SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM N-8A
NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION
FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a) OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and Exchange
Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of Section
8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and in connection with such
notification of registration submits the following information:
Name: Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
Address of Principal Business Office (No. & Street, City, State, Zip Code):
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Telephone Number (including area code): (212) 323-0200
Name and address of agent for service of process:
Andrew J. Donohue, Esq.
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center - Suite 3400
New York, New York 10048-0203
Check Appropriate Box:
Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of Form N-8A:No ___
X
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
registrant has caused this notification of registration to be duly signed on its
behalf in the City of New York and State of New York on the 11th day of June,
1998
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
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Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
Attest:
By: /s/ Robert G. Zack
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Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
n1a\715\715N8A.698
<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11, 1998.
Registration No. ___________
File No. 811-___________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ___ / /
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ___ / /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT
COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / X /
AMENDMENT NO. ___ / /
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
212-323-0200
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(Registrant's Telephone Number)
ANDREW J. DONOHUE, ESQ.
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Offering: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement and thereafter from day to day.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
/ / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / On __________________, pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / On _______, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / On _______, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
of Rule 485.
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The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will amend the Registration Statement
on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to
Section 8(a), shall determine.
<PAGE>
FORM N-1A
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Cross Reference Sheet
Part A of
Form N-1A
Item No. Prospectus Heading
1 Front Cover Page
2 Expenses; A Brief Overview of the Fund
3 *
4 Front Cover Page; Investment Objective and Policies
5 Expenses; How the Fund is Managed; Back Cover
5A *
6 How the Fund is Managed - Organization and History; Dividends,
Capital Gains and Taxes; The Transfer Agent
7 How to Buy Shares; How to Exchange Shares; Special Investor
Services; Service Plan for Class A Shares; Distribution and
Service Plan for Class B Shares; Distribution and Service Plan for
Class C Shares; How to Sell Shares; Shareholder Account Rules and
Policies
8 Special Investor Services; How to Sell Shares; How to Exchange
Shares
9 *
Part B of
Form N-1A
Item No. Heading in Statement of Additional Information
10 Cover Page
11 Cover Page
12 *
13 Investment Objective and Policies; Other Investment Techniques and
Strategies;
Additional Investment Restrictions
14 How the Fund is Managed; Trustees and Officers of the Fund
15 How the Fund is Managed - Major Shareholders
16 How the Fund is Managed; Distribution and Service Plans;
Additional Information About the Funds
17 Brokerage Policies of the Fund
18 Additional Information about the Fund
19 Your Investment Account; How to Buy Shares; How to Sell Shares;
How to Exchange Shares
20 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
21 How the Fund is Managed; Additional Information About the Fund -
The Distributor; Distribution and Service Plans
22 *
23 Financial Statements
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*Not applicable or negative answer.
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OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Supplement dated August __, 1998 to the
Prospectus dated August __, 1998
As of the date of this Prospectus, Class A, Class B and Class C shares are not
available for sale.
August __, 1998 PS0775.001
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER
Core Equity Fund
Prospectus dated August___, 1998
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund is a mutual fund that seeks capital appreciation as
its investment objective. Current income is not an objective. The Fund seeks its
objective by investing predominantly in common stocks of companies the Manager
has selected from among those included in the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Manager
looks for companies that, in its opinion, have above-average earnings prospects
but are selling at below-normal valuations.
The Fund's common stock investments will emphasize stocks of large
capitalization issuers (those with a market capitalization in excess of $3
billion). The Fund's common stock holdings will generally have a dollar-weighted
average market capitalization between the median and the mean market
capitalization (currently between $3.3 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively)
of the companies included in the Russell 1000 Index. The Russell 1000 Index
measures the performance of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies based on total
market capitalization, and represents approximately 88% of the invested U.S.
equity market.
The Fund will generally invest 10% or less of its total assets in cash,
cash equivalents (such as commercial paper) or U.S. Government securities. The
Fund may use options and futures contracts for hedging purposes to seek to
reduce the risks of market fluctuations that affect the value of the securities
the Fund holds. The Fund may borrow money from banks to buy securities, which is
a speculative investment method known as "leverage."
Please refer to "Investment Objective and Policies" for more information
about the types of securities the Fund invests in and refer to "Investment
Risks" for a discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund.
This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before investing in
the Fund. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it for future
reference. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the August
___, 1998, Statement of Additional Information. For a free copy, call
OppenheimerFunds Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent, at 1-800-525-7048, or
write to the Transfer Agent at the address on the back cover. The Statement of
Additional Information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (which means
that it is legally part of this Prospectus).
(OppenheimerFunds logo)
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not
guaranteed by any bank, are not insured by the F.D.I.C. or any other agency, and
involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount
invested.
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. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
1
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Contents
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
A Brief Overview of the Fund
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Risks
Investment Techniques and Strategies
How the Fund is Managed
Performance of the Fund
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Class Y Shares
Special Investor Services
AccountLink
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans
Reinvestment Privilege
Retirement Plans
How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
How to Exchange Shares
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Appendix A: Special Sales Charge Arrangements
2
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ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its assets,
administration, distribution of its shares and other services, and those
expenses are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the Fund's net asset
value per share. All shareholders therefore pay those expenses indirectly.
Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as sales charges and account
charges. The following tables are provided to help you understand your direct
expenses of investing in the Fund and your share of the Fund's business
operating expenses that you will expect to bear indirectly.
o Shareholder Transaction Expenses are charges you pay when you buy or
sell shares of the Fund. Please refer to "About Your Account" starting on page
__ for an explanation of how and when these charges apply.
Class A Class B Class C Class Y
Shares Shares Shares Shares
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Maximum Sales 5.75% None None None
Charge on
Purchases (as a %
of offering price)
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Maximum Deferred None(1) 5% in the first 1% if None
Sales Charge year, declining shares are
(as a % of the to 1% in the redeemed
lower of the sixth year and within 12
original offering eliminated months of
price or redemption thereafter(2) purchase(2)
proceeds)
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Maximum Sales None None None None
Charge on
Reinvested
Dividends
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Exchange Fee None None None None
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Redemption Fee None None None None
(1)If you invest $1 million or more ($500,000 or more for purchases by
"Retirement Plans," as defined in "Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" on
page __) in Class A shares, you may have to pay a sales charge of up to 1% if
you sell your shares within 18 calendar months from the end of the calendar
month during which you purchased those shares. See "How to Buy Shares - Buying
Class A Shares," below.
(2)See "How to Buy Shares- Buying Class B Shares" and "How to Buy Shares -
Buying Class C Shares," below for more information on the contingent deferred
sales charge.
o Annual Fund Operating Expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and
represent the
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Fund's expenses in operating its business. For example, the Fund pays management
fees to its investment adviser, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (which is referred to in
this Prospectus as the "Manager"). The rates of the Manager's fees are set forth
in "How the Fund is Managed," below. The Fund has other regular expenses for
services, such as transfer agent fees, custodial fees paid to the bank that
holds its portfolio securities, audit fees and legal expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a Percentage of Average Net Assets)
Class A Class B Class C Class Y
Shares Shares Shares Shares
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Management Fees 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
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12b-1 Plan Fees 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% None
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Other Expenses ____% ____% ____% ____%
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Total Fund Operating Expenses ____% ____% ____% ____%
The "12b-1 Plan Fees" for Class A shares are service fees (the maximum fee
is 0.25% of average annual net assets of that class). For Class B and Class C
shares, the 12b-1 Plan Fees are the service fees ( 0.25% of average annual net
assets of that class) and the asset-based sales charge of 0.75%. These Plans are
described in greater detail in "How to Buy Shares." Because the Fund is a new
fund and has no operating history, the rates for the management fees and the
12b-1 Plan fees are the maximum rates that can be charged. "Other Expenses" in
the table above are estimates based on the Manager's projections of those
expenses in the Fund's first fiscal year (which ends August 31, 1998).
o Examples. To try to show the effect of these expenses on an investment
over time, we have created the hypothetical examples shown below. Assume that
you make a $1,000 investment in each class of shares of the Fund, that the
Fund's annual return is 5%, and that its operating expenses for each class are
the ones shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above. If you were to
redeem your shares at the end of each period shown below, your investment would
incur the following expenses by the end of 1 year and 3 years:
1 year 3 years
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Class A Shares $ $
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Class B Shares $ $
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Class C Shares $ $
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Class Y Shares $ $
If you did not redeem your investment, it would incur the following
expenses:
1 year 3 years
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Class A Shares $ $
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Class B Shares $ $
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Class C Shares $ $
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Class Y Shares $ $
4
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In the first example, expenses include the Class A initial sales charge and the
applicable Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charge. In the second
example, Class A expenses include the initial sales charge, but Class B and
Class C expenses do not include contingent deferred sales charges. Because of
the effect of the asset-based sales charge and the contingent deferred sales
charge imposed on Class B and Class C shares, long-term holders of Class B and
Class C shares could pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charge allowed under applicable regulations. For Class B
shareholders, the automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
designed to minimize the likelihood that this will occur. Please refer to "How
to Buy Shares - Buying Class B Shares" for more information.
These examples show the effect of expenses on an investment, but are not
meant to state or predict actual or expected costs or investment returns of the
Fund, all of which may be more or less than those shown.
A Brief Overview of the Fund
Some of the important facts about the Fund are summarized below, with references
to the section of this Prospectus where more complete information can be found.
You should carefully read the entire Prospectus before making a decision about
investing in the Fund. Keep the Prospectus for reference after you invest,
particularly for information about your account, such as how to sell or exchange
shares.
o What Is The Fund's Investment Objective? The Fund's investment objective
is to seek capital appreciation.
o What Does the Fund Invest In? The Fund seeks its objective by investing
predominantly in common stocks of companies the Manager has selected from among
those included in the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Manager looks for companies
that, in its opinion, have above-average earnings prospects but are selling at
below-normal valuations. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at
least 80% of its total assets in equity securities.
The Fund's common stock investments will emphasize stocks of large
capitalization issuers (those with a market capitalization in excess of $3
billion). The Fund's common stock holdings will generally have a dollar-weighted
average market capitalization between the median and the mean market
capitalization (currently between $3.3 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively)
of the companies included in the Russell 1000 Index. The Russell 1000 Index
measures the performance of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies based on total
market capitalization, and represents approximately 88% of the invested U.S.
equity market.
The Fund will generally invest 10% or less of its total assets in cash,
cash equivalents (such as commercial paper) or U.S. Government securities. The
Fund may also use options and futures contracts for hedging purposes to try to
manage investment risks. These investments are more fully explained in
"Investment Objective and Policies" starting on page __.
o Who Manages the Fund? The Fund's investment adviser (the "Manager") is
5
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OppenheimerFunds, Inc., which (including a subsidiary) manages investment
company portfolios currently having over $____ billion in assets at June 30,
1998. The Manager is paid an advisory fee by the Fund, based on its net assets.
The Fund has a portfolio manager, Robert C. Doll, Jr., who is employed by the
Manager and is primarily responsible for the selection of the Fund's securities.
Mr. Doll is assisted by the Value and Growth Equity portfolio teams. The Fund's
Board of Trustees, elected by shareholders, oversees the investment adviser and
the portfolio manager. Please refer to "How the Fund is Managed," starting on
page __ for more information about the Manager and its fees.
o How Risky Is the Fund? All investments carry risks to some degree. It is
important to remember that the Fund is designed for long-term investors. The
Fund's investments in stocks are subject to changes in their value from a number
of factors such as changes in general stock market movements. A change in value
of particular stocks may result from an event affecting the issuer, or changes
in interest rates that can affect stock prices. The Fund's investments in
foreign securities are subject to additional risks associated with investing
abroad, such as the effect of currency rate changes on stock values. These
changes affect the value of the Fund's investments and its share prices for each
class of its shares. In the Oppenheimer funds spectrum, the Fund is generally
considered more aggressive than the money market or growth and income funds
because it invests for capital appreciation in common stocks, emphasizing
"growth" stocks that tend to be more volatile than other investments. While the
Manager tries to reduce risks by diversifying investments, by carefully
researching securities before they are purchased for the portfolio, and in some
cases by using hedging techniques, there is no guarantee of success in achieving
the Fund's objectives and your shares may be worth more or less than their
original cost when you redeem them. Please refer to "Investment Risks" starting
on page __ for a more complete discussion of the Fund's investment risks.
o How Can I Buy Shares? You can buy shares through your dealer or
financial institution, or you can purchase shares directly through the
Distributor by completing an Application or by using an Automatic Investment
Plan under AccountLink. Please refer to "How to Buy Shares" on page __ for more
details. The procedures for purchasing, redeeming, exchanging or transferring
Class A, Class B and Class C shares (other than the time orders must be received
by the Distributor or Transfer Agent in Denver), and the special account
features available to purchasers of those other classes described elsewhere in
this Prospectus do not apply to Class Y shares. See "Buying Class Y Shares" on
page __ of this Prospectus.
o Will I Pay a Sales Charge to Buy Shares? The Fund has four classes of
shares. Each class of shares has the same investment portfolio but different
expenses. Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge, starting at
5.75% and reduced for larger purchases. Class B shares are offered without a
front-end sales charge, but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(starting at 5% and declining as shares are held longer) if redeemed within 6
years of purchase. Class C shares are offered without a front-end sales charge,
but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% if redeemed
within 12 months of purchase. There is also an annual asset-based sales charge
on Class B shares and Class C shares. Class Y shares are offered at net asset
value without sales charge only to certain institutional investors. Please
review "How to Buy Shares" starting on page __ for more details, including a
discussion about factors you and your financial advisor should consider in
determining which class may be appropriate for you.
6
<PAGE>
o How Can I Sell My Shares? Shares can be redeemed by mail or by telephone
call to the Transfer Agent on any business day, or through your dealer. Please
refer to "How to Sell Shares" on page ___. The Fund also offers exchange
privileges to other Oppenheimer funds, described in "How to Exchange Shares" on
page __.
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Fund invests its assets to seek capital appreciation for
shareholders. The Fund does not invest to seek current income to pay
shareholders.
Investment Policies and Strategies. The Fund seeks its investment objective by
investing predominantly in common stocks of companies the Manager has selected
from among those included in the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Manager looks for
companies that, in its opinion, have above-average earnings prospects but are
selling at below-normal valuations. The Fund will generally invest 10% or less
of its total assets in cash, cash equivalents (including commercial paper) or
U.S. Government securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest
at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities.
The Fund's common stock investments will emphasize stocks of large
capitalization issuers (issuers with a market capitalization in excess of $3
billion). The Fund's portfolio holdings will generally have a dollar-weighted
average market capitalization between the median and the mean market
capitalization (currently between $3.3 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively)
of the companies included in the Russell 1000 Index. The Russell 1000 Index
measures the performance of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies based on total
market capitalization, and represents approximately 88% of the invested U.S.
equity market.
The number of common stock issuers owned by the Fund will generally range
from 50 to 80. In seeking to outperform the Russell 1000 Index, the Fund will
allocate its common stock investments among industry sectors in a manner
generally comparable to the sector weightings in the Russell 1000 Index. The
Fund anticipates that its sector allocations to larger capitalized industries
will generally be no more than two times that sector's weighting in the Russell
1000 Index, while its sector allocations to smaller capitalized industries will
generally be no more than three times that sector's weighting in the Russell
1000 Index. "Larger" or "smaller" capitalized industries for this purpose will
be determined by the relative size of the industry within the Russell 1000
Index, with any industry representing approximately 10% or more of the index
being considered as a "larger" industry.
While the Manager believes "growth companies" have favorable long-term
prospects, they normally retain a large part of their earnings for research,
development and investment in capital assets. Therefore, they tend not to
emphasize the payment of dividends. In selecting securities from its benchmark
universe for the Fund's portfolio, the Manager's security selection process uses
three quantitative filters as initial screens: earnings momentum, earnings
surprise, and below-normal valuation. After the initial screening is done, the
Manager relies on fundamental analysis, using both internal and external
research, in choosing among growth companies the Manager believes are
7
<PAGE>
undervalued to construct the Fund's portfolio.
8
<PAGE>
o Short-Term Debt Securities. The Fund can hold cash, cash equivalents, or
U.S. Government securities, and anticipates that it will generally invest 10% or
less of its total assets in such securities. The Fund may invest in high
quality, short-term money market instruments such as U.S. Treasury and agency
obligations; commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory
notes of a domestic or foreign company); short-term debt obligations of
corporate issuers; and certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances (time
drafts drawn on commercial banks usually in connection with international
transactions) of domestic or foreign banks and savings and loan associations.
The issuers of foreign money market instruments purchased by the Fund must have
at least U.S. $1 billion of assets.
o Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund has an
investment objective, described above, as well as investment policies it follows
to try to achieve its objective. Additionally, the Fund uses certain investment
techniques and strategies in carrying out those policies. The Fund's investment
policies and practices are not "fundamental" unless this Prospectus or the
Statement of Additional Information says that a particular policy is
"fundamental." The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy.
Fundamental policies are those that cannot be changed without the approval
of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. The term "majority" is
defined in the Investment Company Act to be a particular percentage of
outstanding voting shares (and this term is explained in the Statement of
Additional Information). The Fund's Board of Trustees may change non-fundamental
policies without shareholder approval, although significant changes will be
described in amendments to this Prospectus.
o Portfolio Turnover. A change in the securities held by the Fund is known
as "portfolio turnover". Although the Fund may engage in short-term trading to
try to achieve its objective, its annual portfolio turnover rate in the current
year is not expected to exceed 100%. High turnover and short-term trading may
cause the Fund to have relatively larger commission expenses and transaction
costs than funds that do not engage in short-term trading, and result in the
Fund's realization of capital gains or losses for tax purposes.
Investment Risks
All investments carry risks to some degree, whether they are risks that market
prices of the investment will fluctuate (this is known as "market risk") or that
the underlying issuer will experience financial difficulties and may default on
its obligations under a fixed-income investment to pay interest and repay
principal (this is referred to as "credit risk"). These general investment
risks, and the special risks of certain types of investments that the Fund may
hold are described below. They affect the value of the Fund's investments, its
investment performance, and the prices of its shares. These risks collectively
form the risk profile of the Fund.
Because of the types of securities the Fund invests in and the investment
techniques the Fund uses, the Fund is designed for investors who are investing
for the long term. It is not intended for investors seeking assured income or
preservation of capital. While the Manager tries to reduce risks
9
<PAGE>
by diversifying investments, by carefully researching securities before they are
purchased, and in some cases by using hedging techniques, changes in overall
market prices can occur at any time, and because the income earned on securities
is subject to change, there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
o Stock Investment Risks. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion
of its assets in stocks, the value of the Fund's portfolio will be affected by
changes in the stock markets. At times, the stock markets can be volatile, and
stock prices can change substantially. This market risk will affect the Fund's
net asset values per share, which will fluctuate as the values of the Fund's
portfolio securities change. Not all stock prices change uniformly or at the
same time, not all stock markets move in the same direction at the same time and
other factors can affect a particular stock's prices (for example poor earnings
reports by an issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against an
issuer and changes in government regulations affecting an industry). Not all of
these factors can be predicted. The Fund attempts to limit market risks by
diversifying its investments, that is, by not holding a substantial amount of
the stock of any one company, and by not investing too great a percentage of the
Fund's assets in any one company.
o Interest Rate Risks. Debt securities are subject to changes in their
values due to changes in prevailing interest rates. When prevailing interest
rates fall, the value of already-issued debt securities generally rise. When
interest rates rise, the values of already-issued debt securities generally
decline. The magnitude of these fluctuations will often be greater for
longer-term debt securities than shorter-term debt securities. Changes in the
value of securities held by the Fund mean that the Fund's share prices can go up
or down when interest rates change because of the effect of the change on the
value of the Fund's portfolio of debt securities.
o Foreign Securities Have Special Risks. The Fund may invest up to 10% of
its total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by foreign companies or
foreign governments or their agencies, including securities of foreign issuers
that are represented by American depository receipts ("ADRs"). The Fund may buy
securities in any country, developed or underdeveloped. Investments in
securities of issuers in underdeveloped countries generally involve more risk
and may be considered highly speculative. While foreign securities offer special
investment opportunities, there are also special risks. The change in value of a
foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S.
dollar value of securities denominated in that foreign currency. Foreign issuers
are not subject to the same accounting and disclosure requirements that U.S.
companies are subject to. The value of foreign investments may be affected by
exchange control regulations, expropriation or nationalization of a company's
assets, foreign taxes, delays in settlement of transactions, changes in
governmental economic or monetary policy in the U.S. or abroad, or other
political and economic factors. More information about the risks and potential
rewards of investing in foreign securities is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information.
o Borrowing for Leverage. The Fund may borrow money from banks to buy
securities. The Fund will borrow only if it can do so without putting up assets
as security for a loan. This is a speculative investment method known as
"leverage." This investing technique may subject the Fund to greater risks and
costs than funds that do not borrow. These risks may include the possibility
10
<PAGE>
that the Fund's net asset value per share will fluctuate more than funds that
don't borrow. As a matter of fundamental policy, borrowing for leverage is
subject to limits under the Investment Company Act, described in more detail in
"Borrowing for Leverage" in the Statement of Additional Information. Under the
Investment Company Act, the Fund can borrow only if it maintains a 300% ratio of
net assets to borrowing at all times.
o Hedging instruments can be volatile investments and may involve special
risks. The use of options and futures for hedging purposes requires special
skills and knowledge of investment techniques that are different than what is
required for normal portfolio management. If the Manager uses a hedging
instrument at the wrong time or judges market conditions incorrectly, hedging
strategies may reduce the Fund's return. The Fund could also experience losses
if the prices of its futures positions were not correlated with its other
investments or if it could not close out a position because the market for the
future was illiquid. These risks are described in greater detail in the
Statement of Additional Information.
o Year 2000 Risks. Because many computer software systems in use today
cannot distinguish the year 2000 from the year 1900, the markets for securities
in which the Fund invests could be detrimentally affected by computer failures
beginning January 1, 2000. Failures of computer systems used for securities
trading could result in settlement and liquidity problems for the Fund and other
investors. Data processing errors by corporate and government issuers of
securities could result in production problems and economic uncertainties, and
those issuers may incur substantial costs in attempting to prevent or fix such
errors, all of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's investment and
returns.
Investment Techniques and Strategies
The Fund may also use the investment techniques and strategies described below,
which involve certain risks. The Statement of Additional Information contains
more information about these practices, including limitations on their use that
are designed to reduce some of the risks.
o Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. Investments may be illiquid
because of the absence of an active trading market, making it difficult to value
them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable price. A restricted security
is one that has a contractual restriction on its resale or which cannot be sold
publicly until it is registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund
currently intends not to invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid or
restricted securities (the Board may increase that limit to 15%). The Manager
monitors holdings of illiquid securities on an ongoing basis to determine
whether to sell any holdings to maintain adequate liquidity.
The 10% restriction does not limit purchases of restricted securities that
are eligible for sale to qualified institutional purchasers pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that those securities have been
determined to be liquid by the Manager under Board- approved guidelines. Those
guidelines take into account the trading activity for such securities and
11
<PAGE>
the availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. If there
is a lack of trading interest in a particular Rule 144A security (for example,
if qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing
the security), the Fund's holding of that security may be deemed to be illiquid
and the level of Fund illiquidity could increase.
o Loans of Portfolio Securities. To raise cash for liquidity purposes, the
Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other types of
financial institutions approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund must receive
collateral for a loan. After any loan, the value of the securities loaned must
not exceed 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets. There are some risks in
connection with securities lending. The Fund might experience a delay in
receiving additional collateral to secure a loan, or a delay in recovery of the
loaned securities if the borrower defaults. The Fund presently does not intend
to make loans of portfolio securities that will exceed 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets in the coming year.
o Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In
a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security and simultaneously sells it
to the vendor for delivery at a future date. Repurchase agreements are used
primarily for cash purposes. There is no limit on the amount of the Fund's net
assets that may be subject to repurchase agreements of seven days or less.
Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized. However, if the vendor fails
to pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in
disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in
its ability to do so. The Fund will not enter into a repurchase agreement that
causes more than 10% of its net assets to be subject to repurchase agreements
having a maturity beyond seven days (the Board may increase that limit to 15%).
o Hedging. The Fund may purchase and sell certain kinds of put and call
options, futures contracts, and forward contracts. These are all referred to as
"hedging instruments." The Fund does not use hedging instruments for speculative
purposes, does not engage extensively in hedging, and has limits on the use of
hedging instruments, described below. See "Other Investment Techniques and
Strategies" in the Statement of Additional Information for further details.
The Fund may buy and sell options, futures and forward contracts for a
number of purposes. It may do so to try to manage its exposure to the
possibility that the prices on its portfolio securities may decline, or to
establish a position in the equity securities market as a temporary substitute
for purchasing individual securities. Some of these strategies, such as selling
futures, buying puts and writing covered calls, hedge the Fund's portfolio
against price fluctuations. Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and
call options, tend to increase the Fund's exposure to the securities market.
Forward contracts are used to try to manage foreign currency risks on the Fund's
foreign investments. Foreign currency options are used to try to protect against
declines in the dollar value of foreign securities the Fund owns, or to protect
against an increase in the dollar cost of buying foreign securities. Writing
covered call options may also provide income to the Fund to distribute to
shareholders, for liquidity purposes or for defensive reasons.
o Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts that relate to (1)
stock indices (these are referred to as Stock Index Futures), (2) interest rates
(Interest Rate Futures), and (3) other securities indexes (Financial Futures).
All of these Futures are described in the Statement of
12
<PAGE>
Additional Information.
o Put and Call Options. The Fund may buy and sell exchange-traded and
over-the-counter put and call options, including index options, securities
options, currency options, and options on the other types of futures described
in "Futures," above. A call or put may be purchased only if, after the purchase,
the value of all call and put options held by the Fund will not exceed 5% of the
Fund's total assets.
If the Fund sells (that is, writes) a call option, it must be "covered."
That means the Fund must own the security subject to the call while the call is
outstanding, or, for other types of written calls, the Fund must segregate
liquid assets to enable it to satisfy its obligations if the call is exercised.
Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be subject to calls.
The Fund may buy puts whether or not it holds the underlying investment in
the portfolio. If the Fund writes a put, the put must be covered by segregated
liquid assets. The Fund will not write puts if more than 25% of the Fund's net
assets would have to be segregated to cover put options.
o Forward Contracts. Forward contracts are foreign currency exchange
contracts. They are used to buy or sell foreign currency for future delivery at
a fixed price. The Fund uses them to try to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of a
security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund has bought or sold, or
to protect against possible losses from changes in the relative values of the
U.S. dollar and foreign currency. The Fund limits its net exposure under forward
contracts in a particular foreign currency to the amount of its assets
denominated in that currency or denominated in a closely-correlated currency.
Other Investment Restrictions. The Fund has other investment restrictions which
are fundamental policies. Under these fundamental policies, the Fund cannot do
any of the following:
o The Fund cannot, as to 75% of its total assets, invest in the securities
of any one issuer (other than the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities) if immediately thereafter (a) more than 5% of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund
would then own more than 10% of that issuer's voting securities.
o The Fund cannot concentrate investments in any particular industry;
therefore the Fund will not purchase the securities of companies in any one
industry if, thereafter, 25% or more of the value of the Fund's assets would
consist of securities of companies in that industry.
Unless the Prospectus states that a percentage restriction applies
continuously, it applies only at the time the Fund makes an investment, and the
Fund need not sell securities to meet the percentage limits if the value of the
investment increases in proportion to the size of the Fund. Other investment
restrictions are listed in "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
13
<PAGE>
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund was organized in 1998 as a Massachusetts
business trust. The Fund is an open-end management investment company.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The Trustees
meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's activities, review
its performance, and review the actions of the Manager. "Trustees and Officers
of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional Information names the Trustees and
the officers of the Fund and provides more information about them. Although the
Fund will not normally hold annual meetings of its shareholders, it may hold
shareholder meetings from time to time on important matters, and shareholders
have the right to call a meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action
described in the Fund's Declaration of Trust.
The Board of Trustees has the power, without shareholder approval, to
divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more classes. The Board has done
so, and the Fund currently has four classes of shares, Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Y. All classes invest in the same investment portfolio. Only certain
institutional investors may elect to purchase Class Y shares. Each class has its
own dividends and distributions and pays certain expenses which may be different
from the other classes. Each class may have a different net asset value.
Therefore, each share has one vote at shareholder meetings, with fractional
shares voting proportionally in matters submitted to the vote of shareholders.
Shares of each class may have separate voting rights on matters in which
interests of one class are different from interests of another class, and shares
of a particular class vote as a class on matters that affect that class alone.
Shares are freely transferrable.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Fund is managed by the Manager,
OppenheimerFunds, Inc., which is responsible for selecting the Fund's
investments and handles its day-to-day business. The Manager carries out its
duties, subject to the policies established by the Board of Trustees, under an
Investment Advisory Agreement which states the Manager's responsibilities. The
Agreement sets forth the fees paid by the Fund to the Manager, and describes the
expenses that the Fund is responsible for paying to conduct its business.
The Manager has operated as an investment adviser since 1959. The Manager
(including subsidiaries) currently manages investment companies, including other
Oppenheimer funds, with assets of more than $____ billion as of June 30, 1998,
and with more than ____ million shareholder accounts. The Manager is owned by
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a holding company that is owned in part by senior
officers of the Manager and controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Company.
The management services provided to the Fund by the Manager, and the
services provided by the Distributor and the Transfer Agent to shareholders,
depend on the smooth functioning of their computer systems. Many computer
software systems in use today cannot distinguish the year 2000 from the year
1900 because of the way dates are encoded and calculated. That failure could
have a negative impact on handling securities trades, pricing and account
services. The Manager, the Distributor and Transfer Agent have been actively
working on necessary changes to their computer
14
<PAGE>
systems to deal with the year 2000 and expect that their systems will be adapted
in time for that event, although there cannot be assurance of success.
Additionally, because the services they provide depend on the interaction of
their computer systems with the computer systems of brokers, information
services and other parties, any failure on the part of the computer systems of
those third parties to deal with the year 2000 may also have a negative effect
on the services provided to the Fund.
o Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Manager of the Fund is Robert C. Doll,
Jr., who is assisted by the Value and Growth Equity portfolio teams. Mr. Doll is
an Executive Vice President of the Manager and has been the person principally
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since the Fund's
inception.
o Fees and Expenses. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund
pays the Manager a monthly fee at the following annual rates, which decline on
additional assets as the Fund grows: 0.75% of the first $200 million of average
annual net assets; 0.72% of the next $200 million; 0.69% of the next $200
million; 0.66% of the next $200 million; 0.60% of the next $700 million; 0.58%
of the next $1.0 billion; and 0.56% of average annual net assets in excess of
$2.5 billion.
The Fund pays expenses related to its daily operations, such as custodian
fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal and auditing costs. Those
expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and are not paid directly by
shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net asset value of shares, and
therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders through their investment. More
information about the Investment Advisory Agreement and the other expenses paid
by the Fund is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
There is also information about the Fund's brokerage policies and
practices in "Brokerage Policies of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional
Information. That section discusses how brokers and dealers are selected for the
Fund's portfolio transactions. When deciding which brokers to use, the Manager
is permitted by the Investment Advisory Agreement to consider whether brokers
have sold shares of the Fund or any other funds for which the Manager serves as
investment adviser.
o The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers, brokers and
other financial institutions that have a sales agreement with OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the Fund's
Distributor. The Distributor also distributes the shares of the other
"Oppenheimer funds" managed by the Manager and is sub-distributor for funds
managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
o The Transfer Agent. The Fund's Transfer Agent is OppenheimerFunds
Services, a division of the Manager, which acts as the shareholder servicing
agent for the Fund on an "at-cost" basis. It also acts as the shareholder
servicing agent for other Oppenheimer funds. Shareholders should direct
inquiries about their account to the Transfer Agent at the address and toll-free
numbers shown below in this Prospectus and on the back cover.
Performance of the Fund
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<PAGE>
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses the term "total return" to
illustrate its performance. The performance of each class of shares is shown
separately, because the performance of each class of shares will usually be
different as a result of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. These
returns measure the performance of a hypothetical account in the Fund over
various periods, and do not show the performance of each shareholder's account
(which will vary if dividends are received in cash or shares are sold or
purchased). The Fund's performance information may help you see how well your
investment has done over time and to compare market indexes.
It is important to understand that the Fund's total returns represent past
performance and should not be considered to be predictions of future returns or
performance. More detailed information about how total returns are calculated is
contained in the Statement of Additional Information, which also contains
information about other ways to measure and compare the Fund's performance. The
Fund's investment performance will vary over time, depending on market
conditions, the composition of the portfolio, expenses and which class of shares
you purchase.
o Total Returns. There are different types of "total returns" used to
measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of a
hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that all
dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional shares.
The cumulative total return measures the change in value over the entire period
(for example, ten years). An average annual total return shows the average rate
of return for each year in a period that would produce the cumulative total
return over the entire period. However, average annual total returns do not show
the Fund's actual year-by-year performance.
When total returns are quoted for Class A shares, normally the current
maximum initial sales charge has been deducted. When total returns are shown for
Class B or Class C shares, normally the contingent deferred sales charge that
applies to the period for which total return is shown has been deducted.
However, total returns may also be quoted "at net asset value," without
considering the effect of either the front-end or the appropriate contingent
deferred sales charge, as applicable, and those returns would be less if sales
charges were deducted.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Classes of Shares. The Fund offers investors four different classes of shares.
Three classes, Class A, Class B and Class C, are available to non-institutional
investors. The fourth class, Class Y, is offered only to certain institutional
investors. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same
portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses and will likely
have different share prices.
o Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you may pay an initial sales
charge on investments up to $1 million (up to $500,000 for purchases by
"Retirement Plans," as defined in "Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" on
page __). If you purchase Class A shares as part
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<PAGE>
of an investment of at least $1 million ($500,000 for Retirement Plans) in
shares of one or more Oppenheimer funds, you will not pay an initial sales
charge, but if you sell any of those shares within 18 months of buying them, you
may pay a contingent deferred sales charge. The amount of that sales charge will
vary depending on the amount you invested. Sales charge rates are described in
"Buying Class A Shares," below.
o Class B Shares. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge at
the time of purchase, but if you sell your shares within six years of buying
them, you will normally pay a contingent deferred sales charge. That sales
charge varies depending on how long you own your shares as described in "Buying
Class B Shares" below.
o Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge at
the time of purchase, but if you sell your shares within 12 months of buying
them, you will normally pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% as
described in "Buying Class C Shares" below.
o Class Y Shares. Class Y shares are offered only to certain institutional
investors that have special agreements with the Distributor. As of the date of
this Prospectus, it is anticipated that Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Company (an affiliate of the Distributor and the Manager) will act as Class Y
Sponsor for any outstanding Class Y shares of the Fund.
Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that the Fund is an
appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of shares is
better suited to your needs depends on a number of factors which you should
discuss with your financial advisor. The Fund's operating costs that apply to a
class of shares and the effect of the different types of sales charges on your
investment will vary your investment results over time. The most important
factors to consider are how much you plan to invest and how long you plan to
hold your investment. If your goals and objectives change over time and you plan
to purchase additional shares, you should re-evaluate those factors to see if
you should consider another class of shares.
In the following discussion, to help provide you and your financial
advisor with a framework in which to choose a class, we have made some
assumptions using a hypothetical investment in the Fund. We assumed you are an
individual investor, and therefore ineligible to purchase Class Y shares. We
used the sales charge rates that apply to Class A, Class B and Class C shares
and considered the effect of the annual asset-based sales charge on Class B and
Class C expenses (which, like all expenses, will affect your investment return).
For the sake of comparison, we have assumed that there is a 10% rate of
appreciation in the investment each year. Of course, the actual performance of
your investment cannot be predicted and will vary, based on the Fund's actual
investment returns and the operating expenses borne by each class of shares, and
which class of shares you invest in. The factors discussed below are not
intended to be investment advice or recommendations, because each investor's
financial considerations are different. The discussion below of the factors to
consider in purchasing a particular class of shares assumes that you will
purchase only one class of shares and not a combination of shares of different
classes.
o How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future financial
needs cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold
your investment will assist
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<PAGE>
you in selecting the appropriate class of shares. Because of the effect of
class-based expenses, your choice will also depend on how much you plan to
invest. For example, the reduced sales charges available for larger purchases of
Class A shares may, over time, offset the effect of paying an initial sales
charge on your investment (which reduces the amount of your investment dollars
used to buy shares for your account), compared to the effect over time of higher
class-based expenses on shares of Class B or Class C shares for which no initial
sales charge is paid.
o Investing for the Shorter Term. If you have a short-term investment
horizon (that is, you plan to hold your shares for not more than six years), you
should probably consider purchasing Class A or Class C shares rather than Class
B shares, because of the effect of the Class B contingent deferred sales charge
if you redeem within 7 years, as well as the effect of the Class B asset-based
sales charge on the investment return for that class in the short-term. Class C
shares might be the appropriate choice (especially for investments of less than
$100,000), because there is no initial sales charge on Class C shares, and the
contingent deferred sales charge does not apply to amounts you sell after
holding them one year.
However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the shorter term,
then the more you invest and the more your investment horizon increases toward
six years, Class C shares might not be as advantageous as Class A shares. That
is because the annual asset-based sales charge on Class C shares will have a
greater impact on your account over the longer term than the reduced front-end
sales charge available for larger purchases of Class A shares. For example,
Class A shares might be more advantageous than Class C (as well as Class B)
shares for investments of more than $100,000 expected to be held for 5 or 6
years (or more). For investments over $250,000 expected to be held 4 to 6 years
(or more), Class A shares may become more advantageous than Class C (and B)
shares. If investing $500,000 or more, Class A shares may be more advantageous
as your investment horizon approaches 3 years or more.
And for most investors who invest $1 million or more, in most cases Class
A shares will be the most advantageous choice, no matter how long you intend to
hold your shares. For that reason, the Distributor normally will not accept
purchase orders of $500,000 or more of Class B shares or $1 million or more of
Class C shares from a single investor. Of course, these examples are based on
approximations of the effect of current sales charges and expenses on a
hypothetical investment over time, using the assumed annual performance return
stated above, and therefore should not be relied on as rigid guidelines.
o Investing for the Longer Term. If you are investing for the longer-term,
for example, for retirement, and do not expect to need access to your money for
seven years or more, Class B shares may be an appropriate consideration, if you
plan to invest less than $100,000. If you plan to invest more than $100,000 over
the long term, Class A shares will likely be more advantageous than Class B
shares or Class C shares, as discussed above, because of the effect of the
expected lower expenses for Class A shares and the reduced initial sales charges
available for larger investments in Class A shares under the Fund's Right of
Accumulation.
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of
current sales charges and expenses on a hypothetical investment over time, using
the assumed annual performance return
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<PAGE>
stated above, and therefore, you should analyze your options carefully.
o Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to You? Because
some account features may not be available for Class B or Class C shareholders,
you should carefully review how you plan to use your investment account before
deciding which class of shares is better for you. For example, share
certificates are not available for Class B or Class C shares and if you are
considering using your shares as collateral for a loan, that may be a factor to
consider. Additionally, the dividends payable to Class B and Class C
shareholders will be reduced by the additional expenses borne solely by those
classes, such as the asset-based sales charges described below and in the
Statement of Additional Information.
o How Does It Affect Payments to My Broker? A salesperson, such as a
broker, or any other person who is entitled to receive compensation for selling
Fund shares may receive different compensation for selling one class of shares
than for selling another class. It is important that investors understand that
the purposes of the Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charge and
asset-based sales charges is the same as the purpose of the front-end sales
charge on sales of Class A shares: to compensate the Distributor for commissions
it pays to dealers and financial institutions for selling shares. The
Distributor may pay additional periodic compensation from its own resources to
securities dealers or financial institutions based upon the value of shares of
the Fund owned by the dealer or financial institution for its own account or for
its customers.
How Much Must You Invest? You can open a Fund account with a minimum initial
investment of $1,000 and make additional investments at any time with as little
as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special investment plans.
o With Asset Builder Plans, Automatic Exchange Plans, 403(b)(7) custodial
plans and military allotment plans, you can make initial and subsequent
investments of as little as $25; and subsequent purchases of at least $25 can be
made by telephone through AccountLink.
o Under pension and profit-sharing and 401(k) plans and Individual
Retirement Accounts (IRAs), you can make an initial investment of as little as
$250 (if your IRA is established under an Asset Builder Plan, the $25 minimum
applies), and subsequent investments may be as little as $25.
o There is no minimum investment requirement if you are buying shares by
reinvesting dividends or distributions from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds
(a list of them appears in the Statement of Additional Information, or you can
ask your dealer or call the Transfer Agent), or by reinvesting distributions
from unit investment trusts that have made arrangements with the Distributor.
o How Are Shares Purchased? You can buy shares several ways -- through any
dealer, broker or financial institution that has a sales agreement with the
Distributor, or directly through the Distributor, or automatically from your
bank account through an Asset Builder Plan under the OppenheimerFunds
AccountLink service. The Distributor may appoint certain servicing agents as the
Distributor's agent to accept purchase and redemption orders. When you buy
shares, be sure to specify Class A, Class B or Class C shares. If you do not
choose, your investment will be made in
19
<PAGE>
Class A shares.
o Buying Shares Through Your Dealer. Your dealer will place your order with
the Distributor on your behalf.
o Buying Shares Through the Distributor. Complete an OppenheimerFunds New
Account Application and return it with a check payable to "OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217. If you
don't list a dealer on the application, the Distributor will act as your agent
in buying the shares. However, it is recommended that you discuss your
investment first with a financial advisor, to be sure that it is appropriate for
you.
o Payment by Federal Funds Wire. Shares may be purchased by Federal Funds
wire. The minimum investment is $2,500. You must first call the Distributor's
Wire Department at 1-800-525-7041 to notify the Distributor of the wire, and
receive further instructions.
o Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. You can use
AccountLink to link your Fund account with an account at a U.S. bank or other
financial institution that is an Automated Clearing House (ACH) member. You can
then transmit funds electronically to purchase shares, to have the Transfer
Agent send redemption proceeds, and to transmit dividends and distributions.
Shares are purchased for your account on AccountLink on the regular
business day the Distributor is instructed by you to initiate the ACH transfer
to buy shares. You can provide those instructions automatically, under an Asset
Builder Plan, described below, or by telephone instructions using
OppenheimerFunds PhoneLink, also described below. You should request AccountLink
privileges on the application or dealer settlement instructions used to
establish your account. Please refer to "AccountLink" below for more details.
o Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of the Fund (and up to four
other Oppenheimer funds) automatically each month from your account at a bank or
other financial institution under an Asset Builder Plan with AccountLink.
Details are on the Application and in the Statement of Additional Information.
o At What Price Are Shares Sold? Shares are sold at the public offering
price based on the net asset value (and any initial sales charge that applies)
that is next determined after the Distributor receives the purchase order in
Denver, Colorado , or the order is received and transmitted to the Distributor
by an entity authorized by the Fund to accept purchase or redemption orders. The
Fund has authorized the Distributor, certain broker-dealers and agents or
intermediaries designated by the Distributor or those broker-dealers to accept
orders. In most cases, to enable you to receive that day's offering price, the
Distributor or an authorized entity must receive your order by the time of day
The New York Stock Exchange closes, which is normally 4:00 P.M., New York time,
but may be earlier on some days (all references to time in this Prospectus mean
"New York time"). The net asset value of each class of shares is determined as
of that time on each day The New York Stock Exchange is open (which is a
"regular business day"). If you buy shares through a dealer, normally your order
must be transmitted to the Distributor so that it is received before the
Distributor's close
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<PAGE>
of business that day, which is normally 5:00 P.M. The Distributor, in its sole
discretion, may reject any purchase order for the Fund's shares.
Special Sales Charge Arrangements For Certain Persons. Appendix A to this
Prospectus sets forth conditions for the waiver of, or exemption from, sales
charges or the special sales charge rates that apply to purchases of shares of
the Fund (including purchases by exchange) by a person who was a shareholder of
one of the Former Quest for Value Funds (as defined in that Appendix).
Buying Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at their offering price, which is
normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in some cases,
described below, purchases are not subject to an initial sales charge, and the
offering price will be the net asset value. In some cases, reduced sales charges
may be available, as described below. Out of the amount you invest, the Fund
receives the net asset value to invest for your account. The sales charge varies
depending on the amount of your purchase. A portion of the sales charge may be
retained by the Distributor and allocated to your dealer as commission. The
current sales charge rates and commissions paid to dealers and brokers are as
follows:
Front-End Sales Front-End Sales
Charge as a Charge as a Commission as
Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Amount Invested Offering Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 4.75%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$25,000 or more but
less than $50,000 5.50% 5.82% 4.75%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 or more but
less than $100,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 or more but
less than $250,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 or more but
less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$500,000 or more but
less than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the entire commission to dealers.
If that occurs, the dealer may be considered an "underwriter" under Federal
securities laws.
o Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial sales
charge on purchases of Class A shares of any one or more of the Oppenheimer
funds in the following cases:
o Purchases aggregating $1 million or more.
o Purchases by a retirement plan qualified under sections 401(a) or 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code, by a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (not
including Section 457 plans), employee benefit plan, group retirement plan (see
"How to Buy Shares - Retirement Plans" in the Statement of Additional
Information for further details), an employee's 403(b)(7) custodial plan
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<PAGE>
account, SEP IRA, SARSEP, or SIMPLE plan (all of these plans are collectively
referred to as "Retirement Plans"); that: (1) buys shares costing $500,000 or
more or (2) has, at the time of purchase, 100 or more eligible participants, or
(3) certifies that it projects to have annual plan purchases of $200,000 or
more.
o Purchases by an OppenheimerFunds Rollover IRA if the purchases are made
(1) through a broker, dealer, bank or registered investment adviser that has
made special arrangements with the Distributor for these purchases, or (2) by a
direct rollover of a distribution from a qualified retirement plan if the
administrator of that plan has made special arrangements with the Distributor
for those purchases.
o Purchases by a retirement plan qualified under Section 401(a) or 401(k)
if the retirement plan has total plan assets of $500,000 or more.
The Distributor pays dealers of record commissions on those purchases in
an amount equal to (i) 1.0% for non-Retirement Plan accounts, and (ii) for
Retirement Plan accounts, 1.0% of the first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next
$2.5 million, plus 0.25% of purchases over $5 million, calculated on a calendar
year basis. That commission will be paid only on those purchases that were not
previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer commission. No sales
commission will be paid to the dealer, broker or financial institution on sales
of Class A shares purchased with the redemption proceeds of shares of a mutual
fund offered as an investment option in a Retirement Plan in which Oppenheimer
funds are also offered as investment options under a special arrangement with
the Distributor if the purchase occurs more than 30 days after the addition of
the Oppenheimer funds as an investment option to the Retirement Plan.
If you redeem any of those shares within 18 months of the end of the
calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge (called the
"Class A contingent deferred sales charge") may be deducted from the redemption
proceeds. That sales charge may be equal to 1.0% of the lesser of (1) the
aggregate net asset value of the redeemed shares (not including shares purchased
by reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions) or (2) the original
offering price (which is the original net asset value) of the redeemed shares.
However, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the
aggregate amount of the commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all
Class A shares of all Oppenheimer funds you purchased subject to the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge.
In determining whether a contingent deferred sales charge is payable, the
Fund will first redeem shares that are not subject to the sales charge,
including shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and
then will redeem other shares in the order that you purchased them. The Class A
contingent deferred sales charge is waived in certain cases described in
"Waivers of Class A Sales Charges" below.
No Class A contingent deferred sales charge is charged on exchanges of
shares under the Fund's Exchange privilege (described below). However, if the
shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the end of the
calendar month of the purchase of the exchanged shares, the contingent deferred
sales charge will apply.
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Reduced Sales Charges for Class A Share Purchases. You may be eligible to buy
Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates in one or more of the following
ways:
o Right of Accumulation. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that
apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you and your spouse can add
together Class A and Class B shares you purchase for your individual accounts,
or jointly, or for trust or custodial accounts on behalf of your children who
are minors. A fiduciary can count all shares purchased for a trust, estate or
other fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the
same employer) that has multiple accounts.
Additionally, you can add together current purchases of Class A and Class
B shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds to reduce the sales charge rate
that applies to current purchases of Class A shares. You can also include Class
A and Class B shares of Oppenheimer funds you previously purchased subject to an
initial or contingent deferred sales charge to reduce the sales charge rate for
current purchases of Class A shares, provided that you still hold your
investment in one of the Oppenheimer funds. The Distributor will add the value,
at current offering price, of the shares you previously purchased and currently
own to the value of current purchases to determine the sales charge rate that
applies. The Oppenheimer funds are listed in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the
Statement of Additional Information, or a list can be obtained from the
Distributor. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases and
must be requested when you buy your shares.
o Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, if you purchase Class A or
Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds during a
13-month period, you can reduce the sales charge rate that applies to your
purchases of Class A shares. The total amount of your intended purchases of both
Class A and Class B shares will determine the reduced sales charge rate for the
Class A shares purchased during that period. This can include purchases made up
to 90 days before the date of the Letter. More information is contained in the
Application and in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
o Waivers of Class A Sales Charges. The Class A sales charges are not
imposed in the circumstances described below. There is an explanation of this
policy in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information. In
order to receive a waiver of the Class A contingent deferred sales charge, you
must notify the Transfer Agent which conditions apply.
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges for Certain
Purchasers. Class A shares purchased by the following investors are not subject
to any Class A sales charges:
o the Manager or its affiliates;
o present or former officers, directors, trustees and employees (and their
"immediate families" as defined in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of
Additional Information) of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates, and
retirement plans established by them for their employees;
o registered management investment companies, or separate accounts of
insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the Distributor for
that purpose;
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o dealers or brokers that have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if
they purchase shares for their own accounts or for retirement plans for their
employees;
o employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered into
sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and are identified to the
Distributor) or with the Distributor; the purchaser must certify to the
Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the purchaser's own
account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or minor children);
o dealers, brokers, banks or registered investment advisers that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing specifically for the
use of shares of the Fund in particular investment products made available to
their clients (those clients may be charged a transaction fee by their dealer,
broker or adviser for the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund);
o (1) investment advisors and financial planners who have entered into an
agreement for this purpose with the Distributor and who charge an advisory,
consulting or other fee for their services and buy shares for their own accounts
or the accounts of their clients, (2) Retirement Plans and deferred compensation
plans and trusts used to fund those Plans (including, for example, plans
qualified or created under sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal
Revenue Code), and "rabbi trusts" that buy shares for their own accounts, in
each case if those purchases are made through a broker or agent or other
financial intermediary that has made special arrangements with the Distributor
for those purchases; and (3) clients of such investment advisors or financial
planners (that have entered into an agreement for this purpose with the
Distributor) who buy shares for their own accounts may also purchase shares
without sales charge but only if their accounts are linked to a master account
of their investment advisor or financial planner on the books and records of the
broker, agent or financial intermediary with which the Distributor has made such
special arrangements (each of these investors may be charged a fee by the
broker, agent or financial intermediary for purchasing shares);
o directors, trustees, officers or full-time employees of OpCap Advisors
or its affiliates, their relatives or any trust, pension, profit sharing or
other benefit plan which beneficially owns shares for those persons;
o accounts for which Oppenheimer Capital is the investment adviser (the
Distributor must be advised of this arrangement) and persons who are directors
or trustees of the company or trust which is the beneficial owner of such
accounts;
o any unit investment trust that has entered into an appropriate agreement
with the Distributor;
o a TRAC-2000 401(k) plan (sponsored by the former Quest for Value
Advisors) whose Class B or Class C shares of a Former Quest for Value Fund were
exchanged for Class A shares of that Fund due to the termination of the Class A
shares of that Fund due to the termination of the Class B and TRAC-2000 program
on November 24, 1995; or
24
<PAGE>
o qualified retirement plans that had agreed with the former Quest for
Value Advisors to purchase shares of any of the Former Quest for Value Funds at
net asset value, with such shares to be held through DCXchange, a sub-transfer
agency mutual fund clearinghouse, provided that such arrangements were
consummated and share purchases commenced by December 31, 1996.
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain
Transactions. Class A shares issued or purchased in the following transactions
are not subject to Class A sales charges:
o shares issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset
acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party;
o shares purchased by the reinvestment of loan repayments by a participant
in a retirement plan for which the Manager or its affiliates acts as sponsor;
o shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions
reinvested from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds (other than Oppenheimer Cash
Reserves) or unit investment trusts for which reinvestment arrangements have
been made with the Distributor;
o shares purchased and paid for with the proceeds of shares redeemed in
the past 30 days from a mutual fund (other than a fund managed by the Manager or
any of its subsidiaries) on which an initial sales charge or contingent deferred
sales charge was paid (this waiver also applies to shares purchased by exchange
of shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. that were purchased and paid
for in this manner); this waiver must be requested when the purchase order is
placed for your shares of the Fund, and the Distributor may require evidence of
your qualification for this waiver; or
o shares purchased with the proceeds of maturing principal of units of any
Qualified Unit Investment Liquid Trust Series.
Waivers of the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain
Redemptions. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if
shares that would otherwise be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge
are redeemed in the following cases:
o to make Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited annually to
no more than 12% of the original account value;
o involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law or involuntary
redemptions of small accounts (see "Shareholder Account Rules and Policies,"
below);
o for distributions from Retirement Plans, deferred compensation plans or
other employee benefit plans for any of the following purposes: (1) following
the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of the
participant or beneficiary (the death or disability must occur after the
participant's account was established); (2) to return excess contributions; (3)
to return contributions made due to a mistake of fact; (4) hardship withdrawals,
as defined in the plan; (5) under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code; (6) to meet
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<PAGE>
the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code; (7) to
establish "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in Section 72(t)
of the Internal Revenue Code; (8) for retirement distributions or loans to
participants or beneficiaries; (9) separation from service; (10)
participant-directed redemptions to purchase shares of a mutual fund (other than
a fund managed by the Manager or its subsidiary) offered as an investment option
in a Retirement Plan in which Oppenheimer funds are also offered as investment
options under a special arrangement with the Distributor; or (11) plan
termination or "in-service distributions", if the redemption proceeds are rolled
over directly to an OppenheimerFunds IRA;
o for distributions from Retirement Plans having 500 or more eligible
participants, except distributions due to termination of all of the Oppenheimer
funds of as an investment option under the Plan; or
o for distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers that
have entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this waiver.
o Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for
Class A shares to reimburse the Distributor for a portion of its costs incurred
in connection with the personal service and maintenance of shareholder accounts
that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement is made quarterly at of an annual rate
that may not exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of Class A shares of
the Fund. The Distributor uses all of those fees to compensate dealers, brokers,
banks and other financial institutions quarterly for providing personal service
and maintenance of accounts of their customers that hold Class A shares and to
reimburse itself (if the Fund's Board of Trustees authorizes such
reimbursements, which it has not yet done) for its other expenditures under the
Plan.
Services to be provided include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining accounts in
the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and providing other
services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor. Payments are made by the
Distributor quarterly at of an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average
annual net assets of Class A shares held in accounts of the dealer or its
customers. The payments under the Plan increase the annual expenses of Class A
shares. For more details, please refer to "Distribution and Service Plans" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
Buying Class B Shares. Class B shares are sold at net asset value per share
without of an initial sales charge. However, if Class B shares are redeemed
within six years of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will be
deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will not apply to
shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge will be based on the lesser
of the net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption or the
original offering price (which is the original net asset value). The contingent
deferred sales charge is not imposed on the amount of your account value
represented by of an increase in net asset value over the initial purchase
price. The Class B contingent deferred sales charge is paid to the Distributor
to reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the Fund
in connection with the sale of Class B shares.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund
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<PAGE>
redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains distributions, (2) shares held for over six years,
and (3) shares held the longest during the 6-year period. The contingent
deferred sales charge is not imposed in the circumstances described in "Waivers
of Class B and Class C Sales Charges" below.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the
number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed,
according to the following schedule:
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Years Since Beginning of Month in On Redemptions in That Year
which Purchase Order Was Accepted (As % of Amount Subject to Charge)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 - 1 5.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 2 4.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 - 3 3.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 - 4 3.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 - 5 2.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 6 1.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 and following None
In the table, a "year" is a 12-month period. All purchases are considered to
have been made on the first regular business day of the month in which the
purchase was made.
o Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares. 72 months after you purchase
Class B shares, those shares will automatically convert to Class A shares. This
conversion feature relieves Class B shareholders of the asset-based sales charge
that applies to Class B shares under the Class B Distribution and Service Plan,
described below. The conversion is based on the relative net asset value of the
two classes, and no sales load or other charge is imposed. When Class B shares
convert, any other Class B shares that were acquired by the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions on the converted shares will also convert to Class A
shares. The conversion feature is subject to the continued availability of a tax
ruling described in "Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A, Class B and Class
C Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
o Distribution and Service Plan for Class B Shares. The Fund has adopted a
Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares to compensate the Distributor
for distributing Class B shares and servicing accounts. This Plan is described
below under "Buying Class C Shares - Distribution and Service Plans for Class B
and Class C Shares".
o Waivers of Class B Sales Charges. The Class B contingent deferred sales
charge will not apply to shares purchased in certain types of transactions, nor
will it apply to shares redeemed in certain circumstances, as described below
under "Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges."
Buying Class C Shares. Class C shares are sold at net asset value per share
without assessment of an initial sales charge. However, if the Class C shares
are redeemed within 12 months of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.0% will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge
will not apply to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital
gains
27
<PAGE>
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge will be based on the lesser
of the net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption or the
original offering price (which is the original net asset value). The contingent
deferred sales charge is not imposed on the amount of your account value
represented by the increase in net asset value over the initial purchase price.
The Class C contingent deferred sales charge is paid to compensate the
Distributor for its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the
Fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired
by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, (2) shares held
for over 12 months, and (3) shares held the longest during the 12-month period.
o Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges. The Class B and Class C
contingent deferred sales charges will not be applied to shares purchased in
certain types of transactions nor will it apply to Class B and Class C shares
redeemed in certain circumstances as described below. The reasons for this
policy are discussed in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional
Information. In order to receive a waiver of the Class B or Class C contingent
deferred sales charge, you must notify the Transfer Agent which conditions
apply.
Waivers for Redemptions of Shares in Certain Cases. The Class B and Class
C contingent deferred sales charges will be waived for redemptions of shares in
the following cases:
o distributions to participants or beneficiaries from Retirement Plans, if
the distributions are made (a) under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan after the
participant reaches age 59-1/2, as long as the payments are no more than 10% of
the account value annually (measured from the date the Transfer Agent receives
the request), or (b) following the death or disability (as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary (the death or
disability must have occurred after the account was established);
o redemptions from accounts other than Retirement Plans following the
death or disability of the last surviving shareholder, including a trustee of a
"grantor" trust or revocable living trust for which the trustee is also sole
beneficiary (the death or disability must have occurred after the account was
established, and for disability you must provide evidence of a determination of
disability by the Social Security Administration);
o returns of excess contributions to Retirement Plans;
o to make distributions from retirement plans that qualify as
"substantially equal periodic payments" under Section 72(t) of the Internal
Revenue Code, provided the distributions do not exceed 10% of the account value
annually, measured from the date the Transfer Agent receives the request;
o shares redeemed involuntarily, as described in "Shareholder Account Rules
and Policies";
o distributions from OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plans and from
certain
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<PAGE>
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company prototype 401(k) plans (1) for
hardship withdrawals; (2) under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined
in the Internal Revenue Code; (3) to meet minimum distribution requirements as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code; (4) to make "substantially equal periodic
payments" as described in Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code; (5) for
separation from service; or (6) for loans to participants or beneficiaries; or
o distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers that have
entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this waiver.
Waivers for Shares Sold or Issued in Certain Transactions. The contingent
deferred sales charge is also waived on Class B and Class C shares sold or
issued in the following cases:
o shares sold to the Manager or its affiliates;
o shares sold to registered management investment companies or separate
accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the
Distributor for that purpose; or
o shares issued in plans of reorganization to which the Fund is a party.
Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C Shares. The Fund has
adopted Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares to
reimburse and compensate the Distributor, respectively, for distributing Class B
and Class C shares and servicing accounts. Under the Plans, the Fund pays the
Distributor an annual "asset-based sales charge" of 0.75% per year on Class B
shares and on Class C shares. The Distributor also receives a service fee of up
to 0.25% per year under the Class B Plan, and receives a service fee of 0.25%
per year under the Class C Plan.
Under each Plan, both fees are computed on the average of the net asset
value of shares in the respective class, determined as of the close of each
regular business day during the period. The asset-based sales charge and service
fees increase Class B expenses by up to 1.00%, and increase Class C expenses by
1.00%, of the net assets per year of that class.
The Distributor uses the service fees to compensate dealers for providing
personal services for accounts that hold Class B or Class C shares. Those
services are similar to those provided under the Class A Service Plan, described
above. The Distributor pays the 0.25% service fees to dealers in advance for the
first year after Class B or Class C shares have been sold by the dealer and
retains the service fee paid by the Fund in that year. After the shares have
been held for a year, the Distributor pays the service fees to dealers on a
quarterly basis.
The asset-based sales charge allows investors to buy Class B or Class C
shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing the Distributor to
compensate dealers that sell those shares. The Fund pays the asset-based sales
charges to the Distributor for its services rendered in distributing Class B and
Class C shares. Those payments are at a fixed rate that is not related to the
Distributor's expenses. The services rendered by the Distributor include paying
and financing the payment of sales commissions, service fees and other costs of
distributing and selling Class B and Class C shares.
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<PAGE>
The Distributor currently pays sales commissions of 3.75% of the purchase
price of Class B shares to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale.
Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by the
Distributor to the dealer at the time of sale of Class B shares is 4.00% of the
purchase price. The Distributor retains the Class B asset-based sales charge.
The Distributor may pay the Class B service fee and the asset-based sales charge
to the dealer quarterly in lieu of paying the sales commission and service fee
advance at the time of purchase.
The Distributor currently pays sales commissions of 0.75% of the purchase
price to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale of Class C shares.
Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by the
Distributor to the dealer at the time of sale of Class C shares is 1.00% of the
purchase price. The Distributor plans to pay the asset-based sales charge as of
an ongoing commission to the dealer on Class C shares that have been outstanding
for a year or more. The Distributor may pay the Class C service fee and
asset-based sales charge to the dealer quarterly in lieu of paying the sales
commission and service fee advance at the time of purchase.
The Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class B and Class C shares
may be more than the payments it receives from contingent deferred sales charges
collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the Distribution and
Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares. If the Fund terminates either
Plan, the Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the
asset-based sales charge to the Distributor for distributing shares before the
Plan was terminated.
Buying Class Y Shares. Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value per share
without sales charge directly to certain institutional investors that have
special agreements with the Distributor for this purpose. The intent of these
agreements is to allow tax-qualified institutional investors to invest
indirectly (through separate accounts) in Class Y shares and to allow other
institutional investors to invest directly in Class Y shares. Individual
investors are not permitted to invest directly in Class Y shares. As of the date
of this Prospectus, it is anticipated that Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Company (an affiliate of the Manager and the Distributor) will act as Class Y
Sponsor for any outstanding class Y shares of the Fund.
While Class Y shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred
sales charges or asset-based sales charges, an institutional investor buying the
shares for its customers' accounts may impose charges on those accounts. The
procedures for purchasing, redeeming, exchanging or transferring the Fund's
other classes of shares (other than the time those orders must be received by
the Distributor or Transfer Agent in Denver), and the special account features
available to purchasers of those other classes of shares described elsewhere in
this Prospectus do not apply to Class Y shares. Instructions for purchasing,
redeeming, exchanging or transferring Class Y shares must be submitted by the
institutional investor, not by its customers for whose benefit the shares are
held.
Special Investor Services
AccountLink. OppenheimerFunds AccountLink links your Fund account to your
account at your bank or other financial institution to enable you to send money
electronically between those accounts to perform a number of types of account
transactions. These include purchases of shares by
30
<PAGE>
telephone (either through a service representative or by PhoneLink, described
below), automatic investments under Asset Builder Plans, and sending dividends
and distributions or Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments directly to your bank
account. Please call the Transfer Agent for more information.
AccountLink privileges should be requested on your dealer's settlement
instructions if you buy your shares through your dealer. After your account is
established, you can request AccountLink privileges by sending
signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges
will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on your account as
well as to your dealer representative of record unless and until the Transfer
Agent receives written instructions terminating or changing those privileges.
After you establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank account
information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer
Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
o Using AccountLink to Buy Shares. Purchases may be made by telephone only
after your account has been established. To purchase shares in amounts up to
$250,000 through a telephone representative, call the Distributor at
1-800-852-8457. The purchase payment will be debited from your bank account.
o PhoneLink. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated telephone system
that enables shareholders to perform a number of account transactions
automatically using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be used on
already-established Fund accounts after you obtain a Personal Identification
Number (PIN), by calling the special PhoneLink number: 1-800-533-3310.
o Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to $100,000 by
phone, by calling 1-800-533-3310. You must have established AccountLink
privileges to link your bank account with the Fund, to pay for these purchases.
o Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange Privilege,
described below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone from your Fund
account to another Oppenheimer fund account you have already established by
calling the special PhoneLink number. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares,"
below, for details.
o Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone automatically by
calling the PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the proceeds directly to
your AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares," below, for
details.
Shareholder Transactions by Fax. Requests for certain account transactions may
be sent to the Transfer Agent by fax (telecopier). Please call 1-800-525-7048
for information about which transactions are included. Transaction requests
submitted by fax are subject to the same rules and restrictions as written and
telephone requests described in this Prospectus.
OppenheimerFunds Internet Web Site. Information about the Fund, including your
account balance, daily share prices, market and Fund portfolio information, may
be obtained by visiting the OppenheimerFunds Internet Web Site, at the following
Internet address:
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<PAGE>
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com. Additionally, certain account transactions may
be requested by any shareholder listed in the registration on an account as well
as by the dealer representative of record through a special section of that Web
Site. To access that section of the Web Site you must first obtain a personal
identification number ("PIN") by calling OppenheimerFunds PhoneLink at
1-800-533-3310. If you do not wish to have Internet account transactions
capability for your account, please call our customer service representatives at
1-800-525-7048. To find out more information about Internet transactions and
procedures, please visit the Web Site.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. The Fund has several plans that enable
you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another Oppenheimer fund
account on a regular basis:
o Automatic Withdrawal Plans. If your Fund account is worth $5,000 or
more, you can establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan to receive payments of at
least $50 on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The checks may
be sent to you or sent automatically to your bank account on AccountLink. You
may even set up certain types of withdrawals of up to $1,500 per month by
telephone. You should consult the Statement of Additional Information for more
details.
o Automatic Exchange Plans. You can authorize the Transfer Agent to
exchange automatically an amount you establish in advance for shares of up to
five other Oppenheimer funds on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual
basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum purchase for each other
Oppenheimer funds account is $25. These exchanges are subject to the terms of
the exchange privilege, described below.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem some or all of your Class A or Class B
shares of the Fund, you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the
redemption proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund or of other Oppenheimer funds
without paying a sales charge. This privilege applies to Class A shares that you
purchased subject to an initial sales charge and to Class A or Class B shares on
which you paid a contingent deferred sales charge when you redeemed them. This
privilege does not apply to Class C shares. You must be sure to ask the
Distributor for this privilege when you send your payment. Please consult the
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available as an investment for your retirement
plans. If you participate in a plan sponsored by your employer, the plan trustee
or administrator must make the purchase of shares for your retirement plan
account. The Distributor offers a number of different retirement plans that can
be used by individuals and employers:
o Individual Retirement Accounts including rollover IRAs, for individuals
and their spouses and SIMPLE IRAs offered by employers
o 403(b)(7) Custodial Plans for employees of eligible tax-exempt
organizations, such as schools, hospitals and charitable organizations
o SEP-IRAs (Simplified Employee Pension Plans) for small business owners
or people with income from self-employment, including SAR-SEP IRAs
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<PAGE>
o Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans for self-employed persons and other
employers
o 401(k) Prototype Retirement Plans for businesses
Please call the Distributor for the OppenheimerFunds plan documents, which
contain important information and applications.
How to Sell Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or
all of your shares on any regular business day. Your shares will be sold at the
next net asset value calculated after your order is received and accepted by the
Transfer Agent. The Fund offers you a number of ways to sell your shares: in
writing or by telephone. You can also set up Automatic Withdrawal Plans to
redeem shares on a regular basis, as described above. If you have questions
about any of these procedures, and especially if you are redeeming shares in a
special situation, such as due to the death of the owner, or from a retirement
plan, please call the Transfer Agent first, at 1-800-525-7048, for assistance.
o Retirement Accounts. To sell shares in an OppenheimerFunds retirement
account in your name, call the Transfer Agent for a distribution request form.
There are special income tax withholding requirements for distributions from
retirement plans and you must submit a withholding form with your request to
avoid delay. If your retirement plan account is held for you by your employer,
you must arrange for the distribution request to be sent by the plan
administrator or trustee. There are additional details in the Statement of
Additional Information.
o Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect you and the
Fund from fraud, certain redemption requests must be in writing and must include
a signature guarantee in the following situations (there may be other situations
also requiring a signature guarantee):
o You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares and receive a check
o The redemption check is not payable to all shareholders listed on the
account statement
o The redemption check is not sent to the address of record on your account
statement
o Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a different owner or
name
o Shares are redeemed by someone other than the owners (such as an
Executor)
o Where Can I Have My Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent will accept
a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions, including:
a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or savings association, or by a foreign
bank that has a U.S. correspondent bank, or by a U.S. registered dealer or
broker in securities, municipal securities or government securities, or by a
U.S. national securities exchange, a registered securities association or a
clearing
33
<PAGE>
agency. If you are signing as a fiduciary or on behalf of a corporation,
partnership or other business, you must also include your title in the
signature.
Selling Shares by Mail. Write a "letter of instructions" that includes:
o Your name
o The Fund's name
o Your Fund account number (from your account statement)
o The dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed
o Any special payment instructions
o Any share certificates for the shares you are selling,
o The signatures of all registered owners exactly as the account is
registered, and
o Any special requirements or documents requested by the Transfer Agent to
assure proper authorization of the person asking to sell shares.
Use the following address for Send courier or express mail
requests by mail: requests to:
OppenheimerFunds Services OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270 10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver, Colorado 80217 Denver, Colorado 80231
Selling Shares by Telephone. You and your dealer representative of record may
also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price on a regular
business day, your call must be received by the Transfer Agent by the close of
The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be
earlier on some days. You may not redeem shares held in an OppenheimerFunds
retirement plan or under a share certificate by telephone.
o To redeem shares through a service representative, call 1-800-852-8457
o To redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call 1-800-533-3310
Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the address on the
account statement, or, if you have linked your Fund account to your bank account
on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds wired to that bank account.
o Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed by
telephone, in any 7-day period. The check must be payable to all owners of
record of the shares and must be sent to the address on the account statement.
This service is not available within 30 days of
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<PAGE>
changing the address on an account.
o Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no dollar limits on
telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account designated when you
establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH transfer to your bank is initiated on
the business day after the redemption. You do not receive dividends on the
proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they are waiting to be transferred.
Selling Shares Through Your Dealer. The Distributor has made arrangements to
repurchase Fund shares from dealers and brokers on behalf of their customers.
Brokers or dealers may charge for that service. Please call your dealer for more
information about this procedure. Please refer to "Special Arrangements For
Repurchase of Shares From Dealers and Brokers" in the Statement of Additional
Information for more details.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain Oppenheimer
funds at net asset value per share at the time of exchange, without sales
charge. To exchange shares, you must meet several conditions:
o Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available for sale in
your state of residence
o The prospectuses of this Fund and the fund whose shares you want to buy
must offer the exchange privilege
o You must hold the shares you buy when you establish your account for at
least 7 days before you can exchange them; after the account is open 7 days, you
can exchange shares every regular business day
o You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund you purchase
by exchange
o Before exchanging into a fund, you should obtain and read its prospectus
Shares of a particular class of the Fund may be exchanged only for shares
of the same class in the other Oppenheimer funds. For example, you can exchange
Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another fund. At present,
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. offers only one class of shares, which are
considered to be "Class A" shares for this purpose. In some cases, sales charges
may be imposed on exchange transactions. Please refer to "How to Exchange
Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information for more details.
Exchanges may be requested in writing or by telephone:
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<PAGE>
o Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange Request
form, signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the Transfer Agent at the
addresses listed in "How to Sell Shares."
o Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may be made
either by calling a service representative at 1-800-852-8457 or by using
PhoneLink for automated exchanges, by calling 1-800-533-3310. Telephone
exchanges may be made only between accounts that are registered with the same
name(s) and address. Shares held under certificates may not be exchanged by
telephone.
You can find a list of Oppenheimer funds currently available for exchanges
in the Statement of Additional Information or obtain one by calling a service
representative at 1-800-525-7048. That list can change from time to time.
There are certain exchange policies you should be aware of:
o Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased from the other
fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular business day on which the
Transfer Agent receives an exchange request that is in proper form by the close
of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be
earlier on some days. However, either fund may delay the purchase of shares of
the fund you are exchanging into up to seven days if it determines it would be
disadvantaged by a same day transfer of the proceeds to buy shares. For example,
the receipt of multiple exchange requests from a dealer in a "market-timing"
strategy might require the sale of portfolio securities at a time or price
disadvantageous to the Fund.
o Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request that
will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests submitted by a
shareholder or dealer.
o The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at any
time. Although the Fund will attempt to provide you notice whenever it is
reasonably able to do so, it may impose these changes at any time.
o For tax purposes, exchanges of shares involve a redemption of the shares
of the Fund you own and a purchase of the shares of the other fund, which may
result in a capital gain or loss. for more information about taxes affecting
exchanges, please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the
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<PAGE>
Statement of Additional Information.
o If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you request because
of a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for exchange will be
exchanged.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
o Net Asset Value Per Share is determined for each class of shares as of
the close of The New York Stock Exchange, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be
earlier on some days, on each day the Exchange is open by dividing the value of
the Fund's net assets attributable to a class by the number of shares of that
class that are outstanding. The Fund's Board of Trustees has established
procedures to value the Fund's securities to determine net asset value. In
general, securities values are based on market value. There are special
procedures for valuing illiquid and restricted securities and obligations for
which market values cannot be readily obtained. These procedures are described
more completely in the Statement of Additional Information.
o The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in which the
determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering may be suspended
by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes it is in the Fund's best
interest to do so.
o Telephone Transaction Privileges for purchases, redemptions or exchanges
may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any time. If an account
has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer Agent may rely on the
instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges apply to each owner of the
account and the dealer representative of record for the account unless and until
the Transfer Agent receives cancellation instructions from an owner of the
account.
o The Transfer Agent will record any telephone calls to verify data
concerning transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm that
telephone instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide tax
identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and by
confirming such transactions in writing. If the Transfer Agent does not use
reasonable procedures it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized
transactions, but otherwise neither the Transfer Agent nor the Fund will be
liable for losses or expenses arising out of telephone instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine. If you are unable to reach the Transfer Agent during
periods of unusual market activity, you may not be able to complete a telephone
transaction and should consider placing your order by mail.
o Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the Transfer
Agent receives all required documents in proper form. From time to time, the
Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain of the requirements for
redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
o Dealers that can perform account transactions for their clients by
participating in NETWORKING through the National Securities Clearing Corporation
are responsible for obtaining their clients' permission to perform those
transactions and are responsible to their clients who are shareholders of the
Fund if the dealer performs any transaction erroneously or improperly.
37
<PAGE>
o The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day because the
values of the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuate, and the redemption
price, which is the net asset value per share, will normally be different for
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Therefore, the redemption value of
your shares may be more or less than their original cost.
o Payment for redeemed shares is made ordinarily in cash and forwarded by
check or through AccountLink (as elected by the shareholder under the redemption
procedures described above) within 7 days after the Transfer Agent receives
redemption instructions in proper form, except under unusual circumstances
determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission delaying or suspending such
payments. For accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment will
be forwarded within 3 business days. The Transfer Agent may delay forwarding a
check or processing a payment via AccountLink for recently purchased shares, but
only until the purchase payment has cleared. That delay may be as much as 10
days from the date the shares were purchased. That delay may be avoided if you
purchase shares by federal funds wire, certified check or arrange to have your
bank provide telephone or written assurance to the Transfer Agent that your
purchase payment has cleared.
o Involuntary redemptions of small accounts may be made by the Fund if the
account value has fallen below $500 for reasons other than the fact that the
market value of shares has dropped, and in some cases involuntary redemptions
may be made to repay the Distributor for losses from the cancellation of share
purchase orders.
o Under unusual circumstances, shares of the Fund may be redeemed "in
kind," which means that the redemption proceeds will be paid with securities
from the Fund's portfolio. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares" in the Statement
of Additional Information for more details.
o "Backup Withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied at the rate of
31% from taxable dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds (including
exchanges) if you fail to furnish the Fund a correct and properly certified
Social Security or Employer Identification Number when you sign your
application, or if you underreport your income to the Internal Revenue Service.
o The Fund does not charge a redemption fee, but if your dealer or broker
handles your redemption, they may charge a fee. That fee can be avoided by
redeeming your Fund shares directly through the Transfer Agent. Under the
circumstances described in "How To Buy Shares," you may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charges when redeeming certain Class A, Class B and
Class C shares.
o To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, the Fund
will mail only
38
<PAGE>
one copy of each annual and semi-annual report to shareholders having the same
last name and address on the Fund's records. However, each shareholder may call
the Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048 to ask that copies of those materials be
sent personally to that shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends. The Fund declares dividends separately for Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Y shares from net investment income on an annual basis and normally
pays those dividends to shareholders in December, but the Board of Trustees can
change that date. The Board may also cause the Fund to declare dividends after
the close of the Fund's fiscal year (which ends August 31st). Because the Fund
does not have an objective of seeking current income, the amounts of dividends
it pays, if any, will likely be small. Also, dividends paid on Class A and Class
Y shares generally are expected to be higher than for Class B and Class C shares
because expenses allocable to Class B and Class C shares will generally be
higher.
Capital Gains. The Fund may make distributions annually in December out of any
net short-term or long-term capital gains, and the Fund may make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its fiscal
year. Long-term capital gains will be separately identified in the tax
information the Fund sends you after the end of the year. Short-term capital
gains are treated as dividends for tax purposes. There can be no assurance that
the Fund will pay any capital gains distributions in a particular year.
Distribution Options. When you open your account, specify on your application
how you want to receive your distributions. For OppenheimerFunds retirement
accounts, all distributions are reinvested. For other accounts, you have four
options:
o Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to reinvest all
dividends and long-term capital gains distributions in additional shares of the
Fund.
o Reinvest Long-Term Capital Gains Only. You can elect to reinvest
long-term capital gains in the Fund while receiving dividends by check or have
them sent to your bank account on AccountLink.
o Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive a check for
all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions or have them sent to
your bank on AccountLink.
o Reinvest Your Distributions in Another Oppenheimer Fund Account. You can
reinvest all distributions in the same class of shares of another Oppenheimer
Fund account you have established.
Taxes. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account, you should be
aware of the following tax implications of investing in the Fund. The Fund's
distributions from long-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains, no matter how long you held your shares. Dividends paid
by the Fund from short-term capital gains and net investment income are
39
<PAGE>
taxable as ordinary income. These dividends and distributions are subject to
Federal income tax and may be subject to state or local taxes. Your
distributions are taxable as described above, whether you reinvest them in
additional shares or take them in cash. Corporate shareholders may be entitled
to the corporate dividends received deduction for some portion of the Fund's
distributions treated as ordinary income, subject to applicable limitations
under the Internal Revenue Code. Every year the Fund will send you and the IRS a
statement showing the aggregate amount of each taxable distribution you received
in the previous year. So that the Fund will not have to pay taxes on the amounts
it distributes to shareholders as dividends and capital gains, the Fund intends
to manage its investments so that it will qualify as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code, although it reserves the right not to
qualify in a particular year.
o "Buying a Dividend": If you buy shares on or just before the ex-dividend
date, or just before the Fund declares a capital gains distribution, you will
pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back
as a taxable dividend or capital gain, respectively.
o Taxes on Transactions: Share redemptions, including redemptions for
exchanges, are subject to capital gains tax. Generally speaking, a capital gain
or loss is the difference between the price you paid for the shares and the
price you received when you sold them.
o Returns of Capital: In certain cases distributions made by the Fund may
be considered a non-taxable return of capital to shareholders. If that occurs,
it will be identified in notices to shareholders. A non-taxable return of
capital may reduce your tax basis in your Fund shares.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax information
about your investment. More information is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, and in addition you should consult with your tax adviser
about the effect of an investment in the Fund on your particular tax situation.
40
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of the Fund Who
Were Shareholders of the Former Quest for Value Funds
The initial and contingent sales charge rates and waivers for Class A, Class B
and Class C shares of the Fund described elsewhere in this Prospectus are
modified as described below for those shareholders of (i) Oppenheimer Quest for
Value Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Quest for Value Growth & Income Fund, Oppenheimer
Quest Opportunity Value Fund, Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value Fund and
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc. on November 24, 1995, when
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment adviser to those funds, and (ii)
Quest for Value U.S. Government Income Fund, Quest for Value Investment Quality
Income Fund, Quest for Global Income Fund, Quest for Value New York Tax-Exempt
Fund, Quest for Value National Tax-Exempt Fund and Quest for Value California
Tax-Exempt Fund when those funds merged into various Oppenheimer funds on
November 24, 1995. The funds listed above are referred to in this Prospectus as
the "Former Quest for Value Funds." The waivers of initial and contingent
deferred sales charges described in this Appendix apply to shares of the Fund
(i) acquired by such shareholder pursuant to an exchange of shares of one of the
Oppenheimer funds that was one of the Former Quest for Value Funds or (ii)
purchased by such shareholder by exchange of shares of other Oppenheimer funds
that were acquired pursuant to the merger of any of the Former Quest for Value
Funds into an Oppenheimer fund on November 24, 1995.
Class A Sales Charges
o Reduced Class A Initial Sales Charge Rates for Certain Former Quest
Shareholders
o Purchases by Groups, Associations and Certain Qualified Retirement Plans. The
following table sets forth the initial sales charge rates for Class A shares
purchased by a "Qualified Retirement Plan" through a single broker, dealer or
financial institution, or by members of "Associations" formed for any purpose
other than the purchase of securities if that Qualified Retirement Plan or that
Association purchased shares of any of the Former Quest for Value Funds or
received a proposal to purchase such shares from OCC Distributors prior to
November 24, 1995. For this purpose only, a "Qualified Retirement Plan" includes
any 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, and SEP/IRA or IRA plan for employees of a single
employer.
Front-End Sales Front-End Sales
Number of Charge as a Charge as a Commission as
Eligible Employees Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
or Members Offering Price Amount Invested Offering Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 or fewer 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 10 but not
more than 49 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
For purchases by Qualified Retirement plans and Associations having 50 or more
eligible employees or members, there is no initial sales charge on purchases of
Class A shares, but those shares are
A-1
<PAGE>
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge described on pages __
and __ of this Prospectus.
Purchases made under this arrangement qualify for the lower of the sales
charge rate in the table based on the number of eligible employees in a
Qualified Retirement Plan or members of an Association or the sales charge rate
that applies under the Rights of Accumulation described above in the Prospectus.
In addition, purchases by 401(k) plans that are Qualified Retirement Plans
qualify for the waiver of the Class A initial sales charge if they qualified to
purchase shares of any of the Former Quest For Value Funds by virtue of
projected contributions or investments of $1 million or more each year.
Individuals who qualify under this arrangement for reduced sales charge rates as
members of Associations, or as eligible employees in Qualified Retirement Plans
also may purchase shares for their individual or custodial accounts at these
reduced sales charge rates, upon request to the Fund's Distributor.
o Waiver of Class A Sales Charges for Certain Shareholders
Class A shares of the Fund purchased by the following investors are not
subject to any Class A initial or contingent deferred sales charges:
o Shareholders of the Fund who were shareholders of the AMA Family of
Funds on February 28, 1991 and who acquired shares of any of the Former Quest
for Value Funds by merger of a portfolio of the AMA Family of Funds.
o Shareholders of the Fund who acquired shares of any Former Quest for
Value Fund by merger of any of the portfolios of the Unified Funds.
o Waiver of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge in Certain
Transactions
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to redemptions
of Class A shares of the Fund purchased by the following investors who were
shareholders of any Former Quest for Value Fund:
o Investors who purchased Class A shares from a dealer that is not or was
not permitted to receive a sales load or redemption fee imposed on a shareholder
with whom that dealer has a fiduciary relationship under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 and regulations adopted under that law.
o Participants in Qualified Retirement Plans that purchased shares of any
of the Former Quest For Value Funds pursuant to a special "strategic alliance"
with the distributor of those funds. The Fund's Distributor will pay a
commission to the dealer for purchases of Fund shares as described above in
"Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
A-2
<PAGE>
Class A, Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
o Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased Prior to March 6, 1995. In the
following cases, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for
redemptions of Class A, B or C shares of the Fund acquired by merger of a Former
Quest for Value Fund into the Fund or by exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that
was a Former Quest for Value Fund or into which such fund merged, if those
shares were purchased prior to March 6, 1995: in connection with (i)
distributions to participants or beneficiaries of plans qualified under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or from custodial accounts under Section
403(b)(7) of the Code, Individual Retirement Accounts, deferred compensation
plans under Section 457 of the Code, and other employee benefit plans, and
returns of excess contributions made to each type of plan, (ii) withdrawals
under an automatic withdrawal plan holding only either Class B or C shares if
the annual withdrawal does not exceed 10% of the initial value of the account,
and (iii) liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum value of
such accounts.
o Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased on or After March 6, 1995 but
Prior to November 24, 1995. In the following cases, the contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived for redemptions of Class A, B or C shares of the
Fund acquired by merger of a Former Quest for Value Fund into the Fund or by
exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest For Value Fund or into
which such fund merged, if those shares were purchased on or after March 6,
1995, but prior to November 24, 1995: (1) distributions to participants or
beneficiaries from Individual Retirement Accounts under Section 408(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code or retirement plans under Section 401(a), 401(k), 403(b)
and 457 of the Code, if those distributions are made either (a) to an individual
participant as a result of separation from service or (b) following the death or
disability (as defined in the Code) of the participant or beneficiary; (2)
returns of excess contributions to such retirement plans; (3) redemptions other
than from retirement plans following the death or disability of the
shareholder(s) (as evidenced by a determination of total disability by the U.S.
Social Security Administration); (4) withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal
plan (but only for Class B or C shares) where the annual withdrawals do not
exceed 10% of the initial value of the account; and (5) liquidation of a
shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset value of shares held in the
account is less than the required minimum account value. A shareholder's account
will be credited with the amount of any contingent deferred sales charge paid on
the redemption of any Class A, B or C shares of the Fund described in this
section if within 90 days after that redemption, the proceeds are invested in
the same class of shares in this Fund or another Oppenheimer fund.
A-3
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent and Shareholder Servicing Agent
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
OppenheimerFunds Internet Web Site
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations other than those contained in
this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information and, if given or
made, such information and representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by the Fund, OppenheimerFunds, Inc., OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc. or any affiliate thereof. This Prospectus does not constitute
an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities
offered hereby in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an
offer in such state.
PR________.1998 * Printed on recycled paper
A-4
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Supplement dated August __, 1998 to the
Statement of Additional Information dated August __, 1998
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, Class A, Class B and
Class C shares are not available for sale.
August __, 1998 PX0775.001
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated August __, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
is not a Prospectus. This document contains additional information about the
Fund and supplements information in the Prospectus dated ___________, 1998. It
should be read together with the Prospectus, which may be obtained by writing to
the Fund's Transfer Agent, OppenheimerFunds Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver,
Colorado 80217 or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown
above.
Contents
Page
About the Fund
Investment Objective and Policies.......................................
Investment Policies and Strategies......................................
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies..............................
Other Investment Restrictions...........................................
How the Fund is Managed ................................................
Organization and History................................................
Trustees and Officers of the Fund.......................................
The Manager and Its Affiliates..........................................
Brokerage Policies of the Fund..........................................
Performance of the Fund.................................................
Distribution and Service Plans..........................................
About Your Account
How To Buy Shares.......................................................
How To Sell Shares......................................................
How To Exchange Shares..................................................
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes......................................
Additional Information About the Fund...................................
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report............................................
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.....................................
Appendix: Industry Classifications...................................... A-1
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<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies. The investment objective and policies of the
Fund are described in the Prospectus. Set forth below is supplemental
information about those policies and the types of securities in which the Fund
may invest, as well as the strategies the Fund may use to try to achieve its
objective. Certain capitalized terms used in this Statement of Additional
Information have the same meanings as those terms have in the Prospectus.
In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's investment
advisor, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. referred to as (the "Manager"), evaluates the
merits of securities primarily through the exercise of its own investment
analysis. This may include, among other things, evaluation of the history of the
issuer's operations, prospects for the industry of which the issuer is part, the
issuer's financial condition, the issuer's pending product developments and
developments by competitors, the effect of general market and economic
conditions on the issuer's business, and legislative proposals or new laws that
might affect the issuer. Current income is not a consideration in the selection
of portfolio securities for the Fund, whether for appreciation, defensive or
liquidity purposes. The fact that a security has a low yield or does not pay
current income will not be an adverse factor in selecting securities to try to
achieve the Fund's investment objective of capital appreciation unless the
Manager believes that the lack of yield might adversely affect appreciation
possibilities.
The portion of the Fund's assets allocated to securities and methods
selected for capital appreciation will depend upon the judgment of the Manager
as to the future movement of the equity securities markets. If the Manager
believes that economic conditions favor a rising market, the Fund will emphasize
securities and investment methods selected for high capital growth. If the
Manager believes that a market decline is likely, defensive securities and
investment methods will be emphasized.
o Foreign Securities. As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in
securities (which may be denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currencies)
issued or guaranteed by foreign corporations, certain supranational entities
(described below) and foreign governments or their agencies or instrumentalities
and in securities issued by U.S. corporations denominated in non-U.S.
currencies. The types of foreign debt obligations and other securities in which
the Fund may invest are the same types of debt and equity securities identified
above. Foreign securities are subject however, to additional risks not
associated with domestic securities, as discussed below. These additional risks
may be more pronounced as to investments in securities issued by emerging market
countries or by companies located in emerging market countries.
"Foreign securities" include equity and debt securities of companies
organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and debt
securities of foreign governments that are traded on foreign securities
exchanges or in the foreign over-the-counter markets. Securities of foreign
issuers that are represented by American Depository Receipts or that are listed
on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets are
considered "foreign securities" for the
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purpose of the Fund's investment allocations.
Investing in foreign securities offer potential benefits not available
from investing solely in securities of domestic issuers, including the
opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear to offer growth potential,
or in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from
those of the U.S., or to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking
advantage of foreign stock markets that do not move in a manner parallel to U.S.
markets. In buying foreign securities, the Fund may convert U.S. dollars into
foreign currency, but only to effect securities transactions on foreign
securities exchanges and not to hold such currency as an investment. If the
Fund's portfolio securities are held abroad, the sub-custodians or depositories
holding them must be approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees to the extent that
approval is required under applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
o Risks of Foreign Investing. Investing in foreign securities involves
special additional risks and considerations not typically associated with
investing in securities of issuers traded in the U.S. These include: reduction
of income by foreign taxes; fluctuation in value of foreign portfolio
investments due to changes in currency rates and control regulations (e.g.,
currency blockage); transaction charges for currency exchange; lack of public
information about foreign issuers; lack of uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic
issuers; less volume on foreign exchanges than on U.S. exchanges; greater
volatility and less liquidity on foreign markets than in the U.S.; less
regulation of foreign issuers, stock exchanges and brokers than in the U.S.;
greater difficulties in commencing lawsuits against foreign issuers; higher
brokerage commission rates than in the U.S.; increased risks of delays in
settlement of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio
securities because of the lesser speed and reliability of mail service between
the U.S. and foreign countries than within the U.S.; possibilities in some
countries of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation,
political, financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic developments;
and differences (which may be favorable or unfavorable) between the U.S. economy
and foreign economies. From time to time, U.S. Government policies have
discouraged certain investments abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or
other restrictions, and it is possible that such restrictions could be
re-imposed. If the Fund's securities are held abroad, the countries in which
such securities may be held and the sub-custodians holding them must be approved
by the Fund's Board of Trustees under applicable SEC rules.
o Borrowing For Leverage. From time to time, the Fund may increase its
ownership of securities by borrowing from banks on an unsecured basis and
investing the borrowed funds, subject to the restrictions stated in the
Prospectus. Any such borrowing will be made only from banks, and, pursuant to
the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, will only be made to the
extent that the value of the Fund's assets, less its liabilities other than
borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all borrowings including the proposed
borrowing. If the value of the Fund's assets, when computed in that manner,
should fail to meet the 300% asset coverage requirement, the Fund is required
within three days to reduce its bank debt to the extent necessary to meet that
requirement. To do so, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investments at
a time when independent investment judgment would not dictate such sale.
Interest on money borrowed is an expense the Fund would not otherwise incur, so
that during periods of substantial borrowings, its expenses may
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increase more than funds that do not borrow.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies
o Illiquid and Restricted Securities. To enable the Fund to sell
restricted securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the Fund
may have to cause those securities to be registered. The expenses of
registration of restricted securities may be negotiated by the Fund with the
issuer at the time such securities are purchased by the Fund, if such
registration is required before such securities may be sold publicly. When
registration must be arranged because the Fund wishes to sell the security, a
considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the
securities and the time the Fund would be permitted to sell them. The Fund would
bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during that period. The Fund
may also acquire, through private placements, securities having contractual
restrictions on their resale, which might limit the Fund's ability to dispose of
such securities and might lower the amount realizable upon the sale of such
securities. Illiquid securities include repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days, or certain participation interests in other than those with
puts exercisable within seven days.
The Fund has percentage limitations that apply to purchases of restricted
securities, as stated in the Prospectus. Those percentage restrictions do not
limit purchases of restricted securities that are eligible for sale to qualified
institutional purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933,
provided that those securities have been determined to be liquid by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund or by the Manager under Board-approved guidelines. Those
guidelines take into account the trading activity for such securities and the
availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. If there is a
lack of trading interest in a particular Rule 144A security, the Fund's holding
of that security may be deemed to be illiquid.
o Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities subject to the restrictions stated in the Prospectus. Repurchase
transactions are not considered "loans" for the purpose of the Fund's limit on
the percentage of its assets that can be loaned. Under applicable regulatory
requirements (which are subject to change), the loan collateral on each business
day must at least equal the value of the loaned securities and must consist of
cash, bank letters of credit or securities of the U.S. Government (or its
agencies or instrumentalities). To be acceptable as collateral, letters of
credit must obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand
meets the terms of the letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be
satisfactory to the Fund. In a portfolio securities lending transaction, the
Fund receives from the borrower an amount equal to the interest paid or the
dividends declared on the loaned securities during the term of the loan as well
as the interest on the collateral securities, less any finders', administrative
or other fees the Fund pays in connection with the loan. The terms of the Fund's
loans must meet applicable tests under the Internal Revenue Code and must permit
the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five days' notice or in time to vote
on any important matter.
o Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated redemptions, or
pending the investment of the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, or pending the
settlement of purchases of portfolio securities. In a repurchase transaction,
the Fund acquires a security from, and simultaneously resells it to, an
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approved vendor. An "approved vendor" is a U.S. commercial bank or the U.S.
branch of a foreign bank or a broker-dealer which has been designated a primary
dealer in government securities which must meet credit requirements set by the
Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time. The repurchase price exceeds the
purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective
for the period during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. The majority
of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery pursuant to the resale
typically will occur within one to five days of the purchase. Repurchase
agreements are considered "loans" under the Investment Company Act,
collateralized by the underlying security. The Fund's repurchase agreements
require that at all times while the repurchase agreement is in effect, the value
of the collateral must equal or exceed the repurchase price to fully
collateralize the repayment obligation. Additionally, the Manager will impose
creditworthiness requirements to confirm that the vendor is financially sound
and will continuously monitor the collateral's value.
o Hedging with Options and Futures Contracts. The Fund may use hedging
instruments for the purposes described in the Prospectus. When hedging to
attempt to protect against declines in the market value of the Fund's portfolio,
or to permit the Fund to retain unrealized gains in the value of portfolio
securities which have appreciated, or to facilitate selling securities for
investment reasons, the Fund may (i) sell Financial Futures, (ii) buy puts on
such Futures or securities, or (iii) write covered calls on securities held by
it or on Futures. When hedging to establish a position in the equities market as
a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual equity securities, the
Fund may (i) buy Futures or (ii) buy calls on such Futures or on securities.
Normally, the Fund would then purchase the equity securities and terminate the
hedging portion.
The Fund's strategy of hedging with options and Futures will be incidental
to the Fund's investment activities in the underlying cash market. In the
future, the Fund may employ hedging instruments and strategies that are not
presently contemplated but which may be developed, to the extent such investment
methods are consistent with the Fund's investment objective, and are legally
permissible and disclosed in the Prospectus. Additional information about the
hedging instruments the Fund may use is provided below.
o Writing Covered Call Options. When the Fund writes a call on an
investment, it receives a premium and agrees to sell the callable investment to
a purchaser of a corresponding call on the same investment during the call
period (usually not more than 9 months) at a fixed exercise price (which may
differ from the market price of the underlying investment), regardless of market
price changes during the call period. The Fund retains the risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security declines during the call period, which may be
offset to some extent by the premium.
To terminate its obligation on a call it has written, the Fund may
purchase a corresponding call in a "closing purchase transaction." A profit or
loss will be realized, depending upon whether the net of the amount of the
option transaction costs and the premium received on the call the Fund has
written is more or less than the price of the call the Fund subsequently
purchases. A profit may also be realized if the call lapses unexercised, because
the Fund retains the underlying investment and the premium received. Those
profits are considered short-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes,
and when distributed by the Fund are taxable as ordinary income.
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An option position may be closed out only on a market that provides
secondary trading for option of the same series, and there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option. If the Fund could
not effect a closing purchase transaction due to lack of a market, it would have
to hold the callable investments until the call lapsed or was exercised.
The Fund may also write calls on Futures without owning a futures contract
or deliverable securities, provided that at the time the call is written, the
Fund covers the call by segregating in escrow an equivalent dollar amount of
deliverable securities or liquid assets. The Fund will segregate additional
liquid assets if the value of the escrowed assets drops below 100% of the
obligation under the Future. In no circumstances would an exercise notice
require the Fund to deliver a futures contract; it would simply put the Fund in
a short futures position, which is permitted by the Fund's hedging policies.
o Writing Put Options. A put option on an investment gives the purchaser
the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
investment at the exercise price during the option period. Writing a put covered
by segregated liquid assets equal to the exercise price of the put has the same
economic effect to the Fund as writing a covered call. The premium the Fund
receives from writing a put option represents a profit, as long as the price of
the underlying investment remains above the exercise price. However, the Fund
has also assumed the obligation during the option period to buy the underlying
investment from the buyer of the put at the exercise price, even though the
value of the investment may fall below the exercise price. If the put expires
unexercised, the Fund (as the writer of the put) realizes a gain in the amount
of the premium less transaction costs. If the put is exercised, the Fund must
fulfill its obligation to purchase the underlying investment at the exercise
price, which will usually exceed the market value of the investment at that
time. In that case, the Fund may incur a loss, equal to the sum of the sale
price of the underlying investment and the premium received minus the sum of the
exercise price and any transaction costs incurred.
When writing put options on securities or on foreign currencies, to secure
its obligation to pay for the underlying security, the Fund will deposit in
escrow liquid assets with a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of
the underlying securities. The Fund therefore foregoes the opportunity of
investing the segregated assets or writing calls against those assets. As long
as the obligation of the Fund as the put writer continues, it may be assigned an
exercise notice by the broker-dealer through whom such option was sold,
requiring the Fund to take delivery of the underlying security against payment
of the exercise price. The Fund has no control over when it may be required to
purchase the underlying security, since it may be assigned an exercise notice at
any time prior to the termination of its obligation as the writer of the put.
This obligation terminates upon expiration of the put, or such earlier time at
which the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing a put of the
same series as that previously sold. Once the Fund has been assigned an exercise
notice, it is thereafter not allowed to effect a closing purchase transaction.
The Fund may effect a closing purchase transaction to realize a profit on
an outstanding put option it has written or to prevent an underlying security
from being put. Furthermore, effecting such a closing purchase transaction will
permit the Fund to write another put option to the extent that the exercise
price thereof is secured by the deposited assets, or to utilize the proceeds
from the sale of such assets for other investments by the Fund. The Fund will
realize a profit or loss from a
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closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction is less or more than
the premium received from writing the option. As above for writing covered
calls, any and all such profits described herein from writing puts are
considered short-term gains for Federal tax purposes, and when distributed by
the Fund, are taxable as ordinary income.
o Purchasing Calls and Puts. When the Fund purchases a call (other than in
a closing purchase transaction), it pays a premium and, except as to calls on
financial indices or Financial Futures, has the right to buy the underlying
investment from a seller of a corresponding call on the same investment during
the call period at a fixed exercise price. When the Fund purchases a call on a
financial index or Financial Future, settlement is in cash rather than by
delivery of the underlying investment to the Fund. The Fund benefits only if the
call is sold at a profit or if, during the call period, the market price of the
underlying investment is above the sum of the call price plus the transaction
costs and the premium paid and the call is exercised. If the call is not
exercised or sold (whether or not at a profit), it will become worthless at its
expiration date and the Fund will lose its premium payment and the right to
purchase the underlying investment.
When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as to puts on
financial indices, has the right to sell the underlying investment to a seller
of a corresponding put on the same investment during the put period at a fixed
exercise price. Buying a put on an investment the Fund owns enables the Fund to
protect itself during the put period against a decline in the value of the
underlying investment below the exercise price by selling the underlying
investment at the exercise price to a seller of a corresponding put. If the
market price of the underlying investment is equal to or above the exercise
price and as a result the put is not exercised or resold, the put will become
worthless at its expiration date, and the Fund will lose its premium payment and
the right to sell the underlying investment. The put may, however, be sold prior
to expiration (whether or not at a profit).
Buying a put on an index or on Futures it does not own permits the Fund
either to resell the put or, if applicable, to buy the underlying investment and
sell it at the exercise price. The resale price of the put will vary inversely
with the price of the underlying investment. If the market price of the
underlying investment is above the exercise price, and, as a result, the put is
not exercised, the put will become worthless on its expiration date. In the
event of a decline in price of the underlying investment, the Fund could
exercise or sell the put at a profit to attempt to offset some or all of its
loss on its portfolio securities. When the Fund purchases a put on an index or a
Future not held by it, the put protects the Fund to the extent that the prices
of the underlying Futures move in a similar pattern to the prices of the
securities in the Fund's portfolio.
o Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts related to
financial indices, including stock indices (a "Financial Future"), or to debt
securities ("Interest Rate Futures"). A financial index assigns relative values
to the securities included in the index and fluctuates with the changes in the
market value of those securities. Financial indices cannot be purchased or sold
directly. The contracts obligate the seller to deliver, and the purchaser to
take, cash to settle the futures transaction or to enter into an offsetting
contract. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made on
settling the futures obligation. No monetary amount is paid or received by a
Fund on the purchase or sale of a Financial Future. An Interest Rate Future
obligates
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the seller to deliver and the purchaser to take a specific type of debt security
or cash to settle the futures transaction, or to enter into an offsetting
contract.
Upon entering into a Futures transaction, the Fund will be required to
deposit an initial margin payment in cash or U.S. Treasury bills with the
futures commission merchant (the "futures broker"). The initial margin payment
will be deposited with the Fund's Custodian in an account registered in the
futures broker's name; however, the futures broker can gain access to that
account only under specified conditions. As the Future is marked to market to
reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin payments, called
variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures broker on a daily basis.
Prior to expiration of the Future, if the Fund elects to close out its position
by taking an opposite position, a final determination of variation margin is
made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and any
loss or gain is then realized for tax purposes. Although Financial Futures and
Interest Rate Futures by their terms call for settlement by delivery of cash or
securities, respectively, in most cases the obligation is fulfilled by entering
into an offsetting position. All futures transactions are effected through a
clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded.
o Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. The Fund is required to
operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to its use of
Futures and options on Futures established by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission ("CFTC"). In particular the Fund is exempted from registration with
the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if the Fund complies with the
requirements of Rule 4.5 adopted by the CFTC. The Rule does not limit the
percentage of the Fund's assets that may be used for Futures margin and related
options premiums for a bona fide hedging position. However, under the Rule the
Fund must limit its aggregate initial futures margin and related option premiums
to no more than 5% of the Fund's total assets for hedging strategies that are
not considered bona fide hedging strategies under the Rule. Under the Rule, the
Fund also must use short Futures and Futures options positions solely for "bona
fide hedging purposes" within the meaning and intent of the applicable
provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations established
by each of the exchanges governing the maximum number of options which may be
written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert,
regardless of whether the options were written or purchased on the same or
different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more
different exchanges or futures brokers. Thus, the number of options which the
Fund may write or hold may be affected by options written or held by other
entities, including other investment companies having the same or an affiliated
investment adviser. Position limits also apply to Futures. An exchange may order
the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those limits and may
impose certain other sanctions. Due to requirements under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), when the Fund purchases a Stock
Index Future, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account or accounts with
its Custodian, liquid assets marketable short-term (maturing in one year or
less) debt instruments in an amount equal to the market value of the securities
underlying such Future, less the margin deposit applicable to it.
o Tax Aspects of Covered Calls and Hedging Instruments. The Fund intends to
qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code
(although it reserves the right
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not to qualify). That qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its
income and realized capital gains to shareholders without having to pay tax on
them. This avoids a "double tax" on that income and capital gains, since
shareholders normally will be taxed on the dividends and capital gains they
receive from the Fund (unless the Fund's shares are held in a retirement account
or the shareholder is otherwise exempt from tax).
o Risks of Hedging with Futures. In addition to the risks associated with
respect to hedging that are discussed in the Prospectus and above, there is a
risk in using short hedging by selling Futures to attempt to protect declines in
the values of the fund's securities. the risk is that the prices of the Futures
will correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash (i.e., market value)
prices of the Fund's securities. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash
and futures markets are subject to distortions due to differences in the natures
of those markets. First, all participants in the futures markets are subject to
margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional
margin deposit requirements, investors may close out futures contracts through
off-setting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the
cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures markets depends
on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or
taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery,
liquidity in the futures markets could be reduced, thus producing distortion.
Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the
futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities
markets. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures
markets may cause temporary price distortions.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable index.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the
securities being hedged and movements in the price of the Hedging Instruments,
the Fund may use Hedging Instruments in a greater dollar amount than the dollar
amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of
such securities being hedged is more than the historical volatility of the
applicable index. It is also possible that where the Fund has used Hedging
Instruments in a short hedge, the market may advance and the value of securities
held in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose
money on the Hedging Instruments and also experience a decline in value in its
securities. However, while this could occur for a very brief period or to a very
small degree, over time the value of a diversified portfolio of securities will
tend to move in the same direction as the indices upon which the Hedging
Instruments are based.
If the Fund uses hedging instruments to establish a position in the
equities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual equity
securities (long hedging) by buying Futures, it is possible that the market may
decline. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in equity securities at that
time because of concerns as to a possible further market decline or for other
reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the hedging instruments that is not
offset by a reduction in the price of the equity securities purchased.
Other Investment Restrictions
The Fund's most significant investment restrictions are set forth in the
Prospectus. The
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following are fundamental policies, and together with the Fund's fundamental
policies described in the Prospectus, cannot be changed without the vote of a
"majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Such a "majority" vote
is defined in the Investment Company Act as the vote of the holders of the
lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the shares present or represented by proxy at a
shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
are present, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares.
Under these additional restrictions, the Fund cannot do any of the
following:
o The Fund cannot lend money, but the Fund can engage in repurchase
transactions and may invest in all or a portion of an issue of bonds,
debentures, commercial paper, or other similar corporate obligations.
o The Fund cannot underwrite securities of other companies, except insofar
as it might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of
1933 in the resale of any securities held in its own portfolio.
o The Fund cannot invest in real estate or interests in real estate, but
may purchase readily marketable securities of companies holding real estate or
interests therein.
o The Fund cannot issue "senior securities," but this does not prohibit it
from borrowing money subject to the provisions set forth in the Prospectus,
including the section titled "Borrowing for Leverage," or from entering into
margin, collateral or escrow arrangements permitted by its other investment
policies.
o The Fund cannot invest in physical commodities or commodity contracts;
however, the Fund may (i) buy and sell hedging instruments permitted by any of
its other investment policies, and (ii) buy and sell options, futures,
securities or other instruments backed by, or the investment return from which
is linked to changes in the price of, physical commodities.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following operating policies of the
Fund are not fundamental policies and, as such, may be changed by vote of a
majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. These
additional restrictions provide that the Fund cannot:
o The Fund cannot invest for the primary purpose of acquiring control or
management thereof.
o The Fund cannot invest in or hold securities of any issuer if those
officers and trustees or directors of the Fund or its adviser owning
individually more than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of such issuer together own
more than 5% of the securities of such issuer.
o The Fund cannot purchase securities on margin; however, the Fund may
make margin deposits in connection with any of its investments.
o The Fund cannot mortgage, hypothecate or pledge any of its assets;
escrow, collateral or
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margin arrangements involved with any of its investments are not considered to
involve a mortgage, hypothecation or pledge.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate its assets as
described under the second investment restriction in "Other Investment
Restrictions" in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted the industry
classifications set forth in Appendix A to this Statement of Additional
Information.
This is not a fundamental policy.
How the Fund Is Managed
Organization and History. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund is not
required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings of
shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law, or when a shareholder meeting is
called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the shareholders. Shareholders
have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, to remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a
meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee upon the written
request of the record holders of 10% of its outstanding shares. In addition, if
the Trustees receive a request from at least 10 shareholders (who have been
shareholders for at least six months) holding shares of the Fund valued at
$25,000 or more or holding at least 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares,
whichever is less, stating that they wish to communicate with other shareholders
to request a meeting to remove a Trustee, the Trustees will then either make the
Fund's shareholder list available to the applicants or mail their communication
to all other shareholders at the applicants' expense, or the Trustees may take
such other action as set forth under Section 16(c) of the Investment Company
Act.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder or Trustee liability for the Fund's obligations, and provides for
indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of its property for any
shareholder held personally liable for its obligations. The Declaration of Trust
also provides that the Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim
made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy
any judgment thereon. Thus, while Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a
business trust (such as the Fund) to be held personally liable as a "partner"
under certain circumstances, the risk of a Fund shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations
described above. Any person doing business with the Trust, and any shareholder
of the Trust, agrees under the Trust's Declaration of Trust to look solely to
the assets of the Trust for satisfaction of any claim or demand which may arise
out of any dealings with the Trust, and the Trustees shall have no personal
liability to any such person, to the extent permitted by law.
Trustees and Officers of the Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers and their
principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five years are
listed below. The address of each Trustee and officer is Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048-0203, unless another address is listed below. Ms.
Macaskill is not a director of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. All of the
Trustees are also trustees or directors of Oppenheimer Global Fund, Oppenheimer
Capital Appreciation Fund, Oppenheimer Discovery Fund, Oppenheimer Enterprise
Fund, Oppenheimer
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Global Growth & Income Fund, Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund,
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund, Oppenheimer International Small Company
Fund, Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund, Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund,
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund, Oppenheimer Multi-State Municipal Trust,
Oppenheimer Mid-Cap Fund, Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund, Oppenheimer
Series Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust, Oppenheimer Large-Cap
Value Fund, Oppenheimer Multi- Sector Income Trust and Oppenheimer World Bond
Fund (collectively the "New York-based Oppenheimer funds"). Messrs. Spiro,
Bishop, Bowen, Donohue, Farrar and Zack, respectively, hold the same offices
with the other New York-based Oppenheimer funds as with the Fund. As of the date
of this Statement of Additional Information, the Manager owned all of the
outstanding shares of the Fund as its initial shareholder and no Trustee or
officer of the Fund owned of record or beneficially any shares of the Fund.
Leon Levy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Age: 72
31 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
General Partner of Odyssey Partners, L.P. (investment partnership)(since 1982)
and Chairman of Avatar Holdings, Inc. (real estate development).
Robert G. Galli, Trustee; Age: 64
19750 Beach Road, Jupiter Island, FL 33469
Formerly he held the following positions: Vice Chairman of OppenheimerFunds,
Inc. (the "Manager") (October 1995 to December 1997), Vice President (June 1990
to March 1994) and Counsel of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), the
Manager's parent holding company; Executive Vice President (December 1977 to
October 1995), General Counsel and a director (December 1975 to October 1993) of
the Manager; Executive Vice President and a director of OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor") (August 1978 to October 1993); Executive
Vice President and a director of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation
("HarbourView") (April 1986 to October 1995), an investment adviser subsidiary
of the Manager; Vice President and a director (October 1988 to October 1993) and
Secretary (March 1981 to September 1988) of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation ("Centennial"), an investment adviser subsidiary of the Manager; A
director (November 1989 to October 1993) and Executive Vice President (November
1989 to January 1990) of Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. ("SFSI"), a
transfer agent subsidiary of the Manager; a director of Shareholder Services,
Inc. ("SSI") (August 1984 to October 1993), a transfer agent subsidiary of the
Manager; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Benjamin Lipstein, Trustee; Age: 75
591 Breezy Hill Road, Hillsdale, N.Y. 12529
Professor Emeritus of Marketing, Stern Graduate School of Business
Administration, New York University.
Bridget A. Macaskill, President and Trustee;*# Age: 49
- --------
*Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund.
#Not a Director of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
-12-
<PAGE>
President (since June 1991), Chief Executive Officer (since September 1995) and
a Director (since December 1994) of the Manager; President and director (since
June 1991) of HarbourView; Chairman and a director of SSI (since August 1994),
and SFSI (September 1995); President (since September 1995) and a director
(since October 1990) of OAC; President (since September 1995) and a director
(since November 1989) of Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., a holding
company subsidiary of the Manager; a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since August 1996); President and a director (since October
1997) of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd., an offshore fund manager
subsidiary of the Manager ("OFIL") and Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since
October 1997); President and a director or trustee of other Oppenheimer funds; a
director of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and of Hillsdown Holdings plc (a U.K.
food company); formerly an Executive Vice President of the Manager.
Elizabeth B. Moynihan, Trustee; Age: 68
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Author and architectural historian; a trustee of the Freer Gallery of Art
(Smithsonian Institution), the Institute of Fine Arts (New York University),
National Building Museum; a member of the Trustees Council, Preservation League
of New York State, and of the Indo-U.S. Sub-Commission on Education and Culture.
Kenneth A. Randall, Trustee; Age: 70
6 Whittaker's Mill, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
A director of Dominion Resources, Inc. (electric utility holding company),
Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric power and oil & gas producer), Texas
Cogeneration Company (cogeneration company), Prime Retail, Inc. (real estate
investment trust); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of The
Conference Board, Inc. (international economic and business research) and a
director of Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company, American Motorists Insurance
Company and American Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company.
Edward V. Regan, Trustee; Age: 67
40 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
Chairman of Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York; Senior
Fellow of Jerome Levy Economics Institute, Bard College; a member of the U.S.
Competitiveness Policy Council; a director of River Bank America (real estate
manager); Trustee, Financial Accounting Foundation (FASB and GASB); formerly New
York State Comptroller and trustee, New York State and Local Retirement Fund.
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., Trustee; Age: 66
8 Sound Shore Drive, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Founder Chairman of Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. (executive recruiting);
Chairman of Directorship Inc. (corporate governance consulting); a director of
Professional Staff Limited (U.K.); a trustee of Mystic Seaport Museum,
International House and Greenwich Historical Society.
Donald W. Spiro, Vice Chairman and Trustee;* Age: 72
- --------
*Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund.
-13-
<PAGE>
Chairman Emeritus (since August 1991) and a director (since January 1969) of the
Manager; formerly Chairman of the Manager and the Distributor.
Pauline Trigere, Trustee; Age: 85
498 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10018
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trigere, Inc. (design and sale of
women's fashions).
Clayton K. Yeutter, Trustee; Age: 67
1325 Merrie Ridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101
Of Counsel, Hogan & Hartson (a law firm); a director of B.A.T. Industries, Ltd.
(tobacco and financial services), Caterpillar, Inc. (machinery), ConAgra, Inc.
(food and agricultural products), Farmers Insurance Company (insurance), FMC
Corp. (chemicals and machinery) and Texas Instruments, Inc. (electronics);
formerly (in descending chronological order), Counsellor to the President (Bush)
for Domestic Policy, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Secretary of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Trade Representative.
Robert C. Doll, Jr., Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age: 43
Executive Vice President and Director of the Manager (since January 1993);
Executive Vice President of HarbourView (since January 1993); Vice President and
a director of OAC (since September 1995); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary; Age: 47
Executive Vice President (since January 1993), General Counsel (since October
1991) and a Director (since September 1995) of the Manager; Executive Vice
President and General Counsel (since September 1993), and a director (since
January 1992) of the Distributor; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
a director of HarbourView, SSI, SFSI and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc.
(since September 1995) and MultiSource Services, Inc. (a broker-dealer) (since
December 1995); President and a director of Centennial (since September 1995);
President, General Counsel and a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset Management,
Inc. (since August 1996); General Counsel (since May 1996) and Secretary (since
April 1997) of OAC; A director of OFIL and Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc
(since October 1997); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
George C. Bowen, Treasurer; Age: 61
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Senior Vice President (since September 1987) and Treasurer (since March 1985) of
the Manager; Vice President (since June 1983) and Treasurer (since March 1985)
of the Distributor; Vice President (since October 1989) and Treasurer (since
April 1986) of HarbourView; Senior Vice President (since February 1992),
Treasurer (since August 1991)and a director (since December 1991) of Centennial;
President, Treasurer and a director of Centennial Capital Corporation (since
June 1989); Vice President and Treasurer (since August 1978) and Secretary
(since April 1981) of SSI; Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of SFSI
(since November 1989); Treasurer of OAC (since June 1990); Treasurer of
Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc. (since November 1989); Vice President and
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. (since August 1996); Chief
Executive Officer, Treasurer and a director of MultiSource Services, Inc., a
broker-dealer (since December 1995); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
-14-
<PAGE>
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age: 49
Senior Vice President (since May 1985) and Associate General Counsel (since May
1981) of the Manager, Assistant Secretary of SSI (since May 1985), and SFSI
(since November 1989); Assistant Secretary of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc
(since October 1997); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age: 39
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
the Manager.
Scott T. Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age: 32
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); Assistant
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer
of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
the Manager.
o Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund and certain Trustees
of the Fund (Ms. Macaskill, and Mr. Spiro) who are affiliated with the receive
no salary or fee from the Fund. Mr. Galli received no salary or fee from any
Oppenheimer fund prior to January 1, 1998. The remaining Trustees of the Fund
are expected to receive the compensation shown below from the Fund with respect
to the Fund's fiscal year ending August 31, 1998. Compensation is also shown
below as to compensation received as a director, trustee, or member of a
committee of the Board of all other New York-based funds during calendar year
1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retirement Total
Aggregate Benefits Compensation
Compensation Accrued as From All Other
From Part of Fund New York-based
Name and Position the Fund Expenses Oppenheimer Funds(1)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Robert G. Galli $ $ $0
Study Committee
Member and Trustee
Leon Levy, $ $ $158,500
Chairman of the Board
and Trustee
Benjamin Lipstein, $ $ $137,000
Study Committee
Chairman, Audit
Committee Member
and Trustee(2)
-15-
<PAGE>
Elizabeth B. Moynihan, $ $ $96,500
Study Committee
Member and Trustee
Kenneth A. Randall, $ $ $88,500
Audit Committee
Chairman and Trustee
Edward V. Regan, $ $ $87,500
Proxy Committee
Chairman, Audit
Committee Member
and Trustee
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., $ $ $65,500
Proxy Committee
Member and Trustee
Pauline Trigere, $ $ $58,500
Trustee
Clayton K. Yeutter, $ $ $55,500
Proxy Committee
Member and Trustee
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
(1)For the 1997 calendar year.
(2)Committee position hald during a portion of the period shown.
Deferred Compensation Plan. The Board of Trustees has adopted a Deferred
Compensation Plan for disinterested Trustees that enables Trustees to elect to
defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual fees they are entitled to
receive from the Fund. Under the plan, the compensation deferred by a Trustee is
periodically adjusted as though an equivalent amount had been invested in shares
of one or more Oppenheimer funds selected by the Trustee. The amount paid to the
Trustees under the plan will be determined based upon the performance of the
selected funds. Deferral of Trustees' fees under the plan will not materially
affect the Fund's assets, liabilities or net income per share. The plan will not
materially affect the Fund's assets, liabilities or net income per share. The
plan will not obligate the Fund to retain the services of any Trustee or to pay
any particular level of compensation to any Trustee. Pursuant to an Order issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest in the funds
selected by the Trustee under the plan for the limited purpose of determining
the value of the Trustee's deferred fee account.
The Fund has adopted a retirement plan that provides for payment to a
retired Trustee of up to 80% of the average compensation paid during that
Trustee's five years of service in which the highest compensation was received.
A Trustee must serve in that capacity for any of the New York- based Oppenheimer
funds for at least 15 years to be eligible for the maximum payment. Because each
Trustee's retirement benefits will depend on the amount of the Trustee's future
compensation and length of service, the amount of those benefits cannot be
determined at this time, nor can the
-16-
<PAGE>
Fund estimate the number of years of credited service that will be used to
determine those benefits.
o Major Shareholders. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the Manager was the sole initial shareholder of the Fund's Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class Y shares.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Manager is wholly-owned by Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a holding company controlled by Massachusetts Mutual
Life Insurance Company. OAC is also owned in part by certain of the Manager's
directors and officers, some of whom also serve as officers of the Fund, and
three of whom (Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Galli and Spiro) serve as Trustees of
the Fund.
The Manager and the Fund have a Code of Ethics. It is designed to detect
and prevent improper personal trading by certain employees, including portfolio
managers, that would compete with or take advantage of the Fund's portfolio
transactions. Compliance with the Code of Ethics is carefully monitored and
strictly enforced by the Manager.
o Portfolio Management. The Portfolio Manager of the Fund is Robert C.
Doll, Jr., who is principally responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund's portfolio. Mr. Doll's background is described in the Prospectus under
"Portfolio Manager." Other members of the Manager's Equity Portfolio Department,
particularly the Value and Growth teams, provide the Portfolio Manager with
counsel and support in managing the Fund's portfolio.
o The Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement
between the Manager and the Fund requires the Manager, at its expense, to
provide the Fund with adequate office space, facilities and equipment, and to
provide and supervise the activities of all administrative and clerical
personnel required to provide effective corporate administration for the Fund,
including the compilation and maintenance of records with respect to its
operations, the preparation and filing of specified reports, and composition of
proxy materials and registration statements for continuous public sale of shares
of the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the Investment
Advisory Agreement or by the Distributor under the General Distributors
Agreement are paid by the Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement lists examples
of expenses paid by the Fund, the major categories of which relate to interest,
taxes, brokerage commissions, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit
expenses, custodian and transfer agent expenses, share issuance costs, certain
printing and registration costs and non-recurring expenses, including litigation
costs.
The Investment Advisory Agreement contains no expense limitation. However,
because of state regulations limiting fund expenses that previously applied, the
Manager had voluntarily undertaken that the Fund's total expenses in any fiscal
year (including the investment advisory fee but exclusive of taxes, interest,
brokerage commissions, distribution plan payments and any extraordinary
non-recurring expenses, including litigation) would not exceed the most
stringent state regulatory limitation applicable to the Fund. Due to changes in
federal securities laws, such state regulations no longer apply and the
Manager's undertaking is therefore inapplicable and has been withdrawn. During
the Fund's last fiscal year, the Fund's expenses did not exceed the most
stringent state regulatory limit and the voluntary undertaking was not invoked.
-17-
<PAGE>
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under the advisory agreement,
the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from a good faith error or
omission on its part with respect to any of its duties thereunder. The advisory
agreement permits the Manager to act as investment adviser for any other person,
firm or corporation and to use the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with other
investment companies for which it may act as investment adviser or general
distributor. If the Manager shall no longer act as investment adviser to the
Fund, the right of the Fund to use the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its name
may be withdrawn.
o The Distributor. Under its General Distributor's Agreement with the
Fund, the Distributor acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in the continuous
public offering of the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares but
is not obligated to sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally
attributable to sales, including advertising and the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses (other than those furnished to existing shareholders), are
borne by the Distributor. For additional information about distribution of the
Fund's shares and the expenses connected with such activities, please refer to
"Distribution and Service Plans," below.
o The Transfer Agent. OppenheimerFunds Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent,
is responsible for maintaining the Fund's shareholder registry and shareholder
accounting records, and for shareholder servicing and administrative functions.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the duties of
the Manager under the Investment Advisory Agreement is to arrange the portfolio
transactions for the Fund. The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating
to the employment of broker-dealers ("brokers") to effect the Fund's portfolio
transactions. In doing so, the Manager is authorized by the advisory agreement
to employ broker-dealers, including "affiliated" brokers, as that term is
defined in the Investment Company Act, as may, in its best judgment based on all
relevant factors, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable
expense, the "best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most
favorable price obtainable) of such transactions. The Manager need not seek
competitive commission bidding but is expected to minimize the commissions paid
to the extent consistent with the interest and policies of the Fund as
established by its Board of Trustees.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager is authorized to select brokers
that provide brokerage and/or research services for the Fund and/or the other
accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates have investment discretion.
The commissions paid to such brokers may be higher than another qualified broker
would have charged if a good faith determination is made by the Manager that the
commission is fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided. Subject
to the foregoing considerations, the Manager may also consider sales of shares
of the Fund and other investment companies managed by the Manager or its
affiliates as a factor in the selection of brokers for the Fund's portfolio
transactions.
Description of Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. Subject to the
provisions of the Advisory Agreement and the procedures and rules described
above, allocations of brokerage are
-18-
<PAGE>
generally made by the Manager's portfolio traders based upon recommendations
from the Manager's portfolio managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers
may directly place trades and allocate brokerage, also subject to the provisions
of the advisory agreement and the procedures and rules described above. In
either case, brokerage is allocated under the supervision of the Manager's
executive officers. Transactions in securities other than those for which an
exchange is the primary market are generally done with principals or market
makers. Brokerage commissions are paid primarily for effecting transactions in
listed securities and/or for certain fixed-income agency transactions in the
secondary market, and are otherwise paid only if it appears likely that a better
price or execution can be obtained. When the Fund engages in an option
transaction, ordinarily the same broker will be used for the purchase or sale of
the option and any transaction in the securities to which the option relates.
When possible, concurrent orders to purchase or sell the same security by more
than one of the accounts managed by the Manager or its affiliates are combined.
The transactions effected pursuant to such combined orders are averaged as to
price and allocated in accordance with the purchase or sale orders actually
placed for each account.
Most purchases of money market instruments and debt obligations are
principal transactions at net prices. Instead of using a broker for those
transactions, the Fund normally deals directly with the selling or purchasing
principal or market maker unless it determines that a better price or execution
can be obtained by using a broker. Purchases of these securities from
underwriters include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the
underwriter. Purchases from dealers include a spread between the bid and asked
price. The Fund seeks to obtain prompt execution of these orders at the most
favorable net price.
The research services provided by a particular broker may be useful only
to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager and its affiliates, and
investment research received for the commissions of those other accounts may be
useful both to the Fund and one or more of such other accounts. Such research,
which may be supplied by a third party at the instance of a broker, includes
information and analyses on particular companies and industries as well as
market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, receipt of market quotations
for portfolio evaluations, information systems, computer hardware and similar
products and services. If a research service also assists the Manager in a
non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions),
then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the Manager in
the investment decision-making process may be paid for in commission dollars.
The Board of Trustees has permitted the Manager to use concessions on
fixed-price offerings to obtain research, in the same manner as is permitted for
agency transactions. The Board has also permitted the Manager to use stated
commissions on secondary fixed-income agency trades to obtain research where the
broker has represented to the Manager that: (i) the trade is not from or for the
broker's own inventory, (ii) the trade was executed by the broker on an agency
basis at the stated commission, and (iii) the trade is not a riskless principal
transaction.
The research services provided by brokers broaden the scope and supplement
the research activities of the Manager, by making available additional views for
consideration and comparisons, and by enabling the Manager to obtain market
information for the valuation of securities held in the Fund's portfolio or
being considered for purchase. The Board of Trustees, including the
"independent" Trustees of the Fund (those Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" as defined in the Investment Company Act, and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the
-19-
<PAGE>
operation of the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Distribution and Service
Plans described below) annually reviews information furnished by the Manager as
to the commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services so that the Board
may ascertain whether the amount of such commissions was reasonably related to
the value or benefit of such services.
Performance of the Fund
Total Return Information. As described in the Prospectus, from time to time the
"average annual total return," "cumulative total return," "average annual total
return at net asset value" and "total return at net asset value" of an
investment in a class of shares of the Fund may be advertised. An explanation of
how these total returns are calculated for each class and the components of
those calculations is set forth below.
The Fund's advertisements of its performance data must, under applicable
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, include the average annual
total returns for each advertised class of shares of the Fund for the 1, 5, and
10-year periods (or the life of the class, if less) ending as of the most
recently-ended calendar quarter prior to the publication of the advertisement.
This enables an investor to compare the Fund's performance to the performance of
other funds for the same periods. However, a number of factors should be
considered before using such information as a basis for comparison with other
investments. An investment in the Fund is not insured; its returns and share
prices are not guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis. When
redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Returns for any given past period are not a prediction or representation
by the Fund of future returns. The returns of each class of shares of the Fund
are affected by portfolio quality, the type of investments the Fund holds and
its operating expenses allocated to the particular class.
o Average Annual Total Returns. The "average annual total return" of each
class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year in a
specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the change in value
of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the formula below) held
for a number of years ("n") to achieve an Ending Redeemable Value ("ERV") of
that investment, according to the following formula:
( ERV ) 1/n
(-----) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
o Cumulative Total Returns. The "cumulative total return" calculation
measures the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000 over an
entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same factors as average
annual total return, but it does not average the rate of return on an annual
basis. Cumulative total return is determined as follows:
ERV - P
------- = Total Return
P
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum sales
charge of 5.75%
-20-
<PAGE>
(as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from the initial investment
("P") (unless the return is shown at net asset value, as described below). In
calculating total returns for Class B shares, the payment of the contingent
deferred sales charge, (5% for the first year, 4% for the second year, 3% for
the third and fourth years, 2% for the fifth year, 1% for the sixth year and
none thereafter) is applied to the investment result for the period shown. For
Class C shares, the 1.0% contingent deferred sales charge is applied to the
investment result for the one-year period (or less). Total returns also assume
that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the period are
reinvested at net asset value per share, and that the investment is redeemed at
the end of the period.
o Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may also
quote an average annual total return at net asset value or a cumulative total
return at net asset value for Class A, Class B, Class C or Class Y shares. Each
is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the beginning and the
end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that class of shares (without
considering front-end or contingent deferred sales charges) and takes into
consideration the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
Total return information may be useful to investors in reviewing the
performance of the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C or Class Y shares. However,
when comparing total return of an investment in Class A, Class B, Class C or
Class Y shares of the Fund with that of other alternatives, investors should
understand that as the Fund is an equity fund seeking capital appreciation, its
shares are subject to greater market risks and volatility than shares of funds
having other investment objectives and that the Fund is designed for investors
who are willing to accept greater risk of loss in the hopes of realizing greater
gains.
Other Performance Comparisons. From time to time the Fund may publish the star
rankings of the performance of its Class A, Class B, Class C or Class Y shares
by Morningstar, Inc., an independent mutual fund monitoring service. Morningstar
ranks mutual funds in broad investment categories, domestic stock funds,
international stock funds, taxable bond funds and municipal bond funds, based on
risk-adjusted total investment returns. The Fund is ranked among domestic stock
funds. Investment return measures a fund's or class's one, three, five and
ten-year average annual total returns (depending on the inception of the fund or
class) in excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns after considering the
fund's sales charges and expenses. Risk measures a fund's or class's performance
below 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns. Risk and investment return are combined
to produce star rankings reflecting performance relative to the average fund in
the fund's category. Five stars is the "highest ranking (top 10%), four stars is
"above average" (next 22.5%), three stars is "average" '(next 35%), two stars is
"below average" (next 22.5%) and one star is "lowest" (bottom 10%). The current
star ranking is the fund's or class's 3-year ranking or its combined 3- and
5-year ranking (weighted 60%/40%, respectively), or its combined 3-, 5- and
10-year ranking (weighted 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively), depending on the
inception of the fund or class. Rankings are subject to change monthly.
The Fund may also compare its performance to that of other funds in its
Morningstar Category. In addition to its star rankings, Morningstar also
categorizes and compares a fund's 3-year performance based on Morningstar's
classification of the fund's investments style, rather than how a fund defines
its investment objective. Morningstar's four broad categories (domestic equity,
international equity, municipal bond and taxable bond) are each further
subdivided into categories
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<PAGE>
based on types of investments and investment styles. Those comparisons by
Morningstar are based on the same risk and return measurements as its star
rankings but do not consider the effect of sales charges.
From time to time, the Fund's Manager may publish rankings or ratings of
the Manager (or Transfer Agent) or the investor services provided by them to
shareholders of the Oppenheimer funds, other than performance rankings of the
Oppenheimer funds themselves. Those ratings or rankings of shareholder/investor
services by third parties may compare the Oppenheimer funds services to those of
other mutual fund families selected by the rating or ranking services, and may
be based upon the opinions of the rating or ranking service itself, using its
own research or judgment, or based upon surveys of investors, brokers,
shareholders or others.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares and Distribution
and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares of the Fund under Rule 12b-1 of
the Investment Company Act, pursuant to which the Fund makes payments to the
Distributor in connection with the distribution and/or servicing of the shares
of that class, as described in the Prospectus. Each Plan has been approved by a
vote of (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on that Plan, and (ii) the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the shares of each class. For the Distribution and
Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares, that vote was cast by the Manager
as the sole initial holder of Class B and Class C shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Plans the Manager and the Distributor, in their
sole discretion, from time to time may use their own resources (which, in the
case of the Manager, may include profits from the advisory fee it receives from
the Fund) to make payments to brokers, dealers or other financial institutions
(each is referred to as a "Recipient" under the Plans) for distribution and
administrative services they perform, at no cost to the Fund. The Distributor
and the Manager may, in their sole discretion, increase or decrease the amount
of payments they make from their own resources to Recipients.
Unless terminated as described below, each Plan continues in effect from
year to year but only as long as its continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees and its Independent Trustees by a
vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance. Each Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares of that class.
None of the Plans may be amended to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made unless such amendment is approved by shareholders of the Class
affected by the amendment. In addition, because Class B shares automatically
convert into Class A shares after six years, the Fund is required to obtain the
approval of Class B as well as Class A shareholders for a proposed amendment to
the Class A plan that would materially increase payments under the plan. Such
approval must be by a "majority" of the Class A and Class B shares (as defined
in the Investment Company Act) voting separately by class. All material
amendments must be approved by the Independent Trustees.
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While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall provide
separate written reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees at least quarterly for
its review, detailing the amount of all payments made pursuant to each Plan, the
purpose for which payments were made and the identity of each Recipient that
received any payment. The reports for the Class B and Class C Plans shall also
include the distribution costs for that quarter, and such costs for previous
fiscal periods that have been carried forward, as explained in the Prospectus
and below. Those reports, including the allocations on which they are based,
will be subject to the review and approval of the Independent Trustees in the
exercise of their fiduciary duty. Each Plan further provides that while it is in
effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund is committed to the discretion of the
Independent Trustees. This does not prevent the involvement of others in such
selection and nomination if the final decision on selection or nomination is
approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees.
Under the Plans, no payment will be made to any Recipient in any quarter
if the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares held by the Recipient for
itself and its customers does not exceed a minimum amount, if any, that may be
determined from time to time by a majority of the Fund's Independent Trustees.
Initially, the Board of Trustees has set the fee at the maximum rate and set no
minimum amount of assets to qualify for payment.
Any unreimbursed expenses incurred by the Distributor with respect to
Class A shares for any fiscal year may not be recovered in subsequent years.
Payments received by the Distributor under the Class A Plan will not be used to
pay any interest expense, carrying charge, or other financial costs, or
allocation of overhead by the Distributor.
The Class B and Class C plans allow the service fee payment to be paid by
the Distributor to Recipients in advance for the first year such shares are
outstanding, and thereafter on a quarterly basis, as described in the
Prospectus. The advance payment is based on the net asset value of shares sold.
An exchange of shares does not entitle the Recipient to an advance service fee
payment. In the event shares are redeemed during the first year that the shares
are outstanding, the Recipient will be obligated to repay a pro rata portion of
the advance payment for those shares to the Distributor.
Although the Class B and Class C Plans permit the Distributor to retain
both the asset-based sales charges and the service fee on such shares, or to pay
Recipients the service fee on a quarterly basis without payment in advance, the
Distributor intends to pay the service fee to Recipients in the manner described
above. A minimum holding period may be established from time to time under the
Class B and the Class C Plans by the Board. Initially, the Board has set no
minimum holding period. All payments under the Class B Plan and the Class C
Plans are subject to the limitations imposed by the Rules of Fair Practice of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of asset-based
sales charges and service fees. The Distributor anticipates that it will take a
number of years for it to recoup (from the Fund's payments to the Distributor
under the Class B or Class C Plan and from the contingent deferred sales charges
collected on redeemed Class B or Class C shares) the sales commissions paid to
authorized dealers or brokers.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How To Buy Shares
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Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. The
availability of three classes of shares permits an investor to choose the method
of purchasing shares that is more beneficial to the investor depending on the
amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold shares
and other relevant circumstances. A fourth class of shares may be purchased only
by certain institutional investors at net asset value per share (the "Class Y
shares"). Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the
deferred sales charge and asset-based sales charge with respect to Class B and
Class C shares are the same as those of the initial sales charge with respect to
Class A shares. Any salesperson or other person entitled to receive compensation
for selling Fund shares may receive different compensation with respect to one
class of shares than the other. The Distributor normally will not accept any
order for $500,000 or more of Class B shares or any order for $1 million or more
of Class C shares on behalf of a single investor (not including dealer "street
name" or omnibus accounts) because generally it will be more advantageous for
that investor to purchase Class A shares of the Fund instead.
The three classes of shares each represent an interest in the same
portfolio investments of the Fund. However, each class has different shareholder
privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class B and Class C
shares and the dividends payable on Class B and Class C shares will be reduced
by incremental expenses borne solely by that class, including the asset-based
sales charge to which Class B and Class C shares are subject.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after six years is
subject to the continuing availability of a private letter ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel or tax adviser, to the effect
that the conversion of Class B shares does not constitute a taxable event for
the holder under Federal income tax law. If such a revenue ruling or opinion is
no longer available, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended, in which
event no further conversions of Class B shares would occur while such suspension
remained in effect. Although Class B shares could then be exchanged for Class A
shares on the basis of relative net asset value of the two classes, without the
imposition of a sales charge or fee, such exchange could constitute a taxable
event for the holder, and absent such exchange, Class B shares might continue to
be subject to the asset-based sales charge for longer than six years.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares
recognizes two types of expenses. General expenses that do not pertain
specifically to any one class are allocated pro rata to the shares of each
class, based on the percentage of the net assets of such class to the Fund's
total assets, and then equally to each outstanding share within a given class.
Such general expenses include (i) management fees, (ii) legal, bookkeeping and
audit fees, (iii) printing and mailing costs of shareholder reports,
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and other materials for
current shareholders, (iv) fees to Independent Trustees, (v) custodian expenses,
(vi) share issuance costs, (vii) organization and start-up costs, (viii)
interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and (ix) non-recurring expenses, such
as litigation costs. Other expenses that are directly attributable to a class
are allocated equally to each outstanding share within that class. Such expenses
include (i) Distribution Plan fees, (ii) incremental transfer and shareholder
servicing agent fees and expenses, (iii) registration fees and (iv) shareholder
meeting expenses, to the extent that such expenses pertain to a specific class
rather than to the Fund as a whole.
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Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per share
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y shares of the Fund are determined as of
the close of business of The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day
that the NYSE is open, by dividing the Fund's net assets attributable to a class
by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The NYSE normally
closes at 4:00 P.M., but may close earlier on some other days (for example, in
case of weather emergencies or days falling before a holiday). The NYSE's most
recent annual announcement (which is subject to change) states that it will
close on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. It may also close on other days. The Fund may invest a portion of
its assets in foreign securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges which may
trade on Saturdays or customary U.S. business holidays on which the NYSE is
closed. Because the Fund's price and net asset value will not be calculated on
those days, the Fund's net asset values per share may be significantly affected
on such days when shareholders may not purchase or redeem shares.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has established procedures for the valuation
of the Fund's securities, generally as follows:
(i) equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or on the
Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. for
which last sale information is regularly reported are valued at the last
reported sale price on the principal exchange for such security or NASDAQ
that day (the "Valuation Date") or, in the absence of sales that day, at
the last reported sale price preceding the Valuation Date if it is within
the spread of the closing "bid" and "asked" prices on the Valuation Date
or, if not, the closing "bid" price on the Valuation Date;
(ii) equity securities traded on a foreign securities exchange are valued
generally at the last sales price available to the pricing service
approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees or to the Manager as reported by
the principal exchange on which the security is traded at its last trading
session on or immediately preceding the Valuation Date, or, if
unavailable, at the mean between "bid" and "asked" prices obtained from
the principal exchange or two active market makers in the security on the
basis of reasonable inquiry;
(iii) a non-money market fund will value (x) debt instruments that had a
maturity of more than 397 days when issued, (y) debt instruments that had
a maturity of 397 days or less when issued and have a remaining maturity
in excess of 60 days, and (z) non-money market type debt instruments that
had a maturity of 397 days or less when issued and have a remaining
maturity of sixty days or less, at the mean between "bid" and "asked"
prices determined by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or, if unavailable, obtained by the Manager from two active
market makers in the security on the basis of reasonable inquiry;
(iv) money market-type debt securities held by a non-money market fund
that had a maturity of less than 397 days when issued and have a remaining
maturity of 60 days or less, and debt instruments held by a money market
fund that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less, shall be valued
at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discount;
and
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(v) securities (including restricted securities) not having
readily-available market quotations are valued at fair value determined
under the Board's procedures.
If the Manager is unable to locate two active market makers willing to
give quotes (see (ii) and (iii) above), the security may be priced at the mean
between the "bid" and "asked" prices provided by a single active market maker
(which in certain cases may be the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available)
provided that the Manager is satisfied that the firm rendering the quotes is
reliable and that the quotes reflect the current market value.
The Manager may use pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to
price U.S. Government securities or corporate debt securities for which last
sale information is not generally available. The pricing service, when valuing
such securities, may use "matrix" comparisons to the prices for comparable
instruments on the basis of quality, yield, maturity and other special factors
involved. The Manager will monitor the accuracy of the pricing services, which
may include comparing prices used for portfolio evaluation to actual sales
prices of selected securities.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase must
be at least $25.00. Shares will be purchased on the regular business day the
Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing House transfer to
buy shares. Dividends will begin to accrue on such shares on the day the Fund
receives Federal Funds for the purchase through the ACH system before the close
of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is normally three days after the
ACH transfer is initiated. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., but may
close earlier on certain days. If Federal Funds are received on a business day
after the close of the Exchange, the shares will be purchased and dividends will
begin to accrue on the next regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers
are normally received by the Fund 3 days after the transfers are initiated. The
Distributor and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing shares
resulting from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales charge
rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Right of Accumulation and Letter
of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts and reduction in expenses
realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers making such sales. No sales
charge is imposed in certain other circumstances described in the Prospectus
because the Distributor incurs little or no selling expenses. The term
"immediate family" refers to one's spouse, children, grandchildren,
grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and
daughters-in-law, siblings, a sibling's spouse, a spouse's siblings, aunts,
uncles, nieces and nephews. Relation by virtue of a remarriage (step-children,
step-parents, etc.) are included.
o The Oppenheimer Funds. The Oppenheimer funds are those mutual funds for
which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor and include
the following:
Oppenheimer Bond Fund
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund
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Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Disciplined Value Fund
Oppenheimer Disciplined Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Florida Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Intermediate Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Oppenheimer International Small Company
Fund
Oppenheimer Life Span Balanced Fund
Oppenheimer Life Span Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Life Span Income Fund
Limited Term New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government
Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street California
Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth
Fund
Oppenheimer Mid Cap Fund
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Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund
Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund
Oppenheimer New Jersey Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund
Panorama Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Value Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Officers Value Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
Rochester Fund Municipals
Oppenheimer Stable Value Fund
Oppenheimer Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Large Cap Value Fund
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
and the following "Money Market Funds:"
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares of each
of the Oppenheimer funds except Money Market Funds (under certain circumstances
described herein, redemption proceeds of Money Market Fund shares may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge).
o Letters of Intent. A Letter of Intent (referred to as a "Letter") is an
investor's statement in writing to the Distributor of the intention to purchase
Class A shares of the Fund or Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other
Oppenheimer funds during a 13-month period (the "Letter of Intent period"),
which may, at the investor's request, include purchases made up to 90 days prior
to the date of the Letter. The Letter states the investor's intention to make
the aggregate amount of purchases of shares which, when added to the investor's
holdings of shares of those funds, will equal or exceed the amount specified in
the Letter. Purchases made by reinvestment of dividends or distributions of
capital gains and purchases made at net asset value without sales charge do not
count toward satisfying the amount of the Letter. A Letter enables an investor
to count the Class A and Class B shares purchased under the Letter to obtain the
reduced sales charge rate on purchases of
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Class A shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) that applies under the
Right of Accumulation to current purchases of Class A shares. Each purchase
under the Letter will be made at the public offering price applicable to a
single lump-sum purchase of shares in the intended purchase amount, as described
in the Prospectus.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares, but if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of Intent
period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the investor's holdings
of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal or exceed the intended
purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the additional amount of sales
charge applicable to such purchases, as set forth in "Terms of Escrow," below
(as those terms may be amended from time to time). The investor agrees that
shares equal in value to 5% of the intended purchase amount will be held in
escrow by the Transfer Agent subject to the Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor
agrees to be bound by the terms of the Prospectus, this Statement of Additional
Information and the Application used for such Letter of Intent, and if such
terms are amended, as they may be from time to time by the Fund, that those
amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
For purchases of shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds by
OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plans under a Letter of Intent, the Transfer
Agent will not hold shares in escrow. If the intended purchase amount under the
Letter entered into by an OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plan is not
purchased by the plan by the end of the Letter of Intent period, there will be
no adjustment of commissions paid to the broker-dealer or financial institution
of record for accounts held in the name of that plan.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent period do
not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the commissions previously
paid to the dealer of record for the account and the amount of sales charge
retained by the Distributor will be adjusted to the rates applicable to actual
purchases. If total eligible purchases during the Letter of Intent period exceed
the intended purchase amount and exceed the amount needed to qualify for the
next sales charge rate reduction set forth in the applicable prospectus, the
sales charges paid will be adjusted to the lower rate, but only if and when the
dealer returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount of commissions
allowed or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that apply to the
actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the Distributor
will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's account at the net
asset value per share in effect on the date of such purchase, promptly after the
Distributor's receipt thereof.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter, shares
redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of Intent period
will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer of record and/or the
investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter in placing any purchase
orders for the investor during the Letter of Intent period. All of such
purchases must be made through the Distributor.
o Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary) made
pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value up to 5% of the intended
purchase amount specified in the
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Letter shall be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent. For example, if the
intended purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall be shares valued in the
amount of $2,500 (computed at the public offering price adjusted for a $50,000
purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions on the escrowed shares
will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the intended purchase amount specified under the Letter is completed
within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed shares will be
promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the total
purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase amount
specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor an amount
equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales charges actually paid
and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid if the total amount
purchased had been made at a single time. Such sales charge adjustment will
apply to any shares redeemed prior to the completion of the Letter. If such
difference in sales charges is not paid within twenty days after a request from
the Distributor or the dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the
expiration of the Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to
realize such difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining
after such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received to
redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales charge, the
sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any
or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the holding of
which may be counted toward completion of a Letter) include (a) Class A shares
sold with a front-end sales charge or subject to a Class A contingent deferred
sales charge, (b) Class B shares of other Oppenheimer funds acquired subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge, and (c) Class A or B shares acquired in
exchange for either (i) Class A shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds
that were acquired subject to a Class A initial or contingent deferred sales
charge or (ii) Class B shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were
acquired subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged for
shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described in the
section of the Prospectus entitled "How to Exchange Shares," and the escrow will
be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan from a bank account, a
check (minimum $25) for the initial purchase must accompany the Application.
Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments from bank accounts are subject
to the redemption restrictions for recent purchases described in "How To Sell
Shares," in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans also enable shareholders of the
Fund to use those accounts for monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to
four other Oppenheimer funds. If you make payments from your bank account to
purchase shares of the Fund, your bank account will be automatically debited
normally four to five business days prior to the investment dates selected in
the Account Application. Neither the Distributor, the Transfer Agent nor the
Fund shall be responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting from
delays in ACH transmission.
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There is a front-end sales charge on the purchase of certain Oppenheimer
funds, or a contingent deferred sales charge may apply to shares purchased by
Asset Builder payments. An application should be obtained from the Distributor,
completed and returned, and a prospectus of the selected fund(s) should be
obtained from the Distributor or your financial advisor before initiating Asset
Builder payments. The amount of the Asset Builder investment may be changed or
the automatic investments may be terminated at any time by writing to the
Transfer Agent. A reasonable period (approximately 15 days) is required after
the Transfer Agent's receipt of such instructions to implement them. The Fund
reserves the right to amend, suspend, or discontinue offering such plans at any
time without prior notice.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the Fund's
shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund unpaid)
causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the Fund's shares on
the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date. That loss is equal to
the amount of the decline in the net asset value per share multiplied by the
number of shares in the purchase order. The investor is responsible for that
loss. If the investor fails to compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor
will do so. The Fund may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming
shares from any account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the
Distributor may seek other redress.
Retirement Plans. In describing certain types of employee benefit plans that may
purchase Class A shares without being subject to the Class A contingent differed
sales charge, the term "employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement,
whether or not "qualified" under the Internal Revenue Code, including, medical
savings accounts, payroll deduction plans or similar plans in which Class A
shares are purchased by a fiduciary or other person for the account of
participants who are employees of a single employer or of affiliated employers,
if the Fund account is registered in the name of the fiduciary or other person
for the benefit of participants in the plan.
The term "group retirement plan" means any qualified or non-qualified
retirement plan (including 457 plans, SEPs, SARSEPs, 403(b) plans other than
public school 403(b) plans, and SIMPLE plans) for employees of a corporation or
a sole proprietorship, members and employees of a partnership or association or
other organized group of persons (the members of which may include other
groups), if the group or association has made special arrangements with the
Distributor and all members of the group or association participating in or who
are eligible to participate in the plan(s) purchase Class A shares of the Fund
through a single investment dealer, broker or other financial institution
designated by the group. "Group retirement plan" also includes qualified
retirement plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans and IRAs that
purchase Class A shares of the Fund through a single investment dealer, broker,
or other financial institution, if that broker-dealer has made special
arrangements with the Distributor enabling those plans to purchase Class A
shares of the Fund at net asset value but subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge.
In addition to the discussion in the Prospectus relating to the ability of
Retirement Plans to purchase Class A shares at net asset value in certain
circumstances, there is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares
of any one or more of the Oppenheimer funds by a Retirement Plan in the
following cases:
(i) the recordkeeping for the Retirement Plan is performed on a daily
valuation basis by
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Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. ("Merrill Lynch") and, on the
date the plan sponsor signs the Merrill Lynch recordkeeping service
agreement, the Retirement Plan has $3 million or more in assets invested
in mutual funds other than those advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. ("MLAM") that are made available pursuant to a Service
Agreement between Merrill Lynch and the mutual fund's principal
underwriter or distributor and in funds advised or managed by MLAM
(collectively, the "Applicable Investments"); or
(ii) the recordkeeping for the Retirement Plan is performed on a daily
valuation basis by an independent record keeper whose services are
provided under a contract or arrangement between the Retirement Plan and
Merrill Lynch. On the date the plan sponsor signs the Merrill Lynch record
keeping service agreement, the Plan must have $3 million or more in
assets, excluding assets held in money market funds, invested in
Applicable Investments; or
(iii) the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees, as determined by the
Merrill Lynch plan conversion manager on the date the plan sponsor signs
the Merrill Lynch record keeping service agreement.
If a Retirement Plan's records are maintained on a daily valuation basis
by Merrill Lynch or an independent record keeper under a contract or alliance
arrangement with Merrill Lynch, and if on the date the plan sponsor signs the
Merrill Lynch record keeping service agreement the Retirement Plan has less than
$3 million in assets, excluding money market funds, invested in Applicable
Investments, then the Retirement Plan may purchase only Class B shares of one or
more of the Oppenheimer funds. Otherwise, the Retirement Plan will be permitted
to purchase Class A shares of one or more of the Oppenheimer funds. Any of those
Retirement Plans that currently invest in Class B shares of the Fund will have
their Class B shares be converted to Class A shares of the Fund once the Plan's
Applicable Investments have reached $5 million.
Any redemptions of shares of the Fund held by Retirement Plans whose
records are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch or an
independent record keeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch that are currently
invested in Class B shares of the Fund shall not be subject to the Class B CDSC.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the Prospectus.
The information below supplements the terms and conditions for redemptions set
forth in the Prospectus.
o Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right to
cause the involuntary redemption of the shares held in any account if the
aggregate net asset value of those shares is less than $500 or such lesser
amount as the Board may fix. The Board of Trustees will not cause the
involuntary redemption of shares in an account if the aggregate net asset value
of the shares has fallen below the stated minimum solely as a result of market
fluctuations. Should the Board elect to exercise this right, it may also fix, in
accordance with the Investment Company Act, the requirements for any notice to
be given to the shareholders in question (not less than 30 days), or the Board
may set requirements for granting permission to the shareholder to increase the
investment,
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and set other terms and conditions so that the shares would not be
involuntarily redeemed.
o Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares
tendered for redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the best
interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment of a
redemption order wholly or partly in cash. In that case the Fund may pay the
redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution "in kind" of
securities from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund has elected
to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act, pursuant to which
the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund during any 90-day period for any
one shareholder. If shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might
incur brokerage or other costs in selling the securities for cash. The method of
valuing securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the
method the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities described above under
"Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share" and that valuation will be made as
of the time the redemption price is determined.
Selling Shares by Wire. The wire of redemption proceeds may be delayed if a
Fund's Custodian bank is not open for business on a day when the Fund would
normally authorize the wire to be made, which is usually the Fund's next regular
business day following the redemption. In those circumstances, the wire will not
be transmitted until the next bank business day on which the Fund is open for
business. No dividends will be paid on the proceeds of redeemed shares awaiting
transfer by wire.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder may
reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of (i) Class A shares that you
purchased subject to an initial sales charge, or (ii) Class B shares that were
subject to the Class B contingent deferred sales charge when redeemed. The
reinvestment may be made without sales charge only in Class A shares of the Fund
or any of the other Oppenheimer funds into which shares of the Fund are
exchangeable as described below, at the net asset value next computed after the
Transfer Agent receives the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the
Distributor for that privilege at the time of reinvestment. Any capital gain
that was realized when the shares were redeemed is taxable, and reinvestment
will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that gain. If there has been a
capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the loss may not be tax
deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the reinvestment. Under the
Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds of Fund shares on which a
sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares of the Fund or another of the
Oppenheimer funds within 90 days of payment of the sales charge, the
shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund that were redeemed may not include
the amount of the sales charge paid. That would reduce the loss or increase the
gain recognized from the redemption. However, in that case the sales charge
would be added to the basis of the shares acquired by the reinvestment of the
redemption proceeds. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this
reinvestment privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such
amendment, suspension or cessation.
Transfers of Shares. Shares are not subject to the payment of a contingent
deferred sales charge of either class at the time of transfer to the name of
another person or entity (whether the transfer occurs by absolute assignment,
gift or bequest, not involving, directly or indirectly, a public sale).
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The transferred shares will remain subject to the contingent deferred sales
charge, calculated as if the transferee shareholder had acquired the transferred
shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring shareholder.
If less than all shares held in an account are transferred, and some but not all
shares in the account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if
redeemed at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the Prospectus
under "How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class B or Class C
contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in determining the order in
which shares are transferred.
Distributions From Retirement Plans. Requests for distributions from
OppenheimerFunds- sponsored IRAs, SEP-IRAs, SAR-SEPs, 403(b)(7) custodial plans,
401(k) plans, or pension or profit-sharing plans should be addressed to
"Trustee, OppenheimerFunds Retirement Plans," c/o the Transfer Agent at its
address listed in "How To Sell Shares" in the Prospectus or on the back cover of
this Statement of Additional Information. The request must: (i) state the reason
for the distribution; (ii) state the owner's awareness of tax penalties if the
distribution is premature; and (iii) conform to the requirements of the plan and
the Fund's other redemption requirements. Participants (other than self-employed
persons maintaining a plan account in their own name) in
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored prototype pension, profit-sharing, or 401(k) plans
may not directly redeem or exchange shares held for their account under those
plans. The employer or plan administrator must sign the request. Distributions
from pension and profit sharing plans are subject to special requirements under
the Internal Revenue Code and certain documents (available from the Transfer
Agent) must be completed before the distribution may be made. Distributions from
retirement plans are subject to withholding requirements under the Internal
Revenue Code, and IRS Form W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) must be
submitted to the Transfer Agent with the distribution request, or the
distribution may be delayed. Unless the shareholder has provided the Transfer
Agent with a certified tax identification number, the Internal Revenue Code
requires that tax be withheld from any distribution even if the shareholder
elects not to have tax withheld. The Fund, the Manager, the Distributor, the
Trustee and the Transfer Agent assume no responsibility to determine whether a
distribution satisfies the conditions of applicable tax laws and will not be
responsible for any tax penalties assessed in connection with a distribution.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers. The
Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from authorized dealers
or brokers on behalf of their customers. The shareholder should contact the
broker or dealer to arrange this type of redemption. The repurchase price per
share will be the net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives
the order placed by the dealer or broker, except that if the Distributor
receives a repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of The New
York Stock Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that
day's net asset value if the order was received by the dealer or broker from its
customer prior to the time the Exchange closed (normally, that is 4:00 P.M., but
may be earlier some days) and the order was transmitted to and received by the
Distributor prior to its close of business that day (normally 5:00 P.M.).
Ordinarily, for accounts redeemed by a broker-dealer under this procedure,
payment will be made within three business days after the shares have been
redeemed upon the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents in
proper form, with the signature(s) of the registered owners guaranteed on the
redemption documents as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the Fund
valued at
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$5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem shares (minimum $50)
automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be redeemed three business days prior to
the date requested by the shareholder for receipt of the payment. Automatic
withdrawals of up to $1,500 per month may be requested by telephone if payments
are to be made by check payable to all shareholders of record and sent to the
address of record for the account (and if the address has not been changed
within the prior 30 days). Required minimum distributions from
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored retirement plans may not be arranged on this basis.
Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders having AccountLink
privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to have Automatic Withdrawal
Plan payments transferred to the bank account designated on the OppenheimerFunds
New Account Application or signature-guaranteed instructions. Shares are
normally redeemed pursuant to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan three business days
before the date you select in the Account Application. If a contingent deferred
sales charge applies to the redemption, the amount of the check or payment will
be reduced accordingly. The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment on the
date requested and reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering
such plans at any time without prior notice. Because of the sales charge
assessed on Class A share purchases, shareholders should not make regular
additional Class A share purchases while participating in an Automatic
Withdrawal Plan. Class B and Class C shareholders should not establish
withdrawal plans that would require the redemption of shares held less than 6
years or 12 months, respectively, because of the imposition of the Class B or
Class C contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the
Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in
the Prospectus under "Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges").
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the shareholder
agrees to the terms and conditions applicable to such plans, as stated below as
well as the Prospectus. These provisions may be amended from time to time by the
Fund and/or the Distributor. When adopted, such amendments will automatically
apply to existing Plans.
o Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the Transfer Agent
(on the OppenheimerFunds Application or signature-guaranteed instructions) to
exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of the Fund for shares (of the same
class) of other Oppenheimer funds automatically on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum amount
that may be exchanged to each other fund account is $25. Exchanges made under
these plans are subject to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth
in "How to Exchange Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of
Additional Information.
o Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as necessary to
meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales charge will be
redeemed first and shares acquired with reinvested dividends and capital gains
distributions will be redeemed next, followed by shares acquired with a sales
charge, to the extent necessary to make withdrawal payments. Depending upon the
amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. Payments made under
withdrawal plans should not be considered as a yield or income on your
investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan (the "Plan") as agent for the investor (the "Planholder") who executed the
Plan authorization and application submitted to the Transfer Agent. The Transfer
Agent shall incur no liability to the Planholder for
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any action taken or omitted by the Transfer Agent in good faith to administer
the Plan. Certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased for
and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will credit all such shares to
the account of the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share certificates
held by a Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with
the Plan application so that the shares represented by the certificate may be
held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done at
net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in the account
may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Redemptions of shares needed to make withdrawal payments will be made at
the net asset value per share determined on the redemption date. Checks or
AccountLink payments of the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will normally be
transmitted three business days prior to the date selected for receipt of the
payment (receipt of payment on the date selected cannot be guaranteed),
according to the choice specified in writing by the Planholder.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address to
which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent may be
changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer Agent. The
Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time in mailing such notification
for the requested change to be put in effect. The Planholder may, at any time,
instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice (in proper form in accordance with
the requirements of the then-current Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or
any part of, the shares held under the Plan. In that case, the Transfer Agent
will redeem the number of shares requested at the net asset value per share in
effect in accordance with the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will mail a
check for the proceeds to the Planholder.
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Planholder by writing to the
Transfer Agent. A Plan may also be terminated at any time by the Transfer Agent
upon receiving directions to that effect from the Fund. The Transfer Agent will
also terminate a Plan upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to it of the death
or legal incapacity of the Planholder. Upon termination of a Plan by the
Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that have not been redeemed from the account
will be held in uncertificated form in the name of the Planholder, and the
account will continue as a dividend- reinvestment, uncertificated account unless
and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder or his or her
executor or guardian, or other authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the Planholder
may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated form. Upon
written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will determine the
number of shares for which a certificate may be issued without causing the
withdrawal checks to stop because of exhaustion of uncertificated shares needed
to continue payments. However, should such uncertificated shares become
exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund, the
Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer agent to act
as agent in administering the Plan.
How To Exchange Shares
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<PAGE>
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of Oppenheimer
funds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged only for shares of
the same class of other Oppenheimer funds. Shares of Oppenheimer funds that have
a single class without a class designation are deemed "Class A" shares for this
purpose. All of the Oppenheimer funds offer Class A, B and C shares except
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Centennial Money Market Trust, Centennial
Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust, Centennial New York Tax Exempt
Trust, Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial America Fund, L.P. and
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc., which only offer Class A shares, and
Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-Exempt Fund, which only offers Class A
and Class B shares (Class B and Class C shares of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves are
generally available only by exchange from the same class of shares of other
Oppenheimer funds or through OppenheimerFunds sponsored 401(k) plans). A current
list showing which funds offer which class can be obtained by calling the
Distributor at 1-800-525-7048.
For accounts established on or before March 8, 1996 holding Class M shares
of Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund, Class M shares can be exchanged only
for Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds. Exchanges to Class M shares of
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund are permitted from Class A shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. or Oppenheimer Cash Reserves that were
acquired by exchange from Class M shares. Otherwise no exchanges of any class of
any Oppenheimer fund into Class M shares are permitted.
Class A shares of Oppenheimer funds may be exchanged at net asset value
for shares of any Money Market Fund. Shares of any Money Market Fund purchased
without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares of Oppenheimer funds offered
with a sales charge upon payment of the sales charge (or, if applicable, may be
used to purchase shares of Oppenheimer funds subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge).
Shares of this Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions
from any other of the Oppenheimer funds (except Oppenheimer Cash Reserves) or
from any unit investment trust for which reinvestment arrangements have been
made with the Distributor may be exchanged at net asset value for shares of any
of the Oppenheimer funds.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of
either class purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. However,
shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. purchased with the redemption
proceeds of shares of other mutual funds (other than funds managed by the
Manager or its subsidiaries) redeemed within the 30 days prior to that purchase
may subsequently be exchanged for shares of other Oppenheimer funds without
being subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge, whichever is
applicable. To qualify for that privilege, the investor or the investor's dealer
must notify the Distributor of eligibility for this privilege at the time the
shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. are purchased, and, if requested,
must supply proof of entitlement to this privilege. The Class C contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares acquired by exchange if they
are redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class C
shares.
When Class B or Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the imposition
of the Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in
determining the order in which the shares are exchanged.
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<PAGE>
Shareholders should take into account the effect of any exchange on the
applicability and rate of any contingent deferred sales charge that might be
imposed in the subsequent redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders owning
shares of more than one class must specify whether they intend to exchange Class
A, Class B or Class C shares.
The Fund reserves the right to reject telephone or written exchange
requests submitted in bulk by anyone on behalf of more than one account. The
Fund may accept requests for exchanges of up to 50 accounts per day from
representatives of authorized dealers that qualify for this privilege. In
connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged may be less
than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested would include
shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or this Statement of
Additional Information or would include shares covered by a share certificate
that is not tendered with the request. In those cases, only the shares available
for exchange without restriction will be exchanged.
When exchanging shares by telephone, a shareholder must either have an
existing account in, or obtain and acknowledge receipt of a prospectus of, the
fund to which the exchange is to be made. For full or partial exchanges of an
account made by telephone, any special account features such as Asset Builder
Plans, Automatic Withdrawal Plans and retirement plan contributions will be
switched to the new account unless the Transfer Agent is instructed otherwise.
If all telephone lines are busy (which might occur, for example, during periods
of substantial market fluctuations), shareholders might not be able to request
exchanges by telephone and would have to submit written exchange requests.
Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the regular business day the
Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper form (the "Redemption
Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired are purchased on the
Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by either fund up to five
business days if it determines that it would be disadvantaged by an immediate
transfer of the redemption proceeds. The Fund reserves the right, in its
discretion, to refuse any exchange request that may disadvantage it (for
example, if the receipt of multiple exchange requests from a dealer might
require the disposition of portfolio securities at a time or at a price that
might be disadvantageous to the Fund).
The different Oppenheimer funds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks, and a shareholder should assure that
the Fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should be aware
of the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax purposes, an
exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and a
purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege," above, discusses some
of the tax consequences of reinvestment of redemption proceeds in such cases.
The Fund, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are unable to provide
investment, tax or legal advice to a shareholder in connection with an exchange
request or any other investment transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends will be payable on shares of record held
at the time of the previous determination of net asset value, or as otherwise
described in "How to Buy Shares." Daily dividends on newly purchased shares will
not be declared or paid until such time as Federal Funds
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<PAGE>
(funds credited to a member bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank) are
available from the purchase payment for such shares. Normally, purchase checks
received from investors are converted to Federal Funds on the next business day.
Dividends will be declared on shares repurchased by a dealer or broker for three
business days following the trade date (i.e., to and including the day prior to
settlement of the repurchase). If all shares in an account are redeemed, all
dividends accrued on shares of the same class in the account will be paid
together with the redemption proceeds.
Dividends, distributions and the proceeds of the redemption of Fund shares
represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal Service as
undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.,
as promptly as possible after the return of such checks to the Transfer Agent,
to enable the investor to earn a return on otherwise idle funds.
The amount of a class's distributions may vary from time to time depending
on market conditions, the composition of a Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne
by the Fund or borne separately by a class, as described in "Alternative Sales
Arrangements -- Class A, Class B and Class C shares" above. Dividends are
calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day for shares
of each class. However, dividends on Class B and Class C shares are expected to
be lower than dividends on Class A shares as a result of the asset-based sales
charges on Class B and Class C shares, and will also differ in amount as a
consequence of any difference in net asset value between the classes.
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal tax treatment
of the Fund's dividends and capital gains distributions is explained in the
Prospectus under the caption "Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes." Special
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code govern the eligibility of the Fund's
dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
Corporate shareholders may be entitled to the corporate dividends received
deduction for some portion of the Fund's distributions treated as ordinary
income, subject to applicable limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.
Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the deduction. In
addition, the amount of dividends paid by the Fund which may qualify for the
deduction is limited to the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends that the
Fund derives from its portfolio investments that the Fund has held for a minimum
period, usually 46 days. A corporate shareholder will not be eligible for the
deduction on dividends paid on Fund shares held for 45 days or less. To the
extent the Fund's dividends are derived from gross income from option premiums,
interest income or short-term gains from the sale of securities or dividends
from foreign corporations, those dividends will not qualify for the deduction.
If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on amounts
paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund intends to qualify as a
regulated investment company in future years, but reserves the right not to
qualify. The Internal Revenue Code contains a number of complex tests relating
to qualification which the Fund might not meet in a particular year. If it does
not qualify, the Fund will be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary
corporation and will receive no tax deduction for payments of dividends and
distributions made to shareholders.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year, the Fund must
distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1 through
December 31 of that year and 98%
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<PAGE>
of its capital gains realized in the period from November 1 of the prior year
through October 31 of the current year, or else the Fund must pay an excise tax
on the amounts not distributed. While it is presently anticipated that the Fund
will meet those requirements, the Fund's Board of Trustees and the Manager might
determine in a particular year that it would be in the best interest of
shareholders for the Fund not to make such distributions at the required levels
and to pay the excise tax on the undistributed amounts. That would reduce the
amount of income or capital gains available for distribution to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect to
reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains distributions in shares of the same
class of any of the other Oppenheimer funds listed in "Reduced Sales Charges,"
above, at net asset value without sales charge. To elect this option, a
shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing and either have an
existing account in the fund selected for reinvestment or must obtain a
prospectus for that fund and an application from the Distributor to establish an
account. The investment will be made at the net asset value per share in effect
at the close of business on the payable date of the dividend or distribution.
Dividends and/or distributions from certain of the Oppenheimer funds may be
invested in shares of this Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Custodian. The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's
portfolio securities, collecting income on the portfolio securities and handling
the delivery of such securities to and from the Fund. The Manager has
represented to the Fund that the banking relationships between the Manager and
the Custodian have been and will continue to be unrelated to and unaffected by
the relationship between the Fund and the Custodian. It will be the practice of
the Fund to deal with the Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking
relationship the Custodian may have with the Manager and its affiliates.
Independent Auditors. The independent auditors of the Fund audit the Fund's
financial statements and perform other related audit services. They also act as
auditors for certain other funds advised by the Manager and its affiliates.
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Appendix
Corporate Industry Classifications
Aerospace/Defense
Air Transportation
Auto Parts Distribution
Automotive
Bank Holding Companies
Banks
Beverages
Broadcasting
Broker-Dealers
Building Materials
Cable Television
Chemicals
Commercial Finance
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Conglomerates
Consumer Finance
Containers
Convenience Stores
Department Stores
Diversified Financial
Diversified Media
Drug Stores
Drug Wholesalers
Durable Household Goods
Education
Electric Utilities
Electrical Equipment
Electronics
Energy Services & Producers
Entertainment/Film
Environmental
Food
Gas Utilities
Gold
Health Care/Drugs
Health Care/Supplies & Services
Homebuilders/Real Estate
Hotel/Gaming
Industrial Services
Information Technology
Insurance
Leasing & Factoring
Leisure
Manufacturing
Metals/Mining
Nondurable Household Goods
Oil - Integrated
Paper
Publishing/Printing
Railroads
Restaurants
Savings & Loans
Shipping
Special Purpose Financial
Specialty Retailing
Steel
Supermarkets
Telecommunications - Technology
Telephone - Utility
Textile/Apparel
Tobacco
Toys
Trucking
Wireless Services
A-1
<PAGE>
Investment Adviser
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Distributor
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, NY 10015
Independent Auditors
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements
(1) Financial Highlights (see Part A, Prospectus): Not applicable.
(2) Report of Independent Auditors (see Part B, Statement of Additional
Information): To be filed by Amendment.
(3) Statement of Investments (see Part B): Not applicable.
(4) Statement of Assets and Liabilities (see Part B): To be filed by
Amendment.
(5) Statement of Operations (see Part B): Not applicable.
(6) Statement of Changes in Net Assets(see Part B): Not applicable
(7) Notes to Financial Statements (see Part B): Not applicable.
(b) Exhibits
(1) (i) Declaration of Trust dated as of 6/1/98: Filed herewith.
(2) By-Laws: Filed herewith.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) (i) Specimen Share Certificate for Registrant's Class A Shares: Filed
herewith.
(ii) Specimen Share Certificate for Registrant's Class B Shares: Filed
herewith.
(iii)Specimen Share Certificate for Registrant's Class C Shares: Filed
herewith.
(iv) Specimen Share Certificate for Registrant's Class Y Shares: Filed
herewith.
(5) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement: Filed herewith.
C-1
<PAGE>
(6) (i) Form of General Distributor's Agreement: Filed herewith.
(ii) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Dealer Agreement:
Filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94, and
incorporated herein by reference.
(iii)Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Broker Agreement:
Filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94, and
incorporated herein by reference.
(iv) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Agency Agreement:
Filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-17850), 9/30/94, and
incorporated herein by reference.
(v) Broker Agreement between Oppenheimer Fund Management, Inc. and
Newbridge Securities dated 10/1/86: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 25
to the Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272),
11/1/86, refiled with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration
Statement of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 8/22/94, pursuant to
Item 102 of Regulation S-T, and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Trustees dated 6/7/90: Filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 of Oppenheimer Fund (Reg. No. 2-14586), 8/30/90,
refiled with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg.
No. 2-45272), 8/22/94, pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T, and incorporated
herein by reference.
(8) (i) Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New
York: Filed herewith.
(ii) Form of Foreign Custody Manager Agreement dated October 9, 1997:
Filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund (Reg. No. 333-48973), 4/23/98, and incorporated
herein by reference.
(9) Not applicable.
(10)Opinion and Consent of Counsel: To be filed by Amendment.
(11)Independent Auditors' Consent: To be filed by Amendment.
(12)Not applicable.
(13)Investment Letter from OppenheimerFunds, Inc. to Registrant: Filed
herewith.
(14)(i) Form of prototype Standardized and Non-Standardized Profit-Sharing
Plan and Money Purchase Pension Plan for self-employed persons and corporations:
Filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income
C-2
<PAGE>
Fund (Reg. No. 33-23799), 1/31/92, and refiled with Post-Effective Amendment No.
7 to the Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund (Reg.
No. 33-23799), 12/1/94, pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T, and incorporated
herein by reference.
(ii) Form of Individual Retirement Account Plan (IRA) Agreement: Filed
with Post- Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust (File No. 2-76645), 8/25/93, and incorporated
herein by reference.
(iii)Form of Tax Sheltered Retirement Plan and Custody Agreement for
employees of public schools and tax-exempt organizations: Filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 of the Registration Statement of Oppenheimer
Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 10/21/94, and incorporated herein by reference.
(iv) Form of Simplified Employee Pension IRA: Previously filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registration Statement of
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund (File No. 33-47378), 9/28/95,
and incorporated herein by reference.
(v) Form of SAR-SEP Simplified Employee Pension IRA: Previously filed
with Post- Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement for
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund (File No. 33-47378), 9/28/95, and
incorporated herein by reference.
(vi) Form of Prototype 401(k) plan: Filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Strategic Income &
Growth Fund (Reg. No. 33-47378), 9/28/95, and incorporated herein by reference.
(15)(i) Form of Class A Service Plan and Agreement for Class A shares
pursuant to Rule 12b-1: Filed herewith.
(ii) Form of Class B Service Plan and Agreement for Class A shares
pursuant to Rule 12b-1: Filed herewith.
(iii)Form of Class C Service Plan and Agreement for Class A shares
pursuant to Rule 12b-1: Filed herewith.
(16)Performance Data Computation Schedule: Not applicable.
(17)(i) Financial Data Schedule for Class A Shares: Not applicable.
(ii) Financial Data Schedule for Class B Shares: Not applicable.
(iii)Financial Data Schedule for Class C Shares: Not applicable.
(iv) Financial Data Schedule for Class Y Shares: Not applicable.
(18)OppenheimerFunds Multiple Class Plan under Rule 18f-3 dated 3/18/96:
Previously filed
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<PAGE>
with the Registration Statement of Oppenheimer MidCap Fund (Reg. No. 333-31533),
7/18/97, and incorporated herein by reference.
-- Power of Attorney and Certified Board Resolutions: Filed herewith.
-- Powers of Attorney signed by Registrant's Trustees: Filed herewith.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
Number of Record
Holders as of the
date of this
Title of Class Registration Statement
Class A shares of beneficial interest -
Class B shares of beneficial interest -
Class C shares of beneficial interest -
Class Y shares of beneficial interest -
Item 27. Indemnification
Reference is made to paragraphs (c) through (g) of Section 12 of Article
SEVENTH of Registrant's Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (b)(1) to the
Registration Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person, Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(a) OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is the investment adviser of the Registrant; it and
certain subsidiaries and affiliates act in the same capacity to other registered
investment companies as described in Parts A and B hereof and listed in Item
28(b) below.
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<PAGE>
(b) There is set forth below information as to any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each officer and
director of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is, or at any time during the past two fiscal
years has been, engaged for his/her own account or in the capacity of director,
officer, employee, partner or trustee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Name and Current Position with Other Business and Connections
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.("OFI") During the Past Two Years
Charles E. Albers,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds (since April 1998); a Chartered
Financial Analyst; formerly, a Vice President and
portfolio manager for Guardian Investor Services,
the investment management subsidiary of The
Guardian Life Insurance Company (since 1972).
Mark J.P. Anson,
Vice President Vice President of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. ("ORAMI"); formerly, Vice
President of Equity Derivatives at Salomon
Brothers, Inc.
Peter M. Antos,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds; a Chartered Financial Analyst;
Senior Vice President of HarbourView Asset
Management Corporation ("HarbourView"); prior to
March, 1996 he was the senior equity portfolio
manager for the Panorama Series Fund, Inc. (the
"Company") and other mutual funds and pension
funds managed by G.R. Phelps & Co. Inc. ("G.R.
Phelps"), the Company's former investment adviser,
which was a subsidiary of Connecticut Mutual Life
Insurance Company; was also responsible for
managing the common stock department and
common stock investments of Connecticut Mutual
Life Insurance Co.
Lawrence Apolito,
Vice President None.
Victor Babin,
Senior Vice President None.
Bruce Bartlett,
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<PAGE>
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds. Formerly, a Vice President
and Senior Portfolio Manager at First of America
Investment Corp.
John R. Blomfield, Formerly, Senior Product Manager (November, 1996
Vice President - August, 1997) of International Home Foods and
American Home Products (March, 1994 - October,
1996).
Kathleen Beichert,
Vice President None.
Rajeev Bhaman,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (January 1992 - February,
1996) of Asian Equities for Barclays de Zoete
Wedd, Inc.
Robert J. Bishop,
Vice President Vice President of Mutual Fund
Accounting (since May 1996); an officer of
other Oppenheimer funds; formerly, an
Assistant Vice President of OFI/Mutual
Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and
a Fund Controller for OFI.
George C. Bowen,
Senior Vice President & Treasurer Vice President (since June 1983) and Treasurer
(since March 1985) of OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"); Vice President
(since October 1989) and Treasurer (since April
1986) of HarbourView; Senior Vice President
(since February 1992), Treasurer (since August
1991)and a director (since December 1991) of
Centennial; President, Treasurer and a director of
Centennial Capital Corporation (since June 1989);
Vice President and Treasurer (since August 1978)
and Secretary (since April 1981) of Shareholder
Services, Inc. ("SSI"); Vice President, Treasurer and
Secretary of Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
("SFSI") (since November 1989); Treasurer of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC") (since
June 1990); Treasurer of Oppenheimer Partnership
Holdings, Inc. (since November 1989); Vice
President and Treasurer of ORAMI (since August
1996); Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and a
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<PAGE>
director of MultiSource Services, Inc., a
broker-dealer (since December 1995); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Scott Brooks,
Vice President None.
Susan Burton,
Assistant Vice President None.
Adele Campbell,
Assistant Vice President & Assistant
Treasurer: Rochester Division Formerly, Assistant Vice President of Rochester
Fund Services, Inc.
Michael Carbuto,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice
President of Centennial.
John Cardillo,
Assistant Vice President None.
Ruxandra Chivu,
Assistant Vice President None.
H.D. Digby Clements,
Assistant Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
O. Leonard Darling,
Executive Vice President Trustee (1993 - present) of Awhtolia College -
Greece.
William DeJianne, None.
Assistant Vice President
Robert A. Densen,
Senior Vice President None.
Sheri Devereux,
Assistant Vice President None.
Craig P. Dinsell
Senior Vice President Formerly, Senior Vice President of Human
Resources for Fidelity Investments-Retail Division
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<PAGE>
(January, 1995 - January, 1996), Fidelity
Investments FMR Co. (January, 1996 - June,
1997) and Fidelity Investments FTPG (June,
1997 - January, 1998).
Robert Doll, Jr.,
Executive Vice President & Director An officer
and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds.
John Doney,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Andrew J. Donohue,
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Director Executive Vice President (since September 1993),
and a director (since January 1992) of the
Distributor; Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and a director of HarbourView, SSI, SFSI
and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc. since
(September 1995) and MultiSource Services, Inc.
(a broker-dealer) (since December 1995); President
and a director of Centennial (since September
1995); President and a director of ORAMI (since
August 1996); General Counsel (since May 1996) and
Secretary (since April 1997) of OAC; Vice
President of OppenheimerFunds International, Ltd.
("OFIL") and Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc
(since October 1997); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds.
Patrick Dougherty, None.
Assistant Vice President
Bruce Dunbar, None.
Vice President
George Evans,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Edward Everett,
Assistant Vice President None.
Scott Farrar,
Vice President Assistant Treasurer of Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer of other
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<PAGE>
Oppenheimer funds; formerly, an Assistant
Vice President of OFI/Mutual Fund
Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a
Fund Controller for OFI.
Leslie A. Falconio,
Assistant Vice President None.
Katherine P. Feld,
Vice President and Secretary Vice President and
Secretary of the Distributor; Secretary of
HarbourView, MultiSource and Centennial;
Secretary, Vice President and Director of
Centennial Capital Corporation; Vice
President and Secretary of ORAMI.
Ronald H. Fielding,
Senior Vice President; Chairman:
Rochester Division An officer, Director and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; Presently he holds the
following other positions: Director (since 1995) of
ICI Mutual Insurance Company; Governor (since
1994) of St. John's College; Director (since 1994 -
present) of International Museum of Photography at
George Eastman House. Formerly, he held the
following positions: formerly, Chairman of the
Board and Director of Rochester Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("RFD"); President and Director of Fielding
Management Company, Inc. ("FMC"); President
and Director of Rochester Capital Advisors, Inc.
("RCAI"); Managing Partner of Rochester Capital
Advisors, L.P., President and Director of Rochester
Fund Services, Inc. ("RFS"); President and Director
of Rochester Tax Managed Fund, Inc.; Director
(1993 - 1997) of VehiCare Corp.; Director (1993 -
1996) of VoiceMode.
John Fortuna,
Vice President None.
Patricia Foster,
Vice President Formerly, she held the following positions: An
officer of certain former Rochester funds (May,
1993 - January, 1996); Secretary of Rochester
Capital Advisors, Inc. and General Counsel (June,
1993 - January 1996) of Rochester Capital
Advisors, L.P.
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<PAGE>
Jennifer Foxson,
Assistant Vice President None.
Paula C. Gabriele,
Executive Vice President Formerly, Managing Director (1990-1996) for
Bankers Trust Co.
Linda Gardner,
Vice President None.
Alan Gilston,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (1987-1997) for Schroder
Capital Management International.
Jill Glazerman,
Assistant Vice President None.
Mikhail Goldverg
Assistant Vice President None.
Jeremy Griffiths,
Chief Financial Officer Currently a Member and
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants; formerly, an accountant for
Arthur Young (London, U.K.).
Robert Grill,
Vice President Formerly, Marketing Vice
President for Bankers Trust Company
(1993-1996); Steering Committee Member,
Subcommittee Chairman for American Savings
Education Council (1995-1996).
Caryn Halbrecht,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Elaine T. Hamann,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (September, 1989 -
January, 1997) of Bankers Trust Company.
Glenna Hale,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (1994-1997) of
Retirement Plans Services for OppenheimerFunds
Services.
Robert Haley
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<PAGE>
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Vice President of Information Services
for Bankers Trust Company (January, 1991 -
November, 1997).
Thomas B. Hayes,
Vice President None.
Barbara Hennigar,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer of
OppenheimerFunds Services,
a division of the Manager President and
Director of SFSI; President and Chief
executive Officer of SSI.
Dorothy Hirshman, None.
Assistant Vice President
Alan Hoden,
Vice President None.
Merryl Hoffman,
Vice President None.
Nicholas Horsley,
Vice President Formerly, a Senior Vice President and Portfolio
Manager for Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.
(1993-1997), Co-manager of Warburg, Pincus
Emerging Markets Fund (12/94 - 10/97), Co-
manager Warburg, Pincus Institutional Emerging
Markets Fund - Emerging Markets Portfolio (8/96 -
10/97), Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund, Associate
Portfolio Manager of Warburg Pincus International
Equity Fund, Warburg Pincus Institutional Fund -
Intermediate Equity Portfolio, and Warburg Pincus
EAFE Fund.
Scott T. Huebl,
Assistant Vice President None.
Richard Hymes,
Assistant Vice President None.
Jane Ingalls,
Vice President None.
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<PAGE>
Frank Jennings,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Thomas W. Keffer,
Senior Vice President None.
Avram Kornberg,
Vice President None.
Joseph Krist,
Assistant Vice President None.
Michael Levine,
Assistant Vice President None.
Shanquan Li,
Vice President None.
Stephen F. Libera,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager for certain
Oppenheimer funds; a Chartered Financial Analyst;
a Vice President of HarbourView; prior to March
1996, the senior bond portfolio manager for
Panorama Series Fund Inc., other mutual funds and
pension accounts managed by G.R. Phelps; also
responsible for managing the public fixed-income
securities department at Connecticut Mutual Life
Insurance Co.
Mitchell J. Lindauer,
Vice President None.
David Mabry,
Assistant Vice President None.
Steve Macchia,
Assistant Vice President None.
Bridget Macaskill,
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director Chief Executive Officer (since
September 1995); President and director
(since June 1991) of HarbourView; Chairman
and a director of SSI (since August 1994),
and SFSI (September 1995);
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<PAGE>
President (since September 1995) and a
director (since October 1990) of OAC;
President (since September 1995) and a
director (since November 1989) of
Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., a
holding company subsidiary of OFI; a
director of ORAMI (since August 1996) ;
President and a director (since October
1997) of OFIL, an offshore fund manager
subsidiary of OFI and Oppenheimer
Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997);
President and a director of other
Oppenheimer funds; a director of the
NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and of Hillsdown
Holdings plc (a U.K. food company);
formerly, an Executive Vice President of
OFI.
Wesley Mayer,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (January, 1995 - June,
1996) of Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.
Loretta McCarthy,
Executive Vice President None.
Kelley A. McCarthy-Kane
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Product Manager,
Assistant Vice President (June 1995-
October, 1997) of Merrill Lynch Pierce
Fenner & Smith.
Beth Michnowski, Formerly, Senior Marketing Manager (May, 1996 -
Assistant Vice President June, 1997) and Director of Product Marketing
(August, 1992 - May, 1996) with Fidelity
Investments.
Lisa Migan,
Assistant Vice President None.
Denis R. Molleur,
Vice President None.
Nikolaos Monoyios,
Vice President A Vice President and/or
portfolio manager of certain Oppenheimer
funds (since April 1998); a Certified
Financial Analyst; formerly, a Vice
President and portfolio manager for
Guardian
C-13
<PAGE>
Investor Services, the management subsidiary of
The Guardian Life Insurance Company (since
1979).
Linda Moore,
Vice President Formerly, Marketing Manager (August 1995-
November 1996) for Chase Investment Services
Corp.
Kenneth Nadler,
Vice President None.
David Negri,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Barbara Niederbrach,
Assistant Vice President None.
Robert A. Nowaczyk,
Vice President None.
Richard M. O'Shaugnessy,
Assistant Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
Gina M. Palmieri,
Assistant Vice President None.
Robert E. Patterson,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
James Phillips
Assistant Vice President None.
Caitlin Pincus, Formerly, Manager (June, 1995 - December, 1997)
Vice President of McKinsey & Co.
John Pirie,
Assistant Vice President Formerly, a Vice President with Cohane Rafferty
Securities, Inc.
Jane Putnam,
C-14
<PAGE>
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Michael Quinn,
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Assistant Vice
President (April, 1995 - January, 1998) of
Van Kampen American Capital.
Russell Read,
Senior Vice President Vice President of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since March, 1995).
Thomas Reedy,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds; formerly, a Securities Analyst
for the Manager.
Adam Rochlin,
Vice President None.
Michael S. Rosen,
Vice President; President,
Rochester Division An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Richard H. Rubinstein,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Lawrence Rudnick,
Assistant Vice President None.
James Ruff,
Executive Vice President None.
Valerie Sanders,
Vice President None.
Scott Scharer
Assistant Vice President None.
Ellen Schoenfeld,
Assistant Vice President None.
Stephanie Seminara,
Vice President None.
Richard Soper,
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<PAGE>
Vice President None.
Stuart J. Speckman
Vice President Formerly, Vice President and Wholesaler for
Prudential Securities (December, 1990 - August,
1997).
Nancy Sperte,
Executive Vice President None.
Donald W. Spiro,
Chairman Emeritus and Director Vice Chairman and
Trustee of the New York-based Oppenheimer
Funds; formerly, Chairman of the Manager
and the Distributor.
Richard A. Stein,
Vice President: Rochester Division Assistant Vice President (since 1995) of Rochester
Capitol Advisors, L.P.
Arthur Steinmetz,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Ralph Stellmacher,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
John Stoma,
Senior Vice President, Director
Retirement Plans None.
Michael C. Strathearn,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; a
Chartered Financial Analyst; a Vice
President of HarbourView.
James C. Swain,
Vice Chairman of the Board Chairman, CEO and
Trustee, Director or Managing Partner of
the Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds;
President and a Director of Centennial;
formerly, President and Director of OAMC,
and Chairman of the Board of SSI.
James Tobin,
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<PAGE>
Vice President None.
Jay Tracey,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Ashwin Vasan,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Jerry Webman,
Senior Vice President Director of New York-based tax-exempt fixed
income Oppenheimer funds.
Christine Wells,
Vice President None.
Joseph Welsh,
Assistant Vice President None.
Kenneth B. White,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; a
Chartered Financial Analyst; Vice
President of HarbourView.
William L. Wilby,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds; Vice President of
HarbourView.
Carol Wolf,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of certain
Oppenheimer funds; Vice President of Centennial;
Vice President, Finance and Accounting; Point of
Contact: Finance Supporters of Children; Member
of the Oncology Advisory Board of the Childrens
Hospital.
Caleb Wong,
Assistant Vice President None.
Robert G. Zack,
Senior Vice President and
Assistant Secretary, Associate
General Counsel Assistant Secretary of SSI (since May 1985), and
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<PAGE>
SFSI (since November 1989); Assistant
Secretary of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds
plc (since October 1997); an officer of
other Oppenheimer funds.
Jill Zachman,
Assistant Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
Arthur J. Zimmer,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice
President of Centennial.
</TABLE>
The Oppenheimer Funds include the New York-based Oppenheimer Funds, the
Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds and the Oppenheimer/Quest Rochester Funds, as set
forth below:
New York-based Oppenheimer Funds
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Oppenheimer International Small Company Fund
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-State Municipal Trust
Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund
Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund
Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Quest/Rochester Funds
Limited Term New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund
Oppenheimer MidCap Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest For Value Funds
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<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Rochester Fund Municipals
Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc.
Oppenheimer Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
Panorama Series Fund, Inc.
The New York Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Inc.
The address of OppenheimerFunds, Inc., the New York-based Oppenheimer
Funds, the Quest Funds, OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc., HarbourView Asset
Management Corp., Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., and Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp. is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203.
The address of the Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds, Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc., Shareholder Services, Inc., OppenheimerFunds Services,
Centennial Asset Management Corporation, Centennial Capital Corp., MultiSource
Services, Inc. and Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. is 6803 South Tucson
Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112.
The address of the Rochester-based funds is 350 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New
York 14625- 2807.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. is the Distributor of the Registrant's
shares. It is also the Distributor of each of the other registered open-end
investment companies for which OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is the investment adviser,
as described in Part A and B of this Registration
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<PAGE>
Statement and listed in Item 28(b) above.
(b) The directors and officers of the Registrant's principal underwriter are:
Name & Principal Positions & Offices Positions & Offices
Business Address with Underwriter with Registrant
George C. Bowen(1) Vice President and Vice President and
Treasurer Treasurer of the
Oppenheimer funds.
Julie Bowers Vice President None
21 Dreamwold Road
Scituate, MA 02066
Peter W. Brennan Vice President None
1940 Cotswold Drive
Orlando, FL 32825
Maryann Bruce(2) Senior Vice President; None
Director: Financial
Institution Division
Robert Coli Vice President None
12 White Tail Lane
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Ronald T. Collins Vice President None
710-3 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
William Coughlin Vice President None
542 West Surf - #2N
Chicago, IL 60657
Mary Crooks(1)
Rhonda Dixon-Gunner(1) Assistant Vice President None
Andrew John Donohue(2) Executive Vice Secretary of the
President & Director Oppenheimer funds.
Wendy H. Ehrlich Vice President None
4 Craig Street
Jericho, NY 11753
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<PAGE>
Kent Elwell Vice President None
41 Craig Place
Cranford, NJ 07016
Todd Ermenio Vice President None
11011 South Darlington
Tulsa, OK 74137
John Ewalt Vice President None
2301 Overview Dr. NE
Tacoma, WA 98422
George Fahey Vice President None
412 Commons Way
Doylestown, PA 18901
Katherine P. Feld(2) Vice President None
& Secretary
Mark Ferro Vice President None
43 Market Street
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Ronald H. Fielding(3) Vice President None
Ronald R. Foster Senior Vice President None
11339 Avant Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Patricia Gadecki Vice President None
950 First St., S.
Suite 204
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Luiggino Galleto Vice President None
10239 Rougemont Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277
L. Daniel Garrity Vice President None
2120 Brookhaven View, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30319
Mark Giles Vice President None
5506 Bryn Mawr
Dallas, TX 75209
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<PAGE>
Ralph Grant(2) Vice President/National None
Sales Manager
C. Webb Heidinger Vice President None
28 Cable Road
Rye, NH 03870
Byron Ingram(2) Assistant Vice President None
Mark D. Johnson Vice President None
409 Sundowner Ridge Court
Wildwood, MO 63011
Michael Keogh(2) Vice President None
Richard Klein Vice President None
4820 Fremont Avenue So.
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Daniel Krause Vice President None
560 Beacon Hill Drive
Orange Village, OH 44022
Ilene Kutno(2) Assistant Vice President None
Todd Lawson Vice President None
3333 E. Bayaud Avenue
Unit 714
Denver, CO 80209
Wayne A. LeBlang Senior Vice President None
23 Fox Trail
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Dawn Lind Vice President None
7 Maize Court
Melville, NY 11747
James Loehle Vice President None
30 John Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
Todd Marion Vice President None
39 Coleman Avenue
Chatham, N.J. 07928
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<PAGE>
Marie Masters Vice President None
520 E. 76th Street
New York, NY 10021
LuAnn Mascia(2) Assistant Vice President None
John McDonough Vice President None
6010 Ocean Front Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Tanya Mrva(2) Assistant Vice President None
Laura Mulhall(2) Senior Vice President None
Charles Murray Vice President None
18 Spring Lake Drive
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Wendy Murray Vice President None
32 Carolin Road
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Denise-Marke Nakamura Vice President None
2870 White Ridge Place, #24
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Chad V. Noel Vice President None
60 Myrtle Beach Drive
Henderson, NV 89014
Joseph Norton Vice President None
2518 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Kevin Parchinski Vice President None
8409 West 116th Terrace
Overland Park, KS 66210
Gayle Pereira Vice President None
2707 Via Arboleda
San Clemente, CA 92672
Charles K. Pettit Vice President None
22 Fall Meadow Dr.
Pittsford, NY 14534
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<PAGE>
Daniel Phillips Vice President None
60 Glasgow Cir.
Danville, CA 94526
Bill Presutti Vice President None
1777 Larimer St. #807
Denver, CO 80202
Steve Puckett Vice President None
2555 N. Clark, #209
Chicago, IL 60614
Elaine Puleo(2) Vice President None
Minnie Ra Vice President None
100 Delores Street, #203
Carmel, CA 93923
Michael Raso Vice President None
16 N. Chatsworth Ave.
Apt. 301
Larchmont, NY 10538
John C. Reinhardt(3) Vice President None
Douglas Rentschler Vice President None
867 Pemberton
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
Ian Robertson Vice President None
4204 Summit Wa
Marietta, GA 30066
Michael S. Rosen(3) Vice President None
Kenneth Rosenson Vice President None
28214 Rey de Copas Lane
Malibu, CA 90265
James Ruff(2) President None
Timothy Schoeffler Vice President None
1717 Fox Hall Road
Washington, DC 77479
C-24
<PAGE>
Michael Sciortino Vice President None
785 Beau Chene Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
Robert Shore Vice President None
26 Baroness Lane
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Brian Summe Vice President None
239 N. Colony Drive
Edgewood, KY 41017
George Sweeney Vice President None
5 Smokehouse Lane
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Andrew Sweeny Vice President None
5967 Bayberry Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Scott McGregor Tatum Vice President None
7123 Cornelia Lane
Dallas, TX 75214
David G. Thomas Vice President None
8116 Arlingon Blvd. #123
Falls Church, VA 22042
Philip St. John Trimble Vice President None
201 Summerfield
Northbrook, IL 60062
Sarah Turpin Vice President None
2201 Wolf Street, #5202
Dallas, TX 75201
Mark Stephen Vandehey(1) Vice President None
Marjorie Williams Vice President None
6930 East Ranch Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(1) 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
(2) Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048-0203
(3) 350 Linden Oaks, Rochester, NY 14625-2807
C-25
<PAGE>
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Registrant
pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules
promulgated thereunder are in the possession of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. at its
offices at 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112.
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment, using financial
statement which need not be certified, within four to six months from the
effective date of Registrant's 1933 Act registration statement.
(c) Not applicable.
C-26
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of New York and State of New York on the 11th day of June, 1998.
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
By: /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
---------------------------
Bridget A. Macaskill, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities on
the dates indicated:
Signatures Title Date
/s/ Leon Levy Chairman of the June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Board of Trustees
Leon Levy
President,
/s/ Bridget A. Macaskill Principal Executive June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Officer and Trustee
Bridget A. Macaskill
/s/ George Bowen Treasurer & Principal June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Financial & Accounting
George Bowen Officer
/s/ Robert G. Galli Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Robert G. Galli
/s/ Benjamin Lipstein Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Benjamin Lipstein
/s/ Elizabeth B. Moynihan Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Elizabeth B. Moynihan
/s/ Kenneth A. Randall Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Kenneth A. Randall
/s/ Edward V. Regan Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Edward V. Regan
/s/ Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
/s/ Donald W. Spiro Vice Chairman of June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
the Board of Trustees
Donald W. Spiro
/s/ Pauline Trigere Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Pauline Trigere
/s/ Clayton K. Yeutter Trustee June 11, 1998
- ------------------------
Clayton K. Yeutter
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
EXHIBIT INDEX
Form N-1A
Item No. Description
24(b)(1)(ii) Declaration of Trust dated 6/1/98
24(b)(2) By-Laws
24(b)(4)(i) Specimen Share Certificate for Class A Shares
24(b)(4)(ii) Specimen Share Certificate for Class B Shares
24(b)(4)(iii) Specimen Share Certificate for Class C Shares
24(b)(4)(iv) Specimen Share Certificate for Class Y Shares
24(b)(5) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement
24(b)(6) Form of General Distributor's Agreement
24(b)(8)(i) Form of Custody Agreement
24(b)(13) Investment Letter from OppenheimerFunds, Inc. to Registrant
24(b)(15)(i) Form of Service Plan and Agreement for Class A Shares
24(b)(15)(ii) Form of Distribution Service Plan and Agreement for
Class B Shares
24(b)(15)(iii) Form of Distribution Service Plan and Agreement for
Class C Shares
-- Power of Attorney and Certified Board Resolutions
-- Powers of Attorney signed by Registrant's Trustees
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
This DECLARATION OF TRUST, made as of June 1, 1998, by and among the
individuals executing this Declaration of Trust as the Trustees.
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a trust fund under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the investment and reinvestment of funds
contributed thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property
contributed to the trust fund hereunder shall be held and managed under this
Declaration of Trust IN TRUST as herein set forth below.
FIRST: This Trust shall be known as OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND. The
address of the Trust is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203.
The Registered Agent for Service in Massachusetts is Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111,
Attention: Stephen Kuhn, Esq.
SECOND: Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or
specifically provided:
1. All terms used in this Declaration of Trust that are defined in the 1940
Act (defined below) shall have the meanings given to them in the 1940 Act.
2. "Board" or "Board of Trustees" or the "Trustees" means the Board of
Trustees of the Trust.
3. "By-Laws" means the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to time.
4. "Class" means a class of a series of Shares (as defined below) of the
Trust established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of
Article FOURTH.
5. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
6. "Declaration of Trust" means this Declaration of Trust as it may be
amended or restated from time to time.
7. The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as amended from time to
time.
8. "Series" refers to series of Shares of the Trust established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article FOURTH.
9. "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of the Trust.
-1-
<PAGE>
10. "Shares" refers to the transferable units of interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust (as the
context may require) shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions
of Shares as well as whole Shares.
11. The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust created by this
Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time.
12. "Trustees" refers to the individual trustees in their capacity as
trustees hereunder of the Trust and their successor or successors for the time
being in office as such trustees.
THIRD: The purpose or purposes for which the Trust is formed and the
business or objects to be transacted, carried on and promoted by it are as
follows:
1. To hold, invest or reinvest its funds, and in connection therewith to
hold part or all of its funds in cash, and to purchase or otherwise acquire,
hold for investment or otherwise, sell, sell short, assign, negotiate, transfer,
exchange or otherwise dispose of or turn to account or realize upon, securities
(which term "securities" shall for the purposes of this Declaration of Trust,
without limitation of the generality thereof, be deemed to include any stocks,
shares, bonds, financial futures contracts, indexes, debentures, notes,
mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or
other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the
same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or in
any property or assets) created or issued by any issuer (which term "issuer"
shall for the purposes of this Declaration of Trust, without limitation of the
generality thereof be deemed to include any persons, firms, associations,
corporations, syndicates, combinations, organizations, governments, or
subdivisions thereof) and in financial instruments (whether they are considered
as securities or commodities); and to exercise, as owner or holder of any
securities or financial instruments, all rights, powers and privileges in
respect thereof; and to do any and all acts and things for the preservation,
protection, improvement and enhancement in value of any or all such securities
or financial instruments.
2. To borrow money and pledge assets in connection with any of the objects
or purposes of the Trust, and to issue notes or other obligations evidencing
such borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and by the Trust's
fundamental investment policies under the 1940 Act.
3. To issue and sell its Shares in such Series and Classes and amounts and
on such terms and conditions, for such purposes and for such amount or kind of
consideration (including without limitation thereto, securities) now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by this
Declaration of Trust, as the Trustees may determine.
4. To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, dispose of, resell, transfer,
reissue or cancel its Shares, or to classify or reclassify any unissued Shares
or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Series or Class into one
or more Series or Classes that may have been established and designated from
time to time, all without the vote or consent of the Shareholders of the Trust,
in any manner and to the extent now or hereafter permitted by this Declaration
of Trust.
-2-
<PAGE>
5. To conduct its business in all its branches at one or more offices in
New York, Colorado and elsewhere in any part of the world, without restriction
or limit as to extent.
6. To carry out all or any of the foregoing objects and purposes as
principal or agent, and alone or with associates or to the extent now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of Massachusetts, as a member of, or as the
owner or holder of any stock of, or share of interest in, any issuer, and in
connection therewith to make or enter into such deeds or contracts with any
issuers and to do such acts and things and to exercise such powers, as a natural
person could lawfully make, enter into, do or exercise.
7. To do any and all such further acts and things and to exercise any and
all such further powers as may be necessary, incidental, relative, conducive,
appropriate or desirable for the accomplishment, carrying out or attainment of
all or any of the foregoing purposes or objects.
The foregoing objects and purposes shall, except as otherwise expressly
provided, be in no way limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from,
the terms of any other clause of this or any other Article of this Declaration
of Trust, and shall each be regarded as independent and construed as powers as
well as objects and purposes, and the enumeration of specific purposes, objects
and powers shall not be construed to limit or restrict in any manner the meaning
of general terms or the general powers of the Trust now or hereafter conferred
by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts nor shall the expression of one
thing be deemed to exclude another, though it be of a similar or dissimilar
nature, not expressed; provided, however, that the Trust shall not carry on any
business, or exercise any powers, in any state, territory, district or country
except to the extent that the same may lawfully be carried on or exercised under
the laws thereof.
FOURTH:
1. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into Shares, all
without par value, but the Trustees shall have the authority from time to time,
without obtaining shareholder approval, to create one or more Series of Shares
in addition to the Series specifically established and designated in part 3 of
this Article FOURTH, and to divide the shares of any Series into two or more
Classes pursuant to Part 2 of this Article FOURTH, all as they deem necessary or
desirable, to establish and designate such Series and Classes, and to fix and
determine the relative rights and preferences as between the different Series or
Classes of Shares as to right of redemption and the price, terms and manner of
redemption, liabilities and expenses to be borne by any Series or Class, special
and relative rights as to dividends and other distributions and on liquidation,
sinking or purchase fund provisions, conversion on liquidation, conversion
rights, and conditions under which the several Series or Classes of Shares shall
have individual voting rights or no voting rights. Except as aforesaid, all
Shares of the different Series shall be identical.
(a) The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each Series
and each Class of a Series that may be issued is unlimited, and the Trustees may
issue Shares of any Series or Class of any Series for such consideration and on
such terms as they may determine (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share
dividend or split-up), all without action or approval of the
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<PAGE>
Shareholders. All Shares when so issued on the terms determined by the Trustees
shall be fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may classify or reclassify
any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Series
into one or more Series or Classes of Series that may be established and
designated from time to time. The Trustees may hold as treasury Shares (of the
same or some other Series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as
they may determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time, any Shares
of any Series reacquired by the Trust.
(b) The establishment and designation of any Series or any Class of
any Series in addition to those established and designated in part 3 of this
Article FOURTH shall be effective with the effectiveness of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and
preferences of such Series or such Class of such Series or as otherwise provided
in such instrument. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any
particular Series previously established and designated, the Trustees may by an
instrument executed by a majority of their number abolish that Series and the
establishment and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in this
paragraph shall be an amendment to this Declaration of Trust, and the Trustees
may make any such amendment without shareholder approval.
(c) Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any
organization in which any such person is interested may acquire, own, hold and
dispose of Shares of any Series or Class of any Series of the Trust to the same
extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the
Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may
purchase Shares of any Series or Class of any Series from any such person or any
such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other
provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Series or Class
generally.
2. The Trustees shall have the authority from time to time, without
obtaining shareholder approval, to divide the Shares of any Series into two or
more Classes as they deem necessary or desirable, and to establish and designate
such Classes. In such event, each Class of a Series shall represent interests in
the designated Series of the Trust and have such voting, dividend, liquidation
and other rights as may be established and designated by the Trustees. Expenses
related directly or indirectly to the Shares of a Class of a Series may be borne
solely by such Class (as shall be determined by the Trustees) and, as provided
in Article FIFTH, a Class of a Series may have exclusive voting rights with
respect to matters relating solely to such Class. The bearing of expenses solely
by a Class of Shares of a Series shall be appropriately reflected (in the manner
determined by the Trustees) in the net asset value, dividend and liquidation
rights of the Shares of such Class of a Series. The division of the Shares of a
Series into Classes and the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Shares of
the Classes of a Series will be issued must be made in compliance with the 1940
Act. No division of Shares of a Series into Classes shall result in the creation
of a Class of Shares having a preference as to dividends or distributions or a
preference in the event of any liquidation, termination or winding up of the
Trust, to the extent such a preference is prohibited by Section 18 of the 1940
Act as to the Trust.
The relative rights and preferences of Shares of different Classes shall be
the same in all respects except that, unless and until the Board of Trustees
shall determine otherwise: (i) when a vote of Shareholders is required under
this Declaration of Trust or when a meeting of Shareholders
-4-
<PAGE>
is called by the Board of Trustees, the Shares of a Class shall vote exclusively
on matters that affect that Class only, (ii) the expenses related to a Class
shall be borne solely by such Class (as determined and allocated to such Class
by the Trustees from time to time in a manner consistent with parts 2 and 3 of
this Article FOURTH); and (iii) pursuant to paragraph 10 of Article NINTH, the
Shares of each Class shall have such other rights and preferences as are set
forth from time to time in the then- effective Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information relating to the Shares. Dividends and distributions on
one class may differ from the dividends and distributions on another Class, and
the net asset value of the Shares of one Class may differ from the net asset
value of the Shares of another Class.
3. Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in part 1 of
this Article FOURTH to establish and designate any further Series, the Trustees
hereby divide the single Series of Shares of the Trust having the same name as
the Trust into four Classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y.
The Shares of that Series and any Shares of any further Series or Classes that
may from time to time be established and designated by the Trustees shall
(unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to some further Series or
Classes at the time of establishing and designating the same) have the following
relative rights and preferences:
(a) Assets Belonging to Series. All consideration received by the
Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all
assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income,
earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the
sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived
from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably belong to that Series for all purposes, subject only to the rights
of creditors, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust.
Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such
assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such
proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, together with any General Items
allocated to that Series as provided in the following sentence, are herein
referred to as "assets belonging to" that Series. In the event that there are
any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments
which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series
(collectively "General Items"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Items
to and among any one or more of the Series established and designated from time
to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem
fair and equitable; and any General Items so allocated to a particular Series
shall belong to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be
conclusive and binding upon the shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
(b) (1) Liabilities Belonging to Series. The assets belonging to
each particular Series shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust in
respect of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves
attributable to that Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges
or reserves of the Trust which are not identifiable as belonging to any
particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among
any one or more of the Series established and designated from time to time in
such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair
and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated
and so charged to each Series are herein referred to as "liabilities belonging
to" that Series. Each allocation
-5-
<PAGE>
of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be
conclusive and binding upon the shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
(2) Liabilities Belonging to a Class. If a Series is divided into
more than one Class, the liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves
attributable to a Class shall be charged and allocated to the Class to which
such liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves are attributable. Any
general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves belonging to the
Series which are not identifiable as belonging to any particular Class shall be
allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the
Classes established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such
basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated and so charged to
each Class are herein referred to as "liabilities belonging to" that Class. Each
allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees
shall be conclusive and binding upon the holders of all Classes for all
purposes.
(c) Dividends. Dividends and distributions on Shares of a
particular Series or Class may be paid to the holders of Shares of that Series
or Class, with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, which may be daily
or otherwise, pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once
or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, from such of the income
and capital gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that Series
or Class, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and accrued
liabilities belonging to such Series or Class. All dividends and distributions
on Shares of a particular Series or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the
Shareholders of such Series or Class in proportion to the number of Shares of
such Series or Class held by such Shareholders at the date and time of record
established for the payment of such dividends or distributions, except that in
connection with any dividend or distribution program or procedure the Trustees
may determine that no dividend or distribution shall be payable on Shares as to
which the Shareholder's purchase order and/or payment have not been received by
the time or times established by the Trustees under such program or procedure.
Such dividends and distributions may be made in cash or Shares or a combination
thereof as determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the
Trustees may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of
the mode of the making of such dividend or distribution to that Shareholder. Any
such dividend or distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value
thereof as determined in accordance with paragraph 13 of Article SEVENTH.
(d) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the
Trust, the Shareholders of each Series and all Classes of each Series that have
been established and designated shall be entitled to receive, as a Series or
Class, when and as declared by the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging
to that Series over the liabilities belonging to that Series or Class. The
assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any particular Class or Series
shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of
Shares of such Class of that Series held by them and recorded on the books of
the Trust.
(e) Transfer. All Shares of each particular Series or Class shall be
transferable, but transfers of Shares of a particular Class or Series will be
recorded on the Share transfer records of the Trust applicable to such Series or
Class only at such times as Shareholders shall have the right
-6-
<PAGE>
to require the Trust to redeem Shares of such Series or Class and at such other
times as may be permitted by the Trustees.
(f) Equality. All Shares of each Series shall represent an equal
proportionate interest in the assets belonging to that Series (subject to the
liabilities belonging to such Series or any Class of that Series), and each
Share of any particular Series shall be equal to each other Share of that Series
and Shares of each Class of a Series shall be equal to each other Share of such
Class; but the provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions
permissible under this Article FOURTH that may exist with respect to Shares of a
Series or the different Classes of a Series. The Trustees may from time to time
divide or combine the Shares of any particular Class or Series into a greater or
lesser number of Shares of that Class or Series without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that Class or
Series or in any way affecting the rights of Shares of any other Class or
Series.
(g) Fractions. Any fractional Share of any Class and Series, if any
such fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately all the rights
and obligations of a whole Share of that Class and Series, including those
rights and obligations with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and
distributions, redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the Trust.
(h) Conversion Rights. Subject to compliance with the requirements of
the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to provide whether (i)
holders of Shares of any Series shall have the right to exchange said Shares
into Shares of one or more other Series of Shares, (ii) holders of shares of any
Class shall have the right to exchange said Shares into Shares of one or more
other Classes of the same or a different Series, and/or (iii) the Trust shall
have the right to carry out exchanges of the aforesaid kind, in each case in
accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the
Trustees.
(i) Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on
the books of the Trust or of a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which
books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Class and Series
that has been established and designated. No certification certifying the
ownership of Shares need be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise
determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider
appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the use of facsimile
signatures, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the
Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be,
shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders and as to the number of
Shares of each Class and Series held from time to time by each such Shareholder.
(j) Investments in the Trust. The Trustees may accept investments in
the Trust from such persons and on such terms and for such consideration, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, as they from time to time
authorize. The Trustees may authorize any distributor, principal underwriter,
custodian, transfer agent or other person to accept orders for the purchase or
sale of Shares that conform to such authorized terms and to reject any purchase
or sale orders for Shares whether or not conforming to such authorized terms.
-7-
<PAGE>
FIFTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted with respect to voting
Shares of the Trust and certain other rights:
1. The Shareholders shall have the power to vote (a) for the election of
Trustees when that issue is submitted to them, (b) with respect to the amendment
of this Declaration of Trust except where the Trustees are given authority to
amend the Declaration of Trust without shareholder approval, (c) to the same
extent as the shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation, as to
whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or
maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the
Shareholders, and (d) with respect to those matters relating to the Trust as may
be required by the 1940 Act or required by law, by this Declaration of Trust, or
the By-Laws of the Trust or any registration statement of the Trust filed with
the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable.
2. The Trust will not hold shareholder meetings unless required by the 1940
Act, the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, or any other applicable law.
The Trustees may call a meeting of Shareholders.
3. At all meetings of Shareholders, each Shareholder shall be entitled to
one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the affected
Series for each Share standing in his name on the books of the Trust on the
date, fixed in accordance with the By-Laws, for determination of Shareholders of
the affected Series entitled to vote at such meeting (except, if the Board so
determines, for Shares redeemed prior to the meeting), and each such Series
shall vote separately ("Individual Series Voting"); a Series shall be deemed to
be affected when a vote of the holders of that Series on a matter is required by
the 1940 Act; provided, however, that as to any matter with respect to which a
vote of Shareholders is required by the 1940 Act or by any applicable law that
must be complied with, such requirements as to a vote by Shareholders shall
apply in lieu of Individual Series Voting as described above. If the shares of a
Series shall be divided into Classes as provided in Article FOURTH, the shares
of each Class shall have identical voting rights except that the Trustees, in
their discretion, may provide a Class of a Series with exclusive voting rights
with respect to matters which relate solely to such Class. If the Shares of any
Series shall be divided into Classes with a Class having exclusive voting rights
with respect to certain matters, the quorum and voting requirements described
below with respect to action to be taken by the Shareholders of the Class of
such Series on such matters shall be applicable only to the Shares of such
Class. Any fractional Share shall carry proportionately all the rights of a
whole Share, including the right to vote and the right to receive dividends. The
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third of the Shares, or of
the Shares of any Series or Class of any Series, outstanding and entitled to
vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Shareholders or of
that Series or Class, respectively; provided however, that if any action to be
taken by the Shareholders or by a Series or Class at a meeting requires an
affirmative vote of a majority, or more than a majority, of the shares
outstanding and entitled to vote, then in such event the presence in person or
by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to
vote at such a meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If at any
meeting of the Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the
Shareholders or the Trustees present at such meeting may, without further
notice, adjourn the same from time to time until a quorum shall attend, but no
business shall be transacted at any such adjourned meeting except such as might
have been lawfully transacted had the meeting not been adjourned.
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<PAGE>
4. Each Shareholder of a Series or Class, upon request to the Trust in
proper form determined by the Trust, shall be entitled to require the Trust to
redeem from the net assets of that Series or Class all or part of the Shares of
such Series or Class standing in the name of such Shareholder. The method of
computing such net asset value, the time at which such net asset value shall be
computed and the time within which the Trust shall make payment therefor, shall
be determined as hereinafter provided in Article SEVENTH of this Declaration of
Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees, when permitted or required
to do so by the 1940 Act, may suspend the right of the Shareholders to require
the Trust to redeem Shares.
5. No Shareholder shall, as such holder, have any right to purchase or
subscribe for any security of the Trust which it may issue or sell, other than
such right, if any, as the Trustees, in their discretion, may determine.
6. All persons who shall acquire Shares shall acquire the same subject to
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust.
SIXTH:
1. The persons who shall act as initial Trustees until the first meeting or
until their successors are duly chosen and qualify are the initial trustees
executing this Declaration of Trust or any counterpart thereof. However, the
By-Laws of the Trust may fix the number of Trustees at a number greater or
lesser than the number of initial Trustees and may authorize the Trustees to
increase or decrease the number of Trustees, to fill any vacancies on the Board
which may occur for any reason including any vacancies created by any such
increase in the number of Trustees, to set and alter the terms of office of the
Trustees and to lengthen or lessen their own terms of office or make their terms
of office of indefinite duration, all subject to the 1940 Act. Unless otherwise
provided by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees need not be Shareholders.
2. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or without cause by
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding Shares, present in person or by proxy at any meeting of
Shareholders called for such purpose; such a meeting shall be called by the
Trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of not less
than ten per centum of the outstanding Shares. A Trustee may also be removed by
the Board of Trustees as provided in the By-Laws of the Trust.
3. The Trustees shall make available a list of names and addresses of all
Shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request
in writing signed by not less than ten Shareholders (who have been shareholders
for at least six months) holding in the aggregate shares of the Trust valued at
not less than $25,000 at current offering price (as defined in the Trust's
Prospectus and\or Statement of Additional Information) or holding not less than
1% in amount of the entire amount of Shares issued and outstanding; such request
must state that such Shareholders wish to communicate with other shareholders
with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a meeting to take action
pursuant to part 2 of this Article SIXTH and be accompanied by a form of
communication to the Shareholders. The Trustees may, in their discretion,
satisfy their obligation under this part 3 by either making available the
Shareholder list to such Shareholders at the principal
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offices of the Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's transfer agent, during
regular business hours, or by mailing a copy of such communication and form of
request, at the expense of such requesting Shareholders, to all other
Shareholders, and the Trustees may also take such other action as may be
permitted under Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
4. If and when the Trust has outstanding two or more series of Shares
pursuant to Article FOURTH of this Declaration of Trust, each Series shall be
considered as if it were a separate common law trust covered by Section 16(c) of
the 1940 Act and parts 2 and 3 of this Article SIXTH. However, the Trust may at
any time or from time to time apply to the Commission for one or more exemptions
from all or part of said Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, and, if an exemptive
order or orders are issued by the Commission, such order or orders shall be
deemed part of said Section 16(c) for the purposes of parts 2 and 3 of this
Article SIXTH.
SEVENTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose of
defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Trust, the Trustees and the
Shareholders.
1. As soon as any Trustee is duly elected by the Shareholders or the
Trustees and shall have accepted this Trust, the Trust estate shall vest in the
new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing Trustees, without any
further act or conveyance, and he or she shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder.
2. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity
of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to
revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of
Trust.
3. The assets of the Trust shall be held separate and apart from any assets
now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the
Trustees or any successor Trustees. All of the assets of the Trust shall at all
times be considered as vested in the Trustees. No Shareholder shall have, as a
holder of beneficial interest in the Trust, any authority, power or right
whatsoever to transact business for or on behalf of the Trust, or on behalf of
the Trustees, in connection with the property or assets of the Trust, or in any
part thereof.
4. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall
be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power
and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute, and to authorize
the officers and agents of the Trust to make and execute, any and all contracts
and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection
with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or
limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to Trust investments, but
shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments which they,
in their uncontrolled discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of
this Trust. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration of Trust or
by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
(a) to adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust
providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal
them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
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(b) to elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
officers as they consider appropriate with or without cause;
(c) to employ a bank or trust company as custodian of any assets of
the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in
the By-Laws;
(d) To retain a transfer agent and shareholder servicing agent, or
both;
(e) To provide for the distribution of Shares either through a
principal underwriter or the Trust itself or both;
(f) To set record dates in the manner provided for in the By-Laws of
the Trust;
(g) to delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any
officers of the Trust and to any agent, custodian or underwriter;
(h) to vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property held in Trust hereunder; and to
execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees
shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion
with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(i) to exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which
in any manner arise out of ownership of securities held in trust hereunder;
(j) to hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, either in its
own name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in
either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of
Massachusetts business trusts or investment companies;
(k) to consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or
sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or
subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(l) to compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to,
claims for taxes;
(m) to make, in the manner provided in the By-Laws, distributions of
income and of capital gains to Shareholders;
(n) to borrow money to the extent and in the manner permitted by the
1940 Act and the Trust's fundamental policy thereunder as to borrowing;
(o) to enter into investment advisory or management contracts, subject
to the 1940 Act, with any one or more corporations, partnerships, trusts,
associations or other persons; and
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(p) to change the name of the Trust or any Class or Series of the
Trust as they consider appropriate without prior shareholder approval.
5. No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make
any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the
application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon
their order.
6. (a) The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally
or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or
assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time
personally agree to pay by way of subscription to any Shares or otherwise. There
is hereby expressly disclaimed shareholder liability for the acts and
obligations of the Trust. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued
by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust shall include
a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust and its
assets (but the omission of such recitation shall not operate to bind any
Shareholder).
(b) Whenever this Declaration of Trust calls for or permits any action
to be taken by the Trustees hereunder, such action shall mean that taken by the
Board of Trustees by vote of the majority of a quorum of Trustees as set forth
from time to time in the By-Laws of the Trust or as required by the 1940 Act.
(c) The Trustees shall possess and exercise any and all such
additional powers as are reasonably implied from the powers herein contained
such as may be necessary or convenient in the conduct of any business or
enterprise of the Trust, to do and perform anything necessary, suitable, or
proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes, or the attainment of any
one or more of the objects, herein enumerated, or which shall at any time appear
conducive to or expedient for the protection or benefit of the Trust, and to do
and perform all other acts and things necessary or incidental to the purposes
herein before set forth, or that may be deemed necessary by the Trustees.
(d) The Trustees shall have the power, to the extent not inconsistent
with the 1940 Act, to determine conclusively whether any moneys, securities, or
other properties of the Trust are, for the purposes of this Trust, to be
considered as capital or income and in what manner any expenses or disbursements
are to be borne as between capital and income whether or not in the absence of
this provision such moneys, securities, or other properties would be regarded as
capital or income and whether or not in the absence of this provision such
expenses or disbursements would ordinarily be charged to capital or to income.
7. The By-Laws of the Trust may divide the Trustees into classes and
prescribe the tenure of office of the several classes, but no class of Trustee
shall be elected for a period shorter than that from the time of the election
following the division into classes until the next meeting and thereafter for a
period shorter than the interval between meetings or for a period longer than
five years, and the term of office of at least one class shall expire each year.
8. The Shareholders shall have the right to inspect the records, documents,
accounts and books of the Trust, subject to reasonable regulations of the
Trustees, not contrary to Massachusetts
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law, as to whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under
what conditions and regulations, such right shall be exercised.
9. Any officer elected or appointed by the Trustees or by any committee of
the Trustees may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by vote of the
Trustees.
10. If the By-Laws so provide, the Trustees shall have power to hold their
meetings, to have an office or offices and, subject to the provisions of the
laws of Massachusetts, to keep the books of the Trust outside of said
Commonwealth at such places as may from time to time be designated by them.
Action may be taken by the Trustees without a meeting by unanimous written
consent or by telephone or similar method of communication.
11. Securities held by the Trust shall be voted in person or by proxy by
the President or a Vice-President, or such officer or officers of the Trust as
the Trustees shall designate for the purpose, or by a proxy or proxies thereunto
duly authorized by the Trustees, except as otherwise ordered by vote of the
holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote in respect
thereto.
12. (a) Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, any Trustee, officer or
employee, individually, or any partnership of which any Trustee, officer or
employee may be a member, or any corporation or association of which any
Trustee, officer or employee may be an officer, director, trustee, employee or
stockholder, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or otherwise interested
in, any contract or transaction of the Trust, and in the absence of fraud no
contract or other transaction shall be thereby affected or invalidated; provided
that in case a Trustee, or a partnership, corporation or association of which a
Trustee is a member, officer, director, trustee, employee or stockholder is so
interested, such fact shall be disclosed or shall have been known to the
Trustees or a majority thereof; and any Trustee who is so interested, or who is
also a director, officer, trustee, employee or stockholder of such other
corporation or a member of such partnership or association which is so
interested, may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any
meeting of the Trustees which shall authorize any such contract or transaction,
and may vote thereat to authorize any such contract or transaction, with like
force and effect as if he or she were not such director, officer, trustee,
employee or stockholder of such other trust or corporation or association or a
member of a partnership so interested.
(b) Specifically, but without limitation of the foregoing, the Trust
may enter into a management or investment advisory contract or underwriting
contract and other contracts with, and may otherwise do business with any
manager or investment adviser for the Trust and/or principal underwriter of the
Shares of the Trust or any subsidiary or affiliate of any such manager or
investment adviser and/or principal underwriter and may permit any such firm or
corporation to enter into any contracts or other arrangements with any other
firm or corporation relating to the Trust notwithstanding that the Trustees of
the Trust may be composed in part of partners, directors, officers or employees
of any such firm or corporation, and officers of the Trust may have been or may
be or become partners, directors, officers or employees of any such firm or
corporation, and in the absence of fraud the Trust and any such firm or
corporation may deal freely with each other, and no such contract or transaction
between the Trust and any such firm or corporation shall be invalidated or in
any way affected thereby, nor shall any Trustee or officer of the Trust be
liable to
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the Trust or to any Shareholder or creditor thereof or to any other person for
any loss incurred by it or him or her solely because of the existence of any
such contract or transaction; provided that nothing herein shall protect any
director or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
(c) As used in this paragraph the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
(i) the term "indemnitee" shall mean any present or former
Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, any present or former Trustee or
officer of another trust or corporation whose securities are or were owned by
the Trust or of which the Trust is or was a creditor and who served or serves in
such capacity at the request of the Trust, and the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing; however,
whenever conduct by an indemnitee is referred to, the conduct shall be that of
the original indemnitee rather than that of the heir, executor, administrator,
successor or assignee;
(ii) the term "covered proceeding" shall mean any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, to which an indemnitee is or was a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact or facts under which he or
she or it is an indemnitee as defined above;
(iii)the term "disabling conduct" shall mean willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of the office in question;
(iv) the term "covered expenses" shall mean expenses (including
attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection with a covered proceeding;
and
(v) the term "adjudication of liability" shall mean, as to any
covered proceeding and as to any indemnitee, an adverse determination as to the
indemnitee whether by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent.
(d) The Trust shall not indemnify any indemnitee for any covered
expenses in any covered proceeding if there has been an adjudication of
liability against such indemnitee expressly based on a finding of disabling
conduct.
(e) Except as set forth in paragraph (d) above, the Trust shall
indemnify any indemnitee for covered expenses in any covered proceeding, whether
or not there is an adjudication of liability as to such indemnitee if a
determination has been made that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of
disabling conduct by (1) a final decision on the merits of the court or other
body before which the covered proceeding was brought; or (2) in the absence of
such decision, a reasonable determination, based on a review of the facts, by
either (A) the vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither
"interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act nor parties to the covered
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proceedings, or (B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion; provided
that such Trustees or counsel, in making such determination, may but need not
presume the absence of disabling conduct on the part of the indemnitee by reason
of the manner in which the covered proceeding was terminated.
(f) Covered expenses incurred by an indemnitee in connection with a
covered proceeding shall be advanced by the Trust to an indemnitee prior to the
final disposition of a covered proceeding upon the request of the indemnitee for
such advance and the undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay the
advance unless it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, but only if one or more of the following is the case:
(i) the indemnitee shall provide a security for such undertaking; (ii) the Trust
shall be insured against losses arising out of any lawful advances; or (iii)
there shall have been a determination, based on a review of the readily
available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is a reason
to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification by either independent legal counsel in a written opinion or by
the vote of a majority of a quorum of trustees who are neither "interested
persons" as defined in the 1940 Act nor parties to the covered proceeding.
(g) Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the right of the Trust
and/or any indemnitee to acquire and pay for any insurance covering any or all
indemnitees to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or to affect any other
indemnification rights to which any indemnitee may be entitled to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act.
13. For purposes of the computation of net asset value, as in this
Declaration of Trust referred to, the following rules shall apply:
(a) The net asset value per Share of any Series, as of the time of
valuation on any day, shall be the quotient obtained by dividing the value, as
at such time, of the net assets of that Series (i.e., the value of the assets of
that Series less its liabilities exclusive of its surplus) by the total number
of Shares of that Series outstanding at such time. The assets and liabilities of
any Series shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, provided, however, that in determining the liabilities of any Series
there shall be included such reserves as may be authorized or approved by the
Trustees, and provided further that in connection with the accrual of any fee or
refund payable to or by an investment advisor of the Trust for such Series, the
amount of which accrual is not definitely determinable as of any time at which
the net asset value of each Share of that Series is being determined due to the
contingent nature of such fee or refund, the Trustees are authorized to
establish from time to time formulae for such accrual, on the basis of the
contingencies in question to the date of such determination, or on such other
basis as the Trustees may establish.
(1) Shares of a Series to be issued shall be deemed to be
outstanding as of the time of the determination of the net asset value
per Share applicable to such issuance and the net price thereof shall
be deemed to be an asset of that Series;
(2) Shares of a Series to be redeemed by the Trust shall be
deemed to be outstanding until the time of the determination of the
net asset value applicable to such redemption, and thereupon, and
until paid, the redemption price thereof shall be deemed to be a
liability of that Series; and
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(3) Shares of a Series voluntarily purchased or contracted to be
purchased by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4 of
Article FIFTH shall be deemed to be outstanding until whichever is the
later of (i) the time of the making of such purchase or contract of
purchase, and (ii) the time at which the purchase price is determined,
and thereupon, and until paid, the purchase price thereof shall be
deemed to be a liability of that Series.
(b) The Trustees are empowered, in their absolute discretion, to
establish other bases or times, or both, for determining the net asset value per
Share of any Series or Class in accordance with the 1940 Act and to authorize
the voluntary purchase by any Series or Class either directly or through an
agent, of Shares of any Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for
such consideration as the Trustees shall deem advisable in accordance with any
such provision, rule or regulation.
14. Payment of the net asset value per Share of any Class and Series
properly surrendered to it for redemption shall be made by the Trust within
seven days, or as specified in any applicable law or regulation, after tender of
such stock or request for redemption to the Trust for such purpose together with
any additional documentation that may reasonably be required by the Trust or its
transfer agent to evidence the authority of the tenderor to make such requests
plus any period of time during which the right of the holders of the shares of
such Class of that Series to require the Trust to redeem such shares has been
suspended. Any such payment may be made in portfolio securities of such Class of
that Series and/or in cash, as the Trustees shall deem advisable, and no
Shareholder shall have a right, other than as determined by the Trustees, to
have Shares redeemed in kind.
15. The Trust shall have the right, at any time and without prior notice to
the Shareholder, to redeem Shares of the Class and Series held by such
Shareholder held in any account registered in the name of such Shareholder for
its current net asset value, if and to the extent that such redemption is
necessary to reimburse either that Series or Class of the Trust or the
distributor (i.e., principal underwriter) of the Shares for any loss either has
sustained by reason of the failure of such Shareholder to make timely and good
payment for Shares purchased or subscribed for by such Shareholder, regardless
of whether such Shareholder was a Shareholder at the time of such purchase or
subscription, subject to and upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may
from time to time prescribe.
EIGHTH: The name "Oppenheimer" included in the name of the Trust and of any
Series shall be used pursuant to a royalty-free, non-exclusive license from
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI"), incidental to and as part of an advisory,
management or supervisory contract which may be entered into by the Trust with
OFI. The license may be terminated by OFI upon termination of such advisory,
management or supervisory contract or without cause upon 60 days' written
notice, in which case neither the Trust nor any Series or Class shall have any
further right to use the name "Oppenheimer" in its name or otherwise and the
Trust, the Shareholders and its officers and Trustees shall promptly take
whatever action may be necessary to change its name and the names of any Series
or Classes accordingly.
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NINTH:
1. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held to be
personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and
not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder
or former Shareholder (or the Shareholder's heirs, executors, administrators or
other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its
corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the Trust estate
to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising
from such liability. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume
the defense of any such claim made against any Shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
2. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is
created hereby. No individual Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind the
Trust, the Trust's officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to,
doing business with, contracting with or having or asserting any claim against
the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment
under any such credit, transaction, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor; notice of such disclaimer shall be
given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Trust or the Trustees. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect a
Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee
hereunder.
3. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder in
good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing,
shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of
paragraph 2 of this Article NINTH, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors
of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel
or other experts with respect to the meaning and operations of this Declaration
of Trust, applicable laws, contracts, obligations, transactions or any other
business the Trust may enter into, and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2
of this Article NINTH, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in
accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees
shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required.
4. This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the
provisions of sub- sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this paragraph 4.
(a) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a majority
as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or more Series
entitled to vote, may sell and convey the assets of that Series (which sale may
be subject to the retention of assets for the payment of liabilities and
expenses) to another issuer for a consideration which may be or include
securities of such issuer. Upon making provision for the payment of liabilities,
by assumption by such issuer or otherwise, the Trustees shall distribute the
remaining proceeds ratably among the holders of the outstanding Shares of the
Series the assets of which have been so transferred.
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(b) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a
majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or
more Series entitled to vote, may at any time sell and convert into money all
the assets of that Series. Upon making provisions for the payment of all
outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of
that Series, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets of that Series
ratably among the holders of the outstanding Shares of that Series.
(c) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a
majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or
more Series entitled to vote, may otherwise alter, convert or transfer the
assets of the Series.
(d) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or
the remaining assets as provided in sub-sections (a) and (b), and in subsection
(c) where applicable, the Series the assets of which have been so transferred
shall terminate, and if all the assets of the Trust have been so transferred,
the Trust shall terminate and the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all
further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title and interest of
all parties shall be canceled and discharged.
5. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each restated
declaration of trust or instrument supplemental hereto shall be kept at the
office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this
instrument and of each supplemental or restated declaration of trust shall be
filed with the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, as well as any other
governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone
dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as
to whether or not any such supplemental or restated declarations of trust have
been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and,
with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by
an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such
supplemental or restated declaration of trust. In this instrument or in any such
supplemental or restated declaration of trust, references to this instrument,
and all expressions like "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to
refer to this instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental or
restated declaration of trust. This instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
6. The Trust set forth in this instrument is created under and is to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a
Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the
Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
7. The Board of Trustees is empowered to cause the redemption of the Shares
held in any account if the aggregate net asset value of such Shares (taken at
cost or value, as determined by the Board) has been reduced to $500 or less upon
such notice to the shareholder in question, with such permission to increase the
investment in question and upon such other terms and conditions as may be fixed
by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the 1940 Act.
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8. In the event that any person advances the organizational expenses of the
Trust, such advances shall become an obligation of the Trust subject to such
terms and conditions as may be fixed by, and on a date fixed by, or determined
with criteria fixed by the Board of Trustees, to be amortized over a period or
periods to be fixed by the Board.
9. Whenever any action is taken under this Declaration of Trust under any
authorization to take action which is permitted by the 1940 Act or any other
applicable law, such action shall be deemed to have been properly taken if such
action is in accordance with the construction of the 1940 Act or such other
applicable law then in effect as expressed in "no action" letters of the staff
of the Commission or any release, rule, regulation or order under the 1940 Act
or any decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, notwithstanding that any
of the foregoing shall later be found to be invalid or otherwise reversed or
modified by any of the foregoing.
10. Any action which may be taken by the Board of Trustees under this
Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws may be taken by the description thereof in
the then effective Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information
relating to the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or in any proxy
statement of the Trust rather than by formal resolution of the Board.
11. Whenever under this Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees is
permitted or required to place a value on assets of the Trust, such action may
be delegated by the Board, and/or determined in accordance with a formula
determined by the Board, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
12. If authorized by vote of the Trustees and, if a vote of Shareholders is
required under this Declaration of Trust, the favorable vote of the holders of a
"majority", as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares entitled to
vote, or by any larger vote which may be required by applicable law in any
particular case, the Trustees shall amend or otherwise supplement this
instrument, by making a Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto, which
thereafter shall form a part hereof; any such Supplemental or Restated
Declaration of Trust may be executed by and on behalf of the Trust and the
Trustees by an officer or officers of the Trust. Amendments having the purpose
of changing the name of the Trust, or any Series or Class of Shares, or of
adding or designating Series or Classes of Series or of supplying any omission,
curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any provision that
is defective or inconsistent with the 1940 Act or with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder for the Trust's obtaining
the most favorable treatment thereunder available to regulated investment
companies or of taking such other actions permitted hereunder without the
necessity of obtaining Shareholder approval or action shall not require
authorization by Shareholder vote.
orgzn\715-DOT.598
-19-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument as of
this 1st day of June, 1998.
/s/ Robert G. Galli /s/ Edward V. Regan
__________________________ __________________________
Robert G. Galli Edward V. Regan
11-54 Shearwater Court 40 Park Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07305 New York, NY 10016
/s/ Leon Levy /s/ Russell Reynolds, Jr.
__________________________ __________________________
Leon Levy Russell Reynolds, Jr.
One Sutton Place South 39 Clapboard Ridge Road
New York, NY 10022 Greenwich, CT 06830
/s/ Benjamin Lipstein /s/ Donald W. Spiro
__________________________ __________________________
Benjamin Lipstein Donald W. Spiro
591 Breezy Hill Road 399 Ski Trail
Hillsdale, NY 12529 Kinnelon, NJ 07405
/s/ Bridget A. Macaskill /s/ Pauline Trigere
__________________________ __________________________
Bridget A. Macaskill Pauline Trigere
160 East 81st Street 525 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10028 New York, NY 10021
/s/ Elizabeth B. Moynihan /s/ Clayton K. Yeutter
__________________________ __________________________
Elizabeth B. Moynihan Clayton K. Yeutter
801 Pennsylvania Avenue 1325 Merrie Ridge Road
Washington, DC 20004 McLean, VA 22101
/s/ Kenneth A. Randall
__________________________
Kenneth a Randall
6 Whittaker's Mill
Williamsburg, VA 23185
orgzn\715-DOT.598
-20-
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
(the "Trust")
BY-LAWS
Adopted as of ____, 1998
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders (which terms
as used herein shall, together with all other terms defined in the Declaration
of Trust dated June 1, 1998, as amended from time to time, have the same meaning
as in the Declaration of Trust) shall be held at the principal office of the
Trust or at such other place as may from time to time be designated by the Board
of Trustees and stated in the notice of meting.
Section 2. Shareholder Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders for any
purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, or by the President or by the Board of Trustees and shall be called by the
Secretary upon receipt of the request in writing signed by Shareholders holding
not less than one third in amount of the entire number of Shares issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat. Such request shall state the purpose
or purposes of the proposed meeting. In addition, meetings of the Shareholders
shall be called by the Board of Trustees upon receipt of the request in writing
signed by Shareholders that hold in the aggregate not less than ten percent in
amount of the entire number of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote thereat, stating that the purpose of the proposed meeting is the removal of
a Trustee.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings of Shareholders. Not less than ten days' and
not more than 120 days' written or printed notice of every meeting of
Shareholders, stating the time and place thereof (and the general nature of the
business proposed to be transacted at any special or extraordinary meeting),
shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to vote thereat either by mail or by
presenting it to him personally or by leaving it at his residence or usual place
of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited
in the United States mail addressed to the Shareholder at his post office
address as it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid.
No notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of Shareholders need
be given to any Shareholder who attends in person or by proxy or to any
Shareholder who, in writing executed and filed with the records of the meeting,
either before or after the holding thereof, waives such notice.
Section 4. Record Dates. The Board of Trustees may fix, in advance, a date,
not exceeding 120 days and not less than ten days preceding the date of any
meeting of Shareholders, and not exceeding 120 days preceding any dividend
payment date or any date for the allotment of rights, as a record date for the
determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such
meeting, or entitled to receive such dividend or rights, as the case may be; and
only Shareholders of record on such date shall be entitled to notice of and to
vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or rights, as the case may be.
-1-
<PAGE>
Section 5. Access to Shareholder List. The Board of Trustees shall make
available a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on
the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request in writing signed by not
less than ten Shareholders of the Trust (who have been such for at least six
months) holding in the aggregate the lesser of (i) Shares valued at $25,000 or
more at current offering price (as defined in the Trust's Prospectus), or (ii)
one percent in amount of the entire number of shares of the Trust issued and
outstanding; such request must state that such Shareholders wish to communicate
with other Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a
meeting pursuant to Section 2 of Article I of these By-Laws and accompanied by a
form of communication to the Shareholders. The Board of Trustees may, in its
discretion, satisfy its obligation under this Section 5 by either making
available the Shareholder List to such Shareholders at the principal offices of
the Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's transfer agent, during regular
business hours, or by mailing a copy of such Shareholders' proposed
communication and form of request, at their expense, to all other Shareholders.
Section 6. Quorum, Adjournment of Meetings. The presence in person or by
proxy of the holders of record of more than 50% of the Shares of the stock of
the Trust issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, shall constitute
a quorum at all meetings of the Shareholders. If at any meeting of the
Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the Shareholders present
at such meeting may, without further notice, adjourn the same from time to time
until a quorum shall attend, but no business shall be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting except such as might have been lawfully transacted had the
meeting not been adjourned. This Section 6 may be altered, amended or repealed
only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of all the Shares
of the Trust at the time outstanding and entitled to vote.
Section 7. Voting and Inspectors. At all meetings of Shareholders, every
Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one vote for
each Share of the Trust standing in his name on the books of the Trust (and such
Shareholders of record holding fractional shares shall have proportionate voting
rights as provided in the Declaration of Trust) on the date for the
determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, either in person
or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing subscribed by such Shareholder or
his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy which is dated more than three
months before the meeting shall be accepted unless such proxy shall, on its
face, name a longer period for which it is to remain in force.
All elections of Trustees shall be had by a plurality of the votes cast and
all questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast, in each case at
a duly constituted meeting, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of
Trust or in these By-Laws or by specific statutory provision superseding the
restrictions and limitations contained in the Declaration of Trust or in these
By- Laws.
At any election of Trustees, the Board of Trustees prior thereto may, or,
if they have not so acted, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request
of the holders of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote at such
election shall, appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an
oath or affirmation to execute faithfully the duties of inspectors at such
election with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,
and shall after the election make a certificate of the result of the vote taken.
No candidate for the office of Trustee shall be appointed such Inspector.
-2-
<PAGE>
The Chairman of the meeting may cause a vote by ballot to be taken upon any
election or matter, and such vote shall be taken upon the request of the holders
of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote on such election or matter.
Section 8. Conduct of Shareholders' Meetings. The meetings of the
Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, or if he shall not be present, by the President, or if he shall not be
present, by a Vice-President, or if none of them is present, by a chairman to be
elected at the meeting. The Secretary of the Trust, if present, shall act as
Secretary of such meetings, or if he is not present, an Assistant Secretary
shall so act; if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present,
then the meeting shall elect its secretary.
Section 9. Concerning Validity of Proxies, Ballots, Etc. At every meeting
of the Shareholders, all proxies shall be received and taken in charge of and
all ballots shall be received and canvassed by the secretary of the meeting, who
shall decide all questions touching the qualification of voters, the validity of
the proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes, unless inspectors of
election shall have been appointed as provided in Section 7, in which event such
inspectors of election shall decide all such questions.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Number and Tenure of Office. The business and property of the
Trust shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the
number of initial Trustees, which number may be increased or decreased as
provided in Section 2 of this Article. Each Trustee shall, except as otherwise
provided herein, hold office until the meeting of Shareholders of the Trust next
succeeding his election or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Trustees need not be Shareholders.
Section 2. Increase or Decrease in Number of Trustees. The Board of
Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may increase the number
of Trustees to a number not exceeding fifteen, and may elect Trustees to fill
the vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees until the
next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualify; the
Board of Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may likewise
decrease the number of Trustees to a number not less than three but the tenure
of office of any Trustee shall not be affected by any such decrease. Vacancies
occurring other than by reason of any such increase shall be filled as provided
for a Massachusetts business trust. In the event that after the proxy material
has been printed for a meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be
elected and any one or more nominees named in such proxy material dies or become
incapacitated, the authorized number of Trustees shall be automatically reduced
by the number of such nominees, unless the Board of Trustees prior to the
meeting shall otherwise determine.
Section 3. Removal. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or
without cause by resolution duly adopted by the affirmative votes of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, present in person or by
proxy at any meeting of Shareholders at which such vote
-3-
<PAGE>
may be taken, provided that a quorum is present. Any Trustee at any time may be
removed for cause by resolution duly adopted at any meeting of the Board of
Trustees provided that notice thereof is contained in the notice of such meeting
and that such resolution is adopted by the vote of at least two thirds of the
Trustees whose removal is not proposed. As used herein, "for cause" shall mean
any cause which under Massachusetts law would permit the removal of a Trustee of
a business trust.
Section 4. Place of Meeting. The Trustees may hold their meetings, have one
or more offices, and keep the books of the Trust outside Massachusetts, at any
office or offices of the Trust or at any other place as they may from time to
time by resolution determine, or, in the case of meetings, as shall be specified
or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees
shall be held at such time and on such notice, if any, as the Trustees may from
time to time determine. One such regular meeting during each fiscal year of the
Trust shall be designated an annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may
be held from time to time upon call of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, the President or two or more of the Trustees, by oral or telegraphic or
written notice duly served on or sent or mailed to each Trustee not less than
one day before such meeting. No notice need be given to any Trustee who attends
in person, or to any Trustee who in writing executed and filed with the records
of the meeting either before or after the holding thereof waives such notice.
Such notice or waiver of notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such
meeting.
Section 7. Quorum. One-third of the Trustees then in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that a quorum
shall in no case be less than two Trustees. If at any meeting of the Board there
shall be less than a quorum present (in person or by open telephone line, to the
extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")), a
majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
quorum shall have been obtained. The act of the majority of the Trustees present
at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except
as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Declaration of
Trust, by these By-Laws or by any contract or agreement to which the Trust is a
party.
Section 8. Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees may, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, elect from the Trustees an
Executive Committee to consist of such number of Trustees (not less than three)
as the Board may from time to time determine. The Board of Trustees by such
affirmative vote shall have power at any time to change the members of such
Committee and may fill vacancies in the Committee by election from the Trustees.
When the Board of Trustees is not in session, the Executive Committee shall have
and may exercise any or all of the powers of the Board of Trustees in the
management of the business and affairs of the Trust (including the power to
authorize the seal of the Trust to be affixed to all papers which may require
it) except as provided by law or by any contract or agreement to which the Trust
is a party and except the power to increase or decrease the size of, or fill
vacancies on, the Board, to remove or appoint executive officers or to dissolve
or change the permanent membership of the Executive Committee, and the power to
make or amend the By-Laws of the Trust. The Executive Committee may fix its
-4-
<PAGE>
own rules of procedure, and may meet when and as provided by such rules or by
resolution of the Board of Trustees, but in every case the presence of a
majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of any member
of the Executive Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether
or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of the Board of Trustees
to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 9. Other Committees. The Board of Trustees, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the entire Board, may appoint other committees which shall in
each case consist of such number of members (not less than two) and shall have
and may exercise, to the extent permitted by law, such powers as the Board may
determine in the resolution appointing them. A majority of all members of any
such committee may determine its action, and fix the time and place of its
meetings, unless the Board of Trustees shall otherwise provide. The Board of
Trustees shall have power at any time to change the members and, to the extent
permitted by law, powers of any such committee, to fill vacancies, and to
discharge any such committee.
Section 10. Informal Action by and Telephone Meetings of Trustees and
Committees. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Board of Trustees or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if a
written consent to such action is signed by all members of the Board, or of such
committee, as the case may be. Trustees or members of the Board of Trustees may
participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment; such participation shall, except as otherwise required
by the 1940 Act, have the same effect as presence in person.
Section 11. Compensation of Trustees. Trustees shall be entitled to receive
such compensation from the Trust for their services as may from time to time be
voted by the Board of Trustees.
Section 12. Dividends. Dividends or distributions payable on the Shares of
any Series may, but need not be, declared by specific resolution of the Board as
to each dividend or distribution; in lieu of such specific resolutions, the
Board may, by general resolution, determine the method of computation thereof,
the method of determining the Shareholders of the Series to which they are
payable and the methods of determining whether and to which Shareholders they
are to be paid in cash or in additional Shares.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust may
include a Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and shall include a President, one
or more Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the Board of
Trustees), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees,
if any, shall be selected from among the Trustees. The Board of Trustees or the
Executive Committee may also in its discretion appoint Assistant Secretaries,
Assistant Treasurers, and other officers, agents and employees, who shall have
such authority and perform such duties as the Board or the Executive Committee
may determine. The Board of Trustees may
-5-
<PAGE>
fill any vacancy which may occur in any office. Any two offices, except those of
President and Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no officer
shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity,
if such instrument is required by law or these By-Laws to be executed,
acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.
Section 2. Term of Office. The term of office of all officers shall be
until their respective successors are chosen and qualify; however, any officer
may be removed from office at any time with or without cause by the vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Trust shall have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as
such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred by the Board of
Trustees or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV
SHARES
Section 1. Certificates of Shares. Each Shareholder of any Series of the
Trust may be issued a certificate or certificates for his Shares of that Series,
in such form as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe, but only
if and to the extent and on the conditions described by the Board.
Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Shares of any Series shall be transferable
on the books of the Trust by the holder thereof in person or by his duly
authorized attorney or legal representative, upon surrender and cancellation of
certificates, if any, for the same number of Shares of that Series, duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with
such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Trust or its agent may
reasonably require; in the case of shares not represented by certificates, the
same or similar requirements may be imposed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Share Ledgers. The share ledgers of the Trust, containing the
name and address of the Shareholders of each Series and the number of shares of
that Series, held by them respectively, shall be kept at the principal offices
of the Trust or, if the Trust employs a transfer agent, at the offices of the
transfer agent of the Trust.
Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Trustees
may determine the conditions upon which a new certificate may be issued in place
of a certificate which is alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed; and
may, in their discretion, require the owner of such certificate or his legal
representative to give bond, with sufficient surety to the Trust and the
transfer agent, if any, to indemnify it and such transfer agent against any and
all loss or claims which may arise by reason of the issue of a new certificate
in the place of the one so lost, stolen or destroyed.
-6-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
SEAL
The Board of Trustees shall provide a suitable seal of the Trust, in such
form and bearing such inscriptions as it may determine.
ARTICLE VI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws of the Trust may be altered, amended, added to or repealed by
the Shareholders or by majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees, but any
such alteration, amendment, addition or repeal of the By-Laws by action of the
Board of Trustees may be altered or repealed by the Shareholders.
-7-
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Class A Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS A SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund
By the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
_______________________ ___________________
TREASURER PRESIDENT
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
SEAL
1998
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)Countersigned
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS SERVICES
[A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.]
Denver (CO.) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class A Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by: _____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four hands"
watermark: logotype
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Class B Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS B SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS B SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund
By the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
/s/ George C. Bowen /s/Bridget A. Macaskill
_______________________ ___________________
TREASURER PRESIDENT
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
SEAL
1998
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)Countersigned
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS SERVICES
[A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.]
Denver (CO.) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class B Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by: _____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four hands"
watermark: logotype
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Class C Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS C SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS C SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund
By the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
_______________________ ___________________
TREASURER PRESIDENT
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
SEAL
1998
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)Countersigned
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS SERVICES
[A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.]
Denver (CO.) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class C Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by: _____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four hands"
watermark: logotype
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
Class Y Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS Y SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS Y SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund
By the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
_______________________ ___________________
TREASURER PRESIDENT
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
SEAL
1998
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically)Countersigned
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS SERVICES
[A DIVISION OF OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.]
Denver (CO.) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class Y Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
___________________________________
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor
by: _____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four hands"
watermark: logotype
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the ____ day of ________, 1998, by and between OPPENHEIMER
CORE EQUITY FUND (the "Fund") and OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.("OFI").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company
registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment
Company Act"), and OFI is an investment adviser registered as such with the
Commission under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Fund desires that OFI shall act as its investment adviser pursuant
to this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as follows:
1. General Provision.
(a) The Fund hereby employs OFI and OFI hereby undertakes to act as the
investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund such duties and
functions as are hereinafter set forth. OFI shall, in all matters, give to the
Fund and its Board of Trustees the benefit of its best judgment, effort, advice
and recommendations and shall, at all times, conform to and use its best efforts
to enable the Fund to conform to (i) the provisions of the Investment Company
Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) any other applicable
provisions of state or federal law; (iii) the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time; (iv) policies and
determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Fund; (v) the fundamental
policies and investment restrictions of the Fund as reflected in its
registration statement under the Investment Company Act or as such policies may,
from time to time, be amended by the Fund's shareholders; and (vi) the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund in effect from
time to time. The appropriate officers and employees of OFI shall be available
upon reasonable notice for consultation with any of the Trustees and officers of
the Fund with respect to any matters dealing with the business and affairs of
the Fund including the valuation of portfolio securities of any of the Fund's
portfolio securities which are either not registered for public sale or not
being traded on any securities market.
2. Investment Management.
(a) OFI shall, subject to the direction and control by the Fund's Board of
Trustees, (i) regularly provide investment advice and recommendations to the
Fund with respect to its investments, investment policies and the purchase and
sale of securities; (ii) supervise continuously the investment program of the
Fund and the composition of its portfolio and determine what securities shall be
purchased or sold by the Fund; and (iii) arrange, subject to the provisions of
paragraph "7" hereof, for the purchase and sale of securities and other
investments for the Fund.
(b) Provided that the Fund shall not be required to pay any compensation
other than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and subject to the
provisions of paragraph "8" hereof, OFI may obtain investment information,
research or assistance from any other person, firm or corporation to supplement,
update or otherwise improve its investment management services.
-1-
<PAGE>
(c) Provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect OFI from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement,
OFI shall not be liable for good faith errors or omissions in connection with
any matters to which this Agreement relates.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent OFI or any officer thereof from
acting" as investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and
shall not in any way limit or restrict OFI or any of its directors, officers,
stockholders or employees from buying, selling or trading any securities for its
or their own account or for the account of others for whom it or they may be
acting, provided that such activities will not adversely affect or otherwise
impair the performance by OFI of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
3. Other Duties of OFI.
OFI shall, at its own expense, provide assistance in the supervision of all
administrative and clerical personnel as shall be required to provide effective
corporate administration for the Fund, including the compilation and maintenance
of such records with respect to its operations as may reasonably be required;
the preparation and filing of such reports with respect thereto as shall be
required by the Commission; composition of periodic reports with respect to its
operation of the Fund for the shareholders of the Fund; composition of proxy
materials for meetings of the Fund's shareholders and the composition of such
registration statements as may be required by federal securities laws for
continuous public sale of shares of the Fund. OFI shall, at its own cost and
expense, also provide the Fund with adequate office space, facilities and
equipment.
4. Allocation of Expenses.
All other costs and expenses not expressly assumed by OFI under this
Agreement, or to be paid by the General Distributor of the shares of the Fund,
shall be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to (i) interest and taxes;
(ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) premiums for fidelity and other insurance
coverage requisite to its operations; (iv) compensation and expenses of its
trustees other than those associated or affiliated with OFI; (v) legal and audit
expenses; (vi) custodian and transfer agent fees and expenses; (vii) expenses
incident to the redemption of its shares; (viii) expenses incident to the
issuance of its shares against payment therefor by or on behalf of the
subscribers thereto; (ix) fees and expenses, other than as hereinabove provided,
incident to the registration under federal securities laws of shares of the Fund
for public sale; (x) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and
proxy materials to shareholders of the Fund; (xi) except as noted above, all
other expenses incidental to holding regular annual meetings of the Fund's
shareholders; and (xii) such extraordinary non-recurring expenses as may arise,
including litigation, affecting the Fund and any obligation the Fund may have to
indemnify its officers and trustees with respect thereto. Any officers or
employees of OFI or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common
control with OFI, who may also serve as officers, trustees or employees of the
Fund shall not receive any compensation by the Fund for their services.
5. Compensation of OFI.
The Fund agrees to pay OFI and OFI agrees to accept as full compensation
for the performance of all functions and duties on its part to be performed
pursuant to the provisions hereof,
-2-
<PAGE>
a management fee computed on the aggregate net assets of the Fund as of the
close of each business day and payable monthly at the following annual rates:
.75% of the first $200 million of aggregate net assets;
.72% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets;
.69% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets;
.66% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets;
.60% of the next $700 million of aggregate net assets;
.58% of the next $1.0 billion of aggregate net assets; and
.56% of aggregate net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.
6. Use of Name "Oppenheimer."
OFI hereby grants the Fund a royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use the
name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund for the duration of this Agreement
and any extensions or renewals thereof. Such license may, upon termination of
this Agreement, be terminated by OFI, in which event the Fund shall promptly
take whatever action may be necessary to change its name and discontinue any
further use of the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund or otherwise. The
name "Oppenheimer" may be used or licensed by OFI in connection with any of its
activities or licensed by OFI to any other party.
7. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.
(a) OFI is authorized, in arranging the purchase and sale of the Fund's
portfolio securities, to employ or deal with such members of securities
exchanges, brokers or dealers, including "affiliated" broker-dealers (as that
term is defined in the Investment Company Act) (hereinafter "broker-dealers"),
as may, in its best judgment, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at
reasonable expense, the "best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the
most favorable security price obtainable) of the Fund's portfolio transactions
as well as to obtain, consistent with provisions of subparagraph "(c)" of this
paragraph "7" the benefit of such investment information or research as will be
of significant assistance to the performance by OFI of its investment management
functions.
(b) OFI shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio
transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain best
execution of particular and related portfolio transactions. The abilities of a
broker-dealer to obtain best execution of particular portfolio transaction(s)
will be judged by OFI on the basis of all relevant factors and considerations
including, insofar as feasible, the execution capabilities required by the
transaction or transactions; the ability and willingness of the broker-dealer to
facilitate the Fund's portfolio transactions by participating therein for its
own account; the importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or confidentiality;
the broker-dealer's apparent familiarity with sources from or to whom particular
securities might be purchased or sold; as well as any other matters relevant to
the selection of a broker-dealer for particular and related transactions of the
Fund.
(c) OFI shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to allocate
brokerage on the Fund's portfolio transactions to broker-dealers, other than
affiliated broker-dealers, qualified to obtain best execution of such
transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services
are
-3-
<PAGE>
defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Fund
and/or other accounts for which OFI exercises "investment discretion" (as that
term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and
to cause the Fund to pay such broker-dealers a commission for effecting a
portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the amount of commission
another broker-dealer adequately qualified to effect such transaction would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if OFI determines, in good faith, that
such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker- dealer, viewed in terms of either
that particular transaction or OFI's overall responsibilities with respect to
the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion. In reaching such
determination, OFI will not be required to place or attempt to place a specific
dollar value on the brokerage and/or research services provided or being
provided by such broker-dealer. In demonstrating that such determinations were
made in good faith, OFI shall be prepared to show that all commissions were
allocated for purposes contemplated by this Agreement and that the total
commissions paid by the Fund over a representative period selected by the Fund's
Trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
(d) OFI shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive
bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any particular
portfolio transactions or to select any broker- dealer on the basis of its
purported or "posted" commission rate but will, to the best of its ability,
endeavor to be aware of the current level of the charges of eligible
broker-dealers and to minimize the expense incurred by the Fund for effecting
its portfolio transactions to the extent consistent with the interests and
policies of the Fund as established by the determinations of its Board of
Trustees and the provisions of this paragraph "7."
(e) The Fund recognizes that an affiliated broker-dealer (i) may act as one
of the Fund's regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so to act; (ii) may
be a major recipient of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund; and (iii) may
effect portfolio transactions for the Fund only if the commissions, fees or
other remuneration received or to be received by it are determined in accordance
with procedures contemplated by any rule, regulation or order adopted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 for determining the permissible level of such
commissions.
(f) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph "7" OFI may also
consider sales of shares of the Fund and other investment companies managed by
OFI or its affiliates as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers for the
Fund's portfolio transactions.
8. Duration.
This Agreement will take effect on the date set forth above. Unless earlier
terminated pursuant to paragraph 9 hereof, this Agreement shall remain in effect
until two years from the date of execution hereof, and hereafter will continue
in effect from year to year, so long as such continuance shall be approved at
least annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees including the vote of the
majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or
"interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such
party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval, or by the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such a vote
of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
-4-
<PAGE>
9. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated (i) by OFI at any time without penalty
upon giving the Fund sixty days' written notice (which notice may be waived by
the Fund); or (ii) by the Fund at any time without penalty upon sixty days'
written notice to OFI (which notice may be waived by OFI) provided that such
termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority
of all of the Trustees of the Fund then in office or by the vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
(b) This Agreement may not be amended or the rights of OFI hereunder sold,
transferred, pledged or otherwise in any manner encumbered without the
affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of the majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund; this Agreement shall automatically
and immediately terminate in the event of its "assignment," as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
10. Shareholder Liability.
OFI understands and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this
Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund
personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's property. OFI represents that
it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund
disclaiming shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
11. Definitions.
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and defined
in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of the Investment
Company Act.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
By:
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Executive Vice President
& General Counsel
-5-
GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR'S AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
AND
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
Date: __________, 1998
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
Two World Trade Center, Suite 3400
New York, NY 10048
Dear Sirs:
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), is
registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act"), and an indefinite number of one or more classes of its shares
of beneficial interest ("Shares") have been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "1933 Act") to be offered for sale to the public in a continuous
public offering in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") included in the
Fund's Registration Statement as it may be amended from time to time (the
"current Prospectus and/or SAI").
In this connection, the Fund desires that your firm (the "General Distributor")
act in a principal capacity as General Distributor for the sale and distribution
of Shares which have been registered as described above and of any additional
Shares which may become registered during the term of this Agreement. You have
advised the Fund that you are willing to act as such General Distributor, and it
is accordingly agreed by and between us as follows:
1. Appointment of the Distributor. The Fund hereby appoints you as the sole
General Distributor, pursuant to the aforesaid continuous public offering of its
Shares, and the Fund further agrees from and after the date of this Agreement,
that it will not, without your consent, sell or agree to sell any Shares
otherwise than through you, except (a) the Fund may itself sell shares without
sales charge as an investment to the officers, trustees or directors and bona
fide present and former full-time employees of the Fund, the Fund's Investment
Adviser and affiliates thereof, and to other investors who are identified in the
current Prospectus and/or SAI as having the privilege to buy Shares at net asset
value; (b) the Fund may issue shares in connection with a merger, consolidation
or acquisition of assets on such basis as may be authorized or permitted under
the 1940 Act; (c) the Fund may issue shares for the reinvestment of dividends
and other distributions of the Fund or of any other Fund if permitted by the
current Prospectus and/or SAI; and (d) the Fund may issue shares as underlying
securities of a unit investment trust if such unit investment trust has elected
to use Shares as an underlying investment; provided that in no event as to any
of the foregoing exceptions shall Shares be issued and sold at less than the
then-existing net asset value.
-1-
<PAGE>
2. Sale of Shares. You hereby accept such appointment and agree to use your best
efforts to sell Shares, provided, however, that when requested by the Fund at
any time because of market or other economic considerations or abnormal
circumstances of any kind, or when agreed to by mutual consent of the Fund and
the General Distributor, you will suspend such efforts. The Fund may also
withdraw the offering of Shares at any time when required by the provisions of
any statute, order, rule or regulation of any governmental body having
jurisdiction. It is understood that you do not undertake to sell all or any
specific number of Shares.
3. Sales Charge. Shares shall be sold by you at net asset value plus a front-end
sales charge not in excess of 8.5% of the offering price, but which front-end
sales charge shall be proportionately reduced or eliminated for larger sales and
under other circumstances, in each case on the basis set forth in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI. The redemption proceeds of shares offered and sold at net
asset value with or without a front-end sales charge may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") under the circumstances described in
the current Prospectus and\or SAI. You may reallow such portion of the front-end
sales charge to dealers or cause payment (which may exceed the front-end sales
charge, if any) of commissions to brokers through which sales are made, as you
may determine, and you may pay such amounts to dealers and brokers on sales of
shares from your own resources (such dealers and brokers shall collectively
include all domestic or foreign institutions eligible to offer and sell the
Shares), and in the event the Fund has more than one class of Shares
outstanding, then you may impose a front-end sales charge and/or a CDSC on
Shares of one class that is different from the charges imposed on Shares of the
Fund's other class(es), in each case as set forth in the current Prospectus
and/or SAI, provided the front-end sales charge and CDSC to the ultimate
purchaser do not exceed the respective levels set forth for such category of
purchaser in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
4. Purchase of Shares.
(a) As General Distributor, you shall have the right to accept or
reject orders for the purchase of Shares at your discretion. Any
consideration which you may receive in connection with a rejected
purchase order will be returned promptly.
(b) You agree promptly to issue or to cause the duly appointed
transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the Fund to issue as
your agent confirmations of all accepted purchase orders and to
transmit a copy of such confirmations to the Fund. The net asset
value of all Shares which are the subject of such confirmations,
computed in accordance with the applicable rules under the 1940
Act, shall be a liability of the General Distributor to the Fund
to be paid promptly after receipt of payment from the originating
dealer or broker (or investor, in the case of direct purchases)
and not later than eleven business days after such confirmation
even if you have not actually received payment from the
originating dealer or broker, or investor. In no event shall the
General Distributor make payment to the Fund later than permitted
by applicable rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
(c) If the originating dealer or broker shall fail to make timely
settlement of its purchase order in accordance with applicable
rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or
if a direct purchaser shall fail to make good payment for shares
in a timely manner, you shall have the right to cancel such
purchase order and, at your
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<PAGE>
account and risk, to hold responsible the originating dealer or
broker, or investor. You agree promptly to reimburse the Fund for
losses suffered by it that are attributable to any such
cancellation, or to errors on your part in relation to the
effective date of accepted purchase orders, limited to the amount
that such losses exceed contemporaneous gains realized by the
Fund for either of such reasons with respect to other purchase
orders.
(d) In the case of a canceled purchase for the account of a directly
purchasing shareholder, the Fund agrees that if such investor
fails to make you whole for any loss you pay to the Fund on such
canceled purchase order, the Fund will reimburse you for such
loss to the extent of the aggregate redemption proceeds of any
other shares of the Fund owned by such investor, on your demand
that the Fund exercise its right to claim such redemption
proceeds. The Fund shall register or cause to be registered all
Shares sold to you pursuant to the provisions hereof in such
names and amounts as you may request from time to time and the
Fund shall issue or cause to be issued certificates evidencing
such Shares for delivery to you or pursuant to your direction if
and to the extent that the shareholder account in question
contemplates the issuance of such certificates. All Shares, when
so issued and paid for, shall be fully paid and non-assessable by
the Fund (which shall not prevent the imposition of any CDSC that
may apply) to the extent set forth in the current Prospectus
and/or SAI.
5. Repurchase of Shares.
(a) In connection with the repurchase of Shares, you are appointed and
shall act as Agent of the Fund. You are authorized, for so long
as you act as General Distributor of the Fund, to repurchase,
from authorized dealers, certificated or uncertificated shares of
the Fund ("Shares") on the basis of orders received from each
dealer ("authorized dealer") with which you have a dealer
agreement for the sale of Shares and permitting resales of Shares
to you, provided that such authorized dealer, at the time of
placing such resale order, shall represent (i) if such Shares are
represented by certificate(s), that certificate(s) for the Shares
to be repurchased have been delivered to it by the registered
owner with a request for the redemption of such Shares executed
in the manner and with the signature guarantee required by the
then- currently effective prospectus of the Fund, or (ii) if such
Shares are uncertificated, that the registered owner(s) has
delivered to the dealer a request for the redemption of such
Shares executed in the manner and with the signature guarantee
required by the then-currently effective prospectus of the Fund.
(b) You shall (a) have the right in your discretion to accept or
reject orders for the repurchase of Shares; (b) promptly transmit
confirmations of all accepted repurchase orders; and (c) transmit
a copy of such confirmation to the Fund, or, if so directed, to
any duly appointed transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the
Fund. In your discretion, you may accept repurchase requests made
by a financially responsible dealer which provides you with
indemnification in form satisfactory to you in consideration of
your acceptance of such dealer's request in lieu of the written
redemption request of the owner of the account; you agree that
the Fund shall be a
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<PAGE>
third party beneficiary of such indemnification.
(c) Upon receipt by the Fund or its duly appointed transfer or
shareholder servicing agent of any certificate(s) (if any has
been issued) for repurchased Shares and a written redemption
request of the registered owner(s) of such Shares executed in the
manner and bearing the signature guarantee required by the
then-currently effective Prospectus or SAI of the Fund, the Fund
will pay or cause its duly appointed transfer or shareholder
servicing agent promptly to pay to the originating authorized
dealer the redemption price of the repurchased Shares (other than
repurchased Shares subject to the provisions of part (d) of
Section 5 of this Agreement) next determined after your receipt
of the dealer's repurchase order.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of part (c) of Section 5 of this
Agreement, repurchase orders received from an authorized dealer
after the determination of the Fund's redemption price on a
regular business day will receive that day's redemption price if
the request to the dealer by its customer to arrange such
repurchase prior to the determination of the Fund's redemption
price that day complies with the requirements governing such
requests as stated in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
(e) You will make every reasonable effort and take all reasonably
available measures to assure the accurate performance of all
services to be performed by you hereunder within the requirements
of any statute, rule or regulation pertaining to the redemption
of shares of a regulated investment company and any requirements
set forth in the then-current Prospectus and/or SAI of the Fund.
You shall correct any error or omission made by you in the
performance of your duties hereunder of which you shall have
received notice in writing and any necessary substantiating data;
and you shall hold the Fund harmless from the effect of any
errors or omissions which might cause an over- or
under-redemption of the Fund's Shares and/or an excess or non-
payment of dividends, capital gains distributions, or other
distributions.
(f) In the event an authorized dealer initiating a repurchase order
shall fail to make delivery or otherwise settle such order in
accordance with the rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., you shall have the right to cancel such
repurchase order and, at your account and risk, to hold
responsible the originating dealer. In the event that any
cancellation of a Share repurchase order or any error in the
timing of the acceptance of a Share repurchase order shall result
in a gain or loss to the Fund, you agree promptly to reimburse
the Fund for any amount by which any losses shall exceed
then-existing gains so arising.
6. 1933 Act Registration. The Fund has delivered to you a copy of its current
Prospectus and SAI. The Fund agrees that it will use its best efforts to
continue the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act. The
Fund further agrees to prepare and file any amendments to its Registration
Statement as may be necessary and any supplemental data in order to comply with
the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish you at your expense with a reasonable number
of copies of the Prospectus and SAI and any amendments thereto for use in
connection with the sale of Shares.
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<PAGE>
7. 1940 Act Registration. The Fund has already registered under the 1940 Act as
an investment company, and it will use its best efforts to maintain such
registration and to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
8. State Blue Sky Qualification. At your request, the Fund will take such steps
as may be necessary and feasible to qualify Shares for sale in states,
territories or dependencies of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in foreign countries, in accordance with the
laws thereof, and to renew or extend any such qualification; provided, however,
that the Fund shall not be required to qualify shares or to maintain the
qualification of shares in any jurisdiction where it shall deem such
qualification disadvantageous to the Fund.
9. Duties of Distributor You agree that:
(a) Neither you nor any of your officers will take any long or short
position in the Shares, but this provision shall not prevent you or
your officers from acquiring Shares for investment purposes only;
(b) You shall furnish to the Fund any pertinent information required to be
inserted with respect to you as General Distributor within the purview
of the Securities Act of 1933 in any reports or registration required
to be filed with any governmental authority; and
(c) You will not make any representations inconsistent with the information
contained in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
(d) You shall maintain such records as may be reasonably required for the
Fund or its transfer or shareholder servicing agent to respond to
shareholder requests or complaints, and to permit the Fund to maintain
proper accounting records, and you shall make such records available
to the Fund and its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent upon
request.
(e) In performing under this Agreement, you shall comply with all
requirements of the Fund's current Prospectus and/or SAI and all
applicable laws, rules and regulations with respect to the purchase,
sale and distribution of Shares.
10. Allocation of Costs. The Fund shall pay the cost of composition and printing
of sufficient copies of its Prospectus and SAI as shall be required for periodic
distribution to its shareholders and the expense of registering Shares for sale
under federal securities laws. You shall pay the expenses normally attributable
to the sale of Shares, other than as paid under the Fund's Distribution Plan
under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, including the cost of printing and mailing of
the Prospectus (other than those furnished to existing shareholders) and any
sales literature used by you in the public sale of the Shares and for
registering such shares under state blue sky laws pursuant to paragraph 8.
11. Duration. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first written above,
and shall supersede any and all prior General Distributor's Agreements by and
among the Fund and you. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to paragraph 12
hereof, this Agreement shall remain in effect until December 31, 1998. This
Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided
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<PAGE>
that such continuance shall be specifically approved at least annually: (a) by
the Fund's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the voting securities
of the Fund; and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not
parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of any such person, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
12. Termination This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the General Distributor
at any time without penalty by giving sixty days' written notice (which notice
may be waived by the Fund); (b) by the Fund at any time without penalty upon
sixty days' written notice to the General Distributor (which notice may be
waived by the General Distributor); or (c) by mutual consent of the Fund and the
General Distributor, provided that such termination by the Fund shall be
directed or approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In the
event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund, the General Distributor shall be
entitled to be paid the CDSC under paragraph 3 hereof on the redemption proceeds
of Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
13. Assignment. This Agreement may not be amended or changed except in writing
and shall be binding upon and shall enure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors; however, this Agreement shall not be assigned
by either party and shall automatically terminate upon assignment.
14. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The General Distributor understands and
agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding
upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund
and the Fund's property; the General Distributor represents that it has notice
of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, as may be amended or restated
from time to time, of the Fund disclaiming shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Fund.
15. Section Headings The headings of each section is for descriptive purposes
only, and such headings are not to be construed or interpreted as part of this
Agreement.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, so indicate by
signing in the space provided below.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
Accepted:
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By: ---------------------------
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President & Secretary
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OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this ____ day of ____, 1998, between OPPENHEIMER CORE
EQUITY FUND, a business trust organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal office and place of business
at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 (hereinafter called the
"Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation authorized to do a
banking business, having its principal office and place of business at 48 Wall
Street, New York, New York 10286 (hereinafter called the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH, that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, shall have the
following meanings:
1. "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all Appendices and
Certifications described in the Exhibits delivered in connection herewith.
2. "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether or not such person is an
Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund
and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other
Certificate as June be received by the Custodian from time to time, provided
that each person who is designated in any such Certificate as an "Officer of
OSS" shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII
hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system
for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or successors and
its nominee or nominees.
4. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to Securities
other than Index, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities.
5. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in
writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian
which is actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the
Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Officers. The term
Certificate shall also include instructions by the Fund to the Custodian
communicated by a
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Terminal Link.
6. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a clearing
member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities exchange
qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any broker-dealer
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.
7. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated which is
specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as security for,
and in consideration of, the Cus todian's issuance of any Put Option guarantee
letter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article V herein.
8. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities (excluding Futures Contracts) which are
owned by the writer thereof.
9. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall further mean
and include any other person authorized to act as a depository under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its nominee or
nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian, including, without limitation, a Foreign Depository.
10. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy or sell
financial instruments on a U.S. commodities exchange or board of trade at a
specified future time at an agreed upon price.
11. "Foreign Subcustodian" shall mean an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as defined
in Rule 17-5 which is appointed by the Custodian to perform or coordinate the
receipt, custody and delivery of Foreign Property of the Fund outside the United
States in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Agreement and whose
written contract is approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund in accordance
with Rule 17f-5. References to the Custodian herein shall, when appropriate,
include reference to its Foreign Subcustodians.
12. "Foreign Depository" shall mean an entity organized under the laws of a
foreign country which operates a system outside the United States in general use
by foreign banks and securities bro kers for the central or transnational
handling of securities or equivalent book-entries which is regulated by a
foreign government or agency thereof and which is an "Eligible Foreign
Custodian" as defined in Rule 17f-5.
13. "Foreign Securities" shall mean securities and/or short term paper as
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Act, whether issued in registered or bearer
form.
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<PAGE>
14. "Foreign Property" shall mean Foreign Securities and money of any currency
which is held outside of the United States.
15. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or Index
Futures Contracts.
16. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an Option with respect to a Futures
Contract.
17. "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
18. "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement pursuant to which
the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the value of a particular
index at the close of the last business day of the contract and the price at
which the futures contract is originally struck.
19. "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling the holder,
upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by reference to
the difference between the exercise price and the value of the index on the date
of exercise.
20. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the name of the
Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or
Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement between the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or a Clearing
Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and distinct from the custody
account, in which certain Securities and/or money of the Fund shall be deposited
and withdrawn from time to time in connection with such transactions as the Fund
June from time to time determine. Securities held in the Book-Entry System or a
Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited in, or withdrawn from, a
Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting an appropriate entry in its books
and records.
21. "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments and obligations commonly
known as a money market instruments, where the purchase and sale of such
securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as such
purchase or sale, including, without limitation, certain Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and/or
principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by
any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements with
respect to Securities and bank time deposits.
22. "Nominee" shall mean, in addition to the name of the registered nominee of
the Custodian, (i) a partnership or other entity of a Foreign Subcustodian which
is used solely for the assets of its customers other than the Custodian and the
Foreign Subcustodian, if any, by which it was appointed; or (ii) the nominee of
a Foreign Depository which is used for the securities and other assets of its
customers, members or participants.
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<PAGE>
23. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing agency
registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its
successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.
24. "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, and
any other person or persons, whether or not any such other person is an officer
or employee of the Fund, but in each case only if duly authorized by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other
instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as
Appendix B or such other Certificate as June be received by the Custodian from
time to time; provided that each person who is designated in any such
Certificate as holding the position of "Officer of OSS" shall be an Officer only
for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
25. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Index Option and/or
a Put Option.
26. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person.
27. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to
instruments, currency, or Securities other than Index Options, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely
exercise and tender of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or
Securities, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the writer
thereof for the exercise price.
28. "Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which the Fund
buys Securities and agrees to resell such Securities at a described or specified
date and price.
29. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which the
Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a described or
specified date and price.
30. "Rule 17f-5" shall mean Rule 17f-5 (Reg. Section 270.17f-5) promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
31. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money Market
Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Index Options, Index Futures Contracts,
Index Futures Contract Options, Fin ancial Futures Contracts, Financial Futures
Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over the counter Options on
Securities, common stocks and other securities having characteristics similar to
common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations issued by state or municipal
governments and by public authorities, (including, without limitation, general
obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial bonds and industrial development
bonds), bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any
certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to
receive, purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing
any other rights or interest therein, or rights to any property or assets.
32. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and specifically
allocated to
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a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a segregated account, by
recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in which certain Securities
and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated to such Series shall be
deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance with Certificates
received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions as the Fund June
from time to time determine.
33. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as described
from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the Fund, except
that if the Fund does not have more than one portfolio, "Series" shall mean the
Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only one portfolio.
34. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund and its
Series.
35. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link between the
Fund and the Custodian requiring in connection with each use of the Terminal
Link the use of an authorization code provided by the Custodian and at least two
access codes established by the Fund, provided, that the Fund shall have
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate substantially in the form of Appendix
C.
36. "Transfer Agent" shall mean OppenheimerFunds Services, a division of
OppenheimerFunds, Inc., its successors and assigns.
37. "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in the name of the Fund, or
the Transfer Agent, as agent for the Fund, maintained with United Missouri Bank
or such other Bank designated by the Fund in a Certificate.
38. "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably be lieved by the Custodian to be an
Authorized Person by telex or any other such system whereby the receiver of such
communications is able to verify by codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree
of certainty the identity of the sender of such communication.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of the
Securities and moneys at any time owned or held by the Fund during the period of
this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees to
perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except for monies received and maintained in the Transfer Agent Account, or
as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article or in Article VIII or XV,
the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities
and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this Agreement, and
shall specify with respect to such Securities and money the Series to which the
same are specifically allocated, and the Custodian shall not be responsible for
any Securities or money not so delivered. Except for assets held at DTC, the
Custodian shall physically segregate, keep and maintain the Securities of the
Series separate and apart from each other Series and from other assets held by
the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the
Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually
received by it, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in
willful misconduct with respect thereto. The Custodian will be entitled to
reverse any credit of money made on the Fund's behalf where such credits have
been previously made and moneys are not finally collected, unless the Custodian
has been negligent or has engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto;
provided that if such reversal is thirty (30) days or more after the credit was
issued, the Custodian will give five (5) days' prior notice of such reversal.
The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and on-going basis to
deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein,
regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated and to
utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with its
performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit of
Securities specifically allocated to a Series in any Depository, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving, authorizing and
instructing the Custodian on a continuous and ongo ing basis until instructed to
the contrary by a Certificate to deposit in such Depository all Securities
specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit therein, and to
utilize such Depository to the extent possible with respect to such Securities
in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of
Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Securities and
moneys deposited in either the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for
customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian acts
in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically allocated on
the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable Series. Prior
to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to Clearing
Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a Series as
provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous
and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to accept,
utilize and act in accordance with such confirma tions as provided in this
Agreement with respect to such Series. All Securities are to be held or disposed
of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to the instructions of, the
Fund pursuant
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to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall have no power or authority
to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Securities except as
provided by the terms of this Agreement, and shall have the sole power to
release and deliver Securities held pursuant to this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the name of
each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series all moneys
received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such Series. Money
credited to a separate account for a Series shall be subject only to drafts,
orders, or charges of the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement and shall be
disbursed by the Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Certificates or Resolutions of the Fund's Board of Trustees
certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund
setting forth the name and address of the person to whom the payment is to be
made, the Series account from which payment is to be made, the purpose for which
payment is to be made, and declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose; provided, however, that amounts representing dividends, distributions,
or redemptions proceeds with respect to Shares shall be paid only to the
Transfer Agent Account;
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series and authorized by this
Agreement; or
(d) Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest, taxes, management fees or
operating expenses (including, without limitation thereto, Board of Trustees'
fees and expenses, and fees for legal accounting and auditing services), which
Certificates set forth the name and address of the person to whom payment is to
be made, state the purpose of such payment and designate the Series for whose
account the payment is to be made.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis, of all
transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either hereunder or
with any co-custodian or subcustodian appointed in accordance with this
Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account of
the Fund for a Series but held in a Depository, the Custodian shall upon such
transfer also by book-entry or otherwise identify such Securities as belonging
to such Series in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the
Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and from time to time,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series
basis, of the Securities and moneys held under this Agreement for the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in Article
VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued or
issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the
Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held hereunder June be registered in the name of the Fund, in the
name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian
June from time to time determine,
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<PAGE>
or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a Depository or their successor or
successors, or their nominee or nominees. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in
proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of its registered nominee
or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a Depository any Securities which it
June hold hereunder and which June from time to time be registered in the name
of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such Securities specifically allocated
to a Series which are not held in the Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a
separate account in the name of such Series physically segregated at all times
from those of any other person or persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with respect to Securities held
hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for
the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:
(e) Promptly collect all income, dividends and distributions due or
payable;
(f) Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly present for payment and
collect the amount of money or other consideration payable upon such Securities
which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a written notice
of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more of the
publications listed in Appendix D annexed hereto, which June be amended at any
time by the Custodian without the prior consent of the Fund, provided the
Custodian gives prior notice of such amendment to the Fund;
(g) Promptly present for payment and collect for the Fund's account the
amount payable upon all Securities which mature;
(h) Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form in exchange for
definitive Securities;
(i) Promptly execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or
certificates of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect;
(j) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the Depository with
respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a Series, all rights
and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities held by the
Custodian for such Series hereunder; and
(k) Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, proxies, proxy soliciting
materials, consents and other written information (including, without
limitation, notices of tender offers and exchange offers, pendency of calls,
maturities of Securities and expiration of rights) relating to Securities held
pursuant to this Agreement which are actually received by the Custodian, such
proxies and other similar materials to be executed by the registered holder (if
Securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without
indicating the manner in which proxies or consents are to be voted.
6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian, directly or
through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:
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<PAGE>
(a) Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as June be designated in
such Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities held hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate June be exercised;
(b) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series specified
in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or paid in
connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any
right, warrant or conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other Securities received in
exchange;
(c) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series specified
in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization committee or
other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, and
receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series in exchange
there for such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as June be issued to it to evidence such delivery or such Securities
as June be issued upon such delivery; and
(d) Promptly present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
Securities which June be called as specified in the Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the Custodian shall
not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or certificate
representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures Contract Option
until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a Certificate from
the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are available. The
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later than the
business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or certificate.
Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 in connection with the purchase, sale,
settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures
Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in Certificates in
connection with any such purchase, sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon
its receipt from a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant of a statement
or confirmation reasonably believed by the Custodian to be in the form
customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future commission merchants with
respect to such Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the
case June be, confirming that such Security is held by such broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise in the name the
Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the
Margin Account and payments with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account
relates, shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available,
the Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, make payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract
Option for which such instruments or such certificates are available only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate,
and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt by
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the Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate delivered
to the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with,
and subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS,
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS,
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of Securities by the Fund, other
than a purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, a Futures Contract Option, a
Repurchase Agreement, a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or a Short Sale, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of Securities
which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to
each purchase of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, oral Instructions or
Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase: (a) the
Series to which such Securities are to be specifically allocated; (b) the name
of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of
purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the total amount
payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from whom or the broker
through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the clearing broker, if any;
and (h) the name of the broker or other party to whom payment is to be made.
Custodian shall, upon receipt of such Securities purchased by or for the Fund,
pay to the broker specified in the Certificate out of the moneys held for the
account of such Series the total amount payable upon such purchase, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
2. Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securities by the Fund, other than
a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option, Repurchase
Agreement, Reverse Repurchase Agreement or Short Sale, the Fund shall deliver
such to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Securities which are not
Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each sale of
Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which
such Securities were specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and
accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale
price per unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the
name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the
name of the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian shall
deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the broker in
accordance with generally accepted street practices and as specified in the
Certificate upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
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ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any Option by the Fund other
than a closing purchase transaction, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each Option purchased: (a) the Series to
which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or
call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security underlying such Option and the
number of Options, or the name of the in the case of an Index Option, the index
to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options purchased; (d) the
expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and
settlement; (g) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection with such
purchase; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Option was
purchased. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's written
statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such Clearing Member
for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and registered nominee
of the Custodian) as Custodian for the Fund, out of moneys held for the account
of the Series to which such Option is to be specifically allocated, the total
amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member through whom the
purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option purchased by the Fund,
other than a closing sale transaction, pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically allocated; (b)
the type of Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security
underlying such Option and the number of Options, or the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to
the delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which previously supplied
the confirmation described in preceding paragraph of this Article with respect
to such Option upon receipt by the Custodian of the total amount payable to the
Fund, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth
in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the Series to which
such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f)
the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of
the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option which was
exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to which
such Call Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to the
Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was exercised, provided that the
same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
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4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to which
such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f)
the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of
the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option,
deliver or direct a Depository to deliver the Securities specifically allocated
to such Series, provided the same conforms to the amount payable to the Fund as
set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the Series to
which such Index Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of Index Option
(put or call) (c) the number of Options being exercised; (d) the index to which
such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the
total amount to be received by the Fund in connection with such exercise; and
(h) the Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Covered
Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Covered
Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date
such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall deliver or cause
to be delivered, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate with
respect to such Covered Call Option, such receipts as are required in accordance
with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call
Options and shall impose, or direct a Depository to impose, upon the underlying
Securities specified in the Certificate specifically allocated to such Series
such restrictions as June be required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian has the right, upon prior written notification to the
Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any receipts for Securities in the
possession of the Custodian and not deposited with a Depository underlying a
Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct a Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in the
Certificate upon payment of the amount to be received as set forth in such
Certificate.
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8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the
Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares for which the Put Option is written and which
underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee letter
substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof, and
deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate upon
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the preceding
paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to the Put Option;
(c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are to be received;
(d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such Series and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, specifically allocated
to such series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Ac count. Upon
the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document issued by the Custodian in connection with such Put Option, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to the
Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth in such Certifi cate,
upon delivery of such Securities, and shall make the withdrawals specified in
such Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a)
the Series for which such Index Op tion was written; (b) whether such Index
Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of Options written; (d) the index to
which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g)
the Clearing Member through whom such Option was written; (h) the premium to be
received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (j) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and (k) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to
such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in which such
account is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the premium specified in the Certificate, make the deposits, if any, into the
Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate, and either (1) deliver
such receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed to issue,
which are in accordance with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members in
Index Options and make the deposits into the Collateral Account
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specified in the Certifi cate, or (2) make the deposits into the Margin Account
specified in the Certificate.
11. Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and described in the preceding
paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the
Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) such information as June be
necessary to identify the Index Option being exercised; (c) the Clearing Member
through whom such Index Option is being exercised; (d) the total amount payable
upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to be paid by or to the Fund; (e)
the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Secur ity Account for such
Series; and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such Series. Upon the return
and/or cancellation of the receipt, if any, delivered pursuant to the preceding
paragraph of this Article, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for
the account of the Series to which such Stock Index Option was specifically
allocated to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate the total amount
payable, if any, as specified therein.
12. Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale by the Fund of any Option
identical to a previously written Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or 10 of
this Article in a transaction ex pressly designated as a "Closing Purchase
Transaction" or a "Closing Sale Transaction", the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a
Closing Sale Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was written; (c)
the instrument, currency, or Security subject to the Option, or, in the case of
an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or the
amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option
(put or call); (h) the date of such purchase or sale; (i) the name of the
Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be paid or from whom the amount is to
be received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified
Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for such Series. Upon the
Custodian's payment of the premium or receipt of the amount, as the case June
be, specified in the Certificate and the return and/or cancellation of any
receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to
the Option being liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the
Closing Sale Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or direct a Depository to
remove, the previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the
Call Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as June be specified in a Certificate
received in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.
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14. Securities acquired by the Fund through the exercise of an Option described
in this Article shall be subject to Article IV hereof.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures Contract,
(or with respect to any number of identical Futures Contract (s)): (a) the
Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered; (b) the category of
Futures Contract (the name of the underlying index or financial instrument); (c)
the number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the delivery or
settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures Contract(s)
was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund is buying
(going long) or selling (going short) such Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract was entered into;
and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to whom such amount is to be
paid. The Custodian shall make the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The
Custodian shall make payment out of the moneys specifically allocated to such
Series of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the Certificate and
deposit in the Senior Security Account for such Series the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities specified in said Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be made by
the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a broker, dealer,
or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an outstanding
Futures Contract shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is retained by
the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures Contract, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian prior to the delivery or settlement date a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and the Series to which the
same relates; (b) with respect to an Index Futures Contract, the total cash
settlement amount to be paid or received, and with respect to a Financial
Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount of cash to be delivered or
received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to or from whom
payment or delivery is to be made or received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or
Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall make the payment or delivery specified in the Certificate, and
delete such Futures Contract from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant
to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.
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4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a Futures
Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically al located to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as June be specified in the Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any Futures Contract Option by
the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which such Option is
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call);
(c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as June be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon
such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker, or futures
commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series the total amount to be paid
upon such purchase to the broker or futures commissions merchant through whom
the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount set forth
in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Futures Contract Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a)
Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the
type of Future Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract
and such other information as June be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the
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amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the
moneys and Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments of
money, if any, and the deposits of Securities, if any, into the Senior Security
Account as specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the
Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures
Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option was
written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of
Futures Contract and such other information as June be necessary to identify the
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium
is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated to
such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Ac count, if any, as specified
in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and which is
a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits,
if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified
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in the Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account,
if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
7. Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a purchase of any Futures
Contract Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract Option
described in this Article in order to liqui date its position as a writer of
such Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to the Futures Contract Option being
purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b)
that the transaction is a closing transaction; (c) the type of Future Contract
and such other information as June be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium
to be paid by the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the broker or
futures commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall effect the
withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate. The
withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accor dance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing transaction with
respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Cus todian shall (a) delete such Futures Contract
Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein and (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in the case of an
exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as June be specified in
a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if
any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Margin Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a Futures
Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after the execution of any short sales of Securities by any Series
of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) the Series for which such short sale was made; (b) the name of the
issuer-and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the
sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited
to the Fund upon such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and
the name in which such Margin Account has been or is to be established; (h) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited
in a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom such
short sale was made. The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from
such broker confirming such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund
upon such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker
for the account of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian
of the
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Fund, issue a receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and the
Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a purchase to close-out any short sale of
Securities, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such closing out: (a) the Series for which such
transaction is being made; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or the principal amount, and accrued interest
or dividends, if any, required to effect such closing-out to be delivered to the
broker; (d) the dates of closing-out and set tlement; (e) the purchase price per
unit; (f) the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g)
the net total amount payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount
of cash and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the
Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of
the broker through whom the Fund is effecting such closing- out. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out, and the return and/or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued
by the Custodian with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount
payable to the broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the
Senior Security Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REPURCHASE AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement with respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the event such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security,
a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions specifying: (a) the
Series for which the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is
entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the Fund in connection with such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated
to such Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d) the amount
and kind of Securities to be delivered or received by the Fund to or from such
broker, dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date of such Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Secu rities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in a Senior Security Account for such Series in connection with
such Reverse Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the
total amount payable to or by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions make or accept the delivery to or from the
broker, dealer, or financial institution and the deposits, if any, to the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall
promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event such Repurchase Agreement or
Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions to the Custodian specifying: (a) the
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Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and the
Series for which same was entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the
Fund in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities
to be received or delivered by the Fund and specifically allocated to such
Series in connection with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the
name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be terminated; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Securities Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt or delivery of the amount and kind of Securities or cash to be re ceived
or delivered by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions, make or receive the payment to or from the broker, dealer,
or financial institution and make the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
3. The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions described in
paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article June with respect to any particular
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement be combined and delivered
to the Custodian at the time of entering into such Repurchase Agreement or
Reverse Repurchase Agreement.
ARTICLE X
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically allocated to a
Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated;
(b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, (c) the number of
shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery, (e)
the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any,
separately identified, and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial in
stitution to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the Securities
thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial institution to which the loan
was made upon receipt of the total amount designated in the Certificate as to be
delivered against the loan of Securities. The Custodian June accept payment in
connection with a delivery otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or a
Depository only in the form of a certified or bank cashier's check payable to
the order of the Fund or the Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds.
2. In connection with each termination of a loan of Securities by the Fund, the
Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of Securities:
(a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be returned, (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d) the date of
termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian (including
the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting credits as
described in said Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian
shall receive all Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which such Securities were loaned and
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upon receipt thereof shall pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the
Fund, the total amount payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in
the Certificate.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Account and from time to time
make such deposits thereto, or withdrawals therefrom, as specified in a
Certificate. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which such deposit or
withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in, or
withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series. In the event that
the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer,
the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior
Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any such
deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund that no such deposit
has been made.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin Account to the
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose name, or
for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in the Margin
Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with respect
to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt with in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall to the extent permitted by the Fund's Declaration of
Trust, investment restrictions and the Investment Company Act of 1940 have a
continuing lien and security interest in and to any property at any time held by
the Custodian in any Collateral Account described herein. In accordance with
applicable law the Custodian June enforce its lien and realize on any such
property whenever the Custodian has made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document or any receipt issued hereunder by
the Custodian; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be required to
issue any Put Option guarantee letter unless it shall have received an opinion
of counsel to the Fund or its investment adviser that the issuance of such
letters is authorized by the Fund and that the Custodian's continuing lien and
security interest is valid, enforceable and not limited by the Declaration of
Trust, any investment restrictions or the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event the Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are
less than the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or
similar document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the
Custodian by the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement
with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are held
specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a) the
name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held therein;
and (c) the amount of money held therein. The Custodian shall make
21
<PAGE>
available upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the
Fund with respect to such Margin Account.
6. The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account and from time to time
shall make such deposits thereto as June be specified in a Certificate. Promptly
after the close of business on each business day in which cash and/or Securities
are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such Collateral Account
specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities held
therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the delivery to the
Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate or
Written Instructions specifying the then market value of the Securities
described in such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated to
be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any outstanding Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document, the Fund shall promptly specify in
a Certificate the additional cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such
Collateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,
either (i) setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date
of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof,
the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the
payment date, or (ii) authorizing with respect to the Series specified therein
and the declaration of dividends and distributions thereon the Custodian to rely
on Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or a Certificate setting forth the
date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions, or Certificate, as the case June be, the Custodian shall
pay to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series specified therein the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent Account
and with respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver or cause to be
delivered, to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
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<PAGE>
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale of
such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in the name of
such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Fund's General Distributor, the Custodian
shall credit such money to the separate account in the name of the Series for
which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the Custodian shall pay, out of the
money held for the account of such Series, all original issue or other taxes
required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the Custodian to
make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in connection with
a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person setting forth the Series
and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and that such
Shares are in good form for re demption, the Custodian shall make payment to the
Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held in the separate account in the
name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate issued pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any
Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by the Custodian in
the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total
amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions or which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to
the Custodian with respect to a Series, (except a borrowing for investment or
for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a
separate agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this
Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by
the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear
interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day year for
the actual number of days involved) equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2%,
such rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such Federal
Funds Rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, unless the
Fund has given a Certificate that the Custodian shall not impose a lien and
security interest to secure such overdrafts (in which event it shall not do so),
the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in the
aggregate amount of such over drafts and indebtedness as June from time to time
exist in and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at any time
held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the Fund June have an
interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or control or in possession
or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any money
balance in an account standing in the name of such Series' credit on the
Custodian's books. In addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each Business
Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or
otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on
which at the close of business the Fund had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time,
advise the Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the
Series to which the same relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness,
including pursuant to any Reverse Repurchase Agreement, not so specified other
than from the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank (including,
if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian) from which
it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using
Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, a
notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by any such bank setting
forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a
stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to
which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount and terms
of the borrowing, which June be set forth by incorporating by reference an
attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement,
(d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e)
the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (f) the total amount payable
to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) the market value of Securities to be
delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the
title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities, and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment
purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in
conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information. The Custodian shall deliver on the
borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral and the
executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the
total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian June, at the
option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such
collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by
virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver
such Securities as additional collateral as June be specified in a Certificate
to collateralize further any transaction described in this paragraph. The Fund
shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned
directly to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive from time to time
such return of collateral as June be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund
fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title
and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be
delivered as collateral by the Custodian, to any such bank, the Custodian shall
not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE XV
CUSTODY OF ASSETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
1. The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as its agent, as
subcustodians for the securities and other assets of the Fund maintained outside
of the United States the Foreign Subcus todians and Foreign Depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto. Except as provided in Schedule A, the Custodian
shall employ no other Foreign Custodian or Foreign Depository. The Custodian and
the Fund June amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to agree to designate
any additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository with which the
Custodian has an agreement for such entity to act as the Custodian's agent, as
subcustodian, and which the Custodian in its absolute discretion proposes to
utilize to hold any of the Fund's Foreign Property. Upon receipt of a Cer
tificate or Written Instructions from the Fund, the Custodian shall cease the
employment of any one or more of such subcustodians for maintaining custody of
the Fund's assets and such custodian shall be deemed deleted from Schedule A.
2. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other assets maintained in the
custody of the Foreign Subcustodians to: (a) "foreign securities," as defined in
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b)
cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the Fund June determine to be
reasonably necessary to effect the foreign securities transactions of the Fund.
3. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the
Foreign Securities held by each Foreign Subcustodian.
4. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Subcustodian
shall be substantially in the form reviewed and approved by the Fund and will
not be amended in a way that materially affects the Fund without the Fund's
prior written consent and shall:
(a) require that such institution establish custody account(s) for the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in each such account
securities and other assets of the fund, and, in the event that such institution
deposits the securities of the Fund in a Foreign Depository, that it shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Fund or the Custodian, as agent for
the Fund, the securities so deposited;
(b) provide that:
(1) the assets of the Fund will not be subject to any right, charge,
security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Foreign
Subcustodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody
or administration;
(2) beneficial ownership for the assets of the Fund will be freely
transferable without the payment of money or value other than for custody or
administration;
(3) adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as
belonging to the Fund;
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<PAGE>
(4) the independent public accountants for the Fund will be given
access to the books and records of the Foreign Subcustodian relating to its
actions under its agreement with the Cus todian or confirmation of the contents
of those records;
(5) the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of the Fund's assets, including, but not necessarily limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from the custody account(s); and
(6) assets of the Fund held by the Foreign Subcustodian will be
subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance
of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
connection with the institution's performance of such obligations, with the
exception of any such losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or claims
arising as a result of an act of God. At the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claims against a Foreign Subcustodian as a conse quence of any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim of or to the Fund, if and to the
extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
5. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written Instructions, which June be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall on behalf of the Fund make or cause its Foreign Subcustodian to transfer,
exchange or deliver securities owned by the Fund, except to the extent
explicitly prohibited therein. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written
Instructions, which June be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall on behalf of the fund pay out or cause its
Foreign Subcustodians to pay out monies of the Fund. The Custodian shall use all
means reasonably available to it, including, if specifically authorized by the
Fund in a Certificate, any necessary litigation at the cost and expense of the
Fund (except as to matters for which the Custodian is responsible hereunder) to
require or compel each Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository to perform the
services required of it by the agreement between it and the Custodian authorized
pursuant to this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall maintain all books and records as shall be necessary to
enable the Custodian readily to perform the services required of it hereunder
with respect to the Fund's Foreign Properties. The Custodians shall supply to
the Fund from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the Foreign Securities and other Foreign Properties of the Fund held by Foreign
Subcustodians, directly or through Foreign Depositories, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's Foreign
Securities and other assets, an advice or other notification of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained for the Fund or the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities acquired for the
Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
The Custodian shall promptly and faithfully transmit all reports and information
received pertaining to the Foreign
25
<PAGE>
Property of the Fund, including, without limitation, notices or reports of
corporate action, proxies and proxy soliciting materials.
7. Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to
arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the
books and records of any Foreign Subcustodian, or confirmation of the contents
thereof, insofar as such books and records relate to the Foreign Property of the
Fund or the performance of such Foreign Subcustodian under its agreement with
the Custodian; provided that any litigation to afford such access shall be at
the sole cost and expense of the Fund.
8. The Custodian recognizes that employment of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign
Depository for the Fund's Foreign Securities and Foreign Property is permitted
by Section 17(f) of the In vestment Company Act of 1940 only upon compliance
with Section (a) of Rule 17f-5 promulgated thereunder. With respect to the
Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories identified on Schedule A, the
Custodian represents that it has furnished the Fund with certain materials
prepared by the Custodian and with such other information in the possession of
the Custodian as the Fund advised the Custodian was reasonably necessary to
assist the Board of Trustees of the Fund in making the determinations required
of the Board of Trustees by Rule 17f-5, including, without limitation,
consideration of the matters set forth in the Notes to Rule 17f-5. If the
Custodian recommends any additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository,
the Custodian shall supply information similar in kind and scope to that
furnished pursuant to the preceding sentence. Further, the Custodian shall
furnish annually to the Fund, at such time as the Fund and Custodian shall
mutually agree, information concerning each Foreign Subcustodian and Foreign
Depository then identified on Schedule A similar in kind and scope to that
furnished pursuant to the preceding two sentences.
9. The Custodian's employment of any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository
shall constitute a representation that the Custodian believes in good faith that
such Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository provides a level of safeguards
for maintaining the Fund's assets not materially different from that provided by
the Custodian in maintaining the Fund's securities in the United States. In
addition, the Custodian shall monitor the financial condition and general
operational performance of the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories
and shall promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian has actual
knowledge of a material adverse change in the financial condition thereof or
that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that the shareholders' equity
of any Foreign Subcustodian will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million , or that the Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository has breached
the agreement between it and the Custodian in a way that the Custodian believes
adversely affects the Fund. Further, the Custodian shall advise the Fund if it
believes that there is a material adverse change in the operating environment of
any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVI
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the performance of its duties
hereunder, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor its
nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees,
resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or
under any Margin Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage arising
out of its own negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of the
subcustodians or co-custodians appointed by the Custodian or of the officers,
employees, or agents of any of them. The Custodian June, with respect to
questions of law arising hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply
for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of
the Fund, or of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in
conformity with such advice or opinion. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or
any Depository arising by reason of any negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to
inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The validity (but not the authenticity) of the issue of any Securities
purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase,
sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received
therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written In
structions;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety
of the amount to be received or paid therefor, as specified in a Certificate;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the Fund,
as specified in a resolution, Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities as
collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that the cash collateral
delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at
any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the Fund is ade
quate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of
such loan, except that this subparagraph shall not excuse any liability the
Custodian June have for failing to act in accordance with Article X hereof or
any Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given in accordance
with this Agreement. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation,
shall not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the
Fund that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is
sufficient collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the
sole responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no
duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to
which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent
27
<PAGE>
pursuant to Article X of this Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or
interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period
of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however, that the
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or
interest are not paid and received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held
in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral Account in
connection with transactions by the Fund, except that this subparagraph shall
not excuse any liability the Custodian June have for failing to establish,
maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals from such accounts in accordance with
this Agreement. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation
to see that any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member
makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment
which the Fund June be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any payment received by the
Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of
the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the Custodian of,
any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or other instrument
for the payment of money, recei ved by it on behalf of the Fund until the
Custodian actually receives such money directly or by the final crediting of the
account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry System or the
Depository.
4. With respect to Securities held in a Depository, except as otherwise provided
in paragraph 5(b) of Article III hereof, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility and shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any
calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes or similar
matters relating to such Securities, unless the Custodian shall have actually
received timely notice from the Depository in which such Securities are held. In
no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility or liability for the
failure of a Depository to collect, or for the late collection or late crediting
by a Depository of any amount payable upon Securities deposited in a Depository
which June mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable.
However, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on
Securities held in a Depository the Custodian shall make a claim against the
Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding
in respect to any Securities held by a Depository which in its opinion June
involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against
all expense and liability be furnished as often as June be required, or
alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to such claim against the Depository should it so request in a
Certificate. This paragraph shall not, however, excuse any failure by the
Custodian to act in accordance with a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to
effect collection of any amount due the Fund from the Transfer Agent of the Fund
nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent
of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent of the
Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
28
<PAGE>
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to
effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such amount is
payable are in default, or if payment is refused after the Custodian has timely
and properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made due demand or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action, but the Custodian
shall have such a duty if the Securities were not in default on the payable date
and the Custodian failed to timely and properly make such demand for payment and
such failure is the reason for the non-receipt of payment.
7. The Custodian June, with the prior approval of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, appoint one or more banking institutions as subcustodian or subcustodians,
or as co-Custodian or co-Custo dians, of Securities and moneys at any time owned
by the Fund, upon such terms and conditions as June be approved in a Certificate
or contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and the
appointed institution; provided, however, that appointment of any foreign
banking institution or depository shall be subject to the provisions of Article
XV hereof.
8. The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against and save the Fund harmless
from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including attorney's
fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of the negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct of any subcustodian of the Securities and moneys owned by the
Fund.
9. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to ascertain
whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it, for the account
of the Fund and specifically allo cated to a Series are such as properly June be
held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then current
prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or
not involving the Custodian, are such transactions as June properly be engaged
in by the Fund.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay to the
Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as June be
agreed upon in writing from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund. The
Custodian June charge such compensation, and any such expenses with respect to a
Series incurred by the Custodian in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement against any money specifically allocated to such Series. The Custodian
shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the account of
a Series the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel
fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of
this Agreement attributable to, or arising out of, its serving as Custodian for
such Series. The expenses for which the Custodian shall be entitled to
reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
subcustodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in settling outside
of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale of Securities of
the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to effecting any charge
for compensation, expenses, or any overdraft or indebtedness or interest
thereon, submit an invoice therefor to the Fund.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice or
other instrument in writing, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions received
by the Custodian and reasonably believed
29
<PAGE>
by the Custodian to be genuine. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a
Certificate or facsimile thereof confirming Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions in such manner so that such Certificate or facsimile thereof is
received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar
device, or otherwise, by the close of business of the same day that such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions are given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees
that the fact that such confirming instructions are not received by the
Custodian shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions thereby authorized by the Fund. The Fund
agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder
concerning such transactions provided such instructions reasonably appear to
have been received from an Authorized Person.
12. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument, instruction or
notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin Account
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy of
any statements or representations contained in any such instrument or other
notice including, without limitation, any specification of any amount to be paid
to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member. This
paragraph shall not excuse any failure by the Custodian to have acted in
accordance with any Margin Agreement it has executed or any Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
13. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as described in Appendix E
hereto, which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be the property of
the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained by the
Custodian as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
other applicable Securities laws and rules and regulations. The Fund, or the
Fund's authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records
during the Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the
Fund, copies of any such books and re cords shall be provided by the Custodian
to the Fund or the Fund's authorized representative, and the Fund shall
reimburse the Custodian its expenses of providing such copies. Upon reasonable
req uest of the Fund, the Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on micro-film,
whichever the Custodian elects, any records included in any such delivery which
are maintained by the Custodian on a com puter disc, or are similarly
maintained, and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for its expenses of
providing such hard copy or micro-film.
14. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry system,
each Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund June reasonably request from time to time.
15. The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to the Fund a letter
prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the Custodian's internal
systems and controls in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other
investment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian.
16. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the Custodian
harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including
30
<PAGE>
attorney's fees, howsoever arising out of, or related to, the Custodian's
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except for any such
liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of the negligence, bad faith, or
willful misconduct of the Custodian, any co-Custodian or subcustodian appointed
by the Custodian, or that of the officers, employees, or agents of any of them.
17. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian shall
deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such Securities,
and shall make and receive payments only in accordance with the customs
prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such Securities and,
except as June otherwise be provided by this Agreement or as June be in
accordance with such customs, shall make payment for Securities only against
delivery thereof and deliveries of Securities only against payment therefor.
18. The Custodian will comply with the procedures, guidelines or restrictions
("Procedures") adopted by the Fund from time to time for particular types of
investments or transactions, e.g., Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, provided that the Custodian has received from the Fund a copy of
such Procedures. If within ten days after receipt of any such Procedures, the
Custodian determines in good faith that it is unreasonable for it to comply with
any new procedures, guidelines or restrictions set forth therein, it June within
such ten day period send notice to the Fund that it does not intend to comply
with those new procedures, guidelines or restrictions which it identifies with
particularity in such notice, in which event the Custodian shall not be required
to comply with such identified procedures, guidelines or restrictions; provided,
however, that, anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other
agreement with the Fund, if the Custodian identifies procedures, guidelines or
restrictions with which it does not intend to comply, the Fund shall be entitled
to terminate this Agreement without cost or penalty to the Fund upon thirty
days' written notice.
19. Whenever the Custodian has the authority to deduct monies from the account
for a series without a Certificate, it shall notify the Fund within one business
day of such deduction and the reason for it. Whenever the Custodian has the
authority to sell Securities or any other property of the Fund on behalf of any
Series without a Certificate, the Custodian will notify the Fund of its
intention to do so and afford the Fund the reasonable opportunity to select
which Securities or other property it wishes to sell on behalf of such Series.
If the Fund does not promptly sell sufficient Securities or Deposited Property
on behalf of the Series, then, after notice, the Custodian June proceed with the
intended sale.
20. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except
such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth or referred to in
this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.
31
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVII
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this Agreement shall
continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving to the Fund, or the
Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of such
termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after the date of the
giving of such notice. In the event such notice or a notice pursuant to
paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by an
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be eligible to serve as a custodian for the Securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event such notice is given by the Cus todian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,
designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such
designation by the Fund, the Custodian June designate a successor custodian
which shall be a bank or trust company eligible to serve as a custodian for
Securities of a management investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 and which is acceptable to the Fund. Upon the date set forth in such
notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a
notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to
the successor custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and
held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts
for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the Custodian in
accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon the date specified
in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by the
Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry System
which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund be
deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement arising thereafter,
other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System
which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in
accordance with this Agreement.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund June terminate this Agreement upon
the date specified in a written notice in the event of the "Bankruptcy" of The
Bank of New York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the term "Bankruptcy" shall
mean The Bank of New York's making a general assignment, arrangement or
composition with or for the benefit of its creditors, or instituting or having
instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or
bankruptcy or the entry of a order for relief under any applicable bankruptcy
law or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar
law affecting creditors rights, or if a petition is presented for the winding up
or liquidation of the party or a resolution is passed for its winding up or
liquidation, or it seeks, or becomes subject to, the appointment of an
administrator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or
for all or substantially all of its assets or its taking any action in
furtherance of, or indicating its consent to approval of, or acquiescence in,
any of the foregoing.
32
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVIII
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be obligated to have or
utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this Article shall apply if,
but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to utilize the
Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to the Custodian.
2. The Terminal Link shall be utilized only for the purpose of the Fund
providing Certificates to the Custodian and the Custodian providing notices to
the Fund and only after the Fund shall have established access codes and
internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the confidentiality and
availability of such access codes. Each use of the Terminal Link by the Fund
shall constitute a representation and warranty that at least two officers have
each utilized an access code that such internal safekeeping procedures have been
established by the Fund, and that such use does not contravene the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
3. Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all
equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications services,
necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the other party shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or
services, except that the Custodian shall not pay any communications costs of
any line leased by the Fund, even if such line is also used by the Custodian.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part of, or
through the Terminal Link and any proprietary data, software, processes,
information and documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public)
(collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property
of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses
the Information, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and
discretion it uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade
secrets, and shall neither make nor permit any disclosure without the express
prior written consent of the Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each Fund shall return to
the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in the Fund's
possession or under its control, or which the Fund distributed to third parties.
The provisions of this Article shall not affect the copyright status of any of
the Information which June be copyrighted and shall apply to all Infor mation
whether or not copyrighted.
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from time to
time without notice to the Fund, except that the Custodian shall give the Fund
notice not less than 75 days in ad vance of any modification which would
materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund agrees not to
modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the Custodian's prior
written consent. The Fund acknowledges that any software provided by the
Custodian as part of the Terminal Link is the property of the Custodian and,
accordingly, the Fund agrees that any modifications to the same, whether by the
Fund or the Custodian and whether with or without the
33
<PAGE>
Custodian's consent, shall become the property of the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it utilizes or the
Fund utilizes in connection with the Terminal Link makes any warranties or
representations, express or implied, in fact or in law, including but not
limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
8. Each party will cause its officers and employees to treat the authorization
codes and the access codes applicable to Terminal Link with extreme care, and
irrevocably authorizes the other to act in accordance with and rely on
Certificates and notices received by it through the Terminal Link. Each party
acknowledges that it is its responsibility to assure that only its authorized
persons use the Terminal Link on its behalf, and that a party shall not be
responsible nor liable for use of the Terminal Link on behalf of the other party
by unauthorized persons of such other party.
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
party shall have any liability to the other for any losses, damages, injuries,
claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or error in
the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the Terminal Link except
for money damages for those suffered as the result of the negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct of such party or its officers, employees or agents in an
amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000; provided, however, that a party
shall have no liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to comply
with the provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event shall either
party or any manufacturer or supplier of its computer equipment, software or
services relating to the Terminal Link be responsible for any special, indirect,
incidental or consequential damages which the other party June incur or
experience by reason of its use of the Terminal Link even if such party, manufac
turer or supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages, nor with
respect to the use of the Terminal Link shall either party or any such
manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts of God, or with respect to the
following to the extent beyond such person's reasonable control: machine or
computer breakdown or malfunction, interruption or malfunction of communication
facilities, labor difficulties or any other similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, and (ii) in the case of any error, the date of actual receipt
of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that discovery
and receipt of notice June only occur on a business day. The Custodian shall
promptly advise the Fund whenever the Custodian learns of any errors, omissions
or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of a Certificate
or a notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the other party by use
of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or notice, and in the
absence of such verification the party to which the Certificate or notice is
sent shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such
Certificate or notice and the sending party June not claim that such Certificate
or notice was received by the other party.
34
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of the present
Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the signatures
of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian a
new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such present Authorized
Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or in the event that other or
additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new
Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to
act upon Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent
provided by this Agreement.
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of the present
Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the signatures
of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian
a new Certificate in similar form in the event any such present officer ceases
to be an officer of the Fund, or in the event that other or additional officers
are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be received, the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to act upon the signatures of the
officers as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent provided
by this Agreement.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Custodian, other than any Certificate or Written
Instructions, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and
mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90 Washington Street, New York, New
York 10286, or at such other place as the Custodian June from time to time
designate in writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or rehired by this
Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to
the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the Fund
first above written, or at such other place as the Fund June from time to time
designate in writing.
5. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties, replaces
all prior agreements and June not be amended or modified in any manner except by
a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this
Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
except that Appendices A and B June be amended unilaterally by the Fund without
such an approving resolution.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto,
and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of the
Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of New York without the written
consent of the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of the Fund's Board
of Trustees. For purposes of this paragraph, no merger, consolidation, or
amalgamation of the Custodian, The Bank of New York, or the Fund shall be deemed
to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.
35
<PAGE>
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. Each
party hereby consents to the juris diction of a state or federal court situated
in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder and
hereby waives its right to trial by jury.
8. This Agreement June be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the Secretary
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this
instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of the instrument are not
binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding
upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular series
of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charges with liabilities
attributable to any other series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against a particular series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their respective
seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
Attest:
---------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
The Bank of New York
[SEAL] By:
---------------------------
Jorge Ramos, Vice President
Attest:
___________________________________
36
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
I, Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary, and I, Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") do
hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to give
Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and further
that the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and
correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
George C. Bowen Treasurer __________________________
Andrew J. Donohue Secretary, EVP, OFI __________________________
Robert G. Zack Assistant Secretary __________________________
Scott Farrar Assistant Treasurer __________________________
Mitchell J. Lindauer Vice President, OFI __________________________
Katherine P. Feld Vice President, OFI __________________________
Robert Bishop Assistant Treasurer __________________________'
James A. Tobin Vice President, OFI __________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
---------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
I, Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary, and I, Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") do
hereby certify that:
(a) The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund,
each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to
each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and further that the signatures of each
individual below set forth opposite their respective names are their true and
correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
Robert Bishop Assistant Treasurer __________________________'
George C. Bowen Treasurer __________________________
Andrew J. Donohue Secretary, EVP and General __________________________
Counsel of OFI
Scott Farrar Assistant Treasurer __________________________
Robert G. Zack Assistant Secretary __________________________
(b) With respect to the following individuals, each such individual has been
designated by a resolution of the board of Trustees of the Fund to be authorized
to execute on its behalf all proper officers certificates or instructions for
purposes of the Fund's Custody Agreement with the Bank of New York and further
that the signatures of each individual below set forth opposite their respective
names are their true and correct signatures:
Katherine P. Feld VP of OFI _______________________________
Mitchell J. Lindauer VP of OFI _______________________________
James Tobin VP of OFI _______________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
---------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he or she is the duly
elected and acting secretary of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund (the "Fund"),
further certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on June 4, 1998, at which a quorum
at all times present and that such resolutions have not been modified or re
scinded and are in full force an effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund in substantially
the form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody
Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis to act in accordance with, and to rely on instructions by the
Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link as defined in
the Custody Agreement.
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and grant use of
such access codes only to officers of the Fund as defined in the
Custody Agreement, and shall establish internal safekeeping procedures
to safeguard and protect the confidentiality and availability of such
access codes.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody
Agreement shall, following the establishment of such access codes and
such internal safekeeping procedures, advise the Custodian that the
same have been established by delivering a Certificate, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, and the Custodian shall be entitled to rely
upon such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund, as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
/s/ Andrew J. Donohue
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
I, Jorge Ramos, a Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK do hereby designate
the following publications:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of The Bank of New
York, as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
/s/ Jorge Ramos
---------------------------
Jorge Ramos, Vice President
<PAGE>
APPENDIX E
The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall be prepared and
maintained by the Custodian and shall be the property of the Fund:
None.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on June 4,
1998, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement to be entered between The Bank of New York and the Fund
substantially the form of such agreement presented to this meeting, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless
of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize
the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with its
performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund, as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on June 4,
1998, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement to be entered between The Bank of New York and the Fund in
substantially the form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") as a "Depository" as defined in the Custody Agreement, all
Securities eligible for deposit therein, regard less of the Series to which
the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize DTC to the extent
possible in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on June 4,
1998, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund in substantially the
form of such agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody Agreement")
is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such
time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to
the contrary to deposit in the Participants Trust Company as a Depository,
as defined in the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit
therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and to utilize the Participants Trust Company to the extent
possible in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Andrew J. Donohue hereby certifies that he is the duly elected
and acting secretary of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on June 4,
1998, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York in substantially the form of such
agreement presented to this meeting (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized
and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it
receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the
contrary, to accept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing Member
confirmations for Options and transaction in Options, regardless of the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are
defined in the Custody Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Oppenheimer Core
Equity Fund as of the ____ day of June, 1998.
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
[THE FORM OF FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE
COUNTRY. PLEASE CONTACT OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC. FOR A SPECIFIC FORM OF
FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT.]
Robert G. Zack
Senior Vice President & Assistant Secretary
June 11, 1998
The Board of Trustees
Oppenheimer Core Equity
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
To the Board of Trustees:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") herewith purchases 10,000 Class A shares and
100 Class Y shares of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund (the "Fund") at a net asset
value per share of $10.00 for each such class, for an aggregate purchase price
of $101,000.
In connection with such purchase, OFI represents that such purchase is made
for investment purposes by OFI without any present intention of redeeming or
selling such shares. OFI will advance all organizational and start-up costs of
the Fund. Such expenses will be amortized over a five-year period from the date
operations commence. On the first day that total assets exceed $5 million, the
Fund will reimburse OFI for all start-up expenses. In the event that all or part
of OFI's initial investment in shares of the Fund is withdrawn during the
amortization period, by any holder thereof, the redemption proceeds will be
reduced by the proportionate amount of the unamortized organization costs
represented by the ratio that the number of shares redeemed bears to the number
of initial shares outstanding at the time of such redemption.
Very truly yours,
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
---------------------------
Robert G. Zack,
Senior Vice President & Assistant Secretary
SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
Between
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund and
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class A Shares
Service Plan and Agreement dated the ____ day of _______, 1998, by and between
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund (the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds Distributor,
Inc.(the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written service plan for its Class A Shares
described in the Fund's registration statement as of the date this Plan takes
effect, contemplated by and to comply with Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. pursuant to which the Fund will
reimburse the Distributor for a portion of its costs incurred in connection with
the personal service and the maintenance of shareholder accounts ("Accounts")
that hold Class A Shares (the "Shares") of such series and class of the Fund.
The Fund may be deemed to be acting as distributor of securities of which it is
the issuer, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Plan. The Distributor is authorized
under the Plan to pay "Recipients," as hereinafter defined, for rendering
services and for the maintenance of Accounts. Such Recipients are intended to
have certain rights as third-party beneficiaries under this Plan.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other financial
institution which: (i) has rendered services in connection with the
personal service and maintenance of Accounts; (ii) shall furnish the
Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such information as the
Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions as may
arise concerning such service; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board")
who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this
Plan or in any agreements relating to this Plan (the "Independent
Trustees") may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other institution as
a Recipient, whereupon such entity's rights as a third party
beneficiary hereof shall terminate.
(b) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such
customers, clients and/or accounts as to which such Recipient is a
fiduciary or custodian or co-fiduciary or co-custodian (collectively,
the "Customers"), but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed
owned by more than one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the
event that two entities
-1-
<PAGE>
would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same Shares, the
Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books shall be
deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this Plan.
3. Payments.
(a) Under the Plan, the Fund will make payments to the Distributor, within
forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, in the
amount of the lesser of: (i) .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the
average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value
of the Shares computed as of the close of each business day, or (ii)
the Distributor's actual expenses under the Plan for that quarter of
the type approved by the Board." The Distributor will use such fee
received from the Fund in its entirety to reimburse itself for
payments to Recipients and for its other expenditures and costs of the
type approved by the Board incurred in connection with the personal
service and maintenance of Accounts including, but not limited to, the
services described in the following paragraph." The Distributor may
make Plan payments to any "affiliated person" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person qualifies as a
Recipient.
The services to be rendered by the Distributor and Recipients in
connection with the personal service and the maintenance of Accounts
may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: answering
routine inquiries from the Recipient's customers concerning the Fund,
providing such customers with information on their investment in
shares, assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or
sub-accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other
information and customer liaison services and the maintenance of
Accounts as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request. It may
be presumed that a Recipient has provided services qualifying for
compensation under the Plan if it has Qualified Holdings of Shares to
entitle it to payments under the Plan. In the event that either the
Distributor or the Board should have reason to believe that,
notwithstanding the level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not
be rendering appropriate services, then the Distributor, at the
request of the Board, shall require the Recipient to provide a written
report or other information to verify that said Recipient is providing
appropriate services in this regard. If the Distributor still is not
satisfied, it may take appropriate steps to terminate the Recipient's
status as such under the Plan, whereupon such entity's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereunder shall terminate.
Payments received by the Distributor from the Fund under the Plan will
not be used to pay any interest expense, carrying charge or other
financial costs, or allocation of overhead of the Distributor, or for
any other purpose other than for the payments described in this
Section 3. "The amount payable to the Distributor each quarter will be
reduced to the extent that reimbursement payments otherwise
permissible under the Plan have not been authorized by the Board of
Trustees for that quarter. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred for any
quarter by the Distributor may not be recovered in later periods."
-2-
<PAGE>
(b) The Distributor shall make payments to any Recipient quarterly, within
forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate
not to exceed .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares
computed as of the close of each business day of Qualified Holdings
(excluding Shares acquired in reorganizations with investment
companies for which Oppenheimer Management Corporation or an affiliate
acts as investment adviser and which have not adopted a distribution
plan at the time of reorganization with the Fund). However, no such
payments shall be made to any Recipient for any such quarter in which
its Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such
quarter, the minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, to
be set from time to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees." A
majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time increase or decrease and thereafter adjust the rate of fees to be
paid to the Distributor or to any Recipient, but not to exceed the
rate set forth above, and/or increase or decrease the number of shares
constituting Minimum Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify
all Recipients of the Minimum Qualified Holdings and the rate of
payments hereunder applicable to Recipients, and shall provide each
such Recipient with written notice within thirty (30) days after any
change in these provisions." Inclusion of such provisions or a change
in such provisions in a revised current prospectus shall be sufficient
notice.
(c) Under the Plan, payments may be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may
include profits derived from the advisory fee it receives from the
Fund), or (ii) by the Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own
resources.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection or replacement of Independent Trustees and the nomination of those
persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund
shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. Nothing herein
shall prevent the Independent Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nomination if the final decision on
any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the incumbent
Independent Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide at least quarterly a written report to the Fund's Board for its review,
detailing the amount of all payments made pursuant to this Plan, the identity of
the Recipient of each such payment, and the purposes for which the payments were
made. The report shall state whether all provisions of Section 3 of this Plan
have been complied with. The Distributor shall annually certify to the Board the
amount of its total expenses incurred that year with respect to the personal
service and maintenance of Accounts in conjunction with the Board's annual
review of the continuation of the Plan.
6. Related Agreements. "Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding Shares of the Class, on not more than sixty days
written notice to any other party to the agreement; (ii) such agreement shall
automatically terminate in the event
-3-
<PAGE>
of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iii) it shall go into effect
when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement; and (iv) it
shall, unless terminated as herein provided, continue in effect from year to
year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually
by the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting
called on June 4, 1998 for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Unless terminated
as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until renewed by the Board
in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to year or as the Board may
otherwise determine but only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of
the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities of the
Class. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of
payments to be made without approval of the Class A Shareholders, in the manner
described above, and all material amendments must be approved by a vote of the
Board and of the Independent Trustees.
8. Shareholder and Trustee Liability Disclaimer." The Distributor understands
and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon
any shareholder or Trustee of the Fund personally, but only the Fund and the
Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder and Trustee
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
---------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By:
---------------------------
Katherine P. Feld,
Vice President and Secretary
-4-
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
With
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class B Shares of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
This Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement (the "Plan") is dated as of the
____ day of _______, 1998, by and between Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund (the
"Fund") and OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written distribution and service plan for
Class B shares of the Fund (the "Shares"), contemplated by Rule 12b-1 as it may
be amended from time to time (the "Rule") under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"), pursuant to which the Fund will compensate the
Distributor for its services in connection with the distribution of Shares, and
the personal service and maintenance of shareholder accounts that hold Shares
("Accounts"). The Fund may act as distributor of securities of which it is the
issuer, pursuant to the Rule, according to the terms of this Plan. The terms and
provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted and defined in a manner consistent
with the provisions and definitions contained in (i) the 1940 Act, (ii) the
Rule, (iii) Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or any amendment or successor to such rule (the "NASD
Conduct Rules") and (iv) any conditions pertaining either to
distribution-related expenses or to a plan of distribution to which the Fund is
subject under any order on which the Fund relies, issued at any time by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other person or
entity which: (i) has rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative or
both) in the distribution of Shares or has provided administrative support
services with respect to Shares held by Customers (defined below) of the
Recipient; (ii) shall furnish the Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such
information as the Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions
as may arise concerning the sale of Shares; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan.
(b) "Independent Trustees" shall mean the members of the Fund's Board of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or in any agreement relating to this Plan.
(c) "Customers" shall mean such brokerage or other customers or investment
advisory or other clients of a Recipient, and/or accounts as to which such
Recipient provides administrative support services or is a custodian or other
fiduciary.
(d) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such Recipient's
Customers, but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed owned by more than
one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the event that more than one person
or entity would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same Shares, the
Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books as determined by the
Distributor shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this
Plan.
-1-
<PAGE>
3. Payments for Distribution Assistance and Administrative Support Services.
(a) Payments to the Distributor. In consideration of the payments made by
the Fund to the Distributor under this Plan, the Distributor shall provide
administrative support services and distribution assistance services to the
Fund. Such services include distribution assistance and administrative support
services rendered in connection with Shares (1) sold in purchase transactions,
(2) issued in exchange for shares of another investment company for which the
Distributor serves as distributor or sub-distributor, or (3) issued pursuant to
a plan of reorganization to which the Fund is a party. If the Board believes
that the Distributor may not be rendering appropriate distribution assistance or
administrative support services in connection with the sale of Shares, then the
Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall provide the Board with a written
report or other information to verify that the Distributor is providing
appropriate services in this regard. For such services, the Fund will make the
following payments to the Distributor:
(i) Administrative Support Services Fees. Within forty-five (45)
days of the end of each calendar quarter, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
that calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares computed as
of the close of each business day (the "Service Fee"). Such Service Fee payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
administrative support services with respect to Accounts. The administrative
support services in connection with Accounts may include, but shall not be
limited to, the administrative support services that a Recipient may render as
described in Section 3(b)(i) below.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge).
Within ten (10) days of the end of each month, the Fund will make payments in
the aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average during
the month of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed as of the close of
each business day (the "Asset-Based Sales Charge") outstanding for no more than
six years (the "Maximum Holding Period"). Such Asset-Based Sales Charge payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
distribution assistance in connection with the sale of Shares.
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Distributor in
connection with the Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: (i) paying sales commissions to any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity that sells Shares, and/or paying such persons "Advance Service
Fee Payments" (as defined below) in advance of, and/or in amounts greater than,
the amount provided for in Section 3(b) of this Agreement; (ii) paying
compensation to and expenses of personnel of the Distributor who support
distribution of Shares by Recipients; (iii) obtaining financing or providing
such financing from its own resources, or from an affiliate, for the interest
and other borrowing costs of the Distributor's unreimbursed expenses incurred in
rendering distribution assistance and administrative support services to the
Fund; and (iv) paying other direct distribution costs, including without
limitation the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses (other
than those prospectuses furnished to current holders of the Fund's shares
("Shareholders")) and state "blue sky" registration expenses.
(b) Payments to Recipients. The Distributor is authorized under the Plan to
pay Recipients (1) distribution assistance fees for rendering distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares and/or (2) service fees for
rendering administrative support services with respect to Accounts. However, no
such payments shall be made to any Recipient for any such quarter in which its
Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such quarter, the
minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, that may be set from time
to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. All fee payments made by the
Distributor hereunder are subject to reduction or chargeback so that the
aggregate service fee payments and Advance Service Fee Payments do not exceed
the limits on payments to Recipients that are, or may be, imposed by the NASD
Conduct Rules. The Distributor may make Plan payments to any "affiliated person"
(as defined
-2-
<PAGE>
in the 1940 Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person qualifies as a
Recipient or retain such payments if the Distributor qualifies as a Recipient.
(i) Service Fee. In consideration of the administrative support
services provided by a Recipient during a calendar quarter, the Distributor
shall make service fee payments to that Recipient quarterly, within forty-five
(45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.0625%
(0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the
aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business
day, constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or by its Customers for a period of more than the minimum period (the
"Minimum Holding Period"), if any, that may be set from time to time by a
majority of the Independent Trustees.
Alternatively, the Distributor may, at its sole option, make the
following service fee payments to any Recipient quarterly, within forty-five
(45) days of the end of each calendar quarter: (i) "Advance Service Fee
Payments" at a rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average during the calendar
quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of
business on the day such Shares are sold, constituting Qualified Holdings, sold
by the Recipient during that quarter and owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or by its Customers, plus (ii) service fee payments at a rate not to
exceed 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar
quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of
each business day, constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of
record by the Recipient or by its Customers for a period of more than one (1)
year. At the Distributor's sole option, the Advance Service Fee Payments may be
made more often than quarterly, and sooner than the end of the calendar quarter.
In the event Shares are redeemed less than one year after the date such Shares
were sold, the Recipient is obligated to and will repay the Distributor on
demand a pro rata portion of such Advance Service Fee Payments, based on the
ratio of the time such Shares were held to one (1) year.
The administrative support services to be rendered by Recipients in
connection with the Accounts may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund, assisting in the
establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and
processing Share redemption transactions, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
services in connection with the rendering of personal services and/or the
maintenance of Accounts, as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge) Payments.
In its sole discretion and irrespective of whichever alternative method of
making service fee payments to Recipients is selected by the Distributor, in
addition the Distributor may make distribution assistance fee payments to a
Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar
quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.1875% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the
average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares
computed as of the close of each business day constituting Qualified Holdings
owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or its Customers for no more
than six years and for any minimum period that the Distributor may establish.
Distribution assistance fee payments shall be made only to Recipients that are
registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer or are exempt from registration.
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Recipients in
connection with the sale of Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: distributing sales literature and prospectuses other than those
furnished to current Shareholders, providing compensation to and paying expenses
of personnel of the Recipient who support the distribution of Shares by the
Recipient, and providing such other information and services in connection with
the distribution of Shares as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably
request.
-3-
<PAGE>
(c) A majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time increase or decrease the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or to
any Recipient, but not to exceed the rates set forth above, and/or direct the
Distributor to increase or decrease the Maximum Holding Period, any Minimum
Holding Period or any Minimum Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify
all Recipients of any Minimum Qualified Holdings, Maximum Holding Period and
Minimum Holding Period that are established and the rate of payments hereunder
applicable to Recipients, and shall provide each Recipient with written notice
within thirty (30) days after any change in these provisions. Inclusion of such
provisions or a change in such provisions in a revised current prospectus shall
constitute sufficient notice.
(d) The Service Fee and the Asset-Based Sales Charge on Shares are subject
to reduction or elimination under the limits to which the Distributor is, or may
become, subject under the NASD Conduct Rules.
(e) Under the Plan, payments may also be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may include profits
derived from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), or (ii) by the
Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own resources, from Asset-Based
Sales Charge payments or from the proceeds of its borrowings, in either case, in
the discretion of OFI or the Distributor, respectively.
(f) Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party
beneficiaries under this Plan, subject to the limitations set forth below. It
may be presumed that a Recipient has provided distribution assistance or
administrative support services qualifying for payment under the Plan if it has
Qualified Holdings of Shares that entitle it to payments under the Plan. In the
event that either the Distributor or the Board should have reason to believe
that, notwithstanding the level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be
rendering appropriate distribution assistance in connection with the sale of
Shares or administrative support services for Accounts, then the Distributor, at
the request of the Board, shall require the Recipient to provide a written
report or other information to verify that said Recipient is providing
appropriate distribution assistance and/or services in this regard. If the
Distributor or the Board of Trustees still is not satisfied after the receipt of
such report, either may take appropriate steps to terminate the Recipient's
status as such under the Plan, whereupon such Recipient's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereunder shall terminate. Additionally, in their
discretion, a majority of the Fund's Independent Trustees at any time may remove
any broker, dealer, bank or other person or entity as a Recipient, where upon
such person's or entity's rights as a third-party beneficiary hereof shall
terminate. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan does not
obligate or in any way make the Fund liable to make any payment whatsoever to
any person or entity other than directly to the Distributor. The Distributor has
no obligation to pay any Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees to any
Recipient if the Distributor has not received payment of Service Fees or
Distribution Assistance Fees from the Fund.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection and nomination of persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund ("Disinterested Trustees") shall be committed
to the discretion of the incumbent Disinterested Trustees. Nothing herein shall
prevent the incumbent Disinterested Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nominations as long as the final
decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the
incumbent Disinterested Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide written reports to the Fund's Board for its review, detailing the amount
of all payments made under this Plan and the purpose for which the payments were
made. The reports shall be provided quarterly, and shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with.
-4-
<PAGE>
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class B voting shares; (ii) such termination
shall be on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the
agreement; (iii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iv) such agreement shall go into
effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement; and (v)
such agreement shall, unless terminated as herein provided, continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a
meeting called on June 4, 1998, for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Unless
terminated as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until renewed by
the Board in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to year or as the
Board may otherwise determine but only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such continuance.
This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under this Plan, without approval of the Class B Shareholders at a
meeting called for that purpose, and all material amendments must be approved by
a vote of the Board and of the Independent Trustees.
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class B voting shares. In the event
of such termination, the Board and its Independent Trustees shall determine
whether the Distributor shall be entitled to payment from the Fund of all or a
portion of the Service Fee and/or the Asset- Based Sales Charge in respect of
Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Distributor understands
that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the
Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder and Trustee
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
------------------------------
Andrew Donohue, Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By:
------------------------------
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President &
Secretary
-5-
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
with
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class C Shares of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
This Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement (the "Plan") is dated as of the
____ day of _______, 1998, by and between Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund (the
"Fund") and OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written distribution and service plan for
Class C shares of the Fund (the "Shares"), contemplated by Rule 12b-1 as it may
be amended from time to time (the "Rule") under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"), pursuant to which the Fund will compensate the
Distributor for its services in connection with the distribution of Shares, and
the personal service and maintenance of shareholder accounts that hold Shares
("Accounts"). The Fund may act as distributor of securities of which it is the
issuer, pursuant to the Rule, according to the terms of this Plan. The terms and
provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted and defined in a manner consistent
with the provisions and definitions contained in (i) the 1940 Act, (ii) the
Rule, (iii) Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or any applicable amendment or successor to such rule
(the "NASD Conduct Rules") and (iv) any conditions pertaining either to
distribution-related expenses or to a plan of distribution to which the Fund is
subject under any order on which the Fund relies, issued at any time by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other person or
entity which: (i) has rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative or
both) in the distribution of Shares or has provided administrative support
services with respect to Shares held by Customers (defined below) of the
Recipient; (ii) shall furnish the Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such
information as the Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions
as may arise concerning the sale of Shares; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan.
(b) "Independent Trustees" shall mean the members of the Fund's Board of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or in any agreement relating to this Plan.
(c) "Customers" shall mean such brokerage or other customers or investment
advisory or other clients of a Recipient, and/or accounts as to which such
Recipient provides administrative support services or is a custodian or other
fiduciary.
(d) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such Recipient's
Customers, but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed owned by more than
one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the event that more than one person
or entity would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same Shares, the
Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books as determined by the
Distributor shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this
Plan.
-1-
<PAGE>
3. Payments for Distribution Assistance and Administrative Support Services.
(a) Payments to the Distributor. In consideration of the payments made by
the Fund to the Distributor under this Plan, the Distributor shall provide
administrative support services and distribution services to the Fund. Such
services include distribution assistance and administrative support services
rendered in connection with Shares (1) sold in purchase transactions, (2) issued
in exchange for shares of another investment company for which the Distributor
serves as distributor or sub-distributor, or (3) issued pursuant to a plan of
reorganization to which the Fund is a party. If the Board believes that the
Distributor may not be rendering appropriate distribution assistance or
administrative support services in connection with the sale of Shares, then the
Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall provide the Board with a written
report or other information to verify that the Distributor is providing
appropriate services in this regard. For such services, the Fund will make the
following payments to the Distributor:
(i) Administrative Support Service Fees. Within forty-five (45) days
of the end of each calendar quarter, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
that calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares computed as
of the close of each business day (the "Service Fee"). Such Service Fee payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
administrative support services with respect to Accounts. The administrative
support services in connection with Accounts may include, but shall not be
limited to, the administrative support services that a Recipient may render as
described in Section 3(b)(i) below.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge). Within
ten (10) days of the end of each month, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average during the
month of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed as of the close of
each business day (the "Asset-Based Sales Charge"). Such Asset-Based Sales
Charge payments received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for
providing distribution assistance in connection with the sale of Shares.
The distribution assistance services to be rendered by the Distributor in
connection with the Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: (i) paying sales commissions to any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity that sells Shares, and/or paying such persons "Advance Service
Fee Payments" (as defined below) in advance of, and/or in amounts greater than,
the amount provided for in Section 3(b) of this Agreement; (ii) paying
compensation to and expenses of personnel of the Distributor who support
distribution of Shares by Recipients; (iii) obtaining financing or providing
such financing from its own resources, or from an affiliate, for the interest
and other borrowing costs of the Distributor's unreimbursed expenses incurred in
rendering distribution assistance and administrative support services to the
Fund; and (iv) paying other direct distribution costs, including without
limitation the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses (other
than those prospectuses furnished to current holders of the Fund's shares
("Shareholders")) and state "blue sky" registration expenses.
(b) Payments to Recipients. The Distributor is authorized under the Plan to
pay Recipients (1) distribution assistance fees for rendering distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares and/or (2) service fees for
rendering administrative support services with respect to Accounts. However, no
such payments shall be made to any Recipient for any quarter in which its
Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such quarter, the
minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, that may be set from time
to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. All fee payments made by the
Distributor hereunder are subject to reduction or chargeback so that the
aggregate service fee payments and Advance Service Fee Payments do not exceed
the limits on payments to Recipients that are, or may be, imposed by the NASD
Conduct Rules. The Distributor may make Plan payments to any "affiliated person"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person
qualifies as a Recipient or retain such payments if the Distributor qualifies as
a Recipient.
-2-
<PAGE>
In consideration of the services provided by Recipients, the Distributor
shall make the following payments to Recipients:
(i) Service Fee. In consideration of administrative support services
provided by a Recipient during a calendar quarter, the Distributor shall make
service fee payments to that Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of
the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.0625% (0.25% on an
annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net
asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business day,
constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient
or by its Customers for a period of more than the minimum period (the "Minimum
Holding Period"), if any, that may be set from time to time by a majority of the
Independent Trustees.
Alternatively, the Distributor may, at its sole option, make the following
service fee payments to any Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of
the end of each calendar quarter: (A) "Advance Service Fee Payments" at a rate
not to exceed 0.25% of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate
net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of business on the day such
Shares are sold, constituting Qualified Holdings, sold by the Recipient during
that quarter and owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or by its
Customers, plus (B) service fee payments at a rate not to exceed 0.0625% (0.25%
on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate
net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business day,
constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient
or by its Customers for a period of more than one (1) year. At the Distributor's
sole option, Advance Service Fee Payments may be made more often than quarterly,
and sooner than the end of the calendar quarter. In the event Shares are
redeemed less than one year after the date such Shares were sold, the Recipient
is obligated to and will repay the Distributor on demand a pro rata portion of
such Advance Service Fee Payments, based on the ratio of the time such Shares
were held to one (1) year.
The administrative support services to be rendered by Recipients in
connection with the Accounts may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund, assisting in the
establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and
processing Share redemption transactions, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
services in connection with the rendering of personal services and/or the
maintenance of Accounts, as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fee (Asset-Based Sales Charge) Payments.
Irrespective of whichever alternative method of making service fee payments to
Recipients is selected by the Distributor, in addition the Distributor shall
make distribution assistance fee payments to each Recipient quarterly, within
forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate not to
exceed 0.1875% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar
quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed as of the close of
each business day constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of
record by the Recipient or its Customers for a period of more than one (1) year.
Alternatively, at its sole option, the Distributor may make distribution
assistance fee payments to a Recipient quarterly, at the rate described above,
on Shares constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or its Customers without regard to the 1-year holding period described
above. Distribution assistance fee payments shall be made only to Recipients
that are registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer or are exempt from
registration.
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Recipients in connection
with the sale of Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
distributing sales literature and prospectuses other than those furnished to
current Shareholders, providing compensation to and paying expenses of personnel
of the Recipient who support the distribution of Shares by the Recipient, and
providing such other information and services in connection with the
distribution of Shares as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
-3-
<PAGE>
(c) A majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time (i) increase or decrease the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or
to any Recipient, but not to exceed the rates set forth above, and/or (ii)
direct the Distributor to increase or decrease any Minimum Holding Period, any
maximum period set by a majority of the Independent Trustees during which fees
will be paid on Shares constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of
record by a Recipient or by its Customers (the "Maximum Holding Period"), or
Minimum Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify all Recipients of any
Minimum Qualified Holdings, Maximum Holding Period and Minimum Holding Period
that are established and the rate of payments hereunder applicable to
Recipients, and shall provide each Recipient with written notice within thirty
(30) days after any change in these provisions. Inclusion of such provisions or
a change in such provisions in a supplement or amendment to or revision of the
prospectus of the Fund shall constitute sufficient notice.
(d) The Service Fee and the Asset-Based Sales Charge on Shares are subject
to reduction or elimination under the limits to which the Distributor is, or may
become, subject under the NASD Conduct Rules.
(e) Under the Plan, payments may also be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may include profits
derived from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), or (ii) by the
Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own resources, from Asset-Based
Sales Charge payments or from the proceeds of its borrowings, in either case, in
the discretion of OFI or the Distributor, respectively.
(f) Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party
beneficiaries under this Plan, subject to the limitations set forth below. It
may be presumed that a Recipient has provided distribution assistance or
administrative support services qualifying for payment under the Plan if it has
Qualified Holdings of Shares that entitle it to payments under the Plan. If
either the Distributor or the Board believe that, notwithstanding the level of
Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be rendering appropriate distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares or administrative support
services for Accounts, then the Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall
require the Recipient to provide a written report or other information to verify
that said Recipient is providing appropriate distribution assistance and/or
services in this regard. If the Distributor or the Board of Trustees still is
not satisfied after the receipt of such report, either may take appropriate
steps to terminate the Recipient's status as a Recipient under the Plan,
whereupon such Recipient's rights as a third-party beneficiary hereunder shall
terminate. Additionally, in their discretion a majority of the Fund's
Independent Trustees at any time may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity as a Recipient, whereupon such person's or entity's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereof shall terminate. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan, this Plan does not obligate or in any way make the Fund
liable to make any payment whatsoever to any person or entity other than
directly to the Distributor. The Distributor has no obligation to pay any
Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees to any Recipient if the Distributor
has not received payment of Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees from
the Fund.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection and nomination of persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund ("Disinterested Trustees") shall be committed
to the discretion of the incumbent Disinterested Trustees. Nothing herein shall
prevent the incumbent Disinterested Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nomination as long as the final
decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the
incumbent Disinterested Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide written reports to the Fund's Board for its review, detailing the amount
of all payments made under this Plan and the purpose for which the payments were
made. The reports shall be provided quarterly, and shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with.
-4-
<PAGE>
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting Class C shares; (ii) such termination
shall be on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the
agreement; (iii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iv) such agreement shall go into
effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement; and (v)
such agreement shall, unless terminated as herein provided, continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Board and of its Independent Trustees cast in person
at a meeting called on June 4, 1998, for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
Unless terminated as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until
renewed by the Board in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to
year or as the Board may otherwise determine but only so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board
and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such continuance.
This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under this Plan, without approval of the Class C Shareholders at a
meeting called for that purpose and all material amendments must be approved by
a vote of the Board and of the Independent Trustees.
This Plan may be terminated at any time by a vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class C voting shares. In the event
of such termination, the Board and its Independent Trustees shall determine
whether the Distributor shall be entitled to payment from the Fund of all or a
portion of the Service Fee and/or the Asset-Based Sales Charge in respect of
Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Distributor understands
that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the
Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder and Trustee
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund
By:
------------------------------
Andrew Donohue, Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By:
------------------------------
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President &
Secretary
-5-
OPPENHEIMER CORE EQUITY FUND
CERTIFIED RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD
June 4, 1998
At a meeting of the Board for the above referenced fund (the "Fund") held on
June 4, 1998, the members thereof by unanimous vote of those present adopted and
approved the following resolutions:
"RESOLVED, that Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, be,
and the same hereby is, appointed the attorney-in-fact and agent of Bridget A.
Macaskill, as President of the Fund (Principal Executive Officer), and George C.
Bowen, as Treasurer of the Fund (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer),
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign on the behalf of
such officers of the Fund any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to such Registration Statements) under the Securities
Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and
supplements thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them,
hereby is authorized, empowered and directed, in the name and on behalf of the
Fund, to take such additional action and to execute and deliver such additional
documents and instruments as any of them may deem necessary or appropriate to
implement the provisions of the foregoing resolution, the authority for the
taking of such action and the execution and delivery of such documents and
instruments of such documents and instruments to be conclusively evidenced
thereby."
In witness whereof, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 4th day of
June, 1998.
------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Chairman and
Trustee of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), to sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements
(including any post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments
and supplements thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in- fact and agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Leon Levy
- ------------------------
Leon Levy
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Robert G. Galli
- ------------------------
Robert G. Galli
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Benjamin Lipstein
- ------------------------
Benjamin Lipstein
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as President,
Principal Executive Officer and Trustee of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to sign on his (her) behalf any and
all Registration Statements (including any post-effective amendments to
Registration Statements) under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements thereto, and other
documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
- ------------------------
Bridget A. Macaskill
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Elizabeth B. Moynihan
- ------------------------
Elizabeth B. Moynihan
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Kenneth A. Randall
- ------------------------
Kenneth A. Randall
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Edward V. Regan
- ------------------------
Edward V. Regan
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
- ------------------------
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Vice Chairman and
Trustee of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), to sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements
(including any post- effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments
and supplements thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys- in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Donald W. Spiro
- ------------------------
Donald W. Spiro
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Pauline Trigere
- ------------------------
Pauline Trigere
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Trustee of
Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to
sign on his (her) behalf any and all Registration Statements (including any
post-effective amendments to Registration Statements) under the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements
thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ Clayton K. Yeutter
- ------------------------
Clayton K. Yeutter
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Andrew J. Donohue or Robert G. Zack, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her capacities as Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Oppenheimer Core Equity Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), to sign on his (her) behalf any and
all Registration Statements (including any post-effective amendments to
Registration Statements) under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and any amendments and supplements thereto, and other
documents in connection thereunder, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated this 4th day of June, 1998.
/s/ George C. Bowen
- ------------------------
George C. Bowen
