SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
FORM S-6
For Registration Under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities
of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2
A. Exact Name of Trust: FT 403
B. Name of Depositor: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
C. Complete Address of Depositor's 1001 Warrenville Road
Principal Executive Offices: Lisle, Illinois 60532
D. Name and Complete Address of
Agents for Service: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
Attention: James A. Bowen
Suite 300
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
CHAPMAN & CUTLER
Attention: Eric F. Fess
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
E. Title of Securities
Being Registered: An indefinite number of
Units pursuant to Rule
24f-2 promulgated under
the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
F. Approximate Date of Proposed
Sale to the Public: ____ Check if it is
proposed that this filing
will become effective on
_____ at ____ p.m.
pursuant to Rule 487.
The registrant hereby amends this 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 said Section 8(a), may determine.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 24, 2000
AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 3, 2000
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
FT 403 is a series of a unit investment trust, the FT Series. Strategic
Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2 (the "Trust") is a
portfolio, or series, of FT 403 consisting of a diversified portfolio of
common stocks ("Securities") issued by communications and technology
companies. The Trust seeks to provide above-average capital
appreciation, along with significant diversification.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is February __, 2000
Page 1
Table of Contents
Summary of Essential Information 3
Fee Table 4
Report of Independent Auditors 5
Statement of Net Assets 6
Schedule of Investments 7
The FT Series 9
Portfolio 9
Risk Factors 10
Portfolio Securities Descriptions 11
Public Offering 12
Distribution of Units 14
The Sponsor's Profits 15
The Secondary Market 15
How We Purchase Units 15
Expenses and Charges 15
Tax Status 16
Retirement Plans 17
Rights of Unit Holders 18
Income and Capital Distributions 18
Redeeming Your Units 19
Removing Securities from the Trust 20
Amending or Terminating the Indenture 21
Information on Fifth Third Securities, Inc.,
the Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 21
Other Information 23
Page 2
Summary of Essential Information
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-February __, 2000
Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P.
Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank
Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Initial Number of Units (1)
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/
Public Offering Price:
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Securities per Unit (2) $ 9.900
Maximum Sales Charge of 3.75% of the Public Offering Price
per Unit (3.788% of the net amount invested, exclusive of
the deferred sales charge) (3) $ .375
Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit $ (.275)
Public Offering Price per Unit (4) $10.000
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit (5) $ 9.625
Redemption Price per Unit (based on aggregate underlying
value of Securities less the deferred sales charge) (5) $ 9.625
Cash CUSIP Number
Reinvestment CUSIP Number
Security Code
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
First Settlement Date February __, 2000
Mandatory Termination Date (6) February 15, 2002
Income Distribution Record Date The fifteenth day of each June and December, commencing June 15, 2000
Income Distribution Date (7) The last day of each June and December, commencing June 30, 2000
______________
<FN>
(1)As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, we may
adjust the number of Units of the Trust so that the Public Offering
Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. If we make such an
adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will vary from
the amount indicated above.
(2)Each listed Security is valued at its last closing sale price. If a
Security is not listed, or if no closing sale price exists, it is valued
at its closing ask price. Evaluations for purposes of determining the
purchase, sale or redemption price of Units are made as of the close of
trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time) on each day on which it is open (the "Evaluation Time").
(3)The maximum sales charge consists of an initial sales charge and a
deferred sales charge. See "Fee Table" and "Public Offering."
(4)The Public Offering Price shown above reflects the value of the
Securities on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. No
investor will purchase Units at this price. The price you pay for your
Units will be based on their valuation at the Evaluation Time on the
date you purchase your Units. On the Initial Date of Deposit the Public
Offering Price per Unit will not include any accumulated dividends on
the Securities. After this date, a pro rata share of any accumulated
dividends on the Securities will be included.
(5)Until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or
the end of the initial offering period the Sponsor's Initial Repurchase
Price per Unit and the Redemption Price per Unit will include the
estimated organization costs per Unit set forth under "Fee Table." After
such date, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price and Redemption Price per Unit
will not include such estimated organization costs. See "Redeeming Your
Units."
(6)See "Amending or Terminating the Indenture."
(7)Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly on the
last day of each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of
such month if the amount available for distribution equals at least
$1.00 per 100 Units. In any case, we will distribute any funds in the
Capital Account in December of each year.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 3
Fee Table
This Fee Table describes the fees and expenses that you may, directly or
indirectly, pay if you buy and hold Units of the Trust. See "Public
Offering" and "Expenses and Charges." Although the Trust has a term of
approximately two years and is a unit investment trust rather than a
mutual fund, this information allows you to compare fees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount
per Unit
________
<S> <C> <C>
Unit Holder Transaction Expenses
(as a percentage of public offering price)
Initial sales charge imposed on purchase 1.00%(a) $.100
Deferred sales charge 2.75%(b) .275
________ ________
Maximum sales charge 3.75% $.375
======== ========
Maximum sales charge imposed on reinvested dividends 2.75%(c) $.275
======== ========
Organization Costs
(as a percentage of public offering price)
Estimated organization costs %(d) $
======== ========
Estimated Annual Trust Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative and evaluation fees % $
Trustee's fee and other operating expenses %(e)
________ ________
Total % $
======== ========
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the Trust with the cost of investing in other investment products. The
example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Trust for the periods
shown and sell all your Units at the end of those periods. The example
also assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the
Trust's operating expenses stay the same. Although your actual costs may
vary, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 2 Years
______ _______
$ $
This example will not differ if you hold rather than sell your Units at
the end of each period. The example does not reflect sales charges on
reinvested dividends and other distributions. If these sales charges
were included, your costs would be higher.
_____________
<FN>
(a)The amount of the initial sales charge will vary depending on the
purchase price of your Units. The amount of the initial sales charge is
actually the difference between the maximum sales charge (3.75% of the
Public Offering Price) and the maximum remaining deferred sales charge
(initially $.275 per Unit). When the Public Offering Price exceeds
$10.00 per Unit, the initial sales charge will exceed 2.75% of the
Public Offering Price per Unit.
(b)The deferred sales charge is a fixed dollar amount equal to $.275 per
Unit, which will be deducted in five monthly installments of $.055 per
Unit beginning September 20, 2000 and on the 20th day of each month
thereafter (or the preceding business day if such day is not a business
day) through January 19, 2001. If you buy Units at a price of less than
$10.00 per Unit, the dollar amount of the deferred sales charge will not
change but the deferred sales charge on a percentage basis will be more
than 2.75% of the Public Offering Price. If you purchase Units after the
first deferred sales charge payment has been deducted, your purchase
price will include both the initial sales charge and any remaining
deferred sales charge payments.
(c)Reinvested dividends will be subject only to the deferred sales
charge remaining at the time of reinvestment. See "Income and Capital
Distributions."
(d)You will bear all or a portion of the costs incurred in organizing
the Trust. These estimated organization costs are included in the price
you pay for your Units and will be deducted from the assets of the Trust
at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the
end of the initial offering period.
(e)Other operating expenses include the costs incurred for annually
updating the Trust's registration statement. Historically, we paid these
costs. Other operating expenses do not, however, include brokerage costs
and other portfolio transaction fees. In certain circumstances the Trust
may incur additional expenses not set forth above. See "Expenses and
Charges."
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 4
Report of Independent Auditors
The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
FT 403
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of FT 403, comprised of the Strategic
Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2, as of the opening of
business on February __, 2000. This statement of net assets is the
responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on this statement of net assets based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
statement of net assets is free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the statement of net assets. Our procedures included
confirmation of the letter of credit held by the Trustee and deposited
in the Trust on February __, 2000. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the
Sponsor, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statement
of net assets. We believe that our audit of the statement of net assets
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FT 403,
comprised of the Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2,
at the opening of business on February __, 2000 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February __, 2000
Page 5
Statement of Net Assets
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-February __, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
NET ASSETS
Investment in Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $
Less liability for reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) ( )
Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) ( )
________
Net assets $
========
Units outstanding
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Cost to investors (5) $
Less maximum sales charge (5) ( )
Less estimated reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) ( )
________
Net assets $
========
_____________
<FN>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
(1) Aggregate cost of the Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value.
(2) An irrevocable letter of credit issued by The Chase Manhattan Bank,
of which $200,000 will be allocated to the Trust, has been deposited
with the Trustee as collateral, covering the monies necessary for the
purchase of the Securities according to their purchase contracts.
(3) A portion of the Public Offering Price consists of an amount
sufficient to reimburse the Sponsor for all or a portion of the costs of
establishing the Trust. These costs have been estimated at $ per Unit
for the Trust. A payment will be made at the earlier of six months after
the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period to
an account maintained by the Trustee from which the obligation of the
investors to the Sponsor will be satisfied. To the extent that actual
organization costs are greater than the estimated amount, only the
estimated organization costs added to the Public Offering Price will be
reimbursed to the Sponsor and deducted from the assets of the Trust.
(4) Represents the amount of mandatory deferred sales charge
distributions from the Trust ($.275 per Unit), payable to us in five
equal monthly installments beginning on September 20, 2000 and on the
twentieth day of each month thereafter (or if such date is not a
business day, on the preceding business day) through January 19, 2001.
If you redeem Units before January 19, 2001 you will have to pay the
remaining amount of the deferred sales charge applicable to such Units
when you redeem them.
(5) The aggregate cost to investors in the Trust includes a maximum
sales charge (comprised of an initial and a deferred sales charge)
computed at the rate of 3.75% of the Public Offering Price per Unit
(equivalent to 3.788% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the
deferred sales charge), assuming no reduction of sales charge as set
forth under "Public Offering."
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 6
Schedule of Investments
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-February __, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Approximate
Number Percentage Market Cost of
of Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to
Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Offering Price (3) Share the Trust (2)
_____ ____________________________________ __________ ______ _______
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
Software & Related Services
______________________
ARBA Ariba, Inc. % $ $
BEAS BEA Systems, Inc. %
ENTU Entrust Technologies Inc. %
INTU Intuit Inc. %
MUSE Micromuse Inc. %
MSFT Microsoft Corporation %
NOVL Novell, Inc. %
ORCL Oracle Corporation %
SEBL Siebel Systems, Inc. %
SE Sterling Commerce, Inc. %
WHIT Whittman-Hart, Inc. %
WIND Wind River Systems, Inc. %
Telecommunication Services
____________________________
AT ALLTEL Corporation %
BRW Broadwing Inc. %
WCOM MCI WorldCom, Inc. %
PCS Sprint Corp. (PCS Group) %
VOD Vodafone AirTouch Plc (ADR) %
VSTR VoiceStream Wireless Corporation %
Hardware & Networking
__________________________
ADCT ADC Telecommunications, Inc. %
AAPL Apple Computer, Inc. %
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. %
EMC EMC Corporation %
FNSR Finisar Corporation %
IBM International Business Machines Corporation %
LU Lucent Technologies Inc. %
NTAP Network Appliance, Inc. %
NOK Nokia Oy (ADR), %
NT Nortel Networks Corporation (4) %
SUNW Sun Microsystems, Inc. %
</TABLE>
Page 7
Schedule of Investments (cont'd.)
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-February __, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Approximate
Number Percentage Market Cost of
of Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to
Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Offering Price (3) Share the Trust (2)
_____ ____________________________________ __________ ______ _______
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
Semiconductors & Fiber Optics
________________________
ADI Analog Devices, Inc. % $ $
AMCC Applied Micro Circuits Corporation %
CNXT Conexant Systems, Inc. %
CREE Cree, Inc. %
INTC Intel Corporation %
JDSU JDS Uniphase Corporation %
MCHP Microchip Technology Incorporated %
NSM National Semiconductor Corporation %
PMCS PMC-Sierra, Inc. (4) %
QLGC QLogic Corporation %
SDLI SDL, Inc. %
TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated %
VTSS Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation %
________ ________
Total Investments 100% $
======= ========
_____________
<FN>
(1)All Securities are represented by regular way contracts to purchase
such Securities which are backed by an irrevocable letter of credit
deposited with the Trustee. We entered into purchase contracts for the
Securities on February __, 2000. The Trust has a mandatory termination
date of February 15, 2002.
(2)The cost of the Securities to the Trust represents the aggregate
underlying value with respect to the Securities acquired (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of the listed Securities and the
ask prices of the over-the-counter traded Securities at the Evaluation
Time on the business day preceding the Initial Date of Deposit). The
valuation of the Securities has been determined by the Evaluator, an
affiliate of ours. The cost of the Securities to us and our profit or
loss (which is the difference between the cost of the Securities to us
and the cost of the Securities to the Trust) are $ and $ ,
respectively.
(3)The portfolio may contain additional Securities each of which will
not exceed approximately __% of the Aggregate Offering Price. Although
it is not the Sponsor's intention, certain of the Securities listed
above may not be included in the final portfolio. Also, the percentages
of the Aggregate Offering Price for the Securities are approximate
amounts and may vary in the final portfolio.
(4)This Security represents the common stock of a foreign company which
trades directly on a U.S. national securities exchange.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Page 8
The FT Series
The FT Series Defined.
We, Nike Securities L.P. (the "Sponsor"), have created several similar
yet separate series of a unit investment trust which we have named the
FT Series. We designate each of these series of the FT Series with a
different series number. Strategic Communications & Technology Trust,
Series 2 is a portfolio, or series, of FT 403.
YOU MAY GET MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS CONCERNING THE NATURE, STRUCTURE AND
RISKS OF THIS PRODUCT IN AN "INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT" BY CALLING THE
TRUSTEE AT 1-800-682-7520.
Mandatory Termination Date.
The Trust will terminate on the Mandatory Termination Date set forth in
"Summary of Essential Information." The Trust was created under the laws
of the State of New York by a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture") dated
the Initial Date of Deposit. This agreement, entered into among Nike
Securities L.P., as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank as Trustee and
First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator, governs
the operation of the Trust.
How We Created the Trust.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, we deposited a portfolio of common
stocks with the Trustee, and in turn, the Trustee delivered documents to
us representing our ownership of the Trust in the form of units ("Units").
With our deposit of Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit we
established a percentage relationship among the Securities in the
Trust's portfolio, as stated under "Schedule of Investments." After the
Initial Date of Deposit, we may deposit additional Securities in the
Trust, or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions to buy
more Securities, to create new Units for sale. If we create additional
Units, we will attempt, to the extent practicable, to maintain the
percentage relationship established among the Securities on the Initial
Date of Deposit, and not the actual percentage relationship existing on
the day we are creating new Units, since the two may differ. This
difference may be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of
the Securities. At present, it is our intention to limit the Trust's
size to less than $100 million.
Since the prices of the Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio of
Securities in the Trust, on a market value basis, will also change
daily. The portion of Securities represented by each Unit will not
change as a result of the deposit of additional Securities or cash in
the Trust. If we deposit cash, you and new investors may experience a
dilution of your investment. This is because prices of Securities will
fluctuate between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the
Securities, and because the Trust pays the associated brokerage fees. To
reduce this dilution, the Trust will try to buy the Securities as close
to the Evaluation Time and as close to the evaluation price as possible.
An affiliate of the Trustee may receive these brokerage fees or the
Trustee may retain and pay us (or our affiliate) to act as agent for the
Trust to buy Securities. If we or an affiliate of ours act as agent to
the Trust, we will be subject to the restrictions under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
We cannot guarantee that the Trust will keep its present size and
composition for any length of time. Securities may periodically be sold
under certain circumstances, and the proceeds from these sales will be
used to meet Trust obligations or distributed to Unit holders, but will
not be reinvested. However, Securities will not be sold to take
advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of
appreciation or depreciation, or if they no longer meet the criteria by
which they were selected. You will not be able to dispose of or vote any
of the Securities in the Trust. As the holder of the Securities, the
Trustee will vote all of the Securities and will do so based on our
instructions.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for a failure in any of the
Securities. However, if a contract for the purchase of any of the
Securities initially deposited in the Trust fails, unless we can
purchase substitute Securities ("Replacement Securities") we will refund
to you that portion of the purchase price and sales charge resulting
from the failed contract on the next Income Distribution Date. Any
Replacement Security the Trust acquires will be identical to those from
the failed contract.
Portfolio
Objectives.
The objective of the Trust is to provide the potential for above average
capital appreciation, along with significant diversification through an
Page 9
investment in common stocks of communications and technology companies
selected by the Research Analysts of Fifth Third Bancorp ("Fifth Third").
In recent years companies providing products and services to the global
communications sector have grown at rates which in general have exceeded
that of the overall economy. The Trust contains a portfolio of large,
established companies with the resources to compete globally, as well as
smaller, emerging companies directly involved in providing
communications or the technologies important to providing these services.
Investment Considerations.
Internet Growth. We believe continued Internet growth will have a
profound impact on the global communications landscape.
- - Internet traffic has doubled approximately every 100 days, driving
service revenues and infrastructure spending;
- - International adoption of the Internet is less than 1/10th the
penetration levels of North America, which Fifth Third expects to expand
rapidly;
- - Convergence between wireless and the Internet is just beginning. In
Fifth Third's opinion, wireless data applications are expected to
increase significantly in the next five years.
New Technologies. In Fifth Third's opinion, technological developments
in silicon fiber optics and software are driving powerful gains in the
performance and capabilities of Internet infrastructure.
- - Ever faster silicon-based processors and software standards used in
modems will allow broadband access to the Internet 20-25 times faster
than with existing technology;
- - Conversion to packed-switched networks for telecommunications
switching results in substantial increases in the capacity and
functionality of wire-line and wireless networks;
- - Advances in new fiber optics cable and wave division multiplexing are
increasing fiber optic bandwidth capacity approximately 2-3 times every
12 months;
New Services. Significant new service opportunities have also been
created by the combination of technological developments and growth in
business-to-consumer ("B2C") and business-to-business ("B2B")
transactions.
- - Fifth Third expects Internet-based advertising and financial services
to grow 3-5 times faster than their respective industries over the next
two years;
- - In Fifth Third's opinion, professional consulting services focused on
Internet-enabling processes and services will grow 4-6 times faster than
the overall IT services industry;
- - Third party electronic intermediaries are being created in virtually
every traditional industry to facilitate business-to-business
transactions and information exchange at significant cost savings;
- - Data security used to authenticate and protect electronic
communications is expected to see significant growth over the next five
years.
You should note that predictions stated herein for a particular industry
may not be realized. In addition, the Securities contained in the Trust
are not intended to be representative of the selected industries as a
whole and the performance of the Trust is expected to differ from that
of its comparative industries. Of course, as with any similar
investments, there can be no guarantee that the objective of the Trust
will be achieved. See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of the risks of
investing in the Trust.
Risk Factors
Price Volatility. The Trust invests in common stocks. The value of the
Trust's Units will fluctuate with changes in the value of these common
stocks. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including
changes in investors' perceptions of the financial condition of an
issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when
political or economic events affecting the issuers occur.
Because the Trust is not managed, the Trustee will not sell stocks in
response to or in anticipation of market fluctuations, as is common in
managed investments. As with any investment, we cannot guarantee that
the performance of the Trust will be positive over any period of time or
that you won't lose money. Units of the Trust are not deposits of any
bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency.
Certain of the Securities in the Trust are issued by companies with
market capitalizations of less than $1 billion. The share prices of
these small-cap companies are often more volatile than those of larger
Page 10
companies as a result of several factors common to many such issuers,
including limited trading volumes, products or financial resources,
management inexperience and less publicly available information.
Dividends. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the Securities will
declare dividends in the future or that if declared they will either
remain at current levels or increase over time.
Communications Industry. Because more than 25% of the Trust is invested
in telecommunications companies, the Trust is considered to be
concentrated in the communications industry. A portfolio concentrated in
an industry may present more risks than a portfolio which is broadly
diversified over several industries. The market for high technology
communications products and services is characterized by rapidly
changing technology, rapid product obsolescence or loss of patent
protection, cyclical market patterns, evolving industry standards and
frequent new product introductions. Certain communications companies are
subject to substantial governmental regulation, which among other
things, regulates permitted rates of return and the kinds of services
that a company may offer. The communications industry has experienced
substantial deregulation in recent years. Deregulation may lead to
fierce competition for market share and can have a negative impact on
certain companies. Competitive pressures are intense and communications
stocks can experience rapid volatility.
Technology Industry. The Trust is also considered to be concentrated in
the technology industry. Technology companies are generally subject to
the risks of rapidly changing technologies; short product life cycles;
fierce competition; aggressive pricing; frequent introduction of new or
enhanced products; the loss of patent, copyright and trademark
protections; and government regulation. Technology companies may be
smaller and less experienced companies, with limited product lines,
markets or financial resources. Technology company stocks have
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that are often
unrelated to their operating performance.
Legislation/Litigation. From time to time, various legislative
initiatives are proposed in the United States and abroad which may have
a negative impact on certain companies represented in the Trust. In
addition, litigation regarding any of the issuers of the Securities,
such as that concerning Microsoft Corporation, or of the industries
represented by these issuers, may negatively impact the share prices of
these Securities. We cannot predict what impact any pending or proposed
legislation or pending or threatened litigation will have on the share
prices of the Securities.
Year 2000 Problem. Many computer systems were not designed to properly
process information and data involving dates of January 1, 2000 and
thereafter. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." We do not
expect that any of the computer system changes necessary to prepare for
the Year 2000 Problem will cause any major operational difficulties for
the Trust. However, we are unable to predict what impact the Year 2000
Problem will have on any of the issuers of the Securities, but you
should note that foreign issuers may have greater complications than
other issuers.
Foreign Stocks. Certain of the Securities in the Trust are issued by
foreign companies, which makes the Trust subject to more risks than if
it invested solely in domestic common stocks. These Securities are
either directly listed on a U.S. securities exchange or are in the form
of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") which are listed on a U.S.
securities exchange. Risks of foreign common stocks include higher
brokerage costs; different accounting standards; expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political or economic developments;
currency devaluations, blockages or transfer restrictions; restrictions
on foreign investments and exchange of securities; inadequate financial
information; and lack of liquidity of certain foreign markets.
Portfolio Securities Descriptions
Software & Related Services
___________________________
Ariba, Inc., headquartered in
BEA Systems, Inc., headquartered in
Entrust Technologies Inc., headquartered in
Intuit Inc., headquartered in
Micromuse Inc., headquartered in
Microsoft Corporation, headquartered in
Novell, Inc., headquartered in
Oracle Corporation, headquartered in
Siebel Systems, Inc., headquartered in
Sterling Commerce, Inc., headquartered in
Whittman-Hart, Inc., headquartered in
Wind River Systems, Inc., headquartered in
Page 11
Telecommunication Services
__________________________
ALLTEL Corporation, headquartered in
Broadwing Inc., headquartered in
MCI WorldCom, Inc., headquartered in
Sprint Corp. (PCS Group), headquartered in
Vodafone AirTouch Plc (ADR), headquartered in
VoiceStream Wireless Corporation, headquartered in
Hardware & Networking
_____________________
ADC Telecommunications, Inc., headquartered in
Apple Computer, Inc., headquartered in
Cisco Systems, Inc., headquartered in
EMC Corporation, headquartered in
Finisar Corporation, headquartered in
International Business Machines Corporation, headquartered in
Lucent Technologies Inc., headquartered in
Network Appliance, Inc., headquartered in
Nokia Oy (ADR),, headquartered in
Nortel Networks Corporation, headquartered in
Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in
Semiconductors & Fiber Optics
_____________________________
Analog Devices, Inc., headquartered in
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, headquartered in
Conexant Systems, Inc., headquartered in
Cree, Inc., headquartered in
Intel Corporation, headquartered in
JDS Uniphase Corporation, headquartered in
Microchip Technology Incorporated, headquartered in
National Semiconductor Corporation, headquartered in
PMC-Sierra, Inc., headquartered in
QLogic Corporation, headquartered in
SDL, Inc., headquartered in
Texas Instruments Incorporated, headquartered in
Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation, headquartered in
We have obtained the foregoing descriptions from sources we deem
reliable. We have not independently verified the provided information
either in terms of accuracy or completeness.
Public Offering
The Public Offering Price.
You may buy Units at the Public Offering Price, the price per Unit of
which is comprised of the following:
- - The aggregate underlying value of the Securities;
- - The amount of any cash in the Income and Capital Accounts;
- - Dividends receivable on Securities; and
- - The total sales charge (which combines an initial up-front sales
charge and a deferred sales charge).
The price you pay for your Units will differ from the amount stated
under "Summary of Essential Information" due to various factors,
including fluctuations in the prices of the Securities and changes in
the value of the Income and/or Capital Accounts.
Securities purchased with the portion of the Public Offering Price
intended to be used to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's
organization costs (including costs of preparing the registration
statement, the Indenture and other closing documents, registering Units
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and states, the
initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the initial fees
and expenses of the Trustee) will be purchased in the same proportionate
relationship as all the Securities contained in the Trust. Securities
will be sold to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's organization costs
at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the
end of the initial offering period (a significantly shorter time period
than the life of the Trust). During the period ending with the earlier
of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the initial offering
period, there may be a decrease in the value of the Securities. To the
extent the proceeds from the sale of these Securities are insufficient
to repay the Sponsor for the Trust organization costs, the Trustee will
sell additional Securities to allow the Trust to fully reimburse the
Sponsor. In that event, the net asset value per Unit will be reduced by
the amount of additional Securities sold. Although the dollar amount of
the reimbursement due to the Sponsor will remain fixed and will never
exceed the per Unit amount set forth for the Trust in "Statement of Net
Page 12
Assets," this will result in a greater effective cost per Unit to Unit
holders for the reimbursement to the Sponsor. To the extent actual
organization costs are less than the estimated amount, only the actual
organization costs will be deducted from the assets of the Trust. When
Securities are sold to reimburse the Sponsor for organization costs, the
Trustee will sell such Securities, to the extent practicable, which will
maintain the same proportionate relationship among the Securities
contained in the Trust as existed prior to such sale.
Although you are not required to pay for your Units until three business
days following your order (the "date of settlement"), you may pay before
then. You will become the owner of Units ("Record Owner") on the date of
settlement if payment has been received. If you pay for your Units
before the date of settlement, we may use your payment during this time
and it may be considered a benefit to us, subject to the limitations of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Minimum Purchase.
The minimum amount you can purchase of the Trust is $2,000 worth of
Units ($2,000 if you are purchasing Units for your Individual Retirement
Account or any other qualified retirement plan).
Sales Charges.
The sales charge you will pay has both an initial and a deferred
component. The initial sales charge, which you will pay at the time of
purchase, is initially equal to approximately 1.00% of the Public
Offering Price of a Unit. This initial sales charge is actually equal to
the difference between the maximum sales charge of 3.75% of the Public
Offering Price and the maximum remaining deferred sales charge
(initially $.275 per Unit). The initial sales charge will vary from
1.00% with changes in the aggregate underlying value of the Securities,
changes in the Income and Capital Accounts and as deferred sales charge
payments are made. In addition, five monthly deferred sales charge
payments of $.055 per Unit will be deducted from the Trust's assets on
approximately the twentieth day of each month from September 20, 2000
through January 19, 2001. The maximum sales charge assessed during the
initial offering period will be 3.75% of the Public Offering Price
(equivalent to 3.788% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the
deferred sales charge).
After the initial offering period, if you purchase Units after the last
deferred sales charge payment has been assessed, your sales charge will
consist of a one-time initial sales charge of 3.75% of the Public
Offering Price (equivalent to 3.896% of the net amount invested), which
will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% on each subsequent ____________, commencing
____________, 20__, to a minimum sales charge of 3.05%.
Discounts for Certain Persons.
If you invest at least $50,000 (except if you are purchasing for a "wrap
fee account" as described below), the maximum sales charge is reduced as
follows:
Your maximum sales
If you invest(in thousands)* charge will be
____________________________ __________________
$50 but less than $100 3.50%
$100 but less than $150 3.25%
$150 but less than $500 2.90%
$500 but less than $1,000 2.75%
$1,000 or more 2.00%
*Breakpoint sales charges are also applied on a Unit basis utilizing a
breakpoint equivalent in the above table of $10 per Unit and will be
applied on whichever basis is more favorable to the investor. The
breakpoints will be adjusted to take into consideration purchase orders
stated in dollars which cannot be completely fulfilled due to the
requirement that only whole Units be issued.
The reduced sales charge for quantity purchases will apply only to
purchases made by the same person on any one day from any one dealer or
selling agent. We will also consider Units you purchase in the name of
your spouse or child under 21 years of age to be purchases by you for
the purpose of reaching the above levels. You must inform your dealer or
selling agent of any combined purchases before the sale in order to be
eligible for the reduced sales charge. Any reduced sales charge is the
responsibility of the party making the sale.
The following persons may purchase Units at the Public Offering Price
less the applicable dealer concession:
- - Employees, officers and directors of the Sponsor, our related
companies, the Underwriter, dealers and their affiliates, and vendors
providing services to us.
- - Immediate family members of the above (spouses, children,
grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-
in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-
law, and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the benefit of such
persons).
- - Trust clients of Fifth Third.
Page 13
If you purchase Units through registered broker/dealers who charge
periodic fees in lieu of commissions or who charge for financial
planning, investment advisory or asset management services or provide
these services as part of an investment account where a comprehensive
"wrap fee" charge is imposed, your Units will only be assessed that
portion of the sales charge retained by the Sponsor, 1.0% of the Public
Offering Price. See "Distribution of Units - Concessions."
You will be charged the deferred sales charge per Unit regardless of any
discounts. However, if you are eligible to receive a discount such that
the maximum sales charge you must pay is less than the applicable
maximum deferred sales charge, you will be credited the difference
between your maximum sales charge and the maximum deferred sales charge
at the time you buy your Units.
The Value of the Securities.
The Evaluator will appraise the aggregate underlying value of the
Securities in the Trust as of the Evaluation Time on each business day
and will adjust the Public Offering Price of the Units according to this
valuation. This Public Offering Price will be effective for all orders
received before the Evaluation Time on each such day. If we or the
Trustee receive orders for purchases, sales or redemptions after that
time, or on a day which is not a business day, they will be held until
the next determination of price. The term "business day" as used in this
prospectus will exclude Saturdays, Sundays and certain national holidays
on which the NYSE is closed.
The aggregate underlying value of the Securities will be determined as
follows: if the Securities are listed on a securities exchange or The
Nasdaq Stock Market, their value is generally based on the closing sale
prices on that exchange or system (unless it is determined that these
prices are not appropriate as a basis for valuation). However, if there
is no closing sale price on that exchange or system, they are valued
based on the closing ask prices. If the Securities are not so listed,
or, if so listed and the principal market for them is other than on that
exchange or system, their value will generally be based on the current
ask prices on the over-the-counter market (unless it is determined that
these prices are not appropriate as a basis for valuation). If current
ask prices are unavailable, the valuation is generally determined:
a) On the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities;
b) By appraising the value of the Securities on the ask side of the
market; or
c) By any combination of the above.
After the initial offering period is over, the aggregate underlying
value of the Securities will be determined as set forth above, except
that bid prices are used instead of ask prices when necessary.
Distribution of Units
We intend to qualify Units of the Trust for sale in a number of states.
All Units will be sold at the then current Public Offering Price.
Concessions.
Fifth Third Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned non-banking subsidiary of
Fifth Third Bancorp, is making Units of the Trust available to their
customers on an agency basis. Selling agents of Fifth Third Securities,
Inc., or of any bank or securities firm subsequently acquired by Fifth
Third Bancorp, can purchase Units on an agency basis at prices which
represent an agency commission of 2.75% of the Public Offering Price per
Unit (or __% of the maximum sales charge after ____________, 20__).
If Fifth Third Securities, Inc. sells Units of the Trust during the
initial offering period in the dollar amounts shown below, they will be
entitled to the following additional agency commissions as a percentage
of the Public Offering Price:
Total Sales Additional
(in millions): Commissions:
________________ ____________
$1 but less than $10 0.3%
$10 but less than $15 0.4%
$15 or more 0.5%
Dealers and other selling agents who, during any consecutive 12-month
period, sell at least $2 billion worth of primary market units of unit
investment trusts sponsored by us will receive a concession of $30,000
in the month following the achievement of this level. We reserve the
right to change the amount of concessions or agency commissions from
time to time. Certain commercial banks may be making Units of the Trust
available to their customers on an agency basis. A portion of the sales
Page 14
charge paid by these customers is kept by or given to the banks in the
amounts shown above.
Award Programs.
From time to time we may sponsor programs which provide awards to a
dealer's or selling agent's registered representatives who have sold a
minimum number of Units during a specified time period. We may also pay
fees to qualifying dealers or selling agents for services or activities
which are meant to result in sales of Units of the Trust. In addition,
we will pay to dealers or selling agents who sponsor sales contests or
recognition programs that conform to our criteria, or participate in our
sales programs, amounts equal to no more than the total applicable sales
charge on Units sold by such persons during such programs. We make these
payments out of our own assets and not out of Trust assets. These
programs will not change the price you pay for your Units.
Investment Comparisons.
From time to time we may compare the estimated returns of the Trust
(which may show performance net of the expenses and charges the Trust
would have incurred) and returns over specified periods of other similar
trusts we sponsor in our advertising and sales materials, with (1)
returns on other taxable investments such as the common stocks
comprising various market indexes, corporate or U.S. Government bonds,
bank CDs and money market accounts or funds, (2) performance data from
Morningstar Publications, Inc. or (3) information from publications such
as Money, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek,
Forbes or Fortune. The investment characteristics of the Trust differ
from other comparative investments. You should not assume that these
performance comparisons will be representative of the Trust's future
performance.
The Sponsor's Profits
We will receive a gross sales commission equal to the maximum sales
charge per Unit of a Trust less any reduced sales charge as stated in
"Public Offering." Also, any difference between our cost to purchase the
Securities and the price at which we sell them to a Trust is considered
a profit or loss (see Note 2 of "Schedule of Investments"). During the
initial offering period, dealers and others may also realize profits or
sustain losses as a result of fluctuations in the Public Offering Price
they receive when they sell the Units.
In maintaining a market for the Units, any difference between the price
at which we purchase Units and the price at which we sell or redeem them
will be a profit or loss to us.
The Secondary Market
Although not obligated, we intend to maintain a market for the Units
after the initial offering period and continuously offer to purchase
Units at prices based on the Redemption Price per Unit.
We will pay all expenses to maintain a secondary market, except the
Evaluator fees, Trustee costs to transfer and record the ownership of
Units, and costs incurred in annually updating the Trust's registration
statement. We may discontinue purchases of Units at any time. IF YOU
WISH TO DISPOSE OF YOUR UNITS, YOU SHOULD ASK US FOR THE CURRENT MARKET
PRICES BEFORE MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. If you sell
or redeem your Units before you have paid the total deferred sales
charge on your Units, you will have to pay the remainder at that time.
How We Purchase Units
The Trustee will notify us of any tender of Units for redemption. If our
bid is equal to or greater than the Redemption Price per Unit, we may
purchase the Units. You will receive your proceeds from the sale no
later than if they were redeemed by the Trustee. We may tender Units we
hold to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units. If we elect not
to purchase Units, the Trustee may sell tendered Units in the over-the-
counter market, if any. However, the amount you will receive is the same
as you would have received on redemption of the Units.
Expenses and Charges
The estimated annual expenses of the Trust are listed under "Fee Table."
If actual expenses exceed the estimate, the Trust will bear the excess.
The Trustee will pay operating expenses of the Trust from the Income
Account of the Trust if funds are available, and then from the Capital
Account. The Income and Capital Accounts are noninterest-bearing to Unit
holders, so the Trustee may earn interest on these funds, thus
benefiting from their use.
Page 15
As Sponsor, we will be compensated for providing bookkeeping and other
administrative services to the Trust, and will receive brokerage fees
when the Trust uses us (or an affiliate of ours) as agent in buying or
selling Securities. Legal, typesetting, electronic filing and regulatory
filing fees and expenses associated with updating the Trust's
registrations statement yearly are also now chargeable to the Trust.
Historically, we paid these fees and expenses. First Trust Advisors
L.P., an affiliate of ours, acts as both Portfolio Supervisor and
Evaluator to the Trust and will receive the fees set forth under "Fee
Table" for providing portfolio supervisory and evaluation services to
the Trust. In providing portfolio supervisory services, the Portfolio
Supervisor may purchase research services from a number of sources,
which may include dealers and other selling agents of the Trust.
The fees payable to us, First Trust Advisors L.P. and the Trustee are
based on the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding
at any time during the calendar year, except during the initial offering
period, in which case these fees are calculated based on the largest
number of Units outstanding during the period for which compensation is
paid. These fees may be adjusted for inflation without Unit holders'
approval, but in no case will the annual fees paid to us or our
affiliates for providing a given service to all unit investment trusts
for which we provide such services be more than the actual cost of
providing such service in such year.
In addition to the Trust's operating expenses, and the fees described
above, the Trust may also incur the following charges:
- - All legal expenses of the Trustee according to its responsibilities
under the Indenture;
- - The expenses and costs incurred by the Trustee to protect the Trust
and your rights and interests;
- - Fees for any extraordinary services the Trustee performed under the
Indenture;
- - Payment for any loss, liability or expense the Trustee incurred
without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, in
connection with its acceptance or administration of the Trust;
- - Payment for any loss, liability or expenses we incurred without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of
the Trust; and/or
- - All taxes and other government charges imposed upon the Securities or
any part of the Trust.
The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee are secured by a lien on
the Trust. Since the Securities are all common stocks and dividend
income is unpredictable, we cannot guarantee that dividends will be
sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. If there is not
enough cash in the Income or Capital Account, the Trustee has the power
to sell Securities to make cash available to pay these charges which may
result in capital gains or losses to you. See "Tax Status."
The Trust will be audited annually. So long as we are making a secondary
market for Units, we will bear the cost of these annual audits to the
extent the costs exceed $0.0050 per Unit. Otherwise, the Trust will pay
for the audit. You can request a copy of the audited financial
statements from the Trustee.
Tax Status
This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax
consequences of owning Units of the Trust. This section is current as of
the date of this prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change
frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax
consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do
not describe your situation if you are a non-U.S. person, a
broker/dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In
addition, this section does not describe your state or foreign taxes. As
with any investment, you should consult your own tax professional about
your particular consequences.
Trust Status.
The Trust will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes. As a Unit owner, you will be treated as the owner of a pro
rata portion of the Securities and other assets held by the Trust, and
as such you will be considered to have received a pro rata share of
income (i.e., dividends and capital gains, if any) from each Security
when such income is considered to be received by the Trust. This is true
even if you elect to have your distributions automatically reinvested
into additional Units. In addition, the income from the Trust which you
must take into account for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by
amounts used to pay the deferred sales charge.
Page 16
Your Tax Basis and Income or Loss upon Disposition.
If your Trust disposes of Securities, you will generally recognize gain
or loss. If you dispose of your Units or redeem your Units for cash, you
will also generally recognize gain or loss. To determine the amount of
this gain or loss, you must subtract your tax basis in the related
Securities from your share of the total proceeds received in the
transaction. You can generally determine your initial tax basis in each
Security or other Trust asset by apportioning the cost of your Units,
generally including sales charges, among each Security or other Trust
asset ratably according to their value on the date you purchase your
Units. In certain circumstances, however, you may have to adjust your
tax basis after you purchase your Units (for example, in the case of
certain dividends that exceed a corporation's accumulated earnings and
profits).
If you are an individual, the maximum marginal federal tax rate for net
capital gain is generally 20% (10% for certain taxpayers in the lowest
tax bracket). Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus
net short-term capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss
is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more than one year
and is short-term if the holding period for the asset is one year or
less. You must exclude the date you purchase your Units to determine the
holding period of your Units. The tax rates for capital gains realized
from assets held for one year or less are generally the same as for
ordinary income. The tax code may, however, treat certain capital gains
as ordinary income in special situations.
In-Kind Distributions.
Under certain circumstances, you may request a distribution of shares of
Securities (an "In-Kind Distribution") when you redeem your Units or at
the Trust's termination. If you request an In-Kind Distribution you will
be responsible for any expenses related to this distribution. By
electing to receive an In-Kind Distribution, you will receive an
undivided interest in whole shares of stock plus, possibly, cash.
You will not recognize gain or loss if you only receive Securities in
exchange for your pro rata portion of the Securities held by the Trust.
However, if you also receive cash in exchange for a fractional share of
a Security held by the Trust, you will generally recognize gain or loss
based on the difference between the amount of cash you receive and your
tax basis in such fractional share of the Security.
Limitations on the Deductibility of Trust Expenses.
Generally, for federal income tax purposes, you must take into account
your full pro rata share of the Trust's income, even if some of that
income is used to pay Trust expenses. You may deduct your pro rata share
of each expense paid by the Trust to the same extent as if you directly
paid the expense. You may, however, be required to treat some or all of
the expenses of the Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
Individuals may only deduct certain miscellaneous itemized deductions to
the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income.
Foreign, State and Local Taxes.
Some distributions by the Trust may be subject to foreign withholding
taxes. Any dividends withheld will nevertheless be treated as income to
you. However, because you are deemed to have paid directly your share of
foreign taxes that have been paid or accrued by the Trust, you may be
entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for U.S. tax purposes with
respect to such taxes.
Under the existing income tax laws of the State and City of New York,
the Trust will not be taxed as a corporation, and the income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unit holders in the same
manner as for federal income tax purposes. You should consult your tax
advisor regarding potential foreign, state or local taxation with
respect to your Units.
Retirement Plans
You may purchase Units of the Trust for:
- - Individual Retirement Accounts;
- - Keogh Plans;
- - Pension funds; and
- - Other tax-deferred retirement plans.
Generally, the federal income tax on capital gains and income received
in each of the above plans is deferred until you receive distributions.
These distributions are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in
some cases, be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover
treatment. Before participating in a plan like this, you should review
the tax laws regarding these plans and consult your attorney or tax
Page 17
advisor. Brokerage firms and other financial institutions offer these
plans with varying fees and charges.
Rights of Unit Holders
Unit Ownership.
The Trustee will treat as Record Owner of Units persons registered as
such on its books. It is your responsibility to notify the Trustee when
you become Record Owner, but normally your broker/dealer provides this
notice. You may elect to hold your Units in either certificated or
uncertificated form.
Certificated Units. When you purchase your Units you can request that
they be evidenced by certificates, which will be delivered shortly after
your order. Certificates will be issued in fully registered form,
transferable only on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one
Unit or any multiple thereof. You can transfer or redeem your
certificated Units by endorsing and surrendering the certificate to the
Trustee, along with a written instrument of transfer. You must sign your
name exactly as it appears on the face of the certificate with your
signature guaranteed by an eligible institution. In certain cases the
Trustee may require additional documentation before they will transfer
or redeem your Units.
You may be required to pay a nominal fee to the Trustee for each
certificate reissued or transferred, and to pay any government charge
that may be imposed for each transfer or exchange. If a certificate gets
lost, stolen or destroyed, you may be required to furnish indemnity to
the Trustee to receive replacement certificates. You must surrender
mutilated certificates to the Trustee for replacement.
Uncertificated Units. You may also choose to hold your Units in
uncertificated form. If you choose this option, the Trustee will
establish an account for you and credit your account with the number of
Units you purchase. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer
of Units held in uncertificated form, the Trustee will send you:
- - A written initial transaction statement containing a description of
your Trust;
- - The number of Units issued or transferred;
- - Your name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN");
- - A notation of any liens or restrictions of the issuer and any adverse
claims; and
- - The date the transfer was registered.
Uncertificated Units may be transferred the same way as certificated
Units, except that no certificate needs to be presented to the Trustee.
Also, no certificate will be issued when the transfer takes place unless
you request it. You may at any time request that the Trustee issue
certificates for your Units.
Unit Holder Reports.
In connection with each distribution, the Trustee will provide you with
a statement detailing the per Unit amount of income (if any)
distributed. After the end of each calendar year, the Trustee will
provide you:
- - A summary of transactions in the Trust for the year;
- - A list of any Securities sold during the year and the Securities held
at the end of that year by the Trust;
- - The Redemption Price per Unit, computed on the 31st day of December of
such year (or the last business day before); and
- - Amounts of income and capital distributed during the year.
You may request from the Trustee copies of the evaluations of the
Securities as prepared by the Evaluator to enable you to comply with
federal and state tax reporting requirements.
Income and Capital Distributions
You will begin receiving distributions on your Units only after you
become a Record Owner. The Trustee will credit dividends received on the
Trust's Securities to the Income Account. All other receipts, such as
return of capital, are credited to the Capital Account.
The Trustee will distribute any net income in the Income Account on or
near the Income Distribution Dates to Unit holders of record on the
preceding Income Distribution Record Date. See "Summary of Essential
Information." No income distribution will be paid if accrued expenses of
the Trust exceed amounts in the Income Account on the Income
Distribution Dates. Distribution amounts will vary with changes in the
Trust's fees and expenses, in dividends received and with the sale of
Securities. The Trustee will distribute amounts in the Capital Account,
Page 18
net of amounts designated to meet redemptions, pay the deferred sales
charge or pay expenses, on the last day of each month to Unit holders of
record on the fifteenth day of each month provided the amount equals at
least $1.00 per 100 Units. If the Trustee does not have your TIN it is
required to withhold a certain percentage of your distribution and
deliver such amount to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). You may
recover this amount by giving your TIN to the Trustee, or when you file
a tax return. However, you should check your statements to make sure the
Trustee has your TIN to avoid this "back-up withholding."
We anticipate that there will be enough money in the Capital Account to
pay the deferred sales charge. If not, the Trustee may sell Securities
to meet the shortfall.
Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated you will receive
a pro rata share of the money from the sale of the Securities. However,
if you are eligible, you may elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution as
described under "Amending or Terminating the Indenture." All Unit
holders will receive a pro rata share of any other assets remaining in
the Trust, after deducting any unpaid expenses.
The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the
Trust to cover anticipated state and local taxes or any governmental
charges to be paid out of the Trust.
Distribution Reinvestment Option. You may elect to have each
distribution of income and/or capital reinvested into additional Units
of the Trust by notifying the Trustee at least 10 days before any Record
Date. Each later distribution of income and/or capital on your Units
will be reinvested by the Trustee into additional Units of the Trust.
You will have to pay any remaining deferred sales charge on any Units
acquired pursuant to this distribution reinvestment option. This option
may not be available in all states. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF YOU
REINVEST DISTRIBUTIONS, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR
INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
Redeeming Your Units
You may redeem all or a portion of your Units at any time by sending the
certificates representing the Units you want to redeem to the Trustee at
its unit investment trust office. If your Units are uncertificated, you
need only deliver a request for redemption to the Trustee. In either
case, the certificates or the redemption request must be properly
endorsed with proper instruments of transfer and signature guarantees as
explained in "Rights of Unit Holders-Unit Ownership" (or by providing
satisfactory indemnity if the certificates were lost, stolen, or
destroyed). No redemption fee will be charged, but you are responsible
for any governmental charges that apply. Three business days after the
day you tender your Units (the "Date of Tender") you will receive cash
in an amount for each Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit
calculated at the Evaluation Time on the Date of Tender.
The Date of Tender is considered to be the date on which the Trustee
receives your certificates or redemption request (if such day is a day
the NYSE is open for trading). However, if your certificates or
redemption request are received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or after
any earlier closing time on a day on which the NYSE is scheduled in
advance to close at such earlier time), the Date of Tender is the next
day the NYSE is open for trading.
Any amounts paid on redemption representing income will be withdrawn
from the Income Account if funds are available for that purpose, or from
the Capital Account. All other amounts paid on redemption will be taken
from the Capital Account. The IRS will require the Trustee to withhold a
portion of your redemption proceeds if the Trustee does not have your
TIN, as generally discussed under "Income and Capital Distributions."
If you tender 1,000 Units or more for redemption, rather than receiving
cash you may elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution in an amount equal
to the Redemption Price per Unit by making this request in writing to
the Trustee at the time of tender. However, no In-Kind Distribution
requests submitted during the nine business days prior to the Trust's
Mandatory Termination Date will be honored. Where possible, the Trustee
will make an In-Kind Distribution by distributing each of the Securities
in book-entry form to your bank or broker/dealer account at the
Depository Trust Company. The Trustee will subtract any customary
transfer and registration charges from your In-Kind Distribution. As a
tendering Unit holder, you will receive your pro rata number of whole
shares of the Securities that make up the portfolio, and cash from the
Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to which you are entitled.
Page 19
The Trustee may sell Securities to make funds available for redemption.
If Securities are sold, the size and diversification of the Trust will
be reduced. These sales may result in lower prices than if the
Securities were sold at a different time.
Your right to redeem Units (and therefore, your right to receive
payment) may be delayed:
- - If the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings);
- - If the SEC determines that trading on the NYSE is restricted or that
an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the Securities not
reasonably practical; or
- - For any other period permitted by SEC order.
The Trustee is not liable to any person for any loss or damage which may
result from such a suspension or postponement.
The Redemption Price.
The Redemption Price per Unit is determined by the Trustee by:
adding
1. cash in the Income and Capital Accounts not designated to purchase
Securities;
2. the aggregate underlying value of the Securities held in the Trust; and
3. dividends receivable on the Securities trading ex-dividend as of the
date of computation; and
deducting
1. any applicable taxes or governmental charges that need to be paid out
of the Trust;
2. any amounts owed to the Trustee for its advances;
3. estimated accrued expenses of the Trust, if any;
4. cash held for distribution to Unit holders of record of the Trust as
of the business day before the evaluation being made; and
5. other liabilities incurred by the Trust; and
dividing
1. the result by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust.
Any remaining deferred sales charge on the Units when you redeem them
will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. In addition, until the
earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of
the initial offering period, the Redemption Price per Unit will include
estimated organization costs as set forth under "Fee Table."
Removing Securities from the Trust
The portfolio of the Trust is not managed. However, we may, but are not
required to, direct the Trustee to dispose of a Security in certain
limited circumstances, including situations in which:
- - The issuer of the Security defaults in the payment of a declared
dividend;
- - Any action or proceeding prevents the payment of dividends;
- - There is any legal question or impediment affecting the Security;
- - The issuer of the Security has breached a covenant which would affect
the payment of dividends, the issuer's credit standing, or otherwise
damage the sound investment character of the Security;
- - The issuer has defaulted on the payment of any other of its
outstanding obligations;
- - There has been a public tender offer made for a Security or a merger
or acquisition is announced affecting a Security, and that in our
opinion the sale or tender of the Security is in the best interest of
Unit holders; or
- - The price of the Security has declined to such an extent, or such
other credit factors exist, that in our opinion keeping the Security
would be harmful to the Trust.
Except in the limited instance in which the Trust acquires Replacement
Securities, as described in "The FT Series," the Trust may not acquire
any securities or other property other than the Securities. The Trustee,
on behalf of the Trust, will reject any offer for new or exchanged
securities or property in exchange for a Security, such as those
acquired in a merger or other transaction. If such exchanged securities
or property are nevertheless acquired by the Trust, at our instruction,
they will either be sold or held in the Trust. In making the
determination as to whether to sell or hold the exchanged securities or
property we may get advice from the Portfolio Supervisor. Any proceeds
received from the sale of Securities, exchanged securities or property
will be credited to the Capital Account for distribution to Unit holders
or to meet redemption requests. The Trustee may retain and pay us or an
affiliate of ours to act as agent for the Trust to facilitate selling
Securities, exchanged securities or property from the Trust. If we or
our affiliate act in this capacity, we will be held subject to the
restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Page 20
The Trustee may sell Securities designated by us, or, absent our
direction, at its own discretion, in order to meet redemption requests
or pay expenses. In designating Securities to be sold, we will try to
maintain the proportionate relationship among the Securities. If this is
not possible, the composition and diversification of the Trust may be
changed. To get the best price for the Trust we may specify minimum
amounts (generally 100 shares) in which blocks of Securities are to be
sold. We may consider sales of units of trusts we sponsor when we make
recommendations to the Trustee as to which broker/dealers they select to
execute the Trust's portfolio transactions, or when acting as agent for
the Trust in acquiring or selling Securities on behalf of the Trust.
Amending or Terminating the Indenture
Amendments. The Indenture may be amended by us and the Trustee without
your consent:
- - To cure ambiguities;
- - To correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
- - To make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
- - To make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your
best interests (as determined by us and the Trustee).
Termination. As provided by the Indenture, the Trust will terminate on
the Mandatory Termination Date. The Trust may be terminated prior to the
Mandatory Termination Date:
- - Upon the consent of 100% of the Unit holders;
- - If the value of the Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any
evaluation is less than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total
value of Securities deposited in the Trust during the initial offering
period ("Discretionary Liquidation Amount"); or
- - In the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more
than 60% of the Units of such Trust are tendered for redemption by
underwriters, including the Sponsor.
Prior to termination the Trustee will send written notice to all Unit
holders which will specify how you should tender your certificates, if
any, to the Trustee. If the Trust is terminated due to this last reason,
we will refund your entire sales charge; however, termination of the
Trust before the Mandatory Termination Date for any other stated reason
will result in all remaining unpaid deferred sales charges on your Units
being deducted from your termination proceeds. For various reasons, the
Trust may be reduced below the Discretionary Liquidation Amount and
could therefore be terminated before the Mandatory Termination Date.
Unless terminated earlier, the Trustee will begin to sell Securities in
connection with the termination of the Trust during the period beginning
nine business days prior to, and no later than, the Mandatory
Termination Date. We will determine the manner and timing of the sale of
Securities. Because the Trustee must sell the Securities within a
relatively short period of time, the sale of Securities as part of the
termination process may result in a lower sales price than might
otherwise be realized if such sale were not required at this time.
If you own at least 1,000 Units of the Trust the Trustee will send you a
form at least 30 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date which will
enable you to receive an In-Kind Distribution of Securities (reduced by
customary transfer and registration charges) rather than the typical
cash distribution. You must notify the Trustee at least ten business
days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if you elect this In-Kind
Distribution option. If you do not elect to participate in the In-Kind
Distribution option you will receive a cash distribution from the sale
of the remaining Securities, along with your interest in the Income and
Capital Accounts, within a reasonable time after the Trust is
terminated. Regardless of the distribution involved, the Trustee will
deduct from the Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or
indemnities provided for by the Indenture, including estimated
compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any amounts
required as a reserve to pay any taxes or other governmental charges.
Information on
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.,
the Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. is a full-service investment banking and
brokerage firm headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with over 50 branch
offices spread throughout Ohio, Florida, Indiana, Michigan and West
Virginia. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides retail brokerage
services with over 200 investment executives and institutional service
Page 21
with eight investment executives. A wide array of financial services are
provided including: equity research (following approximately 125
companies), Nasdaq and NYSE equity trading (making markets in over 80
stocks and providing the services of a dedicated NYSE floor broker),
corporate and public finance, taxable and municipal bond trading desks
and asset management (approximately $2.0 billion under active management).
Founded in 1925, Fifth Third Securities, Inc. has a current capital
position of nearly $35 million, ranking near the top of regional
securities firms. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. has built and maintained
a reputation for more than 70 years of providing high quality investment
banking and brokerage service to institutions, corporations,
municipalities and individuals.
The Investment Advisors Division of Fifth Third is responsible for the
management of more than $21 billion in mutual funds, private and
institutional accounts. Systemwide, over 80 investment professionals are
responsible for the active management of client funds managed to
specific account-driven objectives. The Investment Advisors Division of
Fifth Third utilizes a consistent quality growth discipline, a
methodology that has been constantly refined over its 100 years of asset
management history. Consistency and growth in reported earnings,
dividends and cash flow over a variety of business cycle conditions,
while maintaining strong financial and management focus, are the keys to
its time-tested approach.
The Sponsor.
We, Nike Securities L.P., specialize in the underwriting, trading and
wholesale distribution of unit investment trusts under the "First Trust"
brand name and other securities. An Illinois limited partnership formed
in 1991, we act as Sponsor for successive series of:
- - The First Trust Combined Series
- - FT Series (formerly known as The First Trust Special Situations Trust)
- - The First Trust Insured Corporate Trust
- - The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds
- - The First Trust GNMA
First Trust introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974.
To date we have deposited more than $25 billion in First Trust unit
investment trusts. Our employees include a team of professionals with
many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry.
We are a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
and Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Our principal offices
are at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number
(630) 241-4141. As of December 31, 1998, the total partners' capital of
Nike Securities L.P. was $18,506,548 (audited).
This information refers only to us and not to the Trust or to any series
of the Trust or to any other dealer. We are including this information
only to inform you of our financial responsibility and our ability to
carry out our contractual obligations. We will provide more detailed
financial information on request.
The Trustee.
The Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, with its principal executive
office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit
investment trust office at 4 New York Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, New
York, 10004-2413. If you have questions regarding the Trust, you may
call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee is
supervised by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
The Trustee has not participated in selecting the Securities; it only
provides administrative services.
Limitations of Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for taking any action or for
not taking any action in good faith according to the Indenture. We will
also not be accountable for errors in judgment. We will only be liable
for our own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary
negligence in the Trustee's case) or reckless disregard of our
obligations and duties. The Trustee is not liable for any loss or
depreciation when the Securities are sold. If we fail to act under the
Indenture, the Trustee may do so, and the Trustee will not be liable for
any action it takes in good faith under the Indenture.
The Trustee will not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges or interest on the Securities which the Trustee may be required
to pay under any present or future law of the United States or of any
other taxing authority with jurisdiction. Also, the Indenture states
other provisions regarding the liability of the Trustee.
Page 22
If we do not perform any of our duties under the Indenture or are not
able to act or become bankrupt, or if our affairs are taken over by
public authorities, then the Trustee may:
- - Appoint a successor sponsor, paying them a reasonable rate not more
than that stated by the SEC;
- - Terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trust; or
- - Continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
The Evaluator.
The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited
partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The
Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on the accuracy of any
evaluation prepared by the Evaluator. The Evaluator will make
determinations in good faith based upon the best available information,
but will not be liable to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for
errors in judgment.
Other Information
Legal Opinions.
Our counsel is Chapman and Cutler, 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, Illinois,
60603. They have passed upon the legality of the Units offered hereby
and certain matters relating to federal tax law. Carter, Ledyard &
Milburn acts as the Trustee's counsel, as well as special New York tax
counsel for the Trust.
Experts.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited the Trust's
statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, at the
opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, as set forth in
their report. We've included the Trust's statement of net assets,
including the schedule of investments, in the prospectus and elsewhere
in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report,
given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Supplemental Information.
If you write or call the Trustee, you will receive free of charge
supplemental information about this Series, which has been filed with
the SEC and to which we have referred throughout. This information
states more specific details concerning the nature, structure and risks
of this product.
Page 23
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
Strategic Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2
FT 403
Sponsor:
Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
1-630-241-4141
Trustee:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza, 6th floor
New York, New York 10004-2413
1-800-682-7520
24-Hour Pricing Line:
1-800-446-0132
This prospectus contains information relating to Strategic
Communications & Technology Trust, Series 2, but does not contain all of
the information about this investment company as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. under the:
- - Securities Act of 1933 (file no. 333-95265) and
- - Investment Company Act of 1940 (file no. 811-05903)
Information about the Trust can be reviewed and copied at the Securities
and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington D.C.
Information regarding the operation of the Commission's Public Reference
Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-942-8090.
Information about the Trust is available on the EDGAR Database on the
Commission's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
To obtain copies at prescribed rates -
Write: Public Reference Section of the Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
e-mail address: [email protected]
February __, 2000
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Page 24
First Trust (registered trademark)
The FT Series
Information Supplement
This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning
the structure, operations and risks of the unit investment trust
contained in FT 403 not found in the prospectus for the Trust. This
Information Supplement is not a prospectus and does not include all of
the information you should consider before investing in the Trust. This
Information Supplement should be read in conjunction with the prospectus
for the Trust in which you are considering investing.
This Information Supplement is dated February __, 2000. Capitalized
terms have been defined in the prospectus.
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Securities 1
Dividends 1
Foreign Issuers 1
Litigation
Microsoft Corporation 2
Concentrations
Communication Companies 2
Technology Companies 2
Risk Factors
Securities. An investment in Units should be made with an understanding
of the risks which an investment in common stocks entails, including the
risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the Securities or
the general condition of the relevant stock market may worsen, and the
value of the Securities and therefore the value of the Units may
decline. Common stocks are especially susceptible to general stock
market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value, as
market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These
perceptions are based on unpredictable factors, including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation
and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises. Both U.S. and foreign
markets have experienced substantial volatility and significant declines
recently as a result of certain or all of these factors.
Dividends. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments
from the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate
to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred
stocks of, such issuers. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of
the issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or
provide the same degree of protection of capital as do debt securities.
The issuance of additional debt securities or preferred stock will
create prior claims for payment of principal, interest and dividends
which could adversely affect the ability and inclination of the issuer
to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or the rights of holders
of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation or
bankruptcy.
Foreign Issuers. Since certain of the Securities included in the Trust
consist of securities of foreign issuers, an investment in the Trust
involves certain investment risks that are different in some respects
from an investment in a trust which invests entirely in the securities
of domestic issuers. These investment risks include future political or
governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment or
receipt of payment of dividends on the relevant Securities, the
possibility that the financial condition of the issuers of the
Securities may become impaired or that the general condition of the
relevant stock market may worsen (both of which would contribute
directly to a decrease in the value of the Securities and thus in the
value of the Units), the limited liquidity and relatively small market
capitalization of the relevant securities market, expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, economic uncertainties and foreign currency
devaluations and fluctuations. In addition, for foreign issuers that are
not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, there may be less publicly available information than is
available from a domestic issuer. Also, foreign issuers are not
necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers. The securities of many foreign issuers
are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of
comparable domestic issuers. In addition, fixed brokerage commissions
and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are
generally higher than in the United States and there is generally less
government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers
in foreign countries than there is in the United States. However, due to
the nature of the issuers of the Securities selected for the Trust, the
Page 1
Sponsor believes that adequate information will be available to allow
the Supervisor to provide portfolio surveillance for the Trust.
Securities issued by non-U.S. issuers generally pay dividends in foreign
currencies and are principally traded in foreign currencies. Therefore,
there is a risk that the United States dollar value of these securities
will vary with fluctuations in the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates
for the various Securities.
On the basis of the best information available to the Sponsor at the
present time, none of the Securities in the Trust are subject to
exchange control restrictions under existing law which would materially
interfere with payment to the Trust of dividends due on, or proceeds
from the sale of, the Securities. However, there can be no assurance
that exchange control regulations might not be adopted in the future
which might adversely affect payment to the Trust. The adoption of
exchange control regulations and other legal restrictions could have an
adverse impact on the marketability of international securities in the
Trust and on the ability of the Trust to satisfy its obligation to
redeem Units tendered to the Trustee for redemption. In addition,
restrictions on the settlement of transactions on either the purchase or
sale side, or both, could cause delays or increase the costs associated
with the purchase and sale of the foreign Securities and correspondingly
could affect the price of the Units.
Investors should be aware that it may not be possible to buy all
Securities at the same time because of the unavailability of any
Security, and restrictions applicable to the Trust relating to the
purchase of a Security by reason of the federal securities laws or
otherwise.
Foreign securities generally have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and may not be exempt from the registration
requirements of such Act. Sales of non-exempt Securities by the Trust in
the United States securities markets are subject to severe restrictions
and may not be practicable. Accordingly, sales of these Securities by
the Trust will generally be effected only in foreign securities markets.
Although the Sponsor does not believe that the Trust will encounter
obstacles in disposing of the Securities, investors should realize that
the Securities may be traded in foreign countries where the securities
markets are not as developed or efficient and may not be as liquid as
those in the United States. The value of the Securities will be
adversely affected if trading markets for the Securities are limited or
absent.
Litigation
Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Corporation is currently engaged in
litigation with Sun Microsystems, Inc., the U.S. Department of Justice,
several state Attorneys General and Caldera, Inc. The complaints against
Microsoft include copyright infringement, unfair competition and anti-
trust violations. The claims seek injunctive relief and monetary
damages. As of November 5, 1999, Microsoft's management asserted that
resolving these matters will not have a material adverse impact on its
financial position or its results of operation.
Concentrations
Communication Companies. An investment in the Trust should be made with
an understanding of the problems and risks such an investment may
entail. The market for high-technology communications products and
services is characterized by rapidly changing technology, rapid product
obsolescence, cyclical market patterns, evolving industry standards and
frequent new product introductions. The success of the issuers of the
Securities depends in substantial part on the timely and successful
introduction of new products and services. An unexpected change in one
or more of the technologies affecting an issuer's products or in the
market for products based on a particular technology could have a
material adverse affect on an issuer's operating results. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that the issuers of the Securities will be
able to respond in a timely manner to compete in the rapidly developing
marketplace.
The communications industry is subject to governmental regulation.
However, as market forces develop, the government will continue to
deregulate the communications industry, promoting vigorous economic
competition and resulting in the rapid development of new communications
technologies. The products and services of communications companies may
be subject to rapid obsolescence. These factors could affect the value
of the Trust's Units. For example, while telephone companies in the
United States are subject to both state and federal regulations
affecting permitted rates of returns and the kinds of services that may
be offered, the prohibition against phone companies delivering video
services has been lifted. This creates competition between phone
companies and cable operators and encourages phone companies to
modernize their communications infrastructure. Certain types of
companies represented in the Trust's portfolio are engaged in fierce
competition for a share of the market of their products. As a result,
competitive pressures are intense and the stocks are subject to rapid
price volatility.
Many communications companies rely on a combination of patents,
copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect
their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can
be no assurance that the steps taken by the issuers of the Securities to
protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent
misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or
superior to such issuers' technology.
Technology Companies. Technology companies generally include companies
involved in the development, design, manufacture and sale of computers
Page 2
and peripherals, software and services, data networking/communications
equipment, internet access/information providers, semiconductors and
semiconductor equipment and other related products, systems and
services. The market for these products, especially those specifically
related to the Internet, is characterized by rapidly changing
technology, rapid product obsolescence, cyclical market patterns,
evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The
success of the issuers of the Securities depends in substantial part on
the timely and successful introduction of new products. An unexpected
change in one or more of the technologies affecting an issuer's products
or in the market for products based on a particular technology could
have a material adverse affect on an issuer's operating results.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the issuers of the
Securities will be able to respond in a timely manner to compete in the
rapidly developing marketplace.
Based on trading history of common stock, factors such as announcements
of new products or development of new technologies and general
conditions of the industry have caused and are likely to cause the
market price of high-technology common stocks to fluctuate
substantially. In addition, technology company stocks have experienced
extreme price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated to
the operating performance of such companies. This market volatility may
adversely affect the market price of the Securities and therefore the
ability of a Unit holder to redeem Units at a price equal to or greater
than the original price paid for such Units.
Some key components of certain products of technology issuers are
currently available only from single sources. There can be no assurance
that in the future suppliers will be able to meet the demand for
components in a timely and cost effective manner. Accordingly, an
issuer's operating results and customer relationships could be adversely
affected by either an increase in price for, or an interruption or
reduction in supply of, any key components. Additionally, many
technology issuers are characterized by a highly concentrated customer
base consisting of a limited number of large customers who may require
product vendors to comply with rigorous industry standards. Any failure
to comply with such standards may result in a significant loss or
reduction of sales. Because many products and technologies of technology
companies are incorporated into other related products, such companies
are often highly dependent on the performance of the personal computer,
electronics and telecommunications industries. There can be no assurance
that these customers will place additional orders, or that an issuer of
Securities will obtain orders of similar magnitude as past orders from
other customers. Similarly, the success of certain technology companies
is tied to a relatively small concentration of products or technologies.
Accordingly, a decline in demand of such products, technologies or from
such customers could have a material adverse impact on issuers of the
Securities.
Many technology companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights,
trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their
proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no
assurance that the steps taken by the issuers of the Securities to
protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent
misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or
superior to such issuers' technology. In addition, due to the increasing
public use of the Internet, it is possible that other laws and
regulations may be adopted to address issues such as privacy, pricing,
characteristics, and quality of Internet products and services. For
example, recent proposals would prohibit the distribution of obscene,
lascivious or indecent communications on the Internet. The adoption of
any such laws could have a material adverse impact on the Securities in
the Trust.
Like many areas of technology, the semiconductor business environment is
highly competitive, notoriously cyclical and subject to rapid and often
unanticipated change. Recent industry downturns have resulted, in part,
from weak pricing, persistent overcapacity, slowdown in Asian demand and
a shift in retail personal computer sales toward the low end, or "sub-
$1,000" segment. Industry growth is dependent upon several factors,
including: the rate of global economic expansion; demand for products
such as personal computers and networking and communications equipment;
excess productive capacity and the resultant effect on pricing; and the
rate of growth in the market for low-priced personal computers.
Page 3
MEMORANDUM
Re: FT 403
The only difference of consequence (except as described
below) between FT 396, which is the current fund, and FT 403, the
filing of which this memorandum accompanies, is the change in the
series number. The list of securities comprising the Fund, the
evaluation, record and distribution dates and other changes
pertaining specifically to the new series, such as size and
number of Units in the Fund and the statement of condition of the
new Fund, will be filed by amendment.
1940 ACT
FORMS N-8A AND N-8B-2
These forms were not filed, as the Form N-8A and Form N-8B-2
filed in respect of Templeton Growth and Treasury Trust, Series 1
and subsequent series (File No. 811-05903) related also to the
subsequent series of the Fund.
1933 ACT
PROSPECTUS
The only significant changes in the Prospectus from FT 396
relate to the series number and size and the date and various
items of information which will be derived from and apply
specifically to the securities deposited in the Fund.
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM A Bonding Arrangements of Depositor:
Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Broker's Fidelity
Bond, in the total amount of $1,000,000, the insurer
being National Union Fire Insurance Company of
Pittsburgh.
ITEM B This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the
following papers and documents:
The facing sheet
The Prospectus
The signatures
Exhibits
S-1
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the Registrant, FT 403 has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Village of Lisle
and State of Illinois on February 3, 2000.
FT 403
(Registrant)
By: NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
(Depositor)
By Robert M. Porcellino
Senior Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following person in the capacity and on the date indicated:
NAME TITLE* DATE
David J. Allen Sole Director of
Nike Securities February 3, 2000
Corporation, the
General Partner of
Nike Securities L.P. Robert M. Porcellino
Attorney-in-Fact**
___________________________
* The title of the person named herein represents his capacity
in and relationship to Nike Securities L.P., the Depositor.
** An executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with Amendment No. 1 to form S-6 of The First Trust Combined
Series 258 (File No. 33-63483) and the same is hereby
incorporated by this reference.
S-2
CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
The consents of counsel to the use of their names in the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement will be
contained in their respective opinions to be filed as Exhibits
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
The consent of Ernst & Young LLP to the use of its name and
to the reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in this
Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
CONSENT OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.
The consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. to the use of its
name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is
filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
S-3
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 22 and
certain subsequent Series, effective November 20, 1991
among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, United States
Trust Company of New York as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and Nike
Financial Advisory Services L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
[File No. 33-43693] filed on behalf of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 22).
1.1.1* Form of Trust Agreement for FT 403 among Nike Securities
L.P., as Depositor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee
and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator and Portfolio
Supervisor.
1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of Nike
Securities L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.3 Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership
Agreement of Nike Securities L.P. (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No.
33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.4 Copy of Articles of Incorporation of Nike Securities
Corporation, the general partner of Nike Securities L.P.,
Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1
to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.5 Copy of By-Laws of Nike Securities Corporation, the
general partner of Nike Securities L.P., Depositor
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
[File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1
filed herewith on page 2 and incorporated herein by
reference).
3.1* Opinion of counsel as to legality of Securities being
registered.
3.2* Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of
Securities being registered.
S-4
3.3* Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of
Securities being registered.
3.4* Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by Trustee.
4.1* Consent of First Trust Advisors L.P.
6.1 List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other
related information (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 18).
7.1 Power of Attorney executed by the Director listed on page
S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No.
33-63483] filed on behalf of The First Trust Combined
Series 258).
___________________________________
* To be filed by amendment.
S-5
