.34)              0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.70)       (   0.09)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   16.65        $   13.70
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         27.08   %    (   0.30   %)

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         2.15   %        2.12   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                     2.15   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements        N/A              2.43   %++

 Net investment income                                                  2.46   %        2.65   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     34%              9%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0596    $     0.0606

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $     2,777    $      1,769




<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                  --------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
                                                                          1996             1995*
 CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                  $   12.81        $     10.65
                                                                   ============     ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                  0.36                0.36

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 1.11                2.19
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total from investment operations                                       1.47                2.55
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                            (   0.34)        (   0.39)

From net realized gain on investments                                 (   0.11)               0
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Total distributions                                                   (   0.45)        (   0.39)
                                                                   ------------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                                        $   13.83        $     12.81
                                                                   ============     ===========

Total return +                                                         11.60   %          24.00%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                         2.05   %           2.10%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                    N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense reimbursements         2.08   %         103.52%++

 Net investment income                                                  2.80   %           2.96%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                     16%              49%

Average commission rate paid per share                             $    0.0619         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                                 $     1,487      $       110

</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.







                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           19
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Year Ended March 31,
                                                -------------------------------
                                                      1998           1997**
<S>                                             <C>             <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                $   13.74        $   13.86
                                                 ============     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                0.55             0.14

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investments                                         3.27           (   0.14)
                                                 ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                     3.82                  0
                                                 ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                          (   0.52)       (   0.12)

From net realized gain on investments               (   0.34)              0

In excess of net realized gain on investments              0               0
                                                 ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                 (   0.86)       (   0.12)
                                                 ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                      $   16.70        $   13.74
                                                 ============     ==========

Total return                                         28.34   %        0.00   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                       1.14   %        1.11   %+

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                            1.14   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers &
  expense reimbursements                             N/A              1.38   %+

 Net investment income                                3.45   %        3.56   %+

Portfolio turnover rate                                   34%              9%

Average commission rate paid per share           $    0.0596    $     0.0606

Net assets end of year (thousands)               $    43,786    $     37,237




<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1996           1995          1994          1993
<S>                                             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                $   12.83       $   10.67     $    11.60    $   10.95
                                                 ============    =========     ==========    =========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                0.48             0.47           0.60         0.56

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investments                                         1.10             2.16       (   0.93)        0.96
                                                 ------------    ---------     ----------    ---------

Total from investment operations                     1.58             2.63       (   0.33)        1.52
                                                 ------------    ---------     ----------    ---------

Less distributions
From net investment income                          (   0.44)      (   0.47)     (   0.60)     (   0.60)

From net realized gain on investments               (   0.11)             0             0      (   0.24)

In excess of net realized gain on investments              0              0             0      (   0.03)
                                                 ------------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Total distributions                                 (   0.55)      (   0.47)     (   0.60)     (   0.87)
                                                 ------------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Net asset value end of year                      $   13.86       $   12.83     $    10.67    $   11.60
                                                 ============    ==========    ==========    ==========

Total return                                         12.60   %        25.10%     (   2.90%)       14.10%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                       1.05   %         1.26%         1.28%         1.36%

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                           N/A             N/A          N/A            N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers &
  expense reimbursements                              1.09   %       N/A          N/A            N/A

 Net investment income                                3.65   %         3.96%         5.40%         5.13%

Portfolio turnover rate                                   16%            49%          136%           92%

Average commission rate paid per share           $    0.0619         N/A          N/A            N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)               $    41,243     $   39,327    $   37,176    $   37,336
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Year Ended December 31,
                                                         --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              1992         1991          1990          1989         1988*
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   10.52     $   9.59      $   10.41    $   10.09      $   10.00
                                                          =========     ========      =========    =========      =========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                          0.66         0.60           0.60         0.57           0.39

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments         0.55         1.15       (   0.66)        0.76           0.18
                                                          ---------     --------      ---------    ---------      ---------

Total from investment operations                               1.21         1.75       (   0.06)        1.33           0.57
                                                          ---------     --------      ---------    ---------      ---------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                  (   0.61)     (  0.60)     (   0.60)     (   0.59)     (   0.36)

From net realized gain on investments                       (   0.17)     (  0.22)     (   0.16)     (   0.42)     (   0.12)
                                                          ----------    ---------     ---------    ----------     ---------

Total distributions                                         (   0.78)     (  0.82)     (   0.76)     (   1.01)     (   0.48)
                                                          ----------    ---------     ---------    ----------     ---------

Net asset value end of year                               $   10.95     $  10.52      $    9.59    $   10.41      $   10.09
                                                          ==========    =========     =========    ==========     =========

Total return                                                   11.80%       18.80%     (   0.50%)       13.40%         5.80%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                 1.51%        1.50%         1.50%         1.88%         2.00%+

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                                1.59%        1.82%         1.95%         2.03%      N/A

 Net investment income                                          6.23%        5.91%         6.04%         5.49%         5.01%+

Portfolio turnover rate                                          151%          97%           33%          152%           52%

Net assets end of year (thousands)                        $   23,781    $  15,632     $  12,351    $   11,610     $   9,449

</TABLE>

+  Annualized.
*  For the period from March 14, 1988 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1988.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.









                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       20
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Period Ended
                                                                                          March 31, 1998 *#
<S>                                                                                      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value beginning of period                                                          $   12.36
                                                                                             =========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                                                            0.08

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency          0.81
                                                                                             ---------
  related transactions

Total from investment operations                                                                 0.89
                                                                                             ---------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                                                     (   0.12)

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency related          (   0.26)
                                                                                             ----------
  transactions

Total distributions                                                                            (   0.38)
                                                                                             ----------

Net asset value end of period                                                                $   12.87
                                                                                             ==========

Total return +                                                                                   7.38   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                                                  0.99   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                                              0.99   %++

 Net investment income                                                                           3.25   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                                              76%

Average commission rate paid per share                                                     $     0.0594

Net assets end of period (millions)                                                        $      1,277

</TABLE>

*  For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           21
<PAGE>




                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund



                              Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Period Ended
                                                           March 31, 1998*#
<S>                                                       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                            $   12.95
                                                             ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                            0.26

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments,
 futures contracts and foreign currency related
 transactions                                                    1.53
                                                             ----------

Total from investment operations                                 1.79
                                                             ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                     (   0.27)

In excess of net investment income                                    0

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions                     (   1.59)

In excess of net realized gain on investments, futures
 contracts and foreign currency related transactions                  0

Tax basis return of capital                                           0
                                                             ----------

Total distributions                                            (   1.86)
                                                             ----------

Net asset value end of year                                  $   12.88
                                                             ==========

Total return +                                                  14.89   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                  1.35   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses              1.35   %++

 Net investment income                                           2.66   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                              76%

Average commission rate paid per share                     $     0.0594

Net assets end of year (millions)                          $        580




<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended June 30,
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1997           1996          1995        1994         1993
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                          $  11.33       $  10.09       $  9.26     $   10.10    $  9.77
                                                           ===========    ===========    =======     =========    =======

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.30           0.29           0.31          0.28       0.31

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments,
 futures contracts and foreign currency related
 transactions                                                 2.07           1.42           0.96       (  0.37)      0.66
                                                           -----------    -----------    -------     ---------    -------

Total from investment operations                              2.37           1.71           1.27       (  0.09)      0.97
                                                           -----------    -----------    -------     ---------    -------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                    (  0.30)       (  0.24)      ( 0.31)     (  0.28)     ( 0.31)

In excess of net investment income                                  0        (  0.03)      ( 0.02)     (  0.07)     ( 0.09)

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions                          0        (  0.20)      ( 0.02)     (  0.25)     ( 0.24)

In excess of net realized gain on investments, futures
 contracts and foreign currency related transactions          (  0.45)             0       ( 0.09)     (  0.13)          0

Tax basis return of capital                                         0              0            0      (  0.02)          0
                                                           -----------    -----------    --------    ---------    --------

Total distributions                                           (  0.75)       (  0.47)      ( 0.44)     (  0.75)     ( 0.64)
                                                           -----------    -----------    --------    ---------    --------

Net asset value end of year                                $  12.95       $  11.33       $ 10.09     $    9.26    $ 10.10
                                                           ===========    ===========    ========    =========    ========

Total return +                                                21.95   %      17.35   %      14.20%     (  1.16%)     10.39%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                1.70   %       1.72   %       1.77%        1.71%       1.93%

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses            1.69   %       1.71   %      N/A         N/A          N/A

 Net investment income                                         2.50   %       2.71   %       3.33%        2.81%       3.07%

Portfolio turnover rate                                            89%            96%          88%          88%         74%

Average commission rate paid per share                     $   0.0400     $   0.0031        N/A         N/A          N/A

Net assets end of year (millions)                          $    1,625     $    1,481     $  1,345    $   1,390    $  1,464
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended June 30,
                                                                               -----------------------
                                                                                   1992        1991
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                               $  9.16     $  9.10
                                                                                =======     =======

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                              0.32        0.45

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts and
 foreign currency related transactions                                             0.75        0.18
                                                                                -------     -------

Total from investment operations                                                   1.07        0.63
                                                                                -------     -------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                                        ( 0.32)     ( 0.50)

In excess of net investment income                                                ( 0.14)     ( 0.04)

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
 related transactions                                                                  0      ( 0.03)
                                                                                --------    --------

Total distributions                                                               ( 0.46)     ( 0.57)
                                                                                --------    --------

Net asset value end of year                                                     $  9.77     $  9.16
                                                                                ========    ========

Total return +                                                                     11.86%       7.49%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                                     1.97%       1.88%

 Net investment income                                                              3.25%       4.56%

Portfolio turnover rate                                                               52%         60%

Net assets end of year (millions)                                               $  1,184    $    902




<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Year Ended June 30,
                                                                               -----------------------------------
                                                                                   1990        1989        1988
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                                               $  9.12     $  8.37     $   9.74
                                                                                =======     =======     ========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                                              0.50        0.46         0.47

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts and
 foreign currency related transactions                                             0.20        0.83       ( 0.82)
                                                                                -------     -------     --------

Total from investment operations                                                   0.70        1.29       ( 0.35)
                                                                                -------     -------     --------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                                        ( 0.50)     ( 0.54)     ( 0.60)

In excess of net investment income                                                ( 0.04)          0           0

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
 related transactions                                                             ( 0.18)          0      ( 0.42)
                                                                                --------    --------    --------

Total distributions                                                               ( 0.72)     ( 0.54)     ( 1.02)
                                                                                --------    --------    --------

Net asset value end of year                                                     $  9.10     $  9.12     $   8.37
                                                                                ========    ========    ========

Total return +                                                                      7.99%      16.07%     ( 3.37%)

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                                     1.99%       1.96%       1.91%

 Net investment income                                                              4.94%       5.48%       5.34%

Portfolio turnover rate                                                               35%         49%         64%

Net assets end of year (millions)                                               $    827    $    712    $    685

</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  The Fund changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective
   March 31, 1998.
# Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       22
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                              Financial Highlights

                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Period Ended
                                                                                          March 31, 1998*#
<S>                                                                                      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value beginning of period                                                         $   12.43
                                                                                            ==========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                                                           0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency         0.75
                                                                                            ----------
  related transactions

Total from investment operations                                                                0.80
                                                                                            ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                                                    (   0.09)

From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency related         (   0.26)
                                                                                            ----------
  transactions

Total distributions                                                                           (   0.35)
                                                                                            ----------

Net asset value end of period                                                               $   12.88
                                                                                            ==========

Total return +                                                                                  6.58   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                                                 1.76   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                                             1.76   %++

 Net investment income                                                                          2.41   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                                             76%

Average commission rate paid per share                                                    $     0.0594

Net assets end of period (thousands)                                                      $        829

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Period Ended
                                                                                          March 31, 1998**#
<S>                                                                                      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of period                                                          $   12.01
                                                                                             =========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                                                            0.08

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency          0.86
                                                                                             ---------
  related transactions

Total from investment operations                                                                 0.94
                                                                                             ---------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                                                     (   0.09)
                                                                                             ----------

Total distributions                                                                            (   0.09)
                                                                                             ----------

Net asset value end of period                                                                $   12.86
                                                                                             ==========

Total return                                                                                     7.79   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                                                  0.75   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                                              0.75   %++

 Net investment income                                                                           3.47   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                                                              76%

Average commission rate paid per share                                                     $     0.0594

Net assets end of period (thousands)                                                       $     39,231
</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
** For the period from January 26, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           23
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                              1998#          1997**            1996            1995*
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   16.00        $   16.13       $   15.12        $    12.24
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.44             0.12            0.50               0.44

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        4.87           (   0.13)         1.16               3.14
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                              5.31           (   0.01)         1.66               3.58
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                  (   0.44)        (   0.12)        (   0.50)       (   0.47)

In excess of net investment income                                 0(a)             0                0               0

From net realized gain on investments                       (   0.43)               0         (   0.15)       (   0.23)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                         (   0.87)        (   0.12)        (   0.65)       (   0.70)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   20.44        $   16.00       $   16.13        $    15.12
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Total return +                                               33.88   %     (   0.20   %)       11.30   %         29.70%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                               1.28   %         1.25   %++       1.24   %          1.33%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses           1.28   %        N/A              N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                              N/A             N/A              N/A                1.34%++

 Net investment income                                        2.39   %         2.83   %++       3.39   %          3.73%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                            9%               2%              10%             28%

Average commission rate paid per share                   $    0.0657     $     0.0670      $    0.0649         N/A

Net assets end of year (millions)                        $       350     $        220      $       206      $      107

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                              1998#          1997**            1996            1995*
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   15.94        $   16.07       $   15.07        $    12.24
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.30             0.09            0.40               0.36

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        4.84           (   0.13)         1.15               3.09
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                              5.14           (   0.04)         1.55               3.45
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                   (   0.30)       (   0.09)        (   0.40)       (   0.39)

In excess of net investment income                           (   0.01)              0                0               0

From net realized gain on investments                        (   0.43)              0         (   0.15)       (   0.23)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                          (   0.74)       (   0.09)        (   0.55)       (   0.62)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   20.34        $   15.94       $   16.07        $    15.07
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Total return +                                                32.81   %    (   0.30   %)       10.50   %         28.70%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                2.04   %        2.00   %++       1.99   %          2.07%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses            2.04   %       N/A              N/A             N/A

 Net investment income                                         1.63   %        2.07   %++       2.64   %          2.99%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                             9%              2%              10%             28%

Average commission rate paid per share                    $    0.0657    $     0.0670      $    0.0649         N/A

Net assets end of year (millions)                         $     1,124    $        606      $       570      $      296

</TABLE>

+   Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++  Annualized.
*   For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
**  The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
    effective March 31, 1997.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
    period.
(a) Less than one cent per share.








                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       24
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                              1998#          1997**            1996            1995*
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   15.94        $   16.06       $   15.07        $    12.24
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.30             0.09            0.40               0.34

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        4.84           (   0.13)         1.14               3.09
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                              5.14           (   0.04)         1.54               3.43
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                   (   0.30)       (   0.08)        (   0.40)       (   0.37)

In excess of net investment income                           (   0.01)              0                0               0

From net realized gain on investments                        (   0.43)              0         (   0.15)       (   0.23)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                          (   0.74)       (   0.08)        (   0.55)       (   0.60)
                                                          ------------     -----------     ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   20.34        $   15.94       $   16.06        $    15.07
                                                          ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Total return +                                                32.81   %    (   0.30   %)       10.40   %         28.50%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                2.04   %        2.00   %++       1.99   %          2.23%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses            2.04   %       N/A              N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                              N/A             N/A              N/A                2.37%++

 Net investment income                                         1.63   %        2.07   %++       2.64   %          2.83%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                             9%              2%              10%             28%

Average commission rate paid per share                    $    0.0657    $     0.0670      $    0.0649         N/A

Net assets end of year (millions)                         $        50    $         28      $        27      $       11

</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           25
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended March 31,
                                                              1998#          1997**
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   16.02        $   16.14
                                                          ============     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.49             0.13

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        4.86           (   0.13)
                                                          ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                              5.35             0.00
                                                          ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                   (   0.49)       (   0.12)

From net realized gain on investments                        (   0.43)              0
                                                          ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                          (   0.92)       (   0.12)
                                                          ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   20.45        $   16.02
                                                          ============     ==========

Total return                                                  34.12   %        0.00   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                1.03   %        1.00   %+

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses            1.03   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                              N/A             N/A

 Net investment income                                         2.65   %        3.07   %+

Portfolio turnover rate                                             9%              2%

Average commission rate paid per share                    $    0.0657    $     0.0670

Net assets end of year (millions)                         $     1,117    $        802




<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                               1996           1995          1994
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>           <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   15.13       $   12.27     $    13.12
                                                          ============    =========     ==========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                         0.54             0.51           0.42

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        1.16             3.07       (   0.57)
                                                          ------------    ---------     ----------

Total from investment operations                              1.70             3.58       (   0.15)
                                                          ------------    ---------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                   (   0.54)      (   0.49)     (   0.42)

From net realized gain on investments                        (   0.15)      (   0.23)     (   0.28)
                                                          ------------    ----------    ----------

Total distributions                                          (   0.69)      (   0.72)     (   0.70)
                                                          ------------    ----------    ----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   16.14       $   15.13     $    12.27
                                                          ============    ==========    ==========

Total return                                                  11.50   %        29.70%     (   1.10%)

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                0.99   %         1.07%         1.14%

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses           N/A             N/A          N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                              N/A             N/A          N/A

 Net investment income                                         3.64   %         3.89%         3.51%

Portfolio turnover rate                                            10%            28%           33%

Average commission rate paid per share                    $    0.0649         N/A          N/A

Net assets end of year (millions)                         $       809     $      623    $      332
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                                              1993          1992         1991             1990*
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                         $   11.98     $   10.75     $   8.95       $     10.00
                                                          =========     =========     ========       ===========

Income (loss) from investment operations
Net investment income                                          0.31          0.27         0.33              1.23 (a)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments         1.55          1.83         2.77          (   0.59)
                                                          ---------     ---------     --------       -----------

Total from investment operations                               1.86          2.10         3.10              0.64
                                                          ---------     ---------     --------       -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                  (   0.31)     (   0.24)     (  0.33)        (   1.17)

From net realized gain on investments                       (   0.41)     (   0.63)     (  0.97)        (   0.52)
                                                          ----------    ----------    ---------      -----------

Total distributions                                         (   0.72)     (   0.87)     (  1.30)        (   1.69)
                                                          ----------    ----------    ---------      -----------

Net asset value end of year                               $   13.12     $   11.98     $  10.75       $      8.95
                                                          ==========    ==========    =========      ===========

Total return                                                   15.70%        20.00%       36.40%            6.60%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                                 1.20%         1.40%        1.20%            0.00%+

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                              N/A             1.43%        2.58%            3.64%+

 Net investment income                                          2.81%         2.93%        2.86%           15.07%(a)+

Portfolio turnover rate                                           60%          127%         178%             131%

Net assets end of year (millions)                         $      240    $       64    $      11      $         2
</TABLE>

+   Annualized.
*   For the period from January 2, 1990 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1990.
**  The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
    effective March 31, 1997.
(a) Includes receipt of a special dividend representing $0.62 per share net
    investment income and 7.59% of average net assets.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
    period.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       26
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                      -------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                            1998           1997**            1996            1995*
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                      $   13.57        $   13.50       $   12.20        $    10.44
                                                       ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                      0.31             0.07            0.27               0.29

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments            2.96           0.06   #         1.59               2.24
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                           3.27             0.13            1.86               2.53
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                (   0.30)       (   0.06)        (   0.28)       (   0.31)

From net realized gain on investments                     (   0.18)              0         (   0.28)       (   0.46)
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                       (   0.48)       (   0.06)        (   0.56)       (   0.77)
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                            $   16.36      $    13.57        $   13.50        $    12.20
                                                       ============   =============     ============     ==========

Total return +                                             24.40   %        1.00   %        15.40   %         24.80%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                             1.42   %        1.38   %++       1.52   %          1.75%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses         1.42   %       N/A              N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                           N/A             N/A               1.76   %          5.02%++

 Net investment income                                      2.21   %        2.30   %++       2.39   %          2.79%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                         50%             29%              88%            110%

Average commission rate paid per share                 $    0.0659    $     0.0656      $    0.0648         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                     $    69,879    $     15,039      $    11,166      $    2,702
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                      -------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                            1998           1997**            1996            1995*
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                      $   13.56        $   13.49       $   12.19        $    10.31
                                                       ============     ===========     ============     ==========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                      0.21             0.05            0.19               0.22

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments            2.94           0.06   #         1.59               2.37
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                           3.15             0.11            1.78               2.59
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                                (   0.20)       (   0.04)        (   0.20)       (   0.25)

From net realized gain on investments                     (   0.18)              0         (   0.28)       (   0.46)
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                       (   0.38)       (   0.04)        (   0.48)       (   0.71)
                                                       ------------   -------------     ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                            $   16.33      $    13.56        $   13.49        $    12.19
                                                       ============   =============     ============     ==========

Total return +                                             23.44   %        0.08   %        14.70   %         25.60%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                             2.18   %        2.14   %++       2.27   %          2.50%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses         2.18   %       N/A              N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers & expense
  reimbursements                                           N/A             N/A               2.51   %          3.65%++

 Net investment income                                      1.46   %        1.55   %++       1.64   %          2.03%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                         50%             29%               2%            110%

Average commission rate paid per share                 $    0.0659    $     0.0656      $    0.0648         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                     $   185,042    $     38,838      $    28,007      $    6,559
</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 17, 1995 and January 6, 1995 (commencement of
   class A and class B operations, respectively) to December 31, 1995.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.
#  The net investment income is not in accord with the net realized and
   unrealized gain (loss) for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund
   shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses
   at such time.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           27
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                             Financial Highlights

                 (For a share outstanding throughout each year)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Year Ended March 31,           Year Ended December 31,
                                                  -------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                        1998           1997**             1996            1995*
<S>                                               <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                  $   13.53        $   13.47        $   12.19        $    10.69
                                                   ============     ===========      ============     ==========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                  0.21             0.06             0.18               0.22

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments        2.94           0.05   #          1.58               1.99
                                                   ------------   -------------      ------------     ----------

Total from investment operations                       3.15             0.11             1.76               2.21
                                                   ------------   -------------      ------------     ----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                            (   0.20)       (   0.05)         (   0.20)       (   0.25)

From net realized gain on investments                 (   0.18)              0          (   0.28)       (   0.46)
                                                   ------------   -------------      ------------     ----------

Total distributions                                   (   0.38)       (   0.05)         (   0.48)       (   0.71)
                                                   ------------   -------------      ------------     ----------

Net asset value end of year                        $   16.30      $    13.53         $   13.47        $    12.19
                                                   ============   =============      ============     ==========

Total return +                                         23.49   %        0.08   %         14.50   %         21.20%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                         2.18   %        2.13   %++        2.25   %          2.50%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                              2.18   %       N/A               N/A             N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers &
  expense reimbursements                               N/A             N/A                2.48   %         18.91%++

 Net investment income                                  1.46   %        1.55   %++        1.64   %          2.07%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                     50%             29%               88%            110%

Average commission rate paid per share             $    0.0659    $     0.0656       $    0.0648         N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                 $    27,699    $      5,086       $     4,108      $      496

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Year Ended March 31,
                                                  --------------------------------
                                                        1998           1997**
<S>                                               <C>             <C>
 CLASS  Y  SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                  $   13.61        $   13.54
                                                   ============     ===========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                  0.37             0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments        2.95           0.05   #
                                                   ------------   -------------

Total from investment operations                       3.32             0.14
                                                   ------------   -------------

Less distributions
From net investment income                            (   0.36)       (   0.07)

From net realized gain on investments                 (   0.18)              0
                                                   ------------   -------------

Total distributions                                   (   0.54)       (   0.07)
                                                   ------------   -------------

Net asset value end of year                        $   16.39      $    13.61
                                                   ============   =============

Total return                                           24.73   %        1.00   %

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                         1.15   %        1.13   %++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                              1.15   %       N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers &
  expense reimbursements                               N/A             N/A

 Net investment income                                  2.48   %        2.54   %++

Portfolio turnover rate                                     50%             29%

Average commission rate paid per share             $    0.0659    $     0.0656

Net assets end of year (thousands)                 $    19,881    $     15,311




<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1996           1995          1994           1993*
<S>                                               <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
 CLASS  Y  SHARES
Net asset value beginning of year                  $   12.22       $   10.27     $   10.31      $     10.00
                                                   ============    =========     =========      ===========

Income from investment operations
Net investment income                                  0.34             0.35          0.27             0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments        1.56             2.39          0.08             0.31
                                                   ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------

Total from investment operations                       1.90             2.74          0.35             0.36
                                                   ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------

Less distributions
From net investment income                            (   0.30)      (   0.33)     (   0.27)       (   0.05)

From net realized gain on investments                 (   0.28)      (   0.46)     (   0.12)              0
                                                   ------------    ----------    ----------     -----------

Total distributions                                   (   0.58)      (   0.79)     (   0.39)       (   0.05)
                                                   ------------    ----------    ----------     -----------

Net asset value end of year                        $   13.54       $   12.22     $   10.27      $     10.31
                                                   ============    ==========    ==========     ===========

Total return                                           15.80   %        27.30%         3.40%           3.50%

Ratios/supplemental data
Ratios to average net assets:
 Total expenses                                         1.30   %         1.50%         1.49%           0.00%++

 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                             N/A             N/A           N/A           N/A

 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers &
  expense reimbursements                                1.56   %         2.23%         2.41%           3.10%++

 Net investment income                                  2.63   %         3.06%         2.87%           3.65%++

Portfolio turnover rate                                     88%           110%          245%             60%

Average commission rate paid per share             $    0.0649         N/A           N/A           N/A

Net assets end of year (thousands)                 $    15,002     $   13,485    $   10,575     $     5,424

</TABLE>

+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from March 3, 1995 (commencement of class C operations) to
   December 31, 1995 and November 2, 1993 (commencement of class Y operations)
   to December 31, 1993.
** The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31,
   effective March 31, 1997.
#  The net investment income is not in accord with the net realized and
   unrealized gain (loss) for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund
   shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses
   at such time.





                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       28
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                            Schedule of Investments

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                  Value
<S>                  <C>                                <C>
COMMON STOCKS - 44.0%
                     Automotive Equipment &
                      Manufacturing - 0.7%
       30,000        Dana Corp. ...................     $1,745,625
                                                        ----------
                              Banks - 5.5%
       40,000        Australia & New Zealand Banking
                     Group Ltd. ...................      1,357,500
       32,312        Banc One Corp. ...............      2,043,734
       20,000        BancorpSouth, Inc. ...........        878,750
       20,000        Bank of New York Co., Inc. ...      1,256,250
       16,000        Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. ....        704,000
       13,000        Comerica, Inc. ...............      1,375,562
       25,050        Crestar Financial Corp. ......      1,481,081
        8,000        First Union Corp. ** .........        454,000
       15,000        Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ..      1,275,938
       53,000        Hibernia Corp. Cl. A .........      1,089,813
       24,000        Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. .        891,000
                                                        ----------
                                                        12,807,628
                                                        ----------
                     Building, Construction &
                        Furnishings - 0.9%
       30,000        Fletcher Challenge Building ADR       596,250
       13,584        Medusa Corp. .................        830,322
       10,577        Southdown, Inc. ..............        737,085
                                                        ----------
                                                         2,163,657
                                                        ----------
                     Business Equipment &
                           Services - 1.0%
       15,000        Dun & Bradstreet Corp. .......        512,813
       36,000        Pitney Bowes, Inc. ...........      1,806,750
                                                        ----------
                                                         2,319,563
                                                        ----------
                     Chemical & Agricultural
                           Products - 1.4%
        8,000        Eastman Chemical Co. .........        539,500
       11,000        Grace (W.R.) & Co. ...........        920,562
       17,000        Imperial Chemical Industries
                     Plc, ADR .....................      1,221,875
       15,600        Stepan Co. ...................        473,850
                                                        ----------
                                                         3,155,787
                                                        ----------
                     Consumer Products &
                           Services - 1.2%
       11,000        International Flavors &
                     Fragrances, Inc. .............        518,375
       30,000        Jostens, Inc. ................        720,000
      110,000        Stride Rite Corp. ............      1,491,875
                                                        ----------
                                                         2,730,250
                                                        ----------
                     Diversified Companies - 1.4%
       10,000        Harris Corp. .................        521,250
       19,000        Tenneco, Inc. ................        811,062
       80,000        Tomkins Plc, ADR .............      1,930,000
                                                        ----------
                                                         3,262,312
                                                        ----------
                     Electrical Equipment &
                           Services - 2.4%
       15,000        AMP, Inc. ....................        657,187
       12,000        Emerson Electric Co. .........        782,250


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                  Value
<S>                  <C>                                <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                     Electrical Equipment &
                     Services - continued
       36,656        Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B ..........     $1,846,546
       36,000        Thomas & Betts Corp. .........      2,304,000
                                                        ----------
                                                         5,589,983
                                                        ----------
                     Finance & Insurance - 3.0%
       36,363        Equitable Companies, Inc. ....      2,052,237
       10,000        Hartford Financial Services
                     Group, Inc. ..................      1,085,000
       20,000        LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. .....        838,750
       15,000        Ohio Casualty Corp. ..........        720,000
        6,000        Transamerica Corp. ...........        699,000
       46,184        Trenwick Group, Inc. .........      1,731,900
                                                        ----------
                                                         7,126,887
                                                        ----------
                     Food & Beverage Products - 1.9%
       70,900        Flowers Industries, Inc. .....      1,661,719
       18,000        H.J. Heinz Co. ...............      1,050,750
       50,000        Lance, Inc. ..................      1,137,500
       28,000        Tasty Baking Corp. ...........        623,000
                                                        ----------
                                                         4,472,969
                                                        ----------
                     Healthcare Products &
                           Services - 2.5%
       20,000        Baxter International, Inc. ...      1,102,500
       14,000        Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. .....      1,460,375
       30,100        Shared Medical System Corp. ..      2,359,087
       30,000        West Co., Inc. ...............        903,750
                                                        ----------
                                                         5,825,712
                                                        ----------
                     Industrial Specialty Products &
                           Services - 2.2%
       10,000        Bemis Co., Inc. ..............        451,250
       45,000        Carpenter Technology Corp. ...      2,430,000
       48,776        Flowserve Corp. ..............      1,591,317
       42,000        Lindberg Corp. ...............        740,250
                                                        ----------
                                                         5,212,817
                                                        ----------
                     Machinery - Diversified - 0.8%
       55,100        Hardinge Brothers, Inc. ......      1,880,288
                                                        ----------
                     Oil / Energy - 3.7%
        8,000        Amoco Corp. ..................        691,000
        8,000        Atlantic Richfield Co. .......        629,000
       60,000        Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A ....        907,500
       15,000        Consolidated Natural Gas Co. .        865,312
       15,400        Exxon Corp. ..................      1,041,425
        3,000        Kerr-McGee Corp. .............        208,688
       10,000        Mobil Corp. ..................        766,250
       17,200        Penn Virginia Corp. ..........        500,950
      21,550 *       Seitel, Inc. .................        325,944
       12,000        Texaco, Inc. .................        723,000
       60,000        Williams Companies, Inc. .....      1,920,000
                                                        ----------
                                                         8,579,069
                                                        ----------
                     Oil Field Services - 0.6%
       40,000        Lufkin Industries, Inc. ......      1,300,000
                                                        ----------
</TABLE>

                                                                       29
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                     Value
<S>                 <C>                                    <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Publishing, Broadcasting &
                      Entertainment - 2.0%
        27,270      CBS Corp. ........................     $   925,475
       31,250 *     Chancellor Media Corp. ...........       1,433,594
         8,000      McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ......         608,500
        50,000      Reader's Digest Association, Inc.        1,365,625
         5,800      Time Warner, Inc. ................         417,600
                                                           -----------
                                                             4,750,794
                                                           -----------
                    Real Estate - 0.3%
        10,000      Post Property, Inc. REIT .........         399,375
        15,000      Prentiss Properties Trust REIT ...         391,875
                                                           -----------
                                                               791,250
                                                           -----------
                    Retailing & Wholesale - 2.1%
        23,000      J. C. Penney Co., Inc. ...........       1,740,812
         8,000      Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. ......         537,500
       70,260 *     Proffitts, Inc. ..................       2,546,925
                                                           -----------
                                                             4,825,237
                                                           -----------
                    Textile & Apparel - 0.1%
        10,000      Oxford Industries, Inc. ..........         313,750
                                                           -----------
                    Thrift Institutions - 1.8%
        45,000      First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc. ...       1,811,250
        18,100      Horizon Financial Corp. ..........         339,375
        50,400      Maryland Federal Bancorp, Inc. ...       1,971,900
                                                           -----------
                                                             4,122,525
                                                           -----------
                     Transportation - 0.6%
        27,000      Union Pacific Corp. ..............       1,517,063
                                                           -----------
                    Utilities - Electric - 4.9%
        18,200      Commonwealth Energy System .......         725,725
        20,000      Eastern Utilities Associates .....         545,000
        30,000      Enova Corp. ......................         838,125
        80,000      Houston Industries, Inc. .........       2,300,000
        23,000      IES Industries, Inc. .............         855,313
        50,000      Long Island Lighting Co. .........       1,575,000
        37,000      PP&L Resources, Inc. .............         874,125
        22,000      Southern Co. .....................         609,125
        55,000      TNP Enterprises, Inc. ............       1,818,437
        40,000      Wisconsin Energy Corp. ...........       1,227,500
                                                           -----------
                                                            11,368,350
                                                           -----------
                    Utilities - Gas - 1.7%
        40,500      Chesapeake Utilities Corp. .......         744,188
         9,250      Northwest Natural Gas Co. ........         260,156
        22,000      South Jersey Industries, Inc. ....         653,125
        40,000      Southwest Gas Corp. ..............         835,000
        60,400      Yankee Energy System, Inc. .......       1,483,575
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,976,044
                                                           -----------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                     Value
<S>                 <C>                                    <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Utilities - Telephone - 1.3%
        5,500 *     AirTouch Communications, Inc. ....     $   269,156
        35,000      Frontier Corp. ...................       1,139,688
       30,000 *     U.S. West Communications Group, Inc.     1,642,500
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,051,344
                                                           -----------
                    Total Common Stocks
                    (cost $67,813,752)................     102,888,904
                                                           -----------
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 16.7%
                              Banks - 1.5%
        50,000      National Australia Bank, Ltd.
                    7.875%, Series Unit ..............       1,450,000
        58,000      WBK Trust
                    10.0%, STRYPES (exchangeable for
                    Westpac Banking Corp. Common
                    Stock) ...........................       1,975,625
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,425,625
                                                           -----------
                    Business Equipment &
                           Services - 0.2%
         6,000      Microsoft Corp.
                    $2.196, Series A, PERCS ..........         555,000
                                                           -----------
                    Communication Systems &
                           Services - 0.5%
        30,000      AirTouch Communications, Inc.
                    6.00%, Series B ..................       1,237,500
                                                           -----------
                    Diversified Companies - 1.6%
        26,800      Corning, Inc.
                    6.00%, MIPS ......................       1,835,800
        80,000      Ingersoll Rand Co.
                    6.75%, PRIDES ....................       2,015,000
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,850,800
                                                           -----------
                    Electrical Equipment &
                           Services - 1.1%
        50,000      Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
                    6.75%, 144A ......................       2,537,500
                                                           -----------
                    Finance & Insurance - 2.5%
        20,000      American General Corp.
                    $3.00, Series A, MIPS ............       1,620,000
        13,000      American Heritage Life
                    Investment Corp.
                    8.50%, PRIDES ....................         796,250
        20,000      Frontier Financing Trust
                    6.25%, TOPRS, 144A ...............       1,312,600
        11,000      Frontier Financing Trust
                    6.25%, TOPRS .....................         721,930
         4,000      Life Re Corp.
                    6.00% ............................         288,000
        15,000      Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                    7.25%, STRYPES
                    (exchangeable for SunAmerica,
                    Inc. Common Stock) ...............       1,087,500
                                                           -----------
                                                             5,826,280
                                                           -----------
</TABLE>

                                       30
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                    Value
<S>                  <C>                                  <C>
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - continued
                     Food & Beverage Products - 1.3%
       25,000        Ralston Purina Co.
                     7.00%, SAILS (exchangeable for
                     Interstate Bakeries Common Stock)    $1,578,125
       30,000        Wendys Financing I
                     5.00%, Series A, TECONS ........      1,576,875
                                                          ----------
                                                           3,155,000
                                                          ----------
                     Metal Products & Services - 1.4%
       20,000        Timet Capital Trust I
                     6.625%, BUCS, 144A .............        955,000
       20,000        Timet Capital Trust I
                     6.625% .........................        955,000
       80,000        Worthington Industries, Inc.
                     7.25%, DECS (exchangeable for
                     Rouge Steel Co. Common Stock) ..      1,290,400
                                                          ----------
                                                           3,200,400
                                                          ----------
                     Oil / Energy - 0.4%
       20,000        Callon Petroleum Co.
                     8.50%, Series A ................        767,500
        5,000        Nuevo Energy Co.
                     5.75%, Series A, TECONS ........        245,625
                                                          ----------
                                                           1,013,125
                                                          ----------
                     Oil Field Services - 1.0%
       40,000        EVI, Inc.
                     5.00%, 144A ....................      1,815,200
       10,000        Hvide Capital Trust
                     6.50%, 144A ....................        472,500
                                                          ----------
                                                           2,287,700
                                                          ----------
                     Paper & Packaging - 0.6%
       30,000        Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.
                     4.50%, MIPS ....................      1,500,000
                                                          ----------
                     Publishing, Broadcasting &
                       Entertainment - 2.1%
       15,000        AMC Entertainment, Inc.
                     $1.75 ..........................        615,000
       10,000        American Radio Systems Corp.
                     7.00%, 144A ....................        781,300
       10,300        Granite Broadcasting Corp.
                     $1.938 .........................        585,813
       22,000        Houston Industries, Inc.
                     7.00%, ACES (exchangeable for
                     Time Warner, Inc. Common Stock)       1,425,875
       20,000        Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                     6.00%, STRYPES due 6/1/99
                     (exchangeable for Cox
                     Communications, Inc. Common
                     Stock) .........................        705,000
       10,000        TCI Communications, Inc.
                     $2.125, Series A ...............        720,000
                                                          ----------
                                                           4,832,988
                                                          ----------
                      Transportation - 1.0%
       20,000        CNF Trust I
                     5.00%, Series A, TECONS ........      1,160,000
       20,000        Union Pacific Capital Trust
                     6.25%, TIDES, 144A .............      1,065,000
                                                          ----------
                                                           2,225,000
                                                          ----------
                     Utilities - Electric - 0.9%
       45,000        BNDES Participacoes SA
                     DECS ...........................      2,002,500
                                                          ----------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                    Value
<S>                  <C>                                  <C>
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - continued
                     Utilities - Gas - 0.6%
       40,000        MCN Corp.
                     8.75%, PRIDES ..................     $1,305,000
                                                          ----------
                     Total Convertible Preferred
                     (cost $35,096,931)..............     38,954,418
                                                          ----------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Principal
    Amount                                   Value
<S>             <C>                      <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 10.5%
                         Banks - 0.5%
$  800,000      First State Bancorp
                7.50%, 4/30/17 .....        1,222,000
                                         ------------
                Building, Construction
                & Furnishings - 0.7%
 1,500,000      Eagle Hardware &
                Garden, Inc.
                6.25%, 3/15/01 .....     1,734,375
                                         ------------
                Business Equipment
                & Services - 1.2%
 1,000,000      HMT Technology Corp.
                5.75%, 1/15/04, 144A .     870,000
   250,000      Personnel Group of
                America, Inc.
                5.75%, 7/1/04, 144A        358,125
   250,000      Platinum Technology,
                Inc.
                6.75%, 11/15/01 ....       506,875
 1,000,000      Quantum Corp.
                7.00%, 8/1/04 ......       985,000
                                         ------------
                                         2,720,000
                                         ------------
                Consumer Products &
                      Services - 0.7%
 2,000,000      Action Performance
                Companies, Inc.
                4.75%, 4/1/05, 144A      1,720,000
                                         ------------
                Industrial Specialty
                Products &
                      Services - 0.4%
   600,000      Robbins & Myers, Inc.
                6.50%, 9/1/03 ......       890,280
                                         ------------
                Leisure &
                Tourism - 1.7%
 2,500,000      Family Golf Centers,
                Inc.
                5.75%, 10/15/04, 144A    3,147,000
 1,000,000      Marriot International,
                Inc.
                Zero Coupon, 3/25/11 .     720,000
                                         ------------
                                         3,867,000
                                         ------------
                Oil Field
                Services - 3.6%
 1,000,000      Diamond Offshore
                Drilling, Inc.
                3.75%, 2/15/07 .....     1,267,500
                Key Energy Group, Inc.
 1,000,000       5.00%, 9/15/04, 144A      800,000
   500,000       7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A .     840,000
 2,000,000      Nabors Industries,
                Inc.
                5.00%, 5/15/06 .....     2,855,000
                Offshore Logistics,
                Inc.
 1,000,000       6.00%, 12/15/06, 144A   1,102,500

   500,000       6.00%, 12/15/03 ...       551,250
 1,000,000      Parker Drilling Co.
                5.50%, 8/1/04 ......     1,005,000
                                         ------------
                                         8,421,250
                                         ------------
                Publishing,
                Broadcasting &
                 Entertainment - 0.3%
 1,000,000      Jacor Communications,
                Inc.
                Zero Coupon, 6/12/11 .     800,000
                                         ------------
</TABLE>

                                                                       31
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                             Value
<S>                   <C>                             <C>           <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - continued
                      Retailing & Wholesale - 1.4%
                      Central Garden & Pet Co.
$  500,000             6.00%, 11/15/03, 144A ..................      $    757,500
 1,600,000             6.00%, 11/15/03 ........................         2,424,000
                                                                     ------------
                                                                        3,181,500
                                                                     ------------
                      Total Convertible Debentures
                      (cost $21,539,090).......................        24,556,405
                                                                     ------------
CORPORATE BONDS - 1.7%
                        Banks - 0.4%
 1,000,000            NationsBank Corp.
                      6.50%, 8/15/03 ..........................         1,015,586
                                                                     ------------
                      Finance & Insurance - 0.9%
 1,000,000            American General Finance Corp.
                      7.125%, 12/1/99 .........................         1,017,788
 1,000,000            Ford Motor Credit Co.
                      5.625%, 12/15/98 ........................           998,267
                                                                     ------------
                                                                        2,016,055
                                                                     ------------
                      Telecommunication Services
                      & Equipment - 0.4%
 1,000,000            GTE Southwest, Inc., Series A
                      5.82%, 12/1/99 ..........................           998,240
                                                                     ------------
                      Total Corporate Bonds
                      (cost $4,004,940)........................         4,029,881
                                                                     ------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 25.1%
                      Government Agency Notes &
                       Bonds - 24.4%
 1,000,000            Federal Farm Credit Bank
                      6.70%, 8/6/04 ...........................         1,004,659
                      Federal Home Loan Bank
 2,000,000             5.65%, 12/29/00 ........................         1,993,488
 1,000,000             6.195%, 2/5/03 .........................           991,288
 2,000,000             6.532%, 12/28/07 .......................         1,994,663
 2,000,000             6.565%, 8/6/02 .........................         2,011,384
 2,000,000             6.585%, 10/15/02 .......................         2,005,172
 2,000,000             6.70%, 4/9/03 ..........................         2,001,916
 3,000,000             6.715%, 4/9/03 .........................         3,003,405
 2,000,000             7.00%, 8/13/04 .........................         2,004,442
 2,000,000             7.00%, 7/14/05 .........................         2,039,438
 2,000,000             7.04%, 10/14/05 ........................         2,002,108
 2,000,000             7.26%, 4/3/02 ..........................         2,002,440
                      Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
 2,000,000             6.54%, 12/10/07 ........................         2,020,458
 2,000,000             6.542%, 3/19/01 ........................         1,996,985
 1,000,000             6.91%, 6/20/05 .........................         1,016,684
 2,000,000             7.585%, 9/19/06 ........................         2,084,004
 2,000,000             7.865%, 8/8/11 .........................         2,111,684


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                             Value
<S>                   <C>                             <C>           <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      Government Agency Notes &
                      Bonds - continued
                      Federal National Mortgage
                      Association
$5,000,000             5.65%, 2/22/28 .........................      $  4,548,182
 2,000,000             6.24%, 1/14/08 .........................         1,988,064
 1,000,000             6.25%, 8/12/03 .........................           990,746
 3,000,000             6.32%, 3/3/08 ..........................         2,987,389
 1,000,000             6.41%, 3/8/06 ..........................         1,030,472
 1,000,000             6.45%, 1/28/05 .........................           994,423
 2,000,000             6.46%, 1/1/08 ..........................         2,006,648
 2,000,000             6.52%, 3/5/08 ..........................         1,989,903
 2,000,000             6.54%, 4/1/05 ..........................         1,995,442
 2,000,000             6.68%, 12/28/01 ........................         2,001,068
 3,000,000             7.28%, 5/23/07 .........................         3,113,403
 1,000,000            Student Loan Marketing
                      Association
                      5.90%, 2/20/01 ..........................           994,282
                                                                     ------------
                                                                       56,924,240
                                                                     ------------
                      Treasury Notes & Bonds - 0.7%
 1,500,000            U.S. Treasury Bonds
                       7.125%, 2/15/23 ........................         1,711,876
                                                                     ------------
                      Total U.S. Government & Agency
                      Obligations
                      (cost $58,127,135).......................        58,636,116
                                                                     ------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.5%
                      Commercial Paper - 2.2%
   385,000            Dominion Semiconductor
                      5.55%, 4/17/98 ..........................           384,050
   530,000            Eiger Capital Corp.
                      5.53%, 4/6/98 ...........................           529,593
   170,000            Gold Crown Managers Acceptance Corp.
                      5.55%, 4/8/98 ...........................           169,816
   815,000            Lucent Technologies, Inc.
                      5.50%, 4/20/98 ..........................           812,634
   250,000            Park Avenue Recreation Corp.
                      5.57%, 4/27/98 ..........................           248,994
   765,000            Three Rivers Funding Corp.
                      5.57%, 4/24/98 ..........................           762,278
   540,000            Tiger Managers Acceptance Corp.
                      5.58%, 4/21/98 ..........................           538,326
 1,630,000            Twin Towers, Inc.
                      5.56%, 4/27/98 ..........................         1,623,455
                                                                     ------------
                                                                        5,069,146
                                                                     ------------
                      Government Agency Notes &
                        Bonds - 0.3%
   700,000            Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp.
                      7.03%, 5/26/98 ..........................           701,213
   150,000            Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
                      5.45%, 4/9/98 ...........................           149,818
                                                                     ------------
                                                                          851,031
                                                                     ------------
                      Total Short-Term Investments
                      (cost $5,918,965)........................         5,920,177
                                                                     ------------
                      Total Investments -
                      (cost $192,500,813)..........   100.5%          234,985,901
                      Other Assets and
                      Liabilities - net ...........   ( 0.5)           (1,166,559)
                                                      -----          ------------
                      Net Assets ..................   100.0%         $233,819,342
                                                      =====          ============
</TABLE>

                                       32
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                            American Retirement Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998

*      Non-income producing securities.
**     At March 31, 1998, the Fund owned 8,000 shares of common stock of First
       Union Corp. at a cost of $106,108. During the year ended March 31, 1998,
       the Fund earned $10,400 in dividend income from this investment. These
       shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquisition of the
       investment advisor and Lieber & Company by First Union.
144A   Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
       rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
       determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
       Trustees.



Summary of Portfolio Abbreviations:
ACES     Automatically Convertible Equity Securities.
ADR      American Depository Receipts.
BUCS     Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities.
DECS     Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock.
MIPS     Monthly Income Preferred Shares.
PERCS    Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock.
PRIDES   Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities.
REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust.
SA       Sociedad Anonyme (Spanish Corporation)
SAILS    Stock Appreciation Income Linked Securities.
STRYPES  Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock.
TECONS   Term Convertible Shares.
TIDES    Term Income Deferrable Equitable Securities.
TOPRS    Trust Origanated Preferred Securities.





                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           33
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                            Schedule of Investments

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                        Value
<S>                  <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCKS - 56.3%
                     Advertising & Related
                           Services - 0.3%
       93,600        Gannett Co., Inc. ...     $ 6,727,500
                                               -----------
                     Aerospace &
                     Defense - 0.4%
       50,000        Rockwell International      2,868,750
                     Corp.
       62,200        United Technologies
                     Corp. ...............       5,741,838
                                               -----------
                                                 8,610,588
                                               -----------
                     Automotive Equipment &
                      Manufacturing - 1.5%
      283,700        Ford Motor Co. ......      18,387,306
      150,000        General Motors Corp.       10,115,625
                                               -----------
                                                28,502,931
                                               -----------
                              Banks - 4.7%
      250,020        BankAmerica Corp. ...      20,657,903
      279,700        BankBoston Corp. ....      30,836,925
      100,000        Chase Manhattan Corp. .    13,487,500
      275,700        Fleet Financial Group,
                     Inc. .................     23,451,731
                                               -----------
                                                88,434,059
                                               -----------
                     Business Equipment &
                           Services - 0.8%
      150,000        Xerox Corp. .........      15,965,625
                                               -----------
                     Capital Goods - 0.4%
       60,000        Deere & Co. .........       3,716,250
       75,750        Ingersoll Rand Co. ..       3,631,266
                                               -----------
                                                 7,347,516
                                               -----------
                     Chemical & Agricultural
                           Products - 3.7%
      133,200        Dow Chemical Co. ....      12,953,700
      250,000        Du Pont (E. I.) De         17,000,000
                     Nemours & Co.
      400,000        Monsanto Co. ........      20,800,000
      300,000        Morton International,       9,843,750
                     Inc.
      136,000        PPG Industries, Inc.        9,239,500
                                               -----------
                                                69,836,950
                                               -----------
                     Communication Systems &
                           Services - 0.1%
      27,900 *       Cisco Systems, Inc. .       1,908,534
                                               -----------
                     Consumer Products &
                           Services - 2.9%
     200,000 *       Cendant Corp. .......       7,925,000
       23,300        Colgate-Palmolive Co. .     2,018,363
      150,000        Gillette Co. ........      17,803,125
      220,000        Procter & Gamble Co.       18,562,500
      139,000        Whirlpool Corp. .....       9,530,187
                                               -----------
                                                55,839,175
                                               -----------
                     Diversified
                     Companies - 1.1%
      213,600        AlliedSignal, Inc. ..       8,971,200
       80,000        Minnesota Mining &          7,295,000
                     Manufacturing Co.
       81,400        Tyco International Ltd.     4,446,475
                                               -----------
                                                20,712,675
                                               -----------
                     Electrical Equipment &
                           Services - 4.5%
      108,000        Emerson Electric Co.        7,040,250
      861,800        General Electric Co.       74,276,387


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                        Value
<S>                  <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                     Electrical Equipment &
                     Services - continued
       49,600        Honeywell, Inc. .....     $ 4,101,300
                                               -----------
                                                85,417,937
                                               -----------
                     Finance &
                     Insurance - 4.5%
       83,492        Allstate Corp. ......       7,676,046
       60,000        CIGNA Corp. .........      12,300,000
      414,400        Federal Home Loan          19,658,100
                     Mortgage Corp.
      200,000        Federal National           12,650,000
                     Mortgage Association
       15,000        General Reinsurance         3,309,375
                     Corp.
       53,600        PMI Group, Inc. .....       4,328,200
       68,200        SAFECO Corp. ........       3,727,556
       40,000        St. Paul Companies,         3,565,000
                     Inc.
      150,000        Travelers Group, Inc. .     9,000,000
      200,000        Travelers Property
                     Casualty Corp.
                     Cl. A ...............       8,800,000
                                               -----------
                                                85,014,277
                                               -----------
                     Food & Beverage Products - 2.6%
       46,800        Bestfoods ...........       5,469,750
       29,100        Coca Cola Co. .......       2,253,431
       79,200        H.J. Heinz Co. ......       4,623,300
       88,000        Kellogg Co. .........       3,795,000
      569,800        Philip Morris              23,753,538
                     Companies, Inc.
      141,800        Sara Lee Corp. ......       8,738,425
                                               -----------
                                                48,633,444
                                               -----------
                     Healthcare Products &
                          Services - 11.1%
      300,000        American Home Products     28,612,500
                     Corp.
      194,900        Bristol-Myers Squibb       20,330,506
                     Co.
       58,200        HBO & Co. ...........       3,512,006
     101,200 *       HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ...       2,839,925
      647,200        Johnson & Johnson ...      47,447,850
      56,200 *       Lincare Holdings, Inc.      3,958,588
      213,000        Merck & Co., Inc. ...      27,343,875
      318,300        Pfizer, Inc. ........      31,730,531
      204,800        Schering-Plough Corp. .    16,729,600
      181,900        SmithKline Beecham Plc,
                     ADR .................      11,380,119
      37,200 *       Universal Health
                     Services, Inc.
                     Cl. B ...............       2,148,300
       84,000        Warner-Lambert Co. ..      14,306,250
                                               -----------
                                               210,340,050
                                               -----------
                     Information Services &
                         Technology - 1.4%
     200,000 *       EMC Corp. ...........       7,562,500
      100,000        Hewlett-Packard Co. .       6,337,500
      100,000        International Business     10,387,500
                     Machines Corp.
      23,200 *       Microsoft Corp. .....       2,075,675
                                               -----------
                                                26,363,175
                                               -----------
                     Oil / Energy - 6.2%
       96,600        Amoco Corp. .........       8,343,825
      289,000        Atlantic Richfield Co.     22,722,625
      263,600        Chevron Corp. .......      21,170,375
      127,000        Exxon Corp. .........       8,588,375
      332,900        Mobil Corp. .........      25,508,462
      280,400        Royal Dutch Petroleum      15,930,225
                     Co.
       58,200        Texaco, Inc. ........       3,506,550
</TABLE>

                                       34
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Shares                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                      Oil / Energy - continued
       294,400        Unocal Corp. ........     $  11,389,600
                                                -------------
                                                  117,160,037
                                                -------------
                      Oil Field
                      Services - 0.5%
        90,400        Halliburton Co. .....         4,536,950
        62,200        Schlumberger Ltd. ...         4,711,650
                                                -------------
                                                    9,248,600
                                                -------------
                      Paper &
                      Packaging - 1.5%
        30,800        Georgia-Pacific Corp. .       1,994,300
        57,000        International Paper Co.       2,668,313
       126,600        Kimberly-Clark Corp.          6,345,825
       300,000        Weyerhaeuser Co. ....        16,950,000
                                                -------------
                                                   27,958,438
                                                -------------
                      Real Estate - 2.5%
       119,500        Arden Realty Group,           3,405,750
                      Inc. REIT
       200,000        Boston Properties, Inc.       7,037,500
                      REIT
       703,150        Equity Office                21,533,969
                      Properties Trust REIT
        70,000        First Industrial Realty       2,520,000
                      Trust, Inc. REIT
       200,003        Patriot American              5,400,081
                      Hospitality, Inc. REIT
       100,000        Spieker Properties,           4,125,000
                      Inc. REIT
       100,000        TriNet Corporate Realty       3,831,250
                                                -------------
                      Trust, Inc. REIT
                                                   47,853,550
                                                -------------
                      Retailing &
                      Wholesale - 0.7%
        79,100        J. C. Penney Co., Inc.        5,986,881
        60,000        May Department Stores         3,810,000
                      Co.
        70,000        Sears, Roebuck & Co.          4,020,625
                                                -------------
                                                   13,817,506
                                                -------------
                       Transportation - 0.4%
       120,000        Norfolk Southern Corp.        4,485,000
        46,800        Union Pacific Corp. .         2,629,575
                                                -------------
                                                    7,114,575
                                                -------------
                      Utilities - Electric -
                      1.0%
        39,500        American Electric Power       1,984,875
                      Co., Inc.
        87,300        Cinergy Corp. .......         3,230,100
        74,000        Consolidated Edison           3,459,500
                      Inc.
        42,000        Duke Power Co. ......         2,501,625
        71,400        Florida Progress Corp.        2,976,487
        86,800        Houston Industries,           2,495,500
                      Inc.
        65,200        PacifiCorp ..........         1,605,550
        44,105        Texas Utilities Co. .         1,733,878
                                                -------------
                                                   19,987,515
                                                -------------
                      Utilities - Telephone -
                      3.5%
       248,000        Ameritech Corp. .....        12,260,500
       300,000        AT&T Corp. ..........        19,687,500
       157,651        Bell Atlantic Corp. .        16,159,227
        23,950        Century Telephone             1,463,944
                      Enterprises, Inc.
       162,000        GTE Corp. ...........         9,699,750
        41,800        SBC Communications,           1,823,525
                      Inc.
        75,480        Sprint Corp. ........         5,109,053
                                                -------------
                                                   66,203,499
                                                -------------
                      Total Common Stocks
                      (cost $480,276,161)..     1,068,998,156
                                                -------------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Shares                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                       <C>
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 2.7%
                      Consumer Products &
                             Services - 0.7%
       100,000        Cendant Corp.
                      6.86% ...............     $   4,425,000
       150,000        Newell Financial Trust I
                      5.25%, 144A .........         8,475,000
                                                -------------
                                                   12,900,000
                                                -------------
                      Finance &
                      Insurance - 1.4%
        64,200        Allstate Corp.
                      6.76%, DECS
                      (Exchangeable for PMI
                      Group, Inc. common            4,225,163
                      stock)
        63,500        Conseco, Inc.
                      7.00%, PRIDES .......        12,295,187
       200,000        SunAmerica, Inc.
                      $3.188, PERCS .......         9,687,500
                                                -------------
                                                   26,207,850
                                                -------------
                      Retailing &
                      Wholesale - 0.6%
       200,000        Kmart Financing I
                      7.75% ...............        12,550,000
                                                -------------
                      Total Convertible
                      Preferred
                      (cost $36,210,992)...        51,657,850
                                                -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
    Amount                                    Value
<S>              <C>                      <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 1.2%
                 Healthcare Products &
                       Services - 0.5%
$10,000,000      HEALTHSOUTH Corp.
                 3.25%, 4/1/03, 144A       9,962,500
                                           ---------
                 Industrial Specialty
                 Products &
                       Services - 0.2%
  3,000,000      Solectron Corp.
                 6.00%, 3/1/06 ......      4,147,500
                                           ---------
                 Retailing &
                 Wholesale - 0.5%
  5,250,000      Staples, Inc.
                 4.50%, 10/1/00, 144A .    8,413,125
                                           ---------
                 Total Convertible
                 Debentures
                 (cost $18,250,000)..     22,523,125
                                          ----------
CORPORATE BONDS - 18.2%
                 Aerospace &
                 Defense - 0.9%
  5,000,000      Boeing Co.
                 6.625%, 2/15/38, 144A     4,941,900
                 Northrop Grumman Corp.
  5,500,000       7.00%, 3/1/06 .....      5,645,695
  5,000,000       9.375%, 10/15/24 ..      5,913,950
                                          ----------
                                          16,501,545
                                          ----------
                 Automotive Equipment &
                  Manufacturing - 0.4%
  7,500,000      Hertz Corp.
                 7.00%, 5/1/02 ......      7,634,850
                                          ----------
                 Consumer Products &
                       Services - 0.1%
  1,001,000      Stanley Works
                 7.375%, 12/15/02 ...      1,047,256
                                          ----------
</TABLE>

                                                                       35
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                      <C>
CORPORATE BONDS - continued
                      Diversified
                      Companies - 0.7%
                      General Electric
                      Capital Corp.
$1,280,000             8.75%, 3/14/03 ....     $ 1,438,170
 5,470,000             8.75%, 5/21/07 ....       6,410,840
 5,000,000            Grand Metropolitan
                      Investment Corp.
                      7.45%, 4/15/35 .....       5,610,500
                                               -----------
                                                13,459,510
                                               -----------
                      Finance &
                      Insurance - 7.3%
 8,000,000            ABN Amro Bank NV
                      Chicago Branch
                      7.30%, 12/1/26 .....       7,987,600
 8,000,000            AMBAC, Inc.
                      9.375%, 8/1/11 .....       9,930,160
 3,465,000            Amsouth Bancorp
                      6.75%, 11/1/25 .....       3,564,688
 6,550,000            Associates Corp. North
                      America
                      8.625%, 11/15/04 ...       7,368,422
 6,750,000            Bear Stearns Cos. Inc.
                      6.20%, 3/30/03 .....       6,710,175
 5,800,000            Beneficial Corp.
                      6.25%, 2/18/13 .....       5,713,174
   698,000            Boatmen's Bancshares,
                      Inc.
                      6.75%, 3/15/03 .....         711,011
 4,500,000            CIT Group Holdings,
                      Inc.
                      9.25%, 3/15/01 .....       4,876,470
 6,400,000            Commercial Credit
                      Group, Inc.
                      10.00%, 5/15/09 ....       8,111,552
 1,280,000            Dean Witter, Discover
                      & Co.
                      6.75%, 10/15/13 ....       1,284,493
                      General Motors
                      Acceptance Corp.
 5,500,000             5.875%, 1/22/03 ...       5,435,760
 6,600,000             8.50%, 1/1/03 .....       7,194,198
 2,250,000            International Lease
                      Finance Corp.
                      5.75%, 1/15/03 .....       2,204,933
 5,500,000            John Hancock Mutual
                      Life Insurance Co.
                      7.375%, 2/15/24, 144A      5,674,405
 6,500,000            Lehman Brothers
                      Holdings, Inc.
                      6.50%, 10/1/02 .....       6,531,265
 7,000,000            Liberty Mutual
                      Insurance Co.
                      7.697%, 10/15/97 ...       7,260,190
 5,000,000            Mellon Capital II
                      7.995%, 1/15/27 ....       5,300,700
 2,250,000            Merrill Lynch & Co.,
                      Inc.
                      6.00%, 2/12/03 .....       2,233,125
 4,000,000            National Westminster
                      Bancorp
                      9.375%, 11/15/03 ...       4,563,000
 6,000,000            Nationwide CSN Trust
                      9.875%, 2/15/25, 144A      6,917,880
                      Paine Webber Group,
                      Inc.
 4,705,000             8.25%, 5/1/02 .....       5,003,673
 5,050,000             9.25%, 12/15/01 ...       5,511,621
 6,200,000            Prudential Insurance
                      Co.
                      7.125%, 7/1/07 .....       6,457,424
 1,164,000            Salomon, Inc.
                      5.50%, 1/15/99 .....       1,159,914
 3,750,000            Southtrust Bank
                      6.565%, 12/15/27 ...       3,810,075
 6,700,000            Sun Life Canada
                      Capital Trust
                      8.526%, 5/29/49 ....       7,333,820
                                               -----------
                                               138,849,728
                                               -----------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                      <C>
CORPORATE BONDS - continued
                      Food & Beverage
                      Products - 0.4%
$  989,000            PepsiCo, Inc.
                      7.625%, 11/1/98 ....     $   998,544
                      Philip Morris
                      Companies, Inc.
 5,000,000             7.20%, 2/1/07 .....       5,157,900
 1,164,000             8.65%, 5/15/98 ....       1,167,562
                                               -----------
                                                 7,324,006
                                               -----------
                      Healthcare Products &
                            Services - 0.6%
 8,000,000            Medpartners, Inc.
                      6.875%, 9/1/00 .....       7,929,440
 3,000,000            Merck & Co., Inc.
                      6.40%, 3/1/28 ......       2,983,140
                                               -----------
                                                10,912,580
                                               -----------
                      Industrial Specialty
                      Products &
                            Services - 0.6%
 1,629,000            Jet Equipment Trust
                      9.41%, 6/15/10, 144A .     1,952,128
 1,100,000            Textron, Inc.
                      10.01%, 2/1/00 .....       1,175,614
                      Waste Management, Inc.
 7,000,000             7.65%, 3/15/11 ....       7,207,812
   326,000             8.75%, 5/1/18 .....         360,325
                                               -----------
                                                10,695,879
                                               -----------
                      Information Services &
                          Technology - 0.3%
 6,500,000            Comdisco Inc.
                      6.125%, 1/15/03 ....       6,404,905
                                               -----------
                      Machinery - Diversifie
                      - 0.1%
 2,000,000            Caterpillar, Inc.
                      9.375%, 7/15/01 ....       2,184,940
                                               -----------
                      Oil / Energy - 1.2%
 5,000,000            Global Marine, Inc.
                      7.125%, 9/1/07 .....       5,128,906
 4,250,000            Occidental Petroleum
                      Corp.
                      9.25%, 8/1/19 ......       5,170,465
 5,000,000            Petroleum Geo Services
                      6.625%, 3/30/08 ....       4,991,550
 7,500,000            Transocean Offshore,
                      Inc.
                      8.00%, 4/15/27 .....       8,516,325
                                               -----------
                                                23,807,246
                                               -----------
                      Oil Field
                      Services - 0.5%
                      Atlantic Richfield Co.
   931,000             9.00%, 4/1/21 .....       1,182,882
 3,500,000             9.875%, 3/1/16 ....       4,684,225
 4,250,000            Smith International,
                      Inc.
                      7.00%, 9/15/07 .....       4,348,133
                                               -----------
                                                10,215,240
                                               -----------
                      Paper &
                      Packaging - 0.4%
 8,000,000            James River Corp.
                      6.75%, 10/1/99 .....       8,077,600
                                               -----------
                      Publishing, Broadcasting &
                       Entertainment - 0.6%
10,450,000            Time Warner Inc.
                      8.05%, 1/15/16 .....      11,282,551
                                               -----------
</TABLE>

                                       36
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                         Value
<S>                   <C>                                       <C>
CORPORATE BONDS - continued
                      Real Estate - 0.6%
$   7,000,000         Equity Office Properties Trust
                      6.375%, 2/15/03 .....................     $   6,929,860
    4,000,000         Glenborough Realty Trust, Inc.
                      7.625%, 3/15/05, 144A ...............         3,982,500
                                                                -------------
                                                                   10,912,360
                                                                -------------
                      Retailing & Wholesale - 0.7%
    8,000,000         Fred Meyer Inc.
                      7.15%, 3/1/03 .......................         7,993,280
    4,300,000         Sears Roebuck & Co.
                      10.00%, 2/3/12 ......................         5,670,969
                                                                -------------
                                                                   13,664,249
                                                                -------------
                      Telecommunication Services &
                            Equipment - 0.6%
    6,750,000         Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp.
                      7.12%, 7/15/97, Deb. ................         7,137,787
    4,000,000         Frontier Corp.
                      6.25%, 12/15/99, 144A ...............         4,005,200
                                                                -------------
                                                                   11,142,987
                                                                -------------
                       Transportation - 0.8%
    5,884,228         Atlantic Coast Airlines Corp.
                      7.20%, 1/1/14 .......................         5,973,374
    3,000,000         Golden St. Pete Transportation Corp.
                      8.04%, 2/1/19 .......................         3,172,500
    6,250,000         Norfolk Southern Corp.
                      7.05%, 5/1/37 .......................         6,582,500
                                                                -------------
                                                                   15,728,374
                                                                -------------
                      Utilities - Electric - 0.9%
    5,000,000         Central Illinois Public Service Co.
                      7.61%, 6/1/17 .......................         5,361,350
    5,000,000         Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.
                      6.65%, 7/15/27 ......................         5,185,700
    4,000,000         Rural Electric Cooperative
                      8.67%, 9/15/18 ......................         4,539,160
      284,000         System Energy Resources, Inc.
                      11.375%, 9/1/16 .....................           302,514
      838,000         Union Electric Co.
                      8.00%, 12/15/22 .....................           895,328
                                                                -------------
                                                                   16,284,052
                                                                -------------
                      Utilities - Gas - 0.3%
    5,000,000         K N Energy Inc.
                      6.45%, 3/1/03 .......................         5,004,000
                                                                -------------
                      Utilities - Telephone - 0.2%
    3,500,000         GTE Florida Inc.
                      6.86%, 2/1/28 .......................         3,516,520
                                                                -------------
                      Total Corporate Bonds
                      (cost $339,315,281)..................       344,650,378
                                                                -------------
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 5.2%
    5,500,000         Americredit Automobile Receivable,
                      Series 1997-C, Class A3,
                      6.30%, 7/5/03 .......................         5,554,395
   12,500,000         Carco Auto Loan Master Trust,
                      Series 1997-1, Class A,
                      6.69%, 8/15/04 ......................        12,573,875


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                         Value
<S>                   <C>                                       <C>
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - continued
$   2,750,000         Contimortgage Home Equity Loan,
                      Series 1997-4, Class A7
                      6.63%, 9/15/16 ......................     $   2,774,062
    4,000,000         Contimortgage Home Equity Loan Trust,
                      Series 1998-1, Class A6,
                      6.58%, 12/15/18 .....................         4,006,250
    6,150,000         Corestates Home Equity Loan,
                      Series 1996-1, Class A4,
                      7.00%, 6/15/12 ......................         6,215,344
                      Green Tree Financial Corp.
    6,000,000          Series 1993-4, Class A3,
                      6.25%, 1/15/19 ......................         6,011,220
    6,000,000          Series 1997-3, Class A5,
                      7.14%, 7/15/28 ......................         6,148,080
                      Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
    1,655,602          Series 1992-B, Class B,
                      8.50%, 4/15/12 ......................         1,653,532
    3,597,136          Series 1992-D, Class B,
                      8.50%, 6/15/17 ......................         3,809,439
    5,000,000          Series 1991-D, Class B,
                      9.85%, 7/15/11 ......................         5,112,500
    8,000,000         Olympic Automobile Receivables Trust,
                      Series 1997-A, Class A5
                      6.80%, 2/15/05 ......................         8,139,040
   10,000,000         Premier Auto Trust, Series 1997-2,
                      Class B,
                      6.53%, 12/6/03 ......................        10,087,500
    7,500,000         Southern Pacific Secured Assets Corp.,
                      Series 1996-3, Class A4
                      7.60%, 10/25/27 .....................         7,661,719
      930,000         University Support Services, Inc.,
                      Series 1992-D,
                      8.98%, 11/1/07 ......................           927,094
   10,900,000         WFS Financial Owner Trust, Series
                      1997-C, Class CTFS
                      6.30%, 3/20/05 ......................        10,842,094
    6,650,000         World Omni Automobile Lease, Series
                      1997-A, Class A4,
                      6.90%, 6/25/03 ......................         6,762,185
                                                                -------------
                      Total Asset-Backed Securities
                      (cost $96,861,861)...................        98,278,329
                                                                -------------
FOREIGN BONDS (U.S. DOLLARS) - 1.3%
    5,000,000         Bayer Corp.
                      7.125%, 10/1/15, 144A ...............         5,225,200
    4,000,000         IBJ Preferred Capital Co. LLC
                      8.79%, 12/29/49, 144A ...............         3,870,000
      640,000         International Bank For Reconstruction &
                      Development Co.
                      7.95%, 5/15/16 ......................           755,283
    7,000,000         Republic of Columbia
                      8.625%, 4/1/08 ......................         7,032,130
    8,000,000         YPF Sociedad Anonima
                      7.25%, 3/15/03 ......................         7,969,680
                                                                -------------
                      Total Foreign Bonds (U.S. Dollars)
                      (cost $24,946,002)...................        24,852,293
                                                                -------------
FOREIGN BONDS (NON-U.S. DOLLARS) - 3.8%
                      Nykredit
               DKK
           280,000     7.00%, 10/1/29 .....................            40,108
               DKK
       194,622,000     6.00%, 10/1/26 .....................        27,312,221
        DKK           Realkredit Danmark
       206,500,000    6.00%, 10/1/26 ......................        28,979,115
</TABLE>

                                                                       37
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                          Value
<S>                   <C>                                        <C>
FOREIGN BONDS (NON-U.S. DOLLARS) - continued
                      Republic of Greece
               GRD
         7,200,000     6.75%, 11/13/06 .....................     $  4,231,516
               GRD
     2,150,000,000     8.60%, 3/26/08 ......................        6,999,609
               SEK    Skandinaviska Enskilda
        60,000,000      0.00%, 5/26/33 .....................        5,226,000
                                                                 ------------
                      Total Foreign Bonds (Non-U.S. Dollars)
                      (cost $72,865,840)....................       72,788,569
                                                                 ------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 2.0%
                      Treasury Notes & Bonds - 0.9%
                      U.S. Treasury Bonds
$  2,750,000           6.375%, 8/15/27 .....................        2,904,688
   9,935,000           7.875%, 2/15/21 .....................       12,193,623
   1,450,000          U.S. Treasury Notes
                      5.50%, 2/28/03 .......................        1,441,387
                                                                 ------------
                                                                   16,539,698
                                                                 ------------
                      U.S. Government Agency
                        Obligations - 1.1%
  11,000,000          Federal Home Loan Bank
                      5.625%, 3/19/01 ......................       10,953,580
  10,000,000          Federal National Mortgage Association
                      5.25%, 1/15/03 .......................        9,768,700
                                                                 ------------
                       .....................................       20,722,280
                                                                 ------------
                      Total U.S. Government & Agency
                      Obligations
                      (cost $37,335,232)....................       37,261,978
                                                                 ------------
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 7.8%
                      Mortgage Pass-Through
                       Certificates - 2.7%
                      Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
   1,547,373           7.08%, 6/1/16 .......................        1,585,574
   1,846,801           7.56%, 3/1/22 .......................        1,896,433
   5,432,301           7.86%, 4/1/22 .......................        5,723,418
                      Federal National Mortgage Association
  18,134,863           5.50%, 7/1/09 .......................       17,684,211
   5,193,664           7.00%, 5/1/24 .......................        5,248,821
   3,639,786           7.45%, 2/1/27 .......................        3,716,549
   2,284,692           7.57%, 12/1/23 ......................        2,354,604
   1,014,694           7.59%, 5/1/22 .......................        1,062,263
   3,396,186           7.63%, 9/1/21 .......................        3,555,909
   5,116,224           7.74%, 1/1/31 .......................        5,348,858
                      Government National Mortgage
                      Association
     565,397           8.50%, 5/15/21 ......................          600,027
     345,631           8.50%, 7/15/21 ......................          367,772
     712,402           8.50%, 6/15/22 ......................          754,028
     371,573           9.00%, 9/15/21 ......................          401,759
     593,937           9.00%, 10/15/21 .....................          642,189
     329,669           9.50%, 2/15/21 ......................          357,582
                                                                 ------------
                                                                   51,299,997
                                                                 ------------
                      Collateralized Mortgage
                        Obligations - 5.1%
   3,300,000          Asset Securitization Corp.,
                      Series 1996-D3, Class A3
                      7.14%, 10/13/26 ......................        3,510,891


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                          Value
<S>                   <C>                                        <C>
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - continued
                      Collateralized Mortgage
                      Obligations - continued
$  2,000,000          Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities
                      Corp., Series 1997-2, Class B,
                      6.60%, 11/19/07 ......................     $  1,963,750
   2,200,000          Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities
                      Corp., Series 1997-1, Class B,
                      7.37%, 4/19/07 .......................        2,235,337
   4,763,274          Chase Mortgage Finance Corp.,
                      Series 1994-D, Class M,
                      6.75%, 2/25/25 .......................        4,648,956
   2,400,000          Commercial Mortgage Acceptance
                      Corp., Series 1997-ML1, Class B,
                      6.42%, 12/15/07 ......................        2,412,000
   7,694,341          Criimi Mae Financial Corp.
                      Series 1, Class A,
                      7.00%, 1/1/33 ........................        7,667,892
   1,250,000          FFCA Secured Lending Corp.,
                      Series 1997-1, Class B1,
                      7.74%, 6/18/13 .......................        1,322,852
   5,507,639          Financial Asset Securitization,
                      Series 1997-NAM 1, Class FXA2,
                      7.75%, 5/25/27 .......................        5,627,258
                      Federal National Mortgage Association
   1,250,000           Remic Trust 1993-248, Class SA,
                      4.19%, 8/25/23 .......................        1,049,787
   5,000,000           Series 1997-M6, Class C,
                      6.85%, 5/17/20 .......................        5,221,094
   7,898,205          Independent National Mortgage Corp.,
                      144A, Series 1997-A, Class A,
                      7.84%, 12/26/26 ......................        7,954,440
   1,080,985          KS Mortgage Capital, L. P., 144A,
                      Series 1995-1, Class A1,
                      7.14%, 4/20/02 .......................        1,084,025
                      Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
   2,299,000           Series 1996-C2, Class B,
                      6.96%, 11/21/28 ......................        2,357,193
   5,000,000           Series 1997-C1, Class A3,
                      7.12%, 6/18/29 .......................        5,221,875
   5,870,000          Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 35, Class G,
                      8.45%, 11/1/18 .......................        6,222,200
   1,891,030          Mid State Trust, Series 6, Class A3,
                      7.45%, 11/1/35 .......................        1,909,827
   6,000,000          Morgan Stanley Capital I Inc.,
                      Commercial Mortgage Certificate
                      1998 Wf1 Class C
                      6.77%, 1/15/08 .......................        6,063,750
   4,000,000          Nomura Asset Securities Corp.,
                      Commercial Mortgage Certificate
                      Series 1998 D6, Class A 3
                      6.98%, 3/17/28 .......................        4,061,400
  12,508,375          Nomura Depositor Trust Str I,
                      Commercial Mortgage Certificate
                      Series 1998-ST1A, Class A1, 144A
                      5.91%, 2/15/24 .......................       12,508,570
     306,517          Paine Webber Mortgage Acceptance
                      Corp. IV, Series 1993-5, Class A3,
                      6.875%, 6/25/08 ......................          305,818
                      PNC Mortgage Securities Corp.
   2,485,717           Series 1997-4, Class 2PP3,
                      7.25%, 7/25/27 .......................        2,472,542
   6,840,505           Series 1997-4, Class 2PP1,
                      7.50%, 7/25/27 .......................        6,823,668
</TABLE>

                                       38
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
     Amount                                                    Value
<S>             <C>                         <C>         <C>
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - continued
                Collateralized Mortgage
                Obligations - continued
 $  4,817,956   Shearson Lehman CMO Inc.,
                Series V, Class 5
                7.50%%, 5/1/19 ......................     $    4,977,285
                                                          --------------
                                                              97,622,410
                                                          --------------
                Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
                (cost $146,908,231)..................        148,922,407
                                                          --------------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
     Amount                                                    Value
<S>             <C>                         <C>         <C>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 1.5%
 $ 27,655,000   Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement,
                investments in repurchase
                agreements, in a joint trading
                account, purchased 3/31/98,
                5.67%, maturing 4/1/98, maturity
                value $27,659,356,
                (cost $27,655,000) (a) ..............     $   27,655,000
                                                          --------------
                Total Investments -
                 (cost $1,280,624,600)..... 100.0%         1,897,588,085
                Other Assets and
                 Liabilities - net ........   0.0               (434,344)
                                            ------        --------------
                Net Assets ................ 100.0%        $1,897,153,741
                                            ======        ==============
</TABLE>

*    Non-income producing securities.
(a)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. Government
     and/or agency obligations based on market prices at March 31, 1998.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
     Trustees.



Summary of Portfolio Abbreviations:
ADR    American Depository Receipt
DECS   Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PERCS  Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Income Debt Exchangeable for Stock
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS


Forward foreign currency exchange contracts to sell:

<TABLE>
<S>          <C>            <C>                       <C>                 <C>             <C>
Exchange                                              U.S. $ Value at     In Exchange     Net Unrealized
 Date        Contracts to Deliver                      March 31, 1998      for U.S. $      Appreciation
- -------      --------------------------------------   -----------------   -------------   --------
6/26/98         8,115,000   German Deutsche Marks     $4,409,236          $4,460,580      $ 51,344
4/16/98       198,540,000   Danish Kroner             28,181,905          28,781,421       599,516
6/12/98       199,000,000   Danish Kroner             28,324,458          28,645,458       321,000
                                                                                          --------
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts                                                                        $971,860
                                                                                          ========
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           39
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                            Schedule of Investments

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                        Value
<S>                 <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCKS - 60.8%
                    Aerospace &
                    Defense - 0.8%
      392,600       Boeing Co. ..........     $20,464,275
        5,420       Raytheon Co. Cl. A ..         308,263
       11,000       United Technologies
                    Corp. ...............       1,015,437
                                              -----------
                                               21,787,975
                                              -----------
                    Automotive Equipment &
                     Manufacturing - 1.6%
      438,400       Chrysler Corp. ......      18,221,000
       85,000       General Motors Corp.        5,732,187
       30,000       Genuine Parts Co. ...       1,143,750
      208,800       Goodyear Tire & Rubber
                    Co...................      15,816,600
                                              -----------
                                               40,913,537
                                              -----------
                             Banks - 7.7%
       55,400       AmSouth Bancorp .....       3,272,062
       50,000       Bancfirst Corp. .....       1,987,500
      391,800       BankBoston Corp. ....      43,195,950
        5,000       Bankers Trust Corp. .         601,563
      140,062       BSB Bancorp, Inc. ...       4,341,922
       82,000       Cape Cod Bank & Trust
                    Co. .................       3,608,000
       27,000       CB Bancshares, Inc. .         982,125
       92,700       CitiCorp ............      13,163,400
      106,000       Crestar Financial Corp.     6,267,250
      321,950       Dime Bancorp, Inc. ..       9,678,622
       85,138       First Chicago NBD Corp.     7,502,786
        3,800       First Empire State
                    Corp. ................      1,899,525
      290,900       First of America Bank
                    Corp. ................     25,162,850
       16,875       First Security Corp.          401,836
      117,000       First Union Corp. **        6,639,750
       45,000       Fleet Financial Group,
                    Inc. .................      3,827,812
       43,400       Hancock Holding Co. .       2,669,100
       70,801       Hibernia Corp. Cl. A        1,455,846
      278,400       KeyCorp .............      10,527,000
       50,000       Mississippi Valley
                    Bancshares, Inc. ....       2,087,500
      131,825       NationsBank Corp. ...       9,614,986
       66,150       Peoples Heritage
                    Financial Group .....       3,191,738
      102,000       Seacoast Banking Corp.
                    of Florida Cl. A .....      3,774,000
       88,200       SunTrust Banks, Inc.        6,648,075
       65,000       U.S. Trust Corp. ....       4,273,750
       58,275       Wachovia Corp. ......       4,942,448
       80,000       Webster Financial Corp.     5,560,000
      238,300       Wilmington Trust Corp.     15,817,162
                                              -----------
                                              203,094,558
                                              -----------
                    Building, Construction
                    & Furnishings - 1.7%
      211,400       Armstrong World
                    Industries, Inc. ....      18,299,312
       17,857       Engle Homes, Inc. ...         299,105
       82,500       Home Depot, Inc. ....       5,563,594
      356,122       Lennar Corp. ........      12,263,951
      103,000       Lowe's Companies, Inc.      7,229,312
       15,100       M/I Schottenstein
                    Homes, Inc. ..........        330,313
                                              -----------
                                               43,985,587
                                              -----------
                    Business Equipment &
                    Services - 0.3%
      35,500 *      Crescent Operating,
                    Inc. .................        758,813
       50,000       Lucent Technologies,
                    Inc. .................      6,393,750


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                        Value
<S>                 <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Business Equipment &
                    Services - continued
      10,000 *      Policy Management
                    Systems Corp. .......     $   803,125
       10,000       Xerox Corp. .........       1,064,375
                                              -----------
                                                9,020,063
                                              -----------
                    Capital Goods - 1.0%
      115,000       Caterpillar, Inc. ...       6,332,187
      301,700       Deere & Co. .........      18,686,544
                                              -----------
                                               25,018,731
                                              -----------
                    Chemical & Agricultural
                    Products - 3.5%
       40,000       Air Products &              3,315,000
                    Chemicals, Inc.
      571,200       Du Pont (E. I.) De
                    Nemours & Co. .......      38,841,600
       70,000       Grace (W.R.) & Co. ..       5,858,125
       60,000       H.B. Fuller Co. .....       3,592,500
      217,800       Monsanto Co. ........      11,325,600
      170,000       Morton International,
                    Inc. ................       5,578,125
       75,000       Nalco Chemical Co. ..       3,042,187
       58,000       Pioneer Hi-Bred
                    International, Inc. .       5,658,625
      110,800       PPG Industries, Inc.        7,527,475
       45,000       Praxair, Inc. .......       2,314,688
      115,000       Schulman (A.), Inc. .       2,903,750
      100,560       Solutia, Inc. .......       2,991,660
                                              -----------
                                               92,949,335
                                              -----------
                    Communication Systems &
                    Services - 0.3%
     105,000 *      Cisco Systems, Inc. .       7,179,375
                                              -----------
                    Consumer Products &
                    Services - 1.7%
       35,000       Avon Products, Inc. .       2,730,000
       95,000       Black & Decker Corp.        5,040,937
     233,150 *      Cendant Corp. .......       9,238,569
      32,052 *      Consolidated Products,
                    Inc. ................         617,001
       50,000       H & R Block, Inc. ...       2,378,125
      146,300       International Flavors &
                    Fragrances, Inc. ....       6,894,387
     105,100 *      Nautica Enterprises,
                    Inc. ................       3,231,825
       40,000       Nike, Inc. Cl. B ....       1,770,000
       20,000       Premark International,
                    Inc. ................         662,500
       94,200       Procter & Gamble Co.        7,948,125
      118,500       Tupperware Corp. ....       3,155,063
                                              -----------
                                               43,666,532
                                              -----------
                    Diversified
                    Companies - 0.0% (a)
        8,000       Cooper Industries, Inc.       475,500
        2,800       Tyco International Ltd.       152,950
                                              -----------
                                                  628,450
                                              -----------
                    Electrical Equipment &
                    Services - 2.8%
      163,400       AMP, Inc. ...........       7,158,963
      130,000       Applied Power, Inc.
                    Cl. A ...............       5,005,000
      512,200       General Electric Co.       44,145,237
      107,000       Honeywell, Inc. .....       8,847,562
</TABLE>

                                       40
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                       Value
<S>                 <C>                      <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Electrical Equipment &
                    Services - continued
        1,500       Motorola, Inc. .....     $    90,938
      117,000       Perkin Elmer Corp. .       8,460,562
                                             -----------
                                              73,708,262
                                             -----------
                    Finance &
                    Insurance - 9.1%
       10,668       Aetna, Inc. ........         890,111
       60,000       AFLAC, Inc. ........       3,795,000
      120,000       Allstate Corp. .....      11,032,500
      110,600       Ambac Financial Group,
                    Inc. ...............       6,463,187
      169,475       American International
                    Group, Inc. ........      21,343,258
      173,500       Beneficial Corp. ...      21,568,219
       51,800       Chubb Corp. ........       4,059,825
      148,350       Countrywide Credit
                    Industries, Inc. ...       7,890,366
      95,000 *      Degeorge Financial
                    Corp. ..............         130,625
       20,000       FBL Financial Group,
                    Inc.
                    Cl. A ..............       1,012,500
       40,000       Federal Home Loan
                    Mortgage Corp. .....       1,897,500
      699,000       Federal National
                    Mortgage Association..    44,211,750
      115,000       Frontier Insurance
                    Group, Inc. .........      3,176,875
       24,000       Interstate/Johnson
                    Lane, Inc. ..........        732,000
       70,000       John Alden Financial
                    Corp. ...............      1,509,375
      142,200       John Nuveen Co., Cl. A     5,208,075
      118,600       Lehman Brothers
                    Holdings, Inc. ......      8,880,175
      279,400       Marsh & McLennan Co.,
                    Inc. ................     24,395,112
      327,400       Merrill Lynch & Co.,
                    Inc. ................     27,174,200
      345,200       MGIC Investment Corp.     22,675,325
       40,000       Mid Ocean Ltd. .....       3,100,000
      155,000       NAC RE Corp. .......       8,127,812
      110,000       Nationwide Financial
                    Services, Inc.
                    Cl. A ..............       4,771,250
       15,000       Ohio Casualty Corp.          720,000
      142,250       Raymond James
                    Financial, Inc. ....       6,196,766
       9,470 *      Security Capital
                    Group, Inc. Cl. B
                    Warrants $28.00
                    Expiring 9/18/98 ...          31,369
        3,500       SLM Holding Corp. ..         152,688
                                             -----------
                                             241,145,863
                                             -----------
                    Food & Beverage
                    Products - 0.6%
      120,000       Bestfoods ..........      14,025,000
      30,000 *      Corn Products
                    International, Inc..       1,076,250
        3,000       Tricon Global
                    Restaurants, Inc. ...         90,188
                                             -----------
                                              15,191,438
                                             -----------
                    Forest Products - 0.3%
       88,000       Union Camp Corp. ...       5,258,000
       90,000       Willamette Industries,
                    Inc. ...............       3,380,625
                                             -----------
                                               8,638,625
                                             -----------
                    Healthcare Products &
                       Services - 6.0%
      205,700       Abbott Laboratories       15,491,781
       1,750 *      Alza Corp. Warrants
                    $65.00 Expiring
                    12/31/99 ...........           1,695
      202,900       American Home Products
                    Corp. ..............      19,351,587
       65,000       Baxter International,
                    Inc. ...............       3,583,125
      101,200       Bristol-Myers Squibb
                    Co. ................      10,556,425
      180,900       Columbia / HCA
                    Healthcare Corp. ...       5,834,025
      23,000 *      Covance, Inc. ......         564,938


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                       Value
<S>                 <C>                      <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Healthcare Products &
                    Services - continued
      76,000 *      First Health Group
                    Corp. ..............     $ 4,123,000
       68,550       Guidant Corp. ......       5,029,856
      114,500       Johnson & Johnson ..       8,394,281
      312,524       Lilly (Eli) & Co. ..      18,634,244
      65,000 *      Lincare Holdings, Inc.     4,590,625
      41,666 *      Maxxim Medical, Inc. .     1,195,293
      160,000       McKesson Corp. .....       9,240,000
     151,750 *      MedPartners, Inc. ..       1,555,438
      146,600       Medtronic, Inc. ....       7,604,875
      167,758       Merck & Co., Inc. ..      21,535,933
       96,000       Pfizer, Inc. .......       9,570,000
      11,500 *      Quest Diagnostics,
                    Inc. ...............         193,344
      132,000       Schering-Plough Corp.     10,782,750
        9,200       Shared Medical System
                    Corp. ...............        721,050
        1,800       Warner-Lambert Co. .         306,563
                                             -----------
                                             158,860,828
                                             -----------
                    Industrial Specialty
                    Products &
                       Services - 1.7%
      155,970       Autoliv, Inc. ......       4,844,818
       40,000       Bemis Co., Inc. ....       1,805,000
      147,000       Corning, Inc. ......       6,504,750
      64,600 *      Halter Marine Group,
                    Inc. ...............       1,025,525
       30,000       Parker Hannifin Corp.      1,537,500
       30,000       Pittston Brink's Group     1,143,750
      190,000       Snap-on, Inc. ......       8,668,750
       6,000 *      Strattec Security
                    Corp. ..............         163,969
       35,000       Sundstrand Corp. ...       2,117,500
      378,000       Timken Co. .........      12,781,125
       50,000       Trinity Industries,
                    Inc. ...............       2,743,750
      55,000 *      UCAR International,
                    Inc. ...............       1,725,625
      38,000 *      Unova, Inc. ........         760,000
                                             -----------
                                              45,822,062
                                             -----------
                    Information Services &
                     Technology - 6.3%
     137,566 *      Analog Devices, Inc. .     4,574,069
      110,000       Compaq Computer Corp.      2,846,250
       37,500       Computer Associates
                    International, Inc. ..     2,165,625
       10,000       Computer Sciences
                    Corp. ................       550,000
      531,800       Hewlett-Packard Co. ..    33,702,825
      821,600       Intel Corp. ........      64,136,150
      164,000       International Business    17,035,500
                    Machines Corp.
     346,000 *      Microsoft Corp. ....      30,967,000
     224,000 *      Sun Microsystems, Inc. .   9,345,000
        2,000       Texas Instruments, Inc. .    108,250
                                             -----------
                                             165,430,669
                                             -----------
                    Leisure &
                    Tourism - 0.1%
       30,993       Disney Walt Co. ....       3,308,503
                                             -----------
                    Oil / Energy - 1.4%
       60,000       Amoco Corp. ........       5,182,500
        1,200       Atlantic Richfield Co.        94,350
      113,500       Consolidated Natural
                    Gas Co. ............       6,547,531
      289,000       Equitable Resources,
                    Inc. ...............       9,609,250
      102,400       Exxon Corp. ........       6,924,800
</TABLE>

                                                                       41
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                          Value
<S>                 <C>                                         <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Oil / Energy - continued
          900       Kerr-McGee Corp. ......................     $    62,606
       91,800       Mobil Corp. ...........................       7,034,175
          900       Pennzoil Co. ..........................          58,163
      86,206 *      Seitel, Inc. ..........................       1,303,866
        1,200       Sonat, Inc. ...........................          52,200
       33,877       Union Pacific Resource Group, Inc. ....         808,813
                                                                -----------
                                                                 37,678,254
                                                                -----------
                    Oil Field Services - 0.5%
        1,600       Halliburton Co. .......................          80,300
      47,200 *      R & B Falcon Corp. ....................       1,398,300
      121,400       Schlumberger Ltd. .....................       9,196,050
      30,900 *      Western Atlas, Inc. ...................       2,390,888
                                                                -----------
                                                                 13,065,538
                                                                -----------
                    Paper & Packaging - 0.2%
       85,000       Kimberly-Clark Corp. ..................       4,260,625
                                                                -----------
                    Publishing, Broadcasting &
                          Entertainment - 0.4%
       30,000       Belo (A.H.) Corp.
                    Ser. A ................................       1,650,000
       81,620       CBS Corp. .............................       2,769,979
      20,000 *      Cox Communications, Inc.
                    Cl. A .................................         840,000
        6,666       Gaylord Entertainment Co. .............         238,310
       65,000       Time Warner, Inc. .....................       4,680,000
        3,000       Washington Post Co., Cl. B ............       1,595,437
                                                                -----------
                                                                 11,773,726
                                                                -----------
                    Real Estate - 6.1%
      38,000 *      Alexander's, Inc. REIT ................       3,560,125
       24,100       Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT .........         686,850
       50,000       Bay Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT          1,856,250
       58,100       Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT .......         697,200
      100,000       Boston Properties, Inc. REIT ..........       3,518,750
       50,009       Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT ........       1,043,938
      140,000       Brandywine Realty Trust REIT ..........       3,333,750
      280,400       Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT ..........       5,537,900
      171,900       CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT .........       5,157,000
      100,000       Chelsea GCA Realty, Inc. REIT .........       3,700,000
      159,300       Continental Homes Holding Corp. .......       7,407,450
      355,000       Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT     12,780,000
      305,300       Crown American Realty Trust REIT ......       2,862,187
     200,000 *      Entertainment Properties Trust REIT ...       3,925,000
       42,500       Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT      2,135,625
      105,200       Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT .......       3,609,675
     199,700 *      FAC Realty, Inc. REIT .................       1,959,556
       90,000       FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc. REIT ........       3,335,625
      100,200       Gables Residential Trust REIT .........       2,724,188
      174,000       Glimcher Realty Trust REIT ............       3,806,250
       28,000       Highwoods Properties, Inc. REIT .......         988,750
      67,419 *      Homestead Village Properties, Inc. ....       1,019,712
      384,316       Horizon Group, Inc. REIT ..............       4,731,891
       50,300       INMC Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                    REIT ..................................       1,257,500
      120,000       Innkeepers USA Trust REIT .............       1,965,000
      30,000 *      Interstate Hotels Co. .................       1,076,250


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Shares                                                          Value
<S>                 <C>                                         <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                    Real Estate - continued
      101,500       Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT ..............     $ 2,899,094
      132,000       Kranzco Realty Trust REIT .............       2,376,000
       45,000       Liberty Property Trust REIT ...........       1,209,375
      165,000       Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT ...........       6,445,312
      125,000       Marriott International, Inc. ..........       4,648,437
      125,000       Marriott International, Inc.
                    Cl. A .................................       4,476,563
       25,000       Meditrust Co. REIT ....................         771,875
       38,100       Oasis Residential, Inc. REIT ..........         845,344
       94,997       Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT .     2,564,919
      268,713       Post Property, Inc. REIT ..............      10,731,725
      166,500       Prentiss Properties Trust REIT ........       4,349,812
       90,000       Public Storage, Inc. REIT .............       2,778,750
       76,817       Security Capital Industrial Trust REIT .      1,968,436
      111,992       Security Capital Pacific Trust REIT ...       2,694,808
       31,250       Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc. .......         830,078
      100,000       Sovran Self Storage, Inc. REIT ........       2,968,750
       70,000       Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT .........       2,887,500
      262,750       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT ..      14,040,703
       14,000       Storage USA, Inc. REIT ................         537,250
      140,000       Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT ...       2,240,000
       43,500       Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
                    REIT ..................................       1,266,938
        2,200       TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. REIT         84,288
      135,000       Trizec Hahn Corp. ......................      3,180,937
        5,705       Vornado Realty Trust REIT .............         248,524
       30,000       Western Investment Real Estate Trust
                    REIT ..................................         448,125
                                                                -----------
                                                                162,169,965
                                                                -----------
                    Retailing & Wholesale - 1.1%
      70,000 *      Autozone, Inc. ........................       2,371,250
      236,511       Avnet, Inc. ...........................      13,614,164
      199,000       Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. ...........      13,370,313
                                                                -----------
                                                                 29,355,727
                                                                -----------
                    Telecommunication Services &
                              Equipment - 0.1%
       45,500       Compania de Telecom de Chile
                    SA, ADR ...............................       1,254,094
                                                                -----------
                    Textile & Apparel - 0.0% (a)
       34,900       Superior Surgical Manufacturing Co.,
                    Inc. ..................................         610,750
                                                                -----------
                    Thrift Institutions - 0.5%
      131,300       Golden West Financial Corp. ...........      12,580,181
                                                                -----------
                         Transportation - 1.1%
       25,000       Burlington Northern Santa Fe ..........       2,600,000
      27,200 *      FDX Corp. .............................       1,934,600
       76,800       GATX Corp. ............................       5,990,400
       20,000       KLM Royal Dutch Air Lines .............         812,500
       17,000       Roadway Express, Inc. .................         417,563
      300,000       Union Pacific Corp. ...................      16,856,250
                                                                -----------
                                                                 28,611,313
                                                                -----------
                     Utilities-Electric - 0.7%
       36,200       Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. ...       1,579,225
      149,700       Long Island Lighting Co. ..............       4,715,550
</TABLE>

                                       42
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                     Value
<S>             <C>                                      <C>
COMMON STOCKS - continued
                Utilities-Electric - continued
138,400         New York State Electric & Gas Corp.      $   5,518,700
 33,300         Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. ..         1,494,338
 40,000         PP&L Resources, Inc. ...............           945,000
100,000         Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.        3,787,500
 32,000         TNP Enterprises, Inc. ..............         1,058,000
                                                         -------------
                                                            19,098,313
                                                         -------------
                 Utilities-Telephone - 3.2%
98,333 *        360 Communications Co. .............         3,072,906
30,000 *        AirTouch Communications, Inc. ......         1,468,125
  2,000         Ameritech Corp. ....................            98,875
 10,000         AT&T Corp. .........................           656,250
174,040         Bell Atlantic Corp. ................        17,839,100
  1,600         BellSouth Corp. ....................           108,100
494,000         Frontier Corp. .....................        16,085,875
376,400         GTE Corp. ..........................        22,536,950
  2,400         SBC Communications, Inc. ...........           104,700
351,000         Sprint Corp. .......................        23,758,313
                                                         -------------
                                                            85,729,194
                                                         -------------
                Total Common Stocks
                (cost $959,724,030).................     1,606,538,073
                                                         -------------
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.6%
                Finance & Insurance - 0.0% (a)
  3,557         Aetna, Inc.
                6.25%, Series C ....................           284,782
  1,000         Conseco, Inc.
                7.00%, PRIDES ......................           193,625
  2,500         SunAmerica, Inc.
                $3.188, PERCS ......................           121,094
                                                         -------------
                                                               599,501
                                                         -------------
                Industrial Specialty Products &
                            Services - 0.1%
 50,000         Qualcomm Financial Trust I
                5.75%, 144A ........................         2,365,500
                                                         -------------
                Metal Products & Services - 0.3%
100,000         Timet Capital Trust I
                6.625%, BUCS, 144A .................         4,775,000
115,000         Worthington Industries, Inc.
                7.25%, DECS (exchangeable for
                Rouge Steel Co. Common Stock) ......         1,854,950
                                                         -------------
                                                             6,629,950
                                                         -------------
                Oil Field Services - 0.1%
 70,000         EVI, Inc.
                5.00%, 144A ........................         3,176,600
                                                         -------------
                Real Estate - 0.1%
 95,000         First Union Real Estate Equity
                8.40%, Series A ....................         3,705,000
                                                         -------------
                Retailing & Wholesale - 0.0% (a)
  1,300         Kmart Financing I
                7.75% ..............................            81,575
                                                         -------------
                Total Convertible Preferred
                (cost $15,457,797)..................        16,558,126
                                                         -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
    Amount                                      Value
<S>              <C>                       <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.2%
                 Building, Construction &
                  Furnishings - 0.0% (a)
$   500,000      Home Depot, Inc.
                 3.25%, 10/1/01 ......     $   755,000
                                           -----------
                 Business Equipment &
                 Services - 0.0% (a)
    800,000      Personnel Group of
                 America, Inc.
                 5.75%, 7/1/04, 144A .       1,146,000
                                           -----------
                 Environmental
                 Services - 0.0% (a)
    100,000      USA Waste Services,
                 Inc.
                 4.00%, 2/1/02 .......         117,500
                                           -----------
                 Industrial Specialty
                 Products &
                 Services - 0.2%
  2,100,000      Robbins & Myers, Inc.
                 6.50%, 9/1/03 .......       3,115,980
    750,000      Simula, Inc.
                 8.00%, 5/1/04 .......         828,750
                                           -----------
                                             3,944,730
                                           -----------
                 Total Convertible
                 Debentures
                 (cost $4,280,000)....       5,963,230
                                           -----------
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 26.5%
                 Government Agency Notes
                 & Bonds - 0.8%
  1,000,000      Federal National
                 Mortgage Association
                 8.10%, 8/12/19 ......       1,221,819
                 Tennessee Valley
                 Authority
  8,000,000       7.25%, 7/15/43 .....       8,391,560
 10,000,000       7.85%, 6/15/44, Series
                 A ...................      10,852,540
                                           -----------
                                            20,465,919
                                           -----------
                 Treasury Notes &
                 Bonds - 25.7%
                 U.S. Treasury Bonds
 60,000,000       6.00%, 2/15/26 .....      59,906,280
170,000,000       6.25%, 8/15/23 .....     175,206,420
 36,340,000       6.75%, 8/15/26 .....      39,974,037
125,000,000       7.125%, 2/15/23 ....     142,656,375
 49,000,000       7.25%, 5/15/16 .....      55,768,174
  7,000,000       7.625%, 11/15/22 ...       8,426,257
 10,000,000       8.00%, 11/15/21 ....      12,465,630
 50,000,000       8.125%, 8/15/19 ....      62,531,300
 25,000,000       8.125%, 5/15/21 ....      31,492,200
 30,000,000       8.375%, 8/15/08 ....      33,684,390
 10,000,000       8.50%, 2/15/20 .....      12,987,510
  7,000,000       10.00%, 5/15/10 ....       8,682,191
  1,000,000       10.625%, 8/15/15 ...       1,499,063
                 U.S. Treasury Notes
 30,000,000       5.75%, 8/15/03 .....      30,103,140
    350,000       5.875%, 2/15/00 ....         351,750
    455,000       6.125%, 8/31/98 ....         456,280
    400,000       6.25%, 3/31/99 .....         402,751
    900,000       6.50%, 5/31/01 .....         921,657
    630,000       6.50%, 8/15/05 .....         658,350
                                           -----------
                                           678,173,755
                                           -----------
                 Total U.S. Government &
                 Agency
                 Obligations
                 (cost $657,254,023)..     698,639,674
                                           -----------
</TABLE>

                                                                       43
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Principal
    Amount                                             Value
<S>           <C>                                 <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.3%
              Commercial Paper - 11.3%
 $ 3,090,000  Alfa Corp.
              5.52%, 5/4/98 ...................    $  3,074,365
     945,000  American Home Products, Inc.
              5.50%, 4/28/98 ..................         941,102
   6,800,000  Amoco Managers
              5.57%, 4/21/98 ..................       6,778,958
   3,120,000  Aristar, Inc.
              5.53%, 4/14/98 ..................       3,113,769
  17,400,000  Asset Portfolio Funding
              5.50%, 4/7/98 ...................      17,384,050
   8,160,000  Bemis Co., Inc.
              5.51%, 4/24/98 ..................       8,131,274
   3,215,000  BMW U.S. Capital Corp.
              5.51%, 5/13/98 ..................       3,194,333
   3,700,000  Daimler-Benz North America Corp.
              5.50%, 5/4/98 ...................       3,681,346
     640,000  Delaware Funding Corp.
              5.53%, 5/20/98 ..................         635,183
              Duke Capital Corp.
   5,765,000   5.51%, 4/20/98 .................       5,748,235
   3,250,000   5.52%, 4/13/98 .................       3,244,020
   1,750,000   5.55%, 4/29/98 .................       1,742,446
              Eiger Capital Corp.
   8,150,000   5.52%, 4/27/98 .................       8,117,508
   8,760,000   5.52%, 5/22/98 .................       8,691,497
   2,830,000  Fina Oil & Chemical Co.
              5.54%, 5/12/98 ..................       2,812,144
              Finova Capital Corp.
  29,330,000   5.49%, 4/9/98 ..................      29,294,218
   1,600,000   5.55%, 4/20/98 .................       1,595,313
   6,300,000  Great Lakes Chemical Corp.
               5.52%, 4/15/98 .................       6,286,476


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Principal
    Amount                                             Value
<S>           <C>                                 <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - continued
              Commercial Paper - continued
              GTE Corp.
 $25,000,000   5.57%, 4/3/98 ..................    $ 24,992,264
  11,600,000   5.67%, 5/7/98 ..................      11,534,228
  28,750,000  Market Street Funding Corp.
              5.55%, 5/13/98 ..................      28,563,844
  15,330,000  Massachusetts College of Pharmacy &
              Allied Health Services
              5.50%, 4/2/98 ...................      15,327,658
              Montana Blanc Capital Corp.
   6,225,000   5.53%, 5/28/98 .................       6,170,495
  20,000,000   5.55%, 5/22/98 .................      19,842,750
  16,000,000  Park Avenue Recreation Corp.
              5.55%, 5/22/98 ..................      15,874,200
  25,000,000  Republic Industries Funding Corp.
              5.52%, 4/24/98 ..................      24,911,833
              Spec Purpose Accts Recreation Co.
  16,350,000   5.51%, 4/20/98 .................      16,302,453
   1,675,000   5.55%, 5/6/98 ..................       1,665,962
   9,780,000  Swiss Re Financial Products Corp.
              5.50%, 4/27/98 ..................       9,741,152
              Trident Capital Finance, Inc.
   8,680,000   5.50%, 4/7/98 ..................       8,672,043
     320,000   5.55%, 5/19/98 .................         317,632
                                                   ------------
                                                    298,382,751
                                                   ------------
              Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $298,382,751)..............     298,382,751
                                                   ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>  <C>                         <C>        <C>
     Total Investments -
      (cost $1,935,098,601).....  99.4%       2,626,081,854
     Other Assets and
     Liabilities - net .........   0.6           15,145,758
                                 -----        -------------
     Net Assets ................ 100.0%      $2,641,227,612
                                 =====       ==============

</TABLE>

*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At March 31, 1998 the Fund owned 117,000 shares of common stock of First
     Union Corp. at a cost of $2,358,411. During the period ended March 31, 1998
     the Fund earned $152,000 in dividend income from this investment. These
     shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquisition of the
     investment adviser and Lieber & Company by First Union.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
     Trustees.
(a)  Less than one-tenth of a percent.



ADR    American Depository Receipts
BUCS   Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
DECS   Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PERCS  Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
SA     Sociedad Anonyme (Spanish Corporation)







                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       44
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                            Schedule of Investments

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                         Value
<S>                  <C>                        <C>
COMMON STOCK - 39.8%
                     Aerospace &
                     Defense - 0.8%
       45,000        Boeing Co. ...........     $2,345,625
                                                ----------
                     Automotive Equipment &
                      Manufacturing - 0.1%
       10,000        Sonic Automotive, Inc.
                      Banks - 6.9% ........        172,500
                                                ----------
       19,600        BancorpSouth, Inc. ...        861,175
       19,500        BankBoston Corp. .....      2,149,875
       27,563        Beverly Bancorporation,
                     Inc. .................        737,297
       25,000        Cape Cod Bank & Trust
                     Co. ..................      1,100,000
       15,000        CitiCorp .............      2,130,000
        5,000        Comerica, Inc. .......        529,062
       14,000        Crestar Financial Corp.       827,750
       24,660        Dime Bancorp, Inc. ...        741,341
        4,000        First Empire State Corp.    1,999,500
       16,500        First of America Bank
                     Corp. ................      1,427,250
        3,000        First Union Corp. ** .        170,250
        5,000        Fleet Financial Group,
                     Inc. .................        425,312
       11,550        Interchange Financial
                     Services Corp. .......        355,163
        8,000        KeyCorp ..............        302,500
       11,875        NationsBank Corp. ....        866,133
       15,750        One Valley Bancorp of
                     West Virginia, Inc. ..        595,547
       10,000        Republic New York Corp.     1,333,750
       15,000        Seacoast Banking Corp.
                     of Florida Cl. A .....        555,000
       37,255        SouthTrust Corp. .....      1,560,053
       10,000        Suntrust Banks, Inc. .        753,750
       20,000        Wilmington Trust Corp. .    1,327,500
                                                ----------
                                                20,748,208
                                                ----------
                     Building, Construction &
                        Furnishings - 1.3%
       25,000        Clayton Homes, Inc. ..        506,250
       10,700        La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ...        534,331
       16,000        Lowe's Companies, Inc. .    1,123,000
       10,000        Royal Group Technologies
                     Ltd. ..................       327,500
       39,100        Shelby Williams
                     Industries, Inc. ......       584,056
      33,300 *       Toll Brothers, Inc. ..        936,563
                                                ----------
                                                 4,011,700
                                                ----------
                     Business Equipment &
                           Services - 0.4%
      17,500 *       Crescent Operating, Inc.      374,063
       10,000        First Data Corp. .....        325,000
        5,000        Lucent Technologies,
                     Inc. .................        639,375
                                                ----------
                                                 1,338,438
                                                ----------
                     Capital Goods - 1.0%
       20,600        Caterpillar, Inc. ....      1,134,288
       30,000        Deere & Co. ..........      1,858,125
                                                ----------
                                                 2,992,413
                                                ----------
                     Chemicals & Agricultural
                           Products - 2.0%
       20,000        Du Pont (E. I.) De
                     Nemours & Co. ........      1,360,000
       10,000        H.B. Fuller Co. ......        598,750
       19,000        MacDermid, Inc. ......        546,250
       35,000        Monsanto Co. .........      1,820,000
       11,000        Morton International,
                     Inc. .................        360,937


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                         Value
<S>                  <C>                        <C>
COMMON STOCK - continued
                     Chemicals & Agricultural
                     Products - continued
       20,000        Schulman (A.), Inc. ..     $  505,000
       20,000        Sigma-Aldrich Corp. ..        745,000
                                                ----------
                                                 5,935,937
                                                ----------
                     Communication Systems &
                           Services - 0.1%
       4,500 *       Cisco Systems, Inc. ..        307,688
                                                ----------
                     Consumer Products &
                           Services - 1.4%
       10,000        Adidas AG ADS, 144A ..        887,500
      37,788 *       Cendant Corp. ........      1,497,350
       12,000        Gucci Group ..........        570,000
       32,100        Russ Berrie & Co., Inc.       973,031
       10,500        Toro Co. .............        402,281
                                                ----------
                                                 4,330,162
                                                ----------
                     Electrical Equipment &
                           Services - 2.3%
       24,900        AMP, Inc. ............      1,090,931
        6,600        Applied Power, Inc., Cl.
                     A .....................       254,100
       10,000        General Electric Co. .        861,875
       40,000        Harman International
                     Industries, Inc. .....      1,760,000
       17,000        Honeywell, Inc. ......      1,405,688
       19,700        Perkin Elmer Corp. ...      1,424,556
                                                ----------
                                                 6,797,150
                                                ----------
                     Finance &
                     Insurance - 5.2%
       18,000        American International
                     Group, Inc. ..........      2,266,875
       12,000        Chubb Corp. ..........        940,500
       20,000        Countrywide Credit
                     Industries, Inc. ......     1,063,750
        3,000        Enhance Financial
                     Services Group, Inc. ..       208,312
       10,000        FBL Financial Group,
                     Inc., Cl. A ...........       506,250
       12,000        Federal National
                     Mortgage Association ..       759,000
      20,000 *       FPIC Insurance Group,
                     Inc. ...................      645,000
       30,000        Frontier Insurance
                     Group, Inc. ............      828,750
       47,100        Interstate/Johnson Lane,
                     Inc. ...................    1,436,550
       13,333        Legg Mason, Inc. .....        790,814
       20,000        Lehman Brothers
                     Holdings, Inc. .........    1,497,500
       20,000        Mercury General Corp.       1,251,250
       28,000        Merrill Lynch & Co.,
                     Inc. ...................    2,324,000
       28,000        Nationwide Financial
                     Services, Inc.
                     Cl. A ..................    1,214,500
         183 *       Security Capital Group,
                     Inc. Cl. B,
                     Warrants $28.00 Expiring
                     9/18/98 .................         606
                                                ----------
                                                15,733,657
                                                ----------
                     Food & Beverage
                     Products - 0.2%
       15,000        International Home Foods,
                     Inc. ..................       498,750
                                                ----------
                     Healthcare Products &
                           Services - 2.6%
        7,000        Abbott Laboratories ..        527,188
       20,000        American Home Products
                     Corp...................     1,907,500
       23,800        Beckman Instruments, Inc.   1,364,037
      19,000 *       First Health Group Corp. .  1,030,750
       5,000 *       Lincare Holdings, Inc. .      353,125
       12,000        Medtronic, Inc. ......        622,500
        5,000        Merck & Co., Inc. ....        641,875
       10,000        Pfizer, Inc. .........        996,875
</TABLE>

                                                                       45
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                                         Value
<S>                  <C>                                        <C>
COMMON STOCK - continued
                     Healthcare Products &
                     Services - continued
        5,000        Shared Medical System Corp. ..........     $   391,875
                                                                -----------
                                                                  7,835,725
                                                                -----------
                     Industrial Specialty Products &
                            Services - 1.3%
       29,151        Autoliv, Inc. ........................         905,503
       7,500 *       Chemfab Corp. ........................         183,750
       24,000        Furon Co. ............................         565,500
      25,000 *       Meade Instruments Corp. ..............         242,187
        7,800        Park Electrochemical Corp. ...........         201,338
       13,900        Snap-on, Inc. ........................         634,187
       20,000        Timken Co. ...........................         676,250
      20,000 *       UCAR International, Inc. .............         627,500
                                                                -----------
                                                                  4,036,215
                                                                -----------
                     Information Services &
                          Technology - 1.7%
       8,000 *       Etec Systems, Inc. ...................         472,000
      10,000 *       Gateway 2000, Inc. ...................         469,375
       24,000        Hewlett-Packard Co. ..................       1,521,000
       24,000        Intel Corp. ..........................       1,873,500
        4,000        International Business Machines Corp.          415,500
      10,000 *       Sun Microsystems, Inc. ...............         417,187
                                                                -----------
                                                                  5,168,562
                                                                -----------
                          Oil/Energy - 0.7%
       10,000        Amoco Corp. ..........................         863,750
       10,000        Equitable Resources, Inc. ............         332,500
       30,000        Williams Companies, Inc. .............         960,000
                                                                -----------
                                                                  2,156,250
                                                                -----------
                     Oil Field Services - 0.1%
        5,000        Schlumberger Ltd. ....................         378,750
                                                                -----------
                     Publishing, Broadcasting &
                       Entertainment - 0.2%
       10,000        Belo (A.H.) Corp., Ser. A ............         550,000
                                                                -----------
                     Real Estate - 5.8%
      10,300 *       Alexander's, Inc. REIT ...............         964,981
       60,000        AMB Property Corp. REIT ..............       1,447,500
       50,000        Boston Properties, Inc. REIT .........       1,759,375
       20,000        Brandywine Realty Trust REIT .........         476,250
       25,000        Capital Trust, Cl. A .................         243,750
       12,000        Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT .........         237,000
       31,400        Continental Homes Holding Corp. ......       1,460,100
       70,000        Del Webb Corp. .......................       2,135,000
       25,000        Equity Office Properties Trust REIT ..         765,625
       13,500        Gables Residential Trust REIT ........         367,031
      45,831 *       Homestead Village Properties, Inc. ...         693,194
       35,400        Horizon Group, Inc. REIT .............         435,862
       40,000        INMC Mortgage Holdings, Inc. .........       1,000,000
      15,000 *       Interstate Hotels Co. ................         538,125
      40,000 *       John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., Cl. A ..         315,000
       30,000        Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT .............         856,875
       29,000        Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT        783,000
       20,000        Prentiss Properties Trust REIT .......         522,500


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Shares                                                         Value
<S>                  <C>                                        <C>
COMMON STOCK - continued
                     Real Estate - continued
        3,485        Security Capital Pacific Trust REIT ..     $    83,858
       10,000        SL Green Realty Corp. REIT ...........         255,625
       20,000        Starwood Hotels & Resorts
                     Trust REIT ...........................       1,068,750
       55,000        Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT ..         880,000
       15,000        Trizec Hahn Corp. ....................         353,438
                                                                -----------
                                                                 17,642,839
                                                                -----------
                     Retailing & Wholesale - 1.9%
       18,000        Avnet, Inc. ..........................       1,036,125
       22,200        Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. ..........       1,491,562
      10,000 *       Payless Shoesource, Inc. .............         752,500
       80,000        SED International Holdings, Inc. .....         910,000
       35,100        St. John Knits, Inc. .................       1,658,475
                                                                -----------
                                                                  5,848,662
                                                                -----------
                     Thrift Institutions - 1.0%
       18,000        Bank United Corp. ....................         900,000
       15,000        BankUnited Financial Corp. ...........         210,000
       10,000        Golden West Financial Corp. ..........         958,125
       30,000        Mech Financial, Inc. .................         915,000
                                                                -----------
                                                                  2,983,125
                                                                -----------
                      Transportation - 1.7%
      47,000 *       Airnet Systems, Inc. .................       1,363,000
       10,000        GATX Corp. ...........................         780,000
       20,700        Midwest Express Holdings, Inc. .......       1,014,300
       35,000        Union Pacific Corp. ..................       1,966,563
                                                                -----------
                                                                  5,123,863
                                                                -----------
                     Utilities - Electric - 0.1%
        9,900        TNP Enterprises, Inc. ................         327,319
                                                                -----------
                     Utilities - Telephone - 1.0%
       25,000        Frontier Corp. .......................         814,063
       18,000        GTE Corp. ............................       1,077,750
       18,000        Sprint Corp. .........................       1,218,375
                                                                -----------
                                                                  3,110,188
                                                                -----------
                     Total Common Stock
                     (cost $89,101,662)....................     120,373,726
                                                                -----------
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.1%
                               Banks - 0.7%
       63,000        WBK Trust, 10.00%, STRYPES
                     (exchangeable for Westpac
                     Banking Corp. Common Stock) ..........       2,145,937
                                                                -----------
                      Transportation - 0.4%
       20,000        CNF Trust I TECONS (exchangeable for
                     CNF Transportation, Inc.
                     common stock), 5.00%, Ser. A .........       1,160,000
                                                                -----------
                     Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
                     (cost $2,975,050).....................       3,305,937
                                                                -----------
</TABLE>


                                       46
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                              Value
<S>                   <C>                     <C>               <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.2%
                      Business Equipment &
                         Services - 0.1%
$  150,000            Personnel Group of America, Inc.,
                      5.75%, 7/1/04, 144A .................     $  214,875
                                                                ----------
                      Oil Field Services - 0.1%
   250,000            Parker Drilling Co.,
                      5.50%, 8/1/04 .......................        251,250
                                                                ----------
                      Total Convertible Debentures
                      (cost $400,000)......................        466,125
                                                                ----------
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - 59.2%
                      Long Term - 52.2%
                           Alaska - 0.7%
 1,000,000            Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp. Mtge.
                      RB, 1996 Ser. A
                      6.05%, 12/1/17 (MBIA) ...............      1,055,860
 1,000,000            Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp. RB
                      Mtge. Ser. A-1
                      5.30%, 12/1/12 (MBIA) ...............      1,019,110
                                                                ----------
                                                                 2,074,970
                                                                ----------
                          Arizona - 0.2%
   500,000            City of Tucson GO RB,
                      Ser. 1995
                      5.70%, 7/1/08 (FGIC) ................        540,030
                                                                ----------
                       California - 4.2%
   500,000            California Edl. Facs. Auth.
                      RB (Carnegie Institution of
                      Washington), Ser. A
                      5.60%, 10/1/23 ......................        516,365
   700,000            California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB
                      Ser. I
                      5.75%, 2/1/29 (MBIA) ................        722,904
   500,000            California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB
                      Home Mtge. Ser. L
                      5.35%, 8/1/17 .......................        508,300
 1,500,000            California St. Ser. BG
                      5.05%, 12/1/11 ......................      1,509,105
 1,000,000            Los Angeles Cnty. Metro.
                      Trans. Auth. Sales Tax RB
                      Ser. A
                      5.13%, 7/1/10 (MBIA) ................      1,037,480
 1,200,000            Los Angeles Cnty. Pub. Works
                      Fin. Auth. RB Regional Park &
                      Open Space Dist. A
                      5.00%, 10/1/16 ......................      1,176,588
   500,000            Modesto Irrigation Dist.
                      Fing. Auth. RB Refunding
                      (Domestic Wtr. Proj.) Ser. D
                      5.00%, 9/1/12 (AMBAC) ...............        505,055
 1,200,000            Northern CA Transmission RB
                      Ser. A
                      5.30%, 5/1/10 (MBIA) ................      1,276,008
 1,000,000            Oakland GO Ser. C, Measure K
                      5.90%, 12/15/22 (MBIA) ..............      1,072,110
   700,000            Palm Desert Fing. Auth. Tax
                      Alloc. RB (Housing Set Aside)
                      5.00%, 10/1/13 (MBIA) ...............        703,885
 1,000,000            San Francisco Bay Area Rapid
                      Transport Dist. Sales Tax RB
                      5.25%, 7/1/18 .......................      1,008,920


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                              Value
<S>                   <C>                     <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      California - continued
$1,000,000            San Francisco City & Cnty.
                      Int'l Aprt. RB Ser. Issue
                      10-A, (AMT)
                      5.70%, 5/1/26 (MBIA) ................     $1,042,790
   500,000            Simi Valley Unified Sch.
                      Dist. Refunding Capital
                      Improvement Proj. Cert. Part.
                      5.25%, 8/1/22 .......................        514,590
 1,000,000            Southern CA Pub. Pwr. Auth.
                      RB (Mead Adelanto Proj.)
                      Ser. A
                      5.00%, 7/1/17 (AMBAC) ...............        981,740
                                                                ----------
                                                                12,575,840
                                                                ----------
   500,000            Arapahoe Cnty. Pub. Hwy.
                      Auth. Capital Imp. Trust Fund
                      Hwy. RB (E-470 Proj.)
                      6.15%, 8/31/26 (MBIA) ...............        551,670
 3,000,000            Arapahoe Cnty. Senior E-470
                      Pub. Auth. Capital Imp. Trust
                      Fund Hwy. Prerefunded RB
                      7.00%, 8/31/26 ......................      3,566,760
 1,000,000            Denver City & Cnty. Arpt. RB
                      Ser. D
                      5.50%, 11/15/25 (MBIA) ..............      1,027,470
   500,000            Denver City & Cnty. Sch.
                      Dist. # 1 GO RB, Ser. 1994A
                      6.50%, 6/1/10 (MBIA) ................        583,650
 1,070,000            Douglas Cnty. Sch. Dist. # 1
                      Imp. Prerefunded RB Ser. A
                      6.50%, 12/15/16 .....................      1,217,179
 1,500,000            E-470 Pub. Hwy. Auth. RB
                      Ser. A
                      5.00%, 9/1/26 (MBIA) ................      1,444,890
 3,060,000            Univ. Hosp. Auth. RB Ser. A
                      6.40%, 11/15/22 (AMBAC) .............      3,395,957
   500,000            Univ. Hosp. Auth. RB Ser. A
                      5.25%, 11/15/22 (AMBAC) .............        499,285
                                                                ----------
                                                                12,286,861
                                                                ----------
                         Delaware - 0.4%
 1,000,000            Delaware Econ. Dev. Auth. RB
                      (The Osteopathic Hosp. Assoc.
                      of Delaware/Riverside
                      Hosp.), Ser. A
                      6.50%, 1/1/08 .......................      1,121,430
                                                                ----------
                      District Of Columbia - 0.5%
 1,500,000             Metro Wash DC Airport Authority
                      RB Ser. B
                      5.50%, 10/1/23 (AMT) ................      1,530,765
                                                                ----------
                          Florida - 1.2%
   300,000            Dade Cnty. Aviation RRB,
                      Ser. 1995A
                      6.10%, 10/1/11 (AMBAC) ..............        329,805
 2,000,000            Florida Muni. Pwr. Agcy. RB
                      Prerefunded (Stanton II Proj.)
                      6.50%, 10/1/20 (AMBAC) ..............      2,227,000
 1,000,000            Sarasota Cnty. Pub. Hosp.
                      Board RB (Sarasota Mem. Hosp.
                      Proj.) Ser. B
                      5.38%, 10/1/20 ......................      1,011,550
                                                                ----------
                                                                 3,568,355
                                                                ----------
</TABLE>

                                                                       47
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                       Value
<S>                   <C>                              <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                             Georgia - 2.9%
$ 1,000,000           Atlanta Wtr. & Swr. RB
                      5.25%, 1/1/27 (FGIC) .........................     $  999,910
  1,000,000           Cherokee Cnty. Wtr. & Swr.
                      Auth. RB
                      5.20%, 8/1/25 (MBIA) .........................      1,021,730
  2,000,000           Cobb-Marietta Colliseum &
                      Exhibit Hall Auth. RB
                      6.75%, 10/1/26 (MBIA) ........................      2,206,580
  1,000,000           Dalton Util. RRB
                      6.00%, 1/1/08 (MBIA) .........................      1,115,580
  2,000,000           De Kalb Cnty. Prerefunded GO
                      6.65%, 1/1/20 ................................      2,206,860
  1,000,000           Georgia Muni. Elec. Auth.
                      Pwr. Rev. Spec. Oblig. Bonds
                      Ser. Y
                      6.50%, 1/1/17 (MBIA) .........................      1,176,330
                                                                         ----------
                                                                          8,726,990
                                                                         ----------
                              Hawaii - 0.4%
  1,000,000           Hawaii St. GO Ser. CN
                      6.00%, 3/1/09 (FGIC) .........................      1,114,500
                                                                         ----------
                            Illinois - 1.8%
  1,000,000           Chicago Board of Ed. GO
                      (School Reform Proj.)
                      6.75%, 12/1/09 (AMBAC) .......................      1,181,420
  2,500,000           Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge
                      Prerefunded RB
                      6.75%, 1/1/14 ................................      2,852,150
  1,000,000           Chicago Wastewater
                      Transmission RB
                      5.00%, 1/1/15 (FGIC) .........................        988,750
    450,000           Illinois Sales Tax RB Ser. V
                      6.38%, 6/15/17 ...............................        500,557
                                                                         ----------
                                                                          5,522,877
                                                                         ----------
                             Indiana - 0.7%
  2,000,000           Indiana Hsg. Fin. Single
                      Family Mtge. RB Ser. A-2
                      5.15%, 7/1/17 (FNMA/GNMA) ....................      1,997,420
                                                                         ----------
                               Maine - 0.5%
  1,000,000           Maine Hlth. & High Edl. Facs.
                      Auth. RB Ser. B
                      5.75%, 7/1/26 (AMBAC) ........................      1,052,930
    500,000           Maine Hsg. Auth. Mtge.
                      Purchase RB Ser. F-1
                      5.50%, 11/15/29 ..............................        504,670
                                                                         ----------
                                                                          1,557,600
                                                                         ----------
                            Maryland - 0.3%
  1,000,000           Prince Georges Cnty. GO
                      (Cons. Pub. Imps.)
                      5.50%, 3/15/16 ...............................      1,040,400
                                                                         ----------
                       Massachusetts - 3.0%
    250,000           Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
                      Hsg. Proj. RRB, 1993 Ser. A
                      5.95%, 10/1/08 (AMBAC) .......................        265,550
    250,000           Massachusetts Bay Trans.
                      Auth. General Trans. Sys.
                      Bonds, Ser. 1994A
                      7.00%, 3/1/08 ................................        298,658


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                       Value
<S>                   <C>                              <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      Massachusetts - continued
$ 1,000,000           Massachusetts Bay Trans.
                      Auth. RB (Refunding Gen.
                      Trans. Sys. A)
                      7.00%, 3/1/14 ................................     $1,230,180
  1,000,000           Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
                      RB (AMT) Single Family Ser. 59
                      5.40%, 6/1/20 (MBIA) .........................        999,920
  2,500,000           Massachusetts Port. Auth. RB
                      Ser. A
                      5.00%, 7/1/27 ................................      2,403,275
    820,000           Massachusetts Port. Auth. RB
                      Refunding Ser. A
                      5.50%, 7/1/13 ................................        860,811
  1,000,000           Massachusetts Tpke. Auth. RB
                      Senior Ser. A
                      5.13%, 1/1/23 (MBIA) .........................        981,350
  1,000,000           Massachusetts Tpke. Auth. RB
                      (Western Tpke.) Ser. A
                      5.55%, 1/1/17 (MBIA) .........................      1,011,320
  1,000,000           Massachusetts Wtr. Resources
                      Auth. RB (Houston Inds. Inc.
                      Proj. A)
                      4.75%, 8/1/37 ................................        917,100
                                                                         ----------
                                                                          8,968,164
                                                                         ----------
                            Michigan - 1.9%
  1,000,000           Detroit Prerefunded GO Ser. A
                      6.80%, 4/1/15 ................................      1,154,280
  1,030,000           Detroit Wtr. Supply Sys. RB
                      Sr. Lien Ser. A
                      5.75%, 7/1/11 (MBIA) .........................      1,130,343
    300,000           Michigan Muni. Bond Auth. RB
                      (Local Govt. Loan Proj.),
                      Ser 1994G
                      6.55%, 11/1/08 (AMBAC) .......................        340,827
  1,000,000           Michigan Bldg. Auth. RB Fac.
                      Proj. Ser. II
                      5.05%, 10/15/14 ..............................        992,010
  2,000,000           Monroe Cnty. Econ. Dev. Corp.
                      Ltd. Prerefunded RB (Comm.
                      Hlth. Serv. Proj.)
                      7.00%, 9/1/21 (MBIA) .........................      2,215,180
                                                                         ----------
                                                                          5,832,640
                                                                         ----------
                           Minnesota - 0.7%
  2,000,000           Minnesota St. Prerefunded GO
                      6.63%, 8/1/08 ................................      2,157,000
                                                                         ----------
                            Missouri - 3.3%
    480,000           Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission
                      Single Family Mtge. RB
                      (Homeownership Loan Proj.),
                      1996 Ser. D
                      6.00%, 9/1/17
                      (Collaterialized by GNMA or
                      FNMA Certificates AMT) .......................        500,424
    930,000           Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission
                      Single Family Mtge. RB
                      (Homeownership Loan Proj.),
                      1996 Ser. B
                      6.25%, 9/1/15
                      (Collaterialized by GNMA or
                      FNMA Certificates) ...........................        981,680
  1,000,000           Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission
                      Mtge.
                      5.55%, 3/1/29 ................................      1,022,980
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                               <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      Missouri - continued
$ 2,000,000           Sikeston Elec. Prerefunded RB
                      6.25%, 6/1/22 (MBIA) ..........................     $2,194,380
  2,250,000           Sikeston Elec. RB
                      6.25%, 6/1/12 (MBIA) ..........................      2,468,677
    775,000           Sikeston Elec. RB
                      6.00%, 6/1/13 (MBIA) ..........................        871,643
    500,000           St. Louis Board of Ed. GO
                      Refunding Ser. A
                      5.50%, 4/1/10 .................................        537,795
    500,000           St. Louis Muni. Fin. Corp.
                      Leasehold Rev. Imp. Bonds
                      (City Justice Ctr.),
                      Ser. 1996A
                      5.95%, 2/15/16 (AMBAC) ........................        539,370
  1,000,000           St. Louis Regl. Convention &
                      Sports Complex Auth. RB Facs. C
                      5.30%, 8/15/17 (AMBAC) ........................      1,010,530
                                                                          ----------
                                                                          10,127,479
                                                                          ----------
                       Nevada - 0.7%
  1,000,000           Clark Cnty., Las Vegas
                      McCarran Int'l Arpt.
                      Passanger Facs. RB Ser. A,
                      1992 Series A
                      6.00%, 7/1/22 (AMBAC) .........................      1,071,500
  1,000,000           Washoe Cnty. GO
                      5.00%, 6/1/17 (MBIA) ..........................        978,220
                                                                          ----------
                                                                           2,049,720
                                                                          ----------
                      New Jersey - 0.5%
  1,400,000           New Jersey Tpke. Auth. RB
                      Ser. C
                      6.50%, 1/1/16 (MBIA) ..........................      1,647,786
                                                                          ----------
                      New York - 6.6%
  2,500,000           Metro Trans. Auth. NY
                      Commuter Facs. RB Ser. C-2
                      5.38%, 7/1/27 (FGIC) ..........................      2,540,950
  1,000,000           Metro Trans. Auth. NY
                      Commuter Facs. RB Ser. D
                      5.13%, 7/1/22 (MBIA) ..........................        982,880
    375,000           New York City GO Ser. L
                      5.38%, 8/1/11 (MBIA) ..........................        389,662
  2,485,000           New York City Prerefunded GO
                      Ser. A
                      8.00%, 8/15/21 ................................      2,822,190
  2,000,000           New York City Transitional
                      Fin. Auth. RB Future Tax
                      Secured Ser. A
                      5.00%, 8/15/15 ................................      1,963,460
    250,000           New York St. Mtge. Agcy.
                      Homeowner Mtge. RB, Ser. 44
                      (AMT)
                      6.60%, 4/1/03 .................................        264,090
    990,000           New York St. Mtge. Agcy.
                      Homeowner Mtge. RB, Ser. 56
                      (AMT)
                      5.88%, 10/1/19 ................................      1,025,363
    245,000           New York St. Med. Care Facs.
                      Fin. Agcy. RB (Mental Hlth.
                      Svcs. Facs.), 1992 Ser. B
                      6.25%, 8/15/10 (AMBAC) ........................        264,281


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                        Value
<S>                   <C>                               <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      New York - continued
$ 2,000,000           New York St. Med. Care Facs.
                      Fin. Agcy. RB Refunding Hosp.
                      Insured Mtge. A
                      5.38%, 2/15/25 (MBIA) .........................     $2,017,100
    500,000           New York St. Med. Care Facs.
                      Fin. Agcy. RB (Mental Hlth.
                      Svcs. Facs.), 1995 Ser. A
                      6.00%, 2/15/25 (MBIA) .........................        532,125
    500,000           New York St. Mtge. Agcy. RB
                      (Homeowner Mtge.) Ser. 63,
                      (AMT)
                      5.60%, 4/1/10 .................................        518,970
  1,000,000           New York St. Thruway Auth.
                      Ser. C
                      6.00%, 1/1/25 (FGIC) ..........................      1,070,810
  1,000,000           New York St. Thruway Auth. RB
                      Ser. B
                      5.00%, 1/1/20 (MBIA) ..........................        971,510
    250,000           Port Auth. of New York & New
                      Jersey Consolidated Bonds,
                      97th Ser. 2nd Installment
                      (AMT)
                      7.00%, 7/15/05 (FGIC) .........................        288,993
  2,000,000           Port Auth. of New York & New
                      Jersey Special Obligation RB
                      (JFK Intl. Aprt. Terminal 6
                      Proj.)
                      6.25%, 12/1/10 ((MBIA) (AMT)) .................      2,270,660
  2,000,000           United Nations Dev. Corp.
                      Prerefunded RB Ser. A
                      6.00%, 7/1/26 .................................      2,203,040
                                                                          ----------
                                                                          20,126,084
                                                                          ----------
                      North Carolina - 0.2%
    500,000           North Carolina Hsg. Fin.
                      Agcy. Single Family Ser. 00,
                      (Orig. Avg. Life Est.)
                      5.80%, 9/1/12 (FHA) ............................       526,430
                                                                          ----------
                      North Dakota - 0.3%
  1,000,000           Mercer Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. RRB
                      (Basin Elec. Pwr.
                      Cooperative-Antelope Valley
                      Unit 1 & Common Facs.),
                      Second 1995 Ser.
                      6.05%, 1/1/19 (AMBAC) .........................      1,079,750
                                                                          ----------
                         Ohio - 1.9%
    500,000           Akron Econ. Dev. RB
                      6.00%, 12/1/12 (MBIA) .........................        562,055
    700,000           Board of Ed. Beavercreek
                      Local Sch. Dist. (Cnty. of
                      Greene) Sch. Imp. Bonds
                      (Unltd. Tax GO), Ser. 1996
                      6.60%, 12/1/15 (FGIC) .........................        838,236
  1,000,000           Cleveland Arpt. Sys. RB Ser. A
                      5.13%, 1/1/17 (FSA AMT) .......................        978,120
  2,000,000           Cleveland Prerefunded GO
                      Ser. B
                      6.75%, 10/1/08 (AMBAC) ........................      2,206,580
  1,000,000           Jefferson Cnty. GO Refunding
                      Improvement
                      5.70%, 12/1/13 ................................      1,097,550
                                                                          ----------
                                                                           5,682,541
                                                                          ----------
</TABLE>

                                                                       49
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                            Value
<S>                   <C>                                   <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                             Oregon - 0.3%
$ 1,025,000           Eugene Cnty. Elec. Util. RB
                      4.75%, 8/1/12 .....................................     $1,003,034
                                                                              ----------
                       Pennsylvania - 5.2%
  2,500,000           North Penn Wtr. Auth. RB
                      6.88%, 11/1/19 (FGIC) .............................      2,887,575
  2,000,000           North Wales Wtr. Auth. RB
                      7.00%, 11/1/20 (FGIC) .............................      2,307,900
    500,000           Pennsylvania Convention Ctr.
                      Auth. RB Ser. A, 1989 Ser. A
                      6.70%, 9/1/16 (FGIC) ..............................        592,890
    500,000           Pennsylvania Higher Ed. Facs.
                      Auth. RB Drexel Univ.
                      4.80%, 5/1/28 (MBIA) ..............................        466,135
    500,000           Pennsylvania Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
                      Single Family Mtge. Ser. 61B RB
                      5.20%, 10/1/14 ....................................        502,150
  1,965,000           Pennsylvania
                      Intergovernmental Coop. Auth.
                      Spec. Tax Rev. Phil. Funding
                      Prog., Prerefunded
                      6.80%, 6/15/12 ....................................      2,164,369
  1,450,000           Pennsylvania
                      Intergovernmental Coop. Auth.
                      Spec. Tax Rev. Phil. Funding
                      Prog., Prerefunded
                      7.00%, 6/15/14 ....................................      1,684,407
  3,000,000           Philadelphia Hosp. & Higher
                      Ed. Facs. Auth. Prerefunded
                      RB Childrens Hosp. Proj. Ser. A
                      6.50%, 2/15/21 ...................................      3,297,390
    750,000           Philadelphia Wtr. & Wastewater RB
                      6.25%, 8/1/11 (MBIA) ..............................        858,525
  1,000,000           York Cnty. Solid Waste &
                      Refuse Auth. Solid Waste Sys. RB
                      5.50%, 12/1/11 (FGIC) .............................      1,075,740
                                                                              ----------
                                                                              15,837,081
                                                                              ----------
                      South Dakota - 0.4%
  1,235,000           South Dakota Hsg. Dev. Auth.
                      RB Homeownership B
                      5.25%, 5/1/17 .....................................      1,238,236
                                                                              ----------
                          Tennessee - 0.1%
    300,000           Bristol Hlth. & Edl. Facs.
                      Board RRB (Bristol Mem.
                      Hosp.), Ser. 1993
                      6.75%, 9/1/07 (FGIC) ..............................        350,079
                                                                              ----------
                              Texas - 4.7%
  1,000,000           Cypress Fair Independent Sch. Dist.
                      5.13%, 2/15/12 ....................................      1,012,780
  1,000,000           Harris Cnty. Hlth. Facs.
                      Hosp. RB (Memorial Hermann
                      Hosp. Sys. Proj.)
                      5.50%, 6/1/10 .....................................      1,062,920
  1,000,000           Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
                      Contract COP, Ser. 1993J
                      6.13%, 12/15/09 (AMBAC) ...........................      1,133,850
    500,000           Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
                      Contract COP, Ser. 1993H
                      7.50%, 12/15/10 (AMBAC) ...........................        632,745
  1,500,000           Irving Independent Sch. Dist. GO
                      5.13%, 2/15/18 ....................................      1,488,090
    460,000           Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
                      4.25%, 4/15/16 (AMBAC) ............................        412,229


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Principal
       Amount                                                            Value
<S>                   <C>                                   <C>               <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                      Texas - continued
$   460,000           Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
                      4.25%, 4/15/17 (AMBAC) ...........................     $  409,110
  1,000,000           San Antonio Elec. & Gas RB
                      5.25%, 2/1/10 .....................................      1,039,320
  2,000,000           San Antonio Prerefunded GO
                      6.75%, 8/1/08 .....................................      2,164,060
  1,500,000           Tarrant Cnty. Hlth. Facs.
                      Dev. Corp. Hlth. Res. Sys. Ser. A
                      5.25%, 2/15/17 (MBIA) .............................      1,499,910
  1,000,000           Texas Muni. Pwr. Agcy. RB
                      5.25%, 9/1/09 (MBIA) ..............................      1,054,460
  2,000,000           Univ. of Texas Permanent
                      Univ. Fund RB Prerefunded
                      6.50%, 7/1/11 .....................................      2,180,200
                                                                              ----------
                                                                              14,089,674
                                                                              ----------
                               Utah - 0.4%
    500,000           Salt Lake City Hosp. RB (IHC
                      Hosp., Inc.)
                      6.30%, 2/15/15 ....................................        576,570
    500,000           Utah Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB
                      (Single Family Mtge.) Ser. B
                      6.00%, 7/1/16 (FHA) ...............................        528,775
                                                                              ----------
                                                                               1,105,345
                                                                              ----------
                            Vermont - 0.5%
  1,315,000           Burlington Elec. RB Ser. A
                      6.25%, 7/1/12 (MBIA) .............................       1,511,514
                                                                              ----------
                           Virginia - 0.7%
  1,000,000           Virginia Hsg. Dev. Auth.
                      Commonwealth Mtg. RB Ser. H,
                      Sub-Ser. H-1-RMK
                      5.00%, 7/1/14 .....................................        998,820
  1,000,000           Virginia Pub. Bldg. Auth.
                      Facs. RB Ser. A
                      5.38%, 8/1/10 .....................................      1,052,290
                                                                              ----------
                                                                               2,051,110
                                                                              ----------
                         Washington - 0.3%
    500,000           Snohomish Cnty. Sch. Dist. GO
                      5.70%, 12/1/15 (FGIC) .............................        529,680
    500,000           Vancouver Wtr. & Swr. RB
                      5.25%, 6/1/17 (MBIA) ..............................        502,130
                                                                              ----------
                                                                               1,031,810
                                                                              ----------
                      West Virginia - 0.7%
  1,000,000           West Virginia St. Ser. A
                      5.75%, 11/1/21 (FGIC) .............................      1,055,120
  1,000,000           West Virginia St. Hsg. Dev.
                      Fund RB Ser. A
                      6.05%, 5/1/27 .....................................      1,057,610
                                                                              ----------
                                                                               2,112,730
                                                                              ----------
                          Wisconsin - 0.6%
  1,000,000           Wisconsin Clean Wtr. RB Ser. 1
                      6.88%, 6/1/11 .....................................      1,206,710
    500,000           Wisconsin Hsg. & Econ. Dev.
                      Auth. Home Ownership RB
                      Ser. E (AMT)
                      6.00%, 9/1/28 .....................................        520,290
                                                                              ----------
                                                                               1,727,000
                                                                              ----------
</TABLE>

                                       50
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund




                      Schedule of Investments (continued)

                                 March 31, 1998




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
     Amount                                                       Value
<S>             <C>                                     <C>        <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                Puerto Rico - 1.3%
 $  1,000,000   Puerto Rico Commonwealth GO
                6.50%, 7/1/10 (MBIA) ...........................    $  1,173,250
      225,000   Puerto Rico Commonwealth
                Infrastructure Fin. Auth. RB Ser. A
                5.00%, 7/1/28 (AMBAC) ..........................         218,160
    1,000,000   Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. RB
                Ser. DD
                5.00%, 7/1/28 ..................................         953,500
      500,000   Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. RB Ser. BB
                6.25%, 7/1/10 (MBIA) ...........................         575,040
      500,000   Puerto Rico Hsg. Bank & Fin.
                Agcy. RB (Single Family
                Affordable Hsg. Mtge. Subsidy
                Prog.) Portfolio I (AMT)
                5.85%, 4/1/09 ..................................         524,590
      500,000   Puerto Rico Pub. Bldgs. Auth.
                RB Govt. Fac. Ser. B
                5.10%, 7/1/10 (MBIA) ...........................         518,170
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,962,710
                                                                    ------------
                Total Long Term
                (cost $155,015,764) ............................     157,875,955
                                                                    ------------
                Short Term - 7.0%
                       Indiana - 0.3%
    1,000,000   Purdue Univ. RB Ser. H
                3.60% - VRDN ...................................       1,000,000
                                                                    ------------
                          Iowa - 2.2%
    6,700,000   Iowa Finance Auth. RB
                3.75% - VRDN ...................................       6,700,000
                                                                    ------------
                 Massachusetts - 1.7%
    5,000,000   Massachusetts St. Hlth. &
                Edl. Facs., Capital Assets
                Program, Series D
                3.80% - VRDN ...................................       5,000,000
                                                                    ------------


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Principal
     Amount                                                       Value
<S>             <C>                                     <C>        <C>
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - continued
                New York - 1.6%
 $  3,800,000   New York City Muni. Wtr. Fin.
                Auth.; Wtr. and Swr. Sys. RB,
                1993 Ser. C
                3.85% - VRDN (FGIC) ............................    $  3,800,000
    1,000,000   New York City Muni. Wtr. Fin.
                Auth. Wtr. & Swr. Ser. C
                Mandatory Tendr Upon Exp/Term
                Of Liquidity
                3.85% - VRDN (FGIC) ............................       1,000,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,800,000
                                                                    ------------
                         Texas - 0.3%
    1,000,000   Coastal Bend Hlth. Facs. Dev.
                3.70% - VRDN ...................................       1,000,000
                                                                    ------------
                     Wisconsin - 0.4%
    1,110,000   Louisiana Crosse Indl. Dev. RB
                3.85% - VRDN ...................................................
                                                                       1,110,000
                                                                    ------------
                       Wyoming - 0.5%
    1,600,000   Lincoln Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. RRB
                3.85% - VRDN ...................................       1,600,000
                                                                    ------------
                Total Short Term
                (cost $21,210,000) .............................      21,210,000
                                                                    ------------
                Total Municipal Obligations
                (cost $176,225,764) ............................     179,085,955
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                               Amount
<S>         <C>                       <C>         <C>
MUTUAL FUND SHARES - 0.0% (a)
  152,000   Federated Tax Free
            Obligations Fund (at net asset value)
            (cost $152,000) ...................          152,000
                                                         -------
            Total Investments -
            (cost $268,854,476) .....  100.3%        303,383,743
            Other Assets and
            Liabilities - net .......  ( 0.3%)          (882,503)
                                       -----         -----------
            Net Assets ..............  100.0%       $302,501,240
                                       =====        ============
</TABLE>

*     Non income producing securities.
**    At March 31, 1998 the Fund owned 3,000 shares of common stock of First
      Union Corp. at a cost of $57,890. During the period ended March 31, 1998
      the Fund earned $3,900 in dividend income from this investment. These
      shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquisition of the
      investment adviser and Lieber & Company by First Union.
144A  Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
      Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
      determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
      Trustees.
(a)   Less than one-tenth of a percent.

Summary of abbreviations:
ADS     American Depository Shares
AMT     Subject to Alternative Minimum Tax
FHA     Federal Housing Authority
FHLMC   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA    Federal National Mortgage Corp.
GO      General Obligations
GNMA    Government National Mortgage Corp.
RB      Revenue Bonds
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
RRB     Refunding Revenue Bonds
STRYPES Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONS  Term Convertible Shares
VRDN    Variable Rate Demand Notes are payable on demand at par on no more than
        seven calendar days' notice given by the Fund to the issuer or other
        parties not affiliated with the issuer. These notes normally incorporate
        an irrevocable letter of credit or line of credit from a major bank.
        Interest rates presented for these securities are those in effect as of
        March 31, 1998.

Municipal bond insurance companies:
AMBAC   American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.
FGIC    Financial Guarantee Insurance Corp.
MBIA    Municipal Bond Insurance Association


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           51
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds




                     Statements of Assets and Liabilities

                                 March 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                American
                                                                               Retirement
                                                                                  Fund
                                                                           -----------------
<S>                                                                        <C>
Assets
 Investments at value (identified cost - $192,500,813, $1,280,624,600,
  $1,935,098,601 and $268,854,476, respectively)..........................   $ 234,985,901
 Cash ....................................................................         194,322
 Receivable for investments sold .........................................          62,143
 Receivable for Fund shares sold .........................................       1,353,344
 Dividends and interest receivable .......................................       1,458,986
 Unamortized organization expenses .......................................               0
 Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign
  currency exchange contracts ............................................               0
 Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................          76,514
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
  Total assets ...........................................................     238,131,210
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Liabilities
 Payable for investments purchased .......................................       3,550,955
 Payable for Fund shares repurchased .....................................         400,533
 Advisory fee payable ....................................................         144,415
 Distribution Plan expenses payable ......................................         121,943
 Due to related parties ..................................................               0
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................          94,022
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
  Total liabilities ......................................................       4,311,868
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net assets ...............................................................   $ 233,819,342
==========================================================================   =============
Net assets represented by
 Paid-in capital .........................................................   $ 189,282,268
 Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income ........         235,752
 Accumulated net realized gain on investments,
  futures contracts and foreign currency related transactions ............       1,816,234
 Net unrealized appreciation on investments and
  foreign currency related transactions ..................................      42,485,088
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
  Total net assets .......................................................   $ 233,819,342
==========================================================================   =============
Net assets consists of
 Class A .................................................................   $  29,004,525
 Class B .................................................................     158,251,514
 Class C .................................................................       2,777,392
 Class Y .................................................................      43,785,911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
                                                                             $ 233,819,342
                                                                             =============
Shares outstanding
 Class A .................................................................       1,736,778
 Class B .................................................................       9,526,808
 Class C .................................................................         166,810
 Class Y ................................................................       2,621,505
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net asset value per share
 Class A .................................................................   $       16.70
==========================================================================   =============
 Class A - Offering price (based on sales charge of 4.75%) ...............   $       17.53
==========================================================================   =============
 Class B .................................................................   $       16.61
==========================================================================   =============
 Class C .................................................................   $       16.65
==========================================================================   =============
 Class Y .................................................................   $       16.70
==========================================================================   =============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    Tax-Strategic
                                                                                  Balanced         Foundation        Foundation
                                                                                   Fund               Fund              Fund
                                                                           ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>               <C>
Assets
 Investments at value (identified cost - $192,500,813, $1,280,624,600,
  $1,935,098,601 and $268,854,476, respectively)..........................   $ 1,897,588,085    $2,626,081,854     $ 303,383,743
 Cash ....................................................................               984           755,162               731
 Receivable for investments sold .........................................        15,147,304                 0                 0
 Receivable for Fund shares sold .........................................         1,152,930        12,537,545         4,234,931
 Dividends and interest receivable .......................................        11,257,799         9,893,420         2,463,873
 Unamortized organization expenses .......................................                 0                 0             4,862
 Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign
  currency exchange contracts ............................................           971,860                 0                 0
 Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................           391,480           204,409            47,793
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
  Total assets ...........................................................     1,926,510,442     2,649,472,390       310,135,933
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
Liabilities
 Payable for investments purchased .......................................        24,812,113         3,028,219         6,862,231
 Payable for Fund shares repurchased .....................................         3,159,453         2,491,690           280,329
 Advisory fee payable ....................................................           688,926         1,648,099           227,316
 Distribution Plan expenses payable ......................................           555,541           879,282           181,285
 Due to related parties ..................................................            27,600                 0                 0
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..................................           113,068           197,488            83,532
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
  Total liabilities ......................................................        29,356,701         8,244,778         7,634,693
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
Net assets ...............................................................   $ 1,897,153,741    $2,641,227,612     $ 302,501,240
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
Net assets represented by
 Paid-in capital .........................................................   $ 1,232,456,544    $1,944,730,227     $ 267,647,747
 Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income ........         2,779,889           (35,481)           17,451
 Accumulated net realized gain on investments,
  futures contracts and foreign currency related transactions ............        43,981,058         5,549,613           306,775
 Net unrealized appreciation on investments and
  foreign currency related transactions ..................................       617,936,250       690,983,253        34,529,267
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
  Total net assets .......................................................   $ 1,897,153,741    $2,641,227,612     $ 302,501,240
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
Net assets consists of
 Class A .................................................................   $ 1,277,419,448    $  350,078,735     $  69,878,735
 Class B .................................................................       579,673,910     1,123,867,181       185,042,260
 Class C .................................................................           829,197        50,216,288        27,699,006
 Class Y .................................................................        39,231,186     1,117,065,408        19,881,239
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
                                                                             $ 1,897,153,741    $2,641,227,612     $ 302,501,240
                                                                             ===============    ==============     =============
Shares outstanding
 Class A .................................................................        99,290,770        17,129,241         4,272,621
 Class B .................................................................        45,003,516        55,243,018        11,331,967
 Class C .................................................................            64,372         2,468,520         1,699,021
 Class Y .................................................................         3,050,729        54,619,171         1,213,326
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------    --------------     -------------
Net asset value per share
 Class A .................................................................   $         12.87    $        20.44     $       16.36
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
 Class A - Offering price (based on sales charge of 4.75%) ..............   $         13.51    $        21.46     $       17.18
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
 Class B .................................................................   $         12.88    $        20.34     $       16.33
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
 Class C .................................................................   $         12.88    $        20.34     $       16.30
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
 Class Y .................................................................   $         12.86    $        20.45     $       16.39
===========================================================================  ===============    ==============     =============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       52
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds




                           Statements of Operations

                           Year Ended March 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        American
                                                                                      Retirement       Balanced
                                                                                         Fund           Fund*
                                                                                    -------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>
Investment income
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $14,071, $33,136, $9,289, and
  $924, respectively)..............................................................  $ 3,825,947    $ 16,541,641
 Interest .........................................................................    4,464,283      35,108,602
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
Total income ......................................................................    8,290,230      51,650,243
Expenses
 Advisory fee .....................................................................    1,350,506       5,534,574
 Distribution Plan expenses .......................................................    1,236,802       7,232,979
 Transfer agent fees ..............................................................      385,565       2,214,659
 Trustees fees ....................................................................        9,529         117,124
 Administrative services fees .....................................................            0         294,242
 Other ............................................................................      327,060         913,574
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
  Total expenses .................................................................    3,309,462      16,307,152
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses ...................................................       (5,046)         (2,660)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
  Net expenses ....................................................................    3,304,416      16,304,492
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
 Net investment income ............................................................    4,985,814      35,345,751
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions
 Net realized gain (loss) on:
  Investments .....................................................................    5,840,219     128,518,720
  Futures contracts ...............................................................            0        (266,127)
  Foreign currency related transactions ...........................................            0      (1,250,925)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ............................................................    5,840,219     127,001,668
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency
  related transactions ...........................................................   31,534,034      84,015,495
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions ...................................................   37,374,253     211,017,163
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------    ------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .............................  $42,360,067    $246,362,914
===================================================================================  ===========    ============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Tax-Strategic
                                                                                       Foundation      Foundation
                                                                                          Fund            Fund
                                                                                    --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
Investment income
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $14,071, $33,136, $9,289, and
  $924, respectively)..............................................................  $ 24,841,677     $ 1,251,681
 Interest .........................................................................    52,356,287       4,781,233
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
Total income ......................................................................    77,197,964       6,032,914
Expenses
 Advisory fee .....................................................................    16,156,433       1,451,786
 Distribution Plan expenses .......................................................     9,377,671       1,200,054
 Transfer agent fees .............................................................     3,887,808         204,142
 Trustees fees ....................................................................        59,346           6,683
 Administrative services fees .....................................................             0               0
 Other ............................................................................     1,617,873         285,694
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
  Total expenses ..................................................................    31,099,131       3,148,359
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses ...................................................        (7,771)         (3,963)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
  Net expenses ....................................................................    31,091,360       3,144,396
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
 Net investment income ............................................................    46,106,604       2,888,518
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions
 Net realized gain (loss) on:
  Investments .....................................................................    37,733,396       1,331,487
  Futures contracts ...............................................................             0               0
  Foreign currency related transactions ...........................................             0               0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ............................................................    37,733,396       1,331,487
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency
  related transactions ............................................................   507,820,113      28,378,750
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions ...................................................   545,553,509      29,710,237
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------     -----------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .............................  $591,660,113     $32,598,755
==================================================================================== ============     ===========
</TABLE>

* For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. Balanced Fund changed its
  fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.



                            Year Ended June 30, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                Balanced
                                                                                                 Fund
                                                                                           ----------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Investment income
 Interest ................................................................................   $ 40,204,287
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $91,085)..................................     24,547,062
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
Total income .............................................................................     64,751,349
Expenses
 Advisory fee ............................................................................      6,854,615
 Distribution Plan expenses ..............................................................     15,437,631
 Transfer agent fees .....................................................................      2,979,483
 Administative service fees ..............................................................        101,818
 Custodian fees ..........................................................................        596,802
 Trustees fees ...........................................................................         55,886
 Other ...................................................................................        193,248
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  Total expenses .........................................................................     26,219,483
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses ..........................................................       (146,111)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  Net expenses ...........................................................................     26,073,372
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
 Net investment income ...................................................................     38,677,977
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions
 Net realized gain on:
  Investments ............................................................................    116,423,636
  Foreign currency related transactions ..................................................      4,563,646
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
 Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions ..............    120,987,282
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency related            146,568,036
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  transactions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency related                 267,555,318
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  transactions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ....................................   $306,233,295
==========================================================================================   ============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           53
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Funds




                      Statements of Changes in Net Assets

                           Year Ended March 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   American
                                                                                 Retirement
                                                                                    Fund
                                                                              ----------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................  $   4,985,814
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions .....................................................      5,840,219
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign
  currency related transactions .............................................     31,534,034
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .......................     42,360,067
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................       (695,207)
  Class B ...................................................................     (2,792,552)
  Class C ...................................................................        (49,486)
  Class Y ...................................................................     (1,312,760)
 In excess of net investment income
  Class A ..................................................................              0
  Class B ...................................................................              0
  Class C ...................................................................              0
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class A ...................................................................       (514,560)
  Class B ...................................................................     (2,734,907)
  Class C ...................................................................        (50,154)
  Class Y ...................................................................       (874,184)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................     (9,023,810)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................     86,591,263
 Payment for shares redeemed ................................................    (24,953,880)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........      8,459,313
 Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen Balanced Fund II ................              0
 Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone Balanced Fund II ..................              0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions ......     70,096,696
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................    103,432,953
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................    130,386,389
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
 End of year ................................................................  $ 233,819,342
=============================================================================  =============
Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income ............  $     235,752
=============================================================================  =============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Balanced          Foundation
                                                                                     Fund*              Fund
                                                                              ------------------ ------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................   $   35,345,751     $   46,106,604
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................      127,001,668         37,733,396
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign
  currency related transactions .............................................       84,015,495        507,820,113
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .......................      246,362,914        591,660,113
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ..................................................................      (12,029,418)        (6,648,634)
  Class B ...................................................................      (25,630,818)       (13,556,896)
  Class C ...................................................................           (2,502)          (596,052)
  Class Y ...................................................................         (263,102)       (25,594,285)
 In excess of net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................                0           (129,791)
  Class B ...................................................................                0           (748,102)
  Class C ...................................................................                0            (36,273)
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class A ...................................................................      (25,111,250)        (6,367,014)
  Class B ...................................................................     (168,719,950)       (19,081,303)
  Class C ...................................................................             (135)          (836,192)
  Class Y ...................................................................                0        (22,106,374)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................     (231,757,175)       (95,700,916)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold .................................................      121,903,416        691,840,878
 Payment for shares redeemed ................................................     (278,715,460)      (299,555,598)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........      199,041,548         89,801,360
 Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen Balanced Fund II .................      214,923,155                  0
 Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone Balanced Fund II ..................                0          8,490,928
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions ......      257,152,659        490,577,568
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................      271,758,398        986,536,765
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................    1,625,395,343      1,654,690,847
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
 End of year ................................................................   $1,897,153,741     $2,641,227,612
==============================================================================  ==============     ==============
Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income ............   $    2,779,889     $      (35,481)
==============================================================================  ==============     ==============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                Tax-Strategic
                                                                                 Foundation
                                                                                    Fund
                                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................  $   2,888,518
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions .....................................................      1,331,487
 Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign
  currency related transactions .............................................     28,378,750
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .......................     32,598,755
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................       (845,312)
  Class B ...................................................................     (1,429,127)
  Class C ...................................................................       (189,734)
  Class Y ...................................................................       (422,361)
 In excess of net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................              0
  Class B ...................................................................              0
  Class C ...................................................................              0
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class A ..................................................................       (424,397)
  Class B ...................................................................     (1,129,269)
  Class C ...................................................................       (141,334)
  Class Y ...................................................................       (207,645)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................     (4,789,179)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................    212,133,212
 Payment for shares redeemed ................................................    (15,800,328)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........      4,084,131
 Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen Balanced Fund II .................
 Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone Balanced Fund II ..................              0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions ......    200,417,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................    228,226,591
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................     74,274,649
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
 End of year ................................................................  $ 302,501,240
============================================================================== =============
Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income ............  $      17,451
============================================================================== =============
</TABLE>

* For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. Balanced Fund changed its
  fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       54
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Funds




                      Statements of Changes in Net Assets

                              Prior Periods - 1997


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  American
                                                                                 Retirement
                                                                                   Fund*
                                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................  $    916,564
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................       274,144
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and
  foreign currency related transactions .....................................    (1,782,365)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations ...........      (591,657)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ..................................................................      (114,069)
  Class B ...................................................................      (485,797)
  Class C ...................................................................       (11,029)
  Class Y ...................................................................      (323,235)
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class B ...................................................................             0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................      (934,130)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................    27,711,777
 Payments for shares redeemed ...............................................    (8,115,115)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........       847,895
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions .............................................................    20,444,557
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................    18,918,770
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................   111,467,619
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
 End of year ................................................................  $130,386,389
=============================================================================  ============
Undistributed net investment income .........................................  $     11,347
=============================================================================  ============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Balanced          Foundation
                                                                                    Fund**              Fund*
                                                                              ------------------ ------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................   $   38,677,977     $   10,995,411
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................      120,987,282          7,808,618
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and
  foreign currency related transactions .....................................      146,568,036        (22,555,700)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations ...........      306,233,295         (3,751,671)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................                0         (1,460,563)
  Class B ...................................................................      (38,660,044)        (3,012,553)
  Class C ...................................................................                0           (138,668)
  Class Y ...................................................................                0         (5,968,305)
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class B ...................................................................      (57,571,132)                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................      (96,231,176)       (10,580,089)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................      200,987,044        124,109,877
 Payments for shares redeemed ...............................................     (351,020,484)       (76,822,274)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........       84,249,628          9,578,914
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions .............................................................      (65,783,812)        56,866,517
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................      144,218,307         42,534,757
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................    1,481,177,036      1,612,156,090
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------     --------------
 End of year ................................................................   $1,625,395,343     $1,654,690,847
==============================================================================  ==============     ==============
Undistributed net investment income ........................................   $    3,239,562     $      441,087
==============================================================================  ==============     ==============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                Tax-Strategic
                                                                                 Foundation
                                                                                   Fund*
                                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................  $    316,568
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................       865,777
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and
  foreign currency related transactions .....................................      (916,721)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations ...........       265,624
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................       (69,706)
  Class B ...................................................................      (123,210)
  Class C ..................................................................       (16,785)
  Class Y ...................................................................       (78,613)
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class B ...................................................................             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................      (288,314)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................    17,462,938
 Payments for shares redeemed ...............................................    (1,659,842)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........       211,565
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions .............................................................    16,014,661
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................    15,991,971
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................    58,282,678
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
 End of year ................................................................  $ 74,274,649
============================================================================== ============
Undistributed net investment income .........................................  $     30,456
============================================================================== ============
</TABLE>

*  For the period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year end
   from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
** For the year ended June 30, 1997.






                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                           55
<PAGE>





                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Funds




                      Statements of Changes in Net Assets

                              Prior Periods - 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   American
                                                                                 Retirement
                                                                                    Fund*
                                                                              ----------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................   $  2,435,368
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................        537,906
 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign
  currency related transactions .............................................      6,223,491
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ......................      9,196,765
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................       (214,502)
  Class B ...................................................................       (839,295)
  Class C ...................................................................        (22,543)
  Class Y ...................................................................     (1,330,115)
 In excess of net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................              0
  Class B ...................................................................              0
  Class C ...................................................................              0
  Class Y ...................................................................              0
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class A ...................................................................        (61,826)
  Class B ..................................................................       (302,689)
  Class C ...................................................................         (7,483)
  Class Y ...................................................................       (321,583)
 In excess of net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions
  Class A ...................................................................         (3,185)
  Class B ...................................................................        (15,592)
  Class C ...................................................................           (385)
  Class Y ...................................................................        (16,566)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................     (3,135,764)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................     66,932,304
 Payment for shares redeemed ................................................     (9,928,020)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........      2,790,578
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions .............................................................     59,794,862
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................     65,855,863
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................     45,611,756
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------
 End of year ................................................................   $111,467,619
=============================================================================   ============
Undistributed accumulated (distributions in excess of) net investment
 income .....................................................................   $     28,913
=============================================================================   ============



<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     Tax-Strategic
                                                                                    Balanced         Foundation       Foundation
                                                                                    Fund**             Fund*            Fund*
                                                                              ------------------ ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>               <C>
Operations
 Net investment income ......................................................   $   38,649,314    $   45,192,977    $    858,454
 Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions ......................................................       54,917,152        21,629,530       1,133,442
 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign
  currency related transactions .............................................      132,899,484        96,176,448       4,531,613
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ......................      226,465,950       162,998,955       6,523,509
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
Distributions to shareholders
 From net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................                0        (5,718,718)       (163,381)
  Class B ...................................................................      (38,649,314)      (12,786,120)       (306,929)
  Class C ...................................................................                0          (568,120)        (42,461)
  Class Y ...................................................................                0       (26,366,104)       (342,618)
 In excess of net investment income
  Class A ...................................................................                0                 0            (121)
  Class B ...................................................................       (4,413,251)                0            (226)
  Class C ...................................................................                0                 0             (31)
  Class Y ...................................................................                0                 0            (253)
 From net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions
  Class A ..................................................................                0        (1,819,496)       (209,265)
  Class B ...................................................................      (18,717,526)       (5,077,907)       (555,359)
  Class C ...................................................................                0          (231,947)        (82,045)
  Class Y ..................................................................                0        (7,335,097)       (303,414)
 In excess of net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions
  Class A ...................................................................                0                 0               0
  Class B ...................................................................                0                 0               0
  Class C ...................................................................                0                 0               0
  Class Y ...................................................................                0                 0               0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
  Total distributions to shareholders .......................................      (61,780,091)      (59,903,509)     (2,006,103)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold ..................................................      227,626,268       717,070,601      32,091,878
 Payment for shares redeemed ................................................     (308,498,436)     (301,222,020)     (3,143,238)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..........       52,483,524        55,523,207       1,574,099
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions .............................................................      (28,388,644)      471,371,788      30,522,739
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
   Total increase in net assets .............................................      136,297,215       574,467,234      35,040,145
Net assets
 Beginning of year ..........................................................    1,344,879,821     1,037,688,856      23,242,533
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------    --------------    ------------
 End of year ................................................................   $1,481,177,036    $1,612,156,090    $ 58,282,678
==============================================================================  ==============    ==============    ============
Undistributed accumulated (distributions in excess of) net investment
 income .....................................................................   $      115,118    $      138,085    $       (631)
==============================================================================  ==============    ==============    ============
</TABLE>

*  For the year ended December 31, 1996.
** For the year ended June 30, 1996.





                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       56
<PAGE>




                     Combined Notes to Financial Statements

1. ORGANIZATION


The Evergreen Balanced Funds consist of Evergreen American Retirement Fund
("American Retirement"), Evergreen Balanced Fund ("Balanced"), Evergreen
Foundation Fund ("Foundation"), and Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
("Tax Strategic"), each of which is registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as diversified, open-end management
investment companies. Each Fund is a series of the Evergreen Equity Trust, a
Delaware business Trust organized on September 18, 1997. Formerly, each Fund
was organized as either a Massachusetts business Trust or a series of a
Massachusetts business trust. American Retirement, Balanced, Foundation, Tax
Strategic, are collectively referred to herein as the "Funds".

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares
are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C
shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing
distribution fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending
on how long the shares have been held. Class C shares are sold subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge payable on shares redeemed within one year
after the month of purchase. Class B shares purchased after January 1, 1997
will automatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B shares
purchased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion rights.
Class Y shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to contingent
deferred sales charges or distribution fees. Class Y shares are sold only to
investment advisory clients of First Union and its affiliates, certain
institutional investors or Class Y shareholders of record of certain other
funds managed by First Union and its affiliates.


2. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN BALANCED FUND

The Fund was formed for the purpose of combining the net assets of the
Evergreen Balanced Fund II (the "Evergreen Fund"), formerly the Evergreen
Balanced Fund, and the net assets of the Keystone Balanced Fund (the "Keystone
Fund"), formerly Keystone Balanced Fund K-1 through the Fund's acquisition of
the net assets of the Evergreen Fund and Keystone Fund.

On January 21, 1998, prior to the Fund's acquisition of the Evergreen Fund's
net assets, the Evergreen Fund transferred substantially all of its net assets
related to its Class Y shares to Evergreen Select Balanced Fund, an
institutional balanced fund, through a redemption-in-kind in the amount of
approximately $729 million.

On January 23, 1998, the Fund acquired all of the remaining assets and certain
identified liabilities of the Evergreen Fund in exchange for Class A, Class B,
Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund. Also, the Fund acquired all of the
assets and certain identified liabilities of the Keystone Fund in exchange for
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. These acquisitions were
accomplished through tax-free exchanges of the respective shares of the Funds.
The value of net assets acquired, number of shares issued and unrealized
appreciation acquired were as follows:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Value of Net      Number of      Unrealized
Acquired Fund                 Assets Acquired   Shares Issued   Appreciation
- ---------------------------- ----------------- --------------- --------------
<S>                          <C>               <C>             <C>
    Evergreen Fund .........  $  214,923,155      17,901,009    $ 17,787,797
    Keystone Fund ..........   1,616,348,537     134,623,096     494,838,638
</TABLE>

The net assets of the Fund immediately after the acquisition were
$1,831,271,692.


Prior to the acquisition, the Keystone Fund added three classes of shares
designated as Class A and Class C and designated its existing class of shares
as Class B. Shareholders of the Keystone Fund who, on January 16, 1998, held
Class B shares purchased before January 1, 1995 and certain other
non-commissionable Class B shares had such shares converted to Class A shares
having an aggregate value equal to that of the shareholder's Class B shares
prior to the conversion.

At the conclusion of the Fund's acquisition of the net assets of the Evergreen
Fund and Keystone Fund, the surviving records of the Fund for accounting and
performance purposes is the Keystone Fund and for taxation purposes is the
Evergreen Fund.


3. ACQUISITION OF KEYSTONE BALANCED FUND II

Effective at the close of business on July 17, 1997, Foundation acquired the
net assets of Keystone Balanced Fund II, an open-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act in an exchange of shares. The net assets
were exchanged through a non-taxable exchange for 111,203, 316,984, and 36,146
Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of Foundation. The acquired


                                                           57
<PAGE>




               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with unrealized
appreciation of $1,216,239. The aggregate net assets of Foundation immediately
after the acquisition were $1,993,257,978.


4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The
policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which
require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts
reported herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. Valuation of Securities
The Funds value securities traded on a national securities exchange or included
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NMS") at the last reported sales price
on the exchange where primarily traded. The Funds value securities traded on an
exchange or NMS for which there has been no sale and other securities traded in
the over-the-counter market at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
price. U.S. government obligations held by the Funds are valued at the mean
between the over-the-counter bid and asked prices. Corporate bonds, other
fixed-income securities, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities are
valued at prices provided by an independent pricing service. In determining
value for normal institutional-size transactions, the pricing service uses
methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and analysis of
various relationships between similar securities which are generally recognized
by institutional traders. Securities for which valuations are not available
from an independent pricing service, including restricted securities, are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith according to procedures
established by the Board of Trustees. Short-term investments with remaining
maturities of 60 days or less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates
market value.

B. Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held by the custodian on the Fund's behalf. Each
Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and will require the seller
to provide additional collateral in the event the market value of the
securities pledged falls below the carrying value of the repurchase agreement,
including accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and other financial institutions which are deemed by the
investment advisor to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the
Board of Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Balanced, along with certain other funds managed by Keystone
Investment Management Company ("Keystone"), may transfer uninvested cash
balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or
more repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury
and/or federal agency obligations.

C. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
To obtain short-term financing, the Funds may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with qualified third-party broker-dealers. Interest on the value of
reverse repurchase agreements is based upon competitive market rates at the
time of issuance. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase
agreement, it will establish and maintain a segregated account with the
custodian containing qualifying assets having a value not less than the
repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the counterparty to the
transaction is rendered insolvent, the ultimate realization of the securities
to be repurchased by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

D. Foreign Currency
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.)
dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of
exchange; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate
of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net
unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) resulting from changes in foreign
currency exchange rates is a component of net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency related transactions. Net
realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange
rates include: foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and
settlement date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency related
transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends
recorded on the books of the Fund and the amount actually received. Such gains
and losses are included in realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related
transactions. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to
fluctuations in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and
subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain (loss) on foreign
currency related transactions.

E. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated
in a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or
liabilities. Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and
marked-to-market daily. Realized gains and losses arising from such
transactions are included in net realized

                                       58
<PAGE>



               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund bears the risk
of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the
forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the other party will
not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward contracts involve
elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the statement of
assets and liabilities.

F. Security Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date
thereafter when the Fund is made aware of the dividend. Foreign income may be
subject to foreign withholding taxes which are accrued as applicable. Capital
gains realized on some foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and
are accrued as applicable.

G. Futures Contracts
In order to gain exposure to or protect against changes in security values, the
Funds may buy and sell futures contracts.


The initial margin deposited with a broker when entering into a futures
transaction is subsequently adjusted by daily payments or receipts as the value
of the contract changes. Such changes are recorded as unrealized gains or
losses. Realized gains or losses are recognized on closing the contract.

Risks of entering into futures contracts include (I) the possibility of an
illiquid market for the contract, (ii) the possibility that a change in the
value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the
underlying instrument or index, and (iii) the credit risk that the other party
will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Futures contracts also
involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

H. Federal Taxes
The Funds have qualified and intend to continue to qualify as regulated
investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Thus, the Funds will not incur any federal income tax liability since
they are expected to distribute all of their net investment company taxable
income and net capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also
intend to avoid any excise tax liability by making the required distributions
under the Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
To the extent that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss
carryforwards, it is each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

I. Distributions
Distributions from net investment income for the Funds are declared and paid
quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are paid at
least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded at the close of
business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in
accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally
accepted accounting principles. The significant differences between financial
statement amounts available for distributions and distributions made in
accordance with income tax regulations are primarily due to differing
treatments for realized gains from foreign currency related transactions and
certain distributions received from real estate investment trusts.

J. Class Allocations
Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the
relative net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are
limited to expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

K. Organization Expenses
Organization expenses are amortized to operations over a five-year period on a
straight-line basis. In the event any of the initial shares of the Funds are
redeemed by any holder during the five-year amortization period, redemption
proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized organization expenses in the same
proportion as the number of initial shares being redeemed bears to the number
of initial shares outstanding at the time of the redemption.

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par
value authorized. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are currently
divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Transactions in shares of
the Funds were as follows:


                                                           59
<PAGE>



               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMERICAN RETIREMENT



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Year Ended
                                                           March 31, 1998
                                                   ------------------------------
                                                       Shares         Amount
                                                   ------------- ----------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>
Class A
Shares sold ......................................     776,394    $   11,977,023
Shares redeemed ..................................    (175,621)       (2,728,081)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....      73,985         1,168,200
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................     674,758        10,417,142
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Class B
Shares sold ......................................   4,220,724        64,924,905
Shares redeemed ..................................    (651,898)      (10,105,217)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....     340,081         5,338,212
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................   3,908,907        60,157,900
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Class C
Shares sold ......................................      80,905         1,241,277
Shares redeemed ..................................     (49,433)         (711,589)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....       6,217            97,713
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................      37,689           627,401
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Class Y
Shares sold ......................................     542,883         8,448,058
Shares redeemed ..................................    (749,260)      (11,408,993)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....     117,732         1,855,188
- -------------------------------------------------- -----------   ---------------
Net decrease .....................................     (88,645)       (1,105,747)
================================================== ===========   ===============
Net increase .....................................   4,532,709    $   70,096,696
================================================== ===========   ===============



<CAPTION>
                                                        Three Months Ended                Year Ended
                                                          March 31, 1997*             December 31, 1996
                                                   ----------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                       Shares         Amount         Shares        Amount
                                                   ------------- --------------- ------------- --------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Class A
Shares sold ......................................     326,820    $  4,608,875       762,980    $ 10,140,786
Shares redeemed ..................................     (74,356)     (1,044,019)      (84,770)     (1,127,903)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....       7,652         106,973        19,559         264,707
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Net increase .....................................     260,116       3,671,829       697,769       9,277,590
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Class B
Shares sold ......................................   1,531,877      21,511,234     3,892,133      51,648,645
Shares redeemed ..................................    (124,007)     (1,740,809)     (175,385)     (2,331,018)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....      33,372         464,195        81,733       1,103,810
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Net increase .....................................   1,441,242      20,234,620     3,798,481      50,421,437
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Class C
Shares sold ......................................      25,543         360,283       100,739       1,334,965
Shares redeemed ..................................      (4,726)        (66,693)       (3,928)        (53,590)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....         755          10,535         2,161          29,233
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Net increase .....................................      21,572         304,125        98,972       1,310,608
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Class Y
Shares sold ......................................      87,120       1,231,385       287,843       3,807,908
Shares redeemed ..................................    (370,659)     (5,263,594)     (481,537)     (6,415,509)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions....      19,041         266,192       103,943       1,392,828
- --------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
Net decrease .....................................    (264,498)     (3,766,017)      (89,751)     (1,214,773)
==============================================================   =============   ===========   =============
Net increase .....................................   1,458,432    $ 20,444,557     4,505,471    $ 59,794,862
==============================================================   =============   ===========   =============
</TABLE>

* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1997.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCED


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended
                                                              March 31, 1998*
                                                    -----------------------------------
                                                         Shares            Amount
                                                    --------------- -------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>
Class A
Shares sold .......................................       860,543    $       9,401,463
Shares redeemed ...................................    (4,919,924)         (61,467,813)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....     2,175,164           26,275,982
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to
 Class A shares ...................................    97,487,277        1,205,409,703
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................     3,687,710           45,716,406
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Net increase ......................................    99,290,770        1,225,335,741
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Class B
Shares sold .......................................     9,070,640          111,415,080
Shares redeemed ...................................   (15,656,468)        (202,986,801)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....    13,954,804          172,765,442
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to
 Class A shares ...................................   (97,487,277)      (1,205,409,703)
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................     9,587,697          118,815,736
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Net decrease ......................................   (80,530,604)      (1,005,400,246)
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Class C
Shares sold .......................................        22,780              270,797
Shares redeemed ...................................        (1,672)             (21,003)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....            10                  124
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................        43,254              532,825
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Net increase ......................................        64,372              782,743
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Class Y
Shares sold .......................................       196,984              816,075
Shares redeemed ...................................    (1,167,179)         (14,239,843)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....             0                    0
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................     4,020,924           49,858,189
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------   ------------------
Net increase ......................................     3,050,729           36,434,421
=================================================== =============   ==================
Net increase (decrease) ...........................    21,875,267    $     257,152,659
=================================================== =============   ==================



<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended                         Year Ended
                                                              June 30, 1997                      June 30, 1996
                                                    ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
                                                         Shares            Amount           Shares            Amount
                                                    ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
Class A
Shares sold .......................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares redeemed ...................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....              0                 0                0                 0
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to
 Class A shares ...................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Net increase ......................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Class B
Shares sold .......................................     16,959,452    $  200,987,044       20,948,679    $  227,626,268
Shares redeemed ...................................    (29,517,723)     (351,020,484)     (28,542,355)     (308,498,436)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....      7,405,182        84,249,628        4,948,269        52,483,524
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to
 Class A shares ...................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Net decrease ......................................     (5,153,089)      (65,783,812)      (2,645,407)      (28,388,644)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Class C
Shares sold .......................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares redeemed ...................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Net increase ......................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Class Y
Shares sold .......................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares redeemed ...................................              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions.....              0                 0                0                 0
Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen
 Balance Fund II ..................................              0                 0                0                 0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   --------------   ---------------
Net increase ......................................              0                 0                0                 0
==================================================================   ===============   ==============   ===============
Net increase (decrease) ...........................     (5,153,089)   $  (65,783,812)      (2,645,407)   $  (28,388,644)
==================================================================   ===============   ==============   ===============
</TABLE>

* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1998.

                                       60
<PAGE>


               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOUNDATION



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended                    Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31, 1998                   March 31, 1997*
                                                   --------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                        Shares           Amount           Shares          Amount
                                                   --------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
Class A
Shares sold ......................................     5,521,670    $   103,759,687      1,573,527    $   26,044,624
Shares redeemed ..................................    (2,914,232)       (53,799,294)      (734,487)      (12,146,536)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...       689,871         12,869,510         85,926         1,413,485
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................       111,203          2,040,162              0                 0
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................     3,408,512         64,870,065        924,966        15,311,573
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Class B
Shares sold ......................................    19,625,977        367,905,222      3,519,353        58,129,934
Shares redeemed ..................................    (4,438,949)       (81,802,033)    (1,205,547)      (19,871,723)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...     1,744,118         32,347,483        175,001         2,868,253
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................       316,984          5,790,704              0                 0
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................    17,248,130        324,241,376      2,488,807        41,126,464
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Class C
Shares sold ......................................     1,016,989         19,227,162        176,251         2,897,772
Shares redeemed ..................................      (405,258)        (7,403,302)       (91,055)       (1,506,028)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...        74,186          1,375,625          6,429           105,303
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................        36,146            660,062              0                 0
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Net increase .....................................       722,063         13,859,547         91,625         1,497,047
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Class Y
Shares sold ......................................    10,695,459        200,948,807      2,229,198        37,037,547
Shares redeemed ..................................    (8,434,531)      (156,550,969)    (2,606,400)      (43,297,987)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...     2,313,662         43,208,742        315,233         5,191,873
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------   ----------------  -------------   ---------------
Net increase (decrease) ..........................     4,574,590         87,606,580        (61,969)       (1,068,567)
================================================== =============   ================  =============   ===============
Net increase .....................................    25,953,295    $   490,577,568      3,443,429    $   56,866,517
================================================== =============   ================  =============   ===============



<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended
                                                           December 31, 1996
                                                   ---------------------------------
                                                        Shares           Amount
                                                   --------------- -----------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>
Class A
Shares sold ......................................     8,413,021    $   126,479,881
Shares redeemed ..................................    (3,177,106)       (47,846,922)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...       474,763          7,335,750
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................             0                  0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Net increase .....................................     5,710,678         85,968,709
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Class B
Shares sold ......................................    18,909,215        282,822,448
Shares redeemed ..................................    (4,174,149)       (62,881,641)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...     1,109,399         17,095,215
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................             0                  0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Net increase .....................................    15,844,465        237,036,022
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Class C
Shares sold ......................................     1,165,822         17,413,787
Shares redeemed ..................................      (308,109)        (4,629,756)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...        43,393            668,629
Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II .................................             0                  0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Net increase .....................................       901,106         13,452,660
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Class Y
Shares sold ......................................    19,300,331        290,354,485
Shares redeemed ..................................   (12,328,011)      (185,863,701)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ...     1,977,198         30,423,613
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------
Net increase (decrease) ..........................     8,949,518        134,914,397
================================================================   ================
Net increase .....................................    31,405,767    $   471,371,788
================================================================   ================
</TABLE>

* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1997.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX STRATEGIC



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Year Ended               Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31, 1998               March 31, 1997*
                                                  ----------------------------- ---------------------------
                                                      Shares         Amount        Shares        Amount
                                                  ------------- --------------- ------------ --------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold .....................................   3,458,299    $ 53,040,118      315,408    $ 4,371,432
Shares redeemed .................................    (371,701)     (5,726,480)     (38,895)      (539,727)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      77,658       1,200,787        4,842         66,689
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Net increase ....................................   3,164,256      48,514,425      281,355      3,898,394
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Class B
Shares sold .....................................   8,736,220     134,105,426      816,857     11,299,403
Shares redeemed .................................    (423,863)     (6,502,615)     (36,136)      (499,992)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..     154,897       2,385,102        8,114        111,726
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Net increase ....................................   8,467,254     129,987,913      788,835     10,911,137
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Class C
Shares sold .....................................   1,515,720      23,364,146      102,016      1,405,348
Shares redeemed .................................    (212,250)     (3,128,629)     (31,923)      (445,521)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      19,807         305,243          745         10,250
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Net increase ....................................   1,323,277      20,540,760       70,838        970,077
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Class Y
Shares sold .....................................     105,640       1,623,522       27,768        386,755
Shares redeemed .................................     (29,733)       (442,604)     (12,744)      (174,602)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      12,558         192,999        1,657         22,900
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------   -------------   ----------   ------------
Net increase ....................................      88,465       1,373,917       16,681        235,053
================================================= ===========   =============   ==========   ============
Net increase ....................................  13,043,252    $200,417,015    1,157,709    $16,014,661
================================================= ===========   =============   ==========   ============



<CAPTION>
                                                           Year Ended
                                                        December 31, 1996
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                      Shares         Amount
                                                  ------------- ---------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>
Class A
Shares sold .....................................     652,149    $  8,273,511
Shares redeemed .................................     (73,546)       (929,252)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      26,949         357,306
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net increase ....................................     605,552       7,701,565
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Class B
Shares sold .....................................   1,563,566      19,725,070
Shares redeemed .................................     (85,378)     (1,087,302)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      59,693         793,572
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net increase ....................................   1,537,881      19,431,340
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Class C
Shares sold .....................................     263,684       3,324,801
Shares redeemed .................................      (5,604)        (70,810)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..       6,172          81,908
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net increase ....................................     264,252       3,335,899
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Class Y
Shares sold .....................................      63,086         768,496
Shares redeemed .................................     (84,857)     (1,055,874)
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions ..      26,475         341,313
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
Net increase ....................................       4,704          53,935
=============================================================   =============
Net increase ....................................   2,412,389    $ 30,522,739
=============================================================   =============
</TABLE>

* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1997.


                                                           61
<PAGE>


               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS


Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term securities, were as follows for the year ended March 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Cost of         Proceeds
                                         Purchases       from Sales
                                     ---------------- ----------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>
       American Retirement .........  $  133,086,704   $   57,622,719
       Balanced ....................   1,272,598,779    1,299,416,840
       Foundation ..................     469,563,034      178,592,797
       Tax Strategic ...............     264,371,465       80,994,736
</TABLE>

On March 31, 1998, the composition of unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of investment securities based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal
income tax purposes was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Gross           Gross
                                                 Unrealized      Unrealized     Net Unrealized
                                  Tax Cost      Appreciation    Depreciation     Appreciation
                              ---------------- -------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>
American Retirement .........  $  192,562,140   $ 44,842,928   $  (2,419,167)   $ 42,423,761
Balanced ....................   1,280,698,926    619,482,205      (2,593,046)    616,889,159
Foundation ..................   1,934,879,330    701,584,810     (10,382,286)    691,202,524
Tax Strategic ...............     268,883,076     35,400,698        (900,031)     34,500,667
</TABLE>

7. DISTRIBUTION PLANS


Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (formerly, Evergreen Keystone Distributor, Inc.)
("EDI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The BISYS Group Inc. ("BISYS") serves as
principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans for each class of shares as allowed by
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution plans permit the fund to reimburse its
principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of the fund and for
various other services. These costs, which consist primarily of commissions and
services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the fund, are paid by
shareholders through expenses called "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class,
except Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average
daily net asset of the class. Class B and Class C also presently pay
distribution fees equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class.
Distribution Plan expenses are calculated daily and paid monthly.

With respect to Class B and Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay
12b-1 fees greater than the allowable annual amounts the Fund is permitted to
pay. The Fund may compensate the principal underwriter for such excess amounts
in later years with annual interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%.

During the year ended March 31, 1998, amounts paid to EDI and/or its
predecessor pursuant to each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution
Plans were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Class A     Class B      Class C
                                     ---------- ------------- ----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>           <C>
       American Retirement .........  $ 54,682   $1,161,176    $ 20,944
       Balanced ....................   611,968    7,041,305       1,210
       Foundation ..................   695,844    8,316,140     365,687
       Tax Strategic ...............    94,260      978,824     126,970
</TABLE>

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares
of the respective class.

Contingent deferred sales charges paid by redeeming shareholders are paid to
EDI or its predecessor.

                                       62
<PAGE>


               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED
TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to an agreement with American Retirement's, Foundation's and Tax
Strategic's investment advisor, Evergreen Asset Management Corp. ("Evergreen
Asset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Union, Evergreen Asset is entitled
to an annual fee based on each of American Retirement's, Foundation's and Tax
Strategic's average daily net assets, respectively, in accordance with the
following schedules:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Foundation and                          American
         Tax Strategic                          Retirement
- ----------------------------------     ----------------------------
<S>                                    <C>
         First $750 million 0.875%      First $750 million     0.75%
         Next $250 million  0.750%      Over $250 million      0.70%
         Over $1 billion    0.700%

</TABLE>

Keystone, a subsidiary of First Union, is the investment advisor for Balanced.
In return for providing investment management and administrative services to
Balanced, the Fund pays Keystone a management fee that is calculated daily and
paid monthly. The management fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of
Balanced's gross investment income plus an amount determined by applying
percentage rates starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net
assets increase, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS")(formerly Evergreen Keystone Investment
Services, Inc.), a subsidiary of First Union, is the administrator and BISYS
Fund Services is sub-administrator to the Funds. As administrator, EIS provides
the Funds with facilities, equipment and personnel. As sub-administrator to the
Funds, BISYS Fund Services provides the officers of the Funds. The
administrator and sub-administrator for each Fund are entitled to an annual fee
based on the average daily net assets of the funds administered by EIS for
which First Union or its investment advisory subsidiaries are also the
investment advisors. The administration fee is calculated by applying
percentage rates, which start at 0.05% and decline to 0.01% per annum as net
assets increase, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The
sub-administration fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start
at 0.01% and decline to .004% per annum as net assets increase, to the average
daily net asset value of the Fund. For American Retirement, Foundation, and Tax
Strategic the administration and sub-administration fee is paid by their
respective investment advisor and is not a Fund expense. For the year ended
March 31, 1998, Balanced paid $294,242 to EIS for providing administrative
services.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC") (formerly, Evergreen Keystone Service
Company, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone, serves as the transfer
and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.

Effective May 5, 1997, Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Keystone, began providing transfer and dividend disbursing agent
services for American Retirement, Foundation and Tax Strategic that were
formerly provided by State Street Bank & Trust Company ("State Street"). For
the year ended March 31, 1998, ESC received $376,878, $3,652,742 and $204,142
in transfer agent fees from American Retirement, Foundation and Tax Strategic,
respectively. For certain accounts in American Retirement and Foundation, First
Union had been sub-contracted by ESC and previously State Street to maintain
shareholder sub-account records, take fund purchase and redemption orders and
answer inquiries. For each account, First Union earned a fee which totaled
$8,687 and $235,066 for American Retirement and Foundation, respectively for
the year ended March 31, 1998.

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, is the investment sub-advisor to
American Retirement, Foundation, and Tax Strategic and also provides brokerage
services with respect to substantially all security transactions of these Funds
effected on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. For the year ended March
31, 1998 American Retirement, Foundation and Tax Strategic incurred the
following brokerage commissions with Lieber & Company:



<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
          American Retirement .........  $ 80,739
          Foundation ..................   483,014
          Tax Strategic ...............   113,411
</TABLE>

Lieber & Company is reimbursed by Evergreen Asset, at no additional expense to
the Funds, for its cost of providing investment advisory services.

Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no compensation directly
from the Funds.

                                                           63
<PAGE>


               Combined Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT

The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with their custodian.
The assets deposited with the custodian under this expense offset arrangement
could have been invested in income-producing assets.


10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of American Retirement, Balanced, Foundation, and Tax
Strategic may defer any or all compensation related to performance of duties as
a Trustee. Each Trustee's deferred balances are allocated to deferral accounts
which are included in the accrued expenses for the Funds. The investment
performance of the deferral accounts are based on the investment performance of
certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses incurred in the deferral
accounts are reported in the Fund's Trustee's fees and expenses. Trustees will
be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly installments for up to ten years
at their election, not earlier than either the year in which the Trustee ceases
to be a member of the Board of Trustees or January 1, 2000. As of March 31,
1998, the value of the Trustees' deferral account for American Retirement,
Balanced, Foundation, and Tax Strategic was $17,428, $83,697, $35,481, and
$7,764.


11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

On October 31, 1996, a financing agreement among certain of the Evergreen
Funds, State Street Bank & Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks (the
"Banks") became effective. Under this agreement, the Banks provided an
unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $225 million ($112.5
million committed and $112.5 million uncommitted) allocated evenly among the
Banks. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 0.75% per annum above
the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.10% per annum was incurred on the
unused portion of the committed facility, which was allocated to all
participating Funds. State Street served as agent for the Banks, and as agent
was entitled to a fee of $15,000 which was allocated to all of the
participating Funds. This agreement was terminated on October 31, 1997.

On October 31, 1997, a temporary financing agreement between the participating
Funds and First Union became effective. Under this agreement, First Union
provided a fully committed unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of
$300 million. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 1.00% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. State Street served as administrative agent under
this agreement, but received no compensation for its services. This agreement
was terminated on December 22, 1997.

On December 22, 1997, a financing agreement among all of the Evergreen Funds,
State Street and a group of Banks became effective. Under this agreement, the
Banks provide an unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $400
million ($275 million committed and $125 million uncommitted). The credit
facility is allocated, under the terms of the financing agreement, among the
Banks. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds for temporary or
emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions.
Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per annum above the
Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be incurred on
the unused portion of the committed facility, which will be allocated to all
Funds. For its assistance in arranging this financing agreement, the Capital
Market Group of First Union was paid a one time arrangement fee of $27,500.
State Street serves as administrative agent for the Banks, and as
administrative agent is entitled to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is
allocated to all of the Funds.

During the year ended March 31, 1998, the Funds had no significant borrowings
under these agreements.

                                       64
<PAGE>


                          Independent Auditors' Report

Trustees and Shareholders
Evergreen Equity Trust

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities,
including the schedules of investments of Evergreen American Retirement Fund,
Evergreen Balanced Fund, Evergreen Foundation Fund and Evergreen Tax Strategic
Foundation Fund of Evergreen Equity Trust listed below as of March 31, 1998,
and the related statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets,
and financial highlights for each of the years or periods presented below:

   Evergreen American Retirement Fund - statement of operations for the year
   ended March 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year
   ended March 31, 1998, the three months ended March  31, 1997 and the year
   ended December 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the years or periods
   presented on pages 18 through 20, except for the periods prior to December
   31, 1996. The financial highlights for the periods prior to December 31,
   1996 were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 15, 1996
   expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

   Evergreen Balanced Fund - statement of operations for the nine months ended
   March 31, 1998 and the year ended June 30, 1997, statements of changes in
   net assets for the nine months ended March 31, 1998 and each of the years
   in the two year period ended June 30, 1997, and financial highlights for
   the years or periods presented on pages 21 through 23.

   Evergreen Foundation Fund - statement of operations for the year ended
   March 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended
   March 31, 1998, the three months ended March 31, 1997 and the year ended
   December 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the years or periods
   presented on pages 24 through 26, except for the periods prior to December
   31, 1996. The financial highlights for the periods prior to December 31,
   1996 were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 15, 1996
   expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund - statement of operations for the
   year ended March 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year
   ended March 31, 1998, the three months ended March 31, 1997 and the year
   ended December 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented
   on pages 27 and 28, expect for the periods prior to December 31, 1996. The
   financial highlights for the periods prior to December 31, 1996 were
   audited by other auditors whose report dated February 15, 1996 expressed an
   unqualified opinion thereon.

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of
the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements and financial highlights. Our procedures include confirmation of
securities owned as of March 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Evergreen American Retirement Fund, Evergreen Balanced Fund, Evergreen
Foundation Fund, and Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund, funds of
Evergreen Equity Trust, as of March 31, 1998, the results of their operations,
changes in their net assets and financial highlights for each of the years or
periods specified in the first paragraph above in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.



                                     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
May 1, 1998

                                                          65
<PAGE>



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)


Special Meeting of Shareholders

On December 15, 1997, a special meeting of shareholders for American
Retirement, Foundation, and Tax Strategic was held
to consider a number of proposals and had the following shares represented at
the meeting. On October 16, 1997, the record date for the meeting the Funds had
the following shares outstanding:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              American
                                                                                             Retirement
                                                                                           --------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
  Record date shares outstanding .........................................................   11,676,896
  Shares represented at meeting ..........................................................    7,118,479
  Percentage of record date shares represented at meeting ................................         61.0%
  The votes recorded at the meeting, by proposal, were as follows:
        Proposal 1 - The proposed reorganization of each Fund as a series of the
          Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business trust:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,315,328
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      115,548
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      687,603
        Proposal 2 - Reclassification as non-fundamental of the investment objective
          currently classified as fundamental:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,232,727
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      153,490
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      732,262
        Proposal 3 - Changes to Fundamental investment restrictions:
        Proposal 3A - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning diversification of
          investments:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3B - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning concentration of a
          Fund's assets in a particular industry:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3C - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning the issuance of
          senior securities:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3D - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning borrowing:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3E - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning underwriting:
        Shares voted "For" ..............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3F - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning investments in Real
          Estate:
        Shares voted "For" ..............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3G - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning commodities:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619
        Proposal 3H - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning lending:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    6,269,671
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................      127,189
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................      721,619



<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Tax
                                                                                              Foundation      Strategic
                                                                                           --------------- --------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
  Record date shares outstanding .........................................................   113,591,523     11,267,455
  Shares represented at meeting ..........................................................    66,320,831      6,593,651
  Percentage of record date shares represented at meeting ................................          58.4%          58.5%
  The votes recorded at the meeting, by proposal, were as follows:
        Proposal 1 - The proposed reorganization of each Fund as a series of the
          Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business trust:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    57,692,561      6,030,170
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................       829,118         73,295
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     7,799,152        490,186
        Proposal 2 - Reclassification as non-fundamental of the investment objective
          currently classified as fundamental:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,953,514      5,921,252
        Shares voted "Against" ..........................................................     1,385,813        131,540
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     7,981,504        540,859
        Proposal 3 - Changes to Fundamental investment restrictions:
        Proposal 3A - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning diversification of
          investments:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,950,679      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,225,590        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,562        534,488
        Proposal 3B - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning concentration of a
          Fund's assets in a particular industry:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,946,730      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,229,539        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,562        534,488
        Proposal 3C - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning the issuance of
          senior securities:
        Shares voted "For" ..............................................................    56,951,752      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,224,213        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,866        534,488
        Proposal 3D - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning borrowing:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,941,950      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,234,015        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,866        534,488
        Proposal 3E - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning underwriting:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,948,380      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,227,889        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,562        534,488
        Proposal 3F - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning investments in Real
          Estate:
        Shares voted "For" ..............................................................    56,951,247      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,225,022        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,562        534,488
        Proposal 3G - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning commodities:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,937,046      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,239,223        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,562        534,488
        Proposal 3H - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning lending:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    56,937,578      5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................     1,238,387        107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................     8,144,866        534,488
</TABLE>

                                       66
<PAGE>


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             American                     Tax
                                                                                            Retirement   Foundation    Strategic
                                                                                           ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>
        Proposal 3I - To amend the Fundamental restriction concerning the investment in
          Federally Tax Exempt Securities:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................          -             -   5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................          -             -     107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................          -             -     534,488
        Proposal 3J9 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Unseasoned Issuers
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,945,613           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,232,240           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ..........................................................    721,520     8,142,978           -
        Proposal 3J10 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Control or Management
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,937,753   5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,240,100     107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,142,978     534,488
        Proposal 3J11 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Short Sales
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,942,642   5,951,636
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,235,211     107,527
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,142,978     534,488
        Proposal 3J12 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Margin Purchases
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,939,968           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,237,885           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,142,978           -
        Proposal 3J13 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Other Investment Companies
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,946,734           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,234,367           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,139,730           -
        Proposal 3J14 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Officers' and Director's Ownership of Shares
        Shares voted "For" ..............................................................  6,269,649    56,943,489           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,237,612           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,139,730           -
        Proposal 3J15 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Warrants
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,946,734           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,234,367           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,139,730           -
        Proposal 3J16 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Interests in Oil, Gas, or Other Mineral Explorations or Development Programs
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,945,688           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,234,091           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ..........................................................    721,520     8,141,052           -
        Proposal 3J17 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Joint Trading
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,948,457           -
        Shares voted "Against" ..........................................................    127,310     1,231,529           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,140,845           -
        Proposal 3J18 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Options
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649    56,946,423           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310     1,233,563           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520     8,140,845           -
        Proposal 3J19 - Reclassification as nonfundamental of current fundamental
          restriction:
          Investment in Equity Securities
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................  6,269,649             -           -
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................    127,310             -           -
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    721,520             -           -
</TABLE>



                                                          67
<PAGE>


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

On January 6, 1998, a special meeting of shareholders for Evergreen Balanced
Fund and Keystone Balanced Fund (K-1) was held to consider a proposal for
reorganization of the Funds and had the following shares represented at the
meeting. On November 10, 1997, the record date for the meeting, the Funds had
the following shares outstanding:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                         <C>            <C>
                                                                                             Evergreen        Keystone
                                                                                              Balanced     Balanced (K-1)
                                                                                              ---------    ------------------
  Record date shares outstanding .........................................................    70,550,743   120,903,563
  Shares represented at meeting .........................................................    62,701,031   67,051,635
  Percentage of record date shares represented at meeting ................................          88.9%        55.5%
        Proposal - The proposed reorganization of each Fund as a series of the Evergreen
          Equity Trust, a Delaware business trust:
        Shares voted "For" ...............................................................    46,920,528   61,550,057
        Shares voted "Against" ...........................................................       178,867    1,584,174
        Shares voted "Abstain" ...........................................................    15,601,636    3,917,404

</TABLE>

                FEDERAL TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS (Unaudited)


Pursuant to section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Funds have designated
the following amounts as long-term 28% capital gain distributions and long-term
20% capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>
                                             Aggregate                 Per Share
                                    ------------------------    ------------------------
                                        28%           20%          28%         20%
                                    ----------    ----------    ---------    --------
      American Retirement .........  $   929,318   $ 2,838,500   $ 0.074     $ 0.236
      Balanced ....................   66,297,210    93,567,090     0.981       1.328
      Foundation ..................   16,351,073    19,569,413     0.148       0.169
      Tax Strategic ...............       35,225       260,310     0.004       0.021
</TABLE>

77.40% of the dividends distributed by Tax Strategic for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998 are exempt from federal income tax, other than
alternative minimum tax.

For corporate shareholders, the following percentages of ordinary income
dividends paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 qualified for the
dividends received deduction:

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
          American Retirement ......... 62.320%
          Balanced .................... 23.720%
          Foundation .................. 30.130%
          Tax Strategic ............... 63.407%
</TABLE>



                                       68

<PAGE>
                                 Evergreen Funds

Money Market
Treasury Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

Tax Exempt
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund 
High Grade Tax Free Fund 
Tax Free Fund
California Tax Free Fund 
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund 
Florida Municipal Bond Fund 
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund 
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund 
Missouri Tax Free Fund
New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund 
New York Tax Free Fund 
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund 
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund 
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund 
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund


Income
Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Short Intermediate Bond Fund
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Diversified Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
High Yield Bond Fund

Balanced
American Retirement Fund
Balanced Fund
Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Foundation Fund

Growth & Income
Utility Fund
Income and Growth Fund
Fund for Total Return
Value Fund
Blue Chip Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Small Cap Equity Income Fund


Domestic Growth
Evergreen Fund
Omega Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Strategic Growth Fund
Aggressive Growth Fund
Micro Cap Fund

Global International
Global Leaders Fund
International Growth Fund
International Equity Fund
Global Opportunities Fund
Natural Resources Fund
Precious Metals Fund
Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Latin America Fund

Express Line
800-346-3858

Investor Services
800-343-2898

Retirement Plan Services
800-247-4075

www.evergreenfunds.com

                                                           68367 543690 RV0 5/98

                                 --------------
                                    BULK RATE
                                  U.S. POSTAGE
                                      PAID
                                  CHARLOTTE, NC
                                 PERMIT NO. 136
                                 --------------

(Evergreen Funds logo)
201 South College St.
Charlotte, NC 28288
<PAGE>


                                                         Evergreen

                                                         Balanced
                                                           Funds


September 30, 1998

 Semiannual Report


                                                          [ARTWORK APPEARS HERE]

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS/SM/ APPEARS HERE]



<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Table of Contents
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Letter to Shareholders...................................................... 1

Evergreen American Retirement Fund

   Fund at a Glance......................................................... 2

   Portfolio Manager Interview.............................................. 3

Evergreen Balanced Fund

   Fund at a Glance......................................................... 6

   Portfolio Manager Interview.............................................. 7

Evergreen Foundation Fund

   Fund at a Glance.........................................................11

   Portfolio Manager Interview..............................................12

Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund

   Fund at a Glance.........................................................16

   Portfolio Manager Interview..............................................17

Financial Highlights

   Evergreen American Retirement Fund.......................................21

   Evergreen Balanced Fund..................................................23

   Evergreen Foundation Fund................................................25

   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund..................................27

Schedule of Investments

   Evergreen American Retirement Fund.......................................29

   Evergreen Balanced Fund..................................................33

   Evergreen Foundation Fund................................................40

   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund..................................46

Statements of Assets and Liabilities........................................53

Statements of Operations....................................................54

Statements of Changes in Net Assets.........................................55

Combined Notes to Financial
Statements..................................................................58



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Evergreen Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evergreen Funds is one of the nation's fastest growing investment companies with
approximately $50 billion in assets under management.

With over 70 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
capabilities, investors enjoy a broad range of quality investment products and
services designed to meet their needs.

The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
service and excellence in investment management.



This semiannual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
Evergreen fund contained herein. The prospectus contains more complete
information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully before
investing or sending money.

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Mutual Funds:    ARE NOT FDIC INSURED   May lose value . Are not bank guaranteed
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------

                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
    Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.

<PAGE>

                             Letter to Shareholders
                             ----------------------
                                  November 1998
                                  --------


[PHOTO OF WILLIAM M. ENNIS APPEARS HERE]

William M. Ennis
Managing Director

Dear Shareholders:

We are pleased to provide you the Evergreen Balanced Funds semiannual report
covering the six-month period ended September 30, 1998.

Market Volatility

The financial markets have certainly experienced volatility in the past few
months. After a five-year period of unprecedented growth, the stock market
peaked on July 17, 1998, when prices were at historic highs relative to
benchmarks such as corporate profits and dividends. Since that point, fears of
foreign currency devaluations, political turbulence and instability abroad have
produced an uncertain market. Through September, the market all but lost its
year-to-date gains, and then in October was on the rise, nearing the levels of
July's peak. We encourage you to take this opportunity to review your investment
time horizon and ensure you are on track with your goals. We also encourage you
to consider an invaluable strategy of investing during uncertain times: Dollar
Cost Averaging./1/ By investing a little at a time in regular intervals, you can
remain focused on your investment goals and not worry about predicting market
trends. Contact your investment representative or call us at 800.343.2898 to
start your Systematic Investment Plan today.

Year 2000/2/

The year 2000 is nearly upon us, and unlike some we are looking forward to it.
We have been addressing the Year 2000 issue since February 1996 and have adopted
an industry best practices methodology for the project. Our team is on schedule
to complete the following milestones: Inventory and Assessment, Remediation,
Testing and Contingency. We believe that for Evergreen shareholders, the
transition into the next millennium should be seamless, with virtually no impact
on the products and services you receive from us.

Cost Savings

In an effort to achieve efficiencies and cost savings, we are combining your
funds' required mailings so you only receive one per household, based on the
registration last name and exact address./3/ This reduces the mailing costs, not
to mention the amount of paper needed to print, which in turn benefits your
funds by reducing the overall expenses. If you prefer to receive separate copies
of reports and prospectuses for each registered holder in your household, please
notify us by calling the number on your statement and we will adjust our records
accordingly.

Thank you for your continued investment with Evergreen Funds.

Sincerely,


/s/ William M. Ennis

William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds


Good News!

Effective for the 1998 Tax Year, long-term capital gains taxes are reduced to
20%.


/1/ This type of plan does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a
    declining market.
/2/ The information above constitutes Year 2000 readiness
    disclosure.
/3/ If you purchased your shares through a financial representative,
    we may not be able to consolidate your mailings
    by last name and address, because that institution controls the mailings.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998

We continue to have confidence in the Fund's long-term strategy, but our
emphasis on mid-cap value stocks and short-term government bonds contributed to
disappointing performance during the six-month period.



                                    Portfolio
                                   Management
                  ------------------------------------------
                   [PHOTO OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                              Irene D. O'Neill, CFA
                               Tenure: March 1988

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index are unmanaged indices and do not include any
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Class A    Class B    Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                     1/3/95     1/3/95     1/3/95    3/14/88
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge        -14.62%    -15.12%    -11.57%      n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge         -10.36%    -10.71%    -10.68%    -10.25%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge           -7.97%     -8.72%     -4.98%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge            -3.38%     -4.13%     -4.06%     -3.14%
 ................................................................................
5 years                               --         --         --       9.46%
 ................................................................................
10 years                              --         --         --      10.63%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                    12.15%     12.17%     12.78%     10.43%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                4.75%      5.00%      1.00%      n/a
                                 Front End     CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC yield                    2.90%      2.30%      2.29%      3.30%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                          $0.25      $0.19      $0.19      $0.27
 ...............................................................................
* Adjusted for maximum sales charge.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

               CPI            LBGCBI        Wilshire 5000     Class A Shares
 1/3/95       10,000          10,000            10,000              9,525
 9/30/95      10,234          11,393            13,014             11,362
 9/30/96      10,541          11,906            15,476             12,740
 9/30/97      10,768          13,048            21,362             15,903
 9/30/98      10,929          14,727            22,064             15,365

Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen American Retirement Fund Class
A, versus a similar investment in the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Wilshire 5000 Index is an unmanaged index of the largest 5,000 publicly
traded U.S. stocks and is considered a broad stock market average, so it gives
more weight to smaller companies than does the S&P 500.

The Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index is a broad measure of the
performance of government and corporate fixed-rate debt issues.

2
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did the Fund perform?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a difficult six-month period for investment strategies that emphasize the
types of stocks and bonds that have been the cornerstone of the American
Retirement Fund's successful long-term strategy. As a consequence, the Fund
lagged industry benchmarks. For the six months that ended on September 30, 1998,
the Fund's Class A, B, C and Y shares had total returns, of -10.36%, -10.71%,
- -10.68% and -10.25%, respectively. All returns are unadjusted for any applicable
sales charges. During the same six-month period, the average balanced fund had a
return of -5.37%, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an
independent monitor of mutual fund performance.

                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                  $219,683,952
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         162
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.65
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                13.4x
 ................................................................................



How did the investment environment affect the Fund?

The investment environment did not favor the investments that the Evergreen
American Retirement Fund traditionally has emphasized. The Fund's equity
strategy focuses on value-oriented, mid-cap stocks because we believe they offer
superior, long-term, capital appreciation potential. In addition, the Fund's
fixed-income strategy focuses on short-term U.S. government securities because
of their historical price stability and reliability of income. Unfortunately,
during the six-month period, mid-cap value stocks and shorter-term fixed income
securities were not in favor; investors favored large-company growth stocks and
longer-maturity government bonds.

At the end of the period, for example, the median market capitalization of
stocks in the Fund's portfolio was $2.1 billion and the average maturity of
bonds was 4.6 years. In contrast, the typical balanced mutual fund owned stocks
with a median market capitalization of $16.9 billion and bonds with an average
maturity of 9.7 years. During a period of high volatility and uncertainty in the
equity market and falling interest rates in the bond market, investors preferred
large company growth stocks and longer-maturity government bonds.

We continue to have confidence in the Fund's long-term strategy, but our
emphasis on mid-cap value stocks and short-term government bonds contributed to
disappointing performance during the six-month period. We believe investors have
overlooked extremely attractive values in the mid-cap area, and these stocks
still offer superior, long-term growth opportunities. We also believe the
shorter-term government securities continue to offer stability and reliable
income that are important ingredients of our long-term approach.

Did you make any asset allocation or tactical changes during the six months?

We decreased the equity and convertible securities allocations slightly and
increased the fixed income portion of the portfolio to position the Fund more
defensively in a time of uncertainty and volatility in the equity markets.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                ASSET ALLOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     March 31, 1998         September 30, 1998

Stocks                                    44.0%                   42.5%
 ................................................................................
Convertible Securities                    27.2%                   22.9%
 ................................................................................
Fixed Income                              26.8%                   32.4%
 ................................................................................
Cash & Equivalents                         2.0%                    2.2%
 ................................................................................

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What were your principal equity strategies, and how did they change during the
period?

Within the equity portion of the portfolio, we increased the allocation to
utility stocks because of their defensive characteristics. We reduced our
positions in stocks and convertible securities that appeared fully valued or in
which we had concerns about the fundamental outlooks of the underlying
companies.

We continued to seek out undervalued securities of restructuring companies that
have the potential to enhance earnings. Among the companies we favored were:
Armstrong World, the flooring and building material company; Arvin Industries
and Simpson Industries, both involved in the automotive parts industry; Tenneco,
a diversified company involved in both packaging and the automotive parts
industries; and Thomas & Betts, an electrical components supplier.

We also looked for opportunities among stable earnings companies in the
consumer, non-cyclical area because these companies typically perform well in
economic downturns. Two good examples were Ruddick, which operates supermarkets
in the Southeast, and Lancaster Colony, which produces consumer products,
including food, glassware and candles.


                               Top 5 Industries --
                                     Equity
                                     ------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Utilities -- Electric                                                  8.1%
 ................................................................................
  Banks                                                                  6.9%
 ................................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                    5.5%
 ................................................................................
  Oil / Energy                                                           3.7%
 ................................................................................
  Retailing & Wholesale                                                  3.5%
 ................................................................................


Did any themes or areas help the performance of the Fund?

Yes. As in the past, the Fund's emphasis on value stocks led us to invest in
companies that became takeover targets. During the six months, one Fund holding
was acquired, and another three were subjects of pending acquisitions.
Mercantile Stores has been acquired by Dillard's, a larger department store
chain, providing a healthy gain for the Fund. In addition, Amoco is the subject
of a pending takeover by British Petroleum; Crestar, a bank, is expected to be
acquired by Sun Trust; and TCI Communications, a cable company, is the subject
of an acquisition offer by AT&T.

The best-performing industry group was publishing, broadcast and entertainment.
Our primary holdings were cable and entertainment companies, which continued to
enjoy strong earnings growth and which had very little exposure to foreign
problems. We expect the expansion of cable services and products to offer the
industry new opportunities for revenue growth. In addition to TCI, other
investments that performed well were Cox Communications, where we own the
convertible security, and Time Warner, where we own both the common stock and
the convertible.

Another group that did well was the electric utility industry. Electric
utilities are good defensive stocks because their earnings tend to hold up well
in downturns, they have relatively high dividend yields, and they benefit from
declining interest rates. Deregulation in this industry is producing benefits
for many companies, both in revenue growth and merger and acquisition
opportunities.

The Fund's investment in the convertible security of Air Touch, a major provider
of wireless communications service, also was very successful.

4
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What has been your strategy with the fixed-income allocation in the portfolio?

We have continued to focus on short-term, U.S. government agency securities,
with only a very minimal commitment to corporate bonds. Government agency
securities provide the highest credit quality, with a better yield than
Treasuries. We have been able to obtain an average yield advantage of more than
one percentage point by investing in agencies rather than Treasuries with
comparable maturities.

While shorter-term bonds tend to underperform longer-term bonds in a declining
interest rate environment, such as we have been experiencing, they offer price
stability and provide a good balance to the equities in the portfolio.

                                  Fixed Income
                                   Allocation
                                   ----------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Government Agency-- Notes & Bonds                                     30.2%
 ................................................................................
  Treasury Notes & Bonds                                                 0.8%
 ................................................................................
  Banks                                                                  0.5%
 ...............................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                    0.5%
 ................................................................................
  Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                 0.4%
 ................................................................................


What is your outlook?

We expect the U.S. economy to slow over the next few months as a result of
global economic problems. The Federal Reserve Board, however, is expected to
continue to lower short-term interest rates to stimulate the economy and offset
the softness created by international events.

In this environment, we will be looking for good value. Currently, we see
opportunities in many stocks with above-average dividend yields and strong
prospects for earnings growth once the economy starts to improve. We believe
this value sector has been overlooked by the market and offers investors good
potential for capital appreciation.


                                     Top 10
                                 Equity Holdings
                                 ---------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Marketspan Corp.                                                       1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Houston Industries, Inc.                                               1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Sempra Energy                                                          1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Puget Sound Energy, Inc.                                               1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
  6.00% STRYPES, Due 6/1/99 (exch. for
  Cox Communications, Inc. common stock)                                 1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Family Golf Centers, Inc.                                              1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Texas Utilities Co.                                                    1.0%
 ................................................................................
  Norwest Corp.                                                          1.0%
 ................................................................................
  U.S. West, Inc.                                                        1.0%
 ................................................................................
  Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.                                  1.0%
 ................................................................................

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


We made a change in early June to take advantage of the defensive protection
that high quality bonds can provide in a period of extreme volatility in the
stock market.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                  ------------------------------------------
                     [PHOTO OF CHRIS CONKEY APPEARS HERE]

                                  Chris Conkey
                               Tenure: August 1998

                     [PHOTO OF JUDITH WARNERS APPEARS HERE]

                                 Judith Warners
                               Tenure: August 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.


The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 and the LBGCBI are unmanaged indices and do
not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or
any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does
not represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                          Class A  Class B   Class C   Class Y
Inception Date                            1/20/98  9/11/35   1/22/98   1/26/98
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                 -7.52%   -7.96%    -4.14%     n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  -2.91%   -3.18%    -3.18%   -2.71%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                      --     1.17%       --      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                       --     5.71%       --       --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                       --    11.58%       --       --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                      --    11.44%       --       --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception**                          -0.99%    8.42%     3.21%    7.25%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                        4.75%    5.00%     1.00%     n/a
                                          Front End  CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC yield                            2.99%    2.39%     2.39%    3.38%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends per share         $0.22    $0.18     $0.18    $0.24
 ................................................................................

 * Adjusted for maximum sales charge.
** Represents cumulative returns for Class A, C, and Y shares as these classes
   opened in January 1998 and do not have annual returns yet.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                 CPI          LBGCBI         S & P 500      Class B
     9/30/88    10,000        10,000           10,000         9,525
     9/30/89    10,434        11,132           13,301        12,148
     9/30/90    11,077        11,884           12,071        11,513
     9/30/91    11,452        13,768           15,834        14,068
     9/30/92    11,795        15,590           17,853        15,146
     9/30/93    12,112        17,374           19,869        16,879
     9/30/94    12,471        16,655           20,602        16,508
     9/30/95    12,788        19,045           26,730        19,484
     9/30/96    13,172        19,903           32,165        22,576
     9/30/97    13,456        21,811           45,175        27,933
     9/30/98    13,656        24,618           49,261        29,528

Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Balanced Fund Class B, versus a
similar investment in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Lehman
Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index (LBGCBI), and the Consumer Price Index
(CPI).

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded
U.S. stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market.

The Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index is a broad measure of the
performance of government and corporate fixed-rate debt issues.

6
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the six months?

In a fast-changing and highly volatile environment, the Fund had negative
performance during the period, despite outperforming the industry average for
balanced funds. For the six months that ended on September 30, 1998, the
Balanced Fund's Class A, B, C and Y shares had total returns of-2.91%, -3.18%,
- -3.18% and -2.71%, respectively. These returns are unadjusted for any applicable
sales charges. During the same six-month period, the average balanced mutual
fund had a return of -5.37%, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an
independent monitor of mutual fund performance.


                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                $1,700,160,383
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         234
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.92
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                29.4x
 ................................................................................

What was the investment environment like during the period?

The six months actually encompassed two very different periods. As we started
the new fiscal year in early April, the market environment featured relatively
stable interest rates and rising equity prices. During this period, the
principal investment fear was that the economic growth might overheat, setting
off inflationary pressures and leading to higher interest rates. This period
continued through mid-July when the environment abruptly changed because the
Russian financial collapse made people realize that international economic
problems were much more serious and had a greater potential impact on the U.S.
economy than investors had assumed. In the U.S., we went from fear of too much
economic growth to fear of too little growth because of the ripple effects of
problems throughout the emerging markets. Both the stock and the bond markets
were affected, and the most immediate problems were created by concerns about
liquidity as well as concerns about the solvency of institutions.

The stock market, as reflected by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, fell by
approximately 20% between mid-July and the end of September. The price losses
spanned different industries, but particularly affected financial services
companies, which began to anticipate lower earnings in July and August. In
addition, investors began to be concerned that credit quality would start to
deteriorate.

In the bond market, the global flight to quality rewarded investors in U.S.
Treasuries, which outperformed bonds carrying credit risk. As investors sought
out high quality bonds, the yields of the 30-year Treasury declined by almost a
full percentage point, to 5.10%, with yields on intermediate Treasuries
declining even more -- by 1.4%. As a consequence, the price of Treasuries
appreciated. At the end of the period, the Federal Reserve Board began to ease
monetary policy, reducing short-term interest rates by one-quarter of one
percent.


Did asset allocation between stocks and bonds change during the six months?

Yes. At the end of the fiscal period, the Fund was as conservatively positioned
as it is likely to be, with 52% of net assets in stocks and 48% in bonds. In
contrast, at the start of the period on April 1, the Fund was approximately 60%
in equities and 40% in bonds.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


We made a change in early June to take advantage of the defensive protection
that high quality bonds can provide in a period of extreme volatility in the
stock market. This reallocation helped the Fund's performance.

Over the long run, we expect stocks to outperform bonds and the Fund's
allocation will reflect that. During the current, very unusual period, however,
we believe it makes sense to have a relatively heavy weighting in bonds because
of the strong performance in the fixed income market and the greater protection
high grade bonds offer during market volatility.


                               Top 5 Industries --
                                     Equity
                                     ------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Healthcare Products & Services                                      11.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Oil / Energy                                                         7.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                  3.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Utilities -- Telephone                                               3.5%
 ...............................................................................
  Utilities -- Electric                                                3.3%
 ...............................................................................


What strategies did you pursue in managing the equity portion of the portfolio?

We kept the equity allocation diversified across many sectors, but we did make
some changes. At the start of the period, the Fund's largest weightings were in
the financial services and healthcare sectors. We reduced both weightings, and
cut the financial services area more significantly because we were concerned
about this sector's vulnerability to foreign problems. We also were worried
about a possible deterioration in the quality of bank loans. In healthcare, we
moved to a weighting more in line with overall market indices, but increased
diversification across the entire industry, with investments in pharmaceuticals,
hospital management companies and medical equipment companies.

One notable change was to increase the investments in industry-leading growth
companies, including companies that historically have not paid dividends,
especially in technology, which had been under-represented in the Fund. We
bought stocks in established companies that were market leaders, such as
Microsoft, EMC, Sun Microsystems and Medtronics, and we maintained a healthy
investment in IBM. We also slightly increased the investments in more defensive
industries such as food, regional telephone companies and utilities.


What companies have helped performance?

General Electric, a major investment by the Fund, continued to support
performance, although we did trim back the position somewhat to take profits.
Several pharmaceutical companies also have helped, including Schering-Plough and
Warner-Lambert, as well as the technology holdings such as IBM, EMC and Sun
Microsystems.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Common Stock -- 49.3%
Corporate Notes/Bonds -- 20.3%
Mortgage Backed Securities -- 9.7%
Asset Backed Securities -- 6.1%
Foreign Bonds* -- 5.4%
Cash and Equivalents -- 4.4%
Convertibles -- 2.7%
Treasury Notes/Bonds -- 1.6%
Government Agency/Notes Bonds -- 0.5%

* All foreign securities are high quality, with currency hedged to protect
against fluctuations.

8
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What strategies did you pursue in managing the fixed-income portion of the
portfolio?

We have significantly increased the fixed-income allocation, but our policy in
managing the fixed income component has been very consistent. We have over-
weighted quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities because of their
yield advantage over government bonds, while maintaining a very high credit
quality. Average credit quality was AA on September 30. We have focused on
structure in the fixed income portfolio, meaning we have invested in bonds that
offer protection against early redemption by their issuers. This is very
important in a declining interest rate environment, because it allows the Fund
to retain the higher yields of existing bonds. We also have concentrated on
bonds from defensive industries, including insurance, defense and utilities.
About 10% of the fixed income portfolio has been in U.S. Treasuries.

The fixed income portfolio also has a slightly longer average maturity than the
average bond fund. On September 30, average-weighted maturity was 11 years, and
duration was 5.1 years. This has helped performance as interest rates declined
and the prices of higher-rated bonds tended to rise.


                              Top 5 Industries --
                                      Bonds
                                      -----
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Finance & Insurance                                                    6.5%
 ................................................................................
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations                                    6.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Asset-Backed Securities                                                6.1%
 ................................................................................
  Foreign Bonds (Non-U.S. Dollars)                                       4.2%
 ................................................................................
  Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates                                     3.5%
 ................................................................................


                                      Top 5
                                  Bond Holdings
                                  -------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Federal National Mortgage Association
  (various rates and maturities)                                         2.3%
 ................................................................................
  Realkredit Danmark, 6.00% 10/1/2026                                    1.9%
 ................................................................................
  U.S. Treasury Bonds (various rates and maturities)                     1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Nykredit                                                               1.3%
 ................................................................................
  United Kingdom Treasury, 7.25% 12/7/2007                               1.0%
 ................................................................................


What is the outlook?

We expect the economy, as reflected by Real Gross Domestic Product, to continue
to grow in 1998; however, there is the potential of a recession in 1999. If a
recession were to occur, we would not expect it to last very long or to be very
deep. The Federal Reserve Board has lowered short-term interest rates to
stimulate the economy, and we expect further reductions in the coming months.

International economic conditions, particularly in Japan, Brazil and Europe,
will continue to have an influence on the U.S. economy. In the short term, we
expect corporate profits to flatten somewhat. An important variable will be the
ability of the financial industry to continue to provide loans to industry and
avoid a liquidity crunch.

We do not expect the present asset allocation of 52% stocks and 48% bonds to
shift more towards bonds, and we will look for the appropriate time to shift
back toward a greater emphasis on equities. In the equity portfolio, we will
continue to look for value among established, large-cap, dividend-paying
companies. We expect to continue to emphasize food companies, retailers,
utilities and other industries that offer defensive protection in times of
uncertainty. We also expect to maintain a representation among industry-leading
growth companies, including technology companies, because of their superior
long-term prospects.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


In the fixed-income portfolio, we plan to focus on high quality bonds as the
economy slows, and take advantage of the yield advantage of highly rated
corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities over Treasuries. We will continue
to try to protect the Fund's income by looking for bonds with call protection,
which allow the Fund to receive the higher yields of yesterday during today's
lower-interest-rate environment.


                                     Top 10
                                 Equity Holdings
                                 ---------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Johnson & Johnson                                                      1.7%
 ................................................................................
  Merck & Co., Inc.                                                      1.6%
 ...............................................................................
  General Electric Co.                                                   1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Texaco, Inc.                                                           1.4%
 ................................................................................
  Monsanto Co.                                                           1.3%
 ................................................................................
  Schering-Plough Corp.                                                  1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Mobil Corp.                                                            1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                               1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Warner-Lambert Co.                                                     1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Ameritech Corp.                                                        1.1%
 ................................................................................


10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


The investment policy strategy adopted early in the fiscal year assumed that the
markets would show considerable volatility and contained numerous examples of
overpriced issues.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
              --------------------------------------------------

                   [PHOTO OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                               Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: January 1990


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 Index and the Lipper Balanced Funds Average
are unmanaged indices and do not include transaction costs associated with
buying and selling securities or any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used
measure of inflation and does not represent an investment return. It is not
possible to invest directly in an index.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           Class A  Class B  Class C  Class Y
Inception Date                              1/3/95  1/3/95   1/3/95   1/2/90
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                 -9.73%   -10.26%  -6.51%     n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  -5.23%    -5.57%  -5.57%   -5.12%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   -0.12%    -0.94%   3.06%     n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                     4.87%     4.06%   4.06%    5.09%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                      --       --       --     12.77%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                            15.97%    16.06%   16.55%   16.03%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                        4.75%     5.00%    1.00%    n/a
                                          Front End   CDSC     CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                            2.03%     1.39%    1.39%    2.38%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                                  $0.21     $0.13    $0.13    $0.23
 ...............................................................................
*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                    CPI           LBFA          S&P 500       Class A
     1/3/95        10,000        10,000         10,000          9,525
    9/30/95        10,234        12,042         12,977         11,743
    9/30/96        10,541        13,539         15,615         12,763
    9/30/97        10,768        16,814         21,931         16,610
    9/30/98        10,929        17,343         23,915         17,416



Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Foundation Fund Class A, versus
a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index, the Lipper Balanced Funds Average
(LBFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and
is often used as an indicator of performance of the overall stock market.

The Lipper Balanced Funds Average measures the average performance of balanced
funds excluding sales charges.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What was the performance of the Evergreen Foundation Fund in the first half of
the fiscal year?

For the six months ended September 30, 1998, the Evergreen Foundation Fund's
Class A, B, C, and Y shares returned -5.23%, -5.57%, -5.57% and -5.12%,
respectively, compared with the -6.97% of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index and
the -5.37% return of the Lipper Balanced Funds Average. Since inception on
January 2, 1990, the Fund's Class Y shares have provided a return of 267.26%,
with an average annual return of 16.03%.


                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                $2,776,465,795
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         358
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.63
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                18.1x
 ................................................................................



What has been the trend of performance this year?

After providing a positive performance return in the first quarter of the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1998, and beginning the September quarter with further
gains, the Fund was affected by the severe stock market decline at the end of
August and into September. There were two impacts: declining equity prices and
rising Treasury bond prices. For the quarter, the Fund's equities showed a 12.9%
decline, while its Treasury bond position produced a gain of 7.7%. For the six
months ended September 30, the equities had a total decline of 12.9%, and the
Treasury bond position showed a gain of 12.4%. The Fund's performance was also
affected by the maintenance of an approximately 12% cash equivalent position
during this time.


What were the major impacts on performance during the six months?

The major impact was, of course, the declining stock market at the end of the
September quarter, and most markedly, the decline in stock prices of financial
institutions' common stocks during the period subsequent to the Russian ruble
collapse. Unprecedented waves of selling hit the nation's major financial
institutions, several of which are included in the Fund's holdings. Declines of
30% to 60% occurred in a number of these issues, but the Fund's diversification
permitted significant offsets which moderated the downward impact.

These same conditions focused worldwide investor attention on U.S. Treasury
obligations as the most defensive and secure investment opportunities. With the
Fund's considerable focus on long-term U.S. Treasuries, it enjoyed particular
strength during this period. In fact, the Fund's Treasury position had been
enlarged during the six months.

Positive equity performance still continued for a significant number of the
Fund's holdings. The top ten performers increased between 24.6% and 58.8% during
the six-month period. The leader was McKesson Corp., with a gain of 58.8%;
followed by Cisco Systems, Inc., up 37.5%; Lilly (Eli) & Co., up 31.2%; Cox
Communications, Inc., up 30.1%; and Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., up 29.6%.
Pharmaceutical and technology issues provided major sources of gains, led by
Lilly (Eli) & Co., up 31.2%; and Schering-Plough Corp., up 26.3% in the
pharmaceutical group. Technology issues powering the Fund's performance were
Cisco Systems, Inc., up 37.5%; Compaq Computer Corp., up 24.6%; International
Business Machines Corp., up 23.3%; Microsoft Corp., up 22.5%; and Sun
Microsystems, Inc., up 19.5%. Some utility companies were among the top
performers, Energy East Corp., up 27.8% and Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc.,
up 22.1%.

12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Common Stock -- 58.6%
U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds -- 28.2%
Cash and Equivalents -- 11.4%
Government Agency Notes/Bonds -- 0.8%
Convertibles -- 1.0%


What was the Fund's asset allocation strategy with regard to stocks, bonds, and
cash equivalents?

During the six months, the Fund maintained a generally stable asset allocation
position. Significant changes included increases in the long-term Treasury bond
position in June and July, and then, later in August and through September, the
switch of some cash equivalent reserves into equities which were purchased at
depressed prices. The investment policy strategy adopted early in the fiscal
year assumed that the markets would show considerable volatility and contained
numerous examples of overpriced issues. Our goal was to anticipate probable
declines and to be in a position to utilize the Fund's cash equivalents to take
advantage of these declines. Thus, we set about aggressively to use these
reserves, increasing the equity asset allocation in September. Purchases
included several issues new to the portfolio, and numerous increases to existing
positions, particularly when the latter were under severe pressure. New holdings
included American Express Co., American Stores Co., Mellon Bank Corp.,
Progressive Corp.(Ohio), Norwest Corp., Dollar General Corp. (Strypes), and
Philips International Realty Corp. Among the issues added to the portfolio, a
number have withstood the market volatility, and even provided substantial gains
through September 30. Amoco Corp. shares have advanced as a result of an
acquisition bid by British Petroleum Co. Plc.

American Stores Co. has moved up with the advance of Albertson's, Inc., which is
planning to acquire the company. Perkin-Elmer Corp. has had a major advance as
it is restructuring its operations, and Progressive Corp. has demonstrated an
earning power which renewed market optimism concerning its valuation. These are
but a few of the positive developments which have impacted the portfolio's new
and enlarged commitments. Even in those which had particularly sizable declines
toward the end of the quarter, we are now encountering positive investor
revaluation. Of the Fund's significant positions which were increased during the
six months, those with the greatest declines were Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


How do the Fund's long-term strategies fare in the recent market volatility?

The Fund's long-term strategy of concentrating fixed income investments in U.S.
Treasury obligations was, as noted above, highly rewarding in the atmosphere of
financial crisis when investors chose to literally retreat into Treasuries.

The Fund's equity strategy of concentrating on the effort to select undervalued
growth opportunities was effective in the often uncertain and highly volatile
markets. There was considerable validation of this strategy in the continuing
highly favorable trend of mergers and acquisitions. During the six months, 21 of
the Fund's holdings were the subject of merger or acquisition offers,
demonstrating, in our view, both their undervaluation and the dynamism of other
companies in their industries, or interested in their industries. Financial
institutions continued to be active in this trend. The Fund's holdings in First
of America Bank Corp., purchased in July, 1995, was acquired in April at a
valuation which provided a 217.7% gain for the Fund. Other banks with such bids
included: Crestar

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Financial Corp., 94.5% from May 1993 (still pending in its merger with SunTrust
Banks, Inc.); Firstar Corp., 26.1% just six months after its purchase by the
Fund (still pending with Star Banc Corp.); Beneficial Corp., 151.1%, one and
three-quarter years after its purchase; and First Chicago NBD Corp., 97.1%,
three and three-quarter years holding, the purchase by Banc One Corp. still
pending. The utility industry was involved in these holdings with Long Island
Lighting Co. being acquired by KeySpan Energy Corp., with a 48.8% gain to the
Fund in just over one year and a half; 360 (Degrees) Communications Co. acquired
by ALLTEL Corp. with a 116.7% gain in two years and five months; Orange and
Rockland Utilities, Inc., with a 51.8% gain (still pending in just over one
year) with an offer by Consolidated Edison, Inc.; and GTE Corp. with a 35.0%
gain, pending the acquisition by Bell Atlantic Corp. The diversity of this group
of acquisitions or mergers reflects the Fund's highly diversified positioning,
with Oasis Residential, Inc., a real estate investment trust; Continental Homes
Holding Corp., a home-builder; Western Atlas, Inc., an oil field services
company; Mercantile Stores Co., Inc., a retailer; Amp, Inc., an electronic
components company; and even Chrysler Corp., with a proposed acquisition by
Daimler-Benz AG.

We anticipate that as the security markets regain stability, this long-term
trend which has provided over 59 (48 completed and 11 pending) mergers and
acquisitions for the Fund portfolio, with an average gain of 67.2% on the
completed acquisitions, will continue to be a source of significant capital
appreciation.


                              Top 5 Industries --
                                    Equity
                                    ------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

Finance and Insurance                                           9.1%
 ......................................................................
Information Services & Technology                               7.0%
 .....................................................................
Healthcare Products and Services                                6.8%
 ......................................................................
Banks                                                           6.8%
 ......................................................................
Real Estate                                                     4.8%
 ......................................................................


Did the Fund sell any securities when stock prices were near their highs for the
fiscal year?

The Fund made a number of significant sales of shares to take advantage of price
spurts during the market's trend to new highs in the spring and early summer.
The largest single profit (882.2% in five and three-quarter years) was taken in
a portion of the Fund's holdings in Intel Corp., when we judged that the shares
had amply discounted present opportunities. While still highly confident of the
long-term trend of the company, we reduced the position in order to limit the
Fund's volatility. Similar sales were made of other technology leaders,
including portions of the positions in Cisco Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies
Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Honeywell, Inc., and Perkin-Elmer Corp. In the health
care industry, another area where the Fund has had great success with long-term
commitments, reductions were made in positions in Pfizer, Inc., Medtronic, Inc.,
and Monsanto Co. Among financials, positions were reduced in Dime Bancorp, Inc.,
SunTrust Banks, Inc., and Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc., while positions in Wachovia
Corp. and Cardinal Health, Inc. were eliminated. Sizable gains were taken in
other issues which subsequently fell quite sharply, including Household
International, Inc., Disney (Walt) Co., Avon Products, Inc., and International
Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. The fundamental motivation for the sales was asset
protection. The number of losses was minimal for the Fund; illustratively, a
28.4% loss in the shares of Nike, Inc. on a long-term basis, and one short-term
loss of 17.7% in the shares of Penney (J.C.) Co., Inc.

14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview



                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Intel Corp.                                                              2.5%
 ................................................................................
  Federal National Mortgage Association                                    1.7%
 ................................................................................
  General Electric Co.                                                     1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Microsoft Corp.                                                          1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co.                                          1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Hewlett-Packard Co.                                                      1.0%
 ................................................................................
  BankBoston Corp.                                                         0.9%
 ................................................................................
  Sprint Corp.                                                             0.9%
 ................................................................................
  Lilly (Eli) & Co.                                                        0.9%
 ...............................................................................
  International Business Machines Corp.                                    0.8%
 ................................................................................



What is the outlook for the Fund at this time?


Management is optimistic that the much feared crisis of financial liquidity in
the United States, and the apprehension of recession prospects in the months
ahead has been greatly overdone. The demonstrated willingness of the Federal
Reserve to provide interest rate cuts to ensure support for the American
financial system, and to demonstrate that inflation is not feared at this time,
has already had highly positive effects for the equity markets since the October
15th rate decrease. Further, the settlement of budget disputes in the Congress,
the program to further fund the IMF, and the United States readiness to lead a
program of support for Brazil, should remove much of the fear concerning broader
financial chaos. The long effort to restimulate Japan continues, but with a more
optimistic outlook than in the last two years because that country is finally
facing the need to provide new funding for its banking system in recognition of
the huge loan losses it carries. The Asian financial difficulties remain of
deep concern, but there is already evidence of turnaround, though slow, and
perhaps halting, in several countries, including Thailand, Korea, and the
Philippines.

The profitability of American business remains intact, even taking into account
many lower than expected earning statements for the third quarter. It is already
evident that corporations are tightening their operating and financial belts for
a more competitive, more pressured environment. But, corporations are also
demonstrating their confidence in the value of their businesses and the strength
of their treasuries by an almost unprecedented wave of corporate share buybacks.
Since the Russian financial crisis came to a head, and the American markets
began to decline, the daily list of corporate buybacks has reached extraordinary
proportions. This will lend both support and confidence to the equity markets.

Our expectations are that this nation will continue to be in a period of lower,
and perhaps even declining interest rates, while a close to full employment
society will be able to sustain demand, notwithstanding a more cautious consumer
attitude. This caution could well increase saving rates and, thus, generate more
investable assets. Our policy will remain sensitive to appropriate asset
allocation, aggressive in seizing the opportunity of depressed values, and
cautious in the face of evidences of overvaluation.

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


The original and long-term strategy of the Fund is to take advantage of
undervalued growth opportunities, both to minimize risk through undervaluation
and to benefit by growth.



                                    Portfolio
                                   Management
              --------------------------------------------------
                   [PHOTO OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                                Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: November 1993


                  [PHOTO OF JAMES T. COLBY III APPEARS HERE]
              --------------------------------------------------

                               James T. Colby III
                              Tenure: November 1993




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 Index and the LBMBI are unmanaged indices
and do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling
securities or any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of
inflation and does not represent an investment return. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        Class A   Class B   Class C   Class Y
Inception Date                          1/17/95   1/6/95    3/3/95    11/2/93
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge             -11.00%   -11.58%    -7.90%      n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge               -6.63%    -6.96%    -6.97%    -6.49%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                -4.48%    -5.41%    -1.51%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                  0.28%    -0.53%    -0.53%     0.53%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                 10.62%    10.84%    11.61%    12.78%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                         13.69%    14.11%    14.15%    13.46%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                     4.75%     5.00%     1.00%     n/a
                                       Front End   CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                         2.13%     1.49%     1.49%     2.49%
 ...............................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                               $0.17     $0.12     $0.12     $0.19
 ................................................................................
*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                CPI           LBMBI          S & P 500         Class A
   1/31/95    10,000          10,000           10,000           9,525
   9/30/95    10,193          10,966           12,649          11,333
   9/30/96    10,499          11,629           15,220          12,876
   9/30/97    10,725          12,677           21,377          16,061
   9/30/98    10,885          13,612           23,310          16,106


Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Class A, versus a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index, the Lehman Brothers
Municipal Bond Index (LBMBI), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and
is often used as an indicator of performance of the overall stock market.

The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad measure of the municipal
bond market. To be included in this index, bonds must have a minimum credit
rating of at least BAA, and outstanding par value of at least $3 million and be
issued as part of a transaction of at least $50 million. The bonds must have
been issued after December 31, 1990, and have a remaining maturity of at least
one year. Taxable municipal bonds, bonds with floating rates, derivatives, and
certificates of participation are excluded.

16
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What was the performance for the Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund in the
first half of the fiscal year?

Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund Classes A, B, C, and Y had performance
of -6.63%, -6.96%, -6.97% and -6.49%, respectively, for the six months ended
September 30, 1998. This performance compares with -5.37% of the fully taxable
funds in the Lipper Balanced Fund Average. The Fund's performance was negatively
impacted during the six months by two principal factors. First, the tax-exempt
bond market failed to fully reflect the interest rate performance of taxable
obligations during this period. The spread between tax-exempt bonds and U.S.
Treasuries increased to the point where index yields were nearly 100% of
Treasuries. This means that in the rush to secure the protection of Treasuries,
in a period of financial uncertainty, investors were literally overlooking the
advantages of tax-exempt income. The Fund's tax-exempt bond portfolio increased
in value only 5.5% over the last six months. The equity performance was also
negatively affected by this investor rush to security. Stocks with dividend
yields were more favored during the period of market volatility in the latter
part of August and September, than those with little or no yield. Since the tax
efficient goal of the Tax Strategic Foundation Fund focuses on issues with
little or no yield, it suffered an adverse impact from this shift. The equity
portfolio during the six months declined 18.8%.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                             $370,600,973
 ..............................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                    283
 ...............................................................................
  Beta                                                                 0.48
 ...............................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                           13.9x
 ...............................................................................

Were the negative trends of the last quarter indicative of new, adverse
conditions?

Your management believes that these adverse trends were temporary in nature,
aggravated by apprehensions that the U.S. financial markets were likely to
suffer from a lack of liquidity, and that American industry would be faced with
a recession. Developments since the end of the quarter have tended to counter
these impressions, as is evident from the sizable rally in stock prices in this
period. The actions of the Federal Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates twice
and its indicated policy of supporting liquidity in the financial system, have
countered the worst fears. Furthermore, its willingness to provide liquidity,
and its evident belief that inflation is not a near-term problem, suggest that
credit availability will continue to sustain economic expansion, although at
lower rates. Supportingly, the passage of the budget by Congress, the plan to
obtain U.S. support for IMF, the Administration plan to support Brazil, and the
Japanese government plan to refinance the banking system where necessary, all
suggest that the panicky conditions in the securities markets will abate.


Has the Fund sought to take advantage of these recent market conditions?

Throughout the six months, our investment policy has been very actively focused
on increasing the common stock participation, particularly of issues believed
temporarily at deflated prices, and on lengthening maturities of the tax-exempt
portfolio.

Outstanding purchase opportunities were seen in a large number of issues,
particularly at the end of August and early in September. Examples of the Fund
taking advantage of these opportunities are numerous, given the 143 issues
purchased for the Fund, both

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

stock and bond, during this period. As examples of undervaluation, we would note
that during, and subsequent to, the major sell-off on August 31, the Fund bought
shares of Intel Corp., which provided a gain of 16.6% to September 30;
Progressive Corp. (Ohio), which provided a gain of 13.8% to September 30; Coca-
Cola FEMSA S.A. de CV, which provided a gain of 7.3% to September 30; and
Citicorp, now Citigroup Inc., which provided a gain of 2.0% to September 30. In
the tax-exempt bond position, the strategy during this entire period was to
lengthen maturities to take maximum advantage of the overall decline in interest
rates. The selection was again limited to the highest quality, either insured or
triple-A rated bonds.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Municipal Bonds -- 52.6%
Common Stock -- 45.5%
Cash and Equivalents -- 1.1%
Convertibles -- 0.8%


Is the Fund still focused on undervalued equities?


The original and long-term strategy of the Fund is to take advantage of
undervalued growth opportunities, both to minimize risk through undervaluation
and to benefit by growth. One of the clearest proofs that we have indeed
selected undervalued issues is through the merger and acquisition offers which
many of these companies receive. During the six months, twelve of the Fund's
holdings were the subject of mergers or acquisitions. The average return to
September 30 on the completed acquisitions was 95.8%. The largest indicated gain
was in the shares of First of America Bank Corp., which were purchased in July,
1995, and the merger was completed in April, 1998, with a 224.9% gain. Other
financial institutions with sizable gains through mergers and acquisitions were
Beverly Bancorporation, Inc., up 92.4%, and Crestar Financial Corp., up 29.4%
(based on the September 30 closing price of SunTrust Banks, Inc.). A diverse
group of companies was included in this listing, including two hotel groups;
Interstate Hotels Co., which recorded a 61.5% appreciation, and La Quinta Inns
Inc., with an 18.1% gain. Others with bids for the companies now pending
include: Amp, Inc., Amoco Corp., GTE Corp., Monsanto Co., and Citicorp. This
merger and acquisition activity confirms the continuing validity of our
undervaluation strategy. Looking ahead, we anticipate that as a result of the
recent sharp price declines of the shares of many attractive companies, the
merger and acquisition activity will re-accelerate, and provide appreciation
opportunities for the Fund's holdings.



                              Top 5 Industries --
                                    Equity
                                    ------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Finance & Insurance                                                      8.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Banks                                                                    8.1%
 ................................................................................
  Real Estate                                                              4.2%
 ................................................................................
  Electrical Equipment & Services                                          3.7%
 ................................................................................
  Healthcare Products & Services                                           3.3%
 ................................................................................



                              Top 5 Industries --
                                     Bonds
                                     -----
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Housing                                                                  8.9%
 ................................................................................
  Hospitals                                                                6.6%
 ...............................................................................
  Electric Power                                                           5.3%
 ................................................................................
  Higher Education                                                         5.2%
 ................................................................................
  Government -- Local                                                      5.2%
 ................................................................................


18
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What were the strongest and weakest sectors for the Fund's investments during
the six months?

The strongest were technology and health care. The best performer in technology
was International Business Machines Corp., up 25.5%; followed by Sun
Microsystems, Inc., up 19.5%; and Gateway 2000, Inc., up 11.0%. In health care,
the leaders were Abbott Laboratories, up 11.6%; American Home Products Corp., up
9.9%; Monsanto Co., up 8.2%; and Pfizer, Inc., up 6.2%. The weakest sector was
financial, with Frontier Insurance Group, Inc., declining 47.1%; Mercury General
Corp., down 44.7%; and Republic New York Corp., with a 42.9% loss.


Did the Fund sell any stocks when the market was high in the spring and early
summer?

A number of sales were made for the Fund taking advantage of the market run-up.
The largest percentage recorded was in the shares of Lucent Technologies Inc.,
sold with a gain of 498.2% in a 26-month holding period; followed by 181.8% in
the shares of MacDermid, Inc., held 15 months; followed by a 152.3% gain in the
shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. Others with gains between 75% and 90% included
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., Interstate Hotels Co., and Dime Bancorp, Inc.
Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. was eliminated with the acquisition of the company,
providing a gain of 44.3%, with a 42-month holding period from original
purchase. The only loss recorded on an equity transaction was in the shares of
Amp, Inc. The original high cost shares were sold after an acquisition bid was
made for the company at a loss of 8.4%, while the position had been doubled up
in anticipation of taking the loss, and the newly purchased stock has since
appreciated.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Perkin Elmer Corp.                                                      1.0%
 ..............................................................................
  Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co.                                        0.9%
 ...............................................................................
  Intel Corp.                                                             0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  MGIC Investment Corp.                                                   0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Beckman Coulter Inc.                                                    0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  W.W. Grainger, Inc.                                                     0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Union Pacific Corp.                                                     0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  CitiCorp                                                                0.7%
 ...............................................................................
  Legg Mason, Inc.                                                        0.7%
 ...............................................................................
  Paine Webber Group, Inc.                                                0.7%
 ...............................................................................


How is the Fund maintaining its tax-efficiency?

The tax-exempt bond portfolio is, by definition, tax-efficient. The equity
portfolio is tax-efficient in two ways. First, our purchases consist of issues
which either have no or little taxable income paid out, or tax-deferred
payments. Preference in selection of stocks for investment is given to companies
which use their retained earnings to buy back shares, and thereby increase the
participation in the company's profits for the remaining shares. Second, tax
strategies are employed in order to minimize the consequences of taxable gains.
The example noted in the foregoing of a doubling up in order to both retain the
position in a company considered of intrinsic merit, and yet realize a gain when
the market had declined, is typical. Losses may also be realized, with
replacement positions substantially duplicated in the tax-exempt bond market.
When losses appear, they may be taken, and replaced with comparable issues. In
the recent strong bond market, no such moves were appropriate or necessary.

                                                                             19
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


                                     Top 5
                                 Bond Holdings
                                 -------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Metropolitan Washington DC Arpts. Auth.                                 1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Chicago Illinois Skyway Toll Bridge                                     1.5%
 ................................................................................
  New York St. Urban Dev. Corp. Rev.                                      1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Intermountain Power Agency Utah Power                                   1.4%
 ................................................................................
  Illinois Educ. Facs. Auth. Rev.                                         1.3%
 ................................................................................


What is the outlook for the Fund, and for its tax-efficient investment strategy?

Management is optimistic that the much feared crisis of financial liquidity in
the United States and the apprehension of recession prospects in the months
ahead has been greatly overdone. The demonstrated willingness of the Federal
Reserve to provide interest rate cuts to ensure support for the American
financial system, and to demonstrate that inflation is not feared at this time,
has already had highly positive effects for the equity markets since the October
15th rate decrease. Further, the settlement of budget disputes in the Congress,
the program to further fund the IMF, and the United States readiness to lead a
program of support for Brazil, should remove much of the fear concerning broader
financial chaos. The long effort to restimulate Japan continues, but with a more
optimistic outlook than in the last two years because that country is finally
facing the need to provide new funding for its banking system in recognition of
the huge loan losses it carries. The Asian financial difficulties remain of deep
concern, but there is already evidence of turnaround, though slow, and perhaps
halting, in several countries, including Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines.

The profitability of American business remains intact, even taking into account
many lower than expected earning statements for the third quarter. It is already
evident that corporations are tightening their operating and financial belts for
a more competitive, more pressured environment. But, corporations are also
demonstrating their confidence in the value of their businesses and the strength
of their treasuries by an almost unprecedented wave of corporate share buybacks.
Since the Russian financial crisis came to a head, and the American markets
began to decline, the daily list of corporate buybacks has reached extraordinary
proportions. This will lend both support and confidence to the equity markets.

Our expectations are that this nation will continue to be in a period of lower,
and perhaps even declining interest rates, while a close to full employment
society will be able to sustain demand, notwithstanding a more cautious consumer
attitude. This caution could well increase saving rates and, thus, generate more
investable funds. Our policy will remain sensitive to appropriate asset
allocation, aggressive in seizing the opportunity of depressed values, and
cautious in the face of evidences of overvaluation.

20
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Six Months Ended    Year Ended March 31,      Year
Ended December 31,
                                                         September 30, 1998   -----------------------
- -----------------------
                                                            (unaudited)          1998       1997**
1996         1995*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>         <C>
<C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $ 16.70         $    13.74  $    13.86    $
12.82  $     10.65
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                            0.25               0.49        0.11
0.45         0.41
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities       (1.97)              3.29       (0.12)
1.12         2.22
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
Total from investment operations                                (1.72)              3.78       (0.01)
1.57         2.63
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                                      (0.25)             (0.48)      (0.11)
(0.42)       (0.46)
From net realized gains                                             0              (0.34)          0
(0.11)           0
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
Total distributions                                             (0.25)             (0.82)      (0.11)
(0.53)       (0.46)
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                 $ 14.73         $    16.70  $    13.74    $
13.86  $     12.82
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                                                  (10.36%)            28.02%      (0.10%)
12.50%       24.90%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                          $27,808         $   29,005  $   14,590    $
11,116  $     1,335
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                  1.29%++            1.40%       1.37%++
1.30%        1.37%++
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                                                  N/A                N/A        1.68%++
1.33%       10.96%++
 Net investment income                                           3.18%++            3.21%       3.43%++
3.53%        3.73%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                            20%                34%          9%
16%          49%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Six Months Ended     Year Ended March 31,      Year
Ended December 31,
                                                         September 30, 1998   -----------------------
- --------------------------
                                                            (unaudited)          1998      1997**
1996         1995*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>         <C>
<C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                          $  16.61         $    13.67  $    13.80    $
12.80  $     10.65
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                            0.19               0.38        0.09
0.36         0.35
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities       (1.96)              3.26       (0.13)
1.09         2.20
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
Total from investment operations                                (1.77)              3.64       (0.04)
1.45         2.55
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                                      (0.19)             (0.36)      (0.09)
(0.34)       (0.40)
From net realized gains                                             0              (0.34)          0
(0.11)           0
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
Total distributions                                             (0.19)             (0.70)      (0.09)
(0.45)       (0.40)
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                $  14.65         $    16.61   $   13.67    $
13.80  $     12.80
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                                                  (10.71%)            27.06%      (0.30%)
11.50%       24.10%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                         $153,721         $  158,252   $  76,791    $
57,622  $     4,839
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                  2.04%++            2.15%       2.11%++
2.06%        2.12%++
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                                                  N/A                N/A        2.43%++
2.09%        4.20%++
 Net investment income                                           2.43%++            2.46%       2.68%++
2.79%        2.97%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                            20%               34%           9%
16%          49%
</TABLE>

+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $16.65       $    13.70  $    13.83    $     12.81  $     10.65
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.19             0.38        0.09           0.36         0.36
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.96)            3.27       (0.13)          1.11         2.19
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.77)            3.65       (0.04)          1.47         2.55
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.19)           (0.36)      (0.09)         (0.34)       (0.39)
From net realized gains              0            (0.34)          0          (0.11)           0
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.19)           (0.70)      (0.09)         (0.45)       (0.39)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $14.69       $    16.65  $    13.70    $     13.83  $     12.81
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                   (10.68%)          27.08%      (0.30%)        11.60%       24.00%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                    $2,398       $    2,777  $    1,769    $     1,487  $       110
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   2.04%++          2.15%       2.12%++        2.05%        2.10%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A        2.43%++        2.08%      103.52%++
 Net investment income            2.40%++          2.46%       2.65%++        2.80%        2.96%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             20%              34%          9%            16%          49%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.70       $    13.74  $    13.86    $ 12.83  $ 10.67  $ 11.60   $ 10.95
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.27             0.55        0.14       0.48     0.47     0.60      0.56
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.97)            3.27       (0.14)      1.10     2.16    (0.93)     0.96
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.70)            3.82        0.00       1.58     2.63    (0.33)     1.52
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.27)           (0.52)      (0.12)     (0.44)   (0.47)   (0.60)    (0.60)
From net realized gains              0            (0.34)          0      (0.11)       0        0     (0.27)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
Total distributions              (0.27)           (0.86)      (0.12)     (0.55)   (0.47)   (0.60)    (0.87)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $ 14.73       $    16.70  $    13.74    $ 13.86  $ 12.83  $ 10.67   $ 11.60
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
TOTAL RETURN                    (10.25%)          28.34%       0.00%     12.60%   25.10%   (2.90%)   14.10%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $35,756       $   43,786  $   37,237    $41,243  $39,327  $37,176   $37,336
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.04%++          1.14%       1.11%++    1.05%    1.26%    1.28%     1.36%
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense reimbursements       N/A              N/A        1.38%++    1.09%     N/A      N/A       N/A
 Net investment income            3.40%++          3.45%       3.56%++    3.65%    3.96%    5.40%     5.13%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             20%              34%          9%        16%      49%     136%       92%
</TABLE>
+   Excluding sales charges.
++  Annualized.
*   For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
**  For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
    year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

22
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Six Months Ended
                                             September 30, 1998  Period Ended
                                                (unaudited)     March 31, 1998*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                $12.87           $12.36
                                                   ------           ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                0.20             0.08#
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses
 on securities, futures contracts and
 foreign currency related transactions              (0.57)            0.81
                                                   ------           ------
Total from investment operations                    (0.37)            0.89
                                                   ------           ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                          (0.22)           (0.12)
From net realized gains                                 0            (0.26)
                                                   ------           ------
Total distributions                                 (0.22)           (0.38)
                                                   ------           ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                      $12.28           $12.87
                                                   ------           ------
TOTAL RETURN+                                       (2.91%)           7.38%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)                $1,136           $1,277
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                      0.97%++          0.99%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                           0.97%++          0.99%++
 Net investment income                               3.12%++          3.25%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                39%              76%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended                       Year Ended June 30,
                          September 30, 1998   Period Ended   ------------------------------
                             (unaudited)     March 31, 1998**  1997    1996    1995    1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>              <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $12.88            $12.95      $11.33  $10.09  $ 9.26  $10.10
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.16              0.26#       0.30    0.29    0.31    0.28
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities,
 futures contracts and
 foreign currency
 related transactions            (0.56)             1.53        2.07    1.42    0.96   (0.37)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
Total from investment
 operations                      (0.40)             1.79        2.37    1.71    1.27   (0.09)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.18)            (0.27)      (0.30)  (0.27)  (0.33)  (0.35)
From tax basis return of
 capital                             0                 0           0       0       0   (0.02)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
From net realized gains              0             (1.59)      (0.45)  (0.20)  (0.11)  (0.38)
Total distributions              (0.18)            (1.86)      (0.75)  (0.47)  (0.44)  (0.75)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $12.30            $12.88      $12.95  $11.33  $10.09  $ 9.26
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (3.18%)           14.89%      21.95%  17.35%  14.20%  (1.16%)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $  529            $  580      $1,625  $1,481  $1,345  $1,390
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.72%++           1.35%++     1.70%   1.72%   1.77%   1.71%
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                   1.72%++           1.35%++     1.69%   1.71%    N/A     N/A
 Net investment income            2.37%++           2.66%++     2.50%   2.71%   3.33%   2.81%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             39%               76%         89%     96%     88%     88%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
** For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Six Months Ended
                                           September 30, 1998   Period Ended
                                              (unaudited)     March 31, 1998*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD              $12.88            $12.43
                                                 ------            ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                              0.14              0.05#
Net realized and unrealized gains or
 losses on securities, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions        (0.54)             0.75
                                                 ------            ------
Total from investment operations                  (0.40)             0.80
                                                 ------            ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                        (0.18)            (0.09)
From net realized gains                               0             (0.26)
                                                 ------            ------
Total distributions                               (0.18)            (0.35)
                                                 ------            ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                    $12.30            $12.88
                                                 ------            ------
TOTAL RETURN+                                     (3.18%)            6.58%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)              $    1            $    1
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                    1.72%++           1.76%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                         1.72%++           1.76%++
 Net investment income                             2.42%++           2.41%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                              39%               76%

<CAPTION>
                                            Six Months Ended
                                           September 30, 1998   Period Ended
                                              (unaudited)     March 31, 1998**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD              $12.86            $12.01
                                                 ------            ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                              0.22              0.08#
Net realized and unrealized gains or
 losses on securities, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions        (0.56)             0.86
                                                 ------            ------
Total from investment operations                  (0.34)             0.94
                                                 ------            ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                        (0.24)            (0.09)
                                                 ------            ------
Total distributions                               (0.24)            (0.09)
                                                 ------            ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                    $12.28            $12.86
                                                 ------            ------
TOTAL RETURN                                      (2.71%)            7.79%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)              $   34            $   39
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                    0.72%++           0.75%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                         0.72%++           0.75%++
 Net investment income                             3.37%++           3.47%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                              39%               76%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
** For the period from January 26, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

24
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.44       $    16.00  $    16.13    $     15.12  $     12.24
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.23             0.44#       0.12           0.50         0.44
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions            (1.29)            4.87       (0.13)          1.16         3.14
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.06)            5.31       (0.01)          1.66         3.58
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.21)           (0.44)      (0.12)         (0.50)       (0.47)
From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.21)           (0.87)      (0.12)         (0.65)       (0.70)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $19.17       $    20.44  $    16.00    $     16.13  $     15.12
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.23%)          33.88%      (0.20%)        11.30%       29.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $  340       $      350  $      220    $       206  $       107
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.28%++          1.28%       1.25%++        1.24%        1.33%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A         1.34%++
 Net investment income            2.25%++          2.39%       2.83%++        3.39%        3.73%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.34       $    15.94  $    16.07    $     15.07  $     12.24
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.15             0.30#       0.09           0.40         0.36
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions            (1.28)            4.84       (0.13)          1.15         3.09
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.13)            5.14       (0.04)          1.55         3.45
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.13)           (0.31)      (0.09)         (0.40)       (0.39)
From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.13)           (0.74)      (0.09)         (0.55)       (0.62)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $19.08       $    20.34  $    15.94    $     16.07  $     15.07
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.57%)          32.81%      (0.30%)        10.50%       28.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $1,213       $    1,124  $      606    $       570  $       296
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   2.03%++          2.04%       2.00%++        1.99%        2.07%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A          N/A
 Net investment income            1.50%++          1.63%       2.07%++        2.64%        2.99%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.34       $    15.94  $    16.06    $     15.07  $     12.24
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.15             0.30#       0.09           0.40         0.34
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            (1.28)            4.84       (0.13)          1.14         3.09
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.13)            5.14       (0.04)          1.54         3.43
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.13)           (0.31)      (0.08)         (0.40)       (0.37)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 Total distributions              (0.13)           (0.74)      (0.08)         (0.55)       (0.60)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                         $19.08       $    20.34  $    15.94    $     16.06  $     15.07
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.57%)          32.81%      (0.30%)        10.40%       28.50%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (MILLIONS)                     $   58       $       50  $       28    $        27  $        11
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.03%++          2.04%       2.00%++        1.99%        2.23%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A         2.37%++
 Net investment income             1.51%++          1.63%       2.07%++        2.64%        2.83%++
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,        Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -------------------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996    1995    1994     1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS Y SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.45       $    16.02  $    16.14    $15.13  $12.27  $13.12   $11.98
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.24             0.49#       0.13      0.54    0.51    0.42     0.31
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            (1.28)            4.86       (0.13)     1.16    3.07   (0.57)    1.55
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.04)            5.35        0.00      1.70    3.58   (0.15)    1.86
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.23)           (0.49)      (0.12)    (0.54)  (0.49)  (0.42)   (0.31)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0     (0.15)  (0.23)  (0.28)   (0.41)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 Total distributions              (0.23)           (0.92)      (0.12)    (0.69)  (0.72)  (0.70)   (0.72)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                         $19.18       $    20.45  $    16.02    $16.14  $15.13  $12.27   $13.12
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 TOTAL RETURN                     (5.12%)          34.12%       0.00%    11.50%  29.70%  (1.10%)  15.70%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (MILLIONS)                     $1,166       $    1,117  $      802    $  809  $  623  $  332   $  240
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.03%++          1.03%       1.00%++   0.99%   1.07%   1.14%    1.20%
 Net investment income             2.51%++          2.65%       3.07%++   3.64%   3.89%   3.51%    2.81%
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%       10%     28%     33%      60%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

26
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**          1996         1995*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.36       $    13.57  $    13.50    $      12.20  $     10.44
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.17             0.31        0.07            0.27         0.29
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.26)            2.96        0.06#           1.59         2.24
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.09)            3.27        0.13            1.86         2.53
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.17)           (0.30)      (0.06)          (0.28)       (0.31)
From net realized gains              0            (0.18)          0           (0.28)       (0.46)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.17)           (0.48)      (0.06)          (0.56)       (0.77)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $ 15.10       $    16.36  $    13.57    $      13.50  $     12.20
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (6.57%)          24.40%       1.00%          15.40%       24.80%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $82,897       $   69,879  $   15,039    $     11,166  $     2,702
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.33%++          1.42%       1.38%++         1.52%        1.75%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            1.76%        5.02%++
 Net investment income            2.30%++          2.21%       2.30%++         2.39%        2.79%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%         29%             88%         110%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------  -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998      1997**          1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $  16.33      $    13.56  $   13.49    $      12.19  $     10.31
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income              0.12            0.21       0.05            0.19         0.22
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities             (1.25)           2.94       0.06#           1.59         2.37
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                       (1.13)           3.15       0.11            1.78         2.59
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                           (0.12)          (0.20)     (0.04)          (0.20)       (0.25)
From net realized gains               0           (0.18)         0           (0.28)       (0.46)
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
Total distributions               (0.12)          (0.38)     (0.04)          (0.48)       (0.71)
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $  15.08      $    16.33  $   13.56    $      13.49  $     12.19
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                     (6.96%)         23.44%      0.08%          14.70%       25.60%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $226,682      $  185,042  $  38,838    $     28,007  $     6,559
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.08%++         2.18%      2.14%++         2.27%        2.50%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A             N/A        N/A            2.51%        3.65%++
 Net investment income             1.55%++         1.46%      1.55%++         1.64%        2.03%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              37%             50%        29%              2%         110%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 17, 1995 and January 6, 1995 (commencement of
   class A and class B operations, respectively) to December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  The per share amount is not in accord with the net realized and unrealized
   gains or losses for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund shares
   and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains or losses at such
   time.



                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------  -----------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998      1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.30       $    13.53  $   13.47    $     12.19  $     10.69
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.12             0.21       0.06           0.18         0.22
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities            (1.25)            2.94       0.05#          1.58         1.99
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.13)            3.15       0.11           1.76         2.21
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.12)           (0.20)     (0.05)         (0.20)       (0.25)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.18)         0          (0.28)       (0.46)
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 Total distributions              (0.12)           (0.38)     (0.05)         (0.48)       (0.71)
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                        $ 15.05       $    16.30  $   13.53    $     13.47  $     12.19
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 TOTAL RETURN+                    (6.97%)          23.49%      0.08%         14.50%       21.20%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                   $39,082       $   27,699  $   5,086    $     4,108  $       496
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.08%++          2.18%      2.13%++        2.25%        2.50%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A        N/A           2.48%       18.91%++
 Net investment income             1.56%++          1.46%      1.55%++        1.64%        2.07%++
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%        29%            88%         110%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,         Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   ---------------------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996     1995     1994    1993*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS Y SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.39       $    13.61  $    13.54    $ 12.22  $ 10.27  $ 10.31  $10.00
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.19             0.37        0.09       0.34     0.35     0.27    0.05
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities            (1.25)            2.95        0.05 #     1.56     2.39     0.08    0.31
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.06)            3.32        0.14       1.90     2.74     0.35    0.36
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.19)           (0.36)      (0.07)     (0.30)   (0.33)   (0.27)  (0.05)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.18)          0      (0.28)   (0.46)   (0.12)      0
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 Total distributions              (0.19)           (0.54)      (0.07)     (0.58)   (0.79)   (0.39)  (0.05)
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                        $ 15.14       $    16.39  $    13.61    $ 13.54  $ 12.22  $ 10.27  $10.31
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 TOTAL RETURN                     (6.49%)          24.73%       1.00%     15.80%   27.30%    3.40%   3.50%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                   $21,939       $   19,881  $   15,311    $15,002  $13,485  $10,575  $5,424
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.08%++          1.15%       1.13%++    1.30%    1.50%    1.49%   0.00%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A         N/A       1.56%    2.23%    2.41%   3.10%++
 Net investment income             2.54%++          2.48%       2.54%++    2.63%    3.06%    2.87%   3.65%
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%         29%        88%     110%     245%     60%
</TABLE>

+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from March 3, 1995 (commencement of class C operations) to
   December 31, 1995 and November 2, 1993 (commencement of class Y operations)
   to December 31, 1993.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  The per share amount is not in accord with the net realized and unrealized
   gains or losses for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund shares
   and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains or losses at such
   time.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

28
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 42.5%

            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
             MANUFACTURING - 1.7%
     29,000 Arvin Industries, Inc. ..............................   $  1,080,250
     30,000 Dana Corp. ..........................................      1,119,375
    150,100 Simpson Industries, Inc. ............................      1,510,381
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,710,006
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 5.6%
     32,312 Banc One Corp. ......................................      1,377,299
     40,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................        720,000
     40,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc. ..........................      1,095,000
     32,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. ...........................        552,000
     19,500 Comerica, Inc. ......................................      1,068,844
     25,050 Crestar Financial Corp. .............................      1,421,587
     47,761 First State Bancorp..................................        904,474
      8,000 First Union Corp.**..................................        409,500
     15,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................      1,101,562
     53,000 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A.................................        765,188
     60,000 Norwest Corp. .......................................      2,148,750
     36,000 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................        679,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,243,704
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 0.7%
     10,000 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ....................        535,000
     22,530 Southdown, Inc. .....................................      1,013,850
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,548,850
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.2%
     15,000 Dun & Bradstreet Corp................................        405,000
                                                                    ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
      5,500 * AirTouch Communications, Inc. .....................        313,500
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.8%
     50,000 CPI Corp. ...........................................      1,184,375
     11,000 International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. ............        363,000
     50,000 Lancaster Colony Corp. ..............................      1,537,500
    110,000 Stride Rite Corp. ...................................        900,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,985,500
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.5%
     10,000 Harris Corp. ........................................        320,000
     30,000 Ruddick Corp. .......................................        510,000
     30,000 Tenneco, Inc. .......................................        986,250
     80,000 Tomkins Plc, ADR.....................................      1,510,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,326,250
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.6%
     35,000 AMP, Inc. ...........................................      1,251,250
     12,000 Emerson Electric Co. ................................        747,000
     56,656 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B..................................      2,011,288
     43,000 Thomas & Betts Corp. ................................      1,636,687
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,646,225
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.1%
     36,363 Equitable Companies, Inc. ...........................      1,504,519
     20,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. .............        948,750
     20,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................        532,500
     15,000 Lincoln National Corp. ..............................      1,233,750
     15,000 Ohio Casualty Corp. .................................        581,250
      6,000 Transamerica Corp. ..................................        636,000
     46,184 Trenwick Group, Inc. ................................      1,345,109
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,781,878
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.8%
     70,900 Flowers Industries, Inc. ............................      1,546,506
     18,000 H.J. Heinz Co. ......................................        920,250
     50,000 Lance, Inc. .........................................        987,500
     28,000 Tasty Baking Corp. ..................................        413,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,867,256
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 2.6%
     30,000 Baxter International, Inc. ..........................      1,785,000
     14,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ............................      1,454,250
     30,100 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................      1,600,944
     30,000 West Co., Inc. ......................................        862,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,702,694
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.6%
     10,000 Bemis Co., Inc. .....................................        350,625
     45,000 Carpenter Technology Corp. ..........................      1,645,313
     48,776 Flowserve Corp. .....................................        987,714
     42,000 Lindberg Corp. ......................................        530,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,513,902
                                                                    ------------
            MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 0.8%
     82,650 Hardinge, Inc. ......................................      1,818,300
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 3.4%
     16,000 Amoco Corp. .........................................        862,000
      8,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..............................        567,500
     34,500 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A............................        444,188
     15,000 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ........................        817,500
     15,400 Exxon Corp. .........................................      1,080,887
      3,000 Kerr-McGee Corp. ....................................        136,500
     10,000 Mobil Corp. .........................................        759,375
     21,550 * Seitel, Inc. ......................................        233,009
     12,000 Texaco, Inc. ........................................        752,250
     60,000 Williams Companies, Inc. ............................      1,725,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,378,209
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.5%
     40,000 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .............................      1,040,000
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
      5,896 * Sealed Air Corp. ..................................        187,935
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.2%
      5,800 Time Warner, Inc. ...................................        507,863
                                                                    ------------


                                                                              29
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.4%
     33,000 J. C. Penney Co., Inc. .............................   $  1,482,937
     70,260 *Saks, Inc. ........................................      1,576,459
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,059,396
                                                                   ------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.1%
     10,000 Oxford Industries, Inc. ............................        307,500
                                                                   ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 1.6%
     45,000 First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc. .....................      1,575,000
     18,100 Horizon Financial Corp. ............................        244,350
     50,400 Maryland Federal Bancorp, Inc. .....................      1,814,400
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,633,750
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.5%
     27,000 Union Pacific Corp. ................................      1,150,875
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 6.6%
     80,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ...........................      2,490,000
     31,220 Interstate Energy Corp. ............................      1,000,991
     37,000 PP&L Resources, Inc. ...............................        957,375
     53,000 *Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. .............      2,083,563
     85,000 Puget Sound Energy, Inc. ...........................      2,358,750
     93,000 Sempra Energy.......................................      2,423,812
     22,000 Southern Co. .......................................        647,625
     35,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ..............................      1,222,813
     40,000 Wisconsin Energy Corp. .............................      1,262,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,447,429
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.6%
     94,000 *Marketspan Corp. ..................................      2,696,625
     39,250 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ..........................      1,085,508
     55,000 Peoples Energy Corp. ...............................      1,980,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,762,133
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.4%
     35,000 Frontier Corp. .....................................        958,125
     40,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      2,097,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,055,625
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stocks
            (cost $79,204,170)..................................     93,393,780
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 16.4%
            BANKS - 1.3%
     50,000 National Australia Bank, Ltd.
            7.875%, Series Unit.................................      1,331,250
     58,000 WBK Trust
            10.0%, STRYPES (exchangeable for Westpac Banking
            Corp. Common Stock).................................      1,602,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,933,500
                                                                   ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 1.0%
     30,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
            6.00%, Series B.....................................      1,410,000
     10,000 CBS Radio Inc.
             7.00%, 12/31/49, 144A..............................        797,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,207,500
                                                                   ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.8%
     80,000 Ingersoll Rand Co.
             6.75%, PRIDES......................................      1,680,000
                                                                   ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
     50,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      1,625,000
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.4%
     20,000 American General Corp. $3.00, Series A, MIPS........      1,640,000
     13,000 American Heritage Life Investment Corp.
             8.50%, PRIDES......................................        819,000
     20,000 Frontier Financing Trust 6.25%, TOPRS, 144A.........        855,000
     11,000 Frontier Financing Trust 6.25%, TOPRS...............        470,250
      4,000 Life Re Corp.
             6.00%..............................................        297,000
    125,000 Philadelphia Consolidated
             Holdings, Inc. PRIDES..............................      1,218,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,300,000
                                                                   ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.4%
     25,000 Ralston Purina Co.
             7.00%, SAILS (exchangeable for Interstate Bakeries
             common stock)......................................      1,525,000
     30,000 Wendys Financing I
             5.00%, Series A, TECONS............................      1,573,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,098,125
                                                                   ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.9%
     50,000 Owens & Minor Trust I
             TECONS, 144A.......................................      1,900,000
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.7%
     50,000 *Lodgian Capital Trust I 7.00%, 144A................      1,512,500
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.7%
     20,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A.................................        725,000
     20,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, 11/01/26...................................        725,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,450,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.3%
     20,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................        590,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.6%
     40,000 EVI, Inc.
             5.00%, 144A........................................      1,280,000
                                                                   ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.4%
     30,000 Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.
             4.50%, MIPS........................................        785,625
      5,225 *Sealed Air Corp.
              $2.00, Series A...................................        188,753
                                                                   ------------
                                                                        974,378
                                                                   ------------

30
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED

            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 1.6%
     22,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
             7.00%, ACES (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc.
             common stock).......................................   $  1,678,875
     20,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
             6.00%, STRYPES due 6/1/99 (exchangeable for Cox
             Communications, Inc. common stock)..................        897,500
     10,000 TCI Communications, Inc.
             $2.125, Series A....................................        842,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,418,875
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.3%
      7,500 CVS Automatic Common Exchange Security TRACES........        611,250
     65,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (exchangeable for
             Dollar General Corp. common stock)
             8.50% STRYPES.......................................      2,340,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,951,250
                                                                    ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.8%
     20,000 CNF Trust I
             5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for CNF
             Transportation, Inc. common stock)..................        960,000
     20,000 Union Pacific Capital Trust
             6.25%, TIDES, 144A..................................        890,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,850,000
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.5%
     45,000 *BNDES Participacoes S.A. DECS.......................      1,057,500
     40,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES.......................................      2,250,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,307,500
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $39,357,753)..................................     36,078,628
                                                                    ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 6.5%

            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 0.9%
 $1,500,000 Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc. 6.25%, 3/15/01.........   $  1,912,500
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.5%
    250,000 * Interim Services, Inc.
              4.50%, 6/1/05......................................        217,500
  1,000,000 Quantum Corp.
             7.00%, 8/1/04.......................................        906,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,123,750
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
  2,000,000 Action Performance Companies, Inc. 4.75%,
             4/1/05, 144A........................................      1,572,600
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.3%
 $  600,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.......................................        575,250
                                                                    ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.1%
  2,500,000 Family Golf Centers, Inc.
             5.75%, 10/15/04, 144A...............................      2,331,250
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 2.2%
  1,000,000 Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. 3.75%, 2/15/07.......        935,000
    500,000 Key Energy Group, Inc.
             7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A.................................        552,500
  2,000,000 Nabors Industries, Inc.
             5.00%, 5/15/06......................................      2,070,000
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.
  1,000,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A................................        891,250
    500,000 6.00%, 12/15/03......................................        445,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,894,375
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
            Central Garden & Pet Co.
    500,000 6.00%, 11/15/03, 144A................................        437,500
  1,600,000 6.00%, 11/15/03......................................      1,400,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,837,500
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $16,425,614)..................................     14,247,225
                                                                    ------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 1.4%
            BANKS - 0.5%
  1,000,000 NationsBank Corp.
             6.50%, 8/15/03......................................      1,041,516
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.5%
  1,000,000 American General Finance Corp. 7.125%, 12/1/99.......      1,019,728
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.4%
  1,000,000 GTE Southwest, Inc.
             5.82%, 12/1/99, Ser. A..............................      1,007,871
                                                                    ------------
            Total Corporate Bonds
             (cost $3,010,992)...................................      3,069,115
                                                                    ------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 31.0%
            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 30.2%
  1,000,000 Federal Farm Credit Bank
             6.70%, 8/6/04.......................................      1,015,775
            Federal Home Loan Bank
  2,000,000 5.375%, 10/6/03......................................      2,014,084
  2,000,000 5.65%, 12/29/00......................................      2,042,532
  1,000,000 6.195%, 2/5/03.......................................      1,000,952
  2,000,000 6.532%, 12/28/07.....................................      2,077,658
  2,000,000 6.565%, 8/6/02.......................................      2,030,308
  2,000,000 6.585%, 10/15/02.....................................      2,002,516
  2,000,000 7.00% , 7/14/05......................................      2,079,474


                                                                              31
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - CONTINUED
            Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
 $2,000,000 6.54%, 12/10/07......................................   $  2,123,004
  2,000,000 6.542%, 3/19/08......................................      2,078,204
  1,000,000 6.91%, 6/20/05.......................................      1,036,702
  2,000,000 7.585%, 9/19/06......................................      2,151,780
  2,000,000 7.865%, 8/8/11.......................................      2,172,222
            Federal National Mortgage Association
  5,000,000 5.65%, 2/22/28.......................................      4,974,030
  3,000,000 5.90%, 6/18/01.......................................      3,025,593
  1,850,000 6.00%, 1/14/05.......................................      1,921,673
  2,215,000 6.10%, 1/26/05.......................................      2,284,845
  3,000,000 6.16%, 1/23/08.......................................      3,145,548
  2,000,000 6.24%, 1/14/08.......................................      2,100,792
  3,000,000 6.32%, 3/3/08........................................      3,169,917
  1,000,000 6.41%, 3/8/06........................................      1,089,704
  5,000,000 6.42%, 2/12/08.......................................      5,195,630
  1,000,000 6.45%, 1/28/05.......................................      1,005,510
  2,000,000 6.46%, 1/1/08........................................      2,121,630
  4,000,000 6.52%, 3/5/08........................................      4,162,280
  2,000,000 6.54%, 4/1/05........................................      2,017,088
  2,000,000 6.68%, 12/28/01......................................      2,000,212
  3,000,000 7.28%, 5/23/07.......................................      3,231,846
  1,000,000 Student Loan Marketing Association
             5.90%, 2/20/01......................................      1,004,282
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      66,275,791
                                                                    ------------
            TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 0.8%
  1,500,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds
             7.125%, 2/15/23.....................................      1,895,157
                                                                    ------------
            Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
             (cost $65,242,641)..................................     68,170,948
                                                                    ------------

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.7%

            COMMERCIAL PAPER - 0.9%
 $  220,000 BMW U.S. Capital Corp.
             5.52%, 10/9/98......................................        219,730
  1,250,000 Peg Managers Acceptance Corp.
             5.55%, 10/27/98.....................................      1,244,990
    400,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
             5.55%, 10/6/98......................................        399,692
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,864,412
                                                                    ------------
            U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 1.8%
  3,000,000 Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes
             5.12%, 10/30/98.....................................      2,987,627
  1,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association Discount
             Notes 5.20%, 10/7/98................................        999,133
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,986,760
                                                                    ------------
            Total Short-Term Investments
             (cost $5,851,172)...................................      5,851,172
                                                                    ------------
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $209,092,342)..........................   100.5%  220,810,868
            OTHER ASSETS AND
             LIABILITIES - NET............................    (0.5)  (1,126,916)
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $219,683,952
                                                             =====  ============


*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 8,000 shares of common stock of
     First Union Corp. at a cost of $106,108. During the six months ended
     September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $6,320 in dividend income from
     this investment. These shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the
     acquisition of the investment advisor.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144Aof the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the
     Fund's Board of Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
MIPSMonthly Income Preferred Shares
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
SAILSStock Appreciation Income Linked Securities
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TIDESTerm Income Deferrable Equity Securities
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACESTrust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

32
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 49.3%

             ADVERTISING & RELATED
              SERVICES - 0.3%
      93,600 Gannett Co., Inc. ................................   $    5,013,450
                                                                  --------------
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.9%
      80,000 Lockheed Martin Corp. ............................        8,065,000
     102,200 United Technologies Corp. ........................        7,811,913
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,876,913
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.8%
     100,000 Chrysler Corp. ...................................        4,787,500
     153,700 Ford Motor Co. ...................................        7,214,294
      25,000 General Motors Corp. .............................        1,367,187
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,368,981
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 1.5%
     200,020 BankAmerica Corp. ................................       12,026,202
     131,864 Chase Manhattan Corp. ............................        5,703,118
     100,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ......................        7,343,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      25,073,070
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 0.7%
      60,000 Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ..................        4,485,000
      75,000 Xerox Corp. ......................................        6,356,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      10,841,250
                                                                  --------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 3.2%
     150,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. .................        8,418,750
     400,000 Monsanto Co. .....................................       22,550,000
     300,000 Morton International, Inc. .......................        6,562,500
     136,000 PPG Industries, Inc. .............................        7,420,500
     351,300 Rohm & Haas Co. ..................................        9,770,531
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      54,722,281
                                                                  --------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 1.2%
     150,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. .............................        9,276,563
     240,000 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ..............................       11,737,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      21,014,063
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.3%
      70,000 Procter & Gamble Co. .............................        4,965,625
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.9%
     213,600 AlliedSignal, Inc. ...............................        7,556,100
      35,000 *Owens Illinois, Inc. ............................          875,000
     121,400 Tyco International Ltd. ..........................        6,707,350
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,138,450
                                                                  --------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 2.3%
     158,000 Emerson Electric Co. .............................        9,835,500
     325,000 General Electric Co. .............................       25,857,812
      59,600 *Solectron Corp. .................................        2,860,800
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      38,554,112
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.4%
     166,984 Allstate Corp. ...................................        6,961,146
     125,000 American International Group, Inc. ...............        9,625,000
      99,353 Associates First Capital Corp. Cl. A..............        6,482,783
     150,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................        7,415,625
     120,000 Federal National Mortgage Association.............        7,710,000
     100,000 Lincoln National Corp. ...........................        8,225,000
     120,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A.........        5,452,500
     150,000 Travelers Group, Inc. ............................        5,625,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      57,497,054
                                                                  --------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE
              PRODUCTS - 2.8%
      93,600 Bestfoods.........................................        4,533,750
     116,600 Coca Cola Co. ....................................        6,719,075
     200,000 Flowers Industries, Inc. .........................        4,362,500
      79,200 H.J. Heinz Co. ...................................        4,049,100
     261,500 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ....................       12,045,344
     175,000 *Safeway, Inc. ...................................        8,115,625
     141,800 Sara Lee Corp. ...................................        7,657,200
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      47,482,594
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 10.8%
     325,000 American Home Products Corp. .....................       17,021,875
     194,900 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. .........................       20,245,237
     350,000 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A.........        6,387,500
     370,000 Johnson & Johnson.................................       28,952,500
     209,100 Medtronic, Inc. ..................................       12,101,663
     213,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ................................       27,596,812
     150,000 Pfizer, Inc. .....................................       15,890,625
     150,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. .........................        7,528,125
     204,800 Schering-Plough Corp. ............................       21,209,600
     180,000 * Tenet Healthcare Corp. .........................        5,175,000
      37,200 * Universal Health Services, Inc. Cl. B...........        1,553,100
     252,000 Warner-Lambert Co. ...............................       19,026,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     182,688,037
                                                                  --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 3.3%
     120,000 * American Power Conversion Corp. ................        4,518,750
      90,000 * BMC Software, Inc. .............................        5,402,813
     240,000 * EMC Corp. ......................................       13,725,000
     100,000 International Business Machines Corp. ............       12,800,000
      77,200 * Microsoft Corp. ................................        8,499,237
     233,800 * Sun Microsystems, Inc. .........................       11,653,469
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,599,269
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              33
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

             OIL/ENERGY - 7.2%
     188,200 Amoco Corp. ......................................   $   10,139,275
     191,500 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. .........................        7,528,344
     251,500 Atlantic Richfield Co. ...........................       17,840,781
     130,600 Chevron Corp. ....................................       10,978,562
     197,900 Exxon Corp. ......................................       13,890,106
     276,900 Mobil Corp. ......................................       21,027,094
     110,400 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ........................        5,257,800
     393,200 Texaco, Inc. .....................................       24,648,725
     294,400 Unocal Corp. .....................................       10,672,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     121,982,687
                                                                  --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.2%
      90,400 Halliburton Co. ..................................        2,582,050
      24,800 Schlumberger Ltd. ................................        1,247,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       3,829,800
                                                                  --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.5%
     370,000 CBS Corp. ........................................        8,972,500
                                                                  --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 1.4%
     175,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT......................        4,987,500
     475,000 Equity Office Properties
              Trust REIT.......................................       11,637,500
      70,000 First Industrial Realty Trust,
              Inc. REIT........................................        1,785,000
     100,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT.....................        3,675,000
      50,000 TriNet Corporate Realty Trust,
              Inc. REIT........................................        1,631,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,716,250
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
     325,000 CVS Corp. ........................................       14,239,063
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 3.3%
      87,300 Cinergy Corp. ....................................        3,339,225
     199,000 Consolidated Edison, Inc. ........................       10,372,875
     295,000 Dominion Resources, Inc. .........................       13,164,375
     250,000 Duke Power Co. ...................................       16,546,875
     100,000 Florida Progress Corp. ...........................        4,331,250
     150,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .........................        4,668,750
      90,000 Texas Utilities Co. ..............................        4,190,625
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,613,975
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.5%
     383,000 Ameritech Corp. ..................................       18,144,625
     164,000 AT&T Corp. .......................................        9,583,750
     116,202 Bell Atlantic Corp. ..............................        5,628,534
     112,000 GTE Corp. ........................................        6,160,000
      75,480 Sprint Corp.  ....................................        5,434,560
     285,000 U.S. West, Inc.  .................................       14,944,688
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      59,896,157
                                                                  --------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $536,741,997)..............................      838,085,581
                                                                  --------------

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 1.6%

             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
     150,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A......................................   $    8,400,000
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.1%
      40,000 Owens Illinois, Inc.
              4.75%............................................        1,430,000
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.4%
      63,500 Conseco, Inc.
              7.00%, PRIDES....................................        6,858,000
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.6%
     200,000 Kmart Financing I
              7.75%............................................       10,000,000
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $24,276,192)...............................       26,688,000
                                                                  --------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 1.1%

             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.4%
 $10,000,000 HEALTHSOUTH Corp.
              3.25%, 4/1/03, 144A..............................        7,625,000
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.1%
   1,100,000 Textron, Inc.
              10.01%, 2/1/00...................................        1,161,732
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.6%
   5,250,000 Staples, Inc.
              4.50%, 10/1/00, 144A.............................        9,843,750
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $16,434,975)...............................       18,630,482
                                                                  --------------
 ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 6.1%
   5,500,000 Americredit Automobile
              Receivable, Series 1997-C,
              Class A3,
              6.30%, 7/5/03....................................        5,650,178
   1,176,139 Americredit Automobile Recreation
              Trust, 1997 B Class A2
              6.36%, 9/12/00...................................        1,183,143
  12,500,000 Carco Auto Loan Master Trust,
              Series 1997-1, Class A,
              6.69%, 8/15/04...................................       12,775,375
   2,500,000 CNL Funding 98 1 Lp, Series 1998 Franchise
              Loan Trust Certificate
              6.60%, 4/18/11...................................        2,648,438
   2,750,000 Contimortgage Home Equity Loan, Series 1997-
              4, Class A7 6.63%, 9/15/16.......................        2,852,245
   4,000,000 Contimortgage Home Equity Loan
              Trust, Series 1998-1, Class A6,
              6.58%, 12/15/18..................................        4,104,840
   6,150,000 Corestates Home Equity Loan, Series 1996-1,
              Class A4, 7.00%, 6/15/12.........................        6,554,670


34
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - CONTINUED

 $ 1,500,000 First USA Credit Card Master Trust, Series 96
              6 Class A 5.765%, 10/10/98.......................   $    1,498,125
             Green Tree Financial Corp.
   5,695,011 Series 1993-4, Class A3, 6.25%, 1/15/19...........        5,716,367
   6,000,000 Series 1997-3, Class A5, 7.14%, 7/15/28...........        6,275,580
             Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
   3,320,136 Series 1992-D, Class B,
              8.50%, 6/15/17...................................        3,665,895
   5,000,000 Series 1991-D, Class B,
              9.85%, 7/15/11...................................        5,098,400
     415,460 Money Store Auto Trust, 1997 2 Class A1
              6.17%, 3/20/01**.................................          417,699
   8,000,000 Olympic Automobile Receivables Trust, Series
              1997-A, Class A5 6.80%, 2/15/05..................        8,262,960
  10,000,000 Premier Auto Trust, Series 1997 2, Class B,
              6.53%, 12/6/03...................................       10,275,000
   7,500,000 Southern Pacific Secured Assets Corp., Series
              1996-3, Class A4 7.60%, 10/25/27.................        8,126,043
     525,815 Union Acceptance Corp., Series 1995-C, Class
              A,
              6.40%, 10/10/02..................................          527,618
     745,000 University Support Services, Inc., Series
              1992-D, 9.00%, 10/7/98...........................          742,672
   8,900,000 WFS Financial Owner Trust, Series 1997-C,
              Class CTFS 6.30%, 3/20/05........................        9,027,937
   7,632,267 World Omni Automobile Lease, Series 1997-A,
              Class A4, 6.90%, 6/25/03.........................        7,861,235
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     103,264,420
                                                                  --------------
             Total Asset-Backed Securities
              (cost $99,551,379)...............................      103,264,420
                                                                  --------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 20.3%
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 1.0%
   5,000,000 Boeing Co.
              6.625%, 2/15/38..................................        5,164,600
             Northrop Grumman Corp.
   5,500,000 7.00%, 3/1/06.....................................        5,818,615
   5,000,000 9.375%, 10/15/24..................................        5,829,100
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,812,315
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.3%
   5,000,000 Ford Motor Co.
              6.625%, 10/1/28..................................        5,069,550
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 0.9%
   3,465,000 Amsouth Bancorp
              6.75%, 11/1/25...................................        3,679,899
   5,200,000 BankBoston N A
              6.375%, 4/15/08..................................        5,241,548
 $ 5,000,000 Barnett Capital I
              8.06%, 12/1/26...................................        5,538,400
     698,000 Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc.
              6.75%, 3/15/03...................................          735,057
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,194,904
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 0.4%
   6,000,000 Federal Express Corp.
              6.845%, 1/15/19..................................        6,545,310
                                                                  --------------
             CABLE/OTHER VIDEO
              DISTRIBUTION - 0.3%
   5,000,000 CSC Holdings Inc.
              7.625%, 7/15/18..................................        4,853,700
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
   3,000,000 American Greetings Corp.
              6.10%, 8/1/28....................................        3,134,970
   4,000,000 Hasbro Inc.
              6.15%, 7/15/08...................................        4,288,160
   1,001,000 Stanley Works
              7.375%, 12/15/02.................................        1,078,527
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       8,501,657
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.4%
             General Electric Capital Corp.
   1,280,000 8.75%, 3/14/03....................................        1,470,976
   5,470,000 8.75%, 5/21/07....................................        6,752,660
   5,000,000 Grand Metropolitan Investment Corp.
              7.45%, 4/15/35...................................        5,844,000
  10,500,000 GS Escrow Corp.
              6.75%, 8/1/01, 144A..............................       10,579,800
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,647,436
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 6.5%
   8,000,000 AMBAC, Inc.
              9.375%, 8/1/11...................................       10,446,880
   6,550,000 Associates Corp. North America
              8.625%, 11/15/04.................................        7,656,164
   5,000,000 Bear Stearns Co., Inc.
              6.875%, 10/1/05..................................        5,237,550
   5,800,000 Beneficial Corp.
              6.25%, 2/18/13...................................        6,029,564
   4,500,000 CIT Group Holdings, Inc.
              9.25%, 3/15/01...................................        4,933,305
   6,400,000 Commercial Credit Group, Inc.
              10.00%, 5/15/09..................................        8,312,192
   1,280,000 Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
              6.75%, 10/15/13..................................        1,301,914
   6,600,000 General Motors Acceptance Corp.
              8.50%, 1/1/03....................................        7,354,842
   1,750,000 International Lease Finance Corp.
              5.75%, 1/15/03...................................        1,788,115
   9,975,000 John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.
              7.375%, 2/15/24, 144A............................       11,223,471
   6,500,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
              6.50%, 10/1/02 ..................................        6,207,305


                                                                              35
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - CONTINUED

             FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
 $ 7,000,000 Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
              7.697%, 10/15/97.................................   $    7,464,100
   6,000,000 Nationwide CSN Trust
              9.875%, 2/15/25, 144A............................        7,541,460
             Paine Webber Group, Inc.
   4,705,000 8.25%, 5/1/02.....................................        4,903,927
   5,050,000 9.25%, 12/15/01...................................        5,423,397
   6,200,000 Prudential Insurance Co.
              7.125%, 7/1/07...................................        6,770,524
   6,700,000 Sun Life Canada Capital Trust
              8.526%, 5/29/49..................................        7,248,529
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     109,843,239
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
   5,000,000 Johnson & Johnson
              8.72%, 11/1/24...................................        6,041,900
   3,000,000 Merck & Co., Inc.
              6.40%, 3/1/28....................................        3,158,430
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       9,200,330
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
               0.1%
   2,000,000 USA Waste Services Inc.
              6.125%, 7/15/01..................................        2,038,800
     326,000 Waste Management, Inc.
              8.75%, 5/1/18....................................          359,435
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       2,398,235
                                                                  --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 0.4%
   6,500,000 Comdisco Inc.
              6.125%, 1/15/03..................................        6,635,460
                                                                  --------------
             MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 0.1%
   2,000,000 Caterpillar, Inc.
              9.375%, 7/15/01..................................        2,216,400
                                                                  --------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 0.8%
   4,250,000 Occidental Petroleum Corp.
              9.25%, 8/1/19....................................        5,013,555
   7,500,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc.
              8.00%, 4/15/27...................................        8,302,950
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,316,505
                                                                  --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.7%
     931,000 Atlantic Richfield Co.
              9.00%, 4/1/21....................................        1,227,514
   5,000,000 Petroleum Geo-Services
              7.50%, 3/31/07...................................        5,333,600
   5,000,000 R B Falcon Corp.
              6.75%, 4/15/05...................................        5,159,700
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,720,814
                                                                  --------------
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.5%
   8,000,000 James River Corp.
              6.75%, 10/1/99...................................        8,085,280
                                                                  --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT -
               0.4%
   7,250,000 Time Warner Inc.
              6.95%, 1/15/28...................................        7,535,143
                                                                  --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 0.7%
   7,000,000 EOP Operating Limited Partnership
              6.375%, 2/15/03..................................        6,995,660
   4,000,000 Glenborough Realty Trust, Inc.
              7.625%, 3/15/05, 144A............................        4,101,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,096,660
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
   8,000,000 Fred Meyer Inc.
              7.15%, 3/1/03....................................        8,287,120
   4,300,000 Sears Roebuck & Co.
              10.00%, 2/3/12...................................        6,069,235
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      14,356,355
                                                                  --------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 1.3%
   6,750,000 Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp.
              7.12%, 7/15/97...................................        7,677,045
   6,550,000 TCI Communications Inc.
              8.75%, 8/1/15....................................        8,182,784
   5,640,000 Worldcom, Inc.
              6.40%, 8/15/05...................................        5,951,836
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      21,811,665
                                                                  --------------
             TRANSPORTATION - 0.9%
   5,000,000 American Airline
              8.39%, 1/2/17....................................        5,749,000
   3,000,000 Golden St. Pete Trans Corp.
              8.04%, 2/1/19....................................        3,016,875
   6,250,000 Norfolk Southern Corp.
              7.05%, 5/1/37....................................        6,890,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,656,000
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 0.7%
   5,000,000 Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.
              6.65%, 7/15/27...................................        5,498,700
   4,000,000 Rural Electric Cooperative
              8.67%, 9/15/18...................................        4,763,280
     838,000 Union Electric Co.
              8.00%, 12/15/22..................................          982,136
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,244,116
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - GAS - 0.8%
   3,780,000 ANR Pipeline Co.
              9.625%, 11/1/21..................................        4,863,575
   8,000,000 K N Energy Inc.
              6.65%, 3/1/05....................................        8,215,520
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,079,095
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 0.3%
   3,500,000 GTE Florida Inc.
              6.86%, 2/1/28....................................        3,766,245
   2,000,000 MCI Communications Corp.
              1.00%, 4/15/12...................................        2,050,140
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,816,385
                                                                  --------------
             Total Corporate Bonds
              (cost $332,028,394)..............................      345,636,554
                                                                  --------------


36
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.7%

             MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES - 3.5%
 $11,000,000 Federal Home Loan Banks
              5.50%, 8/13/01...................................   $   11,244,640
             Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
     837,587 7.411%, 3/1/21....................................          863,242
   4,622,740 7.569%, 4/1/22....................................        4,804,783
     889,489 7.609%, 3/1/19....................................          932,852
             Federal National Mortgage Association.............
  16,865,208 5.50%, 7/1/09.....................................       16,992,371
   4,212,809 7.00%, 5/1/24.....................................        4,332,580
   1,686,775 7.30%, 5/1/22.....................................        1,733,684
   2,153,541 7.332%, 2/1/27....................................        2,187,868
   9,563,205 7.414%, 9/1/21....................................        9,871,045
   1,634,198 7.472%, 12/1/23...................................        1,657,976
   2,628,049 7.518%, 1/1/31....................................        2,701,135
             Government National Mortgage Association..........
     438,600 8.50%, 5/15/21....................................          465,740
     247,663 8.50%, 7/15/21....................................          262,520
     556,386 8.50%, 6/15/22....................................          588,723
     310,477 9.00%, 9/15/21....................................          333,760
     458,501 9.00%, 10/15/21...................................          492,884
     248,613 9.50%, 2/15/21....................................          268,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      59,734,303
                                                                  --------------
             COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS - 6.2%
  10,000,000 Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities
              Inc., Series 1998-C1, Class C
              6.75%, 6/16/30...................................       11,078,125
             Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.
   2,000,000 Series 1997-2, Class B, 6.60%, 11/19/07...........        1,911,875
   2,200,000 Series 1997-1, Class B, 7.37%, 4/19/07............        2,172,162
   4,720,879 Chase Mortgage Finance Corp., Series 1994-D,
              Class M, 6.75%, 2/25/25..........................        4,969,905
   2,400,000 Commercial Mortgage Acceptance Corp.,
              Series 1997-ML1, Class B, 6.647%, 12/15/07.......        2,485,020
   7,229,087 Criimi Mae Financial Corp., Series 1, Class
              A, 7.00%, 1/1/33.................................        7,222,310
   4,000,000 Criimi Mae Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series
              1998 C1, Class A, 144A
              7.00%, 3/2/11....................................        4,122,500
             Federal National Mortgage Association
   1,250,000 Series 1993-248, Class SA, 4.284%, 8/25/23........        1,194,338
   5,000,000 Series 1997-M6, Class C, 6.85%, 5/17/20...........        5,459,775
   1,250,000 FFCA Secured Lending Corp., Series 1997-1,
              Class B1, 7.74%, 6/18/13.........................        1,376,172
   5,484,643 Financial Asset Securitization, Series 1997-
              NAM 1, Class FXA2,
              7.75%, 4/25/27...................................        5,696,783
   3,745,000 G E Capital Mortgage Services Inc., Series
              1994-27, Class A6,
              6.50%, 7/25/24...................................        3,777,769
   7,812,734 Independent National Mortgage Corp., 144A,
              Series 1997-A, Class A,
              7.81%, 12/26/26..................................        8,030,025
     415,608 KS Mortgage Capital, L. P.,144A, Series 1995-
              1, Class A1, 7.23%, 4/20/02......................          417,426
   5,000,000 Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.,
              Series 1997-C1, Class A3 7.12%, 6/18/29..........        5,370,025
   5,870,000 Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 35, Class G,
              8.45%, 11/1/18...................................        6,222,200
   1,786,895 Mid State Trust, Series 6, Class A3,
              7.54%, 7/1/35....................................        1,933,778
   6,000,000 Morgan Stanley Capital I Inc., Series 1998
              Wf1, Class C 6.77%, 1/15/08......................        6,178,125
  11,707,375 Nomura Depositor Trust Str I,
              Series 1998-ST1,
              Class A1, 144A
              5.92%, 1/15/03...................................       11,762,253
             PNC Mortgage Securities Corp.
   2,472,422 Series 1997-4, Class 2PP3,
             7.25%, 7/25/27....................................        2,563,093
   5,844,331 Series 1997-4, Class 2PP1,
             7.50%, 7/25/27....................................        5,944,678
   1,011,178 Prudential Home Mortgage Securities Co.,
              Series 1990-12, Class A1
              7.98%, 11/25/20..................................        1,017,816
   4,177,710 Shearson Lehman CMO Inc., Series V, Class 5
              7.50%, 5/1/19....................................        4,453,982
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     105,360,135
                                                                  --------------
             Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
              (cost $159,523,627)..............................      165,094,438
                                                                  --------------
 MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.1%
   2,500,000 Cook County Illinois
              5.00%,11/15/22...................................        2,496,750
                                                                  --------------
             Total Municipal Bonds
              (cost $2,455,126)................................        2,496,750
                                                                  --------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (U.S. DOLLARS) - 1.2%
     640,000 International Bank For Reconstruction &
              Development Co.
              7.95%, 5/15/16...................................          801,670


                                                                              37
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
    Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (U.S. DOLLARS) - CONTINUED
 $  4,000,000 National Westminster Bancorp
               9.375%, 11/15/03................................   $    4,681,920
   60,000,000 Skandinaviska Enskilda
               0%, 5/26/33.....................................        6,834,000
    8,000,000 YPF Sociedad Anonima
               7.25%, 3/15/03..................................        7,280,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,597,590
                                                                  --------------
              Total Foreign Bonds (U.S. Dollars)
               (cost $18,502,231)..............................       19,597,590
                                                                  --------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (NON U.S. DOLLARS) - 4.2%
  142,178,000 Nykredit,
               6.00%, 10/1/26..................................       22,063,840
  205,474,000 Realkredit Danmark
               6.00%, 10/1/26..................................       31,918,763
    2,500,000 Republic of Colombia
               8.625%, 4/1/08..................................        1,756,250
    8,200,000 United Kingdom Treasury
               7.25%, 12/7/07..................................       16,428,377
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      72,167,230
                                                                  --------------
              Total Foreign Bonds
               (Non U.S. Dollars)
               (cost $66,436,176)..............................       72,167,230
                                                                  --------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 2.0%
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.4%
    6,200,000 Federal Home Loan Banks 5.125%,
               9/15/03.........................................        6,309,492
                                                                  --------------
              TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 1.6%
    9,935,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds
               7.875%, 2/15/21.................................       13,405,991
              U.S. Treasury Notes
    3,000,000 5.375%, 2/15/01..................................        3,067,980
    5,000,000 5.50%, 5/31/03...................................        5,245,300
    5,590,000 6.125%, 8/15/07..................................        6,257,278
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      27,976,549
                                                                  --------------
              Total U.S. Government & Agency
               Obligations
               (cost $32,029,766)..............................       34,286,041
                                                                  --------------

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.3%

              COMMERCIAL PAPER - 0.2%
 $  2,735,000 Kansallis Osake Pankki
               9.75%, 12/15/98.................................   $    2,758,193
                                                                  --------------
              REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 3.1%
   50,000,000 Goldman Sachs Repurchase Agreement purchased
               9/30/98, 5.60%, maturing 10/1/98, maturity
               value $50,007,778
               (cost $50,000,000) (a)..........................       50,000,000
    3,167,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement.
               Investments in repurchase agreements, in a
               joint trading account, purchased 9/30/98,
               5.60%, maturing 10/1/98, maturity value
               $3,167,493
               (cost $3,167,000) (b)...........................        3,167,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      53,167,000
                                                                  --------------
              Total Short-Term Investments
               (cost $55,934,547)..............................       55,925,193
                                                                  --------------
              TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
               (COST $1,343,914,410)....................    98.9%  1,681,872,279
              OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET........     1.1      18,288,104
                                                           -----  --------------
              NET ASSETS................................   100.0% $1,700,160,383
                                                           =====  ==============

*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned a principal amount of $415,460 of
     Money Store Auto Trust at a cost of $415,136. During the six months ended
     September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $1,018 in interest income from this
     investment. This security was purchased by the Fund prior to the
     acquisition of the Money Store by First Union.
(a)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by: $26,223,835 Federal
     Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 6.131%, maturing 9/1/24; value including accrued
     interest - $25,699,000 and $24,797,258 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
     6.131% maturing 9/1/24; value including accrued interest - $24,301,000.
(b)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. Government
     and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued interest at
     September 30, 1998.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

38
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts to Buy:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         UNREALIZED
  EXCHANGE                                         U.S. VALUE AT       IN EXCHANGE      APPRECIATION
    DATE             CONTRACTS TO RECEIVE        SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     FOR U.S. $     (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
  10/16/98      66,483,000Danish Krone              $10,471,493        $10,377,429      $    94,064
                                                                                        ===========
<CAPTION>

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts to Sell:

                                                                                         UNREALIZED
  EXCHANGE                                         U.S. VALUE AT       IN EXCHANGE      APPRECIATION
    DATE             CONTRACTS TO DELIVER        SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     FOR U.S. $     (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
  10/30/98       9,066,258British Pound Sterling     15,388,500         14,889,425      $  (499,075)
  10/16/98     204,020,000Danish Krone               32,134,442         29,827,485       (2,306,957)
  12/14/98     195,339,000Danish Krone               30,792,428         30,348,637         (443,791)
                                                                                        -----------
                                                                                        $(3,249,823)
                                                                                        ===========
<CAPTION>

FUTURES CONTRACTS - LONG POSITIONS(1)

                           NUMBER OF              INITIAL CONTRACT       VALUE AT        UNREALIZED
 EXPIRATION                CONTRACTS                   AMOUNT       SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
December 1998          330S&P 500                   $86,394,375        $84,645,000      $(1,749,375)
                                                                                        ===========
</TABLE>

(1) At September 30, 1998, cash of $4,455,000 was segregated at the Fund's
    custodian for initial margin deposits.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              39
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                         Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 58.6%

            ADVERTISING & RELATED
             SERVICES - 0.0%
     13,000 Gannett Co., Inc. .................................   $      696,313
                                                                  --------------
            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.6%
    402,600 Boeing Co. ........................................       13,814,212
      5,420 Raytheon Co. Cl. A.................................          280,824
     31,000 United Technologies Corp. .........................        2,369,563
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,464,599
                                                                  --------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 1.5%
    458,400 Chrysler Corp. ....................................       21,945,900
    160,000 General Motors Corp................................        8,750,000
     30,000 Genuine Parts Co...................................          901,875
    208,800 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. ........................       10,727,100
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      42,324,875
                                                                  --------------
            BANKS - 6.8%
     83,100 AmSouth Bancorp....................................        2,835,788
     50,000 Bancfirst Corp. ...................................        1,825,000
     45,700 BankAmerica Corp. .................................        2,747,713
    783,600 BankBoston Corp. ..................................       25,858,800
     63,000 Bankers Trust Corp. ...............................        3,717,000
    140,062 BSB Bancorp, Inc...................................        3,895,474
    164,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. .........................        2,829,000
     27,000 CB Bancshares, Inc. ...............................          864,000
    120,700 CitiCorp...........................................       11,217,556
    149,000 Crestar Financial Corp. ...........................        8,455,750
    301,950 Dime Bancorp, Inc. ................................        7,643,109
     85,138 First Chicago NBD Corp. ...........................        5,831,953
     16,875 First Security Corp. ..............................          282,656
    117,000 First Union Corp. **...............................        5,988,938
    120,000 Firstar Corp. .....................................        6,075,000
     58,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .......................        4,259,375
     43,400 Hancock Holding Co. ...............................        2,072,350
     70,801 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A...............................        1,022,189
    281,400 KeyCorp............................................        8,125,425
      3,800 M & T Bank Corp....................................        1,751,800
     50,000 Mellon Bank Corp. .................................        2,753,125
     30,000 Mercantile Bancorp, Inc. ..........................        1,451,250
     50,000 Mississippi Valley Bancshares, Inc. ...............        1,806,250
    349,080 National City Corp. ...............................       23,017,462
    131,825 NationsBank Corp. .................................        7,052,638
    175,000 Norwest Corp. .....................................        6,267,188
    260,500 Pacific Century Financial Corp. ...................        4,347,094
    132,300 Peoples Heritage Financial Group...................        2,373,131
    102,000 Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida Cl. A............        3,034,500
     50,000 SouthTrust Corp. ..................................        1,746,875
    106,200 SunTrust Banks, Inc. ..............................        6,584,400
     65,000 U.S. Trust Corp....................................        4,314,375
    160,000 Webster Financial Corp.............................        3,900,000
    238,300 Wilmington Trust Corp. ............................       12,391,600
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     188,338,764
                                                                  --------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS  - 1.8%
    364,100 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ..................       19,479,350
    394,225 D.R. Horton, Inc. .................................        6,307,600
     17,857 Engle Homes, Inc...................................          253,904
    205,000 Home Depot, Inc. ..................................        8,097,500
    366,122 Lennar Corp........................................        8,169,097
    206,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ............................        6,553,375
     50,100 M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. .....................          926,850
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      49,787,676
                                                                  --------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
            SERVICES - 0.2%
     14,000 Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ...................        1,046,500
     45,500 *Crescent Operating, Inc. .........................          318,500
     42,000 *Metamor Worldwide, Inc. ..........................        1,155,000
     40,636 Paychex, Inc. .....................................        2,095,294
     20,000 *Policy Management
             Systems Corp. ....................................          810,000
     10,000 Xerox Corp.........................................          847,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       6,272,794
                                                                  --------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 0.6%
    165,000 Caterpillar, Inc. .................................        7,352,812
    321,700 Deere & Co. .......................................        9,731,425
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      17,084,237
                                                                  --------------
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 2.7%
     80,000 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc......................        2,380,000
    595,400 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ..................       33,416,825
     70,000 *Grace (W.R.) & Co. ...............................          870,625
     60,000 H.B. Fuller Co. ...................................        2,272,500
    245,800 Monsanto Co. ......................................       13,856,975
    170,000 Morton International, Inc. ........................        3,718,750
     75,000 Nalco Chemical Co. ................................        2,212,500
    174,000 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. ...............        4,567,500
    120,800 PPG Industries, Inc. ..............................        6,591,150
     45,000 Praxair, Inc.......................................        1,470,937
    115,000 Schulman (A.), Inc. ...............................        1,624,375
    100,560 Solutia, Inc. .....................................        2,268,885
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      75,251,022
                                                                  --------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.8%
     30,000 *AirTouch Communications, Inc. ....................        1,710,000
     49,800 *Ascend Communications, Inc. ......................        2,265,900
    179,100 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ..............................       11,070,619
     90,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. .........................        6,215,625
     39,900 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ...............................        1,950,112
      6,666 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ......................           68,327
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,280,583
                                                                  --------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.1%
     95,000 Black & Decker Corp................................        3,954,375
    233,150 Cendant Corp. .....................................        2,710,369
     32,052 *Consolidated Products, Inc. ......................          562,913
     20,000 H & R Block, Inc. .................................          827,500
     10,000 Harman International
             Industries, Inc. .................................          366,875


40
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - CONTINUED
    129,300 International Flavors &
             Fragrances, Inc. ................................   $     4,266,900
    130,100 *Nautica Enterprises, Inc. .......................         2,431,244
     20,000 Premark International, Inc........................           561,250
    110,451 Procter & Gamble Co. .............................         7,835,118
    191,100 Stanley Works.....................................         5,685,225
    118,500 Tupperware Corp. .................................         1,392,375
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      30,594,144
                                                                 ---------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.0%(A)
      8,000 Cooper Industries, Inc............................           326,000
      2,800 Tyco International Ltd. ..........................           154,700
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                         480,700
                                                                 ---------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.8%
    248,400 AMP, Inc. ........................................         8,880,300
    152,566 *Analog Devices, Inc..............................         2,450,591
    130,000 Applied Power, Inc. Cl. A.........................         3,550,625
     17,300 Emerson Electric Co. .............................         1,076,925
    562,400 General Electric Co. .............................        44,745,950
     97,000 Honeywell, Inc. ..................................         6,214,063
    162,000 Perkin Elmer Corp. ...............................        11,127,375
      2,000 Texas Instruments, Inc. ..........................           105,500
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      78,151,329
                                                                 ---------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 9.1%
     10,668 Aetna, Inc. ......................................           741,426
    120,000 AFLAC, Inc. ......................................         3,427,500
    274,000 Allstate Corp. ...................................        11,422,375
    110,600 AMBAC Financial Group, Inc. ......................         5,308,800
    169,000 American Express Co. .............................        13,118,625
    292,212 American International Group, Inc. ...............        22,500,324
     51,800 Chubb Corp........................................         3,263,400
    158,350 Countrywide Credit Industries,
             Inc. ............................................         6,591,319
     95,000 *Degeorge Financial Corp..........................           125,430
     40,860 Exel Limited Hamilton.............................         2,574,180
     40,000 FBL Financial Group, Inc. Cl. A...................           922,500
     84,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................         4,152,750
    718,000 Federal National Mortgage
             Association......................................        46,131,500
    126,500 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ...................         1,676,125
    512,055 Household International, Inc. ....................        19,202,062
     32,700 Interstate/Johnson Lane, Inc. ....................           948,300
     45,900 J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. ..........................         3,884,288
    142,200 John Nuveen Co. Cl. A.............................         5,065,875
    177,600 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.....................         5,017,200
     68,000 Lincoln National Corp. ...........................         5,593,000
    419,100 Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc. .......................        20,850,225
     75,000 MBIA, Inc. .......................................         4,026,563
    387,400 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ........................        18,353,075
    345,200 MGIC Investment Corp. ............................        12,729,250
    155,000 NAC RE Corp. .....................................         7,633,750
    110,000 Nationwide Financial Services,
             Inc. Cl. A........................................        4,998,125
     15,000 Ohio Casualty Corp. ...............................          581,250
    201,100 Paine Webber Group, Inc. ..........................        6,033,000
     28,000 Progressive Corp. Ohio.............................        3,157,000
    305,975 Raymond James Financial, Inc. .....................        6,425,475
     13,500 Reinsurance Group Of America.......................          698,625
      3,500 SLM Holding Corp. .................................          113,531
     85,000 UNUM Corp. ........................................        4,223,437
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     251,490,285
                                                                  --------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE
             PRODUCTS - 0.7%
    145,000 American Stores Co.................................        4,667,188
    240,000 Bestfoods..........................................       11,625,000
     30,000 *Corn Products International, Inc. ................          757,500
     23,027 Hershey Foods Corp. ...............................        1,575,910
      3,000 *Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. ..................          117,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      18,742,598
                                                                  --------------
            FOREST PRODUCTS - 0.2%
     88,000 Union Camp Corp. ..................................        3,465,000
     90,000 Willamette Industries, Inc. .......................        2,581,875
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       6,046,875
                                                                  --------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 6.8%
    431,400 Abbott Laboratories................................       18,738,937
      1,750 *Alza Corp. Warrants $65.00
             Expiring 12/31/99.................................              656
    423,800 American Home Products Corp. ......................       22,196,525
     70,000 Baxter International, Inc. ........................        4,165,000
     45,600 Beckman Coulter Inc................................        2,354,100
    101,200 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ..........................       10,512,150
    180,900 Columbia / HCA Healthcare Corp.....................        3,629,306
     23,000 *Covance, Inc......................................          596,563
    152,000 First Health Group Corp. ..........................        3,686,000
     29,400 Glaxo Wellcome Plc, ADR............................        1,679,475
     68,550 Guidant Corp. .....................................        5,089,838
     64,000 HBO & Co. .........................................        1,848,000
     88,500 *Health Management Associates,
             Inc. Cl. A .......................................        1,615,125
     20,000 IMS Health, Inc....................................        1,238,750
    114,500 Johnson & Johnson..................................        8,959,625
    312,524 Lilly (Eli) & Co. .................................       24,474,536
    130,000 *Lincare Holdings, Inc. ...........................        5,037,500
     81,666 *Maxxim Medical, Inc. .............................        2,097,795
    160,000 McKesson Corp. ....................................       14,660,000
    151,750 *MedPartners, Inc. ................................          493,188
     96,600 Medtronic, Inc. ...................................        5,590,725
    167,758 Merck & Co., Inc. .................................       21,735,146
     89,500 Pfizer, Inc........................................        9,481,406
     11,500 *Quest Diagnostics, Inc. ..........................          189,750
    157,000 Schering-Plough Corp. .............................       16,259,312
      9,200 Shared Medical System Corp. .......................          489,325
     32,400 Warner-Lambert Co. ................................        2,446,200
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     189,264,933
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              41
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
              1.1%
    155,970 Autoliv, Inc.......................................   $    4,289,175
     40,000 Bemis Co., Inc. ...................................        1,402,500
    147,000 Corning, Inc. .....................................        4,327,312
     64,600 *Halter Marine Group, Inc. ........................          734,825
     91,000 Parker Hannifin Corp. .............................        2,701,563
     30,000 Pittston Brink's Group.............................        1,050,000
    190,000 Snap-on, Inc. .....................................        5,854,375
      6,000 *Strattec Security Corp. ..........................          159,000
     35,000 Sundstrand Corp. ..................................        1,623,125
    378,000 Timken Co. ........................................        5,717,250
     50,000 Trinity Industries, Inc. ..........................        1,621,875
     55,000 *UCAR International, Inc. .........................          990,000
     38,000 *Unova, Inc. ......................................          624,625
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      31,095,625
                                                                  --------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 7.0%
     35,000 America Online, Inc. ..............................        3,893,750
     38,000 *BMC Software, Inc. ...............................        2,282,375
    154,133 Compaq Computer Corp. .............................        4,874,456
     37,500 Computer Associates
             International, Inc................................        1,387,500
     49,000 Computer Sciences Corp. ...........................        2,670,500
     40,000 *Dell Computer Corp................................        2,630,000
     40,000 *EMC Corp. ........................................        2,287,500
    524,800 Hewlett-Packard Co.................................       27,781,600
    809,600 Intel Corp. .......................................       69,423,200
    180,000 International Business
             Machines Corp. ...................................       23,040,000
    370,000 *Microsoft Corp. ..................................       40,723,125
     30,190 *Peoplesoft, Inc. .................................          984,949
    224,000 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ...........................       11,158,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     193,136,955
                                                                  --------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.1%
    127,479 Disney Walt Co. ...................................        3,226,812
                                                                  --------------
            MACHINERY -
              DIVERSIFIED - 0.1%
     79,900 W.W. Grainger, Inc. ...............................        3,365,787
                                                                  --------------
            OIL / ENERGY - 1.4%
    189,000 Amoco Corp. .......................................       10,182,375
    113,500 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ......................        6,185,750
    289,000 Equitable Resources, Inc. .........................        7,351,437
    102,400 Exxon Corp. .......................................        7,187,200
     91,800 Mobil Corp.........................................        6,971,063
        900 Pennzoil Co. ......................................           31,556
     86,206 *Seitel, Inc.......................................          932,102
      1,200 Sonat, Inc.........................................           35,850
     33,877 Union Pacific Resource
             Group, Inc. ......................................          417,111
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      39,294,444
                                                                  --------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.5%
     83,430 Baker Hughes, Inc. ................................        1,746,816
     23,600 Halliburton Co. ...................................          674,075
     47,200 *R & B Falcon Corp.................................          566,400
    217,800 Schlumberger Ltd...................................       10,958,062
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,945,353
                                                                  --------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.2%
     85,000 Kimberly-Clark Corp. ..............................        3,442,500
     37,520 *Sealed Air Corp...................................        1,195,950
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       4,638,450
                                                                  --------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING
             & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.6%
     80,000 Belo (A.H.) Corp. Ser. A ..........................        1,600,000
    128,620 CBS Corp...........................................        3,119,035
     20,000 *Cox Communications,
             Inc. Cl. A........................................        1,092,500
     99,400 Time Warner, Inc. .................................        8,703,712
      3,000 Washington Post Co., Cl. B.........................        1,533,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,048,247
                                                                  --------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.7%
     38,000 *Alexander's, Inc. REIT............................        2,916,500
    111,992 Archstone Communities Trust........................        2,281,837
     24,100 Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT......................          537,731
     50,000 Avalon Bay Community, Inc. REIT....................        1,703,125
     73,100 Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT....................          762,981
    150,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT.......................        4,275,000
     50,009 Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT.....................        1,050,189
    140,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.......................        2,677,500
     28,917 Camden Property Trust REIT.........................          807,869
    800,000 Canadian Hotel Properties REIT.....................        4,772,362
    280,400 Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT.......................        1,016,450
    171,900 CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT......................        3,921,469
    110,000 Chelsea GCA Realty, Inc. REIT......................        3,767,500
    376,700 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT...........        9,511,675
    305,300 Crown American Realty Trust REIT...................        2,614,131
    200,000 Entertainment Properties Trust REIT................        3,700,000
     42,500 Equity Residential
             Properties Trust REIT.............................        1,792,969
    105,200 Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT....................        3,261,200
    115,000 FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. REIT.....................        2,795,937
     10,700 Gables Residential Trust REIT......................          286,894
    174,000 Glimcher Realty Trust REIT.........................        2,979,750
     28,000 Highwoods Properties, Inc. REIT....................          777,000
     72,419 *Homestead Village Properties, Inc. ...............          620,088
     16,068 Horizon Group Properties, Inc. REIT................           38,162
     50,300 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT...............        1,018,575
    140,000 Innkeepers USA Trust REIT..........................        1,662,500
    111,500 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT...........................        2,564,500
    199,700 *Konover Property Trust, Inc. REIT.................        1,397,900
    132,000 Kranzco Realty Trust REIT..........................        2,153,250
     45,000 Liberty Property Trust REIT........................        1,071,563
    175,000 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT........................        5,250,000
    250,000 Marriott International, Inc. Cl. A.................        5,968,750
    115,000 Meditrust Co. REIT.................................        1,962,187


42
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                            Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            REAL ESTATE - CONTINUED
    117,783 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT............   $    1,501,733
    200,000 Philips International Reality Corp. REIT...........        3,062,500
    268,713 Post Property, Inc. REIT...........................       10,362,245
    166,500 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT.....................        3,975,187
    229,436 Prime Retail, Inc. ................................        2,251,341
     76,817 Prologis Trust.....................................        1,737,985
     90,000 Public Storage, Inc. REIT..........................        2,413,125
     31,250 *Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc. ..................          937,500
    100,000 Sovran Self Storage, Inc. REIT.....................        2,625,000
     70,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT......................        2,572,500
    262,750 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT...............        8,013,875
     14,000 Storage USA, Inc. REIT.............................          484,750
    140,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT................        1,268,750
     43,500 Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. REIT...........          986,906
      2,200 TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. REIT...........           71,775
    135,000 Trizec Hahn Corp...................................        2,531,250
     75,705 Vornado Realty Trust REIT..........................        2,507,728
     30,000 Western Investment Real Estate Trust REIT..........          384,375
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     129,606,069
                                                                  --------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.7%
    120,000 *Autozone, Inc. ...................................        2,955,000
    236,511 Avnet, Inc. .......................................        8,706,561
     35,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ...........................        1,658,125
     46,400 Dayton Hudson Corp. ...............................        1,658,800
     54,834 Dollar General Corp. ..............................        1,459,949
     77,186 Family Dollar Stores, Inc. ........................        1,215,679
     21,000 Gap, Inc. .........................................        1,107,750
     30,000 *Whole Foods Market, Inc. .........................        1,263,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      20,025,614
                                                                  --------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.2%
     55,000 *ICG Communications, Inc. .........................          928,125
     36,000 *Intermedia Communications, Inc. ..................          884,250
     60,000 *Qwest Communications International, Inc. .........        1,878,750
    106,000 *Telephone Save Holdings, Inc. ....................        1,185,875
     33,165 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A..............          986,659
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,863,659
                                                                  --------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.0% (A)
     34,900 Superior Uniform Group, Inc. ......................          431,888
                                                                  --------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.5%
    176,300 Golden West Financial Corp. .......................       14,423,544
                                                                  --------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.1%
     75,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. ................        2,400,000
     27,200 *FDX Corp. ........................................        1,227,400
    163,600 GATX Corp. ........................................        5,409,025
     17,000 Roadway Express, Inc. .............................          187,000
     58,410 Southwest Airlines Co. ............................        1,168,200
    469,000 Union Pacific Corp. ...............................       19,991,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      30,382,750
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.2%
    403,700 Central Hudson Gas &
             Electric Corp. ...................................       16,904,937
    138,400 Energy East Corp. .................................        7,058,400
     33,300 Orange & Rockland
             Utilities, Inc. ..................................        1,827,338
     40,000 *PP&L Resources, Inc. .............................        1,035,000
    100,000 *Public Service Enterprise
             Group, Inc. ......................................        3,931,250
     32,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. .............................        1,118,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      31,874,925
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 0.3%
    276,636 *Marketspan Corp. .................................        7,935,995
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.2%
     72,766 ALLTEL Corp........................................        3,447,289
      2,000 Ameritech Corp. ...................................           94,750
     10,000 AT&T Corp..........................................          584,375
    348,080 Bell Atlantic Corp. ...............................       16,860,125
      1,600 BellSouth Corp. ...................................          120,400
    110,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. .............................        2,860,000
     65,500 Compania de Telecom de
             Chile SA, ADR.....................................        1,252,688
    592,300 Frontier Corp. ....................................       16,214,212
    376,400 GTE Corp. .........................................       20,702,000
     34,000 *McLeod USA, Inc., Cl. A...........................          743,750
      2,400 SBC Communications, Inc. ..........................          106,650
    351,000 Sprint Corp........................................       25,272,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      88,258,239
                                                                  --------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $1,219,215,696).............................    1,627,826,083
                                                                  --------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.8%

            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
     70,000 Cendant Corp. 7.50%................................        1,750,000
                                                                  --------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.0%
      3,557 Aetna, Inc.
             6.25%, Ser. C.....................................          249,213
      1,000 Conseco, Inc.
             7.00%, PRIDES.....................................          108,000
      2,500 SunAmerica, Inc.
             $3.188, PERCS.....................................          128,281
                                                                  --------------
                                                                         485,494
                                                                  --------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
              0.1%
     50,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%, 144A.......................................        2,050,000
                                                                  --------------
            METAL PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
    100,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A................................        3,625,000
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              43
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED

            OIL FIELD SERVICES -
              0.1%
     70,000 EVI, Inc. 5.00%, 144A..............................   $    2,240,000
                                                                  --------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
     33,250 *Sealed Air Corp.
             $2.00, Ser A......................................        1,201,156
                                                                  --------------
            REAL ESTATE - 0.1%
     95,000 First Union Real Estate Equity
             8.40%, Ser. A.....................................        2,113,750
     76,863 Prime Retail, Inc.
             Ser. B. 8.50%.....................................        1,306,671
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       3,420,421
                                                                  --------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.2%
      1,300 Kmart Financing I 7.75%............................           65,000
    160,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 8.50%
             (exchangeable for Dollar
             General Corp. common stock).......................        5,760,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,825,000
                                                                  --------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $26,544,604)................................       20,597,071
                                                                  --------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.2%

            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS - 0.1%
 $  500,000 Home Depot, Inc.
             3.25%, 10/1/01....................................          872,500
                                                                  --------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.0% (A)
    800,000 Personnel Group Of
             America, Inc.
             5.75%, 7/1/04.....................................          728,000
                                                                  --------------
            ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - 0.0%
    100,000 Waste Management, Inc.
             4.00%, 2/1/02.....................................          121,625
                                                                  --------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.1%
  2,100,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.....................................        2,013,375
    750,000 Simula, Inc.
             8.00%, 5/1/04.....................................          767,812
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       2,781,187
                                                                  --------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $4,280,000).................................        4,503,312
                                                                  --------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 0.0% (A)
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 0.0% (A)
    210,000 Arco Chemical Co.
             10.25%, 11/1/10...................................          240,500
                                                                  --------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.0% (A)
    500,000 Chrysler Financial Corp.
             6.95%, 3/25/02....................................          528,127
                                                                  --------------
            Total Corporate Bonds
             (cost $764,924)...................................          768,627
                                                                  --------------

 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 29.0%

             GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 0.8%
 $   500,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
              6.44%, 1/28/00...................................   $      510,745
             Federal National Mortgage Association
     500,000 5.94%, 12/12/05...................................          529,557
   1,250,000 6.21%, 8/6/38.....................................        1,356,736
             Tennessee Valley Authority
   8,000,000 7.25%, 7/15/43....................................        8,803,720
  10,000,000 7.85%, 6/15/44, Ser. A............................       10,878,850
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      22,079,608
                                                                  --------------
             TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 28.2%
             U.S. Treasury Bonds
  78,000,000 6.00%, 2/15/26....................................       87,311,328
 170,000,000 6.25%, 8/15/23....................................      194,703,210
  36,340,000 6.75%, 8/15/26....................................       44,630,099
 125,000,000 7.125%, 2/15/23...................................      157,929,750
  49,500,000 7.25%, 5/15/16....................................       61,565,674
   7,000,000 7.625%, 11/15/22..................................        9,318,757
  10,000,000 8.00%, 11/15/21...................................       13,750,010
  50,000,000 8.125%, 8/15/19...................................       68,640,650
  25,000,000 8.125%, 5/15/21...................................       34,679,700
  30,000,000 8.375%, 8/15/08...................................       35,081,280
  10,000,000 8.50%, 2/15/20....................................       14,253,130
     665,000 8.75%, 5/15/17....................................          950,327
   7,000,000 10.00%, 5/15/10...................................        9,150,316
   1,000,000 10.625%, 8/15/15..................................        1,634,063
             U.S. Treasury Notes
  30,000,000 5.75%, 8/15/03....................................       31,846,890
   2,000,000 5.875%, 11/15/99..................................        2,028,126
     350,000 5.875%, 2/15/00...................................          356,235
   2,000,000 6.00%, 6/30/99....................................        2,020,626
   1,500,000 6.00%, 8/15/99....................................        1,517,814
     500,000 6.00%, 10/15/99...................................          507,188
   1,000,000 6.125%, 9/30/00...................................        1,033,438
     400,000 6.25%, 3/31/99....................................          403,375
     500,000 6.375%, 1/15/00...................................          511,251
     900,000 6.50%, 5/31/01....................................          947,251
   1,130,000 6.50%, 8/15/05....................................        1,273,722
   1,000,000 6.625%, 3/31/02...................................        1,072,188
     500,000 6.875%, 5/15/06...................................          578,125
   3,235,000 7.50%, 11/15/01...................................        3,526,153
     600,000 7.50%, 2/15/05....................................          703,501
     700,000 7.75%, 11/30/99...................................          724,938
   1,105,000 8.875%, 11/15/98..................................        1,110,871
     110,000 8.875%, 2/15/99...................................          111,719
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     783,871,705
                                                                  --------------
             Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
              (cost $693,509,858)..............................      805,951,313
                                                                  --------------

44
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.0%

             COMMERCIAL PAPER - 10.3%
 $15,302,000 *Aon Corporation
              5.40%, 11/6/98....................................  $   15,219,369
   3,895,000 Avnet, Inc.
              5.53%, 10/1/98....................................       3,895,000
  17,000,000 Avon Capital Corp.
              5.48%, 11/9/98....................................      16,899,077
  27,700,000 Barton Capital Corp.
              5.25%, 11/20/98...................................      27,498,021
     560,000 BHF Finance (De), Inc.
              5.52%, 10/1/98....................................         560,000
  18,900,000 BTR Dunlop Finance, Inc.
              5.48%, 10/29/98...................................      18,819,444
  12,500,000 Citizens Utilities Co.
              5.22%, 11/24/98...................................      12,402,125
   4,800,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
              5.56%, 10/28/98...................................       4,779,984
   4,970,000 Duff & Phelps Utilities Income, Inc. 5.51%,
              10/13/98..........................................       4,960,872
             Duke Capital Corp..................................
   7,450,000 5.53%, 10/6/98.....................................       7,444,278
   6,960,000 5.53%, 10/8/98.....................................       6,952,516
  15,525,000 Frigate Funding Corp.
              5.55%, 10/23/98...................................      15,472,344
  21,200,000 Monte Rosa Capital Corp.
              5.52%, 10/16/98...................................      21,151,240
  10,000,000 Oil Insurance Ltd.
              5.53%, 10/27/98...................................       9,960,061
  16,900,000 Old Line Funding Corp.
              5.52%, 11/4/98....................................      16,811,895
  14,420,000 Park Avenue Recreation Corp. 5.52%, 10/28/98......       14,360,301
  25,000,000 Silver Tower US Funding, Llc
              5.50%, 10/30/98..................................       24,889,236
     465,000 Sothebys Incorporated
              5.53%, 11/6/98...................................          462,428
  21,100,000 Southern Co.
              5.50%, 10/15/98..................................       21,054,869
   2,800,000 Star Marketers Acceptance Corporation
              5.55%, 10/27/98..................................        2,788,777
  20,400,000 Tiger Managers Acceptance Corp. 5.56%, 10/6/98....       20,384,247
  19,100,000 Toys "R" Us, Inc.
              5.20%, 11/24/98..................................       18,951,020
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     285,717,104
                                                                  --------------
             U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 0.7%
  20,600,000 Federal Farm Credit Bank
              Discount Notes
              5.40%, 10/7/98...................................       20,581,460
                                                                  --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $306,298,564)..............................      306,298,564
                                                                  --------------
             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $2,250,613,646).....................    99.6%  2,765,944,970
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET.........................     0.4      10,520,825
                                                           -----  --------------
             NET ASSETS.................................   100.0% $2,776,465,795
                                                           =====  ==============

 *   Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 117,000 shares of common stock
     of First Union Corp. at a cost of $2,358,411. During the six months
     ended September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $43,290 in dividend income
     from this investment. These shares were purchased by the Fund prior to
     the acquisition of the investment advisor.
(a)  Less than one-tenth percent.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
PERCSPreferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              45
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - 45.5%

            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.4%
     45,000 Boeing Co. ..........................................   $  1,544,063
                                                                    ------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.3%
     65,000 * Sonic Automative, Inc. ............................      1,287,813
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 7.6%
     39,200 BancorpSouth, Inc....................................        705,600
     39,000 BankBoston Corp......................................      1,287,000
     50,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. ...........................        862,500
     40,000 Chase Manhattan Corp.................................      1,730,000
     28,100 CitiCorp.............................................      2,611,544
     30,000 * Civic Bancorp......................................        390,000
      7,500 Comerica, Inc. ......................................        411,094
     14,000 Crestar Financial Corp...............................        794,500
      4,660 Dime Bancorp, Inc....................................        117,956
      3,000 First Union Corp.**..................................        153,563
     14,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc...........................      1,028,125
     60,000 Huntington Bancshares, Inc...........................      1,507,500
     17,325 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................        271,786
     41,000 KeyCorp..............................................      1,183,875
      4,000 M & T Bank Corp......................................      1,844,000
     19,800 National City Corp. .................................      1,305,562
     11,875 NationsBank Corp. ...................................        635,313
     15,750 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........        508,922
     45,000 Republic New York Corp. .............................      1,777,500
     15,000 Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida Cl. A..............        446,250
     62,255 SouthTrust Corp......................................      2,175,034
     32,000 Suntrust Banks, Inc..................................      1,984,000
     85,000 Westamerica Bancorp..................................      2,459,687
     40,000 Wilmington Trust Corp. ..............................      2,080,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      28,271,311
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 2.9%
     36,000 Carlisle Companies, Inc. ............................      1,401,750
     55,000 Clayton Homes, Inc...................................        962,500
     75,650 D.R. Horton, Inc.....................................      1,210,400
     47,100 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................        924,338
     32,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ..............................      1,018,000
     55,000 Royal Group Technologies Ltd. .......................        921,250
     50,000 Ryland Group, Inc. ..................................      1,218,750
     39,100 Shelby Williams Industries, Inc......................        449,650
     40,000 Standard Pacific Corp. ..............................        565,000
     83,500 * Toll Brothers, Inc. ...............................      1,915,281
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,586,919
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 0.1%
     17,500 * Crescent Operating, Inc. ..........................        122,500
     10,000 First Data Corp......................................        235,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         357,500
                                                                    ------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 0.9%
     44,600 Caterpillar, Inc.....................................      1,987,487
     40,000 Deere & Co...........................................      1,210,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,197,487
                                                                    ------------
            CHEMICALS & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS - 2.1%
     60,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ....................      3,367,500
     10,000 H.B. Fuller Co.......................................        378,750
     35,000 Monsanto Co. ........................................      1,973,125
     11,000 Morton International, Inc. ..........................        240,625
     20,000 Schulman (A.), Inc. .................................        282,500
     56,100 Sigma-Aldrich Corp. .................................      1,619,887
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,862,387
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.4%
     10,000 Adidas AG ADS, 144A..................................        568,100
     77,788 Cendant Corp. .......................................        904,285
     12,000 Gucci Group..........................................        433,500
     40,000 Harman International Industries, Inc. ...............      1,467,500
     32,100 Russ Berrie & Co., Inc. .............................        611,906
     51,600 St. John Knits, Inc. ................................        832,050
     10,500 Toro Co. ............................................        217,219
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,034,560
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 3.7%
     48,800 AMP, Inc. ...........................................      1,744,600
      6,600 Applied Power, Inc., Cl. A...........................        180,263
     14,000 General Electric Co. ................................      1,113,875
     17,000 Honeywell, Inc. .....................................      1,089,063
     54,700 Perkin Elmer Corp. ..................................      3,757,206
     89,000 * SCI Systems, Inc. .................................      2,397,437
     18,500 Thomas & Betts Corp..................................        704,156
     66,000 W.W. Grainger, Inc. .................................      2,780,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,766,850
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 8.2%
     27,000 American International Group, Inc. ..................      2,079,000
     16,000 Chubb Corp...........................................      1,008,000
     20,000 Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc...................        832,500
      6,000 Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc................        177,375
     20,000 FBL Financial Group, Inc., Cl. A ....................        461,250
     21,000 Federal National Mortgage Association................      1,349,250
     20,000 * FPIC Insurance Group, Inc..........................        555,000
     33,000 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ......................        437,250
     62,000 Horace Mann Educators Corp...........................      1,860,000
     47,100 Interstate/Johnson Lane, Inc.........................      1,365,900
     95,866 Legg Mason, Inc. ....................................      2,522,474
     68,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc........................      1,921,000
      8,500 Lincoln National Corp. ..............................        699,125
      8,000 MBIA, Inc. ..........................................        429,500
     45,000 Mercury General Corp. ...............................      1,687,500
     41,500 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ...........................      1,966,063
     77,700 MGIC Investment Corp. ...............................      2,865,187


46
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - CONTINUED

            FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
    101,700 Morgan Keegan, Inc...................................   $  1,798,819
     40,500 NAC RE Corporation...................................      1,994,625
     28,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A............      1,272,250
     83,800 Paine Webber Group, Inc..............................      2,514,000
      4,500 Progressive Corp. Ohio...............................        507,375
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      30,303,443
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.2%
     40,000 Coca-Cola Co., ADR...................................        487,500
     15,000 International Home Foods, Inc........................        202,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         690,000
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 3.3%
     39,000 Abbott Laboratories..................................      1,694,062
     39,000 Alza Corp............................................      1,691,625
     40,000 American Home Products Corp..........................      2,095,000
     55,400 Beckman Coulter Inc..................................      2,860,025
     38,000 First Health Group Corp. ............................        921,500
     10,000 * Lincare Holdings, Inc..............................        387,500
     12,000 Medtronic, Inc.......................................        694,500
      5,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ...................................        647,812
     10,000 Pfizer, Inc..........................................      1,059,375
      5,000 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................        265,938
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,317,337
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.9%
     39,151 Autoliv, Inc.........................................      1,076,652
      7,500 * Chemfab Corp.......................................        146,953
     24,000 Furon Co.............................................        417,000
     25,000 * Meade Instruments Corp.............................        242,188
     31,700 Park Electrochemical Corp............................        431,912
     13,900 Snap-on, Inc. .......................................        428,294
     20,000 Timken Co............................................        302,500
     20,000 * UCAR International, Inc............................        360,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,405,499
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 2.4%
     25,000 Computer Sciences Corp...............................      1,362,500
     34,000 * Etec Systems, Inc. ................................        886,125
     10,000 * Gateway 2000, Inc..................................        521,250
     24,000 Hewlett-Packard Co...................................      1,270,500
     34,000 Intel Corp...........................................      2,915,500
     12,000 International Business Machines Corp. ...............      1,536,000
     10,000 * Sun Microsystems, Inc..............................        498,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,990,000
                                                                    ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
     20,000 Precision Castparts Corp.............................        825,000
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 1.0%
     10,000 Amoco Corp. .........................................        538,750
     10,000 Equitable Resources, Inc. ...........................        254,375
     25,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc.............................        867,187
     70,000 Williams Companies, Inc..............................      2,012,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,672,812
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.3%
     25,000 Schlumberger Ltd.....................................      1,257,813
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.2%
     20,000 * Sealed Air Corp....................................        637,500
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.2%
     30,000 Belo (A.H.) Corp., Ser. A............................        600,000
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.2%
     17,300 * Alexander's, Inc. REIT.............................      1,327,775
     60,000 AMB Property Corp. REIT..............................      1,548,750
      3,485 Archstone Cmntys Trust...............................         71,007
     39,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT.........................      1,111,500
     20,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.........................        382,500
     25,000 Capital Trust, Cl. A.................................        162,500
     12,000 Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT.........................         43,500
     70,000 Del Webb Corp........................................      1,474,375
     52,000 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT..................      1,274,000
     45,831 * Homestead Village Properties, Inc..................        392,428
      1,480 Horizon Group Properties, Inc. REIT..................          3,515
     40,000 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT.................        810,000
     25,000 Inversiones y Representaciones
             SA, GDR.............................................        537,500
     40,000 * John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., Cl. A................        180,000
     66,500 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT.............................      1,529,500
     40,000 Newhall Land & Farming Co. ..........................        935,000
     40,393 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT..............        515,011
     20,000 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT.......................        477,500
     21,133 Prime Retail, Inc....................................        207,368
     10,000 SL Green Realty Corp. REIT...........................        210,000
     45,000 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT.................      1,372,500
     95,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT..................        860,937
     15,000 Trizec Hahn Corp. ...................................        281,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,708,416
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.1%
     18,000 Avnet, Inc...........................................        662,625
     44,700 Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc...........................      1,620,375
     60,000 * Saks, Inc..........................................      1,346,250
     80,000 SED International Holdings, Inc......................        405,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,034,250
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.8%
     18,000 Bank United Corp.....................................        644,625
     15,000 BankUnited Financial Corp............................        165,000
     10,000 Golden West Financial Corp...........................        818,125


                                                                              47
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - CONTINUED

            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - CONTINUED
     30,000 Mech Financial, Inc.................................   $    750,000
     29,298 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc...............................        639,063
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,016,813
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.8%
     47,000 * Airnet Systems, Inc...............................        778,438
     35,000 GATX Corp...........................................      1,157,187
     54,550 Midwest Express Holdings, Inc.......................      1,827,425
     65,000 Union Pacific Corp..................................      2,770,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      6,533,675
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES--ELECTRIC - 0.1%
      9,900 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ..............................        345,881
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES--TELEPHONE - 1.2%
     50,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. ..............................      1,300,000
     66,000 Frontier Corp.......................................      1,806,750
     18,000 Sprint Corp.........................................      1,296,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,402,750
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stock (cost $175,958,202)..............    168,650,079
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.7%
            BANKS - 0.5%
     63,000 WBK Trust, 10.00%, STRYPES (exchangeable for Westpac
             Banking Corp. common stock)........................      1,740,375
                                                                   ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 0.0% (A)
      7,080 Prime Retail, Inc. 8.50% Ser. B.....................        120,360
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.2%
     20,000 CNF Trust I, 5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for
             CNF Transportation, Inc. common stock).............        960,000
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
             (cost $3,156,477)..................................      2,820,735
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.1%
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 0.0%
    150,000 Personnel Group Of America, Inc., 5.75%, 7/01/04....        136,500
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.1%
    250,000 Parker Drilling Co.,
             5.50%, 8/1/04......................................        187,500
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $400,000)....................................        324,000
                                                                   ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - 52.6%

            ALABAMA - 2.0%
 $3,000,000 Alabama Water Pollution Control Auth.
             5.50%, 8/15/16.....................................   $  3,184,650
  4,000,000 Jefferson County Alabama Sewer Revenue Wts Series D
             5.75%, 2/1/22 (FGIC)...............................      4,375,200
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,559,850
                                                                   ------------
            ALASKA - 1.1%
    935,000 Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp.
             Mtge. RB, 1996 Ser. A
             6.05%, 12/1/17 (MBIA)..............................      1,002,797
  1,500,000 Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp.
             Mtge. RB Ser. A-1
             5.30%, 12/1/12 (MBIA)..............................      1,558,890
  1,500,000 Alaska Industrial Development + Export Auth.
             5.00%, 1/1/27......................................      1,484,205
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,045,892
                                                                   ------------
            ARIZONA - 0.2%
    500,000 City of Tucson
             GO, Ser. 1995
             5.70%, 7/1/08 (FGIC)...............................        550,230
                                                                   ------------
            CALIFORNIA - 4.1%
  2,500,000 California Health Facilities Fin.
             5.13%, 8/15/22.....................................      2,521,650
  1,000,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB
             5.30%, 8/1/28......................................      1,014,870
    700,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB Ser. I 5.75%, 2/1/29
             (MBIA).............................................        736,869
    500,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             RB Home Mtge. Ser. L
             5.35%, 8/1/17......................................        518,475
  1,000,000 California St. Public Wks Board
             5.25%, 12/1/13.....................................      1,069,500
  1,200,000 Los Angeles Cnty. Pub. Works Fin. Auth. RB Regional
             Park & Open Space Dist. A
             5.00%, 10/1/16.....................................      1,237,944
  1,000,000 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transport Dist.
             Sales Tax RB
             5.25%, 7/1/18......................................      1,053,740
  3,150,000 San Francisco California Int'l Arpt. Revenue
             5.25%, 5/1/13......................................      3,355,285
  2,000,000 San Francisco City & Cnty. Int'l Arpt.
             RB Ser. Issue 10-A, (AMT)
             5.70%, 5/1/26 (MBIA)...............................      2,141,680
    500,000 Simi Valley Unified Sch. Dist.
             Refunding Capital Improvement Proj. Cert. Part.
             5.25%, 8/1/22......................................        536,895
  1,000,000 Southern CA Pub. Pwr. Auth.
             RB (Mead Adelanto Proj.) Ser. A
             5.00%, 7/1/17 (AMBAC)..............................      1,019,880
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     15,206,788
                                                                   ------------


48
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            COLORADO - 0.7%
 $1,000,000 Denver City & Cnty.
             Arpt. RB Ser. D
             5.50%, 11/15/25 (MBIA).............................   $  1,061,700
  1,500,000 Jefferson County Sch. Dist.
             R001 (FGIC)
             5.00%, 12/15/17....................................      1,532,865
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,594,565
                                                                   ------------
            DELAWARE - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Delaware Econ. Dev. Auth.
             RB (The Osteopathic Hosp. Assoc. of
             Delaware/Riverside Hosp.), Ser. A
             6.50%, 1/1/08......................................      1,137,720
                                                                   ------------
            DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 2.1%
  1,900,000 District of Columbia Revenue Carnegie Endowment
             5.75%, 11/15/26 ...................................      2,014,247
  5,500,000 Metropolitan DC Arpts. Auth.
             RB Ser. B
             5.50%, 10/1/23 (AMT)...............................      5,735,290
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,749,537
                                                                   ------------
            FLORIDA - 2.4%
    300,000 Dade Cnty. Aviation
             RRB, Ser. 1995A
             6.10%, 10/1/11 (AMBAC).............................        339,423
  1,250,000 Florida Housing Fin. Corp. Revenue
             5.35%, 1/1/21......................................      1,272,288
  2,000,000 Florida St. Board Of Education
             Capital Outlay
             5.50%, 6/1/15......................................      2,132,380
  2,500,000 Gainesville Florida Utilities Systems Revenue
             5.50%, 10/1/13.....................................      2,648,750
  2,500,000 Sunrise Florida Utilities Systems Revenue
             5.00%, 10/1/28.....................................      2,570,325
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      8,963,166
                                                                   ------------
            ILLINOIS - 3.8%
  1,000,000 Chicago Board of Ed.
             GO (School Reform Proj.)
             6.75%, 12/1/09 (AMBAC).............................      1,220,410
  5,315,000 Chicago Illinois Skyway Toll Bridge 5.50%, 1/1/23...      5,639,587
  1,600,000 Cook County Illinois GO
             5.63%, 11/15/22....................................      1,717,936
  5,000,000 Illinois Educational Facilities Auth. Revenue
             5.00%, 7/1/24......................................      4,935,450
    450,000 Illinois Sales Tax RB Ser. V
             6.38%, 6/15/17.....................................        511,776
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,025,159
                                                                   ------------
            INDIANA - 1.4%
  2,000,000 Indiana Hsg. Fin.
             Single Family Mtge. RB Ser. A-2 5.15%, 7/1/17
             (FNMA/GNMA)........................................      2,039,240
  3,000,000 Marion County, Ind. In Cnvtn & Rectl
             Fac. Auth. RB
             5.00%, 6/1/27......................................      2,990,730
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,029,970
                                                                   ------------
            MAINE - 0.4%
  1,000,000 Maine Hlth. & High Edl. Facs. Auth. RB Ser. B
             5.75%, 7/1/26 (AMBAC)..............................      1,082,110
    500,000 Maine Hsg. Auth. Mtge.
             Purchase RB Ser. F-1
             5.50%, 11/15/29....................................        512,945
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,595,055
                                                                   ------------
            MASSACHUSETTS - 4.8%
  4,750,000 Massachusetts St. Industrial Fin. Agency
             5.25%, 7/1/27......................................      4,895,302
    250,000 Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             Hsg. Proj. RRB, 1993 Ser. A 5.95%, 10/1/08
             (AMBAC)............................................        267,343
    250,000 Massachusetts Bay Trans. Auth.
             General Trans. Sys. Bonds,
             Ser. 1994A
             7.00%, 3/1/08......................................        305,292
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Bay Trans. Auth.
             RB (Refunding Gen. Trans. Sys. A)
             7.00%, 3/1/14......................................      1,265,480
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB (AMT) Single Family
             Ser. 59 5.40%, 6/1/20 (MBIA).......................      1,034,070
  2,500,000 Massachusetts Port. Auth.
             RB Ser. A
             5.00%, 7/1/27......................................      2,492,250
  2,500,000 Massachusetts St. Health Educational Facilities
             5.00%, 6/1/26......................................      2,505,375
  2,500,000 Massachusetts St. Industrial Finance Agency
             5.00%, 9/1/23......................................      2,499,900
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Tpke. Auth.
             RB Senior Ser. A
             5.13%, 1/1/23 (MBIA)...............................      1,009,850
  1,300,000 Massachusetts Tpke. Auth.
             RB (Western Tpke.) Ser. A 5.55%, 1/1/17 (MBIA).....      1,332,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     17,607,362
                                                                   ------------
            MICHIGAN - 1.5%
  1,030,000 Detroit Wtr. Supply Sys.
             RB Sr. Lien Ser. A
             5.75%, 7/1/11 (MBIA)...............................      1,160,233
    300,000 Michigan Muni. Bond Auth.
             RB (Local Govt. Loan Proj.), Ser 1994G
             6.55%, 11/1/08 (AMBAC).............................        344,259
  2,500,000 Michigan St. Hosp. Fin. Auth.
             RB (FGIC)
             5.63%, 11/1/18.....................................      2,627,125
  1,225,000 Paw Paw Michigan Public School District (FGIC)
             5.00%, 5/1/21......................................      1,267,091
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,398,708
                                                                   ------------


                                                                              49
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            MINNESOTA - 0.6%
 $2,000,000 Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Supply
             (MBIA) 5.75%, 1/1/18...............................   $  2,136,940
                                                                   ------------
            MISSOURI - 3.4%
    435,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Single Family Mtge. RB
             (Homeownership Loan Proj.), 1996 Ser. D 6.00%,
             9/1/17 (Collaterialized by GNMA or FNMA
             Certificates AMT)..................................        461,278
    900,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Single Family Mtge. RB
             (Homeownership Loan Proj.), 1996 Ser. B 6.25%,
             9/1/15 (Collaterialized by GNMA or FNMA
             Certificates)......................................        965,259
    985,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Mtge.
             5.55%, 3/1/29......................................      1,025,356
    500,000 Missouri St. Hsg. Dev. Commission Mtge.
             5.50%, 3/1/25......................................        509,105
  2,500,000 Missouri St. Health & Educational Facility Revenue
             5.00%, 5/15/28.....................................      2,469,400
    775,000 Sikeston Elec. RB
             6.00%, 6/1/13 (MBIA)...............................        901,519
    500,000 St. Louis Board of Ed.
             GO Refunding
             Ser. A (FGIC)
             5.50%, 4/1/10......................................        554,960
    500,000 St. Louis Muni. Fin. Corp.
             Leasehold Rev. Imp. Bonds (City Justice Ctr.), Ser.
             1996A
             5.95%, 2/15/16 (AMBAC).............................        553,245
  1,000,000 St. Louis Regl. Convention & Sports Complex Auth.
             RB Facs. C
             5.30%, 8/15/17 (AMBAC).............................      1,046,770
  4,000,000 University Missouri
             University Revenue
             5.50%, 11/1/21.....................................      4,234,760
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,721,652
                                                                   ------------
            NEBRASKA - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Nebraska Investment Finance Auth. Single Family
             5.60%, 9/1/20......................................      1,018,120
                                                                   ------------
            NEVADA - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Washoe Cnty. GO
             5.00%, 6/1/17 (MBIA)...............................      1,015,350
                                                                   ------------
            NEW JERSEY - 1.2%
  2,500,000 New Jersey Economic Development Pollution (MBIA)
             6.40%, 5/1/32......................................      2,783,025
  1,400,000 New Jersey Tpke. Auth.
             RB Ser. C
             6.50%, 1/1/16 (MBIA)...............................      1,712,382
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,495,407
                                                                   ------------
            NEW YORK - 5.4%
  2,250,000 Long Island Power Auth.
             New York Electric RB
             5.50%, 12/1/29.....................................      2,331,135
  2,500,000 Metro Trans. Auth. NY Commuter Facs. RB Ser. C-2
             5.38%, 7/1/27 (FGIC)...............................      2,618,050
    250,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Homeowner Mtge. RB,
             Ser. 44 (AMT)
             6.60%, 4/1/03......................................        265,515
    975,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Homeowner Mtge. RB,
             Ser. 56 (AMT)
             5.88%, 10/1/19.....................................      1,024,374
  2,500,000 New York St. Dorm. Auth.
             RB (AMBAC)
             5.20%, 2/15/14.....................................      2,599,625
    245,000 New York St. Med. Care Facs. Fin. Agcy. RB (Mental
             Hlth. Svcs. Facs.), 1992 Ser. B
             6.25%, 8/15/10 (AMBAC).............................        265,543
  2,000,000 New York St. Med. Care Facs. Fin. Agcy. RB Refunding
             Hosp. Insured Mtge. A
             5.38%, 2/15/25 (MBIA)..............................      2,050,620
    500,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. RB (Homeowner Mtge.)
             Ser. 63, (AMT)
             5.60%, 4/1/10......................................        527,460
  1,000,000 New York St. Thruway Auth.
             RB Ser. B
             5.00%, 1/1/20 (MBIA)...............................      1,001,130
  1,700,000 New York St. Local Government Assist
             5.38%, 4/1/14......................................      1,781,702
  5,000,000 New York St. Urban Development Corporation
             5.50%, 7/1/16......................................      5,374,500
    250,000 Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey Consolidated
             Bonds, 97th Ser. 2nd Installment (AMT)
             7.00%, 7/15/05 (FGIC)..............................        293,130
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     20,132,784
                                                                   ------------
            NORTH CAROLINA - 0.1%
    500,000 North Carolina Hsg. Fin. Agcy. Single Family Ser.
             00, (Orig. Avg. Life Est.)
             5.80%, 9/1/12 (FHA)................................        535,510
                                                                   ------------
            NORTH DAKOTA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 Mercer Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. RRB (Basin Elec. Pwr.
             Cooperative-Antelope Valley Unit 1 & Common Facs.),
             Second 1995 Ser.
             6.05%, 1/1/19 (AMBAC)..............................      1,102,180
  1,000,000 North Dakota St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy. 5.55%, 7/1/29......      1,020,690
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,122,870
                                                                   ------------


50
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            OHIO - 1.0%
 $  500,000 Akron Econ. Dev. RB
             6.00%, 12/1/12 (MBIA)..............................   $    580,775
    700,000 Board of Ed. Beavercreek Local Sch. Dist. (Cnty. of
             Greene) Sch. Imp. Bonds (Unltd. Tax GO), Ser. 1996
             6.60%, 12/1/15 (FGIC)..............................        864,892
  1,000,000 Cleveland Arpt. Sys. RB Ser. A 5.13%, 1/1/17 (FSA
             AMT)...............................................      1,011,440
  1,000,000 Jefferson Cnty. GO Refunding Improvement (FSA)
             5.70%, 12/1/13.....................................      1,147,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,604,857
                                                                   ------------
            OREGON - 1.0%
  3,500,000 Marion County, Ore. School District Number 103
             5.00%, 11/1/14.....................................      3,678,150
                                                                   ------------
            PENNSYLVANIA - 1.3%
    500,000 Pennsylvania Convention Ctr. Auth.
             RB Ser. A, 1989 Ser. A
             6.70%, 9/1/16 (FGIC)...............................        612,170
  1,000,000 Pennsylvania Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.40%, 10/1/18.....................................      1,023,240
  2,000,000 Pennsylvania St. Higher Educational Facility (MBIA)
             5.75%, 5/1/22......................................      2,205,440
  1,000,000 York Cnty. Solid Waste & Refuse
             Auth. Solid Waste Sys. RB
             5.50%, 12/1/11 (FGIC)..............................      1,109,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,949,850
                                                                   ------------
            SOUTH DAKOTA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 South Dakota Conservancy District (AMBAC)
             5.00%, 8/1/19......................................      1,003,790
  1,235,000 South Dakota Hsg. Dev. Auth.
             RB Homeownership B
             5.25%, 5/1/17......................................      1,264,035
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,267,825
                                                                   ------------
            TENNESSEE - 0.1%
    300,000 Bristol Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Board
             RRB (Bristol Mem. Hosp.),
             Ser. 1993
             6.75%, 9/1/07 (FGIC)...............................        355,428
                                                                   ------------
            TEXAS - 2.7%
  1,000,000 Cypress Fair Independent Sch. Dist.
             5.13%, 2/15/12.....................................      1,046,700
  2,625,000 Dallas, Tx RB
             5.25%, 8/15/16.....................................      2,769,375
  1,000,000 Harris Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Hosp. RB (Memorial Hermann
             Hosp. Sys. Proj.) (FSA)
             5.50%, 6/1/10......................................      1,092,800
  1,000,000 Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
             Contract COP, Ser. 1993J
             6.13%, 12/15/09 (AMBAC)............................      1,153,180
    500,000 Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
             Contract COP, Ser.
             1993H 7.50%, 12/15/10 (AMBAC)......................        643,500
  1,500,000 Irving Independent Sch. Dist. GO
             5.13%, 2/15/18.....................................      1,532,385
    460,000 Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
             4.25%, 4/15/16 (AMBAC).............................        432,299
    460,000 Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
             4.25%, 4/15/17 (AMBAC).............................        431,310
  1,000,000 San Antonio Elec. & Gas RB
             5.25%, 2/1/10......................................      1,073,650
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     10,175,199
                                                                   ------------
            UTAH - 3.6%
  5,000,000 Intermountain Power Agency Utah Revenue
             5.00%, 7/1/20......................................      4,999,600
    500,000 Salt Lake City Hosp. RB
             (IHC Hosp., Inc.)
             6.30%, 2/15/15.....................................        591,265
    500,000 Utah Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB (Single
             Family Mtge.) Ser. B
             6.00%, 7/1/16 (FHA)................................        537,605
  3,000,000 Utah St. Board Regents Revenue
             5.00%, 4/1/20......................................      3,000,000
  2,825,000 Utah St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.35%, 7/1/18......................................      2,865,313
  1,500,000 Utah Str. Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.38%, 7/1/18......................................      1,524,720
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     13,518,503
                                                                   ------------
            VERMONT - 0.4%
  1,315,000 Burlington Elec. RB Ser. A
             6.25%, 7/1/12 (MBIA)...............................      1,560,905
                                                                   ------------
            VIRGINIA - 0.8%
  2,805,000 Medical College Virginia Hosp. Authority
             5.13%, 7/1/18......................................      2,843,120
                                                                   ------------
            WASHINGTON - 1.9%
  3,000,000 Port Seattle Washington Passenger Facility
             5.00%, 12/1/23.....................................      2,999,790
  3,500,000 Seattle Washington Water Systems Revenue
             5.50%, 6/1/18......................................      3,638,180
    500,000 Snohomish Cnty. Sch. Dist. GO
             5.70%, 12/1/15 (FGIC)..............................        545,815
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,183,785
                                                                   ------------
            WEST VIRGINIA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 West Virginia St. Ser. A
             5.75%, 11/1/21 (FGIC)..............................      1,097,290
  1,000,000 West Virginia St. Hsg. Dev. Fund RB Ser. A
             6.05%, 5/1/27......................................      1,074,950
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,172,240
                                                                   ------------

                                                                              51
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            WISCONSIN - 1.0%
 $1,000,000 Wisconsin Clean Wtr.
             RB Ser. 1
             6.88%, 6/1/11......................................   $  1,242,760
  2,000,000 Wisconsin Hsg. & Econ. Dev. Auth.
             5.60%, 3/1/28......................................      2,055,980
    500,000 Wisconsin Hsg. & Econ. Dev. Auth.
             Home Ownership RB Ser. E (AMT)
             6.00%, 9/1/28......................................        529,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,828,365
                                                                   ------------
            WYOMING - 0.6%
  2,000,000 Wyoming Cmny Development Auth. Hsg. Revenue
             5.45%, 12/1/29.....................................      2,041,420
                                                                   ------------
            PUERTO RICO - 0.3%
    500,000 Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. RB Ser. BB
             6.25%, 7/1/10 (MBIA)...............................        595,300
    500,000 Puerto Rico Hsg. Bank & Fin. Agcy.
             RB (Single Family Affordable Hsg.
             Mtge. Subsidy Prog.) Portfolio I
             (AMT)
             5.85%, 4/1/09......................................        531,710
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,127,010
                                                                   ------------
            Total Long Term Municipal Obligations
             (cost $187,823,289)................................    194,949,292
                                                                   ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--0.7%

            MUTUAL FUND SHARES - 0.7%
  2,459,326 Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund (at net asset
             value) (cost $2,459,326)...........................   $  2,459,326
                                                                   ------------
       TOTAL INVESTMENTS -(COST $369,797,295).............    99.6%  369,203,432
       OTHER ASSETS AND
        LIABILITIES - NET.................................     0.4%    1,397,541
                                                             ------ ------------
       NET ASSETS ........................................   100.0% $370,600,973
                                                             ====== ============

*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 3,000 shares of common stock of First
     Union Corp. at a cost of $57,890. During the six months ended September 30,
     1998, the Fund earned $1,710 in dividend income from this investment. These
     shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquisition of the
     investment advisor.
(a)  Less than one-tenth percent.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
AMBACInsured by American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMTSubject to Alternative Minimum Tax
FGICInsured by Federal Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHAInsured by Federal Housing Authority
FNMAInsured by Federal National Mortgage Association
FSAInsured by Financial Security Assurance Company
GDRGlobal Depositary Receipt
GNMAInsured by Government National Mortgage Association
GOGeneral Obligations
MBIAInsured by Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
RBRevenue Bonds
RRBRefunding Revenue Bonds
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

52
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 TAX-
                                                   AMERICAN                                   STRATEGIC
                                                  RETIREMENT     BALANCED       FOUNDATION    FOUNDATION
                                                     FUND          FUND            FUND          FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                             <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>
 ASSETS
 Investments at value (identified cost -
   $209,092,342, $1,343,914,410,
  $2,250,613,646 and $369,797,295,
  respectively)................................  $220,810,868 $1,681,872,279  $2,765,944,970 $369,203,432
 Cash..........................................     1,257,665      4,455,909         144,592            0
 Receivable for investments sold...............     2,495,589     14,371,768       4,546,422    1,011,506
 Receivable for Fund shares sold...............       291,810        895,526       5,042,724    1,038,616
 Dividends and interest receivable.............     1,381,528     11,823,037      11,119,267    3,172,669
 Unrealized appreciation on open forward
  foreign currency exchange contracts..........             0         94,064               0            0
 Unamortized organization expense..............             0              0               0          858
 Prepaid expenses and other assets.............        42,791        241,605          14,767       37,060
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets................................   226,280,251  1,713,754,188   2,786,812,742  374,464,141
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LIABILITIES
 Payable for investments purchased.............     6,220,953      5,045,026       4,585,584    2,873,619
 Payable for Fund shares repurchased...........       154,305      1,696,316       3,525,154      533,386
 Payable for daily variation margin on
  open futures contracts.......................             0      2,598,750               0            0
 Unrealized depreciation on open forward
  foreign currency exchange contracts..........             0      3,249,823               0            0
 Advisory fee payable..........................       134,800        607,173       1,692,881      264,390
 Distribution fee payable......................        30,157        206,708         305,845      127,506
 Due to other related parties..................             0         23,927               0            0
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities........        56,084        166,082         237,483       64,267
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities...........................     6,596,299     13,593,805      10,346,947    3,863,168
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS....................................  $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY
 Paid-in capital...............................  $204,768,293 $1,117,040,430  $2,233,348,078 $365,519,376
 Undistributed net investment income...........       279,754        (54,459)      2,274,845       30,451
 Accumulated undistributed net realized gains
  on securities and foreign currency related
  transactions.................................     2,917,379    250,063,410      25,511,922    5,645,009
 Net unrealized gains or losses on securities,
  futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions.........................    11,718,526    333,111,002     515,330,950     (593,863)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL NET ASSETS............................  $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF
 Class A.......................................  $ 27,808,409 $1,135,759,521  $  339,713,080 $ 82,897,461
 Class B.......................................   153,720,831    529,153,770   1,212,620,999  226,681,831
 Class C.......................................     2,398,489      1,457,495      57,806,154   39,082,400
 Class Y.......................................    35,756,223     33,789,597   1,166,325,562   21,939,281
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Class A.......................................     1,888,175     92,451,286      17,716,767    5,488,092
 Class B.......................................    10,492,533     43,025,280      63,555,265   15,033,660
 Class C.......................................       163,329        118,484       3,029,675    2,596,304
 Class Y.......................................     2,427,447      2,751,790      60,806,042    1,449,531
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
 Class A.......................................  $      14.73 $        12.28  $        19.17 $      15.11
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A - Offering price (based on sales
  charge of 4.75%).............................  $      15.46 $        12.89  $        20.13 $      15.86
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B.......................................  $      14.65 $        12.30  $        19.08 $      15.08
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C.......................................  $      14.69 $        12.30  $        19.08 $      15.05
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class Y.......................................  $      14.73 $        12.28  $        19.18 $      15.14
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              53
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                Six Months Ended September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  TAX-
                                                    AMERICAN                                   STRATEGIC
                                                   RETIREMENT     BALANCED      FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                      FUND          FUND           FUND           FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                              <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding
  taxes of $8,671, $52,606, $28,629 and
  $1,974, respectively).........................  $  2,554,191  $  10,778,759  $  16,917,525  $  1,293,580
 Interest.......................................     2,727,098     26,393,816     31,859,856     5,175,301
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total income.................................     5,281,289     37,172,575     48,777,381     6,468,881
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...................................       886,687      3,911,010     10,394,094     1,559,854
 Distribution Plan expenses.....................       864,821      4,343,232      6,771,467     1,370,629
 Transfer agent fees............................       252,288      1,656,865      2,843,040       209,365
 Administrative service fees....................             0        132,149              0             0
 Trustees fees and expenses.....................         2,660          2,569         14,135         1,243
 Registration fees..............................        38,581        144,724        301,469        51,664
 Custodian fees.................................        30,656        310,557        390,666        48,093
 Professional fees..............................        10,569         25,187         13,479        14,554
 Printing and postage...........................         4,265        352,894        170,845        30,870
 Organizational fees............................             0              0              0         4,004
 Other..........................................         6,932         22,038         59,678         4,845
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses................................     2,097,459     10,901,225     20,958,873     3,295,121
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses.................        (1,490)       (12,032)       (11,182)       (2,918)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..................................   2,095,969     10,889,193     20,947,691     3,292,203
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..........................     3,185,320     26,283,382     27,829,690     3,176,678
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS OR
  LOSSES ON SECURITIES, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
  FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or losses on:
  Securities....................................     1,101,145    208,422,618     19,961,494     5,338,234
  Foreign currency related
   transactions.................................            0     (2,340,266)           815             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions.................     1,101,145    206,082,352     19,962,309     5,338,234
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net change in unrealized losses on
  securities, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions.................   (30,766,562)  (284,825,248)  (205,392,069)  (35,123,130)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and unrealized losses on
  securities, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions.................   (29,665,417)   (78,742,896)  (185,429,760)  (29,784,896)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS....................................  $(26,480,097) $ (52,459,514) $(157,600,070) $(26,608,218)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

54
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                Six Months Ended September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TAX-

AMERICAN                                     STRATEGIC
                                                                      RETIREMENT      BALANCED
FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                                         FUND           FUND
FUND           FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
<C>             <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income............................................   $  3,185,320  $   26,283,382  $
27,829,690  $  3,176,678
 Net realized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions...................................      1,101,145     206,082,352
19,962,309     5,338,234
 Net change in unrealized losses on securities, futures
  contracts and foreign currency related transactions.............    (30,766,562)   (284,825,248)
(205,392,069)  (35,123,130)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations............    (26,480,097)    (52,459,514)
(157,600,070)  (26,608,218)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class A.........................................................       (472,229)    (20,831,871)
(3,611,237)     (922,578)
  Class B.........................................................     (1,966,062)     (7,608,216)
(8,128,272)   (1,687,749)
  Class C.........................................................        (31,437)        (17,648)
(381,376)     (289,447)
  Class Y.........................................................       (671,590)       (659,995)
(13,398,479)     (263,904)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders.............................     (3,141,318)    (29,117,730)
(25,519,364)   (3,163,678)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold........................................     32,959,699      49,618,794
391,968,937   119,046,644
 Payment for shares redeemed......................................    (20,431,496)   (188,956,040)
(236,734,715)  (23,947,903)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions...................................................      2,957,822      23,921,132
23,290,844     2,772,888
 Shares issued in acquisition of CoreFunds, Inc.
  Balanced Fund...................................................              0               0
139,832,551             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital
   share transactions.............................................     15,486,025    (115,416,114)
318,357,617    97,871,629
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase (decrease) in net assets........................    (14,135,390)   (196,993,358)
135,238,183    68,099,733
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of period..............................................    233,819,342   1,897,153,741
2,641,227,612   302,501,240
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....................................................   $219,683,952  $1,700,160,383
$2,776,465,795  $370,600,973
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income..............................   $    279,754  $      (54,459) $
2,274,845  $     30,451
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              55
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                           Year Ended March 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TAX-

AMERICAN                                     STRATEGIC
                                                                     RETIREMENT      BALANCED
FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                                        FUND          FUND*
FUND           FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                                <C>           <C>             <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income............................................  $  4,985,814  $   35,345,751  $   46,106,604
$  2,888,518
 Net realized gains on securities, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions...........................     5,840,219     127,001,668
37,733,396     1,331,487
 Net change in unrealized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions...................................    31,534,034      84,015,495
507,820,113    28,378,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations............    42,360,067     246,362,914
591,660,113    32,598,755
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class A.........................................................      (695,207)    (12,029,418)
(6,778,425)     (845,312)
  Class B.........................................................    (2,792,552)    (25,630,818)
(14,304,998)   (1,429,127)
  Class C.........................................................       (49,486)         (2,502)
(632,325)     (189,734)
  Class Y.........................................................    (1,312,760)       (263,102)
(25,594,285)     (422,361)
 From net realized gains
  Class A.........................................................      (514,560)    (25,111,250)
(6,367,014)     (424,397)
  Class B.........................................................    (2,734,907)   (168,719,950)
(19,081,303)   (1,129,269)
  Class C.........................................................       (50,154)           (135)
(836,192)     (141,334)
  Class Y.........................................................      (874,184)              0
(22,106,374)     (207,645)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders.............................    (9,023,810)   (231,757,175)
(95,700,916)   (4,789,179)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold........................................    86,591,263     121,903,416
691,840,878   212,133,212
 Payment for shares redeemed......................................   (24,953,880)   (278,715,460)
(299,555,598)  (15,800,328)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions...................................................     8,459,313     199,041,548
89,801,360     4,084,131
 Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen Balanced Fund II.......             0     214,923,155
0             0
 Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone Balanced Fund II........             0               0
8,490,928             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Net increase in net assets resulting from
   capital share transactions.....................................    70,096,696     257,152,659
490,577,568   200,417,015
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase in net assets...................................   103,432,953     271,758,398
986,536,765   228,226,591
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of year................................................   130,386,389   1,625,395,343
1,654,690,847    74,274,649
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF YEAR......................................................  $233,819,342  $1,897,153,741  $2,641,227,612
$302,501,240
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income..............................  $    235,752  $    2,779,889  $      (35,481)
$     17,451
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. Balanced Fund changed its
  fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

56
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                            Year Ended June 30, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   BALANCED
                                                                     FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                            <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income......................................... $   38,677,977
 Net realized gains on securities, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions........................    120,987,282
 Net change in unrealized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions................................    146,568,036
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.........    306,233,295
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class B......................................................    (38,660,044)
 From net realized gains
  Class B......................................................    (57,571,132)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders..........................    (96,231,176)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold.....................................    200,987,044
 Payment for shares redeemed...................................   (351,020,484)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions................................................     84,249,628
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions................................................    (65,783,812)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase in net assets................................    144,218,307
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of year.............................................  1,481,177,036
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF YEAR................................................... $1,625,395,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income........................... $    3,239,562
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              57
<PAGE>


                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

                     COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ORGANIZATION

The Evergreen Balanced Funds consist of Evergreen American Retirement Fund
("American Retirement Fund"), Evergreen Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund"),
Evergreen Foundation Fund ("Foundation Fund"), and Evergreen Tax Strategic
Foundation Fund ("Tax Strategic Fund"), which are collectively referred to
herein as the "Funds". Each of the Funds is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. Each Fund is a diversified series of the
Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware Business Trust organized on September 18,
1997.

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares are
sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C shares
are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing distribution
fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending on how long the
shares have been held. Class B shares purchased after January 1, 1997 will
automatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B shares
purchased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion rights.
Class C shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge payable on
shares redeemed within one year after the month of purchase. Class Y shares are
sold at net asset value and are not subject to contingent deferred sales charges
or distribution fees. Class Y shares are sold only to investment advisory
clients of First Union and its affiliates, certain institutional investors or
Class Y shareholders of record of certain other funds managed by First Union
Corporation ("First Union") and its affiliates as of December 30, 1994.

2. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN BALANCED FUND

The Fund was formed for the purpose of combining the net assets of the Evergreen
Balanced II Fund (the "Evergreen Fund"), formerly the Evergreen Balanced Fund,
and the net assets of the Keystone Balanced Fund (the "Keystone Fund"), formerly
Keystone Balanced Fund K-1, through the Fund's acquisition of the net assets of
the Evergreen Fund and Keystone Fund.

On January 21, 1998, Prior to the Fund's acquisition of the Evergreen Fund's
net assets, the Evergreen Fund transferred substantially all of its net assets
related to its Class Y shares to an Evergreen Select Balanced Fund, an institu-
tional balanced fund, through a redemption-in-kind in the amount of
$737,248,788.

On January 23, 1998, the Fund acquired all of the remaining assets and certain
identified liabilities of the Evergreen Fund in exchange for Class A, Class B
Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund. Also, the Fund acquired all of the
assets and certain liabilities of the Keystone Fund in exchange for Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. These acquisitions were accomplished
through tax-free exchanges of the respective shares of the Funds. The value of
net assets acquired, number of shares issued and unrealized appreciation
acquired were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Value of Net     Number of    Unrealized
         Acquired Fund        Assets Acquired Shares Issued Appreciation
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                  <C>             <C>           <C>
         Evergreen Fund...... $  214,923,156    17,901,009  $ 17,787,797
         Keystone Fund....... $1,616,348,537   134,623,096  $494,838,638
</TABLE>

The net assets of the Fund immediately after the acquisition were
$1,831,271,693.

Prior to the acquisition, the Keystone Fund added three classes of shares
designated as Class A and Class C and designated its existing class of shares as
Class B. Shareholders of the Keystone Fund who, on January 16, 1998, held Class
B shares purchased before January 1, 1995 and certain other non-commissionable
Class B shares had such shares converted to Class A shares having an aggregate
value equal to that of the shareholder's Class B shares prior to the conversion.

At the conclusion of the Fund's acquisition of the net assets of the Evergreen
Fund and Keystone Fund, the surviving records of the Fund for accounting and
performance purposes is the Keystone Fund and for taxation purposes is the
Evergreen Fund.


58
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

3. ACQUISITIONS

Effective at the close of business on July 24, 1998, Foundation Fund acquired
the net assets of CoreFunds, Inc. Balanced Fund, an open-end management
investment company registered under the 1940 Act in an exchange of shares. The
net assets were exchanged through a non-taxable exchange for 321,554, 49,982,
and 581,209 Class A, Class B and Class Y shares, respectively, of Foundation
Fund. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with
unrealized appreciation of $29,739,766. The aggregate net assets of CoreFunds
Inc. Balanced Fund and Foundation Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were
$140,187,273 and $2,783,885,610, respectively. The aggregate net assets of
Foundation Fund immediately after the acquisition were $2,924,072,883.

Effective at the close of business on July 17, 1997, Foundation Fund acquired
the net assets of Keystone Balanced Fund II, an open-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act in an exchange of shares. The net assets
were exchanged through a non-taxable exchange for 111,203, 316,984, and 36,146
Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of Foundation Fund. The
acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with unrealized
appreciation of $1,216,239. The aggregate net assets of Keystone Balanced Fund
II and Foundation Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were $8,490,928 and
$1,984,767,050, respectively. The aggregate net assets of Foundation Fund
immediately after the acquisition were $1,993,257,978.

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The
policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which
require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts
reported herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. VALUATION OF SECURITIES

The Funds value securities traded on a national securities exchange or included
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NMS") at the last reported sales price on
the exchange where primarily traded. The Funds value securities traded on an
exchange or NMS for which there has been no sale and other securities traded in
the over-the-counter market at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
price. U.S. government obligations held by the Funds are valued at the mean
between the over-the-counter bid and asked prices. Corporate bonds, other fixed-
income securities, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities are valued at
prices provided by an independent pricing service. In determining value for
normal institutional-size transactions, the pricing service uses methods based
on market transactions for comparable securities and analysis of various
relationships between similar securities which are generally recognized by
institutional traders. Securities for which valuations are not available from an
independent pricing service, including restricted securities, are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith according to procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

B. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held by the custodian on the Fund's behalf. Each
Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and will require the seller
to provide additional collateral in the event the market value of the securities
pledged falls below the carrying value of the repurchase agreement, including
accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and other financial institutions which are deemed by the investment
adviser to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of
Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
Balanced Fund, along with certain other funds managed by Evergreen Investment
Management Company ("EIMCO"), a subsidiary of First Union, formerly Keystone
Investment Management Company may transfer uninvested cash balances


                                                                              59
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more
repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or
federal agency obligations.

C. REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

To obtain short-term financing, the Funds may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with qualified third-party broker-dealers. Interest on the value of
reverse repurchase agreements is based upon competitive market rates at the
time of issuance. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement,
it will establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian
containing qualifying assets having a value not less than the repurchase price,
including accrued interest. If the counterparty to the transaction is rendered
insolvent, the ultimate realization of the securities to be repurchased by the
Fund may be delayed or limited.

D. FOREIGN CURRENCY

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.)
dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of
exchange; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized
foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign currency
exchange rates is a component of net unrealized gains or losses on securities
and foreign currency related transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains
and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include: foreign currency
gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment
securities, foreign currency related transactions and the difference between the
amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Funds and the
amounts actually received. Such gains and losses are included in realized gains
or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The portion of foreign
currency gains and losses related to fluctuations in exchange rates between the
initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in
realized gains or losses on securities transactions.

E. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated in
a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or liabilities.
Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market daily.
Realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are included in net
realized gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund
bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate
underlying the forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the other
party will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward contracts
involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statements of assets and liabilities.

F. FUTURES CONTRACTS

In order to gain exposure to or protect against changes in security values, the
Funds may buy and sell futures contracts.

The initial margin deposited with a broker when entering into a futures trans-
action is subsequently adjusted by daily payments or receipts as the value of
the contract changes. Such changes are recorded as unrealized gains or losses.
Realized gains or losses are recognized on closing the contract.

Risks of entering into futures contracts include (i) the possibility of an
illiquid market for the contract, (ii) the possibility that a change in the
value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the
underlying instrument or index, and (iii) the credit risk that the other party
will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Futures contracts also
involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

G. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date
thereafter when the Fund is made aware of the dividend.

60
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]


               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

Foreign income may be subject to foreign withholding taxes which are accrued as
applicable. Capital gains realized on some foreign securities may be subject to
foreign taxes and are accrued as applicable.

H. FEDERAL TAXES

The Funds intend to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, the Funds
will not incur any federal income tax liability since they are expected to
distribute all of their net investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also intend to avoid any
excise tax liability by making the required distributions under the Code.
Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required. To the extent
that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is
each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

I. DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions from net investment income for the Funds are declared and paid
quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are paid at
least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded at the close of
business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in
accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted
accounting principles.

Certain distributions paid during previous years have been reclassified to
conform with current year presentation.

J. CLASS ALLOCATIONS

Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the relative
net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are limited to
expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

K. ORGANIZATION EXPENSES

Organization expenses are amortized to operations over a five-year period on a
straight-line basis. In the event any of the initial shares of the Funds are
redeemed by any holder during the five-year amortization period, redemption
proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized organization expenses in the same
proportion as the number of initial shares being redeemed bears to the number
of initial shares outstanding at the time of the redemption.


                                                                              61
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized
with a $0.001 par value. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are
currently divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Transactions in
shares of the Funds were as follows:

American Retirement Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Six Months Ended            Year Ended
                               September 30, 1998         March 31, 1998
                             -----------------------  -----------------------
                              Shares       Amount      Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold.................   302,817  $  4,972,502    776,394  $ 11,977,023
Shares redeemed.............  (180,661)   (2,835,734)  (175,621)   (2,728,081)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............    29,241       453,508     73,985     1,168,200
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................   151,397     2,590,276    674,758    10,417,142
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold................. 1,568,602    25,374,800  4,220,724    64,924,905
Shares redeemed.............  (725,496)  (11,337,581)  (651,898)  (10,105,217)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............   122,619     1,890,753    340,081     5,338,212
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................   965,725    15,927,972  3,908,907    60,157,900
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold.................    50,884       839,326     80,905     1,241,277
Shares redeemed.............   (56,317)     (902,957)   (49,433)     (711,589)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............     1,952        30,200      6,217        97,713
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease).....    (3,481)      (33,431)    37,689       627,401
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold.................   110,417     1,773,071    542,883     8,448,058
Shares redeemed.............  (342,042)   (5,355,224)  (749,260)  (11,408,993)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............    37,567       583,361    117,732     1,855,188
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease................  (194,058)   (2,998,792)   (88,645)   (1,105,747)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................            $ 15,486,025             $ 70,096,696
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

62
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Six Months Ended               Year Ended                   Year Ended
                             September 30, 1998            March 31, 1998*               June 30, 1997
                          -------------------------  ----------------------------  --------------------------
                            Shares       Amount        Shares         Amount         Shares        Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold.............   1,216,462  $  15,512,803      740,667  $     9,401,463            0  $           0
Shares redeemed.........  (9,377,671)  (119,515,496)  (4,919,924)     (61,467,813)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........   1,321,725     16,749,452    2,175,164       26,275,982            0              0
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............           0              0   97,487,277    1,205,409,703            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    3,807,586       45,716,406            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............  (6,839,484)   (87,253,241)  99,290,770    1,225,335,741            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold.............   2,431,087     30,995,280    8,761,830      111,415,080   16,959,452    200,987,044
Shares redeemed.........  (4,954,969)   (62,953,257) (15,656,468)    (202,986,801) (29,517,723)  (351,020,484)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........     545,647      6,926,238   13,954,804      172,765,442    7,405,182     84,249,628
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............           0              0  (97,487,277)  (1,205,409,703)           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    9,896,507      118,815,736            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease............  (1,978,235)   (25,031,739) (80,530,604)  (1,005,400,246)  (5,153,089)   (65,783,812)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold.............      74,909        957,596       21,656          270,797            0              0
Shares redeemed.........     (22,150)      (282,432)      (1,672)         (21,003)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........       1,353         17,136           10              124            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0       44,378          532,825            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............      54,112        692,300       64,372          782,743            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold.............     168,457      2,153,115       65,370          816,075            0              0
Shares redeemed.........    (485,419)    (6,204,855)  (1,167,179)     (14,239,843)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........      18,023        228,306            0                0            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    4,152,538       49,858,189            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    (298,939)    (3,823,434)   3,050,729       36,434,421            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............              $(115,416,114)              $   257,152,659               $ (65,783,812)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1998.

                                                                              63
<PAGE>


                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Six Months Ended              Year Ended
                            September 30, 1998           March 31, 1998
                          ------------------------  -------------------------
                            Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold..............  3,111,353  $ 63,063,041   5,521,670  $ 103,759,687
Shares redeemed.......... (3,019,104)  (61,130,009) (2,914,232)   (53,799,294)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    173,723     3,475,639     689,871     12,869,510
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................    321,554     6,566,182           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0     111,203      2,040,162
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    587,526    11,974,853   3,408,512     64,870,065
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold.............. 11,476,108   231,635,742  19,625,977    367,905,222
Shares redeemed.......... (3,606,952)  (71,733,837) (4,438,949)   (81,802,033)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    393,109     7,835,234   1,744,118     32,347,483
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................     49,982     1,015,265           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0     316,984      5,790,704
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  8,312,247   168,752,404  17,248,130    324,241,376
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold..............    820,689    16,571,727   1,016,989     19,227,162
Shares redeemed..........   (277,338)   (5,542,917)   (405,258)    (7,403,302)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     17,804       354,722      74,186      1,375,625
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0      36,146        660,062
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    561,155    11,383,532     722,063     13,859,547
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold..............  4,017,765    80,698,427  10,695,459    200,948,807
Shares redeemed.......... (4,882,305)  (98,327,952) (8,434,531)  (156,550,969)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    581,209    11,625,249   2,313,662     43,208,742
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................  6,470,202   132,251,104           0              0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  6,186,871   126,246,828   4,574,590     87,606,580
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............             $318,357,617              $ 490,577,568
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tax Strategic Fund

<CAPTION>
                             Six Months Ended              Year Ended
                            September 30, 1998           March 31, 1998
                          ------------------------  -------------------------
                            Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold..............  1,634,800  $ 26,463,887   3,458,299  $  53,040,118
Shares redeemed..........   (473,234)   (7,492,512)   (371,701)    (5,726,480)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     53,905       848,665      77,658      1,200,787
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  1,215,471    19,820,040   3,164,256     48,514,425
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold..............  4,358,389    70,121,082   8,736,220    134,105,426
Shares redeemed..........   (756,365)  (11,906,358)   (423,863)    (6,502,615)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     99,669     1,567,282     154,897      2,385,102
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  3,701,693    59,782,006   8,467,254    129,987,913
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold..............  1,087,822    17,475,503   1,515,720     23,364,146
Shares redeemed..........   (207,097)   (3,261,476)   (212,250)    (3,128,629)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     16,558       259,796      19,807        305,243
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    897,283    14,473,823   1,323,277     20,540,760
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold..............    310,174     4,986,172     105,640      1,623,522
Shares redeemed..........    (80,145)   (1,287,557)    (29,733)      (442,604)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........      6,176        97,145      12,558        192,999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    236,205     3,795,760      88,465      1,373,917
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............             $ 97,871,629              $ 200,417,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

64
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term investments, were as follows for the six months ended September 30,
1998:

                                  U.S. Government        Non-U.S. Government
                              ----------------------- -------------------------
                                Cost of    Proceeds     Cost of      Proceeds
                               Purchases  from Sales   Purchases    from Sales
                              -------------------------------------------------
American Retirement Fund..... $19,044,794 $14,500,000 $ 41,435,950 $ 31,150,749
Balanced Fund................   6,206,758  27,183,040  691,305,939  829,791,698
Foundation Fund..............  20,974,750   6,110,183  255,655,290   83,658,020
Tax Strategic Fund...........     581,112           0  240,318,999  126,206,814

On July 24, 1998, Foundation acquired $27,013,910 and $73,647,101 of U.S.
Government and non-U.S. Government securities, respectively, at cost, from the
Fund's acquisition of CoreFund Inc. Balanced Fund.

7. DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Evergreen Distributor, Inc. ("EDI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The BISYS
Group Inc. ("BISYS") serves as principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans for each class of shares as allowed by
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution plans permit the fund to reimburse its
principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of the fund and for
various other services. These costs, which consist primarily of commissions and
services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the fund, are paid by
shareholders through expenses called "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class,
except Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily
net asset of the class. Class B and Class C also presently pay distribution fees
equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Distribution Plan
expenses are calculated daily and paid monthly. With respect to Class B and
Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay 12b-1 fees greater than the
allowable annual amounts the Funds are permitted to pay. The Funds may reimburse
the principal underwriter for such excess amounts in later years with annual
interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%.

During the six-months ended September 30, 1998, amounts paid to EDI and/or its
predecessor pursuant to each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution
Plans were as follows:

                                           Class A    Class B   Class C
                                          ------------------------------
         American Retirement Fund........ $   37,503 $  813,234 $ 14,084
         Balanced Fund...................  1,523,648  2,813,780    5,804
         Foundation Fund.................    436,052  6,055,501  279,914
         Tax Strategic Fund..............    102,115  1,087,141  181,373

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares
of the respective class.

Contingent deferred sales charges paid by redeeming shareholders are paid to
EDI or its predecessor.

8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED
   TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to an agreement with American Retirement Fund's, Foundation Fund's and
Tax Strategic Fund's investment adviser, Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
("EAMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Union, is entitled to an annual
fee based on each of American Retirement Fund's, Foundation Fund's and Tax
Strategic Fund's average daily net assets, respectively, in accordance with the
following schedules:

            Foundation Fund and                            American
             Tax Strategic Fund                         Retirement Fund
          ------------------------                  -----------------------
          First $750 million0.875%                  First $750 million0.75%
          Next $250 million 0.750%                  Over $250 million 0.70%
          Over $1 billion   0.700%


                                                                              65
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, is the investment sub-advisor to
American Retirement Fund, Foundation Fund and Tax Strategic Fund. Lieber &
Company provides these services at no additional cost to the Funds.

EIMCO is the investment adviser for Balanced Fund. In return for providing
investment management and administrative services to Balanced Fund, the Fund
pays EIMCO a management fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly. The
management fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of Balanced Fund's gross
investment income plus an amount determined by applying percentage rates
starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net assets increase, to
the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS"), a subsidiary of First Union, and BISYS
Fund Services ("BISYS") provide Administrative and Sub-Administrative services
to the Funds at no cost to the Funds. Balanced Fund reimbursed EIMCO for certain
administrative and accounting expenses amounting to $132,149 for the period
ended September 30, 1998.

Lieber & Company also provides brokerage services to American Retirement Fund,
Foundation Fund, and Tax Strategic Fund with respect to substantially all
security transactions effected on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. For
the six months ended September 30, 1998, American Retirement Fund, Foundation
Fund and Tax Strategic Fund incurred the following brokerage commissions with
Lieber & Company:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                      <C>
         American Retirement Fund................................ $ 73,666
         Foundation Fund.........................................  361,187
         Tax Strategic Fund......................................  156,918
</TABLE>

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Union, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. The
Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with ESC, relating to
certain cash balances held at First Union for the benefit of the Evergreen
Funds.

Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no compensation directly
from the Funds.

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT

The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with their custodian.
The assets deposited with the custodian under this expense offset arrangement
could have been invested in income-producing assets.

10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of American Retirement Fund, Balanced Fund, Foundation
Fund and Tax Strategic Fund may defer any or all compensation related to
performance of duties as a Trustee. Each Trustee's deferred balances are
allocated to deferral accounts which are included in the accrued expenses for
each Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts are based on the
investment performance of certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses
incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in each Funds' Trustees' fees and
expenses. Trustees will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly
installments for up to ten years at their election, not earlier than either the
year in which the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees or
January 1, 2000. As of September 30, 1998, the value of the Trustees deferral
account for American Retirement Fund, Balanced Fund, Foundation Fund, and Tax
Strategic Fund was $17,716, $87,452, $41,575 and $8,066.

11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

On December 22, 1997, a financing agreement among all of the Evergreen Funds,
State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks became
effective. Under this agreement, the Banks provide an unsecured credit facility
in the aggregate amount of $400 million ($275 million committed and $125 million
uncommitted). The credit facility is allocated, under the terms of the financing
agreement, among the Banks. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds
for temporary or emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrowing
restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be
incurred on the unused portion of the


66
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

committed facility, which will be allocated to all Funds. State Street serves
as administrative agent for the Banks, and as administrative agent is entitled
to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is allocated to all of the Funds.

During the six months ended September 30, 1998, the Funds had no significant
borrowings under these agreements.

OTHER INFORMATION

YEAR 2000

Like other investment companies, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Funds' investment advisers and the Funds' other
service providers are not able to perform their intended functions effectively
after 1999 because of the inability of computer software to distinguish the year
2000 from the year 1900. The Funds' investment advisers are taking steps to
address this potential year 2000 problem with respect to the computer systems
that they use and to obtain satisfactory assurances that comparable steps are
being taken by the Funds' other major service providers. At this time, however,
there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any
adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.


                                                                              67
<PAGE>

                                 Evergreen Funds


Money Market
Treasury Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

Tax Exempt
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund
High Grade Tax Free Fund
Tax Free Fund
California Tax Free Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund
Missouri Tax Free Fund
New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund
New York Tax Free Fund
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

Income
Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Short Intermediate Bond Fund
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Diversified Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
High Yield Bond Fund

Balanced
American Retirement Fund
Balanced Fund
Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Foundation Fund

Growth & Income
Utility Fund
Income and Growth Fund
Fund for Total Return
Value Fund
Blue Chip Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Small Cap Equity Income Fund

Domestic Growth
Tax Strategic Equity Fund
Strategic Growth Fund
Stock Selector Fund
Evergreen Fund
Omega Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Aggressive Growth Fund
Micro Cap Fund

Global International
Global Leaders Fund
International Growth Fund
Global Opportunities Fund
Precious Metals Fund
Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Latin America Fund

Express Line
800.346.3858

Investor Services
800.343.2898

Retirement Plan Services
800.247.4075

www.evergreen-funds.com


32755                                                     540980   RV2    11/98

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS(SM)                                        BULK RATE
      APPEARS HERE]                                               U.S. POSTAGE
                                                                      PAID
200 Berkeley Street                                               PERMIT NO. 19
Boston, MA 02116                                                   HUDSON, MA



<PAGE>


                                                Evergreen


                                               Growth and

                                              Income Funds
July 31, 1998

Annual Report

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                [PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

     [LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS APPEARS HERE]


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Table of Contents
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                         <C>
Letter to Shareholders..................................................     1

Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................     2
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................     3

Evergreen Growth and Income Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................     6
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................     7

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    10
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    11

Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    14
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    15

Evergreen Utility Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    19
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    20

Evergreen Value Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    22
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    23

Evergreen Fund for Total Return
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    26
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    27

Financial Highlights
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...............................................    30
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund.......................................    32
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund.......................................    34
 Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund.................................    36
 Evergreen Utility Fund.................................................    38
 Evergreen Value Fund...................................................    40
 Evergreen Fund for Total Return........................................    42

Schedule of Investments
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...............................................    44
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund.......................................    46
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund.......................................    51
 Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund.................................    54
 Evergreen Utility Fund.................................................    58
 Evergreen Value Fund...................................................    60
 Evergreen Fund for Total Return........................................    62

Statements of Assets and Liabilities....................................    64

Statements of Operations................................................    65

Statements of Changes in Net Assets.....................................    67

Combined Notes to Financial
 Statements.............................................................    70

Independent Auditors Reports............................................    81

Additional Information..................................................    83
</TABLE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Evergreen Funds
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Evergreen Funds is one of the nations fastest growing investment companies
 with approximately $50 billion in assets under management.

 With over 70 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
 capabilities, investors enjoy a broader range of quality investment products
 and services designed to meet their needs.

 The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
 executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
 remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
 global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
 service and excellence in investment management.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 This annual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
 Evergreen fund contained herein.  The prospectus contains more complete
 information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully before
 investing or sending money.

               -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Mutual Funds: ARE NOT FDIC INSURED   May lose value . Are not bank guaranteed
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

                           Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
    Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.

<PAGE>

                            Letter to Shareholders
                            ----------------------
                                September 1998



                  [PICTURE OF WILLIAM M. ENNIS APPEARS HERE]

                               William M. Ennis
                               Managing Director


Dear Shareholders:


The following report covers the Evergreen Growth and Income Funds for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 1998.

Market Review

At the writing of this report -- after the fiscal period ended July 31, 1998 --
the markets have experienced increased volatility, mainly due to financial and
currency crises in the Asian and Russian economies. We encourage investors to
remain focused on their long-term goals, and to keep short-term volatility in
perspective.

Although no one can accurately predict either the timing or the degree, one
thing is certain: the stock market will continue to experience ups and downs.
At this time, we still believe the domestic economy is strong with low
inflation, low unemployment and moderate, yet sustainable growth.  We are
confident that the opportunity remains to participate in the continued, dynamic
growth of both U.S. and international companies.

Cost Savings

In an effort to achieve efficiencies and cost savings, we have changed the way
we mail your funds' information.  Wherever possible, we are trying to combine
your funds' required mailings so you only receive one per household, based on
the registration last name and exact address./1/ This reduces the mailing costs,
not to mention the amount of paper needed to print, which in turn benefits your
funds by reducing overall expenses. If you prefer to receive separate copies of
reports and prospectuses for each registered shareholder in your household,
please notify us by calling the number on your statement and we will adjust our
records accordingly.

Evergreen Service

Evergreen remains committed to providing investment choices which match a range
of investment objectives, as well as clear and accurate information on all the
Evergreen Funds.  We recommend you consult with your financial advisor to
evaluate your asset allocation and ensure you are on target with your investment
time horizon.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please
contact one of our service representatives at 800.343.2898. We will be happy to
assist you.

Thank you for your continued investment with Evergreen Funds.

Sincerely,

/s/ William M. Ennis

William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds



/1/  If you purchased your shares through a financial representative, we may not
     be able to consolidate your mailings by last name and address, because that
     institution controls the mailings.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We continued to emphasize the larger-capitalization, blue chip, high-quality
U.S. corporations that are the hallmark of the Fund's investment style.



                                  Portfolio
                                  Management
                           ------------------------

                  [PICTURE OF JUDITH A. WARNERS APPEARS HERE]

                               Judith A. Warners
                             Tenure: January, 1995


CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the
companies in which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  Class A    Class B    Class C
Inception Date                                    1/20/98    9/11/35    1/22/98
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
One year with sales charge                             --      10.14%        --
 ................................................................................
One year w/o sales charge                              --      14.99%        --
 ................................................................................
3 years                                                --      23.45%        --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                                --      17.29%        --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                               --      14.35%        --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                                      6.00%      9.04%      8.80%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                                 4.75%      5.00%      1.00%
                                                Front End       CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends per share                 $0.06      $0.08      $0.02
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain distributions per share          --      $4.96         --
 ................................................................................

 *  Adjusted for maximum sales charge

    Note: Class A and C shares were introduced in January 1998, and did not have
    average annual returns to quote at this time. Cumulative returns since
    inception are provided.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

 Date             Class B            S & P 500 Index             CPI

Jul-88            10,000                 10,000                 10,000
Jul-89            12,742                 13,193                 10,498
Jul-90            13,533                 14,051                 11,004
Jul-91            14,980                 15,844                 11,494
Jul-92            15,889                 17,870                 11,857
Jul-93            17,063                 19,430                 12,186
Jul-94            17,244                 20,433                 12,523
Jul-95            19,998                 25,768                 12,869
Jul-96            22,824                 30,037                 13,245
Jul-97            33,238                 45,698                 13,544
Jul-98            38,218                 54,510                 13,772



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Blue Chip
Fund Class B, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer
Price Index (CPI).

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

2
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Portfolio Management Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did the Fund perform?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund performed well relative to similar funds, while trailing the overall
Standard & Poor's 500 Index, which was dominated by a few large companies.  For
the 12 months ended on July 31, 1998, the Evergreen Blue Chip Fund's Class B
shares had a total return of 14.99%, unadjusted for applicable sales charges.
During the same 12-month period, the benchmark S&P 500 Index had a return of
19.29%, while Growth and Income Funds on average returned 11.37%, as measured by
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an independent monitor of mutual fund
performance.


                                  Portfolio
                               Characteristics
                               ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                   $403,408,065
 ...............................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           86
 ...............................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                22.1x
 ...............................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.96
 ..............................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was the investment
environment like during the year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The overall market, as reflected in the popular indexes such as the S&P 500,
moved upward.  Interim volatility and periods of relatively flat performance --
when the market moved more sideways than up or down -- punctuated this general
trend, however.  As the year progressed, market index performance became more
and more dominated by the very strong returns of a relatively few stocks.  We
characterize this period as a standoff between two conflicting influences.  On
the one hand, there was fear that economic growth in the United States might
become so strong that the Federal Reserve Board would act to thwart inflation by
raising short-term interest rates.  On the other hand, there was the anticipated
fear of the impact that the Asian economic crisis might have on the earnings of
U.S. corporations.  In addition, there also was concern about the credibility of
the U.S. political leadership.  It seems the concern about Asia was put aside as
the strength of the domestic economy, combined with strong demand from Europe,
helped sustain strong earnings by U.S. multi-national corporations.

The narrowing of market leadership -- to a band of a relatively few companies --
became a progressively more dominant trend as the year progressed.  We also have
witnessed a rotating correction for several months, as the market values of
different stocks have dipped.  While the overall indexes may have shown positive
results, the stock valuations of a large proportion of publicly traded companies
actually fell.  For example, a Merrill Lynch study indicates that as of mid-
August, the stock prices of approximately 70% of New York Stock Exchange
companies actually fell by 20% or more from their highs, and 47% fell by 30% or
more after their highs.

In this environment, the best investment returns tended to come from a
relatively few companies.  While they represented a variety of different
industries, they tended to be high-quality, high-visibility companies that often
were leaders of their markets or niches.  In the Evergreen Blue Chip Fund's
portfolio, for example, the leading contributors to performance during the 12-
month period included General Electric, Pfizer, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company
and Home Depot.  Other performance leaders included companies that were re-
structuring or acquiring new businesses.  The list included Viacom, in the
entertainment industry, and Tyco International, a diversified company.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within this environment, what were your principal investment themes or
strategies?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We continued to emphasize the larger-capitalization, blue chip, high-quality
U.S. corporations that are the hallmark of the Fund's investment style.  We also

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


included a sprinkling of higher quality mid-cap growth companies.  An excellent
example would be Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which was one of the top
contributors to performance during the 12 months.

At the end of the fiscal year, about 70% of net assets were invested in the
large-cap, U.S. companies, with about 15% invested in mid-cap stocks.  Within
this general framework, we sometimes trimmed back the holdings of companies
after their prices had risen dramatically, even buying them back
opportunistically if they became more attractive again after a price correction.

As a by-product of our concern about volatility and high valuations of many
stocks, the cash and cash-equivalent weighting of the Fund rose from 4% to 13.3%
of net assets during the year.  Most of that increase came in the final two
months of the fiscal year as we became increasingly concerned about the impact
both of the Asian currency crisis and of questions about political leadership in
Washington.  This relatively high cash level is not necessarily permanent,
however.  We may re-invest proceeds opportunistically as we see attractive
valuations and if the stock market shows signs of stabilizing.


                              Top 5 Industries
                              ----------------
                       (as a percentage of net assets)

Finance & Insurance and Banks                                           18.5%
 ..............................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                          13.1%
 ..............................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                       10.2%
 ..............................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                            8.1%
 ..............................................................................
Retailing & Wholesale                                                   6.0%
 ..............................................................................


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What sectors, or industries, did you emphasize?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The greatest emphasis was in financial services, technology, health care --
including pharmaceuticals -- and consumer staples, such as beverages and
household products.

Financial services accounted for about 19% of net assets on July 31, despite
being trimmed back somewhat during the final months of the fiscal year.  Among
the holdings that we have reduced are some large, regional banks as the
consolidation trend in the industry appeared to move from the regional banks
toward mergers-of-equals among very large institutions.  For example, the
largest financial services positions at the end of the fiscal year, were
American International Group, a global leader in finance, and Travelers Group,
Inc., which has announced a pending merger with Citicorp.  One of the major
contributors to performance during the year, particularly in the last six
months, was Morgan Stanley-Dean Witter, another company that is benefiting from
merging and gaining additional cross-selling opportunities.  We also have been
interested in investing in financial companies that are leaders in their niches,
including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Associates
First Capital, a leading consumer lender that is a spin-off of Ford Motor Co.

Technology accounted for about 10% of net assets on July 31.  We have not
invested broadly in technology, but have owned the stocks of major industry
leaders, including IBM, Intel and Microsoft.  In addition, we have owned leaders
in specific market segments, including Sun Microsystems, Gateway Computers, and
EMC, a leader in disc storage.  We also have tried to take advantage of emerging
opportunities caused by changes in telecommunications systems and technologies
and the building of integrated communications networks throughout the world.
Among our significant holdings are WorldCom and Cisco Systems, both of which
have been strong contributors to performance.

Healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, accounted for about 13% of net assets at
the end of the fiscal year, even though it was slightly down from a year earlier

4
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

because we have taken profits from some successful holdings.  Longer term, we
see strong opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry because of the steady
flow of interesting new products and the strong demand caused by the aging of
the population.  This industry also continues to consolidate, as illustrated by
the pending merger of American Home Products Corp., a major holding of the Fund,
and Monsanto.

Consumer staples, including beverages and consumer products, accounted for about
12% of assets as of July 31.  While this is not an over-weighting, it continues
to be well-represented as domestically oriented consumer companies continue to
produce attractive earnings.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (as a percentage of net assets)
                         -------------------------------

General Electric Co.                                                    3.3%
 ..............................................................................
Microsoft Corp.                                                         2.8%
 ..............................................................................
American Home Products Corp.                                            2.2%
 ..............................................................................
Texaco, Inc.                                                            2.1%
 ..............................................................................
British Petroleum Plc, ADR                                              1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Coca Cola Co.                                                           1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                       1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.                                                   1.7%
 ..............................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                1.6%
 ..............................................................................
Travelers Group, Inc.                                                   1.6%
 ..............................................................................


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What areas have been disappointing?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, have been a disappointment and we have
reduced our holdings substantially, from about 5% of net assets to about 1%.
The market performance of this industry has slumped as investors favored stable
growth companies over yield-oriented companies.  There also has been concern
about possible over-building in commercial real estate.

Other disappointments include Analog Devices, a semiconductor company that has
been hurt by the Asian crisis, and Cendant, a consumer services company that has
encountered questions about the reliability of its reported earnings.  We have
eliminated our positions in both companies entirely.  Philip Morris also has
been disappointing, primarily because of the tobacco controversy.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your outlook?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We expect continued volatility in the market.   In this environment, we plan to
maintain our concentration on fundamental analysis and individual company stock
picking.  We expect to emphasize global leaders that understand how to manage in
periods of volatility, both in their businesses and in the stock market.  We
also will look for leaders in specific market niches and undervalued businesses.

Given the unsettled market, our emphasis on fundamental research and individual
stock selection should help us find attractively priced opportunities created by
the market volatility and the possibility of over-corrections. In addition,
while we have generally avoided investments in basic materials, we have added
opportunistically to our holdings in the oil industry, which we believe should
ultimately rebound from its recent difficulties.

We have the flexibility to become more defensive if we believe conditions are
worsening, and we also have the ability to increase our weightings in medium-
sized companies should market leadership start changing.  The Fund's primary
emphasis, however, should remain with the leading large-capitalization
companies.  We believe their quality and liquidity should continue to support
performance in an uncertain period.

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


With the sharp decline in the stock market at quarter end, cash reserves began
to be employed in purchasing quality companies with above-average growth
prospects.


                                  Portfolio
                                  Management
                          --------------------------

                  [PICTURE OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                              Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: July 1997

                   [PICTURE OF GARY R. BUESSER APPEARS HERE]

                             Gary R. Buesser, CFA
                              Tenure:  July 1997


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        Class A   Class B    Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                           1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    10/15/86
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ...............................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   5.97%     5.44%     9.47%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   11.26%    10.44%    10.47%    11.56%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   19.52%    19.93%    20.64%    21.81%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                      --        --        --     19.25%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                     --        --        --     16.75%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           23.25%    23.57%    24.08%    15.24%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%      n/a
                                      Front End      CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                                 $0.13        --        --     $0.20
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                   $1.01     $1.01     $1.01     $1.01
 ................................................................................

  *   Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         S&P 400        Lipper Growth &
Date      Class A     S&P 500 Index   Mid-Cap Index    Income Fund Average     CPI
<S>       <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>
1/3/95      9,525         10,000          10,000              10,000          10,000
Jul-95     11,787         12,420          12,359              12,076          10,187
Jul-96     13,529         14,478          13,321              13,781          10,485
Jul-97     18,992         22,026          19,359              19,843          10,721
Jul-98     21,130         26,273          23,015              22,139          10,902
</TABLE>

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Growth and
Income Fund Class A, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Standard and
Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Index (S&P 400), the Lipper Growth & Income Funds Average
(LGIFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).


Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost. The S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index, and the Lipper Growth
& Income Funds Average are unmanaged market indexes and do not include
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

6
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was the investment performance in the fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Evergreen Growth and Income Fund Class A, B, C, and Y shares returned
11.26%, 10.44%, 10.47%, and 11.56% respectively, for the fiscal year ended July
31.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The performance
reflected a reversal in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year after significant
gains in the first three quarters.  The Fund's Class Y shares exceeded the
11.21% performance of the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index, and even in the weak fourth
quarter of the fiscal year, outperformed the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index by 0.95%.1
The Fund held an above-average cash position (approximately 20% of assets)
during much of the fiscal year, because we judged that market segments were
overvalued, and together with international economic volatility, might provide
attractive purchase opportunities. With the sharp decline in the stock market at
quarter end, cash reserves began to be employed in purchasing quality companies
with above-average growth prospects.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                $2,147,320,878
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         282
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                               21.9x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                     0.91
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What drove the Fund's performance?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Considering the cautious cash position, the invested portfolio demonstrated
strong performance.  The leadership in performance came from a diverse group of
companies, with the strongest in the broadcasting and communication fields,
where we had established positions earlier with the expectation of significant
benefits from both deregulation and growth.  Six of the top ten performers in
the Fund were in this category, four of which had gains of over 100% in the
fiscal year; Mediaone Group, Inc., Chancellor Media Corp., Young Broadcasting
Inc., Class A, and Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.  Pharmaceutical
commitments also provided a group of performance leaders: Pfizer, Inc., +83.2%;
Schering-Plough Corp., +76.5%; and Warner-Lambert Co., +73.7%.

Many issues added to the portfolio during the fiscal year provided outstanding
gains.  These gains were led by +105.2% in the shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc.;
+98.8% in the shares of Warner-Lambert Co.; +96.6% in the shares of Kansas City
Southern Industries, Inc.; and +67.9% in the shares of Home Depot, Inc.  These
top four led a group of 25 purchases which provided gains of 30% or more.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


McKesson Corp.                                                          1.5%
 ................................................................................
Webster Financial Corp.                                                 1.5%
 ................................................................................
Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.                                   1.4%
 ................................................................................
Lincare Holdings, Inc.                                                  1.2%
 ................................................................................
Jacor Communications, Inc.                                              1.2%
 ................................................................................
Time Warner, Inc.                                                       1.1%
 ................................................................................
Schering-Plough Corp.                                                   1.0%
 ................................................................................
Pittston Brink's Group                                                  1.0%
 ................................................................................
Policy Management Systems Corp.                                         1.0%
 ................................................................................
Burlington Northern Santa Fe                                            1.0%
 ................................................................................


Several major gains were the result of merger and acquisition offers for our
holdings.  Evergreen Media Corp. was acquired by Chancellor Media Corp., and
provided a +109.4% return to the Fund in the fiscal year, and Carson Pirie Scott
& Co. was acquired by


/1/ The Fund will be using the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index as a benchmark going
forward. Previously, the Fund was compared to the S&P 500 which is a large cap
index. The Fund invests in stocks of predominantly small to mid-sized companies
and, therefore, the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index is more appropriate.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Proffitt's, Inc., with a +72.3% increase.  A total of 22 companies in the
portfolio either completed mergers or acquisitions, or had them pending at the
end of the fiscal year.  The financial group represented the largest number of
these transactions; the pending SunTrust Banks, Inc. bid for Crestar Financial
Corp. provided a +230.3% gain from the acquisition price in 1996; Central
Fidelity Banks, Inc. acquisition, a +183.4% gain; Life Bancorp, Inc., a +44.5%
gain; Life Re Corp., a +57.3% gain; and Firstar Corp., a +33.2% gain (the latter
two are pending transactions).  We view merger and acquisition offers for Fund
holdings as a validation of our original analysis of them as undervalued issues.
The results of the fiscal year sustained this thesis, with the range of
acquisitions across ten industries suggesting that a continued broad analytical
search for undervaluation is an appropriate long-term strategy for the Fund.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where were the disappointments in the fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The major disappointments were among smaller companies, especially those
negatively impacted by the technology market slowdown, or temporary adversities
caused by the Asian financial crisis.  Illustratively, we had sold almost half
of the Fund's position in specialty electronic components manufacturer, Unitrode
Corp., early in the fiscal year, with a profit of over 128.8%.  We held the
balance with a view toward a longer term optimism, holding a much reduced
position.  Nonetheless, with a slow-down in the electronics components industry
by fiscal year-end, the stock had declined 56.1%.  In the case of other issues,
such as KLA-Tencor Corp., we had similarly realized major gains (+115.0%), and
then replaced the position at much lower prices.  By year-end, however, even the
low price purchases had declined in value by 20.1%.  Among larger companies, our
largest decline was in the shares of Union Pacific Corp., 40.4%.  We
considerably enlarged the position in this leading railroad system when the
stock fell in value due to the problems of congestion involving the complexities
of integrating the newly acquired Southern Pacific Rail Corp.  We believe Union
Pacific's railroad system will recover its previous high earnings power when it
overcomes its short-term problems.



                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


Healthcare Products & Services                                          11.4%
 ...............................................................................
Banks                                                                   9.1%
 ................................................................................
Industrial Specialty Products & Services                                6.8%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                     6.3%
 ................................................................................
Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment                                4.6%
 ................................................................................


The top performing groups for the fiscal year were Communications Systems and
Services, +91.1%; Food & Beverage Products, +47.8%; Electric Utilities, +34.6%;
Retail & Wholesale, +33.8%; Telecommunications Services and Equipment, +33.0%;
and Health Care Products and Services, +31.6%.  The weakest performers were: Oil
Field Services, down 42.5%, and Information Services and Technology, down 24.6%.
The decline in energy prices toward the end of the fiscal year was a source of
adverse stock performance.  The Fund's oil field service company holdings are
concentrated in areas we believe will not be as negatively impacted as the
industry, on average.  Our concentration is on deep water drilling companies,
where the very large scale of equipment mitigates against an excess supply
forcing down capacity utilization and day rates.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How is the Fund positioned for the new fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anticipating the volatility and the probability of price declines, the Fund has
held a substantial portion of its assets in short-term cash equivalents.  This
has given management the opportunity to utilize this sizable balance for the
careful purchase of undervalued securities in periods of market weakness.  As
the stock market deteriorated toward the end of the fiscal year

8
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


and into August, we have been actively increasing stock investments.  The
deterioration was particularly marked among smaller companies, as evidenced by
the 14% decline in the S&P Mid-Cap Index and the 20% decline in the Russell 2000
Index from their April 22 highs through August 24.  The performance of these
indices underlines the extent to which the stock market penalized smaller to
mid-capitalization companies, while rewarding larger companies and,
particularly, the higher price/earnings ratio group.

Our "value timing" investment strategy is focused on long-term capital gains in
companies which are undervalued in relation to their earnings growth, cash flow,
and asset realization possibilities.  We are taking advantage of weakness in the
pricing of financial institutions to add to the Fund's holdings in banks,
especially mid-sized regional banks, which will play an important role in future
industry consolidations.  We continue to add to holdings in the securities
brokerage and investment banking field where positions were established in the
1998 fiscal year.  This has proven a highly rewarding group, beginning with our
purchase of Edwards (A.G.), Inc. early in the year, and followed by Lehman
Brothers Holdings, Inc. and Paine Webber Group, Inc.  We anticipate both growth
for this industry and a continuing trend of acquisitions with the building of
multi-faceted financial service businesses.

The portfolio is further participating in the utility industry, based on
restructuring opportunities.  In its fiscal year, the Fund had a +54.5% increase
from its purchase of Energy East Corp. (formerly New York State Electric and Gas
Corp.), which is in the process of restructuring.  Toward the end of the year, a
position was established in Marketspan Corp., the merger of Brooklyn Union Gas
Co. and Long Island Lighting Co.  Our emphasis on the growth possibilities of
the technologies of biological science and the pharmaceutical industry
continues, with a recent increase in our investment in Perkin-Elmer Corp. (whose
genetics instrument technology is a leading one), and Beckman Coulter, Inc.
(whose leadership in analytical instruments is expected to be accelerated by a
recent merger).

Several real estate investment trust positions were recently increased, because
the market setback which this industry has had since its strong performance in
the fourth quarter of 1997 has created meaningful new values.  For the first
time in many months, numbers of well-established real estate investment trusts
are selling below the indicated value of their underlying property holdings.

In summary, undervalued growth opportunities continue to be the central goal of
this Fund, utilizing the "value timing" strategies which are at the core of its
twelve year performance record.

Will the Fund continue to hold a large cash reserve?

Our objective is to have a more normal cash reserve position, and an almost
fully invested strategy.  Market and individual company setbacks are providing
the "value timing" opportunities to effectively utilize the cash reserves.  For
example, an inventory problem at Penney (J.C.) Co., Inc. developed during a
particularly strong retail period, led to an over 20% decline in its stock
price.  We then began to accumulate this stock for the Fund, and at this
writing, have established a meaningful position.  Similarly, a setback
experienced in the demand for chemical products led us to increase the position
in Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co., Inc.  Anticipating recovery because of new
products, we saw a "value timing" opportunity in the shares of Acuson Corp., a
leading ultrasound company, which should allow it to increase market share in
its growth medical technology industry.  In these, and in many other cases, our
intensive research effort is expected to provide opportunities to capitalize on
the cautious positioning which we established for the Fund in the 1998 fiscal
year.  It should form the base for significant long-term capital appreciation.


                                                                               9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 [PICTURE OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                           Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  August 1978


                  [PICTURE OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                               Irene D. O'Neill
                            Tenure:  December 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                       1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    8/31/78
<S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge               2.80%     2.29%     6.16%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                7.93%     7.13%     7.13%      8.16%
 ................................................................................
3 years                               12.55%    12.77%    13.56%     14.68%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                  --        --        --      10.90%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                 --        --        --      10.78%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                       14.85%    14.99%    15.56%     14.25%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                   4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                   Front End    CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                       2.16%     1.50%     1.60%      2.53%
 ...............................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                           $  1.02   $  0.85   $  0.85   $   1.08
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share             $  1.59   $  1.59   $  1.59   $   1.59
 ................................................................................
</TABLE>
*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date             Class A          Wilshire 5000          LIFA             CPI

1/3/95              9,525              10,000            10,000           10,000
Jul-95             10,962              12,415            11,504           10,187
Jul-96             11,847              14,239            12,602           10,485
Jul-97             15,210              20,960            15,440           10,721
Jul-98             16,409              25,821            16,727           10,902



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Income and
Growth Fund Class A, the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lipper Income Funds Average
(LIFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).



Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lipper Income Funds Average
are unmanaged market indexes and do not include transaction costs associated
with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI is a
commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment return.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the year?

In the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, the Fund sustained its above-average
dividend distributions.  For Class Y shares, the oldest class, these dividends
were $0.27 per share each quarter, providing a yield in the top quartile of the
Lipper Income Funds category.  The Class Y shares have been able to sustain at
least this level of dividend for the past 13 years. Yet, the Class Y shares have
had an average annual total return of 14.25% since inception of the Fund on
August 31, 1978.  During the 12-month period that ended on July 31, 1998, the
Fund's Class Y shares had a return of 8.16%.  Class A, B and C shares had total
returns of 7.93%, 7.13% and 7.13% respectively, unadjusted for applicable sales
charges.  During the same period the average return on the Lipper Income Funds
category was 8.37% and the Wilshire 5000 Index had a return of 17.05%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                    $950,653,827
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           150
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 18.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.87
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98



How would you describe the long-term strategy of the Fund?

The Fund is designed to be an income-producing alternative to bond investing
while providing growth for greater protection against inflation.  The investment
strategy uses high yield undervalued convertible bonds, convertible preferred
stocks, and common stocks to enhance both the Fund's income and defensive
quality while aiming for significant capital appreciation.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(as a percentage of net assets)

[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]       Common Stock -- 65.7%
                               Convertible Preferred Stock -- 30.1%
                               Convertible Debentures -- 3.3%
                               Cash/Cash Equivalents -- 0.9%


What were some of the major contributors to performance?

The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.

Within the general health group, a leading performer was Bristol-Myers Squibb
Co., which has produced a steady flow of new products that helped propel the
company stock to a 44.7% return during the year.  Another leading performer in
the health group was ADAC Laboratories.  This company has introduced an
important imaging device that helps determine the spread of cancer.  With strong
revenue growth, this company's stock had a return of 39.8% during the fiscal
year.  A third health-related company that was a significant performer was
Shared Medical Systems Corp., which provides computerization services that help
hospitals and other health providers increase their operating efficiency.  The
stock in this company was up 41.4% during the fiscal year.

One of the principal investment themes at Evergreen is to invest in companies
that we believe are temporarily


                                                                              11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


out of favor in the stock market, but have attractive underlying value.  We call
this the "value timing" strategy.  A good example of this strategy in action was
the Fund's investment in American Home Products, a major pharmaceutical company.
The Fund purchased the stock on September 18, 1997, after the company's stock
price had suffered a steep decline in the face of the controversy over the
effects of the weight-control drug Fen-Phen.  Our analysis indicated that the
market had over-reacted to the potential liability and that the company's stock
price was significantly undervalued.  The stock produced a return of 46.4% for
the Fund from the investment to the end of the fiscal year.

Consolidation has helped the investments in the bank and thrift industries,
despite a slowdown in merger announcements by smaller banking institutions
during the second half of the fiscal year as attention turned to merger
announcements of very large banks.  Among the investments that generated large
returns for the Fund were several banks and thrifts that were acquired by larger
banks.  They included Firstbank of Illinois Co., which produced a return of 365%
since the initial investment in March, 1991; Hudson Chartered Bancorp Inc.,
produced a 367% return since the Fund's investment in December, 1992; and Eagle
Financial Corp., which produced a 280% return since the investment in November,
1992.

Among banks that have not been taken over, the best performers were M&T Bank
Corp. (formerly First Empire) of Buffalo, New York, which rose 59.3% during the
year, and First American Corp. of Tenn., which took over another Fund holding;
Deposit Guaranty Corp.  The investment in First American returned 67.3% during
the year.

                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.                                              4.1%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.                            3.6%
 ................................................................................
Qualcomm Financial Trust I, 5.75%, Conv. Pfd.                               3.3%
 ...............................................................................
Marketspan Corp.                                                            3.0%
 ................................................................................
Wendy's Financing I, 5.00%, TECONS                                          2.8%
 ................................................................................
Houston Industries, Inc., 7.00%, ACES                                       2.8%
 ................................................................................
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.                                            2.1%
 ................................................................................
Meditrust Co. REIT                                                          2.0%
 ................................................................................
Bankers Trust Corp.                                                         2.0%
 ................................................................................
Peoples Energy Corp.                                                        1.9%
 ................................................................................


Telecommunications-related investments helped the Fund significantly.  In fact,
the leading contributor to performance during the fiscal year was Frontier
Corp., which was up 67.3%.  This company, the former Rochester Telephone
Company, has expanded its long distance footprint through a savvy investment in
the Quest Communications network, a nationwide state of the art fiber optic
network which provides integrated voice, data and video communications.
Frontier is also a potential acquisition candidate.  Another telecommunications
investment that helped the Fund's performance was the Air Touch Communications
Convertible Preferred shares which were up 52% in the year.  This company
provides telecommunications services around the world.  Worldcom, Inc. which has
announced its intention to buy MCI, also provided a return of 54.8% for the Fund
during the year as investors began to understand the potential for global growth
in the telecommunications industry.  These three telecommunications companies
have potential to make inroads in telecom markets less encumbered by regulation
such as that which impacts the Regional Bell Operating Companies.

12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Consumer-related stocks were a fourth group that helped performance.  One of the
leading contributors was La-Z-Boy Chair Co., which had a 51.5% return since the
Fund's investment on August 4, 1997.

The primary weak areas were in the investments in foreign stocks, energy stocks
and real estate investment trusts (REITs).  Foreign investments, particularly
Australian investments, suffered in sympathy with the economic crisis in Asia.
During the year, we significantly reduced the foreign weighting in the Fund to
decrease the vulnerability to problems in Asia.


Energy-related stocks were hurt by the mild winter reducing the need for heat
and the worldwide slump in oil prices, while real estate stocks in general
lagged the overall market.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Banks                                                                      16.1%
 ...............................................................................
Utilities - Electric                                                        9.2%
 ................................................................................
Real Estate                                                                 7.4%
 ................................................................................
Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                      7.4%
 ................................................................................
Utilities - Gas                                                             7.1%
 ................................................................................


What Is your Outlook?

We expect the U.S. economy to grow with inflation remaining low.  The equity
market should be positive, particularly with the continued flow of funds into
stocks and the persistence of merger-and-acquisition activity.  We do have
concerns, however, about the slowdown in Asia and the effect it is having on
manufacturing employment in the United States.  Because of this, we believe the
market may experience continued volatility, which should produce opportunities
for our value timing strategy.  During the past year, the performance of the
major market indices has been helped chiefly by a very narrow base of stocks of
a relatively few large companies.  We believe this has left very attractive
investment opportunities in the securities of other companies.  We believe our
research discipline should enable us to identify opportunities to buy high-
quality issues with attractive yield at attractive valuations.  This positive
outlook, combined with the possibility of further gains from merger-and-
acquisition activity, gives us confidence for improving performance during the
coming year.



                                                                              13
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We continued to manage the Fund with a consistent emphasis on undervalued income
securities of small companies.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 [PICTURE OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                           Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  October 1993


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      CLASS A    CLASS B    CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                        1/3/95     1/3/95     1/24/95    10/1/93
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge               (1.66%)    (2.51%)      1.49%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                 3.24%      2.49%       2.49%      3.57%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                17.70%     18.03%      18.67%     19.99%
 ...............................................................................
Since Inception                        19.30%     19.51%      20.01%     15.62%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                    4.75%      5.00%       1.00%       n/a
                                    Front End     CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                            $  0.28    $  0.19    $   0.19   $   0.33
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share              $  0.19    $  0.19    $   0.19   $   0.19
 ................................................................................

*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date       Class A      Russell 2000      Wilshire Small Cap Value       CPI

1/3/95        9,525         10,000                   10,000              10,000
Jul-95       10,984         12,100                   11,736              10,187
Jul-96       12,750         12,936                   12,957              10,485
Jul-97       18,214         17,256                   18,016              10,721
Jul-98       18,804         19,777                   18,965              10,902



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Small Cap
Equity Income Fund Class A, the Russell 2000 Index, Wilshire Small Cap Value
Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).




Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The Russell 2000 Index and the Wilshire Small Cap Value
Index are unmanaged market indexes and do not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI
is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment
return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform?

During the past year, the Fund faced a difficult market climate not only for
small cap stocks, but also for value-oriented stocks.  This has been a market
where large cap stocks with high price/earnings ratios excelled as small caps
lagged and lost ground, especially in the latter part of the Fund's fiscal year.
An Evergreen study of the performance of various sectors of the market during
the first seven months of 1998 showed that large companies in the top 25% in
terms of price/earnings ratio had a total return of almost 50%.  During the same
seven-month period, small cap companies in the lowest 25% in terms of
price/earnings ratios had a return of (5%).  Nevertheless, for the second
consecutive year, the Fund was listed by Barron's, a leading financial magazine,
among the top 100 Funds in the United States based on risk-adjusted performance
for the preceding three years.

For the 12 months that ended on July 31, 1998, the Fund's Class Y shares had a
total return of 3.57%.  The Class A shares had a return of 3.24%, while Class B
and C shares each had returns of 2.49%, beating the benchmark Russell 2000
Index, a commonly used barometer of the small company stock market, which had a
return of 2.31%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.
The Wilshire Small Cap Value Index had a total return of 5.27%. Since the Fund's
inception on October 1, 1993, the Small Cap Equity Income Fund's Class Y shares
have had a cumulative total return of 101.74%, compared to a 77.64% return of
the Russell 2000 and an 82.72% return of the Wilshire Small Cap Value Index.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)
                         ----------------------------

Total Net Assets                                                    $307,086,083
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           150
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 15.1x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.54
 ...............................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


What strategies did you emphasize during the year?

We continued to manage the Fund with a consistent emphasis on undervalued income
securities of small companies.  We believe over the long run, this will give the
Fund the opportunity to generate strong performance with more price protection
in periods of volatility than the typical small company stock fund.

We sought out securities of small companies with market capitalizations of less
than $1 billion that had one or more of the following characteristics:

  .  Low cash-flow multiples or attractive prices relative to the cash flow they
     are able to generate, with an operating catalyst to propel earnings growth.

  .  Hidden assets that management intends to deploy to achieve growth.

  .  Stock prices that are temporarily depressed because of some event in the
     market and that have the opportunity to recover based upon our analysis of
     future cash flows. These are candidates for Evergreen's "value timing"
     strategy which seeks out temporarily out-of-favor stocks.


                                                                              15
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview



  .  Restructuring enterprises which are re-allocating capital resources to
     improve profitability.

  .  Potential merger-and-acquisition candidates that can take advantage of
     consolidation trends in their industries or the general economy.

The Fund invests exclusively in securities that offer yield.  In industries such
as technology where stocks traditionally have not paid dividends, we have looked
for opportunities among convertible securities as a way to invest in growth with
yield.  We also have found that investments in convertible preferred stock and
convertible debentures also offer more price protection and lower volatility
than investments in the underlying stock.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(as a percentage of net assets)


[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]        Common Stock -- 69.3%
                                Convertible Preferred Stock -- 12.0%
                                Convertible Debentures -- 13.8%
                                Cash/Cash Equivalents -- 4.9%



                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Curtiss Wright Corp.                                                        3.0%
 ...............................................................................
Boston Acoustics, Inc.                                                      2.9%
 ................................................................................
Matthews International Corp. Cl. A                                          2.7%
 ................................................................................
CPI Corp.                                                                   2.5%
 ................................................................................
Owens & Minor Trust I, 5.375%, TECONS                                       2.2%
 ................................................................................
Hardinge Brothers, Inc.                                                     2.1%
 ................................................................................
Lodgian Capital Trust I, 7.00%, CRESTS                                      1.8%
 ................................................................................
York Group, Inc.                                                            1.8%
 ................................................................................
Hvide Capital Trust, 6.50%, Conv. Pfd.                                      1.8%
 ................................................................................
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.                                              1.6%
 ...............................................................................


What are some examples of the implementation of each of these strategies?

Let's look first at companies with low cash-flow multiples and catalysts for
earnings growth.  A clear example is Knape & Vogt Manufacturing, which has made
drawer-operating systems for wood office furniture.  This company, whose stock
is attractively priced and yet offers a 3 1/2% yield, is entering the metal desk
slide market, with a potential increase in sales of $30 million, or 17%.  The
company can enter this market without any additional capital investments, which
means its return on capital has the potential to increase substantially.  The
company also has shown an ability to operate more efficiently and reduce
inventories, using the proceeds from cost-savings to reduce debt.

An example of a company with a hidden asset is Curtiss-Wright Corp., which
manufactures components such as landing gear transmissions and flaps for Boeing
737's.  This company had cash reserves equal to $7 per share of its stock, with
another $12 per share in over-funded pension contributions.  Earlier this year,
it started using its cash reserves to make acquisitions that allowed it to
increase sales by 30%.  Over the year, this company's stock has had a return of
43.5%.

The York Group, Inc., is an excellent example of how Evergreen's "value timing"
strategy can find attractive opportunities.  The stock price of this casket
manufacturer fell from $23 to $16 on news that it had lost a major contract with
a customer that had been responsible for 20% of sales.  Our analysis of the
company's remaining business, however, indicated that it was worth substantially
more than the current stock price.  This company remains profitable, with a high
return on capital and an extremely strong position selling to independent
funeral home operators.


16
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


CPI Corp. illustrates the Fund's investment theme of investing in companies that
are re-structuring, or changing their capital allocation.  This company sold its
underperforming photo finishing business to Kodak, and used the proceeds to buy
back one-third of the outstanding stock.  Its principal remaining business is
operating portrait studios in Sears stores.  This is a profitable, improving
business that generates strong cash flow.


How has the mergers-and-acquisition trend affected the Fund during the year?

Industry consolidation has had a huge impact on the Fund.  During the year, 18
companies in the portfolio have either merged or been acquired or had
announcements of pending mergers.  We have had 13 completed for an average gain
to the Fund of 89.6%.

Among acquisitions that have been completed, we have gains of: 352% in Kinetic
Concepts, Inc., purchased in July 1994; 257.8% from Hudson Chartered Bancorp,
Inc., purchased in January 1996; 117.7% from Computer Language Research
purchased in October 1993; 91.3% from California State Bank purchased in August
1997; 69.9% from People's Savings Financial Corp., purchased in December 1993;
and 55.7% from BGS Systems, Inc., purchased in July 1996.  Currently, we have
five pending mergers or takeovers, the most recent of which is First Palm Beach.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Consumer Products & Services                                               10.5%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                       7.0%
 ................................................................................
Oil Field Services                                                          6.0%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Gas                                                            5.9%
 ...............................................................................
Electrical Equipment & Services                                             5.8%
 ................................................................................


What industry sectors have helped the Fund's performance during the year?


Two areas stand out: banks and consumer products and services.  Banks were the
best performing sector, despite a period in which the market's attention was
captured by news of mergers among very large financial companies.  We believe,
however, that the consolidation trend will resume among the smaller companies,
to the benefit of the fund.


What sectors have not helped the Fund's performance?

Performance was not helped by the real estate investment trusts, or REITs, which
slumped during the year, or by investments in energy companies, which were hurt
by a mild winter and the effects of slumping oil prices.  While energy-related
stocks were, in general, relatively poor performers during the period, the Fund
attempted to take advantage of temporary weakness in the energy sector to build
up its position.  We believe that the price of oil ultimately should stabilize
and that values can be found among companies whose stocks had suffered unfairly
in the general industry slump.


                                                                              17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What is your outlook?

We have a positive outlook for the Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund
because of several trends we see, including:

  .  A continuation of the general consolidation trend in American industry;

  .  Signs of a growing recognition of the attractive values to be found among
     small company stocks;

  .  Positive earnings reports from many small companies.

The general merger-and-acquisition trend is not losing steam.  Deals totaling
$900 billion were announced during the first half of the year, and the U.S.
Department of Justice's Anti-Trust Division has estimated the total should reach
$1.75 trillion by the end of the year.  The strong stock market that has been
favoring large company stocks has given the big companies high stock valuations
they can use as currency to buy smaller companies that have been reporting
stronger growth.  Often, larger companies can buy fast-growing small companies
at prices that result in improved earnings-per-share performance for the larger
companies.

Moreover, investment and pension fund consulting companies increasingly are
recommending that their clients enlarge small company stock allocations in their
overall portfolios because of the attractive valuations.  Any growth in
institutional investors' purchases of small company stocks should have a
significant effect on cash flow, and therefore stock prices, in the small stock
sector.

Finally, a large portion of the Fund's holdings have issued positive earnings
reports through the fiscal period, validating the value of the independent
research by the Evergreen investment team and supporting our view that small
company value investments that also offer yield have strong potential for the
remainder of 1998.







Funds that invest in stocks of small companies, also called small-cap stocks,
involve certain risks and, therefore, may not be appropriate for all investors.
Although they may offer the potential for greater long-term returns, they also
may experience greater price volatility due to their limited focus on a
particular industry, market, product, or service, or because they invest in
smaller, less established companies.



18
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We remain committed to our long-term strategy of pursuing quality utility
companies with strong industry positioning that offer investors a high income,
defensively oriented investment option.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    [PICTURE OF PAUL DILELLA  APPEARS HERE]

                                 Paul DiLella
                               Tenure: May 1996


                [PICTURE OF DORIS KELLEY-WATKINS APPEARS HERE]

                             Doris Kelley-Watkins
                             Tenure: February 1997


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the
companies in which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                           1/4/94    1/4/94    9/2/94    2/28/94
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                  11.73%    11.31%    15.31%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   17.30%    16.31%    16.31%     17.60%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   14.25%    14.44%    15.16%     16.34%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           10.72%    10.79%    14.25%     13.70%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                       Front End    CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                               $  0.44   $  0.36   $  0.36   $   0.48
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                 $  1.12   $  1.12   $  1.12   $   1.12
 ................................................................................

*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date      Class A     S & P Utilities Index     S & P 500 Index      CPI

1/4/94       9,525             10,000                 10,000         10,000
Jul-94       9,154              9,181                  9,979         10,178
Jul-95      10,179              9,946                 12,584         10,460
Jul-96      11,197             10,724                 14,669         10,765
Jul-97      13,586             17,509                 22,317         11,008
Jul-98      15,936             20,251                 26,621         11,193


Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Utility Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's Utility Index (S&P Utilities), the Standard and
Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).






Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P Utility Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged
market indices and do not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure
of inflation and does not represent an investment return.  It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.


                                                                              19
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform over the past twelve months?

The Fund's Class A, B, C, and Y shares had a total return of 17.30%, 16.31%,
16.31% and 17.60%, respectively, for the year ended July 31, 1998.  These
returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Fund's returns trailed
the 20.99% return of its benchmark, the S&P Utilities Index.


                                  Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)


Total Net Assets                                                 $141,256,313
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         38
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                              18.6x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                    0.73
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How did the market environment impact performance during the fiscal year?

Over the past 12 months, we experienced an exceptionally narrow market advance
in which a select handful of the largest stocks surged while the majority of
companies lagged.  For example, during the first six months of 1998 the ten
largest stocks in the S&P 500 rose 31.7%, while the equally weighted average of
all 500 stocks rose just 8.6%; amazingly, nearly a third actually declined.

In addition, investors have flocked to stocks which they perceive to have higher
prospects for growth, such as technology, while shunning higher dividend paying
companies such as utilities.  Undoubtedly, the narrow market advance combined
with this rotation towards growth-oriented stocks had an adverse impact on the
Fund's performance. The simple fact that roughly 75% of the portfolio is
invested in utility stocks -- an income-oriented sector which lagged the broad
market substantially -- accounts for the Fund's rather dramatic underperformance
versus the S&P 500 Index.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Utilities -- Electric                                                   56.7%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Telephone                                                  14.4%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Gas                                                         5.1%
 ................................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                        4.0%
 ................................................................................
Communication Systems & Services                                         3.3%
 ................................................................................


What adjustments did you make to the portfolio?

It has been extremely frustrating to watch the market climb higher while utility
stocks -- and utility funds -- continue to struggle.  Despite any short-term
volatility, however, we remain committed to our long-term strategy of pursuing
quality utility companies with strong industry positioning that offer investors
a high income, defensively oriented investment option.

20
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


During the final months of the fiscal period, we made some adjustments regarding
individual securities which we feel will benefit performance going forward.  We
sold EVI Inc., a manufacturer of oilfield tools and equipment, due to a
deterioration in their earnings prospects, but not before capturing a solid
gain.  With the proceeds from this sale, we purchased R&B Falcon Corp., a
worldwide provider of contract drilling services.  We feel R&B Falcon represents
an attractively valued opportunity and was added following a substantial decline
in its share price as a result of plunging oil prices.


                                    Top 10
                               Equity Holdings
                               ---------------
                       (as a percentage of net assets)


Houston Industries, Inc.                                                6.1%
 ................................................................................
Sprint Corp.                                                            6.0%
 ................................................................................
Companhia Paranaense de
  Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR, Conv. Pfd.                                   3.8%
 ................................................................................
Marketspan Corp.                                                        3.5%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.                        3.3%
 ................................................................................
BNDES Participacoes S.A., Conv. Pfd.                                    3.1%
 ...............................................................................
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.                                     3.1%
 ................................................................................
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.                                             3.0%
 ................................................................................
U.S. West, Inc.                                                         3.0%
 ...............................................................................
Felcor Lodging Trust, Inc. REIT                                         2.8%
 ................................................................................


What areas positively impacted performance?

The Fund's 14% position in Utilities -- Telephone, as of July 31, 1998, enjoyed
a relatively strong fiscal year despite a difficult period for the utility
sector in general.  For example, three of the portfolio's holdings -- Ameritech,
U.S. West and Bellsouth -- posted total returns of 52%, 52% and 49%,
respectively.  Other noteworthy non-telephone companies include Enron, up 43%,
and Houston Industries (exchangeable for Time Warner common stock), up 48%.


What is your outlook for the utility industry?

The utility industry has experienced some volatility over the past couple of
years as the effects of deregulation have intensified competition and changed
the operating environment within the utility sector.  Subsequently, utility
companies are increasingly embracing mergers as an effective vehicle to gain
market share and diversify their source of earnings growth.  We anticipate
consolidation among utility companies to continue going forward and are actively
searching for companies that will benefit from this trend.

We are also confident that as the market rotation toward growth-oriented issues
reverses itself, income-oriented stocks -- and the utility sector in particular
- -- will enjoy improved performance.  We feel the Evergreen Utility Fund offers
investors an attractive investment option, especially considering the stock
market's current valuation. We continue to adhere to our long-term strategy of
providing shareholders a diversified, high income portfolio with defensive
characteristics.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We try to identify good companies with attractive stock prices where we can find
improvements in operating performance.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   [PICTURE OF MATTHEW D. FINN APPEARS HERE]


                             Matthew D. Finn, CFA
                              Tenure:  March 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]


Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                   4/12/85    2/2/93    9/2/94    1/31/91
 ...............................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge            4.35%     4.18%     7.83%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge             9.55%     8.69%     8.74%      9.79%
 ................................................................................
3 years                            17.89%    18.21%    18.95%     20.08%
 ................................................................................
5 years                            16.19%    16.30%       --      17.62%
 ................................................................................
10 years                           14.71%       --        --         --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                    14.05%    15.41%    18.64%     16.85%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                4.75%     5.00%     1.00%      n/a
                                Front End     CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                          $0.29     $0.12     $0.12      $0.35
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share            $4.38     $4.38     $4.38      $4.38
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

 Date             Class A            S & P 500 Index            CPI

Jul-88             9,525                 10,000                10,000
Jul-89            12,580                 13,193                10,498
Jul-90            13,322                 14,051                11,004
Jul-91            14,841                 15,844                11,494
Jul-92            16,426                 17,870                11,857
Jul-93            17,741                 19,430                12,186
Jul-94            19,070                 20,433                12,523
Jul-95            22,926                 25,768                12,869
Jul-96            25,310                 30,037                13,245
Jul-97            35,996                 45,698                13,544
Jul-98            39,434                 54,510                13,772


Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Value Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI).


Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

22
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform during the fiscal year?

The Fund performed positively during a period in which the stock market did not
favor the value style of investing.  For the 12 months ended July 31, 1998, the
Evergreen Value Fund's Class A shares had a total return of 9.55%, while the
Class B shares had a total return of 8.69% and the Class C shares had a return
of 8.74%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Class
Y shares had a return of 9.79% for the fiscal year.  During the same 12-month
period, the S&P 500 Index had a return of 19.29% and the S&P's Barra Value Index
had a return of 13.33%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)


Total Net Assets                                                   $990,822,366
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           93
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                23.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.97
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How would you describe the investment environment during the 12 months?

The environment has been dominated by concerns about economic activity in Asia
and the impact it will have on Asia's trading partners.  Investors have been
taking the Asian crisis into consideration since the third and fourth quarters
of 1997, although we did have a great move in the U.S. stock market early in
1998.  Two types of companies dominated the rally in the U.S.  The first were
larger capitalization, stable growth companies which are less susceptible to a
fall-off in economic activity.  The second were domestically oriented companies,
such as retailers.  This rally appears to have peaked in July, before a
correction set in.  Again, investors were concerned about the pace of economic
activity associated with the effects of Asia.

Worldwide, the impact of Asia also has been felt in emerging markets, including
Latin America and Russia.  The U.S. consumer and the European industrial sectors
have been the most influential sources of the earnings of multi-national
corporations during the past year.


You became portfolio manager of the Fund, effective on March 16, 1998.  How
would you describe your investment style?

The objective and the investment style of the Fund have not changed.  We try to
identify good companies with attractive stock prices where we can find
improvements in operating performance.  This is very consistent with the manner
in which previous managers have operated.  We look for growth of capital first,
with income as a secondary objective.

The Fund invests primarily in value-oriented, large capitalization companies
with improving fundamentals.  It is a value strategy that emphasizes quality
companies.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Banks                                                                      19.3%
 ................................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                             13.0%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                        10.3%
 ................................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                                8.6%
 ................................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                           7.1%
 ...............................................................................



                                                                             23
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview



Within this context, what areas have you emphasized in managing the Fund?

The largest areas of emphasis have been in healthcare, financial services and
some technology.  In terms of relative weightings versus the large-
capitalization, value indexes, the heaviest overweighting has been in
healthcare, predominately pharmaceutical companies.  We have found in this
industry the best combination of revenue growth, reasonable valuations and
stability of earnings.  In addition to increasing our overall weighting, we have
added new positions in companies such as Merck and Pharmacia & Upjohn.  We also
sold the stocks of several companies when we became uncomfortable with their
valuation levels, including Tenet Healthcare Corp. and HEALTHSOUTH Corp.

Financial services companies accounted for nearly 30% of net assets at the end
of the period.  This has been a significant area of emphasis, even though we are
somewhat underweighted versus the value indexes.  We have found valuations that
are still relatively attractive and we have been able to invest in companies
that we believe can achieve their earnings estimates.  In addition, we don't
think any downturn will be large enough to affect overall credit quality.
Moreover, we believe the Federal Reserve Board's disposition will be to lower
short-term rates, which should benefit financial services companies.  Beyond
increasing the emphasis on the financial services industry overall, we have
added a number of specific companies to the portfolio, including Federal
National Mortgage Association and ReliaStar Financial, an insurance company.

We have emphasized technology because we have found attractive stock valuations
and we believe the long-term outlook for this industry remains favorable,
despite current concerns about economic activity.  In technology, we have added
American Power Conversion and Gateway, while selling the Fund's holdings in 3Com
Corp., a networking company.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

General Electric Co.                                                        3.5%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                                 2.9%
 ................................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                    2.4%
 ................................................................................
Wachovia Corp.                                                              2.3%
 ................................................................................
BankBoston Corp.                                                            2.1%
 ................................................................................
First Chicago NBD Corp.                                                     2.1%
 ................................................................................
NationsBank Corp.                                                           2.0%
 ...............................................................................
Cisco Systems, Inc.                                                         1.9%
 ................................................................................
Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT                                    1.9%
 ................................................................................
International Business Machines Corp.                                       1.9%
 ................................................................................


What areas have you de-emphasized?

We have reduced the emphasis on stocks of companies in economically sensitive
industries, which tend to be hurt in any economic slowdown.  These include
companies in the chemicals, building materials, railroad, energy and metal
products and services.  Among the stocks that we sold entirely were those of
Alcoa and Alumax in metal products and services; and Ashland, Tosco and Ultramar
Diamond Shamrock Corp., in energy.  We don't expect that we will be emphasizing
the general area of basic materials until supply and demand again are in
balance.


24
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What is your outlook?

In our view, the equity market is well on its way to discounting or taking into
consideration in its valuations of stocks, the effects of a slowdown in world
economic activity.  This is not to say there may not be more bad news, perhaps
related to a possible slowdown in consumer demand in the United States or in
industrial expansion in Europe.  Ultimately, however, we believe we will see an
easing of monetary policy in the major markets, such as the United States and
the United Kingdom.  We also believe Japan's government will act to stimulate
the economy.  At some point, investors will look beyond temporary dips in
earnings and the equity markets will rally.

With this outlook, we will continue to try to find good quality companies whose
stock prices may have been unduly penalized by short-term events.  This should
give us some great opportunities to buy.  We don't expect a deep slump.  And
even in a slump, we believe we may be able to find companies that can prosper
despite being in out-of-favor industries, such as specialty chemicals.



                                                                             25
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We rely on fundamental analysis to determine a company's potential to grow
earnings and the risk to the stock if it fails to meet our targets.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                [PICTURE OF HARLAN R. SONDERLING APPEARS HERE]

                        Harlan R. Sonderling, CPA, CFA
                              Tenure:  June 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [STYP BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                          4/14/87    2/1/93    2/1/93    1/31/97
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   8.44%     8.01%    11.99%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   13.85%    13.01%    12.99%     14.29%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   22.14%    22.46%    23.13%        --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                   16.45%    16.45%    16.65%        --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                  14.65%       --        --         --
 ...............................................................................
Since Inception                           12.81%    15.84%    15.95%     20.80%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                       Front End    CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                              $   0.19   $  0.06   $  0.06   $   0.24
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                $   1.52   $  1.52   $  1.52   $   1.52
 ................................................................................
*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date                  Class A            S & P 500 Index               CPI

Jul-88                  9,525                 10,000                  10,000
Jul-89                 11,966                 13,193                  10,498
Jul-90                 12,744                 14,051                  11,004
Jul-91                 14,484                 15,844                  11,494
Jul-92                 15,413                 17,870                  11,857
Jul-93                 17,448                 19,430                  12,186
Jul-94                 18,005                 20,433                  12,523
Jul-95                 20,507                 25,768                  12,869
Jul-96                 23,983                 30,037                  13,245
Jul-97                 34,454                 45,698                  13,544
Jul-98                 39,228                 54,510                  13,772



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Fund for
Total Return Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the
Consumer Price Index (CPI).




Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.


26
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform?

The Evergreen Fund for Total Return performed well relative to its peer group of
value-oriented, conservative equity mutual funds.  For the 12 months ended
July 31, 1998, the Fund's Class A Shares had a total return of 13.85%, while the
Class B Shares had a return of 13.01%, and the Class C Shares had a return of
12.99%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Class Y
Shares had a return of 14.29% during the period.  For the same 12-month period,
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index had a return of 19.29%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                 $179,377,032
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         67
 ...............................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                              20.7x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                    0.98
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How would you describe the investment environment during the 12-month period?

It was very favorable for stocks in general, although the market tended to
reward investments in larger capitalization, high growth companies, with high
price/earnings ratios, over more value- and yield-oriented styles, such as that
emphasized by the Fund.   The 12-month period was marked by declining interest
rates, robust economic growth, strong employment, and low and diminishing
inflation.  The Asian economic crisis started during the latter part of 1997,
and its effects on the U.S. economy and with the U.S. stock market were only
beginning to be felt in July of 1998.


What investment strategies were employed during the year, and have there been
any changes since you took over as portfolio manager on June 5, 1998?

The basic objective and strategies of the Fund remain the same.  We seek total
return from a combination of capital growth and income.  The strategy, which has
been in place since the Fund began 11 years ago, is to invest in U.S. stocks,
foreign stocks, bonds and money market instruments with the goal of earning more
consistent total returns, with less price fluctuation, than a portfolio of U.S.
stocks or bonds alone.  In investing in stocks, the Fund emphasizes established
companies, principally larger capitalization stocks, with some mid-cap holdings.
We rely on fundamental analysis to determine a company's potential to grow
earnings and the risk to the stock if it fails to meet our targets.

Since taking over as portfolio manager, I have slightly increased the cash level
in the portfolio.  When I became portfolio manager in June, about 6% of net
assets were invested in cash and cash-equivalent securities.  At the close of
the fiscal year on July 31, 11.4% of net assets were in cash and cash-
equivalents, with about 82% in common stocks of U.S. corporations.  I did this
mainly because of concerns about the high valuation levels of many stocks.  We
sold fully valued stock holdings, but were unwilling to re-invest all the
proceeds at the high current prices of many stocks.  We kept the proceeds in
cash rather than in longer-maturity fixed income securities because cash-
equivalent securities offered almost as much yield, but with much less price
risk.


                                                                              27
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


We also have increased the dividend yield of the portfolio.   We have done this
partly by investing in higher-yielding, relatively undervalued stocks.  Over the
long term, our goal is to have a portfolio with a current income, or dividend
yield, that is 20-to-25% higher than that of the S&P 500.  At the close of the
fiscal year, the portfolio had a dividend yield 50% higher than that of the S&P.

In addition, we have added several convertible securities to the portfolio to
add income without sacrificing growth opportunities.  The Fund did not own any
foreign securities at the close of the fiscal period.  We did not believe
valuations of either foreign stocks or currencies justified investment.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Healthcare Products & Services                                             13.1%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                      12.0%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                         8.5%
 ................................................................................
Retailing & Wholesale                                                       6.0%
 ................................................................................
Real Estate                                                                 5.9%
 ...............................................................................


What sectors or industries have you emphasized?

The Fund's largest area of emphasis is banking and finance, at about 20% of net
assets, compared with about 18% of the S&P 500.  In general, financial stocks
have been bolstered by industry consolidation, low interest rates and a strong
economy.  In addition, growing fee income has helped many companies.  Our two
largest financial holdings are Fleet Financial Group and BankBoston Corp., two
Northeast-based companies with strong competitive positions.

While banking and finance stocks have been strong performers, we are watching
them very carefully for signs of economic slowdown that could cause a
deterioration of credit quality.

The second largest weighting is in healthcare, at about 13.1% of net assets,
compared with about 11.9% in the S&P.  We believe pharmaceuticals are among the
most attractive consumer growth industries.  These companies have high sales
growth driven by the aging population and the interest of the managed care
industry in emphasizing drug therapy in healthcare.  Three of the Fund's top
four holdings are in the pharmaceutical industry.  The largest position is
American Home Products Corp., which has especially attractive prospects as the
result of its pending merger with Monsanto.  The other two major holdings are
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co.

Another top sector is Real Estate including the Fund's investments in Real
Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, at about 6% of net assets.  The past six
months have been a difficult period for REITs because the market has favored
large-capitalization, growth companies.  We believe REITs remain attractive,
however, because of their growing dividends and their defensive qualities in an
economic slowdown.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

American Home Products Corp.                                                3.4%
 ................................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                    3.2%
 ................................................................................
General Electric Co.                                                        3.0%
 ................................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                           2.7%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                                 2.4%
 ................................................................................
International Business Machines Corp.                                       2.2%
 ................................................................................
BankBoston Corp.                                                            2.2%
 ................................................................................
Philip Morris Companies, Inc.                                               1.8%
 ................................................................................
TCF Financial Corp.                                                         1.8%
 ................................................................................
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.                                                       1.8%
 ................................................................................


28
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What areas have you de-emphasized?

The two most significant underweightings are in technology and consumer staples,
such as food, personal care and beverage companies.

We have de-emphasized technology companies primarily because of concern that
this industry may be particularly vulnerable to earnings disappointments in the
months ahead.  In addition, they tend not to pay high dividends.  We do,
however, maintain a core of high quality technology companies, led by the
investment in IBM, at about 2.2% of net assets.  We have underweighted consumer
staples because we believe valuations are too high, especially when compared
against pharmaceuticals.


What is your outlook?

Business activity appears to be slowing down, although recession is unlikely.
Sales growth, for example, is at its lowest rate since 1993.  The principal
cause of the slowdown is the Asian crisis, which is likely to affect U.S.
businesses by limiting their ability to raise prices and increase their profits.
It is less likely to affect overall economic activity, but concerns will linger.
Very low unemployment and the upward trend in wages also may lead to a squeeze
in corporate profits, despite ongoing productivity enhancements and the
efficiencies of mergers and acquisitions.  Slowing earnings growth is a concern
to us because of the high valuations of stocks.

Within this environment, the Fund's focus remains on the stocks of high-quality,
income-producing domestic companies.  We will seek to avoid investments in
companies that could have disappointing earnings.  As long as the returns of
cash and cash-equivalents remain attractive, we will tend to emphasize cash
rather than longer-maturity fixed income instruments.

We believe this conservative strategy has the potential to continue to deliver
attractive returns, with less price risk than more aggressive investment
strategies.  We continue to see investment opportunities in a growing economy
with moderate interest rates and low inflation.



                                                                              29
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Period Ended
                                                                July 31, 1998*
 <S>                                                            <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                               $  27.39
                                                                   --------
 ........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                 0.08
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions                                3.01
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                                      3.09
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                                           (0.06)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions                                                    0
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                                  (0.06)
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                     $  30.42
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                                        11.29%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                              $284,735
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                        1.20%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                    1.20%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                 0.49%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                                112%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended August 31,
                            Period Ended    -------------------------------------------------
                           July 31, 1998**    1997      1996      1995      1994       1993
 <S>                       <C>              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD         $  29.79      $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21  $  25.42   $  23.17
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.12)         0.15      0.12      0.25      0.16       0.11
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            5.72          7.97      3.69      2.66     (0.35)      3.11
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 Total from investment
  operations                      5.60          8.12      3.81      2.91     (0.19)      3.22
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions           (4.96)        (3.18)    (0.98)    (2.78)    (1.74)     (0.69)
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 From net investment
  income                         (0.08)        (0.20)    (0.76)    (0.36)    (0.28)     (0.28)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (5.04)        (3.38)    (1.74)    (3.14)    (2.02)     (0.97)
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                      $  30.35      $  29.79  $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21   $  25.42
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                   20.89%        34.76%    17.31%    13.87%    (0.72%)    14.31%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                 $117,893      $312,935  $224,819  $199,456  $208,532   $234,688
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.68%++       1.57%     1.85%     1.75%     2.07%      2.28%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                   1.68%++       1.56%     1.84%      N/A       N/A        N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.02%)++      0.55%     0.52%     1.09%     0.67%      0.47%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           112%          109%      139%      115%       73%        96%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
  July 31, 1998.
** For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1998.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout the period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Period Ended
                                                                July 31, 1998*
 <S>                                                            <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                $27.70
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                   0(a)
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions                               2.72
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                                     2.72
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                                          (0.02)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions                                                   0
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                                 (0.02)
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                      $30.40
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                                        9.80%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                               $  780
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
  Total expenses                                                      2.02%++
 .........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                  2.02%++
 .........................................................................
  Net investment income                                              (0.27%)++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                               112%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
  July 31, 1998.
(a) Less than one cent per share.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       31
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended          Year Ended
                                          July 31,          December 31,
                                        ---------------     ---------------
                                         1998    1997**      1996    1995*
 <S>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR      $27.26   $22.53     $18.63   $14.48
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                    0.16     0.08       0.12     0.13
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions           2.86     4.72       4.26     4.64
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations         3.02     4.80       4.38     4.77
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income              (0.13)   (0.07)     (0.13)   (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities
  and foreign currency related
  transactions                           (1.01)       0      (0.35)   (0.48)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                     (1.14)   (0.07)     (0.48)   (0.62)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR            $29.14   $27.26     $22.53   $18.63
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                           11.26%   21.33%     23.50%   33.00%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (MILLIONS)      $  296   $  166     $   85   $   19
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
  Total expenses                          1.46%    1.47%++    1.41%    1.55%++
 ........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding indirectly
   paid expenses                          1.46%    1.47%++     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding fee waiv-
   ers and expense reimbursements          N/A      N/A        N/A     1.64%++
 .........................................................................
  Net investment income                   0.61%    0.57%++    0.70%    0.99%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                    20%       6%        14%      17%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended          Year Ended
                                          July 31,          December 31,
                                        ---------------     ---------------
                                         1998    1997**      1996    1995*
 <S>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR      $27.10   $22.43     $18.59   $14.48
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                   (0.02)   (0.02)       0(a)    0.05
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions           2.81     4.69       4.20     4.61
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations         2.79     4.67       4.20     4.66
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net realized gain on securities
  and foreign currency related
  transactions                           (1.01)       0      (0.35)   (0.48)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                  0        0      (0.01)   (0.07)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                     (1.01)       0      (0.36)   (0.55)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR            $28.88   $27.10     $22.43   $18.59
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                           10.44%   20.82%     22.60%   32.20%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (MILLIONS)      $1,000   $  542     $  245   $   46
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                           2.21%    2.25%++    2.17%    2.24%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                           2.21%    2.25%++     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding fee
  waivers and expense reimbursements       N/A      N/A        N/A     2.26%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                   (0.14%)  (0.19%)++  (0.06%)   0.30%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                    20%       6%        14%      17%
 ........................................................................
</TABLE>
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++  Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(a) Less than one cent per share.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ----------------------    ---------------------------
                             1998       1997**          1996           1995*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   27.10   $   22.43     $     18.58    $     14.48
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income         (0.02)      (0.02)              0(a)        0.06
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.82        4.69            4.21           4.60
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.80        4.67            4.21           4.66
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                           0           0           (0.01)         (0.08)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.01)          0           (0.35)         (0.48)
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.01)          0           (0.36)         (0.56)
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   28.89   $   27.10     $     22.43    $     18.58
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 10.47%      20.82%          22.60%         32.20%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $      50   $      24     $        10    $        20
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 2.21%       2.25%++         2.17%          2.15%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 2.21%       2.25%++          N/A            N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A         N/A             N/A           4.94%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income         (0.13%)     (0.19%)++       (0.06%)         0.35%++
 .........................................................................

 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          20%          6%             14%            17%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995    1994    1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   27.29  $   22.55    $18.64  $14.52  $15.41  $14.18
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.24       0.11      0.18    0.18    0.14    0.14
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.87       4.73      4.25    4.59    0.12    1.91
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                    3.11       4.84      4.43    4.77    0.26    2.05
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.01)         0     (0.35)  (0.48)  (1.01)  (0.68)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.20)     (0.10)    (0.17)  (0.17)  (0.14)  (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.21)     (0.10)    (0.52)  (0.65)  (1.15)  (0.82)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   29.19  $   27.29    $22.55  $18.64  $14.52  $15.41
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                  11.56%     21.52%    23.80%  32.90%   1.70%  14.40%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     801  $     616    $  442  $  141  $   73  $   77
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.20%      1.21%++   1.16%   1.27%   1.33%   1.26%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.20%      1.21%++   1.16%    N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A       N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.86%      0.82%++   0.93%   1.11%   0.96%   0.99%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          20%         6%       14%     17%     29%     28%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to De-
   cember 31, 1995.

** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

(a) Less than one cent per share.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       33

<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                             ---------------------   ------------------------
                               1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995*
 <S>                         <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $   23.94  $   21.79    $ 20.15  $ 17.28  $17.09
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OP-
  ERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            1.05       0.52#      1.02     1.01    0.02
 ........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                    0.81       2.15       1.67     2.94    0.17
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment op-
  erations                        1.86       2.67       2.69     3.95    0.19
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income      (1.02)     (0.52)     (1.05)   (1.08)      0
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                   (1.59)         0          0        0       0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (2.61)     (0.52)     (1.05)   (1.08)      0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $   23.19  $   23.94    $ 21.79  $ 20.15  $17.28
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                    7.93%     12.45%     13.80%   23.40%   1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  15,005  $  11,955    $ 9,678  $ 4,412  $  119
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET AS-
  SETS:
 Total expenses                   1.50%      1.45%++    1.44%    1.36%   1.45%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses        1.50%      1.45%++     N/A      N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A        N/A        N/A     2.50%    N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                  N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            4.20%      4.69%++    4.93%    5.39%   4.09%++
 ........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           133%        72%       168%     138%    151%
 .........................................................................
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                             ---------------------   ------------------------
                               1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995*
 <S>                         <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $   23.81  $   21.69    $ 20.08  $ 17.28  $17.09
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OP-
  ERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            0.86       0.43#      0.89     0.91    0.02
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                    0.81       2.15       1.64     2.87    0.17
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment op-
  erations                        1.67       2.58       2.53     3.78    0.19
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income      (0.85)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)      0
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                   (1.59)         0          0        0       0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (2.44)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)      0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $   23.04  $   23.81    $ 21.69  $ 20.08  $17.28
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                    7.13%     12.06%     13.00%   22.40%   1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  54,544  $  43,977    $35,323  $14,750  $  599
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET AS-
  SETS:
 Total expenses                   2.25%      2.20%++    2.19%    2.11%   2.23%++
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses        2.25%      2.20%++     N/A      N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A        N/A        N/A     2.25%    N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                  N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            3.46%      3.94%++    4.17%    4.69%   3.23%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           133%        72%       168%     138%    151%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
   od.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   January 31, 1995.
** For the six-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       34
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1997     1996     1995*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   23.81  $   21.69    $ 20.08  $ 17.27  $ 17.09
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.87       0.44#      0.87     0.90     0.01
 ........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.80       2.14       1.66     2.89     0.17
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.67       2.58       2.53     3.79     0.18
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.85)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.59)         0          0        0        0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (2.44)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   23.04  $   23.81    $ 21.69  $ 20.08  $ 17.27
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  7.13%     12.06%     12.90%   22.40%    1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   1,259  $     950    $   982  $   523  $    24
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 2.25%      2.20%++    2.19%    2.11%    2.22%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 2.25%      2.20%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A        N/A    13.03%     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.48%      4.06%++    4.15%    4.67%    2.68%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE         133%        72%       168%     138%     151%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,      Year Ended January 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------    Year Ended
                             1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995***     March 31,1994
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   23.98  $   21.81    $ 20.16  $ 17.28  $ 18.29        $20.90
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          1.02       0.55       1.08     1.10     0.87          1.08
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.89       2.16       1.66     2.87    (0.55)        (1.41)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.91       2.71       2.74     3.97     0.32         (0.33)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 ........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (1.08)     (0.54)     (1.09)   (1.09)   (1.08)        (1.08)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.59)         0          0        0    (0.25)        (1.20)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (2.67)     (0.54)     (1.09)   (1.09)   (1.33)        (2.28)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   23.22  $   23.98    $ 21.81  $ 20.16  $ 17.28        $18.29
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   8.16%     12.65%     14.10%   23.50%    1.90%        (2.10)%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     880  $     900    $   858  $   914  $   942        $1,065
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 1.25%      1.20%++    1.18%    1.19%    1.24%++       1.18%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.25%      1.20%++     N/A      N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          4.46%      4.97%++    5.14%    5.70%    5.70%++       5.29%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE         133%        72%       168%     138%     151%          106%
 .........................................................................
+   Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++  Annualized.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
    od.
*   For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    January 31, 1995.
**  For the six-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
    year end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the ten-month period ended January 31, 1995. The Fund changed its fis-
    cal year end from March 31 to January 31, effective January 31, 1995.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       35
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                             ----------------------  -------------------------
                                1998      1997**        1996         1995*
 <S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $    15.69  $  13.10    $     11.57  $      9.64
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income             0.29      0.14#          0.34         0.34
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                     0.24      2.59           2.13         2.45
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                       0.53      2.73           2.47         2.79
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                          (0.28)    (0.13)         (0.34)       (0.37)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                    (0.19)    (0.01)         (0.60)       (0.49)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions              (0.47)    (0.14)         (0.94)       (0.86)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $    15.75  $  15.69    $     13.10  $     11.57
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                     3.24%    20.99%         22.00%       29.50%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $   54,142  $  4,239    $       336  $       216
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.68%     1.71%++        1.75%        1.75%++
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses         1.68%     1.70%++         N/A          N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A      1.84%++        5.03%       24.45%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             1.95%     1.88%++        3.08%        3.39%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             18%       13%            50%          48%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                             ----------------------  -------------------------
                                1998      1997**        1996         1995*
 <S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $    15.64  $  13.09    $     11.57  $      9.64
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             0.19      0.08#          0.27         0.28
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                     0.22      2.57           2.11         2.43
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                       0.41      2.65           2.38         2.71
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                          (0.19)    (0.09)         (0.26)       (0.29)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                    (0.19)    (0.01)         (0.60)       (0.49)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions              (0.38)    (0.10)         (0.86)       (0.78)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $    15.67  $  15.64    $     13.09  $     11.57
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                     2.49%    20.37%         21.10%       28.70%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  130,191  $  9,462    $       692  $       266
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.43%     2.46%++        2.50%        2.50%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses         2.42%     2.45%++         N/A          N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A      2.59%          5.72%       20.90%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             1.20%     1.12%++        2.39%        2.67%++
 .........................................................................
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             18%       13%            50%          48%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
   od.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to De-
   cember 31, 1995.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       36
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended        Year Ended
                                              July 31,        December 31,
                                           ---------------    --------------
                                            1998    1997**     1996   1995*
 <S>                                       <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR         $ 15.63  $13.09    $11.56  $ 9.74
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                        0.19    0.10#     0.28    0.28
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions               0.22    2.54      2.10    2.33
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations             0.41    2.64      2.38    2.61
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                  (0.19)  (0.09)    (0.25)  (0.30)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions      (0.19)  (0.01)    (0.60)  (0.49)
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                         (0.38)  (0.10)    (0.85)  (0.79)
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR               $ 15.66  $15.63    $13.09  $11.56
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                2.49%  20.30%    21.10%  27.30%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (THOUSANDS)        $26,197  $2,770    $   56  $   24
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                               2.43%   2.45%++   2.50%   2.50%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                               2.42%   2.44%++    N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers
  and expense reimbursements                   N/A    2.58%++   5.77% 187.29%++
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                        1.20%   1.20%++   2.33%   2.63%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                        18%     13%       50%     48%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ----------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995      1994    1993***
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   15.71  $   13.12    $11.58  $ 9.70    $10.15   $10.00
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.19#     0.38    0.38      0.34     0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.24       2.56      2.13    2.38     (0.41)    0.15
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    0.58       2.75      2.51    2.76     (0.07)    0.25
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 ........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.33)     (0.15)    (0.37)  (0.38)    (0.33)   (0.10)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (0.19)     (0.01)    (0.60)  (0.50)    (0.05)       0
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (0.52)     (0.16)    (0.97)  (0.88)    (0.38)   (0.10)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   15.77  $   15.71    $13.12  $11.58    $ 9.70   $10.15
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   3.57%     21.09%    22.40%  29.10%    (0.70%)   2.50%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  96,556  $  42,374    $8,592  $4,806    $3,613   $2,236
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.39%      1.39%++   1.50%   1.50%++   1.48%    0.00%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.39%      1.38%++    N/A     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A       1.59%     4.75%   4.34%++   4.68%    4.39%
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
 .........................................................................
++ Annualized.
 Net investment income          2.23%      2.39%++   3.36%   3.56%++   3.72%    4.07%
# Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
  od.
 ........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          18%        13%       50%     48%        9%      15%
* For the period from January 24, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
  December 31, 1995.
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from October 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1993.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       37
<PAGE>

                                  EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996      1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.45  $   10.57    $ 10.80  $   9.00  $ 10.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 ........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.43       0.25       0.41      0.44     0.45
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.05      2.25    (1.01)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.87       1.12       0.46      2.69    (0.56)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)    (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.44)     (0.24)     (0.41)    (0.44)   (0.44)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.56)     (0.24)     (0.69)    (0.89)   (0.44)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.45    $ 10.57  $  10.80  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 17.30%     10.72%      4.40%    30.70%   (5.60%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  95,300  $  91,638    $96,243  $107,872  $ 4,190
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 0.99%      1.00%++    0.87%     0.79%    0.53%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.99%      0.99%++     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.14%      1.19%++    1.15%     1.18%    1.43%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.58%      3.85%++    3.87%     4.51%    5.07%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%       88%      23%
 .........................................................................
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.81  $   9.00  $ 10.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996      1995     1994*
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.05      2.26    (1.01)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.78       1.07       0.38      2.63    (0.62)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.20       0.33      0.37     0.39
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)    (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 ........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.48)     (0.19)     (0.61)    (0.82)   (0.38)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $  10.81  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.36)     (0.19)     (0.33)    (0.37)   (0.38)
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 ........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 16.31%     10.21%      3.60%    29.90%   (6.20%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  43,776  $  36,738    $38,511  $ 35,662  $28,792
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.74%      1.75%++    1.62%     1.53%    1.27%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.74%      1.74%++     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.88%      1.94%++    1.89%     1.93%    2.11%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          2.82%      3.10%++    3.12%     3.78%    4.19%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%       88%      23%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 4, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to De-
  cember 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       38
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.82  $  9.01  $  9.33
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.20       0.33     0.37     0.12
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.04     2.26    (0.33)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.78       1.07       0.37     2.63    (0.21)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)   (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.36)     (0.19)     (0.33)   (0.37)   (0.11)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.48)     (0.19)     (0.61)   (0.82)   (0.11)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $ 10.82  $  9.01
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 16.31%     10.21%      3.50%   29.80%  (2.20%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $     486  $     379    $   396  $   246  $   128
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 1.74%      1.75%++    1.63%    1.54%    1.94%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.74%      1.74%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.88%      1.94%++    1.90%    1.93%    2.78%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          2.82%      3.10%++    3.13%    3.76%    3.96%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%      88%      23%
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.82  $  9.00  $  9.51
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995    1994***
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.45       0.88       0.03     2.27    (0.50)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.91       1.13       0.47     2.74    (0.13)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)   (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 Net investment income          0.46       0.25       0.44     0.47     0.37
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.60)     (0.25)     (0.71)   (0.92)   (0.38)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.77  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $ 10.82  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.48)     (0.25)     (0.43)   (0.47)   (0.38)
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                  17.60%     10.85%      4.50%   31.30%  (1.60%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   1,695  $   1,627    $ 2,000  $ 7,791  $ 5,201
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 0.74%      0.74%++    0.61%    0.54%    0.40%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.74%      0.73%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                0.89%      0.94%++    0.89%    0.93%    1.24%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.82%      4.06%++    4.01%    4.76%    4.93%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%      88%      23%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
  December 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from February 28, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       39
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   -------------------------------------
                             1998      1997**        1996      1995      1994     1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.64  $   20.57    $  20.45  $  16.62  $  17.63  $ 17.11
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.26       0.21        0.38      0.55      0.52     0.47
 .............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.00       4.05        3.49      4.69     (0.20)    1.10
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.26       4.26        3.87      5.24      0.32     1.57
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .............................................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.29)     (0.19)      (0.41)    (0.51)    (0.51)   (0.47)
 .............................................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0       (3.34)    (0.90)    (0.82)   (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.67)     (0.19)      (3.75)    (1.41)    (1.33)   (1.05)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.23  $   24.64    $  20.57  $  20.45  $  16.62  $ 17.63
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 ............................................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  9.55%     20.78%      18.90%    31.80%     1.90%    9.30%
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     476  $     392    $    328  $    292  $    189  $   190
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.01%      0.92%++     0.91%     0.90%     0.93%    0.99%
 .............................................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.01%      0.92%++      N/A       N/A       N/A      N/A
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          1.04%      1.66%++     1.77%     2.78%     2.96%    2.63%
 .............................................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%         91%       53%       70%      46%
 .............................................................................................

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   -------------------------------------
                             1998      1997**        1996      1995      1994     1993*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.63  $   20.58    $  20.45  $  16.62  $  17.63  $ 17.24
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.08       0.12        0.22      0.39      0.42     0.35
 .............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.99       4.03        3.50      4.70     (0.20)    1.01
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.07       4.15        3.72      5.09      0.22     1.36
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .............................................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.12)     (0.10)      (0.25)    (0.36)    (0.41)   (0.39)
 .............................................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0       (3.34)    (0.90)    (0.82)   (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
Total distributions           (4.50)     (0.10)      (3.59)    (1.26)    (1.23)   (0.97)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 ............................................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.20  $   24.63    $  20.58  $  20.45  $  16.62  $ 17.63
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  8.73%     20.23%      18.10%    30.90%     1.30%    8.00%
 ............................................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $ 326,459  $ 276,256    $197,411  $141,072  $104,297  $59,953
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.76%      1.67%++     1.66%     1.65%     1.53%    1.48%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.76%      1.67%++      N/A       N/A       N/A      N/A
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.30%      0.92%++     1.01%     2.04%     2.36%    2.09%++
 .............................................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%         91%       53%       70%      46%
 ............................................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from February 2, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1993.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       40
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.61  $   20.56    $ 20.44  $ 16.61  $ 18.28
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.10       0.12       0.22     0.39     0.19
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.97       4.03       3.50     4.70    (0.81)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.07       4.15       3.72     5.09    (0.62)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.12)     (0.10)     (0.26)   (0.36)   (0.23)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0      (3.34)   (0.90)   (0.82)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.50)     (0.10)     (3.60)   (1.26)   (1.05)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.18  $   24.61    $ 20.56  $ 20.44  $ 16.61
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  8.74%     20.25%     18.10%   30.90%   (3.40%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   5,125  $   2,507    $ 1,458  $   811  $   485
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.76%      1.66%++    1.67%    1.65%    1.68%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.76%      1.66%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.29%      0.94%++    1.00%    2.03%    2.16%++
 .........................................................................

 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%        91%      53%      70%
 ........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995    1994    1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.64  $   20.57    $20.45  $16.61  $17.63  $17.11
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.35       0.25      0.44    0.57    0.56    0.52
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.97       4.03      3.49    4.72   (0.20)   1.12
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.32       4.28      3.93    5.29    0.36    1.64
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0     (3.34)  (0.90)  (0.82)  (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.35)     (0.21)    (0.47)  (0.55)  (0.56)  (0.54)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.73)     (0.21)    (3.81)  (1.45)  (1.38)  (1.12)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.23  $   24.64    $20.57  $20.45  $16.61  $17.63
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   9.79%     20.93%    19.20%  32.20%   2.10%   9.70%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     183  $   1,149    $  996  $  761  $  507  $  463
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 0.70%      0.67%++   0.66%   0.65%   0.68%   0.65%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.70%      0.67%++    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          1.47%      1.91%++   2.02%   3.02%   3.21%   2.98%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%       91%     53%     70%     46%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       41
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended November 30,
                           ----------------------   -----------------------------------
                              1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $    20.69  $   17.33    $ 13.83  $ 11.75  $ 12.31   $ 12.06
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.21       0.18       0.26     0.25     0.24      0.21
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           2.46       3.34       3.83     2.80    (0.56)     1.31
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     2.67       3.52       4.09     3.05    (0.32)     1.52
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                        (0.19)     (0.16)     (0.26)   (0.32)   (0.24)    (0.24)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions          (1.52)         0      (0.33)   (0.65)       0     (1.03)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions            (1.71)     (0.16)     (0.59)   (0.97)   (0.24)    (1.27)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $    21.65  $   20.69    $ 17.33  $ 13.83  $ 11.75   $ 12.31
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  13.85%     20.40%     29.83%   26.57%   (2.65%)   12.67%
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   52,667  $  47,812    $40,487  $27,037  $23,162   $26,367
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses                  1.21%      1.24%++    1.41%    1.69%    1.59%     1.85%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                  1.21%      1.22%++    1.39%     N/A      N/A       N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           1.01%      1.46%++    1.66%    1.94%    1.93%     1.63%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           66%        41%        41%      77%      57%       92%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended November 30,
                           ----------------------   -----------------------------------
                              1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $    20.63  $   17.31    $ 13.84  $ 11.77  $ 12.32   $ 12.65
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.06       0.09       0.15     0.15     0.15      0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           2.45       3.31       3.80     2.82    (0.56)     0.74
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     2.51       3.40       3.95     2.97    (0.41)     0.84
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                        (0.06)     (0.08)     (0.15)   (0.25)   (0.14)    (0.14)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions          (1.52)         0      (0.33)   (0.65)       0     (1.03)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions            (1.58)     (0.08)     (0.48)   (0.90)   (0.14)    (1.17)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $    21.56  $   20.63    $ 17.31  $ 13.84  $ 11.77   $ 12.32
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  13.01%     19.68%     28.73%   25.59%   (3.36%)    6.68%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  105,748  $  94,309    $43,526  $20,605  $ 7,314   $ 4,283
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses                  1.97%      2.02%++    2.18%    2.47%    2.31%     2.64%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                  1.97%      2.00%++    2.16%    2.46%     N/A       N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.25%      0.58%++    0.88%    1.06%    1.27%     0.84%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           66%        41%        41%      77%      57%       92%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from February 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1993.
** For the eight-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       42
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended November 30,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995    1994    1993*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   20.65  $   17.32    $ 13.85  $11.78  $12.33   $12.65
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.05       0.09       0.14    0.16    0.15     0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.46       3.32       3.81    2.81   (0.56)    0.75
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.51       3.41       3.95    2.97   (0.41)    0.85
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.06)     (0.08)     (0.15)  (0.25)  (0.14)   (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.52)         0      (0.33)  (0.65)      0    (1.03)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.58)     (0.08)     (0.48)  (0.90)  (0.14)   (1.17)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   21.58  $   20.65    $ 17.32  $13.85  $11.78   $12.33
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+              12.99%        19.73%     28.71%  25.57%  (3.36%)   6.76%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  20,851  $  21,125    $14,562  $9,503  $5,968   $5,030
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.97%      2.01%++    2.17%   2.47%   2.34%    2.64%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.97%      1.99%++    2.15%   2.44%    N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.25%      0.66%++    0.89%   1.16%   1.21%    0.83%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          66%        41%        41%     77%     57%      92%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Year Ended July 31,
                                                      -----------------------
                                                        1998       1997***

 <S>                                                  <C>         <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR                    $   20.62   $   17.74
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                                     0.24        0.18
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on
  securities and foreign currency related
  transactions                                             2.51        2.86
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                          2.75        3.04
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                               (0.24)      (0.16)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions                           (1.52)          0
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                      (1.76)      (0.16)
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR                          $   21.61   $   20.62
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                                             14.29%      17.22 %
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (THOUSANDS)                   $     111   $      93
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                            0.93 %      1.34 %++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses        0.93 %      1.34 %++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                     1.31 %      0.79 %++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                     66 %        41 %
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from February 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
  November 30, 1993.
** For the eight-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from January 13, 1997 (commencement of class operations) to
    July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       43
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 85.5%
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 2.5%
      72,300 Chrysler Corp. .....................................   $  4,279,256
      55,000 Ford Motor Co. .....................................      3,131,563
      50,000 *Lear Corp. ........................................      2,653,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,063,944
                                                                    ------------
             BANKS - 5.8%
      50,000 BankAmerica Corp. ..................................      4,487,500
      63,000 BankBoston Corp. ...................................      3,047,625
      45,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ........................      3,867,187
      65,000 Mellon Bank Corp. ..................................      4,379,375
     180,000 North Fork Bancorp, Inc. ...........................      4,387,500
      30,000 PNC Bank Corp. .....................................      1,618,125
      60,000 TCF Financial Corp. ................................      1,732,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      23,519,812
                                                                    ------------
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 1.0%
      97,000 Home Depot, Inc. ...................................      4,061,875
                                                                    ------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 1.1%
      40,000 Xerox Corp. ........................................      4,222,500
                                                                    ------------
             CAPITAL GOODS - 0.1%
      12,000 Deere & Co. ........................................        482,250
                                                                    ------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 0.6%
      45,000 Monsanto Co. .......................................      2,548,125
                                                                    ------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 2.2%
      40,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ...............................      3,831,250
      96,500 *WorldCom, Inc. ....................................      5,093,391
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,924,641
                                                                    ------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 3.7%
      28,500 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ..............................      2,634,469
      58,000 Gillette Co. .......................................      3,037,750
      75,000 Procter & Gamble Co. ...............................      5,953,125
     150,800 Stewart Enterprises, Inc. Cl. A.....................      3,425,987
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,051,331
                                                                    ------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.2%
      80,000 Tyco International Ltd. ............................      4,955,000
                                                                    ------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 3.5%
     149,500 General Electric Co. ...............................     13,352,219
       9,000 Honeywell, Inc. ....................................        754,312
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      14,106,531
                                                                    ------------
             ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - 1.0%
     162,500 *Republic Services, Inc. ...........................      4,062,500
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 11.7%
      35,000 American International Group, Inc...................      5,278,437
      64,414 Associates First Capital Corp.
              Cl. A..............................................      5,004,163
      45,000 CIGNA Corp. ........................................      2,972,813
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
      92,500 Federal National Mortgage Association...............   $  5,735,000
     143,800 Greenpoint Financial Corp. .........................      5,707,062
      65,000 Hartford Life, Inc. Cl. A...........................      3,761,875
      40,000 Lincoln National Corp. .............................      3,830,000
      29,000 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ........      2,524,813
      31,500 PMI Group, Inc. ....................................      2,134,125
      80,000 SLM Holding Corp. ..................................      3,700,000
      96,000 Travelers Group, Inc. ..............................      6,432,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      47,080,288
                                                                    ------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.8%
      90,500 Coca Cola Co. ......................................      7,302,219
                                                                    ------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 13.1%
     170,000 American Home Products Corp. .......................      8,755,000
      57,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ...........................      6,494,437
     100,400 HBO & Co. ..........................................      2,958,663
     150,000 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A...........      3,525,000
      60,000 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. .................................      1,507,500
      55,000 Johnson & Johnson...................................      4,248,750
      82,900 Medtronic, Inc. ....................................      5,134,619
      58,500 Merck & Co., Inc. ..................................      7,213,781
      46,000 Pfizer, Inc. .......................................      5,060,000
     132,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...........................      6,253,500
      25,000 *Steris Corp. ......................................      1,528,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      52,679,375
                                                                    ------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 10.2%
      86,000 *BMC Software, Inc. ................................      4,238,187
     100,500 *EMC Corp. .........................................      4,924,500
      50,000 *Gateway 2000, Inc. ................................      2,700,000
      51,300 Intel Corp. ........................................      4,330,041
      41,000 International Business Machines Corp. ..............      5,432,500
     102,600 *Microsoft Corp. ...................................     11,282,794
      85,000 *Peoplesoft, Inc. ..................................      3,192,812
     105,000 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ............................      4,957,969
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      41,058,803
                                                                    ------------
             LEISURE & TOURISM - 2.3%
      96,000 Disney Walt Co. ....................................      3,306,000
      40,000 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. .......................      2,972,500
      82,500 Seagram Co. Ltd. ...................................      3,031,875
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,310,375
                                                                    ------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 8.1%
     100,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...........................      3,431,250
      92,000 British Petroleum Plc, ADR..........................      7,383,000
      86,000 Exxon Corp. ........................................      6,030,750
      40,000 Mobil Corp. ........................................      2,790,000
      92,000 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ..........................      4,692,000
     137,100 Texaco, Inc. .......................................      8,337,394
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      32,664,394
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       44
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 4.7%
     117,500 CBS Corp. ..........................................   $  3,987,656
      25,000 *Clear Channel Communications, Inc. ................      1,404,688
      23,100 *Tele Communications, Inc. .........................        963,703
      35,000 Time Warner, Inc. ..................................      3,152,187
      75,500 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B.................................      5,171,750
     120,000 *World Color Press, Inc. ...........................      4,087,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      18,767,484
                                                                    ------------
             REAL ESTATE - 1.2%
     112,504 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT.................      2,798,537
      80,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT............      2,210,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,008,537
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 6.0%
     119,500 *Borders Group Inc. ................................      3,749,312
      52,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ............................      2,952,625
     101,600 CVS Corp. ..........................................      4,165,600
      64,600 Dayton Hudson Corp. ................................      3,088,688
      63,125 Dollar General Corp. ...............................      2,588,125
      52,500 Pier 1 Imports, Inc. ...............................        817,031
     108,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ..............................      6,817,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      24,178,881
                                                                    ------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.7%
      60,000 Ameritech Corp. ....................................      2,951,250
      66,100 AT&T Corp. .........................................      4,007,313
      70,000 GTE Corp. ..........................................      3,806,250
      75,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      4,003,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      14,767,938
                                                                    ------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $260,296,892)................................    344,816,803
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
(a) The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. government
    and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued inter-
    est at July 31, 1998.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144A of the securities act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the
     Board of Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 1.0%
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 1.0%
      70,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A.......................................   $  4,165,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $3,556,250).................................      4,165,000
                                                                   ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.0%
             IRON & STEEL - 0.0%
 $   110,000 Compania Vale do Rio Doce Navegacao SA
              1.00%, 12/31/99...................................   $          9
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $0).........................................              9
                                                                   ------------
 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 8.5%
  34,092,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement, Investments in
              repurchase agreements, in a joint trading account
              purchased
              7/31/98, 5.65% maturing 8/3/98, maturity value
              $34,108,052
              (cost $34,092,000) (a)............................     34,092,000
                                                                   ------------
<CAPTION>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                             <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $297,945,142).........................    95.0%  383,073,812
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET...........................     5.0    20,334,253
                                                             -----  ------------
             NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $403,408,065
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       45
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 81.6%
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.5%
     282,000 Boeing Co. .......................................   $   10,945,125
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.5%
      50,000 Ford Motor Co. ...................................        2,846,875
     430,000 Meritor Automotive, Inc. .........................        8,707,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,554,375
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 9.1%
     131,850 AmSouth Bancorp...................................        5,232,797
      15,600 Astoria Financial Corp. ..........................          781,950
     130,284 Banc One Corp. ...................................        6,734,054
      80,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc. .......................        5,120,000
      16,820 BB & T Corp. .....................................        1,181,605
     286,500 BSB Bancorp, Inc. ................................        9,311,250
     135,000 Carolina First Corp. .............................        3,307,500
      14,300 Centura Banks, Inc. ..............................          989,381
      38,838 Charter One Financial, Inc. ......................        1,264,662
      67,500 Citicorp..........................................       11,475,000
      12,878 Commerce Bankcorp, Inc. ..........................          585,926
      45,750 Crestar Financial Corp. ..........................        3,119,578
      55,600 Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. .......................        2,953,750
      71,824 First American Corp. .............................        3,375,728
     236,250 First Security Corp. .............................        5,190,117
     114,550 First Virginia Banks, Inc. .......................        6,293,091
     140,100 Firstar Corp. ....................................        6,996,244
      23,600 FirstMerit Corp. .................................          691,775
      50,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ......................        4,296,875
     210,000 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A..............................        3,963,750
      15,100 JSB Financial, Inc. ..............................          818,231
     221,200 KeyCorp...........................................        7,520,800
      22,650 Keystone Financial, Inc. .........................          757,359
     208,400 Marshall & Ilsley Corp. ..........................       11,709,475
      53,125 NationsBank Corp. ................................        4,236,719
     167,400 Norwest Corp. ....................................        6,015,938
     712,100 Pacific Century Financial Corp. ..................       13,974,962
     130,000 Peoples Heritage Financial Group..................        2,941,250
     195,000 SouthTrust Corp. .................................        7,885,313
      27,900 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. ...........................          627,750
     117,300 State Street Corp. ...............................        8,130,356
      98,475 Summit Bancorp....................................        4,406,756
     180,000 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. .....................        4,050,000
      12,785 Union Planters Corp. .............................          696,783
      53,787 Wachovia Corp. ...................................        4,605,512
   1,030,000 Webster Financial Corp. ..........................       31,221,875
      52,000 Wilmington Trust Corp. ...........................        3,084,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     195,548,362
                                                                  --------------
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 3.3%
      13,300 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. .................          819,613
     320,000 *Furniture Brands International, Inc. ............        9,040,000
      80,000 Home Depot, Inc. .................................        3,350,000
     349,100 *Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. ..................       10,254,812
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - CONTINUED
     218,600 Lennar Corp. .....................................   $    6,038,825
     113,000 Lone Star Industries, Inc. .......................        8,220,750
     280,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ...........................       10,780,000
      70,400 Southdown, Inc. ..................................        4,404,400
     130,000 *Toll Brothers, Inc. .............................        3,404,375
     358,200 *US Home Corp. ...................................       13,410,112
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      69,722,887
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 4.3%
     422,500 Air Express International Corp. ..................        9,321,406
     794,300 Circle International Group, Inc. .................       18,169,612
     180,000 *Compuware Corp. .................................        9,686,250
     133,000 Equifax, Inc. ....................................        5,436,375
     123,436 First Data Corp. .................................        3,571,929
     640,200 Pittston Burlington Group.........................        7,642,388
     334,700 *Platinum Technology Corp. .......................       10,574,428
     470,000 *Policy Management Systems Corp. .................       20,621,250
     427,000 Reynolds & Reynolds Co., Cl. A....................        7,178,938
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      92,202,576
                                                                  --------------
             CAPITAL GOODS - 0.3%
     127,200 Caterpillar, Inc. ................................        6,169,200
                                                                  --------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 3.2%
     130,000 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. ...................        4,550,000
     180,000 Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co. ..................       11,160,000
     265,000 Engelhard Corp. ..................................        5,531,875
     165,000 *Grace (W.R.) & Co. ..............................        2,753,438
     135,300 H.B. Fuller Co. ..................................        7,610,625
     255,000 Morton International, Inc. .......................        6,167,812
     180,000 Nalco Chemical Co. ...............................        6,165,000
     237,000 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. ..............        7,495,125
     260,000 Praxair, Inc. ....................................       12,805,000
     175,000 Solutia, Inc. ....................................        5,195,312
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      69,434,187
                                                                  --------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 0.8%
     248,820 American Tower Systems Corp. .....................        5,971,680
      72,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. .............................        6,894,000
      60,000 *WorldCom, Inc. ..................................        3,172,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,038,180
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 3.0%
     235,200 Black & Decker Corp. .............................       13,377,000
      90,000 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ............................        8,319,375
      25,000 CPI Corp. ........................................          625,000
       9,800 *GC Companies, Inc. ..............................          458,150
     179,000 Gucci Group.......................................        8,703,875
      40,700 Harley-Davidson, Inc. ............................        1,612,738
     185,000 Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. .....................       10,348,437
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - CONTINUED
     162,500 Lancaster Colony Corp. ...........................   $    6,276,562
     440,000 Premark International, Inc. ......................       13,640,000
       9,100 Toro Co. .........................................          246,838
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      63,607,975
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.6%
     217,500 Harnischfeger Industries, Inc. ...................        5,410,313
     200,000 ITT Industries, Inc. .............................        6,975,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      12,385,313
                                                                  --------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 2.6%
     220,000 Baldor Electric Co. ..............................        4,565,000
     185,000 Belden, Inc. .....................................        4,879,375
      65,000 Diebold Inc. .....................................        1,641,250
      70,200 General Electric Co. .............................        6,269,738
     175,100 Harman International Industries, Inc. ............        6,905,506
     180,000 Honeywell, Inc. ..................................       15,086,250
     106,000 *Jabil Circuit, Inc. .............................        3,690,125
     136,100 Perkin Elmer Corp. ...............................        7,978,862
     335,000 Sensormatic Electronics Corp. ....................        3,664,063
     152,900 *Unitrode Corp. ..................................        2,025,925
       2,331 Zilog, Inc. ......................................            2,331
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,708,425
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 6.3%
     120,000 AFLAC, Inc. ......................................        4,125,000
      17,800 American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. ...........        1,073,563
      97,000 Chubb Corp. ......................................        7,117,375
     279,750 Edwards (A.G.), Inc. .............................       10,927,734
     300,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................       14,175,000
     315,000 Federal National Mortgage Association.............       19,530,000
      42,750 First American Financial Corp. ...................        1,132,875
     388,740 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ...................        6,900,135
     200,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ..........       10,412,500
     115,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. .........................        4,025,000
      63,866 Legg Mason, Inc. .................................        3,899,818
     200,500 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. ...................       14,436,000
      29,100 Life RE Corp. ....................................        2,653,556
      67,500 Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. ................        1,944,844
      31,300 Mercury General Corp. ............................        1,437,844
      59,000 Mid Ocean Ltd. ...................................        4,661,000
     272,100 Paine Webber Group, Inc. .........................       12,822,712
     212,000 Price (T.) Rowe & Associates, Inc.................        7,526,000
       3,300 Reinsurance Group Of America......................          183,563
     125,000 UNUM Corp. .......................................        6,585,937
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     135,570,456
                                                                  --------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.1%
      90,000 Bestfoods.........................................        5,006,250
      11,250 *Corn Products International, Inc. ...............          334,688
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - CONTINUED
     350,000 Darden Restaurants, Inc. .........................   $    6,059,375
      50,000 *Dominick's Supermarkets, Inc. ...................        2,253,125
      40,000 Sara Lee Corp. ...................................        2,005,000
     420,400 *Vlasic Foods International, Inc. ................        7,383,275
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,041,713
                                                                  --------------
             FOREST PRODUCTS - 0.1%
     120,000 Deltic Timber Corp. ..............................        2,790,000
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 11.4%
     230,000 Abbott Laboratories...............................        9,559,375
     408,200 *Acuson Corp. ....................................        6,735,300
     200,000 American Home Products Corp. .....................       10,300,000
      60,000 Baxter International, Inc. .......................        3,585,000
     126,800 Beckman Coulter Inc. .............................        7,623,850
     110,000 *Elan Corp Plc, ADR...............................        7,920,000
     362,000 *First Health Group Corp. ........................        8,914,250
     365,000 *Foundation Health Systems, Inc. .................        7,528,125
     401,625 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A.........        9,438,187
     206,000 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ...............................        5,175,750
      70,100 Johnson & Johnson.................................        5,415,225
      70,500 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ................................        4,741,125
     650,000 *Lincare Holdings, Inc. ..........................       25,837,500
      60,000 Manor Care, Inc. .................................        2,238,750
     400,000 McKesson Corp. ...................................       32,250,000
      20,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ................................        2,466,250
     100,000 Owens & Minor, Inc. ..............................        1,237,500
      84,200 Pfizer, Inc. .....................................        9,262,000
     521,500 *Quorum Health Group, Inc. .......................       13,167,875
     226,000 Schering-Plough Corp. ............................       21,865,500
     225,000 Shared Medical System Corp. ......................       15,271,875
     256,000 *Sybron International Corp. ......................        5,312,000
     120,000 *Tenet Healthcare Corp. ..........................        3,592,500
     162,000 Warner-Lambert Co. ...............................       12,241,125
      65,020 *Wellpoint Health Networks, Inc.
              Cl. A............................................        3,986,539
     350,000 West Co., Inc. ...................................        9,734,375
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     245,399,976
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 6.8%
     223,700 AptarGroup, Inc. .................................       13,771,531
     164,625 Autoliv, Inc. ....................................        5,607,539
     370,000 Bemis Co., Inc. ..................................       14,291,250
     150,000 Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. .....................        7,059,375
      42,000 Carpenter Technology Corp. .......................        1,819,125
     101,800 Danaher Corp. ....................................        4,154,713
     197,000 Dover Corp. ......................................        5,725,312
     226,218 Flowserve Corp. ..................................        4,934,380
      71,900 *Halter Marine Group, Inc. .......................        1,141,413
      12,800 J & L Specialty Steel, Inc. ......................           72,000
     270,300 JLG Industries, Inc. .............................        4,189,650
      33,500 Magna International, Inc. Cl. A...................        2,286,375
      23,650 Newmont Mining Corp. .............................          446,394
</TABLE>

                                       47
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
               CONTINUED
     145,000 Parker Hannifin Corp. ...........................   $    4,975,313
     594,000 Pittston Brink's Group ..........................       21,198,375
     260,000 Snap-on, Inc. ...................................        9,230,000
     284,000 *Strattec Security Corp. ........................        7,952,000
     280,000 Sundstrand Corp. ................................       14,647,500
      15,000 Tecumseh Products Co. Cl. A......................          787,500
     216,300 *UCAR International, Inc. .......................        5,704,912
     680,300 *Unova, Inc. ....................................       14,116,225
      25,000 Vulcan Materials Co. ............................        2,875,000
                                                                 --------------
                                                                    146,985,882
                                                                 --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 2.0%
      80,000 *Adaptec, Inc. ..................................          930,000
     100,000 *Applied Materials, Inc. ........................        3,350,000
      13,300 *Choicepoint, Inc. ..............................          655,025
     400,000 Computer Associates International, Inc. .........       13,275,000
     110,000 *Dupont Photomasks, Inc. ........................        3,547,500
     100,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. .............................        5,550,000
      72,000 Intel Corp. .....................................        6,079,500
     329,800 *KLA-Tencor Corp. ...............................        9,852,775
      87,500 *Perceptron, Inc. ...............................          568,750
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     43,808,550
                                                                 --------------
             MANUFACTURING -
              DISTRIBUTING  - 0.1%
     136,100 Hussmann International, Inc. ....................        2,415,775
                                                                 --------------
             METAL PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.3%
     365,000 *Steel Dynamics, Inc. ...........................        5,292,500
                                                                 --------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 4.1%
      50,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ........................        1,715,625
     320,000 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A........................        3,680,000
     507,400 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. ...........................        8,689,225
      90,000 Coastal Corp. ...................................        2,947,500
     165,000 *Denbury Resources, Inc. ........................        1,691,250
     160,000 *Houston Exploration, Co. .......................        3,360,000
     110,300 Kerr-McGee Corp. ................................        5,659,769
     209,500 Murphy Oil Corp. ................................        9,283,469
     183,900 National Fuel Gas Co. ...........................        7,597,369
     221,200 *Nuevo Energy Co. ...............................        5,419,400
     495,000 *Oryx Energy Co. ................................        9,126,562
     400,000 *Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. ................        3,525,000
     321,600 Southwestern Energy Co. .........................        2,894,400
     100,000 Tosco Corp. .....................................        2,800,000
     325,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc. .......................       12,817,187
     113,520 Union Pacific Resource Group, Inc. ..............        1,589,280
     174,000 Williams Companies, Inc. ........................        5,578,875
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     88,374,911
                                                                 --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.9%
     298,000 *Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ..........................        9,126,250
      52,300 Camco International, Inc. .......................        3,713,300
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - CONTINUED
     113,140 Halliburton Co. .................................   $    4,108,396
      96,500 Helmerich & Payne, Inc. .........................        1,978,250
      15,500 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .........................          458,219
     914,500 *R & B Falcon Corp. .............................       15,032,094
     380,500 *Varco International, Inc. ......................        6,040,437
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     40,456,946
                                                                 --------------
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.3%
      88,440 Sealed Air Corp. ................................        3,537,600
      75,000 Westvaco Corp. ..................................        1,879,688
                                                                 --------------
                                                                      5,417,288
                                                                 --------------
             PHARMACEUTICALS - 0.1%
     100,000 *Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. .....................        2,575,000
                                                                 --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 4.6%
      84,000 *Chancellor Media Corp. .........................        4,053,000
      49,805 Comcast Corp. ...................................        2,261,458
     270,000 *Emmis Broadcasting Corp. Cl. A..................       11,542,500
     273,800 Gaylord Entertainment Co. .......................        8,385,125
     425,000 *Jacor Communications, Inc. .....................       24,915,625
      40,000 Knight-Ridder, Inc. .............................        2,110,000
      15,000 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. .....................        1,229,063
      43,000 Scripps (E.W.) Co. Cl. A.........................        2,262,875
     185,000 TCA Cable TV, Inc. ..............................       10,649,062
     250,000 Time Warner, Inc. ...............................       22,515,625
           1 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. A..............................               68
       2,800 Washington Post Co., Cl. B.......................        1,524,600
      95,000 *Young Broadcasting, Inc. Cl. A..................        6,222,500
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     97,671,501
                                                                 --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 2.6%
      40,000 AMB Property Corp. REIT..........................          955,000
      20,000 Apartment Investment & Management Co. Cl. A
              REIT............................................          760,000
      60,000 Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT....................        1,417,500
      71,200 Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT..................          778,750
     158,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.....................        3,150,125
     145,000 CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT....................        3,905,938
      20,000 CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. REIT...........          486,250
      78,000 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT.........        2,291,250
      75,000 Entertainment Properties Trust REIT..............        1,378,125
      66,100 Gables Residential Trust REIT....................        1,772,306
     100,000 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT.........................        2,268,750
      64,000 Kimco Realty Corp. REIT..........................        2,368,000
      85,000 Liberty Property Trust REIT......................        2,130,313
     165,000 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT......................        5,125,312
     170,000 Meditrust Co. REIT...............................        3,825,000
     165,400 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT..........        3,142,600
      20,000 RFS Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT...................          341,250
     160,000 *Servico, Inc. ..................................        2,160,000
     199,851 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT.............        8,206,382
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             REAL ESTATE - CONTINUED
     132,600 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT...............   $    1,475,175
     255,300 Weeks Corp. REIT..................................        7,371,787
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      55,309,813
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 2.9%
     116,600 *Autozone, Inc. ..................................        3,993,550
     169,000 Avnet, Inc. ......................................        9,273,875
     290,600 *Cole National Corp. Cl. A........................        9,589,800
     150,000 J. C. Penney Co., Inc. ...........................        8,803,125
      52,600 Longs Drug Stores Corp. ..........................        1,453,075
     113,100 Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. ......................        8,970,244
     318,825 *Proffitts, Inc. .................................       10,042,987
     105,000 Rite Aid Corp. ...................................        4,147,500
     118,000 *Saks Holdings, Inc. .............................        3,031,125
      20,400 Shopko Stores, Inc. ..............................          596,700
       8,200 *Timberland Co. Cl. A.............................          528,900
      20,000 *Tommy Hilfiger Corp. ............................        1,121,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      61,552,131
                                                                  --------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.5%
     168,000 *Aspect Telecommunications Corp. .................        5,360,250
      50,000 Mediaone Group, Inc. .............................        2,415,625
      70,000 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A.............        2,555,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      10,330,875
                                                                  --------------
             TRANSPORTATION - 4.4%
     276,600 *Atlas Air, Inc. .................................       10,199,625
     780,000 Bombardier, Inc., Cl. B...........................       10,737,970
     190,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe......................       19,558,125
     612,600 Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ............       30,093,975
     140,000 +Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. .....................        2,563,750
     138,500 Southwest Airlines Co. ...........................        4,561,844
     413,000 Union Pacific Corp. ..............................       17,346,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      95,061,289
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.1%
      64,000 Commonwealth Energy System........................        2,272,000
     140,900 Energy East Corp. ................................        5,636,000
      70,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .........................        1,955,625
      40,000 Texas Utilities Co. ..............................        1,602,500
     400,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ............................       12,900,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,366,125
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - GAS - 0.9%
     245,800 Marketspan Corp. .................................        6,774,863
     288,100 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ........................        7,562,625
     184,400 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ...................        5,370,650
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,708,138
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.9%
     160,000 *AirTouch Communications, Inc. ...................        9,410,000
      62,000 AT&T Corp. .......................................        3,758,750
     150,000 Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ..............        7,462,500
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - CONTINUED
     143,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. ............................   $    4,593,875
     200,000 GTE Corp. ........................................       10,875,000
      75,000 MCI Communications Corp. .........................        4,856,250
       1,365 U.S. West, Inc. ..................................           72,857
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      41,029,232
                                                                  --------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $1,322,443,411)............................    1,751,474,706
                                                                  --------------
 PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.0%
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.0%
     130,000 *Fresenius National Med Care, Inc. Ser. D.........            8,840
                                                                  --------------
             Total Preferred Stocks
              (cost $22,740)...................................            8,840
                                                                  --------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.1%
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
      78,375 *Sealed Air Corp. ................................        3,497,485
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $2,426,965)................................        3,497,485
                                                                  --------------

<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 19.7%
             COMMERCIAL PAPER - 17.2%
 $13,300,000 Akzo Nobel, Inc.
              5.62%, 8/6/98....................................       13,289,618
  37,500,000 Banc One Funding Corp.
              5.51%, 9/18/98...................................       37,224,500
  25,800,000 BHF Finance (De), Inc.
              5.52%, 9/18/98...................................       25,610,112
   2,800,000 Cambridge Massachusetts
              Water Pollution
              5.58%, 9/1/98....................................        2,786,546
  19,500,000 Citibank Capital Markets Assets
              Yr 1+2
              5.57%, 8/28/98...................................       19,418,539
   5,850,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
              5.55%, 8/7/98....................................        5,845,228
  25,000,000 Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co. 5.54%, 8/24/98....       24,911,514
  36,650,000 Finova Capital Corp.
              5.54%, 9/3/98....................................       36,463,879
  37,400,000 General Motors Acceptance Corp. 5.50%, 8/20/98....       37,291,436
  17,400,000 Goldman Sachs Group
              5.53%, 8/17/98...................................       17,357,235
             Great Lakes Chemical Corp.:
   1,000,000 5.51%, 9/1/98.....................................          995,255
  14,000,000 5.53%, 8/10/98....................................       13,980,645
  18,000,000 Island Finance Puerto Rico, Inc. 5.55%, 8/11/98...       17,972,250
  30,000,000 Knight-Ridder Inc.
              5.65%, 8/14/98...................................       29,938,792
             Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.:
   2,200,000 5.51%, 9/4/98.....................................        2,188,551
  27,000,000 5.54%, 8/27/98....................................       26,891,970
</TABLE>

                                       49
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - CONTINUED
             COMMERCIAL PAPER - CONTINUED
 $ 7,750,000 Massachusetts College of
              Pharmacy and Allied Health Services
              5.55%, 8/20/98...................................   $    7,727,299
   5,800,000 Monsanto Company Series B 5.50%, 9/10/98..........        5,764,555
  12,700,000 Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.
              5.52%, 8/17/98...................................       12,668,843
   1,000,000 Pfizer, Inc.
              5.53%, 8/3/98....................................          999,693
   7,900,000 Power Authority Str New York 5.53%, 9/14/98.......        7,846,605
     850,000 Queens Health System
              5.55%, 8/6/98....................................          849,345
  22,200,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
              5.58%, 8/18/98...................................       22,141,503
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     370,163,913
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The fund owns over 5% of the
  outstanding voting shares of Strattec Security Corp. and Petroleum
  Helicopters, Inc. with a cost basis of $4,202,147 and $2,392,500 re-
  spectively at July 31, 1998. The Fund earned $7,000 of income from Pe-
  troleum Helicopters, Inc. during the period ending July 31, 1998.
(a) Less than one-tenth of a percent.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - CONTINUED
             GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 2.5%
 $32,000,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
              5.46%, 8/28/98..................................   $   31,868,960
  21,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association Discount
              Notes 5.44%, 8/14/98............................       20,958,747
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     52,827,707
                                                                 --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $422,991,620).............................      422,991,620
                                                                 --------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                          <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $1,747,884,736)....................   101.4%  2,177,972,651
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET........................    (1.4)    (30,651,773)
                                                          -----  --------------
             NET ASSETS................................   100.0% $2,147,320,878
                                                          =====  ==============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       50
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                               Income and Growth

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 65.7%
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
             MANUFACTURING - 1.3%
    175,900 Dana Corp. ..........................................   $  8,751,025
     50,000 General Motors Corp. ................................      3,615,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,366,650
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 15.5%
     26,775 AmSouth Bancorp......................................      1,062,633
    100,000 Associated Banc Corp. ...............................      3,800,000
    284,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................      5,573,500
    170,100 Bankers Trust Corp. .................................     19,061,831
    192,500 +CB Bancshares, Inc. ................................      6,833,750
     24,850 CCB Financial Corp. .................................      2,863,962
    200,000 Commonwealth Bank of Australia.......................      2,497,442
     77,606 F&M National Corp. ..................................      2,202,070
     35,100 First American Corp. ................................      1,649,700
    300,300 First Hawaiian, Inc. ................................      9,947,437
     40,000 First Tennessee National Corp. ......................      1,255,000
    120,750 First Virginia Banks, Inc. ..........................      6,633,703
      8,200 FirstMerit Corp. ....................................        240,363
    100,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................      8,593,750
    319,410 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................      6,348,274
    100,000 KeyCorp .............................................      3,400,000
     18,271 M & T Bank Corp. ....................................      9,720,172
    100,000 Marshall & Ilsley Corp. .............................      5,618,750
     77,346 Mercantile Bancorp, Inc. ............................      4,205,689
    153,000 Norwest Corp. .......................................      5,498,437
     15,625 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........        528,320
     50,326 Premier National Bancorp Inc. .......................      1,056,846
     79,254 Second Bancorp, Inc. ................................      2,219,112
     10,000 Summit Bancorp ......................................        447,500
    111,375 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................      2,505,938
    228,772 Union Planters Corp. ................................     12,468,074
      7,000 United Bankshares, Inc. .............................        194,250
    107,320 USBancorp, Inc. .....................................      8,236,810
  1,930,402 Westpac Banking Corp., Ltd. .........................     12,211,023
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     146,874,336
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS - 2.4%
    330,000 Armstrong World Industries,Inc. .....................     20,336,250
     37,100 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................      2,114,700
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      22,450,950
                                                                    ------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 1.1%
    221,500 Caterpillar, Inc. ...................................     10,742,750
                                                                    ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.3%
     51,641 *WorldCom, Inc. .....................................      2,730,518
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.6%
    215,000 Tupperware Corp. ....................................      5,428,750
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.5%
    225,000 Tomkins Plc, ADR.....................................      4,809,375
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.4%
      5,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. A..................................   $    203,750
    220,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B..................................      9,240,000
     98,800 Thomas & Betts Corp. ................................      4,050,800
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,494,550
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.7%
    170,300 IPC Holdings Ltd. ...................................      4,512,950
    100,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................      3,500,000
    100,000 Mid Ocean Ltd. ......................................      7,900,000
    195,800 Ohio Casualty Corp. .................................      8,345,975
    110,000 Paine Webber Group, Inc. ............................      5,183,750
    143,200 Provident Co., Inc. .................................      5,280,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      34,723,175
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.2%
      1,000 Sara Lee Corp. ......................................         50,125
     62,400 Sbarro, Inc. ........................................      1,532,700
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,582,825
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 3.1%
     53,000 *ADAC Laboratories...................................      1,444,250
     70,000 American Home Products Corp. ........................      3,605,000
    175,000 Baxter International, Inc. ..........................     10,456,250
     59,400 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ............................      6,767,887
     47,600 Merck & Co., Inc. ...................................      5,869,675
     22,500 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................      1,527,188
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      29,670,250
                                                                    ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.3%
    200,601 Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Cl. A...........      2,846,027
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 1.7%
    100,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..............................      6,775,000
     26,100 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ........................      1,349,044
    293,100 Equitable Resources, Inc. ...........................      7,217,588
     10,000 National Fuel Gas Co. ...............................        413,125
      5,929 *Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. ....................         52,249
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,807,006
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
             ENTERTAINMENT - 0.1%
     50,000 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (The)..............      1,412,500
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 7.4%
     55,000 Burnham Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT................        759,687
  1,000,000 Canadian Hotel Properties REIT.......................      7,280,429
    324,900 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT.............     13,645,800
    412,700 Gables Residential Trust REIT........................     11,065,519
    462,000 Kranzco Realty Trust REIT............................      8,316,000
    850,000 Meditrust Co. REIT...................................     19,125,000
    260,050 Post Property, Inc. REIT.............................     10,320,734
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      70,513,169
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       51
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                               Income and Growth

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS -  CONTINUED
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
    100,000 Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. .........................   $  7,931,250
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 4.1%
  2,003,000 Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd. ......................     39,308,875
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.4%
     56,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc. ...........................      1,211,000
    122,000 +Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. .........................      2,211,250
     10,430 Peoples Heritage Financial Group.....................        235,979
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,658,229
                                                                    ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.1%
    260,000 Union Pacific Corp. .................................     10,920,000
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 7.9%
     10,650 Black Hills Corp. ...................................        255,600
    100,000 Central & South West Corp. ..........................      2,543,750
      6,500 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................        280,313
    239,000 FPL Group, Inc. .....................................     14,534,187
    100,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ............................      2,793,750
    123,826 Interstate Energy Corp. .............................      3,629,650
    695,524 LG & E Energy Corp. .................................     16,953,397
    180,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      4,083,750
    250,000 Midamerican Energy Holdings Co.......................      5,093,750
    301,500 PP&L Resources, Inc. ................................      6,991,031
    275,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ...............      8,989,063
    101,300 Texas Utilities Co. .................................      4,058,331
    150,200 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ...............................      4,843,950
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      75,050,522
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 5.7%
     73,300 Chesapeake Utilities Corp. ..........................      1,273,588
  1,035,848 Marketspan Corp. ....................................     28,550,560
     76,700 New Jersey Resources Corp. ..........................      2,626,975
    510,700 Peoples Energy Corp. ................................     17,874,500
     29,300 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ......................        853,363
     10,000 South Jersey Industries, Inc. .......................        258,125
     93,685 UGI Corp. ...........................................      2,201,597
      8,300 Yankee Energy System, Inc. ..........................        199,719
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      53,838,427
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 2.6%
    105,100 Frontier Corp. ......................................      3,527,419
    250,000 GTE Corp. ...........................................     13,593,750
    100,000 *Nortel Inversora SA MEDS............................      6,250,000
     20,000 U.S. West, Inc. .....................................      1,067,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      24,438,669
                                                                    ------------
            OTHER SECURITIES - 3.5%..............................     33,915,403
                                                                    ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $568,548,771).................................    624,514,206
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 30.1%
            BANKS - 0.6%
    210,000 National Australia Bank, Ltd.
             7.875%, Series UNIT.................................      6,168,750
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 1.5%
    485,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
             6.25%, Series IGL, STRYPES (exchangeable for IMC
             Global, Inc. common stock).........................   $ 14,065,000
                                                                   ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 3.6%
    700,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
             6.00%, Series B....................................     33,950,000
                                                                   ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.0%
    302,000 Cendant Corp.
             7.50%, PRIDES......................................      9,928,250
                                                                   ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.2%
     35,000 Corning, Inc.
             6.00%, MIPS........................................      1,850,625
                                                                   ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
    165,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      7,033,950
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.1%
    100,000 American General Corp.
             6.00%, Series A, MIPS..............................      8,650,000
    270,000 Frontier Financing Trust
             6.25%, TOPRS.......................................     14,512,500
    100,000 St. Paul Capital
             6.00%, MIPS........................................      6,400,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     29,562,500
                                                                   ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 4.1%
    300,000 Dole Food Co.
             7.00%, TRACES......................................     12,750,000
    495,300 Wendys Financing I
             5.00%, Series A, TECONS............................     26,374,725
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     39,124,725
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.8%
    170,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
             7.00%, CRESTS, 144A................................      7,299,800
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.3%
    212,800 Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. 7.00%, EDS.....      3,976,700
    100,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A.................................      3,987,500
    405,000 Worthington Industries, Inc.
             7.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Rouge Steel Co. common stock)....      4,252,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,216,700
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.5%
     95,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................      2,992,500
     48,000 Nuevo Energy Co.
             5.75%, Series A, TECONS............................      2,040,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,032,500
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       52
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.8%
    100,000 EVI, Inc.
             5.00%, 144A........................................   $  3,725,000
    100,000 Hvide Capital Trust
             6.50%, 144A........................................      3,963,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,688,000
                                                                   ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 2.8%
    335,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
             7.00%, ACES
             (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc. common stock)..     26,213,750
                                                                   ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 3.3%
    600,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%..............................................     31,164,000
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.5%
     30,000 CNF Trust I
             5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for CNF
             Transportation, Inc. common stock).................      1,890,000
    280,000 Union Pacific Capital Trust
             6.25%, 144A........................................     12,740,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,630,000
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.3%
    168,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A.
             10.50%, DECS
             (exchangeable into Electrobras shares).............      5,460,000
    130,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES......................................      6,613,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,073,750
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 1.5%
    594,500 MCN Corp.
             8.75%, PRIDES......................................     13,784,969
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.5%
    315,000 Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., GDS
             7.00%, Series III..................................     14,529,375
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $290,318,758)................................    286,316,644
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                          Value
 <C>        <S>                                                 <C>          <C>
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
 CONVERTIBLE SERVICES - 0.7%DEBENTURES - 3.3%
            HMT Technology Corp.:
 $3,500,000 5.75%, 1/15/04, 144A.............................   $  2,590,000
    400,000 5.75%, 1/15/04...................................        296,000
  4,000,000 Quantum Corp.
             7.00%, 8/1/04...................................      3,720,000
    250,000 Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.
             5.25%, 2/15/98, 144A............................        185,938
                                                                ------------
                                                                   6,791,938
                                                                ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.2%
  9,700,000 Photronics, Inc.
             6.00%, 6/1/04...................................      9,372,625
  1,000,000 Sci Systems, Inc.
             5.00%, 5/1/06, 144A.............................      1,670,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  11,042,625
                                                                ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
  1,000,000 Solectron Corp.
             6.00%, 3/1/06, 144A.............................      1,515,000
                                                                ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.1%
  1,318,000 Swift Energy Co.
             6.25%, 11/15/06.................................      1,166,430
                                                                ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.1%
            Key Energy Group, Inc.:
  5,750,000 5.00%, 9/15/04, 144A.............................      4,111,250
  1,250,000 7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A..............................      1,431,250
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.:
  3,775,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A............................      3,218,187
  2,000,000 6.00%, 12/15/03..................................      1,705,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  10,465,687
                                                                ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $35,128,220)..............................     30,981,680
                                                                ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                              <C>    <C>
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $893,995,749)..........................    99.1%  941,812,530
            OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET............     0.9     8,841,297
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $950,653,827
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The Fund owns over 5% of the out-
  standing voting shares of CB Bancshares, Inc. and Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.
  The Fund has a cost basis of $6,024,625 and $1,320,000, respectively, in
  these issues at July 31, 1998. The Fund earned $40,425 and $60,500 of income,
  respectively, from these investments during the period ending July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified institu-
     tional investors.
SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipts
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
CRESTSConvertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
EDSExchangeable Depository Shares
GDSGlobal Depository Shares
MIPSMonthly Income Preferred Shares
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACESTrust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       53
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 69.3%
            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 3.0%
    214,300 Curtiss Wright Corp. ................................   $  9,094,356
                                                                    ------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.2%
     53,200 Simpson Industries, Inc. ............................        635,075
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 6.6%
    108,750 ABC Bancorp..........................................      1,631,250
     31,500 Amcore Financial, Inc. ..............................        803,250
      6,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................        117,750
     20,000 Bank of Essex........................................        433,750
     18,800 Britton & Koontz Capital Corp. ......................        411,250
     28,800 BSB Bancorp, Inc. ...................................        936,000
      2,625 Carrollton Bancorp...................................         97,125
     25,000 CB Bancshares, Inc. .................................        887,500
     32,550 Commercial Bankshares, Inc. .........................        748,650
      8,200 Community Bancshares, Inc. ..........................        221,400
     40,000 Cowlitz Bancorp......................................        430,000
      2,500 First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. .........................        103,750
     30,000 First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc. Cl. A...............      1,282,500
     95,552 First State Bancorp..................................      2,161,864
    162,000 Granite State Bankshares, Inc. ......................      4,212,000
     30,000 Independent Bankshares, Inc. ........................        460,312
     20,943 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................        416,242
     15,000 James River Bankshares, Inc. ........................        330,000
      4,000 Northern States Financial Corp. .....................        127,000
     87,125 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........      2,945,914
      4,668 Pacific Century Financial Corp. .....................         91,610
     14,620 Premier National Bancorp Inc. .......................        307,020
     24,000 South Alabama Bancorp, Inc. .........................        474,000
     11,250 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................        253,125
     23,200 Union Bankshares Corp. ..............................        504,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      20,387,862
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 2.2%
     28,000 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................      1,596,000
    315,100 Shelby Williams Industries, Inc. ....................      4,726,500
     12,413 *Toll Brothers, Inc. ................................        325,065
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,647,565
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
    169,400 Tab Products Co. ....................................      1,990,450
                                                                    ------------
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 0.9%
     95,000 Learonal, Inc. ......................................      1,941,563
     25,500 Stepan Co. ..........................................        733,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,674,688
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 9.3%
    311,500 CPI Corp. ...........................................      7,787,500
     85,500 General Housewares Corp. ............................        881,719
    230,140 +Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. .....................      5,005,545
    100,000 Mikasa, Inc. Cl. B...................................      1,318,750
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - CONTINUED
    100,000 Polaris Industries, Inc. ............................   $  3,812,500
     26,300 Russ Berrie & Co., Inc. .............................        604,900
    310,000 Stride Rite Corp. ...................................      3,758,750
    328,600 York Group, Inc. ....................................      5,504,050
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      28,673,714
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 2.7%
    379,000 Matthews International Corp. Cl. A...................      8,338,000
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.9%
    225,800 Boston Acoustics, Inc. ..............................      9,032,000
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.4%
     26,600 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ...........................      1,042,387
      5,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................        175,000
    100,000 Morgan Keegan, Inc. .................................      2,368,750
    122,500 Pxre Corp. ..........................................      3,307,500
     16,000 Trenwick Group, Inc. ................................        556,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,449,637
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.7%
    101,000 Bridgford Foods Corp. ...............................      1,325,625
     20,000 Lance, Inc. .........................................        378,125
     78,800 Smithfield Companies, Inc. ..........................        566,375
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,270,125
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
      9,500 Kewaunee Scientific Corp. ...........................        108,656
     73,500 West Co., Inc. ......................................      2,044,219
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,152,875
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 3.3%
     50,000 Badger Meter, Inc. ..................................      1,671,875
    100,000 Federal Signal Corp. ................................      2,268,750
     72,297 Flowserve Corp. .....................................      1,576,978
     84,100 Gorman Rupp Co. .....................................      1,503,287
     63,000 Hach Co. ............................................        637,875
     57,000 Hach Co. Cl. A.......................................        570,000
     18,700 Met-Pro Corp. .......................................        240,763
     55,800 Minuteman International, Inc. .......................        641,700
     46,400 Spartech Corp. ......................................        881,600
      8,000 Woodward Governor Co. ...............................        216,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,208,828
                                                                    ------------
            MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 2.1%
    252,750 Hardinge Brothers, Inc. .............................      6,381,938
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 5.2%
    205,800 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A............................      2,366,700
    235,500 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. Cl. A..........................      4,032,937
    155,600 Penn Virginia Corp. .................................      3,559,350
    123,000 Quaker State Corp. ..................................      1,891,125
    370,000 Southwestern Energy Co. .............................      3,330,000
     67,600 Wiser Oil Co. .......................................        637,975
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,818,087
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       54
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.4%
    146,200 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .............................   $  4,322,038
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.5%
    102,450 Tuscarora, Inc. .....................................      1,626,394
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.3%
     86,291 Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT.......................      1,839,077
    160,000 Eastgroup Properties, Inc. REIT......................      3,000,000
     95,000 Gables Residential Trust REIT........................      2,547,187
     60,000 Innkeepers USA Trust REIT............................        731,250
     90,000 Parkway Properties, Inc. REIT........................      2,677,500
     47,540 Post Property, Inc. REIT.............................      1,886,744
     50,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT..................        556,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,238,008
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.1%
      6,800 Longs Drug Stores Corp. .............................        187,850
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 1.2%
    250,000 Communications Systems, Inc. ........................      3,375,000
    126,000 Rohn Industries, Inc. ...............................        433,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,808,125
                                                                    ------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 1.6%
     88,000 Oxford Industries, Inc. .............................      2,645,500
    143,200 Superior Uniform Group, Inc. ........................      2,148,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,793,500
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 4.3%
     72,000 Dime Financial Corp. ................................      2,421,000
     92,000 First Coastal Bankshares, Inc. ......................      1,472,000
      6,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc. ...........................        129,750
     16,000 First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc. ......................        676,000
     16,800 *Golden St. Bancorp, Inc. ...........................        463,050
    261,900 Horizon Financial Corp. .............................      4,124,925
     38,000 Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. ..........................        688,750
     24,000 Maryland Federal Bancorp, Inc. ......................        996,000
    100,000 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. ..............................      2,250,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,221,475
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 2.3%
     13,100 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................        564,938
    124,100 Madison Gas & Electric Co. ..........................      2,761,225
    135,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      3,062,812
     26,000 Northwestern Corp. ..................................        646,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,035,725
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 5.9%
     34,200 Chesapeake Utilities Corp. ..........................        594,225
     30,000 Connecticut Energy Corp. ............................        768,750
     80,000 CTG Resources, Inc. .................................      1,855,000
     64,800 Delta Natural Gas Co., Inc. .........................      1,125,900
     40,000 Eastern Enterprises..................................      1,597,500
     27,400 NUI Corp. ...........................................        606,225
     76,600 Public Service Co. of North Carolina, Inc. ..........      1,532,000
    200,100 Semco Energy, Inc. ..................................      3,464,231
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            UTILITIES - GAS - CONTINUED
     56,000 Southwest Gas Corp. ................................   $  1,302,000
    165,500 UGI Corp. ..........................................      3,889,250
     50,000 Yankee Energy System, Inc. .........................      1,203,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     17,938,206
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.2%
     78,300 Hickory Tech Corp. .................................      3,650,738
                                                                   ------------
            OTHER SECURITIES - 3.6%.............................     11,126,751
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $212,015,803)................................    212,704,010
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 12.0%
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.5%
    110,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      4,689,300
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.1%
     12,000 American Heritage Life Investment Corp.
             8.50%, PRIDES......................................        828,000
     80,000 Frontier Financing Trust
             6.25%, TOPRS.......................................      4,300,000
    125,000 Philadelphia Consolidated Holdings, Inc.
             7.00%, PRIDES......................................      1,218,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      6,346,750
                                                                   ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 2.2%
    170,000 Owens & Minor Trust I
             5.375%, TECONS, 144A...............................      6,885,000
                                                                   ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.5%
    300,000 Cooper Industries, Inc.
             6.00%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Wyman-Gordon Co. common stock)...      4,500,000
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.8%
    130,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
             7.00%, CRESTS, 144A................................      5,582,200
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.8%
    239,000 Worthington Industries, Inc.
             7.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Rouge Steel Co. common stock)....      2,509,500
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.3%
     26,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................        819,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.8%
            Hvide Capital Trust:
     40,000 6.50%, 144A.........................................      1,585,200
      7,000 6.50% Series AI.....................................        277,410
     90,000 6.50%...............................................      3,566,700
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,429,310
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $44,461,012).................................     36,761,060
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       55
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 13.8%
            BANKS - 0.4%
 $1,350,000 Surety Capital Corp.
             9.00%, 3/31/08......................................   $  1,350,000
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 1.1%
  2,500,000 Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.
             6.25%, 3/15/01......................................      3,284,375
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.7%
  2,600,000 HMT Technology Corp.
             5.75%, 1/15/04......................................      1,924,000
  1,250,000 Interim Services, Inc.
             4.50%, 6/1/05.......................................      1,245,312
    200,000 Personnel Group Of America, Inc.
             5.75%, 7/1/04.......................................        250,000
            Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.:
    500,000 5.25%, 8/15/04, 144A.................................        371,875
  2,000,000 5.25%, 8/15/04.......................................      1,487,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,278,687
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.2%
  4,000,000 Action Performance Companies, Inc.
             4.75%, 4/1/05, 144A.................................      3,670,000
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.4%
  4,550,000 Photronics, Inc.
             6.00%, 6/1/04.......................................      4,396,438
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.9%
  5,000,000 Alpharma, Inc.
             5.75%, 4/1/05, 144A.................................      5,206,500
    480,000 Meridian Diagnostics, Inc.
             7.00%, 9/1/06.......................................        453,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,660,100
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
    610,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.......................................        724,375
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 0.2%
    500,000 May & Speh, Inc.
             5.25%, 4/1/03.......................................        684,375
                                                                    ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 2.0%
  2,400,000 Family Golf Centers, Inc.
             5.75%, 10/15/04, 144A...............................      2,877,000
  3,370,000 Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
             5.75%, 9/30/03......................................      3,395,275
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,272,275
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 2.8%
            Key Energy Group, Inc.:
  3,250,000 5.00%, 9/15/04, 144A.................................      2,323,750
    250,000 7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A..................................        286,250
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - CONTINUED
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.:
 $1,425,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A................................   $  1,214,812
  1,750,000 6.00%, 12/15/03......................................      1,491,875
  3,000,000 Seacor Holdings, Inc.
             5.375%, 11/15/06....................................      3,120,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,436,687
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.9%
            Central Garden & Pet Co.:
    500,000 6.00%, 11/15/03, 144A................................        554,375
  2,000,000 6.00%, 11/15/03......................................      2,217,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,771,875
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $45,859,373)..................................     42,529,187
                                                                    ------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 5.7%
            COMMERCIAL PAPER - 3.6%
    450,000 Aristar, Inc.
             5.60%, 8/13/98......................................        449,160
    640,000 Avnet, Inc.
             5.52%, 8/19/98......................................        638,234
  2,960,000 BTR Dunlop Finance, Inc.
             5.53%, 8/10/98......................................      2,955,908
  1,990,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
             5.54%, 8/11/98......................................      1,986,938
    850,000 Glencore Asset Funding Corp.
             5.55%, 8/6/98.......................................        849,345
    315,000 Newell Co.
             5.55%, 8/31/98......................................        313,543
  1,580,000 Park Avenue Recreation Corp.
             5.55%, 8/3/98.......................................      1,579,513
  1,780,000 PHH Corp.
             5.70%, 8/21/98......................................      1,774,363
    450,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
             5.54%, 8/7/98.......................................        449,584
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,996,588
                                                                    ------------
            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 2.1%
            Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes:
  3,460,000 5.45%, 8/27/98.......................................      3,446,381
    615,000 5.48%, 8/21/98.......................................        613,128
  2,350,000 5.48%, 8/31/98.......................................      2,339,268
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,398,777
                                                                    ------------
            Total Short-Term Investments
             (cost $17,395,365)..................................     17,395,365
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                             <C>    <C>

            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $319,731,553).........................   100.8%  309,389,622
            OTHER ASSETS AND
             LIABILITIES - NET...........................    (0.8)   (2,303,539)
                                                            -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $307,086,083
                                                            =====  ============
</TABLE>

                                       56
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998


* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The fund owns over 5% of the
  outstanding voting shares of Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. The Fund
  has a cost basis of $4,805,148 in the issue at July 31, 1998. The Fund
  earned $100,224 of income from this investment during the period ending
  July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified insti-
     tutional investors.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
CRESTSConvertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       57
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 70.3%
            BANKS - 2.1%
     35,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................   $  3,007,813
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 1.9%
     75,000 *Altera Corp. .......................................      2,735,156
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 2.6%
     70,000 Enron Corp. .........................................      3,705,625
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.8%
    150,000 *R & B Falcon Corp. .................................      2,465,625
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 2.8%
    145,000 Felcor Lodging Trust Inc. REIT.......................      4,005,625
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 44.8%
    100,000 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................      4,312,500
    100,000 Cinergy Corp. .......................................      3,156,250
     70,000 Duke Power Co. ......................................      3,998,750
    100,000 Energy East Corp. ...................................      4,000,000
    170,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ............................      4,749,375
    125,000 Interstate Energy Corp. .............................      3,664,063
    180,000 Marketspan Corp. ....................................      4,961,250
    165,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      3,743,437
     80,000 New Century Energies, Inc. ..........................      3,330,000
     60,000 NIPSCO Industries, Inc. .............................      1,597,500
    100,000 Pinnacle West Capital Corp. .........................      4,275,000
    150,000 PP&L Resources, Inc. ................................      3,478,125
    100,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ...............      3,268,750
    150,000 *Sempra Energy.......................................      3,778,125
    140,000 Teco Energy Inc. ....................................      3,552,500
    100,000 UtiliCorp United, Inc. ..............................      3,525,000
    135,000 Wisconsin Energy Corp. ..............................      3,839,062
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      63,229,687
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.9%
     75,000 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ...........................      1,968,750
     60,000 Peoples Energy Corp. ................................      2,100,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,068,750
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 11.4%
     55,000 BellSouth Corp. .....................................      3,757,188
     70,000 GTE Corp. ...........................................      3,806,250
     60,000 Sprint Corp. ........................................      4,200,000
     80,000 U.S. West, Inc. .....................................      4,270,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      16,033,438
                                                                    ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $85,025,361)..................................     99,251,719
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 25.8%
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 3.3%
     95,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
             6.00%, Series B.....................................      4,607,500
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
             ENTERTAINMENT - 2.8%
     50,000 Houston Industries Inc.
             7.00%, ACES
             (exchangeable for Time Warner common stock)........   $  3,912,500
                                                                   ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 2.6%
     70,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%..............................................      3,675,000
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 11.9%
     50,000 AES Trust I
             5.375%, Series A, TECONS...........................      3,440,625
    135,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A.
             BNDESPAR, DECS (Eletrobras)........................      4,387,500
    500,000 Companhia Paranaense de
             Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR............................      5,437,500
     70,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES......................................      3,561,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     16,826,875
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.2%
     70,000 MCN Financing III
             8.00%, PRIDES......................................      3,158,750
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.0%
     70,000 Sprint Corp.
             8.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Southern N.E. Telephone common
             stock).............................................      4,307,187
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $33,061,261).................................     36,487,812
                                                                   ------------

<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 2.1%
            INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 2.1%
 $4,000,000 Adaptec, Inc.
             4.75%, 2/1/04......................................      3,050,000
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $3,530,000)..................................      3,050,000
                                                                   ------------
            TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
             (COST $121,616,622)................................    138,789,531
                                                                   ------------
 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 0.2%
    254,895 Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.,
             5.62%, purchased 7/31/98, maturing 8/3/98, maturity
             value $255,014 (cost $254,895) (a).................        254,895
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                              <C>    <C>
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $121,871,517)..........................    98.4%  139,044,426
            OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET............     1.6     2,211,887
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $141,256,313
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998


* Non-income producing securities.
(a) At July 31, 1998, the repurchase agreement was collateralized by:
    $260,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.625%, 4/15/28; value including inter-
    est - $255,763.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       59
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 90.7%
              AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
               MANUFACTURING - 0.6%
      106,900 Ford Motor Co. ..................................   $    6,086,619
                                                                  --------------
              BANKS - 19.3%
       77,220 Banc One Corp. ..................................        3,991,309
      122,600 BankAmerica Corp. ...............................       11,003,350
      430,600 BankBoston Corp. ................................       20,830,275
       84,800 Bankers Trust Corp. .............................        9,502,900
      102,200 Chase Manhattan Corp. ...........................        7,728,875
       47,000 Citicorp.........................................        7,990,000
      248,200 First Chicago NBD Corp. .........................       20,802,262
      457,400 First Tennessee National Corp. ..................       14,350,925
      336,725 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .....................       28,937,305
      244,056 NationsBank Corp. ...............................       19,463,466
      185,700 SouthTrust Corp. ................................        7,509,244
      328,500 TCF Financial Corp. .............................        9,485,438
      107,600 Union Planters Corp. ............................        5,864,200
      271,300 Wachovia Corp. ..................................       23,230,062
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     190,689,611
                                                                  --------------
              BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
               SERVICES - 0.1%
       10,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. .......................          924,375
                                                                  --------------
              CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
               PRODUCTS - 1.6%
        6,100 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ................          378,200
      635,000 Morton International, Inc. ......................       15,359,063
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,737,263
                                                                  --------------
              COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
               SERVICES - 1.9%
      200,350 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ............................       19,183,512
                                                                  --------------
              CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
               SERVICES - 1.2%
      104,100 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ...........................        9,622,744
       18,200 Gillette Co. ....................................          953,225
       16,800 Procter & Gamble Co. ............................        1,333,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,909,469
                                                                  --------------
              DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 2.0%
      156,100 AlliedSignal, Inc. ..............................        6,790,350
      212,000 Tyco International Ltd. .........................       13,130,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,921,100
                                                                  --------------
              ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
               SERVICES - 5.2%
      383,700 General Electric Co. ............................       34,269,206
       10,200 *LSI Logic.......................................          211,012
      295,100 Tandy Corp. .....................................       16,765,369
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      51,245,587
                                                                  --------------
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - 10.3%
      296,000 Allstate Corp. ..................................       12,561,500
       13,100 American General Corp. ..........................          894,894
       70,800 American International Group, Inc. ..............       10,677,525
       94,507 Associates First Capital Corp.
               Cl. A...........................................        7,342,013
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
        8,000 Chubb Corp. .....................................   $      587,000
      348,400 CIT Group, Inc. .................................       11,540,750
       30,200 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ................        1,426,950
      158,700 Federal National Mortgage Association............        9,839,400
      196,000 Greenpoint Financial Corp. ......................        7,778,750
        2,600 Lincoln National Corp. ..........................          248,950
      145,700 MBIA, Inc. ......................................        9,816,537
       21,200 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. .....        1,845,725
      237,100 ReliaStar Financial Corp. .......................       11,766,087
       83,950 Travelers Group, Inc. ...........................        5,624,650
      242,200 Travelers Property Casualty Corp. Cl. A..........       10,475,150
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     102,425,881
                                                                  --------------
              FOOD & BEVERAGE
               PRODUCTS - 6.4%
      377,200 American Stores Co. .............................        8,746,325
      550,200 Archer Daniels Midland Co. ......................        9,422,175
      131,300 Coca Cola Co. ...................................       10,594,269
      444,200 Fortune Brands, Inc. ............................       16,407,637
      292,300 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ...................       12,806,394
      115,700 Sara Lee Corp. ..................................        5,799,462
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      63,776,262
                                                                  --------------
              HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
               SERVICES - 13.0%
       20,000 Abbott Laboratories..............................          831,250
      237,800 American Home Products Corp. ....................       12,246,700
      212,800 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ........................       24,245,900
      197,800 HBO & Co. .......................................        5,828,919
      380,600 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ..............................        9,562,575
      244,900 Johnson & Johnson................................       18,918,525
       25,800 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ...............................        1,735,050
      129,500 Merck & Co., Inc. ...............................       15,968,969
      385,200 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ........................       18,248,850
      145,300 SmithKline Beecham Plc, ADR......................        8,318,425
      420,399 *Tenet Healthcare Corp. .........................       12,585,695
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     128,490,858
                                                                  --------------
              INFORMATION SERVICES &
               TECHNOLOGY - 7.1%
      185,700 *American Power Conversion Corp. ................        5,988,825
      244,200 EMC Corp. .......................................       11,965,800
      256,100 *Gateway 2000, Inc. .............................       13,829,400
       18,000 Intel Corp. .....................................        1,519,875
      143,800 International Business Machines Corp. ...........       19,053,500
      376,700 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. .........................       17,799,075
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      70,156,475
                                                                  --------------
              LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.1%
       30,600 Disney Walt Co. .................................        1,053,788
                                                                  --------------
              OIL/ENERGY - 8.6%
      150,800 Amoco Corp. .....................................        6,295,900
</TABLE>

                                       60
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              OIL/ENERGY - CONTINUED
       83,400 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..........................   $    5,650,350
      233,300 Burlington Resources, Inc. ......................        8,457,125
        9,900 Chevron Corp. ...................................          817,988
       36,700 Exxon Corp. .....................................        2,573,588
      145,900 Mobil Corp. .....................................       10,176,525
      161,500 Pennzoil Co. ....................................        7,267,500
       45,700 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. .......................        2,330,700
      343,100 Sonat, Inc. .....................................       10,035,675
      166,600 Texaco, Inc. ....................................       10,131,362
      297,000 Unocal Corp. ....................................        9,726,750
      353,400 Williams Companies, Inc. ........................       11,330,887
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      84,794,350
                                                                  --------------
              PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
               ENTERTAINMENT - 0.1%
       17,200 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B..............................        1,178,200
                                                                  --------------
              REAL ESTATE - 1.9%
      455,300 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT.........       19,122,600
                                                                  --------------
              RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.5%
      299,900 Sears, Roebuck & Co. ............................       15,219,925
                                                                  --------------
              TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
               EQUIPMENT - 1.4%
      160,000 Nokia Corp. ADR..................................       13,940,000
                                                                  --------------
              TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.8%
      160,900 V. F. Corp. .....................................        7,572,356
                                                                  --------------
              TRANSPORTATION - 1.9%
      143,900 Burlington Northern Santa Fe.....................       14,812,706
      142,800 Norfolk Southern Corp. ..........................        4,266,150
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,078,856
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipt
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 2.5%
      269,100 CMS Energy Corp. ................................   $   11,352,656
       58,400 GPU, Inc. .......................................        2,087,800
      412,700 Houston Industries, Inc. ........................       11,529,806
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,970,262
                                                                  --------------
              UTILITIES - GAS - 1.4%
      361,600 NICOR Inc. ......................................       13,921,600
                                                                  --------------
              UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.8%
      211,900 AT&T Corp. ......................................       12,846,437
       20,796 Bell Atlantic Corp. .............................          943,619
       30,300 BellSouth Corp. .................................        2,069,869
       25,500 MCI Communications Corp. ........................        1,651,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      17,511,050
                                                                  --------------
              Total Common Stocks
               (cost $683,255,436).............................      898,909,999
                                                                  --------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
    Amount
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 10.3%
              GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES &
               BONDS - 10.3%
 $102,239,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
               5.56%, 8/3/98...................................      102,207,420
                                                                  --------------
              Total Short-Term Investments
               (cost $102,207,419).............................      102,207,420
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>          <S>                                         <C>    <C>

              TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
               (COST $785,462,855).....................   101.0%  1,001,117,419
              OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET.......    (1.0)    (10,295,053)
                                                          -----  --------------
              NET ASSETS...............................   100.0% $  990,822,366
                                                          =====  ==============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       61
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 81.7%
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
              MANUFACTURING - 4.4%
      50,000 Chrysler Corp. .....................................   $  2,959,375
      50,000 Ford Motor Co. .....................................      2,846,875
      40,000 *Lear Corp. ........................................      2,122,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,928,750
                                                                    ------------
             BANKS - 12.0%
      55,000 Associated Banc Corp. ..............................      2,100,312
      30,000 BankAmerica Corp. ..................................      2,692,500
      80,000 BankBoston Corp. ...................................      3,870,000
      30,000 Chase Manhattan Corp. ..............................      2,268,750
       4,000 Citicorp............................................        680,000
      50,000 Firstar Corp. ......................................      2,496,875
      50,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ........................      4,296,875
     110,000 TCF Financial Corp. ................................      3,176,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      21,581,562
                                                                    ------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 5.0%
      30,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ...................      1,860,000
      50,000 Monsanto Co. .......................................      2,831,250
      65,000 Morton International, Inc. .........................      1,572,187
      27,000 Rohm & Haas Co. ....................................      2,629,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,892,562
                                                                    ------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
              SERVICES - 1.3%
      25,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ...............................      2,394,531
                                                                    ------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.9%
      20,000 Procter & Gamble Co. ...............................      1,587,500
                                                                    ------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 3.0%
      50,000 *Owens Illinois, Inc. ..............................      2,206,250
      50,000 Tyco International Ltd. ............................      3,096,875
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,303,125
                                                                    ------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 4.6%
      60,000 General Electric Co. ...............................      5,358,750
      60,000 *Solectron Corp. ...................................      2,880,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,238,750
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 7.5%
      25,000 Hartford Life, Inc. Cl. A...........................      1,446,875
      30,000 Lincoln National Corp. .............................      2,872,500
      50,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A...........      2,721,875
      32,289 PMI Group, Inc. ....................................      2,187,580
      35,000 SLM Holding Corp. ..................................      1,618,750
      37,500 Travelers Group, Inc. ..............................      2,512,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,360,080
                                                                    ------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 2.9%
      35,000 H.J. Heinz Co. .....................................      1,929,375
      75,000 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ......................      3,285,938
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,215,313
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 12.0%
     120,000 American Home Products Corp. .......................   $  6,180,000
      50,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ...........................      5,696,875
      30,000 Johnson & Johnson...................................      2,317,500
      40,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ..................................      4,932,500
      50,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...........................      2,368,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      21,495,625
                                                                    ------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES -  1.9%
      50,000 Trinity Industries, Inc. ...........................      1,996,875
      50,000 *United States Filter Corp. ........................      1,350,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,346,875
                                                                    ------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 4.5%
      50,000 *EMC Corp. .........................................      2,450,000
      30,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. ................................      1,665,000
      30,000 International Business Machines Corp. ..............      3,975,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,090,000
                                                                    ------------
             LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.2%
      56,900 Carnival, Corp. Cl. A...............................      2,101,744
                                                                    ------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 5.3%
      74,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...........................      2,539,125
      20,000 Exxon Corp. ........................................      1,402,500
      24,000 Mobil Corp. ........................................      1,674,000
      24,000 Texaco, Inc. .......................................      1,459,500
      75,000 Unocal Corp. .......................................      2,456,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,531,375
                                                                    ------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
              ENTERTAINMENT - 0.9%
      50,000 CBS Corp. ..........................................      1,696,875
                                                                    ------------
             REAL ESTATE - 5.9%
      40,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT........................      1,292,500
      50,000 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT.................      1,243,750
      25,000 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT............      1,050,000
      36,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT............        994,500
     140,000 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT................      2,948,750
      44,999 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT.............        854,981
      49,000 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT......................      1,166,812
      30,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT.......................      1,078,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,629,418
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 3.3%
      50,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ............................      2,839,063
      50,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ..............................      3,156,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,995,313
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       62
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 5.1%
      40,000 Ameritech Corp. ....................................   $  1,967,500
      39,290 AT&T Corp. .........................................      2,381,956
      40,000 GTE Corp. ..........................................      2,175,000
      50,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      2,668,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,193,206
                                                                    ------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $105,987,328)................................    146,582,604
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 3.5%
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
              FURNISHINGS - 0.8%
     150,000 Kaufman & Broad Home Corp.
              8.25%, PRIDES......................................      1,443,750
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 1.0%
      30,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A........................................      1,785,000
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.7%
      50,000 Kmart Financing I
              7.75%..............................................      3,100,000
                                                                    ------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $5,610,665)..................................      6,328,750
                                                                    ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 3.0%
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.6%
 $ 1,000,000 Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc.
              5.50%, 6/15/02, 144A...............................      1,044,820
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
(a) The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. government
    and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued inter-
    est at July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified insti-
     tutional investors.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
BUCS Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities.
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities.
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - CONTINUED
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 1.1%
 $ 2,000,000 Healthsouth Corp.
              3.25%, 4/1/03, 144A...............................   $  2,017,500
                                                                   ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.0%
     750,000 Staples, Inc.
              4.50%, 10/1/00, 144A..............................      1,707,188
                                                                   ------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
              EQUIPMENT - 0.3%
     500,000 Antec Corp.
              4.50%, 5/15/03, 144A..............................        570,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $4,250,000).................................      5,339,508
                                                                   ------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.4%
             REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 11.4%
  20,376,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement
              5.65%, purchased 7/31/98,
              maturing 8/3/98, maturity value $20,385,594 (cost
              $20,376,000) (a)..................................     20,376,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $20,376,000)................................     20,376,000
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                             <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $136,223,993).........................    99.6%  178,626,862
             OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET...........     0.4       750,170
                                                             -----  ------------
             NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $179,377,032
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       63
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                                 July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            GROWTH &      INCOME &     SMALL CAP
                            BLUE CHIP        INCOME        GROWTH    EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE         FUND FOR
                               FUND           FUND          FUND         FUND           FUND           FUND
TOTAL RETURN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
<C>
 ASSETS
 Investments at value
  (identified cost --
   $297,945,142,
  $1,747,884,736,
  $893,995,749,
  $319,731,553,
  $121,871,517,
  $785,462,855 and
  $136,223,993,
  respectively)..........  $383,073,812  $2,177,972,651 $941,812,530 $309,389,622   $139,044,426  $1,001,117,419
$178,626,862
 Cash....................           700          58,546      164,295       16,486              0
48,239           313
 Receivable for
  investments sold.......    36,513,342       4,727,680   25,024,357            0      2,760,788
5,129,220     1,405,282
 Receivable for Fund
  shares sold............     1,882,250       6,642,137      176,442    4,313,582         84,885
824,790       147,233
 Dividends and interest
  receivable.............       423,533       1,166,850    3,272,724      947,695        617,985
1,248,745       342,345
 Unamortized
  organization
  expenses...............             0               0            0        2,482              0
0             0
 Prepaid expenses and
  other assets...........        72,244          66,619       44,731       40,706         24,461
37,363        70,135
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets..........   421,965,881   2,190,634,483  970,495,079  314,710,573    142,532,545
1,008,405,776   180,592,170
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LIABILITIES
 Payable for investments
  purchased..............    16,939,811      35,092,472    5,271,218    1,267,324      1,062,250
11,805,124             0
 Payable for Fund shares
  repurchased............     1,170,650       5,100,629      601,200    5,761,900         97,290
4,672,270       969,418
 Demand note payable.....             0               0   12,800,000            0              0
0             0
 Advisory fee payable....       215,367       1,667,830      819,191      275,512         61,885
445,512        94,340
 Distribution fee
  payable................       160,609         987,570       52,500      149,321         45,943
397,253       119,892
 Due to related
  parties................         5,000               0            0            0          3,535
25,469         1,916
 Foreign taxes payable...         8,844           3,410       38,063       12,104              0
0             0
 Accrued expenses and
  other liabilities......        57,535         461,694      259,080      158,329          5,329
237,782        29,572
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities.....    18,557,816      43,313,605   19,841,252    7,624,490      1,276,232
17,583,410     1,215,138
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS..............  $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED
  BY
 Paid-in capital.........  $286,984,109  $1,659,627,550 $833,102,573 $313,505,223   $108,709,536  $  774,854,885
$118,660,810
 Undistributed net
  investment income......       (14,966)        360,888   13,459,757      173,362         (7,868)
(82,792)      430,969
 Accumulated
  undistributed net
  realized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    31,310,252      57,244,858   56,431,275    3,749,429     15,381,736
395,709    17,882,384
 Net unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    85,128,670     430,087,582   47,660,222  (10,341,931)    17,172,909
215,654,564    42,402,869
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL NET ASSETS......  $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF
 Class A.................  $284,734,787  $  296,312,480 $ 15,005,424 $ 54,142,181   $ 95,300,077  $  476,169,512
$ 52,667,235
 Class B.................   117,893,339     999,503,080   54,544,427  130,191,440     43,775,719
326,459,414   105,747,682
 Class C.................       779,939      50,160,238    1,258,970   26,196,901        485,778
5,125,086    20,851,084
 Class Y.................            --     801,345,080  879,845,006   96,555,561      1,694,739
183,068,354       111,031
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Class A.................     9,360,366      10,168,501      647,121    3,436,877      8,104,711
21,422,851     2,432,921
 Class B.................     3,884,909      34,605,795    2,367,514    8,307,846      3,721,068
14,707,068     4,904,830
 Class C.................        25,659       1,736,422       54,643    1,673,076         41,291
231,038       966,154
 Class Y.................            --      27,448,762   37,891,181    6,124,137        144,020
8,234,209         5,137
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSET VALUE PER
  SHARE
 Class A.................  $      30.42  $        29.14 $      23.19 $      15.75   $      11.76  $        22.23
$      21.65
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A -- Offering
  price (based on sales
  charge of 4.75%).......  $      31.94  $        30.59 $      24.35 $      16.54   $      12.35  $        23.34
$      22.73
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B.................  $      30.35  $        28.88 $      23.04 $      15.67   $      11.76  $        22.20
$      21.56
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C.................  $      30.40  $        28.89 $      23.04 $      15.66   $      11.76  $        22.18
$      21.58
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class Y.................            --  $        29.19 $      23.22 $      15.77   $      11.77  $        22.23
$      21.61
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       64
<PAGE>


                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                            Year Ended July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SMALL CAP
                            BLUE CHIP   GROWTH & INCOME INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE        FUND FOR
                              FUND*          FUND            FUND           FUND          FUND
FUND       TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>
<C>            <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of
  foreign withholding
  taxes of $56,392,
  $25,234, $689,197,
  $12,104, $10,435,
  $130,187 and $5,544,
  respectively).........   $ 4,313,767   $ 15,668,809    $ 52,734,876   $  4,983,605   $ 6,208,578  $
25,677,634  $ 3,235,512
 Interest...............     1,099,735     21,896,927       4,016,267      2,459,788       225,962
3,900,639      615,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total income..........     5,413,502     37,565,736      56,751,143      7,443,393     6,434,540
29,578,273    3,850,534
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...........     2,052,676     16,275,918       9,685,921      2,055,006       704,533
7,023,408    1,062,354
 Distribution Plan
  expenses..............     1,628,814      8,865,387         566,084        988,649       660,925
4,211,807    1,350,540
 Transfer agent fees....       670,296      3,658,406       1,768,773        515,179       268,742
1,670,576      324,338
 Administrative service
  fees..................        53,198              0               0              0        42,854
438,523       33,743
 Trustees' fees and
  expenses..............        13,999         45,947          29,888         11,331         3,511
39,273        7,325
 Printing...............       160,647        916,116         474,221         87,074        90,104
526,008      100,958
 Custodian fees.........        71,500        527,465         306,190         56,140        39,916
374,521       56,522
 Registration fees......        49,119        352,740          61,854        150,185        68,826
57,916       51,507
 Amortization of
  organization
  expenses..............             0              0               0          5,727             0
0            0
 Other..................        36,983        128,241         105,638         26,166        28,756
107,017       41,618
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses........     4,737,232     30,770,220      12,998,569      3,895,457     1,908,167
14,449,049    3,028,905
 Less: Indirectly paid
  expenses..............        (3,604)       (21,867)        (28,957)        (7,877)       (2,764)
(10,190)      (1,267)
 Fee waivers and/or
  reimbursement from
  investment adviser....             0              0               0              0      (204,617)
0            0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..........     4,733,628     30,748,353      12,969,612      3,887,580     1,700,786
14,438,859    3,027,638
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..       679,874      6,817,383      43,781,531      3,555,813     4,733,754
15,139,414      822,896
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND
  UNREALIZED GAINS OR
  LOSSES ON SECURITIES
  AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
  RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or
  losses on:
  Securities............    45,240,695     89,769,570      88,022,951      4,125,256    16,449,359
382,225,398   21,844,245
  Foreign currency
   related
   transactions.........       (58,529)             0          52,503              0             0
0            0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    45,182,166     89,769,570      88,075,454      4,125,256    16,449,359
382,225,398   21,844,245
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net change in
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    18,537,520     54,312,938     (54,214,289)   (17,882,408)      197,673
(290,896,507)  (1,065,798)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    63,719,686    144,082,508      33,861,165    (13,757,152)   16,647,032
91,328,891   20,778,447
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
  IN NET ASSETS
  RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS............   $64,399,560   $150,899,891    $ 77,642,696   $(10,201,339)  $21,380,786  $
106,468,305  $21,601,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
  year end from August to July, effective July 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       65
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           Year Ended August 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    BLUE CHIP
                                                                      FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                               <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $58,633)........   $ 5,155,917
 Interest.......................................................       533,010
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total income..................................................     5,688,927
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...................................................     1,794,364
 Distribution Plan expenses.....................................     1,535,556
 Transfer agent fees............................................       683,706
 Administrative service fees....................................        44,985
 Trustees' fees and expenses....................................         5,931
 Professional fees..............................................        41,471
 Custodian fees.................................................       136,192
 Printing.......................................................        31,980
 Registration fees..............................................        47,804
 Other..........................................................         6,423
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses................................................     4,328,412
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses.................................       (20,588)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..................................................     4,307,824
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..........................................     1,381,103
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS OR LOSSES ON SECURITIES AND
  FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or losses on:
  Securities....................................................    42,390,850
  Foreign currency related transactions.........................       (12,863)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains or losses on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions..........................................    42,377,987
 Net change in unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions.........................    35,362,301
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions.........................    77,740,288
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS...........   $79,121,391
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       66
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                            Year Ended July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SMALL CAP
                      BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME  INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE         FUND FOR
                        FUND*           FUND             FUND           FUND           FUND           FUND
TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                 <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income..........   $    679,874  $    6,817,383    $  43,781,531  $  3,555,813   $  4,733,754  $    15,139,414
$    822,896
 Net realized
  gains or losses
  on securities
  and foreign
  currency related
  transactions....     45,182,166      89,769,570       88,075,454     4,125,256     16,449,359
382,225,398    21,844,245
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions....     18,537,520      54,312,938      (54,214,289)  (17,882,408)       197,673
(290,896,507)   (1,065,798)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.....     64,399,560     150,899,891       77,642,696   (10,201,339)    21,380,786
106,468,305    21,601,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment
  income
  Class A.........       (572,879)     (1,133,476)        (582,857)     (585,054)    (3,623,474)
(4,928,756)     (457,652)
  Class B.........       (753,205)              0       (1,826,984)     (875,495)    (1,224,827)
(1,461,990)     (258,225)
  Class C.........            (10)              0          (40,251)     (178,326)       (12,408)
(15,608)      (55,586)
  Class Y.........              0      (5,146,565)     (41,136,147)   (1,701,966)       (71,410)
(11,332,854)         (895)
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A.........              0      (7,164,362)        (827,257)     (213,842)    (8,654,842)
(79,220,878)   (3,551,251)
  Class B.........    (51,043,219)    (23,729,561)      (3,160,159)     (507,582)    (3,545,873)
(55,199,824)   (7,082,118)
  Class C.........              0      (1,087,731)         (63,045)     (100,773)       (34,234)
(713,832)   (1,542,452)
  Class Y.........              0     (23,937,007)     (58,431,404)     (758,969)      (166,884)
(82,980,185)       (3,495)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions
   to
   shareholders...    (52,369,313)    (62,198,702)    (106,068,104)   (4,922,007)   (17,333,952)
(235,853,927)  (12,951,674)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.....    114,811,777     982,241,448       36,821,129   324,098,172     27,354,893
209,984,754    40,160,932
 Payment for
  shares
  redeemed........    (99,812,547)   (402,984,465)    (109,733,628)  (64,094,835)   (24,559,873)
(1,216,417,479)  (44,846,695)
 Net asset value
  of shares issued
  in reinvestment
  of
  distributions...     45,932,435      54,748,017       95,522,782     3,360,906      4,031,786
202,246,215    12,075,357
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Blanchard Growth
  & Income Fund...     17,510,672               0                0             0              0
0             0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Virtus Style
  Manager Fund....              0      75,922,310                0             0              0
0             0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Virtus Style
  Manager; Large
  Cap Fund........              0               0                0             0              0
104,172,578             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions...     78,442,337     709,927,310       22,610,283   263,364,243      6,826,806
(700,013,932)    7,389,594
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets....     90,472,584     798,628,499       (5,815,125)  248,240,897     10,873,640
(829,399,554)   16,039,263
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period..........    312,935,481   1,348,692,379      956,468,952    58,845,186    130,382,673
1,820,221,920   163,337,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....   $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878    $ 950,653,827  $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $   990,822,366
$179,377,032
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income..........   $    (14,966) $      360,888    $  13,459,757  $    173,362   $     (7,868) $       (82,792)
$    430,969
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
  year end from August to July, effective July 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       67
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                 Fiscal year ended July 31, or August 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SMALL CAP
                       BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME  INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME   UTILITY
VALUE          FUND FOR
                         FUND*          FUND**           FUND**         FUND**        FUND**         FUND**
TOTAL RETURN**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                  <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income............  $  1,381,103  $    2,407,908    $ 21,889,648    $   385,091  $  2,786,986  $   16,353,679
$    766,801
 Net realized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......    42,377,987      23,375,321      44,086,999      1,108,151    11,377,530
58,756,392      8,633,551
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......    35,362,301     188,382,086      42,180,501      6,035,485    (1,002,220)
239,837,361     15,979,989
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.......    79,121,391     214,165,315     108,157,148      7,528,727    13,162,296
314,947,432     25,380,341
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment income
  Class A...........             0        (357,479)       (248,453)       (11,097)   (2,030,267)
(2,943,697)      (368,590)
  Class B...........    (2,021,947)              0        (790,199)       (17,755)     (639,939)
(1,098,593)      (315,494)
  Class C...........             0               0         (19,512)        (6,915)       (6,346)
(9,131)       (78,332)
  Class Y...........             0      (2,157,823)    (20,540,101)      (297,079)      (40,667)
(10,102,012)             0
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A...........             0               0               0         (1,322)            0
0              0
  Class B...........   (30,039,258)              0               0         (2,116)            0
0              0
  Class C...........             0               0               0           (824)            0
0              0
  Class Y...........             0               0               0        (35,401)            0
0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total
    distributions to
    shareholders....   (32,061,205)     (2,515,302)    (21,598,265)      (372,509)   (2,717,219)
(14,153,433)      (762,416)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.......   103,353,377     465,092,821      17,909,857     50,579,448     2,117,468
210,144,988     63,866,407
 Payment for shares
  redeemed..........   (89,890,447)   (111,499,306)    (71,220,009)    (8,771,326)  (21,527,215)
(224,625,243)   (24,402,541)
 Net asset value of
  shares issued in
  reinvestment of
  distributions.....    27,593,101       1,997,489      18,977,783        204,650     2,197,790
10,671,545        680,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions.....    41,056,031     355,591,004     (34,332,369)    42,012,772   (17,211,957)
(3,808,710)    40,144,635
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets......    88,116,217     567,241,017      52,226,514     49,168,990    (6,766,880)
296,985,289     64,762,560
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period............   224,819,264     781,451,362     904,242,438      9,676,196   137,149,553
1,523,236,631     98,575,209
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD......  $312,935,481  $1,348,692,379    $956,468,952    $58,845,186  $130,382,673  $1,820,221,920
$163,337,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income............  $     16,188  $      (10,791)   $  1,748,160    $    54,884  $    170,484  $    2,948,270
$   (165,774)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the year ended August 31, 1997.
** Each of the Funds changed their fiscal year end to July 31. The Statements
   of Changes in Net Assets are for the following periods: for Growth and In-
   come Fund, Small Cap Equity Income Fund, Utility Fund and Value Fund, the
   seven-month period ended July 31, 1997; for Income and Growth Fund, the six-
   month period ended July 31, 1997 and for Fund for Total Return, the eight-
   month period ended July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       68
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                                 Prior Periods
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     SMALL CAP
                      BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME   UTILITY         VALUE
FUND FOR
                       FUND****        FUND**           FUND*         FUND**        FUND**         FUND**
TOTAL RETURN***
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                 <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income..........   $  1,158,899   $  3,525,699    $ 45,851,306    $  207,498   $  5,338,113  $   25,598,949
$   853,438
 Net realized
  gains or losses
  on securities
  and foreign
  currency related
  transactions....     35,400,173     11,660,346      28,617,120       329,191      3,459,558
216,135,176      1,913,430
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions....     (2,334,533)   102,653,116      43,508,253       833,605     (3,509,310)     11,014,356
16,084,525
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.....     34,224,539    117,839,161     117,976,679     1,370,294      5,288,361     252,748,481
18,851,393
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment
  income
  Class A.........              0       (347,567)       (379,400)       (7,618)    (3,887,411)
(5,758,586)      (539,949)
  Class B.........     (6,695,266)       (65,556)     (1,152,510)       (9,798)    (1,173,301)
(1,939,188)      (273,356)
  Class C.........              0         (2,719)        (39,024)         (710)       (11,835)
(14,165)      (112,998)
  Class Y.........              0     (3,098,681)    (45,453,926)     (186,039)      (229,804)
(19,538,457)             0
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A.........              0     (1,260,337)              0       (12,475)    (2,482,046)
(46,062,049)      (754,551)
  Class B.........     (8,574,523)    (3,666,284)              0       (27,933)      (986,367)
(27,670,352)      (808,105)
  Class C.........              0       (142,360)              0        (1,936)       (10,122)
(205,316)      (270,058)
  Class Y.........              0     (6,654,395)              0      (279,606)       (53,545)
(142,552,378)             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions
   to
   shareholders...    (15,269,789)   (15,237,899)    (47,024,860)     (526,115)    (8,834,431)   (243,740,491)
(2,759,017)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.....     54,640,514    470,077,641      55,014,841     4,304,325     12,422,675     396,972,164
41,871,515
 Payment for
  shares
  redeemed........    (61,283,587)  (171,525,826)   (197,670,999)   (1,159,053)   (30,379,907)   (375,117,185)
(19,063,497)
 Net asset value
  of shares issued
  in reinvestment
  of
  distributions...     13,051,460     13,005,089      41,805,502       374,529      7,082,140
187,361,591      2,530,195
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Capital
  Appreciation
  Fund Class Y....              0    159,432,723               0             0              0
0              0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Select Value
  Fund Class Y....              0              0               0             0              0
95,883,824              0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Equity Fund
  Class Y.........              0              0               0             0              0
14,077,973              0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions...      6,408,387    470,989,627    (100,850,656)    3,519,801    (10,875,092)    319,178,367
25,338,213
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets....     25,363,137    573,590,889     (29,898,837)    4,363,980    (14,421,162)    328,186,357
41,430,589
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period..........    199,456,127    207,860,473     934,141,275     5,312,216    151,570,715   1,195,050,274
57,144,620
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....   $224,819,264   $781,451,362    $904,242,438    $9,676,196   $137,149,553  $1,523,236,631
$98,575,209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income..........   $  5,624,332   $      6,087    $  1,321,369    $    3,333   $    100,717  $      292,413
$  (233,100)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the year ended January 31, 1997.
** For the year ended December 31, 1996.
*** For the year ended November 30, 1996.
**** For the year ended August 31, 1996.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       69
<PAGE>

                     Combined Notes to Financial Statements
1. ORGANIZATION

The Evergreen Growth and Income Funds consist of Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
("Blue Chip"), Evergreen Growth and Income Fund ("Growth and Income"), Ever-
green Income and Growth Fund ("Income and Growth"), Evergreen Small Cap Equity
Income Fund ("Small Cap"), Evergreen Utility Fund ("Utility"), Evergreen Value
Fund ("Value") and Evergreen Fund for Total Return ("Total Return"), which are
collectively referred to herein as the "Funds". Each of the Funds is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as di-
versified, open-end management investment companies. Each Fund is a series of
the Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business Trust organized on September
18, 1997.

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares
are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C
shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing dis-
tribution fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent de-
ferred sales charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending on
how long the shares have been held. Class C shares are sold subject to a con-
tingent deferred sales charge payable on shares redeemed within one year after
the month of purchase. Class B shares purchased after January 1, 1997 will au-
tomatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B shares pur-
chased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion rights. Class
Y shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to contingent deferred
sales charges or distribution fees. Class Y shares are sold only to investment
advisory clients of First Union and its affiliates, certain institutional in-
vestors or Class Y shareholders of record of certain other funds managed by
First Union and its affiliates.

2. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN VALUE FUND

On January 21, 1998, Evergreen Value Fund, Class Y, executed a redemption in-
kind transaction of $793,367,277. This transaction resulted in the liquidation
of substantially all of the net assets of Value, Class Y shares. In turn, the
assets were transferred to Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund, Class I, an
institutional fund.

To fund this redemption, investment securities, excluding cash and cash equiva-
lents, with a market value of $774,879,156, including unrealized appreciation
of $221,367,103, were transferred. Additionally the Fund used cash and cash
equivalents of $23,488,121 to complete the transaction. The gains realized from
this sale of securities are not taxable to the Fund and are not required to be
distributed for federal income tax purposes.

3. ACQUISITION INFORMATION

Effective December 1, 1997, Signet Banking Corporation ("Signet") merged with
First Union Corporation ("First Union").

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Blue Chip acquired
substantially all of the net assets of Blanchard Growth & Income Fund, an open-
end management investment company managed by a subsidiary of Signet and regis-
tered under the 1940 Act, valued at $17,510,672. The net assets were exchanged
through a non-taxable transaction for 596,231 Class A shares of Blue Chip val-
ued at $29.37 per share. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfo-
lio securities with unrealized appreciation of $5,643,636. The aggregate net
assets of Blue Chip after the acquisition were $365,442,145.

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Growth and Income ac-
quired substantially all of the net assets of Virtus Style Manager Fund, an
open-end management investment company managed by a subsidiary of Signet and
registered under the 1940 Act, valued at $75,922,310. The net assets were ex-
changed through a non-taxable transaction for 2,555,807 Class Y shares of
Growth and Income valued at $29.71 per share. The acquired net assets consisted
primarily of portfolio securities with unrealized appreciation of $10,049,313.
The aggregate net assets of Growth and Income after the acquisition were
$1,945,327,504.

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Value acquired sub-
stantially all of the net assets of Virtus Style Manager; Large Cap Fund, an
open-end management investment company managed by a subsidi-

                                       70
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)
ary of Signet and registered under the 1940 Act, valued at $104,172,578. The
net assets were exchanged through a non-taxable transaction for 3,109,878 and
924,632 Class A and Y shares, respectively, of Value. The per share value on
the acquisition date was $25.82 and $25.83 for Class A and Class Y, respective-
ly. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with
unrealized appreciation of 28,824,982. The aggregate net assets of Value after
the acquisition were $1,097,437,360.

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently fol-
lowed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The poli-
cies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which re-
quire management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported
herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. Valuation of Securities
The Funds value securities traded on a national securities exchange or included
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NMS") at the last reported sales price
on the exchange where primarily traded. The Funds value securities traded on an
exchange or NMS for which there has been no sale and other securities traded in
the over-the-counter market at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
price. U.S. government obligations held by the Funds are valued at the mean be-
tween the over-the-counter bid and asked prices. Corporate bonds, other fixed-
income securities, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities are valued at
prices provided by an independent pricing service. In determining value for
normal institutional-size transactions, the pricing service uses methods based
on market transactions for comparable securities and analysis of various rela-
tionships between similar securities which are generally recognized by institu-
tional traders. Securities for which valuations are not available from an inde-
pendent pricing service, including restricted securities, are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith according to procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

B. Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held by the custodian on the Fund's behalf. Each
Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and will require the seller
to provide additional collateral in the event the market value of the securi-
ties pledged falls below the carrying value of the repurchase agreement, in-
cluding accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements
with banks and other financial institutions which are deemed by the investment
advisor to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of
Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion, Blue Chip and Total Return, along with certain other funds managed by
Keystone Investment Management Company ("Keystone"), a subsidiary of First
Union, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account.
These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are fully
collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations.

C. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
To obtain short-term financing, the Small Cap, Total Return, Utility and Value
may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with qualified third-party broker-
dealers. Interest on the value of reverse repurchase agreements is based upon
competitive market rates at the time of issuance. At the time a Fund enters
into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish and maintain a segre-
gated account with the custodian containing qualifying assets having a value
not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the
counterparty to the transaction is rendered insolvent, the ultimate realization
of the securities to be repurchased by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

                                       71
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

D. Foreign Currency
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.) dol-
lars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of ex-
change; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net
unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign cur-
rency exchange rates is a component of net unrealized gains or losses on secu-
rities and foreign currency related transactions. Net realized foreign currency
gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include: foreign cur-
rency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment se-
curities and foreign currency related transactions and the difference between
the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the
amount actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses re-
lated to fluctuations in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date
and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains or losses on secu-
rities transactions.

E. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated
in a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or liabili-
ties. Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market
daily. Realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are included in
net realized gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund
bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate
underlying the forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the
other party will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward con-
tracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

F. Security Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date there-
after when the Fund is made aware of the dividend. Foreign income may be sub-
ject to foreign withholding taxes which are accrued as applicable. Capital
gains realized on some foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and
are accrued as applicable.

G. Federal Taxes
The Funds intend to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, the Funds
will not incur any federal income tax liability since they are expected to dis-
tribute all of their net investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also intend to avoid
any excise tax liability by making the required distributions under the Code.
Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required. To the extent
that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is
each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

H. Distributions
Distributions from net investment income for the Funds, except Utility, are de-
clared and paid quarterly. Distributions for Utility from net investment income
are declared and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized capital gains,
if any, are paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded
at the close of business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in accor-
dance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted ac-
counting principles. The differences between financial statements amounts
available for distribution and distributions made in accordance with income tax
regulations are primarily due to differing treatment for certain distributions
received from real estate investment trusts and net realized foreign currency
gains (losses).

                                       72
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

I. Class Allocations
Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the rela-
tive net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are limited
to expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

J. Organization Expenses
Organization expenses incurred prior to June 30, 1998 are amortized to opera-
tions over a five-year period on a straight-line basis. In the event any of the
initial shares of the Funds are redeemed by any holder during the five-year am-
ortization period, redemption proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized or-
ganization expenses in the same proportion as the number of initial shares be-
ing redeemed bears to the number of initial shares outstanding at the time of
the redemption.

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized
with a $0.001 par value. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are cur-
rently divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Blue Chip currently
does not have any Class Y shares. Transactions in shares of the Funds were as
follows:

Blue Chip

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Period Ended               Year Ended                Year Ended
                             July 31, 1998 *            August 31, 1997           August 31, 1996
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............    812,276  $  24,596,278           0             0           0             0
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to
 Class A shares.........  9,140,449    250,374,069           0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed......... (1,203,287)   (36,027,532)          0             0           0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     14,697        447,340           0             0           0             0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Blanchard Growth &
 Income Fund............    596,231     17,510,672           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  9,360,366    256,900,827           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............  3,020,854     89,396,767   3,800,615  $103,353,377   2,238,539  $ 54,640,514
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to
 Class A shares......... (9,140,449)  (250,374,069)          0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed......... (2,178,914)   (63,756,605) (3,349,695)  (89,890,447) (2,509,938)  (61,283,587)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........  1,678,649     45,485,085   1,079,325    27,593,101     568,144    13,051,460
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (6,619,860)  (179,248,822)  1,530,245    41,056,031     296,745     6,408,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     26,608        818,732           0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed.........       (949)       (28,410)          0             0           0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........          0             10           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     25,659        790,332           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  2,766,165  $  78,442,337   1,530,245  $ 41,056,031     296,745  $  6,408,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1998.

                                       73
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Growth and Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Year Ended               Period Ended                Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998             July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  -------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  7,300,804  $ 214,673,895   2,967,692  $ 71,457,862   3,719,917  $  76,959,622
Shares redeemed......... (3,520,816)  (103,702,934)   (645,446)  (15,573,680) (1,044,500)   (21,729,967)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    287,118      8,071,240      14,532       352,344      69,271      1,546,893
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  4,067,106    119,042,201   2,336,778    56,236,526   2,744,688     56,776,548
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold............. 16,476,196    481,475,327   9,881,863   236,281,947   8,914,571    185,314,202
Shares redeemed......... (2,725,060)   (79,579,083)   (779,920)  (18,705,681)   (646,461)   (13,411,376)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    837,176     23,198,143         166         3,746     160,953      3,613,927
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 14,588,312    425,094,387   9,102,109   217,580,012   8,429,063    175,516,753
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............  1,131,563     32,986,181     511,624    12,290,220     348,918      7,294,757
Shares redeemed.........   (317,773)    (9,241,480)    (55,491)   (1,340,999)    (29,065)      (597,615)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     38,010      1,053,643           0             0       5,130        115,108
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    851,800     24,798,344     456,133    10,949,221     324,983      6,812,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............  8,658,868    253,053,137   6,060,064   145,062,792   9,899,164    200,509,060
Shares redeemed......... (7,135,642)  (210,408,060) (3,163,527)  (75,878,946) (6,820,349)  (135,786,868)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    797,581     22,424,991      67,571     1,641,399     349,251      7,729,161
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Virtus Style Manager
 Fund...................  2,555,807     75,922,310           0             0           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 FFB Lexicon Capital
 Appreciation Fund......          0              0           0             0   8,631,861    159,432,723
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  4,876,614    140,992,378   2,964,108    70,825,245  12,059,927    231,884,076
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 24,383,832  $ 709,927,310  14,859,128  $355,591,004  23,558,661  $ 470,989,627
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Income and Growth

<CAPTION>
                                Year Ended               Period Ended                Year Ended
                              July 30, 1998             July 31, 1997*            January 31, 1997
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  -------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............    204,121  $   4,959,183      96,124  $  2,114,635     288,739  $   5,918,321
Shares redeemed.........   (112,612)    (2,739,976)    (51,264)   (1,121,079)    (80,074)    (1,646,836)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     56,318      1,325,926      10,209       225,329      16,567        341,281
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    147,827      3,545,133      55,069     1,218,885     225,232      4,612,766
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............    633,299     15,295,755     308,925     6,799,151     973,616     19,899,458
Shares redeemed.........   (310,711)    (7,455,874)   (123,038)   (2,685,666)   (128,458)    (2,649,792)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    198,183      4,626,554      32,359       710,178      48,861      1,003,747
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    520,771     12,466,435     218,246     4,823,663     894,019     18,253,413
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     27,805        674,067       2,951        66,274      33,684        684,918
Shares redeemed.........    (16,763)      (402,792)     (9,060)     (189,123)    (15,865)      (328,507)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      3,708         86,620         712        15,602       1,429         29,305
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     14,750        357,895      (5,397)     (107,247)     19,248        385,716
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............    641,797     15,892,124     407,330     8,929,797   1,398,445     28,512,144
Shares redeemed......... (4,066,667)   (99,134,986) (3,049,701)  (67,224,141) (9,386,347)  (193,045,864)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........  3,795,361     89,483,682     816,636    18,026,674   1,968,663     40,431,169
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    370,491      6,240,820  (1,825,735)  (40,267,670) (6,019,239)  (124,102,551)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............  1,053,839  $  22,610,283  (1,557,817) $(34,332,369) (4,880,740) $(100,850,656)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from January 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

                                       74
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Small Cap

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Year Ended               Period Ended               Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998            July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  4,328,382  $ 72,341,164     246,413  $  3,587,404      23,318  $    285,774
Shares redeemed......... (1,207,491)  (20,046,565)     (2,663)      (37,984)    (17,926)     (213,193)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     45,725       753,748         854        12,209       1,564        19,575
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  3,166,616    53,048,347     244,604     3,561,629       6,956        92,156
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............  8,426,642   140,304,860     560,543     8,164,490      27,963       341,494
Shares redeemed.........   (803,676)  (13,366,175)     (9,769)     (142,514)       (966)      (11,697)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     79,883     1,323,369       1,366        19,472       2,883        36,358
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  7,702,849   128,262,054     552,140     8,041,448      29,880       366,155
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............  1,760,785    29,361,569     178,877     2,529,352       3,956        48,265
Shares redeemed.........   (281,072)   (4,699,621)     (6,447)      (91,950)     (1,838)      (22,125)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     16,111       266,637         524         7,467         136         1,697
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  1,495,824    24,928,585     172,954     2,444,869       2,254        27,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............  4,923,790    82,090,579   2,593,853    36,298,202     289,906     3,628,792
Shares redeemed......... (1,558,339)  (25,982,474)   (562,869)   (8,498,878)    (75,598)     (912,038)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     61,107     1,017,152      11,719       165,502      25,358       316,899
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  3,426,558    57,125,257   2,042,703    27,964,826     239,666     3,033,653
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 15,791,847  $263,364,243   3,012,401  $ 42,012,772     278,756  $  3,519,801
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Utility

<CAPTION>
                               Year Ended               Period Ended               Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998            July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  1,266,778  $ 14,554,038      45,144  $    494,721     246,512  $  2,626,118
Shares redeemed......... (1,407,032)  (16,718,124) (1,294,589)  (14,079,531) (1,609,448)  (16,984,094)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    243,720     2,889,027     147,141     1,602,820     478,287     5,051,093
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    103,466       724,941  (1,102,304)  (11,981,990)   (884,649)   (9,306,883)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............    974,483    11,445,916     123,876     1,349,827     787,800     8,401,385
Shares redeemed.........   (551,773)   (6,555,500)   (611,224)   (6,601,705)   (630,402)   (6,652,890)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     93,247     1,107,337      52,424       571,837     183,056     1,935,353
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    515,957     5,997,753    (434,924)   (4,680,041)    340,454     3,683,848
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     13,355       157,299       1,231        13,731      25,812       274,673
Shares redeemed.........     (6,139)      (72,067)     (6,079)      (66,033)    (13,100)     (135,909)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........        980        11,662         536         5,855       1,963        20,723
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............      8,196        96,894      (4,312)      (46,447)     14,675       159,487
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............    100,754     1,197,639      23,627       259,189     106,165     1,120,499
Shares redeemed.........   (100,753)   (1,214,182)    (72,220)     (779,946)   (644,560)   (6,607,014)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      2,014        23,760       1,585        17,278       7,089        74,971
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............      2,015         7,217     (47,008)     (503,479)   (531,306)   (5,411,544)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    629,634  $  6,826,805  (1,588,548) $(17,211,957) (1,060,826) $(10,875,092)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

                                       75
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Value

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Year Ended                  Period Ended                Year Ended
                                July 31, 1998               July 31, 1997*            December 31, 1996
                         ----------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------
                           Shares         Amount         Shares       Amount        Shares        Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............   1,587,252  $    40,192,765     948,931  $  21,010,689    1,109,850  $  23,895,251
Shares redeemed.........  (2,758,581)     (68,967,117) (1,099,102)   (24,085,514)  (1,836,296)   (39,736,035)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   3,563,487       81,070,016     127,041      2,835,467    2,371,895     49,562,452
Shares issued in the
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............   3,109,878       80,290,504           0              0            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............   5,502,036      132,586,168     (23,130)      (239,358)   1,645,449     33,721,668
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............   2,346,146       58,297,020   2,284,482     50,184,755    2,197,426     47,442,303
Shares redeemed.........  (1,290,986)     (31,809,835)   (709,716)   (15,577,742)    (873,740)   (18,943,891)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   2,433,973       55,281,719      48,527      1,086,571    1,374,236     28,693,188
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............   3,489,133       81,768,904   1,623,293     35,693,584    2,697,922     57,191,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     170,261        4,223,998      46,777      1,018,408       38,761        832,827
Shares redeemed.........     (72,103)      (1,793,135)    (16,263)      (355,395)     (17,818)      (377,207)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      31,015          701,653         410          9,201       10,328        215,421
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     129,173        3,132,516      30,924        672,214       31,271        671,041
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............   4,385,718      107,270,971   6,289,283    137,931,136   15,195,754    324,801,783
Shares redeemed......... (46,491,232)  (1,113,847,392) (8,383,008)  (184,606,592) (14,584,293)  (316,060,052)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   2,771,230       65,192,827     302,057      6,740,306    5,208,388    108,890,530
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............     924,632       23,882,074           0              0            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of FFB
 Lexicon Select Value
 Fund...................           0                0           0              0    4,720,676     95,883,824
Shares issued in
 acquisition of FFB
 Equity Fund............           0                0           0              0      692,924     14,077,973
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (38,409,652)    (917,501,520) (1,791,668)   (39,935,150)  11,233,449    227,594,058
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (29,289,310) $  (700,013,932)   (160,581) $  (3,808,710)  15,608,091  $ 319,178,367
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Total Return

<CAPTION>
                                 Year Ended                  Period Ended                Year Ended
                                July 31, 1998               July 31, 1997*            November 30, 1996
                         ----------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------
                           Shares         Amount         Shares       Amount        Shares        Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............     405,327  $     8,477,778     521,092  $   9,464,499      756,854  $  11,818,891
Shares redeemed.........    (476,275)      (9,979,937)   (564,385)   (10,121,645)    (446,563)    (6,837,747)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     192,513        3,761,047      18,071        331,175       71,945      1,193,118
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     121,565        2,258,888     (25,222)      (325,971)     382,236      6,174,262
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............   1,312,799       27,194,053   2,651,702     48,001,066    1,503,008     23,867,265
Shares redeemed.........  (1,328,176)     (27,515,826)   (609,684)   (11,087,288)    (534,970)    (8,156,600)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     348,818        6,752,535      15,072        275,911       57,897        974,432
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     333,441        6,430,762   2,057,090     37,189,689    1,025,935     16,685,097
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     212,115        4,372,780     350,562      6,315,824      398,635      6,185,359
Shares redeemed.........    (349,166)      (7,245,174)   (172,539)    (3,193,608)    (265,577)    (4,069,150)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      80,168        1,557,317       4,023         73,683       21,672        362,645
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     (56,883)      (1,315,077)    182,046      3,195,899      154,730      2,478,854
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............       5,560          116,322       4,487         85,018            0              0
Shares redeemed.........      (5,138)        (105,758)          0              0            0              0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........         228            4,458           0              0            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............         650           15,022       4,487         85,018            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     398,773  $     7,389,595   2,218,401  $  40,144,635    1,562,901  $  25,338,213
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund share activity for Class Y shares reflect the period from June 10,
  1997 (commencement of class operations) through July 31, 1997. The Fund
  changed its fiscal year end from November 30 to July 31, effective July 31,
  1997.

                                       76
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term investments, were as follows for the period ended July 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Cost of        Proceeds
                                              Purchases      from Sales
         <S>                                <C>            <C>
                                            -----------------------------
         Blue Chip*........................ $  360,931,375 $  391,549,349
         Growth and Income.................    846,628,227    288,979,809
         Income and Growth.................  1,281,952,042  1,315,701,331
         Small Cap.........................    285,721,810     35,249,915
         Utility...........................     86,344,853     94,184,507
         Value.............................    902,213,731  1,820,554,640
         Total Return......................    107,895,706    127,869,229
</TABLE>
            -------
            * For the eleven-month period ended July 31,
              1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year end
              from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31,
              1998. For the year ended August 31, 1997, cost
              of purchases and proceeds from sales of in-
              vestment securities for Blue Chip, excluding
              short-term investments, were $295,493,216 and
              $285,581,225, respectively.

On July 31, 1998, the composition of unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of investment securities based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal
income tax purposes was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Net
                                           Gross        Gross       Unrealized
                                         Unrealized   Unrealized  Appreciation /
                            Tax Cost    Appreciation Depreciation (Depreciation)
                             ---------------------------------------------------
         <S>             <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
         Blue Chip.....  $  298,069,328 $ 87,560,884 $ 2,556,400   $ 85,004,484
         Growth and
          Income.......   1,747,719,854  510,629,570  80,376,773    430,252,797
         Income and
          Growth.......     896,608,201  117,051,419  71,847,090     45,204,329
         Small Cap.....     319,633,756   18,497,845  28,741,979    (10,244,134)
         Utility.......     121,862,772   24,225,433   7,043,779     17,181,654
         Value.........     786,172,180  244,288,036  29,342,797    214,945,239
         Total Return..     136,194,805   44,760,810   2,328,754     42,432,056
</TABLE>

7. DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (formerly, Evergreen Keystone Distributor, Inc.)
("EDI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The BISYS Group Inc. ("BISYS") serves as
principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans for each class of shares as allowed by
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution plans permit the fund to reimburse its
principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of the fund and for
various other services. These costs, which consist primarily of commissions and
services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the fund, are paid by share-
holders through expenses called "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class, ex-
cept Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the class. Class B and Class C also presently pay distribution
fees equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Distribution
Plan expenses are calculated daily and paid monthly. With respect to Class B
and Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay 12b-1 fees greater than
the allowable annual amounts the Fund is permitted to pay. The Fund may reim-
burse the principal underwriter for such excess amounts in later years with an-
nual interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%.

                                       77
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

During the period ended July 31, 1998, amounts paid to EDI and/or its predeces-
sor pursuant to each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution Plans
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended July 31, 1998
                                          ------------------------------
                                           Class A    Class B   Class C
         <S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>
                                          ------------------------------
         Blue Chip*...................... $  367,809 $1,259,943 $  1,062
         Growth and Income...............    597,754  7,890,229  377,404
         Income and Growth...............     34,738    520,041   11,305
         Small Cap.......................     80,328    755,179  153,142
         Utility.........................    243,362    413,364    4,199
         Value...........................  1,088,998  3,088,393   34,416
         Total Return....................    124,034  1,012,065  214,441
</TABLE>
            -------
            * For the eleven-month period ended July 31,
              1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year end
              from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31,
              1998. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Blue
              Chip paid $1,535,556 to EDI and/or its prede-
              cessor pursuant to the Fund's Class B Distri-
              bution Plan.

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the In-
dependent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of
the respective class.

Contingent deferred sales charges paid by redeeming shareholders are paid to
EDI or its predecessor.

8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED
 TRANSACTIONS

Keystone is the investment adviser for Blue Chip and Total Return. In return
for providing investment management and administrative services to Blue Chip
and Total Return, the Funds pay Keystone a management fee that is calculated
daily and paid monthly. The management fee for Blue Chip is determined by ap-
plying percentage rates starting at 0.70% and declining as assets increase to
0.35% per annum, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The manage-
ment fee for Total Return is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of Total Re-
turn's gross investment income plus an amount determined by applying percentage
rates starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net assets in-
crease, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Pursuant to an agreement with Growth and Income's, Income and Growth's and
Small Cap's investment adviser, Evergreen Asset Management Corp. ("Evergreen
Asset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Union, is entitled to an annual fee
based on each of Growth and Income's, Income and Growth's and Small Cap's aver-
age daily net assets, respectively, in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                         <C>
         First $750 million......................................... 1.00%
         Next $250 million.......................................... 0.90%
         Over $1 billion............................................ 0.80%
</TABLE>

Evergreen Asset has agreed to reimburse Small Cap to the extent that the Fund's
operating expenses (including the investment advisory fee and amortization of
organizational expenses but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions,
12b-1 distribution and shareholder services fees and extraordinary expenses)
exceed 1.50% of its average daily net assets. First Union and Evergreen Asset
can modify or terminate voluntary waivers at any time.

First Union is entitled to an annual fee of 0.50% Utility's and Value's average
daily net assets pursuant to each Fund's investment advisory agreement. First
Union voluntarily waived $204,617 of its fee for Utility for the year ended
July 31, 1998.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS") (formerly Evergreen Keystone Investment
Services, Inc.), a subsidiary of First Union, is the administrator and BISYS
Fund Services is sub-administrator to the Funds. As administrator, EIS provides
the Funds with facilities, equipment and personnel. As sub-administrator to the
Funds, BISYS Fund Services provides the officers of the Funds. The administra-
tor and sub-administrator for each Fund are entitled to an annual fee based on
the average daily net assets of the funds administered by EIS for which First
Union or its investment advisory subsidiaries are also the investment advisers.
The administration fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start
at 0.05% and decline to 0.01% per annum as net assets

                                       78
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)
increase, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The sub-administra-
tion fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start at 0.01% and
decline to .004% per annum as net assets increase, to the average daily net as-
set value of the Fund. For Blue Chip, Growth and Income, Income and Growth,
Small Cap and Total Return the administration and sub-administration fee is
paid by their respective investment adviser and is not a Fund expense. For the
year ended July 31, 1998, Utility and Value paid $42,854 and $438,523, respec-
tively, to EIS for providing administrative services.

For the period ended July 31, 1998, Blue Chip and Total Return paid $53,198 and
$33,743, respectively, to Keystone, as reimbursement of certain administrative
expenses.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a subsidiary of First Union, serves as the
transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, is the investment sub-adviser to
Growth and Income, Income and Growth, and Small Cap and also provides brokerage
services with respect to substantially all security transactions of each Fund
effected on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. For the year ended
July 31, 1998, Growth and Income, Income and Growth, and Small Cap incurred the
following brokerage commissions with Lieber & Company:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                    <C>
         Growth and Income..................................... $1,460,807
         Income and Growth.....................................  1,762,628
         Small Cap.............................................    305,350
</TABLE>

Lieber & Company is reimbursed by Evergreen Asset, at no additional expense to
the Fund, for its cost of providing investment advisory services.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone,
serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.

Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no compensation directly
from the Funds.

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT

The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with their custodian.
The assets deposited with the custodian under this expense offset arrangement
could have been invested in income-producing assets.

10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of the Funds may defer any or all compensation related
to performance of duties as a Trustee. Each Trustee's deferred balances are al-
located to deferral accounts which are included in the accrued expenses for
each Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts are based on the
investment performance of certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses
incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in each Funds' Trustees' fees
and expenses. Trustees will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly in-
stallments for up to ten years at their election, not earlier than either the
year in which the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees or
January 1, 2000. As of July 31, 1998, the value of the Trustees deferral ac-
count for Blue Chip, Growth and Income, Income and Growth, Small Cap, Utility,
Value and Total Return was $7,071, $32,760, $87,575, $8,678, $7,867, $82,792
and $2,334.

11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

On October 31, 1996, a financing agreement among certain of the Evergreen
Funds, State Street Bank & Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks (the
"Banks") became effective. Under this agreement, the Banks provided an
unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $225 million ($112.5 mil-
lion committed and $112.5 million uncommitted) allocated evenly among the
Banks. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 0.75% per annum above
the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.10% per annum was incurred on the
unused portion of the committed facility, which was allocated to all partici-
pating Funds. State Street served as agent for the Banks, and as agent was en-
titled to a fee of $15,000 which was allocated to all of the participating
Funds. This agreement was terminated on October 31, 1997.

                                       79
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

On October 31, 1997, a temporary financing agreement between the participating
Funds and First Union became effective. Under this agreement, First Union pro-
vided a fully committed unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of
$300 million. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 1.00% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. State Street served as administrative agent under
this agreement, but received no compensation for its services. This agreement
was terminated on December 22, 1997.

On December 22, 1997, a financing agreement among all of the Evergreen Funds,
State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks became effec-
tive. Under this agreement, the Banks provide an unsecured credit facility in
the aggregate amount of $400 million ($275 million committed and $125 million
uncommitted). The credit facility is allocated among the Banks, under the terms
of the financing agreement. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds
for temporary or emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrow-
ing restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per an-
num above the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be
incurred on the unused portion of the committed facility, which will be allo-
cated to all funds. State Street serves as administrative agent for the Banks,
and as administrative agent is entitled to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is
allocated to all of the Funds.

During the period ended July 31, 1998, the Funds, except Income and Growth, had
no significant borrowings under these agreements. At July 31, 1998, Income and
Growth had a balance pursuant to this agreement of $12,800,000.

12. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Utility invests a substantial portion of its assets in issuers in the Utilities
industry, therefore, it may be more affected by economic and political develop-
ments in that industry than would be a comparable general equity fund.


                                       80
<PAGE>

                         Independent Auditors' Reports
The Trustees and Shareholders of
Evergreen Equity Trust

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, includ-
ing the schedules of investments, of six of the funds comprising Evergreen Eq-
uity Trust as listed below as of July 31, 1998, and the related statements of
operations, statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for
each of the years or periods listed below:

  Evergreen Blue Chip Fund -- statements of operations for the eleven months
  ended July 31, 1998 and the year ended August 31, 1997, statements of
  changes in net assets for the eleven months ended July 31, 1998 and each of
  the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 1998 and financial high-
  lights for the periods presented on pages 30 and 31.

  Evergreen Growth and Income Fund -- statement of operations for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended
  July 31, 1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended De-
  cember 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages
  32 and 33, except for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996. The fi-
  nancial highlights for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996 were au-
  dited by other auditors, whose opinion thereon dated February 15, 1996 was
  unqualified.

  Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund -- statement of operations for the
  year ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended
  December 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on
  pages 36 and 37, except for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996.
  The financial highlights for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996
  were audited by other auditors, whose opinion thereon dated February 15,
  1996 was unqualified.

  Evergreen Utility Fund -- statement of operations for the year ended July
  31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
  1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages 38 and 39.

  Evergreen Value Fund -- statement of operations for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the statements of changes in net assets for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
  1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages 40 and 41.

  Evergreen Fund for Total Return -- statement of operations for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended
  July 31, 1998, the eight months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended No-
  vember 30, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages
  42 and 43.

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of
the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these fi-
nancial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted audited stan-
dards. Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial high-
lights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of
securities owned as of July 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall fi-
nancial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ever-
green Blue Chip Fund, Evergreen Growth and Income Fund, Evergreen Small Cap Eq-
uity Income Fund, Evergreen Utility Fund, Evergreen Value Fund and Evergreen
Fund for Total Return (six of the funds comprising Evergreen Equity Trust) as
of July 31, 1998, the results of their operations, changes in their net assets
and financial highlights for each of the years or periods specified in the
first paragraph above in conformity with generally accepted accounting princi-
ples.

                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
September 4, 1998

                                       81
<PAGE>

                         Independent Auditors' Reports
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund

In our opinion, the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, including
the Schedule of Investments, and the related Statements of Operations and of
Changes in Net Assets and the Financial Highlights present fairly, in all mate-
rial respects, the financial position of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund (the
"Fund") at July 31, 1998, the results of its operations for the year then ended
and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year
ended July 31, 1998, the period ended July 31, 1997, and the year ended January
31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "finan-
cial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our respon-
sibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and per-
form the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presenta-
tion. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at
July 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above. The financial highlights presented for each of
the years or periods ended through January 31, 1996 were audited by other audi-
tors, whose report dated March 31, 1996 was unqualified.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
September 15, 1998

                                       82
<PAGE>


                FEDERAL TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS (Unaudited)

 Pursuant to section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Funds have
 designated the following amounts as long-term 28% capital gain dis-
 tributions and long-term 20% capital gain distributions for the fis-
 cal year ended July 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Aggregate          Per Share
                                  ----------------------- -------------
                                      28%         20%      28%    20%
                                      ---------------------------------
         <S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>    <C>
         Blue Chip............... $18,080,605 $16,417,783 $1.758 $1.597
         Growth and Income.......  14,384,603  26,192,557  0.259  0.471
         Income and Growth.......           0           0  0.000  0.000
         Small Cap...............      81,536     420,422  0.004  0.022
         Utility.................   5,039,111   2,587,648  0.420  0.215
         Value...................  77,345,830 115,539,118  1.734  2.591
         Total Return............   4,898,662   4,494,746  0.590  0.541
</TABLE>

 For corporate shareholders, the following percentages of ordinary in-
 come dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 quali-
 fied for the dividends received deduction.

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                        <C>
         Blue Chip................................................. 35.96%
         Growth and Income......................................... 43.91%
         Income and Growth......................................... 14.91%
         Small Cap................................................. 72.93%
         Utility................................................... 79.50%
         Value..................................................... 83.91%
         Total Return.............................................. 57.85%
</TABLE>


                                       83
<PAGE>

                                Evergreen Funds
<TABLE>

<S>                                             <C>                                              <C>
Money Market                                    Income                                           Domestic Growth
Treasury Money Market Fund                      Capital Preservation and Income Fund             Strategic Growth
Fund
Money Market Fund                               Short Intermediate Bond Fund                     Stock Selector
Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund                     Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund     Evergreen Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund        Intermediate Term Bond Fund                      Omega Fund
                                                U.S. Government Fund                             Small Company
Growth Fund
Tax Exempt                                      Diversified Bond Fund                            Aggressive
Growth Fund
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund               Strategic Income Fund                            Micro Cap Fund
High Grade Tax Free Fund                        High Yield Bond Fund
Tax Free Fund                                                                                    Global
International
California Tax Free Fund                        Balanced                                         Global Leaders
Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund                 American Retirement Fund                         International
Growth Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund                     Balanced Fund                                    Global
Opportunities Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund                    Precious Metals
Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund                     Foundation Fund                                  Emerging Markets
Growth Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund                                                                     Latin America
Fund
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund                     Growth & Income
Missouri Tax Free Fund                          Utility Fund                                     Express Line
New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund                 Income and Growth Fund                           800.346.3858
New York Tax Free Fund                          Fund for Total Return
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund              Value Fund                                       Investor Services
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund                      Blue Chip Fund                                   800.343.2898
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund              Growth and Income Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund                    Small Cap Equity Income Fund                     Retirement Plan
Services
                                                                                                 800.247.4075

 www.evergreenfunds.com

</TABLE>



63305                                                   543691  RV0  9/98


                                                        ---------------
                                                           BULK RATE
                                                          U.S. POSTAGE
                                                              PAID
                                                         PERMIT NO. 19
                                                           HUDSON, MA
                                                        ---------------

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS(SM)
APPEARS HERE]

200 BERKELEY STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116





<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                Evergreen


                                               Growth and

                                              Income Funds
July 31, 1998

Annual Report

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                [PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

     [LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS APPEARS HERE]


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Table of Contents
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Letter to Shareholders..................................................     1

Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................     2
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................     3

Evergreen Growth and Income Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................     6
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................     7

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    10
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    11

Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    14
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    15

Evergreen Utility Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    19
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    20

Evergreen Value Fund
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    22
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    23

Evergreen Fund for Total Return
 Fund at a Glance.......................................................    26
 Portfolio Manager Interview............................................    27

Financial Highlights
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...............................................    30
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund.......................................    32
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund.......................................    34
 Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund.................................    36
 Evergreen Utility Fund.................................................    38
 Evergreen Value Fund...................................................    40
 Evergreen Fund for Total Return........................................    42

Schedule of Investments
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...............................................    44
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund.......................................    46
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund.......................................    51
 Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund.................................    54
 Evergreen Utility Fund.................................................    58
 Evergreen Value Fund...................................................    60
 Evergreen Fund for Total Return........................................    62

Statements of Assets and Liabilities....................................    64

Statements of Operations................................................    65

Statements of Changes in Net Assets.....................................    67

Combined Notes to Financial
 Statements.............................................................    70

Independent Auditors Reports............................................    81

Additional Information..................................................    83



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Evergreen Funds
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Evergreen Funds is one of the nations fastest growing investment companies
 with approximately $50 billion in assets under management.

 With over 70 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
 capabilities, investors enjoy a broader range of quality investment products
 and services designed to meet their needs.

 The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
 executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
 remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
 global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
 service and excellence in investment management.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 This annual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
 Evergreen fund contained herein.  The prospectus contains more complete
 information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully before
 investing or sending money.

               -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Mutual Funds: ARE NOT FDIC INSURED   May lose value . Are not bank guaranteed
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

                           Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
    Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.

<PAGE>

                            Letter to Shareholders
                            ----------------------
                                September 1998



                  [PICTURE OF WILLIAM M. ENNIS APPEARS HERE]

                               William M. Ennis
                               Managing Director


Dear Shareholders:


The following report covers the Evergreen Growth and Income Funds for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 1998.

Market Review

At the writing of this report -- after the fiscal period ended July 31, 1998 --
the markets have experienced increased volatility, mainly due to financial and
currency crises in the Asian and Russian economies. We encourage investors to
remain focused on their long-term goals, and to keep short-term volatility in
perspective.

Although no one can accurately predict either the timing or the degree, one
thing is certain: the stock market will continue to experience ups and downs.
At this time, we still believe the domestic economy is strong with low
inflation, low unemployment and moderate, yet sustainable growth.  We are
confident that the opportunity remains to participate in the continued, dynamic
growth of both U.S. and international companies.

Cost Savings

In an effort to achieve efficiencies and cost savings, we have changed the way
we mail your funds' information.  Wherever possible, we are trying to combine
your funds' required mailings so you only receive one per household, based on
the registration last name and exact address./1/ This reduces the mailing costs,
not to mention the amount of paper needed to print, which in turn benefits your
funds by reducing overall expenses. If you prefer to receive separate copies of
reports and prospectuses for each registered shareholder in your household,
please notify us by calling the number on your statement and we will adjust our
records accordingly.

Evergreen Service

Evergreen remains committed to providing investment choices which match a range
of investment objectives, as well as clear and accurate information on all the
Evergreen Funds.  We recommend you consult with your financial advisor to
evaluate your asset allocation and ensure you are on target with your investment
time horizon.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please
contact one of our service representatives at 800.343.2898. We will be happy to
assist you.

Thank you for your continued investment with Evergreen Funds.

Sincerely,

/s/ William M. Ennis

William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds



/1/  If you purchased your shares through a financial representative, we may not
     be able to consolidate your mailings by last name and address, because that
     institution controls the mailings.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We continued to emphasize the larger-capitalization, blue chip, high-quality
U.S. corporations that are the hallmark of the Fund's investment style.



                                  Portfolio
                                  Management
                           ------------------------

                  [PICTURE OF JUDITH A. WARNERS APPEARS HERE]

                               Judith A. Warners
                             Tenure: January, 1995


CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the
companies in which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  Class A    Class B    Class C
Inception Date                                    1/20/98    9/11/35    1/22/98
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
One year with sales charge                             --      10.14%        --
 ................................................................................
One year w/o sales charge                              --      14.99%        --
 ................................................................................
3 years                                                --      23.45%        --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                                --      17.29%        --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                               --      14.35%        --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                                      6.00%      9.04%      8.80%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                                 4.75%      5.00%      1.00%
                                                Front End       CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends per share                 $0.06      $0.08      $0.02
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain distributions per share          --      $4.96         --
 ................................................................................

 *  Adjusted for maximum sales charge

    Note: Class A and C shares were introduced in January 1998, and did not have
    average annual returns to quote at this time. Cumulative returns since
    inception are provided.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

 Date             Class B            S & P 500 Index             CPI

Jul-88            10,000                 10,000                 10,000
Jul-89            12,742                 13,193                 10,498
Jul-90            13,533                 14,051                 11,004
Jul-91            14,980                 15,844                 11,494
Jul-92            15,889                 17,870                 11,857
Jul-93            17,063                 19,430                 12,186
Jul-94            17,244                 20,433                 12,523
Jul-95            19,998                 25,768                 12,869
Jul-96            22,824                 30,037                 13,245
Jul-97            33,238                 45,698                 13,544
Jul-98            38,218                 54,510                 13,772



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Blue Chip
Fund Class B, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer
Price Index (CPI).

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

2
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Portfolio Management Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did the Fund perform?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund performed well relative to similar funds, while trailing the overall
Standard & Poor's 500 Index, which was dominated by a few large companies.  For
the 12 months ended on July 31, 1998, the Evergreen Blue Chip Fund's Class B
shares had a total return of 14.99%, unadjusted for applicable sales charges.
During the same 12-month period, the benchmark S&P 500 Index had a return of
19.29%, while Growth and Income Funds on average returned 11.37%, as measured by
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an independent monitor of mutual fund
performance.


                                  Portfolio
                               Characteristics
                               ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                   $403,408,065
 ...............................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           86
 ...............................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                22.1x
 ...............................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.96
 ..............................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was the investment
environment like during the year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The overall market, as reflected in the popular indexes such as the S&P 500,
moved upward.  Interim volatility and periods of relatively flat performance --
when the market moved more sideways than up or down -- punctuated this general
trend, however.  As the year progressed, market index performance became more
and more dominated by the very strong returns of a relatively few stocks.  We
characterize this period as a standoff between two conflicting influences.  On
the one hand, there was fear that economic growth in the United States might
become so strong that the Federal Reserve Board would act to thwart inflation by
raising short-term interest rates.  On the other hand, there was the anticipated
fear of the impact that the Asian economic crisis might have on the earnings of
U.S. corporations.  In addition, there also was concern about the credibility of
the U.S. political leadership.  It seems the concern about Asia was put aside as
the strength of the domestic economy, combined with strong demand from Europe,
helped sustain strong earnings by U.S. multi-national corporations.

The narrowing of market leadership -- to a band of a relatively few companies --
became a progressively more dominant trend as the year progressed.  We also have
witnessed a rotating correction for several months, as the market values of
different stocks have dipped.  While the overall indexes may have shown positive
results, the stock valuations of a large proportion of publicly traded companies
actually fell.  For example, a Merrill Lynch study indicates that as of mid-
August, the stock prices of approximately 70% of New York Stock Exchange
companies actually fell by 20% or more from their highs, and 47% fell by 30% or
more after their highs.

In this environment, the best investment returns tended to come from a
relatively few companies.  While they represented a variety of different
industries, they tended to be high-quality, high-visibility companies that often
were leaders of their markets or niches.  In the Evergreen Blue Chip Fund's
portfolio, for example, the leading contributors to performance during the 12-
month period included General Electric, Pfizer, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company
and Home Depot.  Other performance leaders included companies that were re-
structuring or acquiring new businesses.  The list included Viacom, in the
entertainment industry, and Tyco International, a diversified company.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within this environment, what were your principal investment themes or
strategies?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We continued to emphasize the larger-capitalization, blue chip, high-quality
U.S. corporations that are the hallmark of the Fund's investment style.  We also

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


included a sprinkling of higher quality mid-cap growth companies.  An excellent
example would be Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which was one of the top
contributors to performance during the 12 months.

At the end of the fiscal year, about 70% of net assets were invested in the
large-cap, U.S. companies, with about 15% invested in mid-cap stocks.  Within
this general framework, we sometimes trimmed back the holdings of companies
after their prices had risen dramatically, even buying them back
opportunistically if they became more attractive again after a price correction.

As a by-product of our concern about volatility and high valuations of many
stocks, the cash and cash-equivalent weighting of the Fund rose from 4% to 13.3%
of net assets during the year.  Most of that increase came in the final two
months of the fiscal year as we became increasingly concerned about the impact
both of the Asian currency crisis and of questions about political leadership in
Washington.  This relatively high cash level is not necessarily permanent,
however.  We may re-invest proceeds opportunistically as we see attractive
valuations and if the stock market shows signs of stabilizing.


                              Top 5 Industries
                              ----------------
                       (as a percentage of net assets)

Finance & Insurance and Banks                                           18.5%
 ..............................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                          13.1%
 ..............................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                       10.2%
 ..............................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                            8.1%
 ..............................................................................
Retailing & Wholesale                                                   6.0%
 ..............................................................................


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What sectors, or industries, did you emphasize?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The greatest emphasis was in financial services, technology, health care --
including pharmaceuticals -- and consumer staples, such as beverages and
household products.

Financial services accounted for about 19% of net assets on July 31, despite
being trimmed back somewhat during the final months of the fiscal year.  Among
the holdings that we have reduced are some large, regional banks as the
consolidation trend in the industry appeared to move from the regional banks
toward mergers-of-equals among very large institutions.  For example, the
largest financial services positions at the end of the fiscal year, were
American International Group, a global leader in finance, and Travelers Group,
Inc., which has announced a pending merger with Citicorp.  One of the major
contributors to performance during the year, particularly in the last six
months, was Morgan Stanley-Dean Witter, another company that is benefiting from
merging and gaining additional cross-selling opportunities.  We also have been
interested in investing in financial companies that are leaders in their niches,
including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Associates
First Capital, a leading consumer lender that is a spin-off of Ford Motor Co.

Technology accounted for about 10% of net assets on July 31.  We have not
invested broadly in technology, but have owned the stocks of major industry
leaders, including IBM, Intel and Microsoft.  In addition, we have owned leaders
in specific market segments, including Sun Microsystems, Gateway Computers, and
EMC, a leader in disc storage.  We also have tried to take advantage of emerging
opportunities caused by changes in telecommunications systems and technologies
and the building of integrated communications networks throughout the world.
Among our significant holdings are WorldCom and Cisco Systems, both of which
have been strong contributors to performance.

Healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, accounted for about 13% of net assets at
the end of the fiscal year, even though it was slightly down from a year earlier

4
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

because we have taken profits from some successful holdings.  Longer term, we
see strong opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry because of the steady
flow of interesting new products and the strong demand caused by the aging of
the population.  This industry also continues to consolidate, as illustrated by
the pending merger of American Home Products Corp., a major holding of the Fund,
and Monsanto.

Consumer staples, including beverages and consumer products, accounted for about
12% of assets as of July 31.  While this is not an over-weighting, it continues
to be well-represented as domestically oriented consumer companies continue to
produce attractive earnings.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (as a percentage of net assets)
                         -------------------------------

General Electric Co.                                                    3.3%
 ..............................................................................
Microsoft Corp.                                                         2.8%
 ..............................................................................
American Home Products Corp.                                            2.2%
 ..............................................................................
Texaco, Inc.                                                            2.1%
 ..............................................................................
British Petroleum Plc, ADR                                              1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Coca Cola Co.                                                           1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                       1.8%
 ..............................................................................
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.                                                   1.7%
 ..............................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                1.6%
 ..............................................................................
Travelers Group, Inc.                                                   1.6%
 ..............................................................................


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What areas have been disappointing?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, have been a disappointment and we have
reduced our holdings substantially, from about 5% of net assets to about 1%.
The market performance of this industry has slumped as investors favored stable
growth companies over yield-oriented companies.  There also has been concern
about possible over-building in commercial real estate.

Other disappointments include Analog Devices, a semiconductor company that has
been hurt by the Asian crisis, and Cendant, a consumer services company that has
encountered questions about the reliability of its reported earnings.  We have
eliminated our positions in both companies entirely.  Philip Morris also has
been disappointing, primarily because of the tobacco controversy.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your outlook?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We expect continued volatility in the market.   In this environment, we plan to
maintain our concentration on fundamental analysis and individual company stock
picking.  We expect to emphasize global leaders that understand how to manage in
periods of volatility, both in their businesses and in the stock market.  We
also will look for leaders in specific market niches and undervalued businesses.

Given the unsettled market, our emphasis on fundamental research and individual
stock selection should help us find attractively priced opportunities created by
the market volatility and the possibility of over-corrections. In addition,
while we have generally avoided investments in basic materials, we have added
opportunistically to our holdings in the oil industry, which we believe should
ultimately rebound from its recent difficulties.

We have the flexibility to become more defensive if we believe conditions are
worsening, and we also have the ability to increase our weightings in medium-
sized companies should market leadership start changing.  The Fund's primary
emphasis, however, should remain with the leading large-capitalization
companies.  We believe their quality and liquidity should continue to support
performance in an uncertain period.

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


With the sharp decline in the stock market at quarter end, cash reserves began
to be employed in purchasing quality companies with above-average growth
prospects.


                                  Portfolio
                                  Management
                          --------------------------

                  [PICTURE OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                              Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: July 1997

                   [PICTURE OF GARY R. BUESSER APPEARS HERE]

                             Gary R. Buesser, CFA
                              Tenure:  July 1997


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        Class A   Class B    Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                           1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    10/15/86
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ...............................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   5.97%     5.44%     9.47%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   11.26%    10.44%    10.47%    11.56%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   19.52%    19.93%    20.64%    21.81%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                      --        --        --     19.25%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                     --        --        --     16.75%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           23.25%    23.57%    24.08%    15.24%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%      n/a
                                      Front End      CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                                 $0.13        --        --     $0.20
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                   $1.01     $1.01     $1.01     $1.01
 ................................................................................

  *   Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         S&P 400        Lipper Growth &
Date      Class A     S&P 500 Index   Mid-Cap Index    Income Fund Average     CPI
<S>       <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>
1/3/95      9,525         10,000          10,000              10,000          10,000
Jul-95     11,787         12,420          12,359              12,076          10,187
Jul-96     13,529         14,478          13,321              13,781          10,485
Jul-97     18,992         22,026          19,359              19,843          10,721
Jul-98     21,130         26,273          23,015              22,139          10,902
</TABLE>

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Growth and
Income Fund Class A, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Standard and
Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Index (S&P 400), the Lipper Growth & Income Funds Average
(LGIFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).


Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost. The S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index, and the Lipper Growth
& Income Funds Average are unmanaged market indexes and do not include
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

6
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was the investment performance in the fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Evergreen Growth and Income Fund Class A, B, C, and Y shares returned
11.26%, 10.44%, 10.47%, and 11.56% respectively, for the fiscal year ended July
31.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The performance
reflected a reversal in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year after significant
gains in the first three quarters.  The Fund's Class Y shares exceeded the
11.21% performance of the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index, and even in the weak fourth
quarter of the fiscal year, outperformed the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index by 0.95%.1
The Fund held an above-average cash position (approximately 20% of assets)
during much of the fiscal year, because we judged that market segments were
overvalued, and together with international economic volatility, might provide
attractive purchase opportunities. With the sharp decline in the stock market at
quarter end, cash reserves began to be employed in purchasing quality companies
with above-average growth prospects.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                $2,147,320,878
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         282
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                               21.9x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                     0.91
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What drove the Fund's performance?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Considering the cautious cash position, the invested portfolio demonstrated
strong performance.  The leadership in performance came from a diverse group of
companies, with the strongest in the broadcasting and communication fields,
where we had established positions earlier with the expectation of significant
benefits from both deregulation and growth.  Six of the top ten performers in
the Fund were in this category, four of which had gains of over 100% in the
fiscal year; Mediaone Group, Inc., Chancellor Media Corp., Young Broadcasting
Inc., Class A, and Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.  Pharmaceutical
commitments also provided a group of performance leaders: Pfizer, Inc., +83.2%;
Schering-Plough Corp., +76.5%; and Warner-Lambert Co., +73.7%.

Many issues added to the portfolio during the fiscal year provided outstanding
gains.  These gains were led by +105.2% in the shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc.;
+98.8% in the shares of Warner-Lambert Co.; +96.6% in the shares of Kansas City
Southern Industries, Inc.; and +67.9% in the shares of Home Depot, Inc.  These
top four led a group of 25 purchases which provided gains of 30% or more.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


McKesson Corp.                                                          1.5%
 ................................................................................
Webster Financial Corp.                                                 1.5%
 ................................................................................
Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.                                   1.4%
 ................................................................................
Lincare Holdings, Inc.                                                  1.2%
 ................................................................................
Jacor Communications, Inc.                                              1.2%
 ................................................................................
Time Warner, Inc.                                                       1.1%
 ................................................................................
Schering-Plough Corp.                                                   1.0%
 ................................................................................
Pittston Brink's Group                                                  1.0%
 ................................................................................
Policy Management Systems Corp.                                         1.0%
 ................................................................................
Burlington Northern Santa Fe                                            1.0%
 ................................................................................


Several major gains were the result of merger and acquisition offers for our
holdings.  Evergreen Media Corp. was acquired by Chancellor Media Corp., and
provided a +109.4% return to the Fund in the fiscal year, and Carson Pirie Scott
& Co. was acquired by


/1/ The Fund will be using the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index as a benchmark going
forward. Previously, the Fund was compared to the S&P 500 which is a large cap
index. The Fund invests in stocks of predominantly small to mid-sized companies
and, therefore, the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index is more appropriate.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Proffitt's, Inc., with a +72.3% increase.  A total of 22 companies in the
portfolio either completed mergers or acquisitions, or had them pending at the
end of the fiscal year.  The financial group represented the largest number of
these transactions; the pending SunTrust Banks, Inc. bid for Crestar Financial
Corp. provided a +230.3% gain from the acquisition price in 1996; Central
Fidelity Banks, Inc. acquisition, a +183.4% gain; Life Bancorp, Inc., a +44.5%
gain; Life Re Corp., a +57.3% gain; and Firstar Corp., a +33.2% gain (the latter
two are pending transactions).  We view merger and acquisition offers for Fund
holdings as a validation of our original analysis of them as undervalued issues.
The results of the fiscal year sustained this thesis, with the range of
acquisitions across ten industries suggesting that a continued broad analytical
search for undervaluation is an appropriate long-term strategy for the Fund.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where were the disappointments in the fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The major disappointments were among smaller companies, especially those
negatively impacted by the technology market slowdown, or temporary adversities
caused by the Asian financial crisis.  Illustratively, we had sold almost half
of the Fund's position in specialty electronic components manufacturer, Unitrode
Corp., early in the fiscal year, with a profit of over 128.8%.  We held the
balance with a view toward a longer term optimism, holding a much reduced
position.  Nonetheless, with a slow-down in the electronics components industry
by fiscal year-end, the stock had declined 56.1%.  In the case of other issues,
such as KLA-Tencor Corp., we had similarly realized major gains (+115.0%), and
then replaced the position at much lower prices.  By year-end, however, even the
low price purchases had declined in value by 20.1%.  Among larger companies, our
largest decline was in the shares of Union Pacific Corp., 40.4%.  We
considerably enlarged the position in this leading railroad system when the
stock fell in value due to the problems of congestion involving the complexities
of integrating the newly acquired Southern Pacific Rail Corp.  We believe Union
Pacific's railroad system will recover its previous high earnings power when it
overcomes its short-term problems.



                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)


Healthcare Products & Services                                          11.4%
 ...............................................................................
Banks                                                                   9.1%
 ................................................................................
Industrial Specialty Products & Services                                6.8%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                     6.3%
 ................................................................................
Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment                                4.6%
 ................................................................................


The top performing groups for the fiscal year were Communications Systems and
Services, +91.1%; Food & Beverage Products, +47.8%; Electric Utilities, +34.6%;
Retail & Wholesale, +33.8%; Telecommunications Services and Equipment, +33.0%;
and Health Care Products and Services, +31.6%.  The weakest performers were: Oil
Field Services, down 42.5%, and Information Services and Technology, down 24.6%.
The decline in energy prices toward the end of the fiscal year was a source of
adverse stock performance.  The Fund's oil field service company holdings are
concentrated in areas we believe will not be as negatively impacted as the
industry, on average.  Our concentration is on deep water drilling companies,
where the very large scale of equipment mitigates against an excess supply
forcing down capacity utilization and day rates.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How is the Fund positioned for the new fiscal year?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anticipating the volatility and the probability of price declines, the Fund has
held a substantial portion of its assets in short-term cash equivalents.  This
has given management the opportunity to utilize this sizable balance for the
careful purchase of undervalued securities in periods of market weakness.  As
the stock market deteriorated toward the end of the fiscal year

8
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


and into August, we have been actively increasing stock investments.  The
deterioration was particularly marked among smaller companies, as evidenced by
the 14% decline in the S&P Mid-Cap Index and the 20% decline in the Russell 2000
Index from their April 22 highs through August 24.  The performance of these
indices underlines the extent to which the stock market penalized smaller to
mid-capitalization companies, while rewarding larger companies and,
particularly, the higher price/earnings ratio group.

Our "value timing" investment strategy is focused on long-term capital gains in
companies which are undervalued in relation to their earnings growth, cash flow,
and asset realization possibilities.  We are taking advantage of weakness in the
pricing of financial institutions to add to the Fund's holdings in banks,
especially mid-sized regional banks, which will play an important role in future
industry consolidations.  We continue to add to holdings in the securities
brokerage and investment banking field where positions were established in the
1998 fiscal year.  This has proven a highly rewarding group, beginning with our
purchase of Edwards (A.G.), Inc. early in the year, and followed by Lehman
Brothers Holdings, Inc. and Paine Webber Group, Inc.  We anticipate both growth
for this industry and a continuing trend of acquisitions with the building of
multi-faceted financial service businesses.

The portfolio is further participating in the utility industry, based on
restructuring opportunities.  In its fiscal year, the Fund had a +54.5% increase
from its purchase of Energy East Corp. (formerly New York State Electric and Gas
Corp.), which is in the process of restructuring.  Toward the end of the year, a
position was established in Marketspan Corp., the merger of Brooklyn Union Gas
Co. and Long Island Lighting Co.  Our emphasis on the growth possibilities of
the technologies of biological science and the pharmaceutical industry
continues, with a recent increase in our investment in Perkin-Elmer Corp. (whose
genetics instrument technology is a leading one), and Beckman Coulter, Inc.
(whose leadership in analytical instruments is expected to be accelerated by a
recent merger).

Several real estate investment trust positions were recently increased, because
the market setback which this industry has had since its strong performance in
the fourth quarter of 1997 has created meaningful new values.  For the first
time in many months, numbers of well-established real estate investment trusts
are selling below the indicated value of their underlying property holdings.

In summary, undervalued growth opportunities continue to be the central goal of
this Fund, utilizing the "value timing" strategies which are at the core of its
twelve year performance record.

Will the Fund continue to hold a large cash reserve?

Our objective is to have a more normal cash reserve position, and an almost
fully invested strategy.  Market and individual company setbacks are providing
the "value timing" opportunities to effectively utilize the cash reserves.  For
example, an inventory problem at Penney (J.C.) Co., Inc. developed during a
particularly strong retail period, led to an over 20% decline in its stock
price.  We then began to accumulate this stock for the Fund, and at this
writing, have established a meaningful position.  Similarly, a setback
experienced in the demand for chemical products led us to increase the position
in Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co., Inc.  Anticipating recovery because of new
products, we saw a "value timing" opportunity in the shares of Acuson Corp., a
leading ultrasound company, which should allow it to increase market share in
its growth medical technology industry.  In these, and in many other cases, our
intensive research effort is expected to provide opportunities to capitalize on
the cautious positioning which we established for the Fund in the 1998 fiscal
year.  It should form the base for significant long-term capital appreciation.


                                                                               9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 [PICTURE OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                           Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  August 1978


                  [PICTURE OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                               Irene D. O'Neill
                            Tenure:  December 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                       1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    8/31/78

 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge               2.80%     2.29%     6.16%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                7.93%     7.13%     7.13%      8.16%
 ................................................................................
3 years                               12.55%    12.77%    13.56%     14.68%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                  --        --        --      10.90%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                 --        --        --      10.78%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                       14.85%    14.99%    15.56%     14.25%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                   4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                   Front End    CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                       2.16%     1.50%     1.60%      2.53%
 ...............................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                           $  1.02   $  0.85   $  0.85   $   1.08
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share             $  1.59   $  1.59   $  1.59   $   1.59
 ................................................................................

*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date             Class A          Wilshire 5000          LIFA             CPI

1/3/95              9,525              10,000            10,000           10,000
Jul-95             10,962              12,415            11,504           10,187
Jul-96             11,847              14,239            12,602           10,485
Jul-97             15,210              20,960            15,440           10,721
Jul-98             16,409              25,821            16,727           10,902



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Income and
Growth Fund Class A, the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lipper Income Funds Average
(LIFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).



Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lipper Income Funds Average
are unmanaged market indexes and do not include transaction costs associated
with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI is a
commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment return.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the year?

In the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, the Fund sustained its above-average
dividend distributions.  For Class Y shares, the oldest class, these dividends
were $0.27 per share each quarter, providing a yield in the top quartile of the
Lipper Income Funds category.  The Class Y shares have been able to sustain at
least this level of dividend for the past 13 years. Yet, the Class Y shares have
had an average annual total return of 14.25% since inception of the Fund on
August 31, 1978.  During the 12-month period that ended on July 31, 1998, the
Fund's Class Y shares had a return of 8.16%.  Class A, B and C shares had total
returns of 7.93%, 7.13% and 7.13% respectively, unadjusted for applicable sales
charges.  During the same period the average return on the Lipper Income Funds
category was 8.37% and the Wilshire 5000 Index had a return of 17.05%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                    $950,653,827
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           150
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 18.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.87
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98



How would you describe the long-term strategy of the Fund?

The Fund is designed to be an income-producing alternative to bond investing
while providing growth for greater protection against inflation.  The investment
strategy uses high yield undervalued convertible bonds, convertible preferred
stocks, and common stocks to enhance both the Fund's income and defensive
quality while aiming for significant capital appreciation.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(as a percentage of net assets)

[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]       Common Stock -- 65.7%
                               Convertible Preferred Stock -- 30.1%
                               Convertible Debentures -- 3.3%
                               Cash/Cash Equivalents -- 0.9%


What were some of the major contributors to performance?

The Fund's performance was helped by investments in companies in a number of
different industries, including:  healthcare, banks and thrifts,
telecommunications, and consumer-related stocks.

Within the general health group, a leading performer was Bristol-Myers Squibb
Co., which has produced a steady flow of new products that helped propel the
company stock to a 44.7% return during the year.  Another leading performer in
the health group was ADAC Laboratories.  This company has introduced an
important imaging device that helps determine the spread of cancer.  With strong
revenue growth, this company's stock had a return of 39.8% during the fiscal
year.  A third health-related company that was a significant performer was
Shared Medical Systems Corp., which provides computerization services that help
hospitals and other health providers increase their operating efficiency.  The
stock in this company was up 41.4% during the fiscal year.

One of the principal investment themes at Evergreen is to invest in companies
that we believe are temporarily


                                                                              11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


out of favor in the stock market, but have attractive underlying value.  We call
this the "value timing" strategy.  A good example of this strategy in action was
the Fund's investment in American Home Products, a major pharmaceutical company.
The Fund purchased the stock on September 18, 1997, after the company's stock
price had suffered a steep decline in the face of the controversy over the
effects of the weight-control drug Fen-Phen.  Our analysis indicated that the
market had over-reacted to the potential liability and that the company's stock
price was significantly undervalued.  The stock produced a return of 46.4% for
the Fund from the investment to the end of the fiscal year.

Consolidation has helped the investments in the bank and thrift industries,
despite a slowdown in merger announcements by smaller banking institutions
during the second half of the fiscal year as attention turned to merger
announcements of very large banks.  Among the investments that generated large
returns for the Fund were several banks and thrifts that were acquired by larger
banks.  They included Firstbank of Illinois Co., which produced a return of 365%
since the initial investment in March, 1991; Hudson Chartered Bancorp Inc.,
produced a 367% return since the Fund's investment in December, 1992; and Eagle
Financial Corp., which produced a 280% return since the investment in November,
1992.

Among banks that have not been taken over, the best performers were M&T Bank
Corp. (formerly First Empire) of Buffalo, New York, which rose 59.3% during the
year, and First American Corp. of Tenn., which took over another Fund holding;
Deposit Guaranty Corp.  The investment in First American returned 67.3% during
the year.

                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.                                              4.1%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.                            3.6%
 ................................................................................
Qualcomm Financial Trust I, 5.75%, Conv. Pfd.                               3.3%
 ...............................................................................
Marketspan Corp.                                                            3.0%
 ................................................................................
Wendy's Financing I, 5.00%, TECONS                                          2.8%
 ................................................................................
Houston Industries, Inc., 7.00%, ACES                                       2.8%
 ................................................................................
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.                                            2.1%
 ................................................................................
Meditrust Co. REIT                                                          2.0%
 ................................................................................
Bankers Trust Corp.                                                         2.0%
 ................................................................................
Peoples Energy Corp.                                                        1.9%
 ................................................................................


Telecommunications-related investments helped the Fund significantly.  In fact,
the leading contributor to performance during the fiscal year was Frontier
Corp., which was up 67.3%.  This company, the former Rochester Telephone
Company, has expanded its long distance footprint through a savvy investment in
the Quest Communications network, a nationwide state of the art fiber optic
network which provides integrated voice, data and video communications.
Frontier is also a potential acquisition candidate.  Another telecommunications
investment that helped the Fund's performance was the Air Touch Communications
Convertible Preferred shares which were up 52% in the year.  This company
provides telecommunications services around the world.  Worldcom, Inc. which has
announced its intention to buy MCI, also provided a return of 54.8% for the Fund
during the year as investors began to understand the potential for global growth
in the telecommunications industry.  These three telecommunications companies
have potential to make inroads in telecom markets less encumbered by regulation
such as that which impacts the Regional Bell Operating Companies.

12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Consumer-related stocks were a fourth group that helped performance.  One of the
leading contributors was La-Z-Boy Chair Co., which had a 51.5% return since the
Fund's investment on August 4, 1997.

The primary weak areas were in the investments in foreign stocks, energy stocks
and real estate investment trusts (REITs).  Foreign investments, particularly
Australian investments, suffered in sympathy with the economic crisis in Asia.
During the year, we significantly reduced the foreign weighting in the Fund to
decrease the vulnerability to problems in Asia.

Energy-related stocks were hurt by the mild winter reducing the need for heat
and the worldwide slump in oil prices, while real estate stocks in general
lagged the overall market.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Banks                                                                      16.1%
 ...............................................................................
Utilities - Electric                                                        9.2%
 ................................................................................
Real Estate                                                                 7.4%
 ................................................................................
Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                      7.4%
 ................................................................................
Utilities - Gas                                                             7.1%
 ................................................................................


What Is your Outlook?

We expect the U.S. economy to grow with inflation remaining low.  The equity
market should be positive, particularly with the continued flow of funds into
stocks and the persistence of merger-and-acquisition activity.  We do have
concerns, however, about the slowdown in Asia and the effect it is having on
manufacturing employment in the United States.  Because of this, we believe the
market may experience continued volatility, which should produce opportunities
for our value timing strategy.  During the past year, the performance of the
major market indices has been helped chiefly by a very narrow base of stocks of
a relatively few large companies.  We believe this has left very attractive
investment opportunities in the securities of other companies.  We believe our
research discipline should enable us to identify opportunities to buy high-
quality issues with attractive yield at attractive valuations.  This positive
outlook, combined with the possibility of further gains from merger-and-
acquisition activity, gives us confidence for improving performance during the
coming year.



                                                                              13
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We continued to manage the Fund with a consistent emphasis on undervalued income
securities of small companies.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 [PICTURE OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                           Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  October 1993


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      CLASS A    CLASS B    CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                        1/3/95     1/3/95     1/24/95    10/1/93
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge               (1.66%)    (2.51%)      1.49%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                 3.24%      2.49%       2.49%      3.57%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                17.70%     18.03%      18.67%     19.99%
 ...............................................................................
Since Inception                        19.30%     19.51%      20.01%     15.62%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                    4.75%      5.00%       1.00%       n/a
                                    Front End     CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                            $  0.28    $  0.19    $   0.19   $   0.33
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share              $  0.19    $  0.19    $   0.19   $   0.19
 ................................................................................

*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date       Class A      Russell 2000      Wilshire Small Cap Value       CPI

1/3/95        9,525         10,000                   10,000              10,000
Jul-95       10,984         12,100                   11,736              10,187
Jul-96       12,750         12,936                   12,957              10,485
Jul-97       18,214         17,256                   18,016              10,721
Jul-98       18,804         19,777                   18,965              10,902



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Small Cap
Equity Income Fund Class A, the Russell 2000 Index, Wilshire Small Cap Value
Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).




Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The Russell 2000 Index and the Wilshire Small Cap Value
Index are unmanaged market indexes and do not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI
is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment
return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform?

During the past year, the Fund faced a difficult market climate not only for
small cap stocks, but also for value-oriented stocks.  This has been a market
where large cap stocks with high price/earnings ratios excelled as small caps
lagged and lost ground, especially in the latter part of the Fund's fiscal year.
An Evergreen study of the performance of various sectors of the market during
the first seven months of 1998 showed that large companies in the top 25% in
terms of price/earnings ratio had a total return of almost 50%.  During the same
seven-month period, small cap companies in the lowest 25% in terms of
price/earnings ratios had a return of (5%).  Nevertheless, for the second
consecutive year, the Fund was listed by Barron's, a leading financial magazine,
among the top 100 Funds in the United States based on risk-adjusted performance
for the preceding three years.

For the 12 months that ended on July 31, 1998, the Fund's Class Y shares had a
total return of 3.57%.  The Class A shares had a return of 3.24%, while Class B
and C shares each had returns of 2.49%, beating the benchmark Russell 2000
Index, a commonly used barometer of the small company stock market, which had a
return of 2.31%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.
The Wilshire Small Cap Value Index had a total return of 5.27%. Since the Fund's
inception on October 1, 1993, the Small Cap Equity Income Fund's Class Y shares
have had a cumulative total return of 101.74%, compared to a 77.64% return of
the Russell 2000 and an 82.72% return of the Wilshire Small Cap Value Index.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)
                         ----------------------------

Total Net Assets                                                    $307,086,083
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           150
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 15.1x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.54
 ...............................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


What strategies did you emphasize during the year?

We continued to manage the Fund with a consistent emphasis on undervalued income
securities of small companies.  We believe over the long run, this will give the
Fund the opportunity to generate strong performance with more price protection
in periods of volatility than the typical small company stock fund.

We sought out securities of small companies with market capitalizations of less
than $1 billion that had one or more of the following characteristics:

  .  Low cash-flow multiples or attractive prices relative to the cash flow they
     are able to generate, with an operating catalyst to propel earnings growth.

  .  Hidden assets that management intends to deploy to achieve growth.

  .  Stock prices that are temporarily depressed because of some event in the
     market and that have the opportunity to recover based upon our analysis of
     future cash flows. These are candidates for Evergreen's "value timing"
     strategy which seeks out temporarily out-of-favor stocks.


                                                                              15
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview



  .  Restructuring enterprises which are re-allocating capital resources to
     improve profitability.

  .  Potential merger-and-acquisition candidates that can take advantage of
     consolidation trends in their industries or the general economy.

The Fund invests exclusively in securities that offer yield.  In industries such
as technology where stocks traditionally have not paid dividends, we have looked
for opportunities among convertible securities as a way to invest in growth with
yield.  We also have found that investments in convertible preferred stock and
convertible debentures also offer more price protection and lower volatility
than investments in the underlying stock.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(as a percentage of net assets)


[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]        Common Stock -- 69.3%
                                Convertible Preferred Stock -- 12.0%
                                Convertible Debentures -- 13.8%
                                Cash/Cash Equivalents -- 4.9%



                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Curtiss Wright Corp.                                                        3.0%
 ...............................................................................
Boston Acoustics, Inc.                                                      2.9%
 ................................................................................
Matthews International Corp. Cl. A                                          2.7%
 ................................................................................
CPI Corp.                                                                   2.5%
 ................................................................................
Owens & Minor Trust I, 5.375%, TECONS                                       2.2%
 ................................................................................
Hardinge Brothers, Inc.                                                     2.1%
 ................................................................................
Lodgian Capital Trust I, 7.00%, CRESTS                                      1.8%
 ................................................................................
York Group, Inc.                                                            1.8%
 ................................................................................
Hvide Capital Trust, 6.50%, Conv. Pfd.                                      1.8%
 ................................................................................
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.                                              1.6%
 ...............................................................................


What are some examples of the implementation of each of these strategies?

Let's look first at companies with low cash-flow multiples and catalysts for
earnings growth.  A clear example is Knape & Vogt Manufacturing, which has made
drawer-operating systems for wood office furniture.  This company, whose stock
is attractively priced and yet offers a 3 1/2% yield, is entering the metal desk
slide market, with a potential increase in sales of $30 million, or 17%.  The
company can enter this market without any additional capital investments, which
means its return on capital has the potential to increase substantially.  The
company also has shown an ability to operate more efficiently and reduce
inventories, using the proceeds from cost-savings to reduce debt.

An example of a company with a hidden asset is Curtiss-Wright Corp., which
manufactures components such as landing gear transmissions and flaps for Boeing
737's.  This company had cash reserves equal to $7 per share of its stock, with
another $12 per share in over-funded pension contributions.  Earlier this year,
it started using its cash reserves to make acquisitions that allowed it to
increase sales by 30%.  Over the year, this company's stock has had a return of
43.5%.

The York Group, Inc., is an excellent example of how Evergreen's "value timing"
strategy can find attractive opportunities.  The stock price of this casket
manufacturer fell from $23 to $16 on news that it had lost a major contract with
a customer that had been responsible for 20% of sales.  Our analysis of the
company's remaining business, however, indicated that it was worth substantially
more than the current stock price.  This company remains profitable, with a high
return on capital and an extremely strong position selling to independent
funeral home operators.


16
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


CPI Corp. illustrates the Fund's investment theme of investing in companies that
are re-structuring, or changing their capital allocation.  This company sold its
underperforming photo finishing business to Kodak, and used the proceeds to buy
back one-third of the outstanding stock.  Its principal remaining business is
operating portrait studios in Sears stores.  This is a profitable, improving
business that generates strong cash flow.


How has the mergers-and-acquisition trend affected the Fund during the year?

Industry consolidation has had a huge impact on the Fund.  During the year, 18
companies in the portfolio have either merged or been acquired or had
announcements of pending mergers.  We have had 13 completed for an average gain
to the Fund of 89.6%.

Among acquisitions that have been completed, we have gains of: 352% in Kinetic
Concepts, Inc., purchased in July 1994; 257.8% from Hudson Chartered Bancorp,
Inc., purchased in January 1996; 117.7% from Computer Language Research
purchased in October 1993; 91.3% from California State Bank purchased in August
1997; 69.9% from People's Savings Financial Corp., purchased in December 1993;
and 55.7% from BGS Systems, Inc., purchased in July 1996.  Currently, we have
five pending mergers or takeovers, the most recent of which is First Palm Beach.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Consumer Products & Services                                               10.5%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                       7.0%
 ................................................................................
Oil Field Services                                                          6.0%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Gas                                                            5.9%
 ...............................................................................
Electrical Equipment & Services                                             5.8%
 ................................................................................


What industry sectors have helped the Fund's performance during the year?


Two areas stand out: banks and consumer products and services.  Banks were the
best performing sector, despite a period in which the market's attention was
captured by news of mergers among very large financial companies.  We believe,
however, that the consolidation trend will resume among the smaller companies,
to the benefit of the fund.


What sectors have not helped the Fund's performance?

Performance was not helped by the real estate investment trusts, or REITs, which
slumped during the year, or by investments in energy companies, which were hurt
by a mild winter and the effects of slumping oil prices.  While energy-related
stocks were, in general, relatively poor performers during the period, the Fund
attempted to take advantage of temporary weakness in the energy sector to build
up its position.  We believe that the price of oil ultimately should stabilize
and that values can be found among companies whose stocks had suffered unfairly
in the general industry slump.


                                                                              17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What is your outlook?

We have a positive outlook for the Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund
because of several trends we see, including:

  .  A continuation of the general consolidation trend in American industry;

  .  Signs of a growing recognition of the attractive values to be found among
     small company stocks;

  .  Positive earnings reports from many small companies.

The general merger-and-acquisition trend is not losing steam.  Deals totaling
$900 billion were announced during the first half of the year, and the U.S.
Department of Justice's Anti-Trust Division has estimated the total should reach
$1.75 trillion by the end of the year.  The strong stock market that has been
favoring large company stocks has given the big companies high stock valuations
they can use as currency to buy smaller companies that have been reporting
stronger growth.  Often, larger companies can buy fast-growing small companies
at prices that result in improved earnings-per-share performance for the larger
companies.

Moreover, investment and pension fund consulting companies increasingly are
recommending that their clients enlarge small company stock allocations in their
overall portfolios because of the attractive valuations.  Any growth in
institutional investors' purchases of small company stocks should have a
significant effect on cash flow, and therefore stock prices, in the small stock
sector.

Finally, a large portion of the Fund's holdings have issued positive earnings
reports through the fiscal period, validating the value of the independent
research by the Evergreen investment team and supporting our view that small
company value investments that also offer yield have strong potential for the
remainder of 1998.







Funds that invest in stocks of small companies, also called small-cap stocks,
involve certain risks and, therefore, may not be appropriate for all investors.
Although they may offer the potential for greater long-term returns, they also
may experience greater price volatility due to their limited focus on a
particular industry, market, product, or service, or because they invest in
smaller, less established companies.



18
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We remain committed to our long-term strategy of pursuing quality utility
companies with strong industry positioning that offer investors a high income,
defensively oriented investment option.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    [PICTURE OF PAUL DILELLA  APPEARS HERE]

                                 Paul DiLella
                               Tenure: May 1996


                [PICTURE OF DORIS KELLEY-WATKINS APPEARS HERE]

                             Doris Kelley-Watkins
                             Tenure: February 1997


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the
companies in which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                           1/4/94    1/4/94    9/2/94    2/28/94
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                  11.73%    11.31%    15.31%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   17.30%    16.31%    16.31%     17.60%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   14.25%    14.44%    15.16%     16.34%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           10.72%    10.79%    14.25%     13.70%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                       Front End    CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                               $  0.44   $  0.36   $  0.36   $   0.48
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                 $  1.12   $  1.12   $  1.12   $   1.12
 ................................................................................

*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date      Class A     S & P Utilities Index     S & P 500 Index      CPI

1/4/94       9,525             10,000                 10,000         10,000
Jul-94       9,154              9,181                  9,979         10,178
Jul-95      10,179              9,946                 12,584         10,460
Jul-96      11,197             10,724                 14,669         10,765
Jul-97      13,586             17,509                 22,317         11,008
Jul-98      15,936             20,251                 26,621         11,193


Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Utility Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's Utility Index (S&P Utilities), the Standard and
Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).






Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P Utility Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged
market indices and do not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure
of inflation and does not represent an investment return.  It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.


                                                                              19
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform over the past twelve months?

The Fund's Class A, B, C, and Y shares had a total return of 17.30%, 16.31%,
16.31% and 17.60%, respectively, for the year ended July 31, 1998.  These
returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Fund's returns trailed
the 20.99% return of its benchmark, the S&P Utilities Index.


                                  Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)


Total Net Assets                                                 $141,256,313
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         38
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                              18.6x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                    0.73
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How did the market environment impact performance during the fiscal year?

Over the past 12 months, we experienced an exceptionally narrow market advance
in which a select handful of the largest stocks surged while the majority of
companies lagged.  For example, during the first six months of 1998 the ten
largest stocks in the S&P 500 rose 31.7%, while the equally weighted average of
all 500 stocks rose just 8.6%; amazingly, nearly a third actually declined.

In addition, investors have flocked to stocks which they perceive to have higher
prospects for growth, such as technology, while shunning higher dividend paying
companies such as utilities.  Undoubtedly, the narrow market advance combined
with this rotation towards growth-oriented stocks had an adverse impact on the
Fund's performance. The simple fact that roughly 75% of the portfolio is
invested in utility stocks -- an income-oriented sector which lagged the broad
market substantially -- accounts for the Fund's rather dramatic underperformance
versus the S&P 500 Index.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Utilities -- Electric                                                   56.7%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Telephone                                                  14.4%
 ................................................................................
Utilities -- Gas                                                         5.1%
 ................................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                        4.0%
 ................................................................................
Communication Systems & Services                                         3.3%
 ................................................................................


What adjustments did you make to the portfolio?

It has been extremely frustrating to watch the market climb higher while utility
stocks -- and utility funds -- continue to struggle.  Despite any short-term
volatility, however, we remain committed to our long-term strategy of pursuing
quality utility companies with strong industry positioning that offer investors
a high income, defensively oriented investment option.

20
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


During the final months of the fiscal period, we made some adjustments regarding
individual securities which we feel will benefit performance going forward.  We
sold EVI Inc., a manufacturer of oilfield tools and equipment, due to a
deterioration in their earnings prospects, but not before capturing a solid
gain.  With the proceeds from this sale, we purchased R&B Falcon Corp., a
worldwide provider of contract drilling services.  We feel R&B Falcon represents
an attractively valued opportunity and was added following a substantial decline
in its share price as a result of plunging oil prices.


                                    Top 10
                               Equity Holdings
                               ---------------
                       (as a percentage of net assets)


Houston Industries, Inc.                                                6.1%
 ................................................................................
Sprint Corp.                                                            6.0%
 ................................................................................
Companhia Paranaense de
  Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR, Conv. Pfd.                                   3.8%
 ................................................................................
Marketspan Corp.                                                        3.5%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.                        3.3%
 ................................................................................
BNDES Participacoes S.A., Conv. Pfd.                                    3.1%
 ...............................................................................
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.                                     3.1%
 ................................................................................
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.                                             3.0%
 ................................................................................
U.S. West, Inc.                                                         3.0%
 ...............................................................................
Felcor Lodging Trust, Inc. REIT                                         2.8%
 ................................................................................


What areas positively impacted performance?

The Fund's 14% position in Utilities -- Telephone, as of July 31, 1998, enjoyed
a relatively strong fiscal year despite a difficult period for the utility
sector in general.  For example, three of the portfolio's holdings -- Ameritech,
U.S. West and Bellsouth -- posted total returns of 52%, 52% and 49%,
respectively.  Other noteworthy non-telephone companies include Enron, up 43%,
and Houston Industries (exchangeable for Time Warner common stock), up 48%.


What is your outlook for the utility industry?

The utility industry has experienced some volatility over the past couple of
years as the effects of deregulation have intensified competition and changed
the operating environment within the utility sector.  Subsequently, utility
companies are increasingly embracing mergers as an effective vehicle to gain
market share and diversify their source of earnings growth.  We anticipate
consolidation among utility companies to continue going forward and are actively
searching for companies that will benefit from this trend.

We are also confident that as the market rotation toward growth-oriented issues
reverses itself, income-oriented stocks -- and the utility sector in particular
- -- will enjoy improved performance.  We feel the Evergreen Utility Fund offers
investors an attractive investment option, especially considering the stock
market's current valuation. We continue to adhere to our long-term strategy of
providing shareholders a diversified, high income portfolio with defensive
characteristics.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We try to identify good companies with attractive stock prices where we can find
improvements in operating performance.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   [PICTURE OF MATTHEW D. FINN APPEARS HERE]


                             Matthew D. Finn, CFA
                              Tenure:  March 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [STYLE BOX APPEARS HERE]


Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Performance and Returns*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                   4/12/85    2/2/93    9/2/94    1/31/91
 ...............................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge            4.35%     4.18%     7.83%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge             9.55%     8.69%     8.74%      9.79%
 ................................................................................
3 years                            17.89%    18.21%    18.95%     20.08%
 ................................................................................
5 years                            16.19%    16.30%       --      17.62%
 ................................................................................
10 years                           14.71%       --        --         --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                    14.05%    15.41%    18.64%     16.85%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                4.75%     5.00%     1.00%      n/a
                                Front End     CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                          $0.29     $0.12     $0.12      $0.35
 ...............................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share            $4.38     $4.38     $4.38      $4.38
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

 Date             Class A            S & P 500 Index            CPI

Jul-88             9,525                 10,000                10,000
Jul-89            12,580                 13,193                10,498
Jul-90            13,322                 14,051                11,004
Jul-91            14,841                 15,844                11,494
Jul-92            16,426                 17,870                11,857
Jul-93            17,741                 19,430                12,186
Jul-94            19,070                 20,433                12,523
Jul-95            22,926                 25,768                12,869
Jul-96            25,310                 30,037                13,245
Jul-97            35,996                 45,698                13,544
Jul-98            39,434                 54,510                13,772


Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Value Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI).


Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

22
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform during the fiscal year?

The Fund performed positively during a period in which the stock market did not
favor the value style of investing.  For the 12 months ended July 31, 1998, the
Evergreen Value Fund's Class A shares had a total return of 9.55%, while the
Class B shares had a total return of 8.69% and the Class C shares had a return
of 8.74%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Class
Y shares had a return of 9.79% for the fiscal year.  During the same 12-month
period, the S&P 500 Index had a return of 19.29% and the S&P's Barra Value Index
had a return of 13.33%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)


Total Net Assets                                                   $990,822,366
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           93
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                23.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.97
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How would you describe the investment environment during the 12 months?

The environment has been dominated by concerns about economic activity in Asia
and the impact it will have on Asia's trading partners.  Investors have been
taking the Asian crisis into consideration since the third and fourth quarters
of 1997, although we did have a great move in the U.S. stock market early in
1998.  Two types of companies dominated the rally in the U.S.  The first were
larger capitalization, stable growth companies which are less susceptible to a
fall-off in economic activity.  The second were domestically oriented companies,
such as retailers.  This rally appears to have peaked in July, before a
correction set in.  Again, investors were concerned about the pace of economic
activity associated with the effects of Asia.

Worldwide, the impact of Asia also has been felt in emerging markets, including
Latin America and Russia.  The U.S. consumer and the European industrial sectors
have been the most influential sources of the earnings of multi-national
corporations during the past year.


You became portfolio manager of the Fund, effective on March 16, 1998.  How
would you describe your investment style?

The objective and the investment style of the Fund have not changed.  We try to
identify good companies with attractive stock prices where we can find
improvements in operating performance.  This is very consistent with the manner
in which previous managers have operated.  We look for growth of capital first,
with income as a secondary objective.

The Fund invests primarily in value-oriented, large capitalization companies
with improving fundamentals.  It is a value strategy that emphasizes quality
companies.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Banks                                                                      19.3%
 ................................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                             13.0%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                        10.3%
 ................................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                                8.6%
 ................................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                           7.1%
 ...............................................................................



                                                                             23
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview



Within this context, what areas have you emphasized in managing the Fund?

The largest areas of emphasis have been in healthcare, financial services and
some technology.  In terms of relative weightings versus the large-
capitalization, value indexes, the heaviest overweighting has been in
healthcare, predominately pharmaceutical companies.  We have found in this
industry the best combination of revenue growth, reasonable valuations and
stability of earnings.  In addition to increasing our overall weighting, we have
added new positions in companies such as Merck and Pharmacia & Upjohn.  We also
sold the stocks of several companies when we became uncomfortable with their
valuation levels, including Tenet Healthcare Corp. and HEALTHSOUTH Corp.

Financial services companies accounted for nearly 30% of net assets at the end
of the period.  This has been a significant area of emphasis, even though we are
somewhat underweighted versus the value indexes.  We have found valuations that
are still relatively attractive and we have been able to invest in companies
that we believe can achieve their earnings estimates.  In addition, we don't
think any downturn will be large enough to affect overall credit quality.
Moreover, we believe the Federal Reserve Board's disposition will be to lower
short-term rates, which should benefit financial services companies.  Beyond
increasing the emphasis on the financial services industry overall, we have
added a number of specific companies to the portfolio, including Federal
National Mortgage Association and ReliaStar Financial, an insurance company.

We have emphasized technology because we have found attractive stock valuations
and we believe the long-term outlook for this industry remains favorable,
despite current concerns about economic activity.  In technology, we have added
American Power Conversion and Gateway, while selling the Fund's holdings in 3Com
Corp., a networking company.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

General Electric Co.                                                        3.5%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                                 2.9%
 ................................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                    2.4%
 ................................................................................
Wachovia Corp.                                                              2.3%
 ................................................................................
BankBoston Corp.                                                            2.1%
 ................................................................................
First Chicago NBD Corp.                                                     2.1%
 ................................................................................
NationsBank Corp.                                                           2.0%
 ...............................................................................
Cisco Systems, Inc.                                                         1.9%
 ................................................................................
Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT                                    1.9%
 ................................................................................
International Business Machines Corp.                                       1.9%
 ................................................................................


What areas have you de-emphasized?

We have reduced the emphasis on stocks of companies in economically sensitive
industries, which tend to be hurt in any economic slowdown.  These include
companies in the chemicals, building materials, railroad, energy and metal
products and services.  Among the stocks that we sold entirely were those of
Alcoa and Alumax in metal products and services; and Ashland, Tosco and Ultramar
Diamond Shamrock Corp., in energy.  We don't expect that we will be emphasizing
the general area of basic materials until supply and demand again are in
balance.


24
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What is your outlook?

In our view, the equity market is well on its way to discounting or taking into
consideration in its valuations of stocks, the effects of a slowdown in world
economic activity.  This is not to say there may not be more bad news, perhaps
related to a possible slowdown in consumer demand in the United States or in
industrial expansion in Europe.  Ultimately, however, we believe we will see an
easing of monetary policy in the major markets, such as the United States and
the United Kingdom.  We also believe Japan's government will act to stimulate
the economy.  At some point, investors will look beyond temporary dips in
earnings and the equity markets will rally.

With this outlook, we will continue to try to find good quality companies whose
stock prices may have been unduly penalized by short-term events.  This should
give us some great opportunities to buy.  We don't expect a deep slump.  And
even in a slump, we believe we may be able to find companies that can prosper
despite being in out-of-favor industries, such as specialty chemicals.



                                                                             25
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Fund at a Glance as of July 31, 1998


We rely on fundamental analysis to determine a company's potential to grow
earnings and the risk to the stock if it fails to meet our targets.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                [PICTURE OF HARLAN R. SONDERLING APPEARS HERE]

                        Harlan R. Sonderling, CPA, CFA
                              Tenure:  June 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [STYP BOX APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 6/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS C    CLASS Y
Inception Date                          4/14/87    2/1/93    2/1/93    1/31/97
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   8.44%     8.01%    11.99%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   13.85%    13.01%    12.99%     14.29%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   22.14%    22.46%    23.13%        --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                   16.45%    16.45%    16.65%        --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                  14.65%       --        --         --
 ...............................................................................
Since Inception                           12.81%    15.84%    15.95%     20.80%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                       Front End    CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
12-month income dividends
per share                              $   0.19   $  0.06   $  0.06   $   0.24
 ................................................................................
12-month capital gain
distributions per share                $   1.52   $  1.52   $  1.52   $   1.52
 ................................................................................
*    Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


 Date                  Class A            S & P 500 Index               CPI

Jul-88                  9,525                 10,000                  10,000
Jul-89                 11,966                 13,193                  10,498
Jul-90                 12,744                 14,051                  11,004
Jul-91                 14,484                 15,844                  11,494
Jul-92                 15,413                 17,870                  11,857
Jul-93                 17,448                 19,430                  12,186
Jul-94                 18,005                 20,433                  12,523
Jul-95                 20,507                 25,768                  12,869
Jul-96                 23,983                 30,037                  13,245
Jul-97                 34,454                 45,698                  13,544
Jul-98                 39,228                 54,510                  13,772



Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Fund for
Total Return Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), and the
Consumer Price Index (CPI).




Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  The investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than original cost.  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees.  The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.


26
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform?

The Evergreen Fund for Total Return performed well relative to its peer group of
value-oriented, conservative equity mutual funds.  For the 12 months ended
July 31, 1998, the Fund's Class A Shares had a total return of 13.85%, while the
Class B Shares had a return of 13.01%, and the Class C Shares had a return of
12.99%.  These returns are unadjusted for applicable sales charges.  The Class Y
Shares had a return of 14.29% during the period.  For the same 12-month period,
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index had a return of 19.29%.


                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                         (as of 7/31/98 unless noted)

Total Net Assets                                                 $179,377,032
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         67
 ...............................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                              20.7x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                    0.98
 ................................................................................
*as of 6/30/98


How would you describe the investment environment during the 12-month period?

It was very favorable for stocks in general, although the market tended to
reward investments in larger capitalization, high growth companies, with high
price/earnings ratios, over more value- and yield-oriented styles, such as that
emphasized by the Fund.   The 12-month period was marked by declining interest
rates, robust economic growth, strong employment, and low and diminishing
inflation.  The Asian economic crisis started during the latter part of 1997,
and its effects on the U.S. economy and with the U.S. stock market were only
beginning to be felt in July of 1998.


What investment strategies were employed during the year, and have there been
any changes since you took over as portfolio manager on June 5, 1998?

The basic objective and strategies of the Fund remain the same.  We seek total
return from a combination of capital growth and income.  The strategy, which has
been in place since the Fund began 11 years ago, is to invest in U.S. stocks,
foreign stocks, bonds and money market instruments with the goal of earning more
consistent total returns, with less price fluctuation, than a portfolio of U.S.
stocks or bonds alone.  In investing in stocks, the Fund emphasizes established
companies, principally larger capitalization stocks, with some mid-cap holdings.
We rely on fundamental analysis to determine a company's potential to grow
earnings and the risk to the stock if it fails to meet our targets.

Since taking over as portfolio manager, I have slightly increased the cash level
in the portfolio.  When I became portfolio manager in June, about 6% of net
assets were invested in cash and cash-equivalent securities.  At the close of
the fiscal year on July 31, 11.4% of net assets were in cash and cash-
equivalents, with about 82% in common stocks of U.S. corporations.  I did this
mainly because of concerns about the high valuation levels of many stocks.  We
sold fully valued stock holdings, but were unwilling to re-invest all the
proceeds at the high current prices of many stocks.  We kept the proceeds in
cash rather than in longer-maturity fixed income securities because cash-
equivalent securities offered almost as much yield, but with much less price
risk.


                                                                              27
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


We also have increased the dividend yield of the portfolio.   We have done this
partly by investing in higher-yielding, relatively undervalued stocks.  Over the
long term, our goal is to have a portfolio with a current income, or dividend
yield, that is 20-to-25% higher than that of the S&P 500.  At the close of the
fiscal year, the portfolio had a dividend yield 50% higher than that of the S&P.

In addition, we have added several convertible securities to the portfolio to
add income without sacrificing growth opportunities.  The Fund did not own any
foreign securities at the close of the fiscal period.  We did not believe
valuations of either foreign stocks or currencies justified investment.


                               Top 5 Industries
                               ----------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

Healthcare Products & Services                                             13.1%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                      12.0%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                         8.5%
 ................................................................................
Retailing & Wholesale                                                       6.0%
 ................................................................................
Real Estate                                                                 5.9%
 ...............................................................................


What sectors or industries have you emphasized?

The Fund's largest area of emphasis is banking and finance, at about 20% of net
assets, compared with about 18% of the S&P 500.  In general, financial stocks
have been bolstered by industry consolidation, low interest rates and a strong
economy.  In addition, growing fee income has helped many companies.  Our two
largest financial holdings are Fleet Financial Group and BankBoston Corp., two
Northeast-based companies with strong competitive positions.

While banking and finance stocks have been strong performers, we are watching
them very carefully for signs of economic slowdown that could cause a
deterioration of credit quality.

The second largest weighting is in healthcare, at about 13.1% of net assets,
compared with about 11.9% in the S&P.  We believe pharmaceuticals are among the
most attractive consumer growth industries.  These companies have high sales
growth driven by the aging population and the interest of the managed care
industry in emphasizing drug therapy in healthcare.  Three of the Fund's top
four holdings are in the pharmaceutical industry.  The largest position is
American Home Products Corp., which has especially attractive prospects as the
result of its pending merger with Monsanto.  The other two major holdings are
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co.

Another top sector is Real Estate including the Fund's investments in Real
Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, at about 6% of net assets.  The past six
months have been a difficult period for REITs because the market has favored
large-capitalization, growth companies.  We believe REITs remain attractive,
however, because of their growing dividends and their defensive qualities in an
economic slowdown.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                        (as a percentage of net assets)
                        -------------------------------

American Home Products Corp.                                                3.4%
 ................................................................................
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                                    3.2%
 ................................................................................
General Electric Co.                                                        3.0%
 ................................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                           2.7%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                                 2.4%
 ................................................................................
International Business Machines Corp.                                       2.2%
 ................................................................................
BankBoston Corp.                                                            2.2%
 ................................................................................
Philip Morris Companies, Inc.                                               1.8%
 ................................................................................
TCF Financial Corp.                                                         1.8%
 ................................................................................
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.                                                       1.8%
 ................................................................................


28
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                              Fund to Total Return
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What areas have you de-emphasized?

The two most significant underweightings are in technology and consumer staples,
such as food, personal care and beverage companies.

We have de-emphasized technology companies primarily because of concern that
this industry may be particularly vulnerable to earnings disappointments in the
months ahead.  In addition, they tend not to pay high dividends.  We do,
however, maintain a core of high quality technology companies, led by the
investment in IBM, at about 2.2% of net assets.  We have underweighted consumer
staples because we believe valuations are too high, especially when compared
against pharmaceuticals.


What is your outlook?

Business activity appears to be slowing down, although recession is unlikely.
Sales growth, for example, is at its lowest rate since 1993.  The principal
cause of the slowdown is the Asian crisis, which is likely to affect U.S.
businesses by limiting their ability to raise prices and increase their profits.
It is less likely to affect overall economic activity, but concerns will linger.
Very low unemployment and the upward trend in wages also may lead to a squeeze
in corporate profits, despite ongoing productivity enhancements and the
efficiencies of mergers and acquisitions.  Slowing earnings growth is a concern
to us because of the high valuations of stocks.

Within this environment, the Fund's focus remains on the stocks of high-quality,
income-producing domestic companies.  We will seek to avoid investments in
companies that could have disappointing earnings.  As long as the returns of
cash and cash-equivalents remain attractive, we will tend to emphasize cash
rather than longer-maturity fixed income instruments.

We believe this conservative strategy has the potential to continue to deliver
attractive returns, with less price risk than more aggressive investment
strategies.  We continue to see investment opportunities in a growing economy
with moderate interest rates and low inflation.



                                                                              29
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Period Ended
                                                                July 31, 1998*
 <S>                                                            <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                               $  27.39
                                                                   --------
 ........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                 0.08
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions                                3.01
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                                      3.09
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                                           (0.06)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions                                                    0
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                                  (0.06)
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                     $  30.42
                                                                   --------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                                        11.29%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                              $284,735
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                        1.20%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                    1.20%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                 0.49%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                                112%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended August 31,
                            Period Ended    -------------------------------------------------
                           July 31, 1998**    1997      1996      1995      1994       1993
 <S>                       <C>              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD         $  29.79      $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21  $  25.42   $  23.17
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.12)         0.15      0.12      0.25      0.16       0.11
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            5.72          7.97      3.69      2.66     (0.35)      3.11
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 Total from investment
  operations                      5.60          8.12      3.81      2.91     (0.19)      3.22
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions           (4.96)        (3.18)    (0.98)    (2.78)    (1.74)     (0.69)
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 From net investment
  income                         (0.08)        (0.20)    (0.76)    (0.36)    (0.28)     (0.28)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (5.04)        (3.38)    (1.74)    (3.14)    (2.02)     (0.97)
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                      $  30.35      $  29.79  $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21   $  25.42
                              --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   --------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                   20.89%        34.76%    17.31%    13.87%    (0.72%)    14.31%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                 $117,893      $312,935  $224,819  $199,456  $208,532   $234,688
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.68%++       1.57%     1.85%     1.75%     2.07%      2.28%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                   1.68%++       1.56%     1.84%      N/A       N/A        N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.02%)++      0.55%     0.52%     1.09%     0.67%      0.47%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           112%          109%      139%      115%       73%        96%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
  July 31, 1998.
** For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1998.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout the period)


                                                                 Period Ended
                                                                July 31, 1998*

 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                $27.70
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                                   0(a)
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions                               2.72
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                                     2.72
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                                          (0.02)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions                                                   0
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                                 (0.02)
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                      $30.40
                                                                    ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                                        9.80%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                               $  780
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
  Total expenses                                                      2.02%++
 .........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses                  2.02%++
 .........................................................................
  Net investment income                                              (0.27%)++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                               112%
 .........................................................................

+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
  July 31, 1998.
(a) Less than one cent per share.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       31
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended          Year Ended
                                          July 31,          December 31,
                                        ---------------     ---------------
                                         1998    1997**      1996    1995*
 <S>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR      $27.26   $22.53     $18.63   $14.48
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                    0.16     0.08       0.12     0.13
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions           2.86     4.72       4.26     4.64
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations         3.02     4.80       4.38     4.77
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income              (0.13)   (0.07)     (0.13)   (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities
  and foreign currency related
  transactions                           (1.01)       0      (0.35)   (0.48)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                     (1.14)   (0.07)     (0.48)   (0.62)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR            $29.14   $27.26     $22.53   $18.63
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                           11.26%   21.33%     23.50%   33.00%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (MILLIONS)      $  296   $  166     $   85   $   19
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
  Total expenses                          1.46%    1.47%++    1.41%    1.55%++
 ........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding indirectly
   paid expenses                          1.46%    1.47%++     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
  Total expenses, excluding fee waiv-
   ers and expense reimbursements          N/A      N/A        N/A     1.64%++
 .........................................................................
  Net investment income                   0.61%    0.57%++    0.70%    0.99%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                    20%       6%        14%      17%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended          Year Ended
                                          July 31,          December 31,
                                        ---------------     ---------------
                                         1998    1997**      1996    1995*
 <S>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR      $27.10   $22.43     $18.59   $14.48
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                   (0.02)   (0.02)       0(a)    0.05
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions           2.81     4.69       4.20     4.61
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations         2.79     4.67       4.20     4.66
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net realized gain on securities
  and foreign currency related
  transactions                           (1.01)       0      (0.35)   (0.48)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                  0        0      (0.01)   (0.07)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                     (1.01)       0      (0.36)   (0.55)
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR            $28.88   $27.10     $22.43   $18.59
                                        ------   ------     ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                           10.44%   20.82%     22.60%   32.20%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (MILLIONS)      $1,000   $  542     $  245   $   46
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                           2.21%    2.25%++    2.17%    2.24%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                           2.21%    2.25%++     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding fee
  waivers and expense reimbursements       N/A      N/A        N/A     2.26%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                   (0.14%)  (0.19%)++  (0.06%)   0.30%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                    20%       6%        14%      17%
 ........................................................................
</TABLE>
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++  Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(a) Less than one cent per share.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ----------------------    ---------------------------
                             1998       1997**          1996           1995*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   27.10   $   22.43     $     18.58    $     14.48
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income         (0.02)      (0.02)              0(a)        0.06
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.82        4.69            4.21           4.60
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.80        4.67            4.21           4.66
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                           0           0           (0.01)         (0.08)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.01)          0           (0.35)         (0.48)
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.01)          0           (0.36)         (0.56)
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   28.89   $   27.10     $     22.43    $     18.58
                           ---------   ---------     -----------    -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 10.47%      20.82%          22.60%         32.20%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $      50   $      24     $        10    $        20
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 2.21%       2.25%++         2.17%          2.15%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 2.21%       2.25%++          N/A            N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A         N/A             N/A           4.94%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income         (0.13%)     (0.19%)++       (0.06%)         0.35%++
 .........................................................................

 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          20%          6%             14%            17%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995    1994    1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   27.29  $   22.55    $18.64  $14.52  $15.41  $14.18
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.24       0.11      0.18    0.18    0.14    0.14
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.87       4.73      4.25    4.59    0.12    1.91
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                    3.11       4.84      4.43    4.77    0.26    2.05
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.01)         0     (0.35)  (0.48)  (1.01)  (0.68)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.20)     (0.10)    (0.17)  (0.17)  (0.14)  (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.21)     (0.10)    (0.52)  (0.65)  (1.15)  (0.82)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   29.19  $   27.29    $22.55  $18.64  $14.52  $15.41
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                  11.56%     21.52%    23.80%  32.90%   1.70%  14.40%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     801  $     616    $  442  $  141  $   73  $   77
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.20%      1.21%++   1.16%   1.27%   1.33%   1.26%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.20%      1.21%++   1.16%    N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A       N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.86%      0.82%++   0.93%   1.11%   0.96%   0.99%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          20%         6%       14%     17%     29%     28%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to De-
   cember 31, 1995.

** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

(a) Less than one cent per share.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       33

<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                             ---------------------   ------------------------
                               1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995*
 <S>                         <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $   23.94  $   21.79    $ 20.15  $ 17.28  $17.09
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OP-
  ERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            1.05       0.52#      1.02     1.01    0.02
 ........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                    0.81       2.15       1.67     2.94    0.17
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment op-
  erations                        1.86       2.67       2.69     3.95    0.19
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income      (1.02)     (0.52)     (1.05)   (1.08)      0
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                   (1.59)         0          0        0       0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (2.61)     (0.52)     (1.05)   (1.08)      0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $   23.19  $   23.94    $ 21.79  $ 20.15  $17.28
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                    7.93%     12.45%     13.80%   23.40%   1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  15,005  $  11,955    $ 9,678  $ 4,412  $  119
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET AS-
  SETS:
 Total expenses                   1.50%      1.45%++    1.44%    1.36%   1.45%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses        1.50%      1.45%++     N/A      N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A        N/A        N/A     2.50%    N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                  N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            4.20%      4.69%++    4.93%    5.39%   4.09%++
 ........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           133%        72%       168%     138%    151%
 .........................................................................
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                             ---------------------   ------------------------
                               1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995*
 <S>                         <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $   23.81  $   21.69    $ 20.08  $ 17.28  $17.09
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OP-
  ERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            0.86       0.43#      0.89     0.91    0.02
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                    0.81       2.15       1.64     2.87    0.17
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment op-
  erations                        1.67       2.58       2.53     3.78    0.19
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income      (0.85)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)      0
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                   (1.59)         0          0        0       0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions             (2.44)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)      0
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $   23.04  $   23.81    $ 21.69  $ 20.08  $17.28
                             ---------  ---------    -------  -------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                    7.13%     12.06%     13.00%   22.40%   1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  54,544  $  43,977    $35,323  $14,750  $  599
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET AS-
  SETS:
 Total expenses                   2.25%      2.20%++    2.19%    2.11%   2.23%++
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses        2.25%      2.20%++     N/A      N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A        N/A        N/A     2.25%    N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                  N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income            3.46%      3.94%++    4.17%    4.69%   3.23%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           133%        72%       168%     138%    151%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
   od.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   January 31, 1995.
** For the six-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       34
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1997     1996     1995*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   23.81  $   21.69    $ 20.08  $ 17.27  $ 17.09
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.87       0.44#      0.87     0.90     0.01
 ........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.80       2.14       1.66     2.89     0.17
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.67       2.58       2.53     3.79     0.18
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.85)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.59)         0          0        0        0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (2.44)     (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   23.04  $   23.81    $ 21.69  $ 20.08  $ 17.27
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  7.13%     12.06%     12.90%   22.40%    1.10%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 ........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   1,259  $     950    $   982  $   523  $    24
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 2.25%      2.20%++    2.19%    2.11%    2.22%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 2.25%      2.20%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A        N/A    13.03%     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.48%      4.06%++    4.15%    4.67%    2.68%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE         133%        72%       168%     138%     151%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,      Year Ended January 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------    Year Ended
                             1998      1997**       1997     1996    1995***     March 31,1994
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   23.98  $   21.81    $ 20.16  $ 17.28  $ 18.29        $20.90
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          1.02       0.55       1.08     1.10     0.87          1.08
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.89       2.16       1.66     2.87    (0.55)        (1.41)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.91       2.71       2.74     3.97     0.32         (0.33)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 ........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (1.08)     (0.54)     (1.09)   (1.09)   (1.08)        (1.08)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.59)         0          0        0    (0.25)        (1.20)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (2.67)     (0.54)     (1.09)   (1.09)   (1.33)        (2.28)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   23.22  $   23.98    $ 21.81  $ 20.16  $ 17.28        $18.29
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------        ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   8.16%     12.65%     14.10%   23.50%    1.90%        (2.10)%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     880  $     900    $   858  $   914  $   942        $1,065
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 1.25%      1.20%++    1.18%    1.19%    1.24%++       1.18%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.25%      1.20%++     N/A      N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Interest expense                N/A        N/A       0.03%     N/A      N/A           N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          4.46%      4.97%++    5.14%    5.70%    5.70%++       5.29%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE         133%        72%       168%     138%     151%          106%
 .........................................................................
+   Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++  Annualized.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
    od.
*   For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    January 31, 1995.
**  For the six-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
    year end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the ten-month period ended January 31, 1995. The Fund changed its fis-
    cal year end from March 31 to January 31, effective January 31, 1995.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       35
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                             ----------------------  -------------------------
                                1998      1997**        1996         1995*
 <S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $    15.69  $  13.10    $     11.57  $      9.64
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income             0.29      0.14#          0.34         0.34
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                     0.24      2.59           2.13         2.45
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                       0.53      2.73           2.47         2.79
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                          (0.28)    (0.13)         (0.34)       (0.37)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                    (0.19)    (0.01)         (0.60)       (0.49)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions              (0.47)    (0.14)         (0.94)       (0.86)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $    15.75  $  15.69    $     13.10  $     11.57
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                     3.24%    20.99%         22.00%       29.50%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $   54,142  $  4,239    $       336  $       216
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.68%     1.71%++        1.75%        1.75%++
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses         1.68%     1.70%++         N/A          N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A      1.84%++        5.03%       24.45%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             1.95%     1.88%++        3.08%        3.39%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             18%       13%            50%          48%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                             ----------------------  -------------------------
                                1998      1997**        1996         1995*
 <S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING
  OF YEAR                    $    15.64  $  13.09    $     11.57  $      9.64
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             0.19      0.08#          0.27         0.28
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and
  foreign currency related
  transactions                     0.22      2.57           2.11         2.43
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                       0.41      2.65           2.38         2.71
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                          (0.19)    (0.09)         (0.26)       (0.29)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions                    (0.19)    (0.01)         (0.60)       (0.49)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions              (0.38)    (0.10)         (0.86)       (0.78)
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                       $    15.67  $  15.64    $     13.09  $     11.57
                             ----------  --------    -----------  -----------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                     2.49%    20.37%         21.10%       28.70%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)                $  130,191  $  9,462    $       692  $       266
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.43%     2.46%++        2.50%        2.50%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  indirectly paid expenses         2.42%     2.45%++         N/A          N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding
  fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A      2.59%          5.72%       20.90%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income             1.20%     1.12%++        2.39%        2.67%++
 .........................................................................
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             18%       13%            50%          48%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
   od.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to De-
   cember 31, 1995.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       36
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended        Year Ended
                                              July 31,        December 31,
                                           ---------------    --------------
                                            1998    1997**     1996   1995*
 <S>                                       <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR         $ 15.63  $13.09    $11.56  $ 9.74
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                        0.19    0.10#     0.28    0.28
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions               0.22    2.54      2.10    2.33
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations             0.41    2.64      2.38    2.61
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                  (0.19)  (0.09)    (0.25)  (0.30)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions      (0.19)  (0.01)    (0.60)  (0.49)
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                         (0.38)  (0.10)    (0.85)  (0.79)
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR               $ 15.66  $15.63    $13.09  $11.56
                                           -------  ------    ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                                2.49%  20.30%    21.10%  27.30%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (THOUSANDS)        $26,197  $2,770    $   56  $   24
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                               2.43%   2.45%++   2.50%   2.50%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                               2.42%   2.44%++    N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers
  and expense reimbursements                   N/A    2.58%++   5.77% 187.29%++
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                        1.20%   1.20%++   2.33%   2.63%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                        18%     13%       50%     48%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ----------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995      1994    1993***
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   15.71  $   13.12    $11.58  $ 9.70    $10.15   $10.00
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.19#     0.38    0.38      0.34     0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          0.24       2.56      2.13    2.38     (0.41)    0.15
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    0.58       2.75      2.51    2.76     (0.07)    0.25
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 ........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.33)     (0.15)    (0.37)  (0.38)    (0.33)   (0.10)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (0.19)     (0.01)    (0.60)  (0.50)    (0.05)       0
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (0.52)     (0.16)    (0.97)  (0.88)    (0.38)   (0.10)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   15.77  $   15.71    $13.12  $11.58    $ 9.70   $10.15
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------    ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   3.57%     21.09%    22.40%  29.10%    (0.70%)   2.50%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  96,556  $  42,374    $8,592  $4,806    $3,613   $2,236
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.39%      1.39%++   1.50%   1.50%++   1.48%    0.00%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.39%      1.38%++    N/A     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                 N/A       1.59%     4.75%   4.34%++   4.68%    4.39%
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
 .........................................................................
++ Annualized.
 Net investment income          2.23%      2.39%++   3.36%   3.56%++   3.72%    4.07%
# Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the peri-
  od.
 ........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          18%        13%       50%     48%        9%      15%
* For the period from January 24, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
  December 31, 1995.
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from October 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1993.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       37
<PAGE>

                                  EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996      1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.45  $   10.57    $ 10.80  $   9.00  $ 10.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 ........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.43       0.25       0.41      0.44     0.45
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.05      2.25    (1.01)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.87       1.12       0.46      2.69    (0.56)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)    (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.44)     (0.24)     (0.41)    (0.44)   (0.44)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.56)     (0.24)     (0.69)    (0.89)   (0.44)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.45    $ 10.57  $  10.80  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 17.30%     10.72%      4.40%    30.70%   (5.60%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  95,300  $  91,638    $96,243  $107,872  $ 4,190
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 0.99%      1.00%++    0.87%     0.79%    0.53%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.99%      0.99%++     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.14%      1.19%++    1.15%     1.18%    1.43%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.58%      3.85%++    3.87%     4.51%    5.07%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%       88%      23%
 .........................................................................
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.81  $   9.00  $ 10.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996      1995     1994*
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.05      2.26    (1.01)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.78       1.07       0.38      2.63    (0.62)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.20       0.33      0.37     0.39
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)    (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 ........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.48)     (0.19)     (0.61)    (0.82)   (0.38)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $  10.81  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  --------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.36)     (0.19)     (0.33)    (0.37)   (0.38)
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 ........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 16.31%     10.21%      3.60%    29.90%   (6.20%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  43,776  $  36,738    $38,511  $ 35,662  $28,792
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.74%      1.75%++    1.62%     1.53%    1.27%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.74%      1.74%++     N/A       N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.88%      1.94%++    1.89%     1.93%    2.11%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          2.82%      3.10%++    3.12%     3.78%    4.19%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%       88%      23%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from January 4, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to De-
  cember 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       38
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.82  $  9.01  $  9.33
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.34       0.20       0.33     0.37     0.12
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.44       0.87       0.04     2.26    (0.33)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.78       1.07       0.37     2.63    (0.21)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)   (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.36)     (0.19)     (0.33)   (0.37)   (0.11)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.48)     (0.19)     (0.61)   (0.82)   (0.11)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.76  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $ 10.82  $  9.01
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                 16.31%     10.21%      3.50%   29.80%  (2.20%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $     486  $     379    $   396  $   246  $   128
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 1.74%      1.75%++    1.63%    1.54%    1.94%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.74%      1.74%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                1.88%      1.94%++    1.90%    1.93%    2.78%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          2.82%      3.10%++    3.13%    3.76%    3.96%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%      88%      23%
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   11.46  $   10.58    $ 10.82  $  9.00  $  9.51
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ---------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995    1994***
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.45       0.88       0.03     2.27    (0.50)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Total from investment
  operations                    1.91       1.13       0.47     2.74    (0.13)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.12)         0      (0.28)   (0.45)       0
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 Net investment income          0.46       0.25       0.44     0.47     0.37
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.60)     (0.25)     (0.71)   (0.92)   (0.38)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   11.77  $   11.46    $ 10.58  $ 10.82  $  9.00
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.48)     (0.25)     (0.43)   (0.47)   (0.38)
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                  17.60%     10.85%      4.50%   31.30%  (1.60%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   1,695  $   1,627    $ 2,000  $ 7,791  $ 5,201
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses                 0.74%      0.74%++    0.61%    0.54%    0.40%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.74%      0.73%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                0.89%      0.94%++    0.89%    0.93%    1.24%++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          3.82%      4.06%++    4.01%    4.76%    4.93%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          62%        50%        59%      88%      23%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
  December 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from February 28, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       39
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   -------------------------------------
                             1998      1997**        1996      1995      1994     1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.64  $   20.57    $  20.45  $  16.62  $  17.63  $ 17.11
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.26       0.21        0.38      0.55      0.52     0.47
 .............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.00       4.05        3.49      4.69     (0.20)    1.10
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.26       4.26        3.87      5.24      0.32     1.57
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .............................................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.29)     (0.19)      (0.41)    (0.51)    (0.51)   (0.47)
 .............................................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0       (3.34)    (0.90)    (0.82)   (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.67)     (0.19)      (3.75)    (1.41)    (1.33)   (1.05)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.23  $   24.64    $  20.57  $  20.45  $  16.62  $ 17.63
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 ............................................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  9.55%     20.78%      18.90%    31.80%     1.90%    9.30%
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     476  $     392    $    328  $    292  $    189  $   190
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.01%      0.92%++     0.91%     0.90%     0.93%    0.99%
 .............................................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.01%      0.92%++      N/A       N/A       N/A      N/A
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          1.04%      1.66%++     1.77%     2.78%     2.96%    2.63%
 .............................................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%         91%       53%       70%      46%
 .............................................................................................

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   -------------------------------------
                             1998      1997**        1996      1995      1994     1993*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.63  $   20.58    $  20.45  $  16.62  $  17.63  $ 17.24
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.08       0.12        0.22      0.39      0.42     0.35
 .............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.99       4.03        3.50      4.70     (0.20)    1.01
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.07       4.15        3.72      5.09      0.22     1.36
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .............................................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.12)     (0.10)      (0.25)    (0.36)    (0.41)   (0.39)
 .............................................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0       (3.34)    (0.90)    (0.82)   (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
Total distributions           (4.50)     (0.10)      (3.59)    (1.26)    (1.23)   (0.97)
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 ............................................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.20  $   24.63    $  20.58  $  20.45  $  16.62  $ 17.63
                           ---------  ---------    --------  --------  --------  -------
 .............................................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  8.73%     20.23%      18.10%    30.90%     1.30%    8.00%
 ............................................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .............................................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $ 326,459  $ 276,256    $197,411  $141,072  $104,297  $59,953
 .............................................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.76%      1.67%++     1.66%     1.65%     1.53%    1.48%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.76%      1.67%++      N/A       N/A       N/A      N/A
 .............................................................................................
 Net investment income          0.30%      0.92%++     1.01%     2.04%     2.36%    2.09%++
 .............................................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%         91%       53%       70%      46%
 ............................................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from February 2, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1993.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       40
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.61  $   20.56    $ 20.44  $ 16.61  $ 18.28
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.10       0.12       0.22     0.39     0.19
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.97       4.03       3.50     4.70    (0.81)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 ........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.07       4.15       3.72     5.09    (0.62)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.12)     (0.10)     (0.26)   (0.36)   (0.23)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0      (3.34)   (0.90)   (0.82)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.50)     (0.10)     (3.60)   (1.26)   (1.05)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.18  $   24.61    $ 20.56  $ 20.44  $ 16.61
                           ---------  ---------    -------  -------  -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  8.74%     20.25%     18.10%   30.90%   (3.40%)
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   5,125  $   2,507    $ 1,458  $   811  $   485
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.76%      1.66%++    1.67%    1.65%    1.68%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.76%      1.66%++     N/A      N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.29%      0.94%++    1.00%    2.03%    2.16%++
 .........................................................................

 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%        91%      53%      70%
 ........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------   ------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996    1995    1994    1993
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   24.64  $   20.57    $20.45  $16.61  $17.63  $17.11
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.35       0.25      0.44    0.57    0.56    0.52
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          1.97       4.03      3.49    4.72   (0.20)   1.12
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.32       4.28      3.93    5.29    0.36    1.64
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (4.38)         0     (3.34)  (0.90)  (0.82)  (0.58)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 From net investment
  income                       (0.35)     (0.21)    (0.47)  (0.55)  (0.56)  (0.54)
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (4.73)     (0.21)    (3.81)  (1.45)  (1.38)  (1.12)
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   22.23  $   24.64    $20.57  $20.45  $16.61  $17.63
                           ---------  ---------    ------  ------  ------  ------
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                   9.79%     20.93%    19.20%  32.20%   2.10%   9.70%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (MILLIONS)               $     183  $   1,149    $  996  $  761  $  507  $  463
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 0.70%      0.67%++   0.66%   0.65%   0.68%   0.65%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 0.70%      0.67%++    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          1.47%      1.91%++   2.02%   3.02%   3.21%   2.98%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          69%         6%       91%     53%     70%     46%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1994.
** For the seven-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       41
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended November 30,
                           ----------------------   -----------------------------------
                              1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $    20.69  $   17.33    $ 13.83  $ 11.75  $ 12.31   $ 12.06
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.21       0.18       0.26     0.25     0.24      0.21
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           2.46       3.34       3.83     2.80    (0.56)     1.31
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     2.67       3.52       4.09     3.05    (0.32)     1.52
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                        (0.19)     (0.16)     (0.26)   (0.32)   (0.24)    (0.24)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions          (1.52)         0      (0.33)   (0.65)       0     (1.03)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions            (1.71)     (0.16)     (0.59)   (0.97)   (0.24)    (1.27)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $    21.65  $   20.69    $ 17.33  $ 13.83  $ 11.75   $ 12.31
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  13.85%     20.40%     29.83%   26.57%   (2.65%)   12.67%
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $   52,667  $  47,812    $40,487  $27,037  $23,162   $26,367
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses                  1.21%      1.24%++    1.41%    1.69%    1.59%     1.85%
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                  1.21%      1.22%++    1.39%     N/A      N/A       N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           1.01%      1.46%++    1.66%    1.94%    1.93%     1.63%
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           66%        41%        41%      77%      57%       92%
 .........................................................................

<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,          Year Ended November 30,
                           ----------------------   -----------------------------------
                              1998      1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993*
 <S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $    20.63  $   17.31    $ 13.84  $ 11.77  $ 12.32   $ 12.65
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.06       0.09       0.15     0.15     0.15      0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           2.45       3.31       3.80     2.82    (0.56)     0.74
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     2.51       3.40       3.95     2.97    (0.41)     0.84
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                        (0.06)     (0.08)     (0.15)   (0.25)   (0.14)    (0.14)
 ........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions          (1.52)         0      (0.33)   (0.65)       0     (1.03)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions            (1.58)     (0.08)     (0.48)   (0.90)   (0.14)    (1.17)
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $    21.56  $   20.63    $ 17.31  $ 13.84  $ 11.77   $ 12.32
                           ----------  ---------    -------  -------  -------   -------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+                  13.01%     19.68%     28.73%   25.59%   (3.36%)    6.68%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  105,748  $  94,309    $43,526  $20,605  $ 7,314   $ 4,283
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 ........................................................................
 Total expenses                  1.97%      2.02%++    2.18%    2.47%    2.31%     2.64%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                  1.97%      2.00%++    2.16%    2.46%     N/A       N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income           0.25%      0.58%++    0.88%    1.06%    1.27%     0.84%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE           66%        41%        41%      77%      57%       92%
 .........................................................................
+  Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from February 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1993.
** For the eight-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.

</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       42
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended November 30,
                           ---------------------   --------------------------------
                             1998      1997**       1996     1995    1994    1993*
 <S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF YEAR        $   20.65  $   17.32    $ 13.85  $11.78  $12.33   $12.65
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.05       0.09       0.14    0.16    0.15     0.10
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          2.46       3.32       3.81    2.81   (0.56)    0.75
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    2.51       3.41       3.95    2.97   (0.41)    0.85
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment
  income                       (0.06)     (0.08)     (0.15)  (0.25)  (0.14)   (0.14)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain
  on securities and
  foreign currency
  related transactions         (1.52)         0      (0.33)  (0.65)      0    (1.03)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions           (1.58)     (0.08)     (0.48)  (0.90)  (0.14)   (1.17)
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  YEAR                     $   21.58  $   20.65    $ 17.32  $13.85  $11.78   $12.33
                           ---------  ---------    -------  ------  ------   ------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN+              12.99%        19.73%     28.71%  25.57%  (3.36%)   6.76%
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR
  (THOUSANDS)              $  20,851  $  21,125    $14,562  $9,503  $5,968   $5,030
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                 1.97%      2.01%++    2.17%   2.47%   2.34%    2.64%++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                 1.97%      1.99%++    2.15%   2.44%    N/A      N/A
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income          0.25%      0.66%++    0.89%   1.16%   1.21%    0.83%++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE          66%        41%        41%     77%     57%      92%
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Year Ended July 31,
                                                      -----------------------
                                                        1998       1997***

 <S>                                                  <C>         <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF YEAR                    $   20.62   $   17.74
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
 ........................................................................
 Net investment income                                     0.24        0.18
 .........................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on
  securities and foreign currency related
  transactions                                             2.51        2.86
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 Total from investment operations                          2.75        3.04
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 .........................................................................
 From net investment income                               (0.24)      (0.16)
 .........................................................................
 From net realized gain on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions                           (1.52)          0
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 Total distributions                                      (1.76)      (0.16)
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF YEAR                          $   21.61   $   20.62
                                                      ---------   ---------
 .........................................................................
 TOTAL RETURN                                             14.29%      17.22 %
 ........................................................................
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF YEAR (THOUSANDS)                   $     111   $      93
 .........................................................................
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                            0.93 %      1.34 %++
 .........................................................................
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid expenses        0.93 %      1.34 %++
 .........................................................................
 Net investment income                                     1.31 %      0.79 %++
 .........................................................................
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                     66 %        41 %
 .........................................................................
</TABLE>
+ Initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from February 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
  November 30, 1993.
** For the eight-month period ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*** For the period from January 13, 1997 (commencement of class operations) to
    July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       43
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 85.5%
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 2.5%
      72,300 Chrysler Corp. .....................................   $  4,279,256
      55,000 Ford Motor Co. .....................................      3,131,563
      50,000 *Lear Corp. ........................................      2,653,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,063,944
                                                                    ------------
             BANKS - 5.8%
      50,000 BankAmerica Corp. ..................................      4,487,500
      63,000 BankBoston Corp. ...................................      3,047,625
      45,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ........................      3,867,187
      65,000 Mellon Bank Corp. ..................................      4,379,375
     180,000 North Fork Bancorp, Inc. ...........................      4,387,500
      30,000 PNC Bank Corp. .....................................      1,618,125
      60,000 TCF Financial Corp. ................................      1,732,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      23,519,812
                                                                    ------------
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 1.0%
      97,000 Home Depot, Inc. ...................................      4,061,875
                                                                    ------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 1.1%
      40,000 Xerox Corp. ........................................      4,222,500
                                                                    ------------
             CAPITAL GOODS - 0.1%
      12,000 Deere & Co. ........................................        482,250
                                                                    ------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 0.6%
      45,000 Monsanto Co. .......................................      2,548,125
                                                                    ------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 2.2%
      40,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ...............................      3,831,250
      96,500 *WorldCom, Inc. ....................................      5,093,391
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,924,641
                                                                    ------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 3.7%
      28,500 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ..............................      2,634,469
      58,000 Gillette Co. .......................................      3,037,750
      75,000 Procter & Gamble Co. ...............................      5,953,125
     150,800 Stewart Enterprises, Inc. Cl. A.....................      3,425,987
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,051,331
                                                                    ------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.2%
      80,000 Tyco International Ltd. ............................      4,955,000
                                                                    ------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 3.5%
     149,500 General Electric Co. ...............................     13,352,219
       9,000 Honeywell, Inc. ....................................        754,312
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      14,106,531
                                                                    ------------
             ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - 1.0%
     162,500 *Republic Services, Inc. ...........................      4,062,500
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 11.7%
      35,000 American International Group, Inc...................      5,278,437
      64,414 Associates First Capital Corp.
              Cl. A..............................................      5,004,163
      45,000 CIGNA Corp. ........................................      2,972,813
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
      92,500 Federal National Mortgage Association...............   $  5,735,000
     143,800 Greenpoint Financial Corp. .........................      5,707,062
      65,000 Hartford Life, Inc. Cl. A...........................      3,761,875
      40,000 Lincoln National Corp. .............................      3,830,000
      29,000 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ........      2,524,813
      31,500 PMI Group, Inc. ....................................      2,134,125
      80,000 SLM Holding Corp. ..................................      3,700,000
      96,000 Travelers Group, Inc. ..............................      6,432,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      47,080,288
                                                                    ------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.8%
      90,500 Coca Cola Co. ......................................      7,302,219
                                                                    ------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 13.1%
     170,000 American Home Products Corp. .......................      8,755,000
      57,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ...........................      6,494,437
     100,400 HBO & Co. ..........................................      2,958,663
     150,000 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A...........      3,525,000
      60,000 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. .................................      1,507,500
      55,000 Johnson & Johnson...................................      4,248,750
      82,900 Medtronic, Inc. ....................................      5,134,619
      58,500 Merck & Co., Inc. ..................................      7,213,781
      46,000 Pfizer, Inc. .......................................      5,060,000
     132,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...........................      6,253,500
      25,000 *Steris Corp. ......................................      1,528,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      52,679,375
                                                                    ------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 10.2%
      86,000 *BMC Software, Inc. ................................      4,238,187
     100,500 *EMC Corp. .........................................      4,924,500
      50,000 *Gateway 2000, Inc. ................................      2,700,000
      51,300 Intel Corp. ........................................      4,330,041
      41,000 International Business Machines Corp. ..............      5,432,500
     102,600 *Microsoft Corp. ...................................     11,282,794
      85,000 *Peoplesoft, Inc. ..................................      3,192,812
     105,000 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ............................      4,957,969
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      41,058,803
                                                                    ------------
             LEISURE & TOURISM - 2.3%
      96,000 Disney Walt Co. ....................................      3,306,000
      40,000 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. .......................      2,972,500
      82,500 Seagram Co. Ltd. ...................................      3,031,875
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,310,375
                                                                    ------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 8.1%
     100,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...........................      3,431,250
      92,000 British Petroleum Plc, ADR..........................      7,383,000
      86,000 Exxon Corp. ........................................      6,030,750
      40,000 Mobil Corp. ........................................      2,790,000
      92,000 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ..........................      4,692,000
     137,100 Texaco, Inc. .......................................      8,337,394
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      32,664,394
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       44
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                Blue Chip Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 4.7%
     117,500 CBS Corp. ..........................................   $  3,987,656
      25,000 *Clear Channel Communications, Inc. ................      1,404,688
      23,100 *Tele Communications, Inc. .........................        963,703
      35,000 Time Warner, Inc. ..................................      3,152,187
      75,500 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B.................................      5,171,750
     120,000 *World Color Press, Inc. ...........................      4,087,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      18,767,484
                                                                    ------------
             REAL ESTATE - 1.2%
     112,504 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT.................      2,798,537
      80,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT............      2,210,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,008,537
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 6.0%
     119,500 *Borders Group Inc. ................................      3,749,312
      52,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ............................      2,952,625
     101,600 CVS Corp. ..........................................      4,165,600
      64,600 Dayton Hudson Corp. ................................      3,088,688
      63,125 Dollar General Corp. ...............................      2,588,125
      52,500 Pier 1 Imports, Inc. ...............................        817,031
     108,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ..............................      6,817,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      24,178,881
                                                                    ------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.7%
      60,000 Ameritech Corp. ....................................      2,951,250
      66,100 AT&T Corp. .........................................      4,007,313
      70,000 GTE Corp. ..........................................      3,806,250
      75,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      4,003,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      14,767,938
                                                                    ------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $260,296,892)................................    344,816,803
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
(a) The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. government
    and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued inter-
    est at July 31, 1998.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144A of the securities act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the
     Board of Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 1.0%
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 1.0%
      70,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A.......................................   $  4,165,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $3,556,250).................................      4,165,000
                                                                   ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.0%
             IRON & STEEL - 0.0%
 $   110,000 Compania Vale do Rio Doce Navegacao SA
              1.00%, 12/31/99...................................   $          9
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $0).........................................              9
                                                                   ------------
 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 8.5%
  34,092,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement, Investments in
              repurchase agreements, in a joint trading account
              purchased
              7/31/98, 5.65% maturing 8/3/98, maturity value
              $34,108,052
              (cost $34,092,000) (a)............................     34,092,000
                                                                   ------------
<CAPTION>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                             <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $297,945,142).........................    95.0%  383,073,812
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET...........................     5.0    20,334,253
                                                             -----  ------------
             NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $403,408,065
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       45
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 81.6%
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.5%
     282,000 Boeing Co. .......................................   $   10,945,125
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.5%
      50,000 Ford Motor Co. ...................................        2,846,875
     430,000 Meritor Automotive, Inc. .........................        8,707,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,554,375
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 9.1%
     131,850 AmSouth Bancorp...................................        5,232,797
      15,600 Astoria Financial Corp. ..........................          781,950
     130,284 Banc One Corp. ...................................        6,734,054
      80,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc. .......................        5,120,000
      16,820 BB & T Corp. .....................................        1,181,605
     286,500 BSB Bancorp, Inc. ................................        9,311,250
     135,000 Carolina First Corp. .............................        3,307,500
      14,300 Centura Banks, Inc. ..............................          989,381
      38,838 Charter One Financial, Inc. ......................        1,264,662
      67,500 Citicorp..........................................       11,475,000
      12,878 Commerce Bankcorp, Inc. ..........................          585,926
      45,750 Crestar Financial Corp. ..........................        3,119,578
      55,600 Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. .......................        2,953,750
      71,824 First American Corp. .............................        3,375,728
     236,250 First Security Corp. .............................        5,190,117
     114,550 First Virginia Banks, Inc. .......................        6,293,091
     140,100 Firstar Corp. ....................................        6,996,244
      23,600 FirstMerit Corp. .................................          691,775
      50,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ......................        4,296,875
     210,000 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A..............................        3,963,750
      15,100 JSB Financial, Inc. ..............................          818,231
     221,200 KeyCorp...........................................        7,520,800
      22,650 Keystone Financial, Inc. .........................          757,359
     208,400 Marshall & Ilsley Corp. ..........................       11,709,475
      53,125 NationsBank Corp. ................................        4,236,719
     167,400 Norwest Corp. ....................................        6,015,938
     712,100 Pacific Century Financial Corp. ..................       13,974,962
     130,000 Peoples Heritage Financial Group..................        2,941,250
     195,000 SouthTrust Corp. .................................        7,885,313
      27,900 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. ...........................          627,750
     117,300 State Street Corp. ...............................        8,130,356
      98,475 Summit Bancorp....................................        4,406,756
     180,000 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. .....................        4,050,000
      12,785 Union Planters Corp. .............................          696,783
      53,787 Wachovia Corp. ...................................        4,605,512
   1,030,000 Webster Financial Corp. ..........................       31,221,875
      52,000 Wilmington Trust Corp. ...........................        3,084,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     195,548,362
                                                                  --------------
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 3.3%
      13,300 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. .................          819,613
     320,000 *Furniture Brands International, Inc. ............        9,040,000
      80,000 Home Depot, Inc. .................................        3,350,000
     349,100 *Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. ..................       10,254,812
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - CONTINUED
     218,600 Lennar Corp. .....................................   $    6,038,825
     113,000 Lone Star Industries, Inc. .......................        8,220,750
     280,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ...........................       10,780,000
      70,400 Southdown, Inc. ..................................        4,404,400
     130,000 *Toll Brothers, Inc. .............................        3,404,375
     358,200 *US Home Corp. ...................................       13,410,112
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      69,722,887
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 4.3%
     422,500 Air Express International Corp. ..................        9,321,406
     794,300 Circle International Group, Inc. .................       18,169,612
     180,000 *Compuware Corp. .................................        9,686,250
     133,000 Equifax, Inc. ....................................        5,436,375
     123,436 First Data Corp. .................................        3,571,929
     640,200 Pittston Burlington Group.........................        7,642,388
     334,700 *Platinum Technology Corp. .......................       10,574,428
     470,000 *Policy Management Systems Corp. .................       20,621,250
     427,000 Reynolds & Reynolds Co., Cl. A....................        7,178,938
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      92,202,576
                                                                  --------------
             CAPITAL GOODS - 0.3%
     127,200 Caterpillar, Inc. ................................        6,169,200
                                                                  --------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 3.2%
     130,000 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. ...................        4,550,000
     180,000 Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co. ..................       11,160,000
     265,000 Engelhard Corp. ..................................        5,531,875
     165,000 *Grace (W.R.) & Co. ..............................        2,753,438
     135,300 H.B. Fuller Co. ..................................        7,610,625
     255,000 Morton International, Inc. .......................        6,167,812
     180,000 Nalco Chemical Co. ...............................        6,165,000
     237,000 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. ..............        7,495,125
     260,000 Praxair, Inc. ....................................       12,805,000
     175,000 Solutia, Inc. ....................................        5,195,312
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      69,434,187
                                                                  --------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 0.8%
     248,820 American Tower Systems Corp. .....................        5,971,680
      72,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. .............................        6,894,000
      60,000 *WorldCom, Inc. ..................................        3,172,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,038,180
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 3.0%
     235,200 Black & Decker Corp. .............................       13,377,000
      90,000 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ............................        8,319,375
      25,000 CPI Corp. ........................................          625,000
       9,800 *GC Companies, Inc. ..............................          458,150
     179,000 Gucci Group.......................................        8,703,875
      40,700 Harley-Davidson, Inc. ............................        1,612,738
     185,000 Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. .....................       10,348,437
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - CONTINUED
     162,500 Lancaster Colony Corp. ...........................   $    6,276,562
     440,000 Premark International, Inc. ......................       13,640,000
       9,100 Toro Co. .........................................          246,838
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      63,607,975
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.6%
     217,500 Harnischfeger Industries, Inc. ...................        5,410,313
     200,000 ITT Industries, Inc. .............................        6,975,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      12,385,313
                                                                  --------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 2.6%
     220,000 Baldor Electric Co. ..............................        4,565,000
     185,000 Belden, Inc. .....................................        4,879,375
      65,000 Diebold Inc. .....................................        1,641,250
      70,200 General Electric Co. .............................        6,269,738
     175,100 Harman International Industries, Inc. ............        6,905,506
     180,000 Honeywell, Inc. ..................................       15,086,250
     106,000 *Jabil Circuit, Inc. .............................        3,690,125
     136,100 Perkin Elmer Corp. ...............................        7,978,862
     335,000 Sensormatic Electronics Corp. ....................        3,664,063
     152,900 *Unitrode Corp. ..................................        2,025,925
       2,331 Zilog, Inc. ......................................            2,331
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,708,425
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 6.3%
     120,000 AFLAC, Inc. ......................................        4,125,000
      17,800 American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. ...........        1,073,563
      97,000 Chubb Corp. ......................................        7,117,375
     279,750 Edwards (A.G.), Inc. .............................       10,927,734
     300,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................       14,175,000
     315,000 Federal National Mortgage Association.............       19,530,000
      42,750 First American Financial Corp. ...................        1,132,875
     388,740 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ...................        6,900,135
     200,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ..........       10,412,500
     115,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. .........................        4,025,000
      63,866 Legg Mason, Inc. .................................        3,899,818
     200,500 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. ...................       14,436,000
      29,100 Life RE Corp. ....................................        2,653,556
      67,500 Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. ................        1,944,844
      31,300 Mercury General Corp. ............................        1,437,844
      59,000 Mid Ocean Ltd. ...................................        4,661,000
     272,100 Paine Webber Group, Inc. .........................       12,822,712
     212,000 Price (T.) Rowe & Associates, Inc.................        7,526,000
       3,300 Reinsurance Group Of America......................          183,563
     125,000 UNUM Corp. .......................................        6,585,937
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     135,570,456
                                                                  --------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.1%
      90,000 Bestfoods.........................................        5,006,250
      11,250 *Corn Products International, Inc. ...............          334,688
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - CONTINUED
     350,000 Darden Restaurants, Inc. .........................   $    6,059,375
      50,000 *Dominick's Supermarkets, Inc. ...................        2,253,125
      40,000 Sara Lee Corp. ...................................        2,005,000
     420,400 *Vlasic Foods International, Inc. ................        7,383,275
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,041,713
                                                                  --------------
             FOREST PRODUCTS - 0.1%
     120,000 Deltic Timber Corp. ..............................        2,790,000
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 11.4%
     230,000 Abbott Laboratories...............................        9,559,375
     408,200 *Acuson Corp. ....................................        6,735,300
     200,000 American Home Products Corp. .....................       10,300,000
      60,000 Baxter International, Inc. .......................        3,585,000
     126,800 Beckman Coulter Inc. .............................        7,623,850
     110,000 *Elan Corp Plc, ADR...............................        7,920,000
     362,000 *First Health Group Corp. ........................        8,914,250
     365,000 *Foundation Health Systems, Inc. .................        7,528,125
     401,625 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A.........        9,438,187
     206,000 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ...............................        5,175,750
      70,100 Johnson & Johnson.................................        5,415,225
      70,500 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ................................        4,741,125
     650,000 *Lincare Holdings, Inc. ..........................       25,837,500
      60,000 Manor Care, Inc. .................................        2,238,750
     400,000 McKesson Corp. ...................................       32,250,000
      20,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ................................        2,466,250
     100,000 Owens & Minor, Inc. ..............................        1,237,500
      84,200 Pfizer, Inc. .....................................        9,262,000
     521,500 *Quorum Health Group, Inc. .......................       13,167,875
     226,000 Schering-Plough Corp. ............................       21,865,500
     225,000 Shared Medical System Corp. ......................       15,271,875
     256,000 *Sybron International Corp. ......................        5,312,000
     120,000 *Tenet Healthcare Corp. ..........................        3,592,500
     162,000 Warner-Lambert Co. ...............................       12,241,125
      65,020 *Wellpoint Health Networks, Inc.
              Cl. A............................................        3,986,539
     350,000 West Co., Inc. ...................................        9,734,375
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     245,399,976
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 6.8%
     223,700 AptarGroup, Inc. .................................       13,771,531
     164,625 Autoliv, Inc. ....................................        5,607,539
     370,000 Bemis Co., Inc. ..................................       14,291,250
     150,000 Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. .....................        7,059,375
      42,000 Carpenter Technology Corp. .......................        1,819,125
     101,800 Danaher Corp. ....................................        4,154,713
     197,000 Dover Corp. ......................................        5,725,312
     226,218 Flowserve Corp. ..................................        4,934,380
      71,900 *Halter Marine Group, Inc. .......................        1,141,413
      12,800 J & L Specialty Steel, Inc. ......................           72,000
     270,300 JLG Industries, Inc. .............................        4,189,650
      33,500 Magna International, Inc. Cl. A...................        2,286,375
      23,650 Newmont Mining Corp. .............................          446,394
</TABLE>

                                       47
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
               CONTINUED
     145,000 Parker Hannifin Corp. ...........................   $    4,975,313
     594,000 Pittston Brink's Group ..........................       21,198,375
     260,000 Snap-on, Inc. ...................................        9,230,000
     284,000 *Strattec Security Corp. ........................        7,952,000
     280,000 Sundstrand Corp. ................................       14,647,500
      15,000 Tecumseh Products Co. Cl. A......................          787,500
     216,300 *UCAR International, Inc. .......................        5,704,912
     680,300 *Unova, Inc. ....................................       14,116,225
      25,000 Vulcan Materials Co. ............................        2,875,000
                                                                 --------------
                                                                    146,985,882
                                                                 --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 2.0%
      80,000 *Adaptec, Inc. ..................................          930,000
     100,000 *Applied Materials, Inc. ........................        3,350,000
      13,300 *Choicepoint, Inc. ..............................          655,025
     400,000 Computer Associates International, Inc. .........       13,275,000
     110,000 *Dupont Photomasks, Inc. ........................        3,547,500
     100,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. .............................        5,550,000
      72,000 Intel Corp. .....................................        6,079,500
     329,800 *KLA-Tencor Corp. ...............................        9,852,775
      87,500 *Perceptron, Inc. ...............................          568,750
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     43,808,550
                                                                 --------------
             MANUFACTURING -
              DISTRIBUTING  - 0.1%
     136,100 Hussmann International, Inc. ....................        2,415,775
                                                                 --------------
             METAL PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.3%
     365,000 *Steel Dynamics, Inc. ...........................        5,292,500
                                                                 --------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 4.1%
      50,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ........................        1,715,625
     320,000 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A........................        3,680,000
     507,400 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. ...........................        8,689,225
      90,000 Coastal Corp. ...................................        2,947,500
     165,000 *Denbury Resources, Inc. ........................        1,691,250
     160,000 *Houston Exploration, Co. .......................        3,360,000
     110,300 Kerr-McGee Corp. ................................        5,659,769
     209,500 Murphy Oil Corp. ................................        9,283,469
     183,900 National Fuel Gas Co. ...........................        7,597,369
     221,200 *Nuevo Energy Co. ...............................        5,419,400
     495,000 *Oryx Energy Co. ................................        9,126,562
     400,000 *Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. ................        3,525,000
     321,600 Southwestern Energy Co. .........................        2,894,400
     100,000 Tosco Corp. .....................................        2,800,000
     325,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc. .......................       12,817,187
     113,520 Union Pacific Resource Group, Inc. ..............        1,589,280
     174,000 Williams Companies, Inc. ........................        5,578,875
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     88,374,911
                                                                 --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.9%
     298,000 *Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ..........................        9,126,250
      52,300 Camco International, Inc. .......................        3,713,300
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - CONTINUED
     113,140 Halliburton Co. .................................   $    4,108,396
      96,500 Helmerich & Payne, Inc. .........................        1,978,250
      15,500 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .........................          458,219
     914,500 *R & B Falcon Corp. .............................       15,032,094
     380,500 *Varco International, Inc. ......................        6,040,437
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     40,456,946
                                                                 --------------
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.3%
      88,440 Sealed Air Corp. ................................        3,537,600
      75,000 Westvaco Corp. ..................................        1,879,688
                                                                 --------------
                                                                      5,417,288
                                                                 --------------
             PHARMACEUTICALS - 0.1%
     100,000 *Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. .....................        2,575,000
                                                                 --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 4.6%
      84,000 *Chancellor Media Corp. .........................        4,053,000
      49,805 Comcast Corp. ...................................        2,261,458
     270,000 *Emmis Broadcasting Corp. Cl. A..................       11,542,500
     273,800 Gaylord Entertainment Co. .......................        8,385,125
     425,000 *Jacor Communications, Inc. .....................       24,915,625
      40,000 Knight-Ridder, Inc. .............................        2,110,000
      15,000 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. .....................        1,229,063
      43,000 Scripps (E.W.) Co. Cl. A.........................        2,262,875
     185,000 TCA Cable TV, Inc. ..............................       10,649,062
     250,000 Time Warner, Inc. ...............................       22,515,625
           1 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. A..............................               68
       2,800 Washington Post Co., Cl. B.......................        1,524,600
      95,000 *Young Broadcasting, Inc. Cl. A..................        6,222,500
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     97,671,501
                                                                 --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 2.6%
      40,000 AMB Property Corp. REIT..........................          955,000
      20,000 Apartment Investment & Management Co. Cl. A
              REIT............................................          760,000
      60,000 Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT....................        1,417,500
      71,200 Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT..................          778,750
     158,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.....................        3,150,125
     145,000 CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT....................        3,905,938
      20,000 CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. REIT...........          486,250
      78,000 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT.........        2,291,250
      75,000 Entertainment Properties Trust REIT..............        1,378,125
      66,100 Gables Residential Trust REIT....................        1,772,306
     100,000 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT.........................        2,268,750
      64,000 Kimco Realty Corp. REIT..........................        2,368,000
      85,000 Liberty Property Trust REIT......................        2,130,313
     165,000 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT......................        5,125,312
     170,000 Meditrust Co. REIT...............................        3,825,000
     165,400 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT..........        3,142,600
      20,000 RFS Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT...................          341,250
     160,000 *Servico, Inc. ..................................        2,160,000
     199,851 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT.............        8,206,382
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             REAL ESTATE - CONTINUED
     132,600 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT...............   $    1,475,175
     255,300 Weeks Corp. REIT..................................        7,371,787
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      55,309,813
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 2.9%
     116,600 *Autozone, Inc. ..................................        3,993,550
     169,000 Avnet, Inc. ......................................        9,273,875
     290,600 *Cole National Corp. Cl. A........................        9,589,800
     150,000 J. C. Penney Co., Inc. ...........................        8,803,125
      52,600 Longs Drug Stores Corp. ..........................        1,453,075
     113,100 Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. ......................        8,970,244
     318,825 *Proffitts, Inc. .................................       10,042,987
     105,000 Rite Aid Corp. ...................................        4,147,500
     118,000 *Saks Holdings, Inc. .............................        3,031,125
      20,400 Shopko Stores, Inc. ..............................          596,700
       8,200 *Timberland Co. Cl. A.............................          528,900
      20,000 *Tommy Hilfiger Corp. ............................        1,121,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      61,552,131
                                                                  --------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.5%
     168,000 *Aspect Telecommunications Corp. .................        5,360,250
      50,000 Mediaone Group, Inc. .............................        2,415,625
      70,000 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A.............        2,555,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      10,330,875
                                                                  --------------
             TRANSPORTATION - 4.4%
     276,600 *Atlas Air, Inc. .................................       10,199,625
     780,000 Bombardier, Inc., Cl. B...........................       10,737,970
     190,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe......................       19,558,125
     612,600 Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ............       30,093,975
     140,000 +Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. .....................        2,563,750
     138,500 Southwest Airlines Co. ...........................        4,561,844
     413,000 Union Pacific Corp. ..............................       17,346,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      95,061,289
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.1%
      64,000 Commonwealth Energy System........................        2,272,000
     140,900 Energy East Corp. ................................        5,636,000
      70,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .........................        1,955,625
      40,000 Texas Utilities Co. ..............................        1,602,500
     400,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ............................       12,900,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,366,125
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - GAS - 0.9%
     245,800 Marketspan Corp. .................................        6,774,863
     288,100 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ........................        7,562,625
     184,400 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ...................        5,370,650
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,708,138
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.9%
     160,000 *AirTouch Communications, Inc. ...................        9,410,000
      62,000 AT&T Corp. .......................................        3,758,750
     150,000 Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ..............        7,462,500
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - CONTINUED
     143,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. ............................   $    4,593,875
     200,000 GTE Corp. ........................................       10,875,000
      75,000 MCI Communications Corp. .........................        4,856,250
       1,365 U.S. West, Inc. ..................................           72,857
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      41,029,232
                                                                  --------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $1,322,443,411)............................    1,751,474,706
                                                                  --------------
 PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.0%
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.0%
     130,000 *Fresenius National Med Care, Inc. Ser. D.........            8,840
                                                                  --------------
             Total Preferred Stocks
              (cost $22,740)...................................            8,840
                                                                  --------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.1%
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
      78,375 *Sealed Air Corp. ................................        3,497,485
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $2,426,965)................................        3,497,485
                                                                  --------------

<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 19.7%
             COMMERCIAL PAPER - 17.2%
 $13,300,000 Akzo Nobel, Inc.
              5.62%, 8/6/98....................................       13,289,618
  37,500,000 Banc One Funding Corp.
              5.51%, 9/18/98...................................       37,224,500
  25,800,000 BHF Finance (De), Inc.
              5.52%, 9/18/98...................................       25,610,112
   2,800,000 Cambridge Massachusetts
              Water Pollution
              5.58%, 9/1/98....................................        2,786,546
  19,500,000 Citibank Capital Markets Assets
              Yr 1+2
              5.57%, 8/28/98...................................       19,418,539
   5,850,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
              5.55%, 8/7/98....................................        5,845,228
  25,000,000 Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co. 5.54%, 8/24/98....       24,911,514
  36,650,000 Finova Capital Corp.
              5.54%, 9/3/98....................................       36,463,879
  37,400,000 General Motors Acceptance Corp. 5.50%, 8/20/98....       37,291,436
  17,400,000 Goldman Sachs Group
              5.53%, 8/17/98...................................       17,357,235
             Great Lakes Chemical Corp.:
   1,000,000 5.51%, 9/1/98.....................................          995,255
  14,000,000 5.53%, 8/10/98....................................       13,980,645
  18,000,000 Island Finance Puerto Rico, Inc. 5.55%, 8/11/98...       17,972,250
  30,000,000 Knight-Ridder Inc.
              5.65%, 8/14/98...................................       29,938,792
             Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.:
   2,200,000 5.51%, 9/4/98.....................................        2,188,551
  27,000,000 5.54%, 8/27/98....................................       26,891,970
</TABLE>

                                       49
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - CONTINUED
             COMMERCIAL PAPER - CONTINUED
 $ 7,750,000 Massachusetts College of
              Pharmacy and Allied Health Services
              5.55%, 8/20/98...................................   $    7,727,299
   5,800,000 Monsanto Company Series B 5.50%, 9/10/98..........        5,764,555
  12,700,000 Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.
              5.52%, 8/17/98...................................       12,668,843
   1,000,000 Pfizer, Inc.
              5.53%, 8/3/98....................................          999,693
   7,900,000 Power Authority Str New York 5.53%, 9/14/98.......        7,846,605
     850,000 Queens Health System
              5.55%, 8/6/98....................................          849,345
  22,200,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
              5.58%, 8/18/98...................................       22,141,503
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     370,163,913
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The fund owns over 5% of the
  outstanding voting shares of Strattec Security Corp. and Petroleum
  Helicopters, Inc. with a cost basis of $4,202,147 and $2,392,500 re-
  spectively at July 31, 1998. The Fund earned $7,000 of income from Pe-
  troleum Helicopters, Inc. during the period ending July 31, 1998.
(a) Less than one-tenth of a percent.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - CONTINUED
             GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 2.5%
 $32,000,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
              5.46%, 8/28/98..................................   $   31,868,960
  21,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association Discount
              Notes 5.44%, 8/14/98............................       20,958,747
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     52,827,707
                                                                 --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $422,991,620).............................      422,991,620
                                                                 --------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                          <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $1,747,884,736)....................   101.4%  2,177,972,651
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET........................    (1.4)    (30,651,773)
                                                          -----  --------------
             NET ASSETS................................   100.0% $2,147,320,878
                                                          =====  ==============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       50
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                               Income and Growth

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 65.7%
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
             MANUFACTURING - 1.3%
    175,900 Dana Corp. ..........................................   $  8,751,025
     50,000 General Motors Corp. ................................      3,615,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,366,650
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 15.5%
     26,775 AmSouth Bancorp......................................      1,062,633
    100,000 Associated Banc Corp. ...............................      3,800,000
    284,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................      5,573,500
    170,100 Bankers Trust Corp. .................................     19,061,831
    192,500 +CB Bancshares, Inc. ................................      6,833,750
     24,850 CCB Financial Corp. .................................      2,863,962
    200,000 Commonwealth Bank of Australia.......................      2,497,442
     77,606 F&M National Corp. ..................................      2,202,070
     35,100 First American Corp. ................................      1,649,700
    300,300 First Hawaiian, Inc. ................................      9,947,437
     40,000 First Tennessee National Corp. ......................      1,255,000
    120,750 First Virginia Banks, Inc. ..........................      6,633,703
      8,200 FirstMerit Corp. ....................................        240,363
    100,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................      8,593,750
    319,410 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................      6,348,274
    100,000 KeyCorp .............................................      3,400,000
     18,271 M & T Bank Corp. ....................................      9,720,172
    100,000 Marshall & Ilsley Corp. .............................      5,618,750
     77,346 Mercantile Bancorp, Inc. ............................      4,205,689
    153,000 Norwest Corp. .......................................      5,498,437
     15,625 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........        528,320
     50,326 Premier National Bancorp Inc. .......................      1,056,846
     79,254 Second Bancorp, Inc. ................................      2,219,112
     10,000 Summit Bancorp ......................................        447,500
    111,375 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................      2,505,938
    228,772 Union Planters Corp. ................................     12,468,074
      7,000 United Bankshares, Inc. .............................        194,250
    107,320 USBancorp, Inc. .....................................      8,236,810
  1,930,402 Westpac Banking Corp., Ltd. .........................     12,211,023
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     146,874,336
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS - 2.4%
    330,000 Armstrong World Industries,Inc. .....................     20,336,250
     37,100 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................      2,114,700
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      22,450,950
                                                                    ------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 1.1%
    221,500 Caterpillar, Inc. ...................................     10,742,750
                                                                    ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.3%
     51,641 *WorldCom, Inc. .....................................      2,730,518
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.6%
    215,000 Tupperware Corp. ....................................      5,428,750
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.5%
    225,000 Tomkins Plc, ADR.....................................      4,809,375
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.4%
      5,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. A..................................   $    203,750
    220,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B..................................      9,240,000
     98,800 Thomas & Betts Corp. ................................      4,050,800
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,494,550
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.7%
    170,300 IPC Holdings Ltd. ...................................      4,512,950
    100,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................      3,500,000
    100,000 Mid Ocean Ltd. ......................................      7,900,000
    195,800 Ohio Casualty Corp. .................................      8,345,975
    110,000 Paine Webber Group, Inc. ............................      5,183,750
    143,200 Provident Co., Inc. .................................      5,280,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      34,723,175
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.2%
      1,000 Sara Lee Corp. ......................................         50,125
     62,400 Sbarro, Inc. ........................................      1,532,700
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,582,825
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 3.1%
     53,000 *ADAC Laboratories...................................      1,444,250
     70,000 American Home Products Corp. ........................      3,605,000
    175,000 Baxter International, Inc. ..........................     10,456,250
     59,400 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ............................      6,767,887
     47,600 Merck & Co., Inc. ...................................      5,869,675
     22,500 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................      1,527,188
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      29,670,250
                                                                    ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.3%
    200,601 Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Cl. A...........      2,846,027
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 1.7%
    100,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..............................      6,775,000
     26,100 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ........................      1,349,044
    293,100 Equitable Resources, Inc. ...........................      7,217,588
     10,000 National Fuel Gas Co. ...............................        413,125
      5,929 *Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. ....................         52,249
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,807,006
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
             ENTERTAINMENT - 0.1%
     50,000 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (The)..............      1,412,500
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 7.4%
     55,000 Burnham Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT................        759,687
  1,000,000 Canadian Hotel Properties REIT.......................      7,280,429
    324,900 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT.............     13,645,800
    412,700 Gables Residential Trust REIT........................     11,065,519
    462,000 Kranzco Realty Trust REIT............................      8,316,000
    850,000 Meditrust Co. REIT...................................     19,125,000
    260,050 Post Property, Inc. REIT.............................     10,320,734
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      70,513,169
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       51
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                               Income and Growth

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS -  CONTINUED
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
    100,000 Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. .........................   $  7,931,250
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 4.1%
  2,003,000 Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd. ......................     39,308,875
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.4%
     56,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc. ...........................      1,211,000
    122,000 +Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. .........................      2,211,250
     10,430 Peoples Heritage Financial Group.....................        235,979
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,658,229
                                                                    ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.1%
    260,000 Union Pacific Corp. .................................     10,920,000
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 7.9%
     10,650 Black Hills Corp. ...................................        255,600
    100,000 Central & South West Corp. ..........................      2,543,750
      6,500 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................        280,313
    239,000 FPL Group, Inc. .....................................     14,534,187
    100,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ............................      2,793,750
    123,826 Interstate Energy Corp. .............................      3,629,650
    695,524 LG & E Energy Corp. .................................     16,953,397
    180,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      4,083,750
    250,000 Midamerican Energy Holdings Co.......................      5,093,750
    301,500 PP&L Resources, Inc. ................................      6,991,031
    275,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ...............      8,989,063
    101,300 Texas Utilities Co. .................................      4,058,331
    150,200 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ...............................      4,843,950
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      75,050,522
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 5.7%
     73,300 Chesapeake Utilities Corp. ..........................      1,273,588
  1,035,848 Marketspan Corp. ....................................     28,550,560
     76,700 New Jersey Resources Corp. ..........................      2,626,975
    510,700 Peoples Energy Corp. ................................     17,874,500
     29,300 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ......................        853,363
     10,000 South Jersey Industries, Inc. .......................        258,125
     93,685 UGI Corp. ...........................................      2,201,597
      8,300 Yankee Energy System, Inc. ..........................        199,719
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      53,838,427
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 2.6%
    105,100 Frontier Corp. ......................................      3,527,419
    250,000 GTE Corp. ...........................................     13,593,750
    100,000 *Nortel Inversora SA MEDS............................      6,250,000
     20,000 U.S. West, Inc. .....................................      1,067,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      24,438,669
                                                                    ------------
            OTHER SECURITIES - 3.5%..............................     33,915,403
                                                                    ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $568,548,771).................................    624,514,206
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 30.1%
            BANKS - 0.6%
    210,000 National Australia Bank, Ltd.
             7.875%, Series UNIT.................................      6,168,750
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 1.5%
    485,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
             6.25%, Series IGL, STRYPES (exchangeable for IMC
             Global, Inc. common stock).........................   $ 14,065,000
                                                                   ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 3.6%
    700,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
             6.00%, Series B....................................     33,950,000
                                                                   ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.0%
    302,000 Cendant Corp.
             7.50%, PRIDES......................................      9,928,250
                                                                   ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.2%
     35,000 Corning, Inc.
             6.00%, MIPS........................................      1,850,625
                                                                   ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
    165,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      7,033,950
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.1%
    100,000 American General Corp.
             6.00%, Series A, MIPS..............................      8,650,000
    270,000 Frontier Financing Trust
             6.25%, TOPRS.......................................     14,512,500
    100,000 St. Paul Capital
             6.00%, MIPS........................................      6,400,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     29,562,500
                                                                   ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 4.1%
    300,000 Dole Food Co.
             7.00%, TRACES......................................     12,750,000
    495,300 Wendys Financing I
             5.00%, Series A, TECONS............................     26,374,725
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     39,124,725
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.8%
    170,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
             7.00%, CRESTS, 144A................................      7,299,800
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.3%
    212,800 Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. 7.00%, EDS.....      3,976,700
    100,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A.................................      3,987,500
    405,000 Worthington Industries, Inc.
             7.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Rouge Steel Co. common stock)....      4,252,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,216,700
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.5%
     95,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................      2,992,500
     48,000 Nuevo Energy Co.
             5.75%, Series A, TECONS............................      2,040,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,032,500
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       52
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Income and Growth Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.8%
    100,000 EVI, Inc.
             5.00%, 144A........................................   $  3,725,000
    100,000 Hvide Capital Trust
             6.50%, 144A........................................      3,963,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,688,000
                                                                   ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 2.8%
    335,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
             7.00%, ACES
             (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc. common stock)..     26,213,750
                                                                   ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 3.3%
    600,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%..............................................     31,164,000
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.5%
     30,000 CNF Trust I
             5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for CNF
             Transportation, Inc. common stock).................      1,890,000
    280,000 Union Pacific Capital Trust
             6.25%, 144A........................................     12,740,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,630,000
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.3%
    168,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A.
             10.50%, DECS
             (exchangeable into Electrobras shares).............      5,460,000
    130,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES......................................      6,613,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,073,750
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 1.5%
    594,500 MCN Corp.
             8.75%, PRIDES......................................     13,784,969
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.5%
    315,000 Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., GDS
             7.00%, Series III..................................     14,529,375
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $290,318,758)................................    286,316,644
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                          Value
 <C>        <S>                                                 <C>          <C>
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
 CONVERTIBLE SERVICES - 0.7%DEBENTURES - 3.3%
            HMT Technology Corp.:
 $3,500,000 5.75%, 1/15/04, 144A.............................   $  2,590,000
    400,000 5.75%, 1/15/04...................................        296,000
  4,000,000 Quantum Corp.
             7.00%, 8/1/04...................................      3,720,000
    250,000 Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.
             5.25%, 2/15/98, 144A............................        185,938
                                                                ------------
                                                                   6,791,938
                                                                ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.2%
  9,700,000 Photronics, Inc.
             6.00%, 6/1/04...................................      9,372,625
  1,000,000 Sci Systems, Inc.
             5.00%, 5/1/06, 144A.............................      1,670,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  11,042,625
                                                                ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
  1,000,000 Solectron Corp.
             6.00%, 3/1/06, 144A.............................      1,515,000
                                                                ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.1%
  1,318,000 Swift Energy Co.
             6.25%, 11/15/06.................................      1,166,430
                                                                ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.1%
            Key Energy Group, Inc.:
  5,750,000 5.00%, 9/15/04, 144A.............................      4,111,250
  1,250,000 7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A..............................      1,431,250
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.:
  3,775,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A............................      3,218,187
  2,000,000 6.00%, 12/15/03..................................      1,705,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  10,465,687
                                                                ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $35,128,220)..............................     30,981,680
                                                                ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                              <C>    <C>
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $893,995,749)..........................    99.1%  941,812,530
            OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET............     0.9     8,841,297
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $950,653,827
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The Fund owns over 5% of the out-
  standing voting shares of CB Bancshares, Inc. and Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.
  The Fund has a cost basis of $6,024,625 and $1,320,000, respectively, in
  these issues at July 31, 1998. The Fund earned $40,425 and $60,500 of income,
  respectively, from these investments during the period ending July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified institu-
     tional investors.
SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipts
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
CRESTSConvertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
EDSExchangeable Depository Shares
GDSGlobal Depository Shares
MIPSMonthly Income Preferred Shares
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACESTrust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       53
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 69.3%
            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 3.0%
    214,300 Curtiss Wright Corp. ................................   $  9,094,356
                                                                    ------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.2%
     53,200 Simpson Industries, Inc. ............................        635,075
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 6.6%
    108,750 ABC Bancorp..........................................      1,631,250
     31,500 Amcore Financial, Inc. ..............................        803,250
      6,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................        117,750
     20,000 Bank of Essex........................................        433,750
     18,800 Britton & Koontz Capital Corp. ......................        411,250
     28,800 BSB Bancorp, Inc. ...................................        936,000
      2,625 Carrollton Bancorp...................................         97,125
     25,000 CB Bancshares, Inc. .................................        887,500
     32,550 Commercial Bankshares, Inc. .........................        748,650
      8,200 Community Bancshares, Inc. ..........................        221,400
     40,000 Cowlitz Bancorp......................................        430,000
      2,500 First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. .........................        103,750
     30,000 First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc. Cl. A...............      1,282,500
     95,552 First State Bancorp..................................      2,161,864
    162,000 Granite State Bankshares, Inc. ......................      4,212,000
     30,000 Independent Bankshares, Inc. ........................        460,312
     20,943 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................        416,242
     15,000 James River Bankshares, Inc. ........................        330,000
      4,000 Northern States Financial Corp. .....................        127,000
     87,125 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........      2,945,914
      4,668 Pacific Century Financial Corp. .....................         91,610
     14,620 Premier National Bancorp Inc. .......................        307,020
     24,000 South Alabama Bancorp, Inc. .........................        474,000
     11,250 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................        253,125
     23,200 Union Bankshares Corp. ..............................        504,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      20,387,862
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 2.2%
     28,000 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................      1,596,000
    315,100 Shelby Williams Industries, Inc. ....................      4,726,500
     12,413 *Toll Brothers, Inc. ................................        325,065
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,647,565
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
    169,400 Tab Products Co. ....................................      1,990,450
                                                                    ------------
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 0.9%
     95,000 Learonal, Inc. ......................................      1,941,563
     25,500 Stepan Co. ..........................................        733,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,674,688
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 9.3%
    311,500 CPI Corp. ...........................................      7,787,500
     85,500 General Housewares Corp. ............................        881,719
    230,140 +Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. .....................      5,005,545
    100,000 Mikasa, Inc. Cl. B...................................      1,318,750
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - CONTINUED
    100,000 Polaris Industries, Inc. ............................   $  3,812,500
     26,300 Russ Berrie & Co., Inc. .............................        604,900
    310,000 Stride Rite Corp. ...................................      3,758,750
    328,600 York Group, Inc. ....................................      5,504,050
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      28,673,714
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 2.7%
    379,000 Matthews International Corp. Cl. A...................      8,338,000
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.9%
    225,800 Boston Acoustics, Inc. ..............................      9,032,000
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.4%
     26,600 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ...........................      1,042,387
      5,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................        175,000
    100,000 Morgan Keegan, Inc. .................................      2,368,750
    122,500 Pxre Corp. ..........................................      3,307,500
     16,000 Trenwick Group, Inc. ................................        556,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,449,637
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.7%
    101,000 Bridgford Foods Corp. ...............................      1,325,625
     20,000 Lance, Inc. .........................................        378,125
     78,800 Smithfield Companies, Inc. ..........................        566,375
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,270,125
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
      9,500 Kewaunee Scientific Corp. ...........................        108,656
     73,500 West Co., Inc. ......................................      2,044,219
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,152,875
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 3.3%
     50,000 Badger Meter, Inc. ..................................      1,671,875
    100,000 Federal Signal Corp. ................................      2,268,750
     72,297 Flowserve Corp. .....................................      1,576,978
     84,100 Gorman Rupp Co. .....................................      1,503,287
     63,000 Hach Co. ............................................        637,875
     57,000 Hach Co. Cl. A.......................................        570,000
     18,700 Met-Pro Corp. .......................................        240,763
     55,800 Minuteman International, Inc. .......................        641,700
     46,400 Spartech Corp. ......................................        881,600
      8,000 Woodward Governor Co. ...............................        216,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,208,828
                                                                    ------------
            MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 2.1%
    252,750 Hardinge Brothers, Inc. .............................      6,381,938
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 5.2%
    205,800 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A............................      2,366,700
    235,500 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. Cl. A..........................      4,032,937
    155,600 Penn Virginia Corp. .................................      3,559,350
    123,000 Quaker State Corp. ..................................      1,891,125
    370,000 Southwestern Energy Co. .............................      3,330,000
     67,600 Wiser Oil Co. .......................................        637,975
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,818,087
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       54
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.4%
    146,200 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .............................   $  4,322,038
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.5%
    102,450 Tuscarora, Inc. .....................................      1,626,394
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.3%
     86,291 Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT.......................      1,839,077
    160,000 Eastgroup Properties, Inc. REIT......................      3,000,000
     95,000 Gables Residential Trust REIT........................      2,547,187
     60,000 Innkeepers USA Trust REIT............................        731,250
     90,000 Parkway Properties, Inc. REIT........................      2,677,500
     47,540 Post Property, Inc. REIT.............................      1,886,744
     50,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT..................        556,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,238,008
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.1%
      6,800 Longs Drug Stores Corp. .............................        187,850
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 1.2%
    250,000 Communications Systems, Inc. ........................      3,375,000
    126,000 Rohn Industries, Inc. ...............................        433,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,808,125
                                                                    ------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 1.6%
     88,000 Oxford Industries, Inc. .............................      2,645,500
    143,200 Superior Uniform Group, Inc. ........................      2,148,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,793,500
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 4.3%
     72,000 Dime Financial Corp. ................................      2,421,000
     92,000 First Coastal Bankshares, Inc. ......................      1,472,000
      6,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc. ...........................        129,750
     16,000 First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc. ......................        676,000
     16,800 *Golden St. Bancorp, Inc. ...........................        463,050
    261,900 Horizon Financial Corp. .............................      4,124,925
     38,000 Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. ..........................        688,750
     24,000 Maryland Federal Bancorp, Inc. ......................        996,000
    100,000 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. ..............................      2,250,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,221,475
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 2.3%
     13,100 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................        564,938
    124,100 Madison Gas & Electric Co. ..........................      2,761,225
    135,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      3,062,812
     26,000 Northwestern Corp. ..................................        646,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,035,725
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 5.9%
     34,200 Chesapeake Utilities Corp. ..........................        594,225
     30,000 Connecticut Energy Corp. ............................        768,750
     80,000 CTG Resources, Inc. .................................      1,855,000
     64,800 Delta Natural Gas Co., Inc. .........................      1,125,900
     40,000 Eastern Enterprises..................................      1,597,500
     27,400 NUI Corp. ...........................................        606,225
     76,600 Public Service Co. of North Carolina, Inc. ..........      1,532,000
    200,100 Semco Energy, Inc. ..................................      3,464,231
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
            UTILITIES - GAS - CONTINUED
     56,000 Southwest Gas Corp. ................................   $  1,302,000
    165,500 UGI Corp. ..........................................      3,889,250
     50,000 Yankee Energy System, Inc. .........................      1,203,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     17,938,206
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.2%
     78,300 Hickory Tech Corp. .................................      3,650,738
                                                                   ------------
            OTHER SECURITIES - 3.6%.............................     11,126,751
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $212,015,803)................................    212,704,010
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 12.0%
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.5%
    110,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      4,689,300
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.1%
     12,000 American Heritage Life Investment Corp.
             8.50%, PRIDES......................................        828,000
     80,000 Frontier Financing Trust
             6.25%, TOPRS.......................................      4,300,000
    125,000 Philadelphia Consolidated Holdings, Inc.
             7.00%, PRIDES......................................      1,218,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      6,346,750
                                                                   ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 2.2%
    170,000 Owens & Minor Trust I
             5.375%, TECONS, 144A...............................      6,885,000
                                                                   ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.5%
    300,000 Cooper Industries, Inc.
             6.00%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Wyman-Gordon Co. common stock)...      4,500,000
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.8%
    130,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
             7.00%, CRESTS, 144A................................      5,582,200
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.8%
    239,000 Worthington Industries, Inc.
             7.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Rouge Steel Co. common stock)....      2,509,500
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.3%
     26,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................        819,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.8%
            Hvide Capital Trust:
     40,000 6.50%, 144A.........................................      1,585,200
      7,000 6.50% Series AI.....................................        277,410
     90,000 6.50%...............................................      3,566,700
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,429,310
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $44,461,012).................................     36,761,060
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       55
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 13.8%
            BANKS - 0.4%
 $1,350,000 Surety Capital Corp.
             9.00%, 3/31/08......................................   $  1,350,000
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 1.1%
  2,500,000 Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.
             6.25%, 3/15/01......................................      3,284,375
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.7%
  2,600,000 HMT Technology Corp.
             5.75%, 1/15/04......................................      1,924,000
  1,250,000 Interim Services, Inc.
             4.50%, 6/1/05.......................................      1,245,312
    200,000 Personnel Group Of America, Inc.
             5.75%, 7/1/04.......................................        250,000
            Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.:
    500,000 5.25%, 8/15/04, 144A.................................        371,875
  2,000,000 5.25%, 8/15/04.......................................      1,487,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,278,687
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.2%
  4,000,000 Action Performance Companies, Inc.
             4.75%, 4/1/05, 144A.................................      3,670,000
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 1.4%
  4,550,000 Photronics, Inc.
             6.00%, 6/1/04.......................................      4,396,438
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.9%
  5,000,000 Alpharma, Inc.
             5.75%, 4/1/05, 144A.................................      5,206,500
    480,000 Meridian Diagnostics, Inc.
             7.00%, 9/1/06.......................................        453,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,660,100
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
    610,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.......................................        724,375
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 0.2%
    500,000 May & Speh, Inc.
             5.25%, 4/1/03.......................................        684,375
                                                                    ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 2.0%
  2,400,000 Family Golf Centers, Inc.
             5.75%, 10/15/04, 144A...............................      2,877,000
  3,370,000 Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
             5.75%, 9/30/03......................................      3,395,275
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,272,275
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 2.8%
            Key Energy Group, Inc.:
  3,250,000 5.00%, 9/15/04, 144A.................................      2,323,750
    250,000 7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A..................................        286,250
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - CONTINUED
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - CONTINUED
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.:
 $1,425,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A................................   $  1,214,812
  1,750,000 6.00%, 12/15/03......................................      1,491,875
  3,000,000 Seacor Holdings, Inc.
             5.375%, 11/15/06....................................      3,120,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,436,687
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.9%
            Central Garden & Pet Co.:
    500,000 6.00%, 11/15/03, 144A................................        554,375
  2,000,000 6.00%, 11/15/03......................................      2,217,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,771,875
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $45,859,373)..................................     42,529,187
                                                                    ------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 5.7%
            COMMERCIAL PAPER - 3.6%
    450,000 Aristar, Inc.
             5.60%, 8/13/98......................................        449,160
    640,000 Avnet, Inc.
             5.52%, 8/19/98......................................        638,234
  2,960,000 BTR Dunlop Finance, Inc.
             5.53%, 8/10/98......................................      2,955,908
  1,990,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
             5.54%, 8/11/98......................................      1,986,938
    850,000 Glencore Asset Funding Corp.
             5.55%, 8/6/98.......................................        849,345
    315,000 Newell Co.
             5.55%, 8/31/98......................................        313,543
  1,580,000 Park Avenue Recreation Corp.
             5.55%, 8/3/98.......................................      1,579,513
  1,780,000 PHH Corp.
             5.70%, 8/21/98......................................      1,774,363
    450,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
             5.54%, 8/7/98.......................................        449,584
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,996,588
                                                                    ------------
            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 2.1%
            Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes:
  3,460,000 5.45%, 8/27/98.......................................      3,446,381
    615,000 5.48%, 8/21/98.......................................        613,128
  2,350,000 5.48%, 8/31/98.......................................      2,339,268
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,398,777
                                                                    ------------
            Total Short-Term Investments
             (cost $17,395,365)..................................     17,395,365
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                             <C>    <C>

            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $319,731,553).........................   100.8%  309,389,622
            OTHER ASSETS AND
             LIABILITIES - NET...........................    (0.8)   (2,303,539)
                                                            -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $307,086,083
                                                            =====  ============
</TABLE>

                                       56
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                         Small Cap Equity Income Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998


* Non-income producing securities.
+ Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The fund owns over 5% of the
  outstanding voting shares of Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. The Fund
  has a cost basis of $4,805,148 in the issue at July 31, 1998. The Fund
  earned $100,224 of income from this investment during the period ending
  July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified insti-
     tutional investors.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
CRESTSConvertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       57
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 70.3%
            BANKS - 2.1%
     35,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................   $  3,007,813
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 1.9%
     75,000 *Altera Corp. .......................................      2,735,156
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 2.6%
     70,000 Enron Corp. .........................................      3,705,625
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 1.8%
    150,000 *R & B Falcon Corp. .................................      2,465,625
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 2.8%
    145,000 Felcor Lodging Trust Inc. REIT.......................      4,005,625
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 44.8%
    100,000 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. .................      4,312,500
    100,000 Cinergy Corp. .......................................      3,156,250
     70,000 Duke Power Co. ......................................      3,998,750
    100,000 Energy East Corp. ...................................      4,000,000
    170,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ............................      4,749,375
    125,000 Interstate Energy Corp. .............................      3,664,063
    180,000 Marketspan Corp. ....................................      4,961,250
    165,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...........................      3,743,437
     80,000 New Century Energies, Inc. ..........................      3,330,000
     60,000 NIPSCO Industries, Inc. .............................      1,597,500
    100,000 Pinnacle West Capital Corp. .........................      4,275,000
    150,000 PP&L Resources, Inc. ................................      3,478,125
    100,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ...............      3,268,750
    150,000 *Sempra Energy.......................................      3,778,125
    140,000 Teco Energy Inc. ....................................      3,552,500
    100,000 UtiliCorp United, Inc. ..............................      3,525,000
    135,000 Wisconsin Energy Corp. ..............................      3,839,062
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      63,229,687
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.9%
     75,000 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ...........................      1,968,750
     60,000 Peoples Energy Corp. ................................      2,100,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,068,750
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 11.4%
     55,000 BellSouth Corp. .....................................      3,757,188
     70,000 GTE Corp. ...........................................      3,806,250
     60,000 Sprint Corp. ........................................      4,200,000
     80,000 U.S. West, Inc. .....................................      4,270,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      16,033,438
                                                                    ------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $85,025,361)..................................     99,251,719
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 25.8%
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 3.3%
     95,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
             6.00%, Series B.....................................      4,607,500
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
             ENTERTAINMENT - 2.8%
     50,000 Houston Industries Inc.
             7.00%, ACES
             (exchangeable for Time Warner common stock)........   $  3,912,500
                                                                   ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
             EQUIPMENT - 2.6%
     70,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%..............................................      3,675,000
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 11.9%
     50,000 AES Trust I
             5.375%, Series A, TECONS...........................      3,440,625
    135,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A.
             BNDESPAR, DECS (Eletrobras)........................      4,387,500
    500,000 Companhia Paranaense de
             Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR............................      5,437,500
     70,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES......................................      3,561,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     16,826,875
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.2%
     70,000 MCN Financing III
             8.00%, PRIDES......................................      3,158,750
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.0%
     70,000 Sprint Corp.
             8.25%, DECS
             (exchangeable for Southern N.E. Telephone common
             stock).............................................      4,307,187
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $33,061,261).................................     36,487,812
                                                                   ------------

<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount
 <C>        <S>                                                    <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 2.1%
            INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 2.1%
 $4,000,000 Adaptec, Inc.
             4.75%, 2/1/04......................................      3,050,000
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $3,530,000)..................................      3,050,000
                                                                   ------------
            TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
             (COST $121,616,622)................................    138,789,531
                                                                   ------------
 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 0.2%
    254,895 Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.,
             5.62%, purchased 7/31/98, maturing 8/3/98, maturity
             value $255,014 (cost $254,895) (a).................        254,895
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>        <S>                                              <C>    <C>
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $121,871,517)..........................    98.4%  139,044,426
            OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET............     1.6     2,211,887
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $141,256,313
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Utility Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998


* Non-income producing securities.
(a) At July 31, 1998, the repurchase agreement was collateralized by:
    $260,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.625%, 4/15/28; value including inter-
    est - $255,763.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       59
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 90.7%
              AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
               MANUFACTURING - 0.6%
      106,900 Ford Motor Co. ..................................   $    6,086,619
                                                                  --------------
              BANKS - 19.3%
       77,220 Banc One Corp. ..................................        3,991,309
      122,600 BankAmerica Corp. ...............................       11,003,350
      430,600 BankBoston Corp. ................................       20,830,275
       84,800 Bankers Trust Corp. .............................        9,502,900
      102,200 Chase Manhattan Corp. ...........................        7,728,875
       47,000 Citicorp.........................................        7,990,000
      248,200 First Chicago NBD Corp. .........................       20,802,262
      457,400 First Tennessee National Corp. ..................       14,350,925
      336,725 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .....................       28,937,305
      244,056 NationsBank Corp. ...............................       19,463,466
      185,700 SouthTrust Corp. ................................        7,509,244
      328,500 TCF Financial Corp. .............................        9,485,438
      107,600 Union Planters Corp. ............................        5,864,200
      271,300 Wachovia Corp. ..................................       23,230,062
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     190,689,611
                                                                  --------------
              BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
               SERVICES - 0.1%
       10,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. .......................          924,375
                                                                  --------------
              CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
               PRODUCTS - 1.6%
        6,100 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ................          378,200
      635,000 Morton International, Inc. ......................       15,359,063
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,737,263
                                                                  --------------
              COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
               SERVICES - 1.9%
      200,350 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ............................       19,183,512
                                                                  --------------
              CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
               SERVICES - 1.2%
      104,100 Colgate-Palmolive Co. ...........................        9,622,744
       18,200 Gillette Co. ....................................          953,225
       16,800 Procter & Gamble Co. ............................        1,333,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,909,469
                                                                  --------------
              DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 2.0%
      156,100 AlliedSignal, Inc. ..............................        6,790,350
      212,000 Tyco International Ltd. .........................       13,130,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,921,100
                                                                  --------------
              ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
               SERVICES - 5.2%
      383,700 General Electric Co. ............................       34,269,206
       10,200 *LSI Logic.......................................          211,012
      295,100 Tandy Corp. .....................................       16,765,369
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      51,245,587
                                                                  --------------
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - 10.3%
      296,000 Allstate Corp. ..................................       12,561,500
       13,100 American General Corp. ..........................          894,894
       70,800 American International Group, Inc. ..............       10,677,525
       94,507 Associates First Capital Corp.
               Cl. A...........................................        7,342,013
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
        8,000 Chubb Corp. .....................................   $      587,000
      348,400 CIT Group, Inc. .................................       11,540,750
       30,200 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ................        1,426,950
      158,700 Federal National Mortgage Association............        9,839,400
      196,000 Greenpoint Financial Corp. ......................        7,778,750
        2,600 Lincoln National Corp. ..........................          248,950
      145,700 MBIA, Inc. ......................................        9,816,537
       21,200 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. .....        1,845,725
      237,100 ReliaStar Financial Corp. .......................       11,766,087
       83,950 Travelers Group, Inc. ...........................        5,624,650
      242,200 Travelers Property Casualty Corp. Cl. A..........       10,475,150
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     102,425,881
                                                                  --------------
              FOOD & BEVERAGE
               PRODUCTS - 6.4%
      377,200 American Stores Co. .............................        8,746,325
      550,200 Archer Daniels Midland Co. ......................        9,422,175
      131,300 Coca Cola Co. ...................................       10,594,269
      444,200 Fortune Brands, Inc. ............................       16,407,637
      292,300 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ...................       12,806,394
      115,700 Sara Lee Corp. ..................................        5,799,462
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      63,776,262
                                                                  --------------
              HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
               SERVICES - 13.0%
       20,000 Abbott Laboratories..............................          831,250
      237,800 American Home Products Corp. ....................       12,246,700
      212,800 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ........................       24,245,900
      197,800 HBO & Co. .......................................        5,828,919
      380,600 *HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ..............................        9,562,575
      244,900 Johnson & Johnson................................       18,918,525
       25,800 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ...............................        1,735,050
      129,500 Merck & Co., Inc. ...............................       15,968,969
      385,200 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ........................       18,248,850
      145,300 SmithKline Beecham Plc, ADR......................        8,318,425
      420,399 *Tenet Healthcare Corp. .........................       12,585,695
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     128,490,858
                                                                  --------------
              INFORMATION SERVICES &
               TECHNOLOGY - 7.1%
      185,700 *American Power Conversion Corp. ................        5,988,825
      244,200 EMC Corp. .......................................       11,965,800
      256,100 *Gateway 2000, Inc. .............................       13,829,400
       18,000 Intel Corp. .....................................        1,519,875
      143,800 International Business Machines Corp. ...........       19,053,500
      376,700 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. .........................       17,799,075
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      70,156,475
                                                                  --------------
              LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.1%
       30,600 Disney Walt Co. .................................        1,053,788
                                                                  --------------
              OIL/ENERGY - 8.6%
      150,800 Amoco Corp. .....................................        6,295,900
</TABLE>

                                       60
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                                  Value Fund

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              OIL/ENERGY - CONTINUED
       83,400 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..........................   $    5,650,350
      233,300 Burlington Resources, Inc. ......................        8,457,125
        9,900 Chevron Corp. ...................................          817,988
       36,700 Exxon Corp. .....................................        2,573,588
      145,900 Mobil Corp. .....................................       10,176,525
      161,500 Pennzoil Co. ....................................        7,267,500
       45,700 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. .......................        2,330,700
      343,100 Sonat, Inc. .....................................       10,035,675
      166,600 Texaco, Inc. ....................................       10,131,362
      297,000 Unocal Corp. ....................................        9,726,750
      353,400 Williams Companies, Inc. ........................       11,330,887
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      84,794,350
                                                                  --------------
              PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
               ENTERTAINMENT - 0.1%
       17,200 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B..............................        1,178,200
                                                                  --------------
              REAL ESTATE - 1.9%
      455,300 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT.........       19,122,600
                                                                  --------------
              RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.5%
      299,900 Sears, Roebuck & Co. ............................       15,219,925
                                                                  --------------
              TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
               EQUIPMENT - 1.4%
      160,000 Nokia Corp. ADR..................................       13,940,000
                                                                  --------------
              TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.8%
      160,900 V. F. Corp. .....................................        7,572,356
                                                                  --------------
              TRANSPORTATION - 1.9%
      143,900 Burlington Northern Santa Fe.....................       14,812,706
      142,800 Norfolk Southern Corp. ..........................        4,266,150
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,078,856
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
ADR  American Depository Receipt
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shares                                                            Value
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
              UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 2.5%
      269,100 CMS Energy Corp. ................................   $   11,352,656
       58,400 GPU, Inc. .......................................        2,087,800
      412,700 Houston Industries, Inc. ........................       11,529,806
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,970,262
                                                                  --------------
              UTILITIES - GAS - 1.4%
      361,600 NICOR Inc. ......................................       13,921,600
                                                                  --------------
              UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.8%
      211,900 AT&T Corp. ......................................       12,846,437
       20,796 Bell Atlantic Corp. .............................          943,619
       30,300 BellSouth Corp. .................................        2,069,869
       25,500 MCI Communications Corp. ........................        1,651,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      17,511,050
                                                                  --------------
              Total Common Stocks
               (cost $683,255,436).............................      898,909,999
                                                                  --------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
    Amount
 <C>          <S>                                                 <C>
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 10.3%
              GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES &
               BONDS - 10.3%
 $102,239,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
               5.56%, 8/3/98...................................      102,207,420
                                                                  --------------
              Total Short-Term Investments
               (cost $102,207,419).............................      102,207,420
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>          <S>                                         <C>    <C>

              TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
               (COST $785,462,855).....................   101.0%  1,001,117,419
              OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET.......    (1.0)    (10,295,053)
                                                          -----  --------------
              NET ASSETS...............................   100.0% $  990,822,366
                                                          =====  ==============
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       61
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 81.7%
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
              MANUFACTURING - 4.4%
      50,000 Chrysler Corp. .....................................   $  2,959,375
      50,000 Ford Motor Co. .....................................      2,846,875
      40,000 *Lear Corp. ........................................      2,122,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,928,750
                                                                    ------------
             BANKS - 12.0%
      55,000 Associated Banc Corp. ..............................      2,100,312
      30,000 BankAmerica Corp. ..................................      2,692,500
      80,000 BankBoston Corp. ...................................      3,870,000
      30,000 Chase Manhattan Corp. ..............................      2,268,750
       4,000 Citicorp............................................        680,000
      50,000 Firstar Corp. ......................................      2,496,875
      50,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ........................      4,296,875
     110,000 TCF Financial Corp. ................................      3,176,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      21,581,562
                                                                    ------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 5.0%
      30,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ...................      1,860,000
      50,000 Monsanto Co. .......................................      2,831,250
      65,000 Morton International, Inc. .........................      1,572,187
      27,000 Rohm & Haas Co. ....................................      2,629,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,892,562
                                                                    ------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
              SERVICES - 1.3%
      25,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ...............................      2,394,531
                                                                    ------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.9%
      20,000 Procter & Gamble Co. ...............................      1,587,500
                                                                    ------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 3.0%
      50,000 *Owens Illinois, Inc. ..............................      2,206,250
      50,000 Tyco International Ltd. ............................      3,096,875
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,303,125
                                                                    ------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 4.6%
      60,000 General Electric Co. ...............................      5,358,750
      60,000 *Solectron Corp. ...................................      2,880,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,238,750
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 7.5%
      25,000 Hartford Life, Inc. Cl. A...........................      1,446,875
      30,000 Lincoln National Corp. .............................      2,872,500
      50,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A...........      2,721,875
      32,289 PMI Group, Inc. ....................................      2,187,580
      35,000 SLM Holding Corp. ..................................      1,618,750
      37,500 Travelers Group, Inc. ..............................      2,512,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,360,080
                                                                    ------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 2.9%
      35,000 H.J. Heinz Co. .....................................      1,929,375
      75,000 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ......................      3,285,938
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,215,313
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 12.0%
     120,000 American Home Products Corp. .......................   $  6,180,000
      50,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ...........................      5,696,875
      30,000 Johnson & Johnson...................................      2,317,500
      40,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ..................................      4,932,500
      50,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...........................      2,368,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      21,495,625
                                                                    ------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES -  1.9%
      50,000 Trinity Industries, Inc. ...........................      1,996,875
      50,000 *United States Filter Corp. ........................      1,350,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,346,875
                                                                    ------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 4.5%
      50,000 *EMC Corp. .........................................      2,450,000
      30,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. ................................      1,665,000
      30,000 International Business Machines Corp. ..............      3,975,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,090,000
                                                                    ------------
             LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.2%
      56,900 Carnival, Corp. Cl. A...............................      2,101,744
                                                                    ------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 5.3%
      74,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...........................      2,539,125
      20,000 Exxon Corp. ........................................      1,402,500
      24,000 Mobil Corp. ........................................      1,674,000
      24,000 Texaco, Inc. .......................................      1,459,500
      75,000 Unocal Corp. .......................................      2,456,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,531,375
                                                                    ------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING &
              ENTERTAINMENT - 0.9%
      50,000 CBS Corp. ..........................................      1,696,875
                                                                    ------------
             REAL ESTATE - 5.9%
      40,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT........................      1,292,500
      50,000 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT.................      1,243,750
      25,000 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT............      1,050,000
      36,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT............        994,500
     140,000 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT................      2,948,750
      44,999 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT.............        854,981
      49,000 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT......................      1,166,812
      30,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT.......................      1,078,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,629,418
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 3.3%
      50,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ............................      2,839,063
      50,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ..............................      3,156,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,995,313
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       62
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                             Fund for Total Return

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                                 July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 5.1%
      40,000 Ameritech Corp. ....................................   $  1,967,500
      39,290 AT&T Corp. .........................................      2,381,956
      40,000 GTE Corp. ..........................................      2,175,000
      50,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      2,668,750
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,193,206
                                                                    ------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $105,987,328)................................    146,582,604
                                                                    ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 3.5%
             BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
              FURNISHINGS - 0.8%
     150,000 Kaufman & Broad Home Corp.
              8.25%, PRIDES......................................      1,443,750
                                                                    ------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 1.0%
      30,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A........................................      1,785,000
                                                                    ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.7%
      50,000 Kmart Financing I
              7.75%..............................................      3,100,000
                                                                    ------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $5,610,665)..................................      6,328,750
                                                                    ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 3.0%
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.6%
 $ 1,000,000 Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc.
              5.50%, 6/15/02, 144A...............................      1,044,820
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.
(a) The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. government
    and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued inter-
    est at July 31, 1998.
144A Rule 144A securities are restricted as to resale to qualified insti-
     tutional investors.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS:
BUCS Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities.
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities.
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - CONTINUED
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 1.1%
 $ 2,000,000 Healthsouth Corp.
              3.25%, 4/1/03, 144A...............................   $  2,017,500
                                                                   ------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.0%
     750,000 Staples, Inc.
              4.50%, 10/1/00, 144A..............................      1,707,188
                                                                   ------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES &
              EQUIPMENT - 0.3%
     500,000 Antec Corp.
              4.50%, 5/15/03, 144A..............................        570,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $4,250,000).................................      5,339,508
                                                                   ------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.4%
             REPURCHASE AGREEMENT - 11.4%
  20,376,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement
              5.65%, purchased 7/31/98,
              maturing 8/3/98, maturity value $20,385,594 (cost
              $20,376,000) (a)..................................     20,376,000
                                                                   ------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $20,376,000)................................     20,376,000
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <C>         <S>                                             <C>    <C>

             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $136,223,993).........................    99.6%  178,626,862
             OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET...........     0.4       750,170
                                                             -----  ------------
             NET ASSETS...................................   100.0% $179,377,032
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       63
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                                 July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            GROWTH &      INCOME &     SMALL CAP
                            BLUE CHIP        INCOME        GROWTH    EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE         FUND FOR
                               FUND           FUND          FUND         FUND           FUND           FUND
TOTAL RETURN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
<C>
 ASSETS
 Investments at value
  (identified cost --
   $297,945,142,
  $1,747,884,736,
  $893,995,749,
  $319,731,553,
  $121,871,517,
  $785,462,855 and
  $136,223,993,
  respectively)..........  $383,073,812  $2,177,972,651 $941,812,530 $309,389,622   $139,044,426  $1,001,117,419
$178,626,862
 Cash....................           700          58,546      164,295       16,486              0
48,239           313
 Receivable for
  investments sold.......    36,513,342       4,727,680   25,024,357            0      2,760,788
5,129,220     1,405,282
 Receivable for Fund
  shares sold............     1,882,250       6,642,137      176,442    4,313,582         84,885
824,790       147,233
 Dividends and interest
  receivable.............       423,533       1,166,850    3,272,724      947,695        617,985
1,248,745       342,345
 Unamortized
  organization
  expenses...............             0               0            0        2,482              0
0             0
 Prepaid expenses and
  other assets...........        72,244          66,619       44,731       40,706         24,461
37,363        70,135
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets..........   421,965,881   2,190,634,483  970,495,079  314,710,573    142,532,545
1,008,405,776   180,592,170
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LIABILITIES
 Payable for investments
  purchased..............    16,939,811      35,092,472    5,271,218    1,267,324      1,062,250
11,805,124             0
 Payable for Fund shares
  repurchased............     1,170,650       5,100,629      601,200    5,761,900         97,290
4,672,270       969,418
 Demand note payable.....             0               0   12,800,000            0              0
0             0
 Advisory fee payable....       215,367       1,667,830      819,191      275,512         61,885
445,512        94,340
 Distribution fee
  payable................       160,609         987,570       52,500      149,321         45,943
397,253       119,892
 Due to related
  parties................         5,000               0            0            0          3,535
25,469         1,916
 Foreign taxes payable...         8,844           3,410       38,063       12,104              0
0             0
 Accrued expenses and
  other liabilities......        57,535         461,694      259,080      158,329          5,329
237,782        29,572
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities.....    18,557,816      43,313,605   19,841,252    7,624,490      1,276,232
17,583,410     1,215,138
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS..............  $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED
  BY
 Paid-in capital.........  $286,984,109  $1,659,627,550 $833,102,573 $313,505,223   $108,709,536  $  774,854,885
$118,660,810
 Undistributed net
  investment income......       (14,966)        360,888   13,459,757      173,362         (7,868)
(82,792)      430,969
 Accumulated
  undistributed net
  realized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    31,310,252      57,244,858   56,431,275    3,749,429     15,381,736
395,709    17,882,384
 Net unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    85,128,670     430,087,582   47,660,222  (10,341,931)    17,172,909
215,654,564    42,402,869
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL NET ASSETS......  $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF
 Class A.................  $284,734,787  $  296,312,480 $ 15,005,424 $ 54,142,181   $ 95,300,077  $  476,169,512
$ 52,667,235
 Class B.................   117,893,339     999,503,080   54,544,427  130,191,440     43,775,719
326,459,414   105,747,682
 Class C.................       779,939      50,160,238    1,258,970   26,196,901        485,778
5,125,086    20,851,084
 Class Y.................            --     801,345,080  879,845,006   96,555,561      1,694,739
183,068,354       111,031
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878 $950,653,827 $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $  990,822,366
$179,377,032
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Class A.................     9,360,366      10,168,501      647,121    3,436,877      8,104,711
21,422,851     2,432,921
 Class B.................     3,884,909      34,605,795    2,367,514    8,307,846      3,721,068
14,707,068     4,904,830
 Class C.................        25,659       1,736,422       54,643    1,673,076         41,291
231,038       966,154
 Class Y.................            --      27,448,762   37,891,181    6,124,137        144,020
8,234,209         5,137
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSET VALUE PER
  SHARE
 Class A.................  $      30.42  $        29.14 $      23.19 $      15.75   $      11.76  $        22.23
$      21.65
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A -- Offering
  price (based on sales
  charge of 4.75%).......  $      31.94  $        30.59 $      24.35 $      16.54   $      12.35  $        23.34
$      22.73
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B.................  $      30.35  $        28.88 $      23.04 $      15.67   $      11.76  $        22.20
$      21.56
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C.................  $      30.40  $        28.89 $      23.04 $      15.66   $      11.76  $        22.18
$      21.58
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class Y.................            --  $        29.19 $      23.22 $      15.77   $      11.77  $        22.23
$      21.61
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       64
<PAGE>


                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                            Year Ended July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SMALL CAP
                            BLUE CHIP   GROWTH & INCOME INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE        FUND FOR
                              FUND*          FUND            FUND           FUND          FUND
FUND       TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>
<C>            <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of
  foreign withholding
  taxes of $56,392,
  $25,234, $689,197,
  $12,104, $10,435,
  $130,187 and $5,544,
  respectively).........   $ 4,313,767   $ 15,668,809    $ 52,734,876   $  4,983,605   $ 6,208,578  $
25,677,634  $ 3,235,512
 Interest...............     1,099,735     21,896,927       4,016,267      2,459,788       225,962
3,900,639      615,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total income..........     5,413,502     37,565,736      56,751,143      7,443,393     6,434,540
29,578,273    3,850,534
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...........     2,052,676     16,275,918       9,685,921      2,055,006       704,533
7,023,408    1,062,354
 Distribution Plan
  expenses..............     1,628,814      8,865,387         566,084        988,649       660,925
4,211,807    1,350,540
 Transfer agent fees....       670,296      3,658,406       1,768,773        515,179       268,742
1,670,576      324,338
 Administrative service
  fees..................        53,198              0               0              0        42,854
438,523       33,743
 Trustees' fees and
  expenses..............        13,999         45,947          29,888         11,331         3,511
39,273        7,325
 Printing...............       160,647        916,116         474,221         87,074        90,104
526,008      100,958
 Custodian fees.........        71,500        527,465         306,190         56,140        39,916
374,521       56,522
 Registration fees......        49,119        352,740          61,854        150,185        68,826
57,916       51,507
 Amortization of
  organization
  expenses..............             0              0               0          5,727             0
0            0
 Other..................        36,983        128,241         105,638         26,166        28,756
107,017       41,618
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses........     4,737,232     30,770,220      12,998,569      3,895,457     1,908,167
14,449,049    3,028,905
 Less: Indirectly paid
  expenses..............        (3,604)       (21,867)        (28,957)        (7,877)       (2,764)
(10,190)      (1,267)
 Fee waivers and/or
  reimbursement from
  investment adviser....             0              0               0              0      (204,617)
0            0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..........     4,733,628     30,748,353      12,969,612      3,887,580     1,700,786
14,438,859    3,027,638
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..       679,874      6,817,383      43,781,531      3,555,813     4,733,754
15,139,414      822,896
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND
  UNREALIZED GAINS OR
  LOSSES ON SECURITIES
  AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
  RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or
  losses on:
  Securities............    45,240,695     89,769,570      88,022,951      4,125,256    16,449,359
382,225,398   21,844,245
  Foreign currency
   related
   transactions.........       (58,529)             0          52,503              0             0
0            0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    45,182,166     89,769,570      88,075,454      4,125,256    16,449,359
382,225,398   21,844,245
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net change in
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    18,537,520     54,312,938     (54,214,289)   (17,882,408)      197,673
(290,896,507)  (1,065,798)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions..    63,719,686    144,082,508      33,861,165    (13,757,152)   16,647,032
91,328,891   20,778,447
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
  IN NET ASSETS
  RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS............   $64,399,560   $150,899,891    $ 77,642,696   $(10,201,339)  $21,380,786  $
106,468,305  $21,601,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
  year end from August to July, effective July 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       65
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           Year Ended August 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    BLUE CHIP
                                                                      FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                               <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $58,633)........   $ 5,155,917
 Interest.......................................................       533,010
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total income..................................................     5,688,927
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...................................................     1,794,364
 Distribution Plan expenses.....................................     1,535,556
 Transfer agent fees............................................       683,706
 Administrative service fees....................................        44,985
 Trustees' fees and expenses....................................         5,931
 Professional fees..............................................        41,471
 Custodian fees.................................................       136,192
 Printing.......................................................        31,980
 Registration fees..............................................        47,804
 Other..........................................................         6,423
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses................................................     4,328,412
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses.................................       (20,588)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..................................................     4,307,824
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..........................................     1,381,103
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS OR LOSSES ON SECURITIES AND
  FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or losses on:
  Securities....................................................    42,390,850
  Foreign currency related transactions.........................       (12,863)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains or losses on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions..........................................    42,377,987
 Net change in unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions.........................    35,362,301
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions.........................    77,740,288
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS...........   $79,121,391
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       66
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                            Year Ended July 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SMALL CAP
                      BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME  INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME    UTILITY
VALUE         FUND FOR
                        FUND*           FUND             FUND           FUND           FUND           FUND
TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                 <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income..........   $    679,874  $    6,817,383    $  43,781,531  $  3,555,813   $  4,733,754  $    15,139,414
$    822,896
 Net realized
  gains or losses
  on securities
  and foreign
  currency related
  transactions....     45,182,166      89,769,570       88,075,454     4,125,256     16,449,359
382,225,398    21,844,245
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions....     18,537,520      54,312,938      (54,214,289)  (17,882,408)       197,673
(290,896,507)   (1,065,798)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.....     64,399,560     150,899,891       77,642,696   (10,201,339)    21,380,786
106,468,305    21,601,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment
  income
  Class A.........       (572,879)     (1,133,476)        (582,857)     (585,054)    (3,623,474)
(4,928,756)     (457,652)
  Class B.........       (753,205)              0       (1,826,984)     (875,495)    (1,224,827)
(1,461,990)     (258,225)
  Class C.........            (10)              0          (40,251)     (178,326)       (12,408)
(15,608)      (55,586)
  Class Y.........              0      (5,146,565)     (41,136,147)   (1,701,966)       (71,410)
(11,332,854)         (895)
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A.........              0      (7,164,362)        (827,257)     (213,842)    (8,654,842)
(79,220,878)   (3,551,251)
  Class B.........    (51,043,219)    (23,729,561)      (3,160,159)     (507,582)    (3,545,873)
(55,199,824)   (7,082,118)
  Class C.........              0      (1,087,731)         (63,045)     (100,773)       (34,234)
(713,832)   (1,542,452)
  Class Y.........              0     (23,937,007)     (58,431,404)     (758,969)      (166,884)
(82,980,185)       (3,495)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions
   to
   shareholders...    (52,369,313)    (62,198,702)    (106,068,104)   (4,922,007)   (17,333,952)
(235,853,927)  (12,951,674)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.....    114,811,777     982,241,448       36,821,129   324,098,172     27,354,893
209,984,754    40,160,932
 Payment for
  shares
  redeemed........    (99,812,547)   (402,984,465)    (109,733,628)  (64,094,835)   (24,559,873)
(1,216,417,479)  (44,846,695)
 Net asset value
  of shares issued
  in reinvestment
  of
  distributions...     45,932,435      54,748,017       95,522,782     3,360,906      4,031,786
202,246,215    12,075,357
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Blanchard Growth
  & Income Fund...     17,510,672               0                0             0              0
0             0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Virtus Style
  Manager Fund....              0      75,922,310                0             0              0
0             0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  Virtus Style
  Manager; Large
  Cap Fund........              0               0                0             0              0
104,172,578             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions...     78,442,337     709,927,310       22,610,283   263,364,243      6,826,806
(700,013,932)    7,389,594
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets....     90,472,584     798,628,499       (5,815,125)  248,240,897     10,873,640
(829,399,554)   16,039,263
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period..........    312,935,481   1,348,692,379      956,468,952    58,845,186    130,382,673
1,820,221,920   163,337,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....   $403,408,065  $2,147,320,878    $ 950,653,827  $307,086,083   $141,256,313  $   990,822,366
$179,377,032
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income..........   $    (14,966) $      360,888    $  13,459,757  $    173,362   $     (7,868) $       (82,792)
$    430,969
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*For the eleven-month period ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
  year end from August to July, effective July 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       67
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                 Fiscal year ended July 31, or August 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SMALL CAP
                       BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME  INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME   UTILITY
VALUE          FUND FOR
                         FUND*          FUND**           FUND**         FUND**        FUND**         FUND**
TOTAL RETURN**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                  <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income............  $  1,381,103  $    2,407,908    $ 21,889,648    $   385,091  $  2,786,986  $   16,353,679
$    766,801
 Net realized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......    42,377,987      23,375,321      44,086,999      1,108,151    11,377,530
58,756,392      8,633,551
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......    35,362,301     188,382,086      42,180,501      6,035,485    (1,002,220)
239,837,361     15,979,989
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.......    79,121,391     214,165,315     108,157,148      7,528,727    13,162,296
314,947,432     25,380,341
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment income
  Class A...........             0        (357,479)       (248,453)       (11,097)   (2,030,267)
(2,943,697)      (368,590)
  Class B...........    (2,021,947)              0        (790,199)       (17,755)     (639,939)
(1,098,593)      (315,494)
  Class C...........             0               0         (19,512)        (6,915)       (6,346)
(9,131)       (78,332)
  Class Y...........             0      (2,157,823)    (20,540,101)      (297,079)      (40,667)
(10,102,012)             0
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A...........             0               0               0         (1,322)            0
0              0
  Class B...........   (30,039,258)              0               0         (2,116)            0
0              0
  Class C...........             0               0               0           (824)            0
0              0
  Class Y...........             0               0               0        (35,401)            0
0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total
    distributions to
    shareholders....   (32,061,205)     (2,515,302)    (21,598,265)      (372,509)   (2,717,219)
(14,153,433)      (762,416)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.......   103,353,377     465,092,821      17,909,857     50,579,448     2,117,468
210,144,988     63,866,407
 Payment for shares
  redeemed..........   (89,890,447)   (111,499,306)    (71,220,009)    (8,771,326)  (21,527,215)
(224,625,243)   (24,402,541)
 Net asset value of
  shares issued in
  reinvestment of
  distributions.....    27,593,101       1,997,489      18,977,783        204,650     2,197,790
10,671,545        680,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions.....    41,056,031     355,591,004     (34,332,369)    42,012,772   (17,211,957)
(3,808,710)    40,144,635
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets......    88,116,217     567,241,017      52,226,514     49,168,990    (6,766,880)
296,985,289     64,762,560
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period............   224,819,264     781,451,362     904,242,438      9,676,196   137,149,553
1,523,236,631     98,575,209
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD......  $312,935,481  $1,348,692,379    $956,468,952    $58,845,186  $130,382,673  $1,820,221,920
$163,337,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income............  $     16,188  $      (10,791)   $  1,748,160    $    54,884  $    170,484  $    2,948,270
$   (165,774)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the year ended August 31, 1997.
** Each of the Funds changed their fiscal year end to July 31. The Statements
   of Changes in Net Assets are for the following periods: for Growth and In-
   come Fund, Small Cap Equity Income Fund, Utility Fund and Value Fund, the
   seven-month period ended July 31, 1997; for Income and Growth Fund, the six-
   month period ended July 31, 1997 and for Fund for Total Return, the eight-
   month period ended July 31, 1997.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       68
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN
                            Growth and Income Funds

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                                 Prior Periods
                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     SMALL CAP
                      BLUE CHIP    GROWTH & INCOME INCOME & GROWTH EQUITY INCOME   UTILITY         VALUE
FUND FOR
                       FUND****        FUND**           FUND*         FUND**        FUND**         FUND**
TOTAL RETURN***
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                 <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment
  income..........   $  1,158,899   $  3,525,699    $ 45,851,306    $  207,498   $  5,338,113  $   25,598,949
$   853,438
 Net realized
  gains or losses
  on securities
  and foreign
  currency related
  transactions....     35,400,173     11,660,346      28,617,120       329,191      3,459,558
216,135,176      1,913,430
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions....     (2,334,533)   102,653,116      43,508,253       833,605     (3,509,310)     11,014,356
16,084,525
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations.....     34,224,539    117,839,161     117,976,679     1,370,294      5,288,361     252,748,481
18,851,393
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO
  SHAREHOLDERS
 From net
  investment
  income
  Class A.........              0       (347,567)       (379,400)       (7,618)    (3,887,411)
(5,758,586)      (539,949)
  Class B.........     (6,695,266)       (65,556)     (1,152,510)       (9,798)    (1,173,301)
(1,939,188)      (273,356)
  Class C.........              0         (2,719)        (39,024)         (710)       (11,835)
(14,165)      (112,998)
  Class Y.........              0     (3,098,681)    (45,453,926)     (186,039)      (229,804)
(19,538,457)             0
 From net realized
  gains
  Class A.........              0     (1,260,337)              0       (12,475)    (2,482,046)
(46,062,049)      (754,551)
  Class B.........     (8,574,523)    (3,666,284)              0       (27,933)      (986,367)
(27,670,352)      (808,105)
  Class C.........              0       (142,360)              0        (1,936)       (10,122)
(205,316)      (270,058)
  Class Y.........              0     (6,654,395)              0      (279,606)       (53,545)
(142,552,378)             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions
   to
   shareholders...    (15,269,789)   (15,237,899)    (47,024,860)     (526,115)    (8,834,431)   (243,740,491)
(2,759,017)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE
  TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.....     54,640,514    470,077,641      55,014,841     4,304,325     12,422,675     396,972,164
41,871,515
 Payment for
  shares
  redeemed........    (61,283,587)  (171,525,826)   (197,670,999)   (1,159,053)   (30,379,907)   (375,117,185)
(19,063,497)
 Net asset value
  of shares issued
  in reinvestment
  of
  distributions...     13,051,460     13,005,089      41,805,502       374,529      7,082,140
187,361,591      2,530,195
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Capital
  Appreciation
  Fund Class Y....              0    159,432,723               0             0              0
0              0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Select Value
  Fund Class Y....              0              0               0             0              0
95,883,824              0
 Shares issued in
  acquisition of
  FFB Lexicon
  Equity Fund
  Class Y.........              0              0               0             0              0
14,077,973              0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions...      6,408,387    470,989,627    (100,850,656)    3,519,801    (10,875,092)    319,178,367
25,338,213
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets....     25,363,137    573,590,889     (29,898,837)    4,363,980    (14,421,162)    328,186,357
41,430,589
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of
  period..........    199,456,127    207,860,473     934,141,275     5,312,216    151,570,715   1,195,050,274
57,144,620
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....   $224,819,264   $781,451,362    $904,242,438    $9,676,196   $137,149,553  $1,523,236,631
$98,575,209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net
  investment
  income..........   $  5,624,332   $      6,087    $  1,321,369    $    3,333   $    100,717  $      292,413
$  (233,100)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the year ended January 31, 1997.
** For the year ended December 31, 1996.
*** For the year ended November 30, 1996.
**** For the year ended August 31, 1996.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.
                                       69
<PAGE>

                     Combined Notes to Financial Statements
1. ORGANIZATION

The Evergreen Growth and Income Funds consist of Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
("Blue Chip"), Evergreen Growth and Income Fund ("Growth and Income"), Ever-
green Income and Growth Fund ("Income and Growth"), Evergreen Small Cap Equity
Income Fund ("Small Cap"), Evergreen Utility Fund ("Utility"), Evergreen Value
Fund ("Value") and Evergreen Fund for Total Return ("Total Return"), which are
collectively referred to herein as the "Funds". Each of the Funds is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as di-
versified, open-end management investment companies. Each Fund is a series of
the Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business Trust organized on September
18, 1997.

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares
are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C
shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing dis-
tribution fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent de-
ferred sales charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending on
how long the shares have been held. Class C shares are sold subject to a con-
tingent deferred sales charge payable on shares redeemed within one year after
the month of purchase. Class B shares purchased after January 1, 1997 will au-
tomatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B shares pur-
chased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion rights. Class
Y shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to contingent deferred
sales charges or distribution fees. Class Y shares are sold only to investment
advisory clients of First Union and its affiliates, certain institutional in-
vestors or Class Y shareholders of record of certain other funds managed by
First Union and its affiliates.

2. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN VALUE FUND

On January 21, 1998, Evergreen Value Fund, Class Y, executed a redemption in-
kind transaction of $793,367,277. This transaction resulted in the liquidation
of substantially all of the net assets of Value, Class Y shares. In turn, the
assets were transferred to Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund, Class I, an
institutional fund.

To fund this redemption, investment securities, excluding cash and cash equiva-
lents, with a market value of $774,879,156, including unrealized appreciation
of $221,367,103, were transferred. Additionally the Fund used cash and cash
equivalents of $23,488,121 to complete the transaction. The gains realized from
this sale of securities are not taxable to the Fund and are not required to be
distributed for federal income tax purposes.

3. ACQUISITION INFORMATION

Effective December 1, 1997, Signet Banking Corporation ("Signet") merged with
First Union Corporation ("First Union").

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Blue Chip acquired
substantially all of the net assets of Blanchard Growth & Income Fund, an open-
end management investment company managed by a subsidiary of Signet and regis-
tered under the 1940 Act, valued at $17,510,672. The net assets were exchanged
through a non-taxable transaction for 596,231 Class A shares of Blue Chip val-
ued at $29.37 per share. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfo-
lio securities with unrealized appreciation of $5,643,636. The aggregate net
assets of Blue Chip after the acquisition were $365,442,145.

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Growth and Income ac-
quired substantially all of the net assets of Virtus Style Manager Fund, an
open-end management investment company managed by a subsidiary of Signet and
registered under the 1940 Act, valued at $75,922,310. The net assets were ex-
changed through a non-taxable transaction for 2,555,807 Class Y shares of
Growth and Income valued at $29.71 per share. The acquired net assets consisted
primarily of portfolio securities with unrealized appreciation of $10,049,313.
The aggregate net assets of Growth and Income after the acquisition were
$1,945,327,504.

Effective at the close of business on February 27, 1998, Value acquired sub-
stantially all of the net assets of Virtus Style Manager; Large Cap Fund, an
open-end management investment company managed by a subsidi-

                                       70
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)
ary of Signet and registered under the 1940 Act, valued at $104,172,578. The
net assets were exchanged through a non-taxable transaction for 3,109,878 and
924,632 Class A and Y shares, respectively, of Value. The per share value on
the acquisition date was $25.82 and $25.83 for Class A and Class Y, respective-
ly. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with
unrealized appreciation of 28,824,982. The aggregate net assets of Value after
the acquisition were $1,097,437,360.

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently fol-
lowed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The poli-
cies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which re-
quire management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported
herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. Valuation of Securities
The Funds value securities traded on a national securities exchange or included
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NMS") at the last reported sales price
on the exchange where primarily traded. The Funds value securities traded on an
exchange or NMS for which there has been no sale and other securities traded in
the over-the-counter market at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
price. U.S. government obligations held by the Funds are valued at the mean be-
tween the over-the-counter bid and asked prices. Corporate bonds, other fixed-
income securities, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities are valued at
prices provided by an independent pricing service. In determining value for
normal institutional-size transactions, the pricing service uses methods based
on market transactions for comparable securities and analysis of various rela-
tionships between similar securities which are generally recognized by institu-
tional traders. Securities for which valuations are not available from an inde-
pendent pricing service, including restricted securities, are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith according to procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

B. Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held by the custodian on the Fund's behalf. Each
Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and will require the seller
to provide additional collateral in the event the market value of the securi-
ties pledged falls below the carrying value of the repurchase agreement, in-
cluding accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements
with banks and other financial institutions which are deemed by the investment
advisor to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of
Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion, Blue Chip and Total Return, along with certain other funds managed by
Keystone Investment Management Company ("Keystone"), a subsidiary of First
Union, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account.
These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are fully
collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations.

C. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
To obtain short-term financing, the Small Cap, Total Return, Utility and Value
may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with qualified third-party broker-
dealers. Interest on the value of reverse repurchase agreements is based upon
competitive market rates at the time of issuance. At the time a Fund enters
into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish and maintain a segre-
gated account with the custodian containing qualifying assets having a value
not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the
counterparty to the transaction is rendered insolvent, the ultimate realization
of the securities to be repurchased by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

                                       71
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

D. Foreign Currency
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.) dol-
lars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of ex-
change; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net
unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign cur-
rency exchange rates is a component of net unrealized gains or losses on secu-
rities and foreign currency related transactions. Net realized foreign currency
gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include: foreign cur-
rency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment se-
curities and foreign currency related transactions and the difference between
the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the
amount actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses re-
lated to fluctuations in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date
and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains or losses on secu-
rities transactions.

E. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated
in a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or liabili-
ties. Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market
daily. Realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are included in
net realized gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund
bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate
underlying the forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the
other party will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward con-
tracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

F. Security Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date there-
after when the Fund is made aware of the dividend. Foreign income may be sub-
ject to foreign withholding taxes which are accrued as applicable. Capital
gains realized on some foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and
are accrued as applicable.

G. Federal Taxes
The Funds intend to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, the Funds
will not incur any federal income tax liability since they are expected to dis-
tribute all of their net investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also intend to avoid
any excise tax liability by making the required distributions under the Code.
Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required. To the extent
that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is
each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

H. Distributions
Distributions from net investment income for the Funds, except Utility, are de-
clared and paid quarterly. Distributions for Utility from net investment income
are declared and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized capital gains,
if any, are paid at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded
at the close of business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in accor-
dance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted ac-
counting principles. The differences between financial statements amounts
available for distribution and distributions made in accordance with income tax
regulations are primarily due to differing treatment for certain distributions
received from real estate investment trusts and net realized foreign currency
gains (losses).

                                       72
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

I. Class Allocations
Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the rela-
tive net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are limited
to expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

J. Organization Expenses
Organization expenses incurred prior to June 30, 1998 are amortized to opera-
tions over a five-year period on a straight-line basis. In the event any of the
initial shares of the Funds are redeemed by any holder during the five-year am-
ortization period, redemption proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized or-
ganization expenses in the same proportion as the number of initial shares be-
ing redeemed bears to the number of initial shares outstanding at the time of
the redemption.

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized
with a $0.001 par value. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are cur-
rently divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Blue Chip currently
does not have any Class Y shares. Transactions in shares of the Funds were as
follows:

Blue Chip

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Period Ended               Year Ended                Year Ended
                             July 31, 1998 *            August 31, 1997           August 31, 1996
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............    812,276  $  24,596,278           0             0           0             0
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to
 Class A shares.........  9,140,449    250,374,069           0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed......... (1,203,287)   (36,027,532)          0             0           0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     14,697        447,340           0             0           0             0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Blanchard Growth &
 Income Fund............    596,231     17,510,672           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  9,360,366    256,900,827           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............  3,020,854     89,396,767   3,800,615  $103,353,377   2,238,539  $ 54,640,514
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to
 Class A shares......... (9,140,449)  (250,374,069)          0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed......... (2,178,914)   (63,756,605) (3,349,695)  (89,890,447) (2,509,938)  (61,283,587)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........  1,678,649     45,485,085   1,079,325    27,593,101     568,144    13,051,460
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (6,619,860)  (179,248,822)  1,530,245    41,056,031     296,745     6,408,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     26,608        818,732           0             0           0             0
Shares redeemed.........       (949)       (28,410)          0             0           0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........          0             10           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     25,659        790,332           0             0           0             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  2,766,165  $  78,442,337   1,530,245  $ 41,056,031     296,745  $  6,408,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1998.

                                       73
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Growth and Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Year Ended               Period Ended                Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998             July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  -------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  7,300,804  $ 214,673,895   2,967,692  $ 71,457,862   3,719,917  $  76,959,622
Shares redeemed......... (3,520,816)  (103,702,934)   (645,446)  (15,573,680) (1,044,500)   (21,729,967)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    287,118      8,071,240      14,532       352,344      69,271      1,546,893
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  4,067,106    119,042,201   2,336,778    56,236,526   2,744,688     56,776,548
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold............. 16,476,196    481,475,327   9,881,863   236,281,947   8,914,571    185,314,202
Shares redeemed......... (2,725,060)   (79,579,083)   (779,920)  (18,705,681)   (646,461)   (13,411,376)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    837,176     23,198,143         166         3,746     160,953      3,613,927
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 14,588,312    425,094,387   9,102,109   217,580,012   8,429,063    175,516,753
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............  1,131,563     32,986,181     511,624    12,290,220     348,918      7,294,757
Shares redeemed.........   (317,773)    (9,241,480)    (55,491)   (1,340,999)    (29,065)      (597,615)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     38,010      1,053,643           0             0       5,130        115,108
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    851,800     24,798,344     456,133    10,949,221     324,983      6,812,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............  8,658,868    253,053,137   6,060,064   145,062,792   9,899,164    200,509,060
Shares redeemed......... (7,135,642)  (210,408,060) (3,163,527)  (75,878,946) (6,820,349)  (135,786,868)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    797,581     22,424,991      67,571     1,641,399     349,251      7,729,161
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Virtus Style Manager
 Fund...................  2,555,807     75,922,310           0             0           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 FFB Lexicon Capital
 Appreciation Fund......          0              0           0             0   8,631,861    159,432,723
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  4,876,614    140,992,378   2,964,108    70,825,245  12,059,927    231,884,076
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 24,383,832  $ 709,927,310  14,859,128  $355,591,004  23,558,661  $ 470,989,627
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Income and Growth

<CAPTION>
                                Year Ended               Period Ended                Year Ended
                              July 30, 1998             July 31, 1997*            January 31, 1997
                         -------------------------  ------------------------  -------------------------
                           Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............    204,121  $   4,959,183      96,124  $  2,114,635     288,739  $   5,918,321
Shares redeemed.........   (112,612)    (2,739,976)    (51,264)   (1,121,079)    (80,074)    (1,646,836)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     56,318      1,325,926      10,209       225,329      16,567        341,281
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    147,827      3,545,133      55,069     1,218,885     225,232      4,612,766
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............    633,299     15,295,755     308,925     6,799,151     973,616     19,899,458
Shares redeemed.........   (310,711)    (7,455,874)   (123,038)   (2,685,666)   (128,458)    (2,649,792)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    198,183      4,626,554      32,359       710,178      48,861      1,003,747
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............    520,771     12,466,435     218,246     4,823,663     894,019     18,253,413
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     27,805        674,067       2,951        66,274      33,684        684,918
Shares redeemed.........    (16,763)      (402,792)     (9,060)     (189,123)    (15,865)      (328,507)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      3,708         86,620         712        15,602       1,429         29,305
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     14,750        357,895      (5,397)     (107,247)     19,248        385,716
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............    641,797     15,892,124     407,330     8,929,797   1,398,445     28,512,144
Shares redeemed......... (4,066,667)   (99,134,986) (3,049,701)  (67,224,141) (9,386,347)  (193,045,864)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........  3,795,361     89,483,682     816,636    18,026,674   1,968,663     40,431,169
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    370,491      6,240,820  (1,825,735)  (40,267,670) (6,019,239)  (124,102,551)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............  1,053,839  $  22,610,283  (1,557,817) $(34,332,369) (4,880,740) $(100,850,656)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from January 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

                                       74
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Small Cap

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Year Ended               Period Ended               Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998            July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  4,328,382  $ 72,341,164     246,413  $  3,587,404      23,318  $    285,774
Shares redeemed......... (1,207,491)  (20,046,565)     (2,663)      (37,984)    (17,926)     (213,193)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     45,725       753,748         854        12,209       1,564        19,575
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  3,166,616    53,048,347     244,604     3,561,629       6,956        92,156
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............  8,426,642   140,304,860     560,543     8,164,490      27,963       341,494
Shares redeemed.........   (803,676)  (13,366,175)     (9,769)     (142,514)       (966)      (11,697)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     79,883     1,323,369       1,366        19,472       2,883        36,358
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  7,702,849   128,262,054     552,140     8,041,448      29,880       366,155
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............  1,760,785    29,361,569     178,877     2,529,352       3,956        48,265
Shares redeemed.........   (281,072)   (4,699,621)     (6,447)      (91,950)     (1,838)      (22,125)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     16,111       266,637         524         7,467         136         1,697
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  1,495,824    24,928,585     172,954     2,444,869       2,254        27,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............  4,923,790    82,090,579   2,593,853    36,298,202     289,906     3,628,792
Shares redeemed......... (1,558,339)  (25,982,474)   (562,869)   (8,498,878)    (75,598)     (912,038)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     61,107     1,017,152      11,719       165,502      25,358       316,899
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............  3,426,558    57,125,257   2,042,703    27,964,826     239,666     3,033,653
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............ 15,791,847  $263,364,243   3,012,401  $ 42,012,772     278,756  $  3,519,801
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Utility

<CAPTION>
                               Year Ended               Period Ended               Year Ended
                              July 31, 1998            July 31, 1997*           December 31, 1996
                         ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                           Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............  1,266,778  $ 14,554,038      45,144  $    494,721     246,512  $  2,626,118
Shares redeemed......... (1,407,032)  (16,718,124) (1,294,589)  (14,079,531) (1,609,448)  (16,984,094)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    243,720     2,889,027     147,141     1,602,820     478,287     5,051,093
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    103,466       724,941  (1,102,304)  (11,981,990)   (884,649)   (9,306,883)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............    974,483    11,445,916     123,876     1,349,827     787,800     8,401,385
Shares redeemed.........   (551,773)   (6,555,500)   (611,224)   (6,601,705)   (630,402)   (6,652,890)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     93,247     1,107,337      52,424       571,837     183,056     1,935,353
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    515,957     5,997,753    (434,924)   (4,680,041)    340,454     3,683,848
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     13,355       157,299       1,231        13,731      25,812       274,673
Shares redeemed.........     (6,139)      (72,067)     (6,079)      (66,033)    (13,100)     (135,909)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........        980        11,662         536         5,855       1,963        20,723
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............      8,196        96,894      (4,312)      (46,447)     14,675       159,487
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............    100,754     1,197,639      23,627       259,189     106,165     1,120,499
Shares redeemed.........   (100,753)   (1,214,182)    (72,220)     (779,946)   (644,560)   (6,607,014)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      2,014        23,760       1,585        17,278       7,089        74,971
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............      2,015         7,217     (47,008)     (503,479)   (531,306)   (5,411,544)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    629,634  $  6,826,805  (1,588,548) $(17,211,957) (1,060,826) $(10,875,092)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

                                       75
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

Value

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Year Ended                  Period Ended                Year Ended
                                July 31, 1998               July 31, 1997*            December 31, 1996
                         ----------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------
                           Shares         Amount         Shares       Amount        Shares        Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............   1,587,252  $    40,192,765     948,931  $  21,010,689    1,109,850  $  23,895,251
Shares redeemed.........  (2,758,581)     (68,967,117) (1,099,102)   (24,085,514)  (1,836,296)   (39,736,035)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   3,563,487       81,070,016     127,041      2,835,467    2,371,895     49,562,452
Shares issued in the
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............   3,109,878       80,290,504           0              0            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............   5,502,036      132,586,168     (23,130)      (239,358)   1,645,449     33,721,668
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............   2,346,146       58,297,020   2,284,482     50,184,755    2,197,426     47,442,303
Shares redeemed.........  (1,290,986)     (31,809,835)   (709,716)   (15,577,742)    (873,740)   (18,943,891)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   2,433,973       55,281,719      48,527      1,086,571    1,374,236     28,693,188
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............   3,489,133       81,768,904   1,623,293     35,693,584    2,697,922     57,191,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     170,261        4,223,998      46,777      1,018,408       38,761        832,827
Shares redeemed.........     (72,103)      (1,793,135)    (16,263)      (355,395)     (17,818)      (377,207)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      31,015          701,653         410          9,201       10,328        215,421
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     129,173        3,132,516      30,924        672,214       31,271        671,041
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............   4,385,718      107,270,971   6,289,283    137,931,136   15,195,754    324,801,783
Shares redeemed......... (46,491,232)  (1,113,847,392) (8,383,008)  (184,606,592) (14,584,293)  (316,060,052)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........   2,771,230       65,192,827     302,057      6,740,306    5,208,388    108,890,530
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............     924,632       23,882,074           0              0            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of FFB
 Lexicon Select Value
 Fund...................           0                0           0              0    4,720,676     95,883,824
Shares issued in
 acquisition of FFB
 Equity Fund............           0                0           0              0      692,924     14,077,973
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (38,409,652)    (917,501,520) (1,791,668)   (39,935,150)  11,233,449    227,594,058
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (29,289,310) $  (700,013,932)   (160,581) $  (3,808,710)  15,608,091  $ 319,178,367
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31, effective
  July 31, 1997.

Total Return

<CAPTION>
                                 Year Ended                  Period Ended                Year Ended
                                July 31, 1998               July 31, 1997*            November 30, 1996
                         ----------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------
                           Shares         Amount         Shares       Amount        Shares        Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............     405,327  $     8,477,778     521,092  $   9,464,499      756,854  $  11,818,891
Shares redeemed.........    (476,275)      (9,979,937)   (564,385)   (10,121,645)    (446,563)    (6,837,747)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     192,513        3,761,047      18,071        331,175       71,945      1,193,118
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     121,565        2,258,888     (25,222)      (325,971)     382,236      6,174,262
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............   1,312,799       27,194,053   2,651,702     48,001,066    1,503,008     23,867,265
Shares redeemed.........  (1,328,176)     (27,515,826)   (609,684)   (11,087,288)    (534,970)    (8,156,600)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     348,818        6,752,535      15,072        275,911       57,897        974,432
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     333,441        6,430,762   2,057,090     37,189,689    1,025,935     16,685,097
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     212,115        4,372,780     350,562      6,315,824      398,635      6,185,359
Shares redeemed.........    (349,166)      (7,245,174)   (172,539)    (3,193,608)    (265,577)    (4,069,150)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      80,168        1,557,317       4,023         73,683       21,672        362,645
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............     (56,883)      (1,315,077)    182,046      3,195,899      154,730      2,478,854
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............       5,560          116,322       4,487         85,018            0              0
Shares redeemed.........      (5,138)        (105,758)          0              0            0              0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........         228            4,458           0              0            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............         650           15,022       4,487         85,018            0              0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............     398,773  $     7,389,595   2,218,401  $  40,144,635    1,562,901  $  25,338,213
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund share activity for Class Y shares reflect the period from June 10,
  1997 (commencement of class operations) through July 31, 1997. The Fund
  changed its fiscal year end from November 30 to July 31, effective July 31,
  1997.

                                       76
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term investments, were as follows for the period ended July 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Cost of        Proceeds
                                              Purchases      from Sales
         <S>                                <C>            <C>
                                            -----------------------------
         Blue Chip*........................ $  360,931,375 $  391,549,349
         Growth and Income.................    846,628,227    288,979,809
         Income and Growth.................  1,281,952,042  1,315,701,331
         Small Cap.........................    285,721,810     35,249,915
         Utility...........................     86,344,853     94,184,507
         Value.............................    902,213,731  1,820,554,640
         Total Return......................    107,895,706    127,869,229
</TABLE>
            -------
            * For the eleven-month period ended July 31,
              1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year end
              from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31,
              1998. For the year ended August 31, 1997, cost
              of purchases and proceeds from sales of in-
              vestment securities for Blue Chip, excluding
              short-term investments, were $295,493,216 and
              $285,581,225, respectively.

On July 31, 1998, the composition of unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of investment securities based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal
income tax purposes was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Net
                                           Gross        Gross       Unrealized
                                         Unrealized   Unrealized  Appreciation /
                            Tax Cost    Appreciation Depreciation (Depreciation)
                             ---------------------------------------------------
         <S>             <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
         Blue Chip.....  $  298,069,328 $ 87,560,884 $ 2,556,400   $ 85,004,484
         Growth and
          Income.......   1,747,719,854  510,629,570  80,376,773    430,252,797
         Income and
          Growth.......     896,608,201  117,051,419  71,847,090     45,204,329
         Small Cap.....     319,633,756   18,497,845  28,741,979    (10,244,134)
         Utility.......     121,862,772   24,225,433   7,043,779     17,181,654
         Value.........     786,172,180  244,288,036  29,342,797    214,945,239
         Total Return..     136,194,805   44,760,810   2,328,754     42,432,056
</TABLE>

7. DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (formerly, Evergreen Keystone Distributor, Inc.)
("EDI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The BISYS Group Inc. ("BISYS") serves as
principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans for each class of shares as allowed by
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution plans permit the fund to reimburse its
principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of the fund and for
various other services. These costs, which consist primarily of commissions and
services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the fund, are paid by share-
holders through expenses called "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class, ex-
cept Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the class. Class B and Class C also presently pay distribution
fees equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Distribution
Plan expenses are calculated daily and paid monthly. With respect to Class B
and Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay 12b-1 fees greater than
the allowable annual amounts the Fund is permitted to pay. The Fund may reim-
burse the principal underwriter for such excess amounts in later years with an-
nual interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%.

                                       77
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

During the period ended July 31, 1998, amounts paid to EDI and/or its predeces-
sor pursuant to each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution Plans
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended July 31, 1998
                                          ------------------------------
                                           Class A    Class B   Class C
         <S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>
                                          ------------------------------
         Blue Chip*...................... $  367,809 $1,259,943 $  1,062
         Growth and Income...............    597,754  7,890,229  377,404
         Income and Growth...............     34,738    520,041   11,305
         Small Cap.......................     80,328    755,179  153,142
         Utility.........................    243,362    413,364    4,199
         Value...........................  1,088,998  3,088,393   34,416
         Total Return....................    124,034  1,012,065  214,441
</TABLE>
            -------
            * For the eleven-month period ended July 31,
              1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year end
              from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31,
              1998. For the year ended August 31, 1997, Blue
              Chip paid $1,535,556 to EDI and/or its prede-
              cessor pursuant to the Fund's Class B Distri-
              bution Plan.

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the In-
dependent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of
the respective class.

Contingent deferred sales charges paid by redeeming shareholders are paid to
EDI or its predecessor.

8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED
 TRANSACTIONS

Keystone is the investment adviser for Blue Chip and Total Return. In return
for providing investment management and administrative services to Blue Chip
and Total Return, the Funds pay Keystone a management fee that is calculated
daily and paid monthly. The management fee for Blue Chip is determined by ap-
plying percentage rates starting at 0.70% and declining as assets increase to
0.35% per annum, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The manage-
ment fee for Total Return is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of Total Re-
turn's gross investment income plus an amount determined by applying percentage
rates starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net assets in-
crease, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Pursuant to an agreement with Growth and Income's, Income and Growth's and
Small Cap's investment adviser, Evergreen Asset Management Corp. ("Evergreen
Asset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Union, is entitled to an annual fee
based on each of Growth and Income's, Income and Growth's and Small Cap's aver-
age daily net assets, respectively, in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                         <C>
         First $750 million......................................... 1.00%
         Next $250 million.......................................... 0.90%
         Over $1 billion............................................ 0.80%
</TABLE>

Evergreen Asset has agreed to reimburse Small Cap to the extent that the Fund's
operating expenses (including the investment advisory fee and amortization of
organizational expenses but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions,
12b-1 distribution and shareholder services fees and extraordinary expenses)
exceed 1.50% of its average daily net assets. First Union and Evergreen Asset
can modify or terminate voluntary waivers at any time.

First Union is entitled to an annual fee of 0.50% Utility's and Value's average
daily net assets pursuant to each Fund's investment advisory agreement. First
Union voluntarily waived $204,617 of its fee for Utility for the year ended
July 31, 1998.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS") (formerly Evergreen Keystone Investment
Services, Inc.), a subsidiary of First Union, is the administrator and BISYS
Fund Services is sub-administrator to the Funds. As administrator, EIS provides
the Funds with facilities, equipment and personnel. As sub-administrator to the
Funds, BISYS Fund Services provides the officers of the Funds. The administra-
tor and sub-administrator for each Fund are entitled to an annual fee based on
the average daily net assets of the funds administered by EIS for which First
Union or its investment advisory subsidiaries are also the investment advisers.
The administration fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start
at 0.05% and decline to 0.01% per annum as net assets

                                       78
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)
increase, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The sub-administra-
tion fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start at 0.01% and
decline to .004% per annum as net assets increase, to the average daily net as-
set value of the Fund. For Blue Chip, Growth and Income, Income and Growth,
Small Cap and Total Return the administration and sub-administration fee is
paid by their respective investment adviser and is not a Fund expense. For the
year ended July 31, 1998, Utility and Value paid $42,854 and $438,523, respec-
tively, to EIS for providing administrative services.

For the period ended July 31, 1998, Blue Chip and Total Return paid $53,198 and
$33,743, respectively, to Keystone, as reimbursement of certain administrative
expenses.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a subsidiary of First Union, serves as the
transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, is the investment sub-adviser to
Growth and Income, Income and Growth, and Small Cap and also provides brokerage
services with respect to substantially all security transactions of each Fund
effected on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. For the year ended
July 31, 1998, Growth and Income, Income and Growth, and Small Cap incurred the
following brokerage commissions with Lieber & Company:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                    <C>
         Growth and Income..................................... $1,460,807
         Income and Growth.....................................  1,762,628
         Small Cap.............................................    305,350
</TABLE>

Lieber & Company is reimbursed by Evergreen Asset, at no additional expense to
the Fund, for its cost of providing investment advisory services.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone,
serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.

Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no compensation directly
from the Funds.

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT

The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with their custodian.
The assets deposited with the custodian under this expense offset arrangement
could have been invested in income-producing assets.

10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of the Funds may defer any or all compensation related
to performance of duties as a Trustee. Each Trustee's deferred balances are al-
located to deferral accounts which are included in the accrued expenses for
each Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts are based on the
investment performance of certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses
incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in each Funds' Trustees' fees
and expenses. Trustees will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly in-
stallments for up to ten years at their election, not earlier than either the
year in which the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees or
January 1, 2000. As of July 31, 1998, the value of the Trustees deferral ac-
count for Blue Chip, Growth and Income, Income and Growth, Small Cap, Utility,
Value and Total Return was $7,071, $32,760, $87,575, $8,678, $7,867, $82,792
and $2,334.

11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

On October 31, 1996, a financing agreement among certain of the Evergreen
Funds, State Street Bank & Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks (the
"Banks") became effective. Under this agreement, the Banks provided an
unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $225 million ($112.5 mil-
lion committed and $112.5 million uncommitted) allocated evenly among the
Banks. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 0.75% per annum above
the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.10% per annum was incurred on the
unused portion of the committed facility, which was allocated to all partici-
pating Funds. State Street served as agent for the Banks, and as agent was en-
titled to a fee of $15,000 which was allocated to all of the participating
Funds. This agreement was terminated on October 31, 1997.

                                       79
<PAGE>

               Combined Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

On October 31, 1997, a temporary financing agreement between the participating
Funds and First Union became effective. Under this agreement, First Union pro-
vided a fully committed unsecured credit facility in the aggregate amount of
$300 million. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at 1.00% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. State Street served as administrative agent under
this agreement, but received no compensation for its services. This agreement
was terminated on December 22, 1997.

On December 22, 1997, a financing agreement among all of the Evergreen Funds,
State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks became effec-
tive. Under this agreement, the Banks provide an unsecured credit facility in
the aggregate amount of $400 million ($275 million committed and $125 million
uncommitted). The credit facility is allocated among the Banks, under the terms
of the financing agreement. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds
for temporary or emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrow-
ing restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per an-
num above the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be
incurred on the unused portion of the committed facility, which will be allo-
cated to all funds. State Street serves as administrative agent for the Banks,
and as administrative agent is entitled to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is
allocated to all of the Funds.

During the period ended July 31, 1998, the Funds, except Income and Growth, had
no significant borrowings under these agreements. At July 31, 1998, Income and
Growth had a balance pursuant to this agreement of $12,800,000.

12. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Utility invests a substantial portion of its assets in issuers in the Utilities
industry, therefore, it may be more affected by economic and political develop-
ments in that industry than would be a comparable general equity fund.


                                       80
<PAGE>

                         Independent Auditors' Reports
The Trustees and Shareholders of
Evergreen Equity Trust

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, includ-
ing the schedules of investments, of six of the funds comprising Evergreen Eq-
uity Trust as listed below as of July 31, 1998, and the related statements of
operations, statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for
each of the years or periods listed below:

  Evergreen Blue Chip Fund -- statements of operations for the eleven months
  ended July 31, 1998 and the year ended August 31, 1997, statements of
  changes in net assets for the eleven months ended July 31, 1998 and each of
  the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 1998 and financial high-
  lights for the periods presented on pages 30 and 31.

  Evergreen Growth and Income Fund -- statement of operations for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended
  July 31, 1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended De-
  cember 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages
  32 and 33, except for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996. The fi-
  nancial highlights for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996 were au-
  dited by other auditors, whose opinion thereon dated February 15, 1996 was
  unqualified.

  Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund -- statement of operations for the
  year ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended
  December 31, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on
  pages 36 and 37, except for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996.
  The financial highlights for the periods ended prior to December 31, 1996
  were audited by other auditors, whose opinion thereon dated February 15,
  1996 was unqualified.

  Evergreen Utility Fund -- statement of operations for the year ended July
  31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
  1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages 38 and 39.

  Evergreen Value Fund -- statement of operations for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the statements of changes in net assets for the year ended July 31,
  1998, the seven months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
  1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages 40 and 41.

  Evergreen Fund for Total Return -- statement of operations for the year
  ended July 31, 1998, statements of changes in net assets for the year ended
  July 31, 1998, the eight months ended July 31, 1997 and the year ended No-
  vember 30, 1996 and financial highlights for the periods presented on pages
  42 and 43.

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of
the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these fi-
nancial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted audited stan-
dards. Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial high-
lights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of
securities owned as of July 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall fi-
nancial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ever-
green Blue Chip Fund, Evergreen Growth and Income Fund, Evergreen Small Cap Eq-
uity Income Fund, Evergreen Utility Fund, Evergreen Value Fund and Evergreen
Fund for Total Return (six of the funds comprising Evergreen Equity Trust) as
of July 31, 1998, the results of their operations, changes in their net assets
and financial highlights for each of the years or periods specified in the
first paragraph above in conformity with generally accepted accounting princi-
ples.

                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
September 4, 1998

                                       81
<PAGE>

                         Independent Auditors' Reports
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund

In our opinion, the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, including
the Schedule of Investments, and the related Statements of Operations and of
Changes in Net Assets and the Financial Highlights present fairly, in all mate-
rial respects, the financial position of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund (the
"Fund") at July 31, 1998, the results of its operations for the year then ended
and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year
ended July 31, 1998, the period ended July 31, 1997, and the year ended January
31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "finan-
cial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our respon-
sibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and per-
form the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presenta-
tion. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at
July 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above. The financial highlights presented for each of
the years or periods ended through January 31, 1996 were audited by other audi-
tors, whose report dated March 31, 1996 was unqualified.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
September 15, 1998

                                       82
<PAGE>


                FEDERAL TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS (Unaudited)

 Pursuant to section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Funds have
 designated the following amounts as long-term 28% capital gain dis-
 tributions and long-term 20% capital gain distributions for the fis-
 cal year ended July 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Aggregate          Per Share
                                  ----------------------- -------------
                                      28%         20%      28%    20%
                                      ---------------------------------
         <S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>    <C>
         Blue Chip............... $18,080,605 $16,417,783 $1.758 $1.597
         Growth and Income.......  14,384,603  26,192,557  0.259  0.471
         Income and Growth.......           0           0  0.000  0.000
         Small Cap...............      81,536     420,422  0.004  0.022
         Utility.................   5,039,111   2,587,648  0.420  0.215
         Value...................  77,345,830 115,539,118  1.734  2.591
         Total Return............   4,898,662   4,494,746  0.590  0.541
</TABLE>

 For corporate shareholders, the following percentages of ordinary in-
 come dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 quali-
 fied for the dividends received deduction.

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                        <C>
         Blue Chip................................................. 35.96%
         Growth and Income......................................... 43.91%
         Income and Growth......................................... 14.91%
         Small Cap................................................. 72.93%
         Utility................................................... 79.50%
         Value..................................................... 83.91%
         Total Return.............................................. 57.85%
</TABLE>


                                       83
<PAGE>

                                Evergreen Funds
<TABLE>

<S>                                             <C>                                              <C>
Money Market                                    Income                                           Domestic Growth
Treasury Money Market Fund                      Capital Preservation and Income Fund             Strategic Growth
Fund
Money Market Fund                               Short Intermediate Bond Fund                     Stock Selector
Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund                     Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund     Evergreen Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund        Intermediate Term Bond Fund                      Omega Fund
                                                U.S. Government Fund                             Small Company
Growth Fund
Tax Exempt                                      Diversified Bond Fund                            Aggressive
Growth Fund
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund               Strategic Income Fund                            Micro Cap Fund
High Grade Tax Free Fund                        High Yield Bond Fund
Tax Free Fund                                                                                    Global
International
California Tax Free Fund                        Balanced                                         Global Leaders
Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund                 American Retirement Fund                         International
Growth Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund                     Balanced Fund                                    Global
Opportunities Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund                    Precious Metals
Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund                     Foundation Fund                                  Emerging Markets
Growth Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund                                                                     Latin America
Fund
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund                     Growth & Income
Missouri Tax Free Fund                          Utility Fund                                     Express Line
New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund                 Income and Growth Fund                           800.346.3858
New York Tax Free Fund                          Fund for Total Return
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund              Value Fund                                       Investor Services
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund                      Blue Chip Fund                                   800.343.2898
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund              Growth and Income Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund                    Small Cap Equity Income Fund                     Retirement Plan
Services
                                                                                                 800.247.4075


www.evergreenfunds.com
</TABLE>


63305                                                   543691  RV0  9/98


                                                        ---------------
                                                           BULK RATE
                                                          U.S. POSTAGE
                                                              PAID
                                                         PERMIT NO. 19
                                                           HUDSON, MA
                                                        ---------------

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS(SM)
APPEARS HERE]

200 BERKELEY STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116




                                                         Evergreen

                                                         Balanced
                                                           Funds


September 30, 1998

 Semiannual Report


                                                          [ARTWORK APPEARS HERE]

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS/SM/ APPEARS HERE]



<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Table of Contents
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Letter to Shareholders...................................................... 1

Evergreen American Retirement Fund

   Fund at a Glance......................................................... 2

   Portfolio Manager Interview.............................................. 3

Evergreen Balanced Fund

   Fund at a Glance......................................................... 6

   Portfolio Manager Interview.............................................. 7

Evergreen Foundation Fund

   Fund at a Glance.........................................................11

   Portfolio Manager Interview..............................................12

Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund

   Fund at a Glance.........................................................16

   Portfolio Manager Interview..............................................17

Financial Highlights

   Evergreen American Retirement Fund.......................................21

   Evergreen Balanced Fund..................................................23

   Evergreen Foundation Fund................................................25

   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund..................................27

Schedule of Investments

   Evergreen American Retirement Fund.......................................29

   Evergreen Balanced Fund..................................................33

   Evergreen Foundation Fund................................................40

   Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund..................................46

Statements of Assets and Liabilities........................................53

Statements of Operations....................................................54

Statements of Changes in Net Assets.........................................55

Combined Notes to Financial
Statements..................................................................58



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Evergreen Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evergreen Funds is one of the nation's fastest growing investment companies with
approximately $50 billion in assets under management.

With over 70 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
capabilities, investors enjoy a broad range of quality investment products and
services designed to meet their needs.

The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
service and excellence in investment management.



This semiannual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
Evergreen fund contained herein. The prospectus contains more complete
information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully before
investing or sending money.

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Mutual Funds:    ARE NOT FDIC INSURED   May lose value . Are not bank guaranteed
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------

                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
    Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.

<PAGE>

                             Letter to Shareholders
                             ----------------------
                                  November 1998
                                  --------


[PHOTO OF WILLIAM M. ENNIS APPEARS HERE]

William M. Ennis
Managing Director

Dear Shareholders:

We are pleased to provide you the Evergreen Balanced Funds semiannual report
covering the six-month period ended September 30, 1998.

Market Volatility

The financial markets have certainly experienced volatility in the past few
months. After a five-year period of unprecedented growth, the stock market
peaked on July 17, 1998, when prices were at historic highs relative to
benchmarks such as corporate profits and dividends. Since that point, fears of
foreign currency devaluations, political turbulence and instability abroad have
produced an uncertain market. Through September, the market all but lost its
year-to-date gains, and then in October was on the rise, nearing the levels of
July's peak. We encourage you to take this opportunity to review your investment
time horizon and ensure you are on track with your goals. We also encourage you
to consider an invaluable strategy of investing during uncertain times: Dollar
Cost Averaging./1/ By investing a little at a time in regular intervals, you can
remain focused on your investment goals and not worry about predicting market
trends. Contact your investment representative or call us at 800.343.2898 to
start your Systematic Investment Plan today.

Year 2000/2/

The year 2000 is nearly upon us, and unlike some we are looking forward to it.
We have been addressing the Year 2000 issue since February 1996 and have adopted
an industry best practices methodology for the project. Our team is on schedule
to complete the following milestones: Inventory and Assessment, Remediation,
Testing and Contingency. We believe that for Evergreen shareholders, the
transition into the next millennium should be seamless, with virtually no impact
on the products and services you receive from us.

Cost Savings

In an effort to achieve efficiencies and cost savings, we are combining your
funds' required mailings so you only receive one per household, based on the
registration last name and exact address./3/ This reduces the mailing costs, not
to mention the amount of paper needed to print, which in turn benefits your
funds by reducing the overall expenses. If you prefer to receive separate copies
of reports and prospectuses for each registered holder in your household, please
notify us by calling the number on your statement and we will adjust our records
accordingly.

Thank you for your continued investment with Evergreen Funds.

Sincerely,


/s/ William M. Ennis

William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds


Good News!

Effective for the 1998 Tax Year, long-term capital gains taxes are reduced to
20%.


/1/ This type of plan does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a
    declining market.
/2/ The information above constitutes Year 2000 readiness
    disclosure.
/3/ If you purchased your shares through a financial representative,
    we may not be able to consolidate your mailings
    by last name and address, because that institution controls the mailings.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998

We continue to have confidence in the Fund's long-term strategy, but our
emphasis on mid-cap value stocks and short-term government bonds contributed to
disappointing performance during the six-month period.



                                    Portfolio
                                   Management
                  ------------------------------------------
                   [PHOTO OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                              Irene D. O'Neill, CFA
                               Tenure: March 1988

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The Wilshire 5000 Index and the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index are unmanaged indices and do not include any
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Class A    Class B    Class C    Class Y
Inception Date                     1/3/95     1/3/95     1/3/95    3/14/88
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge        -14.62%    -15.12%    -11.57%      n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge         -10.36%    -10.71%    -10.68%    -10.25%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge           -7.97%     -8.72%     -4.98%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge            -3.38%     -4.13%     -4.06%     -3.14%
 ................................................................................
5 years                               --         --         --       9.46%
 ................................................................................
10 years                              --         --         --      10.63%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                    12.15%     12.17%     12.78%     10.43%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                4.75%      5.00%      1.00%      n/a
                                 Front End     CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC yield                    2.90%      2.30%      2.29%      3.30%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                          $0.25      $0.19      $0.19      $0.27
 ...............................................................................
* Adjusted for maximum sales charge.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

               CPI            LBGCBI        Wilshire 5000     Class A Shares
 1/3/95       10,000          10,000            10,000              9,525
 9/30/95      10,234          11,393            13,014             11,362
 9/30/96      10,541          11,906            15,476             12,740
 9/30/97      10,768          13,048            21,362             15,903
 9/30/98      10,929          14,727            22,064             15,365

Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen American Retirement Fund Class
A, versus a similar investment in the Wilshire 5000 Index, the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Wilshire 5000 Index is an unmanaged index of the largest 5,000 publicly
traded U.S. stocks and is considered a broad stock market average, so it gives
more weight to smaller companies than does the S&P 500.

The Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index is a broad measure of the
performance of government and corporate fixed-rate debt issues.

2
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did the Fund perform?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a difficult six-month period for investment strategies that emphasize the
types of stocks and bonds that have been the cornerstone of the American
Retirement Fund's successful long-term strategy. As a consequence, the Fund
lagged industry benchmarks. For the six months that ended on September 30, 1998,
the Fund's Class A, B, C and Y shares had total returns, of -10.36%, -10.71%,
- -10.68% and -10.25%, respectively. All returns are unadjusted for any applicable
sales charges. During the same six-month period, the average balanced fund had a
return of -5.37%, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an
independent monitor of mutual fund performance.

                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                  $219,683,952
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         162
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.65
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                13.4x
 ................................................................................



How did the investment environment affect the Fund?

The investment environment did not favor the investments that the Evergreen
American Retirement Fund traditionally has emphasized. The Fund's equity
strategy focuses on value-oriented, mid-cap stocks because we believe they offer
superior, long-term, capital appreciation potential. In addition, the Fund's
fixed-income strategy focuses on short-term U.S. government securities because
of their historical price stability and reliability of income. Unfortunately,
during the six-month period, mid-cap value stocks and shorter-term fixed income
securities were not in favor; investors favored large-company growth stocks and
longer-maturity government bonds.

At the end of the period, for example, the median market capitalization of
stocks in the Fund's portfolio was $2.1 billion and the average maturity of
bonds was 4.6 years. In contrast, the typical balanced mutual fund owned stocks
with a median market capitalization of $16.9 billion and bonds with an average
maturity of 9.7 years. During a period of high volatility and uncertainty in the
equity market and falling interest rates in the bond market, investors preferred
large company growth stocks and longer-maturity government bonds.

We continue to have confidence in the Fund's long-term strategy, but our
emphasis on mid-cap value stocks and short-term government bonds contributed to
disappointing performance during the six-month period. We believe investors have
overlooked extremely attractive values in the mid-cap area, and these stocks
still offer superior, long-term growth opportunities. We also believe the
shorter-term government securities continue to offer stability and reliable
income that are important ingredients of our long-term approach.

Did you make any asset allocation or tactical changes during the six months?

We decreased the equity and convertible securities allocations slightly and
increased the fixed income portion of the portfolio to position the Fund more
defensively in a time of uncertainty and volatility in the equity markets.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                ASSET ALLOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     March 31, 1998         September 30, 1998

Stocks                                    44.0%                   42.5%
 ................................................................................
Convertible Securities                    27.2%                   22.9%
 ................................................................................
Fixed Income                              26.8%                   32.4%
 ................................................................................
Cash & Equivalents                         2.0%                    2.2%
 ................................................................................

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What were your principal equity strategies, and how did they change during the
period?

Within the equity portion of the portfolio, we increased the allocation to
utility stocks because of their defensive characteristics. We reduced our
positions in stocks and convertible securities that appeared fully valued or in
which we had concerns about the fundamental outlooks of the underlying
companies.

We continued to seek out undervalued securities of restructuring companies that
have the potential to enhance earnings. Among the companies we favored were:
Armstrong World, the flooring and building material company; Arvin Industries
and Simpson Industries, both involved in the automotive parts industry; Tenneco,
a diversified company involved in both packaging and the automotive parts
industries; and Thomas & Betts, an electrical components supplier.

We also looked for opportunities among stable earnings companies in the
consumer, non-cyclical area because these companies typically perform well in
economic downturns. Two good examples were Ruddick, which operates supermarkets
in the Southeast, and Lancaster Colony, which produces consumer products,
including food, glassware and candles.


                               Top 5 Industries --
                                     Equity
                                     ------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Utilities -- Electric                                                  8.1%
 ................................................................................
  Banks                                                                  6.9%
 ................................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                    5.5%
 ................................................................................
  Oil / Energy                                                           3.7%
 ................................................................................
  Retailing & Wholesale                                                  3.5%
 ................................................................................


Did any themes or areas help the performance of the Fund?

Yes. As in the past, the Fund's emphasis on value stocks led us to invest in
companies that became takeover targets. During the six months, one Fund holding
was acquired, and another three were subjects of pending acquisitions.
Mercantile Stores has been acquired by Dillard's, a larger department store
chain, providing a healthy gain for the Fund. In addition, Amoco is the subject
of a pending takeover by British Petroleum; Crestar, a bank, is expected to be
acquired by Sun Trust; and TCI Communications, a cable company, is the subject
of an acquisition offer by AT&T.

The best-performing industry group was publishing, broadcast and entertainment.
Our primary holdings were cable and entertainment companies, which continued to
enjoy strong earnings growth and which had very little exposure to foreign
problems. We expect the expansion of cable services and products to offer the
industry new opportunities for revenue growth. In addition to TCI, other
investments that performed well were Cox Communications, where we own the
convertible security, and Time Warner, where we own both the common stock and
the convertible.

Another group that did well was the electric utility industry. Electric
utilities are good defensive stocks because their earnings tend to hold up well
in downturns, they have relatively high dividend yields, and they benefit from
declining interest rates. Deregulation in this industry is producing benefits
for many companies, both in revenue growth and merger and acquisition
opportunities.

The Fund's investment in the convertible security of Air Touch, a major provider
of wireless communications service, also was very successful.

4
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What has been your strategy with the fixed-income allocation in the portfolio?

We have continued to focus on short-term, U.S. government agency securities,
with only a very minimal commitment to corporate bonds. Government agency
securities provide the highest credit quality, with a better yield than
Treasuries. We have been able to obtain an average yield advantage of more than
one percentage point by investing in agencies rather than Treasuries with
comparable maturities.

While shorter-term bonds tend to underperform longer-term bonds in a declining
interest rate environment, such as we have been experiencing, they offer price
stability and provide a good balance to the equities in the portfolio.

                                  Fixed Income
                                   Allocation
                                   ----------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Government Agency-- Notes & Bonds                                     30.2%
 ................................................................................
  Treasury Notes & Bonds                                                 0.8%
 ................................................................................
  Banks                                                                  0.5%
 ...............................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                    0.5%
 ................................................................................
  Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                 0.4%
 ................................................................................


What is your outlook?

We expect the U.S. economy to slow over the next few months as a result of
global economic problems. The Federal Reserve Board, however, is expected to
continue to lower short-term interest rates to stimulate the economy and offset
the softness created by international events.

In this environment, we will be looking for good value. Currently, we see
opportunities in many stocks with above-average dividend yields and strong
prospects for earnings growth once the economy starts to improve. We believe
this value sector has been overlooked by the market and offers investors good
potential for capital appreciation.


                                     Top 10
                                 Equity Holdings
                                 ---------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Marketspan Corp.                                                       1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Houston Industries, Inc.                                               1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Sempra Energy                                                          1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Puget Sound Energy, Inc.                                               1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
  6.00% STRYPES, Due 6/1/99 (exch. for
  Cox Communications, Inc. common stock)                                 1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Family Golf Centers, Inc.                                              1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Texas Utilities Co.                                                    1.0%
 ................................................................................
  Norwest Corp.                                                          1.0%
 ................................................................................
  U.S. West, Inc.                                                        1.0%
 ................................................................................
  Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.                                  1.0%
 ................................................................................

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


We made a change in early June to take advantage of the defensive protection
that high quality bonds can provide in a period of extreme volatility in the
stock market.


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                  ------------------------------------------
                     [PHOTO OF CHRIS CONKEY APPEARS HERE]

                                  Chris Conkey
                               Tenure: August 1998

                     [PHOTO OF JUDITH WARNERS APPEARS HERE]

                                 Judith Warners
                               Tenure: August 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.


The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 and the LBGCBI are unmanaged indices and do
not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or
any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does
not represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                          Class A  Class B   Class C   Class Y
Inception Date                            1/20/98  9/11/35   1/22/98   1/26/98
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                 -7.52%   -7.96%    -4.14%     n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  -2.91%   -3.18%    -3.18%   -2.71%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                      --     1.17%       --      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                       --     5.71%       --       --
 ................................................................................
5 years                                       --    11.58%       --       --
 ................................................................................
10 years                                      --    11.44%       --       --
 ................................................................................
Since Inception**                          -0.99%    8.42%     3.21%    7.25%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                        4.75%    5.00%     1.00%     n/a
                                          Front End  CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC yield                            2.99%    2.39%     2.39%    3.38%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends per share         $0.22    $0.18     $0.18    $0.24
 ................................................................................

 * Adjusted for maximum sales charge.
** Represents cumulative returns for Class A, C, and Y shares as these classes
   opened in January 1998 and do not have annual returns yet.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                 CPI          LBGCBI         S & P 500      Class B
     9/30/88    10,000        10,000           10,000         9,525
     9/30/89    10,434        11,132           13,301        12,148
     9/30/90    11,077        11,884           12,071        11,513
     9/30/91    11,452        13,768           15,834        14,068
     9/30/92    11,795        15,590           17,853        15,146
     9/30/93    12,112        17,374           19,869        16,879
     9/30/94    12,471        16,655           20,602        16,508
     9/30/95    12,788        19,045           26,730        19,484
     9/30/96    13,172        19,903           32,165        22,576
     9/30/97    13,456        21,811           45,175        27,933
     9/30/98    13,656        24,618           49,261        29,528

Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Balanced Fund Class B, versus a
similar investment in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Lehman
Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index (LBGCBI), and the Consumer Price Index
(CPI).

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded
U.S. stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market.

The Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index is a broad measure of the
performance of government and corporate fixed-rate debt issues.

6
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the six months?

In a fast-changing and highly volatile environment, the Fund had negative
performance during the period, despite outperforming the industry average for
balanced funds. For the six months that ended on September 30, 1998, the
Balanced Fund's Class A, B, C and Y shares had total returns of-2.91%, -3.18%,
- -3.18% and -2.71%, respectively. These returns are unadjusted for any applicable
sales charges. During the same six-month period, the average balanced mutual
fund had a return of -5.37%, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an
independent monitor of mutual fund performance.


                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                $1,700,160,383
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         234
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.92
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                29.4x
 ................................................................................

What was the investment environment like during the period?

The six months actually encompassed two very different periods. As we started
the new fiscal year in early April, the market environment featured relatively
stable interest rates and rising equity prices. During this period, the
principal investment fear was that the economic growth might overheat, setting
off inflationary pressures and leading to higher interest rates. This period
continued through mid-July when the environment abruptly changed because the
Russian financial collapse made people realize that international economic
problems were much more serious and had a greater potential impact on the U.S.
economy than investors had assumed. In the U.S., we went from fear of too much
economic growth to fear of too little growth because of the ripple effects of
problems throughout the emerging markets. Both the stock and the bond markets
were affected, and the most immediate problems were created by concerns about
liquidity as well as concerns about the solvency of institutions.

The stock market, as reflected by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, fell by
approximately 20% between mid-July and the end of September. The price losses
spanned different industries, but particularly affected financial services
companies, which began to anticipate lower earnings in July and August. In
addition, investors began to be concerned that credit quality would start to
deteriorate.

In the bond market, the global flight to quality rewarded investors in U.S.
Treasuries, which outperformed bonds carrying credit risk. As investors sought
out high quality bonds, the yields of the 30-year Treasury declined by almost a
full percentage point, to 5.10%, with yields on intermediate Treasuries
declining even more -- by 1.4%. As a consequence, the price of Treasuries
appreciated. At the end of the period, the Federal Reserve Board began to ease
monetary policy, reducing short-term interest rates by one-quarter of one
percent.


Did asset allocation between stocks and bonds change during the six months?

Yes. At the end of the fiscal period, the Fund was as conservatively positioned
as it is likely to be, with 52% of net assets in stocks and 48% in bonds. In
contrast, at the start of the period on April 1, the Fund was approximately 60%
in equities and 40% in bonds.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


We made a change in early June to take advantage of the defensive protection
that high quality bonds can provide in a period of extreme volatility in the
stock market. This reallocation helped the Fund's performance.

Over the long run, we expect stocks to outperform bonds and the Fund's
allocation will reflect that. During the current, very unusual period, however,
we believe it makes sense to have a relatively heavy weighting in bonds because
of the strong performance in the fixed income market and the greater protection
high grade bonds offer during market volatility.


                               Top 5 Industries --
                                     Equity
                                     ------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Healthcare Products & Services                                      11.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Oil / Energy                                                         7.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Finance & Insurance                                                  3.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Utilities -- Telephone                                               3.5%
 ...............................................................................
  Utilities -- Electric                                                3.3%
 ...............................................................................


What strategies did you pursue in managing the equity portion of the portfolio?

We kept the equity allocation diversified across many sectors, but we did make
some changes. At the start of the period, the Fund's largest weightings were in
the financial services and healthcare sectors. We reduced both weightings, and
cut the financial services area more significantly because we were concerned
about this sector's vulnerability to foreign problems. We also were worried
about a possible deterioration in the quality of bank loans. In healthcare, we
moved to a weighting more in line with overall market indices, but increased
diversification across the entire industry, with investments in pharmaceuticals,
hospital management companies and medical equipment companies.

One notable change was to increase the investments in industry-leading growth
companies, including companies that historically have not paid dividends,
especially in technology, which had been under-represented in the Fund. We
bought stocks in established companies that were market leaders, such as
Microsoft, EMC, Sun Microsystems and Medtronics, and we maintained a healthy
investment in IBM. We also slightly increased the investments in more defensive
industries such as food, regional telephone companies and utilities.


What companies have helped performance?

General Electric, a major investment by the Fund, continued to support
performance, although we did trim back the position somewhat to take profits.
Several pharmaceutical companies also have helped, including Schering-Plough and
Warner-Lambert, as well as the technology holdings such as IBM, EMC and Sun
Microsystems.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Common Stock -- 49.3%
Corporate Notes/Bonds -- 20.3%
Mortgage Backed Securities -- 9.7%
Asset Backed Securities -- 6.1%
Foreign Bonds* -- 5.4%
Cash and Equivalents -- 4.4%
Convertibles -- 2.7%
Treasury Notes/Bonds -- 1.6%
Government Agency/Notes Bonds -- 0.5%

* All foreign securities are high quality, with currency hedged to protect
against fluctuations.

8
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What strategies did you pursue in managing the fixed-income portion of the
portfolio?

We have significantly increased the fixed-income allocation, but our policy in
managing the fixed income component has been very consistent. We have over-
weighted quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities because of their
yield advantage over government bonds, while maintaining a very high credit
quality. Average credit quality was AA on September 30. We have focused on
structure in the fixed income portfolio, meaning we have invested in bonds that
offer protection against early redemption by their issuers. This is very
important in a declining interest rate environment, because it allows the Fund
to retain the higher yields of existing bonds. We also have concentrated on
bonds from defensive industries, including insurance, defense and utilities.
About 10% of the fixed income portfolio has been in U.S. Treasuries.

The fixed income portfolio also has a slightly longer average maturity than the
average bond fund. On September 30, average-weighted maturity was 11 years, and
duration was 5.1 years. This has helped performance as interest rates declined
and the prices of higher-rated bonds tended to rise.


                              Top 5 Industries --
                                      Bonds
                                      -----
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Finance & Insurance                                                    6.5%
 ................................................................................
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations                                    6.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Asset-Backed Securities                                                6.1%
 ................................................................................
  Foreign Bonds (Non-U.S. Dollars)                                       4.2%
 ................................................................................
  Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates                                     3.5%
 ................................................................................


                                      Top 5
                                  Bond Holdings
                                  -------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Federal National Mortgage Association
  (various rates and maturities)                                         2.3%
 ................................................................................
  Realkredit Danmark, 6.00% 10/1/2026                                    1.9%
 ................................................................................
  U.S. Treasury Bonds (various rates and maturities)                     1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Nykredit                                                               1.3%
 ................................................................................
  United Kingdom Treasury, 7.25% 12/7/2007                               1.0%
 ................................................................................


What is the outlook?

We expect the economy, as reflected by Real Gross Domestic Product, to continue
to grow in 1998; however, there is the potential of a recession in 1999. If a
recession were to occur, we would not expect it to last very long or to be very
deep. The Federal Reserve Board has lowered short-term interest rates to
stimulate the economy, and we expect further reductions in the coming months.

International economic conditions, particularly in Japan, Brazil and Europe,
will continue to have an influence on the U.S. economy. In the short term, we
expect corporate profits to flatten somewhat. An important variable will be the
ability of the financial industry to continue to provide loans to industry and
avoid a liquidity crunch.

We do not expect the present asset allocation of 52% stocks and 48% bonds to
shift more towards bonds, and we will look for the appropriate time to shift
back toward a greater emphasis on equities. In the equity portfolio, we will
continue to look for value among established, large-cap, dividend-paying
companies. We expect to continue to emphasize food companies, retailers,
utilities and other industries that offer defensive protection in times of
uncertainty. We also expect to maintain a representation among industry-leading
growth companies, including technology companies, because of their superior
long-term prospects.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                 Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


In the fixed-income portfolio, we plan to focus on high quality bonds as the
economy slows, and take advantage of the yield advantage of highly rated
corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities over Treasuries. We will continue
to try to protect the Fund's income by looking for bonds with call protection,
which allow the Fund to receive the higher yields of yesterday during today's
lower-interest-rate environment.


                                     Top 10
                                 Equity Holdings
                                 ---------------
                          (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Johnson & Johnson                                                      1.7%
 ................................................................................
  Merck & Co., Inc.                                                      1.6%
 ...............................................................................
  General Electric Co.                                                   1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Texaco, Inc.                                                           1.4%
 ................................................................................
  Monsanto Co.                                                           1.3%
 ................................................................................
  Schering-Plough Corp.                                                  1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Mobil Corp.                                                            1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                               1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Warner-Lambert Co.                                                     1.1%
 ................................................................................
  Ameritech Corp.                                                        1.1%
 ................................................................................


10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


The investment policy strategy adopted early in the fiscal year assumed that the
markets would show considerable volatility and contained numerous examples of
overpriced issues.



                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
              --------------------------------------------------

                   [PHOTO OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                               Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: January 1990


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 Index and the Lipper Balanced Funds Average
are unmanaged indices and do not include transaction costs associated with
buying and selling securities or any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used
measure of inflation and does not represent an investment return. It is not
possible to invest directly in an index.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           Class A  Class B  Class C  Class Y
Inception Date                              1/3/95  1/3/95   1/3/95   1/2/90
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                 -9.73%   -10.26%  -6.51%     n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  -5.23%    -5.57%  -5.57%   -5.12%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   -0.12%    -0.94%   3.06%     n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                     4.87%     4.06%   4.06%    5.09%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                      --       --       --     12.77%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                            15.97%    16.06%   16.55%   16.03%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                        4.75%     5.00%    1.00%    n/a
                                          Front End   CDSC     CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                            2.03%     1.39%    1.39%    2.38%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                                  $0.21     $0.13    $0.13    $0.23
 ...............................................................................
*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                    CPI           LBFA          S&P 500       Class A
     1/3/95        10,000        10,000         10,000          9,525
    9/30/95        10,234        12,042         12,977         11,743
    9/30/96        10,541        13,539         15,615         12,763
    9/30/97        10,768        16,814         21,931         16,610
    9/30/98        10,929        17,343         23,915         17,416



Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Foundation Fund Class A, versus
a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index, the Lipper Balanced Funds Average
(LBFA), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and
is often used as an indicator of performance of the overall stock market.

The Lipper Balanced Funds Average measures the average performance of balanced
funds excluding sales charges.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What was the performance of the Evergreen Foundation Fund in the first half of
the fiscal year?

For the six months ended September 30, 1998, the Evergreen Foundation Fund's
Class A, B, C, and Y shares returned -5.23%, -5.57%, -5.57% and -5.12%,
respectively, compared with the -6.97% of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index and
the -5.37% return of the Lipper Balanced Funds Average. Since inception on
January 2, 1990, the Fund's Class Y shares have provided a return of 267.26%,
with an average annual return of 16.03%.


                                    Portfolio
                                 Characteristics
                                 ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                                $2,776,465,795
 ................................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                         358
 ................................................................................
  Beta                                                                      0.63
 ................................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                                18.1x
 ................................................................................



What has been the trend of performance this year?

After providing a positive performance return in the first quarter of the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1998, and beginning the September quarter with further
gains, the Fund was affected by the severe stock market decline at the end of
August and into September. There were two impacts: declining equity prices and
rising Treasury bond prices. For the quarter, the Fund's equities showed a 12.9%
decline, while its Treasury bond position produced a gain of 7.7%. For the six
months ended September 30, the equities had a total decline of 12.9%, and the
Treasury bond position showed a gain of 12.4%. The Fund's performance was also
affected by the maintenance of an approximately 12% cash equivalent position
during this time.


What were the major impacts on performance during the six months?

The major impact was, of course, the declining stock market at the end of the
September quarter, and most markedly, the decline in stock prices of financial
institutions' common stocks during the period subsequent to the Russian ruble
collapse. Unprecedented waves of selling hit the nation's major financial
institutions, several of which are included in the Fund's holdings. Declines of
30% to 60% occurred in a number of these issues, but the Fund's diversification
permitted significant offsets which moderated the downward impact.

These same conditions focused worldwide investor attention on U.S. Treasury
obligations as the most defensive and secure investment opportunities. With the
Fund's considerable focus on long-term U.S. Treasuries, it enjoyed particular
strength during this period. In fact, the Fund's Treasury position had been
enlarged during the six months.

Positive equity performance still continued for a significant number of the
Fund's holdings. The top ten performers increased between 24.6% and 58.8% during
the six-month period. The leader was McKesson Corp., with a gain of 58.8%;
followed by Cisco Systems, Inc., up 37.5%; Lilly (Eli) & Co., up 31.2%; Cox
Communications, Inc., up 30.1%; and Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., up 29.6%.
Pharmaceutical and technology issues provided major sources of gains, led by
Lilly (Eli) & Co., up 31.2%; and Schering-Plough Corp., up 26.3% in the
pharmaceutical group. Technology issues powering the Fund's performance were
Cisco Systems, Inc., up 37.5%; Compaq Computer Corp., up 24.6%; International
Business Machines Corp., up 23.3%; Microsoft Corp., up 22.5%; and Sun
Microsystems, Inc., up 19.5%. Some utility companies were among the top
performers, Energy East Corp., up 27.8% and Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc.,
up 22.1%.

12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Common Stock -- 58.6%
U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds -- 28.2%
Cash and Equivalents -- 11.4%
Government Agency Notes/Bonds -- 0.8%
Convertibles -- 1.0%


What was the Fund's asset allocation strategy with regard to stocks, bonds, and
cash equivalents?

During the six months, the Fund maintained a generally stable asset allocation
position. Significant changes included increases in the long-term Treasury bond
position in June and July, and then, later in August and through September, the
switch of some cash equivalent reserves into equities which were purchased at
depressed prices. The investment policy strategy adopted early in the fiscal
year assumed that the markets would show considerable volatility and contained
numerous examples of overpriced issues. Our goal was to anticipate probable
declines and to be in a position to utilize the Fund's cash equivalents to take
advantage of these declines. Thus, we set about aggressively to use these
reserves, increasing the equity asset allocation in September. Purchases
included several issues new to the portfolio, and numerous increases to existing
positions, particularly when the latter were under severe pressure. New holdings
included American Express Co., American Stores Co., Mellon Bank Corp.,
Progressive Corp.(Ohio), Norwest Corp., Dollar General Corp. (Strypes), and
Philips International Realty Corp. Among the issues added to the portfolio, a
number have withstood the market volatility, and even provided substantial gains
through September 30. Amoco Corp. shares have advanced as a result of an
acquisition bid by British Petroleum Co. Plc.

American Stores Co. has moved up with the advance of Albertson's, Inc., which is
planning to acquire the company. Perkin-Elmer Corp. has had a major advance as
it is restructuring its operations, and Progressive Corp. has demonstrated an
earning power which renewed market optimism concerning its valuation. These are
but a few of the positive developments which have impacted the portfolio's new
and enlarged commitments. Even in those which had particularly sizable declines
toward the end of the quarter, we are now encountering positive investor
revaluation. Of the Fund's significant positions which were increased during the
six months, those with the greatest declines were Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


How do the Fund's long-term strategies fare in the recent market volatility?

The Fund's long-term strategy of concentrating fixed income investments in U.S.
Treasury obligations was, as noted above, highly rewarding in the atmosphere of
financial crisis when investors chose to literally retreat into Treasuries.

The Fund's equity strategy of concentrating on the effort to select undervalued
growth opportunities was effective in the often uncertain and highly volatile
markets. There was considerable validation of this strategy in the continuing
highly favorable trend of mergers and acquisitions. During the six months, 21 of
the Fund's holdings were the subject of merger or acquisition offers,
demonstrating, in our view, both their undervaluation and the dynamism of other
companies in their industries, or interested in their industries. Financial
institutions continued to be active in this trend. The Fund's holdings in First
of America Bank Corp., purchased in July, 1995, was acquired in April at a
valuation which provided a 217.7% gain for the Fund. Other banks with such bids
included: Crestar

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Financial Corp., 94.5% from May 1993 (still pending in its merger with SunTrust
Banks, Inc.); Firstar Corp., 26.1% just six months after its purchase by the
Fund (still pending with Star Banc Corp.); Beneficial Corp., 151.1%, one and
three-quarter years after its purchase; and First Chicago NBD Corp., 97.1%,
three and three-quarter years holding, the purchase by Banc One Corp. still
pending. The utility industry was involved in these holdings with Long Island
Lighting Co. being acquired by KeySpan Energy Corp., with a 48.8% gain to the
Fund in just over one year and a half; 360 (Degrees) Communications Co. acquired
by ALLTEL Corp. with a 116.7% gain in two years and five months; Orange and
Rockland Utilities, Inc., with a 51.8% gain (still pending in just over one
year) with an offer by Consolidated Edison, Inc.; and GTE Corp. with a 35.0%
gain, pending the acquisition by Bell Atlantic Corp. The diversity of this group
of acquisitions or mergers reflects the Fund's highly diversified positioning,
with Oasis Residential, Inc., a real estate investment trust; Continental Homes
Holding Corp., a home-builder; Western Atlas, Inc., an oil field services
company; Mercantile Stores Co., Inc., a retailer; Amp, Inc., an electronic
components company; and even Chrysler Corp., with a proposed acquisition by
Daimler-Benz AG.

We anticipate that as the security markets regain stability, this long-term
trend which has provided over 59 (48 completed and 11 pending) mergers and
acquisitions for the Fund portfolio, with an average gain of 67.2% on the
completed acquisitions, will continue to be a source of significant capital
appreciation.


                              Top 5 Industries --
                                    Equity
                                    ------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

Finance and Insurance                                           9.1%
 ......................................................................
Information Services & Technology                               7.0%
 .....................................................................
Healthcare Products and Services                                6.8%
 ......................................................................
Banks                                                           6.8%
 ......................................................................
Real Estate                                                     4.8%
 ......................................................................


Did the Fund sell any securities when stock prices were near their highs for the
fiscal year?

The Fund made a number of significant sales of shares to take advantage of price
spurts during the market's trend to new highs in the spring and early summer.
The largest single profit (882.2% in five and three-quarter years) was taken in
a portion of the Fund's holdings in Intel Corp., when we judged that the shares
had amply discounted present opportunities. While still highly confident of the
long-term trend of the company, we reduced the position in order to limit the
Fund's volatility. Similar sales were made of other technology leaders,
including portions of the positions in Cisco Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies
Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Honeywell, Inc., and Perkin-Elmer Corp. In the health
care industry, another area where the Fund has had great success with long-term
commitments, reductions were made in positions in Pfizer, Inc., Medtronic, Inc.,
and Monsanto Co. Among financials, positions were reduced in Dime Bancorp, Inc.,
SunTrust Banks, Inc., and Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc., while positions in Wachovia
Corp. and Cardinal Health, Inc. were eliminated. Sizable gains were taken in
other issues which subsequently fell quite sharply, including Household
International, Inc., Disney (Walt) Co., Avon Products, Inc., and International
Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. The fundamental motivation for the sales was asset
protection. The number of losses was minimal for the Fund; illustratively, a
28.4% loss in the shares of Nike, Inc. on a long-term basis, and one short-term
loss of 17.7% in the shares of Penney (J.C.) Co., Inc.

14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview



                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Intel Corp.                                                              2.5%
 ................................................................................
  Federal National Mortgage Association                                    1.7%
 ................................................................................
  General Electric Co.                                                     1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Microsoft Corp.                                                          1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co.                                          1.2%
 ................................................................................
  Hewlett-Packard Co.                                                      1.0%
 ................................................................................
  BankBoston Corp.                                                         0.9%
 ................................................................................
  Sprint Corp.                                                             0.9%
 ................................................................................
  Lilly (Eli) & Co.                                                        0.9%
 ...............................................................................
  International Business Machines Corp.                                    0.8%
 ................................................................................



What is the outlook for the Fund at this time?


Management is optimistic that the much feared crisis of financial liquidity in
the United States, and the apprehension of recession prospects in the months
ahead has been greatly overdone. The demonstrated willingness of the Federal
Reserve to provide interest rate cuts to ensure support for the American
financial system, and to demonstrate that inflation is not feared at this time,
has already had highly positive effects for the equity markets since the October
15th rate decrease. Further, the settlement of budget disputes in the Congress,
the program to further fund the IMF, and the United States readiness to lead a
program of support for Brazil, should remove much of the fear concerning broader
financial chaos. The long effort to restimulate Japan continues, but with a more
optimistic outlook than in the last two years because that country is finally
facing the need to provide new funding for its banking system in recognition of
the huge loan losses it carries. The Asian financial difficulties remain of
deep concern, but there is already evidence of turnaround, though slow, and
perhaps halting, in several countries, including Thailand, Korea, and the
Philippines.

The profitability of American business remains intact, even taking into account
many lower than expected earning statements for the third quarter. It is already
evident that corporations are tightening their operating and financial belts for
a more competitive, more pressured environment. But, corporations are also
demonstrating their confidence in the value of their businesses and the strength
of their treasuries by an almost unprecedented wave of corporate share buybacks.
Since the Russian financial crisis came to a head, and the American markets
began to decline, the daily list of corporate buybacks has reached extraordinary
proportions. This will lend both support and confidence to the equity markets.

Our expectations are that this nation will continue to be in a period of lower,
and perhaps even declining interest rates, while a close to full employment
society will be able to sustain demand, notwithstanding a more cautious consumer
attitude. This caution could well increase saving rates and, thus, generate more
investable assets. Our policy will remain sensitive to appropriate asset
allocation, aggressive in seizing the opportunity of depressed values, and
cautious in the face of evidences of overvaluation.

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Fund at a Glance as of September 30, 1998


The original and long-term strategy of the Fund is to take advantage of
undervalued growth opportunities, both to minimize risk through undervaluation
and to benefit by growth.



                                    Portfolio
                                   Management
              --------------------------------------------------
                   [PHOTO OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                                Stephen A. Lieber
                              Tenure: November 1993


                  [PHOTO OF JAMES T. COLBY III APPEARS HERE]
              --------------------------------------------------

                               James T. Colby III
                              Tenure: November 1993




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of 9/30/98.

The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-earnings and price-
to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as well as the size of the companies in
which it invests, or median market capitalization.

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

The Fixed-Income Style Box placement is based on a fund's average effective
maturity or duration and the average credit rating of the bond portfolio.

/1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads, fees and expenses paid by the
shareholders investing in each class. The investment return and principal value
will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than original cost. The S&P 500 Index and the LBMBI are unmanaged indices
and do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling
securities or any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of
inflation and does not represent an investment return. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        Class A   Class B   Class C   Class Y
Inception Date                          1/17/95   1/6/95    3/3/95    11/2/93
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge             -11.00%   -11.58%    -7.90%      n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge               -6.63%    -6.96%    -6.97%    -6.49%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                -4.48%    -5.41%    -1.51%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                  0.28%    -0.53%    -0.53%     0.53%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                 10.62%    10.84%    11.61%    12.78%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                         13.69%    14.11%    14.15%    13.46%
 ...............................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                     4.75%     5.00%     1.00%     n/a
                                       Front End   CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                         2.13%     1.49%     1.49%     2.49%
 ...............................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                               $0.17     $0.12     $0.12     $0.19
 ................................................................................
*Adjusted for maximum sales charge.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                CPI           LBMBI          S & P 500         Class A
   1/31/95    10,000          10,000           10,000           9,525
   9/30/95    10,193          10,966           12,649          11,333
   9/30/96    10,499          11,629           15,220          12,876
   9/30/97    10,725          12,677           21,377          16,061
   9/30/98    10,885          13,612           23,310          16,106


Comparison of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Class A, versus a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index, the Lehman Brothers
Municipal Bond Index (LBMBI), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and
is often used as an indicator of performance of the overall stock market.

The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad measure of the municipal
bond market. To be included in this index, bonds must have a minimum credit
rating of at least BAA, and outstanding par value of at least $3 million and be
issued as part of a transaction of at least $50 million. The bonds must have
been issued after December 31, 1990, and have a remaining maturity of at least
one year. Taxable municipal bonds, bonds with floating rates, derivatives, and
certificates of participation are excluded.

16
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

What was the performance for the Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund in the
first half of the fiscal year?

Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund Classes A, B, C, and Y had performance
of -6.63%, -6.96%, -6.97% and -6.49%, respectively, for the six months ended
September 30, 1998. This performance compares with -5.37% of the fully taxable
funds in the Lipper Balanced Fund Average. The Fund's performance was negatively
impacted during the six months by two principal factors. First, the tax-exempt
bond market failed to fully reflect the interest rate performance of taxable
obligations during this period. The spread between tax-exempt bonds and U.S.
Treasuries increased to the point where index yields were nearly 100% of
Treasuries. This means that in the rush to secure the protection of Treasuries,
in a period of financial uncertainty, investors were literally overlooking the
advantages of tax-exempt income. The Fund's tax-exempt bond portfolio increased
in value only 5.5% over the last six months. The equity performance was also
negatively affected by this investor rush to security. Stocks with dividend
yields were more favored during the period of market volatility in the latter
part of August and September, than those with little or no yield. Since the tax
efficient goal of the Tax Strategic Foundation Fund focuses on issues with
little or no yield, it suffered an adverse impact from this shift. The equity
portfolio during the six months declined 18.8%.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------


  Total Net Assets                                             $370,600,973
 ..............................................................................
  Number of Holdings                                                    283
 ...............................................................................
  Beta                                                                 0.48
 ...............................................................................
  P/E Ratio                                                           13.9x
 ...............................................................................

Were the negative trends of the last quarter indicative of new, adverse
conditions?

Your management believes that these adverse trends were temporary in nature,
aggravated by apprehensions that the U.S. financial markets were likely to
suffer from a lack of liquidity, and that American industry would be faced with
a recession. Developments since the end of the quarter have tended to counter
these impressions, as is evident from the sizable rally in stock prices in this
period. The actions of the Federal Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates twice
and its indicated policy of supporting liquidity in the financial system, have
countered the worst fears. Furthermore, its willingness to provide liquidity,
and its evident belief that inflation is not a near-term problem, suggest that
credit availability will continue to sustain economic expansion, although at
lower rates. Supportingly, the passage of the budget by Congress, the plan to
obtain U.S. support for IMF, the Administration plan to support Brazil, and the
Japanese government plan to refinance the banking system where necessary, all
suggest that the panicky conditions in the securities markets will abate.


Has the Fund sought to take advantage of these recent market conditions?

Throughout the six months, our investment policy has been very actively focused
on increasing the common stock participation, particularly of issues believed
temporarily at deflated prices, and on lengthening maturities of the tax-exempt
portfolio.

Outstanding purchase opportunities were seen in a large number of issues,
particularly at the end of August and early in September. Examples of the Fund
taking advantage of these opportunities are numerous, given the 143 issues
purchased for the Fund, both

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview

stock and bond, during this period. As examples of undervaluation, we would note
that during, and subsequent to, the major sell-off on August 31, the Fund bought
shares of Intel Corp., which provided a gain of 16.6% to September 30;
Progressive Corp. (Ohio), which provided a gain of 13.8% to September 30; Coca-
Cola FEMSA S.A. de CV, which provided a gain of 7.3% to September 30; and
Citicorp, now Citigroup Inc., which provided a gain of 2.0% to September 30. In
the tax-exempt bond position, the strategy during this entire period was to
lengthen maturities to take maximum advantage of the overall decline in interest
rates. The selection was again limited to the highest quality, either insured or
triple-A rated bonds.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(based on 9/30/98 net assets)

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

Municipal Bonds -- 52.6%
Common Stock -- 45.5%
Cash and Equivalents -- 1.1%
Convertibles -- 0.8%


Is the Fund still focused on undervalued equities?


The original and long-term strategy of the Fund is to take advantage of
undervalued growth opportunities, both to minimize risk through undervaluation
and to benefit by growth. One of the clearest proofs that we have indeed
selected undervalued issues is through the merger and acquisition offers which
many of these companies receive. During the six months, twelve of the Fund's
holdings were the subject of mergers or acquisitions. The average return to
September 30 on the completed acquisitions was 95.8%. The largest indicated gain
was in the shares of First of America Bank Corp., which were purchased in July,
1995, and the merger was completed in April, 1998, with a 224.9% gain. Other
financial institutions with sizable gains through mergers and acquisitions were
Beverly Bancorporation, Inc., up 92.4%, and Crestar Financial Corp., up 29.4%
(based on the September 30 closing price of SunTrust Banks, Inc.). A diverse
group of companies was included in this listing, including two hotel groups;
Interstate Hotels Co., which recorded a 61.5% appreciation, and La Quinta Inns
Inc., with an 18.1% gain. Others with bids for the companies now pending
include: Amp, Inc., Amoco Corp., GTE Corp., Monsanto Co., and Citicorp. This
merger and acquisition activity confirms the continuing validity of our
undervaluation strategy. Looking ahead, we anticipate that as a result of the
recent sharp price declines of the shares of many attractive companies, the
merger and acquisition activity will re-accelerate, and provide appreciation
opportunities for the Fund's holdings.



                              Top 5 Industries --
                                    Equity
                                    ------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Finance & Insurance                                                      8.2%
 ...............................................................................
  Banks                                                                    8.1%
 ................................................................................
  Real Estate                                                              4.2%
 ................................................................................
  Electrical Equipment & Services                                          3.7%
 ................................................................................
  Healthcare Products & Services                                           3.3%
 ................................................................................



                              Top 5 Industries --
                                     Bonds
                                     -----
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Housing                                                                  8.9%
 ................................................................................
  Hospitals                                                                6.6%
 ...............................................................................
  Electric Power                                                           5.3%
 ................................................................................
  Higher Education                                                         5.2%
 ................................................................................
  Government -- Local                                                      5.2%
 ................................................................................


18
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Portfolio Manager Interview


What were the strongest and weakest sectors for the Fund's investments during
the six months?

The strongest were technology and health care. The best performer in technology
was International Business Machines Corp., up 25.5%; followed by Sun
Microsystems, Inc., up 19.5%; and Gateway 2000, Inc., up 11.0%. In health care,
the leaders were Abbott Laboratories, up 11.6%; American Home Products Corp., up
9.9%; Monsanto Co., up 8.2%; and Pfizer, Inc., up 6.2%. The weakest sector was
financial, with Frontier Insurance Group, Inc., declining 47.1%; Mercury General
Corp., down 44.7%; and Republic New York Corp., with a 42.9% loss.


Did the Fund sell any stocks when the market was high in the spring and early
summer?

A number of sales were made for the Fund taking advantage of the market run-up.
The largest percentage recorded was in the shares of Lucent Technologies Inc.,
sold with a gain of 498.2% in a 26-month holding period; followed by 181.8% in
the shares of MacDermid, Inc., held 15 months; followed by a 152.3% gain in the
shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. Others with gains between 75% and 90% included
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., Interstate Hotels Co., and Dime Bancorp, Inc.
Mercantile Stores Co., Inc. was eliminated with the acquisition of the company,
providing a gain of 44.3%, with a 42-month holding period from original
purchase. The only loss recorded on an equity transaction was in the shares of
Amp, Inc. The original high cost shares were sold after an acquisition bid was
made for the company at a loss of 8.4%, while the position had been doubled up
in anticipation of taking the loss, and the newly purchased stock has since
appreciated.


                                    Top 10
                                Equity Holdings
                                ---------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Perkin Elmer Corp.                                                      1.0%
 ..............................................................................
  Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co.                                        0.9%
 ...............................................................................
  Intel Corp.                                                             0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  MGIC Investment Corp.                                                   0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Beckman Coulter Inc.                                                    0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  W.W. Grainger, Inc.                                                     0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  Union Pacific Corp.                                                     0.8%
 ...............................................................................
  CitiCorp                                                                0.7%
 ...............................................................................
  Legg Mason, Inc.                                                        0.7%
 ...............................................................................
  Paine Webber Group, Inc.                                                0.7%
 ...............................................................................


How is the Fund maintaining its tax-efficiency?

The tax-exempt bond portfolio is, by definition, tax-efficient. The equity
portfolio is tax-efficient in two ways. First, our purchases consist of issues
which either have no or little taxable income paid out, or tax-deferred
payments. Preference in selection of stocks for investment is given to companies
which use their retained earnings to buy back shares, and thereby increase the
participation in the company's profits for the remaining shares. Second, tax
strategies are employed in order to minimize the consequences of taxable gains.
The example noted in the foregoing of a doubling up in order to both retain the
position in a company considered of intrinsic merit, and yet realize a gain when
the market had declined, is typical. Losses may also be realized, with
replacement positions substantially duplicated in the tax-exempt bond market.
When losses appear, they may be taken, and replaced with comparable issues. In
the recent strong bond market, no such moves were appropriate or necessary.


                                                                              19
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   EVERGREEN
                         Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


                                     Top 5
                                 Bond Holdings
                                 -------------
                         (based on 9/30/98 net assets)

  Metropolitan Washington DC Arpts. Auth.                                 1.6%
 ................................................................................
  Chicago Illinois Skyway Toll Bridge                                     1.5%
 ................................................................................
  New York St. Urban Dev. Corp. Rev.                                      1.5%
 ................................................................................
  Intermountain Power Agency Utah Power                                   1.4%
 ................................................................................
  Illinois Educ. Facs. Auth. Rev.                                         1.3%
 ................................................................................


What is the outlook for the Fund, and for its tax-efficient investment strategy?

Management is optimistic that the much feared crisis of financial liquidity in
the United States and the apprehension of recession prospects in the months
ahead has been greatly overdone. The demonstrated willingness of the Federal
Reserve to provide interest rate cuts to ensure support for the American
financial system, and to demonstrate that inflation is not feared at this time,
has already had highly positive effects for the equity markets since the October
15th rate decrease. Further, the settlement of budget disputes in the Congress,
the program to further fund the IMF, and the United States readiness to lead a
program of support for Brazil, should remove much of the fear concerning broader
financial chaos. The long effort to restimulate Japan continues, but with a more
optimistic outlook than in the last two years because that country is finally
facing the need to provide new funding for its banking system in recognition of
the huge loan losses it carries. The Asian financial difficulties remain of deep
concern, but there is already evidence of turnaround, though slow, and perhaps
halting, in several countries, including Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines.

The profitability of American business remains intact, even taking into account
many lower than expected earning statements for the third quarter. It is already
evident that corporations are tightening their operating and financial belts for
a more competitive, more pressured environment. But, corporations are also
demonstrating their confidence in the value of their businesses and the strength
of their treasuries by an almost unprecedented wave of corporate share buybacks.
Since the Russian financial crisis came to a head, and the American markets
began to decline, the daily list of corporate buybacks has reached extraordinary
proportions. This will lend both support and confidence to the equity markets.

Our expectations are that this nation will continue to be in a period of lower,
and perhaps even declining interest rates, while a close to full employment
society will be able to sustain demand, notwithstanding a more cautious consumer
attitude. This caution could well increase saving rates and, thus, generate more
investable funds. Our policy will remain sensitive to appropriate asset
allocation, aggressive in seizing the opportunity of depressed values, and
cautious in the face of evidences of overvaluation.

20
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Six Months Ended    Year Ended March 31,      Year
Ended December 31,
                                                         September 30, 1998   -----------------------
- -----------------------
                                                            (unaudited)          1998       1997**
1996         1995*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>         <C>
<C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $ 16.70         $    13.74  $    13.86    $
12.82  $     10.65
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                            0.25               0.49        0.11
0.45         0.41
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities       (1.97)              3.29       (0.12)
1.12         2.22
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
Total from investment operations                                (1.72)              3.78       (0.01)
1.57         2.63
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                                      (0.25)             (0.48)      (0.11)
(0.42)       (0.46)
From net realized gains                                             0              (0.34)          0
(0.11)           0
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
Total distributions                                             (0.25)             (0.82)      (0.11)
(0.53)       (0.46)
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                 $ 14.73         $    16.70  $    13.74    $
13.86  $     12.82
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                                                  (10.36%)            28.02%      (0.10%)
12.50%       24.90%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                          $27,808         $   29,005  $   14,590    $
11,116  $     1,335
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                  1.29%++            1.40%       1.37%++
1.30%        1.37%++
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                                                  N/A                N/A        1.68%++
1.33%       10.96%++
 Net investment income                                           3.18%++            3.21%       3.43%++
3.53%        3.73%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                            20%                34%          9%
16%          49%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Six Months Ended     Year Ended March 31,      Year
Ended December 31,
                                                         September 30, 1998   -----------------------
- --------------------------
                                                            (unaudited)          1998      1997**
1996         1995*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>         <C>
<C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                          $  16.61         $    13.67  $    13.80    $
12.80  $     10.65
                                                              -------         ----------  ----------
- ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                            0.19               0.38        0.09
0.36         0.35
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities       (1.96)              3.26       (0.13)
1.09         2.20
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
Total from investment operations                                (1.77)              3.64       (0.04)
1.45         2.55
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                                      (0.19)             (0.36)      (0.09)
(0.34)       (0.40)
From net realized gains                                             0              (0.34)          0
(0.11)           0
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
Total distributions                                             (0.19)             (0.70)      (0.09)
(0.45)       (0.40)
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                                $  14.65         $    16.61   $   13.67    $
13.80  $     12.80
                                                             --------         ----------   ---------
- ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                                                  (10.71%)            27.06%      (0.30%)
11.50%       24.10%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS)                         $153,721         $  158,252   $  76,791    $
57,622  $     4,839
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                                  2.04%++            2.15%       2.11%++
2.06%        2.12%++
 Total expenses, excluding fee waivers and expense
  reimbursements                                                  N/A                N/A        2.43%++
2.09%        4.20%++
 Net investment income                                           2.43%++            2.46%       2.68%++
2.79%        2.97%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                            20%               34%           9%
16%          49%
</TABLE>

+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $16.65       $    13.70  $    13.83    $     12.81  $     10.65
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.19             0.38        0.09           0.36         0.36
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.96)            3.27       (0.13)          1.11         2.19
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.77)            3.65       (0.04)          1.47         2.55
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.19)           (0.36)      (0.09)         (0.34)       (0.39)
From net realized gains              0            (0.34)          0          (0.11)           0
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.19)           (0.70)      (0.09)         (0.45)       (0.39)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $14.69       $    16.65  $    13.70    $     13.83  $     12.81
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                   (10.68%)          27.08%      (0.30%)        11.60%       24.00%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                    $2,398       $    2,777  $    1,769    $     1,487  $       110
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   2.04%++          2.15%       2.12%++        2.05%        2.10%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A        2.43%++        2.08%      103.52%++
 Net investment income            2.40%++          2.46%       2.65%++        2.80%        2.96%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             20%              34%          9%            16%          49%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996     1995     1994      1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.70       $    13.74  $    13.86    $ 12.83  $ 10.67  $ 11.60   $ 10.95
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.27             0.55        0.14       0.48     0.47     0.60      0.56
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.97)            3.27       (0.14)      1.10     2.16    (0.93)     0.96
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.70)            3.82        0.00       1.58     2.63    (0.33)     1.52
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.27)           (0.52)      (0.12)     (0.44)   (0.47)   (0.60)    (0.60)
From net realized gains              0            (0.34)          0      (0.11)       0        0     (0.27)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
Total distributions              (0.27)           (0.86)      (0.12)     (0.55)   (0.47)   (0.60)    (0.87)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $ 14.73       $    16.70  $    13.74    $ 13.86  $ 12.83  $ 10.67   $ 11.60
                               -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------   -------
TOTAL RETURN                    (10.25%)          28.34%       0.00%     12.60%   25.10%   (2.90%)   14.10%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $35,756       $   43,786  $   37,237    $41,243  $39,327  $37,176   $37,336
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.04%++          1.14%       1.11%++    1.05%    1.26%    1.28%     1.36%
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense reimbursements       N/A              N/A        1.38%++    1.09%     N/A      N/A       N/A
 Net investment income            3.40%++          3.45%       3.56%++    3.65%    3.96%    5.40%     5.13%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             20%              34%          9%        16%      49%     136%       92%
</TABLE>
+   Excluding sales charges.
++  Annualized.
*   For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
**  For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
    year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

22
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Six Months Ended
                                             September 30, 1998  Period Ended
                                                (unaudited)     March 31, 1998*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD                $12.87           $12.36
                                                   ------           ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                                0.20             0.08#
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses
 on securities, futures contracts and
 foreign currency related transactions              (0.57)            0.81
                                                   ------           ------
Total from investment operations                    (0.37)            0.89
                                                   ------           ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                          (0.22)           (0.12)
From net realized gains                                 0            (0.26)
                                                   ------           ------
Total distributions                                 (0.22)           (0.38)
                                                   ------           ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                      $12.28           $12.87
                                                   ------           ------
TOTAL RETURN+                                       (2.91%)           7.38%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)                $1,136           $1,277
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                      0.97%++          0.99%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                           0.97%++          0.99%++
 Net investment income                               3.12%++          3.25%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                                39%              76%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended                       Year Ended June 30,
                          September 30, 1998   Period Ended   ------------------------------
                             (unaudited)     March 31, 1998**  1997    1996    1995    1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>              <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $12.88            $12.95      $11.33  $10.09  $ 9.26  $10.10
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.16              0.26#       0.30    0.29    0.31    0.28
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities,
 futures contracts and
 foreign currency
 related transactions            (0.56)             1.53        2.07    1.42    0.96   (0.37)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
Total from investment
 operations                      (0.40)             1.79        2.37    1.71    1.27   (0.09)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.18)            (0.27)      (0.30)  (0.27)  (0.33)  (0.35)
From tax basis return of
 capital                             0                 0           0       0       0   (0.02)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
From net realized gains              0             (1.59)      (0.45)  (0.20)  (0.11)  (0.38)
Total distributions              (0.18)            (1.86)      (0.75)  (0.47)  (0.44)  (0.75)
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $12.30            $12.88      $12.95  $11.33  $10.09  $ 9.26
                                ------            ------      ------  ------  ------  ------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (3.18%)           14.89%      21.95%  17.35%  14.20%  (1.16%)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $  529            $  580      $1,625  $1,481  $1,345  $1,390
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.72%++           1.35%++     1.70%   1.72%   1.77%   1.71%
 Total expenses,
  excluding indirectly
  paid expenses                   1.72%++           1.35%++     1.69%   1.71%    N/A     N/A
 Net investment income            2.37%++           2.66%++     2.50%   2.71%   3.33%   2.81%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             39%               76%         89%     96%     88%     88%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
** For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Six Months Ended
                                           September 30, 1998   Period Ended
                                              (unaudited)     March 31, 1998*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD              $12.88            $12.43
                                                 ------            ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                              0.14              0.05#
Net realized and unrealized gains or
 losses on securities, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions        (0.54)             0.75
                                                 ------            ------
Total from investment operations                  (0.40)             0.80
                                                 ------            ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                        (0.18)            (0.09)
From net realized gains                               0             (0.26)
                                                 ------            ------
Total distributions                               (0.18)            (0.35)
                                                 ------            ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                    $12.30            $12.88
                                                 ------            ------
TOTAL RETURN+                                     (3.18%)            6.58%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)              $    1            $    1
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                    1.72%++           1.76%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                         1.72%++           1.76%++
 Net investment income                             2.42%++           2.41%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                              39%               76%

<CAPTION>
                                            Six Months Ended
                                           September 30, 1998   Period Ended
                                              (unaudited)     March 31, 1998**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                <C>
NET ASSET VALUE BEGINNING OF PERIOD              $12.86            $12.01
                                                 ------            ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                              0.22              0.08#
Net realized and unrealized gains or
 losses on securities, futures contracts
 and foreign currency related transactions        (0.56)             0.86
                                                 ------            ------
Total from investment operations                  (0.34)             0.94
                                                 ------            ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment income                        (0.24)            (0.09)
                                                 ------            ------
Total distributions                               (0.24)            (0.09)
                                                 ------            ------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF PERIOD                    $12.28            $12.86
                                                 ------            ------
TOTAL RETURN                                      (2.71%)            7.79%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD (MILLIONS)              $   34            $   39
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
 Total expenses                                    0.72%++           0.75%++
 Total expenses, excluding indirectly paid
  expenses                                         0.72%++           0.75%++
 Net investment income                             3.37%++           3.47%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE                              39%               76%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
** For the period from January 26, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
   March 31, 1998.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

24
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.44       $    16.00  $    16.13    $     15.12  $     12.24
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.23             0.44#       0.12           0.50         0.44
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions            (1.29)            4.87       (0.13)          1.16         3.14
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.06)            5.31       (0.01)          1.66         3.58
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.21)           (0.44)      (0.12)         (0.50)       (0.47)
From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.21)           (0.87)      (0.12)         (0.65)       (0.70)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $19.17       $    20.44  $    16.00    $     16.13  $     15.12
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.23%)          33.88%      (0.20%)        11.30%       29.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $  340       $      350  $      220    $       206  $       107
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.28%++          1.28%       1.25%++        1.24%        1.33%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A         1.34%++
 Net investment income            2.25%++          2.39%       2.83%++        3.39%        3.73%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.34       $    15.94  $    16.07    $     15.07  $     12.24
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.15             0.30#       0.09           0.40         0.36
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions            (1.28)            4.84       (0.13)          1.15         3.09
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.13)            5.14       (0.04)          1.55         3.45
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.13)           (0.31)      (0.09)         (0.40)       (0.39)
From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.13)           (0.74)      (0.09)         (0.55)       (0.62)
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                         $19.08       $    20.34  $    15.94    $     16.07  $     15.07
                                ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.57%)          32.81%      (0.30%)        10.50%       28.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (MILLIONS)                     $1,213       $    1,124  $      606    $       570  $       296
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   2.03%++          2.04%       2.00%++        1.99%        2.07%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A          N/A
 Net investment income            1.50%++          1.63%       2.07%++        2.64%        2.99%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**         1996         1995*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.34       $    15.94  $    16.06    $     15.07  $     12.24
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.15             0.30#       0.09           0.40         0.34
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            (1.28)            4.84       (0.13)          1.14         3.09
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.13)            5.14       (0.04)          1.54         3.43
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.13)           (0.31)      (0.08)         (0.40)       (0.37)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0          (0.15)       (0.23)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 Total distributions              (0.13)           (0.74)      (0.08)         (0.55)       (0.60)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                         $19.08       $    20.34  $    15.94    $     16.06  $     15.07
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    -----------  -----------
 TOTAL RETURN+                    (5.57%)          32.81%      (0.30%)        10.40%       28.50%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (MILLIONS)                     $   58       $       50  $       28    $        27  $        11
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.03%++          2.04%       2.00%++        1.99%        2.23%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A         N/A            N/A         2.37%++
 Net investment income             1.51%++          1.63%       2.07%++        2.64%        2.83%++
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%            10%          28%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,        Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -------------------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996    1995    1994     1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS Y SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD            $20.45       $    16.02  $    16.14    $15.13  $12.27  $13.12   $11.98
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.24             0.49#       0.13      0.54    0.51    0.42     0.31
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            (1.28)            4.86       (0.13)     1.16    3.07   (0.57)    1.55
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.04)            5.35        0.00      1.70    3.58   (0.15)    1.86
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.23)           (0.49)      (0.12)    (0.54)  (0.49)  (0.42)   (0.31)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.43)          0     (0.15)  (0.23)  (0.28)   (0.41)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 Total distributions              (0.23)           (0.92)      (0.12)    (0.69)  (0.72)  (0.70)   (0.72)
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                         $19.18       $    20.45  $    16.02    $16.14  $15.13  $12.27   $13.12
                                 ------       ----------  ----------    ------  ------  ------   ------
 TOTAL RETURN                     (5.12%)          34.12%       0.00%    11.50%  29.70%  (1.10%)  15.70%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (MILLIONS)                     $1,166       $    1,117  $      802    $  809  $  623  $  332   $  240
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.03%++          1.03%       1.00%++   0.99%   1.07%   1.14%    1.20%
 Net investment income             2.51%++          2.65%       3.07%++   3.64%   3.89%   3.51%    2.81%
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              4%               9%          2%       10%     28%     33%      60%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
   December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

26
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------   -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998       1997**          1996         1995*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.36       $    13.57  $    13.50    $      12.20  $     10.44
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income             0.17             0.31        0.07            0.27         0.29
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities            (1.26)            2.96        0.06#           1.59         2.24
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                      (1.09)            3.27        0.13            1.86         2.53
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                          (0.17)           (0.30)      (0.06)          (0.28)       (0.31)
From net realized gains              0            (0.18)          0           (0.28)       (0.46)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
Total distributions              (0.17)           (0.48)      (0.06)          (0.56)       (0.77)
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $ 15.10       $    16.36  $    13.57    $      13.50  $     12.20
                               -------       ----------  ----------    ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                    (6.57%)          24.40%       1.00%          15.40%       24.80%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $82,897       $   69,879  $   15,039    $     11,166  $     2,702
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                   1.33%++          1.42%       1.38%++         1.52%        1.75%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                   N/A              N/A         N/A            1.76%        5.02%++
 Net investment income            2.30%++          2.21%       2.30%++         2.39%        2.79%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%         29%             88%         110%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                          September 30, 1998 -----------------------  -----------------------
                             (unaudited)        1998      1997**          1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
NET ASSET VALUE
 BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $  16.33      $    13.56  $   13.49    $      12.19  $     10.31
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income              0.12            0.21       0.05            0.19         0.22
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities             (1.25)           2.94       0.06#           1.59         2.37
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
Total from investment
 operations                       (1.13)           3.15       0.11            1.78         2.59
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
From net investment
 income                           (0.12)          (0.20)     (0.04)          (0.20)       (0.25)
From net realized gains               0           (0.18)         0           (0.28)       (0.46)
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
Total distributions               (0.12)          (0.38)     (0.04)          (0.48)       (0.71)
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
NET ASSET VALUE END OF
 PERIOD                        $  15.08      $    16.33  $   13.56    $      13.49  $     12.19
                               --------      ----------  ---------    ------------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN+                     (6.96%)         23.44%      0.08%          14.70%       25.60%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
 (THOUSANDS)                   $226,682      $  185,042  $  38,838    $     28,007  $     6,559
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
 ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.08%++         2.18%      2.14%++         2.27%        2.50%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A             N/A        N/A            2.51%        3.65%++
 Net investment income             1.55%++         1.46%      1.55%++         1.64%        2.03%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE              37%             50%        29%              2%         110%
</TABLE>
+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from January 17, 1995 and January 6, 1995 (commencement of
   class A and class B operations, respectively) to December 31, 1995.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  The per share amount is not in accord with the net realized and unrealized
   gains or losses for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund shares
   and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains or losses at such
   time.



                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------  -----------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998      1997**         1996         1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.30       $    13.53  $   13.47    $     12.19  $     10.69
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.12             0.21       0.06           0.18         0.22
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities            (1.25)            2.94       0.05#          1.58         1.99
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.13)            3.15       0.11           1.76         2.21
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.12)           (0.20)     (0.05)         (0.20)       (0.25)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.18)         0          (0.28)       (0.46)
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 Total distributions              (0.12)           (0.38)     (0.05)         (0.48)       (0.71)
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                        $ 15.05       $    16.30  $   13.53    $     13.47  $     12.19
                                -------       ----------  ---------    -----------  -----------
 TOTAL RETURN+                    (6.97%)          23.49%      0.08%         14.50%       21.20%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                   $39,082       $   27,699  $   5,086    $     4,108  $       496
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    2.08%++          2.18%      2.13%++        2.25%        2.50%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A        N/A           2.48%       18.91%++
 Net investment income             1.56%++          1.46%      1.55%++        1.64%        2.07%++
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%        29%            88%         110%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended  Year Ended March 31,         Year Ended December 31,
                           September 30, 1998 -----------------------   ---------------------------------
                              (unaudited)        1998       1997**       1996     1995     1994    1993*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS Y SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
 NET ASSET VALUE
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD           $ 16.39       $    13.61  $    13.54    $ 12.22  $ 10.27  $ 10.31  $10.00
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS
 Net investment income             0.19             0.37        0.09       0.34     0.35     0.27    0.05
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities            (1.25)            2.95        0.05 #     1.56     2.39     0.08    0.31
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 Total from investment
  operations                      (1.06)            3.32        0.14       1.90     2.74     0.35    0.36
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
 From net investment
  income                          (0.19)           (0.36)      (0.07)     (0.30)   (0.33)   (0.27)  (0.05)
 From net realized gains              0            (0.18)          0      (0.28)   (0.46)   (0.12)      0
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 Total distributions              (0.19)           (0.54)      (0.07)     (0.58)   (0.79)   (0.39)  (0.05)
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 NET ASSET VALUE END OF
  PERIOD                        $ 15.14       $    16.39  $    13.61    $ 13.54  $ 12.22  $ 10.27  $10.31
                                -------       ----------  ----------    -------  -------  -------  ------
 TOTAL RETURN                     (6.49%)          24.73%       1.00%     15.80%   27.30%    3.40%   3.50%
 RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD
  (THOUSANDS)                   $21,939       $   19,881  $   15,311    $15,002  $13,485  $10,575  $5,424
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
  ASSETS:
 Total expenses                    1.08%++          1.15%       1.13%++    1.30%    1.50%    1.49%   0.00%++
 Total expenses,
  excluding fee waivers
  and expense
  reimbursements                    N/A              N/A         N/A       1.56%    2.23%    2.41%   3.10%++
 Net investment income             2.54%++          2.48%       2.54%++    2.63%    3.06%    2.87%   3.65%
 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE             37%              50%         29%        88%     110%     245%     60%
</TABLE>

+  Excluding sales charges.
++ Annualized.
*  For the period from March 3, 1995 (commencement of class C operations) to
   December 31, 1995 and November 2, 1993 (commencement of class Y operations)
   to December 31, 1993.
** For the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal
   year end from December 31 to March 31, effective March 31, 1997.
#  The per share amount is not in accord with the net realized and unrealized
   gains or losses for the period due to the timing of the sales of Fund shares
   and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains or losses at such
   time.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

28
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 42.5%

            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT &
             MANUFACTURING - 1.7%
     29,000 Arvin Industries, Inc. ..............................   $  1,080,250
     30,000 Dana Corp. ..........................................      1,119,375
    150,100 Simpson Industries, Inc. ............................      1,510,381
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,710,006
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 5.6%
     32,312 Banc One Corp. ......................................      1,377,299
     40,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ..................................        720,000
     40,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc. ..........................      1,095,000
     32,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. ...........................        552,000
     19,500 Comerica, Inc. ......................................      1,068,844
     25,050 Crestar Financial Corp. .............................      1,421,587
     47,761 First State Bancorp..................................        904,474
      8,000 First Union Corp.**..................................        409,500
     15,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .........................      1,101,562
     53,000 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A.................................        765,188
     60,000 Norwest Corp. .......................................      2,148,750
     36,000 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ........................        679,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,243,704
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 0.7%
     10,000 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ....................        535,000
     22,530 Southdown, Inc. .....................................      1,013,850
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,548,850
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.2%
     15,000 Dun & Bradstreet Corp................................        405,000
                                                                    ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
      5,500 * AirTouch Communications, Inc. .....................        313,500
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.8%
     50,000 CPI Corp. ...........................................      1,184,375
     11,000 International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. ............        363,000
     50,000 Lancaster Colony Corp. ..............................      1,537,500
    110,000 Stride Rite Corp. ...................................        900,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,985,500
                                                                    ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.5%
     10,000 Harris Corp. ........................................        320,000
     30,000 Ruddick Corp. .......................................        510,000
     30,000 Tenneco, Inc. .......................................        986,250
     80,000 Tomkins Plc, ADR.....................................      1,510,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,326,250
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.6%
     35,000 AMP, Inc. ...........................................      1,251,250
     12,000 Emerson Electric Co. ................................        747,000
     56,656 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B..................................      2,011,288
     43,000 Thomas & Betts Corp. ................................      1,636,687
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,646,225
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.1%
     36,363 Equitable Companies, Inc. ...........................      1,504,519
     20,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. .............        948,750
     20,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ............................        532,500
     15,000 Lincoln National Corp. ..............................      1,233,750
     15,000 Ohio Casualty Corp. .................................        581,250
      6,000 Transamerica Corp. ..................................        636,000
     46,184 Trenwick Group, Inc. ................................      1,345,109
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,781,878
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.8%
     70,900 Flowers Industries, Inc. ............................      1,546,506
     18,000 H.J. Heinz Co. ......................................        920,250
     50,000 Lance, Inc. .........................................        987,500
     28,000 Tasty Baking Corp. ..................................        413,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,867,256
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 2.6%
     30,000 Baxter International, Inc. ..........................      1,785,000
     14,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ............................      1,454,250
     30,100 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................      1,600,944
     30,000 West Co., Inc. ......................................        862,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,702,694
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.6%
     10,000 Bemis Co., Inc. .....................................        350,625
     45,000 Carpenter Technology Corp. ..........................      1,645,313
     48,776 Flowserve Corp. .....................................        987,714
     42,000 Lindberg Corp. ......................................        530,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,513,902
                                                                    ------------
            MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 0.8%
     82,650 Hardinge, Inc. ......................................      1,818,300
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 3.4%
     16,000 Amoco Corp. .........................................        862,000
      8,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. ..............................        567,500
     34,500 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A............................        444,188
     15,000 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ........................        817,500
     15,400 Exxon Corp. .........................................      1,080,887
      3,000 Kerr-McGee Corp. ....................................        136,500
     10,000 Mobil Corp. .........................................        759,375
     21,550 * Seitel, Inc. ......................................        233,009
     12,000 Texaco, Inc. ........................................        752,250
     60,000 Williams Companies, Inc. ............................      1,725,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,378,209
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.5%
     40,000 Lufkin Industries, Inc. .............................      1,040,000
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
      5,896 * Sealed Air Corp. ..................................        187,935
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.2%
      5,800 Time Warner, Inc. ...................................        507,863
                                                                    ------------


                                                                              29
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.4%
     33,000 J. C. Penney Co., Inc. .............................   $  1,482,937
     70,260 *Saks, Inc. ........................................      1,576,459
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,059,396
                                                                   ------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.1%
     10,000 Oxford Industries, Inc. ............................        307,500
                                                                   ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 1.6%
     45,000 First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc. .....................      1,575,000
     18,100 Horizon Financial Corp. ............................        244,350
     50,400 Maryland Federal Bancorp, Inc. .....................      1,814,400
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,633,750
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.5%
     27,000 Union Pacific Corp. ................................      1,150,875
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 6.6%
     80,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ...........................      2,490,000
     31,220 Interstate Energy Corp. ............................      1,000,991
     37,000 PP&L Resources, Inc. ...............................        957,375
     53,000 *Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. .............      2,083,563
     85,000 Puget Sound Energy, Inc. ...........................      2,358,750
     93,000 Sempra Energy.......................................      2,423,812
     22,000 Southern Co. .......................................        647,625
     35,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ..............................      1,222,813
     40,000 Wisconsin Energy Corp. .............................      1,262,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,447,429
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 2.6%
     94,000 *Marketspan Corp. ..................................      2,696,625
     39,250 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ..........................      1,085,508
     55,000 Peoples Energy Corp. ...............................      1,980,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,762,133
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 1.4%
     35,000 Frontier Corp. .....................................        958,125
     40,000 U.S. West, Inc. ....................................      2,097,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,055,625
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stocks
            (cost $79,204,170)..................................     93,393,780
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 16.4%
            BANKS - 1.3%
     50,000 National Australia Bank, Ltd.
            7.875%, Series Unit.................................      1,331,250
     58,000 WBK Trust
            10.0%, STRYPES (exchangeable for Westpac Banking
            Corp. Common Stock).................................      1,602,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,933,500
                                                                   ------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 1.0%
     30,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
            6.00%, Series B.....................................      1,410,000
     10,000 CBS Radio Inc.
             7.00%, 12/31/49, 144A..............................        797,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,207,500
                                                                   ------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.8%
     80,000 Ingersoll Rand Co.
             6.75%, PRIDES......................................      1,680,000
                                                                   ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
     50,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
             6.75%, 144A........................................      1,625,000
                                                                   ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 2.4%
     20,000 American General Corp. $3.00, Series A, MIPS........      1,640,000
     13,000 American Heritage Life Investment Corp.
             8.50%, PRIDES......................................        819,000
     20,000 Frontier Financing Trust 6.25%, TOPRS, 144A.........        855,000
     11,000 Frontier Financing Trust 6.25%, TOPRS...............        470,250
      4,000 Life Re Corp.
             6.00%..............................................        297,000
    125,000 Philadelphia Consolidated
             Holdings, Inc. PRIDES..............................      1,218,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,300,000
                                                                   ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 1.4%
     25,000 Ralston Purina Co.
             7.00%, SAILS (exchangeable for Interstate Bakeries
             common stock)......................................      1,525,000
     30,000 Wendys Financing I
             5.00%, Series A, TECONS............................      1,573,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,098,125
                                                                   ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.9%
     50,000 Owens & Minor Trust I
             TECONS, 144A.......................................      1,900,000
                                                                   ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.7%
     50,000 *Lodgian Capital Trust I 7.00%, 144A................      1,512,500
                                                                   ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.7%
     20,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A.................................        725,000
     20,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, 11/01/26...................................        725,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,450,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 0.3%
     20,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
             8.50%, Series A....................................        590,000
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.6%
     40,000 EVI, Inc.
             5.00%, 144A........................................      1,280,000
                                                                   ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.4%
     30,000 Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.
             4.50%, MIPS........................................        785,625
      5,225 *Sealed Air Corp.
              $2.00, Series A...................................        188,753
                                                                   ------------
                                                                        974,378
                                                                   ------------

30
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED

            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 1.6%
     22,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
             7.00%, ACES (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc.
             common stock).......................................   $  1,678,875
     20,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
             6.00%, STRYPES due 6/1/99 (exchangeable for Cox
             Communications, Inc. common stock)..................        897,500
     10,000 TCI Communications, Inc.
             $2.125, Series A....................................        842,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,418,875
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.3%
      7,500 CVS Automatic Common Exchange Security TRACES........        611,250
     65,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (exchangeable for
             Dollar General Corp. common stock)
             8.50% STRYPES.......................................      2,340,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,951,250
                                                                    ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.8%
     20,000 CNF Trust I
             5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for CNF
             Transportation, Inc. common stock)..................        960,000
     20,000 Union Pacific Capital Trust
             6.25%, TIDES, 144A..................................        890,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,850,000
                                                                    ------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.5%
     45,000 *BNDES Participacoes S.A. DECS.......................      1,057,500
     40,000 Texas Utilities Co.
             9.25%, PRIDES.......................................      2,250,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,307,500
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $39,357,753)..................................     36,078,628
                                                                    ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 6.5%

            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 0.9%
 $1,500,000 Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc. 6.25%, 3/15/01.........   $  1,912,500
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.5%
    250,000 * Interim Services, Inc.
              4.50%, 6/1/05......................................        217,500
  1,000,000 Quantum Corp.
             7.00%, 8/1/04.......................................        906,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,123,750
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.7%
  2,000,000 Action Performance Companies, Inc. 4.75%,
             4/1/05, 144A........................................      1,572,600
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.3%
 $  600,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.......................................        575,250
                                                                    ------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 1.1%
  2,500,000 Family Golf Centers, Inc.
             5.75%, 10/15/04, 144A...............................      2,331,250
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 2.2%
  1,000,000 Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. 3.75%, 2/15/07.......        935,000
    500,000 Key Energy Group, Inc.
             7.00%, 7/1/03, 144A.................................        552,500
  2,000,000 Nabors Industries, Inc.
             5.00%, 5/15/06......................................      2,070,000
            Offshore Logistics, Inc.
  1,000,000 6.00%, 12/15/03, 144A................................        891,250
    500,000 6.00%, 12/15/03......................................        445,625
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,894,375
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
            Central Garden & Pet Co.
    500,000 6.00%, 11/15/03, 144A................................        437,500
  1,600,000 6.00%, 11/15/03......................................      1,400,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,837,500
                                                                    ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $16,425,614)..................................     14,247,225
                                                                    ------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 1.4%
            BANKS - 0.5%
  1,000,000 NationsBank Corp.
             6.50%, 8/15/03......................................      1,041,516
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.5%
  1,000,000 American General Finance Corp. 7.125%, 12/1/99.......      1,019,728
                                                                    ------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.4%
  1,000,000 GTE Southwest, Inc.
             5.82%, 12/1/99, Ser. A..............................      1,007,871
                                                                    ------------
            Total Corporate Bonds
             (cost $3,010,992)...................................      3,069,115
                                                                    ------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 31.0%
            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 30.2%
  1,000,000 Federal Farm Credit Bank
             6.70%, 8/6/04.......................................      1,015,775
            Federal Home Loan Bank
  2,000,000 5.375%, 10/6/03......................................      2,014,084
  2,000,000 5.65%, 12/29/00......................................      2,042,532
  1,000,000 6.195%, 2/5/03.......................................      1,000,952
  2,000,000 6.532%, 12/28/07.....................................      2,077,658
  2,000,000 6.565%, 8/6/02.......................................      2,030,308
  2,000,000 6.585%, 10/15/02.....................................      2,002,516
  2,000,000 7.00% , 7/14/05......................................      2,079,474


                                                                              31
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                           American Retirement Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - CONTINUED
            Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
 $2,000,000 6.54%, 12/10/07......................................   $  2,123,004
  2,000,000 6.542%, 3/19/08......................................      2,078,204
  1,000,000 6.91%, 6/20/05.......................................      1,036,702
  2,000,000 7.585%, 9/19/06......................................      2,151,780
  2,000,000 7.865%, 8/8/11.......................................      2,172,222
            Federal National Mortgage Association
  5,000,000 5.65%, 2/22/28.......................................      4,974,030
  3,000,000 5.90%, 6/18/01.......................................      3,025,593
  1,850,000 6.00%, 1/14/05.......................................      1,921,673
  2,215,000 6.10%, 1/26/05.......................................      2,284,845
  3,000,000 6.16%, 1/23/08.......................................      3,145,548
  2,000,000 6.24%, 1/14/08.......................................      2,100,792
  3,000,000 6.32%, 3/3/08........................................      3,169,917
  1,000,000 6.41%, 3/8/06........................................      1,089,704
  5,000,000 6.42%, 2/12/08.......................................      5,195,630
  1,000,000 6.45%, 1/28/05.......................................      1,005,510
  2,000,000 6.46%, 1/1/08........................................      2,121,630
  4,000,000 6.52%, 3/5/08........................................      4,162,280
  2,000,000 6.54%, 4/1/05........................................      2,017,088
  2,000,000 6.68%, 12/28/01......................................      2,000,212
  3,000,000 7.28%, 5/23/07.......................................      3,231,846
  1,000,000 Student Loan Marketing Association
             5.90%, 2/20/01......................................      1,004,282
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      66,275,791
                                                                    ------------
            TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 0.8%
  1,500,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds
             7.125%, 2/15/23.....................................      1,895,157
                                                                    ------------
            Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
             (cost $65,242,641)..................................     68,170,948
                                                                    ------------

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.7%

            COMMERCIAL PAPER - 0.9%
 $  220,000 BMW U.S. Capital Corp.
             5.52%, 10/9/98......................................        219,730
  1,250,000 Peg Managers Acceptance Corp.
             5.55%, 10/27/98.....................................      1,244,990
    400,000 Twin Towers, Inc.
             5.55%, 10/6/98......................................        399,692
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,864,412
                                                                    ------------
            U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 1.8%
  3,000,000 Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes
             5.12%, 10/30/98.....................................      2,987,627
  1,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association Discount
             Notes 5.20%, 10/7/98................................        999,133
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,986,760
                                                                    ------------
            Total Short-Term Investments
             (cost $5,851,172)...................................      5,851,172
                                                                    ------------
            TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
             (COST $209,092,342)..........................   100.5%  220,810,868
            OTHER ASSETS AND
             LIABILITIES - NET............................    (0.5)  (1,126,916)
                                                             -----  ------------
            NET ASSETS....................................   100.0% $219,683,952
                                                             =====  ============


*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 8,000 shares of common stock of
     First Union Corp. at a cost of $106,108. During the six months ended
     September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $6,320 in dividend income from
     this investment. These shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the
     acquisition of the investment advisor.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144Aof the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the
     Fund's Board of Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACESAutomatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
DECSDividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
MIPSMonthly Income Preferred Shares
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
SAILSStock Appreciation Income Linked Securities
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares
TIDESTerm Income Deferrable Equity Securities
TOPRSTrust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACESTrust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

32
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 49.3%

             ADVERTISING & RELATED
              SERVICES - 0.3%
      93,600 Gannett Co., Inc. ................................   $    5,013,450
                                                                  --------------
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.9%
      80,000 Lockheed Martin Corp. ............................        8,065,000
     102,200 United Technologies Corp. ........................        7,811,913
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,876,913
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.8%
     100,000 Chrysler Corp. ...................................        4,787,500
     153,700 Ford Motor Co. ...................................        7,214,294
      25,000 General Motors Corp. .............................        1,367,187
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,368,981
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 1.5%
     200,020 BankAmerica Corp. ................................       12,026,202
     131,864 Chase Manhattan Corp. ............................        5,703,118
     100,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ......................        7,343,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      25,073,070
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 0.7%
      60,000 Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ..................        4,485,000
      75,000 Xerox Corp. ......................................        6,356,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      10,841,250
                                                                  --------------
             CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
              PRODUCTS - 3.2%
     150,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. .................        8,418,750
     400,000 Monsanto Co. .....................................       22,550,000
     300,000 Morton International, Inc. .......................        6,562,500
     136,000 PPG Industries, Inc. .............................        7,420,500
     351,300 Rohm & Haas Co. ..................................        9,770,531
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      54,722,281
                                                                  --------------
             COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS & SERVICES - 1.2%
     150,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc. .............................        9,276,563
     240,000 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ..............................       11,737,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      21,014,063
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.3%
      70,000 Procter & Gamble Co. .............................        4,965,625
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.9%
     213,600 AlliedSignal, Inc. ...............................        7,556,100
      35,000 *Owens Illinois, Inc. ............................          875,000
     121,400 Tyco International Ltd. ..........................        6,707,350
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,138,450
                                                                  --------------
             ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 2.3%
     158,000 Emerson Electric Co. .............................        9,835,500
     325,000 General Electric Co. .............................       25,857,812
      59,600 *Solectron Corp. .................................        2,860,800
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      38,554,112
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 3.4%
     166,984 Allstate Corp. ...................................        6,961,146
     125,000 American International Group, Inc. ...............        9,625,000
      99,353 Associates First Capital Corp. Cl. A..............        6,482,783
     150,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................        7,415,625
     120,000 Federal National Mortgage Association.............        7,710,000
     100,000 Lincoln National Corp. ...........................        8,225,000
     120,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A.........        5,452,500
     150,000 Travelers Group, Inc. ............................        5,625,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      57,497,054
                                                                  --------------
             FOOD & BEVERAGE
              PRODUCTS - 2.8%
      93,600 Bestfoods.........................................        4,533,750
     116,600 Coca Cola Co. ....................................        6,719,075
     200,000 Flowers Industries, Inc. .........................        4,362,500
      79,200 H.J. Heinz Co. ...................................        4,049,100
     261,500 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ....................       12,045,344
     175,000 *Safeway, Inc. ...................................        8,115,625
     141,800 Sara Lee Corp. ...................................        7,657,200
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      47,482,594
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 10.8%
     325,000 American Home Products Corp. .....................       17,021,875
     194,900 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. .........................       20,245,237
     350,000 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A.........        6,387,500
     370,000 Johnson & Johnson.................................       28,952,500
     209,100 Medtronic, Inc. ..................................       12,101,663
     213,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ................................       27,596,812
     150,000 Pfizer, Inc. .....................................       15,890,625
     150,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. .........................        7,528,125
     204,800 Schering-Plough Corp. ............................       21,209,600
     180,000 * Tenet Healthcare Corp. .........................        5,175,000
      37,200 * Universal Health Services, Inc. Cl. B...........        1,553,100
     252,000 Warner-Lambert Co. ...............................       19,026,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     182,688,037
                                                                  --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 3.3%
     120,000 * American Power Conversion Corp. ................        4,518,750
      90,000 * BMC Software, Inc. .............................        5,402,813
     240,000 * EMC Corp. ......................................       13,725,000
     100,000 International Business Machines Corp. ............       12,800,000
      77,200 * Microsoft Corp. ................................        8,499,237
     233,800 * Sun Microsystems, Inc. .........................       11,653,469
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,599,269
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              33
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

             OIL/ENERGY - 7.2%
     188,200 Amoco Corp. ......................................   $   10,139,275
     191,500 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. .........................        7,528,344
     251,500 Atlantic Richfield Co. ...........................       17,840,781
     130,600 Chevron Corp. ....................................       10,978,562
     197,900 Exxon Corp. ......................................       13,890,106
     276,900 Mobil Corp. ......................................       21,027,094
     110,400 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ........................        5,257,800
     393,200 Texaco, Inc. .....................................       24,648,725
     294,400 Unocal Corp. .....................................       10,672,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     121,982,687
                                                                  --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.2%
      90,400 Halliburton Co. ..................................        2,582,050
      24,800 Schlumberger Ltd. ................................        1,247,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       3,829,800
                                                                  --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.5%
     370,000 CBS Corp. ........................................        8,972,500
                                                                  --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 1.4%
     175,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT......................        4,987,500
     475,000 Equity Office Properties
              Trust REIT.......................................       11,637,500
      70,000 First Industrial Realty Trust,
              Inc. REIT........................................        1,785,000
     100,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT.....................        3,675,000
      50,000 TriNet Corporate Realty Trust,
              Inc. REIT........................................        1,631,250
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,716,250
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
     325,000 CVS Corp. ........................................       14,239,063
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 3.3%
      87,300 Cinergy Corp. ....................................        3,339,225
     199,000 Consolidated Edison, Inc. ........................       10,372,875
     295,000 Dominion Resources, Inc. .........................       13,164,375
     250,000 Duke Power Co. ...................................       16,546,875
     100,000 Florida Progress Corp. ...........................        4,331,250
     150,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .........................        4,668,750
      90,000 Texas Utilities Co. ..............................        4,190,625
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      56,613,975
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.5%
     383,000 Ameritech Corp. ..................................       18,144,625
     164,000 AT&T Corp. .......................................        9,583,750
     116,202 Bell Atlantic Corp. ..............................        5,628,534
     112,000 GTE Corp. ........................................        6,160,000
      75,480 Sprint Corp.  ....................................        5,434,560
     285,000 U.S. West, Inc.  .................................       14,944,688
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      59,896,157
                                                                  --------------
             Total Common Stocks
              (cost $536,741,997)..............................      838,085,581
                                                                  --------------

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 1.6%

             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
     150,000 Newell Financial Trust I
              5.25%, 144A......................................   $    8,400,000
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.1%
      40,000 Owens Illinois, Inc.
              4.75%............................................        1,430,000
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.4%
      63,500 Conseco, Inc.
              7.00%, PRIDES....................................        6,858,000
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.6%
     200,000 Kmart Financing I
              7.75%............................................       10,000,000
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $24,276,192)...............................       26,688,000
                                                                  --------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 1.1%

             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.4%
 $10,000,000 HEALTHSOUTH Corp.
              3.25%, 4/1/03, 144A..............................        7,625,000
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.1%
   1,100,000 Textron, Inc.
              10.01%, 2/1/00...................................        1,161,732
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.6%
   5,250,000 Staples, Inc.
              4.50%, 10/1/00, 144A.............................        9,843,750
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $16,434,975)...............................       18,630,482
                                                                  --------------
 ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 6.1%
   5,500,000 Americredit Automobile
              Receivable, Series 1997-C,
              Class A3,
              6.30%, 7/5/03....................................        5,650,178
   1,176,139 Americredit Automobile Recreation
              Trust, 1997 B Class A2
              6.36%, 9/12/00...................................        1,183,143
  12,500,000 Carco Auto Loan Master Trust,
              Series 1997-1, Class A,
              6.69%, 8/15/04...................................       12,775,375
   2,500,000 CNL Funding 98 1 Lp, Series 1998 Franchise
              Loan Trust Certificate
              6.60%, 4/18/11...................................        2,648,438
   2,750,000 Contimortgage Home Equity Loan, Series 1997-
              4, Class A7 6.63%, 9/15/16.......................        2,852,245
   4,000,000 Contimortgage Home Equity Loan
              Trust, Series 1998-1, Class A6,
              6.58%, 12/15/18..................................        4,104,840
   6,150,000 Corestates Home Equity Loan, Series 1996-1,
              Class A4, 7.00%, 6/15/12.........................        6,554,670


34
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - CONTINUED

 $ 1,500,000 First USA Credit Card Master Trust, Series 96
              6 Class A 5.765%, 10/10/98.......................   $    1,498,125
             Green Tree Financial Corp.
   5,695,011 Series 1993-4, Class A3, 6.25%, 1/15/19...........        5,716,367
   6,000,000 Series 1997-3, Class A5, 7.14%, 7/15/28...........        6,275,580
             Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
   3,320,136 Series 1992-D, Class B,
              8.50%, 6/15/17...................................        3,665,895
   5,000,000 Series 1991-D, Class B,
              9.85%, 7/15/11...................................        5,098,400
     415,460 Money Store Auto Trust, 1997 2 Class A1
              6.17%, 3/20/01**.................................          417,699
   8,000,000 Olympic Automobile Receivables Trust, Series
              1997-A, Class A5 6.80%, 2/15/05..................        8,262,960
  10,000,000 Premier Auto Trust, Series 1997 2, Class B,
              6.53%, 12/6/03...................................       10,275,000
   7,500,000 Southern Pacific Secured Assets Corp., Series
              1996-3, Class A4 7.60%, 10/25/27.................        8,126,043
     525,815 Union Acceptance Corp., Series 1995-C, Class
              A,
              6.40%, 10/10/02..................................          527,618
     745,000 University Support Services, Inc., Series
              1992-D, 9.00%, 10/7/98...........................          742,672
   8,900,000 WFS Financial Owner Trust, Series 1997-C,
              Class CTFS 6.30%, 3/20/05........................        9,027,937
   7,632,267 World Omni Automobile Lease, Series 1997-A,
              Class A4, 6.90%, 6/25/03.........................        7,861,235
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     103,264,420
                                                                  --------------
             Total Asset-Backed Securities
              (cost $99,551,379)...............................      103,264,420
                                                                  --------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 20.3%
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 1.0%
   5,000,000 Boeing Co.
              6.625%, 2/15/38..................................        5,164,600
             Northrop Grumman Corp.
   5,500,000 7.00%, 3/1/06.....................................        5,818,615
   5,000,000 9.375%, 10/15/24..................................        5,829,100
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,812,315
                                                                  --------------
             AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.3%
   5,000,000 Ford Motor Co.
              6.625%, 10/1/28..................................        5,069,550
                                                                  --------------
             BANKS - 0.9%
   3,465,000 Amsouth Bancorp
              6.75%, 11/1/25...................................        3,679,899
   5,200,000 BankBoston N A
              6.375%, 4/15/08..................................        5,241,548
 $ 5,000,000 Barnett Capital I
              8.06%, 12/1/26...................................        5,538,400
     698,000 Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc.
              6.75%, 3/15/03...................................          735,057
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,194,904
                                                                  --------------
             BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
              SERVICES - 0.4%
   6,000,000 Federal Express Corp.
              6.845%, 1/15/19..................................        6,545,310
                                                                  --------------
             CABLE/OTHER VIDEO
              DISTRIBUTION - 0.3%
   5,000,000 CSC Holdings Inc.
              7.625%, 7/15/18..................................        4,853,700
                                                                  --------------
             CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
   3,000,000 American Greetings Corp.
              6.10%, 8/1/28....................................        3,134,970
   4,000,000 Hasbro Inc.
              6.15%, 7/15/08...................................        4,288,160
   1,001,000 Stanley Works
              7.375%, 12/15/02.................................        1,078,527
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       8,501,657
                                                                  --------------
             DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 1.4%
             General Electric Capital Corp.
   1,280,000 8.75%, 3/14/03....................................        1,470,976
   5,470,000 8.75%, 5/21/07....................................        6,752,660
   5,000,000 Grand Metropolitan Investment Corp.
              7.45%, 4/15/35...................................        5,844,000
  10,500,000 GS Escrow Corp.
              6.75%, 8/1/01, 144A..............................       10,579,800
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      24,647,436
                                                                  --------------
             FINANCE & INSURANCE - 6.5%
   8,000,000 AMBAC, Inc.
              9.375%, 8/1/11...................................       10,446,880
   6,550,000 Associates Corp. North America
              8.625%, 11/15/04.................................        7,656,164
   5,000,000 Bear Stearns Co., Inc.
              6.875%, 10/1/05..................................        5,237,550
   5,800,000 Beneficial Corp.
              6.25%, 2/18/13...................................        6,029,564
   4,500,000 CIT Group Holdings, Inc.
              9.25%, 3/15/01...................................        4,933,305
   6,400,000 Commercial Credit Group, Inc.
              10.00%, 5/15/09..................................        8,312,192
   1,280,000 Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
              6.75%, 10/15/13..................................        1,301,914
   6,600,000 General Motors Acceptance Corp.
              8.50%, 1/1/03....................................        7,354,842
   1,750,000 International Lease Finance Corp.
              5.75%, 1/15/03...................................        1,788,115
   9,975,000 John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.
              7.375%, 2/15/24, 144A............................       11,223,471
   6,500,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
              6.50%, 10/1/02 ..................................        6,207,305


                                                                              35
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - CONTINUED

             FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
 $ 7,000,000 Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
              7.697%, 10/15/97.................................   $    7,464,100
   6,000,000 Nationwide CSN Trust
              9.875%, 2/15/25, 144A............................        7,541,460
             Paine Webber Group, Inc.
   4,705,000 8.25%, 5/1/02.....................................        4,903,927
   5,050,000 9.25%, 12/15/01...................................        5,423,397
   6,200,000 Prudential Insurance Co.
              7.125%, 7/1/07...................................        6,770,524
   6,700,000 Sun Life Canada Capital Trust
              8.526%, 5/29/49..................................        7,248,529
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     109,843,239
                                                                  --------------
             HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
              SERVICES - 0.5%
   5,000,000 Johnson & Johnson
              8.72%, 11/1/24...................................        6,041,900
   3,000,000 Merck & Co., Inc.
              6.40%, 3/1/28....................................        3,158,430
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       9,200,330
                                                                  --------------
             INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
               0.1%
   2,000,000 USA Waste Services Inc.
              6.125%, 7/15/01..................................        2,038,800
     326,000 Waste Management, Inc.
              8.75%, 5/1/18....................................          359,435
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       2,398,235
                                                                  --------------
             INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY - 0.4%
   6,500,000 Comdisco Inc.
              6.125%, 1/15/03..................................        6,635,460
                                                                  --------------
             MACHINERY - DIVERSIFIED - 0.1%
   2,000,000 Caterpillar, Inc.
              9.375%, 7/15/01..................................        2,216,400
                                                                  --------------
             OIL/ENERGY - 0.8%
   4,250,000 Occidental Petroleum Corp.
              9.25%, 8/1/19....................................        5,013,555
   7,500,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc.
              8.00%, 4/15/27...................................        8,302,950
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,316,505
                                                                  --------------
             OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.7%
     931,000 Atlantic Richfield Co.
              9.00%, 4/1/21....................................        1,227,514
   5,000,000 Petroleum Geo-Services
              7.50%, 3/31/07...................................        5,333,600
   5,000,000 R B Falcon Corp.
              6.75%, 4/15/05...................................        5,159,700
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,720,814
                                                                  --------------
             PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.5%
   8,000,000 James River Corp.
              6.75%, 10/1/99...................................        8,085,280
                                                                  --------------
             PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT -
               0.4%
   7,250,000 Time Warner Inc.
              6.95%, 1/15/28...................................        7,535,143
                                                                  --------------
             REAL ESTATE - 0.7%
   7,000,000 EOP Operating Limited Partnership
              6.375%, 2/15/03..................................        6,995,660
   4,000,000 Glenborough Realty Trust, Inc.
              7.625%, 3/15/05, 144A............................        4,101,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,096,660
                                                                  --------------
             RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.8%
   8,000,000 Fred Meyer Inc.
              7.15%, 3/1/03....................................        8,287,120
   4,300,000 Sears Roebuck & Co.
              10.00%, 2/3/12...................................        6,069,235
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      14,356,355
                                                                  --------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 1.3%
   6,750,000 Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp.
              7.12%, 7/15/97...................................        7,677,045
   6,550,000 TCI Communications Inc.
              8.75%, 8/1/15....................................        8,182,784
   5,640,000 Worldcom, Inc.
              6.40%, 8/15/05...................................        5,951,836
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      21,811,665
                                                                  --------------
             TRANSPORTATION - 0.9%
   5,000,000 American Airline
              8.39%, 1/2/17....................................        5,749,000
   3,000,000 Golden St. Pete Trans Corp.
              8.04%, 2/1/19....................................        3,016,875
   6,250,000 Norfolk Southern Corp.
              7.05%, 5/1/37....................................        6,890,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      15,656,000
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 0.7%
   5,000,000 Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.
              6.65%, 7/15/27...................................        5,498,700
   4,000,000 Rural Electric Cooperative
              8.67%, 9/15/18...................................        4,763,280
     838,000 Union Electric Co.
              8.00%, 12/15/22..................................          982,136
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      11,244,116
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - GAS - 0.8%
   3,780,000 ANR Pipeline Co.
              9.625%, 11/1/21..................................        4,863,575
   8,000,000 K N Energy Inc.
              6.65%, 3/1/05....................................        8,215,520
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,079,095
                                                                  --------------
             UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 0.3%
   3,500,000 GTE Florida Inc.
              6.86%, 2/1/28....................................        3,766,245
   2,000,000 MCI Communications Corp.
              1.00%, 4/15/12...................................        2,050,140
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,816,385
                                                                  --------------
             Total Corporate Bonds
              (cost $332,028,394)..............................      345,636,554
                                                                  --------------


36
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 9.7%

             MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES - 3.5%
 $11,000,000 Federal Home Loan Banks
              5.50%, 8/13/01...................................   $   11,244,640
             Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
     837,587 7.411%, 3/1/21....................................          863,242
   4,622,740 7.569%, 4/1/22....................................        4,804,783
     889,489 7.609%, 3/1/19....................................          932,852
             Federal National Mortgage Association.............
  16,865,208 5.50%, 7/1/09.....................................       16,992,371
   4,212,809 7.00%, 5/1/24.....................................        4,332,580
   1,686,775 7.30%, 5/1/22.....................................        1,733,684
   2,153,541 7.332%, 2/1/27....................................        2,187,868
   9,563,205 7.414%, 9/1/21....................................        9,871,045
   1,634,198 7.472%, 12/1/23...................................        1,657,976
   2,628,049 7.518%, 1/1/31....................................        2,701,135
             Government National Mortgage Association..........
     438,600 8.50%, 5/15/21....................................          465,740
     247,663 8.50%, 7/15/21....................................          262,520
     556,386 8.50%, 6/15/22....................................          588,723
     310,477 9.00%, 9/15/21....................................          333,760
     458,501 9.00%, 10/15/21...................................          492,884
     248,613 9.50%, 2/15/21....................................          268,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      59,734,303
                                                                  --------------
             COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS - 6.2%
  10,000,000 Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities
              Inc., Series 1998-C1, Class C
              6.75%, 6/16/30...................................       11,078,125
             Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.
   2,000,000 Series 1997-2, Class B, 6.60%, 11/19/07...........        1,911,875
   2,200,000 Series 1997-1, Class B, 7.37%, 4/19/07............        2,172,162
   4,720,879 Chase Mortgage Finance Corp., Series 1994-D,
              Class M, 6.75%, 2/25/25..........................        4,969,905
   2,400,000 Commercial Mortgage Acceptance Corp.,
              Series 1997-ML1, Class B, 6.647%, 12/15/07.......        2,485,020
   7,229,087 Criimi Mae Financial Corp., Series 1, Class
              A, 7.00%, 1/1/33.................................        7,222,310
   4,000,000 Criimi Mae Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series
              1998 C1, Class A, 144A
              7.00%, 3/2/11....................................        4,122,500
             Federal National Mortgage Association
   1,250,000 Series 1993-248, Class SA, 4.284%, 8/25/23........        1,194,338
   5,000,000 Series 1997-M6, Class C, 6.85%, 5/17/20...........        5,459,775
   1,250,000 FFCA Secured Lending Corp., Series 1997-1,
              Class B1, 7.74%, 6/18/13.........................        1,376,172
   5,484,643 Financial Asset Securitization, Series 1997-
              NAM 1, Class FXA2,
              7.75%, 4/25/27...................................        5,696,783
   3,745,000 G E Capital Mortgage Services Inc., Series
              1994-27, Class A6,
              6.50%, 7/25/24...................................        3,777,769
   7,812,734 Independent National Mortgage Corp., 144A,
              Series 1997-A, Class A,
              7.81%, 12/26/26..................................        8,030,025
     415,608 KS Mortgage Capital, L. P.,144A, Series 1995-
              1, Class A1, 7.23%, 4/20/02......................          417,426
   5,000,000 Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.,
              Series 1997-C1, Class A3 7.12%, 6/18/29..........        5,370,025
   5,870,000 Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 35, Class G,
              8.45%, 11/1/18...................................        6,222,200
   1,786,895 Mid State Trust, Series 6, Class A3,
              7.54%, 7/1/35....................................        1,933,778
   6,000,000 Morgan Stanley Capital I Inc., Series 1998
              Wf1, Class C 6.77%, 1/15/08......................        6,178,125
  11,707,375 Nomura Depositor Trust Str I,
              Series 1998-ST1,
              Class A1, 144A
              5.92%, 1/15/03...................................       11,762,253
             PNC Mortgage Securities Corp.
   2,472,422 Series 1997-4, Class 2PP3,
             7.25%, 7/25/27....................................        2,563,093
   5,844,331 Series 1997-4, Class 2PP1,
             7.50%, 7/25/27....................................        5,944,678
   1,011,178 Prudential Home Mortgage Securities Co.,
              Series 1990-12, Class A1
              7.98%, 11/25/20..................................        1,017,816
   4,177,710 Shearson Lehman CMO Inc., Series V, Class 5
              7.50%, 5/1/19....................................        4,453,982
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     105,360,135
                                                                  --------------
             Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
              (cost $159,523,627)..............................      165,094,438
                                                                  --------------
 MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.1%
   2,500,000 Cook County Illinois
              5.00%,11/15/22...................................        2,496,750
                                                                  --------------
             Total Municipal Bonds
              (cost $2,455,126)................................        2,496,750
                                                                  --------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (U.S. DOLLARS) - 1.2%
     640,000 International Bank For Reconstruction &
              Development Co.
              7.95%, 5/15/16...................................          801,670


                                                                              37
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
    Amount                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (U.S. DOLLARS) - CONTINUED
 $  4,000,000 National Westminster Bancorp
               9.375%, 11/15/03................................   $    4,681,920
   60,000,000 Skandinaviska Enskilda
               0%, 5/26/33.....................................        6,834,000
    8,000,000 YPF Sociedad Anonima
               7.25%, 3/15/03..................................        7,280,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      19,597,590
                                                                  --------------
              Total Foreign Bonds (U.S. Dollars)
               (cost $18,502,231)..............................       19,597,590
                                                                  --------------
 FOREIGN BONDS (NON U.S. DOLLARS) - 4.2%
  142,178,000 Nykredit,
               6.00%, 10/1/26..................................       22,063,840
  205,474,000 Realkredit Danmark
               6.00%, 10/1/26..................................       31,918,763
    2,500,000 Republic of Colombia
               8.625%, 4/1/08..................................        1,756,250
    8,200,000 United Kingdom Treasury
               7.25%, 12/7/07..................................       16,428,377
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      72,167,230
                                                                  --------------
              Total Foreign Bonds
               (Non U.S. Dollars)
               (cost $66,436,176)..............................       72,167,230
                                                                  --------------
 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 2.0%
              FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.4%
    6,200,000 Federal Home Loan Banks 5.125%,
               9/15/03.........................................        6,309,492
                                                                  --------------
              TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 1.6%
    9,935,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds
               7.875%, 2/15/21.................................       13,405,991
              U.S. Treasury Notes
    3,000,000 5.375%, 2/15/01..................................        3,067,980
    5,000,000 5.50%, 5/31/03...................................        5,245,300
    5,590,000 6.125%, 8/15/07..................................        6,257,278
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      27,976,549
                                                                  --------------
              Total U.S. Government & Agency
               Obligations
               (cost $32,029,766)..............................       34,286,041
                                                                  --------------

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.3%

              COMMERCIAL PAPER - 0.2%
 $  2,735,000 Kansallis Osake Pankki
               9.75%, 12/15/98.................................   $    2,758,193
                                                                  --------------
              REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 3.1%
   50,000,000 Goldman Sachs Repurchase Agreement purchased
               9/30/98, 5.60%, maturing 10/1/98, maturity
               value $50,007,778
               (cost $50,000,000) (a)..........................       50,000,000
    3,167,000 Keystone Joint Repurchase Agreement.
               Investments in repurchase agreements, in a
               joint trading account, purchased 9/30/98,
               5.60%, maturing 10/1/98, maturity value
               $3,167,493
               (cost $3,167,000) (b)...........................        3,167,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      53,167,000
                                                                  --------------
              Total Short-Term Investments
               (cost $55,934,547)..............................       55,925,193
                                                                  --------------
              TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
               (COST $1,343,914,410)....................    98.9%  1,681,872,279
              OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET........     1.1      18,288,104
                                                           -----  --------------
              NET ASSETS................................   100.0% $1,700,160,383
                                                           =====  ==============

*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned a principal amount of $415,460 of
     Money Store Auto Trust at a cost of $415,136. During the six months ended
     September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $1,018 in interest income from this
     investment. This security was purchased by the Fund prior to the
     acquisition of the Money Store by First Union.
(a)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by: $26,223,835 Federal
     Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 6.131%, maturing 9/1/24; value including accrued
     interest - $25,699,000 and $24,797,258 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
     6.131% maturing 9/1/24; value including accrued interest - $24,301,000.
(b)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. Government
     and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued interest at
     September 30, 1998.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

38
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts to Buy:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         UNREALIZED
  EXCHANGE                                         U.S. VALUE AT       IN EXCHANGE      APPRECIATION
    DATE             CONTRACTS TO RECEIVE        SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     FOR U.S. $     (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
  10/16/98      66,483,000Danish Krone              $10,471,493        $10,377,429      $    94,064
                                                                                        ===========
<CAPTION>

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts to Sell:

                                                                                         UNREALIZED
  EXCHANGE                                         U.S. VALUE AT       IN EXCHANGE      APPRECIATION
    DATE             CONTRACTS TO DELIVER        SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     FOR U.S. $     (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
  10/30/98       9,066,258British Pound Sterling     15,388,500         14,889,425      $  (499,075)
  10/16/98     204,020,000Danish Krone               32,134,442         29,827,485       (2,306,957)
  12/14/98     195,339,000Danish Krone               30,792,428         30,348,637         (443,791)
                                                                                        -----------
                                                                                        $(3,249,823)
                                                                                        ===========
<CAPTION>

FUTURES CONTRACTS - LONG POSITIONS(1)

                           NUMBER OF              INITIAL CONTRACT       VALUE AT        UNREALIZED
 EXPIRATION                CONTRACTS                   AMOUNT       SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (DEPRECIATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                               <C>                <C>                <C>
December 1998          330S&P 500                   $86,394,375        $84,645,000      $(1,749,375)
                                                                                        ===========
</TABLE>

(1) At September 30, 1998, cash of $4,455,000 was segregated at the Fund's
    custodian for initial margin deposits.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              39
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                         Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - 58.6%

            ADVERTISING & RELATED
             SERVICES - 0.0%
     13,000 Gannett Co., Inc. .................................   $      696,313
                                                                  --------------
            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.6%
    402,600 Boeing Co. ........................................       13,814,212
      5,420 Raytheon Co. Cl. A.................................          280,824
     31,000 United Technologies Corp. .........................        2,369,563
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,464,599
                                                                  --------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 1.5%
    458,400 Chrysler Corp. ....................................       21,945,900
    160,000 General Motors Corp................................        8,750,000
     30,000 Genuine Parts Co...................................          901,875
    208,800 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. ........................       10,727,100
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      42,324,875
                                                                  --------------
            BANKS - 6.8%
     83,100 AmSouth Bancorp....................................        2,835,788
     50,000 Bancfirst Corp. ...................................        1,825,000
     45,700 BankAmerica Corp. .................................        2,747,713
    783,600 BankBoston Corp. ..................................       25,858,800
     63,000 Bankers Trust Corp. ...............................        3,717,000
    140,062 BSB Bancorp, Inc...................................        3,895,474
    164,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. .........................        2,829,000
     27,000 CB Bancshares, Inc. ...............................          864,000
    120,700 CitiCorp...........................................       11,217,556
    149,000 Crestar Financial Corp. ...........................        8,455,750
    301,950 Dime Bancorp, Inc. ................................        7,643,109
     85,138 First Chicago NBD Corp. ...........................        5,831,953
     16,875 First Security Corp. ..............................          282,656
    117,000 First Union Corp. **...............................        5,988,938
    120,000 Firstar Corp. .....................................        6,075,000
     58,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .......................        4,259,375
     43,400 Hancock Holding Co. ...............................        2,072,350
     70,801 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A...............................        1,022,189
    281,400 KeyCorp............................................        8,125,425
      3,800 M & T Bank Corp....................................        1,751,800
     50,000 Mellon Bank Corp. .................................        2,753,125
     30,000 Mercantile Bancorp, Inc. ..........................        1,451,250
     50,000 Mississippi Valley Bancshares, Inc. ...............        1,806,250
    349,080 National City Corp. ...............................       23,017,462
    131,825 NationsBank Corp. .................................        7,052,638
    175,000 Norwest Corp. .....................................        6,267,188
    260,500 Pacific Century Financial Corp. ...................        4,347,094
    132,300 Peoples Heritage Financial Group...................        2,373,131
    102,000 Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida Cl. A............        3,034,500
     50,000 SouthTrust Corp. ..................................        1,746,875
    106,200 SunTrust Banks, Inc. ..............................        6,584,400
     65,000 U.S. Trust Corp....................................        4,314,375
    160,000 Webster Financial Corp.............................        3,900,000
    238,300 Wilmington Trust Corp. ............................       12,391,600
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     188,338,764
                                                                  --------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS  - 1.8%
    364,100 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ..................       19,479,350
    394,225 D.R. Horton, Inc. .................................        6,307,600
     17,857 Engle Homes, Inc...................................          253,904
    205,000 Home Depot, Inc. ..................................        8,097,500
    366,122 Lennar Corp........................................        8,169,097
    206,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ............................        6,553,375
     50,100 M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. .....................          926,850
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      49,787,676
                                                                  --------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
            SERVICES - 0.2%
     14,000 Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ...................        1,046,500
     45,500 *Crescent Operating, Inc. .........................          318,500
     42,000 *Metamor Worldwide, Inc. ..........................        1,155,000
     40,636 Paychex, Inc. .....................................        2,095,294
     20,000 *Policy Management
             Systems Corp. ....................................          810,000
     10,000 Xerox Corp.........................................          847,500
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       6,272,794
                                                                  --------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 0.6%
    165,000 Caterpillar, Inc. .................................        7,352,812
    321,700 Deere & Co. .......................................        9,731,425
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      17,084,237
                                                                  --------------
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 2.7%
     80,000 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc......................        2,380,000
    595,400 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ..................       33,416,825
     70,000 *Grace (W.R.) & Co. ...............................          870,625
     60,000 H.B. Fuller Co. ...................................        2,272,500
    245,800 Monsanto Co. ......................................       13,856,975
    170,000 Morton International, Inc. ........................        3,718,750
     75,000 Nalco Chemical Co. ................................        2,212,500
    174,000 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. ...............        4,567,500
    120,800 PPG Industries, Inc. ..............................        6,591,150
     45,000 Praxair, Inc.......................................        1,470,937
    115,000 Schulman (A.), Inc. ...............................        1,624,375
    100,560 Solutia, Inc. .....................................        2,268,885
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      75,251,022
                                                                  --------------
            COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS &
             SERVICES - 0.8%
     30,000 *AirTouch Communications, Inc. ....................        1,710,000
     49,800 *Ascend Communications, Inc. ......................        2,265,900
    179,100 *Cisco Systems, Inc. ..............................       11,070,619
     90,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. .........................        6,215,625
     39,900 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ...............................        1,950,112
      6,666 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ......................           68,327
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      23,280,583
                                                                  --------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 1.1%
     95,000 Black & Decker Corp................................        3,954,375
    233,150 Cendant Corp. .....................................        2,710,369
     32,052 *Consolidated Products, Inc. ......................          562,913
     20,000 H & R Block, Inc. .................................          827,500
     10,000 Harman International
             Industries, Inc. .................................          366,875


40
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - CONTINUED
    129,300 International Flavors &
             Fragrances, Inc. ................................   $     4,266,900
    130,100 *Nautica Enterprises, Inc. .......................         2,431,244
     20,000 Premark International, Inc........................           561,250
    110,451 Procter & Gamble Co. .............................         7,835,118
    191,100 Stanley Works.....................................         5,685,225
    118,500 Tupperware Corp. .................................         1,392,375
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      30,594,144
                                                                 ---------------
            DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES - 0.0%(A)
      8,000 Cooper Industries, Inc............................           326,000
      2,800 Tyco International Ltd. ..........................           154,700
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                         480,700
                                                                 ---------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 2.8%
    248,400 AMP, Inc. ........................................         8,880,300
    152,566 *Analog Devices, Inc..............................         2,450,591
    130,000 Applied Power, Inc. Cl. A.........................         3,550,625
     17,300 Emerson Electric Co. .............................         1,076,925
    562,400 General Electric Co. .............................        44,745,950
     97,000 Honeywell, Inc. ..................................         6,214,063
    162,000 Perkin Elmer Corp. ...............................        11,127,375
      2,000 Texas Instruments, Inc. ..........................           105,500
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      78,151,329
                                                                 ---------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 9.1%
     10,668 Aetna, Inc. ......................................           741,426
    120,000 AFLAC, Inc. ......................................         3,427,500
    274,000 Allstate Corp. ...................................        11,422,375
    110,600 AMBAC Financial Group, Inc. ......................         5,308,800
    169,000 American Express Co. .............................        13,118,625
    292,212 American International Group, Inc. ...............        22,500,324
     51,800 Chubb Corp........................................         3,263,400
    158,350 Countrywide Credit Industries,
             Inc. ............................................         6,591,319
     95,000 *Degeorge Financial Corp..........................           125,430
     40,860 Exel Limited Hamilton.............................         2,574,180
     40,000 FBL Financial Group, Inc. Cl. A...................           922,500
     84,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .................         4,152,750
    718,000 Federal National Mortgage
             Association......................................        46,131,500
    126,500 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ...................         1,676,125
    512,055 Household International, Inc. ....................        19,202,062
     32,700 Interstate/Johnson Lane, Inc. ....................           948,300
     45,900 J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. ..........................         3,884,288
    142,200 John Nuveen Co. Cl. A.............................         5,065,875
    177,600 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.....................         5,017,200
     68,000 Lincoln National Corp. ...........................         5,593,000
    419,100 Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc. .......................        20,850,225
     75,000 MBIA, Inc. .......................................         4,026,563
    387,400 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ........................        18,353,075
    345,200 MGIC Investment Corp. ............................        12,729,250
    155,000 NAC RE Corp. .....................................         7,633,750
    110,000 Nationwide Financial Services,
             Inc. Cl. A........................................        4,998,125
     15,000 Ohio Casualty Corp. ...............................          581,250
    201,100 Paine Webber Group, Inc. ..........................        6,033,000
     28,000 Progressive Corp. Ohio.............................        3,157,000
    305,975 Raymond James Financial, Inc. .....................        6,425,475
     13,500 Reinsurance Group Of America.......................          698,625
      3,500 SLM Holding Corp. .................................          113,531
     85,000 UNUM Corp. ........................................        4,223,437
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     251,490,285
                                                                  --------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE
             PRODUCTS - 0.7%
    145,000 American Stores Co.................................        4,667,188
    240,000 Bestfoods..........................................       11,625,000
     30,000 *Corn Products International, Inc. ................          757,500
     23,027 Hershey Foods Corp. ...............................        1,575,910
      3,000 *Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. ..................          117,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      18,742,598
                                                                  --------------
            FOREST PRODUCTS - 0.2%
     88,000 Union Camp Corp. ..................................        3,465,000
     90,000 Willamette Industries, Inc. .......................        2,581,875
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       6,046,875
                                                                  --------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 6.8%
    431,400 Abbott Laboratories................................       18,738,937
      1,750 *Alza Corp. Warrants $65.00
             Expiring 12/31/99.................................              656
    423,800 American Home Products Corp. ......................       22,196,525
     70,000 Baxter International, Inc. ........................        4,165,000
     45,600 Beckman Coulter Inc................................        2,354,100
    101,200 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ..........................       10,512,150
    180,900 Columbia / HCA Healthcare Corp.....................        3,629,306
     23,000 *Covance, Inc......................................          596,563
    152,000 First Health Group Corp. ..........................        3,686,000
     29,400 Glaxo Wellcome Plc, ADR............................        1,679,475
     68,550 Guidant Corp. .....................................        5,089,838
     64,000 HBO & Co. .........................................        1,848,000
     88,500 *Health Management Associates,
             Inc. Cl. A .......................................        1,615,125
     20,000 IMS Health, Inc....................................        1,238,750
    114,500 Johnson & Johnson..................................        8,959,625
    312,524 Lilly (Eli) & Co. .................................       24,474,536
    130,000 *Lincare Holdings, Inc. ...........................        5,037,500
     81,666 *Maxxim Medical, Inc. .............................        2,097,795
    160,000 McKesson Corp. ....................................       14,660,000
    151,750 *MedPartners, Inc. ................................          493,188
     96,600 Medtronic, Inc. ...................................        5,590,725
    167,758 Merck & Co., Inc. .................................       21,735,146
     89,500 Pfizer, Inc........................................        9,481,406
     11,500 *Quest Diagnostics, Inc. ..........................          189,750
    157,000 Schering-Plough Corp. .............................       16,259,312
      9,200 Shared Medical System Corp. .......................          489,325
     32,400 Warner-Lambert Co. ................................        2,446,200
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     189,264,933
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              41
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
              1.1%
    155,970 Autoliv, Inc.......................................   $    4,289,175
     40,000 Bemis Co., Inc. ...................................        1,402,500
    147,000 Corning, Inc. .....................................        4,327,312
     64,600 *Halter Marine Group, Inc. ........................          734,825
     91,000 Parker Hannifin Corp. .............................        2,701,563
     30,000 Pittston Brink's Group.............................        1,050,000
    190,000 Snap-on, Inc. .....................................        5,854,375
      6,000 *Strattec Security Corp. ..........................          159,000
     35,000 Sundstrand Corp. ..................................        1,623,125
    378,000 Timken Co. ........................................        5,717,250
     50,000 Trinity Industries, Inc. ..........................        1,621,875
     55,000 *UCAR International, Inc. .........................          990,000
     38,000 *Unova, Inc. ......................................          624,625
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      31,095,625
                                                                  --------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 7.0%
     35,000 America Online, Inc. ..............................        3,893,750
     38,000 *BMC Software, Inc. ...............................        2,282,375
    154,133 Compaq Computer Corp. .............................        4,874,456
     37,500 Computer Associates
             International, Inc................................        1,387,500
     49,000 Computer Sciences Corp. ...........................        2,670,500
     40,000 *Dell Computer Corp................................        2,630,000
     40,000 *EMC Corp. ........................................        2,287,500
    524,800 Hewlett-Packard Co.................................       27,781,600
    809,600 Intel Corp. .......................................       69,423,200
    180,000 International Business
             Machines Corp. ...................................       23,040,000
    370,000 *Microsoft Corp. ..................................       40,723,125
     30,190 *Peoplesoft, Inc. .................................          984,949
    224,000 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ...........................       11,158,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     193,136,955
                                                                  --------------
            LEISURE & TOURISM - 0.1%
    127,479 Disney Walt Co. ...................................        3,226,812
                                                                  --------------
            MACHINERY -
              DIVERSIFIED - 0.1%
     79,900 W.W. Grainger, Inc. ...............................        3,365,787
                                                                  --------------
            OIL / ENERGY - 1.4%
    189,000 Amoco Corp. .......................................       10,182,375
    113,500 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ......................        6,185,750
    289,000 Equitable Resources, Inc. .........................        7,351,437
    102,400 Exxon Corp. .......................................        7,187,200
     91,800 Mobil Corp.........................................        6,971,063
        900 Pennzoil Co. ......................................           31,556
     86,206 *Seitel, Inc.......................................          932,102
      1,200 Sonat, Inc.........................................           35,850
     33,877 Union Pacific Resource
             Group, Inc. ......................................          417,111
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      39,294,444
                                                                  --------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.5%
     83,430 Baker Hughes, Inc. ................................        1,746,816
     23,600 Halliburton Co. ...................................          674,075
     47,200 *R & B Falcon Corp.................................          566,400
    217,800 Schlumberger Ltd...................................       10,958,062
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      13,945,353
                                                                  --------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.2%
     85,000 Kimberly-Clark Corp. ..............................        3,442,500
     37,520 *Sealed Air Corp...................................        1,195,950
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       4,638,450
                                                                  --------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING
             & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.6%
     80,000 Belo (A.H.) Corp. Ser. A ..........................        1,600,000
    128,620 CBS Corp...........................................        3,119,035
     20,000 *Cox Communications,
             Inc. Cl. A........................................        1,092,500
     99,400 Time Warner, Inc. .................................        8,703,712
      3,000 Washington Post Co., Cl. B.........................        1,533,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      16,048,247
                                                                  --------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.7%
     38,000 *Alexander's, Inc. REIT............................        2,916,500
    111,992 Archstone Communities Trust........................        2,281,837
     24,100 Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT......................          537,731
     50,000 Avalon Bay Community, Inc. REIT....................        1,703,125
     73,100 Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT....................          762,981
    150,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT.......................        4,275,000
     50,009 Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT.....................        1,050,189
    140,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.......................        2,677,500
     28,917 Camden Property Trust REIT.........................          807,869
    800,000 Canadian Hotel Properties REIT.....................        4,772,362
    280,400 Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT.......................        1,016,450
    171,900 CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT......................        3,921,469
    110,000 Chelsea GCA Realty, Inc. REIT......................        3,767,500
    376,700 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT...........        9,511,675
    305,300 Crown American Realty Trust REIT...................        2,614,131
    200,000 Entertainment Properties Trust REIT................        3,700,000
     42,500 Equity Residential
             Properties Trust REIT.............................        1,792,969
    105,200 Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT....................        3,261,200
    115,000 FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. REIT.....................        2,795,937
     10,700 Gables Residential Trust REIT......................          286,894
    174,000 Glimcher Realty Trust REIT.........................        2,979,750
     28,000 Highwoods Properties, Inc. REIT....................          777,000
     72,419 *Homestead Village Properties, Inc. ...............          620,088
     16,068 Horizon Group Properties, Inc. REIT................           38,162
     50,300 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT...............        1,018,575
    140,000 Innkeepers USA Trust REIT..........................        1,662,500
    111,500 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT...........................        2,564,500
    199,700 *Konover Property Trust, Inc. REIT.................        1,397,900
    132,000 Kranzco Realty Trust REIT..........................        2,153,250
     45,000 Liberty Property Trust REIT........................        1,071,563
    175,000 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT........................        5,250,000
    250,000 Marriott International, Inc. Cl. A.................        5,968,750
    115,000 Meditrust Co. REIT.................................        1,962,187


42
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                            Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 COMMON STOCKS - CONTINUED

            REAL ESTATE - CONTINUED
    117,783 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT............   $    1,501,733
    200,000 Philips International Reality Corp. REIT...........        3,062,500
    268,713 Post Property, Inc. REIT...........................       10,362,245
    166,500 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT.....................        3,975,187
    229,436 Prime Retail, Inc. ................................        2,251,341
     76,817 Prologis Trust.....................................        1,737,985
     90,000 Public Storage, Inc. REIT..........................        2,413,125
     31,250 *Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc. ..................          937,500
    100,000 Sovran Self Storage, Inc. REIT.....................        2,625,000
     70,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT......................        2,572,500
    262,750 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT...............        8,013,875
     14,000 Storage USA, Inc. REIT.............................          484,750
    140,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT................        1,268,750
     43,500 Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. REIT...........          986,906
      2,200 TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. REIT...........           71,775
    135,000 Trizec Hahn Corp...................................        2,531,250
     75,705 Vornado Realty Trust REIT..........................        2,507,728
     30,000 Western Investment Real Estate Trust REIT..........          384,375
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     129,606,069
                                                                  --------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.7%
    120,000 *Autozone, Inc. ...................................        2,955,000
    236,511 Avnet, Inc. .......................................        8,706,561
     35,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ...........................        1,658,125
     46,400 Dayton Hudson Corp. ...............................        1,658,800
     54,834 Dollar General Corp. ..............................        1,459,949
     77,186 Family Dollar Stores, Inc. ........................        1,215,679
     21,000 Gap, Inc. .........................................        1,107,750
     30,000 *Whole Foods Market, Inc. .........................        1,263,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      20,025,614
                                                                  --------------
            TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT - 0.2%
     55,000 *ICG Communications, Inc. .........................          928,125
     36,000 *Intermedia Communications, Inc. ..................          884,250
     60,000 *Qwest Communications International, Inc. .........        1,878,750
    106,000 *Telephone Save Holdings, Inc. ....................        1,185,875
     33,165 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A..............          986,659
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,863,659
                                                                  --------------
            TEXTILE & APPAREL - 0.0% (A)
     34,900 Superior Uniform Group, Inc. ......................          431,888
                                                                  --------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.5%
    176,300 Golden West Financial Corp. .......................       14,423,544
                                                                  --------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.1%
     75,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. ................        2,400,000
     27,200 *FDX Corp. ........................................        1,227,400
    163,600 GATX Corp. ........................................        5,409,025
     17,000 Roadway Express, Inc. .............................          187,000
     58,410 Southwest Airlines Co. ............................        1,168,200
    469,000 Union Pacific Corp. ...............................       19,991,125
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      30,382,750
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - ELECTRIC - 1.2%
    403,700 Central Hudson Gas &
             Electric Corp. ...................................       16,904,937
    138,400 Energy East Corp. .................................        7,058,400
     33,300 Orange & Rockland
             Utilities, Inc. ..................................        1,827,338
     40,000 *PP&L Resources, Inc. .............................        1,035,000
    100,000 *Public Service Enterprise
             Group, Inc. ......................................        3,931,250
     32,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. .............................        1,118,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      31,874,925
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - GAS - 0.3%
    276,636 *Marketspan Corp. .................................        7,935,995
                                                                  --------------
            UTILITIES - TELEPHONE - 3.2%
     72,766 ALLTEL Corp........................................        3,447,289
      2,000 Ameritech Corp. ...................................           94,750
     10,000 AT&T Corp..........................................          584,375
    348,080 Bell Atlantic Corp. ...............................       16,860,125
      1,600 BellSouth Corp. ...................................          120,400
    110,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. .............................        2,860,000
     65,500 Compania de Telecom de
             Chile SA, ADR.....................................        1,252,688
    592,300 Frontier Corp. ....................................       16,214,212
    376,400 GTE Corp. .........................................       20,702,000
     34,000 *McLeod USA, Inc., Cl. A...........................          743,750
      2,400 SBC Communications, Inc. ..........................          106,650
    351,000 Sprint Corp........................................       25,272,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      88,258,239
                                                                  --------------
            Total Common Stocks
             (cost $1,219,215,696).............................    1,627,826,083
                                                                  --------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.8%

            CONSUMER PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
     70,000 Cendant Corp. 7.50%................................        1,750,000
                                                                  --------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.0%
      3,557 Aetna, Inc.
             6.25%, Ser. C.....................................          249,213
      1,000 Conseco, Inc.
             7.00%, PRIDES.....................................          108,000
      2,500 SunAmerica, Inc.
             $3.188, PERCS.....................................          128,281
                                                                  --------------
                                                                         485,494
                                                                  --------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES -
              0.1%
     50,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
             5.75%, 144A.......................................        2,050,000
                                                                  --------------
            METAL PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.1%
    100,000 Timet Capital Trust I
             6.625%, BUCS, 144A................................        3,625,000
                                                                  --------------


                                                                              43
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - CONTINUED

            OIL FIELD SERVICES -
              0.1%
     70,000 EVI, Inc. 5.00%, 144A..............................   $    2,240,000
                                                                  --------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.1%
     33,250 *Sealed Air Corp.
             $2.00, Ser A......................................        1,201,156
                                                                  --------------
            REAL ESTATE - 0.1%
     95,000 First Union Real Estate Equity
             8.40%, Ser. A.....................................        2,113,750
     76,863 Prime Retail, Inc.
             Ser. B. 8.50%.....................................        1,306,671
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       3,420,421
                                                                  --------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 0.2%
      1,300 Kmart Financing I 7.75%............................           65,000
    160,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 8.50%
             (exchangeable for Dollar
             General Corp. common stock).......................        5,760,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       5,825,000
                                                                  --------------
            Total Convertible Preferred
             (cost $26,544,604)................................       20,597,071
                                                                  --------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.2%

            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION &
             FURNISHINGS - 0.1%
 $  500,000 Home Depot, Inc.
             3.25%, 10/1/01....................................          872,500
                                                                  --------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT &
             SERVICES - 0.0% (A)
    800,000 Personnel Group Of
             America, Inc.
             5.75%, 7/1/04.....................................          728,000
                                                                  --------------
            ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - 0.0%
    100,000 Waste Management, Inc.
             4.00%, 2/1/02.....................................          121,625
                                                                  --------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY
             PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.1%
  2,100,000 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
             6.50%, 9/1/03.....................................        2,013,375
    750,000 Simula, Inc.
             8.00%, 5/1/04.....................................          767,812
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       2,781,187
                                                                  --------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $4,280,000).................................        4,503,312
                                                                  --------------
 CORPORATE BONDS - 0.0% (A)
            CHEMICAL & AGRICULTURAL
             PRODUCTS - 0.0% (A)
    210,000 Arco Chemical Co.
             10.25%, 11/1/10...................................          240,500
                                                                  --------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 0.0% (A)
    500,000 Chrysler Financial Corp.
             6.95%, 3/25/02....................................          528,127
                                                                  --------------
            Total Corporate Bonds
             (cost $764,924)...................................          768,627
                                                                  --------------

 U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 29.0%

             GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOTES & BONDS - 0.8%
 $   500,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
              6.44%, 1/28/00...................................   $      510,745
             Federal National Mortgage Association
     500,000 5.94%, 12/12/05...................................          529,557
   1,250,000 6.21%, 8/6/38.....................................        1,356,736
             Tennessee Valley Authority
   8,000,000 7.25%, 7/15/43....................................        8,803,720
  10,000,000 7.85%, 6/15/44, Ser. A............................       10,878,850
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      22,079,608
                                                                  --------------
             TREASURY NOTES & BONDS - 28.2%
             U.S. Treasury Bonds
  78,000,000 6.00%, 2/15/26....................................       87,311,328
 170,000,000 6.25%, 8/15/23....................................      194,703,210
  36,340,000 6.75%, 8/15/26....................................       44,630,099
 125,000,000 7.125%, 2/15/23...................................      157,929,750
  49,500,000 7.25%, 5/15/16....................................       61,565,674
   7,000,000 7.625%, 11/15/22..................................        9,318,757
  10,000,000 8.00%, 11/15/21...................................       13,750,010
  50,000,000 8.125%, 8/15/19...................................       68,640,650
  25,000,000 8.125%, 5/15/21...................................       34,679,700
  30,000,000 8.375%, 8/15/08...................................       35,081,280
  10,000,000 8.50%, 2/15/20....................................       14,253,130
     665,000 8.75%, 5/15/17....................................          950,327
   7,000,000 10.00%, 5/15/10...................................        9,150,316
   1,000,000 10.625%, 8/15/15..................................        1,634,063
             U.S. Treasury Notes
  30,000,000 5.75%, 8/15/03....................................       31,846,890
   2,000,000 5.875%, 11/15/99..................................        2,028,126
     350,000 5.875%, 2/15/00...................................          356,235
   2,000,000 6.00%, 6/30/99....................................        2,020,626
   1,500,000 6.00%, 8/15/99....................................        1,517,814
     500,000 6.00%, 10/15/99...................................          507,188
   1,000,000 6.125%, 9/30/00...................................        1,033,438
     400,000 6.25%, 3/31/99....................................          403,375
     500,000 6.375%, 1/15/00...................................          511,251
     900,000 6.50%, 5/31/01....................................          947,251
   1,130,000 6.50%, 8/15/05....................................        1,273,722
   1,000,000 6.625%, 3/31/02...................................        1,072,188
     500,000 6.875%, 5/15/06...................................          578,125
   3,235,000 7.50%, 11/15/01...................................        3,526,153
     600,000 7.50%, 2/15/05....................................          703,501
     700,000 7.75%, 11/30/99...................................          724,938
   1,105,000 8.875%, 11/15/98..................................        1,110,871
     110,000 8.875%, 2/15/99...................................          111,719
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     783,871,705
                                                                  --------------
             Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
              (cost $693,509,858)..............................      805,951,313
                                                                  --------------

44
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                               Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 11.0%

             COMMERCIAL PAPER - 10.3%
 $15,302,000 *Aon Corporation
              5.40%, 11/6/98....................................  $   15,219,369
   3,895,000 Avnet, Inc.
              5.53%, 10/1/98....................................       3,895,000
  17,000,000 Avon Capital Corp.
              5.48%, 11/9/98....................................      16,899,077
  27,700,000 Barton Capital Corp.
              5.25%, 11/20/98...................................      27,498,021
     560,000 BHF Finance (De), Inc.
              5.52%, 10/1/98....................................         560,000
  18,900,000 BTR Dunlop Finance, Inc.
              5.48%, 10/29/98...................................      18,819,444
  12,500,000 Citizens Utilities Co.
              5.22%, 11/24/98...................................      12,402,125
   4,800,000 Dollar Thrifty Funding Corp.
              5.56%, 10/28/98...................................       4,779,984
   4,970,000 Duff & Phelps Utilities Income, Inc. 5.51%,
              10/13/98..........................................       4,960,872
             Duke Capital Corp..................................
   7,450,000 5.53%, 10/6/98.....................................       7,444,278
   6,960,000 5.53%, 10/8/98.....................................       6,952,516
  15,525,000 Frigate Funding Corp.
              5.55%, 10/23/98...................................      15,472,344
  21,200,000 Monte Rosa Capital Corp.
              5.52%, 10/16/98...................................      21,151,240
  10,000,000 Oil Insurance Ltd.
              5.53%, 10/27/98...................................       9,960,061
  16,900,000 Old Line Funding Corp.
              5.52%, 11/4/98....................................      16,811,895
  14,420,000 Park Avenue Recreation Corp. 5.52%, 10/28/98......       14,360,301
  25,000,000 Silver Tower US Funding, Llc
              5.50%, 10/30/98..................................       24,889,236
     465,000 Sothebys Incorporated
              5.53%, 11/6/98...................................          462,428
  21,100,000 Southern Co.
              5.50%, 10/15/98..................................       21,054,869
   2,800,000 Star Marketers Acceptance Corporation
              5.55%, 10/27/98..................................        2,788,777
  20,400,000 Tiger Managers Acceptance Corp. 5.56%, 10/6/98....       20,384,247
  19,100,000 Toys "R" Us, Inc.
              5.20%, 11/24/98..................................       18,951,020
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     285,717,104
                                                                  --------------
             U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 0.7%
  20,600,000 Federal Farm Credit Bank
              Discount Notes
              5.40%, 10/7/98...................................       20,581,460
                                                                  --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $306,298,564)..............................      306,298,564
                                                                  --------------
             TOTAL INVESTMENTS -
              (COST $2,250,613,646).....................    99.6%  2,765,944,970
             OTHER ASSETS AND
              LIABILITIES - NET.........................     0.4      10,520,825
                                                           -----  --------------
             NET ASSETS.................................   100.0% $2,776,465,795
                                                           =====  ==============

 *   Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 117,000 shares of common stock
     of First Union Corp. at a cost of $2,358,411. During the six months
     ended September 30, 1998, the Fund earned $43,290 in dividend income
     from this investment. These shares were purchased by the Fund prior to
     the acquisition of the investment advisor.
(a)  Less than one-tenth percent.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
BUCSBeneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
PERCSPreferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REITReal Estate Investment Trust


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              45
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - 45.5%

            AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 0.4%
     45,000 Boeing Co. ..........................................   $  1,544,063
                                                                    ------------
            AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING - 0.3%
     65,000 * Sonic Automative, Inc. ............................      1,287,813
                                                                    ------------
            BANKS - 7.6%
     39,200 BancorpSouth, Inc....................................        705,600
     39,000 BankBoston Corp......................................      1,287,000
     50,000 Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. ...........................        862,500
     40,000 Chase Manhattan Corp.................................      1,730,000
     28,100 CitiCorp.............................................      2,611,544
     30,000 * Civic Bancorp......................................        390,000
      7,500 Comerica, Inc. ......................................        411,094
     14,000 Crestar Financial Corp...............................        794,500
      4,660 Dime Bancorp, Inc....................................        117,956
      3,000 First Union Corp.**..................................        153,563
     14,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc...........................      1,028,125
     60,000 Huntington Bancshares, Inc...........................      1,507,500
     17,325 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ................        271,786
     41,000 KeyCorp..............................................      1,183,875
      4,000 M & T Bank Corp......................................      1,844,000
     19,800 National City Corp. .................................      1,305,562
     11,875 NationsBank Corp. ...................................        635,313
     15,750 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. ...........        508,922
     45,000 Republic New York Corp. .............................      1,777,500
     15,000 Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida Cl. A..............        446,250
     62,255 SouthTrust Corp......................................      2,175,034
     32,000 Suntrust Banks, Inc..................................      1,984,000
     85,000 Westamerica Bancorp..................................      2,459,687
     40,000 Wilmington Trust Corp. ..............................      2,080,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      28,271,311
                                                                    ------------
            BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & FURNISHINGS - 2.9%
     36,000 Carlisle Companies, Inc. ............................      1,401,750
     55,000 Clayton Homes, Inc...................................        962,500
     75,650 D.R. Horton, Inc.....................................      1,210,400
     47,100 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ..................................        924,338
     32,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. ..............................      1,018,000
     55,000 Royal Group Technologies Ltd. .......................        921,250
     50,000 Ryland Group, Inc. ..................................      1,218,750
     39,100 Shelby Williams Industries, Inc......................        449,650
     40,000 Standard Pacific Corp. ..............................        565,000
     83,500 * Toll Brothers, Inc. ...............................      1,915,281
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,586,919
                                                                    ------------
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 0.1%
     17,500 * Crescent Operating, Inc. ..........................        122,500
     10,000 First Data Corp......................................        235,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         357,500
                                                                    ------------
            CAPITAL GOODS - 0.9%
     44,600 Caterpillar, Inc.....................................      1,987,487
     40,000 Deere & Co...........................................      1,210,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,197,487
                                                                    ------------
            CHEMICALS & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS - 2.1%
     60,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ....................      3,367,500
     10,000 H.B. Fuller Co.......................................        378,750
     35,000 Monsanto Co. ........................................      1,973,125
     11,000 Morton International, Inc. ..........................        240,625
     20,000 Schulman (A.), Inc. .................................        282,500
     56,100 Sigma-Aldrich Corp. .................................      1,619,887
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,862,387
                                                                    ------------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 1.4%
     10,000 Adidas AG ADS, 144A..................................        568,100
     77,788 Cendant Corp. .......................................        904,285
     12,000 Gucci Group..........................................        433,500
     40,000 Harman International Industries, Inc. ...............      1,467,500
     32,100 Russ Berrie & Co., Inc. .............................        611,906
     51,600 St. John Knits, Inc. ................................        832,050
     10,500 Toro Co. ............................................        217,219
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,034,560
                                                                    ------------
            ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 3.7%
     48,800 AMP, Inc. ...........................................      1,744,600
      6,600 Applied Power, Inc., Cl. A...........................        180,263
     14,000 General Electric Co. ................................      1,113,875
     17,000 Honeywell, Inc. .....................................      1,089,063
     54,700 Perkin Elmer Corp. ..................................      3,757,206
     89,000 * SCI Systems, Inc. .................................      2,397,437
     18,500 Thomas & Betts Corp..................................        704,156
     66,000 W.W. Grainger, Inc. .................................      2,780,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      13,766,850
                                                                    ------------
            FINANCE & INSURANCE - 8.2%
     27,000 American International Group, Inc. ..................      2,079,000
     16,000 Chubb Corp...........................................      1,008,000
     20,000 Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc...................        832,500
      6,000 Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc................        177,375
     20,000 FBL Financial Group, Inc., Cl. A ....................        461,250
     21,000 Federal National Mortgage Association................      1,349,250
     20,000 * FPIC Insurance Group, Inc..........................        555,000
     33,000 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. ......................        437,250
     62,000 Horace Mann Educators Corp...........................      1,860,000
     47,100 Interstate/Johnson Lane, Inc.........................      1,365,900
     95,866 Legg Mason, Inc. ....................................      2,522,474
     68,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc........................      1,921,000
      8,500 Lincoln National Corp. ..............................        699,125
      8,000 MBIA, Inc. ..........................................        429,500
     45,000 Mercury General Corp. ...............................      1,687,500
     41,500 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ...........................      1,966,063
     77,700 MGIC Investment Corp. ...............................      2,865,187


46
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                              Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - CONTINUED

            FINANCE & INSURANCE - CONTINUED
    101,700 Morgan Keegan, Inc...................................   $  1,798,819
     40,500 NAC RE Corporation...................................      1,994,625
     28,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A............      1,272,250
     83,800 Paine Webber Group, Inc..............................      2,514,000
      4,500 Progressive Corp. Ohio...............................        507,375
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      30,303,443
                                                                    ------------
            FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTS - 0.2%
     40,000 Coca-Cola Co., ADR...................................        487,500
     15,000 International Home Foods, Inc........................        202,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         690,000
                                                                    ------------
            HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 3.3%
     39,000 Abbott Laboratories..................................      1,694,062
     39,000 Alza Corp............................................      1,691,625
     40,000 American Home Products Corp..........................      2,095,000
     55,400 Beckman Coulter Inc..................................      2,860,025
     38,000 First Health Group Corp. ............................        921,500
     10,000 * Lincare Holdings, Inc..............................        387,500
     12,000 Medtronic, Inc.......................................        694,500
      5,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ...................................        647,812
     10,000 Pfizer, Inc..........................................      1,059,375
      5,000 Shared Medical System Corp. .........................        265,938
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      12,317,337
                                                                    ------------
            INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS &
             SERVICES - 0.9%
     39,151 Autoliv, Inc.........................................      1,076,652
      7,500 * Chemfab Corp.......................................        146,953
     24,000 Furon Co.............................................        417,000
     25,000 * Meade Instruments Corp.............................        242,188
     31,700 Park Electrochemical Corp............................        431,912
     13,900 Snap-on, Inc. .......................................        428,294
     20,000 Timken Co............................................        302,500
     20,000 * UCAR International, Inc............................        360,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,405,499
                                                                    ------------
            INFORMATION SERVICES &
             TECHNOLOGY - 2.4%
     25,000 Computer Sciences Corp...............................      1,362,500
     34,000 * Etec Systems, Inc. ................................        886,125
     10,000 * Gateway 2000, Inc..................................        521,250
     24,000 Hewlett-Packard Co...................................      1,270,500
     34,000 Intel Corp...........................................      2,915,500
     12,000 International Business Machines Corp. ...............      1,536,000
     10,000 * Sun Microsystems, Inc..............................        498,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,990,000
                                                                    ------------
            METAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES - 0.2%
     20,000 Precision Castparts Corp.............................        825,000
                                                                    ------------
            OIL/ENERGY - 1.0%
     10,000 Amoco Corp. .........................................        538,750
     10,000 Equitable Resources, Inc. ...........................        254,375
     25,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc.............................        867,187
     70,000 Williams Companies, Inc..............................      2,012,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,672,812
                                                                    ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.3%
     25,000 Schlumberger Ltd.....................................      1,257,813
                                                                    ------------
            PAPER & PACKAGING - 0.2%
     20,000 * Sealed Air Corp....................................        637,500
                                                                    ------------
            PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.2%
     30,000 Belo (A.H.) Corp., Ser. A............................        600,000
                                                                    ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 4.2%
     17,300 * Alexander's, Inc. REIT.............................      1,327,775
     60,000 AMB Property Corp. REIT..............................      1,548,750
      3,485 Archstone Cmntys Trust...............................         71,007
     39,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT.........................      1,111,500
     20,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT.........................        382,500
     25,000 Capital Trust, Cl. A.................................        162,500
     12,000 Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT.........................         43,500
     70,000 Del Webb Corp........................................      1,474,375
     52,000 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT..................      1,274,000
     45,831 * Homestead Village Properties, Inc..................        392,428
      1,480 Horizon Group Properties, Inc. REIT..................          3,515
     40,000 Indymac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. REIT.................        810,000
     25,000 Inversiones y Representaciones
             SA, GDR.............................................        537,500
     40,000 * John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., Cl. A................        180,000
     66,500 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT.............................      1,529,500
     40,000 Newhall Land & Farming Co. ..........................        935,000
     40,393 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT..............        515,011
     20,000 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT.......................        477,500
     21,133 Prime Retail, Inc....................................        207,368
     10,000 SL Green Realty Corp. REIT...........................        210,000
     45,000 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Trust REIT.................      1,372,500
     95,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT..................        860,937
     15,000 Trizec Hahn Corp. ...................................        281,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      15,708,416
                                                                    ------------
            RETAILING & WHOLESALE - 1.1%
     18,000 Avnet, Inc...........................................        662,625
     44,700 Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc...........................      1,620,375
     60,000 * Saks, Inc..........................................      1,346,250
     80,000 SED International Holdings, Inc......................        405,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,034,250
                                                                    ------------
            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - 0.8%
     18,000 Bank United Corp.....................................        644,625
     15,000 BankUnited Financial Corp............................        165,000
     10,000 Golden West Financial Corp...........................        818,125


                                                                              47
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMON STOCK - CONTINUED

            THRIFT INSTITUTIONS - CONTINUED
     30,000 Mech Financial, Inc.................................   $    750,000
     29,298 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc...............................        639,063
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,016,813
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 1.8%
     47,000 * Airnet Systems, Inc...............................        778,438
     35,000 GATX Corp...........................................      1,157,187
     54,550 Midwest Express Holdings, Inc.......................      1,827,425
     65,000 Union Pacific Corp..................................      2,770,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      6,533,675
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES--ELECTRIC - 0.1%
      9,900 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ..............................        345,881
                                                                   ------------
            UTILITIES--TELEPHONE - 1.2%
     50,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. ..............................      1,300,000
     66,000 Frontier Corp.......................................      1,806,750
     18,000 Sprint Corp.........................................      1,296,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,402,750
                                                                   ------------
            Total Common Stock (cost $175,958,202)..............    168,650,079
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.7%
            BANKS - 0.5%
     63,000 WBK Trust, 10.00%, STRYPES (exchangeable for Westpac
             Banking Corp. common stock)........................      1,740,375
                                                                   ------------
            REAL ESTATE - 0.0% (A)
      7,080 Prime Retail, Inc. 8.50% Ser. B.....................        120,360
                                                                   ------------
            TRANSPORTATION - 0.2%
     20,000 CNF Trust I, 5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS (exchangeable for
             CNF Transportation, Inc. common stock).............        960,000
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
             (cost $3,156,477)..................................      2,820,735
                                                                   ------------
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.1%
            BUSINESS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - 0.0%
    150,000 Personnel Group Of America, Inc., 5.75%, 7/01/04....        136,500
                                                                   ------------
            OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.1%
    250,000 Parker Drilling Co.,
             5.50%, 8/1/04......................................        187,500
                                                                   ------------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $400,000)....................................        324,000
                                                                   ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - 52.6%

            ALABAMA - 2.0%
 $3,000,000 Alabama Water Pollution Control Auth.
             5.50%, 8/15/16.....................................   $  3,184,650
  4,000,000 Jefferson County Alabama Sewer Revenue Wts Series D
             5.75%, 2/1/22 (FGIC)...............................      4,375,200
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,559,850
                                                                   ------------
            ALASKA - 1.1%
    935,000 Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp.
             Mtge. RB, 1996 Ser. A
             6.05%, 12/1/17 (MBIA)..............................      1,002,797
  1,500,000 Alaska Hsg. Fin. Corp.
             Mtge. RB Ser. A-1
             5.30%, 12/1/12 (MBIA)..............................      1,558,890
  1,500,000 Alaska Industrial Development + Export Auth.
             5.00%, 1/1/27......................................      1,484,205
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,045,892
                                                                   ------------
            ARIZONA - 0.2%
    500,000 City of Tucson
             GO, Ser. 1995
             5.70%, 7/1/08 (FGIC)...............................        550,230
                                                                   ------------
            CALIFORNIA - 4.1%
  2,500,000 California Health Facilities Fin.
             5.13%, 8/15/22.....................................      2,521,650
  1,000,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB
             5.30%, 8/1/28......................................      1,014,870
    700,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB Ser. I 5.75%, 2/1/29
             (MBIA).............................................        736,869
    500,000 California Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             RB Home Mtge. Ser. L
             5.35%, 8/1/17......................................        518,475
  1,000,000 California St. Public Wks Board
             5.25%, 12/1/13.....................................      1,069,500
  1,200,000 Los Angeles Cnty. Pub. Works Fin. Auth. RB Regional
             Park & Open Space Dist. A
             5.00%, 10/1/16.....................................      1,237,944
  1,000,000 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transport Dist.
             Sales Tax RB
             5.25%, 7/1/18......................................      1,053,740
  3,150,000 San Francisco California Int'l Arpt. Revenue
             5.25%, 5/1/13......................................      3,355,285
  2,000,000 San Francisco City & Cnty. Int'l Arpt.
             RB Ser. Issue 10-A, (AMT)
             5.70%, 5/1/26 (MBIA)...............................      2,141,680
    500,000 Simi Valley Unified Sch. Dist.
             Refunding Capital Improvement Proj. Cert. Part.
             5.25%, 8/1/22......................................        536,895
  1,000,000 Southern CA Pub. Pwr. Auth.
             RB (Mead Adelanto Proj.) Ser. A
             5.00%, 7/1/17 (AMBAC)..............................      1,019,880
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     15,206,788
                                                                   ------------


48
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            COLORADO - 0.7%
 $1,000,000 Denver City & Cnty.
             Arpt. RB Ser. D
             5.50%, 11/15/25 (MBIA).............................   $  1,061,700
  1,500,000 Jefferson County Sch. Dist.
             R001 (FGIC)
             5.00%, 12/15/17....................................      1,532,865
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,594,565
                                                                   ------------
            DELAWARE - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Delaware Econ. Dev. Auth.
             RB (The Osteopathic Hosp. Assoc. of
             Delaware/Riverside Hosp.), Ser. A
             6.50%, 1/1/08......................................      1,137,720
                                                                   ------------
            DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 2.1%
  1,900,000 District of Columbia Revenue Carnegie Endowment
             5.75%, 11/15/26 ...................................      2,014,247
  5,500,000 Metropolitan DC Arpts. Auth.
             RB Ser. B
             5.50%, 10/1/23 (AMT)...............................      5,735,290
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,749,537
                                                                   ------------
            FLORIDA - 2.4%
    300,000 Dade Cnty. Aviation
             RRB, Ser. 1995A
             6.10%, 10/1/11 (AMBAC).............................        339,423
  1,250,000 Florida Housing Fin. Corp. Revenue
             5.35%, 1/1/21......................................      1,272,288
  2,000,000 Florida St. Board Of Education
             Capital Outlay
             5.50%, 6/1/15......................................      2,132,380
  2,500,000 Gainesville Florida Utilities Systems Revenue
             5.50%, 10/1/13.....................................      2,648,750
  2,500,000 Sunrise Florida Utilities Systems Revenue
             5.00%, 10/1/28.....................................      2,570,325
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      8,963,166
                                                                   ------------
            ILLINOIS - 3.8%
  1,000,000 Chicago Board of Ed.
             GO (School Reform Proj.)
             6.75%, 12/1/09 (AMBAC).............................      1,220,410
  5,315,000 Chicago Illinois Skyway Toll Bridge 5.50%, 1/1/23...      5,639,587
  1,600,000 Cook County Illinois GO
             5.63%, 11/15/22....................................      1,717,936
  5,000,000 Illinois Educational Facilities Auth. Revenue
             5.00%, 7/1/24......................................      4,935,450
    450,000 Illinois Sales Tax RB Ser. V
             6.38%, 6/15/17.....................................        511,776
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     14,025,159
                                                                   ------------
            INDIANA - 1.4%
  2,000,000 Indiana Hsg. Fin.
             Single Family Mtge. RB Ser. A-2 5.15%, 7/1/17
             (FNMA/GNMA)........................................      2,039,240
  3,000,000 Marion County, Ind. In Cnvtn & Rectl
             Fac. Auth. RB
             5.00%, 6/1/27......................................      2,990,730
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,029,970
                                                                   ------------
            MAINE - 0.4%
  1,000,000 Maine Hlth. & High Edl. Facs. Auth. RB Ser. B
             5.75%, 7/1/26 (AMBAC)..............................      1,082,110
    500,000 Maine Hsg. Auth. Mtge.
             Purchase RB Ser. F-1
             5.50%, 11/15/29....................................        512,945
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,595,055
                                                                   ------------
            MASSACHUSETTS - 4.8%
  4,750,000 Massachusetts St. Industrial Fin. Agency
             5.25%, 7/1/27......................................      4,895,302
    250,000 Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             Hsg. Proj. RRB, 1993 Ser. A 5.95%, 10/1/08
             (AMBAC)............................................        267,343
    250,000 Massachusetts Bay Trans. Auth.
             General Trans. Sys. Bonds,
             Ser. 1994A
             7.00%, 3/1/08......................................        305,292
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Bay Trans. Auth.
             RB (Refunding Gen. Trans. Sys. A)
             7.00%, 3/1/14......................................      1,265,480
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB (AMT) Single Family
             Ser. 59 5.40%, 6/1/20 (MBIA).......................      1,034,070
  2,500,000 Massachusetts Port. Auth.
             RB Ser. A
             5.00%, 7/1/27......................................      2,492,250
  2,500,000 Massachusetts St. Health Educational Facilities
             5.00%, 6/1/26......................................      2,505,375
  2,500,000 Massachusetts St. Industrial Finance Agency
             5.00%, 9/1/23......................................      2,499,900
  1,000,000 Massachusetts Tpke. Auth.
             RB Senior Ser. A
             5.13%, 1/1/23 (MBIA)...............................      1,009,850
  1,300,000 Massachusetts Tpke. Auth.
             RB (Western Tpke.) Ser. A 5.55%, 1/1/17 (MBIA).....      1,332,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     17,607,362
                                                                   ------------
            MICHIGAN - 1.5%
  1,030,000 Detroit Wtr. Supply Sys.
             RB Sr. Lien Ser. A
             5.75%, 7/1/11 (MBIA)...............................      1,160,233
    300,000 Michigan Muni. Bond Auth.
             RB (Local Govt. Loan Proj.), Ser 1994G
             6.55%, 11/1/08 (AMBAC).............................        344,259
  2,500,000 Michigan St. Hosp. Fin. Auth.
             RB (FGIC)
             5.63%, 11/1/18.....................................      2,627,125
  1,225,000 Paw Paw Michigan Public School District (FGIC)
             5.00%, 5/1/21......................................      1,267,091
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,398,708
                                                                   ------------


                                                                              49
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            MINNESOTA - 0.6%
 $2,000,000 Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Supply
             (MBIA) 5.75%, 1/1/18...............................   $  2,136,940
                                                                   ------------
            MISSOURI - 3.4%
    435,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Single Family Mtge. RB
             (Homeownership Loan Proj.), 1996 Ser. D 6.00%,
             9/1/17 (Collaterialized by GNMA or FNMA
             Certificates AMT)..................................        461,278
    900,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Single Family Mtge. RB
             (Homeownership Loan Proj.), 1996 Ser. B 6.25%,
             9/1/15 (Collaterialized by GNMA or FNMA
             Certificates)......................................        965,259
    985,000 Missouri Hsg. Dev. Commission Mtge.
             5.55%, 3/1/29......................................      1,025,356
    500,000 Missouri St. Hsg. Dev. Commission Mtge.
             5.50%, 3/1/25......................................        509,105
  2,500,000 Missouri St. Health & Educational Facility Revenue
             5.00%, 5/15/28.....................................      2,469,400
    775,000 Sikeston Elec. RB
             6.00%, 6/1/13 (MBIA)...............................        901,519
    500,000 St. Louis Board of Ed.
             GO Refunding
             Ser. A (FGIC)
             5.50%, 4/1/10......................................        554,960
    500,000 St. Louis Muni. Fin. Corp.
             Leasehold Rev. Imp. Bonds (City Justice Ctr.), Ser.
             1996A
             5.95%, 2/15/16 (AMBAC).............................        553,245
  1,000,000 St. Louis Regl. Convention & Sports Complex Auth.
             RB Facs. C
             5.30%, 8/15/17 (AMBAC).............................      1,046,770
  4,000,000 University Missouri
             University Revenue
             5.50%, 11/1/21.....................................      4,234,760
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,721,652
                                                                   ------------
            NEBRASKA - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Nebraska Investment Finance Auth. Single Family
             5.60%, 9/1/20......................................      1,018,120
                                                                   ------------
            NEVADA - 0.3%
  1,000,000 Washoe Cnty. GO
             5.00%, 6/1/17 (MBIA)...............................      1,015,350
                                                                   ------------
            NEW JERSEY - 1.2%
  2,500,000 New Jersey Economic Development Pollution (MBIA)
             6.40%, 5/1/32......................................      2,783,025
  1,400,000 New Jersey Tpke. Auth.
             RB Ser. C
             6.50%, 1/1/16 (MBIA)...............................      1,712,382
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,495,407
                                                                   ------------
            NEW YORK - 5.4%
  2,250,000 Long Island Power Auth.
             New York Electric RB
             5.50%, 12/1/29.....................................      2,331,135
  2,500,000 Metro Trans. Auth. NY Commuter Facs. RB Ser. C-2
             5.38%, 7/1/27 (FGIC)...............................      2,618,050
    250,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Homeowner Mtge. RB,
             Ser. 44 (AMT)
             6.60%, 4/1/03......................................        265,515
    975,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Homeowner Mtge. RB,
             Ser. 56 (AMT)
             5.88%, 10/1/19.....................................      1,024,374
  2,500,000 New York St. Dorm. Auth.
             RB (AMBAC)
             5.20%, 2/15/14.....................................      2,599,625
    245,000 New York St. Med. Care Facs. Fin. Agcy. RB (Mental
             Hlth. Svcs. Facs.), 1992 Ser. B
             6.25%, 8/15/10 (AMBAC).............................        265,543
  2,000,000 New York St. Med. Care Facs. Fin. Agcy. RB Refunding
             Hosp. Insured Mtge. A
             5.38%, 2/15/25 (MBIA)..............................      2,050,620
    500,000 New York St. Mtge. Agcy. RB (Homeowner Mtge.)
             Ser. 63, (AMT)
             5.60%, 4/1/10......................................        527,460
  1,000,000 New York St. Thruway Auth.
             RB Ser. B
             5.00%, 1/1/20 (MBIA)...............................      1,001,130
  1,700,000 New York St. Local Government Assist
             5.38%, 4/1/14......................................      1,781,702
  5,000,000 New York St. Urban Development Corporation
             5.50%, 7/1/16......................................      5,374,500
    250,000 Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey Consolidated
             Bonds, 97th Ser. 2nd Installment (AMT)
             7.00%, 7/15/05 (FGIC)..............................        293,130
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     20,132,784
                                                                   ------------
            NORTH CAROLINA - 0.1%
    500,000 North Carolina Hsg. Fin. Agcy. Single Family Ser.
             00, (Orig. Avg. Life Est.)
             5.80%, 9/1/12 (FHA)................................        535,510
                                                                   ------------
            NORTH DAKOTA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 Mercer Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. RRB (Basin Elec. Pwr.
             Cooperative-Antelope Valley Unit 1 & Common Facs.),
             Second 1995 Ser.
             6.05%, 1/1/19 (AMBAC)..............................      1,102,180
  1,000,000 North Dakota St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy. 5.55%, 7/1/29......      1,020,690
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,122,870
                                                                   ------------


50
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            OHIO - 1.0%
 $  500,000 Akron Econ. Dev. RB
             6.00%, 12/1/12 (MBIA)..............................   $    580,775
    700,000 Board of Ed. Beavercreek Local Sch. Dist. (Cnty. of
             Greene) Sch. Imp. Bonds (Unltd. Tax GO), Ser. 1996
             6.60%, 12/1/15 (FGIC)..............................        864,892
  1,000,000 Cleveland Arpt. Sys. RB Ser. A 5.13%, 1/1/17 (FSA
             AMT)...............................................      1,011,440
  1,000,000 Jefferson Cnty. GO Refunding Improvement (FSA)
             5.70%, 12/1/13.....................................      1,147,750
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,604,857
                                                                   ------------
            OREGON - 1.0%
  3,500,000 Marion County, Ore. School District Number 103
             5.00%, 11/1/14.....................................      3,678,150
                                                                   ------------
            PENNSYLVANIA - 1.3%
    500,000 Pennsylvania Convention Ctr. Auth.
             RB Ser. A, 1989 Ser. A
             6.70%, 9/1/16 (FGIC)...............................        612,170
  1,000,000 Pennsylvania Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.40%, 10/1/18.....................................      1,023,240
  2,000,000 Pennsylvania St. Higher Educational Facility (MBIA)
             5.75%, 5/1/22......................................      2,205,440
  1,000,000 York Cnty. Solid Waste & Refuse
             Auth. Solid Waste Sys. RB
             5.50%, 12/1/11 (FGIC)..............................      1,109,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,949,850
                                                                   ------------
            SOUTH DAKOTA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 South Dakota Conservancy District (AMBAC)
             5.00%, 8/1/19......................................      1,003,790
  1,235,000 South Dakota Hsg. Dev. Auth.
             RB Homeownership B
             5.25%, 5/1/17......................................      1,264,035
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,267,825
                                                                   ------------
            TENNESSEE - 0.1%
    300,000 Bristol Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Board
             RRB (Bristol Mem. Hosp.),
             Ser. 1993
             6.75%, 9/1/07 (FGIC)...............................        355,428
                                                                   ------------
            TEXAS - 2.7%
  1,000,000 Cypress Fair Independent Sch. Dist.
             5.13%, 2/15/12.....................................      1,046,700
  2,625,000 Dallas, Tx RB
             5.25%, 8/15/16.....................................      2,769,375
  1,000,000 Harris Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Hosp. RB (Memorial Hermann
             Hosp. Sys. Proj.) (FSA)
             5.50%, 6/1/10......................................      1,092,800
  1,000,000 Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
             Contract COP, Ser. 1993J
             6.13%, 12/15/09 (AMBAC)............................      1,153,180
    500,000 Houston Wtr. Conveyance Sys.
             Contract COP, Ser.
             1993H 7.50%, 12/15/10 (AMBAC)......................        643,500
  1,500,000 Irving Independent Sch. Dist. GO
             5.13%, 2/15/18.....................................      1,532,385
    460,000 Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
             4.25%, 4/15/16 (AMBAC).............................        432,299
    460,000 Lubbock Elec. Light & Pwr. Sys. RB
             4.25%, 4/15/17 (AMBAC).............................        431,310
  1,000,000 San Antonio Elec. & Gas RB
             5.25%, 2/1/10......................................      1,073,650
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     10,175,199
                                                                   ------------
            UTAH - 3.6%
  5,000,000 Intermountain Power Agency Utah Revenue
             5.00%, 7/1/20......................................      4,999,600
    500,000 Salt Lake City Hosp. RB
             (IHC Hosp., Inc.)
             6.30%, 2/15/15.....................................        591,265
    500,000 Utah Hsg. Fin. Agcy. RB (Single
             Family Mtge.) Ser. B
             6.00%, 7/1/16 (FHA)................................        537,605
  3,000,000 Utah St. Board Regents Revenue
             5.00%, 4/1/20......................................      3,000,000
  2,825,000 Utah St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.35%, 7/1/18......................................      2,865,313
  1,500,000 Utah Str. Hsg. Fin. Agcy.
             5.38%, 7/1/18......................................      1,524,720
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     13,518,503
                                                                   ------------
            VERMONT - 0.4%
  1,315,000 Burlington Elec. RB Ser. A
             6.25%, 7/1/12 (MBIA)...............................      1,560,905
                                                                   ------------
            VIRGINIA - 0.8%
  2,805,000 Medical College Virginia Hosp. Authority
             5.13%, 7/1/18......................................      2,843,120
                                                                   ------------
            WASHINGTON - 1.9%
  3,000,000 Port Seattle Washington Passenger Facility
             5.00%, 12/1/23.....................................      2,999,790
  3,500,000 Seattle Washington Water Systems Revenue
             5.50%, 6/1/18......................................      3,638,180
    500,000 Snohomish Cnty. Sch. Dist. GO
             5.70%, 12/1/15 (FGIC)..............................        545,815
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,183,785
                                                                   ------------
            WEST VIRGINIA - 0.6%
  1,000,000 West Virginia St. Ser. A
             5.75%, 11/1/21 (FGIC)..............................      1,097,290
  1,000,000 West Virginia St. Hsg. Dev. Fund RB Ser. A
             6.05%, 5/1/27......................................      1,074,950
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,172,240
                                                                   ------------

                                                                              51
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                        Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(continued)
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LONG TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS - CONTINUED

            WISCONSIN - 1.0%
 $1,000,000 Wisconsin Clean Wtr.
             RB Ser. 1
             6.88%, 6/1/11......................................   $  1,242,760
  2,000,000 Wisconsin Hsg. & Econ. Dev. Auth.
             5.60%, 3/1/28......................................      2,055,980
    500,000 Wisconsin Hsg. & Econ. Dev. Auth.
             Home Ownership RB Ser. E (AMT)
             6.00%, 9/1/28......................................        529,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,828,365
                                                                   ------------
            WYOMING - 0.6%
  2,000,000 Wyoming Cmny Development Auth. Hsg. Revenue
             5.45%, 12/1/29.....................................      2,041,420
                                                                   ------------
            PUERTO RICO - 0.3%
    500,000 Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. RB Ser. BB
             6.25%, 7/1/10 (MBIA)...............................        595,300
    500,000 Puerto Rico Hsg. Bank & Fin. Agcy.
             RB (Single Family Affordable Hsg.
             Mtge. Subsidy Prog.) Portfolio I
             (AMT)
             5.85%, 4/1/09......................................        531,710
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,127,010
                                                                   ------------
            Total Long Term Municipal Obligations
             (cost $187,823,289)................................    194,949,292
                                                                   ------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Shares                                                             Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--0.7%

            MUTUAL FUND SHARES - 0.7%
  2,459,326 Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund (at net asset
             value) (cost $2,459,326)...........................   $  2,459,326
                                                                   ------------
       TOTAL INVESTMENTS -(COST $369,797,295).............    99.6%  369,203,432
       OTHER ASSETS AND
        LIABILITIES - NET.................................     0.4%    1,397,541
                                                             ------ ------------
       NET ASSETS ........................................   100.0% $370,600,973
                                                             ====== ============

*    Non-income producing securities.
**   At September 30, 1998, the Fund owned 3,000 shares of common stock of First
     Union Corp. at a cost of $57,890. During the six months ended September 30,
     1998, the Fund earned $1,710 in dividend income from this investment. These
     shares were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquisition of the
     investment advisor.
(a)  Less than one-tenth percent.
144A Securities that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Fund's Board of
     Trustees.

SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADRAmerican Depository Receipt
AMBACInsured by American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMTSubject to Alternative Minimum Tax
FGICInsured by Federal Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHAInsured by Federal Housing Authority
FNMAInsured by Federal National Mortgage Association
FSAInsured by Financial Security Assurance Company
GDRGlobal Depositary Receipt
GNMAInsured by Government National Mortgage Association
GOGeneral Obligations
MBIAInsured by Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
PRIDESPreferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
RBRevenue Bonds
RRBRefunding Revenue Bonds
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
STRYPESStructured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONSTerm Convertible Shares


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

52
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Evergreen
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                         September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 TAX-
                                                   AMERICAN                                   STRATEGIC
                                                  RETIREMENT     BALANCED       FOUNDATION    FOUNDATION
                                                     FUND          FUND            FUND          FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                             <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>
 ASSETS
 Investments at value (identified cost -
   $209,092,342, $1,343,914,410,
  $2,250,613,646 and $369,797,295,
  respectively)................................  $220,810,868 $1,681,872,279  $2,765,944,970 $369,203,432
 Cash..........................................     1,257,665      4,455,909         144,592            0
 Receivable for investments sold...............     2,495,589     14,371,768       4,546,422    1,011,506
 Receivable for Fund shares sold...............       291,810        895,526       5,042,724    1,038,616
 Dividends and interest receivable.............     1,381,528     11,823,037      11,119,267    3,172,669
 Unrealized appreciation on open forward
  foreign currency exchange contracts..........             0         94,064               0            0
 Unamortized organization expense..............             0              0               0          858
 Prepaid expenses and other assets.............        42,791        241,605          14,767       37,060
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets................................   226,280,251  1,713,754,188   2,786,812,742  374,464,141
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LIABILITIES
 Payable for investments purchased.............     6,220,953      5,045,026       4,585,584    2,873,619
 Payable for Fund shares repurchased...........       154,305      1,696,316       3,525,154      533,386
 Payable for daily variation margin on
  open futures contracts.......................             0      2,598,750               0            0
 Unrealized depreciation on open forward
  foreign currency exchange contracts..........             0      3,249,823               0            0
 Advisory fee payable..........................       134,800        607,173       1,692,881      264,390
 Distribution fee payable......................        30,157        206,708         305,845      127,506
 Due to other related parties..................             0         23,927               0            0
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities........        56,084        166,082         237,483       64,267
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities...........................     6,596,299     13,593,805      10,346,947    3,863,168
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS....................................  $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY
 Paid-in capital...............................  $204,768,293 $1,117,040,430  $2,233,348,078 $365,519,376
 Undistributed net investment income...........       279,754        (54,459)      2,274,845       30,451
 Accumulated undistributed net realized gains
  on securities and foreign currency related
  transactions.................................     2,917,379    250,063,410      25,511,922    5,645,009
 Net unrealized gains or losses on securities,
  futures contracts and foreign currency
  related transactions.........................    11,718,526    333,111,002     515,330,950     (593,863)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TOTAL NET ASSETS............................  $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF
 Class A.......................................  $ 27,808,409 $1,135,759,521  $  339,713,080 $ 82,897,461
 Class B.......................................   153,720,831    529,153,770   1,212,620,999  226,681,831
 Class C.......................................     2,398,489      1,457,495      57,806,154   39,082,400
 Class Y.......................................    35,756,223     33,789,597   1,166,325,562   21,939,281
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 $219,683,952 $1,700,160,383  $2,776,465,795 $370,600,973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Class A.......................................     1,888,175     92,451,286      17,716,767    5,488,092
 Class B.......................................    10,492,533     43,025,280      63,555,265   15,033,660
 Class C.......................................       163,329        118,484       3,029,675    2,596,304
 Class Y.......................................     2,427,447      2,751,790      60,806,042    1,449,531
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
 Class A.......................................  $      14.73 $        12.28  $        19.17 $      15.11
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A - Offering price (based on sales
  charge of 4.75%).............................  $      15.46 $        12.89  $        20.13 $      15.86
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B.......................................  $      14.65 $        12.30  $        19.08 $      15.08
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C.......................................  $      14.69 $        12.30  $        19.08 $      15.05
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class Y.......................................  $      14.73 $        12.28  $        19.18 $      15.14
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              53
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                Six Months Ended September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  TAX-
                                                    AMERICAN                                   STRATEGIC
                                                   RETIREMENT     BALANCED      FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                      FUND          FUND           FUND           FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                              <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
 INVESTMENT INCOME
 Dividends (net of foreign withholding
  taxes of $8,671, $52,606, $28,629 and
  $1,974, respectively).........................  $  2,554,191  $  10,778,759  $  16,917,525  $  1,293,580
 Interest.......................................     2,727,098     26,393,816     31,859,856     5,175,301
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total income.................................     5,281,289     37,172,575     48,777,381     6,468,881
 EXPENSES
 Advisory fee...................................       886,687      3,911,010     10,394,094     1,559,854
 Distribution Plan expenses.....................       864,821      4,343,232      6,771,467     1,370,629
 Transfer agent fees............................       252,288      1,656,865      2,843,040       209,365
 Administrative service fees....................             0        132,149              0             0
 Trustees fees and expenses.....................         2,660          2,569         14,135         1,243
 Registration fees..............................        38,581        144,724        301,469        51,664
 Custodian fees.................................        30,656        310,557        390,666        48,093
 Professional fees..............................        10,569         25,187         13,479        14,554
 Printing and postage...........................         4,265        352,894        170,845        30,870
 Organizational fees............................             0              0              0         4,004
 Other..........................................         6,932         22,038         59,678         4,845
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses................................     2,097,459     10,901,225     20,958,873     3,295,121
 Less: Indirectly paid expenses.................        (1,490)       (12,032)       (11,182)       (2,918)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses..................................   2,095,969     10,889,193     20,947,691     3,292,203
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME..........................     3,185,320     26,283,382     27,829,690     3,176,678
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS OR
  LOSSES ON SECURITIES, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
  FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 Net realized gains or losses on:
  Securities....................................     1,101,145    208,422,618     19,961,494     5,338,234
  Foreign currency related
   transactions.................................            0     (2,340,266)           815             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions.................     1,101,145    206,082,352     19,962,309     5,338,234
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net change in unrealized losses on
  securities, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions.................   (30,766,562)  (284,825,248)  (205,392,069)  (35,123,130)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and unrealized losses on
  securities, futures contracts and foreign
  currency related transactions.................   (29,665,417)   (78,742,896)  (185,429,760)  (29,784,896)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS....................................  $(26,480,097) $ (52,459,514) $(157,600,070) $(26,608,218)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

54
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                Six Months Ended September 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TAX-

AMERICAN                                     STRATEGIC
                                                                      RETIREMENT      BALANCED
FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                                         FUND           FUND
FUND           FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
<C>             <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income............................................   $  3,185,320  $   26,283,382  $
27,829,690  $  3,176,678
 Net realized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions...................................      1,101,145     206,082,352
19,962,309     5,338,234
 Net change in unrealized losses on securities, futures
  contracts and foreign currency related transactions.............    (30,766,562)   (284,825,248)
(205,392,069)  (35,123,130)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations............    (26,480,097)    (52,459,514)
(157,600,070)  (26,608,218)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class A.........................................................       (472,229)    (20,831,871)
(3,611,237)     (922,578)
  Class B.........................................................     (1,966,062)     (7,608,216)
(8,128,272)   (1,687,749)
  Class C.........................................................        (31,437)        (17,648)
(381,376)     (289,447)
  Class Y.........................................................       (671,590)       (659,995)
(13,398,479)     (263,904)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders.............................     (3,141,318)    (29,117,730)
(25,519,364)   (3,163,678)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold........................................     32,959,699      49,618,794
391,968,937   119,046,644
 Payment for shares redeemed......................................    (20,431,496)   (188,956,040)
(236,734,715)  (23,947,903)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions...................................................      2,957,822      23,921,132
23,290,844     2,772,888
 Shares issued in acquisition of CoreFunds, Inc.
  Balanced Fund...................................................              0               0
139,832,551             0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital
   share transactions.............................................     15,486,025    (115,416,114)
318,357,617    97,871,629
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase (decrease) in net assets........................    (14,135,390)   (196,993,358)
135,238,183    68,099,733
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of period..............................................    233,819,342   1,897,153,741
2,641,227,612   302,501,240
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF PERIOD....................................................   $219,683,952  $1,700,160,383
$2,776,465,795  $370,600,973
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income..............................   $    279,754  $      (54,459) $
2,274,845  $     30,451
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              55
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                           Year Ended March 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TAX-

AMERICAN                                     STRATEGIC
                                                                     RETIREMENT      BALANCED
FOUNDATION     FOUNDATION
                                                                        FUND          FUND*
FUND           FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                                <C>           <C>             <C>
<C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income............................................  $  4,985,814  $   35,345,751  $   46,106,604
$  2,888,518
 Net realized gains on securities, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions...........................     5,840,219     127,001,668
37,733,396     1,331,487
 Net change in unrealized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions...................................    31,534,034      84,015,495
507,820,113    28,378,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations............    42,360,067     246,362,914
591,660,113    32,598,755
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class A.........................................................      (695,207)    (12,029,418)
(6,778,425)     (845,312)
  Class B.........................................................    (2,792,552)    (25,630,818)
(14,304,998)   (1,429,127)
  Class C.........................................................       (49,486)         (2,502)
(632,325)     (189,734)
  Class Y.........................................................    (1,312,760)       (263,102)
(25,594,285)     (422,361)
 From net realized gains
  Class A.........................................................      (514,560)    (25,111,250)
(6,367,014)     (424,397)
  Class B.........................................................    (2,734,907)   (168,719,950)
(19,081,303)   (1,129,269)
  Class C.........................................................       (50,154)           (135)
(836,192)     (141,334)
  Class Y.........................................................      (874,184)              0
(22,106,374)     (207,645)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders.............................    (9,023,810)   (231,757,175)
(95,700,916)   (4,789,179)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold........................................    86,591,263     121,903,416
691,840,878   212,133,212
 Payment for shares redeemed......................................   (24,953,880)   (278,715,460)
(299,555,598)  (15,800,328)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions...................................................     8,459,313     199,041,548
89,801,360     4,084,131
 Shares issued in acquisition of Evergreen Balanced Fund II.......             0     214,923,155
0             0
 Shares issued in acquisition of Keystone Balanced Fund II........             0               0
8,490,928             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Net increase in net assets resulting from
   capital share transactions.....................................    70,096,696     257,152,659
490,577,568   200,417,015
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase in net assets...................................   103,432,953     271,758,398
986,536,765   228,226,591
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of year................................................   130,386,389   1,625,395,343
1,654,690,847    74,274,649
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF YEAR......................................................  $233,819,342  $1,897,153,741  $2,641,227,612
$302,501,240
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income..............................  $    235,752  $    2,779,889  $      (35,481)
$     17,451
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the nine-month period ended March 31, 1998. Balanced Fund changed its
  fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective March 31, 1998.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

56
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  EVERGREEN
                                Balanced Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                            Year Ended June 30, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   BALANCED
                                                                     FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                            <C>
 OPERATIONS
 Net investment income......................................... $   38,677,977
 Net realized gains on securities, futures contracts and
  foreign currency related transactions........................    120,987,282
 Net change in unrealized gains on securities and foreign
  currency related transactions................................    146,568,036
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.........    306,233,295
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 From net investment income
  Class B......................................................    (38,660,044)
 From net realized gains
  Class B......................................................    (57,571,132)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders..........................    (96,231,176)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 Proceeds from shares sold.....................................    200,987,044
 Payment for shares redeemed...................................   (351,020,484)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions................................................     84,249,628
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions................................................    (65,783,812)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase in net assets................................    144,218,307
 NET ASSETS
 Beginning of year.............................................  1,481,177,036
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 END OF YEAR................................................... $1,625,395,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income........................... $    3,239,562
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                                                              57
<PAGE>


                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

                     COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ORGANIZATION

The Evergreen Balanced Funds consist of Evergreen American Retirement Fund
("American Retirement Fund"), Evergreen Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund"),
Evergreen Foundation Fund ("Foundation Fund"), and Evergreen Tax Strategic
Foundation Fund ("Tax Strategic Fund"), which are collectively referred to
herein as the "Funds". Each of the Funds is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. Each Fund is a diversified series of the
Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware Business Trust organized on September 18,
1997.

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A shares are
sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C shares
are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing distribution
fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending on how long the
shares have been held. Class B shares purchased after January 1, 1997 will
automatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B shares
purchased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion rights.
Class C shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge payable on
shares redeemed within one year after the month of purchase. Class Y shares are
sold at net asset value and are not subject to contingent deferred sales charges
or distribution fees. Class Y shares are sold only to investment advisory
clients of First Union and its affiliates, certain institutional investors or
Class Y shareholders of record of certain other funds managed by First Union
Corporation ("First Union") and its affiliates as of December 30, 1994.

2. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN BALANCED FUND

The Fund was formed for the purpose of combining the net assets of the Evergreen
Balanced II Fund (the "Evergreen Fund"), formerly the Evergreen Balanced Fund,
and the net assets of the Keystone Balanced Fund (the "Keystone Fund"), formerly
Keystone Balanced Fund K-1, through the Fund's acquisition of the net assets of
the Evergreen Fund and Keystone Fund.

On January 21, 1998, Prior to the Fund's acquisition of the Evergreen Fund's
net assets, the Evergreen Fund transferred substantially all of its net assets
related to its Class Y shares to an Evergreen Select Balanced Fund, an institu-
tional balanced fund, through a redemption-in-kind in the amount of
$737,248,788.

On January 23, 1998, the Fund acquired all of the remaining assets and certain
identified liabilities of the Evergreen Fund in exchange for Class A, Class B
Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund. Also, the Fund acquired all of the
assets and certain liabilities of the Keystone Fund in exchange for Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. These acquisitions were accomplished
through tax-free exchanges of the respective shares of the Funds. The value of
net assets acquired, number of shares issued and unrealized appreciation
acquired were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Value of Net     Number of    Unrealized
         Acquired Fund        Assets Acquired Shares Issued Appreciation
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                  <C>             <C>           <C>
         Evergreen Fund...... $  214,923,156    17,901,009  $ 17,787,797
         Keystone Fund....... $1,616,348,537   134,623,096  $494,838,638
</TABLE>

The net assets of the Fund immediately after the acquisition were
$1,831,271,693.

Prior to the acquisition, the Keystone Fund added three classes of shares
designated as Class A and Class C and designated its existing class of shares as
Class B. Shareholders of the Keystone Fund who, on January 16, 1998, held Class
B shares purchased before January 1, 1995 and certain other non-commissionable
Class B shares had such shares converted to Class A shares having an aggregate
value equal to that of the shareholder's Class B shares prior to the conversion.

At the conclusion of the Fund's acquisition of the net assets of the Evergreen
Fund and Keystone Fund, the surviving records of the Fund for accounting and
performance purposes is the Keystone Fund and for taxation purposes is the
Evergreen Fund.


58
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

3. ACQUISITIONS

Effective at the close of business on July 24, 1998, Foundation Fund acquired
the net assets of CoreFunds, Inc. Balanced Fund, an open-end management
investment company registered under the 1940 Act in an exchange of shares. The
net assets were exchanged through a non-taxable exchange for 321,554, 49,982,
and 581,209 Class A, Class B and Class Y shares, respectively, of Foundation
Fund. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with
unrealized appreciation of $29,739,766. The aggregate net assets of CoreFunds
Inc. Balanced Fund and Foundation Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were
$140,187,273 and $2,783,885,610, respectively. The aggregate net assets of
Foundation Fund immediately after the acquisition were $2,924,072,883.

Effective at the close of business on July 17, 1997, Foundation Fund acquired
the net assets of Keystone Balanced Fund II, an open-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act in an exchange of shares. The net assets
were exchanged through a non-taxable exchange for 111,203, 316,984, and 36,146
Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of Foundation Fund. The
acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with unrealized
appreciation of $1,216,239. The aggregate net assets of Keystone Balanced Fund
II and Foundation Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were $8,490,928 and
$1,984,767,050, respectively. The aggregate net assets of Foundation Fund
immediately after the acquisition were $1,993,257,978.

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The
policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which
require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts
reported herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. VALUATION OF SECURITIES

The Funds value securities traded on a national securities exchange or included
on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NMS") at the last reported sales price on
the exchange where primarily traded. The Funds value securities traded on an
exchange or NMS for which there has been no sale and other securities traded in
the over-the-counter market at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
price. U.S. government obligations held by the Funds are valued at the mean
between the over-the-counter bid and asked prices. Corporate bonds, other fixed-
income securities, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities are valued at
prices provided by an independent pricing service. In determining value for
normal institutional-size transactions, the pricing service uses methods based
on market transactions for comparable securities and analysis of various
relationships between similar securities which are generally recognized by
institutional traders. Securities for which valuations are not available from an
independent pricing service, including restricted securities, are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith according to procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less are carried at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

B. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held by the custodian on the Fund's behalf. Each
Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and will require the seller
to provide additional collateral in the event the market value of the securities
pledged falls below the carrying value of the repurchase agreement, including
accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and other financial institutions which are deemed by the investment
adviser to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of
Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
Balanced Fund, along with certain other funds managed by Evergreen Investment
Management Company ("EIMCO"), a subsidiary of First Union, formerly Keystone
Investment Management Company may transfer uninvested cash balances


                                                                              59
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more
repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or
federal agency obligations.

C. REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

To obtain short-term financing, the Funds may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with qualified third-party broker-dealers. Interest on the value of
reverse repurchase agreements is based upon competitive market rates at the
time of issuance. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement,
it will establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian
containing qualifying assets having a value not less than the repurchase price,
including accrued interest. If the counterparty to the transaction is rendered
insolvent, the ultimate realization of the securities to be repurchased by the
Fund may be delayed or limited.

D. FOREIGN CURRENCY

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.)
dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of
exchange; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized
foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign currency
exchange rates is a component of net unrealized gains or losses on securities
and foreign currency related transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains
and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include: foreign currency
gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment
securities, foreign currency related transactions and the difference between the
amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Funds and the
amounts actually received. Such gains and losses are included in realized gains
or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The portion of foreign
currency gains and losses related to fluctuations in exchange rates between the
initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in
realized gains or losses on securities transactions.

E. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated in
a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or liabilities.
Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market daily.
Realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are included in net
realized gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund
bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate
underlying the forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the other
party will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward contracts
involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statements of assets and liabilities.

F. FUTURES CONTRACTS

In order to gain exposure to or protect against changes in security values, the
Funds may buy and sell futures contracts.

The initial margin deposited with a broker when entering into a futures trans-
action is subsequently adjusted by daily payments or receipts as the value of
the contract changes. Such changes are recorded as unrealized gains or losses.
Realized gains or losses are recognized on closing the contract.

Risks of entering into futures contracts include (i) the possibility of an
illiquid market for the contract, (ii) the possibility that a change in the
value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the
underlying instrument or index, and (iii) the credit risk that the other party
will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Futures contracts also
involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

G. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date
thereafter when the Fund is made aware of the dividend.

60
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]


               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

Foreign income may be subject to foreign withholding taxes which are accrued as
applicable. Capital gains realized on some foreign securities may be subject to
foreign taxes and are accrued as applicable.

H. FEDERAL TAXES

The Funds intend to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, the Funds
will not incur any federal income tax liability since they are expected to
distribute all of their net investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also intend to avoid any
excise tax liability by making the required distributions under the Code.
Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required. To the extent
that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is
each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

I. DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions from net investment income for the Funds are declared and paid
quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are paid at
least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded at the close of
business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in
accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted
accounting principles.

Certain distributions paid during previous years have been reclassified to
conform with current year presentation.

J. CLASS ALLOCATIONS

Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the relative
net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are limited to
expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

K. ORGANIZATION EXPENSES

Organization expenses are amortized to operations over a five-year period on a
straight-line basis. In the event any of the initial shares of the Funds are
redeemed by any holder during the five-year amortization period, redemption
proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized organization expenses in the same
proportion as the number of initial shares being redeemed bears to the number
of initial shares outstanding at the time of the redemption.


                                                                              61
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized
with a $0.001 par value. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are
currently divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. Transactions in
shares of the Funds were as follows:

American Retirement Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Six Months Ended            Year Ended
                               September 30, 1998         March 31, 1998
                             -----------------------  -----------------------
                              Shares       Amount      Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold.................   302,817  $  4,972,502    776,394  $ 11,977,023
Shares redeemed.............  (180,661)   (2,835,734)  (175,621)   (2,728,081)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............    29,241       453,508     73,985     1,168,200
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................   151,397     2,590,276    674,758    10,417,142
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold................. 1,568,602    25,374,800  4,220,724    64,924,905
Shares redeemed.............  (725,496)  (11,337,581)  (651,898)  (10,105,217)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............   122,619     1,890,753    340,081     5,338,212
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................   965,725    15,927,972  3,908,907    60,157,900
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold.................    50,884       839,326     80,905     1,241,277
Shares redeemed.............   (56,317)     (902,957)   (49,433)     (711,589)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............     1,952        30,200      6,217        97,713
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease).....    (3,481)      (33,431)    37,689       627,401
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold.................   110,417     1,773,071    542,883     8,448,058
Shares redeemed.............  (342,042)   (5,355,224)  (749,260)  (11,408,993)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..............    37,567       583,361    117,732     1,855,188
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease................  (194,058)   (2,998,792)   (88,645)   (1,105,747)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase................            $ 15,486,025             $ 70,096,696
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

62
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Six Months Ended               Year Ended                   Year Ended
                             September 30, 1998            March 31, 1998*               June 30, 1997
                          -------------------------  ----------------------------  --------------------------
                            Shares       Amount        Shares         Amount         Shares        Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold.............   1,216,462  $  15,512,803      740,667  $     9,401,463            0  $           0
Shares redeemed.........  (9,377,671)  (119,515,496)  (4,919,924)     (61,467,813)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........   1,321,725     16,749,452    2,175,164       26,275,982            0              0
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............           0              0   97,487,277    1,205,409,703            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    3,807,586       45,716,406            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............  (6,839,484)   (87,253,241)  99,290,770    1,225,335,741            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold.............   2,431,087     30,995,280    8,761,830      111,415,080   16,959,452    200,987,044
Shares redeemed.........  (4,954,969)   (62,953,257) (15,656,468)    (202,986,801) (29,517,723)  (351,020,484)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........     545,647      6,926,238   13,954,804      172,765,442    7,405,182     84,249,628
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............           0              0  (97,487,277)  (1,205,409,703)           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    9,896,507      118,815,736            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease............  (1,978,235)   (25,031,739) (80,530,604)  (1,005,400,246)  (5,153,089)   (65,783,812)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold.............      74,909        957,596       21,656          270,797            0              0
Shares redeemed.........     (22,150)      (282,432)      (1,672)         (21,003)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........       1,353         17,136           10              124            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0       44,378          532,825            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............      54,112        692,300       64,372          782,743            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold.............     168,457      2,153,115       65,370          816,075            0              0
Shares redeemed.........    (485,419)    (6,204,855)  (1,167,179)     (14,239,843)           0              0
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions..........      18,023        228,306            0                0            0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Evergreen Balance Fund
 II.....................           0              0    4,152,538       49,858,189            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    (298,939)    (3,823,434)   3,050,729       36,434,421            0              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............              $(115,416,114)              $   257,152,659               $ (65,783,812)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to March 31, effective
  March 31, 1998.

                                                                              63
<PAGE>


                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foundation Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Six Months Ended              Year Ended
                            September 30, 1998           March 31, 1998
                          ------------------------  -------------------------
                            Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold..............  3,111,353  $ 63,063,041   5,521,670  $ 103,759,687
Shares redeemed.......... (3,019,104)  (61,130,009) (2,914,232)   (53,799,294)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    173,723     3,475,639     689,871     12,869,510
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................    321,554     6,566,182           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0     111,203      2,040,162
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    587,526    11,974,853   3,408,512     64,870,065
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold.............. 11,476,108   231,635,742  19,625,977    367,905,222
Shares redeemed.......... (3,606,952)  (71,733,837) (4,438,949)   (81,802,033)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    393,109     7,835,234   1,744,118     32,347,483
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................     49,982     1,015,265           0              0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0     316,984      5,790,704
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  8,312,247   168,752,404  17,248,130    324,241,376
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold..............    820,689    16,571,727   1,016,989     19,227,162
Shares redeemed..........   (277,338)   (5,542,917)   (405,258)    (7,403,302)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     17,804       354,722      74,186      1,375,625
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Keystone
 Balance Fund II.........          0             0      36,146        660,062
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    561,155    11,383,532     722,063     13,859,547
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold..............  4,017,765    80,698,427  10,695,459    200,948,807
Shares redeemed.......... (4,882,305)  (98,327,952) (8,434,531)  (156,550,969)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........    581,209    11,625,249   2,313,662     43,208,742
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 CoreFunds, Inc. Balance
 Fund....................  6,470,202   132,251,104           0              0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  6,186,871   126,246,828   4,574,590     87,606,580
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............             $318,357,617              $ 490,577,568
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tax Strategic Fund

<CAPTION>
                             Six Months Ended              Year Ended
                            September 30, 1998           March 31, 1998
                          ------------------------  -------------------------
                            Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold..............  1,634,800  $ 26,463,887   3,458,299  $  53,040,118
Shares redeemed..........   (473,234)   (7,492,512)   (371,701)    (5,726,480)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     53,905       848,665      77,658      1,200,787
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  1,215,471    19,820,040   3,164,256     48,514,425
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
Shares sold..............  4,358,389    70,121,082   8,736,220    134,105,426
Shares redeemed..........   (756,365)  (11,906,358)   (423,863)    (6,502,615)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     99,669     1,567,282     154,897      2,385,102
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............  3,701,693    59,782,006   8,467,254    129,987,913
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
Shares sold..............  1,087,822    17,475,503   1,515,720     23,364,146
Shares redeemed..........   (207,097)   (3,261,476)   (212,250)    (3,128,629)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........     16,558       259,796      19,807        305,243
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    897,283    14,473,823   1,323,277     20,540,760
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS Y
Shares sold..............    310,174     4,986,172     105,640      1,623,522
Shares redeemed..........    (80,145)   (1,287,557)    (29,733)      (442,604)
Shares issued in
 reinvestment of
 distributions...........      6,176        97,145      12,558        192,999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............    236,205     3,795,760      88,465      1,373,917
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............             $ 97,871,629              $ 200,417,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

64
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term investments, were as follows for the six months ended September 30,
1998:

                                  U.S. Government        Non-U.S. Government
                              ----------------------- -------------------------
                                Cost of    Proceeds     Cost of      Proceeds
                               Purchases  from Sales   Purchases    from Sales
                              -------------------------------------------------
American Retirement Fund..... $19,044,794 $14,500,000 $ 41,435,950 $ 31,150,749
Balanced Fund................   6,206,758  27,183,040  691,305,939  829,791,698
Foundation Fund..............  20,974,750   6,110,183  255,655,290   83,658,020
Tax Strategic Fund...........     581,112           0  240,318,999  126,206,814

On July 24, 1998, Foundation acquired $27,013,910 and $73,647,101 of U.S.
Government and non-U.S. Government securities, respectively, at cost, from the
Fund's acquisition of CoreFund Inc. Balanced Fund.

7. DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Evergreen Distributor, Inc. ("EDI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The BISYS
Group Inc. ("BISYS") serves as principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans for each class of shares as allowed by
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution plans permit the fund to reimburse its
principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of the fund and for
various other services. These costs, which consist primarily of commissions and
services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the fund, are paid by
shareholders through expenses called "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class,
except Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily
net asset of the class. Class B and Class C also presently pay distribution fees
equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Distribution Plan
expenses are calculated daily and paid monthly. With respect to Class B and
Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay 12b-1 fees greater than the
allowable annual amounts the Funds are permitted to pay. The Funds may reimburse
the principal underwriter for such excess amounts in later years with annual
interest at the prime rate plus 1.00%.

During the six-months ended September 30, 1998, amounts paid to EDI and/or its
predecessor pursuant to each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution
Plans were as follows:

                                           Class A    Class B   Class C
                                          ------------------------------
         American Retirement Fund........ $   37,503 $  813,234 $ 14,084
         Balanced Fund...................  1,523,648  2,813,780    5,804
         Foundation Fund.................    436,052  6,055,501  279,914
         Tax Strategic Fund..............    102,115  1,087,141  181,373

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares
of the respective class.

Contingent deferred sales charges paid by redeeming shareholders are paid to
EDI or its predecessor.

8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED
   TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to an agreement with American Retirement Fund's, Foundation Fund's and
Tax Strategic Fund's investment adviser, Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
("EAMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Union, is entitled to an annual
fee based on each of American Retirement Fund's, Foundation Fund's and Tax
Strategic Fund's average daily net assets, respectively, in accordance with the
following schedules:

            Foundation Fund and                            American
             Tax Strategic Fund                         Retirement Fund
          ------------------------                  -----------------------
          First $750 million0.875%                  First $750 million0.75%
          Next $250 million 0.750%                  Over $250 million 0.70%
          Over $1 billion   0.700%


                                                                              65
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, is the investment sub-advisor to
American Retirement Fund, Foundation Fund and Tax Strategic Fund. Lieber &
Company provides these services at no additional cost to the Funds.

EIMCO is the investment adviser for Balanced Fund. In return for providing
investment management and administrative services to Balanced Fund, the Fund
pays EIMCO a management fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly. The
management fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of Balanced Fund's gross
investment income plus an amount determined by applying percentage rates
starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net assets increase, to
the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS"), a subsidiary of First Union, and BISYS
Fund Services ("BISYS") provide Administrative and Sub-Administrative services
to the Funds at no cost to the Funds. Balanced Fund reimbursed EIMCO for certain
administrative and accounting expenses amounting to $132,149 for the period
ended September 30, 1998.

Lieber & Company also provides brokerage services to American Retirement Fund,
Foundation Fund, and Tax Strategic Fund with respect to substantially all
security transactions effected on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. For
the six months ended September 30, 1998, American Retirement Fund, Foundation
Fund and Tax Strategic Fund incurred the following brokerage commissions with
Lieber & Company:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                      <C>
         American Retirement Fund................................ $ 73,666
         Foundation Fund.........................................  361,187
         Tax Strategic Fund......................................  156,918
</TABLE>

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Union, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. The
Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with ESC, relating to
certain cash balances held at First Union for the benefit of the Evergreen
Funds.

Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no compensation directly
from the Funds.

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT

The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with their custodian.
The assets deposited with the custodian under this expense offset arrangement
could have been invested in income-producing assets.

10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of American Retirement Fund, Balanced Fund, Foundation
Fund and Tax Strategic Fund may defer any or all compensation related to
performance of duties as a Trustee. Each Trustee's deferred balances are
allocated to deferral accounts which are included in the accrued expenses for
each Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts are based on the
investment performance of certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses
incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in each Funds' Trustees' fees and
expenses. Trustees will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly
installments for up to ten years at their election, not earlier than either the
year in which the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees or
January 1, 2000. As of September 30, 1998, the value of the Trustees deferral
account for American Retirement Fund, Balanced Fund, Foundation Fund, and Tax
Strategic Fund was $17,716, $87,452, $41,575 and $8,066.

11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

On December 22, 1997, a financing agreement among all of the Evergreen Funds,
State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street") and a group of Banks became
effective. Under this agreement, the Banks provide an unsecured credit facility
in the aggregate amount of $400 million ($275 million committed and $125 million
uncommitted). The credit facility is allocated, under the terms of the financing
agreement, among the Banks. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds
for temporary or emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrowing
restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be
incurred on the unused portion of the


66
<PAGE>

                            [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

               COMBINED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)

committed facility, which will be allocated to all Funds. State Street serves
as administrative agent for the Banks, and as administrative agent is entitled
to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is allocated to all of the Funds.

During the six months ended September 30, 1998, the Funds had no significant
borrowings under these agreements.

OTHER INFORMATION

YEAR 2000

Like other investment companies, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Funds' investment advisers and the Funds' other
service providers are not able to perform their intended functions effectively
after 1999 because of the inability of computer software to distinguish the year
2000 from the year 1900. The Funds' investment advisers are taking steps to
address this potential year 2000 problem with respect to the computer systems
that they use and to obtain satisfactory assurances that comparable steps are
being taken by the Funds' other major service providers. At this time, however,
there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any
adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.


                                                                              67
<PAGE>

                                 Evergreen Funds


Money Market
Treasury Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

Tax Exempt
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund
High Grade Tax Free Fund
Tax Free Fund
California Tax Free Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund
Missouri Tax Free Fund
New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund
New York Tax Free Fund
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

Income
Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Short Intermediate Bond Fund
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Diversified Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
High Yield Bond Fund

Balanced
American Retirement Fund
Balanced Fund
Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Foundation Fund

Growth & Income
Utility Fund
Income and Growth Fund
Fund for Total Return
Value Fund
Blue Chip Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Small Cap Equity Income Fund

Domestic Growth
Tax Strategic Equity Fund
Strategic Growth Fund
Stock Selector Fund
Evergreen Fund
Omega Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Aggressive Growth Fund
Micro Cap Fund

Global International
Global Leaders Fund
International Growth Fund
Global Opportunities Fund
Precious Metals Fund
Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Latin America Fund

Express Line
800.346.3858

Investor Services
800.343.2898

Retirement Plan Services
800.247.4075

www.evergreen-funds.com


32755                                                     540980   RV2    11/98

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS(SM)                                        BULK RATE
      APPEARS HERE]                                               U.S. POSTAGE
                                                                      PAID
200 Berkeley Street                                               PERMIT NO. 19
Boston, MA 02116                                                   HUDSON, MA




<PAGE>

                                                          Semiannual Report
                                                          as of January 31, 1999



                                   Evergreen
                                        Growth and Income Funds






               [EVERGREEN LOGO  Evergreen Funds(SM)
                APPEARS HERE]        SINCE 1932
<PAGE>

                  Table of Contents


Letter to Shareholders..............................   1
For Your Information................................   2
Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
 Fund at a Glance...................................   3
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................   4
Evergreen Equity Income Fund
(formerly Evergreen Fund for Total Return)
 Fund at a Glance...................................   7
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................   8
Evergreen Growth and Income Fund
 Fund at a Glance...................................  11
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................  12
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
 Fund at a Glance...................................  15
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................  16
Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund
(formerly Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund)
 Fund at a Glance...................................  19
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................  20
Evergreen Utility Fund
 Fund at a Glance...................................  23
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................  24
Evergreen Value Fund
 Fund at a Glance...................................  26
 Portfolio Manager Interview........................  27
Financial Highlights
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...........................  30
 Evergreen Equity Income Fund.......................  32
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund...................  34
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund...................  36
 Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund.....................  38
 Evergreen Utility Fund.............................  40
Evergreen Value Fund                                  42
Schedule of Investments
 Evergreen Blue Chip Fund...........................  44
 Evergreen Equity Income Fund.......................  46
 Evergreen Growth and Income Fund...................  48
 Evergreen Income and Growth Fund...................  53
 Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund.....................  56
 Evergreen Utility Fund.............................  59
 Evergreen Value Fund...............................  61
Statements of Assets and Liabilities................  63
Statements of Operations............................  64
Statements of Changes in Net Assets.................  65
Combined Notes to Financial Statements..............  68

                                Evergreen Funds
Evergreen Funds is one of the nation's fastest growing investment companies with
over $50 billion in assets under management.

With over 70 mutual funds to choose among and acclaimed service and operations
capabilities, investors enjoy a broad range of quality investment products and
services designed to meet their needs.

The Evergreen Funds employ intensive, research-driven investment strategies
executed by over 90 research analysts and portfolio managers. The fund company
remains dedicated to meeting the needs of investors and their advisors in a
global economy. Look to the Evergreen Funds to provide a distinctive level of
service and excellence in investment management.

    This semiannual report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus of an
    Evergreen fund contained herein. The prospectus contains more complete
    information, including fees and expenses, and should be read carefully
    before investing or sending money.

              ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Mutual Funds:  ARE NOT FDIC INSURED  May lose value . Are not bank guaranteed
              ----------------------------------------------------------------

                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.

    Evergreen(SM) is a Service Mark of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.
<PAGE>

                            Letter to Shareholders
                            ----------------------
                                  March 1999

Dear Shareholders:

[PHOTO OF WILLIAM M. ENNIS
     MANAGING DIRECTOR
       APPEARS HERE]

We are pleased to provide you the Evergreen Growth and Income Funds semiannual
report covering the six months ended January 31, 1999.

As we move ahead into 1999, we feel very positive about the overall economy. For
nearly the past seven years, it has sustained a low inflation level along with
low unemployment and solid economic growth. While we acknowledge the increased
volatility we saw emerge in mid-1998 will certainly be present in 1999, we are
still optimistic about the economy. We strongly recommend the value of having a
financial representative who can help you manage your investments and ensure
they match your long-term goals.

Evergreen Web site Enhancements

We've expanded and redesigned our Web site to provide you with quick and easy
access to the information that matters most to you. Come visit us at
www.evergreen-funds.com and experience for yourself the many enhancements and
user-friendly features we've added. You can learn more about Evergreen's history
and investment philosophy, access expanded fund profiles and performance data--
including daily net asset values (NAVs)--or visit the Investor Education section
to gain new insights and knowledge to help you make more informed investment
decisions.

Introduction of the Euro

On January 1, 1999, eleven European countries adopted the euro as their
currency. Currently, the wholesale markets and government and financial sectors
have converted to the euro, and new securities will be issued in euro
denomination only. Full conversion to the new currency will not be completed
until 2002.

At this point it is still unclear how the euro conversion will affect foreign
exchange rates, interest rates and the value of European securities, but we
believe the potential benefits to globally oriented investors are significant.
They include changes in currency risk, increased competition, and a central
bank. Foreign exchange risk may decrease for the countries participating in the
European Union; however, currency risk associated with rises and declines of the
value of the euro versus the dollar will still exist. Most noticeable for
investors will be the ability to compare the value of companies across the
European Union member countries without having to factor in the effect of
fluctuating currencies.  Increased competition resulting from deregulation and
economic unification may produce a wave of merger and acquisition activity,
which could present attractive investment opportunities for those able to
identify the companies most inclined to benefit from restructuring. Finally, the
European Central Bank, comparable to the U.S. Federal Reserve, will provide
European Union countries with a unified monetary policy for the first time.

As always, if you have any questions about the funds in this report or any other
Evergreen Funds, please contact your financial representative or call us at
800.343.2898, and we will be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

/s/ William M. Ennis

William M. Ennis
Managing Director
Evergreen Funds

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

                             For Your Information
                             --------------------

New Evergreen Funds
Evergreen introduces three new funds:

Evergreen Tax Strategic Equity Fund: seeks to maximize the after-tax total
return on its portfolio of investments by using a combination of stock selection
strategies and trading techniques.

Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund: seeks investment results that achieve price
and yield performance similar to the S&P 500 Index.

Evergreen Masters Fund: blends growth and value, large- and mid-cap stocks into
one convenient portfolio. Diversification is taken one step further by employing
four management teams, Evergreen, MFS, Oppenheimer and Putnam.

Talk to your financial representative or call us at 800.343.2898 for a
prospectus and more information.

Fund Name Changes--Effective April 6, 1999

Evergreen Fund for Total Return is changing its name to Evergreen Equity Income
Fund to better reflect its investment objective. The Fund's primary objective
will change from "to seek total return from a combination of capital growth and
income" to "to seek primarily current income and secondarily capital growth."
The Fund's investment policy will change to ensure that at least 65% of assets
are in dividend-paying equity securities. Formerly, the prospectus required 65%
of assets be invested in equity securities. This will help ensure the Fund will
meet its primary investment objective of income.

Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund is changing its name to Evergreen Small
Cap Value Fund which means that the Fund will de-emphasize income-producing
securities and broaden its investment universe to enable it to focus on capital
growth.

Good News!

Effective for the 1998 Tax Year, long-term capital gains taxes are reduced to
20%.

Year 2000/1/

We have been addressing the Year 2000 issue since February 1996, and have
adopted an industry best practices methodology for the project. Our team is on
schedule to complete the following milestones: Inventory and Assessment,
Remediation, Testing and Contingency. Although Evergreen Funds is striving to
identify and correct every issue under our control related to the Year 2000, it
would be impossible to guarantee a problem-free transition into the next
millennium. Our goal, however, is that our shareholders experience virtually no
impact on the products and services we deliver.

Visit us at
www.evergreen-funds.com

You may have noticed our recent reconstruction on our web site. We have
redesigned the site to make it easier to use, as well as added more fund
information. We invite you to check it out and we welcome any feedback.


/1/ The information above constitutes Year 2000 readiness disclosure.

2
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                Blue Chip Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999


                                  Portfolio 
                                  Management
                           -------------------------

                   [PHOTO OF JUDITH A. WARNERS APPEARS HERE]

                               Judith A. Warners
                             Tenure: January 1995


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
                 1/31/99.
[MORNINGSTAR'S
 STYLE BOX       The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-
APPEARS HERE]    earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as
                 well as the size of the companies in which it invests, or
                 median market capitalization.

                 /1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Classes A and C prior to
inception reflects that of Class B, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 9/11/35, and has been adjusted for appropriate 12b-1 fees for
each class.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The S&P 500
Index is an unmanaged market index and does not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees. The CPI
is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment
return. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 9/11/35                 Class A    Class B    Class C
Class Inception Date                              1/20/98    9/11/35    1/22/98
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*                            
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                         7.22%      7.01%     11.09%
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                         12.58%     12.01%     12.09%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                          17.97%     17.74%     21.99%
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                           23.84%     22.74%     22.99%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                           22.08%     22.76%     23.22%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                           20.42%     18.31%     18.39%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                          14.61%     14.33%     14.23%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                                    9.29%      9.17%      9.14%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                               4.75%      5.00%      1.00%
                                                 Front End    CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                                   0.10%     -0.62%     -0.62%
 ................................................................................
6-month income distributions per share            $0.03         --         --
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions per share      $2.38      $2.38      $2.38
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


  Date       Evergreen Blue Chip        S&P 500     Consumer Price Index - US
  ----       -------------------        -------     -------------------------
 1/31/89          $ 10,000             $ 10,000           $ 10,000
12/31/90          $ 11,465             $ 11,889           $ 11,049
12/31/92          $ 14,779             $ 16,693           $ 11,714
12/31/94          $ 15,271             $ 18,618           $ 12,362
12/31/96          $ 24,388             $ 31,496           $ 13,097
 1/31/99          $ 39,229             $ 56,220           $ 13,526

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Blue Chip
Fund Class B, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI).

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                Blue Chip Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the six-month period?

The Fund did well against mutual funds with similar objectives, while trailing
the overall market, as reflected by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For the six
months ended January 31, 1999, the Fund's Class A shares had a total return of
12.58%, while Class B shares had a return of 12.01% and Class C shares returned
12.09%. These returns are unadjusted for any applicable sales charges. During
the same period, the average growth and income fund had a return of 7.88%,
according to Lipper Inc., an independent monitor of mutual fund performance,
while the S&P 500 had a return of 15.02%.

                                  Portfolio 
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)

Total Net Assets                                                  $481,408,984
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                         101
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                               32.9x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                     1.04
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


What was the investment environment like during the six months?

It began with a great deal of turmoil following the Russian government's default
of part of its external debt in early August, an event that reverberated
throughout the world's financial markets, causing a liquidity crisis. This
volatility pulled down every emerging market as well as the U.S. stock market.
To illustrate, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, an index of large company stocks
in the United States, fell by 14.4% from August 1 through October 8, 1998. It
was then that the U.S. Federal Reserve started lowering short-term interest
rates to restore liquidity to the markets. The Federal Reserve cut rates three
successive times in October and November, encouraging confidence among
investors. From October 8 through the end of the fiscal period on January 31,
1999, the S&P 500 rose by 33.4%. In the August through October 8 decline, the
biggest losers were the financial stocks, while in the October 8 through January
31 rally, the biggest gainers were technology stocks. Throughout the period,
energy stocks suffered, as global deflation undermined the prices of
commodities, including oil.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Information Services & Technology                                        17.6%
 ................................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                           15.3%
 ................................................................................
Retailing & Wholesale                                                     8.5%
 ................................................................................
Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment                        6.6%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                     6.2%
 ................................................................................

4
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                Blue Chip Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


Within this changing environment, what strategies did you pursue?

Early in the period, we continued lightening our holdings in the finance sector,
a strategy we began in July when Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan
started sending out conflicting signals about the direction of interest rates.
We believed financial service stocks might have peaked. This helped the Fund's
performance, because we had reduced our exposure before the market started
sliding. Within finance, we continued to focus on money center banks, super-
regional banks and insurance companies. Two core holdings throughout the period
were Associates First Capital, a consumer lending company, and American
International Group, an insurance company. Both were strong performers. The
Fund's emphasis on finance stocks declined during the period from about 19.5% of
net assets on August 1 to about 11% on January 31.

We also lightened our emphasis on healthcare companies somewhat during the fall.
We saw some disappointments in the sales of new drugs and we felt the stock
prices of some pharmaceutical prices may have become excessive. This industry,
however, remains an area of emphasis, at 15.3% of net assets on January 31,
because of its long-term outlook. This is a good example of our strategy of
alternately increasing and decreasing our commitment to an area, depending on
whether we see relative value in the stocks.

We added to our technology holdings, which rose from 12.8% of net assets at the
start of the period to about 22% on January 31. We emphasized the large, high-
quality names like IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Compaq Computer, Gateway 2000, Hewlett
Packard, Motorola, Cisco Systems and EMC. We also added several technology
companies, including America Online and Sun Microsystems.

We also added to our consumer staples holdings with companies, such as Gillette
and Proctor & Gamble, trading at what we believe to be attractive values after
the stock prices fell following the announcement of earnings disappointments.
This industry rose from 11.7% of the Fund's net assets to about 15% at the end
of the period.

We also added several retailers and automobile companies during the six months.
Two retailers that were very good performers were Safeway and CVS.

The most noteworthy area of de-emphasis was in energy, where our weighting was
cut in half, from about 8% to about 4% of net assets.

We started the six-month period with a relatively high cash position of about
13.3%, which helped protect the Fund during the market slide early in the
period. As we found buying opportunities, we put the money to work. At the end
of the period, the Fund's cash position had declined to about 5% of net assets.

In all areas, we continued to emphasize large, high-quality, multi-national
companies. In fact, we had a greater emphasis on the very big companies at the
end of the period than we did at the beginning of the period.

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                Blue Chip Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Microsoft Corp.                                                           4.2%
 ................................................................................
General Electric Co.                                                      3.6%
 ................................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                         2.2%
 ................................................................................
International Business Machines Corp.                                     2.0%
 ................................................................................
Intel Corp.                                                               1.9%
 ................................................................................
American Home Products Corp.                                              1.8%
 ................................................................................
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.                                                     1.8%
 ................................................................................
Time Warner, Inc.                                                         1.7%
 ................................................................................
Tyco International Ltd.                                                   1.6%
 ................................................................................
Medtronic, Inc.                                                           1.6%
 ................................................................................



What areas were the biggest contributors to performance?

The technology stocks were very strong factors in the performance. The best
performers during the period included America Online, Microsoft, Intel, EMC, Sun
Microsystems and Ascend Communications. Ascend was helped by the announcement it
will be acquired by Lucent Technologies.

Telephone and telecommunications stocks also helped performance. Contributors
included AT&T, MCI WorldCom, U.S. West and TCI Group, which is the subject of a
pending takeover by AT&T.

What is your outlook?

We don't think the volatility will end. We expect to continue to emphasize
large-capitalization global leaders. Many companies with dominant positions in
their markets and strong pricing power have been able to sustain their strong
stock performance, even in the face of some expectations that earnings will
slow. We will be sticking to our fundamental analysis, looking for companies
that demonstrate they can execute their strategies and can manage their
businesses in a period of volatility. We also will tend to be opportunistic when
out-of-favor companies show evidence that they can improve their earnings. This
happened during the period with technology companies, which were coming out of a
depressed earnings situation in early 1998 and showed good growth potential. On
the margin, we may begin to take some profits from our technology holdings and
add to our positions in basic industries, where we see some interesting values
among companies with the potential to increase their earnings at a healthy rate.
We also may increase our weightings in consumer goods companies with depressed
stock valuations.

We expect the Fund will continue to find opportunities among world market
leaders and among firms that dominate their specific market niches.

6
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999

                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                               ----------------

                 [PHOTO OF HARLAN R. SONDERLING APPEARS HERE]

                             Harlan R. Sonderling,
                                    CPA, CFA
                               Tenure: June 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S     1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX   
 APPEARS HERE]     The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-to-
                   earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500, as
                   well as the size of the companies in which it invests, or
                   median market capitalization.

                   /1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Classes B, C, and Y prior to
inception reflects that of Class A, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 4/14/87, and includes appropriate 12b-1 fees for Class A. If
appropriate fees for Classes B and C were reflected, returns for these classes
would have been lower. For Class Y, if 12b-1 fees were not reflected, returns
would have been higher. Returns reflect expense limits previously in effect,
without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The S&P 500
Index is an unmanaged market index and does not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees. The CPI
is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment
return. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 4/14/87       Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Class Inception Date                    4/14/87    2/1/93    2/1/93    1/13/97
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                -2.39%    -2.36%     1.19%       n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  2.47%     2.08%     2.08%      2.56%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   7.27%     6.91%    10.78%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   12.64%    11.77%    11.76%     12.84%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   18.44%    18.69%    19.41%     20.43%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                   15.07%    15.06%    15.28%     16.22%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                  13.86%    13.87%    13.88%     14.43%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           12.48%    12.49%    12.50%     12.96%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                       Front End      CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                           1.07%     0.38%     0.39%      1.37%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends per share        $0.12     $0.06     $0.06      $0.15
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain dividends
per share                                 $2.74     $2.74     $2.74      $2.74
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


  Date       Evergreen Equity Income    S&P 500      Consumer Price Index - US
  ----       -----------------------    -------      -------------------------
 1/31/89           $ 10,000            $ 10,000              $ 10,000
12/31/90           $ 11,718            $ 11,889              $ 11,049
12/31/92           $ 15,361            $ 16,693              $ 11,714
12/31/94           $ 16,640            $ 18,618              $ 12,362
12/31/96           $ 27,368            $ 31,496              $ 13,097
 1/31/99           $ 38,441            $ 56,220              $ 13,526

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Equity Income
Fund Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI). 

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Evergreen Equity Income Fund (formerly Evergreen Fund for Total
Return) perform?

The Fund's performance lagged its peer group for the six months of this period,
although it remained above the median for the past 12 months. For the six months
ended January 31, 1999, the Fund's Class A shares had a total return of 2.47%.
During the same six months, Class B and Class C shares each had a return of
2.08% and Class Y shares had a return of 2.56%. These returns are unadjusted for
any applicable sales charges. During the same six months, the median return of
equity income funds was 4.58%, according to Lipper Inc., an independent monitor
of mutual fund performance.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)

Total Net Assets                                                   $163,036,522
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           63
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                32.9x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.90
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


What factors affected performance?

The Fund's performance was held back by its emphasis on dividend-paying, value
stocks across a range of market capitalizations during a time when the stock
market was rewarding high-growth, highly valued, large-capitalization companies.
In the past six months, performance suffered from over-weightings in financial
services companies, which were hit very hard in the market decline of the third
calendar quarter of 1998, and from holdings in real estate investment trusts and
utilities. The Fund held both types of securities because of their historical
above-average yields and prospects for modest dividend growth.

Financial services company stocks performed poorly in the third quarter. The
devaluation and default in Russia, combined with problems in Latin America and
Asia, put great pressure on financial stocks, contributing to investors' worries
that loan quality would deteriorate if the problems of emerging markets were to
spread and slow down global economic growth. These stocks did not fully
participate in the fourth calendar quarter's market surge, which was led by
technology stocks and large-company growth stocks. Because of the Fund's
conservative, value orientation, it tends not to emphasize technology and growth
stocks.

Yield-oriented investments, such as real estate investment trusts, utilities and
energy, underperformed during the fourth quarter rally. In general, the six-
month period did not favor value- or yield-oriented investments.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Banks                                                                     12.5%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                       10.9%
 ................................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                             8.7%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Electric                                                        7.9%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Telephone                                                       7.2%
 ................................................................................

8
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What were your primary strategies during the six months?

We emphasized our long-term strategy of investing in value-oriented, dividend-
paying common stocks. This led us to emphasize financial services, utilities,
capital goods, healthcare, and real estate investment trusts. We also continued
to underweight technology and consumer staples. We de-emphasized technology
stocks because of their relatively high valuations and poor dividend yields. We
tended to avoid consumer staples--companies that produce consumer goods--because
of their deteriorating earnings growth outlooks.

The largest weighting, at about 23% of net assets on January 31, 1999, was in
financial services.  We were attracted by a combination of earnings growth,
attractive stock valuations, and healthy dividend yields. Fleet Financial, a New
England-based regional banking company, is a good example of our investments.
This is a well-capitalized bank that continues to increase both its earnings and
dividends. It has a sound growth strategy and a strong competitive position.

Electric utilities may offer the Fund sustainable dividend yields as well as
defensive price protection if economic growth were to slow. A good example of a
strong utility is the Southern Company. It offers a healthy earnings record, a
modestly growing dividend and attractive, long-term prospects in its core
Southeastern markets.

We also have invested in real estate investment trusts (REITs) because of their
attractive dividends.

Healthcare, more precisely pharmaceutical companies, accounted for more than 8%
of net assets on January 31. We were attracted to this industry because of its
historical consistent earnings growth and its underlying fundamental strength.
One of the Fund's core holdings is Merck, the nation's largest pharmaceutical
company. Rising sales, including strong unit growth in a period of fairly stable
pricing, has helped sustain its earnings growth.

We recently have added to our energy position to take advantage of the extremely
low stock prices. We believe energy stocks already discounted a very poor
outlook for energy prices and so may offer growth potential when the environment
changes. One of our major energy holdings is Texaco, which offers a high and
safe dividend. In an era of industry consolidation, Texaco also remains a
potentially valuable acquisition candidate. Energy stocks accounted for 6.2% of
net assets on January 31.

We also have recently added to our holdings among both long-distance and
regional Bell telephone companies. Their appeal included strong business growth
and the prospect of new business opportunities in an era of deregulation.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Tyco International Ltd.                                                     3.3%
 ................................................................................
General Electric Co.                                                        2.6%
 ................................................................................
Merck & Co., Inc.                                                           2.6%
 ................................................................................
Costco Companies, Inc.                                                      2.5%
 ................................................................................
Greenpoint Financial Corp.                                                  2.5%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                                 2.2%
 ................................................................................
Philip Morris Companies, Inc.                                               2.2%
 ................................................................................
U.S. West, Inc.                                                             2.2%
 ................................................................................
BankAmerica Corp.                                                           2.1%
 ................................................................................
EMC Corp.                                                                   2.0%
 ................................................................................

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

What are some other examples of companies in which you have invested?

General Motors is a company we like. GM may be poised to exceed Wall Street's
earnings expectation because of rising operating income margins and recovery of
lost market share.

Another example is Tyco International, a manufacturing conglomerate. While its
dividend yield is lower than those of many of our other investments, this
company continues to post better earnings than expected, driven by both revenue
growth and cost reductions in acquired companies.

While we have tended to de-emphasize technology, EMC has remained a core
technology holding in the Fund, despite the fact it pays no dividends. This
company has achieved consistent earnings growth because of strong demand for its
data storage products.

What is your outlook?

By historical measures, stock valuations are high in terms of earnings
multiples, dividend yields and book value. Inflation and interest rates remain
low however, and productivity gains in industry suggest that corporations
continue to offer the opportunity for long-term growth of both income and
capital. Historically, investors have been willing to pay more for future
earnings when interest rates are low, as they are now.

The U.S. economy keeps growing, and it appears unlikely to falter in its growth
despite international turmoil and some political uncertainty. The confidence of
the American consumer remains high, and corporate management has become adept at
controlling costs by managing inventories and production capacity.

In this environment, we believe our value-oriented and dividend-paying stocks
will do well. We think we will continue to find opportunities, keeping in mind
that dividends are a critical component of investing for total return.

Please note the Fund's name change:

Effective April 6, 1999, Evergreen Fund for Total Return will be re-named the
Evergreen Equity Income Fund. The Fund's primary objective will change from "to
seek total return from a combination of capital growth and income" to "to seek
primarily current income and secondarily capital growth." The Fund's investment
policy will change to ensure that at least 65% of assets are in dividend-paying
equity securities. Formerly, the prospectus required 65% of assets be invested
in equity securities. This will help ensure the Fund will meet its primary
investment objective of income.

10
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999


                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                                --------------

                   [PHOTO OF STEPHEN A. LIEBER APPEARS HERE]

                               Stephen A. Lieber
                       Tenure:  July 1997 - January 1999


                   [PHOTO OF PHILIP M. FOREMAN APPEARS HERE]

                               Philip M. Foreman
                             Tenure: January 1999


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S       1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX
 APPEARS HERE]       The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-
                     to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P
                     500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                     invests, or median market capitalization.

                     /1/Source:  1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class.  Historical performance for Classes A, B, and C prior
to inception reflects that of Class Y, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 10/15/86, and does not reflect 12b-1 fees. If such fees were
reflected, returns would have been lower.  Returns reflect expense limits
previously in effect, without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost.  The S&P
Mid-Cap 400 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not include transaction
costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees.
The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an
investment return.  It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 10/15/86      Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Class Inception Date                     1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    10/15/86
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                -4.24%    -4.70%    -0.77%      n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                  0.53%     0.17%     0.20%       0.67%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                  -0.12%    -0.90%     3.13%      n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                    4.87%     4.10%     4.13%       5.14%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   15.87%    16.15%    16.90%      18.07%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                   15.95%    16.18%    16.42%      17.32%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                  14.88%    15.10%    15.12%      15.56%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           14.10%    14.29%    14.30%      14.65%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%      n/a
                                       Front End     CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                           0.25%    -0.48%    -0.48%       0.51%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                                 $0.06        --        --       $0.09
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions
per share                                 $0.78     $0.78     $0.78       $0.78
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                Evergreen
  Date      GROWTH & INCOME FUND     S&P 400    Consumer Price Index - US
  ----      --------------------     -------    -------------------------
 1/31/95          $ 10,000          $ 10,000            $ 10,000
12/31/95          $ 13,078          $ 12,959            $ 10,206
12/31/96          $ 16,153          $ 15,448            $ 10,552
12/31/97          $ 21,148          $ 20,430            $ 10,732
 1/31/99          $ 21,920          $ 23,387            $ 10,898

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Growth and
Income Fund Class A, the Standard and Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Index (S&P 400) and the
Consumer Price Index (CPI).

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Evergreen Growth and Income Fund perform during the last six months?

In the first half of the 1999 fiscal year, the period ended January 31, 1999,
the Fund's Class Y shares showed a gain of 0.67%. Classes A, B, and C returned
0.53%, 0.17%, and 0.20%, respectively, unadjusted for applicable sales charges.
This compared with a gain of 9.6% by the Standard & Poor's 400, a mid-cap index.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)

Total Net Assets                                                 $2,069,644,958
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                          294
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                18.8x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.92
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


How did the overall market and economic environment impact the Fund's
investments and performance?

The Fund's comparatively heavy weighting in banks and other financial stocks, as
well as in energy-related issues, had a significantly negative impact on overall
performance. These were offset by excellent performance in communication
systems, electronic equipment and information technology. The Fund has had a
highly rewarding, long-term emphasis in all of these sectors, but the changed
economic and subsequent market environment in the third and fourth quarters
emphasized uncertainties in the financial and energy sectors of the investment
market.

The Fund started the fiscal year with a comparatively large cash equivalent
reserve position, did this help or hinder performance?

The cash equivalent reserve position definitely helped the Fund's performance
during this period to establish new and increased positions, which, we believe,
will prove highly rewarding over the longer term. On August 1, 1998, the Fund
had a cash equivalent position of 18.3% of net assets, and by January 31, 1999,
that position was down to 7.7%. We built this cash position in anticipation of a
highly volatile market, expecting opportunities to buy comparatively undervalued
growth stocks, following the Fund's long-term "value-timing" strategy.

The substantial and aggressive purchasing during the market sell-off has proven
highly rewarding. For example, the Fund's purchase of 120,000 shares of Sanmina
Corp. at $24 1/2 early in September provided a 168.3% gain by January 31, 1999,
as the shares rose to $66 1/4. Other purchases with gains of between 50% and
100% included shares of Lowe's Companies, Inc., Carnival Corp., Harley-Davidson,
Inc., Scientific Atlanta Inc., Home Depot, Inc. , Perkin-Elmer Corp., Gucci
Group N.V., Southwest Airlines Co., Tommy Hilfiger Corp., AFLAC, Inc., and Saks,
Inc. Significantly, these sizable gains came from a highly diverse group of
companies in which the Fund earlier held positions, and from others which are
new positions.

While the financial group was under pressure, we took advantage of this weakness
to make some highly rewarding purchases. Examples include new positions in
Household International, Inc., which has risen 40.2% since the October 8th
purchase; and MBIA Inc., up 30.7%; additions to the position of State Street
Corp., up 39.3%; BankAmerica Corp., up 38.6%; Citigroup, Inc., up 19.6%; and the
aforementioned AFLAC, Inc., 

12
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

which was up 52.1%. A major new holding was established in Mellon Bank Corp.
with purchases made throughout the period. The only financial issue purchased
with a significant decline were the shares of MGIC Investment Corp., which were
down 12.3% from a purchase in August, reflecting possible legislative changes in
the mortgage insurance business.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Banks                                                                     10.5%
 ................................................................................
Healthcare Products & Services                                            10.3%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                        9.1%
 ................................................................................
Industrial Specialty Products & Services                                   6.1%
 ................................................................................
Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment                         5.5%
 ................................................................................

Many issues had dramatic recoveries during the six months. Which were the Fund's
top performers?

The top performers were in electronic technology and communications. The leader
was Jabil Circuit, Inc., up 105.3%; followed by KLA-Tencor Corp., up 94.5%;
Cisco Systems, Inc., up 78.1%; Intel Corp., up 66.7%; AirTouch Communications,
Inc., up 64.2%; MCI WorldCom, Inc., up 52.4%; Lowe's Companies, Inc., up 51.7%;
and AT&T Corp., up 49.6%.

How did mergers and acquisitions help the Fund?

Mergers and acquisitions again demonstrated that the Fund held many issues which
other companies considered undervalued and attractive for acquisition. Eleven
companies in the portfolio were either acquired, merged, or received offers
which are now pending, with an average gain of 77.2% on the completed
acquisitions. The largest gain was in the shares of Crestar Financial Corp.
(acquired by Sun Trust Banks, Inc.), providing a 247.9% gain since purchased in
September, 1996. Another regional bank acquired was Firstar Corp. (acquired by
Star Banc Corp.), with a 42.3% gain just seven months after its purchase for the
Fund. A lesser known holding, Dominick's Supermarkets, Inc., was purchased by
Safeway Inc., with a gain of 159.3% for the Fund in a one-year holding period.
AirTouch Communications, Inc. has received an acquisition bid from Vodafone
Group Plc, which will provide a 290.1% gain upon completion since our original
purchase in May, 1992, and MCI Communications Corp. was acquired by WorldCom,
Inc., with a 138.0% gain in three and a half years. Still pending is the
acquisition of Jacor Communications, Inc. by Clear Channel Communications, Inc.,
with a projected gain of 159.3% as of January 31, 1999. Other holdings which
were acquired or had offers included: Mercantile Stores Co., Inc., Camco
International, Inc., Life Re Corp., Commonwealth Energy System, and UNUM Corp.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Time Warner, Inc.                                                          1.5%
 ................................................................................
Webster Financial Corp.                                                    1.5%
 ................................................................................
Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.                                      1.4%
 ................................................................................
Policy Management Systems Corp.                                            1.2%
 ................................................................................
Federal National Mortgage Association                                      1.2%
 ................................................................................
Jacor Communications, Inc.                                                 1.2%
 ................................................................................
McKesson HBOC, Inc.                                                        1.2%
 ................................................................................
Mellon Bank Corp.                                                          1.1%
 ................................................................................
Lincare Holdings, Inc.                                                     1.1%
 ................................................................................
Union Pacific Corp.                                                        1.0%
 ................................................................................

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

What is the outlook for the weaker-performing sectors and companies in the Fund?

The weakest-performing sector in the Fund during the six months was related to
energy, with the Fund's oil field services stocks down 42.8%, and oil production
issues down 24.8%. The oil and gas business is clearly in its own recession;
crude oil prices have fallen from just under $20 per barrel at the beginning of
1998, to about $11 per barrel in early 1999. This price weakness is largely
attributed to declines in demand stemming from the broad-based Asian recession,
together with sustained production from exporting nations under pressure to earn
dollars. In the U.S., the situation is further aggravated by mild weather
conditions, bringing less than normal consumption and, thus, increased
inventories. Our expectation is that oil prices will only gradually recover in
line with improved economies in Asia and Europe, bringing demand back to trend
line. This situation will sustain economic pressure on all facets of the
industry, and will bring increased pressure for efficiencies to be gained
through mergers. With what we believe to be a number of severely undervalued
companies in the portfolio (based on previous and projected earning power and
assets), we believe that some reasonable degree of recovery can be expected for
these holdings.

The financial holdings of the Fund, especially its bank position, appear to us
to offer sound opportunities for growth, and will benefit from the industry's
continuing trend toward consolidation. Even during the weakness last fall, we
still saw merger and acquisition opportunities in the Fund's holdings including:
Citicorp (now Citigroup, Inc.), Firstar Corp., and Crestar Financial Corp. The
Fund is carefully positioned in shares of a number of bank holding companies,
most of which have strong regional or specialty franchises. We anticipate that
their growth and financial strength, at well below typical market valuations,
will provide continuing opportunities for sizable capital appreciation. Finance
and insurance holdings, which range from AFLAC, Inc. to UNUM Corp., should
benefit by similar forces. New names added to the group during the six months
included: Household International, Inc., MBIA Inc., and Progressive Corp. In
each case, our purchases were made during periods of market weakness.

What is the Fund's strategy for the second half of fiscal 1999?

The Fund's strategy will be to concentrate intensely on undervalued growth
opportunities. We have appointed a new portfolio manager for the Fund, Philip M.
Foreman. Mr. Foreman has demonstrated, through his last several years as manager
of the W-M Growth & Income Fund, a highly successful utilization of strategies
very similar to the "value-timing" strategies of this Fund. He has already
initiated increasing the concentration in a number of the Fund's very successful
holdings, and adding new ones characterized by consecutive years of earnings
growth, well-defined management strategies in place, and, yet, current
opportunities to buy these shares at below normal valuation. With Mr. Foreman's
leadership and the support of our strong research group, we anticipate a return
to the Fund's historical outperformance of its benchmark, the S&P 400
Index.

14
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999

                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                                --------------

                  [PHOTO OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                            Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                              Tenure: August 1978


                   [PHOTO OF IRENE D. O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]

                                Irene D. O'Neill
                             Tenure: December 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S      1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX
 APPEARS HERE]      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-
                    to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500,
                    as well as the size of the companies in which it invests, or
                    median market capitalization.

                    Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Classes A, B, and C prior to
inception reflects that of Class Y, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 8/31/78, and does not include 12b-1 fees. If such fees were
reflected, returns would have been lower. Returns reflect expense limits
previously in effect, without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The
Wilshire 5000 Index is an unmanaged market index and does not include
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 8/31/78       Class A    Class B   Class C    Class Y
Class Inception Date                     1/3/95    1/3/95    1/3/95    8/31/78
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                -4.87%    -4.91%    -1.37%       n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                 -0.11%    -0.48%    -0.48%      0.05%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                  -4.79%    -5.08%    -1.65%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   -0.04%    -0.74%    -0.78%      0.26%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                    9.53%     9.69%    10.50%     11.61%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                    8.95%     9.08%     9.35%     10.22%
 ................................................................................
10 years                                   9.52%     9.73%     9.72%     10.16%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           13.57%    13.67%    13.67%     13.89%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                      Front End      CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                           2.00%     1.36%     1.36%      2.35%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                               $  0.42   $  0.37   $  0.37   $   0.48
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions
per share                               $  2.13   $  2.13   $  2.13   $   2.13
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                   Evergreen
  Date        INCOME & GROWTH FUND    Wilshire 5000   Consumer Price Index - US
  ----        --------------------    -------------   -------------------------
12/31/94            $ 10,000            $ 10,000            $ 10,000
12/31/95            $ 12,371            $ 13,341            $ 10,247
12/31/96            $ 13,932            $ 15,853            $ 10,595
12/31/97            $ 17,452            $ 20,477            $ 10,775
 1/31/99            $ 17,269            $ 25,824            $ 10,942

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Income and
Growth Fund Class A, the Wilshire 5000 Index and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                            Income and Growth Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


How did the Fund perform?

For the six months ended January 31, 1999, the Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
continued to pursue its historic commitment to provide substantial current
income, as well as an objective of competitive, long-term growth. The Fund
finished 1998 with a current yield in the top quartile of funds in the Income
category, as measured by Lipper Inc., an independent monitor of mutual fund
performance. For the six months, it also outperformed the highest-yielding (top
20%) subset of the S&P 500 Index although it did underperform the S&P 500 Index.

During the six months ended January 31, 1999, the Fund's original Class Y shares
had a total return of 0.05%, while Classes A, B and C shares had returns of -
0.11%, -0.48% and -0.48%, respectively. These returns are before deduction of
any sales charges, if applicable.

During 1998, the Fund continued its long-term record of providing generous
current income. The Fund's Class Y shares, for example, paid out $1.015 per
share in ordinary dividends during the 1998 calendar year, $.902 per share in
short-term capital gains (which are treated as income for tax purposes) and
$1.223 per share in long-term capital gains.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)


Total Net Assets                                                   $872,333,002
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                          135
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                15.0x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.67
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


What were your principal themes during the six-month period?

We looked for opportunities created by:

 . Evergreen's value-timing strategy, which entails finding companies that are
temporarily out of favor in the stock market, but nevertheless have attractive
underlying value.

 . The continued merger-and-acquisition trend in American industry, which in 1998
alone resulted in transactions valued at more than $1 trillion.
 . Corporate re-structuring programs that can improve long-term earnings
performance.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Banks                                                                     14.6%
 ................................................................................
Finance & Insurance                                                        8.8%
 ................................................................................
Electrical Equipment & Services                                            6.7%
 ................................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                               6.7%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Gas                                                             6.4%
 ................................................................................

16
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview


What were some examples of the value-timing strategy?

Several companies involved in the telecommunications industry presented
excellent opportunities for the Fund. The investment in convertible bonds issued
by Houston Industries was a good example, as it allowed us to participate in the
growth of Time-Warner, which had purchased the cable television business of
Houston Industries. The convertible bonds, which were issued for tax reasons to
enable Houston Industries to sell Time-Warner stock it had received in the
original transaction, rose by 26% during the six months under review. This
investment allowed the Fund to successfully gain access to Time-Warner's growth
through Houston's convertible bond.

Air Touch Communications convertible bonds were another successful
telecommunications-related investment for the Fund. These bonds had an
attractive yield of 6% when first purchased. With the benefit of a pending
acquisition by Vodafone Group, Plc, the value of the bonds rose by 34.4% during
the six months under review.

Two other notable telecommunications-related investments were in Frontier Corp.
and Williams Companies, Inc. Frontier Corp. had a 17% return for the Fund during
the six months. This company, in addition to offering a traditional telephone
business based in Rochester, N.Y., has the technology to help companies design
web sites for the Internet. Williams Companies, whose traditional business had
been transportation of natural gas and other energy services, suffered as warm
weather and low energy prices created an environment which hurt its stock. We
thought the low stock price did not reflect the growth potential on its
Internet, wireless and fiber-optic transmission businesses. The stock, purchased
by the Fund in September, rose by 26.6% by January 31.

Other value-timing contributors included GTE, which rose by 24%, partly on news
of its potential from the pending merger with Bell Atlantic; General Motors,
which also rose by 24% during six months; and Bank West, a Hawaii-based banking
company. We purchased this stock as a value-timing opportunity when investors
were concerned about the secondary impact from financial problems in Japan which
has been a big tourist support for Hawaii.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Qualcomm Financial Trust I                                                 4.2%
 ................................................................................
Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.                                             3.6%
 ................................................................................
Keyspan Energy                                                             3.2%
 ................................................................................
Paine Webber Group, Inc.                                                   3.2%
 ................................................................................
Dana Corp.                                                                 2.5%
 ................................................................................
Mercantile Bancorp, Inc.                                                   2.5%
 ................................................................................
Wendys Financing I                                                         2.5%
 ................................................................................
Thomas & Betts Corp.                                                       2.3%
 ................................................................................
Atlantic Richfield Co.                                                     2.2%
 ................................................................................
Williams Companies, Inc.                                                   2.1%
 ................................................................................

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund benefit from the merger-and-acquisition trend?

During the six-month period, one acquisition involving a Fund holding was
completed, and four others were announced.

Mercantile Stores was purchased by Dillard's Department Stores, for a 92.5% gain
for the Fund since the original investment in Mercantile in October, 1994. Among
the four pending acquisitions, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. had a 41% gain
during the six months. Mid-American is expected to be acquired by CalEnergy Co.
Provident Companies Inc., which has a pending merger with Unum Corp., had a
16.6% gain during the six months.

What were some examples of the restructuring theme?

Union Pacific Railroad was a company that began restructuring itself after
operational difficulties arose from its merger with Southern Pacific. We
believed, however, that the company had great asset value and rebound potential.
We began to invest in March, 1998. During the six months under review, the
restructuring began to take effect, and the Fund had a gain of 22.2%.

Baxter International, a provider of healthcare products and services, is
benefitting from its restructuring efforts. Its stock rose by 18.6% during the
six months.

What industries helped performance, and what industries held back performance?

In general, consumer companies, health-related companies and telecommunications
firms supported the performance during the six months. The poorest-performing
groups included the electric and gas utilities and the real estate investment
trusts. The Fund reduced its emphasis in both those areas during the six months.
Financial services stocks also held back performance, but we think this may be a
temporary situation. We believe this industry should be a strong performer
again, helped by continued merger-and-acquisition activity.

What is your outlook?

We believe the American consumer will continue to be a strong force in the
domestic economy, helping propel growth in Gross Domestic Product. In addition,
we think inflation will remain under control at relatively low levels. Both
these factors--strong consumer spending and low inflation--tend to support the
performance of the stock market.

The risk could be market volatility because of surprises related to
international financial problems. We will continue to invest in companies
offering growth rooted in value, an approach which may give us some downside
protection in the event of a market downturn. This strategy should allow us to
benefit from long-term growth trends, such as we see in the telecommunications
and computer industries and the healthcare sector. Continued consolidation
should help our financial services investment sector.

18
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999

                                  Portfolio 
                                  Management
                                --------------

                  [PHOTO OF NOLA MADDOX FALCONE APPEARS HERE]

                            Nola Maddox Falcone, CFA
                             Tenure:  October 1993


                   [PHOTO OF JORDAN ALEXANDER APPEARS HERE]

                             Jordan Alexander, CFA
                             Tenure:  January 1999

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S       1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX
 APPEARS HERE]       The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-
                     to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P
                     500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                     invests, or median market capitalization.

                     /1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Classes A, B, and C prior to
inception reflects that of Class Y, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 10/1/93, and does not include 12b-1 fees. If such fees were
reflected, returns would have been lower. Returns reflect expense limits
previously in effect, without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The Russell
2000 Index and the Wilshire Small Cap Value Index are unmanaged market indexes
and do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling
securities nor any management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of
inflation and does not represent an investment return. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.

Smaller capitalization stock investing may offer the potential for greater long
term results; however, it is also generally associated with greater price
volatility due to the higher risk of failure.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 10/1/93       Class A   Class B    Class C    Class Y
Class Inception Date                     1/3/95    1/3/95    1/24/95    10/1/93
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*
6 months with sales charge                -9.50%    -9.98%     -6.27%       n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                 -4.96%    -5.34%     -5.35%     -4.90%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                 -12.36%   -13.12%     -9.57%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                   -7.98%    -8.67%     -8.68%     -7.74%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                   11.23%    11.38%     12.16%     13.34%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                   11.52%    11.67%     11.90%     12.86%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                           11.74%    12.01%     12.10%     12.99%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                       4.75%     5.00%      1.00%    n/a
                                      Front End      CDSC       CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                           1.34%     0.66%      0.66%      1.66%
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends
per share                               $  0.18   $  0.12   $   0.12   $   0.19
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions
per share                               $  0.18   $  0.18   $   0.18   $   0.18
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

               Evergreen                         Wilshire       Consumer Price
  Date       Small Cap Value    Russell 2000     Sm Cp Val        Index - US
  ----       ---------------    ------------     ---------        ----------
 1/31/95         $ 10,000        $ 10,000        $ 10,000         $ 10,000
12/31/95         $ 12,820        $ 13,008        $ 12,284         $ 10,206
12/31/96         $ 15,642        $ 15,154        $ 14,180         $ 10,552
12/31/97         $ 20,857        $ 18,542        $ 18,781         $ 10,732
 1/31/99         $ 18,571        $ 18,310        $ 17,724         $ 10,898

Comparison of Change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Small Cap
Value Fund Class A, the Russell 2000 Index, Wilshire Small Cap Value Index and
the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

                                                                              19
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the period?

The Fund continued its strong, long-term record of outperforming its benchmark.
For the six months ended January 31, 1999, the Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund's
Class A shares, unadjusted for sales charges, declined 4.96%, outperforming its
benchmark, the Wilshire Small Cap Value Index, which declined 5.22% during the
same period. The Russell 2000 Index had a positive return of 2.41%, primarily
because it had a higher market capitalization weighting and higher technology
and healthcare stock weightings, all of which performed well. Since its
inception on October 1, 1993, the Fund's original Class Y shares have had a
cumulative total return of 91.86%, well ahead of the 73.18% return of the
Wilshire Small Cap Value Index and the 81.91% return of the Russell 2000 Index.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)

Total Net Assets                                                    $301,240,712
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           159
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 13.6x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.62
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


What were some of the companies that helped performance during the six months?

The strongest performers during the period included many new issues that were
added to the Fund in recent months. The top performers during the six months
were: Craftmade International, up 67.4%; Helix Technology, which rose 65.4%;
Scientific Atlanta, up 56.3%; International Multifoods, up 51.3%; American
Woodmark, which appreciated 50.7%; First Coastal Bankshares, up 46.8%; Standard
Pacific, up 44.6%; Long Drug Stores Corp., up 36.5%; General Housewares Corp.,
which rose 32.7%; Matthews International, which gained 30.2%; and Spartech
Corp., up 25.5%.

Many of the new issues added to the Fund are benefiting from the continued
strength of the U.S. economy. For example, American Woodmark, a manufacturer and
distributor of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, has been helped by the strength of
the remodeling and new home construction markets in the U.S. The company
reported a 22% increase in earnings during the 1998 fiscal year and is expected
to see earnings growth accelerate to an average of 30% annually over the next
two years. Despite the stock's recent strong performance, we believe the stock
remains undervalued. Standard Pacific, a homebuilder focused on markets in
California, Arizona and Texas, is another good example of this theme. The
company recently reported record earnings and a strong order backlog, with year-
over-year fourth quarter 1998 earnings up 125.8% and new home orders up 14%. The
California housing market appears to be in the early stages of a housing
recovery and we expect the company to continue to do well.

20
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

In general, stocks in the consumer-related and electrical and electronic
equipment/communication services industry sectors were the best performers for
the Fund.  The financial services sector, including banks, thrifts and insurance
stocks, underperformed during the period, but we expect this to be temporary
because of the favorable outlook for continued consolidation in the industry.
Energy also lagged in performance, although the impact to the Fund was less
significant because we have reduced the weighting in this area.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Banks                                                                     11.0%
 ................................................................................
Consumer Products & Services                                              10.6%
 ................................................................................
Building, Construction & Furnishings                                       6.4%
 ................................................................................
Telecommunication Services & Equipment                                     6.2%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Gas                                                             5.9%
 ................................................................................

What were some of the themes that guided the Fund's investment strategy?

During the period, the Fund invested in stocks of undervalued companies with a
positive outlook for improving performance through restructuring. It also
invested in companies in consolidating industries that may be merger and
acquisition candidates. International Multifoods Corp. is a good example of the
restructuring theme. The company, which operates a food service distribution
business in the United States and a food processing business in the United
States and Canada, is restructuring under new management. We expect the
company's restructuring to position it for consistent and strong earnings growth
over the next several years. The stock has been one of the best performers since
we added it to the Fund in early October, and we expect continued success with
the restructuring to provide a strong catalyst for the stock during the next 12
months.

Merger and acquisition activity also continued to help the performance of the
Fund. During the six-month period, six of the Fund's holdings were involved in
completed mergers and a seventh transaction was pending. The average return to
the Fund from the completed transactions was 35.2%. Maryland Federal Bancorp,
the issue which provided the highest return to the Fund, was acquired by BB&T
and generated a total return of 107.3%, since the initial investment in January
1997. First Palm Beach Bancorp was acquired by Republic Security Financial, for
a 58.3% gain to the Fund since its initial investment in December 1996.
Learonal, Inc. was acquired by Rohm & Haas for a gain of 49.7% to the Fund since
its initial investment in July 1997. A pending transaction involves the
acquisition of First Coastal Bancshares by Centura Banks. As we look at the
financial markets and the relative disparities between the valuations of large
companies and small companies, we believe the pace of merger and acquisition
activity will remain strong.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

What is the outlook for the Fund?

We are very positive about the potential for strong, small-cap stock performance
for three main reasons. First, the valuations of small cap companies relative to
the stocks of larger companies are at 20-year lows. This disparity has prompted
many small cap companies to announce stock buyback programs in recent months, an
indication that management is confident about their company's prospects. Second,
we believe the attractive valuations of many small cap companies should lead to
an acceleration of merger and acquisition activity, as larger companies can use
their cash or stock to buy undervalued small companies. Third, the action of the
Federal Reserve late last year to reduce the discount rate three times should be
very positive for small cap stocks. Historically, small cap stocks have tended
to outperform large caps following such action by the Federal Reserve.

Looking forward, we continue to see opportunities to invest in undervalued,
entrepreneurial companies with strong growth prospects. The disparity of small
cap stock prices in relation to large company stocks has drawn the attention of
a number of well-known strategists and investors, suggesting a growing market
belief in the compelling value to be found in small cap companies. As we have
seen several times in the past, the current value disparity of small cap
companies could set the stage for a small cap stock rally similar to those
experienced in 1967-68, 1975-76 and 1991-92. Small cap stocks were similarly out
of favor before each of those rallies.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

CPI Corp.                                                                  2.7%
 ................................................................................
Curtiss Wright Corp.                                                       2.7%
 ................................................................................
Boston Acoustics, Inc.                                                     2.6%
 ................................................................................
Semco Energy, Inc.                                                         2.4%
 ................................................................................
Alpharma, Inc. 5.75%, 4/01/05, 144A                                        2.3%
 ................................................................................
Scientific Atlanta, Inc.                                                   2.1%
 ................................................................................
Helix Technology Corp.                                                     2.0%
 ................................................................................
Matthews International Corp. Cl. A                                         1.8%
 ................................................................................
SierraWest Bancorp                                                         1.8%
 ................................................................................
Antec Corp. 4.50%, 5/15/03                                                 1.7%
 ................................................................................


Name Change

Please note: effective April 6, 1999, the Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund
will change its name to Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund, which means that the
Fund will de-emphasize income-producing securities and broaden its investment
universe to enable it to focus on capital growth.

22
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999

                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                                --------------

                    [PHOTO OF PAUL A.DILELLA APPEARS HERE]

                                 Paul A.DiLella
                               Tenure:  July 1996


                [PHOTO OF DORIS A. KELLEY-WATKINS APPEARS HERE]

                            Doris A. Kelley-Watkins
                             Tenure:  February 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S      1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX
 APPEARS HERE]      The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-
                    to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P 500,
                    as well as the size of the companies in which it invests, or
                    median market capitalization.

                    /1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Classes C and Y reflects
that of Class A, the original class offered, the inception date of which is
1/4/94, and includes appropriate 12b-1 fees for Class A. If appropriate fees for
Class C were reflected, returns would have been lower. For Class Y, if 12b-1
fees were not reflected, returns would have been higher. Returns reflect expense
limits previously in effect, without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The S&P
Utility Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged market indices and do not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not
represent an investment return. It is not possible to invest directly in an
index.

Funds that concentrate their investments in a single industry may face increased
risk of price fluctuation over more diversified funds due to adverse
developments within that industry.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 1/4/94      Class A   Class B   Class C    Class Y
Class Inception Date                   1/4/94    1/4/94    9/2/94    2/28/94
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge               0.22%     0.21%     3.92%       n/a
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                5.24%     4.84%     4.84%      5.27%
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                 2.79%     2.42%     6.15%       n/a
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                  7.89%     7.08%     7.08%      8.16%
 ................................................................................
3 years                                 10.06%    10.18%    10.96%     12.07%
 ................................................................................
5 years                                 10.83%    10.83%    11.16%     12.17%
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                         10.73%    10.85%    11.06%     12.05%
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                     4.75%     5.00%     1.00%       n/a
                                     Front End     CDSC      CDSC
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                         2.47%     1.82%     1.84%      2.85%
 ................................................................................
6-month income distributions
per share                             $  0.23   $  0.19   $  0.19   $   0.26
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions
per share                             $  1.28   $  1.28   $  1.28   $   1.28
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                                                              Consumer Price
  Date     Evergreen Utility     S&P 500     S&P Utility        Index - US
  ----     -----------------     -------     -----------        ----------
 1/31/94       $ 10,000         $ 10,000      $ 10,000            $ 10,000
12/31/94       $  9,405         $  9,799      $  9,696            $ 10,239
12/31/95       $ 12,298         $ 13,482      $ 13,684            $ 10,492
12/31/96       $ 12,839         $ 16,576      $ 14,110            $ 10,848
12/31/97       $ 16,607         $ 22,107      $ 17,590            $ 11,033
 1/31/99       $ 17,516         $ 29,589      $ 19,257            $ 11,204

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Utility Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's Utility Index (S&P Utility), the Standard and
Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform during the fiscal period?

For the six months ended January 31, 1999, the Evergreen Utility Fund Class A
shares returned 5.24%, compared to the 7.89% return of the S&P Utilities Index.
Classes B, C, and Y returned, 4.84%, 4.84%, and 5.27%, respectively. These
returns are unadjusted for any applicable sales charges.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)


Total Net Assets                                                   $144,849,912
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                           38
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                21.5x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                      0.70
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98


What was the investment environment like during the fiscal period?

The past six months consisted of two distinctly different periods. Equity
investors witnessed sharp declines during the first two months, before stocks
rebounded sharply in the final four months of the period. The market's initial
decline was a result of international volatility filtering back to U.S. markets,
while its subsequent four-month comeback was spurred by resilient U.S. economic
growth, emerging market stability and support by the Federal Reserve Board, in
the form of three interest rate cuts.

How has the Fund's investment objective fared in the recent environment?

The Evergreen Utility Fund's primary objective of high current income may be
achieved by investing the majority of its assets in income-oriented sectors and,
specifically, maintaining a 65% minimum weighting in utility companies. Over the
past several quarters, investors' appetite for visible and predictable earnings
growth has propelled growth-oriented sectors such as technology, while causing
income-oriented sectors, such as utilities, to lag. As a result, our Fund has
trailed the exceptional returns of the S&P 500 Index. Careful navigation through
a volatile investing environment, and strong stock selection amid dynamic
changes within the utility industry itself, however, have allowed the Fund to
outpace its benchmark, the S&P Utilities Index.

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Utilities--Electric                                                       48.0%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Telephone                                                      21.8%
 ................................................................................
Communication Systems & Services                                           6.6%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Gas                                                             5.8%
 ................................................................................
Oil / Energy                                                               3.2%
 ................................................................................

24
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

What areas of the portfolio allowed you to outperform your benchmark?

The Fund's weighting in the telecommunications sector had an especially positive
impact on performance. Within this area Sprint Corp., GTE Corp. and BellSouth
all posted six-month returns over 26%.

The energy sector's performance can be pinpointed as one of the Fund's biggest
negative influences, especially during the last few months. Plummeting oil
prices and the global economic slowdown had a punishing effect on energy stocks.
For example, R&B Falcon, a contract driller of oil wells, declined -21% in the
six-month period.

Looking ahead, do you foresee any changes within the utility industry?

Going forward, we believe the effects of deregulation will continue to intensify
competition and change the operating environment for utility companies. Stock
selection will be even more critical as we navigate through this evolving
industry landscape.

Furthermore, we anticipate increasing consolidation as foreign investors step in
and aggressively pursue U.S. utility companies. This increasing merger activity
is similar to recent activity among financial companies, and we intend to
capitalize upon this evolving industry landscape. Within this environment, stock
selection will be even more critical; however, we expect this activity to fuel
the performance of utility companies, as well as our Fund, in 1999.

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

BellSouth Corp.                                                            4.6%
 ................................................................................
AirTouch Communications, Inc.                                              3.8%
 ................................................................................
Houston Industries, Inc.                                                   3.6%
 ................................................................................
Energy East Corp.                                                          3.5%
 ................................................................................
Sprint Corp. (Common Stock)                                                3.5%
 ................................................................................
Sprint Corp. (8.25%, DECS)                                                 3.5%
 ................................................................................
U.S. West, Inc.                                                            3.4%
 ................................................................................
Keyspan Energy                                                             3.4%
 ................................................................................
GTE Corp.                                                                  3.3%
 ................................................................................
PacifiCorp                                                                 3.2%
 ................................................................................

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund

                    Fund at a Glance as of January 31, 1999

                                   Portfolio
                                  Management
                                --------------

                    [PHOTO OF MATTHEW D. FINN APPEARS HERE]

                             Matthew D. Finn, CFA
                              Tenure: March 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          CURRENT INVESTMENT STYLE/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Morningstar's Style Box is based on a portfolio date as of
[MORNINGSTAR'S       1/31/99.
  STYLE BOX
 APPEARS HERE]       The Equity Style Box placement is based on a fund's price-
                     to-earnings and price-to-book ratio relative to the S&P
                     500, as well as the size of the companies in which it
                     invests, or median market capitalization.

                     /1/Source: 1998 Morningstar, Inc.

/2/Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance of each
class may vary based on differences in loads and fees paid by the shareholders
investing in each class. Historical performance for Class B, C, and Y prior to
inception reflects that of Class A, the original class offered, the inception
date of which is 4/12/85, and includes appropriate 12b-1 fees for Class A. If
appropriate fees for Classes B and C were reflected, returns for these classes
would have been lower. For Class Y, if 12b-1 fees were not reflected, returns
would have been higher. Returns reflect expense limits previously in effect,
without which returns would have been lower.

The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The S&P 500
Index is an unmanaged market index and does not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees. The CPI
is a commonly used measure of inflation and does not represent an investment
return. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          PERFORMANCE AND RETURNS/2/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portfolio Inception Date: 4/12/85         Class A   Class B   Class C   Class Y
Class Inception Date                      4/12/85   2/2/93    9/2/94    1/31/91
 ................................................................................
Average Annual Returns*
 ................................................................................
6 months with sales charge                  3.09%    2.83%     6.84%       n/a  
 ................................................................................
6 months w/o sales charge                   8.24%    7.83%     7.84%      8.41% 
 ................................................................................
1 year with sales charge                   10.05%    9.69%    13.67%       n/a  
 ................................................................................
1 year w/o sales charge                    15.53%   14.66%    14.67%     15.81% 
 ................................................................................
3 years                                    16.58%   16.89%    17.63%     18.78% 
 ................................................................................
5 years                                    16.22%   16.32%    16.62%     17.65% 
 ................................................................................
10 years                                   13.99%   14.08%    14.18%     14.79% 
 ................................................................................
Since Inception                            14.20%   14.27%    14.34%     14.78% 
 ................................................................................
Maximum Sales Charge                        4.75%    5.00%     1.00%       n/a  
                                        Front End    CDSC      CDSC             
 ................................................................................
30-day SEC Yield                            0.58%   -0.11%    -0.11%      0.86% 
 ................................................................................
6-month income dividends                                                        
per share                                  $0.11    $0.05     $0.05      $0.14  
 ................................................................................
6-month capital gain distributions                                              
per share                                  $0.13    $0.13     $0.13      $0.13  
 ................................................................................

* Adjusted for maximum applicable sales charge unless noted.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LONG TERM GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

   Date      Evergreen Value         S&P 500       Consumer Price Index - US
   ----      ---------------         -------       -------------------------
 1/31/89         $ 10,000           $ 10,000                $ 10,000
12/31/89         $ 11,921           $ 12,270                $ 10,413
12/31/90         $ 11,512           $ 11,889                $ 11,049
12/31/91         $ 14,409           $ 15,511                $ 11,387
12/31/92         $ 15,518           $ 16,693                $ 11,714
12/31/93         $ 16,962           $ 18,376                $ 12,040
12/31/94         $ 17,278           $ 18,618                $ 12,362
12/31/95         $ 22,771           $ 25,616                $ 12,667
12/31/96         $ 27,079           $ 31,496                $ 13,097
12/31/97         $ 34,045           $ 42,004                $ 13,320
 1/31/99         $ 38,781           $ 56,220                $ 13,526

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Evergreen Value Fund
Class A, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI).

26
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

How did the Fund perform?

The Evergreen Value Fund had very good performance for a value-oriented fund in
a period in which the growth style of investing was more in favor. For the six
months ended on January 31, 1999, the Fund's Class A shares had a total return
of 8.24%, while Class B and C shares had returns, of 7.83% and 7.84%,
respectively, unadjusted for applicable sales charges. Class Y shares had a
return of 8.41%. During the same six-month period, the average return of growth
and income funds was 7.88%, as measured by Lipper Inc., an independent monitor
of mutual funds; while the Russell 1000 Value Index had a return of 5.79%; and
the S&P Barra Value Index, composed of the value stocks in the S&P 500, had a
return of 6.65%.

                                   Portfolio
                                Characteristics
                                ---------------
                                (as of 1/31/99)

Total Net Assets                                                    $979,915,942
 ................................................................................
Number of Holdings                                                            95
 ................................................................................
P/E Ratio*                                                                 21.7x
 ................................................................................
Beta*                                                                       0.97
 ................................................................................
*as of 12/31/98

What were the factors affecting performance during the six months?

The Fund was defensively positioned at the start of the period in August, and
this helped performance during the down market in August and September. However,
this defensive tilt that helped us in those two months hurt relative performance
when the market came roaring back in October through December. The high-
volatility, technology stocks that value investors tend to de-emphasize led the
market rally during those months. We did begin to make changes in December,
however, and that helped us finish the period with a strong January.

What were your principal decisions during the period?

We made reductions in our weightings in financial services, healthcare and
oil/energy. The net reduction in financial services, which has been an area of
emphasis, was relatively minor, as banks were reduced, but finance and insurance
holdings were increased. I would ascribe this to the effects of normal portfolio
management and the fact that we found potentially better opportunities
elsewhere.

The Fund had been over-weighted versus the value indexes in pharmaceuticals
since March because we thought there was good potential in the industry. That
decision helped performance, but by December we thought the industry's move had
run its course and we cut the Fund's exposure. During the six months, the Fund's
allocation in healthcare fell from 13% to 3.2% of net assets.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

                               Top 5 Industries
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Finance & Insurance                                                        14.1%
 ................................................................................
Banks                                                                      13.5%
 ................................................................................
Information Services & Technology                                          12.8%
 ................................................................................
Utilities--Telephone                                                        7.1%
 ................................................................................
Electrical Equipment & Services                                             5.3%
 ................................................................................

As investors became more concerned that economic growth would slow, we started
seeing some attractive values in cyclical industries, such as auto
manufacturing, retailing, basic materials, chemicals and transportation.
Cyclical industries are those whose earnings tend to be closely tied to the
business cycle. Companies in these industries tend to do well when the economy
is expanding. Because their stocks run in and out of favor, they sometimes
represent opportunities for value investors.

We added to the Fund's position in General Motors after its stock price fell in
last summer's strike. That has been a good investment for us. Other consumer
cyclicals added to the portfolio included Federated Department Stores and Tommy
Hilfiger, the clothing company. Both have done well for the Fund.

In basic materials we added Louisiana Pacific, a lumber and buildings materials
company; Morton International, a specialty chemicals company; Stone Smurfit
Container; and British Steel and A.K. Steel. In transportation, we added C.N.F.
Transportation, a truck and air freight company.

The Fund's weighting in communications services rose from 1.8% to 7.4% during
the period. The most significant move was adding to the investment in AT&T,
which has been a strong performer for the Fund.

Large-company, growth stocks have been market leaders for more than two years.
How has this affected your strategy as a value manager?

At the beginning of 1999, we were seeing some strength in companies with
sensitivity to the economic cycle, which often are value stocks. At the same
time, I would have to say that large company growth stocks still appear to be
leading the market.

We have not changed our investment approach. We still focus on the value of a
company, which we define as the present value of future cash flow. We take
growth rates into account when we do a valuation. We try to find rapidly growing
companies that are at attractive prices. Value and growth are opposite sides of
the same coin. We are not bogged down in buying broken companies, i.e.,
companies that are in poor businesses, have a poor competitive position or bad
management. The overall characteristics of the Fund are of value, however, with
a lower portfolio price/earnings ratio than the overall market.

Our outlook for value stocks is very positive. Typically, when investors are
optimistic about the economy--as they seem to be--value does better.

A good illustration of our investment style is the Fund's position in Oracle
Corp, a large, database software company. This is the type of company many
people would not associate with the value style; however, it showed up on our
screen when its earnings became depressed as it was rolling out new products. It
was a fallen growth stock that had underperformed for a couple of years. The
stock price had declined from more than $40 a share to between $20 and $30 when
we started buying it. The stock then turned around and rose to $60 a share, when
we started cutting back to take profits. This is an example of how we can remain
true to the value style, with a low portfolio price/earnings ratio, and still
invest in rapidly growing areas from time to time if valuations allow it. We
keep our discipline because we believe it will work in the long run.

28
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund

                          Portfolio Manager Interview

                            Top 10 Equity Holdings
                         -----------------------------
                         (based on 1/31/99 net assets)

Oracle Systems Corp.                                                      3.2%
 ................................................................................
Bankamerica Corp.                                                         2.7%
 ................................................................................
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.                                                  2.4%
 ................................................................................
Waste Management, Inc.                                                    2.2%
 ................................................................................
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                               2.2%
 ................................................................................
Tommy Hilfiger Corp.                                                      2.2%
 ................................................................................
AT&T Corp.                                                                2.1%
 ................................................................................
Chase Manhattan Corp.                                                     2.1%
 ................................................................................
Citigroup, Inc.                                                           2.0%
 ................................................................................
Louisiana Pacific Corp.                                                   2.0%
 ................................................................................

What is your general outlook?

Lots of people look at current valuations in the market and say they are high.
It is true that valuations are high when you look at historical averages;
however, they are not high when compared to other periods in which inflation was
very low.

We think the market's current valuations make sense, given the very low
inflation and interest rates. Investors will pay higher values for any given
level of earnings when interest rates are low. That's a fundamental tenet of
Finance 101. While others say earnings are cyclically above normal, we see many
cyclical companies that already have earnings at depressed levels. They
represent opportunities for value investors.

We also believe there is another, secular component to the economy that gives us
reason for encouragement. This is the trend of corporate management to use
technology to improve productivity and to be more judicious in the use of
capital. Management today is not just building headquarters and facilities 
willy-nilly. They are investing to earn a return, which is positive for
profitability. We believe management today is smarter.

While we think a lot of the easy money has been made in the stock market, we
think there will be opportunities for disciplined value investors. We will view
market setbacks as buying opportunities. We think the economy will grow over the
long run, and expect the earnings of companies in our portfolio will
grow.

                                                                              29
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                Blue Chip Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Six Months Ended
                                             January 31, 1999   Period Ended
                                              (Unaudited) #   July 31, 1998 (a)
<S>                                          <C>              <C>
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value, beginning of period             $  30.42         $  27.39
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Income from investment operations
 ...............................................................................
Net investment income                                0.05             0.08
 ...............................................................................
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses
 on securities and foreign currency related
 transactions                                        3.50             3.01
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Total from investment operations                     3.55             3.09
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Less distributions to shareholders from
 ...............................................................................
Net investment income                               (0.03)           (0.06)
 ...............................................................................
Net realized gains                                  (2.38)               0
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Total distributions to shareholders                 (2.41)           (0.06)
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Net asset value, end of period                   $  31.56         $  30.42
                                                 --------         --------
 ...............................................................................
Total return*                                       12.58%           11.29%
 ...............................................................................
Ratios and supplemental data
 ...............................................................................
Net assets, end of period (thousands)            $340,293         $284,735
 ...............................................................................
Ratios to average net assets
 Expenses                                            1.22%+           1.20%+
 ...............................................................................
 Net investment income                               0.42%+           0.49%+
 ...............................................................................
Portfolio turnover rate                                73%             112%
 ...............................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Six Months Ended                          Year Ended August 31,
                         January 31, 1999   Period Ended    --------------------------------------
                          (Unaudited) #   July 31, 1998 (b)   1997      1996      1995      1994
<S>                      <C>              <C>               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value,
 beginning of period         $  30.35         $  29.79      $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21  $  25.42
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------
 .....................................................................................................
Income from investment
 operations
 .....................................................................................................
Net investment income           (0.05)           (0.12)         0.15      0.12      0.25      0.16
 .....................................................................................................
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions            3.43             5.72          7.97      3.69      2.66     (0.35)
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   
Total from investment
 operations                      3.38             5.60          8.12      3.81      2.91     (0.19)
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   
 .....................................................................................................

Less distributions to
 shareholders from
Net realized gains              (2.38)           (4.96)        (3.18)    (0.98)    (2.78)    (1.74)
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   
 .....................................................................................................
Net investment income               0            (0.08)        (0.20)    (0.76)    (0.36)    (0.28)
 .....................................................................................................
Total distributions to
 shareholders                   (2.38)           (5.04)        (3.38)    (1.74)    (3.14)    (2.02)
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------   
 .....................................................................................................
Net asset value, end of
 period                      $  31.35         $  30.35      $  29.79  $  25.05  $  22.98  $  23.21
                             --------         --------      --------  --------  --------  --------
 .....................................................................................................
Total return*                   12.01%           20.89%        34.76%    17.31%    13.87%    (0.72%)
 .....................................................................................................
Ratios and supplemental
 data
 .....................................................................................................
Net assets, end of
 period (thousands)          $140,231         $117,893      $312,935  $224,819  $199,456  $208,532
 .....................................................................................................
Ratios to average net
 assets
 Expenses                        1.97%+           1.68%+        1.57%     1.85%     1.75%     2.07%
 .....................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.34%)+         (0.02%)+       0.55%     0.52%     1.09%     0.67%
 .....................................................................................................
Portfolio turnover rate            73%             112%          109%      139%      115%       73%
 .....................................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 20, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
    July 31, 1998.
(b) For the eleven months ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1998.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
+   Annualized.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
    period.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                                Blue Chip Fund

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Six Months Ended
                                             January 31, 1999   Period Ended
                                              (Unaudited) #   July 31, 1998 (a)
 <S>                                         <C>              <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value, beginning of period             $30.40           $27.70
                                                  ------           ------
 .................................................................................
 Income from investment operations
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income                             (0.05)               0
 .................................................................................
 Net realized and unrealized gains or
  losses on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions                              3.46             2.72
                                                  ------           ------
 .................................................................................
 Total from investment operations                   3.41             2.72
                                                  ------           ------
 .................................................................................
 Less distributions to shareholders from
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income                                 0            (0.02)
 .................................................................................
 Net realized gains                                (2.38)               0
 .................................................................................
 Total distributions to shareholders               (2.38)           (0.02)
                                                  ------           ------
 .................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of period                   $31.43           $30.40
                                                  ------           ------
 .................................................................................
 Total return*                                     12.09%            9.80%
 .................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental data
 .................................................................................
 Net assets, end of period (thousands)            $  885           $  780
 .................................................................................
 Ratios to average net assets
 Expenses                                           1.98%+           2.02%+
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income                             (0.38%)+         (0.27%)+
 .................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate                              73%             112%
 .................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
    July 31, 1998.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
+   Annualized.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
    period.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       31
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July
                                                 31,          Year Ended November 30,
                          Six Months Ended ----------------   -------------------------
                          January 31, 1999           1997
                            (Unaudited)     1998      (a)      1996     1995     1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 21.65      $ 20.69  $ 17.33   $ 13.83  $ 11.75  $ 12.31
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 ...........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.14         0.21     0.18      0.26     0.25     0.24
 ...........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.33         2.46     3.34      3.83     2.80    (0.56)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.47         2.67     3.52      4.09     3.05    (0.32)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 ...........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.74)       (1.52)       0     (0.33)   (0.65)       0
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.12)       (0.19)   (0.16)    (0.26)   (0.32)   (0.24)
 ...........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.86)       (1.71)   (0.16)    (0.59)   (0.97)   (0.24)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 19.26      $ 21.65  $ 20.69   $ 17.33  $ 13.83  $ 11.75
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  -------  -------
 ...........................................................................................
 Total return*                   2.47%       13.85%   20.40%    29.83%   26.57%   (2.65%)
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $52,669      $52,667  $47,812   $40,487  $27,037  $23,162
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.24%+       1.21%    1.24%+    1.41%    1.69%    1.59%
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           1.55%+       1.01%    1.46%+    1.66%    1.94%    1.93%
 ...........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           65%          66%      41%       41%      77%      57%
 ...........................................................................................

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended July      Year Ended November
                          Six Months Ended        31,                    30,
                          January 31, 1999 ------------------   ------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998    1997 (a)    1996     1995     1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 21.56      $  20.63  $ 17.31    $ 13.84  $ 11.77  $12.32
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.08          0.06     0.09       0.15     0.15    0.15
 ...........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.31          2.45     3.31       3.80     2.82   (0.56)
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.39          2.51     3.40       3.95     2.97   (0.41)
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.74)        (1.52)       0      (0.33)   (0.65)      0
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.06)        (0.06)   (0.08)     (0.15)   (0.25)  (0.14)
 ...........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.80)        (1.58)   (0.08)     (0.48)   (0.90)  (0.14)
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 19.15      $  21.56  $ 20.63    $ 17.31  $ 13.84  $11.77
                              -------      --------  -------    -------  -------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Total return*                   2.08%        13.01%   19.68%     28.73%   25.59%  (3.36%)
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $90,736      $105,748  $94,309    $43,526  $20,605  $7,314
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.99%+        1.97%    2.02%+     2.18%    2.47%   2.31%
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.79%+        0.25%    0.58%+     0.88%    1.06%   1.27%
 ...........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           65%           66%      41%        41%      77%     57%
 ...........................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the eight months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from November 30 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
+   Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                              Equity Income Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July     Year Ended November
                                                 31,                   30,
                          Six Months Ended ----------------   -----------------------
                          January 31, 1999           1997
                           (Unaudited) #    1998      (a)      1996     1995    1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 21.58      $ 20.65  $ 17.32   $ 13.85  $11.78  $12.33
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.08         0.05     0.09      0.14    0.16    0.15
 ...........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.31         2.46     3.32      3.81    2.81   (0.56)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.39         2.51     3.41      3.95    2.97   (0.41)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.74)       (1.52)       0     (0.33)  (0.65)      0
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.06)       (0.06)   (0.08)    (0.15)  (0.25)  (0.14)
 ...........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.80)       (1.58)   (0.08)    (0.48)  (0.90)  (0.14)
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 19.17      $ 21.58  $ 20.65   $ 17.32  $13.85  $11.78
                              -------      -------  -------   -------  ------  ------
 ...........................................................................................
 Total return*                   2.08%       12.99%   19.73%    28.71%  25.57%  (3.36%)
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $19,383      $20,851  $21,125   $14,562  $9,503  $5,968
 ...........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.99%+       1.97%    2.01%+    2.17%   2.47%   2.34%
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.80%+       0.25%    0.66%+    0.89%   1.16%   1.21%
 ...........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           65%          66%      41%       41%     77%     57%
 ...........................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended July
                                             Six Months Ended       31,
                                             January 31, 1999 ----------------
                                              (Unaudited) #    1998   1997 (b)
<S>                                          <C>              <C>     <C>
CLASS Y SHARES
Net asset value, beginning of period              $21.61      $20.62   $17.74
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Income from investment operations
 ...........................................................................................
Net investment income                               0.17        0.24     0.18
 ...........................................................................................
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses
 on securities and foreign currency related
 transactions                                       0.32        2.51     2.86
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Total from investment operations                    0.49        2.75     3.04
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Less distributions to shareholders from
 ...........................................................................................
Net investment income                              (0.15)      (0.24)   (0.16)
 ...........................................................................................
Net realized gains                                 (2.74)      (1.52)       0
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Total distributions to shareholders                (2.89)      (1.76)   (0.16)
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Net asset value, end of period                    $19.21      $21.61   $20.62
                                                  ------      ------   ------
 ...........................................................................................
Total return                                        2.56%      14.29%   17.22%
 ...........................................................................................
Ratios and supplemental data
 ...........................................................................................
Net assets, end of period (thousands)             $  249      $  111   $   93
 ...........................................................................................
Ratios to average net assets
 Total expenses                                     0.99%+      0.93%    1.34%+
 ...........................................................................................
 Net investment income                              1.79%+      1.31%    0.79%+
 ...........................................................................................
Portfolio turnover rate                               65%         66%      41%
 ...........................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the eight months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from November 30 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(b) For the period from January 13, 1997 (commencement of class operations) to
    July 31, 1997.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
+   Annualized.
#   Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
    period.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       33
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July     Year Ended
                          Six Months Ended       31,          December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ----------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (b)   1996   1995 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $29.14      $27.26   $22.53   $18.63   $14.48
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.07        0.16     0.08     0.12     0.13
 .................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.07        2.86     4.72     4.26     4.64
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.14        3.02     4.80     4.38     4.77
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.78)      (1.01)       0    (0.35)   (0.48)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.06)      (0.13)   (0.07)   (0.13)   (0.14)
 .................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.84)      (1.14)   (0.07)   (0.48)   (0.62)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $28.44      $29.14   $27.26   $22.53   $18.63
                               ------      ------   ------   ------   ------
 .................................................................................
 Total return*                   0.53%      11.26%   21.33%   23.50%   33.00%
 .................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 .................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  286      $  296   $  166   $   85   $   19
 .................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.46%+      1.46%    1.47%+   1.41%    1.55%+
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.53%+      0.61%    0.57%+   0.70%    0.99%+
 .................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate            7%         20%       6%      14%      17%
 .................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July       Year Ended
                          Six Months Ended       31,            December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------   -----------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b)    1996    1995 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $28.88      $27.10    $22.43    $18.59    $14.48
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.03)      (0.02)    (0.02)        0      0.05
 .................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.07        2.81      4.69      4.20      4.61
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.04        2.79      4.67      4.20      4.66
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.78)      (1.01)        0     (0.35)    (0.48)
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income              0           0         0     (0.01)    (0.07)
 .................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.78)      (1.01)        0     (0.36)    (0.55)
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $28.14      $28.88    $27.10    $22.43    $18.59
                               ------      ------    ------    ------    ------
 .................................................................................
 Total return*                   0.17%      10.44%    20.82%    22.60%    32.20%
 .................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 .................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  985      $1,000    $  542    $  245    $   46
 .................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        2.21%+      2.21%     2.25%+    2.17%     2.24%+
 .................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.22%)+    (0.14%)   (0.19%)+  (0.06%)    0.30%+
 .................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate            7%         20%        6%       14%       17%
 .................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
+   Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       34
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Six Months Ended Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                         January 31, 1999 -----------------------   ---------------------------
                           (Unaudited)      1998       1997 (b)        1996         1995 (a)
<S>                      <C>              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value,
 beginning of period          $28.89      $   27.10    $   22.43    $     18.58    $     14.48
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Income from investment
 operations
 ...................................................................................................
Net investment income          (0.03)         (0.02)       (0.02)             0           0.06
 ...................................................................................................
Net realized and
 unrealized gains or
 losses on securities
 and foreign currency
 related transactions           0.07           2.82         4.69           4.21           4.60
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Total from investment
 operations                     0.04           2.80         4.67           4.21           4.66
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Less distributions to
 shareholders from
 ...................................................................................................
Net investment income              0              0            0          (0.01)         (0.08)
 ...................................................................................................
Net realized gains             (0.78)         (1.01)           0          (0.35)         (0.48)
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Total distributions to
 shareholders                  (0.78)         (1.01)           0          (0.36)         (0.56)
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Net asset value, end of
 period                       $28.15      $   28.89    $   27.10    $     22.43    $     18.58
                              ------      ---------    ---------    -----------    -----------
 ...................................................................................................
Total return*                   0.20%         10.47%       20.82%         22.60%         32.20%
 ...................................................................................................
Ratios and supplemental
 data
 ...................................................................................................
Net assets, end of
 period (millions)            $   46      $      50    $      24    $        10    $        20
 ...................................................................................................
Ratios to average net
 assets
 Expenses                       2.21%+         2.21%        2.25%+         2.17%          2.15%+
 ...................................................................................................
 Net investment income         (0.22%)+       (0.13%)      (0.19%)+       (0.06%)         0.35%+
 ...................................................................................................
Portfolio turnover rate            7%            20%           6%            14%            17%
 ...................................................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six Months Ended Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------------  -------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998      1997 (b)     1996     1995     1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $29.19      $   27.29   $   22.55   $ 18.64  $ 14.52  $ 15.41
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.11           0.24        0.11      0.18     0.18     0.14
 ...................................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.07           2.87        4.73      4.25     4.59     0.12
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.18           3.11        4.84      4.43     4.77     0.26
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.78)         (1.01)          0     (0.35)   (0.48)   (1.01)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.09)         (0.20)      (0.10)    (0.17)   (0.17)   (0.14)
 ...................................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.87)         (1.21)         (0)    (0.52)   (0.65)   (1.15)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $28.50      $   29.19   $   27.29   $ 22.55  $ 18.64  $ 14.52
                               ------      ---------   ---------   -------  -------  -------
 ...................................................................................................
 Total return                    0.67%         11.56%      21.52%    23.80%   32.90%    1.70%
 ...................................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...................................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  752      $     801   $     616   $   442  $   141  $    73
 ...................................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.21%+         1.20%       1.21%+    1.16%    1.27%    1.33%
 ...................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.78%+         0.86%       0.82%+    0.93%    1.11%    0.96%
 ...................................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate            7%            20%          6%       14%      17%      29%
 ...................................................................................................
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 *  Excluding applicable sales charges.
 +  Annualized.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       35
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six Months Ended Year Ended July 31,      Year Ended January 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------------  --------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998     1997 (b) #     1997     1996    1995 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>        <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 23.19      $   23.94   $   21.79    $20.15   $17.28    $17.09
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.44           1.05        0.52      1.02     1.01      0.02
 ..................................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.49)          0.81        2.15      1.67     2.94      0.17
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.05)          1.86        2.67      2.69     3.95      0.19
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.13)         (1.59)          0         0        0         0
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.42)         (1.02)      (0.52)    (1.05)   (1.08)        0
 ..................................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.55)         (2.61)      (0.52)    (1.05)   (1.08)        0
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 20.59      $   23.19   $   23.94    $21.79   $20.15    $17.28
                              -------      ---------   ---------    ------   ------    ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Total return*                  (0.11%)         7.93%      12.45%    13.80%   23.40%     1.10%
 ..................................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..................................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $13,379      $  15,005   $  11,955    $9,678   $4,412    $  119
 ..................................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 ..................................................................................................
 Expenses                        1.50%+         1.50%       1.45%+    1.44%    1.36%     1.45%+
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income           4.15%+         4.20%       4.69%+    4.93%    5.39%     4.09%+
 ..................................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           43%           133%         72%      168%     138%      151%
 ..................................................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six Months Ended Year Ended July 31,       Year Ended January 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------------  --------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998     1997 (b) #     1997     1996    1995 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>        <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 23.04      $   23.81   $   21.69    $ 20.08  $ 17.28   $17.09
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.34           0.86        0.43       0.89     0.91     0.02
 ..................................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.47)          0.81        2.15       1.64     2.87     0.17
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.13)          1.67        2.58       2.53     3.78     0.19
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.13)         (1.59)          0          0        0        0
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.37)         (0.85)      (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
 ..................................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.50)         (2.44)      (0.46)     (0.92)   (0.98)       0
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 20.41      $   23.04   $   23.81    $ 21.69  $ 20.08   $17.28
                              -------      ---------   ---------    -------  -------   ------
 ..................................................................................................
 Total return*                  (0.48%)         7.13%      12.06%     13.00%   22.40%    1.10%
 ..................................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..................................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $51,033      $  54,544   $  43,977    $35,323  $14,750   $  599
 ..................................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 ..................................................................................................
 Expenses                        2.25%+         2.25%       2.20%+     2.19%    2.11%    2.23%+
 ..................................................................................................
 Net investment income           3.39%+         3.46%       3.94%+     4.17%    4.69%    3.23%+
 ..................................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           43%           133%         72%       168%     138%     151%
 ..................................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    January 31, 1995.
(b) For the six months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 *  Excluding applicable sales charges.
 #  Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
    period.
 +  Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       36
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six Months Ended   Year Ended July 31,     Year Ended January 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------------  ------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998      1997 (b) #    1997    1996   1995 (a)
 <S>                          <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $23.04      $   23.81    $   21.69   $20.08  $17.27   $17.09
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.36           0.87         0.44     0.87    0.90     0.01
 ...............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.49)          0.80         2.14     1.66    2.89     0.17
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.13)          1.67         2.58     2.53    3.79     0.18
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.37)         (0.85)       (0.46)   (0.92)  (0.98)       0
 ...............................................................................................
 Net realized gains             (2.13)         (1.59)           0        0       0        0
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.50)         (2.44)       (0.46)   (0.92)  (0.98)       0
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $20.41      $   23.04    $   23.81   $21.69  $20.08   $17.27
                               ------      ---------    ---------   ------  ------   ------
 ...............................................................................................
 Total return*                  (0.48%)         7.13%       12.06%   12.90%  22.40%    1.10%
 ...............................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...............................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $1,074      $   1,259    $     950   $  982  $  523   $   24
 ...............................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        2.25%+         2.25%        2.20%+   2.19%   2.11%    2.22%+
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income           3.36%+         3.48%        4.06%+   4.15%   4.67%    2.68%+
 ...............................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           43%           133%          72%     168%    138%     151%
 ...............................................................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six Months Ended   Year Ended July 31,    Year Ended January 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------------  ------------------------    Year Ended
                            (Unaudited)       1998      1997 (b)    1997   1996   1995 (c)   March 31, 1994
 <S>                          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>          <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $23.22      $   23.98   $   21.81   $20.16  $17.28   $18.29       $20.90
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ................................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.46           1.02        0.55     1.08    1.10     0.87         1.08
 ................................................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.47)          0.89        2.16     1.66    2.87    (0.55)       (1.41)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.01)          1.91        2.71     2.74    3.97     0.32        (0.33)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (2.13)         (1.59)          0        0       0    (0.25)       (1.20)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.48)         (1.08)      (0.54)   (1.09)  (1.09)   (1.08)       (1.08)
 ................................................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (2.61)         (2.67)      (0.54)   (1.09)  (1.09)   (1.33)       (2.28)
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $20.60      $   23.22   $   23.98   $21.81  $20.16   $17.28       $18.29
                               ------      ---------   ---------   ------  ------   ------       ------
 ................................................................................................................
 Total return                    0.05%          8.16%      12.65%   14.10%  23.50%    1.90%       (2.10%)
 ................................................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ................................................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  807      $     880   $     900   $  858  $  914   $  942       $1,065
 ................................................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.25%+         1.25%       1.20%+   1.18%   1.19%    1.24%+       1.18%
 ................................................................................................................
 Net investment income           4.39%+         4.46%       4.97%+   5.14%   5.70%    5.70%+       5.29%
 ................................................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           43%           133%         72%     168%    138%     151%         106%
 ................................................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    January 31, 1995.
(b) For the six months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from January 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(c) For the ten months ended January 31, 1995. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from March 31 to January 31, effective January 31, 1995.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 # Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
   period.
 + Annualized.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       37
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended July      Year Ended
                          Six Months Ended        31,           December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ------------------- ----------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b) #  1996   1995 (a)
 <S>                         <C>           <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 15.75      $ 15.69    $13.10   $11.57   $ 9.64
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.16         0.29      0.14     0.34     0.34
 ..................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.94)        0.24      2.59     2.13     2.45
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.78)        0.53      2.73     2.47     2.79
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.18)       (0.19)    (0.01)   (0.60)   (0.49)
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.18)       (0.28)    (0.13)   (0.34)   (0.37)
 ..................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.36)       (0.47)    (0.14)   (0.94)   (0.86)
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 14.61      $ 15.75    $15.69   $13.10   $11.57
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Total return*                  (4.96%)       3.24%    20.99%   22.00%   29.50%
 ..................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $74,510      $54,142    $4,239   $  336   $  216
 ..................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.61%+       1.68%     1.71%+   1.75%    1.75%+
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income           2.32%+       1.95%     1.88%+   3.08%    3.39%+
 ..................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           28%          18%       13%      50%      48%
 ..................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Year Ended
                          Six Months Ended  Year Ended July 31,   December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -------------------- ----------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998    1997 (b) #  1996   1995 (a)
 <S>                         <C>           <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $  15.67     $  15.64    $13.09   $11.57   $ 9.64
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income            0.12         0.19      0.08     0.27     0.28
 ..................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           (0.96)        0.22      2.57     2.11     2.43
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     (0.84)        0.41      2.65     2.38     2.71
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains              (0.18)       (0.19)    (0.01)   (0.60)   (0.49)
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.12)       (0.19)    (0.09)   (0.26)   (0.29)
 ..................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                   (0.30)       (0.38)    (0.10)   (0.86)   (0.78)
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $  14.53     $  15.67    $15.64   $13.09   $11.57
                              --------     --------    ------   ------   ------
 ..................................................................................
 Total return*                   (5.34%)       2.49%    20.37%   21.10%   28.70%
 ..................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $125,717     $130,191    $9,462   $  692   $  266
 ..................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 ..................................................................................
 Expenses                         2.38%+       2.43%     2.46%+   2.50%    2.50%+
 ..................................................................................
 Net investment income            1.60%+       1.20%     1.12%+   2.39%    2.67%+
 ..................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate            28%          18%       13%      50%      48%
 ..................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 3, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 # Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
   period.
 + Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       38
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended July    Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended        31,                  31,
                          January 31, 1999 ------------------- ---------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b) #  1996   1995 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>       
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 15.66      $ 15.63    $13.09   $11.56   $ 9.74
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ....................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.12         0.19      0.10     0.28     0.28
 ....................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.96)        0.22      2.54     2.10     2.33
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.84)        0.41      2.64     2.38     2.61
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.18)       (0.19)    (0.01)   (0.60)   (0.49)
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.12)       (0.19)    (0.09)   (0.25)   (0.30)
 ....................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.30)       (0.38)    (0.10)   (0.85)   (0.79)
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 14.52      $ 15.66    $15.63   $13.09   $11.56
                              -------      -------    ------   ------   ------
 ....................................................................................
 Total return*                  (5.35%)       2.49%    20.30%   21.10%   27.30%
 ....................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ....................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $25,770      $26,197    $2,770   $   56   $   24
 ....................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        2.38%+       2.43%     2.45%+   2.50%    2.50%+
 ....................................................................................
 Net investment income           1.60%+       1.20%     1.20%+   2.33%    2.63%+
 ....................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           28%          18%       13%      50%      48%
 ....................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended July
                          Six Months Ended        31,              Year Ended December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -------------------  ----------------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b) #   1996    1995     1994    1993 [c]
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>         <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 15.77      $ 15.71   $ 13.12    $11.58  $ 9.70   $10.15    $10.00
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ....................................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.20         0.34      0.19      0.38    0.38     0.34      0.10
 ....................................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions          (0.98)        0.24      2.56      2.13    2.38    (0.41)     0.15
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                    (0.78)        0.58      2.75      2.51    2.76    (0.07)     0.25
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.18)       (0.19)    (0.01)    (0.60)  (0.50)   (0.05)        0
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.19)       (0.33)    (0.15)    (0.37)  (0.38)   (0.33)    (0.10)
 ....................................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.37)       (0.52)    (0.16)    (0.97)  (0.88)   (0.38)    (0.10)
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 14.62      $ 15.77   $ 15.71    $13.12  $11.58   $ 9.70    $10.15
                              -------      -------   -------    ------  ------   ------    ------
 ....................................................................................................
 Total return                   (4.90%)       3.57%    21.09%    22.40%  29.10%   (0.70%)    2.50%
 ....................................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ....................................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $75,244      $96,556   $42,374    $8,592  $4,806   $3,613    $2,236
 ....................................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.39%+       1.39%     1.39%+    1.50%   1.50%+   1.48%     0.00%+
 ....................................................................................................
 Net investment income           2.61%+       2.23%     2.39%+    3.36%   3.56%    3.72%     4.07%+
 ....................................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           28%          18%       13%       50%     48%       9%       15%
 ....................................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 24, 1995 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1995.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(c) For the period from October 1, 1993 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1993.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 # Net investment income is based on average shares outstanding throughout the
   period.
 + Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       39
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July
                          Six Months Ended       31,            Year Ended December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------   ---------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b)    1996      1995    1994 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 11.76      $ 11.45  $ 10.57    $ 10.80  $   9.00   $10.00
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.23         0.43     0.25       0.41      0.44     0.45
 ..............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.42         1.44     0.87       0.05      2.25    (1.01)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.65         1.87     1.12       0.46      2.69    (0.56)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (1.28)       (1.12)       0      (0.28)    (0.45)       0
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.23)       (0.44)   (0.24)     (0.41)    (0.44)   (0.44)
 ..............................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (1.51)       (1.56)   (0.24)     (0.69)    (0.89)   (0.44)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 10.90      $ 11.76  $ 11.45    $ 10.57  $  10.80   $ 9.00
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  --------   ------
 ..............................................................................................
 Total return*                   5.24%       17.30%   10.72%      4.40%    30.70%   (5.60%)
 ..............................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..............................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $94,954      $95,300  $91,638    $96,243  $107,872   $4,190
 ..............................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.02%+       0.99%    1.00%+     0.87%     0.79%    0.53%+
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income           4.03%+       3.58%    3.85%+     3.87%     4.51%    5.07%+
 ..............................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           34%          62%      50%        59%       88%      23%
 ..............................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July
                          Six Months Ended       31,           Year Ended December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 -----------------   --------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998    1997 (b)    1996     1995    1994 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 11.76      $ 11.46  $ 10.58    $ 10.81  $  9.00  $ 10.00
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.19         0.34     0.20       0.33     0.37     0.39
 ..............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.42         1.44     0.87       0.05     2.26    (1.01)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.61         1.78     1.07       0.38     2.63    (0.62)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (1.28)       (1.12)       0      (0.28)   (0.45)       0
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.19)       (0.36)   (0.19)     (0.33)   (0.37)   (0.38)
 ..............................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (1.47)       (1.48)   (0.19)     (0.61)   (0.82)   (0.38)
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 10.90      $ 11.76  $ 11.46    $ 10.58  $ 10.81  $  9.00
                              -------      -------  -------    -------  -------  -------
 ..............................................................................................
 Total return*                   4.84%       16.31%   10.21%      3.60%   29.90%   (6.20%)
 ..............................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..............................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $46,419      $43,776  $36,738    $38,511  $35,662  $28,792
 ..............................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.77%+       1.74%    1.75%+     1.62%    1.53%    1.27%+
 ..............................................................................................
 Net investment income           3.30%+       2.82%    3.10%+     3.12%    3.78%    4.19%+
 ..............................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           34%          62%      50%        59%      88%      23%
 ..............................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from January 4, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 + Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       40
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund 

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July    Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended       31,                  31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (b)   1996    1995   1994 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $11.76      $11.46   $10.58   $10.82  $ 9.01   $9.33
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.19        0.34     0.20     0.33    0.37    0.12
 ..........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.42        1.44     0.87     0.04    2.26   (0.33)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.61        1.78     1.07     0.37    2.63   (0.21)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (1.28)      (1.12)       0    (0.28)  (0.45)      0
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.19)      (0.36)   (0.19)   (0.33)  (0.37)  (0.11)
 ..........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (1.47)      (1.48)   (0.19)   (0.61)  (0.82)  (0.11)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $10.90      $11.76   $11.46   $10.58  $10.82   $9.01
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   -----
 ..........................................................................................
 Total return*                   4.84%      16.31%   10.21%    3.50%  29.80%  (2.20%)
 ..........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $  630      $  486   $  379   $  396  $  246   $ 128
 ..........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.77%+      1.74%    1.75%+   1.63%   1.54%   1.94%+
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income           3.34%+      2.82%    3.10%+   3.13%   3.76%   3.96%+
 ..........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           34%         62%      50%      59%     88%     23%
 ..........................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July    Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended       31,                  31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (b)   1996    1995   1994 (c)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $11.77      $11.46   $10.58   $10.82  $ 9.00   $ 9.51
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.24        0.46     0.25     0.44    0.47     0.37
 ..........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           0.43        1.45     0.88     0.03    2.27    (0.50)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.67        1.91     1.13     0.47    2.74    (0.13)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (1.28)      (1.12)       0    (0.28)  (0.45)       0
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.26)      (0.48)   (0.25)   (0.43)  (0.47)   (0.38)
 ..........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (1.54)      (1.60)   (0.25)   (0.71)  (0.92)   (0.38)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $10.90      $11.77   $11.46   $10.58  $10.82   $ 9.00
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ..........................................................................................
 Total return                    5.27%      17.60%   10.85%    4.50%  31.30%   (1.60%)
 ..........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ..........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $2,848      $1,695   $1,627   $2,000  $7,791   $5,201
 ..........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        0.76%+      0.74%    0.74%+   0.61%   0.54%    0.40%+
 ..........................................................................................
 Net investment income           4.30%       3.82%    4.06%+   4.01%   4.76%    4.93%+
 ..........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           34%         62%      50%      59%     88%      23%
 ..........................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
(c) For the period from February 28, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 + Annualized

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       41
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                                  Value Fund

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July   Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended       31,                 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ----------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (a)   1996    1995    1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS A SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $22.23      $24.64   $20.57   $20.45  $16.62  $17.63
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 .......................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.11        0.26     0.21     0.38    0.55    0.52
 .......................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           1.70        2.00     4.05     3.49    4.69   (0.20)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     1.81        2.26     4.26     3.87    5.24    0.32
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.13)      (4.38)       0    (3.34)  (0.90)  (0.82)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.11)      (0.29)   (0.19)   (0.41)  (0.51)  (0.51)
 .......................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.24)      (4.67)   (0.19)   (3.75)  (1.41)  (1.33)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $23.80      $22.23   $24.64   $20.57  $20.45  $16.62
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 .......................................................................................
 Total return*                   8.24%       9.55%   20.78%   18.90%  31.80%   1.90%
 .......................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 .......................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  480      $  476   $  392   $  328  $  292  $  189
 .......................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.00%+      1.01%    0.92%+   0.91%   0.90%   0.93%
 .......................................................................................
 Net investment income           1.06%+      1.04%    1.66%+   1.77%   2.78%   2.96%
 .......................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           75%         69%       6%      91%     53%     70%
 .......................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended July
                          Six Months Ended        31,            Year Ended December 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ------------------   ----------------------------
                            (Unaudited)      1998    1997 (a)     1996      1995      1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
 CLASS B SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $  22.20     $  24.63  $  20.58   $  20.45  $  16.62  $  17.63
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income            0.04         0.08      0.12       0.22      0.39      0.42
 ...............................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions            1.69         1.99      4.03       3.50      4.70     (0.20)
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                      1.73         2.07      4.15       3.72      5.09      0.22
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains              (0.13)       (4.38)        0      (3.34)    (0.90)    (0.82)
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income           (0.05)       (0.12)    (0.10)     (0.25)    (0.36)    (0.41)
 ...............................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                   (0.18)       (4.50)    (0.10)     (3.59)    (1.26)    (1.23)
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $  23.75     $  22.20  $  24.63   $  20.58  $  20.45  $  16.62
                              --------     --------  --------   --------  --------  --------
 ...............................................................................................
 Total return*                    7.83%        8.73%    20.23%     18.10%    30.90%     1.30%
 ...............................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ...............................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $337,559     $326,459  $276,256   $197,411  $141,072  $104,297
 ...............................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                         1.75%+       1.76%     1.67%+     1.66%     1.65%     1.53%
 ...............................................................................................
 Net investment income            0.31%+       0.30%     0.92%+     1.01%     2.04%     2.36%
 ...............................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate            75%          69%        6%        91%       53%       70%
 ...............................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 + Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       42
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                                  Value Fund

                              Financial Highlights
                (For a share outstanding throughout each period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July    Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended       31,                  31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ------------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (b)   1996    1995   1994 (a)
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS C SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $22.18      $24.61   $20.56   $20.44  $16.61   $18.28
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Income from investment
  operations
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.03        0.10     0.12     0.22    0.39     0.19
 ........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           1.70        1.97     4.03     3.50    4.70    (0.81)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     1.73        2.07     4.15     3.72    5.09    (0.62)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 From net realized gains        (0.13)      (4.38)       0    (3.34)  (0.90)   (0.82)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.05)      (0.12)   (0.10)   (0.26)  (0.36)   (0.23)
 ........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.18)      (4.50)   (0.10)   (3.60)  (1.26)   (1.05)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $23.73      $22.18   $24.61   $20.56  $20.44   $16.61
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------   ------
 ........................................................................................
 Total return*                   7.84%       8.74%   20.25%   18.10%  30.90%   (3.40%)
 ........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $4,492      $5,125   $2,507   $1,458  $  811   $  485
 ........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        1.75%+      1.76%    1.66%+   1.67%   1.65%    1.68%+
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.33%+      0.29%    0.94%+   1.00%   2.03%    2.16%+
 ........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           75%         69%       6%      91%     53%      70%
 ........................................................................................
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended July   Year Ended December
                          Six Months Ended       31,                 31,
                          January 31, 1999 ----------------  ----------------------
                            (Unaudited)     1998   1997 (b)   1996    1995    1994
 <S>                      <C>              <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
 CLASS Y SHARES
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $22.23      $24.64   $20.57   $20.45  $16.61  $17.63
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
Income from investment
  operations
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income           0.15        0.35     0.25     0.44    0.57    0.56
 ........................................................................................
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions           1.70        1.97     4.03     3.49    4.72   (0.20)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
 Total from investment
  operations                     1.85        2.32     4.28     3.93    5.29    0.36
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
 Less distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.13)      (4.38)       0    (3.34)  (0.90)  (0.82)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income          (0.14)      (0.35)   (0.21)   (0.47)  (0.55)  (0.56)
 ........................................................................................
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.27)      (4.73)   (0.21)   (3.81)  (1.45)  (1.38)
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $23.81      $22.23   $24.64   $20.57  $20.45  $16.61
                               ------      ------   ------   ------  ------  ------
 ........................................................................................
 Total return                    8.41%       9.79%   20.93%   19.20%  32.20%   2.10%
 ........................................................................................
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 ........................................................................................
 Net assets, end of
  period (millions)            $  158      $  183   $1,149   $  996  $  761  $  507
 ........................................................................................
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses                        0.75%+      0.70%    0.67%+   0.66%   0.65%   0.68%
 ........................................................................................
 Net investment income           1.33%+      1.47%    1.91%+   2.02%   3.02%   3.21%
 ........................................................................................
 Portfolio turnover rate           75%         69%       6%      91%     53%     70%
 ........................................................................................
</TABLE>
(a) For the period from September 2, 1994 (commencement of class operations) to
    December 31, 1994.
(b) For the seven months ended July 31, 1997. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from December 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1997.
 * Excluding applicable sales charges.
 + Annualized.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                      43
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                                Blue Chip Fund

                            Schedule of Investments
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
<C>          <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 94.5%
             Automotive Equipment &
              Manufacturing - 1.2%
      30,000 Daimler Chrysler AG................................   $  3,106,875
      45,000 Ford Motor Co. ....................................      2,764,687
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,871,562
                                                                   ------------
             Banks - 6.2%
     120,000 AmSouth Bancorp....................................      5,287,500
      60,000 BankAmerica Corp. .................................      4,012,500
      50,000 Chase Manhattan Corp. .............................      3,846,875
      85,000 Dime Bancorp, Inc. ................................      2,061,250
      90,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. .......................      3,988,125
      65,000 Mellon Bank Corp. .................................      4,355,000
      37,000 National City Corp. ...............................      2,629,312
      90,000 North Fork Bancorp, Inc. ..........................      1,890,000
      50,000 US Bancorp.........................................      1,684,375
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     29,754,937
                                                                   ------------
             Business Equipment &
              Services - 1.7%
     120,000 Modis Professional Services, Inc. .................      1,747,500
      79,000 Paychex, Inc. .....................................      3,843,844
      20,000 Xerox Corp. .......................................      2,480,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      8,071,344
                                                                   ------------
             Chemical & Agricultural
              Products - 0.7%
      45,000 Monsanto Co. ......................................      2,140,313
      55,000 Morton International, Inc. ........................      1,423,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,563,438
                                                                   ------------
             Communication Systems & Services - 0.9%
      50,000 * Tellabs, Inc. ...................................      4,289,063
                                                                   ------------
             Consumer Products &
              Services - 2.3%
      67,000 Gillette Co. ......................................      3,936,250
      60,000 Procter & Gamble Co. ..............................      5,452,500
     100,800 Stewart Enterprises, Inc. Cl. A....................      1,748,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     11,137,000
                                                                   ------------
             Diversified Companies - 1.6%
     102,500 Tyco International Ltd. ...........................      7,898,906
                                                                   ------------
             Electrical Equipment &
              Services - 5.1%
      75,000 Emerson Electric Co. ..............................      4,364,063
     166,700 General Electric Co. ..............................     17,482,662
      40,000 Honeywell, Inc. ...................................      2,607,500
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     24,454,225
                                                                   ------------
             Finance & Insurance - 4.8%
      62,500 American International Group, Inc. ................      6,433,594
     100,028 Associates First Capital Corp. Cl. A...............      4,057,386
      85,000 Federal National Mortgage Association..............      6,194,375
      90,000 Franklin Resources, Inc. ..........................      3,015,000
      45,000 Greenpoint Financial Corp. ........................      1,473,750
      35,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ...........      1,817,812
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     22,991,917
                                                                   ------------
             Food & Beverage Products - 2.8%
      72,700 Coca Cola Co. .....................................      4,757,306
     200,000 Flowers Industries, Inc. ..........................      4,812,500
      50,000 McDonald's Corp. ..................................      3,940,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     13,510,431
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Healthcare Products &
              Services - 15.3%
     145,000 American Home Products Corp. ......................   $  8,509,688
      57,500 Biogen, Inc. ......................................      5,631,406
      52,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ..........................      6,665,750
      93,750 Cardinal Health, Inc. .............................      6,931,641
     220,000 *Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A..........      2,763,750
      51,000 Johnson & Johnson..................................      4,335,000
      48,000 Lilly (Eli) & Co. .................................      4,497,000
      97,900 Medtronic, Inc. ...................................      7,801,406
      73,500 Merck & Co., Inc. .................................     10,786,125
      43,000 Pfizer, Inc. ......................................      5,530,875
     117,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ..........................      6,727,500
      60,000 Schering-Plough Corp. .............................      3,270,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     73,450,141
                                                                   ------------
             Industrial Specialty Products & Services - 0.8%
     100,000 Ecolab, Inc. ......................................      3,875,000
                                                                   ------------
             Information Services & Technology - 17.6%
      20,000 America Online, Inc. ..............................      3,513,750
      55,000 *American Power Conversion Corp. ..................      2,810,156
      51,100 *Applied Materials, Inc. ..........................      3,227,284
     140,000 Compaq Computer Corp. .............................      6,667,500
      50,500 *EMC Corp. ........................................      5,498,188
      75,000 *Gateway 2000, Inc. ...............................      5,793,750
      90,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. ...............................      7,053,750
      66,300 Intel Corp. .......................................      9,337,941
      53,000 International Business Machines Corp. .............      9,712,250
     115,400 *Microsoft Corp. ..................................     20,191,394
      95,000 *Oracle Systems Corp. .............................      5,257,656
      28,400 *Solectron Corp. ..................................      2,529,375
      27,500 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ...........................      3,073,984
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     84,666,978
                                                                   ------------
             Leisure & Tourism - 0.7%
      80,000 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. ......................      3,180,000
                                                                   ------------
             Oil/Energy - 3.9%
      31,500 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ..........................        852,469
      24,000 BP Amoco Plc.......................................      1,947,000
     100,000 Burlington Resources, Inc. ........................      3,025,000
      71,100 Exxon Corp. .......................................      5,008,106
       8,000 Mobil Corp. .......................................        701,500
      50,000 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. .........................      2,003,125
      52,100 Texaco, Inc. ......................................      2,468,237
      92,500 Unocal Corp. ......................................      2,636,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     18,641,687
                                                                   ------------
             Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting &
              Entertainment - 6.6%
     117,500 CBS Corp. .........................................      3,995,000
      70,000 *Clear Channel Communications, Inc. ...............      4,331,250
      90,000 Disney (Walt) Co. .................................      2,970,000
      73,100 *Tele Communications, Inc. ........................      5,014,203
     130,000 Time Warner, Inc. .................................      8,125,000
      40,000 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A..............      1,795,000
      63,000 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B................................      5,355,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     31,585,453
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       44
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                                Blue Chip Fund

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Real Estate - 1.0%
     112,504 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT.................   $  2,868,852
      80,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT............      2,055,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,923,852
                                                                    ------------
             Retailing & Wholesale - 8.5%
      59,500 *Costco Companies, Inc. ............................      4,929,203
     136,600 CVS Corp. ..........................................      7,478,850
      59,600 Dayton Hudson Corp. ................................      3,799,500
     118,200 Home Depot, Inc. ...................................      7,136,325
     100,000 * Office Depot, Inc. ...............................      3,475,000
     100,000 * Safeway, Inc. ....................................      5,612,500
      98,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ..............................      8,428,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      40,859,378
                                                                    ------------
             Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 4.7%
      80,000 *Ciena Corp.........................................      1,602,500
      50,000 *Cisco Systems, Inc.................................      5,585,937
      85,000 *MCI WorldCom, Inc..................................      6,776,094
      77,500 Motorola, Inc.......................................      5,599,375
      23,000 Nokia Corp. ADR.....................................      3,312,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      22,875,906
                                                                    ------------
             Transportation - 0.7%
      78,100 CNF Transportation, Inc.............................      3,465,688
                                                                    ------------
             Utilities - Electric - 2.2%
      45,000 Consolidated Edison, Inc............................      2,224,687
      50,000 Dominion Resources, Inc.............................      2,237,500
      30,000 Duke Power Co.......................................      1,854,375
      55,000 Florida Progress Corp...............................      2,289,375
      45,000 Texas Utilities Co. ................................      1,977,188
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,583,125
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Utilities - Telephone - 5.2%
     115,000 Ameritech Corp. ...................................   $  7,489,375
      81,100 AT&T Corp. ........................................      7,359,825
      52,500 Bell Atlantic Corp. ...............................      3,150,000
      35,000 GTE Corp. .........................................      2,362,500
      80,000 U.S. West, Inc. ...................................      4,935,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     25,296,700
                                                                   ------------
             Total Common Stocks (cost $341,036,441)............    454,946,731
                                                                   ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.0%
             Iron & Steel - 0.0%
 $   110,000 Compania Vale do Rio Doce Navegacao SA 1.00%,
              12/31/1999 (cost $0)..............................   $          6
                                                                   ------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 7.0%
             Repurchase Agreement - 7.0%
  33,820,000 Evergreen Joint Repurchase Agreement, Investments
              in repurchase agreements, in a joint trading
              account purchased 1/29/1999, 4.77%, maturing
              2/1/1999, maturity value
              $33,833,443 (cost $33,820,000)(a).................   33,820,000
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>         <S>                                            <C>    <C>
             Total Investments -
              (cost $374,856,441)........................   101.5%  488,766,737
             Other Assets and Liabilities - net..........    (1.5)   (7,357,753)
                                                            -----  ------------
             Net Assets..................................   100.0% $481,408,984
                                                            =====  ============
</TABLE>
 * Non-income producing securities.
(a) The repurchase agreements are fully collaterized by U.S. government
    and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued
    interest at January 29, 1999.


Summary of Abbreviations:
ADR   American Depository Receipts
REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust



                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       45
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                              Equity Income Fund

                            Schedule of Investments
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 88.6%
             Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 1.4%
      25,000 General Motors Corp. ...............................   $  2,243,750
                                                                    ------------
             Banks - 12.5%
      90,000 Associated Banc Corp. ..............................      2,804,062
      50,000 BankAmerica Corp. ..................................      3,343,750
     100,000 Charter One Financial, Inc. ........................      2,803,125
      80,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ........................      3,545,000
      30,000 Mellon Bank Corp. ..................................      2,010,000
     150,000 North Fork Bancorp, Inc. ...........................      3,150,000
      80,000 US Bancorp..........................................      2,695,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      20,350,937
                                                                    ------------
             Business Equipment &
              Services - 1.7%
      90,000 Dun & Bradstreet Corp. .............................      2,745,000
                                                                    ------------
             Chemical & Agricultural
              Products - 3.0%
      76,000 Morton International, Inc. .........................      1,966,500
      96,000 Rohm & Haas Co. ....................................      2,976,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       4,942,500
                                                                    ------------
             Diversified Companies - 3.3%
      70,000 Tyco International Ltd. ............................      5,394,375
                                                                    ------------
             Electrical Equipment &
              Services - 3.7%
      40,000 General Electric Co. ...............................      4,195,000
      20,000 *Solectron Corp. ...................................      1,781,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,976,250
                                                                    ------------
             Finance & Insurance - 10.9%
      38,000 Citigroup, Inc. ....................................      2,130,375
     125,000 Greenpoint Financial Corp. .........................      4,093,750
      86,000 HSB Group, Inc. ....................................      3,246,500
      20,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. .....................      1,093,750
      20,000 Lincoln National Corp. .............................      1,666,250
      60,000 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Cl. A...........      2,876,250
      45,000 UNUM Corp. .........................................      2,719,687
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      17,826,562
                                                                    ------------
             Food & Beverage Products - 3.4%
      35,000 H.J. Heinz Co. .....................................      1,970,938
      75,000 Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ......................      3,525,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       5,495,938
                                                                    ------------
             Healthcare Products &
              Services - 8.7%
      40,000 American Home Products Corp. .......................      2,347,500
       3,100 Biogen, Inc. .......................................        303,606
      20,000 Johnson & Johnson...................................      1,700,000
      80,000 Mallinckrodt, Inc. .................................      2,795,000
      28,500 Merck & Co., Inc. ..................................      4,182,375
      50,000 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...........................      2,875,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      14,203,481
                                                                    ------------
             Industrial Specialty Products & Services - 0.9%
      40,000 Trinity Industries, Inc. ...........................      1,430,000
                                                                    ------------
             Information Services & Technology - 5.4%
      57,000 *BMC Software, Inc. ................................      2,659,406
      30,000 *EMC Corp. .........................................      3,266,250

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                   <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Information Services & Technology - continued
      15,800 International Business Machines Corp. .............   $  2,895,350
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      8,821,006
                                                                   ------------
             Oil/Energy - 6.2%
      94,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ..........................      2,543,875
      18,000 Mobil Corp. .......................................      1,578,375
      60,000 Texaco, Inc. ......................................      2,842,500
     110,000 Unocal Corp. ......................................      3,135,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     10,099,750
                                                                   ------------
             Paper & Packaging - 1.5%
     105,000 Consolidated Papers, Inc. .........................      2,434,688
                                                                   ------------
             Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting &
              Entertainment - 1.0%
      50,000 CBS Corp. .........................................      1,700,000
                                                                   ------------
             Real Estate - 4.6%
      40,000 Boston Properties, Inc. REIT.......................      1,300,000
      55,000 Equity Office Properties Trust REIT................      1,402,500
      31,000 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT...........      1,261,312
      50,000 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT...........      1,284,375
      55,000 Prentiss Properties Trust REIT.....................      1,165,313
      30,000 Spieker Properties, Inc. REIT......................      1,020,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,433,500
                                                                   ------------
             Retailing & Wholesale - 3.9%
      50,000 *Costco Companies, Inc. ...........................      4,142,188
      76,686 *Staples, Inc. ....................................      2,197,533
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      6,339,721
                                                                   ------------
             Transportation - 1.4%
      45,000 Union Pacific Corp. ...............................      2,314,688
                                                                   ------------
             Utilities - Electric - 7.9%
      50,000 Dominion Resources, Inc. ..........................      2,237,500
      75,000 Edison International...............................      2,085,937
      50,000 Houston Industries, Inc. ..........................      1,518,750
     114,000 Southern Co. ......................................      3,070,875
      80,000 Teco Energy, Inc. .................................      1,860,000
      50,000 Texas Utilities Co. ...............................      2,196,875
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,969,937
                                                                   ------------
             Utilities - Telephone - 7.2%
      40,000 Ameritech Corp. ...................................      2,605,000
      18,000 AT&T Corp. ........................................      1,633,500
      50,000 Bell Atlantic Corp. ...............................      3,000,000
      15,000 GTE Corp. .........................................      1,012,500
      57,000 U.S. West, Inc. ...................................      3,516,188
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     11,767,188
                                                                   ------------
             Total Common Stocks (cost $115,606,743)............    144,489,271
                                                                   ------------
 PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.0%
             Consumer Products &
              Services - 1.0%
      30,000 Newell Financial Trust I, 5.25%, 144A
              (cost $1,500,000).................................      1,597,500
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                              Equity Income Fund

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 2.7%
             Building, Construction & Furnishings - 0.8%
     150,000 Kaufman & Broad Home Corp. PRIDES, 8.25%............   $  1,350,000
                                                                    ------------
             Retailing & Wholesale - 1.9%
      50,000 Kmart Financing I, 7.75%............................      3,137,500
                                                                    ------------
             Total Convertible Preferred (cost $4,110,665).......      4,487,500
                                                                    ------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 0.8%
             Consumer Products &
              Services - 0.8%
 $ 1,000,000 Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc.
              5.50%, 6/15/2002, 144A
              (cost $1,000,000) .................................      1,243,480
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 6.5%
             Repurchase Agreement - 6.5%
 $10,625,000 Evergreen Joint Repurchase Agreement, Investments
              in repurchase agreements, in a joint trading
              account, purchased 1/29/1999, 4.77% maturing
              2/1/1999, maturity value
              $10,629,223 (cost $10,625,000) (a)...............   $ 10,625,000
                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
 <C>          <S>                                            <C>    <C>
              Total Investments -(cost $132,842,408)......    99.6%  162,442,751
              Other Assets and Liabilities - net..........     0.4       593,771
                                                             -----  ------------
              Net Assets..................................   100.0% $163,036,522
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>
 *   Non-income producing securities.
(a)  The repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by U.S. government
     and/or agency obligations based on market prices plus accrued
     interest at January 29, 1999.
144A Security that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers"
     under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security has
     been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the
     Board of Trustees.

Summary of Abbreviations:
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       47
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund 

                            Schedule of Investments
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - 92.1%
             Aerospace & Defense - 1.6%
     232,000 Boeing Co.......................................   $  8,018,500
     780,000 Bombardier, Inc., Cl. B.........................     11,641,791
     280,000 Sundstrand Corp.................................     12,460,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  32,120,291
                                                                ------------
             Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 1.2%
     105,875 Daimler Chrysler AG.............................     10,964,680
     110,000 Ford Motor Co...................................      6,758,125
     427,800 Meritor Automotive, Inc.........................      7,459,762
                                                                ------------
                                                                  25,182,567
                                                                ------------
             Banks - 10.5%
     131,850 AmSouth Bancorp.................................      5,809,641
      15,600 Astoria Financial Corp..........................        713,700
     160,000 Bank of New York Co., Inc.......................      5,680,000
     130,284 Bank One Corp...................................      6,823,624
     103,125 BankAmerica Corp................................      6,896,484
      70,000 BankBoston Corp.................................      2,585,625
      33,640 BB & T Corp.....................................      1,286,730
     286,500 BSB Bancorp, Inc................................      7,663,875
     135,000 Carolina First Corp.............................      2,961,563
      14,300 Centura Banks, Inc..............................      1,008,150
      40,779 Charter One Financial, Inc......................      1,141,812
      13,521 Commerce Bancorp, Inc...........................        610,128
      55,600 Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.......................      2,887,725
      71,824 First American Corp.............................      2,998,652
     236,250 First Security Corp.............................      4,813,594
     114,550 First Virginia Banks, Inc.......................      5,412,488
      96,476 Firstar Corp....................................      8,507,977
      23,600 FirstMerit Corp.................................        625,400
     100,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc......................      4,431,250
     210,000 Hibernia Corp. Cl. A............................      3,517,500
      10,000 Huntington Bancshares, Inc......................        311,250
      15,100 JSB Financial, Inc..............................        838,050
     221,200 KeyCorp.........................................      7,050,750
      22,650 Keystone Financial, Inc.........................        801,244
     250,000 Marshall & Ilsley Corp..........................     14,812,500
     341,000 Mellon Bank Corp................................     22,847,000
     747,100 Pacific Century Financial Corp..................     16,436,200
     130,000 Peoples Heritage Financial Group................      2,340,000
      42,600 PNC Bank Corp...................................      2,180,588
     230,000 SouthTrust Corp.................................      8,538,750
     140,300 State Street Corp...............................     10,031,450
     113,475 Summit Bancorp..................................      4,631,198
      43,920 Suntrust Banks, Inc.............................      3,093,615
     180,000 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.....................      3,498,750
      12,785 Union Planters Corp.............................        581,718
   1,030,000 Webster Financial Corp..........................     30,771,250
     225,400 Wells Fargo Co..................................      7,874,912
      62,000 Wilmington Trust Corp...........................      3,704,500
                                                                ------------
                                                                 216,719,643
                                                                ------------

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Building, Construction & Furnishings - 3.1%
      64,700 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ...............   $  3,809,213
     360,000 * Furniture Brands International, Inc. .........      8,460,000
     349,100 * Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.................     14,640,381
     218,600 Lennar Corp.....................................      5,984,175
     226,000 Lone Star Industries, Inc.......................      8,305,500
      40,000 Sherwin Williams Co.............................      1,025,000
      70,400 Southdown, Inc..................................      3,911,600
     182,500 * Toll Brothers, Inc............................      4,197,500
     393,200 * US Home Corp..................................     13,958,600
                                                                ------------
                                                                  64,291,969
                                                                ------------
             Business Equipment & Services - 4.7%
     354,000 Air Express International Corp..................      6,681,750
     259,600 * Atlas Air, Inc................................     13,353,175
     794,300 Circle International Group, Inc.................     13,652,031
     180,000 * Compuware Corp................................     11,925,000
     143,000 Convergys Corp..................................      2,574,000
     133,000 Equifax, Inc....................................      5,261,812
      33,436 First Data Corp.................................      1,281,017
     140,000 Petroleum Helicopters, Inc......................      2,310,000
     537,700 Pittston Burlington Group.......................      6,149,944
     224,700 * Platinum Technology Corp......................      2,977,275
     470,000 * Policy Management Systems Corp................     25,233,125
     337,000 Reynolds & Reynolds Co., Cl. A..................      6,740,000
                                                                ------------
                                                                  98,139,129
                                                                ------------
             Capital Goods - 0.4%
     177,200 Caterpillar, Inc................................      7,674,975
                                                                ------------
             Chemical & Agricultural Products - 2.9%
     130,000 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc...................      4,371,250
      44,000 Albemarle Corp..................................      1,020,250
     200,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ...............     10,237,500
     265,000 Engelhard Corp..................................      5,184,062
     165,000 * Grace (W.R.) & Co.............................      2,258,438
      64,300 H.B. Fuller Co..................................      2,764,900
     255,000 Morton International, Inc.......................      6,598,125
     180,000 Nalco Chemical Co...............................      4,950,000
     237,000 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. ............      6,710,062
     260,000 Praxair, Inc....................................      8,401,250
     160,200 Sigma-Aldrich Corp..............................      4,565,700
     175,000 Solutia, Inc....................................      3,346,875
                                                                ------------
                                                                  60,408,412
                                                                ------------
             Communication Systems & Services - 2.2%
     160,000 * AirTouch Communications, Inc..................     15,450,000
     248,820 * American Tower Systems Corp...................      6,407,115
      93,000 * Cisco Systems, Inc............................     10,375,312
     153,292 * MCI WorldCom, Inc.............................     12,225,037
                                                                ------------
                                                                  44,457,464
                                                                ------------
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Consumer Products & Services - 4.4%
     295,200 Black & Decker Corp.............................   $ 15,645,600
      90,000 Colgate-Palmolive Co............................      7,239,375
       9,800 GC Companies, Inc...............................        370,563
     187,000 Gucci Group.....................................     12,867,937
      60,700 Harley-Davidson, Inc............................      3,156,400
     175,100 Harman International Industries, Inc............      7,354,200
     185,000 Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.....................      8,695,000
     177,000 Lancaster Colony Corp...........................      5,033,437
     192,000 Newell Co.......................................      7,980,000
     500,000 Premark International, Inc......................     17,125,000
     368,000 Service Corp....................................      5,842,000
       9,100 Toro Co.........................................        316,225
                                                                ------------
                                                                  91,625,737
                                                                ------------
             Diversified Companies - 0.7%
     135,000 Harnischfeger Industries, Inc...................      1,139,062
     310,000 ITT Industries, Inc.............................     12,419,375
                                                                ------------
                                                                  13,558,437
                                                                ------------
             Electronic Equipment & Services - 1.9%
     220,000 Baldor Electric Co..............................      4,358,750
     110,000 * Dupont Photomasks, Inc........................      5,610,000
     106,000 * Jabil Circuit, Inc............................      7,572,375
     259,800 * KLA-Tencor Corp...............................     15,003,450
     115,000 * Sanmina Corp..................................      7,618,750
                                                                ------------
                                                                  40,163,325
                                                                ------------
             Electrical Equipment & Services - 2.5%
     159,300 Applied Power, Inc. Cl. A.......................      5,894,100
     143,000 Belden, Inc.....................................      2,868,938
      65,000 Diebold, Inc....................................      2,210,000
      10,000 Emerson Electric Co.............................        581,875
     100,000 General Electric Co.............................     10,487,500
     209,000 Honeywell, Inc..................................     13,624,187
     175,100 Perkin Elmer Corp...............................     16,645,444
      18,648 Zilog, Inc......................................          9,324
                                                                ------------
                                                                  52,321,368
                                                                ------------
             Finance & Insurance - 9.1%
     145,000 AFLAC, Inc......................................      6,216,875
     253,300 American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc...........     11,651,800
     107,000 Chubb Corp......................................      6,286,250
     193,750 Citigroup, Inc..................................     10,862,109
     314,750 Edwards (A.G.), Inc.............................     10,662,156
      60,268 Exel Limited Hamilton...........................      3,845,852
     305,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.................     18,910,000
     345,000 Federal National Mortgage Association...........     25,141,875
      42,750 First American Financial Corp...................      1,306,547
     448,740 Frontier Insurance Group, Inc...................      6,759,146
     200,000 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ........     10,387,500

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Finance & Insurance - continued
      75,000 Household International, Inc....................   $  3,295,313
     117,500 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. .......................      2,173,750
     180,132 Legg Mason, Inc. ...............................      5,358,927
     218,500 Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. .................     11,949,219
     105,400 MBIA, Inc. .....................................      6,910,288
      67,500 Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. ..............      1,139,063
      52,300 Mercury General Corp. ..........................      1,987,400
     114,200 MGIC Investment Corp. ..........................      4,182,575
     272,100 Paine Webber Group, Inc. .......................     10,118,719
     208,200 Price (T.) Rowe & Associates, Inc. .............      7,612,312
      85,000 Progressive Corp. ..............................     10,619,687
      18,300 Reinsurance Group Of America....................      1,043,100
     153,000 UNUM Corp. .....................................      9,246,937
                                                                ------------
                                                                 187,667,400
                                                                ------------
             Food & Beverage Products - 1.4%
      90,000 Bestfoods ......................................      4,528,125
     350,000 Darden Restaurants, Inc. .......................      6,562,500
      20,000 International Home Foods, Inc. .................        352,500
     365,000 Sara Lee Corp. .................................      9,307,500
     416,500 * Vlasic Foods International, Inc. .............      8,434,125
                                                                ------------
                                                                  29,184,750
                                                                ------------
             Forest Products - 0.1%
     120,000 Deltic Timber Corp. ............................      2,865,000
                                                                ------------
             Healthcare Products &
              Services -  10.3%
     235,000 Abbott Laboratories.............................     10,912,812
     592,200 * Acuson Corp. .................................      7,920,675
     300,000 American Home Products Corp. ...................     17,606,250
      50,000 Amerisource Health Corp. .......................      3,875,000
      65,000 Baxter International, Inc. .....................      4,610,938
     160,800 Beckman Coulter, Inc. ..........................      8,019,900
     160,000 Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. .....................      2,310,000
     110,000 * Elan Corp Plc, ADR ...........................      7,425,000
     362,000 First Health Group Corp. .......................      6,108,750
     185,000 * Foundation Health Systems, Inc. ..............      1,699,688
      60,000 HCR Manor Care, Inc. ...........................      1,605,000
     421,625 * Health Management Associates, Inc. Cl. A .....      5,296,664
     246,000 * HEALTHSOUTH Corp. ............................      3,336,375
      45,100 Johnson & Johnson...............................      3,833,500
      63,000 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ..............................      5,902,312
     650,000 * Lincare Holdings, Inc. .......................     22,750,000
     330,000 McKesson HBOC, Inc. ............................     24,791,250
      20,000 Merck & Co., Inc. ..............................      2,935,000
     283,800 Owens & Minor, Inc. ............................      3,724,875
      84,200 Pfizer, Inc. ...................................     10,830,225
     531,500 * Quorum Health Group, Inc. ....................      4,517,750
     382,000 Schering-Plough Corp. ..........................     20,819,000
     225,000 Shared Medical System Corp. ....................     10,575,000
</TABLE>

                                       49
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                            Growth and Income Fund

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>           

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Healthcare Products &
              Services - continued
     256,000 * Sybron International Corp. ...................   $  6,912,000
     120,000 * Tenet Healthcare Corp. .......................      2,490,000
     162,000 Warner-Lambert Co. .............................     11,694,375
      39,558 West Co., Inc. .................................      1,389,475
                                                                ------------
                                                                 213,891,814
                                                                ------------
             Industrial Specialty Products & Services - 6.1%
     527,400 AptarGroup, Inc. ...............................     14,404,613
     164,625 Autoliv, Inc. ..................................      6,595,289
     400,000 Bemis Co., Inc. ................................     13,600,000
     150,000 Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. ...................      7,218,750
      42,000 Carpenter Technology Corp. .....................      1,249,500
      71,800 Danaher Corp. ..................................      3,841,300
      52,500 Donaldson, Inc. ................................        961,406
     244,000 Dover Corp. ....................................      7,579,250
     137,118 Flowserve Corp. ................................      2,305,296
      21,900 * Halter Marine Group, Inc. ....................        112,238
     235,300 JLG Industries, Inc. ...........................      3,705,975
      33,500 Magna International, Inc. Cl. A ................      1,989,063
     250,000 Parker Hannifin Corp. ..........................      7,687,500
     604,100 Pittston Brink's Group..........................     17,443,387
     260,000 Snap-on, Inc. ..................................      8,840,000
     280,000 * Strattec Security Corp. ......................      8,995,000
     216,300 * UCAR International, Inc. .....................      3,988,031
     680,300 * Unova, Inc. ..................................     12,883,181
      25,000 Vulcan Materials Co. ...........................      3,439,063
                                                                ------------
                                                                 126,838,842
                                                                ------------
             Information Services & Technology - 2.1%
     183,800 * Adaptec, Inc. ................................      4,250,375
      80,000 * Applied Materials, Inc. ......................      5,055,000
      13,300 * Choicepoint, Inc. ............................        724,850
     400,000 Computer Associates International, Inc. ........     20,250,000
      40,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. ............................      3,135,000
      72,000 Intel Corp. ....................................     10,147,500
                                                                ------------
                                                                  43,562,725
                                                                ------------
             Leisure & Tourism - 0.8%
     100,000 Carnival, Corp. Cl. A...........................      4,906,250
     273,800 Gaylord Entertainment Co. ......................      8,248,225
     166,351 Starwood Hotels & Resorts.......................      4,158,775
                                                                ------------
                                                                  17,313,250
                                                                ------------
             Manufacturing - Distributing - 0.3%
     301,400 Hussmann International, Inc. ...................      5,048,450
                                                                ------------
             Metal Products & Services - 0.3%
     356,700 * Steel Dynamics, Inc. .........................      5,930,137
                                                                ------------
             Oil/Energy - 3.9%
      20,000 Amerada Hess Corp. .............................        950,000
      50,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. .......................      1,353,125
      38,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. .........................      2,180,250

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                         Value
 <C>         <S>                                               <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Oil/Energy - continued
     320,000 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A......................   $  4,060,000
     507,400 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. Cl. A....................      6,659,625
      70,000 Chevron Corp. .................................      5,232,500
      90,000 Coastal Corp. .................................      2,683,125
     164,300 * Denbury Resources, Inc. .....................        852,306
     160,000 * Houston Exploration Co. .....................      2,280,000
     110,300 Kerr-McGee Corp. ..............................      3,743,306
     209,500 Murphy Oil Corp. ..............................      7,646,750
     203,900 National Fuel Gas Co. .........................      8,627,519
     221,200 * Nuevo Energy Co. ............................      1,880,200
     495,000 * Oryx Energy Co. .............................      6,032,813
     400,000 * Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. .............      2,325,000
     321,600 Southwestern Energy Co. .......................      2,251,200
      50,000 Texaco, Inc. ..................................      2,368,750
     100,000 Tosco Corp. ...................................      2,175,000
     305,000 Transocean Offshore, Inc. .....................      7,796,562
     113,520 Union Pacific Resource Group, Inc. ............        915,255
     274,000 Williams Companies, Inc. ......................      9,042,000
                                                               ------------
                                                                 81,055,286
                                                               ------------
             Oil Field Services - 1.1%
     260,300 * Atwood Oceanics, Inc. .......................      5,173,463
     113,140 Halliburton Co. ...............................      3,358,844
      96,500 Helmerich & Payne, Inc. .......................      1,694,781
     824,500 * R & B Falcon Corp. ..........................      5,823,031
      61,714 Schlumberger Ltd. .............................      2,939,129
     535,500 * Varco International, Inc. ...................      3,915,844
                                                               ------------
                                                                 22,905,092
                                                               ------------
             Paper & Packaging - 0.3%
      88,440 * Sealed Air Corp. ............................      4,692,847
      75,000 Westvaco Corp. ................................      1,654,688
                                                               ------------
                                                                  6,347,535
                                                               ------------
             Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting &
              Entertainment - 5.5%
      84,000 * Chancellor Media Corp. ......................      4,830,000
      49,805 Comcast Corp. .................................      3,385,962
     255,000 * Emmis Broadcasting Corp. Cl. A...............     13,068,750
     360,000 * Jacor Communications, Inc. ..................     25,065,000
      40,000 Knight-Ridder, Inc. ...........................      1,910,000
      15,000 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ...................      1,621,875
     305,700 New York Times Co. ............................     10,489,331
      43,000 Scripps (E.W.) Co. Cl. A.......................      1,905,438
     370,000 TCA Cable TV, Inc. ............................     14,268,125
     500,000 Time Warner, Inc. .............................     31,250,000
       2,800 Washington Post Co., Cl. B.....................      1,593,200
      95,000 * Young Broadcasting, Inc. Cl. A...............      4,298,750
                                                               ------------
                                                                113,686,431
                                                               ------------
             Real Estate - 2.1%
      40,000 AMB Property Corp. REIT........................        885,000
      20,000 Apartment Investment & Management Co. Cl. A
              REIT..........................................        747,500
      60,000 Arden Realty Group, Inc. REIT..................      1,350,000
</TABLE>

                                       50
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N 
                            Growth and Income Fund

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                          Value
 <C>         <S>                                                <C>          

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Real Estate - continued
      71,200 Berkshire Realty Co., Inc. REIT.................   $    694,200
     158,000 Brandywine Realty Trust REIT....................      2,607,000
     145,000 CarrAmerica Realty Corp. REIT...................      3,190,000
      20,000 CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. REIT..........        492,500
      98,000 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT .......      2,076,375
      75,000 Entertainment Properties Trust REIT.............      1,237,500
      66,100 Gables Residential Trust REIT...................      1,516,169
     125,000 Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT........................      2,726,562
      64,000 Kimco Realty Corp. REIT.........................      2,496,000
      85,000 Liberty Property Trust REIT.....................      2,008,125
     160,000 *Lodgian, Inc. .................................        720,000
     260,000 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT.....................      7,767,500
     195,000 Meditrust Co. REIT..............................      3,059,062
     150,695 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. REIT.........        809,986
     132,600 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT.............      1,102,238
     255,300 Weeks Corp. REIT................................      7,020,750
                                                                ------------
                                                                  42,506,467
                                                                ------------
             Retailing & Wholesale - 4.0%
     211,600 *Autozone, Inc. ................................      7,167,950
     169,000 Avnet, Inc. ....................................      7,594,437
     267,000 *Cole National Corp. Cl. A......................      4,438,875
      70,000 Home Depot, Inc. ...............................      4,226,250
     215,000 J. C. Penney Co., Inc. .........................      8,425,312
      92,600 Longs Drug Stores Corp. ........................      3,547,738
     290,000 Lowe's Companies, Inc. .........................     16,910,625
     222,000 Rite Aid Corp. .................................     10,905,750
     456,685 *Saks, Inc. ....................................     16,811,717
      20,400 Shopko Stores, Inc. ............................        647,700
       8,200 Timberland Co. Cl. A............................        369,000
      34,500 *Tommy Hilfiger Corp. ..........................      2,432,250
                                                                ------------
                                                                  83,477,604
                                                                ------------
             Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 0.5%
     168,000 *Aspect Telecommunications Corp. ...............      1,512,000
      50,000 Mediaone Group, Inc. ...........................      2,803,125
     110,000 Scientific Atlanta, Inc. .......................      3,423,750
      70,000 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A...........      3,141,250
                                                                ------------
                                                                  10,880,125
                                                                ------------
             Thrift Institutions - 0.0%
      27,900 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. .........................        645,188
                                                                ------------
             Transportation - 4.0%
      65,000 AMR Corp. ......................................      3,818,750
     570,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. .............     19,736,250
     612,600 Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ..........     29,098,500
     227,750 Southwest Airlines Co. .........................      6,120,781
      30,000 UAL Corp. ......................................      1,867,500

<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                         Value
 <C>         <S>                                              <C>           

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
             Transportation - continued
     413,000 Union Pacific Corp. ..........................   $  21,243,688
      25,000 US Airways Group, Inc. .......................       1,243,750
                                                              -------------
                                                                 83,129,219
                                                              -------------
             Utilities - Electric - 1.4%
      64,000 Commonwealth Energy System....................       2,512,000
     140,900 Energy East Corp. ............................       7,212,319
      70,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .....................       2,126,250
      40,000 Texas Utilities Co. ..........................       1,757,500
     400,000 TNP Enterprises, Inc. ........................      14,225,000
                                                              -------------
                                                                 27,833,069
                                                              -------------
             Utilities - Gas - 1.0%
     265,800 Keyspan Energy................................       7,193,212
     288,100 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ....................       6,770,350
     220,300 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ...............       6,801,763
                                                              -------------
                                                                 20,765,325
                                                              -------------
             Utilities - Telephone - 1.7%
     101,200 AT&T Corp. ...................................       9,183,900
     150,000 Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ..........      10,200,000
     143,000 Cincinnati Bell, Inc. ........................       2,904,687
     175,000 GTE Corp. ....................................      11,812,500
                                                              -------------
                                                                 34,101,087
                                                              -------------
             Total Common Stocks (cost $1,480,847,819).....   1,906,298,113
                                                              -------------
 PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.0%
             Healthcare Products &
              Services - 0.0%
     130,000 *Fresenius National Med Care, Inc. Series D
              (cost $22,740)...............................           3,250
                                                              -------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 0.2%
             Paper & Packaging - 0.2%
      78,375 *Sealed Air Corp., $2.00, Series A
              (cost $2,426,965)............................       4,163,672
                                                              -------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                         Value
 <C>         <S>                                              <C>           
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 8.9%
             Commercial Paper - 7.3%
 $16,290,000 Bank Austria Inc.
              5.13%, 2/22/1999.............................      16,241,252
  28,020,000 Four Winds Funding Corp. 4.85%, 2/26/1999.....      27,925,627
             FPL Fuels, Inc.
  18,660,000 5.25%, 2/1/1999...............................      18,660,000
   9,692,000 5.35%, 2/12/1999..............................       9,676,156
  45,700,000 General Electric Capital Corp. 5.43%,
              2/3/1999.....................................      45,686,214
     880,000 GTE Corp.
              4.85%, 2/24/1999.............................         877,273
  29,350,000 Martin Marietta Materials 5.30%, 2/12/1999....      29,302,470
</TABLE>

                                       51
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Growth and Income Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - continued
             Commercial Paper - continued
 $   285,000 Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. 5.45%, 2/9/1999.....   $      284,655
   2,040,000 Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc. 5.40%, 2/8/1999.........        2,037,858
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     150,691,505
                                                                  --------------

<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                            Value
 <C>         <S>                                                 <C>

             U.S. Government Agency Obligations - 1.6%
             Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
 $ 8,430,000 4.69%, 2/18/1999.................................   $    8,411,330
     800,000 4.72%, 2/18/1999.................................          798,217
  25,000,000 4.73%, 2/19/1999.................................       24,940,875
                                                                 --------------
                                                                     34,150,422
                                                                 --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $184,841,927).............................      184,841,927
                                                                 --------------
</TABLE> 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                   <C>    <C>
     Total Investments -(cost $1,668,139,451)...........   101.2%  2,095,306,962
     Other Assets and Liabilities - net.................    (1.2)   (25,662,004)
                                                           -----  --------------
     Net Assets.........................................   100.0% $2,069,644,958
                                                           =====  ==============
</TABLE>
*  Non-income producing securities.

Summary of Abbreviations:
ADR  American Depository Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       52
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund 

                            Schedule of Investments
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                                Value
 <C>       <S>                                                       <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - 75.6%
           Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 3.0%
   525,900 Dana Corp..............................................   $21,627,637
    50,000 General Motors Corp. ..................................     4,487,500
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      26,115,137
                                                                     -----------
           Banks - 13.9%
    11,775 AmSouth Bancorp........................................       518,836
   100,000 Associated Banc Corp. .................................     3,137,500
   284,000 BancorpSouth, Inc. ....................................     4,881,250
   300,300 BancWest Corp. ........................................    13,475,962
   170,100 Bankers Trust Corp. ...................................    14,798,700
   192,500 + CB Bancshares, Inc. .................................     6,160,000
    49,700 CCB Financial Corp. ...................................     2,702,437
    77,606 F&M National Corp......................................     2,269,976
    35,100 First American Corp. ..................................     1,465,425
    40,000 First Tennessee National Corp. ........................     1,462,500
    20,750 First Virginia Banks, Inc. ............................       980,438
     8,200 FirstMerit Corp. ......................................       217,300
    30,000 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ...........................     1,329,375
   319,410 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ..................     5,350,117
   100,000 KeyCorp ...............................................     3,187,500
    18,271 M & T Bank Corp. ......................................     9,135,500
   100,000 Marshall & Ilsley Corp. ...............................     5,925,000
   477,346 Mercantile Bancorp, Inc. ..............................    21,450,736
    15,625 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc. .............       492,188
   116,500 Pacific Century Financial Corp. .......................     2,563,000
   173,500 PNC Bank Corp. ........................................     8,881,031
    37,840 Premier National Bancorp, Inc. ........................       662,200
    79,254 Second Bancorp, Inc. ..................................     1,758,448
    10,000 Summit Bancorp ........................................       408,125
   111,375 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ..........................     2,164,852
     7,000 United Bankshares, Inc. ...............................       169,750
   321,960 USBancorp, Inc. .......................................     5,795,280
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     121,343,426
                                                                     -----------
           Building, Construction &
            Furnishings - 2.1%
   304,500 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ......................    17,927,437
    44,400 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. ....................................       799,200
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      18,726,637
                                                                     -----------
           Capital Goods - 1.3%
   271,500 Caterpillar, Inc. .....................................    11,759,344
                                                                     -----------
           Chemical & Agricultural
            Products - 0.6%
   100,000 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. ......................     5,118,750
                                                                     -----------
           Consumer Products &
            Services - 1.2%
   120,000 Newell Co. ............................................     4,987,500
   200,000 Service Corp. International............................     3,175,000
   115,000 Tupperware Corp. ......................................     2,364,688
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      10,527,188
                                                                     -----------
           Diversified Companies - 0.4%
   225,000 Tomkins Plc, ADR.......................................     3,346,875
                                                                     -----------

<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                               Value
 <C>       <S>                                                       <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
           Electrical Equipment &
            Services - 3.8%
    78,000 Emerson Electric Co. ..................................   $4,538,625
     5,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. A....................................      175,000
   230,000 Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B....................................    8,423,750
   448,900 Thomas & Betts Corp. ..................................   19,835,769
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     32,973,144
                                                                     ----------
           Finance & Insurance - 6.8%
    50,000 Edwards (A.G.), Inc. ..................................    1,693,750
    79,000 Exel Limited Hamilton..................................    5,041,188
   100,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd................................    1,850,000
   195,800 Ohio Casualty Corp.....................................    7,783,050
   743,000 Paine Webber Group, Inc................................   27,630,312
   143,200 Provident Co., Inc. ...................................    6,139,700
   290,000 Torchmark Corp.........................................    9,515,625
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     59,653,625
                                                                     ----------
           Food & Beverage Products - 0.2%
     2,000 Sara Lee Corp. ........................................       51,000
    62,400 Sbarro, Inc............................................    1,673,100
                                                                     ----------
                                                                      1,724,100
                                                                     ----------
           Healthcare Products &
            Services - 6.1%
   270,000 American Home Products Corp. ..........................   15,845,625
   175,000 Baxter International, Inc. ............................   12,414,062
   200,200 Beckman Coulter, Inc. .................................    9,984,975
    59,400 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co................................    7,614,338
   152,500 Shared Medical System Corp. ...........................    7,167,500
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     53,026,500
                                                                     ----------
           Industrial Specialty Products & Services - 0.0%
    20,000 Timken Co..............................................      433,750
                                                                     ----------
           Information Services &
            Technology - 2.1%
   100,000 Hewlett-Packard Co.....................................    7,837,500
   200,000 *Network Associates, Inc. .............................   10,475,000
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     18,312,500
                                                                     ----------
           Oil/Energy - 6.1%
    50,000 Amerada Hess Corp. ....................................    2,375,000
   337,000 Atlantic Richfield Co. ................................   19,335,375
     6,100 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ..........................      313,006
   293,100 Equitable Resources, Inc. .............................    7,638,919
   548,200 Williams Companies, Inc. ..............................   18,090,600
   158,000 YPF SA, ADR............................................    5,036,250
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     52,789,150
                                                                     ----------
           Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting 
             & Entertainment - 0.2%
    50,000 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. .....................    1,437,500
                                                                     ----------
           Real Estate - 4.5%
    23,800 Burnham Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT..................      282,625
   838,300 Canadian Hotel Properties REIT.........................    4,337,473
   124,900 Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT...............    5,081,869
   312,700 Gables Residential Trust REIT..........................    7,172,556
</TABLE>

                                       53
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                              Value
 <C>       <S>                                                    <C>

 COMMON STOCKS - continued
           Real Estate - continued
   462,000 Kranzco Realty Trust REIT...........................   $    6,525,750
   850,000 Meditrust Co. REIT..................................       13,334,375
    75,000 Post Property, Inc. REIT............................        2,793,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      39,528,398
                                                                  --------------
           Thrift Institutions - 0.4%
    56,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc............................          997,500
   122,000 Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc...........................        1,952,000
    10,430 Peoples Heritage Financial Group....................          187,740
                                                                  --------------
                                                                       3,137,240
                                                                  --------------
           Transportation - 2.6%
   150,000 * UAL Corp..........................................        9,337,500
   260,000 Union Pacific Corp..................................       13,373,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      22,711,250
                                                                  --------------
           Utilities - Electric - 4.2%
    10,650 Black Hills Corp....................................          264,253
     6,500 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.                           262,031
   239,000 FPL Group, Inc......................................       13,115,125
   123,826 Interstate Energy Corp..............................        3,559,998
    65,524 LG & E Energy Corp..................................        1,728,196
   180,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc............................        4,140,000
   125,000 Midamerican Energy Holdings Co......................        3,351,563
   146,500 Potomac Electric Power Co...........................        3,415,281
    51,500 PP&L Resources, Inc.................................        1,374,406
   150,200 TNP Enterprises, Inc................................        5,341,487
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      36,552,340
                                                                  --------------
           Utilities - Gas - 5.6%
    78,300 Chesapeake Utilities Corp...........................        1,380,038
 1,035,848 Keyspan Energy......................................       28,032,636
   336,300 Peoples Energy Corp.................................       11,602,350
    98,100 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.......................        3,028,837
    10,000 South Jersey Industries, Inc........................          256,250
   190,381 UGI Corp............................................        4,176,483
     8,300 Yankee Energy System, Inc...........................          229,288
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      48,705,882
                                                                  --------------
           Utilities - Telephone - 7.4%
   305,100 Frontier Corp.......................................       11,021,738
   250,000 GTE Corp............................................       16,875,000
   100,000 * Nortel Inversora SA MEDS..........................        4,462,500
 1,503,000 Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.......................       31,093,312
    20,000 U.S. West, Inc......................................        1,233,750
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      64,686,300
                                                                  --------------
           Other Securities - 3.1%.............................       26,944,981
                                                                  --------------
           Total Common Stocks (cost $633,982,081).............      659,554,017
                                                                  --------------
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 20.2%
           Aerospace & Defense - 1.4%
   200,000 * Loral Space & Communications......................       12,050,000
                                                                  --------------
           Banks - 0.7%
   210,000 National Australia Bank, Ltd. 7.875%, Series UNIT...        6,378,750
                                                                  --------------
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                               Value
 <C>       <S>                                                      <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - continued
           Communication Systems &
            Services - 2.1%
   200,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc. 6.00%, Series B.........   $15,675,000
    50,000 Qwest Trends Trust
            5.75%, 144A..........................................     2,668,750
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     18,343,750
                                                                    -----------
           Electrical Equipment &
            Services - 0.8%
   165,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust 6.75%, 144A..........     6,930,000
                                                                    -----------
           Finance & Insurance - 2.0%
   270,000 Frontier Financing Trust 6.25%, TOPRS.................    12,050,100
   100,000 St. Paul Capital
            6.00%, MIPS..........................................     5,800,000
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     17,850,100
                                                                    -----------
           Food & Beverage Products - 3.2%
   200,000 Dole Food Co.
            7.00%, TRACES........................................     6,100,000
   400,000 Wendys Financing I
            5.00%, Series A, TECONS..............................    21,450,000
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     27,550,000
                                                                    -----------
           Leisure & Tourism - 0.4%
   170,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
            7.00%, CRESTS, 144A..................................     3,655,000
                                                                    -----------
           Metal Products & Services - 0.3%
   100,000 Timet Capital Trust I
            6.625%, BUCS, 144A...................................     2,512,500
                                                                    -----------
           Oil/Energy - 0.5%
    95,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
            8.50%, Series A......................................     2,565,000
    48,000 Nuevo Energy Co.
            5.75%, Series A, TECONS..............................     1,581,000
                                                                    -----------
                                                                      4,146,000
                                                                    -----------
           Oil Field Services - 0.4%
   100,000 Evi, Inc.
            5.00%................................................     3,062,500
                                                                    -----------
           Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment -
             1.0%
    85,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
            7.00%, ACES (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc.
            common stock)........................................     9,041,875
                                                                    -----------
           Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 4.2%
   700,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
            5.75%, 3/01/12.......................................    36,841,000
                                                                    -----------
           Transportation - 2.1%
    68,700 CNF Trust I
            5.00%, Series A, TECONS (exchangeable for CNF
            Transportation, Inc. common stock)...................     4,199,288
   280,000 Union Pacific Capital Trust 6.25%, 144A...............    14,000,000
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     18,199,288
                                                                    -----------
</TABLE>

                                       54
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                            Income and Growth Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Shares                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - continued
             Utilities - Electric - 0.3%
     168,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A. 10.50%, DECS.............   $    2,604,000
                                                                  --------------
             Utilities - Gas - 0.8%
     394,500 MCN Corp.
              8.75%, PRIDES....................................        7,199,625
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Preferred
              (cost $187,792,487)..............................      176,364,388
                                                                  --------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 2.9%
             Electrical Equipment &
              Services - 2.1%
 $ 9,700,000 * Photronics, Inc.
              6.00%, 6/1/2004..................................       10,815,500
  16,000,000 * Solectron Corp.
              0.00%, 1/27/2019, 144A...........................        7,640,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                      18,455,500
                                                                  --------------
             Oil/Energy - 0.1%
     820,000 Swift Energy Co.
              6.25%, 11/15/2006................................          596,550
                                                                  --------------
<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                             Value
 <C>         <S>                                                  <C>

 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - continued
             Transportation - 0.7%
 $ 5,000,000 Continental Airlines Inc.
              6.75%, 4/15/2006.................................   $    6,093,750
                                                                  --------------
             Total Convertible Debentures
              (cost $24,356,034)...............................       25,145,800
                                                                  --------------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.6%
             U.S. Government Agency Obligations - 1.6%
   1,720,000 Federal Farm Credit Bank
              Discount Notes
              4.725%, 2/24/1999................................        1,714,808
             Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes
   1,600,000  4.74%, 2/8/1999..................................        1,598,525
     790,000  4.72%, 2/16/1999.................................          788,446
   9,690,000  4.72%, 2/18/1999.................................        9,668,402
                                                                  --------------
             Total Short-Term Investments
              (cost $13,770,181)...............................       13,770,181
                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>
     Total Investments -
      (cost $859,900,783).................................. 100.3%  874,834,386
     Other Assets and
      Liabilities - net....................................  (0.3)   (2,501,384)
                                                            -----  ------------
     Net Assets  .......................................... 100.0% $872,333,002
                                                            =====  ============
</TABLE>
*    Non-income producing securities.
+    Investment in a non-controlled affiliate. The Fund owns over 5% of the out-
     standing voting shares of CB Bancshares, Inc. The Fund has a cost basis of
     $6,024,625 in the issue at January 31, 1999. The Fund earned $3,240 of in-
     come from this investment during the six months ending January 31, 1999.
144A Security that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
     Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security has been deter-
     mined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.

Summary of Abbreviations:
ACES   Automatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADR    American Depository Receipts
BUCS   Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
CRESTS Convertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECS   Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
MEDS   Mandatorially Exchangeable Debt Securities
MIPS   Monthly Income Preferred Shares
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
TECONS Term Convertible Shares
TOPRS  Trust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACES Trust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       55
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund 

                            Schedule of Investments
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                               Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - 81.0%
         Aerospace & Defense - 2.7%
 214,300 Curtiss Wright Corp. ...................................   $  8,009,462
                                                                    ------------
         Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 0.6%
  15,000 Arvin Industries, Inc. .................................        593,438
 103,200 Simpson Industries, Inc. ...............................      1,083,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,677,038
                                                                    ------------
         Banks - 10.5%
 108,750 ABC Bancorp.............................................      1,318,594
  31,500 Amcore Financial, Inc. .................................        724,500
   6,000 Bancorp South, Inc. ....................................        103,125
  20,000 Bank of Essex...........................................        340,000
  61,700 Britton & Koontz Capital Corp. .........................      1,203,150
  28,800 BSB Bancorp, Inc. ......................................        770,400
   2,625 Carrollton Bancorp .....................................         85,313
  25,000 CB Bancshares, Inc. ....................................        800,000
  34,177 Commercial Bankshares, Inc. ............................        743,350
   8,200 Community Bancshares, Inc. .............................        211,150
  60,000 Cowlitz Bancorp.........................................        465,000
   2,500 First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. ............................         90,938
  60,000 First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc. Cl. A..................      1,102,500
  95,552 First State Bancorp.....................................      1,815,488
 221,900 Granite State Bankshares, Inc. .........................      4,798,587
  77,868 Hubco, Inc. ............................................      2,520,976
  32,000 Independent Bankshares, Inc. ...........................        344,000
  20,943 Interchange Financial Services Corp. ...................        350,795
  15,000 James River Bankshares, Inc. ...........................        255,000
  30,000 New England Community Bancorp, Inc......................        616,875
   4,000 Northern States Financial Corp..........................         96,000
  87,125 One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc................      2,744,437
  40,000 Pacific Bank, N.A. .....................................        810,000
   4,668 Pacific Century Financial Corp. ........................        102,696
  16,082 Premier National Bancorp, Inc. .........................        281,435
  90,000 Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ............................      1,136,250
  67,104 Republic Security Financial Corp. ......................        616,518
 214,000 SierraWest Bancorp .....................................      5,403,500
  24,000 South Alabama Bancorp, Inc. ............................        372,000
  60,000 Southside Bancshares Corp. .............................        757,500
  11,250 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. ...........................        218,672
  23,200 Union Bankshares Corp. .................................        382,800
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      31,581,549
                                                                    ------------
         Building, Construction &
          Furnishings - 6.4%
  50,000 American Woodmark Corp. ................................      1,893,750
   3,000 Craftmade International, Inc. ..........................         49,500
 150,000 D.R. Horton, Inc. ......................................      3,168,750
  76,714 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. .........................      1,332,906
  80,000 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. .....................................      1,440,000

<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                               Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Building, Construction &
          Furnishings - continued
 100,000 Pillowtex Corp. ........................................   $  2,193,750
 280,000 Shelby Williams Industries, Inc. .......................      3,710,000
 210,500 Standard Pacific Corp. .................................      2,947,000
  65,100 TJ International, Inc. .................................      1,570,537
  42,413 *Toll Brothers, Inc. ...................................        975,499
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      19,281,692
                                                                    ------------
         Business Equipment &
          Services - 0.9%
 165,400 Tab Products Co. .......................................        951,050
  60,000 *Zebra Technologies Corp. Cl. A.........................      1,811,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,762,300
                                                                    ------------
         Consumer Products &
          Services - 9.1%
 311,500 CPI Corp. ..............................................      8,235,281
  93,500 General Housewares Corp. ...............................      1,273,938
 110,000 Lancaster Colony Corp. .................................      3,128,125
 196,500 Matthews International Corp. Cl. A......................      5,551,125
 114,100 Mikasa, Inc. ...........................................      1,297,888
 100,500 Polaris Industries, Inc. ...............................      3,303,937
 146,100 Stride Rite Corp. ......................................      1,442,738
 328,600 York Group, Inc. .......................................      3,306,537
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      27,539,569
                                                                    ------------
         Electronic Equipment &
          Services - 3.1%
 338,700 Boston Acoustics, Inc. .................................      7,959,450
  50,000 *Hadco Corp. ...........................................      1,500,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       9,459,450
                                                                    ------------
         Electrical Equipment &
          Services - 2.3%
 292,800 Helix Technology Corp. .................................      6,002,400
  80,000 Kent Electronics Corp. .................................      1,025,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       7,027,400
                                                                    ------------
         Finance & Insurance - 2.2%
  15,000 Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc. .................        375,000
   5,000 LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd. ...............................         92,500
 164,900 Morgan Keegan, Inc. ....................................      2,978,506
 122,500 Pxre Corp. .............................................      2,503,594
  16,000 Trenwick Group, Inc. ...................................        528,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       6,477,600
                                                                    ------------
         Food & Beverage Products - 3.5%
 121,220 Bridgford Foods Corp. ..................................      1,515,250
 200,000 International Multifoods Corp. .........................      4,825,000
  20,000 Lance, Inc. ............................................        372,500
  93,000 Michael Foods, Inc. ....................................      2,080,875
  77,300 Smithfield Companies, Inc. .............................        589,412
  15,000 Smucker (J. M.) Co. ....................................        337,500
  35,000 Smucker (J. M.) Co. Cl. A...............................        875,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      10,595,537
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>

                                       56
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                              Value
 <C>     <S>                                                       <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Healthcare Products &
          Services - 1.6%
 130,000 *ADAC Laboratories.....................................   $  2,868,125
  50,000 Jones Pharma, Inc. ....................................      1,593,750
  18,700 Kewaunee Scientific Corp. .............................        212,713
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,674,588
                                                                   ------------
         Industrial Specialty Products &
          Services - 3.7%
  50,000 Badger Meter, Inc. ....................................      1,831,250
 100,000 Federal Signal Corp. ..................................      2,656,250
  64,100 Gorman Rupp Co. .......................................      1,065,663
  15,500 Graco, Inc. ...........................................        379,750
 116,374 Hach Co. ..............................................      1,367,394
 254,474 Hach Co. Cl. A.........................................      2,481,121
  18,700 Met-Pro Corp. .........................................        216,219
  46,400 Spartech Corp. ........................................      1,107,800
   2,200 Superior Telecom, Inc. ................................         97,350
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     11,202,797
                                                                   ------------
         Information Services &
          Technology - 0.2%
  32,500 Timberline Software Corp. .............................        546,406
                                                                   ------------
         Machinery - Diversified - 1.3%
 235,250 Hardinge, Inc. ........................................      3,778,703
                                                                   ------------
         Oil/Energy - 4.3%
 201,900 Berry Petroleum Co. Cl. A..............................      2,561,606
 235,500 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. Cl. A............................      3,090,938
 155,600 Penn Virginia Corp. ...................................      3,189,800
 100,909 Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. .............................      1,551,476
 370,000 Southwestern Energy Co. ...............................      2,590,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,983,820
                                                                   ------------
         Oil Field Services - 0.9%
 146,200 Lufkin Industries, Inc. ...............................      2,722,975
                                                                   ------------
         Paper & Packaging - 0.7%
 154,050 Tuscarora, Inc. .......................................      2,147,072
                                                                   ------------
         Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment -
           0.9%
  41,300 Banta Corp. ...........................................        986,038
 116,300 Bowne & Co., Inc. .....................................      1,788,112
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,774,150
                                                                   ------------
         Real Estate - 3.2%
   6,291 Bradley Real Estate, Inc. REIT.........................        126,606
 230,000 Eastgroup Properties, Inc. REIT........................      4,211,875
  60,000 Innkeepers USA Trust REIT..............................        697,500
  95,000 Parkway Properties, Inc. REIT..........................      3,010,313
 100,000 RFS Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT.........................      1,268,750
  50,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.REIT.....................        415,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      9,730,669
                                                                   ------------
         Retailing & Wholesale - 2.2%
  48,200 Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. ...........................      2,301,550
  75,000 Freds, Inc. ...........................................        970,313

<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                         <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Retailing & Wholesale - continued
  36,900 Longs Drug Stores Corp. .................................   $ 1,413,731
 200,000 Pier 1 Imports, Inc. ....................................     1,900,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       6,585,594
                                                                     -----------
         Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 4.5%
 250,000 Communications Systems, Inc. ............................     2,656,250
 349,695 Hickory Tech Corp. ......................................     4,633,459
 200,000 Scientific Atlanta, Inc. ................................     6,225,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      13,514,709
                                                                     -----------
         Textile & Apparel - 0.5%
  53,900 Oxford Industries, Inc. .................................     1,411,506
                                                                     -----------
         Thrift Institutions - 4.7%
  32,500 Abington Bancorp, Inc. ..................................       491,563
  16,800 Bancorp Connecticut, Inc. ...............................       259,350
 228,394 Community Savings Bankshares, Inc. ......................     2,797,826
  92,000 First Coastal Bankshares, Inc. ..........................     2,162,000
   6,000 First Essex Bancorp, Inc. ...............................       106,875
  16,800 *Golden St. Bancorp, Inc. ...............................       313,950
  50,000 Harbor Florida Bancshares, Inc. .........................       556,250
 312,900 Horizon Financial Corp. .................................     4,238,817
  38,000 Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. ..............................       608,000
  69,200 Metrowest Bank...........................................       441,150
 100,000 St. Paul Bancorp, Inc. ..................................     2,312,500
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      14,288,281
                                                                     -----------
         Transportation - 0.5%
  50,000 ASA Holdings, Inc. ......................................     1,562,500
                                                                     -----------
         Utilities - Electric - 2.6%
 136,800 Madison Gas & Electric Co. ..............................     2,907,000
 135,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ...............................     3,105,000
 100,300 Public Service Co. of New Mexico.........................     1,886,894
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       7,898,894
                                                                     -----------
         Utilities - Gas - 5.9%
  82,200 Chesapeake Utilities Corp. ..............................     1,448,775
  15,000 Connecticut Energy Corp. ................................       405,938
  80,000 CTG Resources, Inc. .....................................     1,810,000
  64,800 Delta Natural Gas Co., Inc. .............................     1,166,400
  20,000 Eastern Enterprises......................................       805,000
  27,400 NUI Corp. ...............................................       623,350
  36,600 Public Service Co. of North Carolina, Inc. ..............       848,663
 450,100 Semco Energy, Inc. ......................................     7,314,125
  85,500 UGI Corp. ...............................................     1,875,656
  48,100 Yankee Energy System, Inc. ..............................     1,328,762
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      17,626,669
                                                                     -----------
         Other Securities - 2.0%..................................     6,016,424
                                                                     -----------
         Total Common Stocks
          (cost $251,927,418).....................................   243,877,354
                                                                     -----------
</TABLE>

                                       57
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                             Small Cap Value Fund 

                       Schedule of Investments (continued)
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                         <C>
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 4.6%
         Electrical Equipment &
         Services - 1.6%
 110,000 Pioneer Standard Financial Trust
          6.75%, 144A.............................................   $ 4,620,000
                                                                     -----------
         Finance & Insurance - 1.9%
  12,000 American Heritage Life Investment Corp. 8.50%, PRIDES....       798,000
  80,000 Frontier Financing Trust
          6.25%, TOPRS............................................     3,570,400
 125,000 Philadelphia Consolidated Holdings, Inc. 7.00%, PRIDES...     1,250,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       5,618,400
                                                                     -----------
         Leisure & Tourism - 0.9%
 130,000 Lodgian Capital Trust I
          7.00%, CRESTS, 144A.....................................     2,795,000
                                                                     -----------
         Oil/Energy - 0.2%
  26,000 Callon Petroleum Co.
          8.50%, Series A.........................................       702,000
                                                                     -----------
         Total Convertible Preferred
          (cost $19,358,375)......................................    13,735,400
                                                                     -----------

<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                               Value
 <C>        <S>                                                       <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 11.0%
            Banks - 0.5%
 $1,350,000 Surety Capital Corp.
             9.00%, 3/31/2008......................................   1,350,000
                                                                      ---------
            Business Equipment &
             Services - 1.0%
  1,250,000 Interim Services, Inc.
             4.50%, 6/1/2005.......................................   1,104,687
    200,000 Personnel Group Of America, Inc.
             5.75%, 7/1/2004.......................................     203,250
            Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.
    500,000 5.25%, 8/15/2004, 144A.................................     369,375
  2,000,000 5.25%, 8/15/2004.......................................   1,477,500
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      3,154,812
                                                                      ---------
            Consumer Products &
             Services - 1.5%
  4,000,000 Action Performance Companies, Inc. 4.75%, 4/1/2005,
             144A..................................................   4,540,000
                                                                      ---------

<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                               Value
 <C>        <S>                                                       <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - continued
            Healthcare Products &
             Services - 3.7%
 $5,000,000 Alpharma, Inc.
             5.75%, 4/1/2005, 144A.................................   $6,825,000
  4,300,000 Carematrix
             6.25%, 8/15/2004......................................    4,412,875
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      11,237,875
                                                                      ----------
            Leisure & Tourism - 1.9%
  2,400,000 Family Golf Centers, Inc.
             5.75%, 10/15/2004, 144A...............................    1,977,000
  3,370,000 Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
             5.75%, 9/30/2003......................................    3,631,175
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       5,608,175
                                                                      ----------
            Retailing & Wholesale - 0.7%
            Central Garden & Pet Co.
    500,000 6.00%, 11/15/2003, 144A................................      437,500
  2,000,000 6.00%, 11/15/2003......................................    1,750,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       2,187,500
                                                                      ----------
            Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 1.7%
            Antec Corp.
    500,000 4.50%, 5/15/2003, 144A.................................      563,750
  4,000,000 4.50%, 5/15/2003.......................................    4,510,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       5,073,750
                                                                      ----------
            Total Convertible Debentures
             (cost $31,298,620)....................................   33,152,112
                                                                      ----------
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.6%
            U.S. Government Agency Obligations - 2.6%
            Federal Home Loan Mortgage
             Discount Notes
  6,000,000 4.72%, 2/11/1999.......................................    5,992,134
  2,000,000 4.72%, 2/18/1999.......................................    1,995,542
                                                                      ----------
            Total Short-Term Investments
             (cost $7,987,676).....................................    7,987,676
                                                                      ----------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                      <C>   <C>
     Total Investments -
      (cost $310,572,089)...................................  99.2%  298,752,542
     Other Assets and
      Liabilities - net.....................................   0.8     2,488,170
                                                             -----  ------------
     Net Assets............................................. 100.0% $301,240,712
                                                             =====  ============
</TABLE>

*    Non-income producing securities.
144A Security that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" un-
     der Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security has been
     determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
     Trustees.

Summary of Abbreviations:
CRESTS  Convertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
PRIDES  Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
TOPRS   Trust Originated Preferred Securities

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       58
<PAGE>

                               E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund 

                       Schedule of Investments (continued)
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                               Value
 <C>       <S>                                                      <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - 76.4%
           Communication Systems &
            Services - 2.8%
    50,000 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ..................................   $  3,987,500
                                                                    ------------
           Healthcare Products & Services - 2.1%
   100,000 Mylan Laboratories, Inc. .............................      3,050,000
                                                                    ------------
           Oil/Energy - 3.2%
    70,000 Enron Corp. ..........................................      4,620,000
                                                                    ------------
           Real Estate - 2.9%
   190,000 FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. REIT........................      4,144,375
                                                                    ------------
           Utilities - Electric - 41.3%
   100,000 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. ..................      4,031,250
   100,000 Cinergy Corp. ........................................      3,131,250
 1,000,000 Companhia Paranaense de
            Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR..............................      4,000,000
    70,000 Duke Power Co. .......................................      4,326,875
   100,000 Energy East Corp. ....................................      5,118,750
   170,000 Houston Industries, Inc. .............................      5,163,750
   125,000 Interstate Energy Corp. ..............................      3,593,750
   165,000 MDU Resources Group, Inc. ............................      3,795,000
   225,000 PacifiCorp............................................      4,626,562
   150,000 PP&L Resources, Inc. .................................      4,003,125
   175,000 Public Service Co. of New Mexico......................      3,292,188
   100,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ................      3,968,750
   175,000 Sempra Energy.........................................      4,025,000
   140,000 Teco Energy, Inc. ....................................      3,255,000
   135,000 Wisconsin Energy Corp. ...............................      3,510,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      59,841,250
                                                                    ------------
           Utilities - Gas - 5.8%
   180,000 Keyspan Energy........................................      4,871,250
    45,000 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ............................      1,057,500
    60,000 Peoples Energy Corp. .................................      2,070,000
    25,000 Semco Energy, Inc. ...................................        406,250
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       8,405,000
                                                                    ------------
           Utilities - Telephone - 18.3%
    25,000 AT&T Corp. ...........................................      2,248,438
   150,000 BellSouth Corp. ......................................      6,693,750
    55,000 Frontier Corp. .......................................      1,986,875
    70,000 GTE Corp. ............................................      4,725,000
    60,000 Sprint Corp. .........................................      5,032,500
    30,000 *Sprint Corp. (PCS Group).............................        956,250
    80,000 U.S. West, Inc. ......................................      4,935,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      26,577,813
                                                                    ------------
           Total Common Stocks
            (cost $93,671,648)...................................    110,625,938
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>

  Shares                                                              Value
 <C>       <S>                                                     <C>
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 19.5%
           Communication Systems &
            Services - 3.8%
    70,000 AirTouch Communications, Inc.
            6.00%, Series B.....................................   $  5,486,250
                                                                   ------------
           Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment -
             2.9%
    40,000 Houston Industries, Inc.
            7.00%, ACES (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc.
            common stock).......................................      4,255,000
                                                                   ------------
           Telecommunication Services &
            Equipment - 2.6%
    70,000 Qualcomm Financial Trust I
            5.75%, 3/01/2012....................................      3,718,750
                                                                   ------------
           Utilities - Electric - 6.7%
    70,000 AES Trust I
            5.375%, Series A, TECONS............................      3,797,500
   135,000 BNDES Participacoes S.A.
            10.50%, DECS........................................      2,092,500
    70,000 Texas Utilities Co.
            9.25%, PRIDES.......................................      3,876,250
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      9,766,250
                                                                   ------------
           Utilities - Telephone - 3.5%
    60,000 Sprint Corp.
            8.25%, DECS
            (exchangeable for Southern N.E. Telephone common
            stock)..............................................      4,998,750
                                                                   ------------
           Total Convertible Preferred
            (cost $22,835,090)..................................     28,225,000
                                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

                                      59
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                                 Utility Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>        <S>                                                     <C>
 CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 2.3%
            Information Services &
             Technology - 2.3%
 $4,000,000 Adaptec, Inc. 4.75%, 2/1/2004
             (cost $3,530,000)...................................   $  3,330,000
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>
 Principal
   Amount                                                            Value
 <C>        <S>                                                   <C>
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.7%
            Repurchase Agreement - 1.7%
 $2,512,390 Dresdner Bank AG
             4.70%, dated 1/31/1999,
             due 2/1/1999, maturity value $2,512,718 (cost
             $2,512,390)(a)....................................   $  2,512,390
                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>
     Total Investments -
      (cost $122,549,128).................................  99.9%  144,693,328
     Other Assets and
      Liabilities - net...................................   0.1       156,584
                                                           -----  ------------
     Net Assets........................................... 100.0% $144,849,912
                                                           =====  ============
</TABLE>
*   Non-income producing securities.
(a) At January 29, 1999, the repurchase agreement was collateralized by:
    $2,460,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 5.50%, 5/31/03; value including ac-
    crued interest-- $2,563,015.

Summary of Abbreviations:
ACES   Automatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADR    American Depository Receipt
DECS   Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
PRIDES Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
TECONS Term Convertible Shares

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       60
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - 97.8%
         Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 1.9%
 115,200 Ford Motor Co. .........................................   $  7,077,600
 131,950 General Motors Corp. ...................................     11,842,513
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      18,920,113
                                                                    ------------
         Banks - 13.5%
 366,300 Bank One Corp. .........................................     19,184,962
 392,000 BankAmerica Corp. ......................................     26,215,000
  85,600 BankBoston Corp. .......................................      3,161,850
 263,300 Chase Manhattan Corp. ..................................     20,257,644
 481,450 Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ............................     21,334,253
 305,000 Republic New York Corp. ................................     11,170,625
 185,700 SouthTrust Corp. .......................................      6,894,112
 748,750 Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ................................      9,499,766
  55,800 TCF Financial Corp. ....................................      1,245,038
 107,600 Union Planters Corp. ...................................      4,895,800
 260,300 US Bancorp Delaware.....................................      8,768,856
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     132,627,906
                                                                    ------------
         Business Equipment & Services - 1.0%
 326,850 Dun & Bradstreet Corp. .................................      9,968,925
                                                                    ------------
         Chemical & Agricultural
          Products - 2.8%
 173,600 Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co. .......................      8,886,150
 246,800 Great Lakes Chemical Corp. .............................      9,347,550
 370,850 Morton International, Inc. .............................      9,595,744
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      27,829,444
                                                                    ------------
         Communication Systems &
          Services - 0.4%
  10,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. ..............................      1,125,625
  34,200 *MCI WorldCom, Inc. ....................................      2,727,450
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,853,075
                                                                    ------------
         Consumer Products & Services - 1.1%
 235,450 Fort James Corp. .......................................      8,446,769
  19,600 Gillette Co. ...........................................      1,151,500
  16,800 Procter & Gamble Co. ...................................      1,526,700
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      11,124,969
                                                                    ------------
         Diversified Companies - 2.6%
 267,150 Tenneco, Inc. ..........................................      8,248,256
 228,500 Tyco International Ltd. ................................     17,608,782
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      25,857,038
                                                                    ------------
         Electrical Equipment &
          Services - 5.3%
 145,100 General Electric Co. ...................................     15,217,363
 158,600 Motorola, Inc. .........................................     11,458,850
 282,500 Tandy Corp. ............................................     15,255,000
 216,150 Thomas & Betts Corp. ...................................      9,551,128
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      51,482,341
                                                                    ------------
         Environmental Services - 2.2%
 429,600 Waste Management, Inc. .................................     21,453,150
                                                                    ------------
<CAPTION>

 Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Finance & Insurance - 14.1%
 114,500 American International Group, Inc. .....................   $ 11,786,344
 203,800 Associates First Capital Corp. Cl. A....................      8,266,638
 352,450 Citigroup, Inc. ........................................     19,759,228
  32,600 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. .......................      2,021,200
 171,000 Federal National Mortgage Association...................     12,461,625
 211,300 Greenpoint Financial Corp. .............................      6,920,075
 259,800 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ................     13,493,362
 374,100 Household International, Inc. ..........................     16,437,019
   2,600 Lincoln National Corp. .................................        216,613
 291,700 MBIA, Inc. .............................................     19,124,581
 118,200 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter,
          Discover & Co. ........................................     10,261,237
 171,000 Provident Co., Inc. ....................................      7,331,625
 238,800 Washington Mutual, Inc. ................................     10,029,600
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     138,109,147
                                                                    ------------
         Food & Beverage Products - 3.6%
 406,600 American Stores Co. ....................................     14,739,250
 622,700 Archer Daniels Midland Co. .............................      9,418,337
  23,700 Coca Cola Co. ..........................................      1,550,869
 283,300 Fortune Brands, Inc. ...................................      9,419,725
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      35,128,181
                                                                    ------------
         Healthcare Products & Services - 3.2%
  20,000 Abbott Laboratories ....................................        928,750
  18,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ...............................      2,307,375
  18,200 Johnson & Johnson.......................................      1,547,000
  27,800 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ......................................      2,604,512
 415,200 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. ...............................     23,874,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      31,261,637
                                                                    ------------
         Information Services &
          Technology - 12.8%
 352,100 *American Power Conversion Corp. .......................     18,001,112
 157,350 *Gateway 2000, Inc. ....................................     12,155,288
 219,400 Hewlett-Packard Co. ....................................     17,195,475
  18,000 Intel Corp. ............................................      2,536,875
  53,850 International Business Machines Corp. ..................      9,868,013
 566,900 *Oracle Systems Corp. ..................................     31,392,087
 310,850 *SCI Systems, Inc. .....................................     17,096,750
 127,800 *Sun Microsystems, Inc. ................................     14,281,650
  52,650 *Synopsys, Inc. ........................................      3,056,991
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     125,584,241
                                                                    ------------
         Iron & Steel - 1.8%
 245,100 AK Steel Holding Corp. .................................      5,101,144
 130,400 Bethlehem Steel Corp. ..................................      1,124,700
 517,400 British Steel Plc ......................................     11,382,800
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      17,608,644
                                                                    ------------
         Oil/Energy - 5.1%
  66,400 Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ...............................      1,796,950
   9,900 Chevron Corp. ..........................................        740,025
 124,300 Exxon Corp. ............................................      8,755,381
</TABLE>

                                       61
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                                  Value Fund 

                      Schedule of Investments (continued)
                         January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Oil/Energy - continued
 110,800 Mobil Corp. ............................................   $  9,715,775
  49,300 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ..............................      1,975,081
 381,400 Texaco, Inc. ...........................................     18,068,825
 320,100 Unocal Corp. ...........................................      9,122,850
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      50,174,887
                                                                    ------------
         Paper & Packaging - 2.8%
 970,800 Louisiana Pacific Corp. ................................     19,476,675
 458,518 Smurfit Container Corp. ................................      7,393,603
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      26,870,278
                                                                    ------------
         Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting &
          Entertainment - 2.8%
 163,100 CBS Corp. ..............................................      5,545,400
  33,000 Disney (Walt) Co. ......................................      1,089,000
 274,000 Tele Communications, Inc. ..............................     18,786,125
  18,500 *Viacom, Inc. Cl. B.....................................      1,572,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      26,993,025
                                                                    ------------
         Retailing & Wholesale - 2.7%
 116,500 *Federated Department Stores, Inc. .....................      4,871,156
 300,450 *Tommy Hilfiger Corp. ..................................     21,181,725
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      26,052,881
                                                                    ------------
         Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 2.1%
 116,250 Mediaone Group, Inc. ...................................      6,517,265
 304,050 *Univision Communications, Inc. Cl. A...................     13,644,244
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      20,161,509
                                                                    ------------
         Transportation - 4.5%
 277,500 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. .....................      9,608,437
 429,800 Canadian Pacific Ltd. ..................................      8,730,313
 206,500 CNF Transportation, Inc. ...............................      9,163,438
 186,200 Northwest Airlines Corp. ...............................      4,972,620
 227,900 Union Pacific Corp. ....................................     11,722,606
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      44,197,414
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>

 Shares                                                                Value
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 COMMON STOCKS - continued
         Utilities - Electric - 2.9%
 290,000 CMS Energy Corp. .......................................   $ 12,415,625
  62,900 GPU, Inc. ..............................................      2,681,112
 444,800 Houston Industries, Inc. ...............................     13,510,800
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      28,607,537
                                                                    ------------
         Utilities - Gas - 1.5%
 389,700 NICOR, Inc. ............................................     15,027,806
                                                                    ------------
         Utilities - Telephone - 7.1%
 173,750 Ameritech Corp. ........................................     11,315,469
 228,400 AT&T Corp. .............................................     20,727,300
 164,500 Bell Atlantic Corp. ....................................      9,870,000
  65,400 BellSouth Corp. ........................................      2,918,475
 145,450 GTE Corp. ..............................................      9,817,875
 244,450 U.S. West, Inc. ........................................     15,079,509
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      69,728,628
                                                                    ------------
         Total Common Stocks
          (cost $773,762,829)....................................    958,622,776
                                                                    ------------

<CAPTION>
  Principal
   Amount                                                              Value
 <C>         <S>                                                    <C>
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.4%
             U.S. Government Agency Obligations - 2.4%
 $22,856,000 Federal Agricultural Mortgage
              Corp. 4.62%, 2/1/1999 (cost $22,856,000)...........     22,856,000
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>
     Total Investments -
      (cost $796,618,829).................................. 100.2%  981,478,776
     Other Assets and
      Liabilities - net....................................  (0.2)   (1,562,834)
                                                            -----  ------------
     Net Assets............................................ 100.0% $979,915,942
                                                            =====  ============
</TABLE>

* Non-income producing securities.


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       62
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                           Growth and Income Funds 

                      Statements of Assets and Liabilities
                          January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Growth         Income
                                            Equity         and            and        Small Cap
                             Blue Chip      Income        Income         Growth        Value        Utility        Value
                                Fund         Fund          Fund           Fund          Fund          Fund          Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
 Assets
 Identified cost of
  securities.............   $374,856,441 $132,842,408 $1,668,139,451  $859,900,783  $310,572,089  $122,549,128  $796,618,829
 Net unrealized gains or
  losses on securities...    113,910,296   29,600,343    427,167,511    14,933,603   (11,819,547)   22,144,200   184,859,947
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Market value of
  securities.............    488,766,737  162,442,751  2,095,306,962   874,834,386   298,752,542   144,693,328   981,478,776
 Cash....................            713        1,284        106,561        66,693        56,959             0        42,976
 Foreign currency (cost
  $0, $0, $0, $3,885,728,
  $0, $0, and $0,
  respectively)..........              0            0              0     3,886,789             0             0             0
 Receivable for
  securities sold........      3,760,330    1,935,019     10,215,042     4,305,568       233,470     8,568,101    13,972,497
 Receivable for Fund
  shares sold............      2,263,061       80,301      1,708,330        84,602     4,321,782       144,734       425,568
 Dividends and interest
  receivable.............        379,229      284,014      1,311,643     2,198,210       802,081       882,195     1,177,810
 Prepaid expenses and
  other assets...........        112,559       22,344         95,009        66,267        41,690        28,661        57,557
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total assets...........    495,282,629  164,765,713  2,108,743,547   885,442,515   304,208,524   154,317,019   997,155,184
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Liabilities
 Payable for securities
  purchased..............     12,568,757    1,311,238     30,217,159    10,490,744     1,618,750     9,221,035    14,764,125
 Payable for Fund shares
  redeemed...............        882,534      236,904      6,322,800     1,460,048       964,395       116,572     1,668,281
 Advisory fee payable....        238,219       85,677      1,577,750       740,574       259,917        63,392       410,915
 Distribution Plan
  expenses payable.......        114,892       73,731        436,948        21,135        81,553        36,893       215,700
 Due to other related
  parties................          6,317        2,955              0             0             0         3,403        25,958
 Accrued expenses and
  other liabilities......         62,926       18,686        543,932       397,012        43,197        25,812       154,263
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities......     13,873,645    1,729,191     39,098,589    13,109,513     2,967,812     9,467,107    17,239,242
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets..............   $481,408,984 $163,036,522 $2,069,644,958  $872,333,002  $301,240,712  $144,849,912  $979,915,942
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets represented
  by
 Paid-in capital.........   $345,079,983 $121,828,719 $1,637,043,445  $862,334,333  $330,048,009  $123,228,198  $702,091,992
 Undistributed
  (overdistributed) net
  investment income......         39,183      575,864       (150,813)   13,093,058        67,241        32,678      (155,681)
 Accumulated net realized
  gains or losses on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions...........     22,379,522   11,031,596      5,584,548   (18,029,939)  (17,054,991)     (555,164)   93,119,684
 Net unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    113,910,296   29,600,343    427,167,778    14,935,550   (11,819,547)   22,144,200   184,859,947
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total net assets........   $481,408,984 $163,036,522 $2,069,644,958  $872,333,002  $301,240,712  $144,849,912  $979,915,942
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets consist of
 Class A.................   $340,292,978 $ 52,668,635 $  286,027,701  $ 13,379,023  $ 74,509,741  $ 94,953,830  $479,970,015
 Class B.................    140,231,442   90,736,212    985,367,391    51,033,169   125,716,900    46,418,758   337,559,484
 Class C.................        884,564   19,382,507     45,820,338     1,074,297    25,769,887       629,717     4,492,085
 Class Y.................            --       249,168    752,429,528   806,846,513    75,244,184     2,847,607   157,894,358
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            $481,408,984 $163,036,522 $2,069,644,958  $872,333,002  $301,240,712  $144,849,912  $979,915,942
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Shares outstanding
 Class A.................     10,782,409    2,734,450     10,055,806       649,836     5,099,381     8,714,406    20,163,970
 Class B.................      4,473,639    4,738,484     35,015,037     2,500,100     8,652,109     4,258,428    14,212,581
 Class C.................         28,142    1,011,011      1,627,989        52,629     1,775,316        57,786       189,291
 Class Y.................             --       12,969     26,396,915    39,171,763     5,146,616       261,270     6,631,694
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value per
  share
 Class A.................   $      31.56 $      19.26 $        28.44  $      20.59  $      14.61  $      10.90  $      23.80
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A--Offering price
  (based on sales charge
  of 4.75%)..............   $      33.13 $      20.22 $        29.86  $      21.62  $      15.34  $      11.44  $      24.99
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B.................   $      31.35 $      19.15 $        28.14  $      20.41  $      14.53  $      10.90  $      23.75
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C.................   $      31.43 $      19.17 $        28.15  $      20.41  $      14.52  $      10.90  $      23.73
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class Y.................             -- $      19.21 $        28.50  $      20.60  $      14.62  $      10.90  $      23.81
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       63
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                           Growth and Income Funds 

                            Statements of Operations
                 Six Months Ended January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Growth        Income
                                            Equity         and          and        Small Cap
                             Blue Chip      Income       Income        Growth        Value       Utility       Value
                               Fund          Fund         Fund          Fund          Fund         Fund         Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>
 Investment income
 Dividends (net of
  foreign withholding
  taxes of $19,622,
  $4,315, $282,295, $0,
  $0, $63,834 and $0,
  respectively)..........   $ 2,331,345  $  1,681,404  $12,284,469  $ 23,388,813  $  4,448,140  $3,481,061  $  8,416,391
 Interest................       978,397       581,620    7,845,816     1,473,140     1,463,069     187,179     1,223,985
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total investment
  income.................     3,309,742     2,263,024   20,130,285    24,861,953     5,911,209   3,668,240     9,640,376
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Expenses
 Advisory fee............     1,263,145       507,662    8,999,624     4,347,516     1,492,844     362,777     2,334,043
 Distribution Plan
  expenses...............       989,226       628,361    5,354,259       278,223       841,126     351,193     2,170,124
 Transfer agent fee......       546,967       164,782    2,627,334       837,156       472,564     127,540       865,512
 Administrative services
  fees...................        31,144        13,351            0             0             0      19,078       122,756
 Trustees' fees and
  expenses...............         5,678         2,018       22,072        12,040         3,081       1,505        17,300
 Other...................       125,119       114,838      589,616       325,787        86,187      47,634       180,192
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total expenses.........     2,961,279     1,431,012   17,592,905     5,800,722     2,895,802     909,727     5,689,927
  Less: Fee credits......        (7,577)       (3,644)     (39,394)      (20,572)      (17,071)     (2,956)      (16,320)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net expenses...........     2,953,702     1,427,368   17,553,511     5,780,150     2,878,731     906,771     5,673,607
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment income...       356,040       835,656    2,576,774    19,081,803     3,032,478   2,761,469     3,966,769
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions
 Net realized gains or
  losses on:
  Securities.............    23,876,928    14,577,533    5,460,482    11,230,833   (17,096,277)   (546,693)   98,276,360
  Foreign currency
   related transactions..             0             0            0      (190,424)            0           0           558
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    23,876,928    14,577,533    5,460,482    11,040,409   (17,096,277)   (546,693)   98,276,918
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net change in unrealized
  gains or losses on
  securities and foreign
  currency related
  transactions...........    28,781,626   (12,802,526)  (2,919,804)  (32,724,672)   (1,477,616)  4,971,291   (30,794,617)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and foreign currency
  related transactions...    52,658,554     1,775,007    2,540,678   (21,684,263)  (18,573,893)  4,424,598    67,482,301
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net increase (decrease)
  in net assets resulting
  from operations........   $53,014,594  $  2,610,663  $ 5,117,452  $ (2,602,460) $(15,541,415) $7,186,067  $ 71,449,070
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       64
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                           Growth and Income Funds 

                      Statements of Changes in Net Assets
                 Six Months Ended January 31, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Equity       Growth and     Income and      Small Cap
                        Blue Chip       Income         Income         Growth          Value        Utility         Value
                          Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund          Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                  <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
 Operations
 Net investment
  income...........   $     356,040  $    835,656  $    2,576,774  $  19,081,803  $   3,032,478  $  2,761,469  $   3,966,769
 Net realized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions.....      23,876,928    14,577,533       5,460,482     11,040,409    (17,096,277)     (546,693)    98,276,918
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions.....      28,781,626   (12,802,526)     (2,919,804)   (32,724,672)    (1,477,616)    4,971,291    (30,794,617)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   operations......      53,014,594     2,610,663       5,117,452     (2,602,460)   (15,541,415)    7,186,067     71,449,070
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment
  income
  Class A..........        (301,891)     (322,926)       (618,275)      (270,374)      (755,525)   (1,918,706)    (2,354,330)
  Class B..........               0      (302,935)              0       (911,505)    (1,072,671)     (741,748)      (679,263)
  Class C..........               0       (63,972)              0        (19,723)      (212,803)       (8,070)        (9,129)
  Class Y..........               0          (928)     (2,470,200)   (18,246,900)    (1,097,600)      (52,399)      (996,936)
 Net realized gains
  Class A..........     (22,171,083)   (6,542,911)     (8,009,500)    (1,297,466)      (792,880)  (10,191,078)    (2,706,113)
  Class B..........     (10,585,999)  (12,308,775)    (27,000,584)    (4,982,320)    (1,601,327)   (4,842,643)    (1,893,542)
  Class C..........         (50,576)   (2,556,957)     (1,332,807)      (108,434)      (315,684)      (52,067)       (26,406)
  Class Y..........               0       (19,678)    (20,777,901)   (79,113,403)      (998,252)     (304,419)      (926,882)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions to
   shareholders....     (33,109,549)  (22,119,082)    (60,209,267)  (104,950,125)    (6,846,742)  (18,111,130)    (9,592,601)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital share
  transactions
 Proceeds from
  shares sold......     189,275,854    23,884,142     223,145,876     10,894,748    132,564,757     8,382,531     31,073,041
 Payment for shares
  redeemed.........    (160,647,806)  (41,400,459)   (302,663,731)   (77,088,435)  (121,856,536)   (9,337,129)  (112,348,121)
 Net asset value of
  shares issued in
  reinvestment of
  distributions....      29,467,826    20,684,226      56,933,750     95,425,447      5,834,565    15,473,260      8,512,187
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in
   net assets
   resulting from
   capital share
   transactions....      58,095,874     3,167,909     (22,584,105)    29,231,760     16,542,786    14,518,662    (72,762,893)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets.....      78,000,919   (16,340,510)    (77,675,920)   (78,320,825)    (5,845,371)    3,593,599    (10,906,424)
 Net assets
 Beginning of
  period...........     403,408,065   179,377,032   2,147,320,878    950,653,827    307,086,083   141,256,313    990,822,366
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 End of period.....   $ 481,408,984  $163,036,522  $2,069,644,958  $ 872,333,002  $ 301,240,712  $144,849,912  $ 979,915,942
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed
  (overdistributed)
  net investment
  income...........   $      39,183  $    575,864  $     (150,813) $  13,093,058  $      67,241  $     32,678  $    (155,681)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       65
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                           Growth and Income Funds 

                      Statements of Changes In Net Assets
                            Year Ended July 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Equity       Growth and     Income and     Small Cap
                        Blue Chip       Income         Income         Growth         Value        Utility          Value
                         Fund(a)         Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund          Fund           Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                   <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
 Operations
 Net investment
  income............   $    679,874  $    822,896  $    6,817,383  $  43,781,531  $  3,555,813  $  4,733,754  $    15,139,414
 Net realized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......     45,182,166    21,844,245      89,769,570     88,075,454     4,125,256    16,449,359      382,225,398
 Net change in
  unrealized gains
  or losses on
  securities and
  foreign currency
  related
  transactions......     18,537,520    (1,065,798)     54,312,938    (54,214,289)  (17,882,408)      197,673     (290,896,507)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in net
   assets resulting
   from operations..     64,399,560    21,601,343     150,899,891     77,642,696   (10,201,339)   21,380,786      106,468,305
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment
  income
  Class A...........       (572,879)     (457,652)     (1,133,476)      (582,857)     (585,054)   (3,623,474)      (4,928,756)
  Class B...........       (753,205)     (258,225)              0     (1,826,984)     (875,495)   (1,224,827)      (1,461,990)
  Class C...........            (10)      (55,586)              0        (40,251)     (178,326)      (12,408)         (15,608)
  Class Y...........              0          (895)     (5,146,565)   (41,136,147)   (1,701,966)      (71,410)     (11,332,854)
 Net realized gains
  Class A...........              0    (3,551,251)     (7,164,362)      (827,257)     (213,842)   (8,654,842)     (79,220,878)
  Class B...........    (51,043,219)   (7,082,118)    (23,729,561)    (3,160,159)     (507,582)   (3,545,873)     (55,199,824)
  Class C...........              0    (1,542,452)     (1,087,731)       (63,045)     (100,773)      (34,234)        (713,832)
  Class Y...........              0        (3,495)    (23,937,007)   (58,431,404)     (758,969)     (166,884)     (82,980,185)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total
   distributions to
   shareholders.....    (52,369,313)  (12,951,674)    (62,198,702)  (106,068,104)   (4,922,007)  (17,333,952)    (235,853,927)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital share
  transactions
 Proceeds from
  shares sold.......    114,811,777    40,160,932     982,241,448     36,821,129   324,098,172    27,354,893      209,984,754
 Payment for shares
  redeemed..........    (99,812,547)  (44,846,695)   (402,984,465)  (109,733,628)  (64,094,835)  (24,559,873)  (1,216,417,479)
 Net asset value of
  shares issued in
  reinvestment of
  distributions.....     45,932,435    12,075,357      54,748,017     95,522,782     3,360,906     4,031,786      202,246,215
 Net asset value of
  shares issued in
  acquisition of:
  Blanchard Growth &
   Income Fund......     17,510,672             0               0              0             0             0                0
  Virtus Style
   Manager Fund.....              0             0      75,922,310              0             0             0                0
  Virtus Style
   Manager; Large
   Cap Fund.........              0             0               0              0             0             0      104,172,578
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase
   (decrease) in net
   assets resulting
   from capital
   share
   transactions.....     78,442,337     7,389,594     709,927,310     22,610,283   263,364,243     6,826,806     (700,013,932)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase
    (decrease) in
    net assets......     90,472,584    16,039,263     798,628,499     (5,815,125)  248,240,897    10,873,640     (829,399,554)
 Net assets
 Beginning of
  period............    312,935,481   163,337,769   1,348,692,379    956,468,952    58,845,186   130,382,673    1,820,221,920
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 End of period......   $403,408,065  $179,377,032  $2,147,320,878  $ 950,653,827  $307,086,083  $141,256,313  $   990,822,366
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed
  (overdistributed)
  net investment
  income............   $    (14,966) $    430,969  $      360,888  $  13,459,757  $    173,362  $     (7,868) $       (82,792)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) For the eleven months ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from August to July, effective July 31, 1998.

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       66
<PAGE>

                              E V E R G R E E N
                           Growth and Income Funds 

                       Statement of Changes in Net Assets
                           Year Ended August 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Blue Chip
                                                                       Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                               <C>
 Operations
 Net investment income...........................................  $  1,381,103
 Net realized gains or losses on securities and foreign currency
  related transactions...........................................    42,377,987
 Net change in unrealized gains or losses on securities and
  foreign currency related transactions..........................    35,362,301
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations...........    79,121,391
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distributions to shareholders from
 Net investment income
  Class B........................................................    (2,021,947)
 From net realized gain
  Class B........................................................   (30,039,258)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total distributions to shareholders............................   (32,061,205)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital share transactions
 Proceeds from shares sold.......................................   103,353,377
 Payment for shares redeemed.....................................   (89,890,447)
 Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of
  distributions..................................................    27,593,101
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share
   transactions..................................................    41,056,031
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total increase in net assets..................................    88,116,217
 Net assets
 Beginning of period.............................................   224,819,264
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 End of period...................................................  $312,935,481
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Undistributed net investment income.............................  $     16,188
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

                  See Combined Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       67
<PAGE>


              Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION

The Evergreen Growth and Income Funds consist of Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
("Blue Chip Fund"), Evergreen Equity Income Fund ("Equity Income Fund") (for-
merly Evergreen Fund for Total Return), Evergreen Growth and Income Fund
("Growth and Income Fund"), Evergreen Income and Growth Fund ("Income and
Growth Fund"), Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund ("Small Cap Value Fund") (for-
merly Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund), Evergreen Utility Fund ("Utility
Fund") and Evergreen Value Fund ("Value Fund"), (collectively, the "Funds").
Each Fund is a diversified series of the Evergreen Equity Trust (the "Trust"),
a Delaware business Trust organized on September 18, 1997. The Trust is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

The Funds offer Class A, Class B, Class C and/or Class Y shares. Class A shares
are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. Class B and Class C
shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing dis-
tribution fee than Class A. Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent de-
ferred sales charge that is payable upon redemption and decreases depending on
how long the shares have been held. Class B shares purchased after January 1,
1997 will automatically convert to Class A shares after seven years. Class B
shares purchased prior to January 1, 1997 retain their existing conversion
rights. Class C shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
payable on shares redeemed within one year after the month of purchase. Class Y
shares are sold at net asset value only to investment advisory clients of First
Union Corporation ("First Union") and its affiliates, certain institutional in-
vestors or Class Y shareholders of record of certain other funds managed by
First Union and its affiliates as of December 30, 1994.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently fol-
lowed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The poli-
cies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which re-
quire management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported
herein. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

A. Valuation of Securities
Securities traded on a national securities exchange or included on the Nasdaq
National Market System ("NMS") and other securities traded in the over-the-
counter market are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange
where primarily traded. Securities traded on an exchange or NMS for which there
has been no sale and other securities traded in the over-the-counter market are
valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. Corporate
bonds, U.S. Government obligations, mortgage and other asset backed securities
and other fixed income securities are valued at prices provided by an indepen-
dent pricing service. In determining value for normal institutional-size trans-
actions, the pricing service uses methods based on market transactions for com-
parable securities and analysis of various relationships between similar secu-
rities, which are generally recognized by institutional traders. Securities for
which valuations are not available from an independent pricing service, includ-
ing restricted securities, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith
according to procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Short-term in-
vestments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are carried at amortized
cost, which approximates market value.

B. Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral
for repurchase agreements are held in a segregated account by the custodian on
the Fund's behalf. Each Fund monitors the adequacy of the collateral daily and
will require the seller to provide additional collateral in the event the mar-
ket value of the securities pledged falls below the carrying value of the re-
purchase agreement, including accrued interest. Each Fund will only enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, which are
deemed by the investment advisor to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines es-
tablished by the Board of Trustees.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion, Blue Chip Fund and Equity Income Fund, along with certain other funds
managed by Evergreen Investment Management Company

                                       68
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

("EIMC") (formerly Keystone Investment Management Company), a subsidiary of
First Union, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading ac-
count. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that
are fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations.

C. Foreign Currency
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in United States (U.S.) dol-
lars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:
market value of investments, assets and liabilities at the daily rate of ex-
change; purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses at the rate of
exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net
unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from changes in foreign
currency exchange rates is a component of net unrealized gains or losses on se-
curities and foreign currency related transactions. Net realized foreign cur-
rency gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions includes foreign
currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment
securities transactions, foreign currency related transactions and the differ-
ence between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the
Fund and the amount actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains or
losses related to fluctuations in exchange rates between the initial purchase
trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains or
losses on securities.

D. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to settle portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated
in a foreign currency and to hedge certain foreign currency assets or liabili-
ties. Forward contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market
daily. Realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are included in
net realized gains or losses on foreign currency related transactions. The Fund
bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate
underlying the forward contract and is subject to the credit risk that the
other party will not fulfill their obligations under the contract. Forward con-
tracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the
statement of assets and liabilities.

E. Security Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after
the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed on the identified cost
basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion
of discounts and amortization of premiums. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date or in the case of some foreign securities, on the date there-
after when the Fund is made aware of the dividend. Foreign income may be sub-
ject to foreign withholding taxes, which are accrued as applicable. Capital
gains realized on some foreign securities are subject to foreign taxes, which
are accrued as applicable.

F. Federal Taxes
The Funds have qualified and intend to continue to qualify as regulated invest-
ment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Thus, the Funds will not incur any federal income tax liability since
they are expected to distribute all of their net investment company taxable in-
come and net capital gains, if any, to their shareholders. The Funds also in-
tend to avoid any excise tax liability by making the required distributions un-
der the Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal taxes is required. To the
extent that realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryforwards,
it is each Fund's policy not to distribute such gains.

G. Distributions
Distributions from net investment income for the Funds, except Utility Fund,
are declared and paid quarterly. Distributions from net investment income for
Utility Fund are declared and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized
capital gains, if any, are paid at least annually. Distributions to sharehold-
ers are recorded at the close of business on the ex-dividend date.

Income and capital gains distributions to shareholders are determined in accor-
dance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted ac-
counting principles. The significant differences between financial statements
amounts available for distribution and distributions made in accordance with
income tax

                                       69
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

regulations are primarily due to differing treatment for certain distributions
received from real estate investment trusts and certain operating expenses.

Certain distributions paid during previous years have been reclassified to con-
form to current year presentation.

H. Class Allocations
Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and
unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the rela-
tive net assets of each class. Currently, class specific expenses are limited
to expenses incurred under the Distribution Plans for each class.

I. Organization Expenses
Organization expenses for Small Cap Value Fund are amortized over a five-year
period on a straight-line basis. In the event any of the initial shares of the
Fund are redeemed by any holder during the five-year amortization period, re-
demption proceeds will be reduced by any unamortized organization expenses in
the same proportion as the number of initial shares being redeemed bears to the
number of initial shares outstanding at the time of the redemption. As of Janu-
ary 31, 1999 all organization expenses for Small Cap Value Fund have been fully
amortized.

3. REORGANIZATION OF EVERGREEN VALUE FUND

On January 21, 1998, Value Fund, Class Y, executed a redemption in-kind trans-
action of $793,367,277. This transaction resulted in the liquidation of sub-
stantially all of the net assets of Value Fund, Class Y shares. In turn, the
assets were transferred to Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund ("Select Di-
versified Value Fund"), Class I, an institutional balanced fund.

To fund this redemption, investment securities, excluding cash and cash equiva-
lents, with a market value of $774,879,156, including unrealized appreciation
of $221,367,103, were transferred. Additionally the Fund used cash and cash
equivalents of $23,488,121 to complete the transaction. The gains from this
sale of securities are not taxable to the Value Fund and are not required to be
distributed for federal income tax purposes.

4. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

EIMC serves as the investment advisor to Blue Chip Fund and Equity Income Fund.
In return for providing investment advisory services to Blue Chip Fund and Eq-
uity Income Fund, the Funds pay EIMC an advisory fee that is calculated daily
and paid monthly. The advisory fee for Blue Chip Fund is determined by applying
percentage rates, starting at 0.70% and declining as assets increase to 0.35%
per annum, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The advisory fee
for Equity Income Fund is computed at an annual rate of 1.50% of Equity Income
Fund's gross dividend and interest income plus an amount determined by applying
percentage rates, starting at 0.60% and declining to 0.30% per annum as net as-
sets increase, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund.

Evergreen Investment Management ("EIM"), formerly Capital Management Group, a
division of First Union National Bank ("FUNB"), serves as the investment advi-
sor to Utility Fund and Value Fund and is paid an advisory fee that is computed
and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of each Fund's average daily net
assets.

Evergreen Asset Management Corp. ("EAMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of First
Union, serves as the investment advisor to Growth and Income Fund, Income and
Growth Fund and Small Cap Value Fund and is paid an advisory fee that is com-
puted daily and paid monthly based on each Fund's average daily net assets, in
accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                         <C>
         First $750 million......................................... 1.00%
         Next $250 million.......................................... 0.90%
         Over $1 billion............................................ 0.80%
</TABLE>

Lieber & Company, an affiliate of First Union, provides investment sub-advisory
services to Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund and Small Cap Value
Fund. Expenses associated with these services are a cost of EAMC and are not a
fund expense.

                                       70
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

Lieber & Company also provides brokerage services to Growth and Income Fund,
Income and Growth Fund and Small Cap Value Fund with respect to substantially
all security transactions of the Funds effected on the New York or American
Stock Exchanges. For the six months ended January 31, 1999, Income and Growth,
Growth and Income and Small Cap Value Fund incurred broker commissions of
$543,687, $688,394 and $167,765, respectively, with Lieber & Company.

Evergreen Investment Services ("EIS"), a subsidiary of First Union, is the ad-
ministrator and The BISYS Group, Inc. ("BISYS") serves as the sub-administrator
to the Funds. As administrator, EIS provides the Funds with facilities, equip-
ment and personnel. As sub-administrator to the Funds, BISYS provides the offi-
cers of the Funds. Officers of the Funds and affiliated Trustees receive no
compensation directly from the Funds.

The administrator and sub-administrator for each Fund are entitled to an annual
fee based on the average daily net assets of the funds administered by EIS for
which First Union or its investment advisory subsidiaries are also the invest-
ment advisors. The administration fee is calculated by applying percentage
rates, which start at 0.05% and decline to 0.01% per annum as net assets in-
crease, to the average daily net asset value of the Fund. The sub-administra-
tion fee is calculated by applying percentage rates, which start at 0.01% and
decline to .004% per annum as net assets increase, to the average daily net as-
set value of the Fund.

For the six months ended January 31, 1999, Utility Fund and Value Fund paid or
accrued to EIS and BISYS the following amounts for administrative and sub-ad-
ministrative services:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Administration     Sub-administration
                                          Fee                  Fee
                                   -----------------------------------------
       <S>                             <C>                   <C>
       Utility Fund..................   $15,246               $ 3,832
       Value Fund....................    98,099                24,657
</TABLE>

For Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund and Small Cap Value Fund,
the administration and sub-administration fee is paid by the investment advisor
and is not a fund expense. For the six months ended January 31, 1999, Blue Chip
Fund and Equity Income Fund reimbursed EIMC for certain accounting and adminis-
trative expenses amounting to $31,144 and $13,351, respectively.

Evergreen Service Company ("ESC"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
First Union, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the
Funds.

5. DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Evergreen Distributor, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BISYS, serves as
principal underwriter to the Funds.

Each Fund has adopted Distribution Plans, as allowed by Rule 12b-1 of the 1940
Act, for each class of shares, except Class Y. Distribution plans permit a Fund
to compensate its principal underwriter for costs related to selling shares of
the Fund and for various other services. These costs, which consist primarily
of commissions and services fees to broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund,
are paid by the Fund through "Distribution Plan expenses". Each class, except
Class Y, currently pays a service fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily net
asset of the class. Class B and Class C also pay distribution fees equal to
0.75% of the average daily net assets of the class. Distribution Plan expenses
are calculated daily and paid monthly.

For the six months ended January 31, 1999, amounts accrued to EDI pursuant to
each Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Distribution Plans were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Class A   Class B   Class C
                                          ------------------------------
         <S>                                <C>      <C>        <C>
         Blue Chip Fund.................... $346,630 $  639,119 $  3,477
         Equity Income Fund................   63,273    467,317   97,771
         Growth and Income Fund............  353,842  4,764,678  235,739
         Income and Growth Fund............   16,975    255,701    5,547
         Small Cap Value Fund..............   75,424    637,676  128,026
         Utility Fund......................  120,749    227,949    2,495
         Value Fund........................  568,397  1,580,189   21,538
</TABLE>

With respect to Class B and Class C shares, the principal underwriter may pay
distribution fees greater than the allowable annual amounts each Fund is per-
mitted to pay under the Distribution Plans.

                                       71
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the In-
dependent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of
the respective class.

6. ACQUISITIONS

Effective on the close of business on February 27, 1998, Blue Chip Fund ac-
quired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of
Blanchard Growth & Income Fund, an open-end management investment company reg-
istered under the 1940 Act, in exchange of shares. The net assets were ex-
changed through a tax-free exchange for 596,231 shares of Class A of Blue Chip
Fund. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities with
unrealized appreciation of $5,643,636. The net assets of Blue Chip Fund and
Blanchard Growth & Income Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were
$347,931,473 and $17,510,672, respectively. The aggregate net assets of Blue
Chip Fund immediately after the acquisition were $365,442,145.

Effective on the close of business on February 27, 1998, Growth and Income Fund
acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of
Virtus Style Manager Fund, an open-end management investment company registered
under the 1940 Act, in exchange of shares. The net assets were exchanged
through a tax-free exchange for 2,555,807 shares of Class Y of Growth and In-
come Fund. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio securities
with unrealized appreciation of $10,049,313. The net assets of Growth and In-
come Fund and Virtus Style Manager Fund immediately prior to the acquisition
were $1,869,405,194 and $75,922,310, respectively. The aggregate net assets of
Growth and Income Fund immediately after the acquisition were $1,945,327,504.

Effective on the close of business on February 27, 1998, Value Fund acquired
substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Virtus Style
Manager; Large Cap Fund, an open-end management investment company registered
under the 1940 Act, in an exchange of shares. The net assets were exchanged
through a tax-free exchange for 3,109,878 and 924,632 shares of Class A and
Class Y of Value Fund. The acquired net assets consisted primarily of portfolio
securities with unrealized appreciation of $28,824,982. The net assets of Value
Fund and Virtus Style Manager; Large Cap Fund immediately prior to the acquisi-
tion were $993,264,782 and $104,172,577, respectively. The aggregate net assets
of Value Fund immediately after the acquisition were $1,097,437,360.

                                       72
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

7. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Funds have an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with $0.001
par value authorized. Shares of beneficial interest of the Funds are currently
divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and/or Class Y. Blue Chip currently does
not have any Class Y shares. Transactions in shares of the Funds were as fol-
lows:

Blue Chip Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Six Months Ended              Year Ended                Year Ended
                              January 31, 1999          July 31, 1998 (a)           August 31, 1997
                          -------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------
                            Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............   4,326,992  $ 124,839,750     812,276  $  24,596,278           0             0
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............     899,942     27,236,701   9,140,449    250,374,069           0             0
Shares redeemed.........  (3,587,049)  (101,890,425) (1,203,287)   (36,027,532)          0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     682,100     19,381,644      14,697        447,340           0             0
Shares issued in
 acquisition of
 Blanchard Growth and
 Income Fund............           0              0     596,231     17,510,672           0             0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............   2,321,985     69,567,670   9,360,366    256,900,827           0             0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............   2,161,876     62,310,801   3,020,854     89,396,767   3,800,615  $103,353,377
Automatic conversion of
 Class B shares to Class
 A shares...............    (899,942)   (27,236,701) (9,140,449)  (250,374,069)          0             0
Shares redeemed.........  (1,928,261)   (56,679,724) (2,178,914)   (63,756,605) (3,349,695)  (89,890,447)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     355,115     10,035,608   1,678,649     45,485,085   1,079,325    27,593,101
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    (311,212)   (11,570,016) (6,619,860)  (179,248,822)  1,530,245    41,056,031
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............      71,071      2,125,303      26,608        818,732           0             0
Shares redeemed.........     (70,373)    (2,077,657)       (949)       (28,410)          0             0
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........       1,785         50,574           0             10           0             0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase............       2,483         98,220      25,659        790,332           0             0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net
 assets resulting from
 capital share
 transactions...........              $  58,095,874              $  78,442,337              $ 41,056,031
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) For the eleven months ended July 31, 1998. The Fund changed its fiscal year
    end from August 31 to July 31, effective July 31, 1998.

Equity Income Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Six Months Ended             Year Ended
                               January 31, 1999            July 31, 1998
                            ------------------------  ------------------------
                              Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold...............     370,486  $  7,284,373     405,327  $  8,477,777
Shares redeemed...........    (412,833)   (8,112,134)   (476,275)   (9,979,937)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     343,876     6,512,096     192,513     3,761,047
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............     301,529     5,684,335     121,565     2,258,887
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold...............     683,888    13,688,515   1,312,799    27,194,053
Shares redeemed...........  (1,471,602)  (28,845,823) (1,328,176)  (27,515,826)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     621,368    11,690,630     348,818     6,752,535
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)...    (166,346)   (3,466,678)    333,441     6,430,762
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold...............     131,514     2,642,632     212,115     4,372,780
Shares redeemed...........    (217,311)   (4,302,891)   (349,166)   (7,245,174)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     130,654     2,460,894      80,168     1,557,317
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)...      44,857       800,635     (56,883)   (1,315,077)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y*
Shares sold...............      13,689       268,622       5,560       116,322
Shares redeemed...........      (6,948)     (139,611)     (5,138)     (105,758)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............       1,091        20,606         228         4,458
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............       7,832       149,617         650        15,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from capital
 share transactions.......              $  3,167,909              $  7,389,594
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

                                       73
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

Growth and Income Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Six Months Ended              Year Ended
                               January 31, 1999            July 31, 1998
                           -------------------------  -------------------------
                             Shares       Amount        Shares       Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold..............   2,717,801  $  74,944,584   7,300,804  $ 214,673,895
Shares redeemed..........  (3,130,970)   (86,422,362) (3,520,816)  (103,702,934)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution............     300,474      8,411,837     287,118      8,071,240
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)..    (112,695)    (3,065,941)  4,067,106    119,042,201
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold..............   3,242,125     87,661,203  16,476,196    481,475,327
Shares redeemed..........  (3,777,880)  (101,929,718) (2,725,060)   (79,579,083)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution............     944,997     26,223,708     837,176     23,198,143
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.............     409,242     11,955,193  14,588,312    425,094,387
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold..............     305,638      8,273,924   1,131,563     32,986,181
Shares redeemed..........    (459,504)   (12,491,296)   (317,773)    (9,241,480)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution............      45,433      1,261,217      38,010      1,053,643
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)..    (108,433)    (2,956,155)    851,800     24,798,344
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold..............   1,908,120     52,266,165   8,658,868    253,053,137
Shares redeemed..........  (3,709,933)  (101,820,355) (7,135,642)  (210,408,060)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution............     749,966     21,036,988     797,581     22,424,991
Shares issued in
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager Fund......           0              0   2,555,807     75,922,310
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)..  (1,051,847)   (28,517,202)  4,876,614    140,992,378
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
 in net assets resulting
 from capital share
 transactions............              $ (22,584,105)             $ 709,927,310
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income and Growth Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Six Months Ended             Year Ended
                               January 31, 1999            July 30, 1998
                            ------------------------  ------------------------
                              Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold...............      58,129  $  1,222,305     204,121  $  4,959,183
Shares redeemed...........    (125,770)   (2,643,188)   (112,612)   (2,739,976)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............      70,356     1,471,407      56,318     1,325,926
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............       2,715        50,524     147,827     3,545,133
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold...............     152,440     3,204,175     633,299    15,295,755
Shares redeemed...........    (284,853)   (5,964,912)   (310,711)   (7,455,874)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     264,999     5,499,804     198,183     4,626,554
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............     132,586     2,739,067     520,771    12,466,435
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold...............       5,957       126,523      27,805       674,067
Shares redeemed...........     (13,238)     (272,856)    (16,763)     (402,792)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............       5,267       109,309       3,708        86,620
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)...      (2,014)      (37,024)     14,750       357,895
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold...............     300,883     6,341,745     641,797    15,892,124
Shares redeemed...........  (3,240,570)  (68,207,479) (4,066,667)  (99,134,986)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............   4,220,269    88,344,927   3,795,361    89,483,682
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............   1,280,582    26,479,193     370,491     6,240,820
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from capital
 share transactions.......              $ 29,231,760              $ 22,610,283
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       74
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

Small Cap Value Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Six Months Ended             Year Ended
                               January 31, 1999            July 31, 1998
                            ------------------------  ------------------------
                              Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold...............   6,045,592  $ 88,589,723   4,328,382  $ 72,341,164
Shares redeemed...........  (4,485,999)  (65,838,837) (1,207,491)  (20,046,565)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     102,911     1,496,736      45,725       753,748
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............   1,662,504    24,247,622   3,166,616    53,048,347
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold...............   1,799,514    26,238,034   8,426,642   140,304,860
Shares redeemed...........  (1,631,929)  (23,632,815)   (803,676)  (13,366,175)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............     176,678     2,559,231      79,883     1,323,369
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............     344,263     5,164,450   7,702,849   128,262,054
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold...............     511,050     7,438,068   1,760,785    29,361,569
Shares redeemed...........    (443,266)   (6,377,682)   (281,072)   (4,699,621)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............      34,456       498,714      16,111       266,637
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase..............     102,240     1,559,100   1,495,824    24,928,585
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold...............     709,150    10,298,932   4,923,790    82,090,579
Shares redeemed...........  (1,774,325)  (26,007,202) (1,558,339)  (25,982,474)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution.............      87,654     1,279,884      61,107     1,017,152
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)...    (977,521)  (14,428,386)  3,426,558    57,125,257
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from capital
 share transactions.......              $ 16,542,786              $263,364,243
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Utility Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Six Months Ended           Year Ended
                                 January 31, 1999          July 31, 1998
                               ---------------------  ------------------------
                                Shares     Amount       Shares       Amount
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>
Class A
Shares sold..................   172,864  $ 1,997,120   1,266,778  $ 14,554,039
Shares redeemed..............  (462,547)  (5,355,001) (1,407,032)  (16,718,124)
Shares issued on reinvestment
 of distribution.............   899,379   10,185,940     243,720     2,889,027
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.................   609,696    6,828,059     103,466       724,942
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold..................   368,834    4,244,744     974,483    11,445,916
Shares redeemed..............  (286,484)  (3,289,676)   (551,773)   (6,555,500)
Shares issued on reinvestment
 of distribution.............   455,010    5,155,127      93,247     1,107,337
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.................   537,360    6,110,195     515,957     5,997,753
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold..................    24,825      286,912      13,355       157,299
Shares redeemed..............   (13,232)    (151,924)     (6,139)      (72,067)
Shares issued on reinvestment
 of distribution.............     4,902       55,528         980        11,662
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.................    16,495      190,516       8,196        96,894
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold..................   156,453    1,853,755     100,754     1,197,639
Shares redeemed..............   (45,967)    (540,528)   (100,753)   (1,214,182)
Shares issued on reinvestment
 of distribution.............     6,764       76,665       2,014        23,760
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase.................   117,250    1,389,892       2,015         7,217
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from capital share
 transactions................            $14,518,662              $  6,826,806
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
                                       75
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

Value Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Six Months Ended               Year Ended
                            January 31, 1999              July 31, 1998
                         ------------------------  ----------------------------
                           Shares       Amount       Shares         Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
Class A
Shares sold.............    535,158  $ 11,768,462    1,587,252  $    40,192,765
Shares redeemed......... (2,011,180)  (43,621,283)  (2,758,581)     (68,967,117)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    217,141     4,878,786    3,563,487       81,070,016
Shares issued in the
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............          0             0    3,109,878       80,290,504
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease)............. (1,258,881)  (26,974,035)   5,502,036      132,586,168
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Shares sold.............    542,771    11,777,878    2,346,146       58,297,020
Shares redeemed......... (1,149,184)  (24,857,895)  (1,290,986)     (31,809,835)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........    111,926     2,520,096    2,433,973       55,281,719
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............   (494,487)  (10,559,921)   3,489,133       81,768,904
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Shares sold.............     21,724       473,607      170,261        4,223,998
Shares redeemed.........    (65,000)   (1,403,028)     (72,103)      (1,793,135)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........      1,529        34,419       31,015          701,653
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
 (decrease).............    (41,747)     (895,002)     129,173        3,132,516
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Shares sold.............    322,956     7,053,094    4,385,718      107,270,971
Shares redeemed......... (1,973,281)  (42,465,915) (46,491,232)  (1,113,847,392)
Shares issued on
 reinvestment of
 distribution...........     47,810     1,078,886    2,771,230       65,192,827
Shares issued in the
 acquisition of Virtus
 Style Manager; Large
 Cap Fund...............          0             0      924,632       23,882,074
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease............ (1,602,515)  (34,333,935) (38,409,652)    (917,501,520)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in net
 assets resulting from
 capital share
 transactions...........             $(72,762,893)              $  (700,013,932)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding
short-term securities) were as follows for the six months ended January 31,
1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Cost of Purchases Proceeds from Sales
                                         --------------------------------
         <S>                        <C>               <C>
         Blue Chip Fund............   $324,179,259       $270,872,888
         Equity Income Fund........     93,521,714        101,729,832
         Growth and Income Fund....    269,427,398        116,477,061
         Income and Growth Fund....    365,028,236        424,129,096
         Small Cap Value Fund......     98,085,282         80,790,261
         Utility Fund..............     25,789,727         26,822,918
         Value Fund................    654,841,866        662,610,832
</TABLE>

9. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS

The Funds have entered into expense offset arrangements with ESC and their cus-
todian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were
used to reduce a portion of each Fund's related expenses. The assets deposited
with ESC and the custodian under these expense offset arrangements could have
been invested in income-producing assets. The amount of fee credits received by
each Fund and the impact on each Fund's expense ratio represented as a percent-
age of its average daily net assets were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Total
                                             Fee Credits   % of Average
                                              Received   Daily Net Assets
                                              -------------------------
         <S>                                 <C>             <C>
         Blue Chip Fund.....................   $ 7,577         0.00%
         Equity Income Fund.................     3,644         0.00
         Growth and Income Fund.............    39,394         0.00
         Income and Growth Fund.............    20,572         0.01
         Small Cap Value Fund...............    17,071         0.01
         Utility Fund.......................     2,956         0.00
         Value Fund.........................    16,320         0.00
</TABLE>

                                       76
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

10. DEFERRED TRUSTEES' FEES

Each Independent Trustee of each Fund may defer any or all compensation related
to performance of duties as a Trustee. The Trustees' deferred balances are al-
located to deferral accounts, which are included in the accrued expenses for
the Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts are based on the
investment performance of certain Evergreen Funds. Any gains earned or losses
incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in the Fund's Trustees' fees and
expenses. Trustees will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly install-
ments for up to ten years at their election, not earlier than either the year
in which the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees or January
1, 2000.

11. FINANCING AGREEMENT

Certain Evergreen Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State
Street") and a group of banks (collectively, the "Banks") entered into a fi-
nancing agreement dated December 22, 1997, as amended on November 20, 1998. Un-
der this agreement, the Banks provide an unsecured credit facility in the ag-
gregate amount of $400 million ($275 million committed and $125 million uncom-
mitted). The credit facility is allocated among the Banks, under the terms of
the financing agreement. The credit facility is to be accessed by the Funds for
temporary or emergency purposes only and is subject to each Fund's borrowing
restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per annum
above the Federal Funds rate. A commitment fee of 0.065% per annum will be in-
curred on the unused portion of the committed facility, which will be allocated
to all funds. State Street serves as administrative agent for the Banks, and as
administrative agent is entitled to a fee of $20,000 per annum which is allo-
cated to all of the Funds.

This agreement was amended and renewed on December 22, 1998. The amended fi-
nancing agreement became effective on December 22, 1998 among all of the Ever-
green Funds, State Street and The Bank of New York ("BONY"). Under this agree-
ment, State Street and BONY provide an unsecured credit facility in the aggre-
gate amount of $150 million ($125 million committed and $25 million uncommit-
ted). The remaining terms and conditions of the agreement are unaffected.

During the six months ended January 31, 1999, the Funds had no significant
borrowings under these agreement.

12. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Utility Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in issuers in the
utilities industry, therefore, it may be more affected by economic and politi-
cal developments in that industry than would be a comparable general equity
fund.

13. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

During the period from January 31, 1999 to March 31, 1999, the Utility Fund de-
clared the following distributions from net investment income.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Record Date          Payable Date    Class A Class B Class C Class Y
            -----------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                <C>               <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
         February 12, 1999  February 17, 1999 $0.031  $0.025  $0.025  $0.033
         March 12, 1999     March 16, 1999    $0.030  $0.023  $0.023  $0.032
</TABLE>

On March 23, 1999 the following Fund's declared distributions from net invest-
ment income. These distributions were payable on March 24, 1999 to shareholders
of record March 22, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Class A Class B Class C Class Y
                                         ------------------------------
         <S>                            <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
         Equity Income Fund............ $0.079  $0.041  $0.041  $0.091
         Growth and Income Fund........     --      --      --  $0.005
         Income and Growth Fund........ $0.257  $0.216  $0.216  $0.270
         Small Cap Value Fund.......... $0.069  $0.043  $0.043  $0.078
         Value Fund.................... $0.034      --      --  $0.049
</TABLE>

These distributions are not reflected in these financial statements.

                                       77
<PAGE>


        Combined Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

14. NAME CHANGES

Effective April 6, 1999, Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund and Evergreen
Fund for Total Return will change their names to Evergreen Small Cap Value Fund
and Evergreen Equity Income Fund, respectively.

In connection with this name change, the investment objective of the Evergreen
Equity Income Fund has been revised to seek primarily current income and sec-
ondarily capital growth. Additionally, the investment strategy of the Evergreen
Equity Income Fund has been clarified so that the Fund invests at least 65% in
common stocks of large, established companies (above $5 billion in market capi-
talization) with a history of paying dividends.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - YEAR 2000

Like other investment companies, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Funds' investment advisors and the Funds' other
service providers are not able to perform their intended functions effectively
after 1999 because of the inability of computer software to distinguish the
year 2000 from the year 1900. The Funds' investment advisors are taking steps
to address this potential year 2000 problem with respect to the computer sys-
tems that they use and to obtain satisfactory assurances that comparable steps
are being taken by the Funds' other major service providers. At this time, how-
ever, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid
any adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.

                                       78
<PAGE>







                      (This Page Left Blank Intentionally)





<PAGE>



                      (This Page Left Blank Intentionally)


<PAGE>

                                Evergreen Funds

Money Market

Treasury Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund


Tax Exempt

Short Intermediate Municipal Fund
High Grade Municipal Bond Fund
Municipal Bond Fund
California Municipal Bond Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund
Missouri Municipal Bond Fund
New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund
New York Municipal Bond Fund
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund


Income

Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Short Intermediate Bond Fund
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Diversified Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
High Yield Bond Fund


Balanced

American Retirement Fund
Balanced Fund
Tax Strategic Foundation Fund
Foundation Fund


Growth & Income

Utility Fund
Income and Growth Fund
Equity Income Fund
Value Fund
Blue Chip Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Small Cap Value Fund


Domestic Growth

Tax Strategic Equity Fund
Strategic Growth Fund
Stock Selector Fund
Evergreen Fund
Masters Fund
Omega Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Aggressive Growth Fund
Micro Cap Fund


Global International

Global Leaders Fund
International Growth Fund
Global Opportunities Fund
Precious Metals Fund
Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Latin America Fund


Express Line

800.346.3858


Investor Services

800.343.2898


Retirement Plan Services

800.247.4075

www.evergreen-funds.com


19367                                                          540390  03/99

                                                                BULK RATE
                                                               U.S. POSTAGE
 [LOGO OF EVERGREEN  Evergreen Funds(SM)                           PAID
   APPEARS HERE]          SINCE 1932                           PERMIT NO. 19
200 BERKELEY STREET                                             HUDSON, MA
BOSTON, MA 02116

<PAGE>





Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Income and Growth Fund   American Retirement Fund         Proforma Combined
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Shares          Value    Shares         Value         Shares           Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>               <C>        <C>
COMMON STOCKS - 70.2%
  Aerospace & Defense - 0.2%
  Loral Space & Communications                                                36        $ 2,169             36           $ 2,169
                                                                                     -----------                  ---------------

  Automotive Equipment & Manufacturing - 3.0%
  Arvin Industries Inc.                                                       29          1,147             29             1,147
  Daimler Chrysler AG Stuttgart                                               25          2,583             25             2,583
  Dana Corp.                                         526      $ 21,628        30          1,234            556            22,862
  General Motors Corp.                                50         4,487                                      50             4,487
  Simpson Industries, Inc.                                                   170          1,786            170             1,786
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------
                                                                26,115                    6,750                           32,865
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------
  Banks - 12.5%
  Amsouth Bancorp                                     12           519                                      12               519
  Associated Banc Corp.                              100         3,138                                     100             3,138
  BancorpSouth, Inc.                                 284         4,881        40            687            324             5,568
  BancWest Corp.                                     300        13,476                                     300            13,476
  Bank of New York Co., Inc.                                                  40          1,420             40             1,420
  Bank One Corp.                                                              32          1,692             32             1,692
  Bankers Trust Corp.                                170        14,799                                     170            14,799
  BB & T Corp.                                                                61          2,328             61             2,328
  Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co.                                                   32            608             32               608
  CB Bancshares, Inc. **                             192         6,160                                     192             6,160
  CCB Financial Corp.                                 50         2,702                                      50             2,702
  Comerica, Inc.                                                              20          1,218             20             1,218
  F&M National Corp.                                  78         2,270                                      78             2,270
  First American Corp.                                35         1,465                                      35             1,465
  First State Bancorp                                                         48            907             48               907
  First Tennessee National Corp.                      40         1,463                                      40             1,463
  First Union Corp. ***                                                        8            421              8               421
  First Virginia Banks, Inc.                          21           980                                      21               980
  FirstMerit Corp.                                     8           217                                       8               217
  Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                         30         1,329                                      30             1,329
  Hibernia Corp. Cl. A                                                        53            888             53               888
  Huntington Bancshares, Inc.                                                 30            934             30               934
  Interchange Financial Services Corp.               319         5,350                                     319             5,350
  KeyCorp                                            100         3,188                                     100             3,188
  M & T Bank Corp.                                    18         9,136                                      18             9,136
  Marshall & Ilsley Corp.                            100         5,925                                     100             5,925
  Mercantile Bancorp, Inc.                           477        21,451                                     477            21,451
  One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia, Inc.           16           492                                      16               492
  Pacific Century Financial Corp.                    116         2,563                                     116             2,563
  PNC Bank Corp.                                     173         8,881                                     173             8,881
  Premier National Bancorp, Inc.                      38           662                                      38               662
  Republic Security Financial Corp.                                          189          1,734            189             1,734
  Second Bancorp, Inc.                                79         1,758                                      79             1,758
  Summit Bancorp                                      10           408                                      10               408
  Suntrust Banks, Inc.                                                        24          1,694             24             1,694
  Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.                       111         2,165        36            700            147             2,865
  United Bankshares, Inc.                              7           170                                       7               170
  USBancorp, Inc.                                    322         5,795                                     322             5,795
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------
                                                               121,343                   15,231                          136,574
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------

  Building, Construction & Furnishings - 2.2%
  Armstrong World Industries, Inc.                   304        17,927        10            589            314            18,516
  Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.                                               83          3,031             83             3,031
  La-Z-Boy Chair Co.                                  44           799                                      44               799
  Southdown, Inc.                                                             23          1,252             23             1,252
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------
                                                                18,726                    4,872                           23,598
                                                            -----------              -----------                  ---------------

  Business Equipment & Services - 0.0%
  Dun & Bradstreet Corp.                                                      15            458             15               458
                                                                                     -----------                  ---------------

  Capital Goods - 1.1%
  Caterpillar, Inc.                                  271        11,759                                     271            11,759
                                                            -----------                                           ---------------

  Chemical & Agricultural Products - 0.5%
  Du Pont (E. I.) De Nemours & Co.                   100         5,119                                     100             5,119
                                                            -----------                                           ---------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                Income and Growth    American Retirement
                                                                      Fund                 Fund                Proforma Combined
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Shares      Value      Shares        Value      Shares      Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                                     <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>
       Consumer Products & Services - 1.5%
       CPI Corp.                                                                        50        $ 1,322        50    $   1,322
       Lancaster Colony Corp.                                                           80          2,275        80        2,275
       Newell Co.                                               120       $ 4,987       15            623       135        5,610
       Rubbermaid, Inc.                                                                 50          1,613        50        1,613
       Service Corp. International                              200         3,175                               200        3,175
       Tupperware Corp.                                         115         2,365                               115        2,365
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                           10,527                   5,833                 16,360
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Diversified Companies - 0.6%
       Harris Corp.                                                                     10            375        10          375
       Ruddick Corp.                                                                    80          1,410        80        1,410
       Tomkins Plc, ADR                                         225         3,347       80          1,190       305        4,537
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                            3,347                   2,975                  6,322
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Electronic Equipment & Services - 0.2%
       AMP, Inc.                                                                        46          2,396        46        2,396
                                                                                               -----------           ------------

       Electrical Equipment & Services - 3.5%
       Emerson Electric Co.                                      78         4,538       12            698        90        5,236
       Hubbell, Inc. Cl. A                                        5           175       57          2,075        62        2,250
       Hubbell, Inc. Cl. B                                      230         8,424                               230        8,424
       Thomas & Betts Corp.                                     449        19,836       43          1,900       492       21,736
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                           32,973                   4,673                 37,646
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Finance & Insurance - 5.9%
       Dain Rauscher Corp.                                                              30            926        30          926
       Edwards (A.G.), Inc.                                      50         1,694                                50        1,694
       Exel Limited Hamilton                                     79         5,041                                79        5,041
       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.                                          20          1,039        20        1,039
       LaSalle Re Holdings Ltd.                                 100         1,850       20            370       120        2,220
       Lincoln National Corp.                                                           15          1,249        15        1,249
       Ohio Casualty Corp.                                      196         7,783                               196        7,783
       Paine Webber Group, Inc.                                 743        27,630       20            744       763       28,374
       Provident Co., Inc.                                      143         6,140                               143        6,140
       Torchmark Corp.                                          290         9,516                               290        9,516
       Transamerica Corp.                                                               12            672        12          672
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                           59,654                   5,000                 64,654
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Food & Beverage Products - 0.5%
       Flowers Industries, Inc.                                                         71          1,706        71        1,706
       H. J. Heinz Co.                                                                  18          1,014        18        1,014
       Lance, Inc.                                                                      50            931        50          931
       Sara Lee Corp.                                             2            51                                 2           51
       Sbarro, Inc.                                              62         1,673                                62        1,673
       Tasty Baking Corp.                                                               20            263        20          263
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                            1,724                   3,914                  5,638
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Healthcare Products & Services - 5.5%
       American Home Products Corp.                             270        15,846       20          1,174       290       17,020
       Baxter International, Inc.                               175        12,414       30          2,128       205       14,542
       Beckman Coulter, Inc.                                    200         9,985                               200        9,985
       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                  59         7,614       14          1,795        73        9,409
       Shared Medical System Corp.                              152         7,167       50          2,354       202        9,521
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                           53,026                   7,451                 60,477
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Industrial Specialty Products & Services - 0.3%
       Federal Signal Corp.                                                             80          2,125        80        2,125
       Leggett & Platt, Inc.                                                            30            611        30          611
       Lindberg Corp.                                                                   42            525        42          525
       Timken Co.                                                20           434                                20          434
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------
                                                                              434                   3,261                  3,695
                                                                       -----------             -----------           ------------

       Information Services & Technology - 1.7%
       Hewlett-Packard Co.                                      100         7,837                               100        7,837
  *    Network Associates, Inc.                                 200        10,475                               200       10,475
                                                                       -----------                                   ------------
                                                                           18,312                                         18,312
                                                                       -----------                                   ------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Income and Growth     American Retirement
                                                                        Fund                    Fund             Proforma Combined
                                                                ---------------------    ------------------     -------------------
                                                                Shares          Value     Shares     Value       Shares      Value
       <S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>
       Machinery - Diversified - 0.1%
       Hardinge, Inc.                                                                        83    $ 1,328           83    $ 1,328
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

       Metal Products & Services - 0.0%
       Titanium Metals Corp.                                                                 50        444           50        444
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------
       Oil/Energy - 5.4%
       Amerada Hess Corp.                                           50       $ 2,375                                 50      2,375
       Atlantic Richfield Co.                                      337        19,335         23      1,320          360     20,655
       Consolidated Natural Gas Co.                                  6           313                                  6        313
       Equitable Resources, Inc.                                   293         7,639                                293      7,639
       Exxon Corp.                                                                           15      1,085           15      1,085
       Mobil Corp.                                                                           10        877           10        877
       Texaco, Inc.                                                                          12        568           12        568
       Williams Companies, Inc.                                    548        18,091         60      1,980          608     20,071
       YPF SA, ADR                                                 158         5,036                                158      5,036
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
                                                                              52,789                 5,830                  58,619
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
       Oil Field Services - 0.1%
       BP Amoco Plc                                                                          11        859           11        859
       Lufkin Industries, Inc.                                                               32        605           32        605
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------

                                                                                                     1,464                   1,464
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------
       Other - 2.5%
       AMR Corp.                                                    50         2,937                                 50      2,937
       Brandywine Realty Trust REIT                                 10           165                                 10        165
       British Airways, ADR                                         34         2,208                                 34      2,208
       Cincinnati Bell, Inc.                                        50         1,016                                 50      1,016
       Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel, Plc, ADR             300         1,200                                300      1,200
       Convergys Corp.                                              50           900                                 50        900
       Delta Air Lines, Inc.                                        65         3,546                                 65      3,546
       Ingersoll Rand Co., 6.75%, PRIDES                           100         2,462                                100      2,462
       Lincoln National Corp.                                        5           417                                  5        417
       Lincoln National Corp., Inc., 7.75%, PRIDES                 267         6,656                                267      6,656
       NICOR, Inc.                                                  22           841                                 22        841
       S&P 500 Depositary Receipts                                  36         4,597                                 36      4,597
                                                                          -----------                                     ---------
                                                                              26,945                                        26,945
                                                                          -----------                                     ---------
       Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment - 0.4%
       Bowne & Co., Inc.                                                                     52        798           52        798
       Reader's Digest Association, Inc.                            50         1,438         50      1,403          100      2,841
       Time Warner, Inc.                                                                     12        725           12        725
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
                                                                               1,438                 2,926                   4,364
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
       Real Estate - 3.6%
       Burnham Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT                        24           283                                 24        283
       Canadian Hotel Properties REIT                              838         4,337                                838      4,337
       Equity Residential Properties Trust REIT                    125         5,082                                125      5,082
       Gables Residential Trust REIT                               313         7,172                                313      7,172
       Kranzco Realty Trust REIT                                   462         6,526                                462      6,526
       Meditrust Co. REIT                                          850        13,334                                850     13,334
       Post Property, Inc. REIT                                     75         2,794                                 75      2,794
                                                                          -----------                                     ---------
                                                                              39,528                                        39,528
                                                                          -----------                                     ---------
       Retailing & Wholesale - 0.6%
       Freds, Inc.                                                                           60        776           60        776
       J. C. Penney Co., Inc.                                                                43      1,685           43      1,685
       Longs Drug Stores Corp.                                                               30      1,149           30      1,149
       Saks, Inc.                                                                            70      2,587           70      2,587
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------
                                                                                                     6,197                   6,197
                                                                                                  ---------               ---------
       Thrift Institutions - 0.3%
       First Essex Bancorp, Inc.                                    56           998                                 56        998
       Horizon Financial Corp.                                                               18        245           18        245
       Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.                                  122         1,952                                122      1,952
       Peoples Heritage Financial Group                             10           188                                 10        188
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
                                                                               3,138                   245                   3,383
                                                                          -----------             ---------               ---------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Income and Growth  American Retirement
                                                                      Fund                Fund           Proforma Combined
                                                                -----------------  -----------------    -------------------
                                                                 Shares    Value    Shares    Value      Shares      Value
<S>                                                              <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>          <C>       <C>
       Transportation - 2.4%
       Delta Air Lines, Inc.                                                           20   $ 1,091        20      $ 1,091
  *    UAL Corp.                                                  150     $ 9,338      20     1,245       170       10,583
       Union Pacific Corp.                                        260      13,374      27     1,389       287       14,763
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                           22,712             3,725                 26,437
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
       Utilities - Electric - 4.4%
       Black Hills Corp.                                           11         264                          11          264
       Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.                          6         262                           6          262
       FPL Group, Inc.                                            239      13,115                         239       13,115
       Houston Industries, Inc.                                                        80     2,430        80        2,430
       Interstate Energy Corp.                                    124       3,560      19       558       143        4,118
       LG & E Energy Corp.                                         65       1,728                          65        1,728
       MDU Resources Group, Inc.                                  180       4,140                         180        4,140
       Midamerican Energy Holdings Co.                            125       3,352                         125        3,352
       Potomac Electric Power Co.                                 146       3,415                         146        3,415
       PP&L Resources, Inc.                                        51       1,374      37       987        88        2,361
       Public Service Company of New Mexico                                            40       753        40          753
       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.                                           53     2,103        53        2,103
       Sempra Energy                                                                   93     2,139        93        2,139
       TNP Enterprises, Inc.                                      150       5,342      35     1,245       185        6,587
       Wisconsin Energy Corp.                                                          40     1,040        40        1,040
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                           36,552            11,255                 47,807
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
       Utilities - Gas - 4.9%
       Chesapeake Utilities Corp.                                  78       1,380                          78        1,380
       Keyspan Energy                                           1,036      28,033      94     2,544     1,130       30,577
       Northwest Natural Gas Co.                                                       39       922        39          922
       Peoples Energy Corp.                                       336      11,602      55     1,898       391       13,500
       Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.                              98       3,029                          98        3,029
       South Jersey Industries, Inc.                               10         256                          10          256
       UGI Corp.                                                  190       4,176                         190        4,176
       Yankee Energy System, Inc.                                   8         230                           8          230
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                           48,706             5,364                 54,070
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
       Utilities - Telephone - 6.3%
       Frontier Corp.                                             305      11,022      35     1,264       340       12,286
       GTE Corp.                                                  250      16,875                         250       16,875
  *    Nortel Inversora SA MEDS                                   100       4,463                         100        4,463
       Telecom Corp. New Zealand Ltd.                           1,503      31,093                       1,503       31,093
       U.S. West, Inc.                                             20       1,234      40     2,468        60        3,702
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                           64,687             3,732                 68,419
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Common Stocks (cost - $633,982,
       $86,861 and $720,810, respectively)                                659,554           107,493                767,047
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED - 18.8%
       Aerospace & Defense - 1.1%
  *    Loral Space & Communications                               200      12,050                         200       12,050
                                                                         ---------                               ----------
       Banks - 0.9%
       National Australia Bank, Ltd., 7.875%, Ser. UNIT           210       6,379      50     1,519       260        7,898
       WBK Trust, 10.00% STRYPES
       (exchangeable for Westpac Banking Corp. Common Stock)                           58     1,885        58        1,885
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                            6,379             3,404                  9,783
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
       Communications Systems & Services - 1.8%
       AirTouch Communications, Inc., 6.00%, Ser. B               200      15,675      15     1,176       215       16,851
       Qwest Trends Trust, 5.75%, 144A                             50       2,669                          50        2,669
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
                                                                           18,344             1,176                 19,520
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
       Diversified Companies - 0.2%
       Ingersoll Rand Co., 6.75% PRIDES                                                79     1,950        79        1,950
                                                                                           ---------             ----------
       Electrical Equipment & Services - 0.8%
       Pioneer Standard Financial Trust, 6.75%, 3/31/2028, 144A   165       6,930      50     2,100       215        9,030
                                                                         ---------         ---------             ----------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Income and Growth  American Retirement
                                                                        Fund                 Fund               Proforma Combined
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Shares     Value  Shares       Value      Shares        Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                                                          <C>    <C>           <C>     <C>            <C>        <C>
      Finance & Insurance - 2.1%
      American General Corp., $3.00, Ser. A, MIPS                                        20     $ 1,785          20    $    1,785
      American Heritage Life Investment Corp., 8.50%, PRIDES                             13         864          13           864
      Frontier Financing Trust, 6.25%, TOPRS                       270    $ 12,050       11         491         281        12,541
      Frontier Financing Trust, 6.25%, TOPRS, 144A                                       20         893          20           893
      Philadelphia Consolidated Holdings, Inc., PRIDES                                  125       1,250         125         1,250
      St. Paul Capital, 6.00%, MIPS                                100       5,800                              100         5,800
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
                                                                            17,850                5,283                    23,133
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------

      Food & Beverage Products - 2.5%
      Dole Food Co., 7.00%, TRACES                                 200       6,100                              200         6,100
      Wendys Financing I, 5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS                    400      21,450                              400        21,450
                                                                          ---------                                   ------------
                                                                            27,550                                         27,550
                                                                          ---------                                   ------------

      Leisure & Tourism - 0.4%
      Lodgian Capital Trust I, 7.00%, CRESTS, 144A                 170       3,655       50       1,075         220         4,730
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------


      Metal Products & Services - 0.3%
      Timet Capital Trust I, 6.625%, 11/01/2026, BUCS, 144A        100       2,512       20         502         120         3,014
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------

      Oil/Energy - 0.4%
      Callon Petroleum Co., 8.50%, Ser. A                           95       2,565       16         437         111         3,002
      Nuevo Energy Co., 5.75%, Ser. A, TECONS                       48       1,581                               48         1,581
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
                                                                             4,146                  437                     4,583
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------

      Oil Field Services - 0.3%
      Evi Inc., 5.00%                                              100       3,062                              100         3,062
                                                                          ---------                                   ------------

      Printing, Publishing, Broadcasting & Entertainment - 1.5%
      Houston Industries, Inc., 7.00%, ACES
      (exchangeable for Time Warner, Inc. Common Stock)             85       9,042       27       2,872         112        11,914
      Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 6.00%, STRYPES due 6/1/1999
      (exchangeable for Cox Communications, Inc. Common Stock)                           20       1,193          20         1,193
      TCI Communications, Inc., $2.125, Ser. A                                           10       1,375          10         1,375
      Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 8.50%, STRYPES due 5/15/2001
      (exchangeable for Dollar General Corp. Common Stock)                               65       2,470          65         2,470
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
                                                                             9,042                7,910                    16,952
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------

      Retailing & Wholesale - 0.1%
      CVS Automatic Common Exchange Security, TRACES                                      7         724           7           724
                                                                                              ----------              ------------

      Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 3.3%
      Qualcomm Financial Trust I, 5.75%, 3/01/2012                 700      36,841                              700        36,841
                                                                          ---------                                   ------------

      Transportation - 1.9%
      CNF Trust I, 5.00%, Ser. A, TECONS
      (Exchangeable for CNF Transportation, Inc. common stock)      69       4,199       20       1,222          89         5,421
      Union Pacific Capital Trust, 6.25%, TIDES, 144A              280      14,000       20       1,000         300        15,000
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
                                                                            18,199                2,222                    20,421
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------

      Utilities - Electric - 0.5%
      BNDES Participacoes S.A., 10.50%, DECS                       168       2,604       45         698         213         3,302
      Texas Utilities Co.                                                                40       2,215          40         2,215
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
                                                                             2,604                2,913                     5,517
                                                                          ---------           ----------              ------------
      Utilities - Gas - 0.7%
      MCN Corp., 8.75%, PRIDES                                     394       7,200                              394         7,200
                                                                          ---------                                   ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Convertible Preferred (cost - $187,792,
      $28,315 and $216,107, respectively)                                  176,364               29,696                   206,060
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Income and Growth        American Retirement
                                                                         Fund                      Fund          Proforma Combined
                                                                 ----------------------   --------------------- --------------------
                                                                  Principal                Principal             Principal
                                                                   Amount        Value      Amount       Value     Amount     Value
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>       <C>
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 3.2%

      Business Equipment & Services - 0.0%
      Interim Services, Inc., 4.50%, 6/1/2005                                               $ 250       $ 221      $ 250      $ 221
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------

      Consumer Products & Services - 0.2%
      Action Performance Companies, Inc., 4.75%, 4/1/2005, 144A                             2,000       2,270      2,000      2,270
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------

      Electrical Equipment & Services - 1.8%
  *   Phototronics, Inc., 6.00%, 6/01/2004                          $ 9,700    $ 10,815                            9,700     10,815
  *   Solectron Corp., 0.00%, 1/27/2019, 144A                        16,000       7,640     4,000       1,910     20,000      9,550
                                                                               ---------            ----------             ---------
                                                                                 18,455                 1,910                20,365
                                                                               ---------            ----------             ---------

      Leisure & Tourism - 0.2%
      Family Golf Centers, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/2004, 144A                                    2,500       2,059      2,500      2,059
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------

      Oil/Energy - 0.0%
      Swift Energy Co., 6.25%, 11/15/2006                               820         597                              820        597
                                                                               ---------                                   ---------

      Oil Field Services - 0.2%
      Nabors Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 5/15/2006                                             2,000       1,935      2,000      1,935
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------

      Retailing & Wholesale - 0.2%
      Central Garden & Pet Co.:
          6.00%, 11/15/2003, 144A                                                             500         438        500        438
          6.00%, 11/15/2003                                                                 1,600       1,400      1,600      1,400
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------
                                                                                                        1,838                 1,838
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------

      Transportation - 0.6%
      Continental Airlines Inc., 6.75%, 4/15/2006                     5,000       6,094     1,000       1,219      6,000      7,313
                                                                               ---------            ----------             ---------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Convertible Debentures (cost $24,356,
      $12,449 and $36,805, respectively)                                         25,146                11,452                36,598
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE BONDS - 0.3%
      Banks - 0.1%
      NationsBank Corp., 6.50%, 8/15/2003                                                   1,000       1,037      1,000      1,037
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------
      Finance & Insurance - 0.1%
      American General Finance Corp., 7.125%, 12/1/1999                                     1,000       1,013      1,000      1,013
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------
      Telecommunication Services & Equipment - 0.1%
      GTE Southwest, Inc., 5.82%, 12/1/1999, Ser. A                                         1,000       1,005      1,000      1,005
                                                                                                    ----------             ---------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $0,
      $3,011 and $3,011 respectively)                                                                   3,055                 3,055
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U. S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 6.1%
      U.S. Government Agency Notes & Bonds - 5.3%
      Federal Farm Credit Bank MTN, 5.75%, 12/7/2028                                        2,000       1,993      2,000      1,993
      Federal Home Loan Bank:
          5.375%, 10/06/2003                                                                2,000       1,990      2,000      1,990
          5.50%, 12/11/2013                                                                 3,000       3,001      3,000      3,001
          5.65%, 12/29/2000                                                                 2,000       2,024      2,000      2,024
          6.53%, 12/28/2007                                                                 2,000       2,030      2,000      2,030
          7.00%, 7/14/2005                                                                  2,000       2,048      2,000      2,048
      Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:
          6.54%, 12/10/2007                                                                 2,000       2,073      2,000      2,073
          6.54%, 3/19/2008                                                                  2,000       2,034      2,000      2,034
          6.91%, 6/20/2005                                                                  1,000       1,022      1,000      1,022
          7.585%, 9/19/2006                                                                 2,000       2,116      2,000      2,116
          7.865%, 8/8/2011                                                                  2,000       2,114      2,000      2,114
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Schedules of Investments (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Income and Growth     American Retirement
                                                                          Fund                  Fund             Proforma Combined
                                                                  -------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                                  Principal            Principal               Principal
                                                                   Amount       Value   Amount     Value        Amount     Value
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
      Federal National Mortgage Assn.:
          5.65%, 2/22/2028                                                               $ 5,000   $ 4,917       $ 5,000    $ 4,917
          6.00%, 1/14/2005                                                                 1,850     1,882         1,850      1,882
          6.10%, 1/26/2005                                                                 2,215     2,241         2,215      2,241
          6.16%, 1/23/2008                                                                 3,000     3,062         3,000      3,062
          6.24%, 1/14/2008                                                                 2,000     2,045         2,000      2,045
          6.32%, 3/3/2008                                                                  3,000     3,096         3,000      3,096
          6.41%, 3/8/2006                                                                  1,000     1,069         1,000      1,069
          6.42%, 2/12/2008                                                                 5,000     5,099         5,000      5,099
          6.46%, 1/1/2008                                                                  2,000     2,065         2,000      2,065
          6.52%, 3/5/2008                                                                  4,000     4,086         4,000      4,086
          7.28%, 5/23/2007                                                                 3,000     3,174         3,000      3,174
      Federal National Mortgage Assn.:
          MTN, 6.875%, 9/24/2012                                                           2,355     2,551         2,355      2,551
      Student Loan Marketing Assn., 5.90%, 2/20/2001                                       1,000     1,004         1,000      1,004
                                                                                                 ----------             ------------
                                                                                                    58,736                   58,736
                                                                                                 ----------             ------------

      U.S. Treasury Bonds - 0.8%
      U.S. Treasury Bonds:
          6.00%, 2/15/2026                                                                 6,000     6,589         6,000      6,589
          7.125%, 2/15/2023                                                                1,500     1,857         1,500      1,857
                                                                                                 ----------             ------------
                                                                                                     8,446                    8,446
                                                                                                 ----------             ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $0, $65,339
      and $65,339, respectively)                                                                    67,182                   67,182
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.5%
      U.S. Government Agency Obligations - 1.5%
      Federal Farm Credit Bank Discount Notes
          4.725%, 2/24/1999                                         $ 1,720    $ 1,715                           $ 1,720    $ 1,715
                                                                              ---------                                 ------------

      Federal Home Loan Mortgage Discount Notes:
          4.69%, 2/18/1999                                                                 1,220     1,217         1,220      1,217
          4.70%, 2/8/1999                                                                    575       575           575        575
          4.72%, 2/16/1999                                              790        788                               790        788
          4.72%, 2/18/1999                                            9,690      9,668                             9,690      9,668
          4.73%, 2/19/1999                                                                   380       379           380        379
          4.74%, 2/8/1999                                             1,600      1,599                             1,600      1,599
          4.75%, 2/11/1999                                                                   230       230           230        230
                                                                              ---------          ----------             ------------
                                                                                12,055               2,401                   14,456
                                                                              ---------          ----------             ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Short-term Investments (cost - $13,770,
      $2,401 and $16,171, respectively)                                         13,770               2,401                   16,171
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (cost - $859,900,
      $198,376 and $1,058,276, respectively) (99.9%)                           874,834              221,279               1,096,113
Other Assets and Liabilities - net (0.1%)                                       (2,501)                838                   (1,663)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS (100.0%)                                                     $ 872,333          $ 222,117              $ 1,094,450
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*         Non-income producing security.
**        Investment in non-controlled affiliate. Income & Growth Fund owned
          over 5% of the outstanding voting shares of CB Bancshares, Inc. The
          Fund had a cost basis of $6,024,625 in the issue at January 31, 1999.
***       At January 31, 1999, American Retirement Fund owned 8,000 shares of
          common stock of First Union Corp. at a cost of $106,108. These shares
          were purchased by the Fund prior to the acquistion of the investment
          advisor and Lieber & Company by First Union.
144A      Security that may be resold to "qualified institutional buyers" under
          Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security has been
          determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
          Trustees.

Summary of Abbreviations
ACES      Automatically Convertible Equity Securities
ADR       American Depository Receipts
BUCS      Beneficial Unsecured Convertible Securities
CRESTS    Convertible Redeemable Equity Structured Trust Securities
DECS      Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock
MEDS      Manditorilly Exchangeable Debt Securities
MIPS      Monthly Income Preferred Shares
MTN       Medium Term Notes
PRIDES    Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities
REIT      Real Estate Investment Trust
STRYPES   Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock
TECONS    Term Convertible Shares
TIDES     Term Income Deferrable Equitable Securities
TOPRS     Trust Originated Preferred Securities
TRACES    Trust Automatic Common Exchangeable Securities

     See Notes to Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements.

<PAGE>
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (000's)
January 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 American
                                                                                 Income and     Retirement                ProForma
                                                                                 Growth Fund       Fund    Adjustments    Combined
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
Assets
     Identified cost of securities                                                $ 859,900      $ 198,376              $ 1,058,276
     Net unrealized gains or losses on securities                                    14,934         22,903                   37,837
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Market value of securities                                                     874,834        221,279                1,096,113
     Cash                                                                                67             42                      109
     Foreign currency, at value (cost $3,886, $0 and $3,886 respectively)             3,887              0                    3,887
     Receivable for securities sold                                                   4,306            453                    4,759
     Receivable for Fund shares sold                                                     85            234                      319
     Dividends and interest receivable                                                2,198          1,811                    4,009
     Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                   66             32                       98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total assets                                                                885,443        223,851                1,109,294
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
     Payable for securities purchased                                                10,491          1,259                   11,750
     Payable for Fund shares redeemed                                                 1,460            199                    1,659
     Advisory fee payable                                                               741            167                      908
     Distribution Plan expenses payable                                                  21             61                       82
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                             397             48                      445
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total liabilities                                                            13,110          1,734                   14,844
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets                                                                        $ 872,333      $ 222,117              $ 1,094,450
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets represented by
     Paid-in capital                                                              $ 862,334      $ 199,312              $ 1,061,646
     Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income                           13,093            583                   13,676
     Accumulated net realized gains or losses on securities
        and foreign currency related transactions                                   (18,030)          (681)                 (18,711)
     Net unrealized gains or losses on securities
        and foreign currency related transactions                                    14,936         22,903                   37,839
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets                                                                        $ 872,333      $ 222,117              $ 1,094,450
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A
     Net assets                                                                   $  13,379      $  28,167              $    41,546
     Shares outstanding                                                                 650          1,845    (477)(a)        2,018
     Net asset value                                                                 $20.59         $15.27                   $20.59
     Maximum offering price (based on sales charge of 4.75%)                         $21.62         $16.03                   $21.62

Class B
     Net assets                                                                   $  51,033      $ 157,742                 $208,775
     Shares outstanding                                                               2,500         10,389  (2,662)(a)       10,227
     Net asset value                                                                 $20.41         $15.18                   $20.41

Class C
     Net assets                                                                   $   1,074      $   2,195                   $3,269
     Shares outstanding                                                                  53            144     (37)(a)          160
     Net asset value                                                                 $20.41         $15.22                   $20.41

Class Y
     Net assets                                                                   $ 806,847      $  34,013                 $840,860
     Shares outstanding                                                              39,172          2,227    (576)(a)       40,823
     Net asset value                                                                 $20.60         $15.27                   $20.60

</TABLE>
(a) Reflects the impact of converting shares of the target fund into the
survivor fund.

            See Notes to Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements.


<PAGE>

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Statements of Operations (000's)
January 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Income and       American                          Pro Forma
                                                                       Growth Fund   Retirement Fund      Adjustments      Combined
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>
Investment income
     Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of
        $449, $4 and $453, respectively)                                 $ 51,154       $ 5,361                         $ 56,515
     Interest                                                               3,446         5,400                            8,846
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment income                                                    54,600        10,761                           65,361
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
     Advisory fee                                                           9,240         1,717            179(a)         11,136
     Distribution Plan expenses                                               589         1,678                            2,259
     Transfer agent fee                                                     1,698           473                            2,171
     Trustees' fees and expenses                                               26             6                               32
     Printing and postage expenses                                            272           147            (81)(b)           338
     Custodian fee                                                            239            58                              297
     Registration and filing fees                                              86            76            (70)(c)            92
     Professional fees                                                         38            26            (20)(c)            44
     Other                                                                     72             5             12 (d)            89
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total expenses                                                     12,252         4,186             20            16,458
     Less:  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements                              0             0           (821)(e)          (821)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Net expenses                                                       12,252         4,186           (801)           15,637
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                                                      42,348         6,575            801            49,724
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities
     and foreign currency related transactions
     Net realized gains or losses on:
        Securities                                                         68,474         1,239              0            69,713
        Foreign currency related transactions                                  63             0              0                63
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net realized gains or losses on securities
        and foreign currency related transactions                          68,537         1,239              0            69,776
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net change in unrealized gains or losses on securities
        and foreign currency related transactions                        (110,158)       (8,839)             0          (118,997)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net realized and unrealized gains or losses on securities
        and foreign currency related transactions                         (41,621)       (7,600)             0           (49,221)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net  increase (decrease) in net assets
        resulting from operations                                           $ 727      $ (1,025)         $ 801             $ 503
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) Reflects an increase based on the surviving fund's fee schedule.
(b) Reflects expected cost savings when the funds are combined.
(c) Reflects a savings resulting from the elimination of duplicate expenses.
(d) Reflects an increase when the funds are combined.
(e) Reflects a 7 basis point Advisory Fee Waiver implemented due to the merger.

             See Notes to Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements.
<PAGE>

Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
Notes to Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements (Unaudited)
January 31, 1999

1.  Basis of Combination The Pro Forma Combining Statement of Assets and
    Liabilities, including the Pro Forma Schedule of Investments and the related
    Pro Forma Combining Statement of Operations ("Pro Forma Statements"),
    reflect the accounts of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund ("Income and Growth
    Fund") and Evergreen American Retirement Fund ("American Retirement Fund")
    at January 31, 1999 and for the respective periods then ended.

    The Pro Forma Statements give effect to the proposed Agreement and Plan of
    Reorganization (the "Reorganization") to be submitted to shareholders of
    American Retirement Fund. The Reorganization provides for the acquisition of
    the assets and identified liabilities of American Retirement Fund by Income
    and Growth Fund, in exchange for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y
    shares of Income and Growth Fund. Thereafter, there will be a distribution
    of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares of Income and Growth Fund to
    the respective shareholders of American Retirement Fund in liquidation and
    subsequent termination thereof. As a result of the Reorganization, the
    shareholders of American Retirement Fund will become the owners of that
    number of full and fractional Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares
    of Income and Growth Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the
    aggregate net asset value of their shares of American Retirement Fund as of
    the close of business immediately prior to the date that American Retirement
    Fund net assets are exchanged for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y
    shares of Income and Growth Fund.

    The Pro Forma Statements reflect the expenses of each Fund in carrying out
    its obligations under the Reorganization as though the merger occurred at
    the beginning of the respective periods presented.

    The information contained herein is based on the experience of each Fund for
    the respective periods then ended and is designed to permit shareholders of
    the consolidating mutual funds to evaluate the financial effect of the
    proposed Reorganization. The expenses of American Retirement Fund in
    connection with the Reorganization (including the cost of any proxy
    soliciting agents) will be borne by First Union National Bank of North
    Carolina. It is not anticipated that the securities of the combined
    portfolio will be sold in significant amounts in order to comply with the
    policies and investment practices of Income and Growth Fund.

    The Pro Forma Statements should be read in conjunction with the historical
    financial statements of each Fund incorporated by reference in the Statement
    of Additional Information.

2.  Shares of Beneficial Interest The Pro Forma net asset values per share
    assume the issuance of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares of
    Income and Growth Fund which would have been issued at January 31, 1999 in
    connection with the proposed Reorganization. Shareholders of American
    Retirement Fund would receive Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares
    of Income and Growth Fund based on conversion ratios determined on January
    31, 1999. The conversion ratios are calculated by dividing the net asset
    value of American Retirement Fund by the net asset value per share of the
    respective class of Income and Growth Fund.

3.  Pro Forma Operations The Pro Forma Combining Statement of Operations assumes
    similar rates of gross investment income for the investments of each Fund.
    Accordingly, the combined gross investment income is equal to the sum of
    each Fund's gross investment income. Pro Forma operating expenses include
    the actual expenses of the Funds adjusted to reflect the expected expenses
    of the combined entity. The combined pro forma expenses were calculated by
    determining the expense rates based on the combined average assets of the
    two funds and applying those rates to the average net assets of the Income
    and Growth Fund for the twelve months ended January 31, 1999 and to the
    average net assets of the American Retirement Fund for the twelve months
    ended January 31, 1999. The adjustments reflect those amounts needed to
    adjust the combined expenses to these rates.
 
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

<PAGE>
   

                             EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                                     PART C

                                OTHER INFORMATION


Item 15. Indemnification.

         The response to this item is  incorporated  by reference to  "Liability
and Indemnification of Trustees" under the caption "Information on Shareholders'
Rights" in Part A of this Registration Statement.


Item 16. Exhibits:

1.        Declaration of Trust. Incorporated by reference to Evergreen Equity
          Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 8, 1997.
          Registration No. 333-37453 ("Form N-1A Registration Statement")

2.        Bylaws. Incorporated by reference to the Form N-1A Registration
          Statement.

3.        Not applicable.

4.        Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. Exhibit A to Prospectus
          contained in Part A of this Registration Statement.

5.        Declaration of Trust Articles II., III.6(c), IV.(3), IV.(8), V., VI.,
          VII., and VIII and By-Laws Articles II., III., and VIII.

6(a).     Investment Advisory Agreement between Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
          and Evergreen Equity Trust. Incorporated by reference to the Form N-1A
          Registration Statement.

6(b).     Sub-Advisory Agreement between Evergreen Asset Management Corp. and
          Lieber & Company. Incorporated by reference to Form N-1A Registration
          Statement

7(a).     Distribution Agreement between Evergreen Distributor,  Inc. and
          Evergreen Equity Trust. Incorporated by reference to the Form N-1A
          Registration Statement.

7(b).     Form of Dealer Agreement for Class A, Class B and Class C shares used 
          by Evergreen Distributor, Inc. Incorporated  by  reference to the Form
          N-1A Registration Statement.

8.        Form of Deferred  Compensation Plan.  Incorporated by reference to the
          Form N-1A Registration Statement.

9.        Custody Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust  Company and
          Evergreen Equity Trust.  Incorporated  by  reference  to Form N-1A
          Registration Statement. 

10(a).    Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan. Incorporated by reference to the Form
          N-1A Registration Statement.

10(b).    Multi-Class Plan. Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment
          No. 1

11.       Opinion and Consent of Sullivan & Worester LLP.  Previously filed.

12.       Tax Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP. Filed herewith
     
13.       Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and the Evergreen
          Service Company. Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
          Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 Filed on November 10, 1997.

14(a).    Consent of KPMG LLP. Filed herewith

14(b).    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Previously Filed

15.       Not applicable.

16.       Powers of Attorney. Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
          Amendment No. 1

17.       Proxy Card. Filed herewith.


Item 17.               Undertakings

(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the
securities  registered  through the use of a  prospectus  that is a part of this
Registration Statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter
within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the  Securities Act of 1933, the reoffering
prospectus   will  contain  the   information   called  for  by  the  applicable
registration form for reofferings by person who may be deemed  underwriters,  in
addition  to the  information  called for by the other  items of the  applicable
form.

(2) The undersigned  Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under
paragraph (1) above will be filed as a apart of an amendment to the Registration
Statement and will not be used until the  amendment is  effective,  and that, in
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each  post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration  Statement for the securities
offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering of them.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act and the Investment
Company Act the Trust has duly caused Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to 
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly
authorized, in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on the 18th day of
May, 1999.


                                                       EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

                                            By:      /s/ William J. Tomko
                                                     ----------------------
                                                     Name:  William J. Tomko
                                                     Title: President


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of  1933,  Post-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement has been signed below
by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 18th day of
May, 1999.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>                                <C>
/s/William J. Tomko                      /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin            /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- -------------------------               -----------------------------     --------------------------------
William J. Tomko                        Laurence B. Ashkin*               Charles A. Austin III*
President and Treasurer                 Trustee                           Trustee

  
/s/ K. Dun Gifford                      /s/ James S. Howell               /s/ William Walt Pettit
- ----------------------------            ----------------------------      --------------------------------
K. Dun Gifford*                         James S. Howell*                  William Walt Pettit*
Trustee                                 Chairman of the Board and         Trustee
                                        Trustee

/s/Gerald M. McDonnell                  /s/ Thomas L. McVerry              /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- -------------------------------         -----------------------------      --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell*                     Thomas L. McVerry*                 Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee                                 Trustee                            Vice Chairman of the Board and
                                                                           Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson                 /s/ Russell A. Salton, III 
- ------------------------------          -------------------------------    
David M. Richardson*                    Russell A. Salton, III* 
Trustee                                 Trustee

/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------          /s/ Leroy Keith, Jr.*
Richard J. Shima*                       ------------------------------
Trustee                                 Leroy Keith, Jr.*
                                        Trustee


*By: /s/ Catherine E. Foley
- -------------------------------
Catherine E. Foley
Attorney-in-Fact

</TABLE>

     *Catherine E. Foley,  by signing  her name hereto,  does  hereby  sign this
document on behalf of each of the above-named  individuals pursuant to powers of
attorney duly executed by such persons and included as Exhibit 16 to this
Registration Statement.


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.             EXHIBIT

11       Tax Opinion and Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP
14       Consent of KPMG LLP 
17       Proxy Card





                                                            May 12, 1999



Evergreen American Retirement Fund
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

         Re:      Acquisition of Assets of Evergreen American Retirement
                  Fund by Evergreen Income and Growth Fund              

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         You have  asked  for our  opinion  as to  certain  Federal  income  tax
consequences of the transactions described below:

         Parties to the Transaction. Evergreen American Retirement Fund ("Target
Fund") is a series of Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business trust.

         Evergreen Income and Growth Fund ("Acquiring Fund") is also a series of
Evergreen Equity Trust, a Delaware business trust.

         Description  of  Proposed  Transaction.  Acquiring  Fund will issue its
shares to Target Fund and assume certain  stated  liabilities of Target Fund, in
exchange for all of the assets of Target Fund. Target Fund will then immediately
dissolve and  distribute  all of the Acquiring Fund shares which it holds to its
shareholders  pro rata in proportion to their  shareholdings  in Target Fund, in
complete redemption of all outstanding shares of Target Fund.



<PAGE>


Evergreen American Retirement Fund
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund
May 12, 1999
Page 3


         Scope of Review and  Assumptions.  In rendering  our  opinion,  we have
reviewed and relied upon the form of Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  (the
"Reorganization  Agreement")  between Acquiring Fund and Target Fund dated as of
April  30,  1999  which  is  enclosed  in a draft  preliminary  prospectus/proxy
statement to be dated June 2, 1999 which describes the proposed transaction, and
on the information provided in such prospectus/proxy  statement. We have relied,
without independent verification,  upon the factual statements made therein, and
assume that there will be no change in material facts disclosed  therein between
the date of this  letter  and the date of the  closing  of the  transaction.  We
further assume that the  transaction  will be carried out in accordance with the
Reorganization Agreement.

         Representations.  Written representations, copies of which are attached
hereto,  have been made to us by the appropriate  officers of Target Fund and of
Acquiring Fund, and we have without  independent  verification  relied upon such
representations in rendering our opinions.

                                    Opinions

         Based on and subject to the foregoing, and our examination of the legal
authority we have deemed to be relevant, we have the following opinions:

1. The  acquisition by Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of Target Fund solely
in  exchange  for voting  shares of  Acquiring  Fund and  assumption  of certain
specified liabilities of Target Fund followed by the distribution by Target Fund
of said Acquiring Fund shares to the shareholders of Target Fund in exchange for
their Target Fund shares will constitute a reorganization  within the meaning of
368(a)(1)(C)  of the Code, and Acquiring Fund and Target Fund will each be "a
party to a reorganization" within the meaning of ' 368(b) of the Code.

2. No gain or loss will be recognized to Target Fund upon the transfer of all of
its assets to Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund voting shares
and  assumption by Acquiring  Fund of certain  specified  liabilities  of Target
Fund,  or upon the  distribution  of such  Acquiring  Fund voting  shares to the
shareholders of Target Fund in exchange for all of their Target Fund shares.

3. No gain or loss will be recognized by Acquiring  Fund upon the receipt of the
assets of Target Fund solely in exchange for  Acquiring  Fund voting  shares and
assumption by Acquiring Fund of any liabilities of Target Fund.



<PAGE>


4. The basis of the assets of Target Fund acquired by Acquiring Fund will be the
same as the basis of those assets in the hands of Target Fund immediately  prior
to the  transfer,  and the  holding  period of the assets of Target  Fund in the
hands of Acquiring  Fund will include the period  during which those assets were
held by Target Fund.

5. The  shareholders  of  Target  Fund will  recognize  no gain or loss upon the
exchange of all of their  Target Fund shares  solely for  Acquiring  Fund voting
shares.

6. The basis of the  Acquiring  Fund voting  shares to be received by the Target
Fund  shareholders  will be the same as the  basis  of the  Target  Fund  shares
surrendered in exchange therefor.

7. The holding  period of the Acquiring Fund voting shares to be received by the
Target Fund  shareholders  will include the period  during which the Target Fund
shares  surrendered  in exchange  therefor  were held,  provided the Target Fund
shares were held as a capital asset on the date of the exchange.

         This  opinion  letter  is  delivered  to  you  in  satisfaction  of the
requirements of Section 8.6 of the Reorganization  Agreement.  We hereby consent
to the filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement  on
Form  N-14  and to use of our  name  and  any  reference  to our  firm  in  such
Registration Statement or in the Prospectus/Proxy  Statement constituting a part
thereof. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  of the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                                  Very truly yours,


                                                   /s/ SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP 

                                                  SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Trustees and Shareholders
Evergreen Equity Trust


We consent to the use of our report, dated May 1, 1998, for Evergreen
American Retirement Fund, a portfolio of Evergreen Equity Trust, incorporated
herein by reference  and to the  reference to our firm under the caption
"FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS" in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.


                                                       /s/ KPMG LLP
                                                  
                                                       KPMG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 18, 1999



                     EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

          THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH PROPOSAL.

                   PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN
                   YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TODAY!

                       Please detach at perforation before
                                    mailing.

          - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                       EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT FUND,
                       a series of Evergreen Equity Trust


                  PROXY FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON JULY 23, 1999


         The undersigned, revoking all Proxies heretofore given, hereby appoints
Michael H. Koonce, Maureen E. Towle, Sally E. Ganem, Catherine E. Foley and Beth
K. Werths or any of them as  Proxies of the  undersigned, with  full  power  of
substitution,  to vote on  behalf of the  undersigned  all  shares of  Evergreen
American  Retirement  Fund,  a  series  of  Evergreen  Equity  Trust  ("American
Retirement  Fund")  that the  undersigned  is  entitled  to vote at the  special
meeting of shareholders  of American  Retirement Fund to be held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday,  July 23,  1999 at the  offices of the  Evergreen  Funds,  200  Berkeley
Street, 26th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 and at any adjournments thereof,
as fully as the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.

         NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR  NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS PROXY.  If
joint owners,  EITHER may sign this Proxy.  When signing as attorney,  executor,
administrator,  trustee,  guardian,  or custodian for a minor,  please give your
full  title.  When  signing  on behalf of a  corporation  or as a partner  for a
partnership,  please give the full corporate or partnership name and your title,
if any.



                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Signature(s) and Title(s), if applicable

                                    _________________________, 1999
                                    Date


<PAGE>


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -

         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EVERGREEN
EQUITY  TRUST.  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED  BELOW WITH RESPECT TO THE
ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING  PROPOSALS.  THE SHARES  REPRESENTED  HEREBY
WILL BE VOTED AS INDICATED OR FOR THE PROPOSALS IF NO CHOICE IS  INDICATED.  THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSALS.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK.  DO NOT USE RED INK.  EXAMPLE:
X


         1. To approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization whereby Evergreen
Income and Growth Fund, a series of Evergreen Equity Trust, will (i) acquire all
of the assets of American  Retirement  Fund in exchange  for shares of Evergreen
Income and Growth Fund; and (ii) assume the  identified  liabilities of American
Retirement Fund, as substantially described in the accompanying Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.


____ FOR                      ____ AGAINST                          ____ ABSTAIN

         2. To consider and vote upon such other  matters as may  properly  come
before said meeting or any adjournments thereof.

____ FOR                      ____ AGAINST                          ____ ABSTAIN




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission