Registration No.
File No. 811-09845
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. _____ [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. _____ [ ]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. _____ [ ]
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
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(212) 323-0200
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
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Andrew J. Donohue, Esq.
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OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[ ] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] On ________________ pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph(a)(1)
[ ] On _______________ pursuant to paragraph(a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph(a)(2)
[ ] On _________________ pursuant to paragraph(a)(2)of Rule 485
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The Registrant hereby amends the Registration statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), shall
determine.
Oppenheimer
Emerging Technologies Fund
Prospectus dated ___________ __, 2000
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
is a newly-organized, non-diversified
mutual fund. It seeks capital
appreciation to make your investment
grow. It emphasizes investments in
common stocks of companies expected to
benefit in the long- term from
advances in technology.
This Prospectus contains important
information about the Fund's
objective, its investment policies,
strategies and risks. It also contains
important information about how to buy
and sell shares of the Fund and other
account features.
As with all mutual funds, the Please read this Prospectus
Securities and Exchange Commission carefully before you invest and keep
has not approved or disapproved the it for future reference about your
Fund's securities nor has it account.
determined that this Prospectus is
accurate or complete. It is a
criminal offense to represent
otherwise.
67890
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
ABOUT THE FUND
3 The Fund's Investment Objective and Strategies
3 Main Risks of Investing in the Fund
5 The Fund's Past Performance
6 Fees and Expenses of the Fund
7 About the Fund's Investments
11 How the Fund is Managed
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
12 How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Class Y Shares
21 Special Investor Services
AccountLink
PhoneLink
OppenheimerFunds Internet Web Site
Retirement Plans
22 How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
24 How to Exchange Shares
26 Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
27 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
28 Financial Highlights
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
The Fund's Investment Objective and Strategies
WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE? The Fund seeks capital appreciation.
WHAT DOES THE FUND MAINLY INVEST IN? The Fund expects to invest mainly in the
common stocks of technology companies in the U.S. believed by the investment
adviser OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("the Manager"), to have significant growth
potential without regard to a specific market capitalization range. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities of companies that the Manager believes will benefit from
existing technologies as well as enhancements and improvements in technology.
For these purposes, technology companies are those companies believed to have
significant growth potential as a result of their production, development and/or
use of technology products, processes and/or services. These companies may be
involved in the following technologies, among others: bandwidth and
communications; photonics; telecommunications; wireless, satellite, data and
other emerging communications; computer software; computer hardware; e-commerce;
or certain other technologies combining voice, video and data systems. Companies
deemed to be technology companies can be expected to change over time as
developments in technology change.
HOW DOES THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER DECIDE WHAT SECURITIES TO BUY OR SELL? The Fund's
Manager uses fundamental analysis, relying on internal and external research and
analysis, to look for potentially high-growth technology companies. A growth
company or stock is one that is expected by the Manager to experience rapid
growth from strong sales, strong management and/or dominant market positions.
The Manager may consider a company's financial statements, interviews with
management or an analysis of a company's operations and product developments. It
may also evaluate research on particular industries, market trends and general
economic conditions. The Manager focuses on factors that may vary in particular
cases and over time. Currently, it looks for:
o Companies with strong potential revenue and earnings growth; o Companies in
their early growth phase having the potential to be market leaders; and/or
o Established companies that are well-positioned to take advantage of advances
in the technology and related sectors.
WHO IS THE FUND DESIGNED FOR? The Fund is designed for investors seeking
long-term capital appreciation. Those investors should be willing to assume the
greater risks of share price fluctuations that are typical for an aggressive
growth fund focusing on the stocks of companies expected to benefit from
advances in technology. Since the Fund does not seek income and the income from
its investments will likely be small, it is not designed for investors needing
current income. Because of its focus on long-term capital appreciation, the Fund
may be appropriate for those investors with a longer investment time horizon,
such as a portion of a retirement plan investment. However, the Fund is not a
complete investment program.
<PAGE>
Main Risks of Investing in the Fund
All investments have some degree of risk. The Fund's investments, in
particular, are subject to changes in their value from a number of factors some
of which are described below. There is also the risk that poor security
selection by the Fund's investment manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (the
"Manager"), will cause the Fund to underperform other funds having a similar
objective. The value of the Fund's shares is particularly vulnerable to risks
affecting technology companies or companies with investment in technologies.
Because the Fund is non-diversified and may invest a larger portion of its
assets in fewer issuers, it may be subject to greater risk than a diversified
fund. In addition, technology and related sectors historically have had greater
stock price fluctuation as compared to the general market. The value of such
investments can and often does fluctuate dramatically.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN STOCKS. Because the Fund invests primarily in stocks, the
value of the Fund's portfolio will be affected by changes in the stock markets.
Market risk will affect the Fund's net asset value per share, which will
fluctuate as the values of the Fund's portfolio securities change. Prices of
individual stocks do not all move in the same direction uniformly or at the same
time. Different stock markets may also behave differently from each other.
Securities in the Fund's portfolio may not increase as much as the market as a
whole. Growth stocks may at times be favored by the market and at other times
may be out of favor. Some securities may not be actively traded, and therefore,
may not be readily bought or sold. Although profits in some Fund holdings may be
quickly realized, it should not be expected that most investments will
appreciate rapidly.
Other factors can affect a particular stock's price, such as poor earnings
reports by the issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against the
issuer, or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its
industry.
Industry and Sector Focus. At times the Fund may increase the relative
emphasis of its investments in a particular technology industry or sector. The
prices of stocks of issuers in a particular industry or sector may go up and
down in response to changes in economic conditions, government regulations,
availability of basic resources or supplies, or other events that affect that
industry or sector more or less than others. To the extent that the Fund
increases the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or
sector, its share values may fluctuate to a greater degree in response to events
affecting that industry or sector.
Risks of Growth Stocks. Stocks of growth companies, particularly newer
companies, may offer opportunities for greater capital appreciation but may be
more volatile than stocks of larger, more established companies. These stocks
may also have greater risk of price volatility if the company's earnings growth
or stock price fails to increase as expected
RISKS OF INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. Focusing on a segment or segments of
the stock market, technology companies, rather than a broad spectrum of
companies, makes the Fund's share price particularly sensitive to market and
economic events that affect those companies. Stocks of companies engaged in the
development and/or use of technologies have been highly volatile. This abrupt or
erratic movement of company share prices is believed to be largely due to the
rapid pace of product change and development within this sector. In addition,
technologies that are dependent on consumer demand may be more sensitive to
changes in consumer spending patterns. Technology companies focusing on the
information and telecommunications sectors may also be subject to international,
federal and state regulations and may be adversely affected by changes in those
regulations.
SPECIAL RISKS OF MID-SIZE AND SMALLER STOCKS. The Fund may invest in the
securities of mid-size and smaller capitalization companies. While these
companies may offer greater perceived opportunities for capital appreciation
than larger, more established companies, they involve substantially greater
risks of loss and price fluctuations. Mid-size and small capitalization
companies may have limited product lines or markets for their products, limited
access to financial resources and less depth in management skill than larger,
more established companies. Their stocks may be less liquid than those of larger
issuers. That means the Fund could have greater difficulty selling a security of
such issuers at an acceptable price, especially during periods of market
volatility. That factor increases the potential for losses to the Fund. Also, it
may take a substantial period of time before the Fund realizes a gain on an
investment in a mid or small capitalization company, if it realizes any gain at
all.
RISK OF NON-DIVERSIFICATION. The Fund is "non-diversified" under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. That means that the Fund can invest in the securities of a
single issuer without limit. This policy gives the Fund more flexibility to
invest in equity securities and other securities of a single issuer than if it
were a "diversified" fund. However, the Fund intends to diversify its
investments so that it will qualify as a "regulated investment company" under
the Internal Revenue Code (although it reserves the right not to qualify). Under
that requirement, with respect to 50% of its total assets, the Fund may invest
up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any one borrower or issuer.
To the extent the Fund invests a relatively high percentage of its assets in the
securities of a single issuer or a limited number of issuers, the Fund is
subject to additional risk of loss if those securities lose market value.
SPECIAL RISKS OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS (IPOs). By definition, securities
issued in IPOs have not traded publicly until the time of their offerings.
Special risks associated with IPOs may include among others a limited number of
shares available for trading, unseasoned trading, lack of investor knowledge of
the company, and limited operating history, all of which may contribute to price
volatility. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may
also make it more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of
shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. In addition, some
IPOs are involved in relatively new industries or lines of business, which may
not be widely understood by investors. Some of the companies involved in new
industries may be regarded as developmental stage companies, without revenues or
operating income, or the near-term prospects of such. Many IPOs are issued by
undercapitalized companies of small or microcap size.
RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTING. While foreign securities offer special investment
opportunities, there are also special risks. There is no limit on the amount of
the Fund's assets that may be invested in foreign securities. The change in
value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in
the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in that foreign currency.
Foreign issuers are not subject to the same accounting and disclosure
requirements applicable to U.S.. The value of foreign investments may be
affected by exchange control regulations, expropriation or nationalization of a
company's assets, foreign taxes, delays in settlement of transactions, changes
in governmental economic or monetary policy in the U.S. or abroad, or other
political and economic factors. Securities in underdeveloped countries may be
more difficult to sell and their prices may be more volatile.
HOW RISKY IS THE FUND OVERALL? The risks described above collectively form the
expected overall risk profile of the Fund and can affect the value of the Fund's
investments, its investment performance and its price per share. Particular
investments and investment strategies also have risks. These risks mean that you
can lose money by investing in the Fund. When you redeem your shares, they may
be worth more or less than what you paid for them. There is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Technology stocks can be very volatile. Accordingly, the price of the
Fund's shares can go up and down substantially. The Fund generally will not use
income-oriented investments to help cushion the Fund's total return from changes
in stock prices. In the OppenheimerFunds complex, the Fund is considered an
aggressive growth, non-diversified fund, designed for investors willing to
assume greater risks in the search for potentially higher returns. It is
considered likely to be subject to greater fluctuations in its share prices than
funds that are more diversified and/or less specialized in the technology
sector, or funds that focus on both stocks and bonds.
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An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
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Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its assets,
administration, distribution of its shares and other services. Those expenses
are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the Fund's net asset value
per share. All shareholders therefore pay those expenses indirectly.
Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as sales charges and account
transaction charges. The following tables are provided to help you understand
the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The
numbers below are based on the expected Fund expenses during its first fiscal
year.
Shareholder Fees (charges paid directly from your investment):
Class A Class B Class C Class Y
Shares Shares Shares Shares
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load)
on purchases (as % of 5.75% None None None
offering price)
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(Load) (as % of the lower of
the original offering price None1 5%2 1%3 None
or redemption proceeds)
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Redemption Fee (as a None None None None
percentage of amount
redeemed, if applicable)
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1. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply to redemptions of investments
of $1 million or more ($500,000 for retirement plan accounts) of Class A
shares. See "How to Buy Shares" for details. 2. Applies to redemptions in
first year after purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge declines to 1%
in the sixth year and is eliminated after that.
3. Applies to shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (deducted from Fund assets):
(% of average daily net assets)
------------------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class Y
Shares Shares Shares Shares
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Management Fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
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Distribution and/or Service 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% None
(12b-1) Fees
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Other Expenses 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% 0.45%
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Total Annual Operating 1.70% 2.45% 2.45% 1.45%
Expenses
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Expenses may vary in the future years. Because the Fund is a new fund with no
operating history, the rate for management fees are the maximum rates that can
be charged. "Other Expenses" are estimates of transfer agent fees, custodial
expenses, and accounting and legal expenses among others, based on the
Manager's projections of what those expenses will be in the Fund's first
fiscal year.
EXAMPLES. The following examples are intended to help you compare the cost of
investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
examples assume that you invest $10,000 in a class of shares of the Fund for the
time periods indicated and reinvest your dividends and distributions.
The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of
those periods. The second example assumes that you keep your shares. Both
examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
class's operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or
lower because expenses will vary over time. Based on these assumptions your
expenses would be as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If shares are redeemed: 1 Year 3 Years
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Class A Shares
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Class B Shares
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Class C Shares
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Class Y Shares
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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If shares are not 1 Year 3 Years
redeemed:
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Class A Shares
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Class B Shares
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Class C Shares
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y Shares
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In the first example, expenses include the initial sales charge for Class A
and the applicable Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charges. In
the second example, the Class A expenses include the sales charge, but Class B
and Class C expenses do not include the contingent deferred sales charges.
<PAGE>
About the Fund's Investments
THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Fund's portfolio will be invested
mainly in common stocks of technology companies believed by the Manager to have
significant growth potential as a result of their production, development and/or
use of technology products, processes and/or services. The Fund's portfolio
should not be expected to always include all of the different types of
investments described below. The Statement of Additional Information contains
more detailed information about the Fund's investment policies and risks.
Stock Investments. The Fund will emphasize investments in common stocks, and the
Manager looks for stocks of companies that it believes have growth potential.
They may be newer companies or more established companies entering a growth
cycle. Some growth companies tend to retain a large part of their earnings for
research, development or investment in capital assets. Therefore, they do not
emphasize paying dividends, and may not pay any dividends for some time. Other
stocks are considered "growth" stocks because the company is experiencing growth
in earnings or income. They are selected for the Fund's portfolio because the
Manager believes the price of the stock will increase over time.
Technology Companies. The Fund expects to primarily invest in the equity
securities of technology companies that the Manager believes will benefit
from changes in technology. These types of companies may among others
include companies involved in the following technologies: bandwidth and
communications; photonics; telecommunications; wireless, satellite, data
and other emerging communications; computer software; computer hardware;
e-commerce; or certain other technologies combining voice, video and data
systems. Companies can range from small privately-held companies to large,
established corporations. Because the Fund emphasizes investment in
technology, its share price is expected to fluctuate in response to events
affecting that market segment. The Fund will not concentrate 25% or more of
its total assets in investments in any one industry. However, the Fund may
hold a significant portion of its assets in industries such as:
aerospace/defense; automotive; banking; broadcasting; broker-dealers; cable
television; communications equipment; computer hardware; computer software;
electronics; health care/supplies and services; information technologies;
telecommunication; and wireless.
Small Capitalization Stock Investments. The Fund may, from time to time, invest
a substantial portion of its assets in small capitalization companies,
including those that have been in operation for less than three years.
Small-cap companies tend to be companies that may be developing new
products or services, that have in the opinion of the Manager relatively
favorable prospects, or that are expanding into new and growing markets.
Emerging growth companies may offer new products or services that might
enable them to capture a dominant or important market position. They may
have a special area of expertise or the capability to take advantage of
changes in demographic factors in a more profitable way than larger, more
established companies. Newer growth companies tend to retain a large part
of their earnings for research, development or investment in capital
assets. Therefore, they do not tend to emphasize paying dividends, and may
not pay any dividends for some time.
While smaller capitalization companies generally have potential for rapid
growth, they often involve higher risks because they lack the managerial
experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive
strengths of larger, more established companies. In addition, in many
instances, the securities of smaller companies are traded over-the-counter
("OTC") or on a regional securities exchange, and the frequency and volume
of their trading is substantially less than is typical of larger
companies. Therefore, the securities of smaller companies may be subject
to wider price fluctuations and may be less liquid. When making large
sales, the Fund may have to sell portfolio holdings at discounts from
quoted prices or may have to make a series of small sales of small cap
stocks over an extended period of time.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund can engage in short-term trading to try to achieve
its objective, and will likely have a portfolio turnover rate in excess of
100% annually. Portfolio turnover affects brokerage costs the Fund pays. If
the Fund realizes capital gains when it sells its portfolio investments, it
must generally pay those gains out to shareholders, increasing their
taxable distributions.
Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund's Board of
Trustees can change non-fundamental investment policies without shareholder
approval, although significant changes will be described in amendments to this
Prospectus after they are adopted. Fundamental policies cannot be changed
without the approval of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. The
Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy. Other investment
restrictions that are fundamental policies are listed in the Statement of
Additional Information. An investment policy is not fundamental unless this
Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information says that it is.
OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES. To seek its objective, the Fund can also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below. The Fund might not always
use all of the different types of techniques and investments described below.
These techniques have risks, although some are designed to help reduce overall
investment or market risks.
Other Equity Securities. While the Fund emphasizes investments in common stocks,
it can also buy preferred stocks and securities convertible into common
stock. These securities can be issued by domestic or foreign companies.
The Manager considers some convertible securities to be "equity
equivalents" because of the conversion feature and in that case their
rating has less impact on the investment decision than in the case of
other debt securities.
Investing in Special Situations. At times the Fund might use aggressive
investment techniques, seeking to benefit from what the Manager perceives
to be special situations. These may be mergers, reorganizations or other
unusual events expected to affect a particular issuer. However, there is a
risk that the change or event might not occur, which could have a negative
impact on the price of the security. The Fund's investment might not
produce the expected gains or could incur a loss for the portfolio.
Investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The Fund may purchase shares in
IPOs. The Manager generally allocates IPO purchases among the various funds
that it advises, for which that IPO is a suitable investment. Due to the
potentially small size of the IPO allocation available to the Fund, the
Fund may not be able to purchase as many IPO shares as it requests. Because
of the volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may hold these shares for only a
very short time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund's portfolio and
its attendant risks.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Investments may be illiquid because they do
not have an active trading market, making it difficult to value them or
dispose of them promptly at an acceptable price. Restricted securities may
have terms that limit their resale to other investors or may require
registration under federal securities laws before they may be sold
publicly. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid or restricted securities. Certain private placement and restricted
securities that are eligible for resale to qualified institutional
purchasers may not be subject to that limit. The Manager monitors holdings
of illiquid securities on an ongoing basis to determine whether to sell any
holdings to maintain adequate liquidity.
Derivative Investments. The Fund can invest in a number of different kinds of
"derivative" investments. Derivatives may increase the Fund's volatility.
In general terms, a derivative investment is an investment contract whose
value depends on (or is derived from) the value of an underlying asset,
interest rate or index. In the broadest sense, options, futures contracts,
and other hedging instruments the Fund might use may be considered
"derivative" investments. In addition to using derivatives for hedging, the
Fund might use other derivative investments because they offer the
potential for increased value. The Fund currently does not use derivatives
to a significant degree and is not required to use them in seeking its
objective.
Derivatives have risks. If the issuer of the derivative investment does not
pay the amount due, the Fund can lose money on the investment. The
underlying security or investment on which a derivative is based, and the
derivative itself, may not perform the way the Manager expected it to. As a
result of these risks the Fund could realize less principal or income from
the investment than expected or its hedge might be unsuccessful. As a
result, the Fund's share prices could fall. Certain derivative investments
held by the Fund might be illiquid.
Hedging. The Fund can buy and sell futures contracts, put and call options,
and forward contracts. These are all referred to as "hedging instruments."
The Fund does not intend to use these instruments extensively or for
speculative purposes. It has limits on its use of hedging instruments and
is not required to use them in seeking its objective.
Some of these strategies would hedge the Fund's portfolio against price
fluctuations. Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and call
options, would tend to increase the Fund's exposure to the securities
market.
There are also special risks in particular hedging strategies. Options
trading involves the payment of premiums and can increase portfolio
turnover. If the Manager used a hedging instrument at the wrong time or
judged market conditions incorrectly, the strategy could reduce the Fund's
return.
Temporary Defensive Investments. In times of unstable or adverse market or
economic conditions, the Fund can invest up to 100% of its assets in
temporary defensive investments. Generally they would be cash equivalents
(such as commercial paper), money market instruments, short-term debt
securities, U.S. government securities, or repurchase agreements and may
include other investment grade debt securities. The Fund could also hold
these types of securities pending the investment of proceeds from the sale
of Fund shares or portfolio securities or to meet anticipated redemptions
of Fund shares. To the extent the Fund invests defensively in these
securities, it might not achieve its investment objective of long-term
capital appreciation.
<PAGE>
How the Fund Is Managed
THE MANAGER. The Manager chooses the Fund's investments and handles its
day-to-day business. The Manager carries out its duties, subject to the policies
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, under an investment advisory
agreement that states the Manager's responsibilities. The agreement sets the
fees the Fund pays to the Manager and describes the expenses that the Fund is
responsible to pay to conduct its business.
The Manager has been an investment adviser since January 1960. The Manager
(including subsidiaries and an affiliate) managed more than $ 120 billion in
assets as of January 31, 2000, including other Oppenheimer funds with more than
5 million shareholder accounts. The Manager is located at Two World Trade
Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203.
Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is Bruce L. Bartlett.
He is a Vice President of the Fund and of the Manager, and is an officer
and portfolio manager of other Oppenheimer funds. He has been employed
by the Manager since April 1995. Previously, Mr. Bartlett was a vice
president and senior portfolio manager at First of America Investment
Corporation, where he managed the Parkstone High-Income Equity Fund and
co-managed the Parkstone Equity Fund.
Advisory Fees. Under the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the
Manager an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1.00% of average annual net
assets.
<PAGE>
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
HOW DO YOU BUY SHARES? You can buy shares several ways, as described below. The
Distributor may appoint servicing agents to accept purchase (and redemption)
orders. The Distributor, in its sole discretion, may reject any purchase order
for the Fund's shares.
BuyingShares Through Your Dealer. You can buy shares through any dealer, broker
or financial institution that has a sales agreement with the Distributor.
Your dealer will place your order with the Distributor on your behalf.
BuyingShares Through the Distributor. Complete an OppenheimerFunds New Account
Application and return it with a check payable to "OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217. If
you don't list a dealer on the application, the Distributor will act as
your agent in buying the shares. However, we recommend that you discuss
your investment with a financial advisor before you make a purchase to be
sure that the Fund is appropriate for you.
o Paying by Federal Funds Wire. Shares purchased through the Distributor may
be paid for by Federal Funds wire. The minimum investment is $2,500.
Before sending a wire, call the Distributor's Wire Department at
1.800.525.7048 to notify the Distributor of the wire, and to receive
further instructions.
o Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. With AccountLink, you
pay for shares by electronic funds transfer from your bank account. Shares
are purchased for your account by a transfer of money from your bank
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. You can provide those
instructions automatically, under an Asset Builder Plan, described below,
or by telephone instructions using OppenheimerFunds PhoneLink, also
described below. Please refer to "AccountLink," below for more details.
o Buying Shares Through Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of the
Fund (and up to four other Oppenheimer funds) automatically each month
from your account at a bank or other financial institution under an Asset
Builder Plan with AccountLink. Details are in the Asset Builder
Application and the Statement of Additional Information.
HOW MUCH MUST YOU INVEST? You can buy Fund shares with a minimum initial
investment of $1,000. You can make additional investments at any time with as
little as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special investment
plans.
o With Asset Builder Plans, 403(b) plans, Automatic Exchange Plans and
military allotment plans, you can make initial and subsequent investments
for as little as $25. Subsequent purchases of at least $25 can be made by
telephone through AccountLink.
o Under retirement plans, such as IRAs, pension and profit-sharing plans and
401(k) plans, you can start your account with as little as $250. If your
IRA is started under an Asset Builder Plan, the $25 minimum applies.
Additional purchases may be as little as $25.
o The minimum investment requirement does not apply to reinvesting dividends
from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds (a list of them appears in the
Statement of Additional Information, or you can ask your dealer or call
the Transfer Agent), or reinvesting distributions from unit investment
trusts that have made arrangements with the Distributor.
AT WHAT PRICE ARE SHARES SOLD? Shares are sold at their offering price, which is
the net asset value per share plus any initial sales charge that applies. The
offering price that applies to a purchase order is based on the next calculation
of the net asset value per share that is made after the Distributor receives the
purchase order at its offices in Denver, Colorado, or after any agent appointed
by the Distributor receives the order and sends it to the Distributor.
Net Asset Value. The Fund calculates the net asset value of each class of
shares as of the close of The New York Stock Exchange, on each day the
Exchange is open for trading (referred to in this Prospectus as a "regular
business day"). The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time,
but may close earlier on some days. All references to time in this
Prospectus mean "New York time".
The net asset value per share is determined by dividing the value of the
Fund's net assets attributable to a class by the number of shares of that
class that are outstanding. To determine net asset value, the Fund's Board
of Trustees has established procedures to value the Fund's securities, in
general based on market value. The Board has adopted special procedures
for valuing illiquid securities and obligations for which market values
cannot be readily obtained. Because some foreign securities trade in
markets and exchanges that operate on holidays and weekends, the values of
the Fund's foreign investments might change significantly on days when
investors cannot buy or redeem Fund shares.
The Offering Price. To receive the offering price for a particular day, in
most cases the Distributor or its designated agent must receive your order
by the time of day The New York Stock Exchange closes that day. If your
order is received on a day when the Exchange is closed or after it has
closed, the order will receive the next offering price that is determined
after your order is received.
BuyingThrough a Dealer. If you buy shares through a dealer, your dealer must
receive the order by the close of The New York Stock Exchange and transmit
it to the Distributor so that it is received before the Distributor's
close of business on a regular business day (normally 5:00 P.M.) to
receive that day's offering price. Otherwise, the order will receive the
next offering price that is determined.
WHAT CLASSES OF SHARES DOES THE FUND OFFER? The Fund offers investors four
different classes of shares. The different classes of shares represent
investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to
different expenses and will likely have different share prices. When you buy
shares, be sure to specify the class of shares. If you do not choose a class,
your investment will be made in Class A shares.
Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge (on
investments up to $1 million for regular accounts or $500,000 for certain
retirement plans). The amount of that sales charge will vary depending on
the amount you invest. The sales charge rates are listed in "How Can You
Buy Class A Shares?" below.
Class B Shares. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge at the time
of purchase, but you will pay an annual asset-based sales charge. If you
sell your shares within six years of buying them, you will normally pay a
contingent deferred sales charge. That contingent deferred sales charge
varies depending on how long you own your shares, as described in "How Can
You Buy Class B Shares?" below.
Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge at the time
of purchase, but you will pay an annual asset-based sales charge. If you
sell your shares within 12 months of buying them, you will normally pay a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1%, as described in "How Can You Buy
Class C Shares?" below.
Class Y Shares. Class Y shares are offered only to certain institutional
investors that have special agreements with the Distributor.
WHICH CLASS OF SHARES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? Once you decide that the Fund is an
appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of shares is best
suited to your needs depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with
your financial advisor. Some factors to consider are how much you plan to invest
and how long you plan to hold your investment. If your goals and objectives
change over time and you plan to purchase additional shares, you should
re-evaluate those factors to see if you should consider another class of shares.
The Fund's operating costs that apply to a class of shares and the effect of the
different types of sales charges on your investment will vary your investment
results over time.
The discussion below is not intended to be investment advice or a
recommendation, because each investor's financial considerations are different.
The discussion below assumes that you will purchase only one class of shares,
and not a combination of shares of different classes. Of course, these examples
are based on approximations of the effects of current sales charges and expenses
projected over time, and do not detail all of the considerations in selecting a
class of shares. You should analyze your options carefully with your financial
advisor before making that choice.
How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future financial needs
cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold
your investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of
shares. Because of the effect of class-based expenses, your choice will
also depend on how much you plan to invest. For example, the reduced sales
charges available for larger purchases of Class A shares may, over time,
offset the effect of paying an initial sales charge on your investment,
compared to the effect over time of higher class-based expenses on shares
of Class B or Class C .
o Investing for the Shorter Term. While the Fund is meant to be a long-term
investment, if you have a relatively short-term investment horizon (that
is, you plan to hold your shares for not more than six years), you should
probably consider purchasing Class A or Class C shares rather than Class B
shares. That is because of the effect of the Class B contingent deferred
sales charge if you redeem within six years, as well as the effect of the
Class B asset-based sales charge on the investment return for that class in
the short-term. Class C shares might be the appropriate choice (especially
for investments of less than $100,000), because there is no initial sales
charge on Class C shares, and the contingent deferred sales charge does not
apply to amounts you sell after holding them one year.
However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the shorter term,
then as your investment horizon increases toward six years, Class C shares
might not be as advantageous as Class A shares. That is because the annual
asset-based sales charge on Class C shares will have a greater impact on
your account over the longer term than the reduced front-end sales charge
available for larger purchases of Class A shares.
And for investors who invest $1 million or more, in most cases Class A
shares will be the most advantageous choice, no matter how long you intend
to hold your shares. For that reason, the Distributor normally will not
accept purchase orders of $500,000 or more of Class B shares or $1 million
or more of Class C shares from a single investor.
o Investing for the Longer Term. If you are investing less than $100,000 for
the longer-term, for example for retirement, and do not expect to need
access to your money for seven years or more, Class B shares may be
appropriate.
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of
current sales charges and expenses projected over time, and do not detail
all of the considerations in selecting a class of shares. You should
analyze your options carefully with your financial advisor before making
that choice.
Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to You? Some account
features may not be available to Class B or Class C shareholders. Other
features may not be advisable (because of the effect of the contingent
deferred sales charge) for Class B or Class C shareholders. Therefore, you
should carefully review how you plan to use your investment account before
deciding which class of shares to buy.
Additionally, the dividends payable to Class B and Class C shareholders
will be reduced by the additional expenses borne by those classes that are
not borne by Class A shares, such as the Class B and Class C asset-based
sales charge described below and in the Statement of Additional
Information. Share certificates are not available for Class B and Class C
shares, and if you are considering using your shares as collateral for a
loan, that may be a factor to consider.
How Does Share Classes Affect Payments to my Broker? A financial advisor may
receive different compensation for selling one class of shares than for
selling another class. It is important to remember that Class B and Class C
contingent deferred sales charges and asset-based sales charges have the
same purpose as the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to
compensate the Distributor for commissions and expenses it pays to dealers
and financial institutions for selling shares. The Distributor may pay
additional compensation from its own resources to securities dealers or
financial institutions based upon the value of shares of the Fund owned by
the dealer or financial institution for its own account or for its
customers.
SPECIAL SALES CHARGE ARRANGEMENTS AND WAIVERS. Appendix B to the Statement of
Additional Information details the conditions for the waiver of sales charges
that apply in certain cases, and the special sales charge rates that apply to
purchases of shares of the Fund by certain groups, or under specified retirement
plan arrangements or in other special types of transactions. To receive a waiver
or special charge rate, you must advise the Distributor when purchasing shares
or the Transfer Agent when redeeming shares that the special conditions apply.
HOW CAN YOU BUY CLASS A SHARES? Class A shares are sold at their offering price,
which is normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in some
cases, described below, purchases are not subject to an initial sales charge,
and the offering price will be the net asset value. In other cases, reduced
sales charges may be available, as described below or in the Statement of
Additional Information. Out of the amount you invest, the Fund receives the net
asset value to invest for your account.
The sales charge varies depending on the amount of your purchase. A portion
of the sales charge may be retained by the Distributor or allocated to your
dealer as commission. The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the entire
commission to dealers. The current sales charge rates and commissions paid to
dealers and brokers are as follows:
Front-End Sales Front-End Sales Commission as
Charge As a Charge As a Percentage of
Percentage of Percentage of Offering
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Net Price
Amount Invested
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 4.75%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$25,000 or more but less than 5.50% 5.82% 4.75%
$50,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 or more but less than 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 or more but less than 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$250,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 or more but less than 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$500,000 or more but less than 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
$1 million
--------------------------------
ClassA Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial sales charge on
purchases of Class A shares of any one or more of the Oppenheimer funds
aggregating $1 million or more or for certain purchases by particular types
of retirement plans described in the Appendix to the Statement of
Additional Information. The Distributor pays dealers of record commissions
in an amount equal to 1.0% of purchases of $1 million or more other than by
those retirement accounts. For those retirement plan accounts, the
commission is 1.0% of the first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5
million, plus 0.25% of purchases over $5 million, based on the cumulative
purchases during the prior 12 months ending with the current purchase. In
either case, the commission will be paid only on purchases that were not
previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer commission.1 That
commission will not be paid on purchases of shares in amounts of $1 million
or more (including any right of accumulation) by a retirement plan that
pays for the purchase with the redemption of Class C shares of one or more
Oppenheimer funds held by the plan for more than one year.
If you redeem any of those shares within an 18-month "holding period"
measured from the end of the calendar month of their purchase, a contingent
deferred sales charge (called the "Class A contingent deferred sales
charge") may be deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge
will be equal to 1.0% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate net asset value of
the redeemed shares at the time of redemption (excluding shares purchased
by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions) or (2) the
original net asset value of the redeemed shares. However, the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the aggregate amount of
the commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all purchases of
Class A shares of all Oppenheimer funds you made that were subject to the
Class A contingent deferred sales charge.
How Can You Reduce Sales Charges in Buying Class A Shares? You may be eligible
to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates under the Fund's
"Right of Accumulation" or a Letter of Intent, as described in "Reduced
Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
HOW CAN YOU BUY CLASS B SHARES? Class B shares are sold at net asset value per
share without an initial sales charge. However, if Class B shares are redeemed
within a holding period of 6 years of the end of the calendar month of their
purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will be deducted from the
redemption proceeds. The Class B contingent deferred sales charge is paid to
compensate the Distributor for its expenses of providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the
number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed,
according to the following schedule for the Class B contingent deferred sales
charge holding period:
-----------------------------------------
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge on
Years Since Beginning of Month in Which Redemptions in That Year
Purchase Order was Accepted (As % of Amount Subject to Charge)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 - 1 5.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 2 4.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 - 3 3.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 - 4 3.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 - 5 2.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 6 1.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 and following None
-----------------------------------------
In the table, a "year" is a 12-month period. In applying the sales charge, all
purchases are considered to have been made on the first regular business day
of the month in which the purchase was made.
Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares. Class B shares automatically convert to
Class A shares 72 months after you purchase them. This conversion feature
relieves Class B shareholders of the asset-based sales charge that applies
to Class B shares under the Class B Distribution and Service Plan,
described below. The conversion is based on the relative net asset value of
the two classes, and no sales load or other charge is imposed. When any
Class B shares you hold convert, any other Class B shares that were
acquired by reinvesting dividends and distributions on the converted shares
will also convert to Class A shares. For further information on the
conversion feature and its tax implications, see "Class B Conversion" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
HOW CAN YOU BUY CLASS C SHARES? Class C shares are sold at net asset value per
share without an initial sales charge. However, if Class C shares are redeemed
within a holding period of 12 months from the end of the calendar month of their
purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.0% will be deducted from the
redemption proceeds. The Class C contingent deferred sales charge is paid to
compensate the Distributor for its expenses of providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares.
WHO CAN BUY CLASS Y SHARES? Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share
without sales charge directly to certain institutional investors that have
special agreements with the Distributor for this purpose. They may include
insurance companies, registered investment companies and employee benefit plans.
For example, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of the
Manager, may purchase Class Y shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds (as
well as Class Y shares of funds advised by MassMutual) for asset allocation
programs, investment companies or separate investment accounts it sponsors and
offers to its customers. Individual investors cannot to buy Class Y shares
directly.
An institutional investor that buys Class Y shares for its customers'
accounts may impose charges on those accounts. The procedures for buying,
selling, exchanging and transferring the Fund's other classes of shares (other
than the time those orders must be received by the Distributor or Transfer Agent
in Denver) and the special account features available to purchasers of those
other classes of shares described elsewhere in this Prospectus do not apply to
Class Y shares. Instructions for purchasing, redeeming, exchanging or
transferring Class Y shares must be submitted by the institutional investor, not
by its customers for whose benefit the shares are held.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12B-1) PLANS. Because these fees are paid out of the
Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost
of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.
Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A
shares. It reimburses the Distributor for a portion of its costs incurred
for services provided to accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement
is made quarterly at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average annual
net assets of Class A shares of the Fund. The Distributor currently uses
all of those fees to compensate dealers, brokers, banks and other financial
institutions quarterly for providing personal service and maintenance of
accounts of their customers that hold Class A shares.
Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C Shares. The Fund has
adopted Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares to
pay the Distributor for its services and costs in distributing Class B and
Class C shares and servicing accounts. Under the plans, the Fund pays the
Distributor an annual asset-based sales charge of 0.75% per year on Class B
shares and on Class C shares. The Distributor also receives a service fee
of 0.25% per year under each plan.
The asset-based sales charge and service fees increase Class B and Class C
expenses by 1.00% of the net assets per year of the respective class. The
Distributor uses the service fees to compensate dealers for providing
personal services for accounts that hold Class B or Class C shares. The
Distributor pays the 0.25% service fees to dealers in advance for the first
year after the shares were sold by the dealer. After the shares have been
held for a year, the Distributor pays the service fees to dealers on a
quarterly basis.
The Distributor currently pays a sales concession of 3.75% of the purchase
price of Class B shares to dealers from its own resources at the time of
sale. Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by
the Distributor to the dealer at the time of sales of Class B shares is
therefore 4.00% of the purchase price. The Distributor retains the Class B
asset-based sales charge.
The Distributor currently pays sales commissions of 0.75% of the purchase
price of Class C shares to dealers from its own resources at the time of
sale. Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by
the Distributor to the dealer at the time of sale of Class C shares is
therefore 1.00% of the purchase price. The Distributor pays the asset-based
sales charge as an ongoing commission to the dealer on Class C shares that
have been outstanding for a year or more.
Special Investor Services
ACCOUNTLINK. You can use our AccountLink feature to link your Fund account
with an account at a U.S. bank or other financial institution. It must be an
Automated Clearing House (ACH) member. AccountLink lets you:
o transmit funds electronically to purchase shares by telephone (through a
service representative or by PhoneLink) or automatically under Asset
Builder Plans, or
o have the Transfer Agent send redemption proceeds or transmit dividends and
distributions directly to your bank account. Please call the Transfer Agent
for more information.
You may purchase shares by telephone only after your account has been
established. To purchase shares in amounts up to $250,000* through a telephone
representative, call the Distributor at 1.800.852.8457. The purchase payment
will be debited from your bank account.
AccountLink privileges should be requested on your Application or your
dealer's settlement instructions if you buy your shares through a dealer. After
your account is established, you can request AccountLink privileges by sending
signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges
will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on your account as
well as to your dealer representative of record unless and until the Transfer
Agent receives written instructions terminating or changing those privileges.
After you establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank account
information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer
Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
PHONELINK. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated telephone system that
enables shareholders to perform a number of account transactions
automatically using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be used on
already-established Fund accounts after you obtain a Personal Identification
Number (PIN), by calling the special PhoneLink number, 1.800.533.3310.
Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to $100,000* by
phone, by calling 1.800.533.3310. You must have established AccountLink
privileges to link your bank account with the Fund to pay for these
purchases.
Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange Privilege, described
below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone from your Fund
account to another OppenheimerFunds account you have already established by
calling the special PhoneLink number.
Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone automatically by calling the
PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the proceeds directly to your
AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares," below for
details.
CAN YOU SUBMIT TRANSACTION REQUESTS BY FAX? You may send requests for certain
types of account transactions to the Transfer Agent by fax (telecopier). Please
call 1.800.525.7048 for information about which transactions may be handled this
way. Transaction requests submitted by fax are subject to the same rules and
restrictions as written and telephone requests described in this Prospectus.
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS INTERNET WEB SITE. You can obtain information about the Fund,
as well as your account balance, on the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site, at
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com. Additionally, shareholders listed in the
account registration (and the dealer of record) may request certain account
transactions through a special section of that web site. To perform account
transactions, you must first obtain a personal identification number (PIN) by
calling the Transfer Agent at 1.800.533.3310. If you do not want to have
Internet account transaction capability for your account, please call the
Transfer Agent at 1.800.525.7048. At times, the web site may be inaccessible or
its transaction features may be unavailable.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL AND EXCHANGE PLANS. The Fund has several plans that enable
you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another OppenheimerFunds
account on a regular basis. Please call the Transfer Agent or consult the
Statement of Additional Information for details.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE. If you redeem some or all of your Class A or Class B
shares of the Fund, you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the
redemption proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds
without paying a sales charge. This privilege applies only to Class A shares
that you purchased subject to an initial sales charge and to Class A or Class B
shares on which you paid a contingent deferred sales charge when you redeemed
them. This privilege does not apply to Class C or Class Y shares. You must be
sure to ask the Distributor for this privilege when you send your payment.
RETIREMENT PLANS. You may buy shares of the Fund for your retirement plan
account. If you participate in a plan sponsored by your employer, the plan
trustee or administrator must buy the shares for your plan account. The
Distributor also offers a number of different retirement plans that can be used
by individuals and employers:
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). These include regular IRAs, Roth IRAs,
SIMPLE IRAs, rollover and Education IRAs.
SEP-IRAs. These are Simplified Employee Pensions Plan IRAs for small business
owners or self-employed individuals.
403(b)(7) Custodial Plans. These are tax deferred plans for employees of
eligible tax-exempt organizations, such as schools, hospitals and
charitable organizations.
401(k) Plans. These are special retirement plans for businesses.
Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans. These plans are designed for businesses and
self-employed individuals.
Please call the Distributor for OppenheimerFunds retirement plan
documents, which include applications and important plan information.
How to Sell Shares
You can sell (redeem) some or all of your shares on any regular business day.
Your shares will be sold at the next net asset value calculated after your order
is received in proper form (which means that it must comply with the procedures
described below) and is accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Fund lets you sell
your shares by writing a letter or by telephone. You can also set up Automatic
Withdrawal Plans to redeem shares on a regular basis. If you have questions
about any of these procedures, and especially if you are redeeming shares in a
special situation, such as due to the death of the owner or from a retirement
plan account, please call the Transfer Agent first, at 1.800.525.7048, for
assistance.
Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect you and the Fund from
fraud, the following redemption requests must be in writing and must
include a signature guarantee (although there may be other situations that
also require a signature guarantee):
o You wish to redeem $100,000 or more and receive a check o The redemption
check is not payable to all shareholders listed on the
account statement
o The redemption check is not sent to the address of record on your
account statement
o Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a different owner or
name
o Shares are being redeemed by someone (such as an Executor) other than
the owners
WhereCan You Have Your Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent will accept a
guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions,
including:
o a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or savings association,
o a foreign bank that has a U.S. correspondent bank,
o a U.S. registered dealer or broker in securities, municipal securities
or government securities, or
o a U.S. national securities exchange, a registered securities
association or a clearing agency.
If you are signing on behalf of a corporation, partnership or other
business or as a fiduciary, you must also include your title in the
signature.
Retirement Plan Accounts. There are special procedures to sell shares in an
OppenheimerFunds retirement plan account. Call the Transfer Agent for a
distribution request form. Special income tax withholding requirements
apply to distributions from retirement plans. You must submit a withholding
form with your redemption request to avoid delay in getting your money and
if you do not want tax withheld. If your employer holds your retirement
plan account for you in the name of the plan, you must ask the plan trustee
or administrator to request the sale of the Fund shares in your plan
account.
HOW DO YOU SELL SHARES BY MAIL? Write a letter of instructions that includes: o
Your name o The Fund's name o Your Fund account number (from your account
statement) o The dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed o Any
special payment instructions o Any share certificates for the shares you are
selling o The signatures of all registered owners exactly as the account is
registered, and
o Any special documents requested by the Transfer Agent to assure proper
authorization of the person asking to sell the shares.
Use the following address for Send courier or express mail
requests by mail: requests to:
OppenheimerFunds Services OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270 10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver Colorado 80217 Denver, Colorado 80231
HOW DO YOU SELL SHARES BY TELEPHONE? You and your dealer representative of
record may also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price
calculated on a particular business day, your call must be received by the
Transfer Agent by the close of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is
normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days. You may not redeem shares
held in an OppenheimerFunds retirement plan account or under a share certificate
by telephone.
o To redeem shares through a service representative, call 1.800.852.8457 o To
redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call
1.800.533.3310Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the
address on the account statement, or, if you have linked your Fund account
to your bank account on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds sent to that
bank account.
Are There Limits on Amounts Redeemed by Telephone?
o Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $100,000 may be redeemed by
telephone in any 7-day period. The check must be payable to all owners of
record of the shares and must be sent to the address on the account
statement. This service is not available within 30 days of changing the
address on an account.
o Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no dollar limits on
telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account designated when you
establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH transfer to your bank is initiated
on the business day after the redemption. You do not receive dividends on
the proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they are waiting to be
transferred.
CAN YOU SELL SHARES THROUGH YOUR DEALER? The Distributor has made arrangements
to repurchase Fund shares from dealers and brokers on behalf of their customers.
Brokers or dealers may charge for that service. If your shares are held in the
name of your dealer, you must redeem them through your dealer.
HOW CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES AFFECT REDEMPTIONS. If you purchase shares
subject to a Class A, Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charge and
redeem any of those shares during the applicable holding period for the class of
shares, the contingent deferred sales charge will be deducted from the
redemption proceeds, unless you are eligible for a waiver of that sales charge
based on the categories listed in Appendix B to the Statement of Additional
Information and you advise the Transfer Agent of your eligibility for the waiver
when you place your redemption request.
A contingent deferred sales charge will be based on the lesser of the net
asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption or the original net
asset value. A contingent deferred sales charge is not imposed on:
o the amount of your account value represented by an increase in net
asset value over the initial purchase price,
o shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions, or
o shares redeemed in the special circumstances described in Appendix B to
the Statement of Additional Information.
To determine whether a contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order (1) shares acquired
by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions,
(2) shares held for the holding period that applies to that class, and (3)
shares held the longest during the holding period.
Contingent deferred sales charges are not charged when you exchange shares
of the Fund for shares of other Oppenheimer funds. However, if you exchange them
within the applicable contingent deferred sales change holding period, the
holding period will carry over to the fund whose shares you acquire. Similarly,
if you acquire shares of this Fund by exchanging shares of another Oppenheimer
fund that are still subject to a contingent deferred sales charge holding
period, that holding period will carry over to this Fund.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain Oppenheimer funds at
net asset value per share at the time of exchange, without sales charge. Shares
of the Fund can be purchased by exchanges of shares of other Oppenheimer funds
on the same basis. To exchange shares, you must meet several conditions:
o Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available for sale in your
state of residence.
o The prospectuses of both funds must offer the exchange privilege. o You must
hold the shares you buy when you establish your account for at
least 7 days before you can exchange them. After the account is open 7
days, you can exchange shares every regular business day.
o You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund whose shares
you purchase by exchange.
o Before exchanging into a fund, you must obtain and read its prospectus.
Shares of a particular class of the Fund may be exchanged only for shares
of the same class in the other Oppenheimer funds. For example, you can exchange
Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another fund. In some
cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions. For tax purposes,
exchanges of shares involve a sale of the shares of the fund you own and a
purchase of the shares of the other fund, which may result in a capital gain or
loss. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the Statement of Additional
Information for more details.*
You can find a list of Oppenheimer funds currently available for exchanges
in the Statement of Additional Information or obtain one by calling a service
representative at 1.800.525.7048. That list can change from time to time.
HOW DO YOU SUBMIT EXCHANGE REQUESTS? Exchanges may be requested in writing or
by telephone:
Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange Request form,
signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the Transfer Agent at the
address on the back cover. Exchanges of shares held under certificates
cannot be processed unless the Transfer Agent receives the certificates
with the request.
Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may be made either by
calling a service representative at 1.800.852.8457, or by using PhoneLink
for automated exchanges by calling 1.800.533.3310. Telephone exchanges may
be made only between accounts that are registered with the same name(s) and
address. Shares held under certificates may not be exchanged by telephone.
ARE THERE LIMITATIONS ON EXCHANGES? There are certain exchange policies you
should be aware of:
o Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased from the other
fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular business day on which
the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request that conforms to the
policies described above. It must be received by the close of The New York
Stock Exchange that day, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be earlier on
some days. However, either fund may delay the purchase of shares of the
fund you are exchanging into up to seven days if it determines it would be
disadvantaged by a same-day exchange. For example, the receipt of multiple
exchange requests from a "market timer" might require the Fund to sell
securities at a disadvantageous time or price.
o Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm shareholders,
the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request that it believes
will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests submitted by
a shareholder or dealer.
o The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at any
time. The Fund will provide you notice whenever it is required to do so by
applicable law, but it may impose these changes at any time for emergency
purposes.
o If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you request because of
a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for exchange will be
exchanged.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
More information about the Fund's policies and procedures for buying, selling,
and exchanging shares is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in which the
determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering may be
suspended by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes it is in
the Fund's best interest to do so.
Telephone transaction privileges for purchases, redemptions or exchanges may be
modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any time. If an account
has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer Agent may rely on the
instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges apply to each owner of
the account and the dealer representative of record for the account unless
the Transfer Agent receives cancellation instructions from an owner of the
account.
The transfer agent will record any telephone calls to verify data concerning
transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm that telephone
instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide tax
identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and by
confirming such transactions in writing. The Transfer Agent and the Fund
will not be liable for losses or expenses arising out of telephone
instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.
Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the Transfer Agent
receives all required documents in proper form.
From time to time, the Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain
of the requirements for Redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
Dealers that can perform account transactions for their clients by participating
in NETWORKING through the National Securities Clearing Corporation are
responsible for obtaining their clients' permission to perform those
transactions, and are responsible to their clients who are shareholders of
the Fund if the dealer performs any transaction erroneously or improperly.
The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day because the value of
the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuates. The redemption price,
which is the net asset value per share, will normally differ for each class
of shares. The redemption value of your shares may be more or less than
their original cost.
Payment for redeemed shares ordinarily is made in cash. It is forwarded by check
or through AccountLink (as elected by the shareholder) within seven days
after the Transfer Agent receives redemption instructions in proper form.
However, under unusual circumstances determined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, payment may be delayed or suspended. For accounts
registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment will normally be
forwarded within three business days after redemption.
The Transfer Agent may delay forwarding a check or processing a payment via
AccountLink for recently purchased shares, but only until the purchase
payment has cleared. That delay may be as much as 10 days from the date the
shares were purchased. That delay may be avoided if you purchase shares by
Federal Funds wire or certified check, or arrange with your bank to provide
telephone or written assurance to the Transfer Agent that your purchase
payment has cleared.
Involuntary redemptions of small accounts may be made by the Fund if the account
value has fallen below $500 for reasons other than the fact that the market
value of shares has dropped. In some cases involuntary redemptions may be
made to repay the Distributor for losses from the cancellation of share
purchase orders.
Shares may be "redeemed in kind" under unusual circumstances (such as a lack of
liquidity in the Fund's portfolio to meet redemptions). This means that the
redemption proceeds will be paid with liquid securities from the Fund's
portfolio.
"Backup withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied against taxable
dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds (including exchanges) if
you fail to furnish the Fund your correct, certified Social Security or
Employer Identification Number when you sign your application, or if you
under-report your income to the Internal Revenue Service.
To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, the Fund will
mail only one copy of each annual and semi-annual report to shareholders
having the same last name and address on the Fund's records. However, each
shareholder may call the Transfer Agent at 1.800.525.7048 to ask that
copies of those materials be sent personally to that shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
DIVIDENDS. The Fund intends to declare dividends separately for each class of
shares from net investment income annually and to pay dividends to shareholders
in December on a date selected by the Board of Trustees. Dividends and
distributions paid on Class A and Class Y shares will generally be higher than
dividends for Class B and Class C shares, which normally have higher expenses
than Class A and Class Y . The Fund has no fixed dividend rate and cannot
guarantee that it will pay any dividends or distributions.
CAPITAL GAINS. The Fund may realize capital gains on the sale of portfolio
securities. If it does, it may make distributions out of any net short-term or
long-term capital gains in December of each year. The Fund may make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its fiscal
year. There can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any capital gains
distributions in a particular year.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES FOR RECEIVING DISTRIBUTIONS? When you open your account,
specify on your application how you want to receive your dividends and
distributions. You have four options:
Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to reinvest all
dividends and capital gains distributions in additional shares of the
Fund.
Reinvest Dividends or Capital Gains. You can elect to reinvest some
distributions (dividends, short-term capital gains or long-term capital
gains distributions) in the Fund while receiving other types of
distributions by check or having them sent to your bank account through
AccountLink.
Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive a check for all
dividends and capital gains distributions or have them sent to your bank
through AccountLink.
Reinvest Your Distributions in Another OppenheimerFunds Account. You can
reinvest all distributions in the same class of shares of another
OppenheimerFunds account you have established.
TAXES. If your shares are not held in a tax-deferred retirement account, you
should be aware of the following tax implications of investing in the Fund.
Distributions are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state or
local taxes. Dividends paid from short-term capital gains and net investment
income are taxable as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are taxable as
long-term capital gains when distributed to shareholders. It does not matter how
long you have held your shares. Whether you reinvest your distributions in
additional shares or take them in cash, the tax treatment is the same.
Every year the Fund will send you and the IRS a statement showing the
amount of any taxable distribution you received in the previous year. Any
long-term capital gains will be separately identified in the tax information the
Fund sends you after the end of the calendar year.
Avoid"Buying a Dividend". If you buy shares on or just before the ex-dividend
date or just before the Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will
pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price
back as a taxable dividend or capital gain.
Remember, There May be Taxes on Transactions. Because the Fund's share price
fluctuates, you may have a capital gain or loss when you sell or exchange
your shares. A capital gain or loss is the difference between the price you
paid for the shares and the price you received when you sold them. Any
capital gain is subject to capital gains tax.
Returns of Capital Can Occur. In certain cases, distributions made by the Fund
may be considered a non-taxable return of capital to shareholders. If that
occurs, it will be identified in notices to shareholders.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax information
about your investment. You should consult with your tax adviser about the effect
of an investment in the Fund on your particular tax situation.
Financial Highlights
The Fund recently commenced operations and has no operating history.
<PAGE>
INFORMATION AND SERVICES
For More Information about Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund The following
additional information about the Fund is available without charge upon request:
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This document includes additional
information about the Fund's investment policies, risks, and operations. It is
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (which means it is legally part
of this Prospectus).
ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS Additional information about the Fund's
investments and performance will be available in the Fund's Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. The Annual Report will include a discussion
of market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the
Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
How to Get More Information:
You can request the Statement of Additional Information, the Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports (when available), and other information about the Fund or
your account:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Telephone: Call OppenheimerFunds Services toll-free:
1.800.525.7048
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Mail: Write to:
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217-5270
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Internet: You can send us a request by e-mail or
read or down-load documents on
the OppenheimerFunds web site:
hhtp://www.oppenheimerfunds.com
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also obtain copies of the Statement of Additional Information and other
Fund documents and reports by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, D.C. (Phone 1.202.942.8090) or the EDGAR database on the SEC's
Internet web site at hhtp://www.sec.gov. Copies may be obtained upon payment of
a duplicating fee by electronic request at the SEC's E-mail address: publicinfo
@ sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
No one has been authorized to provide any information about the Fund or to make
any representations about the Fund other than what is contained in this
Prospectus. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell shares of the Fund, nor a
solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Fund, to any person in any state
or other jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such an offer.
SEC File No. 811- The Fund's shares are distributed by:
PR0765. (logo) OppenheimerFunds(R)
Printed on recycled paper. Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
1.800.525.7048
Statement of Additional Information dated ___________ ___, 2000
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This
document contains additional information about the Fund and supplements
information in the Prospectus dated _______ ___, 2000. It should be read
together with the Prospectus. You can obtain the Prospectus by writing to the
Fund's Transfer Agent, OppenheimerFunds Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver,
Colorado 80217, or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown
above, or by downloading it from the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site at
www.oppenheimerfunds.com.
Contents
Page
About the Fund
Additional Information About the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks.. 2
The Fund's Investment Policies..................................... 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies......................... 5
Investment Restrictions............................................ 18
How the Fund is Managed ............................................... 20
Organization and History........................................... 20
Trustees and Officers.............................................. 22
The Manager........................................................ 27
Brokerage Policies of the Fund......................................... 28
Distribution and Service Plans......................................... 29
Performance of the Fund................................................ 32
About Your Account
How To Buy Shares...................................................... 35
How To Sell Shares..................................................... 43
How To Exchange Shares................................................. 48
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes..................................... 51
Additional Information About the Fund.................................. 53
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report........................................... 54
Financial Statements................................................... 55
Appendix A: Industry Classifications................................... A-1
Appendix B: Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers.............. B-1
<PAGE>
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A B O U T T H E F U N D
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Additional Information About the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks
The investment objective, the principal investment policies and the main
risks of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information contains supplemental information about those policies and risks and
the types of securities that the Fund's investment Manager, OppenheimerFunds,
Inc., can select for the Fund. Additional information is also provided about the
strategies that the Fund may use to try to achieve its objective.
The Fund's Investment Policies. The composition of the Fund's portfolio and the
techniques and strategies that the Fund's Manager may use in selecting portfolio
securities will vary over time. The Fund is not required to use all of the
investment techniques and strategies described below at all times in seeking its
goal. It may use some of the special investment techniques and strategies at
some times or not at all.
|X| Investments in Equity Securities. The Fund focuses its investments in
equity securities of companies that the Manager believes will benefit from
existing technologies as well as enhancement and improvements in technology.
Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, rights and warrants,
and securities convertible into common stock. The Fund does not limit its
holdings of equity securities to companies of any particular market
capitalization range. Current income is not a criterion used to select portfolio
securities. However, certain debt securities may be selected for the Fund's
portfolio for defensive purposes (including debt securities that the Manager
believes may offer some opportunities for capital appreciation when stocks are
disfavored). Other debt securities may be selected because they are convertible
into common stock, as discussed below in "Convertible Securities.
|_| Over-the-Counter Securities. Securities of small capitalization
issuers may be traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market.
The over-the-counter markets, both in the U.S. and abroad, may have less
liquidity than securities exchanges. That can affect the price the Fund is able
to obtain when it wants to sell a security.
Small-cap growth companies may offer greater opportunities for capital
appreciation than securities of large, more established companies. However,
these securities also involve greater risks than securities of larger companies.
Securities of small capitalization issuers may be subject to greater price
volatility in general than securities of large-cap and mid-cap companies.
Therefore, to the degree that the Fund has investments in smaller capitalization
companies at times of market volatility, the Fund's share price may fluctuate
more. As noted below, the Fund limits its investments in unseasoned small cap
issuers.
|_| Convertible Securities. While some convertible securities are a
form of debt security, in many cases their conversion feature (allowing
conversion into equity securities) causes them to be regarded by the Manager
more as "equity equivalents." As a result, the rating assigned to the security
has less impact on the Manager's investment decision with respect to convertible
debt securities than in the case of non-convertible fixed income securities. To
determine whether convertible securities should be regarded as "equity
equivalents," the Manager examines the following factors: (1) whether, at the
option of the investor, the convertible security can be
exchanged for a fixed number of shares of common stock of the
issuer,
(2) whether the issuer of the convertible securities has restated its
earnings per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis
(considering the effect of conversion of the convertible securities),
and
(3) the extent to which the convertible security may be a defensive "equity
substitute," providing the ability to participate in any appreciation
in the price of the issuer's common stock.
Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's capital
structure and therefore are subject to less risk than common stock in case of
the issuer's bankruptcy or liquidation.
The value of a convertible security is a function of its "investment
value" and its "conversion value." If the investment value exceeds the
conversion value, the security will behave more like a debt security, and the
security's price will likely increase when interest rates fall and decrease when
interest rates rise. If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the
security will behave more like an equity security: it will likely sell at a
premium over its conversion value, and its price will tend to fluctuate directly
with the price of the underlying security.
The Fund has no limitations on the ratings of the convertible debt
securities that it can buy. They can include securities that are investment
grade or below investment grade. Securities that are below investment grade
(whether they are rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization or are
unrated securities that the Manager deems to be below investment grade) have
greater risks of default than investment grade securities. Additionally, debt
securities are subject to interest rate risk. Their values tend to fall when
interest rates rise. The Fund does not anticipate that it will invest a
substantial amount of its assets in these types of securities.
|_| Rights and Warrants. The Fund can invest up to 5% of its total
assets in warrants or rights. That 5% limit does not apply to warrants and
rights the Fund has acquired as part of units of securities or that are attached
to other securities that the Fund buys. Warrants basically are options to
purchase equity securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of
time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the
underlying securities. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short
duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders. Rights
and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the issuer.
|_| Preferred Stock. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, has a
stated dividend rate payable from the corporation's earnings. Preferred stock
dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative. "Cumulative" dividend provisions
require all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends
can be paid on the issuer's common stock. Preferred stock may be "participating"
stock, which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated
dividend in certain cases.
If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less
attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock
may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions allowing calls
or redemptions prior to maturity, which can also have a negative impact on
prices when interest rates decline. Preferred stock generally has a preference
over common stock on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of
liquidation of the corporation. The rights of preferred stock on distribution of
a corporation's assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate
to the rights associated with a corporation's debt securities.
|X| Foreign Securities. The Fund can purchase equity securities issued or
guaranteed by foreign companies. "Foreign securities" include equity and debt
securities of companies organized under the laws of countries other than the
United States. They may be traded on foreign securities exchanges or in the
foreign over-the-counter markets.
Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depository
Receipts or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S.
over-the-counter markets are not considered "foreign securities" for the purpose
of the Fund's investment allocations. That is because they are not subject to
many of the special considerations and risks, discussed below, that apply to
foreign securities traded and held abroad.
Investing in foreign securities offers potential benefits not available
from investing solely in securities of domestic issuers. They include the
opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear to offer growth potential,
or in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from
those of the U.S., or to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking
advantage of foreign stock markets that do not move in a manner parallel to U.S.
markets. The Fund will hold foreign currency only in connection with the
purchase or sale of foreign securities.
|_| Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities
may offer special opportunities for investing but also present special
additional risks and considerations not typically associated with investments in
domestic securities. Some of these additional risks are: o reduction of income
by foreign taxes; o fluctuation in value of foreign investments due to changes
in currency
rates or currency control regulations (for example, currency
blockage);
o transaction charges for currency exchange;
o lack of public information about foreign issuers;
o lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
in foreign countries comparable to those applicable to domestic
issuers;
o less volume on foreign exchanges than on U.S. exchanges;
o greater volatility and less liquidity on foreign markets than in the
U.S.;
o less governmental regulation of foreign issuers, stock exchanges and
brokers than in the U.S.;
o greater difficulties in commencing lawsuits;
o higher brokerage commission rates than in the U.S.;
o increased risks of delays in settlement of portfolio transactions or
loss of certificates for portfolio securities;
o possibilities in some countries of expropriation, confiscatory
taxation, political, financial or social instability or adverse
diplomatic developments; and
o unfavorable differences between the U.S. economy and foreign economies.
In the past, U.S. Government policies have discouraged certain investments
abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or other restrictions, and it is
possible that such restrictions could be re-imposed.
|_| Special Risks of Emerging Markets. Emerging and developing
markets abroad may also offer special opportunities for growth investing but
have greater risks than more developed foreign markets, such as those in Europe,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. There may be even less liquidity in
their securities markets, and settlements of purchases and sales of securities
may be subject to additional delays. They are subject to greater risks of
limitations on the repatriation of income and profits because of currency
restrictions imposed by local governments. Those countries may also be subject
to the risk of greater political and economic instability, which can greatly
affect the volatility of prices of securities in those countries.
|X| Portfolio Turnover. "Portfolio turnover" describes the rate at which
the Fund traded its portfolio securities during its last fiscal year. For
example, if a fund sold all of its securities during the year, its portfolio
turnover rate would have been 100% annually. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate
will fluctuate from year to year, and the Fund expects to have a portfolio
turnover rate of more than 100% annually.
Increased portfolio turnover creates higher brokerage and transaction
costs for the Fund, which may reduce its overall performance. Additionally, the
realization of capital gains from selling portfolio securities may result in
distributions of taxable long-term capital gains to shareholders, since the Fund
will normally distribute all of its capital gains realized each year, to avoid
excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Code.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. In seeking its objective, the Fund
from time to time can employ the types of investment strategies and investments
described below. It is not required to use all of these strategies at all times,
and at times may not use them.
|X| Investing in Small, Unseasoned Companies. The Fund can invest in
securities of small, unseasoned companies. These are companies that have been in
operation for less than three years, including the operations of any
predecessors. Securities of these companies may be subject to volatility in
their prices. They might have a limited trading market, which could adversely
affect the Fund's ability to dispose of them and could reduce the price the Fund
might be able to obtain for them. Other investors that own a security issued by
a small, unseasoned issuer for which there is limited liquidity might trade the
security when the Fund is attempting to dispose of its holdings of that
security. In that case the Fund might receive a lower price for its holdings
than might otherwise be obtained. The Fund currently does not intend to invest
more than 15% of its net assets in those securities.
|X| Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The Fund may purchase securities in
IPOs. By definition, IPOs have not traded publicly until the time of their
offering. Special risks associated with IPOs may include a limited number of
shares available for trading, unseasoned trading, lack of investor knowledge of
the company, and limited operating history, all of which may contribute to price
volatility. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may
make it more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares
without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. In addition, some IPOs are
involved in relatively new industries or lines of business, which may not be
widely understood by investors. Some of the companies involved in new industries
may be regarded as developmental stage companies, without revenues or operating
income, or the near-term prospects of such. In addition, foreign initial public
offerings are subject to foreign political and currency risks. Many IPOs are
issued by undercapitalized companies of small or microcap size.
|X| Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. To enable the Fund to sell its
holdings of a restricted security not registered under the Securities Act of
1933, the Fund may have to cause those securities to be registered. The expenses
of registering restricted securities may be negotiated by the Fund with the
issuer at the time the Fund buys the securities. When the Fund must arrange
registration because the Fund wishes to sell the security, a considerable period
may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the
time the security is registered so that the Fund could sell it. The Fund would
bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during that period.
The Fund can also acquire restricted securities through private
placements. Those securities have contractual restrictions on their public
resale. Those restrictions might limit the Fund's ability to dispose of the
securities and might lower the amount the Fund could realize upon the sale.
The Fund has limitations that apply to purchases of restricted securities,
as stated in the Prospectus. Those percentage restrictions do not limit
purchases of restricted securities that are eligible for sale to qualified
institutional purchasers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, if those
securities have been determined to be liquid by the Manager under Board-approved
guidelines. Those guidelines take into account the trading activity for such
securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among other
factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in a particular Rule 144A
security, the Fund's holdings of that security may be considered to be illiquid.
Illiquid securities include repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days.
|X| Loans of Portfolio Securities. To raise cash for liquidity purposes,
the Fund can lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other types
of financial institutions approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. These loans
are limited to no more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
There are some risks in connection with securities lending. The Fund might
experience a delay in receiving additional collateral to secure a loan, or a
delay in recovery of the loaned securities if the borrower defaults. The Fund
must receive collateral for a loan. Under current applicable regulatory
requirements (which are subject to change), on each business day the loan
collateral must be at least equal to the value of the loaned securities. It must
consist of cash, bank letters of credit, securities of the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities, or other cash equivalents in which the Fund
is permitted to invest. To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must
obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the
terms of the letter. The terms of the letter of credit and the issuing bank both
must be satisfactory to the Fund.
When it lends securities, the Fund receives amounts equal to the dividends
or interest on loaned securities. It also receives one or more of (a) negotiated
loan fees, (b) interest on securities used as collateral, and (c) interest on
any short-term debt securities purchased with such loan collateral. Either type
of interest may be shared with the borrower. The Fund may also pay reasonable
finder's, custodian and administrative fees in connection with these loans. The
terms of the Fund's loans must meet applicable tests under the Internal Revenue
Code and must permit the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five days'
notice or in time to vote on any important matter.
|X| Borrowing for Leverage. The Fund has the ability to borrow from banks
on an unsecured basis to invest the borrowed funds in portfolio securities. This
speculative technique is known as "leverage." The Fund may borrow only from
banks. Under current regulatory requirements, borrowings can be made only to the
extent that the value of the Fund's assets, less its liabilities other than
borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all borrowings (including the proposed
borrowing). If the value of the Fund's assets fails to meet this 300% asset
coverage requirement, the Fund will reduce its bank debt within three days to
meet the requirement. To do so, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its
investments at a disadvantageous time.
The Fund will pay interest on these loans, and that interest expense will
raise the overall expenses of the Fund and reduce its returns. If it does
borrow, its expenses will be greater than comparable funds that do not borrow
for leverage. Additionally, the Fund's net asset value per share might fluctuate
more than that of funds that do not borrow. Currently, the Fund does not
contemplate using this technique, but if it does so, it will not likely do so to
a substantial degree.
|X| Non-Diversification of Investments. The Fund is operated as a
"non-diversified" portfolio. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund
may be subject to greater risks than a diversified company because of the
possible fluctuation in the values of securities of fewer issuers. However, at
the close of each fiscal quarter at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be represented by one or more of the following: (i) cash and cash
items, including receivables; (ii) U.S. Government securities; (iii) securities
of other regulated investment companies; and (iv) securities (other than U.S.
Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of
any one or more issuers which meet the following limitations: (a) the Fund will
not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any such issuer
and (b) the entire amount of the securities of such issuer owned by the Fund
will not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer. Additionally, not more than 25% of the value of a Fund's total assets
may be invested in the securities of any one issuer.
|X| Derivatives. The Fund can invest in a variety of derivative
investments to seek income for liquidity needs or for hedging purposes. Some
derivative investments the Fund can use are the hedging instruments described
below in this Statement of Additional Information. However, the Fund does not
use, and does not currently contemplate using, derivatives or hedging
instruments to a significant degree.
Some of the derivative investments the Fund can use include debt
exchangeable for common stock of an issuer or "equity-linked debt securities" of
an issuer. At maturity, the debt security is exchanged for common stock of the
issuer or it is payable in an amount based on the price of the issuer's common
stock at the time of maturity. Both alternatives present a risk that the amount
payable at maturity will be less than the principal amount of the debt because
the price of the issuer's common stock might not be as high as the Manager
expected.
|X| Hedging. Although the Fund does not anticipate the extensive use of
hedging instruments, the Fund can use them. It is not required to do so in
seeking its goal. To attempt to protect against declines in the market value of
the Fund's portfolio, to permit the Fund to retain unrealized gains in the value
of portfolio securities which have appreciated, or to facilitate selling
securities for investment reasons, the Fund could:
|_| sell futures contracts,
|_| buy puts on such futures or on securities, or |_| write covered calls
on securities or futures.
The Fund can use hedging to establish a position in the securities market
as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities. In that case the
Fund would normally seek to purchase the securities and then terminate that
hedging position. The Fund might also use this type of hedge to attempt to
protect against the possibility that its portfolio securities would not be fully
included in a rise in value of the market. To do so the Fund could:
|_| buy futures, or
|_| buy calls on such futures or on securities.
If the Fund hedges with futures and/or options on futures, it will be
incidental to the Fund's activities in the underlying cash market. The
particular hedging instruments the Fund can use are described below. The Fund
may employ new hedging instruments and strategies when they are developed, if
those investment methods are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
are permissible under applicable regulations governing the Fund.
|_| Futures. The Fund can buy and sell futures contracts that relate
to (1) stock indices (these are referred to as "stock index futures"), (2)
securities indices (these are referred to as "financial futures"), (3) debt
securities (these are referred to as "interest rate futures"), (4) foreign
currencies (these are referred to as "forward contracts") and commodities (these
are referred to as "commodity futures").
A stock index is used as the basis for trading stock index futures. In
some cases these futures may be based on stocks of issuers in a particular
industry or group of industries. A stock index assigns relative values to the
common stocks included in the index and its value fluctuates in response to the
changes in value of the underlying stocks. A stock index cannot be purchased or
sold directly. Financial futures are similar contracts based on the future value
of the basket of securities that comprise the index. These contracts obligate
the seller to deliver, and the purchaser to take, cash to settle the futures
transaction. There is no delivery made of the underlying securities to settle
the futures obligation. Either party may also settle the transaction by entering
into an offsetting contract.
The Fund can invest a portion of its assets in commodity futures
contracts. Commodity futures may be based upon commodities within five main
commodity groups: (1) energy, which includes crude oil, natural gas, gasoline
and heating oil; (2) livestock, which includes cattle and hogs; (3) agriculture,
which includes wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, coffee, sugar and cocoa; (4)
industrial metals, which includes aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc;
and (5) precious metals, which includes gold, platinum and silver. The Fund may
purchase and sell commodity futures contracts, options on futures contracts and
options and futures on commodity indices with respect to these five main
commodity groups and the individual commodities within each group, as well as
other types of commodities.
An interest rate future obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser
to take) cash or a specified type of debt security to settle the futures
transaction. Either party could also enter into an offsetting contract to close
out the position.
No money is paid or received by the Fund on the purchase or sale of a
future. Upon entering into a futures transaction, the Fund will be required to
deposit an initial margin payment with the futures commission merchant (the
"futures broker"). Initial margin payments will be deposited with the Fund's
Custodian bank in an account registered in the futures broker's name. However,
the futures broker can gain access to that account only under specified
conditions. As the future is marked to market (that is, its value on the Fund's
books is changed) to reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin
payments, called variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures broker
daily.
At any time prior to expiration of the future, the Fund may elect to close
out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time a final
determination of variation margin is made and any additional cash must be paid
by or released to the Fund. Any loss or gain on the future is then realized by
the Fund for tax purposes. All futures transactions (except forward contracts)
are effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded.
|_| Put and Call Options. The Fund can buy and sell certain kinds of
put options ("puts") and call options ("calls"). The Fund may buy and sell
exchange-traded and over-the-counter put and call options, including index
options, securities options, currency options, and options on the other types of
futures described above.
|_| Writing Covered Call Options. The Fund can write (that is, sell)
covered calls. If the Fund sells a call option, it must be covered. That means
the Fund must own the security subject to the call while the call is
outstanding, or, for certain types of calls, the call may be covered by
segregating liquid assets to enable the Fund to satisfy its obligations if the
call is exercised. Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be subject to calls
the Fund writes.
When the Fund writes a call on a security, it receives cash (a premium).
The Fund agrees to sell the underlying security to a purchaser of a
corresponding call on the same security during the call period at a fixed
exercise price regardless of market price changes during the call period. The
call period is usually not more than nine months. The exercise price may differ
from the market price of the underlying security. The Fund has the risk of loss
that the price of the underlying security may decline during the call period.
That risk may be offset to some extent by the premium the Fund receives. If the
value of the investment does not rise above the call price, it is likely that
the call will lapse without being exercised. In that case the Fund would keep
the cash premium and the investment.
When the Fund writes a call on an index, it receives cash (a premium). If
the buyer of the call exercises it, the Fund will pay an amount of cash equal to
the difference between the closing price of the call and the exercise price,
multiplied by a specified multiple that determines the total value of the call
for each point of difference. If the value of the underlying investment does not
rise above the call price, it is likely that the call will lapse without being
exercised. In that case, the Fund would keep the cash premium.
The Fund's custodian bank, or a securities depository acting for the
Custodian, will act as the Fund's escrow agent, through the facilities of the
Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), as to the investments on which the Fund
has written calls traded on exchanges or as to other acceptable escrow
securities. In that way, no margin will be required for such transactions. OCC
will release the securities on the expiration of the option or when the Fund
enters into a closing transaction.
When the Fund writes an over-the-counter ("OTC") option, it will enter
into an arrangement with a primary U.S. government securities dealer which will
establish a formula price at which the Fund will have the absolute right to
repurchase that OTC option. The formula price will generally be based on a
multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the
option is exercisable below the market price of the underlying security (that
is, the option is "in the money"). When the Fund writes an OTC option, it will
treat as illiquid (for purposes of its restriction on holding illiquid
securities) the mark-to-market value of any OTC option it holds, unless the
option is subject to a buy-back agreement by the executing broker.
To terminate its obligation on a call it has written, the Fund may
purchase a corresponding call in a "closing purchase transaction." The Fund will
then realize a profit or loss, depending upon whether the net of the amount of
the option transaction costs and the premium received on the call the Fund wrote
is more or less than the price of the call the Fund purchases to close out the
transaction. The Fund may realize a profit if the call expires unexercised,
because the Fund will retain the underlying security and the premium it received
when it wrote the call. Any such profits are considered short-term capital gains
for Federal income tax purposes, as are the premiums on lapsed calls. When
distributed by the Fund they are taxable as ordinary income. If the Fund cannot
effect a closing purchase transaction due to the lack of a market, it will have
to hold the callable securities until the call expires or is exercised.
The Fund can also write calls on a futures contract without owning the
futures contract or securities deliverable under the contract. To do so, at the
time the call is written, the Fund must cover the call by identifying on its
books an equivalent dollar amount of liquid assets. The Fund will segregate
additional liquid assets if the value of the segregated assets drops below 100%
of the current value of the future. Because of this segregation requirement, in
no circumstances would the Fund's receipt of an exercise notice as to that
future require the Fund to deliver a futures contract. It would simply put the
Fund in a short futures position, which is permitted by the Fund's hedging
policies.
|_| Writing Put Options. The Fund may sell put options. A put option
on securities gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the writer the
obligation to buy, the underlying investment at the exercise price during the
option period. The Fund will not write puts if, as a result, more than 50% of
the Fund's net assets would be required to be segregated to cover such put
options.
If the Fund writes a put, the put must be covered by liquid assets
identified on the Fund's books. The premium the Fund receives from writing a put
represents a profit, as long as the price of the underlying investment remains
equal to or above the exercise price of the put. However, the Fund also assumes
the obligation during the option period to buy the underlying investment from
the buyer of the put at the exercise price, even if the value of the investment
falls below the exercise price. If a put the Fund has written expires
unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the amount of the premium less the
transaction costs incurred. If the put is exercised, the Fund must fulfill its
obligation to purchase the underlying investment at the exercise price. That
price will usually exceed the market value of the investment at that time. In
that case, the Fund may incur a loss if it sells the underlying investment. That
loss will be equal to the sum of the sale price of the underlying investment and
the premium received minus the sum of the exercise price and any transaction
costs the Fund incurred.
When writing a put option on a security, to secure its obligation to pay
for the underlying security the Fund will deposit in escrow liquid assets with a
value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the underlying securities.
The Fund therefore forgoes the opportunity of investing the segregated assets or
writing calls against those assets.
As long as the Fund's obligation as the put writer continues, it may be
assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer through which the put was sold.
That notice will require the Fund to take delivery of the underlying security
and pay the exercise price. The Fund has no control over when it may be required
to purchase the underlying security, since it may be assigned an exercise notice
at any time prior to the termination of its obligation as the writer of the put.
That obligation terminates upon expiration of the put. It may also terminate if,
before it receives an exercise notice, the Fund effects a closing purchase
transaction by purchasing a put of the same series as it sold. Once the Fund has
been assigned an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase
transaction.
The Fund may decide to effect a closing purchase transaction to realize a
profit on an outstanding put option it has written or to prevent the underlying
security from being put. Effecting a closing purchase transaction will also
permit the Fund to write another put option on the security, or to sell the
security and use the proceeds from the sale for other investments. The Fund will
realize a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction depending on
whether the cost of the transaction is less or more than the premium received
from writing the put option. Any profits from writing puts are considered
short-term capital gains for Federal tax purposes, and when distributed by the
Fund, are taxable as ordinary income.
|_| Purchasing Calls and Puts. The Fund can purchase calls to
protect against the possibility that the Fund's portfolio will not participate
in an anticipated rise in the securities market. When the Fund buys a call
(other than in a closing purchase transaction), it pays a premium. The Fund then
has the right to buy the underlying investment from a seller of a corresponding
call on the same investment during the call period at a fixed exercise price.
The Fund benefits only if it sells the call at a profit or if, during the call
period, the market price of the underlying investment is above the sum of the
call price plus the transaction costs and the premium paid for the call and the
Fund exercises the call. If the Fund does not exercise the call or sell it
(whether or not at a profit), the call will become worthless at its expiration
date. In that case the Fund will have paid the premium but lost the right to
purchase the underlying investment.
The Fund can buy puts whether or not it holds the underlying investment in
its portfolio. When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as
to puts on indices, has the right to sell the underlying investment to a seller
of a put on a corresponding investment during the put period at a fixed exercise
price.
Buying a put on securities or futures the Fund owns enables the Fund to
attempt to protect itself during the put period against a decline in the value
of the underlying investment below the exercise price by selling the underlying
investment at the exercise price to a seller of a corresponding put. If the
market price of the underlying investment is equal to or above the exercise
price and, as a result, the put is not exercised or resold, the put will become
worthless at its expiration date. In that case the Fund will have paid the
premium but lost the right to sell the underlying investment. However, the Fund
may sell the put prior to its expiration. That sale may or may not be at a
profit.
Buying a put on an investment the Fund does not own (such as an index or
future) permits the Fund either to resell the put or to buy the underlying
investment and sell it at the exercise price. The resale price will vary
inversely to the price of the underlying investment. If the market price of the
underlying investment is above the exercise price and, as a result, the put is
not exercised, the put will become worthless on its expiration date.
When the Fund purchases a call or put on an index or future, it pays a
premium, but settlement is in cash rather than by delivery of the underlying
investment to the Fund. Gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question
(and thus on price movements in the securities market generally) rather than on
price movements in individual securities or futures contracts.
The Fund may buy a call or put only if, after the purchase, the value of
all call and put options held by the Fund will not exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets.
|_| Buying and Selling Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund can
buy and sell calls and puts on foreign currencies. They include puts and calls
that trade on a securities or commodities exchange or in the over-the-counter
markets or are quoted by major recognized dealers in such options. The Fund
could use these calls and puts to try to protect against declines in the dollar
value of foreign securities and increases in the dollar cost of foreign
securities the Fund wants to acquire.
If the Manager anticipates a rise in the dollar value of a foreign
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated, the increased cost
of those securities may be partially offset by purchasing calls or writing puts
on that foreign currency. If the Manager anticipates a decline in the dollar
value of a foreign currency, the decline in the dollar value of portfolio
securities denominated in that currency might be partially offset by writing
calls or purchasing puts on that foreign currency. However, the currency rates
could fluctuate in a direction adverse to the Fund's position. The Fund will
then have incurred option premium payments and transaction costs without a
corresponding benefit.
A call the Fund writes on a foreign currency is "covered" if the Fund owns
the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or it can do so for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its custodian bank) upon conversion or exchange of other
foreign currency held in its portfolio.
The Fund could write a call on a foreign currency to provide a hedge
against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund owns or
has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the
option. That decline might be one that occurs due to an expected adverse change
in the exchange rate. This is known as a "cross-hedging" strategy. In those
circumstances, the Fund covers the option by maintaining cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid, high-grade debt securities in an amount equal to the
exercise price of the option, in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian
bank.
|_| Risks of Hedging with Options and Futures. The use of hedging
instruments requires special skills and knowledge of investment techniques that
are different than what is required for normal portfolio management. If the
Manager uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges market conditions
incorrectly, hedging strategies may reduce the Fund's return. The Fund could
also experience losses if the prices of its futures and options positions were
not correlated with its other investments.
The Fund's option activities could affect its portfolio turnover rate and
brokerage commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund might cause the
Fund to sell related portfolio securities, thus increasing its turnover rate.
The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities will cause the sale of underlying
investments, increasing portfolio turnover. Although the decision whether to
exercise a put it holds is within the Fund's control, holding a put might cause
the Fund to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist in the
absence of the put.
The Fund could pay a brokerage commission each time it buys a call or put,
sells a call or put, or buys or sells an underlying investment in connection
with the exercise of a call or put. Those commissions could be higher on a
relative basis than the commissions for direct purchases or sales of the
underlying investments. Premiums paid for options are small in relation to the
market value of the underlying investments. Consequently, put and call options
offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage offered by trading in options
could result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive to changes in
the value of the underlying investment.
If a covered call written by the Fund is exercised on an investment that
has increased in value, the Fund will be required to sell the investment at the
call price. It will not be able to realize any profit if the investment has
increased in value above the call price.
An option position may be closed out only on a market that provides
secondary trading for options of the same series, and there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. The Fund might
experience losses if it could not close out a position because of an illiquid
market for the future or option.
There is a risk in using short hedging by selling futures or purchasing
puts on indices or futures to attempt to protect against declines in the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities. The risk is that the prices of the futures
or the applicable index will correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash
prices of the Fund's securities. For example, it is possible that while the Fund
has used hedging instruments in a short hedge, the market might advance and the
value of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio might decline. If that
occurred, the Fund would lose money on the hedging instruments and also
experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. However, while
this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time
the value of a diversified portfolio of securities will tend to move in the same
direction as the indices upon which the hedging instruments are based.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable index.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the
portfolio securities being hedged and movements in the price of the hedging
instruments, the Fund might use hedging instruments in a greater dollar amount
than the dollar amount of portfolio securities being hedged. It might do so if
the historical volatility of the prices of the portfolio securities being hedged
is more than the historical volatility of the applicable index.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets are
subject to distortions, due to differences in the nature of those markets.
First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and
maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and
futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore,
increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
price distortions.
The Fund can use hedging instruments to establish a position in the
securities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual
securities (long hedging) by buying futures and/or calls on such futures,
indices or on securities. It is possible that when the Fund does so the market
might decline. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in securities because of
concerns that the market might decline further or for other reasons, the Fund
will realize a loss on the hedging instruments that is not offset by a reduction
in the price of the securities purchased.
|_| Forward Contracts. Forward contracts are foreign currency
exchange contracts. They are used to buy or sell foreign currency for future
delivery at a fixed price. The Fund uses them to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price
of a security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund has bought or
sold, or to protect against possible losses from changes in the relative values
of the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency. The Fund limits its exposure in
foreign currency exchange contracts in a particular foreign currency to the
amount of its assets denominated in that currency or a closely-correlated
currency. The Fund may also use "cross-hedging" where the Fund hedges against
changes in currencies other than the currency in which a security it holds is
denominated.
Under a forward contract, one party agrees to purchase, and another party
agrees to sell, a specific currency at a future date. That date may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties. The
transaction price is set at the time the contract is entered into. These
contracts are traded in the inter-bank market conducted directly among currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
The Fund can use forward contracts to protect against uncertainty in the
level of future exchange rates. The use of forward contracts does not eliminate
the risk of fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund
owns or intends to acquire, but it does fix a rate of exchange in advance.
Although forward contracts may reduce the risk of loss from a decline in the
value of the hedged currency, at the same time they limit any potential gain if
the value of the hedged currency increases.
When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a
security denominated in a foreign currency, or when it anticipates receiving
dividend payments in a foreign currency, the Fund might desire to "lock-in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of the dividend
payments. To do so, the Fund could enter into a forward contract for the
purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying
transaction, in a fixed amount of U.S. dollars per unit of the foreign currency.
This is called a "transaction hedge." The transaction hedge will protect the
Fund against a loss from an adverse change in the currency exchange rates during
the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold or on
which the payment is declared, and the date on which the payments are made or
received.
The Fund could also use forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value
of portfolio positions. This is called a "position hedge." When the Fund
believes that foreign currency might suffer a substantial decline against the
U.S. dollar, it could enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of that
foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in that foreign currency. When the Fund believes that the
U.S. dollar might suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it
could enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed
dollar amount. Alternatively, the Fund could enter into a forward contract to
sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount if the Fund
believes that the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency to be sold pursuant
to its forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar
value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated.
That is referred to as a "cross hedge."
The Fund will cover its short positions in these cases by identifying to
its Custodian bank assets having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the
Fund's commitment under forward contracts. The Fund will not enter into forward
contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts if the consummation of
the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency
in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or other assets
denominated in that currency or another currency that is the subject of the
hedge.
However, to avoid excess transactions and transaction costs, the Fund may
maintain a net exposure to forward contracts in excess of the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities or other assets denominated in foreign currencies if
the excess amount is "covered" by liquid securities denominated in any currency.
The cover must be at least equal at all times to the amount of that excess. As
one alternative, the Fund may purchase a call option permitting the Fund to
purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract
at a price no higher than the forward contract price. As another alternative,
the Fund may purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of
foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high or
higher than the forward contact price.
The precise matching of the amounts under forward contracts and the value
of the securities involved generally will not be possible because the future
value of securities denominated in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements between the date the forward contract is entered
into and the date it is sold. In some cases the Manager might decide to sell the
security and deliver foreign currency to settle the original purchase
obligation. If the market value of the security is less than the amount of
foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver, the Fund might have to
purchase additional foreign currency on the "spot" (that is, cash) market to
settle the security trade. If the market value of the security instead exceeds
the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver to settle the
trade, the Fund might have to sell on the spot market some of the foreign
currency received upon the sale of the security. There will be additional
transaction costs on the spot market in those cases.
The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is
highly uncertain. Forward contracts involve the risk that anticipated currency
movements will not be accurately predicted, causing the Fund to sustain losses
on these contracts and to pay additional transactions costs. The use of forward
contracts in this manner might reduce the Fund's performance if there are
unanticipated changes in currency prices to a greater degree than if the Fund
had not entered into such contracts.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract requiring the Fund to sell
a currency, the Fund might sell a portfolio security and use the sale proceeds
to make delivery of the currency. In the alternative the Fund might retain the
security and offset its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by
purchasing a second contract. Under that contract the Fund will obtain, on the
same maturity date, the same amount of the currency that it is obligated to
deliver. Similarly, the Fund might close out a forward contract requiring it to
purchase a specified currency by entering into a second contract entitling it to
sell the same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first
contract. The Fund would realize a gain or loss as a result of entering into
such an offsetting forward contract under either circumstance. The gain or loss
will depend on the extent to which the exchange rate or rates between the
currencies involved moved between the execution dates of the first contract and
offsetting contract.
The costs to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors
such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the
market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered
into on a principal basis, no brokerage fees or commissions are involved.
Because these contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund must evaluate
the credit and performance risk of the counterparty under each forward contract.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund may convert foreign currency from time to time, and
will incur costs in doing so. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, but they do seek to realize a profit based on the difference between
the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer might
offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a
lesser rate of exchange if the Fund desires to resell that currency to the
dealer.
|_| Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. When using futures
and options on futures, the Fund is required to operate within certain
guidelines and restrictions with respect to the use of futures as established by
the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"). In particular, the Fund
is exempted from registration with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if
the Fund complies with the requirements of Rule 4.5 adopted by the CFTC. The
Rule does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be used for
futures margin and related options premiums for a bona fide hedging position.
However, under the Rule, the Fund must limit its aggregate initial futures
margin and related options premiums to not more than 5% of the Fund's net assets
for strategies that are not considered bona fide hedging strategies under the
Rule.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations established
by the option exchanges. The exchanges limit the maximum number of options that
may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in
concert. Those limits apply regardless of whether the options were written or
purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts
or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more brokers. Thus,
the number of options that the Fund may write or hold may be affected by options
written or held by other entities, including other investment companies having
the same adviser as the Fund (or an adviser that is an affiliate of the Fund's
adviser). The exchanges also impose position limits on futures transactions. An
exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of
those limits and may impose certain other sanctions.
Under the Investment Company Act, when the Fund purchases a future, it
must maintain liquid assets in an amount equal to the market value of the
securities underlying the future, less the margin deposit applicable to it.
|_| Tax Aspects of Certain Hedging Instruments. Certain foreign
currency exchange contracts in which the Fund may invest are treated as "Section
1256 contracts" under the Internal Revenue Code. In general, gains or losses
relating to Section 1256 contracts are characterized as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gains or losses under the Code. However, foreign currency
gains or losses arising from Section 1256 contracts that are forward contracts
generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, Section 1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year are
"marked-to-market," and unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they
were realized. These contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of
determining the excise tax applicable to investment company distributions and
for other purposes under rules prescribed pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
An election can be made by the Fund to exempt those transactions from this
marked-to-market treatment.
Certain forward contracts the Fund enters into may result in "straddles"
for Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character and
timing of gains (or losses) recognized by the Fund on straddle positions.
Generally, a loss sustained on the disposition of a position making up a
straddle is allowed only to the extent that the loss exceeds any unrecognized
gain in the offsetting positions making up the straddle. Disallowed loss is
generally allowed at the point where there is no unrecognized gain in the
offsetting positions making up the straddle, or the offsetting position is
disposed of.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the following gains or losses are treated
as ordinary income or loss: (1) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates that
occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables
or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign
currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or
pays such liabilities, and
(2) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of a foreign
currency between the date of acquisition of a debt security denominated
in a foreign currency or foreign currency forward contracts and the
date of disposition.
Currency gains and losses are offset against market gains and losses on
each trade before determining a net "Section 988" gain or loss under the
Internal Revenue Code for that trade, which may increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's investment income available for distribution to its shareholders.
|X| Temporary Defensive Investments. When market conditions are unstable,
or the Manager believes it is otherwise appropriate to reduce holdings in
stocks, the Fund can invest in a variety of debt securities for defensive
purposes. The Fund can also purchase these securities for liquidity purposes to
meet cash needs due to the redemption of Fund shares, or to hold while waiting
to reinvest cash received from the sale of other portfolio securities. The Fund
can buy:
|_| high-quality (rated in the top rating categories of
nationally-recognized rating organizations or deemed by the Manager
to be of comparable quality), short-term money market instruments,
including those issued by the U. S. Treasury or other government
agencies,
|_| commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, promissory notes of domestic
or foreign companies) rated in the top rating category of a nationally
recognized rating organization,
|_| debt obligations of corporate issuers, rated investment grade (rated
at least Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or at least BBB by
Standard & Poor's Corporation, or a comparable rating by another
rating organization), or unrated securities judged by the Manager to
have a comparable quality to rated securities in those categories,
|_| preferred stocks,
|_| certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of domestic and
foreign banks and savings and loan associations, and
|_| repurchase agreements.
Short-term debt securities would normally be selected for defensive or
cash management purposes because they can normally be disposed of quickly, are
not generally subject to significant fluctuations in principal value and their
value will be less subject to interest rate risk than longer-term debt
securities.
|X| Repurchase Agreements. The Fund can acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements. It might do so for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated
redemptions of Fund shares, or pending the investment of the proceeds from sales
of Fund shares, or pending the settlement of portfolio securities transactions,
or for temporary defensive purposes, as described below.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security from, and
simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor for delivery on an agreed-upon
future date. The resale price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that
reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period during which the
repurchase agreement is in effect. Approved vendors include U.S. commercial
banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks, or broker-dealers that have been
designated as primary dealers in government securities. They must meet credit
requirements set by the Fund's Manager from time to time.
The majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery
pursuant to the resale typically occurs within one to five days of the purchase.
Repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days are subject to the
Fund's limits on holding illiquid investments. The Fund will not enter into a
repurchase agreement that causes more than 15% of its net assets to be subject
to repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days. There is no limit
on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be subject to repurchase
agreements having maturities of seven days or less.
Repurchase agreements, considered "loans" under the Investment Company
Act, are collateralized by the underlying security. The Fund's repurchase
agreements require that at all times while the repurchase agreement is in
effect, the value of the collateral must equal or exceed the repurchase price to
fully collateralize the repayment obligation. However, if the vendor fails to
pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in disposing
of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability
to do so. The Manager will monitor the vendor's creditworthiness to confirm that
the vendor is financially sound and will continuously monitor the collateral's
value.
Investment Restrictions
|X| What Are "Fundamental Policies?" Fundamental policies are those
policies that the Fund has adopted to govern its investments that can be changed
only by the vote of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.
Under the Investment Company Act, a "majority" vote is defined as the vote of
the holders of the lesser of:
|_|67% or more of the shares present or represented by proxy at a
shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present or represented by proxy, or
|_| more than 50% of the outstanding shares.
The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy. Other policies
described in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information are
"fundamental" only if they are identified as such. The Fund's Board of Trustees
can change non-fundamental policies without shareholder approval. However,
significant changes to investment policies will be described in supplements or
updates to the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information, as
appropriate. The Fund's most significant investment policies are described in
the Prospectus.
o The Fund cannot invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of
issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry. The
percentage limitation in this investment restriction does not apply to
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and
instrumentalities.
o The Fund cannot borrow money in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of its total
assets at the time of the borrowings. The Fund's borrowings must comply with
the 300% asset coverage requirement under the Investment Company Act, as such
requirement may be amended from time to time.
o The Fund cannot make loans except (a) through lending of securities, (b)
through the purchase of debt securities or similar evidences of indebtedness,
(c) through an interfund lending program with other affiliated funds,
provided that no such loan may be made if, as a result, the aggregate of such
loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (taken at market
value at the time of such loans), and (d) through repurchase agreements.
o The Fund cannot buy or sell real estate. However, the Fund can purchase
securities secured by real estate or interests in real estate, or issued by
issuers (including real estate investment trusts) that invest in real estate
or interests in real estate. The Fund may hold and sell real estate as
acquired as a result of the Fund's ownership of securities.
o The Fund cannot underwrite securities of other companies. A permitted
exception is in case the Fund is deemed to be an underwriter under the
Securities Act of 1933 when reselling any securities held in its own
portfolio.
o The Fund cannot issue "senior securities," except as permitted under the
Investment Company Act. This limitation does not prohibit certain investment
activities for which assets of the Fund are designated as segregated, or
margin, collateral or escrow arrangements are established, to cover the
related obligations. Examples of those activities include borrowing money,
reverse repurchase agreements, delayed-delivery and when-issued arrangements
for portfolio securities transactions, and contracts to buy or sell
derivatives, hedging instruments, options or futures.
|X| Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following operating policies of
the Fund are not fundamental policies and, as such, may be changed by vote of a
majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. These
additional restrictions provide that:
o The Fund cannot purchase securities on margin. However, the Fund can make
margin deposits when using hedging instruments permitted by any of its other
policies.
o The Fund cannot invest in companies for the purpose of acquiring control or
management those companies.
o The Fund cannot invest or hold securities of any issuer if officers and
trustees of the Fund or the Manager individually beneficially own more
than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of that issuer and together own more
than 5% of the securities of that issuer.
o The Fund cannot pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer or assign
any of its assets to secure a debt. Collateral arrangements for premium and
margin payments in connection with hedging instruments are not deemed to be a
pledge of assets.
As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund also may invest all of its
assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company for
which the Manager or one of its subsidiaries or a successor is advisor or
sub-advisor, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or
limitation. The Fund is permitted by this policy (but not required) to adopt a
"master-feeder" structure in which the Fund and other "feeder" funds would
invest all of their assets in a single pooled "master fund" in an effort to take
advantage of potential efficiencies. The Fund has no present intention of
adopting a "master-feeder" structure. The Fund would seek approval of its Board
of Trustees, and update its Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information, prior to adopting a "master-feeder" structure.
Unless the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information states
that a percentage restriction applies on an on-going basis, it applies only at
the time the Fund makes an investment. The Fund need not sell securities to meet
the percentage limits if the value of the investment increases in proportion to
the size of the Fund.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate its investments as
described above, the Fund has adopted the industry classifications set forth in
Appendix A to this Statement of Additional Information. That is not a
fundamental policy.
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management
investment company with an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in February
2000.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The Trustees
meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's activities, review
its performance, and review the actions of the Manager. Although the Fund will
not normally hold annual meetings of its shareholders, it may hold shareholder
meetings from time to time on important matters, and shareholders have the right
to call a meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Fund's Declaration of Trust.
|X| Classes of Shares. The Board of Trustees has the power, without
shareholder approval, to divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more
classes. The Board has done so, and the Fund currently has three classes of
shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y. All classes invest in the same
investment portfolio. Each class of shares:
o has its own dividends and distributions,
o pays certain expenses which may be different for the different classes,
o may have a different net asset value,
o may have separate voting rights on matters in which interests of one
class are different from interests of another class, and o votes as a
class on matters that affect that class alone.
Shares are freely transferable, and each share of each class has one vote
at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally on matters
submitted to the vote of shareholders. Each share of the Fund represents an
interest in the Fund proportionately equal to the interest of each other share
of the same class.
The Trustees are authorized to create new series and classes of shares.
The Trustees may reclassify unissued shares of the Fund into additional series
or classes of shares. The Trustees also may divide or combine the shares of a
class into a greater or lesser number of shares without changing the
proportionate beneficial interest of a shareholder in the Fund. Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights or preemptive or subscription rights. Shares may
be voted in person or by proxy at shareholder meetings.
|X| Meetings of Shareholders. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund
is not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings of
shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law. It will also do so when a
shareholder meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders.
Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to remove a Trustee. The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the written request of the record holders of 10% of its outstanding shares.
If the Trustees receive a request from at least 10 shareholders stating that
they wish to communicate with other shareholders to request a meeting to remove
a Trustee, the Trustees will then either make the Fund's shareholder list
available to the applicants or mail their communication to all other
shareholders at the applicants' expense. The shareholders making the request
must have been shareholders for at least six months and must hold shares of the
Fund valued at $25,000 or more or constituting at least 1% of the Fund's
outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Trustees may also take other action
as permitted by the Investment Company Act.
|X| Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Fund's Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder or Trustee liability for the
Fund's obligations. It also provides for indemnification and reimbursement of
expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder held personally liable
for its obligations. The Declaration of Trust also states that upon request, the
Fund shall assume the defense of any claim made against a shareholder for any
act or obligation of the Fund and shall satisfy any judgment on that claim.
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the Fund)
to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain circumstances.
However, the risk that a Fund shareholder will incur financial loss from being
held liable as a "partner" of the Fund is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Fund's contractual arrangements state that any person doing business
with the Fund (and each shareholder of the Fund) agrees under its Declaration of
Trust to look solely to the assets of the Fund for satisfaction of any claim or
demand that may arise out of any dealings with the Fund. The contracts further
state that the Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to
the extent permitted by law.
Trustees and Officers of the Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers and their
principal occupations and business affiliations and occupations during the past
five years are listed below. Trustees denoted with an asterisk (*) below are
deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund under the Investment Company Act.
All of the Trustees are Trustees or Directors of the following New York-based
Oppenheimer funds2:
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund Oppenheimer International Small
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund Company Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund
Oppenheimer Europe Fund Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Global Fund Oppenheimer Multi-State Municipal
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund Trust
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund
Fund Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund Oppenheimer Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Donohue, Wixted, Zack, Bishop and Farrar
respectively hold the same offices with the other New York-based Oppenheimer
funds as with the Fund.
Leon Levy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Age: 75.
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
General Partner of Odyssey Partners, L.P. (investment partnership) (since
1982) and Chairman of Avatar Holdings, Inc. (real estate development).
Robert G. Galli, Trustee, Age: 66.
19750 Beach Road, Jupiter, FL 33469
A Trustee or Director of other Oppenheimer funds. Formerly he held the following
positions: Vice Chairman of the Manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (October 1995 -
December 1997); Executive Vice President of the Manager (December 1977 - October
1995); Executive Vice President and a director (April 1986 - October 1995) of
HarbourView Asset Management Corporation, an investment advisor subsidiary of
the Manager.
Phillip A. Griffiths, Trustee+; Age: 61.
97 Olden Lane, Princeton, N. J. 08540
The Director of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. (since 1991)
and a member of the National Academy of Sciences (since 1979); formerly a
director of Bankers Trust Corporation (1994 through June, 1999), Provost and
Professor of Mathematics at Duke University (1983 - 1991), a director of
Research Triangle Institute, Raleigh, N.C. (1983 - 1991), and a Professor of
Mathematics at Harvard University (1972 - 1983).
Benjamin Lipstein, Trustee, Age: 76.
591 Breezy Hill Road, Hillsdale, N.Y. 12529
Professor Emeritus of Marketing, Stern Graduate School of Business
Administration, New York University.
Bridget A. Macaskill, President and Trustee, 3# Age: 51.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
President (since June 1991), Chief Executive Officer (since September 1995) and
a Director (since December 1994) of the Manager; President and director (since
June 1991) of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation, an investment adviser
subsidiary of the Manager; Chairman and a director of Shareholder Services, Inc.
(since August 1994) and Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. (since September
1995), transfer agent subsidiaries of the Manager; President (since September
1995) and a director (since October 1990) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., the
Manager's parent holding company; President (since September 1995) and a
director (since November 1989) of Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., a
holding company subsidiary of the Manager; a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since July 1996); President and a director (since October
1997) of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd., an offshore fund management
subsidiary of the Manager and of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc; President and
a director of other Oppenheimer funds; a director of Prudential Corporation plc
(a U.K. financial service company).
Elizabeth B. Moynihan, Trustee, Age: 70.
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Author and architectural historian; a trustee of the Freer Gallery of Art
(Smithsonian Institute), Executive Committee of Board of Trustees of the
National Building Museum; a member of the Trustees Council, Preservation League
of New York State.
Kenneth A. Randall, Trustee, Age: 72.
6 Whittaker's Mill, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
A director of Dominion Resources, Inc. (electric utility holding company),
Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric power and oil & gas producer), and Prime
Retail, Inc. (real estate investment trust); formerly President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Conference Board, Inc. (international economic and
business research) and a director of Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company,
American Motorists Insurance Company and American Manufacturers Mutual
Insurance Company.
Edward V. Regan, Trustee, Age: 69.
40 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
Senior Fellow of Jerome Levy Economics Institute, Bard College; a director of
RBAsset (real estate manager); a director of OffitBank; Trustee, Financial
Accounting Foundation (FASB and GASB); formerly New York State Comptroller and
trustee, New York State and Local Retirement Fund.
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., Trustee, Age: 68.
8 Sound Shore Drive, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Chairman of The Directorship Group, Inc. (corporate governance consulting and
executive recruiting); a director of Professional Staff Limited (a U.K.
temporary staffing company); a life trustee of International House
(non-profit educational organization), and a trustee of the Greenwich
Historical Society.
Donald W. Spiro, Vice Chairman and Trustee, Age: 74.
399 Ski Trail, Smoke Rise, New Jersey 07405
Formerly he held the following positions: Chairman Emeritus (August 1991 -
August 1999), Chairman (November 1987 - January 1991) and a director (January
1969 - August 1999) of the Manager; President and Director of the Distributor
(July 1978 - January 1992).
Clayton K. Yeutter, Trustee, Age: 69.
10475 E. Laurel Lane, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
Of Counsel, Hogan & Hartson (a law firm); a director of Zurich Financial
Services (financial services), Zurich Allied AG and Allied Zurich p.l.c.
(insurance investment management); Caterpillar, Inc. (machinery), ConAgra,
Inc. (food and agricultural products), Farmers Insurance Company (insurance),
FMC Corp. (chemicals and machinery) and Texas Instruments, Inc.
(electronics); formerly (in descending chronological order), Counsellor to
the President (Bush) for Domestic Policy, Chairman of the Republican National
Committee, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Trade
Representative.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary, Age: 49.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Executive Vice President (since January 1993), General Counsel (since October
1991) and a Director (since September 1995) of the Manager; Executive Vice
President and General Counsel (since September 1993) and a director (since
January 1992) of the Distributor; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
a director of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation, Shareholder Services,
Inc., Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. and (since September 1995)
Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc.; President and a director of Centennial
Asset Management Corporation (since September 1995); President, General Counsel
and a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. (since July 1996);
General Counsel (since May 1996) and Secretary (since April 1997) of Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp.; Vice President and a director of OppenheimerFunds
International Ltd. and Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Brian W. Wixted, Treasurer, Age: 40.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Senior Vice President and Treasurer (since April 1999) of the Manager; Treasurer
of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation, Shareholder Services, Inc.,
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc.
(since April 1999); Assistant Treasurer of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. (since
April 1999); Assistant Secretary of Centennial Asset Management Corporation
(since April 1999); formerly Principal and Chief Operating Officer, Bankers
Trust Company - Mutual Fund Services Division (March 1995 - March 1999); Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of CS First Boston Investment Management
Corp. (September 1991 - March 1995); and Vice President and Accounting Manager,
Merrill Lynch Asset Management (November 1987 - September 1991).
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer, Age: 41.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994 - May 1996), and a Fund Controller
for the Manager.
Scott T. Farrar, Assistant Treasurer, Age: 34.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); Assistant
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer
of other Oppenheimer Funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994 - May 1996), and a Fund Controller
for the Manager.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary, Age: 51.
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Senior Vice President (since May 1985) and Associate General Counsel (since
May 1981) of the Manager, Assistant Secretary of Shareholder Services, Inc.
(since May 1985), and Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. (since November
1989); Assistant Secretary of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd. and
Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds.
Bruce Bartlett, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Age: 50. Two World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048-0203 Senior Vice President of the Manager
(April 1995); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds, formerly a Vice President
and Senior Portfolio Manager at First of America Investment Corp.
|X| Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund and certain
Trustees of the Fund (Ms. Macaskill) who are affiliated with the Manager receive
no salary or fee from the Fund. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the Fund has paid no compensation to the Trustees because the Fund
is a new fund that has previously had no operations. The compensation from all
of the New York based Oppenheimer funds represents compensation received as a
director, trustee or member of a committee of the boards of those funds during
the calendar year 1999.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustee's Name Estimated Aggregate Total Compensation
and Position Compensation From all
from Fund1 New York based Oppenheimer
Funds (26 Funds)2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leon Levy $ $166,700
Chairman
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert G. Galli $ $176,215
Study Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip Griffiths $ $17,835
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benjamin Lipstein $ $144,100
Study Committee
Chairman,
Audit Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth B. Moynihan $ $101,500
Study Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth A. Randall $ $93,100
Audit Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward V. Regan $ $92,100
Proxy Committee
Chairman, Audit
Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. $ $68,900
Proxy Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald W. Spiro $ $10,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clayton K. Yeutter $ $68,900
Proxy Committee Member
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1Estimates for the Fund's fiscal year end July 31, 2000.
2For the 1999 calendar year.
|X| Retirement Plan for Trustees. The Fund has adopted a retirement plan
that provides for payments to retired Trustees. Payments are up to 80% of the
average compensation paid during a Trustee's five years of service in which the
highest compensation was received. A Trustee must serve as trustee for any of
the New York-based Oppenheimer funds for at least 15 years to be eligible for
the maximum payment. Each Trustee's retirement benefits will depend on the
amount of the Trustee's future compensation and length of service. Therefore the
amount of those benefits cannot be determined at this time, nor can we estimate
the number of years of credited service that will be used to determine those
benefits.
|X| Deferred Compensation Plan for Trustees. The Board of Trustees has
adopted a Deferred Compensation Plan for disinterested trustees that enables
them to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual fees they are
entitled to receive from the Fund. Under the plan, the compensation deferred by
a Trustee is periodically adjusted as though an equivalent amount had been
invested in shares of one or more Oppenheimer funds selected by the Trustee. The
amount paid to the Trustee under the plan will be determined based upon the
performance of the selected funds.
Deferral of Trustees' fees under the plan will not materially affect the
Fund's assets, liabilities or net income per share. The plan will not obligate
the Fund to retain the services of any Trustee or to pay any particular level of
compensation to any Trustee. Pursuant to an Order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest in the funds selected by the Trustee
under the plan without shareholder approval for the limited purpose of
determining the value of the Trustee's deferred fee account.
|X| Major Shareholders. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. was the only shareholder of record.
The Manager. The Manager is wholly-owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
|X| Code of Ethics. The Fund, the Manager and the Distributor have a Code
of Ethics. It is designed to detect and prevent improper personal trading by
certain employees, including portfolio managers, that would compete with or take
advantage of the Fund's portfolio transactions. Covered persons include persons
with knowledge of the investments and investment intentions of the Fund and
other funds advised by the Manager. The Code of Ethics does permit personnel
subject to the Code to invest in securities, including securities that may be
purchased or held by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls.
Compliance with the Code of Ethics is carefully monitored and enforced by the
Manager.
|X| The Investment Advisory Agreement. The Manager provides investment
advisory and management services to the Fund under an investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and the Fund. The Manager selects securities for
the Fund's portfolio and handles its day-to-day business. The portfolio manager
of the Fund is employed by the Manager and is the person who is principally
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. Other members
of the Manager's Equity Portfolio Team provide the portfolio manager with
counsel and support in managing the Fund's portfolio.
The agreement requires the Manager, at its expense, to provide the Fund
with adequate office space, facilities and equipment. It also requires the
Manager to provide and supervise the activities of all administrative and
clerical personnel required to provide effective administration for the Fund.
Those responsibilities include the compilation and maintenance of records with
respect to its operations, the preparation and filing of specified reports, and
composition of proxy materials and registration statements for continuous public
sale of shares of the Fund.
The Fund pays expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the advisory
agreement. The advisory agreement lists examples of expenses paid by the Fund.
The major categories relate to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, fees to
certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, custodian and transfer agent
expenses, share issuance costs, certain printing and registration costs and
non-recurring expenses, including litigation costs. The management fees paid by
the Fund to the Manager are calculated at the rates described in the Prospectus,
which are applied to the assets of the Fund as a whole. The fees are allocated
to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of the Fund's net
assets represented by that class.
The investment advisory agreement states that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the investment advisory
agreement, the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from a good faith
error or omission on its part with respect to any of its duties under the
agreement.
The agreement permits the Manager to act as investment adviser for any
other person, firm or corporation and to use the name "Oppenheimer" in
connection with other investment companies for which it may act as investment
adviser or general distributor. If the Manager shall no longer act as investment
adviser to the Fund, the Manager may withdraw the right of the Fund to use the
name "Oppenheimer" as part of its name.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the duties of
the Manager under the investment advisory agreement is to arrange the portfolio
transactions for the Fund. The advisory agreement contains provisions relating
to the employment of broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio transactions.
The Manager is authorized by the advisory agreement to employ broker-dealers,
including "affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment
Company Act. The Manager may employ broker-dealers that the Manager thinks in
its best judgment, based on all relevant factors, will implement the policy of
the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the "best execution" of the Fund's
portfolio transactions. "Best execution" means prompt and reliable execution at
the most favorable price obtainable. The Manager need not seek competitive
commission bidding. However, it is expected to be aware of the current rates of
eligible brokers and to minimize the commissions paid to the extent consistent
with the interests and policies of the Fund as established by its Board of
Trustees.
Under the investment advisory agreement, the Manager may select brokers
(other than affiliates) that provide brokerage and/or research services for the
Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates have
investment discretion. The commissions paid to such brokers may be higher than
another qualified broker would charge, if the Manager makes a good faith
determination that the commission is fair and reasonable in relation to the
services provided. Subject to those considerations, as a factor in selecting
brokers for the Fund's portfolio transactions, the Manager may also consider
sales of shares of the Fund and other investment companies for which the Manager
or an affiliate serves as investment adviser.
Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. The Manager allocates brokerage for
the Fund subject to the provisions of the investment advisory agreement and the
procedures and rules described above. Generally, the Manager's portfolio traders
allocate brokerage based upon recommendations from the Manager's portfolio
managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers may directly place trades and
allocate brokerage. In either case, the Manager's executive officers supervise
the allocation of brokerage.
Transactions in securities other than those for which an exchange is the
primary market are generally done with principals or market makers. In
transactions on foreign exchanges, the Fund may be required to pay fixed
brokerage commissions and therefore would not have the benefit of negotiated
commissions available in U.S. markets. Brokerage commissions are paid primarily
for transactions in listed securities or for certain fixed-income agency
transactions in the secondary market. Otherwise brokerage commissions are paid
only if it appears likely that a better price or execution can be obtained by
doing so. In an option transaction, the Fund ordinarily uses the same broker for
the purchase or sale of the option and any transaction in the securities to
which the option relates.
Other funds advised by the Manager have investment policies similar to
those of the Fund. Those other funds may purchase or sell the same securities as
the Fund at the same time as the Fund, which could affect the supply and price
of the securities. If two or more funds advised by the Manager purchase the same
security on the same day from the same dealer. The transactions under those
combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated in accordance with the
purchase or sale orders actually placed for each account.
Most purchases of debt obligations are principal transactions at net
prices. Instead of using a broker for those transactions, the Fund normally
deals directly with the selling or purchasing principal or market maker unless
the Manager determines that a better price or execution can be obtained by using
the services of a broker. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters
include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter.
Purchases from dealers include a spread between the bid and asked prices. The
Fund seeks to obtain prompt execution of these orders at the most favorable net
price.
The investment advisory agreement permits the Manager to allocate
brokerage for research services. The research services provided by a particular
broker may be useful only to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager
and its affiliates. The investment research received for the commissions of
those other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of the
Manager's other accounts. Investment research may be supplied to the Manager by
a third party at the instance of a broker through which trades are placed.
Investment research services include information and analysis on
particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and
portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, information
systems, computer hardware and similar products and services. If a research
service also assists the Manager in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping
or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that
provides assistance to the Manager in the investment decision-making process may
be paid in commission dollars.
The Board of Trustees permits the Manager to use stated commissions on
secondary fixed-income agency trades to obtain research if the broker represents
to the Manager that: (i) the trade is not from or for the broker's own
inventory, (ii) the trade was executed by the broker on an agency basis at the
stated commission, and (iii) the trade is not a riskless principal transaction.
The Board of Trustees permits the Manager to use concessions on fixed-price
offerings to obtain research, in the same manner as is permitted for agency
transactions.
The research services provided by brokers broadens the scope and
supplements the research activities of the Manager. That research provides
additional views and comparisons for consideration, and helps the Manager to
obtain market information for the valuation of securities that are either held
in the Fund's portfolio or are being considered for purchase. The Manager
provides information to the Board about the commissions paid to brokers
furnishing such services, together with the Manager's representation that the
amount of such commissions was reasonably related to the value or benefit of
such services.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Distributor. Under its General Distributor's Agreement with the Fund, the
Distributor acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in the continuous public
offering of the Fund's classes of shares. The Distributor is not obligated to
sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally attributable to sales are
borne by the Distributor.
Distribution and Service Plans. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A
shares and Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares under
Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act. Under those plans the Fund pays the
Distributor for all or a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the
distribution and/or servicing of the shares of the particular class.
Each plan has been approved by a vote of the Board of Trustees, including
a majority of the Independent Trustees4, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on that plan. Each plan has also been approved by the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares
of the applicable class. The shareholder votes for the plans were cast by the
Manager as the sole initial holder of each class of shares of the Fund.
Under the plans, the Manager and the Distributor may make payments to
affiliates and, in their sole discretion, from time to time, may use their own
resources (at no direct cost to the Fund) to make payments to brokers, dealers
or other financial institutions for distribution and administrative services
they perform. The Manager may use its profits from the advisory fee it receives
from the Fund. In their sole discretion, the Distributor and the Manager may
increase or decrease the amount of payments they make from their own resources
to plan recipients.
Unless a plan is terminated as described below, the plan continues in
effect from year to year but only if the Fund's Board of Trustees and its
Independent Trustees specifically vote annually to approve its continuance.
Approval must be by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on continuing the plan. A plan may be terminated at any time by the vote
of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a
"majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares
of that class.
The Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees must approve all
material amendments to a plan. An amendment to increase materially the amount of
payments to be made under a plan must be approved by shareholders of the class
affected by the amendment. Because Class B shares of the Fund automatically
convert into Class A shares after six years, the Fund must obtain the approval
of both Class A and Class B shareholders for a proposed material amendment to
the Class A Plan that would materially increase payments under the Plan. That
approval must be by a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of
the shares of each Class, voting separately by class.
While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall provide
separate written reports on the plans to the Board of Trustees at least
quarterly for its review. The Reports shall detail the amount of all payments
made under a plan and the purpose for which the payments were made. Those
reports are subject to the review and approval of the Independent Trustees.
Each plan states that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination
of those Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund is
committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This does not prevent
the involvement of others in the selection and nomination process as long as the
final decision as to selection or nomination is approved by a majority of the
Independent Trustees.
Under the plans for a class, no payment will be made to any recipient in
any quarter in which the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares of that
class held by the recipient for itself and its customers does not exceed a
minimum amount, if any, that may be set from time to time by a majority of the
Independent Trustees. The Board of Trustees has set no minimum amount of assets
to qualify for payments under the plans.
|X| Class A Service Plan Fees. Under the Class A service plan, the
Distributor currently uses the fees it receives from the Fund to pay brokers,
dealers and other financial institutions (they are referred to as "recipients")
for personal services and account maintenance services they provide for their
customers who hold Class A shares. The services include, among others, answering
customer inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and providing
other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor. While the plan
permits the Board to authorize payments to the Distributor to reimburse itself
for services under the plan, the Board has not yet done so. The Distributor
makes payments to plan recipients quarterly at an annual rate not to exceed
0.25% of the average annual net assets consisting of Class A shares held in the
accounts of the recipients or their customers.
Any unreimbursed expenses the Distributor incurs with respect to Class A
shares in any fiscal year cannot be recovered in subsequent years. The
Distributor may not use payments received the Class A Plan to pay any of its
interest expenses, carrying charges, or other financial costs, or allocation of
overhead.
|X| Class B and Class C Service and Distribution Plan Fees. Under each
plan, service fees and distribution fees are computed on the average of the net
asset value of shares in the respective class, determined as of the close of
each regular business day during the period. The plans provide for the
Distributor to be compensated at a flat rate, whether the Distributor's
distribution expenses are more or less than the amounts paid by the Fund under
the plans during the period for which the fee is paid. The types of services
that recipients provide are similar to the services provided under the Class A
service plan, described above.
The Class B and the Class C plans permit the Distributor to retain both the
asset-based sales charges and the service fees or to pay recipients the service
fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in advance. However, the Distributor
currently intends to pay the service fee to recipients in advance for the first
year after the shares are purchased. After the first year shares are
outstanding, the Distributor makes service fee payments quarterly on those
shares. The advance payment is based on the net asset value of shares sold.
Shares purchased by exchange do not qualify for the advance service fee payment.
If Class B or Class C shares are redeemed during the first year after their
purchase, the recipient of the service fees on those shares will be obligated to
repay the Distributor a pro rata portion of the advance payment of the service
fee made on those shares.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class B shares.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class C shares during
the first year the shares are outstanding. It pays the asset-based sales charge
as an ongoing commission to the recipient on Class C shares outstanding for a
year or more. If a dealer has a special agreement with the Distributor, the
Distributor will pay the Class B and/or Class C service fee and the asset-based
sales charge to the dealer quarterly in lieu of paying the sales commissions and
service fee in advance at the time of purchase.
The asset-based sales charges on Class B and Class C shares allow investors to
buy shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing the Distributor to
compensate dealers that sell those shares. The Fund pays the asset-based sales
charges to the Distributor for its services rendered in distributing Class B and
Class C shares. The payments are made to the Distributor in recognition that the
Distributor:
o.....pays sales commissions to authorized brokers and dealers at the time of
sale and pays service fees as described above,
o may finance payment of sales commissions and/or the advance of the
service fee payment to recipients under the plans, or may provide such
financing from its own resources or from the resources of an affiliate,
o employs personnel to support distribution of Class B and Class C
shares, and
o bears the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses
(other than those furnished to current shareholders) and state "blue
sky" registration fees and certain other distribution expenses.
The Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class B and Class C shares
may be more than the payments it receives from the contingent deferred sales
charges collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the plans. If
either the Class B or Class C plan is terminated by the Fund, the Board of
Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based sales charge
to the Distributor for distributing shares before the plan was terminated.
If either the Class B or the Class C plan is terminated by the Fund, the
Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based
sales charge to the Distributor for distributing shares before the plan was
terminated.
All payments under the Class B and the Class C plans are subject to the
limitations imposed by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of asset-based sales charges and service
fees.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses a variety of terms to
illustrate its investment performance. Those terms include "cumulative total
return," "average annual total return," "average annual total return at net
asset value" and "total return at net asset value." An explanation of how total
returns are calculated is set forth below. For periods of less than one year,
the Fund may quote its performance on an non-annualized basis. You can obtain
current performance information by calling the Fund's Transfer Agent at
1.800.525.7048 or by visiting the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site at
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com.
The Fund's illustrations of its performance data in advertisements must
comply with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those rules
describe the types of performance data that may be used and how it is to be
calculated. In general, any advertisement by the Fund of its performance data
must include the average annual total returns for the advertised class of shares
of the Fund. Those returns must be shown for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods (or
the life of the class, if less) ending as of the most recently ended calendar
quarter prior to the publication of the advertisement (or its submission for
publication).
Use of standardized performance calculations enables an investor to
compare the Fund's performance to the performance of other funds for the same
periods. However, a number of factors should be considered before using the
Fund's performance information as a basis for comparison with other investments:
|_| Total returns measure the performance of a hypothetical account in the
Fund over various periods and do not show the performance of each shareholder's
account. Your account's performance will vary from the model performance data if
your dividends are received in cash, or you buy or sell shares during the
period, or you bought your shares at a different time and price than the shares
used in the model.
|_| The Fund's performance returns do not reflect the effect of taxes on
dividends and capital gains distributions.
|_| An investment in the Fund is not insured by the FDIC or any other
government agency.
|_| The principal value of the Fund's shares and total returns are not
guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis.
|_| When an investor's shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less
than their original cost.
|_| Total returns for any given past period represent historical
performance information and are not, and should not be considered, a prediction
of future returns.
The performance of each class of shares is shown separately, because the
performance of each class of shares will usually be different. That is because
of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. The total returns of each
class of shares of the Fund are affected by market conditions, the quality of
the Fund's investments, the maturity of debt investments, the types of
investments the Fund holds, and its operating expenses that are allocated to the
particular class.
|X| Total Return Information. There are different types of "total returns"
to measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of a
hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that all
dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional shares
and that the investment is redeemed at the end of the period. Because of
differences in expenses for each class of shares, the total returns for each
class are separately measured. The cumulative total return measures the change
in value over the entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual
total return shows the average rate of return for each year in a period that
would produce the cumulative total return over the entire period. However,
average annual total returns do not show actual year-by-year performance. The
Fund uses standardized calculations for its total returns as prescribed by the
SEC. The methodology is discussed below.
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum sales
charge of 5.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from the
initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown without sales charge, as
described below). For Class B shares, payment of the applicable contingent
deferred sales charge is applied, depending on the period for which the return
is shown: 5.0% in the first year, 4.0% in the second year, 3.0% in the third and
fourth years, 2.0% in the fifth year, 1.0% in the sixth year and none
thereafter. For Class C shares, the 1% contingent deferred sales charge is
deducted for returns for the 1-year period. There is no sales charge on Class Y
shares.
|_| Average Annual Total Return. The "average annual total return"
of each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year in a
specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the change in value
of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the formula below) held
for a number of years ("n" in the formula) to achieve an Ending Redeemable Value
("ERV" in the formula) of that investment, according to the following formula:
1/n
(ERV)
(---) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
|_| Cumulative Total Return. The "cumulative total return"
calculation measures the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000
over an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same factors as
average annual total return, but it does not average the rate of return on an
annual basis. Cumulative total return is determined as follows:
ERV - P
------- = Total Return
P
|_| Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote a cumulative or an average annual total return "at net asset value"
(without deducting sales charges) for Class A, Class B or Class C shares. Each
is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the beginning and the
end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that class of shares (without
considering front-end or contingent deferred sales charges) and takes into
consideration the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
Other Performance Comparisons. The Fund compares its performance annually to
that of an appropriate market index in its Annual Report to shareholders. You
can obtain that information by contacting the Transfer Agent at the addresses or
telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information. The Fund may also compare its performance to that of other
investments, including other mutual funds, or use rankings of its performance by
independent ranking entities. Examples of these performance comparisons are set
forth below.
|X| Lipper Rankings. From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of
the performance of its classes of shares by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
Lipper is a widely-recognized independent mutual fund monitoring service. Lipper
monitors the performance of regulated investment companies, including the Fund,
and ranks their performance for various periods in categories based on
investment styles. The Lipper performance rankings are based on total returns
that include the reinvestment of capital gain distributions and income dividends
but do not take sales charges or taxes into consideration. Lipper also publishes
"peer-group" indices of the performance of all mutual funds in a category that
it monitors and averages of the performance of the funds in particular
categories.
|X| Morningstar Ratings and Rankings. From time to time the Fund may
publish the star rating and ranking of the performance of its classes of shares
by Morningstar, Inc., an independent mutual fund monitoring service. Morningstar
rates and ranks mutual funds in broad investment categories: domestic stock
funds, international stock funds, taxable bond funds and municipal bond funds.
Morningstar proprietary star ratings reflect historical risk-adjusted
total investment return. Investment return measures a fund's (or class's) one-,
three-, five- and ten-year average annual total returns (depending on the
inception of the fund or class) in excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns
after considering the fund's sales charges and expenses. Risk measures a fund's
(or class's) performance below 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns. Risk and
investment return are combined to produce star ratings reflecting performance
relative to the average fund in a fund's category. Five stars is the "highest"
rating (top 10% of funds in a category), four stars is "above average" (next
22.5%), three stars is "average" (next 35%), two stars is "below average" (next
22.5%) and one star is "lowest" (bottom 10%). The current overall star rating is
the fund's (or class's) 3-year rating or its combined 3- and 5-year rating
(weighted 60%/40% respectively), or its combined 3-, 5-, and 10-year rating
(weighted 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively), depending on the inception date of
the fund (or class). Ratings are subject to change monthly.
The Fund may also compare its total return ranking to that of other funds
in its Morningstar category, in addition to its star ratings. Those total return
rankings are percentages from one percent to one hundred percent and are not
risk adjusted. For example, if a fund is in the 94th percentile, that means that
94% of the funds in the same category performed better than it did.
|X| Performance Rankings and Comparisons by Other Entities and
Publications. From time to time the Fund may include in its advertisements and
sales literature performance information about the Fund cited in newspapers and
other periodicals such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's,
or similar publications. That information may include performance quotations
from other sources, including Lipper and Morningstar. The performance of the
Fund's classes of shares may be compared in publications to the performance of
various market indices or other investments, and averages, performance rankings
or other benchmarks prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services.
Investors may also wish to compare the returns on the Fund's share classes
to the return on fixed-income investments available from banks and thrift
institutions. Those include certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-paying
checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable time
deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills. However, the
Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any
other agency and will fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be
insured by the FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return. Repayment of
principal and payment of interest on Treasury securities is backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
From time to time, the Fund may publish rankings or ratings of the Manager
or Transfer Agent, and of the investor services provided by them to shareholders
of the Oppenheimer funds, other than performance rankings of the Oppenheimer
funds themselves. Those ratings or rankings of shareholder and investor services
by third parties may include comparisons of their services to those provided by
other mutual fund families selected by the rating or ranking services. They may
be based upon the opinions of the rating or ranking service itself, using its
research or judgment, or based upon surveys of investors, brokers, shareholders
or others.
<PAGE>
A B O U T Y O U R A C C O U N T
How to Buy Shares
Additional information is presented below about the methods that can be
used to buy shares of the Fund. Appendix B contains more information about the
special sales charge arrangements offered by the Fund, and the circumstances in
which sales charges may be reduced or waived for certain classes of investors.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase must
be at least $25. Shares will be purchased on the regular business day the
Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing House ("ACH")
transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin to accrue on shares purchased
with the proceeds of ACH transfers on the business day the Fund receives Federal
Funds for the purchase through the ACH system before the close of The New York
Stock Exchange. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., but may close earlier
on certain days. If Federal Funds are received on a business day after the close
of the Exchange, the shares will be purchased and dividends will begin to accrue
on the next regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally
received by the Fund 3 days after the transfers are initiated. The Distributor
and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting
from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales charge
rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Right of Accumulation and Letters
of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts and reduction in expenses
realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers making such sales. No sales
charge is imposed in certain other circumstances described in Appendix B to this
Statement of Additional Information because the Distributor or dealer or broker
incurs little or no selling expenses.
|X| Right of Accumulation. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates
that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you and your spouse can add
together:
|_|Class A and Class B shares you purchase for your individual accounts,
or for your joint accounts, or for trust or custodial accounts on
behalf of your children who are minors, and
|_|current purchases of Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other
Oppenheimer funds to reduce the sales charge rate that applies to
current purchases of Class A shares, and
|_|Class A and Class B shares of Oppenheimer funds you previously
purchased subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge to
reduce the sales charge rate for current purchases of Class A shares,
provided that you still hold your investment in one of the Oppenheimer
funds.
A fiduciary can count all shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the same
employer) that has multiple accounts. The Distributor will add the value, at
current offering price, of the shares you previously purchased and currently own
to the value of current purchases to determine the sales charge rate that
applies. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases. You must
request it when you buy shares.
|X| The Oppenheimer Funds. The Oppenheimer funds are those mutual funds
for which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor and
currently include the following:
Oppenheimer Main Street California
Oppenheimer Bond Fund Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Growth & Income
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Preservation Fund Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund Oppenheimer MidCap Fund Oppenheimer
Champion Income Fund Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund Oppenheimer
Convertible Securities Fund Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund Oppenheimer
Developing Markets Fund Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund Oppenheimer
Disciplined Allocation Fund Oppenheimer New Jersey Municipal Fund Oppenheimer
Disciplined Value Fund Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Municipal Fund Oppenheimer
Discovery Fund Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value Fund,
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund,
Oppenheimer Capital Income Fund Inc.
Oppenheimer Europe Fund Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Value Fund Oppenheimer
Florida Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value Fund Oppenheimer Global
Fund Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc. Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund Oppenheimer
Senior Floating Rate Fund Oppenheimer Growth Fund Oppenheimer Strategic Income
Fund Oppenheimer High Yield Fund Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc. Oppenheimer
Insured Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Trinity Core Fund Oppenheimer Intermediate
Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Trinity Growth Fund Oppenheimer International Bond
Fund Oppenheimer Trinity Value Fund Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust Oppenheimer International Small Company Fund
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund Limited-Term New
York Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund Rochester Fund
Municipals
and the following money market funds:
Centennial America Fund, L. P. Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares of each
of the Oppenheimer funds except the money market funds. Under certain
circumstances described in this Statement of Additional Information, redemption
proceeds of certain money market fund shares may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge.
|X| Letters of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, if you purchase Class A
shares or Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds
during a 13-month period, you can reduce the sales charge rate that applies to
your purchases of Class A shares. The total amount of your intended purchases of
both Class A and Class B shares will determine the reduced sales charge rate for
the Class A shares purchased during that period. You can include purchases made
up to 90 days before the date of the Letter.
A Letter of Intent is an investor's statement in writing to the
Distributor of the intention to purchase Class A shares or Class A and Class B
shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) during a 13-month period (the
"Letter of Intent period"). At the investor's request, this may include
purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the Letter. The Letter states
the investor's intention to make the aggregate amount of purchases of shares
which, when added to the investor's holdings of shares of those funds, will
equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter. Purchases made by
reinvestment of dividends or distributions of capital gains and purchases made
at net asset value without sales charge do not count toward satisfying the
amount of the Letter.
A Letter enables an investor to count the Class A and Class B shares
purchased under the Letter to obtain the reduced sales charge rate on purchases
of Class A shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) that applies under
the Right of Accumulation to current purchases of Class A shares. Each purchase
of Class A shares under the Letter will be made at the offering price (including
the sales charge) that applies to a single lump-sum purchase of shares in the
amount intended to be purchased under the Letter.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares. However, if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the investor's
holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal or exceed the
intended purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the additional amount of
sales charge applicable to such purchases. That amount is described in "Terms of
Escrow," below (those terms may be amended by the Distributor from time to
time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the intended
purchase amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent subject to the
Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and the Application used
for a Letter of Intent. If those terms are amended, as they may be from time to
time by the Fund, the investor agrees to be bound by the amended terms and that
those amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent period do
not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the commissions previously
paid to the dealer of record for the account and the amount of sales charge
retained by the Distributor will be adjusted to the rates applicable to actual
total purchases. If total eligible purchases during the Letter of Intent period
exceed the intended purchase amount and exceed the amount needed to qualify for
the next sales charge rate reduction set forth in the Prospectus, the sales
charges paid will be adjusted to the lower rate. That adjustment will be made
only if and when the dealer returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount
of commissions allowed or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that
apply to the actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the
Distributor will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's
account at the net asset value per share in effect on the date of such purchase,
promptly after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
The Transfer Agent will not hold shares in escrow for purchases of shares
of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds by OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k)
plans under a Letter of Intent. If the intended purchase amount under a Letter
of Intent entered into by an OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plan is not
purchased by the plan by the end of the Letter of Intent period, there will be
no adjustment of commissions paid to the broker-dealer or financial institution
of record for accounts held in the name of that plan.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter, shares
redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of Intent period
will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer of record and/or the
investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter in placing any purchase
orders for the investor during the Letter of Intent period. All of such
purchases must be made through the Distributor.
o Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary) made
pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value up to 5% of
the intended purchase amount specified in the Letter shall be held
in escrow by the Transfer Agent. For example, if the intended
purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall be shares valued in the
amount of $2,500 (computed at the offering price adjusted for a
$50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions on
the escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the total minimum investment specified under the Letter is completed
within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed shares will be
promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the total
purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase amount
specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor an amount
equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales charges actually paid
and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid if the total amount
purchased had been made at a single time. That sales charge adjustment will
apply to any shares redeemed prior to the completion of the Letter. If the
difference in sales charges is not paid within twenty days after a request from
the Distributor or the dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the
expiration of the Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to
realize such difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining
after such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received to
redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales charge, the
sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any
or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the holding of
which may be counted toward completion of a Letter) include:
(a) Class A shares sold with a front-end sales charge or subject to a Class
A contingent deferred sales charge,
(b) Class B shares of other Oppenheimer funds acquired subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, and
(c) Class A or Class B shares acquired by exchange of either (1) Class
A shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were acquired
subject to a Class A initial or contingent deferred sales charge or
(2) Class B shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were
acquired subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged for shares
of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described in the
section of the Prospectus entitled "How to Exchange Shares" and the escrow
will be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan to buy shares directly
from a bank account, you must enclose a check (minimum $25) for the initial
purchase with your application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments
from bank accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent
purchases described in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans also enable
shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use their fund account to make
monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other Oppenheimer funds.
If you make payments from your bank account to purchase shares of the
Fund, your bank account will be automatically debited, normally four to five
business days prior to the investment dates selected in the Application. Neither
the Distributor, the Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall be responsible for any
delays in purchasing shares resulting from delays in ACH transmissions.
Before initiating Asset Builder payments, obtain a prospectus of the
selected fund(s) from the Distributor or your financial advisor and request an
application from the Distributor, complete it and return it. The amount of the
Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic investments may be
terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent
requires a reasonable period (approximately 15 days) after receipt of such
instructions to implement them. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend,
or discontinue offering Asset Builder plans at any time without prior notice.
Retirement Plans. Certain types of retirement plans are entitled to purchase
shares of the Fund without sales charge or at reduced sales charge rates, as
described in Appendix B to this Statement of Additional Information. Certain
special sales charge arrangements described in that Appendix apply to retirement
plans whose records are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch
Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. or an independent record keeper that has a contract
or special arrangement with Merrill Lynch. If on the date the plan sponsor
signed the Merrill Lynch record keeping service agreement the plan has less than
$3 million in assets (other than assets invested in money market funds) invested
in applicable Investments, then the retirement plan may purchase only Class B
shares of the Oppenheimer funds. Any retirement plans in that category that
currently invest in Class B shares of the Fund will have their Class B shares
converted to Class A shares of the Fund when the plan's applicable investments
reach $5 million.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the Fund's
shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund unpaid)
causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the Fund's shares on
the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date. That loss is equal to
the amount of the decline in the net asset value per share multiplied by the
number of shares in the purchase order. The investor is responsible for that
loss. If the investor fails to compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor
will do so. The Fund may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming
shares from any account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the
Distributor may seek other redress.
Classes of Shares. Each class of shares of the Fund represents an interest in
the same portfolio of investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class B or
Class C shares and the dividends payable on Class B or Class C shares will be
reduced by incremental expenses borne solely by that class. Those expenses
include the asset-based sales charges to which Class B and Class C are subject.
The availability of different classes of shares permits an investor to
choose the method of purchasing shares that is more appropriate for the
investor. That may depend on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the
investor expects to hold shares, and other relevant circumstances. Class A
shares normally are sold subject to an initial sales charge. While Class B and
Class C shares have no initial sales charge, the purpose of the deferred sales
charge and asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C shares is the same as
that of the initial sales charge on Class A shares - to compensate the
Distributor and brokers, dealers and financial institutions that sell shares of
the Fund. A salesperson who is entitled to receive compensation from his or her
firm for selling Fund shares may receive different levels of compensation for
selling one class of shares rather than another.
The Distributor will not accept any order in the amount of $500,000 or
more for Class B shares or $1 million or more for Class C shares on behalf of a
single investor (not including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts). That
is because generally it will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase
Class A shares of the Fund.
|X| Class B Conversion. Under current interpretation of applicable federal
tax law by the Internal Revenue Service, the conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares after six years is not treated as a taxable event for the
shareholder. For the shareholder, if those laws, or the IRS interpretation of
those laws, should change, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended. In
that event, no further conversion of Class B shares would occur while that
suspension remained in effect. Although Class B shares could then be exchanged
for Class A shares on the basis of relative net asset value of the two classes,
without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, such exchange could constitute
a taxable event for the shareholder, and absent such exchange, Class B shares
might continue to be subject to the asset-based sales charge for longer than six
years.
|X| Allocation of Expenses. The Fund pays expenses related to its daily
operations, such as custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal
fees and auditing costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and
are not paid directly by shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net
asset value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's share classes recognizes two types of expenses.
General expenses that do not pertain specifically to any one class are allocated
pro rata to the shares of all classes. The allocation is based on the percentage
of the Fund's total assets that is represented by the assets of each class, and
then equally to each outstanding share within a given class. Such general
expenses include management fees, legal, bookkeeping and audit fees, printing
and mailing costs of shareholder reports, Prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information and other materials for current shareholders, fees to unaffiliated
Trustees, custodian expenses, share issuance costs, organization and start-up
costs, interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and non-recurring expenses,
such as litigation costs.
Other expenses that are directly attributable to a particular class are
allocated equally to each outstanding share within that class. Examples of such
expenses include distribution and service plan (12b-1) fees, transfer and
shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses and shareholder meeting expenses
(to the extent that such expenses pertain only to a specific class).
Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per share of
each class of shares of the Fund are determined as of the close of business of
The New York Stock Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open. The
calculation is done by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable
to a class by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The
Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but may close earlier on
some other days (for example, in case of weather emergencies or on days falling
before a holiday). The Exchange's most recent annual announcement (which is
subject to change) states that it will close on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It may also close on other days.
Dealers other than Exchange members may conduct trading in certain
securities on days on which the Exchange is closed (including weekends and U.S.
holidays) or after 4:00 P.M. on a regular business day. The Fund's net asset
values will not be calculated on those days, and the values of some of the
Fund's portfolio securities may change significantly on those days, when
shareholders may not purchase or redeem shares. Additionally, trading on
European and Asian stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets normally is
completed before the close of The New York Stock Exchange.
Changes in the values of securities traded on foreign exchanges or markets
as a result of events that occur after the prices of those securities are
determined, but before the close of The New York Stock Exchange, will not be
reflected in the Fund's calculation of its net asset values that day unless the
Board of Trustees determines that the event is likely to effect a material
change in the value of the security. The Manager may make that determination,
under procedures established by the Board.
|X| Securities Valuation. The Fund's Board of Trustees has established
procedures for the valuation of the Fund's securities. In general those
procedures are as follows:
|_| Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or on NASDAQ
are valued as follows:
(1) if last sale information is regularly reported, they are valued at the
last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which they
are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, on that day, or
(2) if last sale information is not available on a valuation date, they
are valued at the last reported sale price preceding the valuation
date if it is within the spread of the closing "bid" and "asked"
prices on the valuation date or, if not, at the closing "bid" price
on the valuation date.
|_| Equity securities traded on a foreign securities exchange generally
are valued in one of the following ways: (1) at the last sale price available to
the pricing service approved by the
Board of Trustees, or
(2) at the last sale price obtained by the Manager from the report of
the principal exchange on which the security is traded at its last
trading session on or immediately before the valuation date, or
(3) at the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices obtained from the
principal exchange on which the security is traded or, on the basis
of reasonable inquiry, from two market makers in the security.
|_| Long-term debt securities having a remaining maturity in excess of 60
days are valued based on the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices
determined by a portfolio pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry.
|_| The following securities are valued at the mean between the "bid" and
"asked" prices determined by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry:
(1) debt instruments that have a maturity of more than 397 days when
issued,
(2) debt instruments that had a maturity of 397 days or less when issued
and have a remaining maturity of more than 60 days, and
(3) non-money market debt instruments that had a maturity of 397 days or
less when issued and which have a remaining maturity of 60 days or
less.
|_| The following securities are valued at cost, adjusted for amortization
of premiums and accretion of discounts: (1) money market debt securities held by
a non-money market fund that had a
maturity of less than 397 days when issued that have a remaining
maturity of 60 days or less, and
(2) debt instruments held by a money market fund that have a remaining
maturity of 397 days or less.
|_| Securities (including restricted securities) not having
readily-available market quotations are valued at fair value determined under
the Board's procedures. If the Manager is unable to locate two market makers
willing to give quotes, a security may be priced at the mean between the "bid"
and "asked" prices provided by a single active market maker (which in certain
cases may be the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available).
In the case of U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities,
corporate bonds and foreign government securities, when last sale information is
not generally available, the Manager may use pricing services approved by the
Board of Trustees. The pricing service may use "matrix" comparisons to the
prices for comparable instruments on the basis of quality, yield, and maturity.
Other special factors may be involved (such as the tax-exempt status of the
interest paid by municipal securities). The Manager will monitor the accuracy of
the pricing services. That monitoring may include comparing prices used for
portfolio valuation to actual sales prices of selected securities.
The closing prices in the London foreign exchange market on a particular
business day that are provided to the Manager by a bank, dealer or pricing
service that the Manager has determined to be reliable are used to value foreign
currency, including forward contracts, and to convert to U.S. dollars securities
that are denominated in foreign currency.
Puts, calls, and futures are valued at the last sale price on the
principal exchange on which they are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, as
determined by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees or by the
Manager. If there were no sales that day, they shall be valued at the last sale
price on the preceding trading day if it is within the spread of the closing
"bid" and "asked" prices on the principal exchange or on NASDAQ on the valuation
date. If not, the value shall be the closing bid price on the principal exchange
or on NASDAQ on the valuation date. If the put, call or future is not traded on
an exchange or on NASDAQ, it shall be valued by the mean between "bid" and
"asked" prices obtained by the Manager from two active market makers. In certain
cases that may be at the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available.
If the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is
included in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset. An
equivalent credit is included in the liability section. The credit is
adjusted ("marked-to-market") to reflect the current market value of the
option. In determining the Fund's gain on investments, if a call or put
written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds are increased by the
premium received. If a call or put written by the Fund expires, the Fund
has a gain in the amount of the premium. If the Fund enters into a closing
purchase transaction, it will have a gain or loss, depending on whether
the premium received was more or less than the cost of the closing
transaction. If the Fund exercises a put it holds, the amount the Fund
receives on its sale of the underlying investment is reduced by the amount
of premium paid by the Fund.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the Prospectus.
The information below provides additional information about the procedures and
conditions for redeeming shares.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder may
reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of:
|_| Class A shares purchased subject to an initial sales charge or Class A
shares on which a contingent deferred sales charge was paid, or
|_| Class B shares that were subject to the Class B contingent deferred
sales charge when redeemed.
The reinvestment may be made without sales charge only in Class A shares
of the Fund or any of the other Oppenheimer funds into which shares of the Fund
are exchangeable as described in "How to Exchange Shares" below. Reinvestment
will be at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer Agent receives
the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the Transfer Agent for that
privilege at the time of reinvestment. This privilege does not apply to Class C
or Class Y shares. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this
reinvestment privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such
amendment, suspension or cessation.
Any capital gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is
taxable, and reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that
gain. In general gains and losses on the redemption of shares will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the shares have been held for more than one year.
Gains or losses on the redemption of shares will be short-term gains or losses
if the shares have been held for one year or less. If there has been a capital
loss on the redemption, some or all of the loss may not be tax deductible,
depending on the timing and amount of the reinvestment. Under the Internal
Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds of Fund shares on which a sales charge
was paid are reinvested in shares of the Fund or another of the Oppenheimer
funds within 90 days of payment of the sales charge, the shareholder's basis in
the shares of the Fund that were redeemed may not include the amount of the
sales charge paid. That would reduce the loss or increase the gain recognized
from the redemption. However, in that case the sales charge would be added to
the basis of the shares acquired by the reinvestment of the redemption proceeds.
In addition, if a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption of the shares in
the Fund and reinvests in shares in the Fund within 30 days before or after the
redemption or exchange, the transactions may be subject to the "wash sale"
rules, resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss for tax
purposes. Any loss realized by shareholders upon a redemption of shares within
six months of the date of their purchase will be treated as long-term capital
loss to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains with
respect to such shares during the six-month period.
Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares tendered for
redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, the Board of Trustees of the
Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the
remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment of a redemption order wholly
or partly in cash. In that case, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in
whole or in part by a distribution "in kind" of liquid securities from the
portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash.
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act. Under that rule, the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in
cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or other costs in selling the
securities for cash. The Fund will value securities used to pay redemptions in
kind using the same method the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities
described above under "Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share." That
valuation will be made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right to cause the
involuntary redemption of the shares held in any account if the aggregate net
asset value of those shares is less than $500 or such lesser amount as the Board
may fix. The Board will not cause the involuntary redemption of shares in an
account if the aggregate net asset value of such shares has fallen below the
stated minimum solely as a result of market fluctuations. If the Board exercises
this right, it may also fix the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholders in question (not less than 30 days). The Board may alternatively
set requirements for the shareholder to increase the investment, or set other
terms and conditions so that the shares would not be involuntarily redeemed.
Transfers of Shares. A transfer of shares to a different registration is not an
event that triggers the payment of sales charges. Therefore, shares are not
subject to the payment of a contingent deferred sales charge of any class at the
time of transfer to the name of another person or entity. It does not matter
whether the transfer occurs by absolute assignment, gift or bequest, as long as
it does not involve, directly or indirectly, a public sale of the shares. When
shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are transferred, the
transferred shares will remain subject to the contingent deferred sales charge.
It will be calculated as if the transferee shareholder had acquired the
transferred shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring
shareholder.
If less than all shares held in an account are transferred, and some but
not all shares in the account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge if redeemed at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the
Prospectus under "How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class B or Class
C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in determining the order in
which shares are transferred.
Distributions From Retirement Plans. Requests for distributions from
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRAs, 403(b)(7) custodial plans, 401(k) plans or
pension or profit-sharing plans should be addressed to "Trustee,
OppenheimerFunds Retirement Plans," c/o the Transfer Agent at its address listed
in "How To Sell Shares" in the Prospectus or on the back cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. The request must:
(1) state the reason for the distribution;
(2) state the owner's awareness of tax penalties if the distribution is
premature; and
(3) conform to the requirements of the plan and the Fund's other redemption
requirements.
Participants (other than self-employed persons) in
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored pension or profit-sharing plans with shares of the
Fund held in the name of the plan or its fiduciary may not directly request
redemption of their accounts. The plan administrator or fiduciary must sign the
request.
Distributions from pension and profit sharing plans are subject to special
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and certain documents (available
from the Transfer Agent) must be completed and submitted to the Transfer Agent
before the distribution may be made. Distributions from retirement plans are
subject to withholding requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, and IRS
Form W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) must be submitted to the Transfer
Agent with the distribution request, or the distribution may be delayed. Unless
the shareholder has provided the Transfer Agent with a certified tax
identification number, the Internal Revenue Code requires that tax be withheld
from any distribution even if the shareholder elects not to have tax withheld.
The Fund, the Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent assume no
responsibility to determine whether a distribution satisfies the conditions of
applicable tax laws and will not be responsible for any tax penalties assessed
in connection with a distribution.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers. The
Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from authorized dealers
or brokers on behalf of their customers. Shareholders should contact their
broker or dealer to arrange this type of redemption. The repurchase price per
share will be the net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives
an order placed by the dealer or broker. However, if the Distributor receives a
repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of The New York Stock
Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that day's net asset
value if the order was received by the dealer or broker from its customers prior
to the time the Exchange closes. Normally, the Exchange closes at 4:00 P.M., but
may do so earlier on some days. Additionally, the order must have been
transmitted to and received by the Distributor prior to its close of business
that day (normally 5:00 P.M.).
Ordinarily, for accounts redeemed by a broker-dealer under this procedure,
payment will be made within three business days after the shares have been
redeemed upon the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents in
proper form. The signature(s) of the registered owners on the redemption
documents must be guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the Fund
valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem shares
(having a value of at least $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the shareholder for
receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to $1,500 per month may be
requested by telephone if payments are to be made by check payable to all
shareholders of record. Payments must also be sent to the address of record for
the account and the address must not have been changed within the prior 30 days.
Required minimum distributions from OppenheimerFunds-sponsored retirement plans
may not be arranged on this basis.
Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders having AccountLink
privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to have Automatic Withdrawal
Plan payments transferred to the bank account designated on the Account
Application or by signature-guaranteed instructions sent to the Transfer Agent.
Shares are normally redeemed pursuant to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan three
business days before the payment transmittal date you select in the Account
Application. If a contingent deferred sales charge applies to the redemption,
the amount of the check or payment will be reduced accordingly.
The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment on the date requested. The
Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering these plans at
any time without prior notice. Because of the sales charge assessed on Class A
share purchases, shareholders should not make regular additional Class A share
purchases while participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class B and Class
C shareholders should not establish withdrawal plans, because of the imposition
of the contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the
contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in Appendix B below).
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the shareholder
agrees to the terms and conditions that apply to such plans, as stated below.
These provisions may be amended from time to time by the Fund and/or the
Distributor. When adopted, any amendments will automatically apply to existing
Plans.
|X| Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the Transfer
Agent to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of the Fund for shares (of
the same class) of other Oppenheimer funds automatically on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The
minimum amount that may be exchanged to each other fund account is $25.
Instructions should be provided on the OppenheimerFunds Application or
signature-guaranteed instructions. Exchanges made under these plans are subject
to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in "How to Exchange
Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of Additional Information.
|X| Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as necessary
to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales charge will be
redeemed first. Shares acquired with reinvested dividends and capital gains
distributions will be redeemed next, followed by shares acquired with a sales
charge, to the extent necessary to make withdrawal payments. Depending upon the
amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. Payments made under
these plans should not be considered as a yield or income on your investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan as agent for the shareholder(s) (the "Planholder") who executed the Plan
authorization and application submitted to the Transfer Agent. Neither the Fund
nor the Transfer Agent shall incur any liability to the Planholder for any
action taken or not taken by the Transfer Agent in good faith to administer the
Plan. Share certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased for
and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will credit all such shares to
the account of the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share certificates
held by a Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with
the Plan application so that the shares represented by the certificate may be
held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done at
net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in the account
may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Shares will be redeemed to make withdrawal payments at the net asset value
per share determined on the redemption date. Checks or AccountLink payments
representing the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will normally be transmitted three
business days prior to the date selected for receipt of the payment, according
to the choice specified in writing by the Planholder. Receipt of payment on the
date selected cannot be guaranteed.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address to
which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent may be
changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer Agent. The
Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time after mailing such notification
for the requested change to be put in effect. The Planholder may, at any time,
instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice to redeem all, or any part of, the
shares held under the Plan. That notice must be in proper form in accordance
with the requirements of the then-current Prospectus of the Fund. In that case,
the Transfer Agent will redeem the number of shares requested at the net asset
value per share in effect and will mail a check for the proceeds to the
Planholder.
The Planholder may terminate a Plan at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Fund may also give directions to the Transfer Agent to terminate a
Plan. The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon its receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it that the Planholder has died or is legally incapacitated.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that have
not been redeemed will be held in uncertificated form in the name of the
Planholder. The account will continue as a dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated
account unless and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder,
his or her executor or guardian, or another authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the Planholder
may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated form. Upon
written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will determine the
number of shares for which a certificate may be issued without causing the
withdrawal checks to stop. However, should such uncertificated shares become
exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund, the
Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer agent to act
as agent in administering the Plan.
How to Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of Oppenheimer
funds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged only for shares of
the same class of other Oppenheimer funds. Shares of Oppenheimer funds that have
a single class without a class designation are deemed "Class A" shares for this
purpose. You can obtain a current list showing which funds offer which classes
by calling the Distributor at 1-800-525-7048.
|_| All of the Oppenheimer funds currently offer Class A, B and C shares
except Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Centennial Money Market Trust,
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust, Centennial New York
Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, and Centennial America
Fund, L.P., which only offer Class A shares.
|_| Oppenheimer Main Street California Municipal Fund currently offers
only Class A and Class B shares.
|_| Class B and Class C shares of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves are generally
available only by exchange from the same class of shares of other Oppenheimer
funds or through OppenheimerFunds-sponsored 401 (k) plans. |_| Only certain
Oppenheimer Funds currently offer Class Y shares. Class Y shares of Oppenheimer
Real Asset Fund may not be exchanged for shares of any other Fund.
|_| Class M shares of Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund may be exchanged
only for Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds. They may not be acquired by
exchange of shares of any other Oppenheimer funds except Class A shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund or Oppenheimer Cash Reserves acquired by exchange
of Class M shares.
|_| Class A shares of Senior Floating Rate Fund are not available by exchange of
shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund or Class A shares of Oppenheimer Cash
Reserves. If any Class A shares of another Oppenheimer fund that are exchanged
for Class A shares of Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund are subject to the
Class A contingent deferred sales charge of the other Oppenheimer Fund at the
time of exchange, the holding period for that Class A contingent deferred sales
charge will carry over the Class A shares of Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate
Fund acquired in the exchange. The Class A shares of Senior Floating Rate Fund
acquired in that exchange will be subject to the Class A Early Withdrawal Charge
of Oppenheimer Senior Floating Fund if they are repurchased before the
expiration of the holding period. |_| Class X shares of Limited Term New York
Municipal Fund can be exchanged only for Class B shares of other Oppenheimer
funds and no exchanges may be made to Class X shares.
|_| Shares of Oppenheimer Capital Preservation Fund may not be exchanged for
shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Cash Reserves or
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund. Only participants in certain
retirement plans may purchase shares of Oppenheimer Capital Preservation Fund,
and only those participants may exchange shares of other Oppenheimer funds for
shares of Oppenheimer Capital Preservation Fund.
Class A shares of Oppenheimer funds may be exchanged at net asset value
for shares of any money market fund offered by the Distributor. Shares of any
money market fund purchased without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares
of Oppenheimer funds offered with a sales charge upon payment of the sales
charge. They may also be used to purchase shares of Oppenheimer funds subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge.
Shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. purchased with the
redemption proceeds of shares of other mutual funds (other than funds managed by
the Manager or its subsidiaries) redeemed within the 30 days prior to that
purchase may subsequently be exchanged for shares of other Oppenheimer funds
without being subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. To
qualify for that privilege, the investor or the investor's dealer must notify
the Distributor of eligibility for this privilege at the time the shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. are purchased. If requested, they must
supply proof of entitlement to this privilege.
Shares of the Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions
from any of the other Oppenheimer funds or from any unit investment trust for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor may be
exchanged at net asset value for shares of any of the Oppenheimer funds.
The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at any
time. Although the Fund may impose those changes at any time, it will provide
you with notice of those changes whenever it is required to do so by applicable
law. It may be required to provide 60 days notice prior to materially amending
or terminating the exchange privilege. That 60-day notice is not required in
extraordinary circumstances.
|X| How Exchanges Affect Contingent Deferred Sales Charges. No contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of any class purchased
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. However, when Class A shares
acquired by exchange of Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds purchased
subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed within 18
months of the end of the calendar month of the initial purchase of the exchanged
Class A shares, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on the
redeemed shares. The Class B contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on
Class B shares acquired by exchange if they are redeemed within 6 years of the
initial purchase of the exchanged Class B shares. The Class C contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares acquired by exchange if they
are redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class C
shares.
When Class B or Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the imposition
of the Class B or the Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed
in determining the order in which the shares are exchanged. Before exchanging
shares, shareholders should take into account how the exchange may affect any
contingent deferred sales charge that might be imposed in the subsequent
redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders owning shares of more than one
class must specify which class of shares they wish to exchange.
|X| Limits on Multiple Exchange Orders. The Fund reserves the right to
reject telephone or written exchange requests submitted in bulk by anyone on
behalf of more than one account. The Fund may accept requests for exchanges of
up to 50 accounts per day from representatives of authorized dealers that
qualify for this privilege.
|X| Telephone Exchange Requests. When exchanging shares by telephone, a
shareholder must have an existing account in the fund to which the exchange is
to be made. Otherwise, the investors must obtain a Prospectus of that fund
before the exchange request may be submitted. For full or partial exchanges of
an account made by telephone, any special account features such as Asset Builder
Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be switched to the new account unless
the Transfer Agent is instructed otherwise. If all telephone lines are busy
(which might occur, for example, during periods of substantial market
fluctuations), shareholders might not be able to request exchanges by telephone
and would have to submit written exchange requests.
o Processing Exchange Requests. Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the
regular business day the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper
form (the "Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired are
purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by either
fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be disadvantaged by
an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The Fund reserves the right,
in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request that may disadvantage it. For
example, if the receipt of multiple exchange requests from a dealer might
require the disposition of portfolio securities at a time or at a price that
might be disadvantageous to the Fund, the Fund may refuse the request.
When you exchange some or all of your shares from one fund to another, any
special account feature such as an Asset Builder Plan or Automatic withdrawal
plan, will be switched to the new fund account unless you tell the Transfer
Agent not to do so. However, special redemption and exchange features such as
Automatic Exchange Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans cannot be switched to an
account in Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund.
In connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged
may be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or this
Statement of Additional Information, or would include shares covered by a share
certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those cases, only the
shares available for exchange without restriction will be exchanged.
The different Oppenheimer funds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks. A shareholder should assure that the
fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should be aware of
the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax purposes, an
exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and a
purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege," above, discusses some
of the tax consequences of reinvestment of redemption proceeds in such cases.
The Fund, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are unable to provide
investment, tax or legal advice to a shareholder in connection with an exchange
request or any other investment transaction.
Under certain tax rules, the Fund may be required to include an amount in
income with respect to a security even though the Fund does not receive payments
in cash attributable to such income in respect of the security during the year.
For example, a Portfolio may be required to accrue a portion of any discount at
which it purchases a debt security as income in each year. In addition, if the
Fund invests in any equity security of a non-U.S. corporation classified as a
"passive foreign investment company" for U.S. tax purposes, the application of
certain technical tax provisions applying to investments in such companies may
result in the Fund being required to accrue income in respect of the security
without any receipt of cash attributable to such income. To the extent that the
Fund invests in any securities producing such "phantom income", the Fund will
nonetheless be required to make income distributions of such phantom income in
order to avoid taxation of such income at the Fund level. Such distributions
will be required to be made from available cash of the Fund or by liquidation of
Fund securities if necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates the
liquidation of Fund securities, the Fund may realize a gain or loss from such
sales. Any net capital gains realized from such transactions may result in
larger capital gain distributions (if any) to shareholders than they would have
received in the absence of such transactions.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. The Fund has no fixed dividend rate and there can
be no assurance as to the payment of any dividends or the realization of any
capital gains. The dividends and distributions paid by a class of shares will
vary from time to time depending on market conditions, the composition of the
Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne by the Fund or borne separately by a class.
Dividends are calculated in the same manner, at the same time, and on the same
day for each class of shares. However, dividends on Class B and Class C shares
are expected to be lower than dividends on Class A and Class Y shares. That is
because of the effect of the asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C
shares. Those dividends will also differ in amount as a consequence of any
difference in the net asset values of the different classes of shares.
Dividends, distributions and proceeds of the redemption of Fund shares
represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal Service
as undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money Market
Fund, Inc. Reinvestment will be made as promptly as possible after the
return of such checks to the Transfer Agent, to enable the investor to
earn a return on otherwise idle funds. Unclaimed accounts may be subject
to state escheatment laws, and the Fund and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable to shareholders or their representatives for compliance with those
laws in good faith.
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal tax treatment
of the Fund's dividends and capital gains distributions is briefly highlighted
in the Prospectus.
Special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code govern the eligibility
of the Fund's dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporate
shareholders. Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
deduction. The amount of dividends paid by the Fund that may qualify for the
deduction is limited to the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends that the
Fund derives from portfolio investments that the Fund has held for a minimum
period, usually 46 days. A corporate shareholder will not be eligible for the
deduction on dividends paid on Fund shares held for 45 days or less. To the
extent the Fund's dividends are derived from gross income from option premiums,
interest income or short-term gains from the sale of securities or dividends
from foreign corporations, those dividends will not qualify for the deduction.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year, the Fund
must distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1
through December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized in
the period from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the
current year. If it does not, the Fund must pay an excise tax on the
amounts not distributed. It is presently anticipated that the Fund will
meet those requirements. However, the Board of Trustees and the Manager
might determine in a particular year that it would be in the best
interests of shareholders for the Fund not to make such distributions at
the required levels and to pay the excise tax on the undistributed
amounts. That would reduce the amount of income or capital gains available
for distribution to shareholders.
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code (although it reserves the right not to qualify). That
qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its income and realized capital
gains to shareholders without having to pay tax on them. This avoids a double
tax on that income and capital gains, since shareholders normally will be taxed
on the dividends and capital gains they receive from the Fund (unless the Fund's
shares are held in a retirement account or the shareholder is otherwise exempt
from tax). If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on amounts
paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as a regulated
investment company in its last fiscal year. The Internal Revenue Code contains a
number of complex tests relating to qualification which the Fund might not meet
in any particular year. If it did not so qualify, the Fund would be treated for
tax purposes as an ordinary corporation and receive no tax deduction for
payments made to shareholders.
If prior distributions made by the Fund must be re-characterized as a
non-taxable return of capital at the end of the fiscal year as a result of the
effect of the Fund's investment policies, they will be identified as such in
notices sent to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect to
reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains distributions in shares of the same
class of any of the other Oppenheimer funds listed above. Reinvestment will be
made without sales charge at the net asset value per share in effect at the
close of business on the payable date of the dividend or distribution. To elect
this option, the shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing and must
have an existing account in the fund selected for reinvestment. Otherwise the
shareholder first must obtain a prospectus for that fund and an application from
the Distributor to establish an account. Dividends and/or distributions from
shares of certain other Oppenheimer funds (other than Oppenheimer Cash Reserves)
may be invested in shares of this Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers, brokers and other
financial institutions that have a sales agreement with OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the Fund's
Distributor. The Distributor also distributes shares of the other Oppenheimer
funds and is sub-distributor for funds managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
The Transfer Agent. OppenheimerFunds Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent, is a
division of the Manager. It is responsible for maintaining the Fund's
shareholder registry and shareholder accounting records, and for paying
dividends and distributions to shareholders. It also handles shareholder
servicing and administrative functions. It acts on an "at-cost" basis. It also
acts as shareholder servicing agent for the other Oppenheimer funds.
Shareholders should direct inquiries about their accounts to the Transfer Agent
at the address and toll-free numbers shown on the back cover.
The Custodian. The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's
portfolio securities and handling the delivery of such securities to and from
the Fund. It will be the practice of the Fund to deal with the Custodian in a
manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the Custodian may have with the
Manager and its affiliates. The Fund's cash balances with the custodian in
excess of $100,000 are not protected by Federal deposit insurance. Those
uninsured balances at times may be substantial.
Independent Auditors. KPMG LLP are the independent auditors of the Fund. They
audit the Fund's financial statements and perform other related audit services.
They also act as auditors for certain other funds advised by the Manager and its
affiliates.
<PAGE>
Appendix A
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Industry Classifications
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospace/Defense Food and Drug Retailers
Air Transportation Gas Utilities
Asset-Backed Health Care/Drugs
Auto Parts and Equipment Health Care/Supplies & Services
Automotive Homebuilders/Real Estate
Bank Holding Companies Hotel/Gaming
Banks Industrial Services
Beverages Information Technology
Broadcasting Insurance
Broker-Dealers Leasing & Factoring
Building Materials Leisure
Cable Television Manufacturing
Chemicals Metals/Mining
Commercial Finance Nondurable Household Goods
Communication Equipment Office Equipment
Computer Hardware Oil - Domestic
Computer Software Oil - International
Conglomerates Paper
Consumer Finance Photography
Consumer Services Publishing
Containers Railroads & Truckers
Convenience Stores Restaurants
Department Stores Savings & Loans
Diversified Financial Shipping
Diversified Media Special Purpose Financial
Drug Wholesalers Specialty Printing
Durable Household Goods Specialty Retailing
Education Steel
Electric Utilities Telecommunications - Long Distance
Electrical Equipment Telephone - Utility
Electronics Textile, Apparel & Home Furnishings
Energy Services Tobacco
Entertainment/Film Trucks and Parts
Environmental Wireless Services
Food
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
OppenheimerFunds Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In certain cases, the initial sales charge that applies to purchases of
Class A shares of the Oppenheimer funds or the contingent deferred sales charge
that may apply to Class A, Class B or Class C shares may be waived. That is
because of the economies of sales efforts realized by the Distributor or the
dealers or other financial institutions offering those shares to certain classes
of investors or in certain transactions.
Not all waivers apply to all funds. For example, waivers relating to
Retirement Plans do not apply to Oppenheimer municipal funds, because shares of
those funds are not available for purchase by or on behalf of retirement plans.
Other waivers apply only to shareholders of certain funds that were merged into
or became Oppenheimer funds.
For the purposes of some of the waivers described below and in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the applicable Oppenheimer
funds, the term "Retirement Plan" refers to the following types of plans:
(1) plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code,
(2) non-qualified deferred compensation plans, (3) employee benefit plans1
(4) Group Retirement Plans2 (5) 403(b)(7) custodial plan accounts (6)
SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs or SIMPLE plans
The interpretation of these provisions as to the applicability of a
waiver in a particular case is determined solely by the Distributor or the
Transfer Agent of the fund. These waivers and special arrangements may be
amended or terminated at any time by the applicable Fund and/or the Distributor.
Waivers that apply at the time shares are redeemed must be requested by the
shareholder and/or dealer in the redemption request.
- --------------
1 An "employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement, whether or not it is
"qualified" under the Internal Revenue Code, under which Class A shares of an
Oppenheimer fund or funds are purchased by a fiduciary or other administrator
for the account of participants who are employees of a single employer or of
affiliated employers. These may include, for example, medical savings accounts,
payroll deduction plans or similar plans. The fund accounts must be registered
in the name of the fiduciary or administrator purchasing the shares for the
benefit of participants in the plan.
2 The term "Group Retirement Plan" means any qualified or non-qualified
retirement plan for employees of a corporation or sole proprietorship, members
and employees of a partnership or association or other organized group of
persons (the members of which may include other groups), if the group has made
special arrangements with the Distributor and all members of the group
participating in (or who are eligible to participate in) the plan purchase Class
A shares of an Oppenheimer fund or funds through a single investment dealer,
broker or other financial institution designated by the group. Such plans
include 457 plans, SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE plans and 403(b) plans other than
plans for public school employees. The term "Group Retirement Plan" also
includes qualified retirement plans and non-qualified deferred compensation
plans and IRAs that purchase Class A shares of an Oppenheimer fund or funds
through a single investment dealer, broker or other financial institution that
has made special arrangements with the Distributor enabling those plans to
purchase Class A shares at net asset value but subject to the Class A contingent
deferred sales charge.
<PAGE>
Applicability of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain Cases
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchases of Class A Shares of Oppenheimer Funds That Are Not Subject to Initial
Sales Charge but May Be Subject to the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(unless a waiver applies).
There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of any of
the Oppenheimer funds in the cases listed below. However, these purchases may be
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18
months of the end of the calendar month of their purchase, as described in the
Prospectus (unless a waiver described elsewhere in this Appendix applies to the
redemption). Additionally, on these purchases the Distributor will pay the
applicable commission described in the Prospectus under "Class A Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge":
|_| Purchases of Class A shares aggregating $1 million or more. |_| Purchases by
a Retirement Plan that: (1) buys shares costing $500,000 or more, or (2) has, at
the time of purchase, 100 or more eligible participants or
total plan assets of $500,000 or more, or
(3) certifies to the Distributor that it projects to have annual plan
purchases of $200,000 or more.
|_| Purchases by an OppenheimerFunds-sponsored Rollover IRA, if the
purchases are made:
(1) through a broker, dealer, bank or registered investment adviser that
has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those
purchases, or
(2) by a direct rollover of a distribution from a qualified Retirement
Plan if the administrator of that Plan has made special arrangements
with the Distributor for those purchases.
|_| Purchases of Class A shares by Retirement Plans that have any of the
following record-keeping arrangements:
(1) The record keeping is performed by Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith,
Inc. ("Merrill Lynch") on a daily valuation basis for the
Retirement Plan. On the date the plan sponsor signs the
record-keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan
must have $3 million or more of its assets invested in (a) mutual
funds, other than those advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), that are made available under a
Service Agreement between Merrill Lynch and the mutual fund's
principal underwriter or distributor, and (b) funds advised or
managed by MLAM (the funds described in (a) and (b) are referred
to as "Applicable Investments").
(2) The record keeping for the Retirement Plan is performed on a daily
valuation basis by a record keeper whose services are provided
under a contract or arrangement between the Retirement Plan and
Merrill Lynch. On the date the plan sponsor signs the record
keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan must have
$3 million or more of its assets (excluding assets invested in
money market funds) invested in Applicable Investments.
(3) The record keeping for a Retirement Plan is handled under a service
agreement with Merrill Lynch and on the date the plan sponsor signs
that agreement, the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees (as
determined by the Merrill Lynch plan conversion manager).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Class A Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges for Certain
Purchasers.
Class A shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any Class
A sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases):
|_| The Manager or its affiliates.
|_| Present or former officers, directors, trustees and employees (and
their "immediate families") of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates, and
retirement plans established by them for their employees. The term "immediate
family" refers to one's spouse, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents,
parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling's
spouse, a spouse's siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; relatives by
virtue of a remarriage (step-children, step-parents, etc.) are included.
|_| Registered management investment companies, or separate accounts of
insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the Distributor for
that purpose.
|_| Dealers or brokers that have a sales agreement with the Distributor,
if they purchase shares for their own accounts or for retirement plans for their
employees.
|_| Employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of
dealers or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered
into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and which are identified
as such to the Distributor) or with the Distributor. The purchaser must certify
to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the
purchaser's own account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or minor
children).
|_| Dealers, brokers, banks or registered investment advisors that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing specifically for the
use of shares of the Fund in particular investment products made available to
their clients. Those clients may be charged a transaction fee by their dealer,
broker, bank or advisor for the purchase or sale of Fund shares.
|_| Investment advisors and financial planners who have entered into an
agreement for this purpose with the Distributor and who charge an advisory,
consulting or other fee for their services and buy shares for their own accounts
or the accounts of their clients.
|_| "Rabbi trusts" that buy shares for their own accounts, if the
purchases are made through a broker or agent or other financial intermediary
that has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those purchases.
|_| Clients of investment advisors or financial planners (that have
entered into an agreement for this purpose with the Distributor) who buy shares
for their own accounts may also purchase shares without sales charge but only if
their accounts are linked to a master account of their investment advisor or
financial planner on the books and records of the broker, agent or financial
intermediary with which the Distributor has made such special arrangements .
Each of these investors may be charged a fee by the broker, agent or financial
intermediary for purchasing shares.
|_| Directors, trustees, officers or full-time employees of OpCap Advisors
or its affiliates, their relatives or any trust, pension, profit sharing or
other benefit plan which beneficially owns shares for those persons.
|_| Accounts for which Oppenheimer Capital (or its successor) is the
investment advisor (the Distributor must be advised of this arrangement) and
persons who are directors or trustees of the company or trust which is the
beneficial owner of such accounts.
|_| A unit investment trust that has entered into an appropriate agreement
with the Distributor.
|_| Dealers, brokers, banks, or registered investment advisers that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor to sell shares to defined
contribution employee retirement plans for which the dealer, broker or
investment adviser provides administration services.
|_| Retirement plans and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to
fund those plans (including, for example, plans qualified or created under
sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code), in each
case if those purchases are made through a broker, agent or other financial
intermediary that has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those
purchases.
|_| A TRAC-2000 401(k) plan (sponsored by the former Quest for Value
Advisors) whose Class B or Class C shares of a Former Quest for Value Fund were
exchanged for Class A shares of that Fund due to the termination of the Class B
and Class C TRAC-2000 program on November 24, 1995.
|_| A qualified Retirement Plan that had agreed with the former Quest for
Value Advisors to purchase shares of any of the Former Quest for Value Funds at
net asset value, with such shares to be held through DCXchange, a sub-transfer
agency mutual fund clearinghouse, if that arrangement was consummated and share
purchases commenced by December 31, 1996.
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain
Transactions.
Class A shares issued or purchased in the following transactions are not subject
to sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases):
|_| Shares issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset
acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party.
|_| Shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or other
distributions reinvested from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds (other than
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves) or unit investment trusts for which reinvestment
arrangements have been made with the Distributor.
|_| Shares purchased and paid for with the proceeds of shares redeemed in
the prior 30 days from a mutual fund (other than a fund managed by the Manager
or any of its subsidiaries) on which an initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge was paid. This waiver also applies to shares purchased by
exchange of shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. that were purchased
and paid for in this manner. This waiver must be requested when the purchase
order is placed for shares of the Fund, and the Distributor may require evidence
of qualification for this waiver.
|_| Shares purchased with the proceeds of maturing principal units of any
Qualified Unit Investment Liquid Trust Series.
|_| Shares purchased by the reinvestment of loan repayments by a
participant in a Retirement Plan for which the Manager or an affiliate acts as
sponsor.
Waivers of the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain
Redemptions.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if shares that would
otherwise be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed in the
following cases:
|_| To make Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited annually
to no more than 12% of the original account value.
|_| Involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law or involuntary
redemptions of small accounts (see "Shareholder Account Rules and Policies," in
the Prospectus).
|_| For distributions from Retirement Plans, deferred compensation
plans or other employee benefit plans for any of the following purposes:
(1) Following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary. The death or
disability must occur after the participant's account was
established.
(2) To return excess contributions.
(3) To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
(4) Hardship withdrawals, as defined in the plan.
(5) Under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code.
(6) To meet the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(7) To establish "substantially equal periodic payments" as described
in Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(8) For retirement distributions or loans to participants or
beneficiaries.
(9) Separation from service.
(10)Participant-directed redemptions to purchase shares of a mutual
fund other than a fund managed by the Manager or a subsidiary. The
fund must be one that is offered as an investment option in a
Retirement Plan in which Oppenheimer funds are also offered as
investment options under a special arrangement with the
Distributor.
(11)Plan termination or "in-service distributions," if the redemption
proceeds are rolled over directly to an OppenheimerFunds-sponsored
IRA.
|_| For distributions from Retirement Plans having 500 or more eligible
participants, except distributions due to termination of all of the
Oppenheimer funds as an investment option under the Plan. |_| For
distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers
that have entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this
waiver.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will not be
applied to shares purchased in certain types of transactions or redeemed in
certain circumstances described below.
Waivers for Redemptions in Certain Cases.
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will be waived for
redemptions of shares in the following cases:
|_| Shares redeemed involuntarily, as described in "Shareholder Account
Rules and Policies," in the applicable Prospectus.
|_| Distributions to participants or beneficiaries from Retirement Plans,
if the distributions are made:
(a)under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan after the participant reaches age
59-1/2, as long as the payments are no more than 10% of the account
value annually (measured from the date the Transfer Agent receives
the request), or
(b)following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary (the death or
disability must have occurred after the account was established).
|_| Redemptions from accounts other than Retirement Plans following the death
or disability of the last surviving shareholder, including a trustee of a
grantor trust or revocable living trust for which the trustee is also the
sole beneficiary. The death or disability must have occurred after the
account was established, and for disability you must provide evidence of a
determination of disability by the Social Security Administration.
|_| Returns of excess contributions to Retirement Plans.
|_| Distributions from Retirement Plans to make "substantially equal
periodic payments" as permitted in Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code
that do not exceed 10% of the account value annually, measured from the date the
Transfer Agent receives the request.
|_| Distributions from OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plans and from
certain Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company prototype 401(k) plans:
(1)for hardship withdrawals;
(2)under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code;
(3)to meet minimum distribution requirements as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code;
(4)to make "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in
Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5)for separation from service; or
(6)for loans to participants or beneficiaries.
|_| Distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers that have
entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this waiver.
|_| Redemptions of Class B shares held by Retirement Plans whose records
are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch or an independent
record keeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch.
|_| Redemptions of Class C shares of Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
from accounts of clients of financial institutions that have entered into a
special arrangement with the Distributor for this purpose.
Waivers for Shares Sold or Issued in Certain Transactions.
The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on Class B and Class C
shares sold or issued in the following cases:
|_| Shares sold to the Manager or its affiliates.
|_| Shares sold to registered management investment companies or separate
accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the
Distributor for that purpose.
|_| Shares issued in plans of reorganization to which the Fund is a party.
Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain Oppenheimer
Funds Who Were Shareholders of the Former Quest for Value Funds
The initial and contingent deferred sales charge rates and waivers for
Class A, Class B and Class C shares described in the Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information of the Oppenheimer funds are modified as described below
for certain persons who were shareholders of the former Quest for Value Funds.
To be eligible, those persons must have been shareholders on November 24, 1995,
when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment advisor to those former Quest
for Value Funds. Those funds include:
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.,
Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Fund,
Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Value Fund,
Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value Fund and
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
These arrangements also apply to shareholders of the following funds
when they merged into various Oppenheimer funds on November 24, 1995:
Quest for Value U.S. Government Income Fund, Quest for Value Investment
Quality Income Fund, Quest for Value Global Income Fund, Quest for Value
New York Tax-Exempt Fund, Quest for Value National Tax-Exempt Fund and
Quest for Value California Tax-Exempt Fund
All of the funds listed above are referred to in this Appendix as the
"Former Quest for Value Funds." The waivers of initial and contingent deferred
sales charges described in this Appendix apply to shares of an Oppenheimer fund
that are either:
|_| acquired by such shareholder pursuant to an exchange of shares of an
Oppenheimer fund that was one of the Former Quest for Value Funds or
|_| purchased by such shareholder by exchange of shares of another
Oppenheimer fund that were acquired pursuant to the merger of any of the Former
Quest for Value Funds into that other Oppenheimer fund on November 24, 1995.
Reductions or Waivers of Class A Sales Charges.
|X| Reduced Class A Initial Sales Charge Rates for Certain Former Quest
for Value Funds Shareholders
Purchases by Groups and Associations. The following table sets forth the initial
sales charge rates for Class shares purchased by members of "Associations"
formed for any purpose other than the purchase of securities. The rates in the
table apply if that Association purchased shares of any of the Former Quest for
Value Funds or received a proposal to purchase such shares from OCC Distributors
prior to November 24, 1995.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Eligible Initial Sales Charge Initial Sales Commission
Employees or as a % of Charge as % of
Members Offering Price as a % of Net Offering Price
Amount Invested
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 or Fewer 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 10 but not
more than 49 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purchases by Associations having 50 or more eligible employees or
members, there is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares, but
those shares are subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge
described in the applicable fund's Prospectus.
Purchases made under this arrangement qualify for the lower of either the
sales charge rate in the table based on the number of members of an Association,
or the sales charge rate that applies under the Right of Accumulation described
in the applicable fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Individuals who qualify under this arrangement for reduced sales charge rates as
members of Associations also may purchase shares for their individual or
custodial accounts at these reduced sales charge rates, upon request to the
Distributor.
|X| Waiver of Class A Sales Charges for Certain Shareholders. Class A
shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any Class A
initial or contingent deferred sales charges:
|_| Shareholders who were shareholders of the AMA Family of Funds on
February 28, 1991 and who acquired shares of any of the Former Quest for Value
Funds by merger of a portfolio of the AMA Family of Funds.
|_| Shareholders who acquired shares of any Former Quest for Value Fund by
merger of any of the portfolios of the Unified Funds.
|X| Waiver of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge in Certain
Transactions. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to
redemptions of Class A shares purchased by the following investors who were
shareholders of any Former Quest for Value Fund:
Investors who purchased Class A shares from a dealer that is or was not
permitted to receive a sales load or redemption fee imposed on a shareholder
with whom that dealer has a fiduciary relationship, under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and regulations adopted under that law.
Class A, Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased Prior to March 6, 1995. In
the following cases, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for
redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The
shares must have been acquired by the merger of a Former Quest for Value Fund
into the fund or by exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest
for Value Fund or into which such fund merged. Those shares must have been
purchased prior to March 6, 1995 in connection with:
|_| withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal plan holding only either
Class B or Class C shares if the annual withdrawal does not exceed 10% of the
initial value of the account, and
|_| liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum value of
such accounts.
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased on or After March 6, 1995
but Prior to November 24, 1995. In the following cases, the contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived for redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The shares must have been acquired by the merger
of a Former Quest for Value Fund into the fund or by exchange from an
Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest For Value Fund or into which such
Former Quest for Value Fund merged. Those shares must have been purchased on or
after March 6, 1995, but prior to November 24, 1995:
|_| redemptions following the death or disability of the shareholder(s)
(as evidenced by a determination of total disability by the U.S. Social
Security Administration);
|_| withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal plan (but only for Class B
or Class C shares) where the annual withdrawals do not exceed 10% of the initial
value of the account; and
|_| liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum account
value.
A shareholder's account will be credited with the amount of any contingent
deferred sales charge paid on the redemption of any Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Oppenheimer fund described in this section if the proceeds are
invested in the same Class of shares in that fund or another Oppenheimer fund
within 90 days after redemption.
Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain Oppenheimer Funds
Who Were Shareholders of Connecticut Mutual Investment Accounts, Inc.
The initial and contingent deferred sale charge rates and waivers for
Class A and Class B shares described in the Prospectus or this Appendix for
Oppenheimer U. S. Government Trust, Oppenheimer Bond Fund, Oppenheimer
Disciplined Value Fund and Oppenheimer Disciplined Allocation Fund (each is
included in the reference to "Fund" below) are modified as described below for
those shareholders who were shareholders of Connecticut Mutual Liquid Account,
Connecticut Mutual Government Securities Account, Connecticut Mutual Income
Account, Connecticut Mutual Growth Account, Connecticut Mutual Total Return
Account, CMIA LifeSpan Capital Appreciation Account, CMIA LifeSpan Balanced
Account and CMIA Diversified Income Account (the "Former Connecticut Mutual
Funds") on March 1, 1996, when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment
adviser to the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds.
Prior Class A CDSC and Class A Sales Charge Waivers
|_| Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Certain shareholders of a
Fund and the other Former Connecticut Mutual Funds are entitled to continue to
make additional purchases of Class A shares at net asset value without a Class A
initial sales charge, but subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales
charge that was in effect prior to March 18, 1996 (the "prior Class A CDSC").
Under the prior Class A CDSC, if any of those shares are redeemed within one
year of purchase, they will be assessed a 1% contingent deferred sales charge on
an amount equal to the current market value or the original purchase price of
the shares sold, whichever is smaller (in such redemptions, any shares not
subject to the prior Class A CDSC will be redeemed first).
Those shareholders who are eligible for the prior Class A CDSC are:
(1) persons whose purchases of Class A shares of a Fund and other
Former Connecticut Mutual Funds were $500,000 prior to March 18, 1996,
as a result of direct purchases or purchases pursuant to the Fund's
policies on Combined Purchases or Rights of Accumulation, who still
hold those shares in that Fund or other Former Connecticut Mutual
Funds, and
(2) persons whose intended purchases under a Statement of Intention
entered into prior to March 18, 1996, with the former general
distributor of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds to purchase shares
valued at $500,000 or more over a 13-month period entitled those
persons to purchase shares at net asset value without being subject to
the Class A initial sales charge.
Any of the Class A shares of a Fund and the other Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds that were purchased at net asset value prior to March 18, 1996,
remain subject to the prior Class A CDSC, or if any additional shares are
purchased by those shareholders at net asset value pursuant to this arrangement
they will be subject to the prior Class A CDSC.
|_| Class A Sales Charge Waivers. Additional Class A shares of a Fund may
be purchased without a sales charge, by a person who was in one (or more) of the
categories below and acquired Class A shares prior to March 18, 1996, and still
holds Class A shares:
(1) any purchaser, provided the total initial amount invested in the Fund
or any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled
$500,000 or more, including investments made pursuant to the Combined
Purchases, Statement of Intention and Rights of Accumulation features
available at the time of the initial purchase and such investment is
still held in one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds or a
Fund into which such Fund merged;
(2) any participant in a qualified plan, provided that the total initial
amount invested by the plan in the Fund or any one or more of the
Former Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled $500,000 or more;
(3) Directors of the Fund or any one or more of the Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds and members of their immediate families;
(4) employee benefit plans sponsored by Connecticut Mutual Financial
Services, L.L.C. ("CMFS"), the prior distributor of the Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds, and its affiliated companies;
(5) one or more members of a group of at least 1,000 persons (and persons
who are retirees from such group) engaged in a common business,
profession, civic or charitable endeavor or other activity, and the
spouses and minor dependent children of such persons, pursuant to a
marketing program between CMFS and such group; and
(6) an institution acting as a fiduciary on behalf of an individual or
individuals, if such institution was directly compensated by the
individual(s) for recommending the purchase of the shares of the Fund
or any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds, provided the
institution had an agreement with CMFS.
Purchases of Class A shares made pursuant to (1) and (2) above may be
subject to the Class A CDSC of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds described
above.
Additionally, Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased without a sales
charge by any holder of a variable annuity contract issued in New York State by
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company through the Panorama Separate Account
which is beyond the applicable surrender charge period and which was used to
fund a qualified plan, if that holder exchanges the variable annuity contract
proceeds to buy Class A shares of the Fund.
Class A and Class B Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
In addition to the waivers set forth in the Prospectus and in this Appendix,
above, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for redemptions of
Class A and Class B shares of a Fund and exchanges of Class A or Class B shares
of a Fund into Class A or Class B shares of a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund
provided that the Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to be redeemed or
exchanged were (i) acquired prior to March 18, 1996 or (ii) were acquired by
exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund.
Additionally, the shares of such Former Connecticut Mutual Fund must have been
purchased prior to March 18, 1996:
(1) by the estate of a deceased shareholder;
(2) upon the disability of a shareholder, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of
the Internal Revenue Code;
(3) for retirement distributions (or loans) to participants or
beneficiaries from retirement plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or
403(b)(7)of the Code, or from IRAs, deferred compensation plans created
under Section 457 of the Code, or other employee benefit plans;
(4) as tax-free returns of excess contributions to such retirement or
employee benefit plans;
(5) in whole or in part, in connection with shares sold to any state,
county, or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority, or
agency thereof, that is prohibited by applicable investment laws from
paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of
shares of any registered investment management company;
(6) in connection with the redemption of shares of the Fund due to a
combination with another investment company by virtue of a merger,
acquisition or similar reorganization transaction;
(7) in connection with the Fund's right to involuntarily redeem or
liquidate the Fund;
(8) in connection with automatic redemptions of Class A shares and Class B
shares in certain retirement plan accounts pursuant to an Automatic
Withdrawal Plan but limited to no more than 12% of the original value
annually; or
(9) as involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law, or under
procedures set forth in the Fund's Articles of Incorporation, or as
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Reduced Sales Charge for Former Shareholders of Advance America
Funds, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders of Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund, Oppenheimer U.S.
Government Trust, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund and Oppenheimer Equity
Income Fund who acquired (and still hold) shares of those funds as a result of
the reorganization of series of Advance America Funds, Inc. into those
Oppenheimer funds on October 18, 1991, and who held shares of Advance America
Funds, Inc. on March 30, 1990, may purchase Class A shares of those four
Oppenheimer funds at a maximum sales charge rate of 4.50%.
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Web Site:
www.oppenheimerfunds.com
Investment Adviser
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian Bank
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Mayer, Brown & Platt
1675 Broadway
New York, New York 10019-5820
67890
PX765.0200
- --------
1 No commission will be paid on sales of Class A shares purchased with the
redemption proceeds of shares of another mutual fund offered as an investment
option in a retirement plan in which Oppenheimer funds are also offered as
investment options under a special arrangement with the Distributor, if the
purchase occurs more than 30 days after the Oppenheimer funds are added as an
investment option under that plan.
* Subject to the limit on the amount of purchases of shares described above. *
Purchases of shares of the Fund by exchange are subject to the purchase limits
described in "How to Buy Shares," above.
2 Mr. Griffiths and Ms. Macaskill are not directors of Oppenheimer Money
Market Fund, Inc. Mr. Griffiths is also not a Trustee of Oppenheimer
Discovery Fund.
+Not a Trustee of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. or Oppenheimer Discovery
Fund 3Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund and of the Manager. #
Not a Director of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. 4. In accordance with Rule
12b-1 of the Investment Company Act, the term "Independent Trustees" in this
Statement of Additional Information refers to those Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund and who do not have any direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the distribution plan or any agreement
under the plan. * To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Declaration of Trust dated February 25, 2000: Filed herewith.
(b) By-Laws: Filed herewith.
(c) (i) Specimen Class A Share Certificate: Filed herewith.
(ii) Specimen Class B Share Certificate: Filed herewith.
(iii) Specimen Class C Share Certificate: Filed herewith.
(iv) Specimen Class Y Share Certificate: Filed herewith.
(d) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement: Filed herewith.
(e) (i) Form of General Distributor's Agreement: Filed herewith.
(ii) Form of Dealer Agreement of OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.:
Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement of Oppenheimer Trinity Value Fund (Reg. No. 333-79707),
8/25/99, and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Form of Agency Agreement of OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.:
Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement of Oppenheimer Trinity Value Fund (Reg. No. 333-79707),
8/25/99, and incorporated herein by reference.
(iv) Form of Broker Agreement of OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.:
Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement of Oppenheimer Trinity Value Fund (Reg. No. 333-79707),
8/25/99, and incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Form of Deferred Compensation Plan for Disinterested
Trustees/Directors:
(i) Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Trustees or Directors dated June
7, 1990: Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the
Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Fund (File No. 2-14586), 8/30/90,
refiled with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg.
No. 2-45272), 8/22/94, pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T, and
incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Form of Deferred Compensation Plan for Disinterested
Trustees/Directors: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund (Reg. No.
2-82590), 10/28/98, and incorporated by reference.
(g) (i) Form of Custody Agreement: Filed herewith.
(ii) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between Registrant and The Bank
of New York: Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No.2 to the
Registration Statement of Oppenheimer World Bond Fund (Reg. 333-48973),
4/23/98, and incorporated herein by reference.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel*
(j) Independent Auditors' Consent*
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Investment Letter from OppenheimerFunds, Inc. to Registrant*
(m) (i) Form of Service Plan and Agreement for Class A shares dated:
Filed herewith.
(ii) Form of Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement for Class B
shares: Filed herewith.
(iii) Form of Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement for Class C shares:
Filed herewith.
(n) Oppenheimer Funds Multiple Class Plan under Rule 18f-3 updated through
8/24/99: Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement of Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund (Reg.
No. 333-82579), 8/27/99, and incorporated herein by reference.
(o) Powers of Attorney for all Trustees/Directors*
(p)Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of the Oppenheimer Funds dated March 1,
2000 under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940: Filed herewith.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
None.
Item 25. Indemnification
Reference is made to the provisions of Article Seven of Registrant's
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit 23(a) to this
Registration Statement, and incorporated herein by reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person, Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
(a) OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is the investment adviser of the Registrant; it and
certain subsidiaries and affiliates act in the same capacity to other investment
companies, including without limitation those described in Parts A and B hereof
and listed in Item 26(b) below.
(b) There is set forth below information as to any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each officer and
director of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is, or at any time during the past two fiscal
years has been, engaged for his/her own account or in the capacity of director,
officer, employee, partner or trustee.
Name and Current Position Other Business and Connections
with OppenheimerFunds, Inc. During the Past Two Years
Charles E. Albers,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds (since April
1998); a Chartered Financial Analyst;
formerly, a Vice President and portfolio
manager for Guardian Investor Services,
the investment management subsidiary of
The Guardian Life Insurance Company
(since 1972).
Edward Amberger,
Assistant Vice President Formerly Assistant Vice President,
Securities Analyst for Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter (May 1997 - April 1998); and
Research Analyst (July 1996 - May 1997),
Portfolio Manager (February 1992 - July
1996) and Department Manager (June 1988
to February 1992) for The Bank of New
York.
Peter M. Antos,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; a Chartered
Financial Analyst; Senior Vice President
of HarbourView Asset Management
Corporation; prior to March 1996 he was
the senior equity portfolio manager for
the Panorama Series Fund, Inc. (the
"Company") and other mutual funds and
pension funds managed by G.R. Phelps &
Co. Inc. ("G.R. Phelps"), the Company's
former investment adviser, which was a
subsidiary of Connecticut Mutual Life
Insurance Company; he was also
responsible for managing the common stock
department and common stock investments
of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Janette Aprilante
Assistant Vice President None.
Victor Babin,
Senior Vice President None.
Bruce Bartlett,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Formerly, a Vice President and Senior
Portfolio Manager at First of America
Investment Corp.
George Batejan,
Executive Vice President,
Chief Information Officer Formerly Senior Vice
President, Group Executive, and Senior
Systems Officer for American International
Group (October 1994 - May 1998).
Richard Bayha,
Senior Vice President None.
Connie Bechtolt,
Assistant Vice President None.
Kathleen Beichert,
Vice President None.
Rajeev Bhaman,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (January
1992 - February, 1996) of Asian Equities for
Barclays de Zoete Wedd, Inc.
Robert J. Bishop,
Vice President Vice President of Mutual Fund Accounting
(since May 1996); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds; formerly, an Assistant
Vice President of OppenheimerFunds,
Inc./Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994 -
May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Mark Binning None.
John R. Blomfield,
Vice President Formerly Senior Product Manager
(November 1995 - August 1997) of
International Home Foods and American Home
Products (March 1994 - October 1996).
Chad Boll,
Assistant Vice President None
Scott Brooks,
Vice President None.
Jeffrey P.Burns
Vice President and
Assistant Counsel Formerly an associate at Stradley,
Ronon, Stevens and Young, LLP (February
1998-September 1999); Morgan Lewis and
Bockius, LLP (April 1995- February 1998).
Adele Campbell,
Assistant Vice President & Assistant
Treasurer: Rochester Division Formerly, Assistant Vice President of
Rochester Fund Services, Inc.
Christopher Capot,
Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President of Public
Relations at Webster Financial
Corporation (December 1995 - December 1998).
Michael Carbuto,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice President
of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation.
John Cardillo,
Assistant Vice President None.
Elisa Chrysanthis None.
Assistant Vice President
H.C. Digby Clements,
Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
Mark Curry,
Assistant Vice President None.
O. Leonard Darling,
Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment
Officer Chief Investment Officer (since 6/99); Chief
Executive Officer and Senior Manager of
HarbourView Asset Management Corporation;
Trustee (1993 - present) of Awhtolia College
- Greece; formerly Chief Executive Officer
(1993-June 1999).
John Davis
Assistant Vice President EAB Financial (April
1998-February 1999) and South Carolina
Credit Union (August 1996-April 1998).
William DeJianne, None.
Assistant Vice President
Robert A. Densen,
Senior Vice President None.
Ruggero De Rosi
Vice President Formerly, Chief Strategist at ING
Barings(July
1998 - March 2000) and Vice President/Global
Markets at Citicorp Securities (May 1995 -
July 1998).
Vice President
Sheri Devereux,
Vice President None.
Max Dietshe Deloitte & Touche LLP (1989-1999).
Vice President
Craig P. Dinsell
Executive Vice President Formerly, Senior Vice President of Human
Resources for Fidelity Investments-Retail
Division (January 1995 - January 1996),
Fidelity Investments FMR Co. (January
1996 - June 1997) and Fidelity
Investments FTPG (June 1997 - January
1998).
John Doney,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Andrew J. Donohue,
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Director Executive Vice President (since September
1993), and a director (since January
1992) of the Distributor; Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and a director
of HarbourView Asset Management
Corporation Shareholder Services, Inc.,
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. and
Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc.
since (September 1995); President and a
director of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation (since September 1995);
President and a director of Oppenheimer
Real Asset Management, Inc (since July
1996); General Counsel (since May 1996)
and Secretary (since April 1997) of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; Vice
President and Director of
OppenheimerFunds International, Ltd. and
Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since
October 1997); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds.
Bruce Dunbar, None.
Vice President
Daniel Engstrom,
Assistant Vice President None.
George Evans,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Edward Everett,
Assistant Vice President None.
George Fahey,
Vice President None.
Leslie A. Falconio,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds (since
6/99).
Scott Farrar,
Vice President Assistant Treasurer of Oppenheimer
Millennium Funds plc (since October
1997); an officer of other Oppenheimer
funds; formerly an Assistant Vice
President of OppenheimerFunds,
Inc./Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994 -
May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Katherine P. Feld,
Vice President and Secretary Vice President and Secretary of the
Distributor; Secretary of HarbourView
Asset Management Corporation, and
Centennial Asset Management Corporation;
Secretary, Vice President and Director of
Centennial Capital Corporation; Vice
President and Secretary of Oppenheimer
Real Asset Management, Inc.
Ronald H. Fielding,
Senior Vice President; Chairman:
Rochester Division An officer, Director and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds;
Presently he holds the following other
positions: Director (since 1995) of ICI
Mutual Insurance Company; Governor (since
1994) of St. John's College; Director
(since 1994 - present) of International
Museum of Photography at George Eastman
House. Formerly, he held the following
positions: formerly, Chairman of the
Board and Director of Rochester Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("RFD"); President and
Director of Fielding Management Company,
Inc. ("FMC"); President and Director of
Rochester Capital Advisors, Inc.
("RCAI"); Managing Partner of Rochester
Capital Advisors, L.P., President and
Director of Rochester Fund Services, Inc.
("RFS"); President and Director of
Rochester Tax Managed Fund, Inc.;
Director (1993 - 1997) of VehiCare Corp.;
Director (1993 - 1996) of VoiceMode.
David Foxhoven,
Assistant Vice President Formerly Manager, Banking Operations
Department (July 1996 - November 1998).
Dan Gangemi,
Vice President None.
Erin Gardiner,
Assistant Vice President None.
Subrata Ghose
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Equity Analyst at Fidelity
Investments (1995 - March 2000).
Charles Gilbert,
Assistant Vice President None.
Alan Gilston,
Vice President Formerly, Vice President (1987 - 1997)
for Schroder Capital Management
International.
Jill Glazerman,
Vice President None.
Mikhail Goldverg
Assistant Vice President None.
Jeremy Griffiths,
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(since March
Director 1998) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; a
Member and Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants; formerly, an
accountant for Arthur Young (London, U.K.).
Robert Grill,
Senior Vice President Formerly, Marketing Vice
President for Bankers Trust Company (1993 -
1996); Steering Committee Member,
Subcommittee Chairman for American Savings
Education Council (1995 - 1996).
Robert Guy None.
Senior Vice President
Robert Haley
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Vice President of
Information Services for Bankers Trust
Company (January 1991 - November 1997).
Thomas B. Hayes,
Vice President None.
Barbara Hennigar,
Chairman of OppenheimerFunds Formerly Executive Vice President and
Services, a Division of OFI Chief Executive Officer of
OppenheimerFunds Services,
a division of the Manager
Dorothy Hirshman, None.
Assistant Vice President
Merryl Hoffman,
Vice President and None.
Senior Counsel
Merrell Hora,
Assistant Vice President Research Fellow for the University of
Minnesota
(July 1997- July 1998).
Scott T. Huebl,
Vice President None.
James Hyland,
Assistant Vice President Formerly Manager of Customer
Research for Prudential Investments
(February 1998 - July 1999).
Kathleen T. Ives,
Vice President None.
William Jaume,
Vice President None.
Frank Jennings,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Andrew Jordan,
Assistant Vice President None.
Deborah Kaback
Vice President and
Senior Counsel Senior Vice President and Deputy General
Counsel of Oppenheimer Capital (April
1989-November 1999).
Lewis Kamman
Vice President
Senior Consultant for Bell Atlantic
Network Integration, Inc. (June
1997-December 1998) and
Vice President for JP Morgan, Inc.
(August 1994-June 1997).
Thomas W. Keffer,
Senior Vice President None.
Erica Klein,
Assistant Vice President None.
Walter Konops,
Assistant Vice President None.
Avram Kornberg,
Vice President None.
Jimmy Kourkoulakos,
Assistant Vice President. None.
John Kowalik,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager for certain OppenheimerFunds;
formerly, Managing Director and Senior
Portfolio Manager at Prudential Global
Advisors (1989 - 1998).
Joseph Krist,
Assistant Vice President None.
Michael Levine,
Vice President None.
Shanquan Li,
Vice President None.
Stephen F. Libera,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager for
certain Oppenheimer funds; a Chartered
Financial Analyst; a Vice President of
HarbourView Asset Management Corporation;
prior to March 1996, the senior bond
portfolio manager for Panorama Series
Fund Inc., other mutual funds and pension
accounts managed by G.R. Phelps; also
responsible for managing the public
fixed-income securities department at
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Mitchell J. Lindauer,
Vice President and Assistant
General Counsel None.
David Mabry,
Vice President None.
Steve Macchia,
Vice President None.
Bridget Macaskill,
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director Chief Executive Officer (since September
1995); President and director (since June
1991) of HarbourView Asset Management
Corporation; and a director of
Shareholder Services, Inc. (since August
1994), and Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc. (September 1995);
President (since September 1995) and a
director (since October 1990) of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; President
(since September 1995) and a director
(since November 1989) of Oppenheimer
Partnership Holdings, Inc., a holding
company subsidiary of OppenheimerFunds,
Inc.; a director of Oppenheimer Real
Asset Management, Inc. (since July 1996);
President and a director (since October
1997) of OppenheimerFunds International
Ltd., an offshore fund manager subsidiary
of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and
Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since
October 1997); President and a director
of other Oppenheimer funds; a director of
Hillsdown Holdings plc (a U.K. food
company); formerly, an Executive Vice
President of OFI.
Philip T. Masterson,
Vice President Formerly an Associate at Davis,
Graham, & Stubbs (January 1998 - July 1998);
Associate; Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
(May 1996 - June 1998).
Loretta McCarthy,
Executive Vice President None.
Lisa Migan,
Assistant Vice President None.
Andrew J. Mika
Senior Vice President Formerly a Second Vice
President for Guardian Investments (June
1990 - October 1999).
Denis R. Molleur,
Vice President and
Senior Counsel None.
Nikolaos Monoyios,
Vice President A Vice President and/or portfolio manager
of certain Oppenheimer funds (since April
1998); a Certified Financial Analyst;
formerly, a Vice President and portfolio
manager for Guardian Investor Services,
the management subsidiary of The Guardian
Life Insurance Company (since 1979).
Linda Moore,
Vice President Formerly, Marketing Manager (July 1995
-November 1996) for Chase Investment
Services Corp.
Kenneth Nadler,
Vice President None.
David Negri,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Barbara Niederbrach,
Assistant Vice President None.
Robert A. Nowaczyk,
Vice President None.
Ray Olson,
Assistant Vice President None.
Richard M. O'Shaugnessy,
Assistant Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
Gina M. Palmieri,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds (since
6/99).
Robert E. Patterson,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Frank Pavlak,
Vice President Branch Chief of Investment Company
Examinations at U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (January 1981 -
December 1998).
James Phillips
Assistant Vice President None.
David Pellegrino Vice President.
Jane Putnam,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Michael Quinn,
Assistant Vice President Formerly, Assistant Vice
President (April 1995 - January 1998) of Van
Kampen American Capital.
Julie Radtke,
Vice President Formerly Assistant Vice President and
Business Analyst for Pershing, Jersey
City (August 1997 -November 1997); Senior
Business Consultant, American
International Group (January 1996 - July
1997).
Russell Read,
Senior Vice President Vice President of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since March 1995).
Thomas Reedy,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds;
formerly, a Securities Analyst for the
Manager.
John Reinhardt,
Vice President: Rochester Division None
Jeffrey Rosen,
Vice President None.
Michael S. Rosen,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Marci Rossell,
Vice President and
Corporate Economist Economist with
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (April
1996 - March 1999).
Richard H. Rubinstein,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Lawrence Rudnick,
Assistant Vice President None.
James Ruff,
Executive Vice President & Director None.
Andrew Ruotolo
Executive Vice President of
Oppenheimer Funds Services, a
division of OFI Formerly Chief Operations Officer for
American
International Group (1997-August 1999).
William Rylander Phoenix Investment Partners (1981-2000).
Rohit Sah,
Assistant Vice President None.
Valerie Sanders,
Vice President None.
Jeff Schneider,
Vice President Director, Personal Decisions
International.
Ellen Schoenfeld,
Assistant Vice President None.
David Schultz,
Senior Vice President
and Chief Executive Officer Senior Managing
Director, President (since April 1999) and
Chief Executive Officer of HarbourView Asset
Management Corporation (since June 1999).
Stephanie Seminara,
Vice President None.
Jennifer Sexton,
Vice President None.
Martha Shapiro,
Assistant Vice President None.
Christian D. Smith
Senior Vice President Formerly Co-head of the
Municipal Portfolio Management Team,
Portfolio Manager for Prudential Global
Asset Management (January 1990 - September
1999).
Connie Song,
Assistant Vice President None.
Richard Soper,
Vice President None.
Keith Spencer Equity trader.
Vice President
Cathleen Stahl,
Vice President Assistant Vice President & Manager of
Women & Investing Program
Richard A. Stein,
Vice President: Rochester Division Assistant Vice President (since 1995) of
Rochester Capitol Advisors, L.P.
Arthur Steinmetz,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
Jayne Stevlingson,
Vice President None.
Marlo Stil,
Vice President Investment Specialist and Career
Agent/Registered
Representative for MML Investor services,
Inc.
John Stoma,
Senior Vice President None.
Michael C. Strathearn,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; a
Chartered Financial Analyst; a Vice
President of HarbourView Asset Management
Corporation.
Kevin Surrett,
Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President of Product
Development
At Evergreen Investor Services, Inc.
(June 1995 -
May 1999).
Wayne Strauss,
Assistant Vice President: Rochester
Division Formerly Senior Editor, West Publishing
Company (January 1997 - March 1997).
James C. Swain,
Vice Chairman of the Board Chairman, CEO and Trustee, Director or
Managing Partner of the Denver-based
Oppenheimer Funds; formerly, President
and Director of Centennial Asset
Management Corporation and Chairman of
the Board of Shareholder Services, Inc.
Susan Switzer,
Assistant Vice President None.
Anthony A. Tanner,
Vice President: Rochester Division None.
Jay Tracey,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds.
James Turner,
Assistant Vice President None.
Angela Uttaro,
Assistant Vice President None.
Mark Vandehey,
Vice President None.
Maureen VanNorstrand,
Assistant Vice President None.
Annette Von Brandis,
Assistant Vice President None.
Phillip Vottiero,
Vice President Chief Financial officer for the Sovlink
Group
(April 1996 - June 1999).
Teresa Ward,
Vice President None.
Jerry Webman,
Senior Vice President Director of New York-based tax-exempt
fixed income Oppenheimer funds.
Barry Weiss Fitch IBCA (1996 - January 2000)
Assistant Vice President
Christine Wells,
Vice President None.
Joseph Welsh,
Assistant Vice President None.
Kenneth B. White,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds; a
Chartered Financial Analyst; Vice President
of HarbourView Asset Management Corporation.
William L. Wilby,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice President
of HarbourView Asset Management
Corporation.
Donna Winn, Senior Vice President/Distribution
Marketing.
Senior Vice President
Brian W. Wixted, Formerly Principal and Chief Operating
Officer,
Senior Vice President and Bankers Trust Company - Mutual Fund
Services
Treasurer Division (March 1995 - March 1999);
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of CS First Boston Investment Management
Corp. (September 1991 - March 1995); and
Vice President and Accounting Manager,
Merrill Lynch Asset Management (November
1987 - September 1991).
Carol Wolf,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice President
of Centennial
Asset Management Corporation; Vice
President, Finance and Accounting; Point
of Contact: Finance Supporters of
Children; Member of the Oncology Advisory
Board of the Childrens Hospital.
Caleb Wong,
Vice President An officer and/or portfolio
manager of certain Oppenheimer funds (since
6/99).
Robert G. Zack,
Senior Vice President and
Assistant Secretary, Associate
General Counsel Assistant Secretary of Shareholder
Services, Inc. (since May 1985),
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
(since November 1989), OppenheimerFunds
International Ltd. (since 1998),
Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since
October 1997); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds.
Jill Zachman,
Assistant Vice President:
Rochester Division None.
Mark Zavanelli,
Assistant Vice President None.
Arthur J. Zimmer,
Senior Vice President An officer and/or portfolio manager of
certain Oppenheimer funds; Vice President
of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation.
The Oppenheimer Funds include the New York-based Oppenheimer Funds, the
Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds and the Oppenheimer Quest /Rochester Funds, as
set forth below:
New York-based Oppenheimer Funds
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Preservation Fund Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund Oppenheimer Europe Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund Oppenheimer Gold
& Special Minerals Fund Oppenheimer Growth Fund Oppenheimer International Growth
Fund
Oppenheimer International Small Company Fund Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-State Municipal Trust Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund
Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund Oppenheimer
Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Trinity Core Fund
Oppenheimer Trinity Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Trinity Value Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Quest/Rochester Funds
Limited Term New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund
Oppenheimer MidCap Fund
Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest For Value Funds
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Rochester Fund Municipals
Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds
Centennial America Fund, L.P. Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust Centennial
Government Trust Centennial Money Market Trust Centennial New York Tax Exempt
Trust Centennial Tax Exempt Trust Oppenheimer Cash Reserves Oppenheimer Champion
Income Fund Oppenheimer Capital Income Fund Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds Oppenheimer International Bond Fund Oppenheimer
Limited-Term Government Fund Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund Oppenheimer
Main Street Funds, Inc. Oppenheimer Municipal Fund Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc. Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds Panorama
Series Fund, Inc.
The address of OppenheimerFunds, Inc., the New York-based Oppenheimer Funds,
the Quest Funds, OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc., HarbourView Asset
Management Corp., Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., and Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp. is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203.
The address of the Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds, Shareholder Financial
Services, Inc., Shareholder Services, Inc., OppenheimerFunds Services,
Centennial Asset Management Corporation, Centennial Capital Corp., and
Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. is 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood,
Colorado 80112.
The address of the Rochester-based funds is 350 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York
14625-2807.
Item 27. Principal Underwriter
(a) OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. is the Distributor of the
Registrant's shares. It is also the Distributor of each of the other
registered open-end investment companies for which OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is
the investment adviser, as described in Part A and B of this Registration
Statement and listed in Item 26(b) above (except Oppenheimer Multi-Sector
Income Trust and Panorama Series Fund, Inc.) and for MassMutual Institutional
Funds.
(b) The directors and officers of the Registrant's principal underwriter
are:
Name & Principal Positions & Offices Positions & Offices
Business Address with Underwriter with Registrant
Jason Bach Vice President None
31 Racquel Drive
Marietta, GA 30064
Peter Beebe Vice President None
876 Foxdale Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60093
Douglas S. Blankenship Vice President None
17011 Woodbank
Spring, TX 77379
Peter W. Brennan Senior Vice President None
8826 Amberton Lane
Charlotte, NC 28226
Kevin Brosmith Senior Vice President None.
856 West Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614
Susan Burton(2) Vice President None
Erin Cawley(2) Assistant Vice President None
Robert Coli Vice President None
12 White Tail Lane
Bedminster, NJ 07921
William Coughlin Vice President None
1730 N. Clark Street
#3203
Chicago, IL 60614
Mary Crooks(1)
Daniel Deckman Vice President None
12252 Rockledge Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Christopher DeSimone Vice President None
5105 Aldrich Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Joseph DiMauro Vice President None
244 McKinley Avenue
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Rhonda Dixon-Gunner(1) Assistant Vice President None
Andrew John Donohue(2) Executive Vice Secretary of the
President, Director Oppenheimer funds.
and General Counsel
John Donovan Vice President None
868 Washington Road
Woodbury, CT 06798
Kenneth Dorris Vice President None
4104 Harlanwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Wendy H. Ehrlich Vice President None
4 Craig Street
Jericho, NY 11753
Kent Elwell Vice President None
35 Crown Terrace
Yardley, PA 19067
George Fahey Vice President None
141 Breon Lane
Elkton, MD 21921
Eric Fallon Vice President None
10 Worth Circle
Newton, MA 02158
Katherine P. Feld(2) Vice President None
Vice President & Secretary & Senior Counsel
Mark Ferro Vice President None
43 Market Street
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Ronald H. Fielding(3) Vice President None
John ("J") Fortuna(2) Vice President None
Ronald R. Foster Senior Vice President None
11339 Avant Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Patricia Gadecki-Wells Vice President None
4734 Highland Place Center
Lakeland, FL 33813
Luiggino Galleto Vice President None
10302 Reisling Court
Charlotte, NC 28277
Michelle Gans Vice President None
8327 Kimball Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
L. Daniel Garrity Vice President None
27 Covington Road
Avondale, GA 30002
Lucio Giliberti Vice President None
78 Metro Vista Drive
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Ralph Grant(2) Vice President/National None
Sales Manager
Michael Guman Vice President None
3913 Pleasent Avenue
Allentown, PA 18103
Linda Harding Vice President/FID None
6229 Love Drive
#413
Irving, TX 75039
Webb Heidinger Vice President None
138 Gates Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phillip Hemery Vice President None
184 Park Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Edward Hrybenko (2) Vice President None
Richard L. Hymes (2) Vice President None
Byron Ingram(1) Assistant Vice President None
Kathleen T. Ives(1) Vice President None
Lynn Jensen Vice President None
5120 Patterson Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
Eric K. Johnson Vice President None
3665 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Mark D. Johnson Vice President None
409 Sundowner Ridge Court
Wildwood, MO 63011
Elyse Jurman Vice President None
1194 Hillsboro Mile, #51
Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062
Michael Keogh(2) Vice President None
Brian Kelly Vice President None
60 Larkspur Road
Fairfield, CT 06430
Richard Klein Senior Vice President None
4820 Fremont Avenue So.
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Brent Krantz Vice President None
2609 SW 149th Place
Seattle, WA 98166
Oren Lane Vice President None
5286 Timber Bend Drive
Brighton, MI 48116
Todd Lawson Vice President None
10687 East Ida Avenue
Englewood, CO 80111
Dawn Lind Vice President None
7 Maize Court
Melville, NY 11747
James Loehle Vice President None
30 Wesley Hill Lane
Warwick, NY 10990
John Lynch (2) Vice President None
Michael Magee Assistant Vice President None
1496 East 32nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Steve Manns Vice President None
1941 W. Wolfram Street
Chicago, IL 60657
Todd Marion Vice President None
3 St. Marks Place
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
LuAnn Mascia(2) Assistant Vice President None
Marie Masters Vice President None
8384 Glen Eagle Drive
Manlius, NY 13104
Theresa-Marie Maynier Vice President None
2421 Charlotte Drive
Charlotte, NC 28203
Anthony Mazzariello Vice President None
704 Beaver Road
Leetsdale, PA 15056
John McDonough Vice President None
3812 Leland Street
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Kent McGowan Vice President None
18424 12th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Laura Mulhall(2) Senior Vice President None
Charles Murray Vice President None
18 Spring Lake Drive
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Wendy Murray Vice President None
32 Carolin Road
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Denise-Marie Nakamura Vice President None
4111 Colony Plaza
Newport, CA 92660
John Nesnay Vice President None
3410 East County Line
#17
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Chad V. Noel Vice President None
2408 Eagleridge Drive
Henderson, NV 89014
Joseph Norton Vice President None
2518 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Kevin Parchinski Vice President None
8409 West 116th Terrace
Overland Park, KS 66210
Gayle Pereira Vice President None
2707 Via Arboleda
San Clemente, CA 92672
Charles K. Pettit Vice President None
22 Fall Meadow Drive
Pittsford, NY 14534
Bill Presutti Vice President None
130 E. 63rd Street, #10E
New York, NY 10021
Steve Puckett Vice President None
5297 Soledad Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92109
Elaine Puleo(2) Senior Vice President None
Christopher L. Quinson (2) Vice President/ None
Variable Annuities
Minnie Ra Vice President None
100 Delores Street, #203
Carmel, CA 93923
Dustin Raring Vice President None
378 Elm Street
Denver, CO 80220
Michael Raso Vice President None
16 N. Chatsworth Ave.
Apt. 301
Larchmont, NY 10538
Douglas Rentschler Vice President None
677 Middlesex Road
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
Ruxandra Risko(2) Vice President None
Michael S. Rosen(2) Vice President None
Kenneth Rosenson Vice President None
3505 Malibu Country Drive
Malibu, CA 90265
James Ruff(2) President & Director None
Alfredo Scalzo Vice President None
19401 Via Del Mar, #303
Tampa, FL 33647
Timothy Schoeffler Vice President None
1717 Fox Hall Road
Washington, DC 77479
Michael Sciortino Vice President None
785 Beau Chene Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
Eric Sharp Vice President None
862 McNeill Circle
Woodland, CA 95695
Michelle Simone(2) Assistant Vice President None
Timothy J. Stegner Vice President None
794 Jackson Street
Denver, CO 80206
Marlo Stil Vice President None
8579 Prestwick Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
Peter Sullivan Vice President None
21445 S. E 35th Street
Issaquah, WA 98029
David Sturgis Vice President None
81 Surrey Lane
Boxford, MA 01921
Scott Such(1) Senior Vice President None
Brian Summe Vice President None
239 N. Colony Drive
Edgewood, KY 41017
George Sweeney Senior Vice President None
5 Smokehouse Lane
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Andrew Sweeny Vice President None
5967 Bayberry Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Scott McGregor Tatum Vice President None
704 Inwood
Southlake, TX 76092
David G. Thomas Vice President None
2200 North Wilson Blvd.
Suite 102-176
Arlington, VA 22201
Tanya Valency (2) Assistant Vice President None
Mark Vandehey(1) Vice President None
Brian Villec (2) Vice President None
Andrea Walsh(1) Vice President None
Suzanne Walters(1) Assistant Vice President None
Michael Weigner Vice President None
5722 Harborside Drive
Tampa, FL 33615
Donn Weise Vice President None
3249 Earlmar Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Marjorie Williams Vice President None
6930 East Ranch Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Brian W. Wixted (1) Vice President Vice President and
and Treasurer Treasurer of the
Oppenheimer funds.
(1) 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, CO 80112
(2) Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048
(3) 350 Linden Oaks, Rochester, NY 14623
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Registrant
pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules
promulgated thereunder are in the possession of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. at its
offices at 6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of New York and State of New York on the 7th day of March, 2000.
Oppenheimer Information Technologies Fund
By: /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
----------------------------
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities on
the dates indicated:
Signatures Title Date
/s/ Bridget A. Macaskill President March 7, 2000
- -------------------------
/s/ Brian W. Wixted Treasurer March 7, 2000
- --------------------
/s/ Andrew J. Donohue Vice President March 7, 2000
- ---------------------- and Secretary
/s/ Jeffrey P. Burns Trustee March 7, 2000
- ---------------------
/s/ Robert G. Zack Trustee March 7, 2000
- -------------------
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
23(a) Declaration of Trust
(b) By-Laws
(c)(i) Specimen Class A Share Certificate
(c)(ii) Specimen Class B Share Certificate
(c)(iii) Specimen Class C Share Certificate
(c)(iv) Specimen Class Y Share Certificate
(d) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement
(e)(i) Form of General Distributor's Agreement
(g) Form of Custody Agreement
(m)(i) Form of Class A Shares Service Plan and Agreement
(m)(ii) Form of Class B Shares Service Plan and Agreement
(m)(iii) Form of Class C Shares Service Plan and Agreement
(p) Form of Amended and Restated Code of Ethics
of the Oppenheimer Funds
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
This DECLARATION OF TRUST, made as of February 25, 2000, by and among the
individuals executing this Declaration of Trust as the Trustees.
WHEREAS, the Trustees wish to establish a trust fund under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the investment and reinvestment of funds
contributed thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property
contributed to the trust fund hereunder shall be held and managed under this
Declaration of Trust in trust as herein set forth below.
FIRST: This Trust shall be known as OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
FUND. The address of the Trust is Two World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048-0203. The Registered Agent for Service in Massachusetts is
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield,
Massachusetts 01111, Attention: Stephen Kuhn, Esq.
SECOND: Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context
or specifically provided:
1. All terms used in this Declaration of Trust that are defined in the
1940 Act (defined below) shall have the meanings given to them in the 1940 Act.
2. "Board" or "Board of Trustees" or the "Trustees" means the Board
of Trustees of the Trust.
3. "By-Laws" means the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to
time.
4. "Class" means a class of a series of Shares (as defined below) of the
Trust established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of
Article FOURTH.
5. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
6. "Declaration of Trust" means this Declaration of Trust as it may
be amended or restated from time to time.
7. The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as amended from time to
time.
8. "Series" refers to series of Shares of the Trust established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article FOURTH.
9. "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of the Trust.
10. "Shares" refers to the transferable units of interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust or any Series or Class of the Trust (as the
context may require) shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions
of Shares as well as whole Shares.
11. The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust created by this
Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time.
12. "Trustees" refers to the individual trustees in their capacity as
trustees hereunder of the Trust and their successor or successors for the time
being in office as such trustees.
THIRD: The purpose or purposes for which the Trust is formed and the
business or objects to be transacted, carried on and promoted by it are as
follows:
1. To hold, invest or reinvest its funds, and in connection therewith to
hold part or all of its funds in cash, and to purchase or otherwise acquire,
hold for investment or otherwise, sell, sell short, assign, negotiate, transfer,
exchange or otherwise dispose of or turn to account or realize upon, securities
(which term "securities" shall for the purposes of this Declaration of Trust,
without limitation of the generality thereof, be deemed to include any stocks,
shares, bonds, financial futures contracts, indexes, debentures, notes,
mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or
other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the
same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or in
any property or assets) created or issued by any issuer (which term "issuer"
shall for the purposes of this Declaration of Trust, without limitation of the
generality thereof be deemed to include any persons, firms, associations,
corporations, syndicates, combinations, organizations, governments, or
subdivisions thereof) and in financial instruments (whether they are considered
as securities or commodities); and to exercise, as owner or holder of any
securities or financial instruments, all rights, powers and privileges in
respect thereof; and to do any and all acts and things for the preservation,
protection, improvement and enhancement in value of any or all such securities
or financial instruments.
2. To borrow money and pledge assets in connection with any of the objects
or purposes of the Trust, and to issue notes or other obligations evidencing
such borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and by the Trust's
fundamental investment policies under the 1940 Act.
3. To issue and sell its Shares in such Series and Classes and amounts and
on such terms and conditions, for such purposes and for such amount or kind of
consideration (including without limitation thereto, securities) now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by this
Declaration of Trust, as the Trustees may determine.
4. To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, dispose of, resell, transfer,
reissue or cancel its Shares, or to classify or reclassify any unissued Shares
or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Series or Class into one
or more Series or Classes that may have been established and designated from
time to time, all without the vote or consent of the Shareholders of the Trust,
in any manner and to the extent now or hereafter permitted by this Declaration
of Trust.
5. To conduct its business in all its branches at one or more offices in
New York, Colorado and elsewhere in any part of the world, without restriction
or limit as to extent.
6. To carry out all or any of the foregoing objects and purposes as
principal or agent, and alone or with associates or to the extent now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of Massachusetts, as a member of, or as the
owner or holder of any stock of, or share of interest in, any issuer, and in
connection therewith to make or enter into such deeds or contracts with any
issuers and to do such acts and things and to exercise such powers, as a natural
person could lawfully make, enter into, do or exercise.
7. To do any and all such further acts and things and to exercise any and
all such further powers as may be necessary, incidental, relative, conducive,
appropriate or desirable for the accomplishment, carrying out or attainment of
all or any of the foregoing purposes or objects.
The foregoing objects and purposes shall, except as otherwise
expressly provided, be in no way limited or restricted by reference to, or
inference from, the terms of any other clause of this or any other Article of
this Declaration of Trust, and shall each be regarded as independent and
construed as powers as well as objects and purposes, and the enumeration of
specific purposes, objects and powers shall not be construed to limit or
restrict in any manner the meaning of general terms or the general powers of the
Trust now or hereafter conferred by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts nor shall the expression of one thing be deemed to exclude
another, though it be of a similar or dissimilar nature, not expressed;
provided, however, that the Trust shall not carry on any business, or exercise
any powers, in any state, territory, district or country except to the extent
that the same may lawfully be carried on or exercised under the laws thereof.
FOURTH:
1. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into Shares, all
with par value of $0.001 per share, but the Trustees shall have the authority
from time to time, without obtaining shareholder approval, to create one or more
Series of Shares in addition to the Series specifically established and
designated in part 3 of this Article FOURTH, and to divide the shares of any
Series into two or more Classes pursuant to Part 2 of this Article FOURTH, all
as they deem necessary or desirable, to establish and designate such Series and
Classes, and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences as between
the different Series or Classes of Shares as to right of redemption and the
price, terms and manner of redemption, liabilities and expenses to be borne by
any Series or Class, special and relative rights as to dividends and other
distributions and on liquidation, sinking or purchase fund provisions,
conversion on liquidation, conversion rights, and conditions under which the
several Series or Classes of Shares shall have individual voting rights or no
voting rights. Except as aforesaid, all Shares of the different Series shall be
identical.
(a) The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each
Series and each Class of a Series that may be issued is unlimited, and the
Trustees may issue Shares of any Series or Class of any Series for such
consideration and on such terms as they may determine (or for no consideration
if pursuant to a Share dividend or split-up), all without action or approval of
the Shareholders. All Shares when so issued on the terms determined by the
Trustees shall be fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may classify or
reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of
any Series into one or more Series or Classes of Series that may be established
and designated from time to time. The Trustees may hold as treasury Shares (of
the same or some other Series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms
as they may determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time, any
Shares of any Series reacquired by the Trust.
(b) The establishment and designation of any Series or any Class of
any Series in addition to those established and designated in part 3 of this
Article FOURTH shall be effective with the effectiveness of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and
preferences of such Series or such Class of such Series or as otherwise provided
in such instrument. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any
particular Series previously established and designated, the Trustees may by an
instrument executed by a majority of their number abolish that Series and the
establishment and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in this
paragraph shall be an amendment to this Declaration of Trust, and the Trustees
may make any such amendment without shareholder approval.
(c) Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any
organization in which any such person is interested may acquire, own, hold and
dispose of Shares of any Series or Class of any Series of the Trust to the same
extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the
Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may
purchase Shares of any Series or Class of any Series from any such person or any
such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other
provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Series or Class
generally.
2. The Trustees shall have the authority from time to time, without
obtaining shareholder approval, to divide the Shares of any Series into two or
more Classes as they deem necessary or desirable, and to establish and designate
such Classes. In such event, each Class of a Series shall represent interests in
the designated Series of the Trust and have such voting, dividend, liquidation
and other rights as may be established and designated by the Trustees. Expenses
related directly or indirectly to the Shares of a Class of a Series may be borne
solely by such Class (as shall be determined by the Trustees) and, as provided
in Article FIFTH, a Class of a Series may have exclusive voting rights with
respect to matters relating solely to such Class. The bearing of expenses solely
by a Class of Shares of a Series shall be appropriately reflected (in the manner
determined by the Trustees) in the net asset value, dividend and liquidation
rights of the Shares of such Class of a Series. The division of the Shares of a
Series into Classes and the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Shares of
the Classes of a Series will be issued must be made in compliance with the 1940
Act. No division of Shares of a Series into Classes shall result in the creation
of a Class of Shares having a preference as to dividends or distributions or a
preference in the event of any liquidation, termination or winding up of the
Trust, to the extent such a preference is prohibited by Section 18 of the 1940
Act as to the Trust.
The relative rights and preferences of Shares of different Classes
shall be the same in all respects except that, unless and until the Board of
Trustees shall determine otherwise: (i) when a vote of Shareholders is required
under this Declaration of Trust or when a meeting of Shareholders is called by
the Board of Trustees, the Shares of a Class shall vote exclusively on matters
that affect that Class only, (ii) the expenses related to a Class shall be borne
solely by such Class (as determined and allocated to such Class by the Trustees
from time to time in a manner consistent with parts 2 and 3 of this Article
FOURTH); and (iii) pursuant to paragraph 10 of Article NINTH, the Shares of each
Class shall have such other rights and preferences as are set forth from time to
time in the then-effective Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information
relating to the Shares. Dividends and distributions on one class may differ from
the dividends and distributions on another Class, and the net asset value of the
Shares of one Class may differ from the net asset value of the Shares of another
Class.
3. Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in part 1 of
this Article FOURTH to establish and designate any further Series, the Trustees
hereby divide the single Series of Shares of the Trust having the same name as
the Trust into four Classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y.
The Shares of that Series and any Shares of any further Series or Classes that
may from time to time be established and designated by the Trustees shall
(unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to some further Series or
Classes at the time of establishing and designating the same) have the following
relative rights and preferences:
(a) Assets Belonging to Series. All consideration received by the
Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all
assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income,
earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the
sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived
from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably belong to that Series for all purposes, subject only to the rights
of creditors, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust.
Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such
assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such
proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, together with any General Items
allocated to that Series as provided in the following sentence, are herein
referred to as "assets belonging to" that Series. In the event that there are
any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments
which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series
(collectively "General Items"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Items
to and among any one or more of the Series established and designated from time
to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem
fair and equitable; and any General Items so allocated to a particular Series
shall belong to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be
conclusive and binding upon the shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
(b) (1) Liabilities Belonging to Series. The assets belonging to
each particular Series shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust in
respect of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves
attributable to that Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges
or reserves of the Trust which are not identifiable as belonging to any
particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among
any one or more of the Series established and designated from time to time in
such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair
and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated
and so charged to each Series are herein referred to as "liabilities belonging
to" that Series. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and
reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the shareholders
of all Series for all purposes.
(2) Liabilities Belonging to a Class. If a Series is divided
into more than one Class, the liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves
attributable to a Class shall be charged and allocated to the Class to which
such liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves are attributable. Any
general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves belonging to the
Series which are not identifiable as belonging to any particular Class shall be
allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the
Classes established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such
basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated and so charged to
each Class are herein referred to as "liabilities belonging to" that Class. Each
allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees
shall be conclusive and binding upon the holders of all Classes for all
purposes.
(c) Dividends. Dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular
Series or Class may be paid to the holders of Shares of that Series or Class,
with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, which may be daily or
otherwise, pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or
with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, from such of the income and
capital gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that Series or
Class, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and accrued
liabilities belonging to such Series or Class. All dividends and distributions
on Shares of a particular Series or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the
Shareholders of such Series or Class in proportion to the number of Shares of
such Series or Class held by such Shareholders at the date and time of record
established for the payment of such dividends or distributions, except that in
connection with any dividend or distribution program or procedure the Trustees
may determine that no dividend or distribution shall be payable on Shares as to
which the Shareholder's purchase order and/or payment have not been received by
the time or times established by the Trustees under such program or procedure.
Such dividends and distributions may be made in cash or Shares or a combination
thereof as determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the
Trustees may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of
the mode of the making of such dividend or distribution to that Shareholder. Any
such dividend or distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value
thereof as determined in accordance with paragraph 13 of Article SEVENTH.
(d) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of
the Trust, the Shareholders of each Series and all Classes of each Series that
have been established and designated shall be entitled to receive, as a Series
or Class, when and as declared by the Trustees, the excess of the assets
belonging to that Series over the liabilities belonging to that Series or Class.
The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any particular Class or
Series shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number
of Shares of such Class of that Series held by them and recorded on the books of
the Trust.
(e) Transfer. All Shares of each particular Series or Class shall be
transferable, but transfers of Shares of a particular Class or Series will be
recorded on the Share transfer records of the Trust applicable to such Series or
Class only at such times as Shareholders shall have the right to require the
Trust to redeem Shares of such Series or Class and at such other times as may be
permitted by the Trustees.
(f) Equality. All Shares of each Series shall represent an equal
proportionate interest in the assets belonging to that Series (subject to the
liabilities belonging to such Series or any Class of that Series), and each
Share of any particular Series shall be equal to each other Share of that Series
and Shares of each Class of a Series shall be equal to each other Share of such
Class; but the provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions
permissible under this Article FOURTH that may exist with respect to Shares of a
Series or the different Classes of a Series. The Trustees may from time to time
divide or combine the Shares of any particular Class or Series into a greater or
lesser number of Shares of that Class or Series without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that Class or
Series or in any way affecting the rights of Shares of any other Class or
Series.
(g) Fractions. Any fractional Share of any Class and Series, if any
such fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately all the rights
and obligations of a whole Share of that Class and Series, including those
rights and obligations with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and
distributions, redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the Trust.
(h) Conversion Rights. Subject to compliance with the requirements
of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to provide whether (i)
holders of Shares of any Series shall have the right to exchange said Shares
into Shares of one or more other Series of Shares, (ii) holders of shares of any
Class shall have the right to exchange said Shares into Shares of one or more
other Classes of the same or a different Series, and/or (iii) the Trust shall
have the right to carry out exchanges of the aforesaid kind, in each case in
accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the
Trustees.
(i) Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded
on the books of the Trust or of a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which
books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Class and Series
that has been established and designated. No certification certifying the
ownership of Shares need be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise
determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider
appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the use of facsimile
signatures, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the
Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be,
shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders and as to the number of
Shares of each Class and Series held from time to time by each such Shareholder.
(j) Investments in the Trust. The Trustees may accept investments in
the Trust from such persons and on such terms and for such consideration, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, as they from time to time
authorize. The Trustees may authorize any distributor, principal underwriter,
custodian, transfer agent or other person to accept orders for the purchase or
sale of Shares that conform to such authorized terms and to reject any purchase
or sale orders for Shares whether or not conforming to such authorized terms.
FIFTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted with respect to
voting Shares of the Trust and certain other rights:
1. The Shareholders shall have the power to vote (a) for the election of
Trustees when that issue is submitted to them, (b) with respect to the amendment
of this Declaration of Trust except where the Trustees are given authority to
amend the Declaration of Trust without shareholder approval, (c) to the same
extent as the shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation, as to
whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or
maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the
Shareholders, and (d) with respect to those matters relating to the Trust as may
be required by the 1940 Act or required by law, by this Declaration of Trust, or
the By-Laws of the Trust or any registration statement of the Trust filed with
the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable.
2. The Trust will not hold shareholder meetings unless required by the
1940 Act, the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, or any other applicable
law. The Trustees may call a meeting of Shareholders.
3. On each matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, each holder of a
whole Share shall be entitled to one vote for each share standing in such
Shareholder's name on the books of the Trust irrespective of the Series thereof
or class thereof and all Shares of all Series and classes thereof shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter (i) with
respect to which a separate vote of one or more Series or classes thereof is
required by the 1940 Act or the provisions of the writing establishing and
designating the Sub-Trust or class, such requirements as to a separate vote by
such Series or class thereof shall apply in lieu of all Shares of all Series and
classes thereof voting together; and (ii) as to any matter which affects the
interests of one or more particular Series or classes thereof, only the holders
of Shares of the one or more affected Series or classes shall be entitled to
vote, and each such Series or class shall vote as a separate class. If the
shares of a Series shall be divided into Classes as provided in Article FOURTH,
the shares of each Class shall have identical voting rights except that the
Trustees, in their discretion, may provide a Class of a Series with exclusive
voting rights with respect to matters which relate solely to such Class. If the
Shares of any Series shall be divided into Classes with a Class having exclusive
voting rights with respect to certain matters, the quorum and voting
requirements described below with respect to action to be taken by the
Shareholders of the Class of such Series on such matters shall be applicable
only to the Shares of such Class. Any fractional Share shall carry
proportionately all the rights of a whole Share, including the right to vote and
the right to receive dividends.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third of the
Shares, or of the Shares of any Series or Class of any Series, outstanding and
entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the
Shareholders or of that Series or Class, respectively; provided however, that if
any action to be taken by the Shareholders or by a Series or Class at a meeting
requires an affirmative vote of a majority, or more than a majority, of the
shares outstanding and entitled to vote, then in such event the presence in
person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote at such a meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.
If at any meeting of the Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum present,
the Shareholders or the Trustees present at such meeting may, without further
notice, adjourn the same from time to time until a quorum shall attend, but no
business shall be transacted at any such adjourned meeting except such as might
have been lawfully transacted had the meeting not been adjourned. A majority of
the shares noted at a meeting of which a quorum is present shall decide any
questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, except when a different vote is
required or permitted by any provision of the 1940 Act or other applicable law
or by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws.
4. Each Shareholder of a Series or Class, upon request to the Trust in
proper form determined by the Trust, shall be entitled to require the Trust to
redeem from the net assets of that Series or Class all or part of the Shares of
such Series or Class standing in the name of such Shareholder. The method of
computing such net asset value, the time at which such net asset value shall be
computed and the time within which the Trust shall make payment therefor, shall
be determined as hereinafter provided in Article SEVENTH of this Declaration of
Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees, when permitted or required
to do so by the 1940 Act, may suspend the right of the Shareholders to require
the Trust to redeem Shares.
5. No Shareholder shall, as such holder, have any right to purchase or
subscribe for any security of the Trust which it may issue or sell, other than
such right, if any, as the Trustees, in their discretion, may determine.
6. All persons who shall acquire Shares shall acquire the same
subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust.
SIXTH:
1. The persons who shall act as initial Trustees until the first meeting
or until their successors are duly chosen and qualify are the initial trustees
executing this Declaration of Trust or any counterpart thereof. However, the
By-Laws of the Trust may fix the number of Trustees at a number greater or
lesser than the number of initial Trustees and may authorize the Trustees to
increase or decrease the number of Trustees, to fill any vacancies on the Board
which may occur for any reason including any vacancies created by any such
increase in the number of Trustees, to set and alter the terms of office of the
Trustees and to lengthen or lessen their own terms of office or make their terms
of office of indefinite duration, all subject to the 1940 Act. Unless otherwise
provided by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees need not be Shareholders.
2. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or without cause by
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding Shares, present in person or by proxy at any meeting of
Shareholders called for such purpose; such a meeting shall be called by the
Trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of not less
than ten per centum of the outstanding Shares. A Trustee may also be removed by
the Board of Trustees as provided in the By-Laws of the Trust.
3. The Trustees shall make available a list of names and addresses of all
Shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request
in writing signed by not less than ten Shareholders (who have been shareholders
for at least six months) holding in the aggregate shares of the Trust valued at
not less than $25,000 at current offering price (as defined in the Trust's
Prospectus and\or Statement of Additional Information) or holding not less than
1% in amount of the entire amount of Shares issued and outstanding; such request
must state that such Shareholders wish to communicate with other shareholders
with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a meeting to take action
pursuant to part 2 of this Article SIXTH and be accompanied by a form of
communication to the Shareholders. The Trustees may, in their discretion,
satisfy their obligation under this part 3 by either making available the
Shareholder list to such Shareholders at the principal offices of the Trust, or
at the offices of the Trust's transfer agent, during regular business hours, or
by mailing a copy of such communication and form of request, at the expense of
such requesting Shareholders, to all other Shareholders, and the Trustees may
also take such other action as may be permitted under Section 16(c) of the 1940
Act.
4. If and when the Trust has outstanding two or more series of Shares
pursuant to Article FOURTH of this Declaration of Trust, each Series shall be
considered as if it were a separate common law trust covered by Section 16(c) of
the 1940 Act and parts 2 and 3 of this Article SIXTH. However, the Trust may at
any time or from time to time apply to the Commission for one or more exemptions
from all or part of said Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, and, if an exemptive
order or orders are issued by the Commission, such order or orders shall be
deemed part of said Section 16(c) for the purposes of parts 2 and 3 of this
Article SIXTH.
SEVENTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose
of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Trust, the Trustees
and the Shareholders.
1. As soon as any Trustee is duly elected by the Shareholders or the
Trustees and shall have accepted this Trust, the Trust estate shall vest in the
new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing Trustees, without any
further act or conveyance, and he or she shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder.
2. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity
of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to
revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of
Trust.
3. The assets of the Trust shall be held separate and apart from any
assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by
the Trustees or any successor Trustees. All of the assets of the Trust shall at
all times be considered as vested in the Trustees. No Shareholder shall have, as
a holder of beneficial interest in the Trust, any authority, power or right
whatsoever to transact business for or on behalf of the Trust, or on behalf of
the Trustees, in connection with the property or assets of the Trust, or in any
part thereof.
4. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and
shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full
power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute, and to
authorize the officers and agents of the Trust to make and execute, any and all
contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in
connection with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall not in any way
be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to Trust
investments, but shall have full authority and power to make any and all
investments which they, in their uncontrolled discretion, shall deem proper to
accomplish the purpose of this Trust. Subject to any applicable limitation in
this Declaration of Trust or by the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees shall
have power and authority:
(a) to adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust
providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal
them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
(b) to elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
officers as they consider appropriate with or without cause;
(c) to employ a bank or trust company as custodian of any assets of
the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in
the By-Laws;
(d) To retain a transfer agent and shareholder servicing agent,
or both;
(e) To provide for the distribution of Shares either through a
principal underwriter or the Trust itself or both;
(f) To set record dates in the manner provided for in the
By-Laws of the Trust;
(g) to delegate such authority as they consider desirable to
any officers of the Trust and to any agent, custodian or underwriter;
(h) to vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership,
with respect to stock or other securities or property held in Trust hereunder;
and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the
Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and
discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem
proper;
(i) to exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise
which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities held in trust
hereunder;
(j) to hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, either in its
own name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in
either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of
Massachusetts business trusts or investment companies;
(k) to consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or
sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or
subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(l) to compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to,
claims for taxes;
(m) to make, in the manner provided in the By-Laws,
distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders;
(n) to borrow money to the extent and in the manner permitted
by the 1940 Act and the Trust's fundamental policy thereunder as to borrowing;
(o) to enter into investment advisory or management contracts,
subject to the 1940 Act, with any one or more corporations, partnerships,
trusts, associations or other persons; and
(p) to change the name of the Trust or any Class or Series of the
Trust as they consider appropriate without prior shareholder approval.
5. No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make
any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the
application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon
their order.
6. (a) The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally
or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or
assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time
personally agree to pay by way of subscription to any Shares or otherwise. There
is hereby expressly disclaimed shareholder liability for the acts and
obligations of the Trust. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued
by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust shall include
a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust and its
assets (but the omission of such recitation shall not operate to bind any
Shareholder).
(b) Whenever this Declaration of Trust calls for or permits any
action to be taken by the Trustees hereunder, such action shall mean that taken
by the Board of Trustees by vote of the majority of a quorum of Trustees as set
forth from time to time in the By-Laws of the Trust or as required by the 1940
Act.
(c) The Trustees shall possess and exercise any and all such
additional powers as are reasonably implied from the powers herein contained
such as may be necessary or convenient in the conduct of any business or
enterprise of the Trust, to do and perform anything necessary, suitable, or
proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes, or the attainment of any
one or more of the objects, herein enumerated, or which shall at any time appear
conducive to or expedient for the protection or benefit of the Trust, and to do
and perform all other acts and things necessary or incidental to the purposes
herein before set forth, or that may be deemed necessary by the Trustees.
(d) The Trustees shall have the power, to the extent not
inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine conclusively whether any moneys,
securities, or other properties of the Trust are, for the purposes of this
Trust, to be considered as capital or income and in what manner any expenses or
disbursements are to be borne as between capital and income whether or not in
the absence of this provision such moneys, securities, or other properties would
be regarded as capital or income and whether or not in the absence of this
provision such expenses or disbursements would ordinarily be charged to capital
or to income.
7. The By-Laws of the Trust may divide the Trustees into classes and
prescribe the tenure of office of the several classes, but no class of Trustee
shall be elected for a period shorter than that from the time of the election
following the division into classes until the next meeting and thereafter for a
period shorter than the interval between meetings or for a period longer than
five years, and the term of office of at least one class shall expire each year.
8. The Shareholders shall have the right to inspect the records,
documents, accounts and books of the Trust, subject to reasonable regulations of
the Trustees, not contrary to Massachusetts law, as to whether and to what
extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations,
such right shall be exercised.
9. Any officer elected or appointed by the Trustees or by any committee of
the Trustees may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by vote of the
Trustees.
10. If the By-Laws so provide, the Trustees shall have power to hold their
meetings, to have an office or offices and, subject to the provisions of the
laws of Massachusetts, to keep the books of the Trust outside of said
Commonwealth at such places as may from time to time be designated by them.
Action may be taken by the Trustees without a meeting by unanimous written
consent or by telephone or similar method of communication.
11. Securities held by the Trust shall be voted in person or by proxy by
the President or a Vice-President, or such officer or officers of the Trust as
the Trustees shall designate for the purpose, or by a proxy or proxies thereunto
duly authorized by the Trustees, except as otherwise ordered by vote of the
holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote in respect
thereto.
12. (a) Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, any Trustee, officer or
employee, individually, or any partnership of which any Trustee, officer or
employee may be a member, or any corporation or association of which any
Trustee, officer or employee may be an officer, director, trustee, employee or
stockholder, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or otherwise interested
in, any contract or transaction of the Trust, and in the absence of fraud no
contract or other transaction shall be thereby affected or invalidated; provided
that in case a Trustee, or a partnership, corporation or association of which a
Trustee is a member, officer, director, trustee, employee or stockholder is so
interested, such fact shall be disclosed or shall have been known to the
Trustees or a majority thereof; and any Trustee who is so interested, or who is
also a director, officer, trustee, employee or stockholder of such other
corporation or a member of such partnership or association which is so
interested, may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any
meeting of the Trustees which shall authorize any such contract or transaction,
and may vote thereat to authorize any such contract or transaction, with like
force and effect as if he or she were not such director, officer, trustee,
employee or stockholder of such other trust or corporation or association or a
member of a partnership so interested.
(b) Specifically, but without limitation of the foregoing, the Trust
may enter into a management or investment advisory contract or underwriting
contract and other contracts with, and may otherwise do business with any
manager or investment adviser for the Trust and/or principal underwriter of the
Shares of the Trust or any subsidiary or affiliate of any such manager or
investment adviser and/or principal underwriter and may permit any such firm or
corporation to enter into any contracts or other arrangements with any other
firm or corporation relating to the Trust notwithstanding that the Trustees of
the Trust may be composed in part of partners, directors, officers or employees
of any such firm or corporation, and officers of the Trust may have been or may
be or become partners, directors, officers or employees of any such firm or
corporation, and in the absence of fraud the Trust and any such firm or
corporation may deal freely with each other, and no such contract or transaction
between the Trust and any such firm or corporation shall be invalidated or in
any way affected thereby, nor shall any Trustee or officer of the Trust be
liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder or creditor thereof or to any other
person for any loss incurred by it or him or her solely because of the existence
of any such contract or transaction; provided that nothing herein shall protect
any director or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to
its security holders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
(c) As used in this paragraph the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
(i) the term "indemnitee" shall mean any present or former
Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, any present or former Trustee or
officer of another trust or corporation whose securities are or were owned by
the Trust or of which the Trust is or was a creditor and who served or serves in
such capacity at the request of the Trust, and the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing; however,
whenever conduct by an indemnitee is referred to, the conduct shall be that of
the original indemnitee rather than that of the heir, executor, administrator,
successor or assignee;
(ii) the term "covered proceeding" shall mean any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, to which an indemnitee is or was a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact or facts under which he or
she or it is an indemnitee as defined above;
(iii) the term "disabling conduct" shall mean willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of the office in question;
(iv) the term "covered expenses" shall mean expenses
(including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection with a covered
proceeding; and
(v) the term "adjudication of liability" shall mean, as to any
covered proceeding and as to any indemnitee, an adverse determination as to the
indemnitee whether by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent.
(d) The Trust shall not indemnify any indemnitee for any covered
expenses in any covered proceeding if there has been an adjudication of
liability against such indemnitee expressly based on a finding of disabling
conduct.
(e) Except as set forth in paragraph (d) above, the Trust shall
indemnify any indemnitee for covered expenses in any covered proceeding, whether
or not there is an adjudication of liability as to such indemnitee if a
determination has been made that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of
disabling conduct by (1) a final decision on the merits of the court or other
body before which the covered proceeding was brought; or (2) in the absence of
such decision, a reasonable determination, based on a review of the facts, by
either (A) the vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither
"interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act nor parties to the covered
proceedings, or (B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion; provided
that such Trustees or counsel, in making such determination, may but need not
presume the absence of disabling conduct on the part of the indemnitee by reason
of the manner in which the covered proceeding was terminated.
(f) Covered expenses incurred by an indemnitee in connection with a
covered proceeding shall be advanced by the Trust to an indemnitee prior to the
final disposition of a covered proceeding upon the request of the indemnitee for
such advance and the undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay the
advance unless it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, but only if one or more of the following is the case:
(i) the indemnitee shall provide a security for such undertaking; (ii) the Trust
shall be insured against losses arising out of any lawful advances; or (iii)
there shall have been a determination, based on a review of the readily
available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is a reason
to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification by either independent legal counsel in a written opinion or by
the vote of a majority of a quorum of trustees who are neither "interested
persons" as defined in the 1940 Act nor parties to the covered proceeding.
(g) Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the right of the Trust
and/or any indemnitee to acquire and pay for any insurance covering any or all
indemnitees to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or to affect any other
indemnification rights to which any indemnitee may be entitled to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act.
13. For purposes of the computation of net asset value, as in this
Declaration of Trust referred to, the following rules shall apply:
(a) The net asset value per Share of any Series, as of the time of
valuation on any day, shall be the quotient obtained by dividing the value, as
at such time, of the net assets of that Series (i.e., the value of the assets of
that Series less its liabilities exclusive of its surplus) by the total number
of Shares of that Series outstanding at such time. The assets and liabilities of
any Series shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, provided, however, that in determining the liabilities of any Series
there shall be included such reserves as may be authorized or approved by the
Trustees, and provided further that in connection with the accrual of any fee or
refund payable to or by an investment advisor of the Trust for such Series, the
amount of which accrual is not definitely determinable as of any time at which
the net asset value of each Share of that Series is being determined due to the
contingent nature of such fee or refund, the Trustees are authorized to
establish from time to time formulae for such accrual, on the basis of the
contingencies in question to the date of such determination, or on such other
basis as the Trustees may establish.
(1) Shares of a Series to be issued shall be deemed to be outstanding as of
the time of the determination of the net asset value per Share applicable to
such issuance and the net price thereof shall be deemed to be an asset of that
Series;
(2) Shares of a Series to be redeemed by the Trust shall be deemed to be
outstanding until the time of the determination of the net asset value
applicable to such redemption, and thereupon, and until paid, the redemption
price thereof shall be deemed to be a liability of that Series; and
(3) Shares of a Series voluntarily purchased or contracted to be purchased
by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4 of Article FIFTH shall be
deemed to be outstanding until whichever is the later of (i) the time of the
making of such purchase or contract of purchase, and (ii) the time at which the
purchase price is determined, and thereupon, and until paid, the purchase price
thereof shall be deemed to be a liability of that Series.
(b) The Trustees are empowered, in their absolute discretion, to
establish other bases or times, or both, for determining the net asset value per
Share of any Series or Class in accordance with the 1940 Act and to authorize
the voluntary purchase by any Series or Class either directly or through an
agent, of Shares of any Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for
such consideration as the Trustees shall deem advisable in accordance with any
such provision, rule or regulation.
14. Payment of the net asset value per Share of any Class and Series
properly surrendered to it for redemption shall be made by the Trust within
seven days, or as specified in any applicable law or regulation, after tender of
such stock or request for redemption to the Trust for such purpose together with
any additional documentation that may reasonably be required by the Trust or its
transfer agent to evidence the authority of the tenderor to make such requests
plus any period of time during which the right of the holders of the shares of
such Class of that Series to require the Trust to redeem such shares has been
suspended. Any such payment may be made in portfolio securities of such Class of
that Series and/or in cash, as the Trustees shall deem advisable, and no
Shareholder shall have a right, other than as determined by the Trustees, to
have Shares redeemed in kind.
15. The Trust shall have the right, at any time and without prior notice
to the Shareholder, to redeem Shares of the Class and Series held by such
Shareholder held in any account registered in the name of such Shareholder for
its current net asset value, if and to the extent that such redemption is
necessary to reimburse either that Series or Class of the Trust or the
distributor (i.e., principal underwriter) of the Shares for any loss either has
sustained by reason of the failure of such Shareholder to make timely and good
payment for Shares purchased or subscribed for by such Shareholder, regardless
of whether such Shareholder was a Shareholder at the time of such purchase or
subscription, subject to and upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may
from time to time prescribe.
EIGHTH: The name "Oppenheimer" included in the name of the Trust and of
any Series shall be used pursuant to a royalty-free, non-exclusive license from
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI"), incidental to and as part of an advisory,
management or supervisory contract which may be entered into by the Trust with
OFI. The license may be terminated by OFI upon termination of such advisory,
management or supervisory contract or without cause upon 60 days' written
notice, in which case neither the Trust nor any Series or Class shall have any
further right to use the name "Oppenheimer" in its name or otherwise and the
Trust, the Shareholders and its officers and Trustees shall promptly take
whatever action may be necessary to change its name and the names of any Series
or Classes accordingly.
NINTH:
1. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held to be
personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and
not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder
or former Shareholder (or the Shareholder's heirs, executors, administrators or
other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its
corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the Trust estate
to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising
from such liability. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume
the defense of any such claim made against any Shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
2. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is
created hereby. No individual Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind the
Trust, the Trust's officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to,
doing business with, contracting with or having or asserting any claim against
the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment
under any such credit, transaction, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor; notice of such disclaimer shall be
given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Trust or the Trustees. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect a
Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee
hereunder.
3. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder
in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing,
shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of
paragraph 2 of this Article NINTH, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors
of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel
or other experts with respect to the meaning and operations of this Declaration
of Trust, applicable laws, contracts, obligations, transactions or any other
business the Trust may enter into, and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2
of this Article NINTH, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in
accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees
shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required.
4. This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the
provisions of sub-sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this paragraph 4.
(a) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a
majority as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or
more Series entitled to vote, may sell and convey the assets of that Series
(which sale may be subject to the retention of assets for the payment of
liabilities and expenses) to another issuer for a consideration which may be or
include securities of such issuer. Upon making provision for the payment of
liabilities, by assumption by such issuer or otherwise, the Trustees shall
distribute the remaining proceeds ratably among the holders of the outstanding
Shares of the Series the assets of which have been so transferred.
(b) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a
majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or
more Series entitled to vote, may at any time sell and convert into money all
the assets of that Series. Upon making provisions for the payment of all
outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of
that Series, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets of that Series
ratably among the holders of the outstanding Shares of that Series.
(c) The Trustees, with the favorable vote of the holders of a
majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding Shares of any one or
more Series entitled to vote, may otherwise alter, convert or transfer the
assets of the Series.
(d) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or
the remaining assets as provided in sub-sections (a) and (b), and in subsection
(c) where applicable, the Series the assets of which have been so transferred
shall terminate, and if all the assets of the Trust have been so transferred,
the Trust shall terminate and the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all
further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title and interest of
all parties shall be cancelled and discharged.
5. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each restated
declaration of trust or instrument supplemental hereto shall be kept at the
office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this
instrument and of each supplemental or restated declaration of trust shall be
filed with the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, as well as any other
governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone
dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as
to whether or not any such supplemental or restated declarations of trust have
been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and,
with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by
an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such
supplemental or restated declaration of trust. In this instrument or in any such
supplemental or restated declaration of trust, references to this instrument,
and all expressions like "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to
refer to this instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental or
restated declaration of trust. This instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
6. The Trust set forth in this instrument is created under and is to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a
Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the
Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
7. The Board of Trustees is empowered to cause the redemption of the
Shares held in any account if the aggregate net asset value of such Shares
(taken at cost or value, as determined by the Board) has been reduced to $500 or
less upon such notice to the shareholder in question, with such permission to
increase the investment in question and upon such other terms and conditions as
may be fixed by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the 1940 Act.
8. In the event that any person advances the organizational expenses of
the Trust, such advances shall become an obligation of the Trust subject to such
terms and conditions as may be fixed by, and on a date fixed by, or determined
with criteria fixed by the Board of Trustees, to be amortized over a period or
periods to be fixed by the Board.
9. Whenever any action is taken under this Declaration of Trust under any
authorization to take action which is permitted by the 1940 Act or any other
applicable law, such action shall be deemed to have been properly taken if such
action is in accordance with the construction of the 1940 Act or such other
applicable law then in effect as expressed in "no action" letters of the staff
of the Commission or any release, rule, regulation or order under the 1940 Act
or any decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, notwithstanding that any
of the foregoing shall later be found to be invalid or otherwise reversed or
modified by any of the foregoing.
10. Any action which may be taken by the Board of Trustees under this
Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws may be taken by the description thereof in
the then effective Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information
relating to the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or in any proxy
statement of the Trust rather than by formal resolution of the Board.
11. Whenever under this Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees is
permitted or required to place a value on assets of the Trust, such action may
be delegated by the Board, and/or determined in accordance with a formula
determined by the Board, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
12.This Declaration of Trust may be amended or otherwise
supplemented by the Trustees at any time without shareholder approval, except
that shareholders shall have the right to vote on any amendment relating to (i)
the merger or liquidation of a series as provided in paragraph 4 of Article
NINTH, (ii) the voting rights of shareholders or the manner in which votes are
cast as described in paragraph 3 of Article FIFTH, and (iii) a shareholders'
right to indemnification as described in paragraph 1 of Article NINTH. The vote
of shareholders required to approve an amendment of any of those provisions
described in (i)-(iii) above shall be a majority of a quorum. Subject to the
foregoing, any such amendment shall be effective as of any prior or future time
as provided in the instrument containing the terms of such amendment or, if
there is no provision therein with respect to effectiveness, upon the execution
of such instrument and of a certificate (which may be a part of such instrument)
executed by a trustee or officer of the Trust to the effect that such amendment
has been duly adopted. Amendments having the purpose of changing the name of the
Trust, or any Series or Class of Shares, or of adding or designating Series or
Classes of Series or of supplying any omission, curing any ambiguity, or curing,
correcting or supplementing any provision that is defective or inconsistent with
the 1940 Act or with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations thereunder for the Trust's obtaining the most favorable treatment
thereunder available to regulated investment companies or of taking such other
actions permitted hereunder without the necessity of obtaining Shareholder
approval or action shall not require authorization by Shareholder vote.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument as of
this 25th day of February, 2000.
- -------------------------- --------------------------
Robert G. Zack Jeffrey P. Burns
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor Two World Trade Center,34th Floor
New York, New York 10048-0203 New York, New York 10048-0203
orgzn\721DeclTst_2000
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
(the "Trust")
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders (which terms
as used herein shall, together with all other terms defined in the Declaration
of Trust, have the same meaning as in the Declaration of Trust) shall be held at
the principal office of the Trust or at such other place as may from time to
time be designated by the Board of Trustees and stated in the notice of meting.
Section 2. Shareholder Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders for any
purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, or by the President or by the Board of Trustees and shall be called by the
Secretary upon receipt of the request in writing signed by Shareholders holding
not less than one third in amount of the entire number of Shares issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat. Such request shall state the purpose
or purposes of the proposed meeting. In addition, meetings of the Shareholders
shall be called by the Board of Trustees upon receipt of the request in writing
signed by Shareholders that hold in the aggregate not less than ten percent in
amount of the entire number of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote thereat, stating that the purpose of the proposed meeting is the removal of
a Trustee.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings of Shareholders. Not less than ten days' and
not more than 120 days' written or printed notice of every meeting of
Shareholders, stating the time and place thereof (and the general nature of the
business proposed to be transacted at any special or extraordinary meeting),
shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to vote thereat either by mail or by
presenting it to him personally or by leaving it at his residence or usual place
of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited
in the United States mail addressed to the Shareholder at his post office
address as it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid.
No notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of Shareholders
need be given to any Shareholder who attends in person or by proxy or to any
Shareholder who, in writing executed and filed with the records of the meeting,
either before or after the holding thereof, waives such notice.
Section 4. Record Dates. The Board of Trustees may fix, in advance, a
date, not exceeding 120 days and not less than ten days preceding the date of
any meeting of Shareholders, and not exceeding 120 days preceding any dividend
payment date or any date for the allotment of rights, as a record date for the
determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such
meeting, or entitled to receive such dividend or rights, as the case may be; and
only Shareholders of record on such date shall be entitled to notice of and to
vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or rights, as the case may be.
<PAGE>
Section 5. Access to Shareholder List. The Board of Trustees shall make
available a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on
the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request in writing signed by not
less than ten Shareholders of the Trust (who have been such for at least six
months) holding in the aggregate the lesser of (i) Shares valued at $25,000 or
more at current offering price (as defined in the Trust's Prospectus), or (ii)
one percent in amount of the entire number of shares of the Trust issued and
outstanding; such request must state that such Shareholders wish to communicate
with other Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to a request for a
meeting pursuant to Section 2 of Article I of these By-Laws and accompanied by a
form of communication to the Shareholders. The Board of Trustees may, in its
discretion, satisfy its obligation under this Section 5 by either making
available the Shareholder List to such Shareholders at the principal offices of
the Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's transfer agent, during regular
business hours, or by mailing a copy of such Shareholders' proposed
communication and form of request, at their expense, to all other Shareholders.
Section 6. Quorum, Adjournment of Meetings. The presence in person or by
proxy of the holders of one-third of the shares of the Trust outstanding and
entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the
shareholders; provided however, if any action to be taken by the shareholders at
a meeting requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding
and entitled to vote, then in such event the presence in person or by proxy of
the holders of a majority of the shares of the Trust outstanding and entitled to
vote at such a meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If, however,
such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the
shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to
time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum
shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. This Section 6 may be
altered, amended or repealed only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of
the majority of the shares of the Trust at the time outstanding and entitled to
vote.
Section 7. Voting and Inspectors. At all meetings of Shareholders, every
Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one vote for
each Share of the Trust standing in his name on the books of the Trust (and such
Shareholders of record holding fractional shares shall have proportionate voting
rights as provided in the Declaration of Trust) on the date for the
determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, either in person
or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing subscribed by such Shareholder or
his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy which is dated more than three
months before the meeting shall be accepted unless such proxy shall, on its
face, name a longer period for which it is to remain in force.
All elections of Trustees shall be had by a plurality of the votes cast
and all questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast, in each case
at a duly constituted meeting, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration
of Trust or in these By-Laws or by specific statutory provision superseding the
restrictions and limitations contained in the Declaration of Trust or in these
By-Laws.
At any election of Trustees, the Board of Trustees prior thereto may, or,
if they have not so acted, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request
of the holders of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote at such
election shall, appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an
oath or affirmation to execute faithfully the duties of inspectors at such
election with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,
and shall after the election make a certificate of the result of the vote taken.
No candidate for the office of Trustee shall be appointed such Inspector.
<PAGE>
The Chairman of the meeting may cause a vote by ballot to be taken upon
any election or matter, and such vote shall be taken upon the request of the
holders of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote on such election or
matter.
Section 8. Conduct of Shareholders' Meetings. The meetings of the
Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, or if he shall not be present, by the President, or if he shall not be
present, by a Vice-President, or if none of them is present, by a chairman to be
elected at the meeting. The Secretary of the Trust, if present, shall act as
Secretary of such meetings, or if he is not present, an Assistant Secretary
shall so act; if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present,
then the meeting shall elect its secretary.
Section 9. Concerning Validity of Proxies, Ballots, Etc. At every meeting
of the Shareholders, all proxies shall be received and taken in charge of and
all ballots shall be received and canvassed by the secretary of the meeting, who
shall decide all questions touching the qualification of voters, the validity of
the proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes, unless inspectors of
election shall have been appointed as provided in Section 7, in which event such
inspectors of election shall decide all such questions.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Number and Tenure of Office. The business and property of the
Trust shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the
number of initial Trustees, which number may be increased or decreased as
provided in Section 2 of this Article. Each Trustee shall, except as otherwise
provided herein, hold office until the meeting of Shareholders of the Trust next
succeeding his election or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Trustees need not be Shareholders.
Section 2. Increase or Decrease in Number of Trustees. The Board of
Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may increase the number
of Trustees to a number not exceeding fifteen, and may elect Trustees to fill
the vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees until the
next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualify; the
Board of Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may likewise
decrease the number of Trustees to a number not less than three but the tenure
of office of any Trustee shall not be affected by any such decrease. Vacancies
occurring other than by reason of any such increase shall be filled as provided
for a Massachusetts business trust. In the event that after the proxy material
has been printed for a meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be
elected and any one or more nominees named in such proxy material dies or become
incapacitated, the authorized number of Trustees shall be automatically reduced
by the number of such nominees, unless the Board of Trustees prior to the
meeting shall otherwise determine.
<PAGE>
Section 3. Removal. A Trustee at any time may be removed either with or
without cause by resolution duly adopted by the affirmative votes of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, present in person or by
proxy at any meeting of Shareholders at which such vote may be taken, provided
that a quorum is present. Any Trustee at any time may be removed for cause by
resolution duly adopted at any meeting of the Board of Trustees provided that
notice thereof is contained in the notice of such meeting and that such
resolution is adopted by the vote of at least two thirds of the Trustees whose
removal is not proposed. As used herein, "for cause" shall mean any cause which
under Massachusetts law would permit the removal of a Trustee of a business
trust.
Section 4. Place of Meeting. The Trustees may hold their meetings, have
one or more offices, and keep the books of the Trust outside Massachusetts, at
any office or offices of the Trust or at any other place as they may from time
to time by resolution determine, or, in the case of meetings, as shall be
specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees
shall be held at such time and on such notice, if any, as the Trustees may from
time to time determine. One such regular meeting during each fiscal year of the
Trust shall be designated an annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may
be held from time to time upon call of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if
any, the President or two or more of the Trustees, by oral or telegraphic or
written notice duly served on or sent or mailed to each Trustee not less than
one day before such meeting. No notice need be given to any Trustee who attends
in person, or to any Trustee who in writing executed and filed with the records
of the meeting either before or after the holding thereof waives such notice.
Such notice or waiver of notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such
meeting.
Section 7. Quorum. One-third of the Trustees then in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that a quorum
shall in no case be less than two Trustees. If at any meeting of the Board there
shall be less than a quorum present (in person or by open telephone line, to the
extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")), a
majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
quorum shall have been obtained. The act of the majority of the Trustees present
at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except
as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Declaration of
Trust, by these By-Laws or by any contract or agreement to which the Trust is a
party.
<PAGE>
Section 8. Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees may, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, elect from the Trustees an
Executive Committee to consist of such number of Trustees (not less than three)
as the Board may from time to time determine. The Board of Trustees by such
affirmative vote shall have power at any time to change the members of such
Committee and may fill vacancies in the Committee by election from the Trustees.
When the Board of Trustees is not in session, the Executive Committee shall have
and may exercise any or all of the powers of the Board of Trustees in the
management of the business and affairs of the Trust (including the power to
authorize the seal of the Trust to be affixed to all papers which may require
it) except as provided by law or by any contract or agreement to which the Trust
is a party and except the power to increase or decrease the size of, or fill
vacancies on, the Board, to remove or appoint executive officers or to dissolve
or change the permanent membership of the Executive Committee, and the power to
make or amend the By-Laws of the Trust. The Executive Committee may fix its own
rules of procedure, and may meet when and as provided by such rules or by
resolution of the Board of Trustees, but in every case the presence of a
majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of any member
of the Executive Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether
or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of the Board of Trustees
to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 9. Other Committees. The Board of Trustees, by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the entire Board, may appoint other committees which shall
in each case consist of such number of members (not less than two) and shall
have and may exercise, to the extent permitted by law, such powers as the Board
may determine in the resolution appointing them. A majority of all members of
any such committee may determine its action, and fix the time and place of its
meetings, unless the Board of Trustees shall otherwise provide. The Board of
Trustees shall have power at any time to change the members and, to the extent
permitted by law, powers of any such committee, to fill vacancies, and to
discharge any such committee.
Section 10. Informal Action by and Telephone Meetings of Trustees and
Committees. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Board of Trustees or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if a
written consent to such action is signed by all members of the Board, or of such
committee, as the case may be. Trustees or members of the Board of Trustees may
participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment; such participation shall, except as otherwise required
by the 1940 Act, have the same effect as presence in person.
Section 11. Compensation of Trustees. Trustees shall be entitled to
receive such compensation from the Trust for their services as may from time to
time be voted by the Board of Trustees.
Section 12. Dividends. Dividends or distributions payable on the Shares of
any Series may, but need not be, declared by specific resolution of the Board as
to each dividend or distribution; in lieu of such specific resolutions, the
Board may, by general resolution, determine the method of computation thereof,
the method of determining the Shareholders of the Series to which they are
payable and the methods of determining whether and to which Shareholders they
are to be paid in cash or in additional Shares.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
<PAGE>
Section 1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust may
include a Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and shall include a President, one
or more Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the Board of
Trustees), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees,
if any, shall be selected from among the Trustees. The Board of Trustees or the
Executive Committee may also in its discretion appoint Assistant Secretaries,
Assistant Treasurers, and other officers, agents and employees, who shall have
such authority and perform such duties as the Board or the Executive Committee
may determine. The Board of Trustees may fill any vacancy which may occur in any
office. Any two offices, except those of President and Vice President, may be
held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any
instrument in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by law or
these By-Laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.
Section 2. Term of Office. The term of office of all officers shall be
until their respective successors are chosen and qualify; however, any officer
may be removed from office at any time with or without cause by the vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Trust shall have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as
such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred by the Board of
Trustees or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV
SHARES
Section 1. Certificates of Shares. Each Shareholder of any Series of the
Trust may be issued a certificate or certificates for his Shares of that Series,
in such form as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe, but only
if and to the extent and on the conditions described by the Board.
Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Shares of any Series shall be transferable
on the books of the Trust by the holder thereof in person or by his duly
authorized attorney or legal representative, upon surrender and cancellation of
certificates, if any, for the same number of Shares of that Series, duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with
such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Trust or its agent may
reasonably require; in the case of shares not represented by certificates, the
same or similar requirements may be imposed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Share Ledgers. The share ledgers of the Trust, containing the
name and address of the Shareholders of each Series and the number of shares of
that Series, held by them respectively, shall be kept at the principal offices
of the Trust or, if the Trust employs a transfer agent, at the offices of the
transfer agent of the Trust.
Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Trustees
may determine the conditions upon which a new certificate may be issued in place
of a certificate which is alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed; and
may, in their discretion, require the owner of such certificate or his legal
representative to give bond, with sufficient surety to the Trust and the
transfer agent, if any, to indemnify it and such transfer agent against any and
all loss or claims which may arise by reason of the issue of a new certificate
in the place of the one so lost, stolen or destroyed.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
SEAL
The Board of Trustees shall provide a suitable seal of the Trust, in such
form and bearing such inscriptions as it may determine.
ARTICLE VI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws of the Trust may be altered, amended, added to or repealed by
the Shareholders or by majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees, but any
such alteration, amendment, addition or repeal of the By-Laws by action of the
Board of Trustees may be altered or repealed by the Shareholders.
orgzn\721ByLaws_2000.doc
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
Class A Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
--------------------
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS A SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
A Massachusetts Business Trust
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, par value $.001
per share
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund by
the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of
this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the shares represented
hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the holder by acceptance hereof
assents. This certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer
Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly authorized
officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
/s/ Brian W. Wixted /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
- ----------------------- -------------------------
Treasurer President
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
SEAL
2000
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically) Countersigned
OppenheimerFunds Services
[A Division Of OppenheimerFunds,Inc.]
Denver (CO) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
-------------------
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class A Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
-----------------------------------
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor by:
_____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment
must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the
face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without
alteration or enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the
current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four
hands"
watermark: logotype
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
N1A/Infotech-certa00
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
Class B Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
--------------------
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS B SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
A Massachusetts Business Trust
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS B SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, par value $.001
per share
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the
Fund by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
/s/ Brian W. Wixted /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
- ----------------------- ------------------------
Treasurer President
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
SEAL
2000
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically) Countersigned
OppenheimerFunds Services
[A Division Of OppenheimerFunds,Inc.]
Denver (CO) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
-------------------
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class B Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
-----------------------------------
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor by:
_____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment
must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the
face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without
alteration or enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the
current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four hands"
watermark: logotype
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
N1A/Infotech-certb00
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
Class C Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
--------------------
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS C SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
A Massachusetts Business Trust
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS C SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, par value $.001
per share
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the Fund
by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of
this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the shares represented
hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the holder by acceptance hereof
assents. This certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer
Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
/s/ Brian W. Wixted /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
- ----------------------- -------------------
Treasurer President
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
SEAL
2000
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically) Countersigned
OppenheimerFunds Services
[A Division Of OppenheimerFunds, Inc.]
Denver (CO) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
-------------------
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class C Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
-----------------------------------
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor by:
_____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment
must correspon
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of
the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the
current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four
hands"
watermark: logotype
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
N1A/Infotech-certC00
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
Class Y Share Certificate (8-1/2" x 11")
I. FRONT OF CERTIFICATE (All text and other matter lies within 8-1/4"
--------------------
x 10-3/4" decorative border, 5/16" wide)
(upper left corner, box with heading: NUMBER [of shares]
(upper right corner) [share certificate no.] XX-000000
(upper right box, CLASS Y SHARES below cert. no.)
(centered below boxes)
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
A Massachusetts Business Trust
(at left) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (at right) SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(box with number) CUSIP
(at left) is the owner of
(centered) FULLY PAID CLASS Y SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, par value $.001
per share
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), transferable only on the books of the
Fund by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the
shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund to all of which the
holder by acceptance hereof assents. This certificate is not valid until
countersigned by the Transfer Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Fund and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
(at left of seal) Dated: (at right of seal)
(signature) (signature)
/s/ Brian W. Wixted /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill
- ----------------------- -------------------
Treasurer President
<PAGE>
(centered at bottom)
1-1/2" diameter facsimile seal
with legend
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
SEAL
2000
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
(at lower right, printed vertically) Countersigned
OppenheimerFunds Services
[A Division Of OppenheimerFunds, Inc.]
Denver (CO) Transfer Agent
By ____________________________
Authorized Signature
II. BACK OF CERTIFICATE (text reads from top to bottom of 11" dimension)
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The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety
JT TEN WROS NOT TC - as joint tenants with
rights of survivorship and not
as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFER MIN ACT - __________________ Custodian _______________
(Cust) (Minor)
UNDER UGMA/UTMA ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on above list.
For Value Received ................ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
AND PROVIDE CERTIFICATION BY TRANSFEREE
(box for identifying number)
(Please print or type name and address of assignee)
<PAGE>
________________________________________________Class Y Shares of beneficial
interest represented by the within certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ___________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
shares on the books of the within named Fund with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated: ______________________
Signed: __________________________
-----------------------------------
(Both must sign if joint owners)
Signature(s) __________________________
guaranteed Name of Guarantor by:
_____________________________
Signature of
Officer/Title
(text printed NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment
must correspond
vertically to right correspond with the name(s) as written upon the
face of the
of above paragraph certificate in every particular without
alteration or enlargement
or any change whatever.
(text printed in Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial
box to left of institution of the type described in the
current
signature(s)) prospectus of the Fund.
PLEASE NOTE: This document contains a watermark OppenheimerFunds
when viewed at an angle. It is invalid without this "four
hands"
watermark: logotype
THIS SPACE MUST NOT BE COVERED IN ANY WAY
N1A/Infotech-certY00
FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the ______ day of ________________, 2000 by and
between OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND (the "Fund"), and
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC. ("OFI").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management investment
company registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment
Company Act"), and OFI is an investment adviser registered with the Commission
pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers
Act").
WHEREAS, the Fund desires that OFI shall act as its investment adviser
pursuant to this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as follows:
1. General Provision.
The Fund hereby employs OFI and OFI hereby undertakes to act as the
investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund such other duties and
functions as are hereinafter set forth. OFI shall, in all matters, give to the
Fund and its Board of Trustees the benefit of its best judgment, effort, advice
and recommendations and shall, at all times conform to, and use its best efforts
to enable the Fund to conform to (i) the provisions of the Investment Company
Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) any other applicable
provisions of state or federal law; (iii) the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time; (iv) policies and
determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Fund; (v) the fundamental
policies and investment restrictions of the Fund as reflected in its
registration statement under the Investment Company Act or as such policies may,
from time to time, be amended by the Fund's shareholders; and (vi) the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund in effect from
time to time. The appropriate officers and employees of OFI shall be available
upon reasonable notice for consultation with any of the Trustees and officers of
the Fund with respect to any matters dealing with the business and affairs of
the Fund including the valuation of any of the Fund's portfolio securities which
are either not registered for public sale or not being traded on any securities
market.
2. Investment Management.
(a) OFI shall, subject to the direction and control by the Fund's Board of
Trustees, (i) regularly provide investment advice and recommendations to the
Fund with respect to its investments, investment policies and the purchase and
sale of securities; (ii) supervise continuously the investment program of the
Fund and the composition of its portfolio and determine what securities shall be
purchased or sold by the Fund; and (iii) arrange, subject to the provisions of
paragraph "7" hereof, for the purchase of securities and other investments for
the Fund and the sale of securities and other investments held in the portfolio
of the Fund.
<PAGE>
(b) Provided that the Fund shall not be required to pay any compensation
other than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and subject to the
provisions of paragraph "7" hereof, OFI may obtain investment information,
research or assistance from any other person, firm or corporation to supplement,
update or otherwise improve its investment management services.
(c) Provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect OFI from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement,
OFI shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of good faith errors or
omissions in connection with any matters to which this Agreement relates.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent OFI or any officer thereof
from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and
shall not in any way limit or restrict OFI or any of its directors, officers or
employees from buying, selling or trading any securities for its own account or
for the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such
activities will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by OFI
of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and under the Advisers Act.
3. Other Duties of OFI.
OFI shall, at its own expense, provide and supervise the activities of all
administrative and clerical personnel as shall be required to provide effective
corporate administration for the Fund, including the compilation and maintenance
of such records with respect to its operations as may reasonably be required;
the preparation and filing of such reports with respect thereto as shall be
required by the Commission; composition of periodic reports with respect to its
operations for the shareholders of the Fund; composition of proxy materials for
meetings of the Fund's shareholders and the composition of such registration
statements as may be required by federal securities laws for continuous public
sale of shares of the Fund. OFI shall, at its own cost and expense, also provide
the Fund with adequate office space, facilities and equipment.
4. Allocation of Expenses.
All other costs and expenses not expressly assumed by OFI under this
Agreement, or to be paid by the General Distributor of the shares of the Fund,
shall be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to (i) interest and taxes;
(ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) premiums for fidelity and other insurance
coverage requisite to its operations; (iv) the fees and expenses of its
Trustees; (v) legal and audit expenses; (vi) custodian and transfer agent fees
and expenses; (vii) expenses incident to the redemption of its shares; (viii)
expenses incident to the issuance of its shares against payment therefor by or
on behalf of the subscribers thereto; (ix) fees and expenses, other than as
hereinabove provided, incident to the registration under federal securities laws
of shares of the Fund for public sale; (x) expenses of printing and mailing
reports, notices and proxy materials to shareholders of the Fund; (xi) except as
noted above, all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund's
shareholders; and (xii) such extraordinary non-recurring expenses as may arise,
including litigation affecting the Fund and any obligation which the Fund may
have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect thereto. Any officers
or employees of OFI or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common
control with OFI, who may also serve as officers, Trustees or employees of the
Fund shall not receive any compensation from the Fund for their services.
<PAGE>
5. Compensation of OFI.
The Fund agrees to pay OFI and OFI agrees to accept as full compensation
for the performance of all functions and duties on its part to be performed
pursuant to the provisions hereof, a fee computed on the aggregate net assets of
the Fund as of the close of each business day and payable monthly at the
following annual rates:
6. Use of Name "Oppenheimer."
OFI hereby grants to the Fund a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use
the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund for the duration of this
Agreement and any extensions or renewals thereof. Such license may, upon
termination of this Agreement, be terminated by OFI, in which event the Fund
shall promptly take whatever action may be necessary to change its name and
discontinue any further use of the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund or
otherwise. The name "Oppenheimer" may be used or licensed by OFI in connection
with any of its activities or licensed by OFI to any other party.
7. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.
(a) OFI is authorized, in arranging the Fund's portfolio transactions, to
employ or deal with such members of securities or commodities exchanges, brokers
or dealers, including "affiliated" broker dealers (as that term is defined in
the Investment Company Act) (hereinafter "broker-dealers"), as may, in its best
judgment, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the
"best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable security
price obtainable) of the Fund's portfolio transactions as well as to obtain,
consistent with the provisions of subparagraph "(c)" of this paragraph "7," the
benefit of such investment information or research as may be of significant
assistance to the performance by OFI of its investment management functions.
(b) OFI shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio
transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain best
execution of particular and related portfolio transactions. The abilities of a
broker-dealer to obtain best execution of particular portfolio transaction(s)
will be judged by OFI on the basis of all relevant factors and considerations
including, insofar as feasible, the execution capabilities required by the
transaction or transactions; the ability and willingness of the broker-dealer to
facilitate the Fund's portfolio transactions by participating therein for its
own account; the importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or confidentiality;
the broker-dealer's apparent familiarity with sources from or to whom particular
securities might be purchased or sold; as well as any other matters relevant to
the selection of a broker-dealer for particular and related transactions of the
Fund.
<PAGE>
(c) OFI shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to allocate
brokerage on the Fund's portfolio transactions to broker-dealers other than
affiliated broker-dealers, qualified to obtain best execution of such
transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services
are defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the
Fund and/or other accounts for which OFI and its affiliates exercise "investment
discretion" (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) and to cause the Fund to pay such broker-dealers a
commission for effecting a portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess
of the amount of commission another broker-dealer adequately qualified to effect
such transaction would have charged for effecting that transaction, if OFI
determines, in good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the
value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer,
viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall
responsibilities of OFI and its investment advisory affiliates with respect to
the accounts as to which they exercise investment discretion. In reaching such
determination, OFI will not be required to place or attempt to place a specific
dollar value on the brokerage and/or research services provided or being
provided by such broker-dealer. In demonstrating that such determinations were
made in good faith, OFI shall be prepared to show that all commissions were
allocated for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and that the total
commissions paid by the Fund over a representative period selected by the Fund's
trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
(d) OFI shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive
bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any particular
portfolio transactions or to select any broker-dealer on the basis of its
purported or "posted" commission rate but will, to the best of its ability,
endeavor to be aware of the current level of the charges of eligible
broker-dealers and to minimize the expense incurred by the Fund for effecting
its portfolio transactions to the extent consistent with the interests and
policies of the Fund as established by the determinations of its Board of
Trustees and the provisions of this paragraph "7."
(e) The Fund recognizes that an affiliated broker-dealer (i) may act as
one of the Fund's regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so to act; (ii)
may be a major recipient of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund; and (iii)
may effect portfolio transactions for the Fund only if the commissions, fees or
other remuneration received or to be received by it are determined in accordance
with procedures contemplated by any rule, regulation or order adopted under the
Investment Company Act for determining the permissible level of such
commissions.
(f) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph "7", OFI may
also consider sales of Fund shares and shares of other investment companies
managed by OFI or its affiliates as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers
for the Fund's portfolio transactions.
8. Duration.
This Agreement will take effect on the date first set forth above. Unless
earlier terminated pursuant to paragraph 9 hereof, this Agreement shall remain
in effect until two (2) years from the date of execution hereof, and thereafter,
from year to year, so long as such continuance shall be approved at least
annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees, including the vote of the majority of
trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this agreement or "interested
persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act") if any such party, cost in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of its
outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such vote of the Fund's Board
of Trustees.
<PAGE>
9. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated (i) by OFI at any time without penalty
upon giving the Fund sixty days' written notice (which notice may be waived by
the Fund); or (ii) by the Fund at any time without penalty upon sixty days'
written notice to OFI (which notice may be waived by OFI) provided that such
termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority
of all of the Trustees of the Fund then in office or by the vote of the holders
of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.
10. Assignment or Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended without the affirmative vote or written
consent of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and shall automatically
and immediately terminate in the event of its "assignment," as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
11. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability.
OFI understands that the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are
not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind
only the Fund and the Fund's property. OFI represents that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
<PAGE>
12. Definitions.
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and
defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of the
Investment Company Act.
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
By:
--------------------------
Andrew J. Donohue
Vice President & Secretary
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
By:
---------------------------
Robert G. Zack
Senior Vice President
ADVISORY/765IA
FORM OF GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR'S AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
And
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Date:
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center, Suite 3400
New York, NY 10048
Dear Sirs:
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and one or more classes of its shares of beneficial
interest ("Shares") have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"1933 Act") to be offered for sale to the public in a continuous public offering
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") included in the Fund's Registration
Statement as it may be amended from time to time (the "current Prospectus and/or
SAI").
In this connection, the Fund desires that your firm (the "General Distributor")
act in a principal capacity as General Distributor for the sale and distribution
of Shares which have been registered as described above and of any additional
Shares which may become registered during the term of this Agreement. You have
advised the Fund that you are willing to act as such General Distributor, and it
is accordingly agreed by and between us as follows:
1. Appointment of the Distributor. The Fund hereby appoints you as the sole
General Distributor, pursuant to the aforesaid continuous public offering of its
Shares, and the Fund further agrees from and after the date of this Agreement,
that it will not, without your consent, sell or agree to sell any Shares
otherwise than through you, except (a) the Fund may itself sell shares without
sales charge as an investment to the officers, trustees or directors and bona
fide present and former full-time employees of the Fund, the Fund's Investment
Adviser and affiliates thereof, and to other investors who are identified in the
current Prospectus and/or SAI as having the privilege to buy Shares at net asset
value; (b) the Fund may issue shares in connection with a merger, consolidation
or acquisition of assets on such basis as may be authorized or permitted under
the 1940 Act; (c) the Fund may issue shares for the reinvestment of dividends
and other distributions of the Fund or of any other Fund if permitted by the
current Prospectus and/or SAI; and (d) the Fund may issue shares as underlying
securities of a unit investment trust if such unit investment trust has elected
to use Shares as an underlying investment; provided that in no event as to any
of the foregoing exceptions shall Shares be issued and sold at less than the
then-existing net asset value.
<PAGE>
2. Sale of Shares. You hereby accept such appointment and agree to use your best
efforts to sell Shares, provided, however, that when requested by the Fund at
any time because of market or other economic considerations or abnormal
circumstances of any kind, or when agreed to by mutual consent of the Fund and
the General Distributor, you will suspend such efforts. The Fund may also
withdraw the offering of Shares at any time when required by the provisions of
any statute, order, rule or regulation of any governmental body having
jurisdiction. It is understood that you do not undertake to sell all or any
specific number of Shares.
3. Sales Charge. Shares shall be sold by you at net asset value plus a front-end
sales charge not in excess of 8.5% of the offering price, but which front-end
sales charge shall be proportionately reduced or eliminated for larger sales and
under other circumstances, in each case on the basis set forth in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI. The repurchase proceeds of shares offered and sold at net
asset value with or without a front-end sales charge may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") under the circumstances described in
the current Prospectus and\or SAI. You may reallow such portion of the front-end
sales charge to dealers or cause payment (which may exceed the front-end sales
charge, if any) of commissions to brokers through which sales are made, as you
may determine, and you may pay such amounts to dealers and brokers on sales of
shares from your own resources (such dealers and brokers shall collectively
include all domestic or foreign institutions eligible to offer and sell the
Shares), and in the event the Fund has more than one class of Shares
outstanding, then you may impose a front-end sales charge and/or an CDSC on
Shares of one class that is different from the charges imposed on Shares of the
Fund's other class(es), in each case as set forth in the current Prospectus
and/or SAI, provided the front-end sales charge and CDSC to the ultimate
purchaser do not exceed the respective levels set forth for such category of
purchaser in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
4. Purchase of Shares.
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(a) As General Distributor, you shall have the right to accept or reject
orders for the purchase of Shares at your discretion. Any consideration which
you may receive in connection with a rejected purchase order will be returned
promptly.
(b) You agree promptly to issue or to cause the duly appointed transfer or
shareholder servicing agent of the Fund to issue as your agent confirmations of
all accepted purchase orders and to transmit a copy of such confirmations to the
Fund. The net asset value of all Shares which are the subject of such
confirmations, computed in accordance with the applicable rules under the 1940
Act, shall be a liability of the General Distributor to the Fund to be paid
promptly after receipt of payment from the originating dealer or broker (or
investor, in the case of direct purchases) and not later than eleven business
days after such confirmation even if you have not actually received payment from
the originating dealer or broker, or investor. In no event shall the General
Distributor make payment to the Fund later than permitted by applicable rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
<PAGE>
(c) If the originating dealer or broker shall fail to make timely
settlement of its purchase order in accordance with applicable rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or if a direct purchaser shall
fail to make good payment for shares in a timely manner, you shall have the
right to cancel such purchase order and, at your account and risk, to hold
responsible the originating dealer or broker, or investor. You agree promptly to
reimburse the Fund for losses suffered by it that are attributable to any such
cancellation, or to errors on your part in relation to the effective date of
accepted purchase orders, limited to the amount that such losses exceed
contemporaneous gains realized by the Fund for either of such reasons with
respect to other purchase orders.
(d) In the case of a canceled purchase for the account of a directly
purchasing shareholder, the Fund agrees that if such investor fails to make you
whole for any loss you pay to the Fund on such canceled purchase order, the Fund
will reimburse you for such loss to the extent of the aggregate redemption
proceeds of any other shares of the Fund owned by such investor, on your demand
that the Fund exercise its right to claim such redemption proceeds. The Fund
shall register or cause to be registered all Shares sold to you pursuant to the
provisions hereof in such names and amounts as you may request from time to time
and the Fund shall issue or cause to be issued certificates evidencing such
Shares for delivery to you or pursuant to your direction if and to the extent
that the shareholder account in question contemplates the issuance of such
certificates. All Shares, when so issued and paid for, shall be fully paid and
non-assessable by the Fund (which shall not prevent the imposition of any CDSC
that may apply) to the extent set forth in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
5. 1933 Act Registration. The Fund has delivered to you a copy of its current
Prospectus and SAI. The Fund agrees that it will use its best efforts to
continue the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act. The
Fund further agrees to prepare and file any amendments to its Registration
Statement as may be necessary and any supplemental data in order to comply with
the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish you at your expense with a reasonable number
of copies of the Prospectus and SAI and any amendments thereto for use in
connection with the sale of Shares.
<PAGE>
6. 1940 Act Registration. The Fund has already registered under the 1940
----------------------
Act as an investment company, and it will use its best efforts to maintain
such registration and to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
7. State Blue Sky Qualification. At your request, the Fund will take such steps
as may be necessary and feasible to qualify Shares for sale in states,
territories or dependencies of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in foreign countries, in accordance with the
laws thereof, and to renew or extend any such qualification; provided, however,
that the Fund shall not be required to qualify shares or to maintain the
qualification of shares in any jurisdiction where it shall deem such
qualification disadvantageous to the Fund.
8. Duties of Distributor You agree that:
---------------------
(a) Neither you nor any of your officers will take any long or short
position in the Shares, but this provision shall not prevent you or your
officers from acquiring Shares for investment purposes only;
(b) You shall furnish to the Fund any pertinent information required to be
inserted with respect to you as General Distributor within the purview of the
Securities Act of 1933 in any reports or registration required to be filed with
any governmental authority; and
(c) You will not make any representations inconsistent with the information
contained in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
(d) You shall maintain such records as may be reasonably required for the
Fund or its transfer or shareholder servicing agent to respond to shareholder
requests or complaints, and to permit the Fund to maintain proper accounting
records, and you shall make such records available to the Fund and its transfer
agent or shareholder servicing agent upon request.
(e) In performing under this Agreement, you shall comply with all
requirements of the Fund's current Prospectus and/or SAI and all applicable
laws, rules and regulations with respect to the purchase, sale and distribution
of Shares.
9. Allocation of Costs. The Fund shall pay the cost of composition and printing
of sufficient copies of its Prospectus and SAI as shall be required for periodic
distribution to its shareholders and the expense of registering Shares for sale
under federal securities laws. You shall pay the expenses normally attributable
to the sale of Shares, other than as paid under the Fund's Distribution Plans,
including the cost of printing and mailing of the Prospectus (other than those
furnished to existing shareholders) and any sales literature used by you in the
public sale of the Shares and for registering such shares under state blue sky
laws pursuant to paragraph 7.
<PAGE>
10. Duration. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first written above.
Unless earlier terminated pursuant to paragraph 11 hereof, this Agreement shall
remain in effect until two years from the date of execution hereof, and shall
continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance
shall be specifically approved at least annually: (a) by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the voting securities of the Fund; and (b)
by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to this Agreement
or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such person, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
11. Termination This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the General Distributor
at any time without penalty by giving sixty days' written notice (which notice
may be waived by the Fund); (b) by the Fund at any time without penalty upon
sixty days' written notice to the General Distributor (which notice may be
waived by the General Distributor); or (c) by mutual consent of the Fund and the
General Distributor, provided that such termination by the Fund shall be
directed or approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In the
event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund, the General Distributor shall be
entitled to be paid the CDSC under paragraph 3 hereof on the redemption proceeds
of Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
12. Assignment. This Agreement may not be amended or changed except in writing
and shall be binding upon and shall ensure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors; however, this Agreement shall not be assigned
by either party and shall automatically terminate upon assignment.
13. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The General Distributor understands and
agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding
upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund
and the Fund's property; the General Distributor represents that it has notice
of the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Fund
disclaiming Trustee and shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Fund.
14. Section Headings The headings of each section is for descriptive purposes
only, and such headings are not to be construed or interpreted as part of this
Agreement.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, so indicate by
signing in the space provided below.
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
By: ___________________________________________
Andrew J.Donohue, Vice President & Secretary
Accepted:
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By: _______________________________________
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President & Secretary
N1A/765/disrubtorsagr
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
FORM OF CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this __________ day of ___________, 2000 between
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND, a business trust organized and existing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal office
and place of business at 2 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York
corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal office and
place of business 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 (hereinafter
called the "Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the
Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, shall
have the following meanings:
1. "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all Appendices and
Certifications described in the Exhibits delivered in connection herewith.
2. "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether or not such person
is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time, provided that
each person who is designated in any such Certificate as an "Officer of OSS"
shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.
4. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to
Securities other than Index, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract Options
entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as
specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities.
5. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument
in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Custodian which is actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by
the Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Officers. The term
Certificate shall also include instructions by the Fund to the Custodian
communicated by a Terminal Link.
6. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a
clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities
exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any
broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.
7. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated
which is specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as
security for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article
V herein.
8. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities (excluding Futures Contracts) which are
owned by the writer thereof.
9. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall
further mean and include any other person authorized to act as a depository
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution
of the Fund's Board of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian, including, without limitation, a Foreign Depository.
10. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to
buy or sell financial instruments on a U.S. commodities exchange or board of
trade at a specified future time at an agreed upon price.
11. "Foreign Subcustodian" shall mean an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as
defined in Rule 17-5 which is appointed by the Custodian to perform or
coordinate the receipt, custody and delivery of Foreign Property of the Fund
outside the United States in a manner consistent with the provisions of this
Agreement and whose written contract is approved by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-5. References to the Custodian herein shall,
when appropriate, include reference to its Foreign Subcustodians.
12. "Foreign Depository" shall mean an entity organized under the laws of
a foreign country which operates a system outside the United States in general
use by foreign banks and securities brokers for the central or transnational
handling of securities or equivalent book-entries which is regulated by a
foreign government or agency thereof and which is an "Eligible Foreign
Custodian" as defined in Rule 17f-5.
13. "Foreign Securities" shall mean securities and/or short term paper as
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Act, whether issued in registered or bearer
form.
14. "Foreign Property" shall mean Foreign Securities and money of any
currency which is held outside of the United States.
15. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or
Index Futures Contracts.
16. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an Option with respect to a
Futures Contract.
17. "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
18. "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement pursuant to
which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the value of a particular
index at the close of the last business day of the contract and the price at
which the futures contract is originally struck.
19. "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by
reference to the difference between the exercise price and the value of the
index on the date of exercise.
20. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the
name of the Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant, or Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement
between the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and
distinct from the custody account, in which certain Securities and/or money of
the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in connection with
such transactions as the Fund may from time to time determine. Securities held
in the Book-Entry System or a Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited
in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting an
appropriate entry in its books and records.
21. "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments and obligations
commonly known as a money market instruments, where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as
such purchase or sale, including, without limitation, certain Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and/or
principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by
any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements with
respect to Securities and bank time deposits.
22. "Nominee" shall mean, in addition to the name of the registered
nominee of the Custodian, (i) a partnership or other entity of a Foreign
Subcustodian which is used solely for the assets of its customers other than the
Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodian, if any, by which it was appointed; or
(ii) the nominee of a Foreign Depository which is used for the securities and
other assets of its customers, members or participants.
23. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
its successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.
24. "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant
Treasurer, and any other person or persons, whether or not any such other person
is an officer or employee of the Fund, but in each case only if duly authorized
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction,
notice or other instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate
annexed hereto as Appendix B or such other Certificate as may be received by the
Custodian from time to time; provided that each person who is designated in any
such Certificate as holding the position of "Officer of OSS" shall be an Officer
only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
25. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Index
Option and/or a Put Option.
26. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person.
27. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect to
instruments, currency, or Securities other than Index Options, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely
exercise and tender of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or
Securities, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the writer
thereof for the exercise price.
28. "Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which the
Fund buys Securities and agrees to resell such Securities at a described or
specified date and price.
29. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to
which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a
described or specified date and price.
30. "Rule 17f-5" shall mean Rule 17f-5 (Reg. ?270.17f-5) promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
31. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money
Market Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Index Options, Index Futures
Contracts, Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts,
Financial Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over the
counter Options on Securities, common stocks and other securities having
characteristics similar to common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations
issued by state or municipal governments and by public authorities, (including,
without limitation, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial bonds
and industrial development bonds), bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments
representing rights to receive, purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or
evidencing or representing any other rights or interest therein, or rights to
any property or assets.
32. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and
specifically allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a
segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in
which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated
to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance
with Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions
as the Fund may from time to time determine.
33. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as
described from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the
Fund, except that if the Fund does not have more than one portfolio, "Series"
shall mean the Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be imposed on the
Fund or the Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only one portfolio.
34. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund
and its Series.
35. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link
between the Fund and the Custodian requiring in connection with each use of the
Terminal Link the use of an authorization code provided by the Custodian and at
least two access codes established by the Fund, provided, that the Fund shall
have delivered to the Custodian a Certificate substantially in the form of
Appendix C.
36. "Transfer Agent" shall mean Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, a
division of Oppenheimer Management Corporation, its successors and assigns.
37. "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in the name of the
Fund, or the Transfer Agent, as agent for the Fund, maintained with United
Missouri Bank or such other Bank designated by the Fund in a Certificate.
38. "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually
received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an
Authorized Person by telex or any other such system whereby the receiver of such
communications is able to verify by codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree
of certainty the identity of the sender of such communication.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of
the Securities and moneys at any time owned or held by the Fund during the
period of this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees
to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except for monies received and maintained in the Transfer Agent
Account, or as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article or in Article
VIII or XV, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all
Securities and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this
Agreement, and shall specify with respect to such Securities and money the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and the Custodian shall not
be responsible for any Securities or money not so delivered. Except for assets
held at DTC, the Custodian shall physically segregate, keep and maintain the
Securities of the Series separate and apart from each other Series and from
other assets held by the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this Agreement, the Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and
moneys not actually received by it, unless the Custodian has been negligent or
has engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto. The Custodian will be
entitled to reverse any credit of money made on the Fund's behalf where such
credits have been previously made and moneys are not finally collected, unless
the Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in willful misconduct with
respect thereto; provided that if such reversal is thirty (30) days or more
after the credit was issued, the Custodian will give five (5) days' prior notice
of such reversal. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and
on-going basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for
deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in
connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of
Securities and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Prior to a
deposit of Securities specifically allocated to a Series in any Depository, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and ongoing basis
until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to deposit in such Depository
all Securities specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit
therein, and to utilize such Depository to the extent possible with respect to
such Securities in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
Securities and moneys deposited in either the Book-Entry System or a Depository
will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian
for customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian
acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically
allocated on the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable
Series. Prior to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to
Clearing Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a
Series as provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate
to accept, utilize and act in accordance with such confirmations as provided in
this Agreement with respect to such Series. All Securities are to be held or
disposed of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to the instructions
of, the Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall have
no power or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
Securities except as provided by the terms of this Agreement, and shall have the
sole power to release and deliver Securities held pursuant to this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the
name of each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series
all moneys received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such
Series. Money credited to a separate account for a Series shall be subject only
to drafts, orders, or charges of the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement and
shall be disbursed by the Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Certificates or Resolutions of the Fund's
Board of Trustees certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Fund setting forth the name and address of the person to whom
the payment is to be made, the Series account from which payment is to be made,
the purpose for which payment is to be made, and declaring such purpose to be a
proper corporate purpose; provided, however, that amounts representing
dividends, distributions, or redemptions proceeds with respect to Shares shall
be paid only to the Transfer Agent Account;
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the
expenses and liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series and
authorized by this Agreement; or
(d) Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest, taxes,
management fees or operating expenses (including, without limitation thereto,
Board of Trustees' fees and expenses, and fees for legal accounting and auditing
services), which Certificates set forth the name and address of the person to
whom payment is to be made, state the purpose of such payment and designate the
Series for whose account the payment is to be made.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis, of all
transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either hereunder or
with any co-custodian or subcustodian appointed in accordance with this
Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account of
the Fund for a Series but held in a Depository, the Custodian shall upon such
transfer also by book-entry or otherwise identify such Securities as belonging
to such Series in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the
Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and from time to time,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series
basis, of the Securities and moneys held under this Agreement for the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued
or issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the
Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of the Fund, in the name
of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may
from time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository or their successor or successors, or their nominee or nominees. The
Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the
name of its registered nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository any Securities which it may hold hereunder and which may from time to
time be registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to a Series which are not held in the
Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a separate account in the name of such
Series physically segregated at all times from those of any other person or
persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with respect to Securities held
hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for
the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:
(a) Promptly collect all income, dividends and
distributions due or payable;
(b) Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly present for
payment and collect the amount of money or other consideration payable upon such
Securities which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a
written notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more
of the publications listed in Appendix D annexed hereto, which may be amended at
any time by the Custodian without the prior consent of the Fund, provided the
Custodian gives prior notice of such amendment to the Fund;
(c) Promptly present for payment and collect for the
Fund's account the amount payable upon all Securities which mature;
(d) Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form in
exchange for definitive Securities;
(e) Promptly execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations
or certificates of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect;
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a
Series, all rights and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities
held by the Custodian for such Series hereunder; and
(g) Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, proxies, proxy
soliciting materials, consents and other written information (including, without
limitation, notices of tender offers and exchange offers, pendency of calls,
maturities of Securities and expiration of rights) relating to Securities held
pursuant to this Agreement which are actually received by the Custodian, such
proxies and other similar materials to be executed by the registered holder (if
Securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without
indicating the manner in which proxies or consents are to be voted.
6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian,
directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:
(a) Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as may be
designated in such Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other
instruments whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities held
hereunder for the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;
(b) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or cash
issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of
any right, warrant or conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other Securities received in
exchange;
(c) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization
committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation,
and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series in exchange
therefor such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery or such Securities as
may be issued upon such delivery; and
(d) Promptly present for payment and collect the amount
payable upon Securities which may be called as specified in the Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the Custodian
shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or certificate
representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures Contract Option
until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a Certificate from
the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are available. The
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later than the
business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or certificate.
Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 in connection with the purchase, sale,
settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures
Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in Certificates in
connection with any such purchase, sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon
its receipt from a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant of a statement
or confirmation reasonably believed by the Custodian to be in the form
customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future commission merchants with
respect to such Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the
case may be, confirming that such Security is held by such broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise in the name the
Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the
Margin Account and payments with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account
relates, shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available,
the Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, make payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract
Option for which such instruments or such certificates are available only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate,
and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt by the
Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate delivered to
the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and
subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS,
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS,
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of Securities by the Fund,
other than a purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, a Futures Contract
Option, a Repurchase Agreement, a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or a Short Sale,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with
respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such
purchase: (a) the Series to which such Securities are to be specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any;
(d) the date of purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f)
the total amount payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from
whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the
clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker or other party to whom
payment is to be made. Custodian shall, upon receipt of such Securities
purchased by or for the Fund, pay to the broker specified in the Certificate out
of the moneys held for the account of such Series the total amount payable upon
such purchase, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as
set forth in such Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
2. Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securities by the Fund,
other than a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option,
Repurchase Agreement, Reverse Repurchase Agreement or Short Sale, the Fund shall
deliver such to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Securities which
are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each
sale of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which
such Securities were specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and
accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale
price per unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the
name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the
name of the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian shall
deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the broker in
accordance with generally accepted street practices and as specified in the
Certificate upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any Option by the Fund
other than a closing purchase transaction, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each Option purchased: (a)
the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security underlying such
Option and the number of Options, or the name of the in the case of an Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (g) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection
with such purchase; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such
Option was purchased. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing
Member's written statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such
Clearing Member for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and
registered nominee of the Custodian) as Custodian for the Fund, out of moneys
held for the account of the Series to which such Option is to be specifically
allocated, the total amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member
through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option purchased by the
Fund, other than a closing sale transaction, pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically allocated;
(b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security
underlying such Option and the number of Options, or the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to
the delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which previously supplied
the confirmation described in preceding paragraph of this Article with respect
to such Option upon receipt by the Custodian of the total amount payable to the
Fund, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth
in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer
and the title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share; (f) the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to
the Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was exercised, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration
date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share;
(f) the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name
of the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option,
deliver or direct a Depository to deliver the Securities specifically allocated
to such Series, provided the same conforms to the amount payable to the Fund as
set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index Option purchased
by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the
Series to which such Index Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Index Option (put or call) (c) the number of Options being exercised; (d) the
index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise
price; (g) the total amount to be received by the Fund in connection with such
exercise; and (h) the Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Covered
Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Covered
Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date
such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall deliver or cause
to be delivered, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate with
respect to such Covered Call Option, such receipts as are required in accordance
with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call
Options and shall impose, or direct a Depository to impose, upon the underlying
Securities specified in the Certificate specifically allocated to such Series
such restrictions as may be required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian has the right, upon prior written notification to the
Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any receipts for Securities in the
possession of the Custodian and not deposited with a Depository underlying a
Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct a Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in the
Certificate upon payment of the amount to be received as set forth in such
Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a)
the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is written and which
underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee letter
substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof, and
deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate upon
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to
the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are
to be received; (d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e)
the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such
Series and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
specifically allocated to such series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior
Security Account. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with
such Put Option, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account
of the series to which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth
in such Certificate, upon delivery of such Securities, and shall make the
withdrawals specified in such Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index
Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) whether such
Index Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of Options written; (d) the
index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise
price; (g) the Clearing Member through whom such Option was written; (h) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; (j) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and (k) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in
which such account is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make the deposits, if any,
into the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate, and either (1)
deliver such receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed to
issue, which are in accordance with the customs prevailing among Clearing
Members in Index Options and make the deposits into the Collateral Account
specified in the Certificate, or (2) make the deposits into the Margin Account
specified in the Certificate.
11. Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index
Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) such
information as may be necessary to identify the Index Option being exercised;
(c) the Clearing Member through whom such Index Option is being exercised; (d)
the total amount payable upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to be
paid by or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount
of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series. Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if
any, delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate the total amount payable, if any, as specified
therein.
12. Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale by the Fund of any
Option identical to a previously written Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or
10 of this Article in a transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase
Transaction" or a "Closing Sale Transaction", the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a
Closing Sale Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was written; (c)
the instrument, currency, or Security subject to the Option, or, in the case of
an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or the
amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option
(put or call); (h) the date of such purchase or sale; (i) the name of the
Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be paid or from whom the amount is to
be received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified
Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for such Series. Upon the
Custodian's payment of the premium or receipt of the amount, as the case may be,
specified in the Certificate and the return and/or cancellation of any receipt
issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to the
Option being liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the Closing
Sale Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or direct a Depository to remove,
the previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call
Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.
14. Securities acquired by the Fund through the exercise of an Option
described in this Article shall be subject to Article IV hereof.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures
Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures Contract (s)): (a)
the Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered; (b) the category of
Futures Contract (the name of the underlying index or financial instrument); (c)
the number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the delivery or
settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures Contract(s)
was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund is buying
(going long) or selling (going short) such Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract was entered into;
and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to whom such amount is to be
paid. The Custodian shall make the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The
Custodian shall make payment out of the moneys specifically allocated to such
Series of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the Certificate and
deposit in the Senior Security Account for such Series the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities specified in said Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be made
by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with respect to
an outstanding Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is retained
by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures Contract, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian prior to the delivery or settlement date a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and the Series to which the
same relates; (b) with respect to an Index Futures Contract, the total cash
settlement amount to be paid or received, and with respect to a Financial
Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount of cash to be delivered or
received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to or from whom
payment or delivery is to be made or received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or
Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall make the payment or delivery specified in the Certificate, and
delete such Futures Contract from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant
to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a
Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as may be specified in the Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any Futures Contract
Option by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which
such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option
(put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as
may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures
Contract Option purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f)
the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by
the Fund upon such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant through whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker,
or futures commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian
shall pay out of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series the total
amount to be paid upon such purchase to the broker or futures commissions
merchant through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to
the amount set forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Futures Contract Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a)
Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the
type of Future Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract
and such other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments of money, if any,
and the deposits of Securities, if any, into the Senior Security Account as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option
was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to identify
the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium
is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated to
such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account, if any, as specified
in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call
is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and
which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits,
if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The
deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
7. Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a purchase of any Futures
Contract Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract Option
described in this Article in order to liquidate its position as a writer of such
Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) the
Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction
is a closing transaction; (c) the type of Future Contract and such other
information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Option Contract; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by
the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall effect the
withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate. The
withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing transaction
with respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by the Fund
and described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such Futures
Contract Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph
3 of Article III herein and (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in the case of
an exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as may be specified
in a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if
any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Margin Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a
Futures Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI
hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after the execution of any short sales of Securities by any
Series of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series for which such short sale was made; (b) the name of
the issuer-and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the
sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited
to the Fund upon such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and
the name in which such Margin Account has been or is to be established; (h) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited
in a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom such
short sale was made. The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from
such broker confirming such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund
upon such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker
for the account of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian
of the Fund, issue a receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and
the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a purchase to close-out any short sale
of Securities, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such closing out: (a) the Series for which such
transaction is being made; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or the principal amount, and accrued interest
or dividends, if any, required to effect such closing-out to be delivered to the
broker; (d) the dates of closing-out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per
unit; (f) the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g)
the net total amount payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount
of cash and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the
Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of
the broker through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out, and the return and/or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued
by the Custodian with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount
payable to the broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the
Senior Security Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REPURCHASE AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse
Repurchase Agreement with respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian
hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the
event such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money
Market Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
specifying: (a) the Series for which the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse
Repurchase Agreement is entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the Fund
in connection with such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement and
specifically allocated to such Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial
institution with whom the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement
is entered; (d) the amount and kind of Securities to be delivered or received by
the Fund to or from such broker, dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date
of such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in a Senior Security Account for such Series in
connection with such Reverse Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the total amount payable to or by the Fund specified in the
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions make or accept the
delivery to or from the broker, dealer, or financial institution and the
deposits, if any, to the Senior Security Account, specified in such Certificate,
Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall
promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event such Repurchase Agreement or
Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions to the Custodian specifying: (a) the
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and the
Series for which same was entered; (b) the total amount payable to or by the
Fund in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities
to be received or delivered by the Fund and specifically allocated to such
Series in connection with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the
name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be terminated; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Securities Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt or delivery of the amount and kind of Securities or cash to be received
or delivered by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions, make or receive the payment to or from the broker, dealer,
or financial institution and make the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
3. The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions described
in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may with respect to any particular
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement be combined and delivered
to the Custodian at the time of entering into such Repurchase Agreement or
Reverse Repurchase Agreement.
ARTICLE X
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically allocated
to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically allocated;
(b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, (c) the number of
shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery, (e)
the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any,
separately identified, and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the
Securities thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial institution to
which the loan was made upon receipt of the total amount designated in the
Certificate as to be delivered against the loan of Securities. The Custodian may
accept payment in connection with a delivery otherwise than through the
Book-Entry System or a Depository only in the form of a certified or bank
cashier's check payable to the order of the Fund or the Custodian drawn on New
York Clearing House funds.
2. In connection with each termination of a loan of Securities by the
Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of
Securities: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be
returned, (c) the number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d)
the date of termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian
(including the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting credits
as described in said Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian
shall receive all Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Account and from time
to time make such deposits thereto, or withdrawals therefrom, as specified in a
Certificate. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which such deposit or
withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in, or
withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series. In the event that
the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer,
the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior
Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any such
deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund that no such deposit
has been made.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin Account
to the broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose
name, or for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in the
Margin Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with
respect to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt with in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall to the extent permitted by the Fund's Declaration
of Trust, investment restrictions and the Investment Company Act of 1940 have a
continuing lien and security interest in and to any property at any time held by
the Custodian in any Collateral Account described herein. In accordance with
applicable law the Custodian may enforce its lien and realize on any such
property whenever the Custodian has made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document or any receipt issued hereunder by
the Custodian; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be required to
issue any Put Option guarantee letter unless it shall have received an opinion
of counsel to the Fund or its investment adviser that the issuance of such
letters is authorized by the Fund and that the Custodian's continuing lien and
security interest is valid, enforceable and not limited by the Declaration of
Trust, any investment restrictions or the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event the Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are
less than the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or
similar document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the
Custodian by the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
statement with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are
held specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a)
the name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The Custodian shall make
available upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the
Fund with respect to such Margin Account.
6. The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account and from time to
time shall make such deposits thereto as may be specified in a Certificate.
Promptly after the close of business on each business day in which cash and/or
Securities are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such Collateral Account
specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities held
therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the delivery to the
Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate or
Written Instructions specifying the then market value of the Securities
described in such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated to
be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any outstanding Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document, the Fund shall promptly specify in
a Certificate the additional cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such
Collateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, either (i) setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein
the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the
payment date, or (ii) authorizing with respect to the Series specified therein
and the declaration of dividends and distributions thereon the Custodian to rely
on Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or a Certificate setting forth the
date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall be
determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to the shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
Account on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions, or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall
pay to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series specified therein the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent Account
and with respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver or cause to
be delivered, to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale of
such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in the name of
such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Fund's General Distributor, the
Custodian shall credit such money to the separate account in the name of the
Series for which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the Custodian shall pay, out
of the money held for the account of such Series, all original issue or other
taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the Custodian
to make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in connection
with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person setting forth the
Series and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and
that such Shares are in good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make
payment to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held in the separate
account in the name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate
issued pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf
of any Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by the
Custodian in the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay
the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to
such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions or which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to
the Custodian with respect to a Series, (except a borrowing for investment or
for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a
separate agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this
Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by
the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear
interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day year for
the actual number of days involved) equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus ?%,
such rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such Federal
Funds Rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, unless the
Fund has given a Certificate that the Custodian shall not impose a lien and
security interest to secure such overdrafts (in which event it shall not do so),
the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in the
aggregate amount of such overdrafts and indebtedness as may from time to time
exist in and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at any time
held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the Fund may have an
interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or control or in possession
or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any money
balance in an account standing in the name of such Series' credit on the
Custodian's books. In addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each Business
Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or
otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on
which at the close of business the Fund had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time,
advise the Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the
Series to which the same relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness,
including pursuant to any Reverse Repurchase Agreement, not so specified other
than from the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian)
from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such
borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by any such
bank setting forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against
delivery of a stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a)
the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the
amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by
reference an attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan
agreement, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered
into, (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (f) the total
amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) the market value of
Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of
the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any
particular Securities, and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for
investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is
in conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information. The Custodian shall deliver on the
borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral and the
executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the
total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian may, at the option
of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral
shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any
promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver such Securities
as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize
further any transaction described in this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all
Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to the
Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of
collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify
in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of
shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as
collateral by the Custodian, to any such bank, the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE XV
CUSTODY OF ASSETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
1. The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as its agent, as
subcustodians for the securities and other assets of the Fund maintained outside
of the United States the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories
designated on Schedule A hereto. Except as provided in Schedule A, the Custodian
shall employ no other Foreign Custodian or Foreign Depository. The Custodian and
the Fund may amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to agree to designate any
additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository with which the Custodian
has an agreement for such entity to act as the Custodian's agent, as
subcustodian, and which the Custodian in its absolute discretion proposes to
utilize to hold any of the Fund's Foreign Property. Upon receipt of a
Certificate or Written Instructions from the Fund, the Custodian shall cease the
employment of any one or more of such subcustodians for maintaining custody of
the Fund's assets and such custodian shall be deemed deleted from Schedule A.
2. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other assets maintained in
the custody of the Foreign Subcustodians to: (a) "foreign securities," as
defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the Fund may
determine to be reasonably necessary to effect the foreign securities
transactions of the Fund.
3. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the
Foreign Securities held by each Foreign Subcustodian.
4. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Subcustodian shall be substantially in the form reviewed and approved by the
Fund and will not be amended in a way that materially affects the Fund without
the Fund's prior written consent and shall:
(a) require that such institution establish custody account(s) for
the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in each such
account securities and other assets of the fund, and, in the event that such
institution deposits the securities of the Fund in a Foreign Depository, that it
shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund or the Custodian, as agent
for the Fund, the securities so deposited;
(b) provide that:
(1) the assets of the Fund will not be subject to any right,
charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Foreign
Subcustodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody
or administration;
(2) beneficial ownership for the assets of the Fund will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for custody
or administration;
(3) adequate records will be maintained identifying the
assets as belonging to the Fund;
(4) the independent public accountants for the Fund will be
given access to the books and records of the Foreign Subcustodian relating to
its actions under its agreement with the Custodian or confirmation of the
contents of those records;
(5) the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of the Fund's assets, including, but not necessarily limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from the custody account(s); and
(6) assets of the Fund held by the Foreign Subcustodian will
be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian
from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out
of or in connection with the institution's performance of such obligations, with
the exception of any such losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or
claims arising as a result of an act of God. At the election of the Fund, it
shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect
to any claims against a Foreign Subcustodian as a consequence of any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim of or to the Fund, if and to the
extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
5. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall on behalf of the Fund make or cause its Foreign Subcustodian to transfer,
exchange or deliver securities owned by the Fund, except to the extent
explicitly prohibited therein. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall on behalf of the fund pay out or cause its
Foreign Subcustodians to pay out monies of the Fund. The Custodian shall use all
means reasonably available to it, including, if specifically authorized by the
Fund in a Certificate, any necessary litigation at the cost and expense of the
Fund (except as to matters for which the Custodian is responsible hereunder) to
require or compel each Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository to perform the
services required of it by the agreement between it and the Custodian authorized
pursuant to this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall maintain all books and records as shall be
necessary to enable the Custodian readily to perform the services required of it
hereunder with respect to the Fund's Foreign Properties. The Custodians shall
supply to the Fund from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in
respect of the Foreign Securities and other Foreign Properties of the Fund held
by Foreign Subcustodians, directly or through Foreign Depositories, including
but not limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's
Foreign Securities and other assets, an advice or other notification of any
transfers of securities to or from each custodial account maintained for the
Fund or the Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities. The Custodian shall promptly and faithfully transmit all
reports and information received pertaining to the Foreign Property of the Fund,
including, without limitation, notices or reports of corporate action, proxies
and proxy soliciting materials.
7. Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to
arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the
books and records of any Foreign Subcustodian, or confirmation of the contents
thereof, insofar as such books and records relate to the Foreign Property of the
Fund or the performance of such Foreign Subcustodian under its agreement with
the Custodian; provided that any litigation to afford such access shall be at
the sole cost and expense of the Fund.
8. The Custodian recognizes that employment of a Foreign Subcustodian or
Foreign Depository for the Fund's Foreign Securities and Foreign Property is
permitted by Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 only upon
compliance with Section (a) of Rule 17f-5 promulgated thereunder. With respect
to the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories identified on Schedule A,
the Custodian represents that it has furnished the Fund with certain materials
prepared by the Custodian and with such other information in the possession of
the Custodian as the Fund advised the Custodian was reasonably necessary to
assist the Board of Trustees of the Fund in making the determinations required
of the Board of Trustees by Rule 17f-5, including, without limitation,
consideration of the matters set forth in the Notes to Rule 17f-5. If the
Custodian recommends any additional Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository,
the Custodian shall supply information similar in kind and scope to that
furnished pursuant to the preceding sentence. Further, the Custodian shall
furnish annually to the Fund, at such time as the Fund and Custodian shall
mutually agree, information concerning each Foreign Subcustodian and Foreign
Depository then identified on Schedule A similar in kind and scope to that
furnished pursuant to the preceding two sentences.
9. The Custodian's employment of any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign
Depository shall constitute a representation that the Custodian believes in good
faith that such Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository provides a level of
safeguards for maintaining the Fund's assets not materially different from that
provided by the Custodian in maintaining the Fund's securities in the United
States. In addition, the Custodian shall monitor the financial condition and
general operational performance of the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign
Depositories and shall promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian
has actual knowledge of a material adverse change in the financial condition
thereof or that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that the
shareholders' equity of any Foreign Subcustodian will decline below $200 million
(U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has
declined below $200 million , or that the Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign
Depository has breached the agreement between it and the Custodian in a way that
the Custodian believes adversely affects the Fund. Further, the Custodian shall
advise the Fund if it believes that there is a material adverse change in the
operating environment of any Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository.
ARTICLE XVI
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the performance of its
duties hereunder, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor
its nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees,
resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or
under any Margin Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage arising
out of its own negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of the
subcustodians or co-custodians appointed by the Custodian or of the officers,
employees, or agents of any of them. The Custodian may, with respect to
questions of law arising hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply
for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of
the Fund, or of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in
conformity with such advice or opinion. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or
any Depository arising by reason of any negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no
obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The validity (but not the authenticity) of the issue of any
Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the
purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or
received therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or
the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor, as specified in
a Certificate;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by
the Fund, as specified in a resolution, Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities
as collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that the cash collateral
delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at
any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the Fund is
adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result
of such loan, except that this subparagraph shall not excuse any liability the
Custodian may have for failing to act in accordance with Article X hereof or any
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall
not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the Fund
that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is sufficient
collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or
obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which
portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article X of this
Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to
or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and
received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or
Securities held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral
Account in connection with transactions by the Fund, except that this
subparagraph shall not excuse any liability the Custodian may have for failing
to establish, maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals from such accounts in
accordance with this Agreement. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no
duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant
or Clearing Member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or
similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any payment
received by the Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant
or Clearing Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify
the Fund of the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the
Custodian of, any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or
other instrument for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund
until the Custodian actually receives such money directly or by the final
crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry
System or the Depository.
4. With respect to Securities held in a Depository, except as otherwise
provided in paragraph 5(b) of Article III hereof, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility and shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any
calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes or similar
matters relating to such Securities, unless the Custodian shall have actually
received timely notice from the Depository in which such Securities are held. In
no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility or liability for the
failure of a Depository to collect, or for the late collection or late crediting
by a Depository of any amount payable upon Securities deposited in a Depository
which may mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable.
However, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on
Securities held in a Depository the Custodian shall make a claim against the
Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not be under
any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding
in respect to any Securities held by a Depository which in its opinion may
involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against
all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required, or
alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to such claim against the Depository should it so request in a
Certificate. This paragraph shall not, however, excuse any failure by the
Custodian to act in accordance with a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount due the Fund from the Transfer Agent of the
Fund nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer
Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent of
the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such amount is
payable are in default, or if payment is refused after the Custodian has timely
and properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made due demand or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action, but the Custodian
shall have such a duty if the Securities were not in default on the payable date
and the Custodian failed to timely and properly make such demand for payment and
such failure is the reason for the non-receipt of payment.
7. The Custodian may, with the prior approval of the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, appoint one or more banking institutions as subcustodian or
subcustodians, or as co-Custodian or co-Custodians, of Securities and moneys at
any time owned by the Fund, upon such terms and conditions as may be approved in
a Certificate or contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund
and the appointed institution; provided, however, that appointment of any
foreign banking institution or depository shall be subject to the provisions of
Article XV hereof.
8. The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against and save the Fund
harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including
attorney's fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of the negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct of any subcustodian of the Securities and moneys
owned by the Fund.
9. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it, for
the account of the Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are such as
properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then
current prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund,
whether or not involving the Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be
engaged in by the Fund.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay
to the Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as
may be agreed upon in writing from time to time between the Custodian and the
Fund. The Custodian may charge such compensation, and any such expenses with
respect to a Series incurred by the Custodian in the performance of its duties
under this Agreement against any money specifically allocated to such Series.
The Custodian shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for
the account of a Series the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense,
including counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under
the provisions of this Agreement attributable to, or arising out of, its serving
as Custodian for such Series. The expenses for which the Custodian shall be
entitled to reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the
expenses of subcustodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in
settling outside of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale
of Securities of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to
effecting any charge for compensation, expenses, or any overdraft or
indebtedness or interest thereon, submit an invoice therefor to the Fund.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice
or other instrument in writing, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
genuine. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a Certificate or facsimile
thereof confirming Oral Instructions or Written Instructions in such manner so
that such Certificate or facsimile thereof is received by the Custodian, whether
by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar device, or otherwise, by the close
of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
are given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming
instructions are not received by the Custodian shall in no way affect the
validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions thereby
authorized by the Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions provided such
instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person.
12. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument,
instruction or notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin
Account Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for,
the accuracy of any statements or representations contained in any such
instrument or other notice including, without limitation, any specification of
any amount to be paid to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or
Clearing Member. This paragraph shall not excuse any failure by the Custodian to
have acted in accordance with any Margin Agreement it has executed or any
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement.
13. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as described in Appendix
E hereto, which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be the property of
the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained by the
Custodian as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
other applicable Securities laws and rules and regulations. The Fund, or the
Fund's authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records
during the Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the
Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by the Custodian to
the Fund or the Fund's authorized representative, and the Fund shall reimburse
the Custodian its expenses of providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of
the Fund, the Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on micro-film, whichever
the Custodian elects, any records included in any such delivery which are
maintained by the Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and
the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard
copy or micro-film.
14. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry system,
each Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
15. The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to the Fund a letter
prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the Custodian's internal
systems and controls in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other
investment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian.
16. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the
Custodian harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorney's fees, howsoever arising out of, or related to, the
Custodian's performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except for any
such liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of the negligence, bad faith,
or willful misconduct of the Custodian, any co-Custodian or subcustodian
appointed by the Custodian, or that of the officers, employees, or agents of any
of them.
17. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian
shall deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such
Securities, and shall make and receive payments only in accordance with the
customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such Securities
and, except as may otherwise be provided by this Agreement or as may be in
accordance with such customs, shall make payment for Securities only against
delivery thereof and deliveries of Securities only against payment therefor.
18. The Custodian will comply with the procedures, guidelines or
restrictions ("Procedures") adopted by the Fund from time to time for particular
types of investments or transactions, e.g., Repurchase Agreements and Reverse
Repurchase Agreements, provided that the Custodian has received from the Fund a
copy of such Procedures. If within ten days after receipt of any such
Procedures, the Custodian determines in good faith that it is unreasonable for
it to comply with any new procedures, guidelines or restrictions set forth
therein, it may within such ten day period send notice to the Fund that it does
not intend to comply with those new procedures, guidelines or restrictions which
it identifies with particularity in such notice, in which event the Custodian
shall not be required to comply with such identified procedures, guidelines or
restrictions; provided, however, that, anything to the contrary set forth herein
or in any other agreement with the Fund, if the Custodian identifies procedures,
guidelines or restrictions with which it does not intend to comply, the Fund
shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement without cost or penalty to the
Fund upon thirty days' written notice.
19. Whenever the Custodian has the authority to deduct monies from the
account for a series without a Certificate, it shall notify the Fund within one
business day of such deduction and the reason for it. Whenever the Custodian has
the authority to sell Securities or any other property of the Fund on behalf of
any Series without a Certificate, the Custodian will notify the Fund of its
intention to do so and afford the Fund the reasonable opportunity to select
which Securities or other property it wishes to sell on behalf of such Series.
If the Fund does not promptly sell sufficient Securities or Deposited Property
on behalf of the Series, then, after notice, the Custodian may proceed with the
intended sale.
20. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever
except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth or
referred to in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in
this Agreement against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVII
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this Agreement shall
continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving to the Fund, or the
Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of such
termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after the date of the
giving of such notice. In the event such notice or a notice pursuant to
paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by an
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be eligible to serve as a custodian for the Securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary,
designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such
designation by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian which
shall be a bank or trust company eligible to serve as a custodian for Securities
of a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
which is acceptable to the Fund. Upon the date set forth in such notice this
Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of
acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the
successor custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by
it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the
payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the Custodian
in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon the date
specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery
by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry
System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund
be deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement arising thereafter,
other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System
which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in
accordance with this Agreement.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may terminate this Agreement
upon the date specified in a written notice in the event of the "Bankruptcy" of
The Bank of New York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the term "Bankruptcy" shall
mean The Bank of New York's making a general assignment, arrangement or
composition with or for the benefit of its creditors, or instituting or having
instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or
bankruptcy or the entry of a order for relief under any applicable bankruptcy
law or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar
law affecting creditors rights, or if a petition is presented for the winding up
or liquidation of the party or a resolution is passed for its winding up or
liquidation, or it seeks, or becomes subject to, the appointment of an
administrator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or
for all or substantially all of its assets or its taking any action in
furtherance of, or indicating its consent to approval of, or acquiescence in,
any of the foregoing.
ARTICLE XVIII
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be obligated to
have or utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this Article shall
apply if, but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to
utilize the Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to the Custodian.
2. The Terminal Link shall be utilized only for the purpose of the Fund
providing Certificates to the Custodian and the Custodian providing notices to
the Fund and only after the Fund shall have established access codes and
internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the confidentiality and
availability of such access codes. Each use of the Terminal Link by the Fund
shall constitute a representation and warranty that at least two officers have
each utilized an access code that such internal safekeeping procedures have been
established by the Fund, and that such use does not contravene the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
3. Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all
equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications services,
necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the other party shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or
services, except that the Custodian shall not pay any communications costs of
any line leased by the Fund, even if such line is also used by the Custodian.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part of, or
through the Terminal Link and any proprietary data, software, processes,
information and documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public)
(collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property
of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses
the Information, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and
discretion it uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade
secrets, and shall neither make nor permit any disclosure without the express
prior written consent of the Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each Fund shall
return to the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in the
Fund's possession or under its control, or which the Fund distributed to third
parties. The provisions of this Article shall not affect the copyright status of
any of the Information which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all
Information whether or not copyrighted.
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from time
to time without notice to the Fund, except that the Custodian shall give the
Fund notice not less than 75 days in advance of any modification which would
materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund agrees not to
modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the Custodian's prior
written consent. The Fund acknowledges that any software provided by the
Custodian as part of the Terminal Link is the property of the Custodian and,
accordingly, the Fund agrees that any modifications to the same, whether by the
Fund or the Custodian and whether with or without the Custodian's consent, shall
become the property of the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it utilizes
or the Fund utilizes in connection with the Terminal Link makes any warranties
or representations, express or implied, in fact or in law, including but not
limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
8. Each party will cause its officers and employees to treat the
authorization codes and the access codes applicable to Terminal Link with
extreme care, and irrevocably authorizes the other to act in accordance with and
rely on Certificates and notices received by it through the Terminal Link. Each
party acknowledges that it is its responsibility to assure that only its
authorized persons use the Terminal Link on its behalf, and that a party shall
not be responsible nor liable for use of the Terminal Link on behalf of the
other party by unauthorized persons of such other party.
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither party shall have any liability to the other for any losses, damages,
injuries, claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or
error in the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the Terminal Link
except for money damages for those suffered as the result of the negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct of such party or its officers, employees or agents
in an amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000; provided, however, that a
party shall have no liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to
comply with the provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event shall
either party or any manufacturer or supplier of its computer equipment, software
or services relating to the Terminal Link be responsible for any special,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages which the other party may incur or
experience by reason of its use of the Terminal Link even if such party,
manufacturer or supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages,
nor with respect to the use of the Terminal Link shall either party or any such
manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts of God, or with respect to the
following to the extent beyond such person's reasonable control: machine or
computer breakdown or malfunction, interruption or malfunction of communication
facilities, labor difficulties or any other similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, and (ii) in the case of any error, the date of actual receipt
of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that discovery
and receipt of notice may only occur on a business day. The Custodian shall
promptly advise the Fund whenever the Custodian learns of any errors, omissions
or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of a
Certificate or a notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the other
party by use of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or notice, and
in the absence of such verification the party to which the Certificate or notice
is sent shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such
Certificate or notice and the sending party may not claim that such Certificate
or notice was received by the other party.
ARTICLE XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the
signatures of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such present
Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or in the event that other
or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new
Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to
act upon Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent
provided by this Agreement.
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the
signatures of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to
the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event any such present
officer ceases to be an officer of the Fund, or in the event that other or
additional officers are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall
be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to act upon the
signatures of the officers as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the
extent provided by this Agreement.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, other than any Certificate or
Written Instructions, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian
and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90 Washington Street, New York,
New York 10286, or at such other place as the Custodian may from time to time
designate in writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or rehired by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed
to the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the
Fund first above written, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.
5. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties,
replaces all prior agreements and may not be amended or modified in any manner
except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality
as this Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, except that Appendices A and B may be amended unilaterally by the Fund
without such an approving resolution.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent
of the Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of New York without the
written consent of the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees. For purposes of this paragraph, no merger,
consolidation, or amalgamation of the Custodian, The Bank of New York, or the
Fund shall be deemed to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
Each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising
hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial by jury.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that
this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of the instrument are not
binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding
upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular series
of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charges with liabilities
attributable to any other series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against a particular series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.
OPPENHEIMER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND
By: ___________________________
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President & Secretary
[SEAL]
Attest:
- -------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[SEAL] By:
-----------------------------
Attest:
- ---------------------------
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
I, President and I, , of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund") do hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to
give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund, except
that those persons designated as being an "Officer of OSS" shall be an
Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII. The signatures set
forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
- ------------------ ----------------------- ------------------
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
I, President and I, , of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals for whom a position other than "Officer of OSS" is
specified serve in the following positions with the Fund and each has been duly
elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to each such position
and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws. With respect to the following individuals for whom a position of
"Officer of OSS" is specified, each such individual has been designated by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund to be an Officer for purposes of
the Fund's Custody Agreement with The Bank of New York, but only for purposes of
Articles XII and XIII thereof and a certified copy of such resolution is
attached hereto. The signatures of each individual below set forth opposite
their respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
- ------------------ ----------------------- ------------------
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected and
acting of Oppenheimer Fund (the "Fund"), further certifies that the following
resolutions were adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly
held on __________________, 2000 , at which a quorum at all times present and
that such resolutions have not been modified or rescinded and are in full force
an effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of 2000 (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis to act in accordance with, and to rely on instructions by the Fund to the
Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link as defined in the Custody Agreement.
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and grant use of such
access codes only to officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody Agreement,
and shall establish internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody Agreement
shall, following the establishment of such access codes and such internal
safekeeping procedures, advise the Custodian that the same have been established
by delivering a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, and the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of , as of the day
of , 2000 .
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
I, Jorge Ramos, a Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK, do hereby
designate the following publications:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
<PAGE>
APPENDIX E
The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall be prepared and
maintained by the Custodian and shall be the property of the Fund:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, ,hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and further
certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund at a meeting duly held on 2000 , at which a quorum was at all times
present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in
full force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of , 2000 (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as defined in the Custody Agreement,
all Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which
the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the
extent possible in connection with its performance thereunder, including,
without limitation, In connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of , as of the
day of , 2000 .
--------------------------
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned , hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected and
acting of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and
further certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 2000 , at which a quorum was at
all times present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded
and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of , 2000 (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") as
a "Depository" as defined in the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for
deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and to utilize DTC to the extent possible in connection with its
performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of as of the
day of , 2000 .
---------------------------
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected and
acting of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and
further certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 2000 , at which a quorum was at
all times present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded
and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of 2000, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in the Participants Trust Company as a
Depository, as defined in the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for
deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and to utilize the Participants Trust Company to the extent possible
in connection with its performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of
Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of , as of the
day of , 2000 .
-----------------------
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected and
acting of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and
further certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 2000 , at which a quorum was at
all times present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded
and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of , 2000 (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, to the contrary, to accept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing
Member confirmations for Options and transaction in Options, regardless of the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are defined
in the Custody Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of , as of the
day of , 2000 .
----------------------------
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT]
<PAGE>
Appendix A
Article XIX.1 9
Appendix B
Article XIX.2 50
Exhibit A
Article III.1 7
Exhibit B
Article III.1 8
Exhibit C
Article III.1 8
Exhibit D
Article XV.4 34
Schedule A
Article XV.1 33
CUSTODY765CUSTAGREMNT
FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
Between
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund and
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class A Shares
Service Plan and Agreement dated the ____ day of _________, 2000, by and between
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund (the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written service plan for its Class A Shares
described in the Fund's registration statement as of the date this Plan takes
effect, contemplated by and to comply with Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., with which the Fund has agreed
to comply. Pursuant to this Plan the Fund will reimburse the Distributor for a
portion of its costs incurred in connection with the personal service and the
maintenance of shareholder accounts ("Accounts") that hold Class A Shares (the
"Shares") of the Fund. The Fund may be deemed to be acting as distributor of
securities of which it is the issuer, according to the terms of this Plan. The
Distributor is authorized under the Plan to pay "Recipients," as hereinafter
defined, for rendering services and for the maintenance of Accounts. Such
Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party beneficiaries
under this Plan.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
-----------
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other financial
institution which: (i) has rendered services in connection with the
personal service and maintenance of Accounts; (ii) shall furnish the
Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such information as the
Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions as may
arise concerning such service; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board")
who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940, referred to in this plan as the "1940 Act") and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or in any agreements relating to this Plan (the "Independent
Trustees") may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other institution as
a Recipient, whereupon such entity's rights as a third party
beneficiary hereof shall terminate.
(b) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such
customers, clients and/or accounts as to which such Recipient is a
fiduciary or custodian or co-fiduciary or co-custodian (collectively,
the "Customers"), but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed
owned by more than one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the
event that two entities would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to
the same Shares, the Recipient which is the dealer of record on the
Fund's books shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for
purposes of this Plan.
3. Payments.
---------
(a) Under the Plan, the Fund will make payments to the Distributor, within
forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, in the
amount of the lesser of: (i) .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the
average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value
of the Shares computed as of the close of each business day, or (ii)
the Distributor's actual expenses under the Plan for that quarter of
the type approved by the Board. The Distributor will use such fee
received from the Fund in its entirety to reimburse itself for
payments to Recipients and for its other expenditures and costs of the
type approved by the Board incurred in connection with the personal
service and maintenance of Accounts including, but not limited to, the
services described in the following paragraph. The Distributor may
make Plan payments to any "affiliated person" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person qualifies as a
Recipient.
The services to be rendered by the Distributor and Recipients in connection with
the personal service and the maintenance of Accounts may include, but shall not
be limited to, the following: answering routine inquiries from the Recipient's
customers concerning the Fund, providing such customers with information on
their investment in shares, assisting in the establishment and maintenance of
accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
customer liaison services and the maintenance of Accounts as the Distributor or
the Fund may reasonably request. It may be presumed that a Recipient has
provided services qualifying for compensation under the Plan if it has Qualified
Holdings of Shares to entitle it to payments under the Plan. In the event that
either the Distributor or the Board should have reason to believe that,
notwithstanding the level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be
rendering appropriate services, then the Distributor, at the request of the
Board, shall require the Recipient to provide a written report or other
information to verify that said Recipient is providing appropriate services in
this regard. If the Distributor still is not satisfied, it may take appropriate
steps to terminate the Recipient's status as such under the Plan, whereupon such
entity's rights as a third-party beneficiary hereunder shall terminate.
Payments received by the Distributor from the Fund under the Plan will not
be used to pay any interest expense, carrying charge or other financial costs,
or allocation of overhead of the Distributor, or for any other purpose other
than for the payments described in this Section 3. The amount payable to the
Distributor each quarter will be reduced to the extent that reimbursement
payments otherwise permissible under the Plan have not been authorized by the
Board of Trustees for that quarter. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred for any
quarter by the Distributor may not be recovered in later periods.
(b) The Distributor shall make payments to any Recipient quarterly, within
forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate
not to exceed .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares
computed as of the close of each business day of Qualified Holdings
(excluding Shares acquired in reorganizations with investment
companies for which OppenheimerFunds, Inc. or an affiliate acts as
investment adviser and which have not adopted a distribution plan at
the time of reorganization with the Fund). However, no such payments
shall be made to any Recipient for any such quarter in which its
Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such quarter,
the minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, to be set
from time to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. A
majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time increase or decrease and thereafter adjust the rate of fees to be
paid to the Distributor or to any Recipient, but not to exceed the
rate set forth above, and/or increase or decrease the number of shares
constituting Minimum Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify
all Recipients of the Minimum Qualified Holdings and the rate of
payments hereunder applicable to Recipients, and shall provide each
such Recipient with written notice within thirty (30) days after any
change in these provisions. Inclusion of such provisions or a change
in such provisions in a revised current prospectus shall be sufficient
notice.
(c) Under the Plan, payments may be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may
include profits derived from the advisory fee it receives from the
Fund), or (ii) by the Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own
resources.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection or replacement of Independent Trustees and the nomination of those
persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund
shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. Nothing herein
shall prevent the Independent Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nomination if the final decision on
any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the incumbent
Independent Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide at least quarterly a written report to the Fund's Board for its review,
detailing the amount of all payments made pursuant to this Plan, the identity of
the Recipient of each such payment, and the purposes for which the payments were
made. The report shall state whether all provisions of Section 3 of this Plan
have been complied with. The Distributor shall annually certify to the Board the
amount of its total expenses incurred that year with respect to the personal
service and maintenance of Accounts in conjunction with the Board's annual
review of the continuation of the Plan.
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding Shares of the Class, on not more than sixty days
written notice to any other party to the agreement; (ii) such agreement shall
automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940
Act); (iii) it shall go into effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such agreement; and (iv) it shall, unless terminated as herein
provided, continue in effect from year to year only so long as such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board and its Independent
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting
called on _________, 2000 for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Unless
terminated as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until renewed by
the Board in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to year or as the
Board may otherwise determine but only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such continuance. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a
"majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class A voting
securities. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of
payments to be made without approval of the Class A Shareholders, in the manner
described above, and all material amendments must be approved by a vote of the
Board and of the Independent Trustees.
8. Shareholder and Trustee Liability Disclaimer. The Distributor understands and
agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
shareholder or Trustee of the Fund personally, but only the Fund and the Fund's
property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming Trustee and shareholder and Trustee
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
By: ________________________________________
Andrew J. Donohue Vice President and Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By:________________________________________
Katherine P. Feld
Vice President and Secretary
765/12b1A
FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
With
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class B Shares of
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
This Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement (the "Plan") is dated as of the
___ day of ________, 2000, by and between Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
(the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written distribution and service plan for
Class B shares of the Fund (the "Shares"), designed to comply with the
provisions of Rule 12b-1, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Rule"),
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Pursuant to this Plan
the Fund will compensate the Distributor for its services in connection with the
distribution of Shares, and the personal service and maintenance of shareholder
accounts that hold Shares ("Accounts"). The Fund may act as distributor of
securities of which it is the issuer, pursuant to the Rule, according to the
terms of this Plan. The terms and provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted
and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions contained
in (i) the Fund's Registration Statement, (ii) the 1940 Act, (iii) the Rule,
(iv) Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or any amendment or successor to such rule (the "NASD Conduct
Rules") and (v) any conditions pertaining either to distribution-related
expenses or to a plan of distribution to which the Fund is subject under any
order on which the Fund relies, issued at any time by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC").
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
-----------
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other person or
entity which: (i) has rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative or
both) in the distribution of Shares or has provided administrative support
services with respect to Shares held by Customers (defined below) of the
Recipient; (ii) shall furnish the Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such
information as the Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions
as may arise concerning the sale of Shares; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan.
(b) "Independent Trustees" shall mean the members of the Fund's Board of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or in any agreement relating to this Plan.
(c) "Customers" shall mean such brokerage or other customers or
investment advisory or other clients of a Recipient, and/or accounts as to which
such Recipient provides administrative support services or is a custodian or
other fiduciary.
<PAGE>
(d) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such Recipient's
Customers, but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed owned by more than
one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the event that more than one person
or entity would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same Shares, the
Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books as determined by the
Distributor shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this
Plan.
3. Payments for Distribution Assistance and Administrative Support
Services.
(a) Payments to the Distributor. In consideration of the payments made by
the Fund to the Distributor under this Plan, the Distributor shall provide
administrative support services and distribution assistance services to the
Fund. Such services include distribution assistance and administrative support
services rendered in connection with Shares (1) sold in purchase transactions,
(2) issued in exchange for shares of another investment company for which the
Distributor serves as distributor or sub-distributor, or (3) issued pursuant to
a plan of reorganization to which the Fund is a party. If the Board believes
that the Distributor may not be rendering appropriate distribution assistance or
administrative support services in connection with the sale of Shares, then the
Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall provide the Board with a written
report or other information to verify that the Distributor is providing
appropriate services in this regard. For such services, the Fund will make the
following payments to the Distributor:
(i) Administrative Support Services Fees. Within forty-five (45)
days of the end of each calendar quarter, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
that calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares computed as
of the close of each business day (the "Service Fee"). Such Service Fee payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
administrative support services with respect to Accounts. The administrative
support services in connection with Accounts may include, but shall not be
limited to, the administrative support services that a Recipient may render as
described in Section 3(b)(i) below.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge). Within
ten (10) days of the end of each month, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average during the
month of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed as of the close of
each business day (the "Asset-Based Sales Charge") outstanding until such Shares
are repurchased or converted to another class of shares of the Fund, provided,
however, that a majority of the Independent Trustees may, but are not obligated
to, set a time period (the "Fund Maximum Holding Period") from time to time for
such payments. Such Asset-Based Sales Charge payments received from the Fund
will compensate the Distributor for providing distribution assistance in
connection with the sale of Shares.
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Distributor in
connection with the Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: (i) paying sales commissions to any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity that sells Shares, and/or paying such persons "Advance Service
Fee Payments" (as defined below) in advance of, and/or in amounts greater than,
the amount provided for in Section 3(b) of this Agreement; (ii) paying
compensation to and expenses of personnel of the Distributor who support
distribution of Shares by Recipients; (iii) obtaining financing or providing
such financing from its own resources, or from an affiliate, for the interest
and other borrowing costs of the Distributor's unreimbursed expenses incurred in
rendering distribution assistance and administrative support services to the
Fund; and (iv) paying other direct distribution costs, including without
limitation the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses (other
than those prospectuses furnished to current holders of the Fund's shares
("Shareholders")) and state "blue sky" registration expenses.
<PAGE>
(b) Payments to Recipients. The Distributor is authorized under the Plan
to pay Recipients (1) distribution assistance fees for rendering distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares and/or (2) service fees for
rendering administrative support services with respect to Accounts. However, no
such payments shall be made to any Recipient for any such quarter in which its
Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such quarter, the
minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, that may be set from time
to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. All fee payments made by the
Distributor hereunder are subject to reduction or chargeback so that the
aggregate service fee payments and Advance Service Fee Payments do not exceed
the limits on payments to Recipients that are, or may be, imposed by the NASD
Conduct Rules. The Distributor may make Plan payments to any "affiliated person"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person
qualifies as a Recipient or retain such payments if the Distributor qualifies as
a Recipient.
(i) Service Fee. In consideration of the administrative support
services provided by a Recipient during a calendar quarter, the Distributor
shall make service fee payments to that Recipient quarterly, within forty-five
(45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.0625%
(0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the
aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business
day, constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or by its Customers for a period of more than the minimum period (the
"Minimum Holding Period"), if any, that may be set from time to time by a
majority of the Independent Trustees.
Alternatively, the Distributor may, at its sole option, make the
following service fee payments to any Recipient quarterly, within forty-five
(45) days of the end of each calendar quarter: (i) "Advance Service Fee
Payments" at a rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average during the calendar
quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of
business on the day such Shares are sold, constituting Qualified Holdings, sold
by the Recipient during that quarter and owned beneficially or of record by the
Recipient or by its Customers, plus (ii) service fee payments at a rate not to
exceed 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar
quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of
each business day, constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of
record by the Recipient or by its Customers for a period of more than one (1)
year. At the Distributor's sole option, the Advance Service Fee Payments may be
made more often than quarterly, and sooner than the end of the calendar quarter.
In the event Shares are redeemed less than one year after the date such Shares
were sold, the Recipient is obligated to and will repay the Distributor on
demand a pro rata portion of such Advance Service Fee Payments, based on the
ratio of the time such Shares were held to one (1) year.
The administrative support services to be rendered by Recipients in
connection with the Accounts may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund, assisting in the
establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and
processing Share repurchase transactions, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
services in connection with the rendering of personal services and/or the
maintenance of Accounts, as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge)
Payments. In its sole discretion and irrespective of whichever alternative
method of making service fee payments to Recipients is selected by the
Distributor, in addition the Distributor may make distribution assistance fee
payments to a Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days after the end of
each calendar quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.1875% (0.75% on an annual
basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset
value of Shares computed as of the close of each business day constituting
Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or its
Customers until such Shares are repurchased or converted to another class of
shares of the Fund, provided, however, that a majority of the Independent
Trustees may, but are not obligated to, set a time period (the "Recipient
Maximum Holding Period") for making such payments. Distribution assistance fee
payments shall be made only to Recipients that are registered with the SEC as a
broker-dealer or are exempt from registration.
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Recipients in
connection with the sale of Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: distributing sales literature and prospectuses other than those
furnished to current Shareholders, providing compensation to and paying expenses
of personnel of the Recipient who support the distribution of Shares by the
Recipient, and providing such other information and services in connection with
the distribution of Shares as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably
request.
<PAGE>
(c) A majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time increase or decrease the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or to
any Recipient, but not to exceed the rates set forth above, and/or direct the
Distributor to set, eliminate or modify the Fund Maximum Holding Period, any
Minimum Holding Period, the Recipient Maximum Holding Period and/or any Minimum
Qualified Holdings and/or to split requirements so that different time periods
apply to shares that are afforded different shareholder privileges and features.
The Distributor shall notify all Recipients of any Minimum Qualified Holdings,
Maximum Holding Period and Minimum Holding Period that are established and the
rate of payments hereunder applicable to Recipients, and shall provide each
Recipient with written notice within thirty (30) days after any change in these
provisions. Inclusion of such provisions or a change in such provisions in a
revised current prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or supplement to
either shall constitute sufficient notice.
(d) The Service Fee and the Asset-Based Sales Charge on Shares are subject
to reduction or elimination under the limits that apply to such fees and charges
under the NASD Conduct Rules relating to sales of shares of open-end funds.
(e) Under the Plan, payments may also be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may include profits
derived from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), or (ii) by the
Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own resources, from Asset-Based
Sales Charge payments or from the proceeds of its borrowings, in either case, in
the discretion of OFI or the Distributor, respectively.
(f) Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party
beneficiaries under this Plan, subject to the limitations set forth below. It
may be presumed that a Recipient has provided distribution assistance or
administrative support services qualifying for payment under the Plan if it has
Qualified Holdings of Shares that entitle it to payments under the Plan. In the
event that either the Distributor or the Board should have reason to believe
that, notwithstanding the level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be
rendering appropriate distribution assistance in connection with the sale of
Shares or administrative support services for Accounts, then the Distributor, at
the request of the Board, shall require the Recipient to provide a written
report or other information to verify that said Recipient is providing
appropriate distribution assistance and/or services in this regard. If the
Distributor or the Board of Trustees still is not satisfied after the receipt of
such report, either may take appropriate steps to terminate the Recipient's
status as such under the Plan, whereupon such Recipient's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereunder shall terminate. Additionally, in their
discretion, a majority of the Fund's Independent Trustees at any time may remove
any broker, dealer, bank or other person or entity as a Recipient, where upon
such person's or entity's rights as a third-party beneficiary hereof shall
terminate. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan does not
obligate or in any way make the Fund liable to make any payment whatsoever to
any person or entity other than directly to the Distributor. The Distributor has
no obligation to pay any Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees to any
Recipient if the Distributor has not received payment of Service Fees or
Distribution Assistance Fees from the Fund.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection and nomination of persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund ("Disinterested Trustees") shall be committed
to the discretion of the incumbent Disinterested Trustees. Nothing herein shall
prevent the incumbent Disinterested Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nominations as long as the final
decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the
incumbent Disinterested Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide written reports to the Fund's Board for its review, detailing the amount
of all payments made under this Plan and the purpose for which the payments were
made. The reports shall be provided quarterly, and shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with.
<PAGE>
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class B voting shares; (ii) such termination
shall be on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the
agreement; (iii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iv) such agreement shall go into
effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement; and (v)
such agreement shall, unless terminated as herein provided, continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a
meeting called on ________,2000, for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Unless
terminated as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until renewed by
the Board in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to year or as the
Board may otherwise determine but only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such continuance.
This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under this Plan, without approval of the Class B Shareholders at a
meeting called for that purpose, and all material amendments must be approved by
a vote of the Board and of the Independent Trustees.
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class B voting shares. In the event
of such termination, the Board and its Independent Trustees shall determine
whether the Distributor shall be entitled to payment from the Fund of all or a
portion of the Service Fee and/or the Asset-Based Sales Charge in respect of
Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Distributor understands
that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the
Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming Trustee and shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
By:____________________________________
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President & Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By: ____________________________________
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President & Secretary
765/12B-1B
FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
with
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
For Class C Shares of
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
This Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement (the "Plan") is dated as of the
_____ day of _______, 2000, by and between Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies
Fund (the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written distribution and service plan for
Class C shares of the Fund (the "Shares"), designed to comply with the
provisions of Rule 12b-1 as it may be amended from time to time (the "Rule")
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Pursuant to this Plan
the Fund will compensate the Distributor for its services in connection with the
distribution of Shares, and the personal service and maintenance of shareholder
accounts that hold Shares ("Accounts"). The Fund may act as distributor of
securities of which it is the issuer, pursuant to the Rule, according to the
terms of this Plan. The terms and provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted
and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions contained
in (i) the Fund's Registration Statement, (ii) the 1940 Act, (iii) the Rule,
(iv) Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or any applicable amendment or successor to such rule (the "NASD
Conduct Rules") and (v) any conditions pertaining either to distribution-related
expenses or to a plan of distribution to which the Fund is subject under any
order on which the Fund relies, issued at any time by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC").
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the
-----------
following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other person or
entity which: (i) has rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative or
both) in the distribution of Shares or has provided administrative support
services with respect to Shares held by Customers (defined below) of the
Recipient; (ii) shall furnish the Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such
information as the Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions
as may arise concerning the sale of Shares; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan.
(b) "Independent Trustees" shall mean the members of the Fund's Board of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
this Plan or in any agreement relating to this Plan.
(c) "Customers" shall mean such brokerage or other customers or investment
advisory or other clients of a Recipient, and/or accounts as to which such
Recipient provides administrative support services or is a custodian or other
fiduciary.
(d) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares owned
beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such Recipient's
Customers, but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed owned by more than
one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the event that more than one person
or entity would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same Shares, the
Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books as determined by the
Distributor shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this
Plan.
3. Payments for Distribution Assistance and Administrative Support
Services.
(a) Payments to the Distributor. In consideration of the payments made by
the Fund to the Distributor under this Plan, the Distributor shall provide
administrative support services and distribution services to the Fund. Such
services include distribution assistance and administrative support services
rendered in connection with Shares (1) sold in purchase transactions, (2) issued
in exchange for shares of another investment company for which the Distributor
serves as distributor or sub-distributor, or (3) issued pursuant to a plan of
reorganization to which the Fund is a party. If the Board believes that the
Distributor may not be rendering appropriate distribution assistance or
administrative support services in connection with the sale of Shares, then the
Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall provide the Board with a written
report or other information to verify that the Distributor is providing
appropriate services in this regard. For such services, the Fund will make the
following payments to the Distributor:
(i) Administrative Support Service Fees. Within forty-five (45) days
of the end of each calendar quarter, the Fund will make payments in the
aggregate amount of 0.0625% (0.25% on an annual basis) of the average during
that calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares computed as
of the close of each business day (the "Service Fee"). Such Service Fee payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
administrative support services with respect to Accounts. The administrative
support services in connection with Accounts may include, but shall not be
limited to, the administrative support services that a Recipient may render as
described in Section 3(b)(i) below.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fees (Asset-Based Sales Charge). The
Fund may make payments of an "Asset-Based Sales Charge" of up to 0.0625% per
month (0.75% on an annual basis) but the Board has initially set the Asset-Based
Sales Charge at a rate of 0.50% annually. The Board may increase that amount to
up to 0.75% annually without the further approval of shareholders of Class C
shares of the Fund. Within ten (10) days of the end of each month, the Fund will
make payments in the aggregate amount of 0.04666% (0.50% on an annual basis) of
the average during the month of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed
as of the close of each business day. Such Asset-Based Sales Charge payments
received from the Fund will compensate the Distributor for providing
distribution assistance in connection with the sale of Shares.
The distribution assistance services to be rendered by the Distributor in
connection with the Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: (i) paying sales commissions to any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity that sells Shares, and/or paying such persons "Advance Service
Fee Payments" (as defined below) in advance of, and/or in amounts greater than,
the amount provided for in Section 3(b) of this Agreement; (ii) paying
compensation to and expenses of personnel of the Distributor who support
distribution of Shares by Recipients; (iii) obtaining financing or providing
such financing from its own resources, or from an affiliate, for the interest
and other borrowing costs of the Distributor's unreimbursed expenses incurred in
rendering distribution assistance and administrative support services to the
Fund; and (iv) paying other direct distribution costs, including without
limitation the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses (other
than those prospectuses furnished to current holders of the Fund's shares
("Shareholders")) and state "blue sky" registration expenses.
(b) Payments to Recipients. The Distributor is authorized under the Plan
to pay Recipients (1) distribution assistance fees for rendering distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares and/or (2) service fees for
rendering administrative support services with respect to Accounts. However, no
such payments shall be made to any Recipient for any quarter in which its
Qualified Holdings do not equal or exceed, at the end of such quarter, the
minimum amount ("Minimum Qualified Holdings"), if any, that may be set from time
to time by a majority of the Independent Trustees. All fee payments made by the
Distributor hereunder are subject to reduction or chargeback so that the
aggregate service fee payments and Advance Service Fee Payments do not exceed
the limits on payments to Recipients that are, or may be, imposed by the NASD
Conduct Rules. The Distributor may make Plan payments to any "affiliated person"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Distributor if such affiliated person
qualifies as a Recipient or retain such payments if the Distributor qualifies as
a Recipient.
In consideration of the services provided by Recipients, the Distributor
shall make the following payments to Recipients:
(i) Service Fee. In consideration of administrative support services
provided by a Recipient during a calendar quarter, the Distributor shall make
service fee payments to that Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of
the end of each calendar quarter, at a rate not to exceed 0.0625% (0.25% on an
annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net
asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business day,
constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient
or by its Customers for a period of more than the minimum period (the "Minimum
Holding Period"), if any, that may be set from time to time by a majority of the
Independent Trustees.
Alternatively, the Distributor may, at its sole option, make the following
service fee payments to any Recipient quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of
the end of each calendar quarter: (A) "Advance Service Fee Payments" at a rate
not to exceed 0.25% of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate
net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of business on the day such
Shares are sold, constituting Qualified Holdings, sold by the Recipient during
that quarter and owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or by its
Customers, plus (B) service fee payments at a rate not to exceed 0.0625% (0.25%
on an annual basis) of the average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate
net asset value of Shares, computed as of the close of each business day,
constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient
or by its Customers for a period of more than one (1) year. At the Distributor's
sole option, Advance Service Fee Payments may be made more often than quarterly,
and sooner than the end of the calendar quarter. In the event Shares are
redeemed less than one year after the date such Shares were sold, the Recipient
is obligated to and will repay the Distributor on demand a pro rata portion of
such Advance Service Fee Payments, based on the ratio of the time such Shares
were held to one (1) year.
The administrative support services to be rendered by Recipients in
connection with the Accounts may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following: answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund, assisting in the
establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and
processing Share redemption transactions, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
services in connection with the rendering of personal services and/or the
maintenance of Accounts, as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
(ii) Distribution Assistance Fee (Asset-Based Sales Charge)
Payments. Irrespective of whichever alternative method of making service fee
payments to Recipients is selected by the Distributor, in addition the
Distributor shall make distribution assistance fee payments to each Recipient
quarterly, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter,
at a rate not to exceed 0.1875% (0.75% on an annual basis) of the average during
the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of Shares computed as of
the close of each business day constituting Qualified Holdings owned
beneficially or of record by the Recipient or its Customers for a period of more
than one (1) year. Alternatively, at its sole option, the Distributor may make
distribution assistance fee payments to a Recipient quarterly, at the rate
described above, on Shares constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially or
of record by the Recipient or its Customers without regard to the 1-year holding
period described above. Distribution assistance fee payments shall be made only
to Recipients that are registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer or are exempt
from registration. The Distributor has initially set such fees at a rate of
0.125% per quarter (0.50% on an annual basis).
The distribution assistance to be rendered by the Recipients in connection with
the sale of Shares may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
distributing sales literature and prospectuses other than those furnished to
current Shareholders, providing compensation to and paying expenses of personnel
of the Recipient who support the distribution of Shares by the Recipient, and
providing such other information and services in connection with the
distribution of Shares as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request.
(c) A majority of the Independent Trustees may at any time or from time to
time (i) increase or decrease the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or
to any Recipient, but not to exceed the maximum rates set forth above, and/or
(ii) direct the Distributor to increase or decrease any Minimum Holding Period,
any maximum period set by a majority of the Independent Trustees during which
fees will be paid on Shares constituting Qualified Holdings owned beneficially
or of record by a Recipient or by its Customers (the "Maximum Holding Period"),
or Minimum Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify all Recipients of
any Minimum Qualified Holdings, Maximum Holding Period and Minimum Holding
Period that are established and the rate of payments hereunder applicable to
Recipients, and shall provide each Recipient with written notice within thirty
(30) days after any change in these provisions. Inclusion of such provisions or
a change in such provisions in a supplement or Statement of Additional
Information or amendment to or revision of the prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund shall constitute sufficient notice.
(d) The Service Fee and the Asset-Based Sales Charge on Shares are subject
to reduction or elimination under the limits that apply to such fees under the
NASD Conduct Rules relating to sales of shares of open-end funds
(e) Under the Plan, payments may also be made to Recipients: (i) by
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") from its own resources (which may include profits
derived from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), or (ii) by the
Distributor (a subsidiary of OFI), from its own resources, from Asset-Based
Sales Charge payments or from the proceeds of its borrowings, in either case, in
the discretion of OFI or the Distributor, respectively.
(f) Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party
beneficiaries under this Plan, subject to the limitations set forth below. It
may be presumed that a Recipient has provided distribution assistance or
administrative support services qualifying for payment under the Plan if it has
Qualified Holdings of Shares that entitle it to payments under the Plan. If
either the Distributor or the Board believe that, notwithstanding the level of
Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not be rendering appropriate distribution
assistance in connection with the sale of Shares or administrative support
services for Accounts, then the Distributor, at the request of the Board, shall
require the Recipient to provide a written report or other information to verify
that said Recipient is providing appropriate distribution assistance and/or
services in this regard. If the Distributor or the Board of Trustees still is
not satisfied after the receipt of such report, either may take appropriate
steps to terminate the Recipient's status as a Recipient under the Plan,
whereupon such Recipient's rights as a third-party beneficiary hereunder shall
terminate. Additionally, in their discretion a majority of the Fund's
Independent Trustees at any time may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other
person or entity as a Recipient, whereupon such person's or entity's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereof shall terminate. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan, this Plan does not obligate or in any way make the Fund
liable to make any payment whatsoever to any person or entity other than
directly to the Distributor. The Distributor has no obligation to pay any
Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees to any Recipient if the Distributor
has not received payment of Service Fees or Distribution Assistance Fees from
the Fund.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection and nomination of persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund ("Disinterested Trustees") shall be committed
to the discretion of the incumbent Disinterested Trustees. Nothing herein shall
prevent the incumbent Disinterested Trustees from soliciting the views or the
involvement of others in such selection or nomination as long as the final
decision on any such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of the
incumbent Disinterested Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide written reports to the Fund's Board for its review, detailing the amount
of all payments made under this Plan and the purpose for which the payments were
made. The reports shall be provided quarterly, and shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with.
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be in writing
and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting Class C shares; (ii) such termination
shall be on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the
agreement; (iii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iv) such agreement shall go into
effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement; and (v)
such agreement shall, unless terminated as herein provided, continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan has been
approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a
meeting called on ________,2000, for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Unless
terminated as hereinafter provided, it shall continue in effect until renewed by
the Board in accordance with the Rule and thereafter from year to year or as the
Board may otherwise determine but only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board and its
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such continuance.
This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under this Plan, without approval of the Class C Shareholders at a
meeting called for that purpose and all material amendments must be approved by
a vote of the Board and of the Independent Trustees.
This Plan may be terminated at any time by a vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding Class C voting shares. In the event
of such termination, the Board and its Independent Trustees shall determine
whether the Distributor shall be entitled to payment from the Fund of all or a
portion of the Service Fee and/or the Asset-Based Sales Charge in respect of
Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Distributor understands
that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not binding upon any
Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the
Fund's property. The Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming Trustee and shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
Oppenheimer Emerging Technologies Fund
By: ________________________________________
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President and Secretary
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
By:________________________________________
Katherine P. Feld, Vice President & Secretary
765/12b-1C
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CODE OF ETHICS
OF THE
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS
Dated March 1, 2000
This Code of Ethics has been adopted by each of the investment companies
for which OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") or its subsidiaries acts as investment
adviser (the "Oppenheimer funds"); by OFI and each of its subsidiaries; and also
by OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. ("OFDI"), the principal underwriter of the
Oppenheimer funds, in compliance with Rule 17j-1 (the "Rule") under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), to establish standards
and procedures for the detection and prevention of activities by which persons
having knowledge of recommended investments and investment intentions of the
Oppenheimer funds, other investment companies and other clients for which OFI or
its affiliates act as adviser or sub-adviser (collectively, "Advisory Clients")
may abuse their fiduciary duties and otherwise to deal with the type of conflict
of interest situations to which the rule is addressed.
In general, the fiduciary principles that govern personal investment
activities reflect, at the minimum, the following: (1) the duty at all times to
place the interests of Advisory Clients first; (2) the requirement that all
personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with the Code of Ethics
and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or
any abuse of an individual's position of trust and responsibility; and (3) the
fundamental standard that Advisory Client personnel should not take
inappropriate advantage of their positions.
1. Important General Prohibitions
The specific provisions and reporting requirements of this Code of
Ethics are concerned primarily with those investment activities of a Covered
Person (as defined below) who may benefit from or interfere with the purchase or
sale of portfolio securities by Advisory Clients. However, both the Rule and
this Code of Ethics prohibit any officer or director of an Advisory Client as
well as any Affiliate (as defined below) from using information concerning the
investment intentions of Advisory Clients, or their ability to influence such
investment intentions, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the
interests of any Advisory Client. Specifically, the Rule makes it unlawful for
any such person, directly or indirectly in connection with the purchase or sale
of a "security held or to be acquired" by any Advisory Client to:
(i) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud such Advisory
Client;
(ii) make to such Advisory Client any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state to such Advisory Client a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
(iii) engage in any act, practice, or course of business which
operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any such
Advisory Client; or
(iv) engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such
Advisory Client.
2. Definitions - As used herein:
----------------------------
"Advisory Client" means any Oppenheimer fund, other investment company
or other client for which OFI or its affiliates act as adviser or
sub-adviser.
"Affiliate" means any officer, director, trustee or employee of OFI,
OFDI, Centennial Asset Management Corporation ("CAMC"), HarbourView
Asset Management Corporation ("HarbourView") or Trinity Investment
Management Corporation ("Trinity") as well as any persons who directly
or indirectly control (as defined in the Act) their activities. It
includes but is not limited to "Covered Persons," other than
Independent Directors.
"Beneficial Interest" means any interest by which an Affiliate or
Covered Person, or any member of his or her immediate family (relative
by blood or marriage) living in the same household), can directly or
indirectly derive a monetary benefit from the purchase, sale or
ownership of a security except such interests as a majority of the
Independent Directors of the affected Oppenheimer fund(s) shall
determine to be too remote for the purpose of this Code of Ethics.
"Covered Persons" means, in addition to the officers and directors of
OFI, OFDI, CAMC, HarbourView, Trinity and/or any of the Oppenheimer
fund (1) any person who, in connection with his regular functions or
duties, participates in the selection of, or regularly obtains
information regarding, the Securities currently being purchased, sold
or considered for purchase or sale by any Advisory Client, and who is
also an employee of OFI, CAMC, HarbourView, Trinity or any other entity
adopting this Code of Ethics or, for the purposes of Paragraph 5(j)
solely, the Sub-Adviser; and (2) any natural person in a control
relationship to an Advisory Client or its investment adviser who
obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Advisory
Client with regard to the purchase or sale of Securities by the
Advisory Client.
"Independent Director" means any director or trustee of an investment
company who is not an "interested person" of OFI, any of its parents or
subsidiaries, or any of the Oppenheimer funds as defined by Section
2(a)(19) of the Act.
"Investment Person" means (1) a Portfolio Manager, (2) a securities
analyst or trader who provides information and advice to Portfolio
Managers or who helps execute a Portfolio Manager's decisions, (3) any
other person who, in connection with his/her duties, makes or
participates in making recommendations regarding an Advisory Client's
purchase or sale of securities, and (4) any natural person in a control
relationship to an Advisory Client or its investment adviser who
obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Advisory
Client with regard to the purchase or sale of Securities by the
Advisory Client.
"Oppenheimer fund" for purposes of this Code of Ethics means any
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act for
which OFI, CAMC, HarbourView, or Trinity is the investment adviser or
sub-adviser.
"Portfolio Manager" means an individual entrusted with the direct
responsibility and authority to make investment decisions affecting a
particular Advisory Client.
"Security" includes any warrant or option to acquire or sell a security
and financial futures contracts, but excludes securities issued by the
U.S. government or its agencies, bankers' acceptances, bank
certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt
instruments including repurchase agreements, and shares of any open-end
mutual fund which is not affiliated with OFI or any affiliate of OFI.
"High quality short-term debt instrument" shall mean an instrument that
has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in
one of the two highest rating categories by a Nationally Recognized
Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO).
References to a "Security" in the Code of Ethics shall include any
warrant for, option in, or security or other instrument immediately
convertible into or whose value is derived from that "Security" and any
instrument or right which is equivalent to that "Security."
"Security Held or to be Acquired" by an Advisory Client means any
Security which, within the most recent 15 days (1) is or has been held
by the Advisory Client or (2) is being considered by the Advisory
Client or its investment adviser for purchase by the Advisory Client.
A security is "being considered for purchase or sale" from the time an
order is given by or on behalf of the Portfolio Manager to the order
room of an Advisory Client until all orders with respect to that
security are completed or withdrawn.
"Sub-Adviser" means an investment adviser that acts as a sub-adviser to
a portfolio advised by OFI or its affiliates.
3. Prohibited Transactions
(a) No Affiliate or Independent Director may purchase or sell any
Security in which he or she has or thereby acquires a Beneficial
Interest with actual knowledge that a decision to place an order
for the purchase or sale of the same Security by an Advisory
Client had been made or proposed.
(b) No Covered Person may purchase or sell any Security in which he or
she has or thereby acquires a Beneficial Interest with actual
knowledge that, at the same time, such security is "being
considered for purchase or sale" by an Advisory Client or that
such security is the subject of an outstanding purchase or sale
order by an Advisory Client.
(c) No Investment Person may purchase any Security in an initial
public offering. No other Covered Person may, without the express
prior written approval of the Administration for which shall set
forth the rationale for such pre-approval, acquire any security in
a private placement.
(d) No Investment Person may, without the express prior written
approval of the Administrator of this Code of Ethics which shall
set forth the rationale supporting such pre-approval, acquire any
security in a private placement, and if a private placement
security is acquired, such Investment Person must disclose that
investment when he/she plays a part in an Advisory Client's
subsequent consideration of any investment in that issuer, and in
such circumstances, an independent review shall be conducted by
Investment Persons who do not have an interest in the issuer and
by the Administrator.
(e) A Portfolio Manager may not purchase or sell any Security within
seven (7) days before or after the purchase or sale of that
Security by an Advisory Client of which he/she is a Portfolio
Manager. Any profits realized with respect to such purchase or
sale shall be disgorged.
(f) An Investment Person may not purchase and sell or sell and
purchase any Security within any sixty (60) day period. Any
profits realized on such trades shall be disgorged.
(g) An Investment Person may not accept any gifts or anything else of
more than a de-minimis value from any person or entity that does
business with or on behalf of an Advisory Client.
(h) A purchase or sale of a Security by an Investment Person that is
otherwise permitted by this Code of Ethics may not be effected
until the Investment Person first obtains written pre-clearance
from the Administrator or the Administrator's designee and, if
such pre-clearance is obtained from the Administrator's designee,
a copy of the written pre-clearance is promptly received by the
Administrator.
(i) No Investment Person may serve on the board of directors or
trustees of a publicly-traded corporation or other business entity
without the prior written approval of the Administrator.
(j) No Covered Person other than an Independent Director may sell a
security short, except, with prior approval of the Administrator
of the Code of Ethics, a short sale as a hedge against a long
position in the same security.
(k) A Covered Person, with the exception of an Independent Director,
may not purchase or sell options or futures, other than options
and futures related to broad-based indices, U.S. Treasury
securities, and long portfolio positions in the same or
substantially similar security.
4. Exempt Transactions
Neither the prohibitions nor the reporting requirements of this Code
apply to:
(a) Purchases or sales of Securities for an account over which an
Affiliate or Covered Person has no direct control and does not
exercise indirect control.
(b) Involuntary purchases or sales made by either an Affiliate or
Covered Person or any Fund.
(c) Purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment
plan.
(d) Purchases resulting from the exercise of rights acquired from an
issuer as part of a pro rata distribution to all holders of a
class of securities of such issuer and the sale of such rights.
(e) Purchases or sales which receive the express written approval and
pre-clearance of the Administrator of this Code of Ethics because
the purchase or sale will not occasion the improper use of an
Advisory Client's proprietary information or an abuse of the
individual's position of trust and responsibility to an Advisory
Client and because:
(i) their potential harm to an Advisory Client is remote;
(ii)they would be unlikely to affect a highly institutional
market; or
(iii) they are clearly not related economically to
securities being considered for purchase or sale by an
Advisory Client.
5. Reporting Requirements
(a) Within ten (10) days after the end of each calendar quarter, all
Covered Persons shall make a written report to the Administrator
of this Code of Ethics of all non-exempt securities transactions
occurring in the quarter by which they acquired or disposed of a
Beneficial Interest in any security and if no non-exempt
transaction in a security occurred during the quarter, the written
report shall so state.
However, a Covered Person shall not be considered in violation of
this Code of Ethics for not making a quarterly report if all such
information required by that report is contained in trade
confirmations and account statements previously provided to the
Administrator of this Code of Ethics for the time period covered
by that quarterly report.
(b) An Independent Director need only report non-exempt transactions
(in which he or she has had a Beneficial Interest) in a Security
which, at the time, such Director knew, or in the ordinary course
of fulfilling his or her duties, should have known was purchased
or sold or was being or had been considered for purchase or sale
by an Advisory Client during the fifteen (15) day period
immediately preceding or after the date of the Independent
Director's transaction and if no non-exempt transaction in a
security occurred during the quarter, the written report, if any,
shall so state.
(c) Transactions in an account identified to the Administrator of this
Code of Ethics need not be otherwise reported if the Covered
Person shall have authorized disclosure of all securities
transactions in the account to the Administrator and furnished
such Administrator copies of all confirmations and monthly
statements pertaining to such account.
(d) Such quarterly report must contain the following information with
respect to each reportable transaction:
(i) Name(s) in which the account is registered and the date
the account was established;
(ii) Date and nature of the transaction (purchase, sale or any
other type of acquisition or disposition);
(iii)Title, number of shares, principal amount, interest rate and
maturity (as applicable) of each security and the price at
which the transaction was effected;
(iv) Name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction
was effected; and
(v) the date the report is submitted.
(e) Any such report may contain a statement that it is not to be
construed as an admission that the person making it has or had any
direct or indirect Beneficial Interest in any security to which
the report relates.
(f) All Covered Persons other than Independent Directors shall arrange
for copies of confirmations of all personal securities
transactions and periodic statements of securities accounts to be
sent directly to the Administrator.
(g) All Covered Persons other than Independent Directors shall
initially, within ten (10) days of becoming a Covered Person, and
at least annually thereafter make a written holdings report to the
Administrator of the Code of Ethics with the following information
(such information, as to the annual report, must be current as of
a date no more than 30 days before the report is submitted) :
(i) Name(s) in which the account is registered and the date
the account was established;
(ii) Title, number of shares, principal amount, interest rate
and maturity (as applicable) of each Security;
(iii) Name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the account
is maintained; and
(iv) the date the report is submitted.
(h) All Covered Persons shall, at least annually, certify that they
have read and understand the Code of Ethics and recognize that
they are subject thereto.
(i) All Covered Persons other than Independent Directors shall certify
annually, that they have complied with the requirements of the
Code of Ethics and that they have disclosed or reported all
personal securities transactions and holdings required to be
disclosed or reported pursuant thereto.
(j) (1) The Sub-Adviser shall, within thirty (30) days after the
end of each calendar quarter, submit a written report to the
Administrator of the Code of Ethics setting forth all
personal securities transactions by all Covered Persons
employed by the Sub-Adviser which occurred within fifteen
(15) days of a transaction in the same security by an
Advisory Client advised by the Sub-Adviser; or
(2) Alternatively, where a Sub-Advisor for an Oppenheimer fund or
portfolio thereof has adopted its own Code of Ethics which is
acceptable to the Independent Directors of the Oppenheimer
funds and which complies with the provisions of the Rule,
then, if acceptable to the Board of Directors of the
Oppenheimer fund involved:
(i) the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics shall govern the
activities of the Sub-Adviser and its access persons;
(ii)the Administrator of the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics
shall, within thirty (30) days of the end of each
quarter, submit a report to the Board of Directors of
each Oppenheimer fund of which it is a Sub-Adviser:
(a) certifying that within the last quarter no violations
of such Code of Ethics have occurred with respect to
Covered Persons of the Oppenheimer funds affiliated
with the Sub-Adviser; or
(b) if any violations have occurred, a description of the
violation, the identity of the individual(s) involved
and the sanction, if any, imposed.
(iii) the Administrator of the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics
shall submit a report, at least annually, to the Board of
Directors of each Oppenheimer fund sub-advised by
Sub-Adviser, containing information similar to that
provided by the Administrator of this Code of Ethics
pursuant to Section 8(b)(x); and
(iv)the Administrator of this Code of Ethics shall not have
responsibility for overseeing the Code of Ethics of the
Sub-Adviser but shall request, on behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Oppenheimer funds, that Sub-Adviser
submit the reports required by this Section 5(j).
6. Confidentiality of Advisory Client Transactions
Until disclosed in a public report to shareholders or to the SEC in the
normal course, all information concerning the securities "being considered for
purchase or sale" by any Advisory Client shall be kept confidential by all
Covered Persons and disclosed by them only on a need to know basis in accordance
with practices and policies developed and periodically reviewed for their
continuing appropriateness by an officer of OFI designated for this purpose by
its Chairman or President. It shall be the responsibility of the Administrator
of this Code of Ethics to be familiar with such practices and policies and to
report any inadequacy found by him to OFI and the directors of the Oppenheimer
funds or any committee appointed by them to deal with such information.
7. Sanctions
Any violation of this Code of Ethics shall be subject to the imposition
of such sanctions by OFI as may be deemed appropriate under the circumstances to
achieve the purposes of the Rule and this Code of Ethics and may include
suspension or termination of employment, a letter of censure and/or restitution
of an amount equal to the difference between the price paid or received by the
affected Advisory Client(s) and the more advantageous price paid or received by
the offending person except that sanctions for violation of this Code of Ethics
by an Independent Director of an Oppenheimer fund will be determined by a
majority vote of its other Independent Directors.
8. Administration and Construction
(a) The administration of this Code of Ethics shall be the
responsibility of a person nominated by OFI and approved by the
Independent Directors of each of the Oppenheimer funds as the
"Administrator" of this Code of Ethics.
(b) The duties of such Administrator will include:
(i) Continuous maintenance of a current list of the names of
all Covered Persons with an appropriate description of
their title or employment;
(ii) Furnishing all Covered Persons a copy of this Code of Ethics
and initially and periodically informing them of their duties
and obligations thereunder;
(iii) Designating, as desired, appropriate personnel to
review transaction and holdings reports submitted by
Covered Persons;
(iv) Maintaining or supervising the maintenance of all records
required by the Code of Ethics;
(v) Preparing listings of all transactions effected by any
Covered Person within fifteen (15) days of the date on which
the same security was held, purchased or sold by an Advisory
Client;
(vi) Determining whether any particular securities transaction
should be exempted pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph
4(e) of this Code of Ethics;
(vii)Issuing either personally or with the assistance of counsel
as may be appropriate, any interpretation of this Code of
Ethics which may appear consistent with the objectives of the
Rule and this Code of Ethics.
(viii) Conducting such inspections or investigations, including
scrutiny of the listings referred to in the subparagraph (v)
above, as shall reasonably be required to detect and report,
with his/her recommendations, any apparent violations of this
Code of Ethics to OFI and to the directors of the affected
Oppenheimer funds or any committee appointed by them to deal
with such information;
(ix) Submitting a quarterly report to the Board of Directors of
each Oppenheimer fund potentially affected, containing a
description of any violation and the sanction imposed;
transactions which suggest the possibility of a violation;
interpretations issued by and any exemptions or waivers found
appropriate by the Administrator; and any other significant
information concerning the appropriateness of this Code of
Ethics.
(x) Submitting a written report at least annually to the Board of
Directors or Trustees of each Oppenheimer fund which:
(a) summarizes existing procedures concerning personal
investing and any changes in the procedures made
during the past year;
(b) identifies any violations requiring significant
remedial action during the past year and describes the
remedial action taken;
(c) identifies any recommended changes in existing
restrictions or procedures based upon experience under
the Code of Ethics, evolving industry practices or
developments in applicable laws or regulations;
(d) reports with respect to the implementation of this Code of
Ethics through orientation and training programs and
on-going reminders; and
(e) certifies that the procedures set forth in this Code of
Ethics were as reasonably necessary to prevent Covered
Persons from violating the Code of Ethics.
(xi) Maintaining periodic educational conferences to explain and
reinforce the terms of this Code of Ethics.
9. Required Records
The Administrator shall maintain and cause to be maintained in an
easily accessible place, the following records:
(a) A copy of any Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to the Rule which
has been in effect during the most recent five (5) year period;
(b) A record of any violation of any such Code of Ethics, and of any
action taken as a result of such violation, within five (5) years
from the end of the fiscal year of OFI in which such violation
occurred;
(c) A copy of each report made by a Covered Person, as well as trade
confirmations and account statements that contain information not
duplicated in such reports, within five (5) years from the end of
the fiscal year of OFI in which such report is made or
information is provided, the first two (2) years in an easily
accessible place;
(d) A copy of each report made by the Administrator within five (5)
years from the end of the fiscal year of OFI in which such report
is made or issued, the first two (2) years in an easily
accessible place;
(e) A list, in an easily accessible place, of all persons who are, or
within the most recent five (5) year period have been, required
to make reports pursuant to the Rule and this Code of Ethics or
who are or were responsible for reviewing these reports; and
(f) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision,
to permit an Investment Person to acquire a private placement
security, for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal
year in which permission was granted.
10. Amendments and Modifications
This Code of Ethics may not be amended or modified except in a written
form which is specifically approved by majority vote of the Independent
Directors of each of the Oppenheimer funds.
Dated as of: March 1, 2000
--------------------
Andrew J. Donohue
Secretary
APPENDICES - FORMS
These forms are for reporting purposes under this Code of Ethics, are
subject to change from time to time by the Administrator of this Code of
Ethics or his/her designee, and are neither incorporated into nor are part
of this Code of Ethics.
I. Acknowledgement of Receipt of Code of Ethics
II. Initial Report and Annual Report of Personal Securities Holdings
III. Pre-Clearance of Personal Securities Trades
IV. Initial Public Offering Approval Request Form
V. Private Placement Approval Request Form
VI. Quarterly Report under the Code of Ethics
VII. Annual Certification of Compliance with Code of Ethics
legag\code_2000March
<PAGE>
CODE OF ETHICS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To: Administrator of Code of Ethics
I hereby certify to OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI") and the Oppenheimer
funds that I have read and understand the Code of Ethics, I recognize that I am
subject to the Code of Ethics, and I will act in accordance with the policies
and procedures expressed in the Code of Ethics.
Date:______________________
---------------------------
Signature
---------------------------
Print Name
<PAGE>
PERSONAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT AND HOLDINGS NOTIFICATION FORM
(ATTACH COPIES OF STATEMENTS FOR ACCOUNTS LISTED BELOW)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMPLOYEE NAME/EXT. DEPARTMENT/TITLE DIRECT SUPERVISOR
======================================================================================================================
======================================================================================================================
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME IN WHICH PERSONAL BROKER/INSTITUTION'S NAME AND MAILING
SECURITIES ACCOUNT IS HELD(1) ADDRESS ACCOUNT NUMBER
======================================================================================================================
======================================================================================================================
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER PERSONAL HOLDINGS(2) (NOT INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FOR ACCOUNTS
LISTED ABOVE)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Trade Description Type of Shares, or Unit Total Cost Name of Broker,
Date of Security Transaction Principal Price or Proceeds Dealer or Bank
Amount, Interest
Rate & Maturity
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AND THAT
LISTED ABOVE ARE ALL PERSONAL SECURITIES ACCOUNTS AND PERSONAL HOLDINGS IN WHICH
I HAVE BENEFICIAL INTEREST OR OVER WHICH I EXERCISE INVESTMENT CONTROL.
- ------------------------------------
- ------------------
EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE DATE OF HIRE
(1)List your own securities account as well as those accounts in which you have
a financial interest or over which you exercise investment control.
(2)List your personal holdings not reflected in the attached account
statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Personal Securities Trading Authorization
PRE-CLEARANCE FORM
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Security Identifier Buy Estimated
Name of Security (CUSIP or ticker Or Name of Broker Brokerage Date/Time
symbol) Sell Account # Of Trade*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Pre-clearance is effective for current business day and next business day
only.
</TABLE>
Yes No
Pre-clearance: Granted |_| Denied |_|
|_| |_| Existing Trade on the trading desk?
If the answer to either question is yes, pre-clearance is denied.
Requested by:
- -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------- -----------------
(Signature) (Print Name)
(Date)
Authorization for Authorization
for Fixed
Equity Securities:_______________Income Securities: __________________________
- -----------
Joy Milan Date
Donna Hymes Date
<PAGE>
67890
Initial Public Offering Approval Request
Note: Investment persons, as defined in Oppenheimer Funds Code of Ethics,
may not purchase any security in an Initial Public Offering
- ------------------------------
- --------------------------------
Name ( Please Print) Department
1. Name of issuer:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Type of security: ? Equity ? Fixed Income
3. Planned date of transaction:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Size of offering:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Number of shares to be purchased:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. What firm is making this IPO available to you?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Do you do business with this firm in connection with your job duties?
-----------------------------------------
8. Do you believe this IPO is being made available to you in order to influence
brokerage order flow for fund or client accounts? __________
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Have you in the past received IPO allocations from this
firm? ? Yes ? No
If "yes", please provide a list of all previously purchased IPO's
- -------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. To your knowledge, are other
OppenheimerFunds personnel or clients involved? ? Yes ? No
If "yes", please describe
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Describe how you became aware of this investment opportunity:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I understand that approval, if granted, is based upon the information provided
herein and I agree to observe any conditions imposed upon such approval.
I represent (i) that I have read and understand the Oppenheimer Funds Code of
Ethics with respect to personal trading and recognize that I am subject thereto;
(ii) that the above trade is in compliance with the Code; (iii) that to the best
of my knowledge the above trade does not represent a conflict of interest, or an
appearance of a conflict of interest, with any client or fund; and (iv) that I
have no knowledge of any pending client orders in this security. Furthermore, I
acknowledge that no action should be taken by me to effect the trade(s) listed
above until I have received formal approval.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------
Signature
Date
Date Received by Legal Department: ____________________________________
Approved: _______________________________ Disapproved:
_______________________ Date: _________________________
Name: Name
Title: Title:
<PAGE>
Private Placement Approval Request
(Attach a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum, Offering Memorandum or
any other relevant documents)
- ------------------------------
- --------------------------------
Name and Title ( Please Print) Department
1. Name of corporation, partnership or other entity (the "Organization")
--------------------------------------------------------
2. Is the Organization: ? Public ? Private
3. Type of security or fund:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Nature of participation (e.g., Stockholder, General Partner, Limited
Partner). Indicate all applicable: _______________________________
5. Planned date of transaction:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Size of offering (if a fund, size of fund):
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Size of your participation:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Would the investment carry limited or unlimited liability?
Yes? ? No
9. To your knowledge, are other OppenheimerFunds personnel or clients
involved? ? Yes ? No If "yes", please describe: ______
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Describe the business to be conducted by the Organization:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. If Organization is a fund:
o Describe investment objectives of the fund (e.g., value, growth, core
or specialty)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. For portfolio managers:
o Does a fund that you manage have an investment objective that would
make this private placement an opportunity that should first be
made available to a fund or client you manage money for? ?
Yes ? No
If "yes", please describe which client or fund:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Will you participate in any investment decisions? ? Yes ?
No If "yes", please describe:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Describe how you become aware of this investment opportunity:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I understand that approval, if granted, is based upon the information provided
herein and I agree to observe any conditions imposed upon such approval. I will
notify the Legal Department in writing if any aspect of the investment is
proposed to be changed (e.g., investment focus, compensation, involvement in
organization's management) and I hereby acknowledge that such changes may
require further approvals, or divestiture of the investment by me.
I represent (i) that I have read and understand the Oppenheimer Funds Code of
Ethics with respect to personal trading and recognize that I am subject thereto;
(ii) that the above trade is in compliance with the Code; (iii) that to the best
of my knowledge the above trade does not represent a conflict of interest, or an
appearance of a conflict of interest, with any client or fund; and (iv) that I
have no knowledge of any pending client orders in this security. Furthermore, I
acknowledge that no action should be taken by me to effect the trade(s) listed
above until I have received formal approval.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------
Signature
Date
Date Received by Legal Department: ____________________________________
Approved: _______________________________ Disapproved:
_______________________ Date: _________________________
Name: Name
Title: Title:
<PAGE>
TO: Administrator of the Code of Ethics DATE:
-------------------------
FROM: ________________________ (Print Name) RE: Quarterly Report
As a covered person under the Code of Ethics of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. I hereby
confirm that, other than accounts and the transactions listed below, I have no
other securities accounts and have not made any purchases or sales of securities
covered by the Code during the quarter ended __________________ except (i)
transactions through a brokerage account listed below for which copies of all
confirmations and statements have been furnished to you, or (ii) transactions in
shares of one or more of the Oppenheimer funds in an account identified as an
OFI Employees Account in the Dealer section of the Account Statement.
I understand that the Code of Ethics covers all securities transactions for (i)
my personal account; (ii) any account in which I have a beneficial interest;
(iii) any account maintained by a relative residing with me; and (iv) any
account over which I have any discretionary powers of investment. All securities
are covered except U.S. Treasury securities, money market instruments and
non-Oppenheimer open-end mutual funds. I also understand inaccurate completion
of this form may result in disciplinary sanctions.
All brokerage accounts subject to the Code of Ethics are described below. If
there are no brokerage accounts subject to the Code of Ethics, write "none"
below.
NOTE: YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL BROKERAGE ACCOUNT INFORMATION EVEN IF YOU HAVE
PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED THIS INFORMATION. AN INCOMPLETE REPORT WILL BE RETURNED TO
-- ---------- ------ ---- -- -------- --
YOU FOR PROPER COMPLETION.
- ---
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firm Name / Address Account Number Name(s) In Which Account Is
Registered
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions: List only if done through a broker who has NOT forwarded copies of
your account statements to the Code Administrator; or if done in any Oppenheimer
funds account NOT identified as an OFI Employees Account. If there are no
transactions to report, write "none" below.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Trade Description Type of Shares, or Unit Total Cost Name of Broker,
Date Of Security Transaction Principal Priceor Proceeds Dealer or Bank
Amount,
interest rate
& maturity
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS REPORT IS TO BE COMPLETED, DATED, SIGNED AND RETURNED TO THE ADMINISTRATOR
OR THE ADMINISTRATOR'S DESIGNEE ON OR BEFORE THE 10TH CALENDAR DAY AFTER
QUARTER-END.
----------------------------------------
Signature
<PAGE>
CODE OF ETHICS
Annual Certification
TO: Administrator of the Code of Ethics
RE: Annual Certification of Compliance - Sections 5(h) and 5(i):
------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with the requirements of Sections 5(h) and 5(i) of the
Oppenheimer Funds Inc. Code of Ethics ("Code of Ethics") I hereby certify that:
(1) I have read and understand the Code of Ethics and I recognize that
I am subject to it;
(2) I have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics; and
(3) I have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions and
holdings as required under the Code of Ethics.
By: _______________________________
Signature
-------------------------------
Print Name
Date: _______________________________
legag\CODE_2000March
