File No. 811-10107
333-
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
---
Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ /___/
Post-Effective Amendment No. __ /___/
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 / X /
---
Amendment No. __ /___/
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 742-7825
Joseph P. Barri, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER __, 2000
Pioneer logo
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
[Pioneer logo]
PIONEER
GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
Prospectus, November ___, 2000
CONTENTS
Basic information about the fund
Management
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities agency
has approved the fund's shares or determined whether this prospectus is accurate
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a crime.
<PAGE>
[text box] AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCY. [end text box]
[text box] CONTACT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL TO DISCUSS HOW THE FUND FITS
INTO YOUR PORTFOLIO. [end text box]
<PAGE>
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Capital growth.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Normally, the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in common
stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. financial services companies. The fund considers
securities that trade like common stocks, such as convertible debt, depositary
receipts, warrants, rights and preferred stocks, to be common stocks. The fund
also may purchase forward foreign currency exchange contracts in connection with
its investments.
The fund's holdings are likely to include banks, insurance companies, real
estate-related firms, finance companies, investment advisory companies,
investment banking and brokerage firms, financial holding companies and other
financial service providers.
The fund allocates its assets among securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The
fund may invest in securities of issuers located in developing and emerging
economies. At least 65% of the fund's assets (at time of purchase) are allocated
among securities of issuers located in at least three countries, one of which
may be the United States.
The fund may invest in large capitalization companies with established track
records and in less established mid- or small-capitalization companies.
The fund uses a "growth" style of management and seeks to invest in companies
with above average potential for earnings and revenue growth. To select growth
stocks, Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., the fund's investment adviser,
employs due diligence and fundamental research, an evaluation of the issuer
based on its financial statements and operations. Pioneer relies on the
knowledge, experience and judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates
who have access to a wide variety of research. Pioneer focuses on the quality
and price of individual issuers and economic sector analysis, not on
market-timing strategies. Factors Pioneer looks for in selecting investments
include:
|X| A sustainable competitive advantage such as a brand name, customer base or
economies of scale
|X| Issuer has strong fundamentals relative to its competitors, such as
increasing or sustainable demand for its financial services or products
|X| Favorable expected returns relative to perceived risk
Pioneer generally sells a portfolio security when Pioneer believes that the
issuer no longer offers the potential for above average earnings and revenue
growth. Pioneer makes that determination based upon the same criteria it uses to
select portfolio securities.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Even though the fund seeks capital growth, you could lose money on your
investment or not make as much as if you invested elsewhere if:
|X| The stock market goes down (this risk may be greater in the short term)
|X| Growth stocks fall out of favor with investors
|X| The fund's investments do not have the growth potential originally expected
The fund also has the risks associated with its focus on investing in financial
services companies. Issuers in which the fund invests are likely to:
|X| Be subject to extensive and changing government regulation which may
adversely affect their revenues and earnings and the businesses in which
they engage
|X| Experience intense competition for market share and global consolidation,
which can adversely affect profitability, as traditional distinctions
between financial services and markets are eliminated
|X| Be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. The profitability of
these issuers is heavily dependent upon the cost of raising capital.
Volatile or sharply rising interest rates can significantly increase their
cost of capital and reduce profitability
|X| Be dependent upon the financial condition of borrowers. Adverse economic
conditions may increase the likelihood of default by borrowers
Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing
in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks are more pronounced to the extent
that the fund invests a significant portion of its non-U.S. investments in any
one region. These risks may include:
|X| Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to
less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices
|X| Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile than U.S.
markets. In a changing market, Pioneer may not be able to sell the fund's
securities at times, in amounts and at prices Pioneer considers reasonable
|X| Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the
fund's investments
|X| Economic, political and social developments that adversely affect the
securities markets
|X| Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the fund's return
To the extent that the fund invests in small- and mid-size companies, it will
also have the risks associated with investing in these companies. Compared to
large companies, smaller companies, and the market for their common stocks, are
likely to:
|X| Be more sensitive to changes in the economy, earnings results and investor
expectations
|X| Have more limited product lines and capital resources
|X| Experience sharper swings in market values
|X| Be harder to sell at the times and prices Pioneer thinks appropriate
The fund is not diversified, which means that it can invest a higher percentage
of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund. Being non-diversified
may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE
Since the fund is newly organized, it does not disclose any performance
information. The fund's performance will vary from year to year. Past
performance does not necessarily indicate how a fund will perform in the future.
As a shareowner, you may lose or make money on your investment.
[text box: magnifier icon]
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES
Financial services companies are companies that derive at least 50% of their
revenues from providing services such as banking, finance, insurance, investment
advisory, investment banking, brokerage or other financial services.
[end text box]
2
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FEES AND EXPENSES
These are the fees and expenses, based on estimated expenses for the fund's
current fiscal year, you may pay if you invest in the fund.
SHAREOWNER FEES
PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares
as a percentage of offering price 5.75% None None
.......................................................................
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a
percentage of offering price or the
amount you receive when you sell shares,
whichever is less None(1) 4% 1%
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
PAID FROM THE ASSETS OF THE FUND
as a percentage of average daily net
assets CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
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Management Fee(2) 0.xx% 0.xx% 0.xx%
.......................................................................
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
.......................................................................
Other Expenses(2) 0.xx% 0.xx% 0.xx%
.......................................................................
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2) x.xx% x.xx% x.xx%
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(1) Purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by participants in
certain group plans are not subject to an initial sales charge but may
be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. See "Buying,
exchanging and selling shares."
(2) Pioneer has agreed not to impose all or a portion of its management fee
and, if necessary, to limit other operating expenses of the fund to the
extent required to reduce Class A expenses to x.xx% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class A shares; the portion of fund
expenses attributable to Class B and Class C shares will be reduced
only to the extent such expenses are reduced for Class A shares. This
agreement is voluntary and temporary and may be revised or terminated
at any time. Pioneer may subsequently recover reimbursed expenses from
the fund if the fund's expense ratio is less than the expense
limitation. Estimated expenses for the fiscal year ending August 31,
2001 are:
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
Management Fee 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
Other Expenses x.xx% x.xx% x.xx%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses x.xx% x.xx% x.xx%
3
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EXAMPLE
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost
of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in
the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and
distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's
operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your
costs would be:
IF YOU SELL YOUR SHARES IF YOU DO NOT SELL YOUR SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF YEARS YOU OWN YOUR SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 3 1 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx
...............................................................................
Class B xxx xxx xxx xxx
...............................................................................
Class C xxx xxx xxx xxx
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BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
As discussed, the fund invests primarily in the common stock of financial
services companies.
This section describes additional investments that the fund may make or
strategies that it may pursue to a lesser degree to achieve the fund's goal.
Some of the fund's secondary investment policies also entail risks. To learn
more about these investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement
of additional information (SAI).
INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN COMMON STOCKS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES
The fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets (at time of purchase) in the
common stock of companies expected to benefit from the design, development or
sale of products or services used for or in connection with financial services.
The fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in
debt securities of U.S. or non-U.S. corporate and government issuers. Generally
the fund acquires debt securities that are investment grade, but the fund may
invest up to 5% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in below
investment grade debt securities. Although investing in debt securities is not a
principal investment strategy of the fund, the fund invests in debt securities
when Pioneer believes they are consistent with the fund's investment objective,
to diversify the fund's portfolio or for greater liquidity.
Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's inability to meet
principal or interest payments on its obligations. Factors which could
contribute to a decline in the market value of debt securities in the fund's
portfolio include rising interest rates or a reduction in the perceived
creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities. A debt security is investment
grade if it is rated in one of the top four categories by a nationally
recognized securities rating organization or determined to be of equivalent
credit quality by Pioneer. Debt securities rated below investment grade are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below
investment grade debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to
greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during periods of
economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities.
4
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TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its
investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in
securities with remaining maturities of less than one year or may hold cash or
cash equivalents. For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may depart from its
principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these
securities or may hold cash. During such periods, the fund may not be able to
achieve its investment objective. The fund intends to adopt a defensive strategy
only when Pioneer believes common stocks have extraordinary risks due to
political or economic factors.
SHORT-TERM TRADING
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an
investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no
longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading,
it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and
could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital
gains.
DERIVATIVES
The fund may use futures, options and other derivatives. A derivative is a
security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or
the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other
financial instruments. The fund does not use derivatives as a primary investment
technique and generally limits their use to hedging. However, the fund may use
derivatives for a variety of non-principal purposes, including:
|X| As a hedge against adverse changes in stock market prices, interest rates
or currency exchange rates
|X| As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
|X| To increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be
considered speculative
Even a small investment in derivatives can have a significant impact on the
fund's exposure to stock market values, interest rates or currency exchange
rates. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the
value of the fund's other investments, the fund may not fully benefit from or
could lose money on the derivative position. In addition, some derivatives
involve risk of loss if the person who issued the derivative defaults on its
obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid and more difficult to value.
5
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
PIONEER, THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISER,
selects the fund's investments and oversees the fund's operations.
PIONEER GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
Pioneer is part of Pioneer Global Asset Management, the asset management
subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., one of the largest banking groups in
Italy. Pioneer Global Asset Management provides investment management and
financial services to mutual funds, institutional and other clients. As of
September 30, 2000, Pioneer Global Asset Management had over $100 billion in
assets under management worldwide and Pioneer had over $__ billion in assets
under management.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pioneer's main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Pioneer has filed for an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that
would permit Pioneer to hire and terminate a subadviser for the fund without
shareholder approval. Currently, Pioneer does not intend to use a subadviser in
connection with the fund but, if the order is granted, will be able to do so in
the future with the approval of the fund's trustees.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of a [insert
appropriate description.]
MANAGEMENT FEE
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund. Pioneer's annual fee is equal to 0.xx%
of the fund's average daily net assets. The fee is normally computed daily and
paid monthly.
DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. Pioneering
Services Corporation is the fund's transfer agent. The fund compensates the
distributor and transfer agent for their services. The distributor and the
transfer agent are subsidiaries of Pioneer Global Assets Management.
6
<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
NET ASSET VALUE
The fund's net asset value is the value of its portfolio of securities plus any
other assets minus its operating expenses and any other liabilities. The fund
calculates a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York
Stock Exchange is open when regular trading closes (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time).
The fund generally values its portfolio securities based on market prices or
quotations. When market prices are not available or are considered by Pioneer to
be unreliable, the fund may use an asset's fair value. Fair value is determined
in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's trustees. International
securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For
this reason, the values of any international securities owned by the fund could
change on a day when you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
You buy or sell shares at the share price. When you buy Class A shares, you pay
an initial sales charge. When you sell Class B or Class C shares, you may pay a
contingent deferred sales charge depending on how long you have owned your
shares.
CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES
The fund offers three classes of shares through this prospectus. Each class has
different sales charges and expenses, allowing you to choose the class that best
meets your needs.
Factors you should consider include:
|X| How long you expect to own the shares
|X| The expenses paid by each class
|X| Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges
Your investment professional can help you determine which class meets your
goals. Your investment firm may receive different compensation depending upon
which class you choose. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are purchasing shares
outside the U.S., you may pay different sales charges under local laws and
business practices.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The fund has adopted a distribution plan for each class of shares offered
through this prospectus in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Under each plan the fund pays distribution and service fees
to the distributor. Because these fees are an ongoing expense, over time they
increase the cost of your investment and your shares may cost more than shares
that are subject to other types of sales charges.
[text box: magnifier icon]
SHARE PRICE
The net asset value per share calculated on the day of your transaction,
adjusted for any applicable sales charge, is often referred to as the share
price.
[end text box]
7
<PAGE>
COMPARING CLASSES OF SHARES
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
WHY YOU MIGHT PREFER EACH CLASS
Class A shares may be your best alternative if you prefer to pay an initial
sales charge and have lower annual expenses, or if you qualify for any reduction
or waiver of the initial sales charge.
You may prefer Class B shares if you do not want to pay an initial sales charge,
or if you plan to hold your investment for at least six years. Class B shares
are not recommended if you are investing $250,000 or more.
You may prefer Class C shares if you do not wish to pay an initial sales charge
and you would rather pay higher annual expenses over time.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE
Up to 5.75% of the offering price, which is reduced or waived for large
purchases and certain types of investors. At the time of your purchase, your
investment firm may receive a commission from the distributor of up to 5%,
declining as the size of your investment increases.
None
None
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
None, except in certain circumstances when the initial sales charge is waived.
Up to 4% is charged if you sell your shares. The charge is reduced over time and
not charged after six years. Your investment firm may receive a commission from
the distributor at the time of your purchase of up to 4%.
A 1% charge if you sell your shares within one year of purchase. Your investment
firm may receive a commission from the distributor at the time of your purchase
of up to 1%.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES Up to 0.25% of average daily net assets.
Up to 1% of average daily net assets.
Up to 1% of average daily net assets.
ANNUAL EXPENSES (INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES) Lower than Class B or
Class C.
Higher than Class A shares; Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight
years.
Higher than Class A shares; Class C shares do not convert to any other class of
shares. You continue to pay higher annual expenses.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Class A shares of other Pioneer mutual funds.
Class B shares of other Pioneer mutual funds.
Class C shares of other Pioneer mutual funds.
8
<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
SALES CHARGES: CLASS A SHARES
You pay the offering price when you buy Class A shares unless you qualify to
purchase shares at net asset value. You pay a lower sales charge as the size of
your investment increases. You do not pay a sales charge when you reinvest
dividends or distributions paid by the fund.
INVESTMENTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE
You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase Class A shares if you are
investing $1 million or more or you are a participant in certain group plans.
However, you pay a deferred sales charge if you sell your Class A shares within
one year of purchase. The sales charge is equal to 1% of your investment or your
sale proceeds, whichever is less.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing
shares of Pioneer mutual funds. If you or your investment professional notifies
the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the time of
your purchase, the distributor will credit you with the combined value (at the
current offering price) of all your Pioneer mutual fund shares and the shares of
your spouse and the shares of any children under 21. Certain trustees and
fiduciaries may also qualify for a reduced sales charge. For this purpose,
Pioneer mutual funds include any fund for which the distributor is principal
underwriter and, at the distributor's discretion, may include funds organized
outside the U.S. managed by Pioneer.
See "Qualifying for a reduced sales charge" for more information.
SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES
SALES CHARGE AS % OF
------------------------
OFFERING NET AMOUNT
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE INVESTED
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10
......................................................................
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71
......................................................................
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63
......................................................................
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56
......................................................................
$500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04
......................................................................
$1 million or more -0- -0-
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[text box: magnifier icon]
OFFERING PRICE
The net asset value per share plus any initial sales charge.
[end text box]
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SALES CHARGES: CLASS B SHARES
You buy Class B shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial
sales charge. However, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge to the
distributor if you sell your Class B shares within six years of purchase. The
contingent deferred sales charge decreases as the number of years since your
purchase increases.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
---------------------------------------------
ON SHARES SOLD AS A % OF
BEFORE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT SUBJECT
END OF YEAR TO THE SALES CHARGE
---------------------------------------------
1 4
.............................................
2 4
.............................................
3 3
.............................................
4 3
.............................................
5 2
.............................................
6 1
.............................................
7+ -0-
---------------------------------------------
CONVERSION TO CLASS A SHARES
Class B shares automatically convert into Class A shares. This helps you because
Class A shares pay lower expenses.
Your Class B shares will convert to Class A shares at the beginning of the
calendar month (calendar quarter for shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
that is eight years after the date of purchase except that:
|X| Shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions
will convert to Class A shares at the same time as shares on which the
dividend or distribution was paid
|X| Shares purchased by exchanging shares from another fund will convert on the
date that the shares originally acquired would have converted into Class A
shares
Currently, the Internal Revenue Service permits the conversion of shares to take
place without imposing a federal income tax. Conversion may not occur if the
Internal Revenue Service deems it a taxable event for federal tax purposes.
[text box]
PAYING THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC)
Several rules apply for Class B shares so that you pay the lowest possible CDSC.
|X| The CDSC is calculated on the current market value or the original cost of
the shares you are selling, whichever is less
|X| You do not pay a CDSC on reinvested dividends or distributions
|X| In determining the number of years since your purchase, all purchases are
considered to have been made on the first day of that month (quarter for
shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
|X| If you sell only some of your shares, the transfer agent will first sell
your shares that are not subject to any CDSC and then the shares that you
have owned the longest
|X| You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See "Qualifying
for a reduced sales charge" [end text box]
[text box: magnifier icon]
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
A sales charge that may be deducted from your sale proceeds.
[end text box]
10
<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
SALES CHARGES: CLASS C SHARES
You buy Class C shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial
sales charge. However, if you sell your Class C shares within one year of
purchase, you will pay to the distributor a contingent deferred sales charge of
1% of the current market value or the original cost of the shares you are
selling, whichever is less.
[text box]
PAYING THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC)
Several rules apply for Class C shares which result in your paying the lowest
CDSC.
|X| The CDSC is calculated on the current market value or the original cost of
the shares you are selling, whichever is less
|X| You do not pay a CDSC on reinvested dividends or distributions
|X| In determining the amount of time since your purchase, all purchases are
considered to have been made on the first day of that month (quarter for
shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
|X| If you sell only some of your shares, the transfer agent will first sell
your shares that are not subject to any CDSC and then the shares that you
purchased most recently
|X| You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See "Qualifying
for a reduced sales charge" [end text box]
[text box: magnifier icon]
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
A sales charge that may be deducted from your sale proceeds.
[end text box]
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<PAGE>
QUALIFYING FOR A REDUCED SALES CHARGE
INITIAL CLASS A SALES CHARGE WAIVERS
You may purchase Class A shares at net asset value (without a sales charge) or
with a reduced initial sales charge as follows. If you believe you qualify for
any of the waivers discussed below, contact the distributor. You are required to
provide written confirmation of your eligibility. You may not resell these
shares except to or on behalf of the fund.
CLASS A PURCHASES AT NET ASSET VALUE ARE AVAILABLE TO:
|X| Current or former trustees and officers of the fund;
|X| Current or former partners and employees of legal counsel to the fund;
|X| Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales representatives
of The Pioneer Group, Inc. and its affiliates;
|X| Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales representatives
of any subadviser or a predecessor adviser (or their affiliates) to any
investment company for which Pioneer serves as investment adviser;
|X| Current or former officers, partners, employees or registered
representatives of broker-dealers which have entered into sales agreements
with the distributor;
|X| Members of the immediate families of any of the persons above;
|X| Any trust, custodian, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan of the
foregoing persons;
|X| Insurance company separate accounts;
|X| Certain "wrap accounts" for the benefit of clients of financial planners
adhering to standards established by the distributor;
|X| Other funds and accounts for which Pioneer or any of its affiliates serve
as investment adviser or manager;
|X| In connection with certain reorganization, liquidation or acquisition
transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding
companies;
|X| Certain unit investment trusts;
|X| Employer-sponsored retirement plans with 100 or more eligible employees or
at least $500,000 in total plan assets;
|X| Participants in Optional Retirement Programs if (i) your employer has
authorized a limited number of mutual funds to participate in the program,
(ii) all participating mutual funds sell shares to program participants at
net asset value, (iii) your employer has agreed in writing to actively
promote Pioneer mutual funds to program participants and (iv) the program
provides for a matching contribution for each participant contribution;
|X| Participants in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) the employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial
intermediary and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a
Pioneer mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other
financial intermediary designated by your employer.
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BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
CLASS A PURCHASES AT A REDUCED INITIAL SALES CHARGE OR NET ASSET VALUE ARE ALSO
AVAILABLE TO: Group Plans if the sponsoring organization
|X| recommends purchases of Pioneer mutual funds to,
|X| permits solicitation of, or
|X| facilitates purchases by its employees, members or participants.
LETTER OF INTENT (CLASS A)
You can use a letter of intent to qualify for reduced sales charges in two
situations:
|X| If you plan to invest at least $50,000 (excluding any reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions) in the fund's Class A shares
during the next 13 months
|X| If you include in your letter of intent the value - at the current offering
price - of all of your Class A shares of the fund and all other Pioneer
mutual fund shares held of record in the amount used to determine the
applicable sales charge for the fund shares you plan to buy
Completing a letter of intent does not obligate you to purchase additional
shares, but if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level
of sales charges by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your
shares, if earlier), the distributor will recalculate your sales charge. You
must pay the additional sales charge within 20 days after you are notified of
the recalculation or it will be deducted from your account (or your sale
proceeds). For more information regarding letters of intent, please contact your
investment professional or obtain and read the statement of additional
information.
REINVESTMENT (CLASS A)
If you sold shares of another mutual fund within the past 60 days, you may be
able to reinvest the sale proceeds from that fund in Class A shares of the fund
at net asset value without a sales charge. To qualify:
|X| Your investment firm must have a sales agreement with the distributor;
|X| You must demonstrate that the amount invested is from the proceeds of the
sale of shares from another mutual fund that occurred within 60 days
immediately preceding your purchase;
|X| You paid a sales charge on the original purchase of the shares sold; and
|X| The mutual fund whose shares were sold also offers net asset value
purchases to shareowners that sell shares of a Pioneer mutual fund.
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<PAGE>
WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC)
CLASS A SHARES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO A CDSC
Purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, or by participants in a Group
Plan which were not subject to an initial sales charge, may be subject to a CDSC
upon redemption. A CDSC is payable to the distributor in the event of a share
redemption within 12 months following the share purchase at the rate of 1% of
the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend
and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares. However, the
CDSC is waived for redemptions of Class A shares purchased by an
employer-sponsored retirement plan described under Section 401(a), 403(b) or 457
of the Internal Revenue Code that has 1,000 or more eligible employees or at
least $10 million in total plan assets.
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
The distributor may waive or reduce the CDSC for Class A shares that are subject
to a CDSC or for Class B or Class C shares if:
|X| The distribution results from the death of all registered account owners or
a participant in an employer-sponsored plan. For UGMAs, UTMAs and trust
accounts, the waiver applies only upon the death of all beneficial owners;
|X| You become disabled (within the meaning of Section 72 of the Internal
Revenue Code) after the purchase of the shares being sold. For UGMAs, UTMAs
and trust accounts, the waiver only applies upon the disability of all
beneficial owners;
|X| The distribution is made in connection with limited automatic redemptions
as described in "Systematic withdrawal plans" (limited in any year to 10%
of the value of the account in the fund at the time the withdrawal plan is
established);
|X| The distribution is from any type of IRA, 403(b) or employer-sponsored plan
described under Section 401(a) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and one
of the following applies:
- It is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over
the life expectancy of the participant or the joint life expectancy of the
participant and his or her beneficiary (limited in any year to 10% of the
value of the participant's account at the time the distribution amount is
established);
- It is a required minimum distribution due to the attainment of age 70 1/2,
in which case the distribution amount may exceed 10% (based solely on plan
assets held in Pioneer mutual funds);
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<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
- It is rolled over to or reinvested in another Pioneer mutual fund in the
same class of shares, which will be subject to the CDSC of the shares
originally held; - It is in the form of a loan to a participant in a plan
that permits loans (each repayment will be subject to a CDSC as though a
new purchase);
|X| The distribution is to a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement
plan described under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or to a
participant in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) the employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial
intermediary and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a
Pioneer mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other
financial intermediary designated by your employer and is:
- A return of excess employee deferrals or contributions;
- A qualifying hardship distribution as described in the Internal Revenue
Code. For Class B shares, waiver is granted only on payments of up to
10% of total plan assets held by Pioneer for all participants, reduced
by the total of any prior distributions made in that calendar year;
- Due to retirement or termination of employment. For Class B shares,
waiver is granted only on payments of up to 10% of total plan assets
held in a Pioneer mutual fund for all participants, reduced by the
total of any prior distributions made in the same calendar year;
- From a qualified defined contribution plan and represents a
participant's directed transfer, provided that this privilege has been
preauthorized through a prior agreement with the distributor regarding
participant directed transfers (not available to Class B shares);
|X| The distribution is made pursuant to the fund's right to liquidate or
involuntarily redeem shares in a shareholder's account;
|X| The selling broker elects, with the distributor's approval, to waive
receipt of the commission normally paid at the time of the sale.
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<PAGE>
OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT
If your shares are held in your investment firm's name, the options and services
available to you may be different from those discussed in this prospectus. Ask
your investment professional for more information.
If you invest in the fund through investment professionals or other financial
intermediaries, including wrap programs and fund supermarkets, additional
conditions may apply to your investment in the fund, and the investment
professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based or other fee for
its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the
fund and its affiliates. You should ask your investment professional or
financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees.
ACCOUNT OPTIONS
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the transfer agent. You may be required to obtain a signature
guarantee to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the transfer agent for account applications, account options
forms and other account information:
PIONEERING SERVICES CORPORATION
P.O. Box 9014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
If your account is registered in your name, you can buy, exchange or sell fund
shares by telephone. If you do not want your account to have telephone
transaction privileges, you must indicate that choice on your account
application or by writing to the transfer agent.
When you request a telephone transaction the transfer agent will try to confirm
that the request is genuine. The transfer agent records the call, requires the
caller to provide the personal identification number for the account and sends
you a written confirmation. The fund may implement other confirmation procedures
from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account
or if your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or
other third party.
[text box: telephone icon]
BY PHONE
If you want to place your telephone transaction by speaking to a shareowner
services representative, call 1-800-225-6292 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Eastern time on any weekday that the New York Stock Exchange is open. You may
use FactFoneSM at any time.
[end text box]
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<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL RULES ON BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING YOUR FUND SHARES
SHARE PRICE
If you place an order with your investment firm before the New York Stock
Exchange closes and your investment firm submits the order to the distributor
prior to the distributor's close of business (usually 5:30 p.m. Eastern time),
your share price will be calculated that day. Otherwise, your share price will
be calculated at the close of the New York Stock Exchange after the distributor
receives your order. Your investment firm is responsible for submitting your
order to the distributor.
BUYING
You may buy fund shares from any investment firm that has a sales agreement with
the distributor. If you do not have an investment firm, please call
1-800-225-6292 for information on how to locate an investment professional in
your area.
You can buy fund shares at the offering price. The distributor may reject any
order until it has confirmed the order in writing and received payment. The fund
reserves the right to stop offering any class of shares.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
Your initial investment must be at least $1,000. Additional investments must be
at least $100 for Class A shares and $500 for Class B or Class C shares. You may
qualify for lower initial or subsequent investment minimums if you are opening a
retirement plan account, establishing an automatic investment plan or placing
your trade through your investment firm.
[text box]
RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS
You can purchase fund shares through tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations.
Your initial investment for most types of retirement plan accounts must be at
least $250. Additional investments for most types of retirement plans must be at
least $100.
You may not use the account application accompanying this prospectus to
establish a Pioneer retirement plan. You can obtain retirement plan applications
from your investment firm or by calling the Retirement Plans Department at
1-800-622-0176. [end text box]
[text box: questionmark icon] Consult your investment professional to learn more
about buying, exchanging or selling fund shares. [end text box]
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EXCHANGING
You may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another Pioneer
mutual fund.
Your exchange request must be for at least $1,000 unless the fund you are
exchanging into has a different minimum. The fund allows you to exchange your
shares at net asset value without charging you either an initial or contingent
deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. Shares you acquire as part of
an exchange will continue to be subject to any contingent deferred sales charge
that applies to the shares you originally purchased. When you ultimately sell
your shares, the date of your original purchase will determine your contingent
deferred sales charge.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and
policies as described in the fund's prospectus.
SELLING
Your shares will be sold at net asset value per share next calculated after the
fund receives your request in good order.
If the shares you are selling are subject to a deferred sales charge, it will be
deducted from the sale proceeds. The fund generally will send your sale proceeds
by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be paid
within seven days. If you recently sent a check to purchase the shares being
sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check has
cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date.
If you are selling shares from a non-retirement account or certain IRAs, you may
use any of the methods described below. If you are selling shares from a
retirement account other than an IRA, you must make your request in writing.
[text box] GOOD ORDER MEANS THAT: |X| You have provided adequate instructions
|X| There are no outstanding claims against your account
|X| There are no transaction limitations on your account
|X| If you have any fund share certificates, you submit them and they are
signed by each record owner exactly as the shares are registered
|X| Your request includes a signature guarantee if you: - Are selling over
$100,000 or exchanging over $500,000 worth of shares - Changed your account
registration or address within the last 30 days
- Instruct the transfer agent to mail the check to an address different from
the one on your account - Want the check paid to someone other than the
account owner(s) - Are transferring the sale proceeds to a Pioneer mutual
fund account with a different registration
[end text box]
[text box: capital icon]
You may have to pay income taxes on a sale or an exchange.
[end text box]
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BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
BUYING SHARES
EXCHANGING SHARES
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT FIRM
Normally, your investment firm will send your purchase request to the fund's
transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION. Your
investment firm may receive a commission from the distributor for your purchase
of fund shares. The distributor or its affiliates may pay additional
compensation, out of their own assets, to certain investment firms or their
affiliates based on objective criteria established by the distributor.
Normally, your investment firm will send your exchange request to the fund's
transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
EXCHANGING YOUR SHARES.
BY PHONE
YOU CAN USE THE TELEPHONE PURCHASE PRIVILEGE IF you have an existing
non-retirement account or certain IRAs. You can purchase additional fund shares
by phone if:
|X| You established your bank account of record at least 30 days ago
|X| Your bank information has not changed for at least 30 days
|X| You are not purchasing more than $25,000 worth of shares per account per
day
|X| You can provide the proper account identification information
When you request a telephone purchase, the transfer agent will electronically
debit the amount of the purchase from your bank account of record. The transfer
agent will purchase fund shares for the amount of the debit at the offering
price determined after the transfer agent receives your telephone purchase
instruction and good funds. It usually takes three business days for the
transfer agent to receive notification from your bank that good funds are
available in the amount of your investment.
After you establish your fund account, YOU CAN EXCHANGE FUND SHARES BY PHONE IF:
|X| You are using the exchange to establish a new account, provided the new
account has a registration identical to the original account
|X| The fund into which you are exchanging offers the same class of shares
|X| You are not exchanging more than $500,000 worth of shares per account per
day
|X| You can provide the proper account identification information
IN WRITING, BY MAIL OR BY FAX
You can purchase fund shares for an existing fund account by MAILING A CHECK TO
THE TRANSFER AGENT. Make your check payable to the fund. Neither initial nor
subsequent investments should be made by third party check. Your check must be
in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. Include in your purchase request the
fund's name, the account number and the name or names in the account
registration.
You can exchange fund shares by MAILING OR FAXING A LETTER OF INSTRUCTION TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT. You can exchange fund shares directly through the fund only if
your account is registered in your name. However, you may not fax an exchange
request for more than $500,000. Include in your letter:
|X| The name, social security number and signature of all registered owners
|X| A signature guarantee for each registered owner if the amount of the
exchange is more than $500,000
|X| The name of the fund out of which you are exchanging and the name of the
fund into which you are exchanging
|X| The class of shares you are exchanging
|X| The dollar amount or number of shares you are exchanging
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<PAGE>
SELLING SHARES
Normally, your investment firm will send your request to sell shares to the
fund's transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE
INFORMATION. The fund has authorized the distributor to act as its agent in the
repurchase of fund shares from qualified investment firms. The fund reserves the
right to terminate this procedure at any time.
YOU MAY SELL UP TO $100,000 PER ACCOUNT PER DAY. You may sell fund shares held
in a retirement plan account by phone only if your account is an IRA. You may
not sell your shares by phone if you have changed your address (for checks) or
your bank information (for wires and transfers) in the last 30 days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
|X| By check, provided the check is made payable exactly as your account is
registered
|X| By bank wire or by electronic funds transfer, provided the sale proceeds
are being sent to your bank address of record
You can sell some or all of your fund shares by WRITING DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
only if your account is registered in your name. Include in your request your
name, your social security number, the fund's name, your fund account number,
the class of shares to be sold, the dollar amount or number of shares to be sold
and any other applicable requirements as described below. The transfer agent
will send the sale proceeds to your address of record unless you provide other
instructions. Your request must be signed by all registered owners and be in
good order.
The transfer agent will not process your request until it is received in good
order. You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day by fax.
[text box]
HOW TO CONTACT US
BY PHONE [telephone icon]
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00
p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services representative call
1-800-225-6292 To request a transaction using FactFoneSM call 1-800-225-4321
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-225-1997
BY MAIL [envelope icon]
Send your written instructions to:
PIONEERING SERVICES CORPORATION
P.O. Box 9014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014
BY FAX [fax icon]
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-800-225-4240
[end text box]
[text box]
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
You may make up to four exchange redemptions of $25,000 or more per account per
calendar year.
The fund and the distributor reserve the right to refuse any exchange request or
restrict, at any time without notice, the number and/or frequency of exchanges
to prevent abuses of the exchange privilege. Abuses include frequent trading in
response to short-term market fluctuations and a pattern of trading that appears
to be an attempt to "time the market." In addition, the fund and the distributor
reserve the right, at any time without notice, to charge a fee for exchanges or
to modify, limit or suspend the exchange privilege. The fund will provide 60
days' notice of material amendments to or termination of the privilege.
[end text box]
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<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
ACCOUNT OPTIONS
See the account application form for more details on each of the following
options.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS
You can make regular periodic investments in the fund by setting up monthly bank
drafts, government allotments, payroll deductions, a Pioneer Investomatic Plan
and other similar automatic investment plans. You may use an automatic
investment plan to establish a Class A share account with a small initial
investment. If you have a Class B or Class C share account and your balance is
at least $1,000, you may establish an automatic investment plan.
PIONEER INVESTOMATIC PLAN
If you establish a Pioneer Investomatic Plan, the transfer agent will make a
periodic investment in fund shares by means of a preauthorized electronic funds
transfer from your bank account. Your plan investments are voluntary. You may
discontinue your plan at any time or change the plan's dollar amount, frequency
or investment date by calling or writing to the transfer agent. You should allow
up to 30 days for the transfer agent to establish your plan.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES
You can automatically exchange your fund shares for shares of the same class of
another Pioneer mutual fund. The automatic exchange will begin on the day you
select when you complete the appropriate section of your account application or
an account options form. In order to establish automatic exchange:
|X| You must select exchanges on a monthly or quarterly basis
|X| Both the originating and receiving accounts must have identical
registrations
|X| The originating account must have a minimum balance of $5,000
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any
dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will
automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and
any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital gain
distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) or (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts
with a current value of less than $500.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash
the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of
the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on
your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing.
These additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
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<PAGE>
DIRECTED DIVIDENDS
You can invest the dividends paid by one of your Pioneer mutual fund accounts in
a second Pioneer mutual fund account. The value of your second account must be
at least $1,000 ($500 for Pioneer Fund or Pioneer II). You may direct the
investment of any amount of dividends. There are no fees or charges for directed
dividends. If you have a retirement plan account, you may only direct dividends
to accounts with identical registrations.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS
When you establish a systematic withdrawal plan for your account, the transfer
agent will sell the number of fund shares you specify on a periodic basis and
the proceeds will be paid to you or to any person you select. You must obtain a
signature guarantee to direct payments to another person after you have
established your systematic withdrawal plan. Payments can be made either by
check or by electronic transfer to a bank account you designate.
To establish a systematic withdrawal plan:
|X| Your account must have a total value of at least $10,000 when you establish
your plan
|X| You must request a periodic withdrawal of at least $50
|X| You may not request a periodic withdrawal of more than 10% of the value of
any Class B or Class C share account (valued at the time the plan is
implemented)
Systematic sales of fund shares may be taxable transactions for you. If you
purchase Class A shares while you are making systematic withdrawals from your
account, you may pay unnecessary sales charges.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
If you elect to take dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions in
cash, or if you establish a systematic withdrawal plan, you may choose to have
those cash payments deposited directly into your savings, checking or NOW bank
account.
VOLUNTARY TAX WITHHOLDING
You may have the transfer agent withhold 28% of the dividends and capital gain
distributions paid from your fund account (before any reinvestment) and forward
the amount withheld to the Internal Revenue Service as a credit against your
federal income taxes. Voluntary tax withholding is not available for retirement
plan accounts or for accounts subject to backup withholding.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE FOR CLASS A SHARES
You may qualify for the reinstatement privilege if you recently sold all or part
of your Class A shares.
22
<PAGE>
BUYING, EXCHANGING AND SELLING SHARES
SHAREOWNER SERVICES
PIONEER WEBSITE
WWW.PIONEERFUNDS.COM
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
|X| Your current account information
|X| Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds
|X| Prospectuses for all the Pioneer mutual funds
FACTFONESM 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFoneSM to:
|X| Obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
|X| Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer
mutual funds
|X| Make computer-assisted telephone purchases, exchanges and redemptions for
your fund accounts
|X| Request account statements
If you plan to use FactFoneSM to make telephone purchases and redemptions, first
you must activate your personal identification number and establish your bank
account of record. If your account is registered in the name of a broker-dealer
or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFoneSM.
HOUSEHOLD DELIVERY OF FUND DOCUMENTS
With your consent, Pioneer may send a single prospectus and shareholder report
to your residence for you and any other member of your household who has an
account with the fund. If you wish to revoke your consent to this practice, you
may do so by notifying Pioneer, by phone or in writing (see "How to contact
us"). Pioneer will begin mailing separate prospectuses and shareholder reports
to you within 30 days after receiving your notice.
CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS
The transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or individual
shareowner and records all account transactions. You will be sent confirmation
statements showing the details of your transactions as they occur, except
automatic investment plan transactions, which are confirmed quarterly. If you
have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account registered in your name, the
Pioneer combined account statement will be mailed to you each quarter.
TAX INFORMATION
In January of each year, the fund will mail you information about the tax status
of the dividends and distributions paid to you by the fund.
TDD 1-800-225-1997
If you have a hearing disability and access to TDD keyboard equipment, you can
contact our telephone representatives with questions about your account by
calling our TDD number between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time any weekday
that the New York Stock Exchange is open.
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<PAGE>
SHAREOWNER ACCOUNT POLICIES
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS You are required to obtain a
signature guarantee when you are:
|X| Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
|X| Redeeming shares for which you hold a share certificate
|X| Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit
unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan
associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to sell
fund shares.
EXCHANGE LIMITATION
The fund's exchange limitation is intended to discourage short-term trading in
fund shares. Short-term trading can increase the expenses incurred by the fund
and make portfolio management less efficient. In determining whether the
exchange redemption limit has been reached, Pioneer may aggregate a series of
exchanges (each valued at less than $25,000) and/or fund accounts that appear to
be under common ownership or control. Pioneer may view accounts for which one
person gives instructions or accounts that act on advice provided by a single
source to be under common control.
The exchange limitation does not apply to automatic exchange transactions or to
exchanges made by participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The exchange limitation does
not apply to accounts that have a written exchange agreement with the
distributor. The exchange limitation may not apply to transactions made through
an omnibus account for fund shares.
MINIMUM ACCOUNT SIZE
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you hold
less than the minimum in your account because you have sold or exchanged some of
your shares, the fund will notify you of its intent to sell your shares and
close your account. You may avoid this by increasing the value of your account
to at least the minimum within six months of the notice from the fund.
TELEPHONE ACCESS
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone during times of market
volatility or disruption in telephone service. On New York Stock Exchange
holidays or on days when the exchange closes early, the telephone center will
adjust its hours accordingly. If you are unable to reach the fund by telephone,
you should communicate with the fund in writing.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Normally, your shares will remain on deposit with the transfer agent and
certificates will not be issued. If you are legally required to obtain a
certificate, you may request one for your Class A shares only. A fee may be
charged for this service.
OTHER POLICIES
The fund may suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is closed or restricted, when an emergency exists that makes it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities or with the
permission of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The fund or the distributor may revise, suspend or terminate the account options
and services available to shareowners at any time.
The fund reserves the right to redeem in kind by delivering portfolio securities
to a redeeming shareowner, provided that the fund must pay redemptions in cash
if a shareowner's aggregate redemptions in a 90-day period are less than
$250,000 or 1% of the fund's net assets.
[text box: magnifier icon]
You may make up to four exchange redemptions of $25,000 or more per account per
calendar year out of the fund. Except as noted, you may make any number of
exchanges of less than $25,000.
[end text box]
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<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
The fund generally pays any distributions of net short- and long-term capital
gains in November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment
income in December. The fund may also pay dividends and capital gain
distributions at other times if necessary for the fund to avoid federal income
or excise tax. If you invest in the fund close to the time that the fund makes a
distribution, generally you will pay a higher price per share and you will pay
taxes on the amount of the distribution whether you reinvest the distribution or
receive it as cash.
TAXES
For federal income tax purposes, your distributions from the fund's net
long-term capital gains are considered long-term capital gains and may be
taxable to you at different maximum rates depending upon their source and other
factors. Dividends and short-term capital gain distributions are taxable as
ordinary income. Dividends and distributions are taxable, whether you take
payment in cash or reinvest them to buy additional fund shares. When you sell or
exchange fund shares you will generally recognize a capital gain or capital loss
in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds
(or, in the case of an exchange, the fair market value of the shares) that you
receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell or exchange. In January
of each year the fund will mail to you information about your dividends,
distributions and any shares you sold in the previous calendar year.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification
number to the fund along with the certifications required by the Internal
Revenue Service when you open an account. If you do not or if it is otherwise
legally required to do so, the fund will withhold 31% "backup withholding" tax
from your dividends and distributions, sale proceeds and any other payments to
you.
You should ask your own tax adviser about any federal and state tax
considerations, including possible additional withholding taxes for non-U.S.
shareholders. You may also consult the fund's statement of additional
information for a more detailed discussion of federal income tax considerations
that may affect the fund and its shareowners.
[text box: capital icon]
Sales and exchanges may be taxable transactions to shareowners.
[end text box]
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PIONEER
GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
YOU CAN OBTAIN MORE FREE INFORMATION about the fund from your investment firm or
by writing to Pioneering Services Corporation, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. You may also call 1-800-225-6292.
SHAREOWNER REPORTS
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners provide information about the
fund's investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last
fiscal year.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information about
the fund. It is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.pioneerfunds.com
You can also review the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and statement of
additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information. The
Commission charges a fee for copies. You can get the same information free from
the Commission's EDGAR database on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). You may
also e-mail requests for these documents to [email protected] or make a request
in writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-xxxxx)
[Pioneer
logo] Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109 xxxx-00-1100
www.pioneerfunds.com (C) Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
Preliminary Statement of Additional Information
Subject to completion, dated September __, 2000
The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and
may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This
statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and
is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer
or sale is not permitted.
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
NOVEMBER __, 2000
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with the fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares prospectus,
dated November __, 2000, as supplemented or revised from time to time. A copy of
the prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling Shareholder Services at
1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the fund at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. You can also obtain a copy of the fund's prospectus from
our website at: www.pioneerfunds.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. Fund History.....................................................2
2. Investment Policies, Risks and Restrictions......................2
3. Management of the Fund...........................................20
4. Investment Adviser...............................................23
5. Principal Underwriter and Distribution Plans.....................25
6. Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent.............................29
7. Custodian........................................................20
8. Independent Public Accountants...................................29
9. Portfolio Transactions...........................................29
10. Description of Shares............................................31
11. Sales Charges....................................................33
12. Redeeming Shares.................................................36
13. Telephone Transactions...........................................37
14. Pricing of Shares................................................38
15. Tax Status.......................................................39
16. Investment Results...............................................44
17. Financial Statements.............................................46
18. Appendix A - Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information...........47
19. Appendix B - Description of Short-Term Debt, Corporate Bond
and Preferred Stock Ratings......................................50
20. Appendix C - Performance Statistics..............................56
21. Appendix D - Other Pioneer Information...........................72
<PAGE>
1. FUND HISTORY
The fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company organized
as a Delaware business trust on August 25, 2000.
2. INVESTMENT POLICIES, RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS
The prospectus presents the investment objective and the principal investment
strategies and risks of the fund. This section supplements the disclosure in the
fund's prospectus and provides additional information on the fund's investment
policies or restrictions. Restrictions or policies stated as a maximum
percentage of the fund's assets are only applied immediately after a portfolio
investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable (other than the
limitations on borrowing and illiquid securities). Accordingly, any later
increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, net assets or other
circumstances will not be considered in determining whether the investment
complies with the fund's restrictions and policies.
PRIMARY INVESTMENTS
Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in common
stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies in the financial services industry. The
fund's investments in equity securities include common stock and securities with
common stock characteristics, such as preferred stock, warrants and debt
securities convertible into common stock and depositary receipts for such
securities.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid and other
securities that are not readily marketable. Repurchase agreements maturing in
more than seven days will be included for purposes of the foregoing limit.
Securities subject to restrictions on resale under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"), are considered illiquid unless they are eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or another exemption from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act and are determined to be liquid by Pioneer
Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer"), the fund's investment adviser. Pioneer
determines the liquidity of Rule 144A and other restricted securities according
to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees monitors
Pioneer's application of these guidelines and procedures. The inability of the
fund to dispose of illiquid investments readily or at reasonable prices could
impair the fund's ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. If
the fund sold restricted securities other than pursuant to an exception from
registration under the 1933 Act such as Rule 144A, it may be deemed to be acting
as an underwriter and subject to liability under the 1933 Act.
INVESTMENTS IN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS
To the extent consistent with its investment objective, the fund may invest in
initial public offerings of equity securities. The market for such securities
may be more volatile and entail greater risk of loss than investments in more
established companies. Investments in initial public offerings may represent a
significant portion of the fund's investment performance. The fund cannot assure
that investments in initial public offerings will continue to be available to
the fund or, if available, will result in positive investment performance. In
addition, as the fund's portfolio grows in size, the impact of investments in
initial public offerings on the overall performance of the fund is likely to
decrease.
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<PAGE>
DEBT SECURITIES SELECTION
In selecting fixed income securities for the fund, Pioneer gives primary
consideration to the fund's investment objective, the attractiveness of the
market for debt securities given Pioneer's outlook for the equity markets and
the fund's liquidity requirements. Once Pioneer determines to allocate a portion
of the fund's assets to debt securities, Pioneer generally focuses on short-term
instruments to provide liquidity and may invest in a range of fixed income
securities if the fund is investing in such instruments for income or capital
gains. Pioneer selects individual securities based on broad economic factors and
issuer specific factors including the terms of the securities (such as yields
compared to U.S. Treasuries or comparable issues), liquidity and rating, sector
and issuer diversification.
CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES
The fund may invest in convertible debt securities which are debt obligations
convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock or other
equity securities of or owned by the issuer. Convertible securities rank senior
to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure and consequently may be of
higher quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common stock. As with all
debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to increase
when interest rates decline and, conversely, tend to decline when interest rates
increase.
DEBT OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
The fund may invest in debt obligations of foreign governments. An investment in
debt obligations of foreign governments and their political subdivisions
(sovereign debt) involves special risks which are not present when investing in
corporate debt obligations. The foreign issuer of the sovereign debt or the
foreign governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be
unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the fund may
have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic
uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than
prices of U.S. debt issues. In the past, certain foreign countries have
encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments
of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and
interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest
in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow
situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of
sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the
sovereign debtor's policy toward principal international lenders and local
political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected
disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities
to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a
sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of
economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the
cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor,
which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its
debts.
DEBT SECURITIES RATING CRITERIA
Investment grade debt securities are those rated "BBB" or higher by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's") or the equivalent rating of other
nationally recognized securities rating organizations. Debt securities rated BBB
are considered medium grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer's
ability to pay interest and repay principal. If the rating of an investment
grade debt security falls below
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<PAGE>
investment grade, Pioneer will consider if any action is appropriate in
light of the fund's investment objective and policies.
Below investment grade debt securities are those rated "BB" and below by
Standard & Poor's or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized
securities rating organizations. See Appendix B for a description of rating
categories. The fund may invest in debt securities rated "D" or better.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered predominantly
speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal payments and interest payments. The amount of junk bond
securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have
used junk bonds for corporate financing. An economic downturn could severely
affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations
or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on
the market value of lower quality securities will have an adverse effect on the
fund's net asset value to the extent that it invests in such securities. In
addition, the fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to
seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its
portfolio holdings.
The secondary market for junk bond securities may not be as liquid as the
secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an
adverse effect on the fund's ability to dispose of a particular security when
necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic
conditions, the secondary market for junk bond securities could contract
further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a
particular issuer. As a result, the fund could find it more difficult to sell
these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than
if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such
lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than
the prices used in calculating the fund's net asset value.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with
lower quality debt securities of the type in which the fund may invest a portion
of its assets, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate
more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of
the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers' creditworthiness
tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in
higher quality segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater
yield and price volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher yields
than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical
financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as
strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally
involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated
securities. Pioneer will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio
diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely
payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate
developments.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
U.S. government securities in which the fund invests include debt obligations of
varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an
agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing
Administration, Federal Financing Bank, Farmers Home Administration,
Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, Central
Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks,
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"),
4
<PAGE>
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration,
Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board, Student Loan
Marketing Association, Resolution Trust Corporation and various institutions
that previously were or currently are part of the Farm Credit System (which has
been undergoing reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities,
such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds, which differ
only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by
the full faith and credit of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the
right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the
Federal Home Loan Banks; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government
to purchase the agency's obligations, such as securities of the FNMA; or (iii)
only the credit of the issuer, such as securities of the Student Loan Marketing
Association. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support in the future to U.S. government agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i)
securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its
agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans
made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed. The
secondary market for certain of these participations is limited and, therefore,
may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may be
purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero
coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations that are issued or
purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates
the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the
period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of
interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance.
Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of
interest. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash
to meet debt service, but generally require a higher rate of return to attract
investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash. These investments may
experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities
that make regular payments of interest. The fund accrues income on these
investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to
shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may
require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the fund's
distribution obligations, in which case the fund will forego the purchase of
additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government
securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as
component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled interest and
principal payments on the bonds.
OTHER ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS
For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, the fund may invest in all
types of short-term investments including, but not limited to, (a) commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations; (b) obligations (including
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances) of banks; (c) obligations
issued or guaranteed by a governmental issuer, including governmental agencies
or instrumentalities; and (d) fixed income securities of corporate issuers.
These securities may be denominated in any currency and, excluding the fund's
permissible investments in below investment grade debt and convertible debt
securities, will be rated, at the time of investment, Prime-1, Baa or better by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or A-1, BBB or better by Standard &
Poor's or determined by Pioneer to be of equivalent credit quality. The
convertible debt securities in which the Fund invests may be rated, at the time
of investment, below Baa by Moody's or BBB by Standard & Poor's or determined by
Pioneer to be of equivalent credit quality.
5
<PAGE>
RISKS OF NON-U.S. INVESTMENTS
Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves considerations and risks
not typically associated with investing in the securities of issuers in the U.S.
These risks are heightened with respect to investments in countries with
emerging markets and economies. The risks of investing in securities of non-U.S.
issuers or issuers with significant exposure to non-U.S. markets may be related,
among other things, to (i) differences in size, liquidity and volatility of, and
the degree and manner of regulation of, the securities markets of certain
non-U.S. markets compared to the securities markets in the U.S.; (ii) economic,
political and social factors; and (iii) foreign exchange matters, such as
restrictions on the repatriation of capital, fluctuations in exchange rates
between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the fund's portfolio
securities are quoted or denominated, exchange control regulations and costs
associated with currency exchange. The political and economic structures in
certain countries, particularly emerging markets, are expected to undergo
significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the
social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed
countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values
of the fund's investments in such countries. The economies and securities and
currency markets of many emerging markets have experienced significant
disruption and declines. There can be no assurances that these economic and
market disruptions will not continue.
INVESTMENTS IN EMERGING MARKETS. The fund may invest in securities of issuers in
countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Emerging economies or
securities markets will generally include, but not be limited to, countries
included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index. The fund will generally focus
on emerging markets that do not impose unusual trading requirements which tend
to restrict the flow of investments. In addition, the fund may invest in
unquoted securities, including securities of emerging market issuers.
NON-U.S. SECURITIES MARKETS AND REGULATIONS. There may be less publicly
available information about non-U.S. markets and issuers than is available with
respect to U.S. securities and issuers. Non-U.S. companies generally are not
subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The trading
markets for most non-U.S. securities are generally less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than the markets for comparable securities in the U.S.
The markets for securities in certain emerging markets are in the earliest
stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded
securities in certain non-U.S. markets, including emerging market countries, may
not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in
trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional
investors in the U.S. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are
generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased
volatility and reduced liquidity. The less liquid a market, the more difficult
it may be for the fund to price its portfolio securities accurately or to
dispose of such securities at the times determined by Pioneer to be appropriate.
The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute in
situations in which the fund's operations require cash, such as in order to meet
redemptions and to pay its expenses.
ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS. Certain countries, including emerging
markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social
instability than is the case in the U.S. and Western European countries. Such
instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments
or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular
unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social
conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring
countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict. Such
6
<PAGE>
economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the
financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such
countries to repay their obligations. Investing in emerging market countries
also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets
and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on
repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation,
nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the fund could
lose its entire investment in that country.
Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in
their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the
fund's investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the fund. In
addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain
markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain
governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on
repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain
aspects of the fund's operation.
Economies in individual countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the
U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of
inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency
and balance of payments positions. Many countries have experienced substantial,
and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation
and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have,
very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain
emerging countries.
Unanticipated political or social developments may also affect the values of the
fund's investments and the availability to the fund of additional investments in
such countries. During 1997 and 1998, the political stability, economies and
securities and currency markets of many markets in India and the Asian
subcontinent experienced significant disruption and declines. There can be no
assurances that these economic and market disruptions will not continue or
spread to other countries in the region.
Economies in emerging market countries generally are dependent heavily upon
international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected
adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative
currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the
countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may
continue to be, affected adversely by economic conditions in the countries with
which they trade.
CURRENCY RISKS. Because the fund, under normal circumstances, will invest a
substantial portion of its assets in securities which are denominated or quoted
in foreign currencies, the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against such
currencies will affect the fund's investment performance. A decline in the value
of any particular foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will cause a decline
in the U.S. dollar value of the fund's holdings of securities denominated or
quoted in such currency and, therefore, may cause an overall decline in the
fund's net asset value and any net investment income and capital gains to be
distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders of the fund. Even if the fund
attempts to hedge against the effects of adverse changes in foreign currency
exchange rates, there will be significant limitations on the fund's ability to
hedge effectively against the currency risks associated with its portfolio
investments.
The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is determined
by several factors including the supply and demand for particular currencies,
central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of interest
rates, the pace of business activity in certain other countries and the U.S.,
and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.
7
<PAGE>
Although the fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, the fund
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The fund may do so from time to time, however, and investors
should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although currency dealers
do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the
difference ("spread") between the prices at which they buy and sell various
currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the fund at
one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the fund desire to
sell that currency to the dealer.
CUSTODIAN SERVICES AND RELATED INVESTMENT COSTS. Custodial services and other
costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are
more expensive than in the U.S. Such markets have settlement and clearance
procedures that differ from those in the U.S. In certain markets there have been
times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The
inability of the fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could
result either in losses to the fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the
portfolio security or could result in possible liability to the fund. In
addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging
countries may not fully protect the fund against loss or theft of its assets.
WITHHOLDING AND OTHER TAXES. The fund will be subject to taxes, including
withholding taxes, on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains)
that are or may be imposed by certain countries with respect to the fund's
investments in such countries. These taxes will reduce the return achieved by
the fund. Treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available to
reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.
ECONOMIC MONETARY UNION (EMU). On January 1, 1999, 11 European countries adopted
a single currency - the Euro. The conversion to the Euro is being phased in over
a three-year period. During this time, valuation, systems and other operational
problems may occur in connection with the fund's investments quoted in the Euro.
For participating countries, EMU will mean sharing a single currency and single
official interest rate and adhering to agreed upon limits on government
borrowing. Budgetary decisions will remain in the hands of each participating
country but will be subject to each country's commitment to avoid "excessive
deficits" and other more specific budgetary criteria. A European Central Bank is
responsible for setting the official interest rate to maintain price stability
within the Euro zone.
EMU is driven by the expectation of a number of economic benefits, including
lower transaction costs, reduced exchange risk, greater competition, and a
broadening and deepening of European financial markets. However, there are a
number of significant risks associated with EMU. Monetary and economic union on
this scale has never been attempted before. There is a significant degree of
uncertainty as to whether participating countries will remain committed to EMU
in the face of changing economic conditions. This uncertainty may increase the
volatility of European markets.
INVESTMENTS IN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. The fund may hold securities of non-U.S.
issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other
similar instruments or other securities convertible into securities of eligible
issuers. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S.
securities markets, and EDRs and GDRs and other similar global instruments in
bearer form are designed for use in non-U.S. securities markets.
8
<PAGE>
ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and represent an interest in the right
to receive securities of non-U.S. issuers deposited in a U.S. bank or
correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in
the securities of non-U.S. issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than
directly in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, the fund will avoid currency
risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. EDRs and GDRs
are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities which they represent.
For purposes of the fund's investment policies, investments in ADRs, GDRs and
similar instruments will be deemed to be investments in the underlying equity
securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund may acquire depositary receipts from
banks that do not have a contractual relationship with the issuer of the
security underlying the depositary receipt to issue and secure such depositary
receipt. To the extent the fund invests in such unsponsored depositary receipts
there may be an increased possibility that the fund may not become aware of
events affecting the underlying security and thus the value of the related
depositary receipt. In addition, certain benefits (i.e., rights offerings) which
may be associated with the security underlying the depositary receipt may not
inure to the benefit of the holder of such depositary receipt.
OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the
extent that such investments are consistent with the fund's investment objective
and policies and permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"). Under the 1940 Act, the fund may not acquire the
securities of other domestic or non-U.S. investment companies if, as a result,
(i) more than 10% of the fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of
the total outstanding voting securities of any one investment company being held
by the fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested
in any one investment company. These limitations do not apply to the purchase of
shares of any investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or acquisition of substantially all the assets of another
investment company. The fund will not invest in other investment companies for
which Pioneer or any of its affiliates act as an investment adviser or
distributor.
The fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear
its pro rata portion of the other investment companies' expenses, including
advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the
fund's own operations.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks
of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase
agreements are arrangements under which the fund purchases securities and the
seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a
specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the fund's
purchase price, with the difference being income to the fund. The Board of
Trustees reviews and monitors the creditworthiness of any institution which
enters into a repurchase agreement with the fund. The counterparty's obligations
under the repurchase agreement are collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or
agency obligations with a market value of not less than 100% of the obligations,
valued daily. Collateral is held by the fund's custodian in a segregated,
safekeeping account for the benefit of the fund. Repurchase agreements afford
the fund an opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash at low
risk. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a
repurchase agreement, the fund may encounter delay and incur costs
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before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of
interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the
transaction as a loan and the fund has not perfected a security interest in the
security, the fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate
and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor,
the fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest
involved in the transaction.
ASSET SEGREGATION
The 1940 Act requires that the fund segregate assets in connection with certain
types of transactions that may have the effect of leveraging the fund's
portfolio. If the fund enters into a transaction requiring segregation, such as
a forward commitment, the custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets in
an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. Such segregated assets will be
valued at market daily. If the aggregate value of such segregated assets
declines below the aggregate value required to satisfy the 1940 Act, additional
liquid assets will be segregated.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
The fund may purchase securities, including U.S. government securities, on a
when-issued basis or may purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery. In
such transactions, delivery of the securities occurs beyond the normal
settlement period, but no payment or delivery is made by the fund prior to the
actual delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. The fund will
not earn income on these securities until delivered. The purchase of securities
on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the value of
the securities purchased will decline prior to the settlement date. The sale of
securities for delayed delivery involves the risk that the prices available in
the market on the delivery date may be greater than those obtained in the sale
transaction. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions will be fully
collateralized by segregated liquid assets. See "Asset Segregation."
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
It is the policy of the fund not to engage in trading for short-term profits
although portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the
execution of investment decisions for the fund. The fund's annual portfolio
turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100%. A high rate of portfolio turnover
(100% or more) involves correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be
borne by the fund and its shareholders. See Appendix A for the fund's annual
portfolio turnover rate.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The fund may engage in foreign currency transactions. These transactions may be
conducted at the prevailing spot rate for purchasing or selling currency in the
foreign exchange market. The fund also has authority to enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the different
countries in which the fund invests as a hedge against possible variations in
the foreign exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. This is
accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified
currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency
contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the fund, accrued
in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities quoted in
foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency
contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such
foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the fund will be engaged in
hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements
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occur. The fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio
positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any,
deemed appropriate by Pioneer.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity
for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not
be possible for the fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally
anticipated that the fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a
price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
The fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one
currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in
a different currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of
correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering
into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign
currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other
foreign currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation
between the proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.
The cost to the fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with
such factors as the currency involved, the size of the contract, the length of
the contract period, differences in interest rates between the two currencies
and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign
currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no
fees or commissions are involved. The fund may close out a forward position in a
currency by selling the forward contract or by entering into an offsetting
forward contract.
The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the
securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of
such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market
movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the
contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to
protect the value of the fund's portfolio securities against a decline in the
value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of
the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which the fund can
achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term
currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a
means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the fund's foreign
assets.
While the fund will enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange
rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. While
the fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency
prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had
not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect
correlation between the fund's portfolio holdings of securities quoted or
denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the
fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the fund to sustain losses which will
prevent the fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the fund to risk of
foreign exchange loss.
Over-the-counter markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer
less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency
instruments on an exchange. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract
is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract
would deprive the fund of unrealized profits or force the fund to cover its
commitments for purchase or resale, if any, at the current market price.
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If the fund enters into a forward contract to purchase foreign currency, the
custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets. See "Asset Segregation."
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward contracts. For
example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio
securities are quoted or denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In an
attempt to protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities,
the fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the
currency declines, the fund will have the right to sell such currency for a
fixed amount of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This
would result in a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect
of currency depreciation on the value of the fund's securities quoted or
denominated in that currency.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected for those
securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the
fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of such currency
increases, the purchase of such call options would enable the fund to purchase
currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market value of
such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset, at least
partially, the effect of any currency related increase in the price of
securities the fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options
transactions, however, the benefit the fund derives from purchasing foreign
currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the fund could sustain losses on
transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or
all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The fund may also write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes. For
example, if the fund anticipated a decline in the dollar value of securities
quoted or denominated in a foreign currency because of declining exchange rates,
it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a covered call option on the
relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely
not be exercised, and the decrease in value of portfolio securities will be
partially offset by the amount of the premium received by the fund.
Similarly, the fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, instead
of purchasing a call option, to hedge against an anticipated increase in the
dollar cost of securities to be acquired. If exchange rates move in the manner
projected, the put option will expire unexercised and allow the fund to offset
such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. However, as in the case of
other types of options transactions, the writing of a foreign currency option
will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, only if
rates move in the expected direction. If unanticipated exchange rate
fluctuations occur, the option may be exercised and the fund would be required
to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be fully
offset by the amount of the premium. As a result of writing options on foreign
currencies, the fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the
benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in
currency exchange rates.
A call option written on foreign currency by the fund is "covered" if the fund
owns the underlying foreign currency subject to the call, or if it has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional
cash consideration. A call option is also covered if the fund holds a call on
the same foreign currency for the same principal amount as the call written
where the exercise price of the call held
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is (a) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b)
greater than the exercise price of the call written if the amount of the
difference is maintained by the fund in cash or liquid securities. See "Asset
Segregation."
The fund may close out its position in a currency option by either selling the
option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option. An
exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the
fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears
to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular
time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such
event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular
options, with the result that the fund would have to exercise its options in
order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of
underlying currencies pursuant to the exercise of put options. If the fund as a
covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in
a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or
security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it
delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.
The fund may also use options on currencies to cross-hedge, which involves
writing or purchasing options on one currency to hedge against changes in
exchange rates of a different currency with a pattern of correlation.
Cross-hedging may also include using a foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S.
dollar, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation between
that currency and the U.S. dollar.
The fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent
consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in
over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be
unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by the fund.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES
The fund may purchase put and call options on any security in which it may
invest or options on any securities index based on securities in which it may
invest. The fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in
order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. A call option written by the fund
obligates the fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a
specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration
date. All call options written by the fund are covered, which means that the
fund will own the securities subject to the options as long as the options are
outstanding, or the fund will use the other methods described below. The fund's
purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would
be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, the fund may
forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the
underlying security.
A put option written by the fund would obligate the fund to purchase specified
securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is
exercised at any time before the expiration date. All put options written by the
fund would be covered, which means that the fund would have segregated assets
with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option. The purpose
of writing such options is to generate additional income for the fund. However,
in return for the option premium, the fund accepts the risk that it may be
required to purchase the underlying security at a price in excess of its market
value at the time of purchase.
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Call and put options written by the fund will also be considered to be covered
to the extent that the fund's liabilities under such options are wholly or
partially offset by its rights under call and put options purchased by the fund.
In addition, a written call option or put may be covered by entering into an
offsetting forward contract and/or by purchasing an offsetting option or any
other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the
fund's net exposure on its written option position.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. The fund may also write
(sell) covered call and put options on any securities index composed of
securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options
requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of
securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segments of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
The fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose
price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by
having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without
additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration if cash in such
amount is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its
portfolio. The fund may cover call and put options on a securities index by
segregating assets with a value equal to the exercise price.
PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. The fund would normally purchase call options
in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in
which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the fund, in
return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified
price during the option period. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if,
during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the
exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the
market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or in securities
in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle the fund, in
exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price
during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset
or hedge against a decline in the market value of the fund's securities. Put
options may also be purchased by the fund for the purpose of affirmatively
benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. The
fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of
the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to
more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and
losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by
countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.
The fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put
option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations
under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an
offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are
referred to as "closing purchase transactions."
RISKS OF TRADING OPTIONS. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option, or
at any particular time. If the fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the fund will not be
able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of its segregated assets until
the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the fund is unable to effect
a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has
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purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any
profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying
securities.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the
following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options;
(ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may
be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual
or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v)
the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC")
may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one
or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled
at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class
or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or
in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding
options on that exchange, if any, that had been issued by the OCC as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
The fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S.
exchanges and options traded over the counter with broker-dealers who make
markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is
more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that
broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their
obligations. Until such time as the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") changes its position, the fund will treat purchased
over-the-counter options and all assets used to cover written over-the-counter
options as illiquid securities, except that with respect to options written with
primary dealers in U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring
a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid
securities may be calculated with reference to the formula.
Transactions by the fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to
limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facilities governing the maximum number of options in each class which
may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in
concert. Thus, the number of options which the fund may write or purchase may be
affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of
Pioneer. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the
liquidations of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may
impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of protective
puts for hedging purposes depends in part on Pioneer's ability to predict future
price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and
securities markets.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price movements
can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options
markets.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the fund's portfolio
and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index options
involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the fund in
purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of unanticipated
movements in the price of the securities comprising the securities index on
which the option is based.
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FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
To hedge against changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates or to
seek to increase total return, the fund may purchase and sell various kinds of
futures contracts, and purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any of
such futures contracts. The fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale
transactions with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures
contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government
securities), securities indices, non-U.S. currencies and other financial
instruments and indices. The fund will engage in futures and related options
transactions for bona fide hedging and non-hedging purposes as described below.
All futures contracts entered into by the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or
boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (the "CFTC") or on non-U.S. exchanges.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement
between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an
agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement
price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling
for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the fund can
seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities
through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or
securities prices are rising, the fund, through the purchase of futures
contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be
available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the
fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to protect against a
decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of its
portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The fund can
purchase futures contracts on a non-U.S. currency to establish the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the fund has acquired or
expects to acquire.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are
instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit
or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be
liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the
underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous
to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures
on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or
purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
HEDGING STRATEGIES. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish
with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency exchange
rate on portfolio securities and securities that the fund owns or proposes to
acquire. The fund may, for example, take a "short" position in the futures
market by selling futures contracts in order to hedge against an anticipated
rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or non-U.S. currency rates
that would adversely affect the value of the fund's portfolio securities. Such
futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities
held by the fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of the
fund's portfolio securities. Similarly, the fund may sell futures contracts in a
non-U.S. currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in one
currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in
a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of
correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of Pioneer, there is
a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the fund's portfolio
securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments,
securities indices or other indices, the fund may also enter into such futures
contracts as part of its hedging strategies. Although under some circumstances
prices of securities in the fund's portfolio may be more or less volatile than
prices of such futures contracts, Pioneer will attempt to estimate the extent of
this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any
such differential by having the fund enter into a
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greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve
only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the fund's portfolio
securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in
the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation
in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated
appreciation in the value of the fund's portfolio securities would be
substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the fund may take a "long" position by purchasing futures
contracts. This may be done, for example, when the fund anticipates the
subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but
expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable
market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The acquisition of put and call options on futures
contracts will give the fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified
price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at
any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures
contract, the fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in
a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable
price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may
partially offset a decline in the value of the fund's assets. By writing a call
option, the fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a
futures contract (if the option is exercised), which may have a value higher
than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures
contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price
of securities that the fund intends to purchase. However, the fund becomes
obligated to purchase a futures contract (if the option is exercised) which may
have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the fund
in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount
of the premium received. The fund will incur transaction costs in connection
with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its
position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series. There
is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to
the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
EQUITY, SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS AND COLLARS. The fund may enter into equity swaps,
caps, floors and collars to hedge assets or liabilities or to seek to increase
total return. Equity swaps involve the exchange by a fund with another party of
their respective commitments to make or receive payments based on notional
equity securities. The purchase of an equity cap entitles the purchaser, to the
extent that the market value of a specified equity security or benchmark exceeds
a predetermined level, to receive payments of a contractually-based amount from
the party selling the cap. The purchase of an equity floor entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that the market value of a specified equity security or
benchmark falls below a predetermined level, to receive payments of a
contractually-based amount from the party selling the floor. A collar is a
combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a
predetermined range of values. Investments in swaps, caps, floors and collars
are highly specialized activities which involve investment techniques and risks
different from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. If Pioneer
is incorrect in its forecast of market values, these investments could
negatively impact fund's performance. These investments also are subject to
default risk of the counterparty and may be less liquid than other portfolio
securities. Moreover, investments in swaps, caps, floors and collars may involve
greater transaction costs than investments in other equity securities.
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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. The fund will engage in futures and related options
transactions only for bona fide hedging or non-hedging purposes in accordance
with CFTC regulations which permit principals of an investment company
registered under the 1940 Act to engage in such transactions without registering
as commodity pool operators. The fund will determine that the price fluctuations
in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are
substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the fund or
which the fund expects to purchase. Except as stated below, the fund's futures
transactions will be entered into for traditional hedging purposes--i.e.,
futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of
securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) that the fund owns,
or futures contracts will be purchased to protect the fund against an increase
in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) it
intends to purchase. As evidence of this hedging intent, the fund expects that
on 75% or more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option
position (involving the purchase of futures contracts), the fund will have
purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent amounts of
related securities or assets denominated in the related currency in the cash
market at the time when the futures or option position is closed out. However,
in particular cases, when it is economically advantageous for the fund to do so,
a long futures position may be terminated or an option may expire without the
corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.
As an alternative to literal compliance with the bona fide hedging definition, a
CFTC regulation permits the fund to elect to comply with a different test, under
which the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits on the fund's existing
non-hedging futures contracts and premiums paid for options on futures entered
into for non-hedging purposes (net of the amount the positions are "in the
money") would not exceed 5% of the market value of the fund's total assets. The
fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only
to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for maintaining its
qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Futures contracts and related options involve brokerage costs, require margin
deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the fund to
purchase securities or currencies, require the fund to segregate assets to cover
such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce
certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus,
while the fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures,
unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange
rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had not
entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an
imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which
is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the
fund may be exposed to risk of loss. It is not possible to hedge fully or
perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of non-U.S.
securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities
in differing degrees.
WARRANTS
The fund may invest in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not
obligating, their holder to subscribe for other securities. Warrants do not
carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the
securities that they entitle their holders to purchase, and they do not
represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change
with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant expires worthless if
it is not exercised on or prior to its expiration date.
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<PAGE>
PREFERRED SHARES
The fund may invest in preferred shares of beneficial interest of trust
instruments. Preferred shares are equity securities, but they have many
characteristics of fixed income securities, such as a fixed dividend payment
rate and/or a liquidity preference over the issuer's common shares. However,
because preferred shares are equity securities, they may be more susceptible to
risks traditionally associated with equity investments than the fund's fixed
income securities.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The fund may lend portfolio securities to member firms of the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") under agreements which require that the loans be
secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents or U.S. Treasury
bills maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market
value of the securities loaned. The fund continues to receive the equivalent of
the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned as well as
the benefit of an increase and the detriment of any decrease in the market value
of the securities loaned and would also receive compensation based on investment
of the collateral. The fund would not, however, have the right to vote any
securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but would call
the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the
securities or of the giving or withholding of consent on a material matter
affecting the investment.
As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even
loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. The fund will lend portfolio securities only to firms that have
been approved in advance by the Board of Trustees, which will monitor the
creditworthiness of any such firms. At no time would the value of the securities
loaned exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the fund's total assets.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX
The fund may sell securities "short against the box." In this type of short
sale, the fund will at all times own an equal amount of the security sold short
or securities convertible or exchangeable for, with or without payment of
additional consideration, an equal amount of the security sold short. The fund
intends to use short sales against the box to hedge. For example when the fund
believes that the price of a current portfolio security may decline, the fund
may use a short sale against the box to lock in a sale price for a security
rather than selling the security immediately. In such a case, any future losses
in the fund's long position should be offset by a gain in the short position
and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in
the short position.
If the fund effects a short sale against the box at a time when it has an
unrealized gain on the security, it may be required to recognize that gain as if
it had actually sold the security (a "constructive sale") on the date it effects
the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the
fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated
securities held at the time of the short sale provided that certain other
conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of
effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the fund may make short
sales against the box.
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The fund has adopted certain investment
restrictions which, along with the fund's investment objective, may not be
changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the fund.
Statements in italics are not part of the restriction. For this purpose, a
majority of the outstanding shares of the fund means the vote of the lesser of:
1. 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting, if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or
2. more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund.
The fund may not:
(1) Issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules
and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder. SENIOR SECURITIES THAT THE
FUND MAY ISSUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 1940 ACT INCLUDE BORROWING, FUTURES,
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY
EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS.
(2) Borrow money, except the fund may: (a) borrow from banks or through reverse
repurchase agreements in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the fund's total assets
(including the amount borrowed); (b) to the extent permitted by applicable law,
borrow up to an additional 5% of the fund's assets for temporary purposes; (c)
obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio
transactions; (d) the fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent
permitted by applicable law; and (e) engage in transactions in mortgage dollar
rolls that are accounted for as financings.
(3) Invest in real estate, except that the fund may invest in securities of
issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein, securities that are
secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate
investment trusts and mortgage-backed securities.
(4) Make loans, except by the purchase of debt obligations, by entering into
repurchase agreements or through the lending of portfolio securities.
(5) Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the fund may
invest in currency instruments and contracts and financial instruments and
contracts that might be deemed to be commodities and commodity contracts. A
FUTURES CONTRACT, FOR EXAMPLE, MAY BE DEEMED TO BE A COMMODITY CONTRACT.
(6) Act as an underwriter, except as it may be deemed to be an underwriter in a
sale of restricted securities held in its portfolio.
It is the fundamental policy of the fund not to concentrate its investments in
securities of companies in any particular industry. In the opinion of the SEC,
investments are concentrated in a particular industry if such investments
aggregate 25% or more of the fund's total assets. The fund's policy does not
apply to investments in U.S. government securities. Although the fund is
classified as non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the fund will comply
with the diversification requirements of the Code applicable to regulated
investment companies.
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<PAGE>
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The following restrictions have been
designated as non-fundamental and may be changed by a vote of the fund's Board
of Trustees without approval of shareholders.
The fund may not:
(a) Purchase securities while borrowings are in excess of 5% of total assets.
(b) Purchase securities on margin, but it may obtain such short-term credits as
may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.
3. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The fund's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of the
fund. The officers of the fund are responsible for the fund's operations. The
Trustees and executive officers of the fund are listed below, together with
their principal occupations during the past five years. An asterisk indicates
those Trustees who are interested persons of the fund within the meaning of the
1940 Act.
JOHN F. COGAN, JR.*, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE,
DOB: JUNE 1926
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of The Pioneer Group, Inc.
("PGI"); Chairman and a Director of Pioneer, Closed Joint-Stock Company
"Forest-Starma" and Pioneer Global Funds Distributor, Ltd.; Director of Pioneer
Real Estate Advisors, Inc. ("PREA"), Pioneer Forest, Inc., Pioneer Management
(Ireland) Limited ("PMIL"), Pioneer First Investment Fund and PIOGlobal
Corporation ("PIOGlobal"); President and Director of Pioneer International
Corporation ("PIntl"), Pioneer First Russia, Inc. ("PFR") and Pioneer Omega,
Inc. ("Pioneer Omega"); Member of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer Fonds
Marketing GmbH, Pioneer First Polish Investment Fund Joint Stock Company
("Pioneer First Polish"), Pioneer Czech Investment Company, a.s. ("Pioneer
Czech") and Pioneer Universal Pension Fund Company; Chairman, President and
Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds; Director of Pioneer America Fund
Plc, Pioneer Emerging Europe Fund Plc, Pioneer European Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer
Euro Reserve Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Bond Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Equity Fund
Plc, Pioneer Greater Asia Fund Plc, Pioneer U.S. Growth Fund Plc, Pioneer U.S.
High Yield Fund Plc and Pioneer US Real Estate Fund Plc (collectively, the
"Irish Funds"); and Of Counsel, Hale and Dorr LLP (counsel to PGI and the fund).
MARY K. BUSH, TRUSTEE, DOB: APRIL 1948
4201 CATHEDRAL AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20016
President, Bush & Co. (international financial advisory firm); Director
and/or Trustee of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Hoover Institution,
March of Dimes, Texaco, Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc. and Brady
Corporation; Advisory Board Member, Washington Mutual Investors Fund (registered
investment company); and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
RICHARD H. EGDAHL, M.D., TRUSTEE, DOB: DECEMBER 1926
BOSTON UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM, 53 BAY STATE ROAD,
BOSTON, MA 02215 Alexander Graham Bell Professor of Health Care
Entrepreneurship, Boston University; Professor of Management, Boston University
School of Management; Professor of Public Health, Boston University School of
Public Health; Professor of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine;
University Professor, Boston University; Director, Boston University Health
Policy Institute, University Program for Health Care Entrepreneurship; Trustee,
Boston Medical Center; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
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<PAGE>
MARGARET B.W. GRAHAM, TRUSTEE, DOB: MAY 1947
THE KEEP, P.O. BOX 110, LITTLE DEER ISLE, ME 04650
Founding Director, The Winthrop Group, Inc. (consulting firm); and Trustee
of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
MARGUERITE A. PIRET, TRUSTEE, DOB: MAY 1948
ONE BOSTON PLACE, 26TH FLOOR, BOSTON, MA 02108
President, Newbury, Piret & Company, Inc. (merchant banking firm); Trustee
of Boston Medical Center; Member of the Board of Governors of the Investment
Company Institute; Director, Organogenesis Inc. (tissue engineering company);
and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
DAVID D. TRIPPLE*, TRUSTEE AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, DOB: FEBRUARY 1944
Executive Vice President and a Director of PGI; President, Chairman and a
Director of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc., ("PFD"); Director of Pioneer,
Pioneering Services Corporation ("PSC"), PIntl, PIOGlobal, Pioneer Omega, PMIL
and the Irish Funds; Member of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer First Polish,
Pioneer Czech and Pioneer Asset Management, S.A.; and Executive Vice President
and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
STEPHEN K. WEST, TRUSTEE, DOB: SEPTEMBER 1928
125 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10004
Of Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell (law firm); Director, Dresdner RCM Global
Strategic Income Fund, Inc. since May 1997 and The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
since 1995 (investment companies), AMVESCAP PLC (investment managers) since 1997
and ING American Insurance Holdings, Inc.; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer
mutual funds.
JOHN WINTHROP, TRUSTEE, DOB: JUNE 1936
ONE NORTH ADGERS WHARF, CHARLESTON, SC 29401
President, John Winthrop & Co., Inc. (private investment firm); Director of
NUI Corp. (energy sales, services and distribution); and Trustee of all of the
Pioneer mutual funds.
ERIC W. RECKARD, TREASURER, DOB: JUNE 1956
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of PGI since
June 1999; Treasurer of Pioneer, PFD, PSC, PIntl, PREA, PFR and Pioneer Omega
since June 1999; Vice President-Corporate Finance of PGI from February 1999 to
June 1999; Manager of Fund Accounting, Business Planning and Internal Audit of
PGI since September 1996; Manager of Fund Accounting and Compliance of PGI from
May 1995 to September 1996; and Treasurer of all of the Pioneer mutual funds
(Assistant Treasurer prior to June 1999).
JOSEPH P. BARRI, SECRETARY, DOB: AUGUST 1946
Corporate Secretary of PGI and most of its subsidiaries; Secretary of all of the
Pioneer mutual funds; and Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP.
VINCENT NAVE, ASSISTANT TREASURER, DOB: JUNE 1945
Vice President-Fund Accounting, Administration and Custody Services of Pioneer
(Manager from September 1996 to February 1999); and Assistant Treasurer of all
of the Pioneer mutual funds since June 1999.
ROBERT P. NAULT, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DOB: MARCH 1964
Senior Vice President of PGI since 1998; General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
of PGI; Assistant Secretary of Pioneer, certain other PGI subsidiaries and all
of the Pioneer mutual funds; and Assistant Clerk of PFD and PSC.
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The business address of all officers is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
All of the outstanding capital stock of PFD, Pioneer and PSC is owned, directly
or indirectly, by PGI, a Delaware corporation. Pioneer, the fund's investment
adviser, serves as the investment adviser for the Pioneer mutual funds and
manages the investments of certain institutional accounts.
The table below lists all of the U.S.-registered Pioneer mutual funds currently
offered to the public and the investment adviser and principal underwriter for
each fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESTMENT ADVISER PRINCIPAL
FUND NAME UNDERWRITER
<S> <C> <C>
Pioneer International Growth Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Europe Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer World Equity Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Indo-Asia Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Mid-Cap Value Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Growth Shares Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Small Company Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Independence Fund Pioneer Note 1
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Balanced Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Equity-Income Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer II Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Real Estate Shares Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Limited Maturity Bond Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer America Income Trust Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Bond Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Tax-Managed Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer High Yield Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Science & Technology Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Large-Cap Growth Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Large-Cap Value Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Global Financials Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Global Telecoms Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Global Health Care Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Europe Select Fund Pioneer PFD
Pioneer Interest Shares Pioneer Note 2
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust Pioneer Note 3
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<PAGE>
Note 1 This fund is available to the general public only through Pioneer
Independence Plans, a systematic investment plan sponsored by PFD.
Note 2 This fund is a closed-end fund.
Note 3 This is a series of 17 separate portfolios designed to provide investment
vehicles for the variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts of
various insurance companies or for certain qualified pension plans.
</TABLE>
SHARE OWNERSHIP
See Appendix A for annual information on the ownership of fund shares by the
Trustees, the fund's officers and owners in excess of 5% of any class of shares
of the fund.
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers. The fund
compensates each Trustee who is not affiliated with PGI, Pioneer, PFD or PSC
with a base fee, a variable fee calculated on the basis of average net assets of
the fund, per meeting fees, and annual committee participation fees for each
committee member or chairperson that are based on percentages of his or her
aggregate annual fee. See the fee table in Appendix A.
SALES LOADS. Current and former Trustees and officers of the fund and other
qualifying persons may purchase the fund's Class A shares without an initial
sales charge.
4. INVESTMENT ADVISER
The fund has contracted with Pioneer to act as its investment adviser. Pioneer
is a wholly owned subsidiary of PGI. PGI is engaged in the financial services
business in the U.S. and other countries. Certain Trustees or officers of the
fund are also directors and/or officers of PGI and its subsidiaries (see
management biographies above).
As the fund's investment adviser, Pioneer provides the fund with investment
research, advice and supervision and furnishes an investment program for the
fund consistent with the fund's investment objective and policies, subject to
the supervision of the fund's Trustees. Pioneer determines what portfolio
securities will be purchased or sold, arranges for the placing of orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to place
those orders, maintains books and records with respect to the fund's securities
transactions, and reports to the Trustees on the fund's investments and
performance.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, Pioneer pays all the operating
expenses, including executive salaries and the rental of office space, relating
to its services for the fund, with the exception of the following, which are to
be paid by the fund: (a) charges and expenses for fund accounting, pricing and
appraisal services and related overhead, including, to the extent such services
are performed by personnel of Pioneer, or its affiliates, office space and
facilities and personnel compensation, training and benefits; (b) the charges
and expenses of auditors; (c) the charges and expenses of any custodian,
transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar appointed by
the fund; (d) issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the fund in connection with
securities transactions to which the fund is a party; (e) insurance premiums,
interest charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations and all
taxes and corporate fees payable by the fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; (f) fees and
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<PAGE>
expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the fund
and/or its shares with federal regulatory agencies, state or blue sky securities
agencies and foreign jurisdictions, including the preparation of prospectuses
and statements of additional information for filing with such regulatory
authorities; (g) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and
all reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (h) charges and
expenses of legal counsel to the fund and the Trustees; (i) distribution fees
paid by the fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated by the SEC pursuant
to the 1940 Act; (j) compensation of those Trustees of the fund who are not
affiliated with or interested persons of Pioneer, the fund (other than as
Trustees), PGI or PFD; (k) the cost of preparing and printing share
certificates; and (l) interest on borrowed money, if any. In addition, the fund
shall pay brokers' and underwriting commissions chargeable to the fund in
connection with securities transactions to which the fund is a party. The
Trustees' approval of and the terms, continuance and termination of the
management contract are governed by the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as applicable. Pursuant to the management contract, Pioneer will not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss sustained by
reason of the adoption of any investment policy or the purchase, sale or
retention of any securities on the recommendation of Pioneer. Pioneer, however,
is not protected against liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the management contract.
ADVISORY FEE. As compensation for its management services, the fund pays
Pioneer a fee at the annual rate of _.__% of the fund's average daily net
assets. This fee is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. The fund has entered into an administration agreement
with Pioneer pursuant to which certain accounting and legal services which are
expenses payable by the fund under the management contract are performed by
Pioneer and pursuant to which Pioneer is reimbursed for its costs of providing
such services. See Appendix A for fees the fund paid to Pioneer for
administration and related services.
EXPENSE LIMIT. Pioneer has agreed to waive all or part of its management fee or
to reimburse the fund for other expenses (other than extraordinary expenses) to
the extent the fund's expenses exceed _.__% of average daily net assets until
such time as the net assets of the fund exceed $__ million. This agreement may
be terminated at any time by Pioneer. If Pioneer waives any fee or reimburses
any expenses, and the expenses of the fund are subsequently less than _.__% of
the average daily net assets, the fund will reimburse Pioneer for such waived
fees or reimbursed expenses provided that such reimbursement does not cause the
fund's expenses to exceed _.__% of the average daily net assets. In addition,
the fund will not reimburse Pioneer for such waived fees or reimbursed expenses
more than three years after such fees were waived or such expenses were
incurred. Based on estimated expenses and fund assets for the current fiscal
year, the fund does not currently expect to reimburse Pioneer pursuant to this
arrangement during the current fiscal year.
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The fund is managed by Pioneer which also serves
as investment adviser to other Pioneer mutual funds and private accounts with
investment objectives identical or similar to those of the fund. Securities
frequently meet the investment objectives of the fund, the other Pioneer mutual
funds and such private accounts. In such cases, the decision to recommend a
purchase to one fund or account rather than another is based on a number of
factors. The determining factors in most cases are the amount of securities of
the issuer then outstanding, the value of those securities and the market for
them. Other factors considered in the investment recommendations include other
investments which each fund
25
<PAGE>
or account presently has in a particular industry and the availability of
investment funds in each fund or account.
It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one
fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the
length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the
same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the Pioneer
mutual funds or a private account managed by Pioneer seeks to acquire the same
security at about the same time, the fund may not be able to acquire as large a
position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for
the security. Similarly, the fund may not be able to obtain as large an
execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio
security if Pioneer decides to sell on behalf of another account the same
portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities
are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or account, the
resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions
for the fund. In the event more than one account purchases or sells the same
security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as
nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired
to be purchased or sold by each account. Although the other Pioneer mutual funds
may have the same or similar investment objectives and policies as the fund,
their portfolios do not generally consist of the same investments as the fund or
each other, and their performance results are likely to differ from those of the
fund.
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS. The fund, Pioneer and PFD have adopted a code
of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act which is applicable to officers,
trustees/directors and designated employees. The code permits such persons to
engage in personal securities transactions for their own accounts, including
securities that may be purchased or held by the fund, and is designed to
prescribe means reasonably necessary to prevent conflicts of interest from
arising in connection with personal securities transactions. The code is on
public file with and available from the SEC.
5. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the principal underwriter
for the fund in connection with the continuous offering of its shares. PFD is an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PGI.
The fund entered into an underwriting agreement with PFD which provides that PFD
will bear expenses for the distribution of the fund's shares, except for
expenses incurred by PFD for which it is reimbursed or compensated by the fund
under the distribution plans (discussed below). PFD bears all expenses it incurs
in providing services under the underwriting agreement. Such expenses include
compensation to its employees and representatives and to securities dealers for
distribution-related services performed for the fund. PFD also pays certain
expenses in connection with the distribution of the fund's shares, including the
cost of preparing, printing and distributing advertising or promotional
materials, and the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses and
supplements to prospective shareholders. The fund bears the cost of registering
its shares under federal and state securities law and the laws of certain
non-U.S. countries. Under the underwriting agreement, PFD will use its best
efforts in rendering services to the fund.
See "Class A Share Sales Charges" for the schedule of initial sales charge
reallowed to dealers as a percentage of the offering price of the fund's Class A
shares.
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<PAGE>
See the tables in Appendix A for commissions retained by PFD and reallowed to
dealers in connection with PFD's offering of the fund's Class A shares during
recently completed fiscal years.
The fund will not generally issue fund shares for consideration other than cash.
At the fund's sole discretion, however, it may issue fund shares for
consideration other than cash in connection with a bona fide reorganization,
statutory merger or other acquisition of portfolio securities.
The redemption price of shares of beneficial interest of the fund may, at
Pioneer's discretion, be paid in cash or portfolio securities. The fund has,
however, elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to
which the fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the fund's net asset value during any 90-day period for any
one shareholder. Should the amount of redemptions by any shareholder exceed such
limitation, the fund will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or
portfolio securities. In the latter case, the securities are taken at their
value employed in determining the fund's net asset value. A shareholder whose
shares are redeemed in-kind may incur brokerage charges in selling the
securities received in-kind. The selection of such securities will be made in
such manner as the Board of Trustees deems fair and reasonable.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The fund has adopted a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act with respect to its Class A shares (the "Class A Plan"), a plan of
distribution with respect to its Class B shares (the "Class B Plan") and a plan
of distribution with respect to its Class C shares (the "Class C Plan")
(together, the "Plans"), pursuant to which certain distribution and service fees
are paid to PFD. Because of the Plans, long-term shareholders may pay more than
the economic equivalent of the maximum sales charge permitted by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") regarding investment
companies.
CLASS A PLAN. Pursuant to the Class A Plan the fund reimburses PFD for its
actual expenditures to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class A shares or to provide services to holders of Class A shares,
provided the categories of expenses for which reimbursement is made are approved
by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has approved the following
categories of expenses that may be reimbursed under the Class A Plan: (i) a
service fee to be paid to qualified broker-dealers in an amount not to exceed
0.25% per annum of the fund's daily net assets attributable to Class A shares;
(ii) reimbursement to PFD for its expenditures for broker-dealer commissions and
employee compensation on certain sales of the fund's Class A shares with no
initial sales charge; and (iii) reimbursement to PFD for expenses incurred in
providing services to Class A shareholders and supporting broker-dealers and
other organizations (such as banks and trust companies) in their efforts to
provide such services. The expenses of the fund pursuant to the Class A Plan are
accrued daily at a rate which may not exceed the annual rate of 0.25% of
the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.
Distribution expenses of PFD are expected to substantially exceed the
distribution fees paid by the fund in a given year.
The Class A Plan does not provide for the carryover of reimbursable expenses
beyond 12 months from the time the fund is first invoiced for an expense. The
limited carryover provision in the Class A Plan may result in an expense
invoiced to the fund in one fiscal year being paid in the subsequent fiscal year
and thus being treated for purposes of calculating the maximum expenditures of
the fund as having been incurred in the subsequent fiscal year. In the event of
termination or non-continuance of the Class A Plan, the fund has 12 months to
reimburse any expense which it incurs prior to such termination or
non-continuance, provided that payments by the fund during such 12-month period
shall not exceed 0.25% of
27
<PAGE>
the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during
such period. See Appendix A for the amount, if any, of carryover of distribution
expenses as of the end of the most recent calendar year.
CLASS B PLAN. Commissions on the sale of Class B shares equal to 3.75% of the
amount invested are paid to broker-dealers who have sales agreements with PFD.
PFD may also advance to dealers the first-year service fee payable under the
Class B Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares. As
compensation for such advance of the service fee, PFD may retain the service fee
paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase.
The Class B Plan provides that the fund shall pay PFD, as the fund's distributor
for its Class B shares, a daily distribution fee equal on an annual basis to
0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares and
will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class B shares (which PFD will in turn pay to securities dealers
which enter into a sales agreement with PFD at a rate of up to 0.25% of the
fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares owned by
investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or dealer of record).
This service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal services and/or
account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect to Class B
shares. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase of Class B shares,
dealers will become eligible for additional annual service fees of up to 0.25%
of the net asset value of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required
to meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its
affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class B
Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards
have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account
maintenance services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder
accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class B Plan is to
compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class B shares of
the fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment. The Class B Plan also provides that PFD will receive all contingent
deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") attributable to Class B shares. When a
broker-dealer sells Class B shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its
right to receive the commission normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may
cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to be paid to
the broker-dealer.
The Class B Plan and underwriting agreement were amended effective September 30,
1998 to permit PFD to sell its right to receive distribution fees under the
Class B Plan and CDSCs to third parties. PFD enters into such transactions to
finance the payment of commissions to brokers at the time of sale and other
distribution-related expenses. In connection with such amendments, the fund has
agreed that the distribution fee will not be terminated or modified (including a
modification by change in the rules relating to the conversion of Class B shares
into Class A shares) with respect to Class B shares (a) issued prior to the date
of any termination or modification or (b) attributable to Class B shares issued
through one or a series of exchanges of shares of another investment company for
which PFD acts as principal underwriter which were initially issued prior to the
date of such termination or modification or (c) issued as a dividend or
distribution upon Class B shares initially issued or attributable to Class B
shares issued prior to the date of any such termination or modification except:
(i) to the extent required by a change in the 1940 Act, the rules or
regulations under the 1940 Act, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or an
order of any court or governmental agency, in each case enacted, issued
or promulgated after September 30, 1998;
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<PAGE>
(ii) in connection with a Complete Termination (as defined in the Class B
Plan); or
(iii) on a basis, determined by the Board of Trustees acting in good faith,
so long as from and after the effective date of such modification or
termination: neither the fund, the adviser nor certain affiliates pay,
directly or indirectly, a fee to any person for the provision of
personal and account maintenance services (as such terms are used in
the Conduct Rules of the NASD) to the holders of Class B shares of the
fund and the termination or modification of the distribution fee
applies with equal effect to all Class B shares outstanding from time
to time.
The Class B Plan also provides that PFD shall be deemed to have performed all
services required to be performed in order to be entitled to receive the
distribution fee, if any, payable with respect to Class B shares sold through
PFD upon the settlement date of the sale of such Class B shares or in the case
of Class B shares issued through one or a series of exchanges of shares of
another investment company for which PFD acts as principal underwriter or issued
as a dividend or distribution upon Class B shares, on the settlement date of the
first sale on a commission basis of a Class B share from which such Class B
share was derived.
In the amendments to the underwriting agreement, the fund agreed that subsequent
to the issuance of a Class B share, it would not take any action to waive or
change any CDSC (including a change in the rules applicable to conversion of
Class B shares into another class) in respect of such Class B shares, except (i)
as provided in the fund's prospectus or statement of additional information in
effect on September 30, 1998, or (ii) as required by a change in the 1940 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or any
order of any court or governmental agency enacted, issued or promulgated after
September 30, 1998.
CLASS C PLAN. Commissions on the sale of Class C shares of up to 0.75% of the
amount invested in Class C shares are paid to broker-dealers who have sales
agreements with PFD. PFD may also advance to dealers the first-year service fee
payable under the Class C Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of
such shares. As compensation for such advance of the service fee, PFD may retain
the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year
after purchase.
The Class C Plan provides that the fund will pay PFD, as the fund's distributor
for its Class C shares, a distribution fee accrued daily and paid quarterly,
equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class C shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of
the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. PFD will in
turn pay to securities dealers which enter into a sales agreement with PFD a
distribution fee and a service fee at rates of up to 0.75% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C
shares owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or
dealer of record. The service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal
services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect
to Class C shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first-year service fee at a
rate equal to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may
retain the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the
first year after purchase. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase
of Class C shares, dealers will become eligible for additional annual
distribution fees and service fees of up to 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of
the net asset value of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to
meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its
affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class C
Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards
have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account
maintenance services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder
accounts.
29
<PAGE>
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class C Plan is to
compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class C shares of
the fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment. The Class C Plan also provides that PFD will receive all CDSCs
attributable to Class C shares. When a broker-dealer sells Class C shares and
elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the commission
normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the
distribution fees described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
GENERAL
In accordance with the terms of each Plan, PFD provides to the fund for review
by the Trustees a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the
Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees'
quarterly review of the Plans, they will consider the continued appropriateness
and the level of reimbursement or compensation the Plans provide.
No interested person of the fund, nor any Trustee of the fund who is not an
interested person of the fund, has any direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plans except to the extent that PFD and certain of its
employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of receiving a
portion of the amounts expended under the Plans by the fund and except to the
extent certain officers may have an interest in PFD's ultimate parent, PGI.
Each Plan's adoption, terms, continuance and termination are governed by Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the fund and its current and
future shareholders. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the
annual percentage limitation of average net assets which may be spent for the
services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the fund
affected thereby, and material amendments of the Plans must also be approved by
the Trustees as provided in Rule 12b-1.
See Appendix A for fund expenses under the Class A Plan, Class B Plan and Class
C Plan and CDSCs paid to PFD for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Upon redemption, Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC, Class B shares are
subject to a CDSC at a rate declining from a maximum 4% of the lower of the cost
or market value of the shares and Class C shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The fund has contracted with PSC, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109,
to act as shareholder servicing and transfer agent for the fund.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, PSC services shareholder
accounts, and its duties include: (i) processing sales, redemptions and
exchanges of shares of the fund; (ii) distributing dividends and capital gains
associated with the fund's portfolio; and (iii) maintaining account records and
responding to shareholder inquiries.
30
<PAGE>
PSC receives an annual fee of $25.25 for each Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholder account from the fund as compensation for the services described
above. PSC is also reimbursed by the fund for its cash out-of-pocket
expenditures. The fund may compensate entities which have agreed to provide
certain sub-accounting services such as specific transaction processing and
recordkeeping services. Any such payments by the fund would be in lieu of the
per account fee which would otherwise be paid by the fund to PSC.
7. CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is
the custodian of the fund's assets. The custodian's responsibilities include
safekeeping and controlling the fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt
and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the fund's
investments.
8. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, the
fund's independent public accountants, provides audit services, tax return
review, and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of
filings with the SEC.
9. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf
of the fund by Pioneer pursuant to authority contained in the fund's management
contract. Pioneer seeks to obtain the best execution on portfolio trades. The
price of securities and any commission rate paid are always factors, but
frequently not the only factors, in judging best execution. In selecting brokers
or dealers, Pioneer considers various relevant factors, including, but not
limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character of
the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the execution efficiency,
settlement capability and financial condition of the dealer; the dealer's
execution services rendered on a continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any
dealer spreads. Transactions in non-U.S. equity securities are executed by
broker-dealers in non-U.S. countries in which commission rates may not be
negotiable (as such rates are in the U.S.).
Pioneer may select broker-dealers that provide brokerage and/or research
services to the fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts managed
by Pioneer. In addition, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if Pioneer determines in good faith that the
amount of commissions charged by a broker-dealer is reasonable in relation to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, the
fund may pay commissions to such broker-dealer in an amount greater than the
amount another firm may charge. Such services may include advice concerning the
value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities; the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of
securities; providing stock quotation services, credit rating service
information and comparative fund statistics; furnishing analyses, electronic
information services, manuals and reports concerning issuers, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of
accounts and particular investment decisions; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement). Pioneer maintains a listing of broker-dealers who provide such
services on a regular basis. However, because many transactions on behalf of the
fund and other investment companies or accounts managed by Pioneer are placed
with broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without regard to
the furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the proportion
of such transactions directed to such dealers
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<PAGE>
solely because such services were provided. Pioneer believes that no exact
dollar value can be calculated for such services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to Pioneer in rendering
investment management services to the fund as well as other investment companies
or other accounts managed by Pioneer, although not all such research may be
useful to the fund. Conversely, such information provided by brokers or dealers
who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other accounts may be
useful to Pioneer in carrying out its obligations to the fund. The receipt of
such research has not reduced Pioneer's normal independent research activities;
however, it enables Pioneer to avoid the additional expenses which might
otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information
through its own staff.
In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and
executions, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of
the fund as well as shares of other investment companies managed by Pioneer.
This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions
through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the fund.
The Pioneer funds have entered into third-party brokerage and/or expense offset
arrangements to reduce the funds' total operating expenses. Pursuant to
third-party brokerage arrangements, certain of the funds that invest primarily
in U.S. equity securities may incur lower custody fees by directing brokerage to
third-party broker-dealers. Pursuant to expense offset arrangements, the funds
incur lower transfer agency expenses by maintaining their cash balances with the
custodian. See "Financial highlights" in the prospectus.
See the table in Appendix A for aggregate brokerage and underwriting commissions
paid by the fund in connection with its portfolio transactions during recently
completed fiscal years. The Board of Trustees periodically reviews Pioneer's
performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of
portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund.
10. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
As an open-end management investment company, the fund continuously offers its
shares to the public and under normal conditions must redeem its shares upon the
demand of any shareholder at the next determined net asset value per share less
any applicable CDSC. See "Sales Charges." When issued and paid for in accordance
with the terms of the prospectus and statement of additional information, shares
of the fund are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit
with the fund's transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued. The
fund reserves the right to charge a fee for the issuance of Class A share
certificates; certificates will not be issued for Class B or Class C shares.
The fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of July 26, 1996, and
amended as of October 8, 1996 (the "Declaration"), permits the Board of Trustees
to authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares
of beneficial interest which may be divided into such separate series as the
Trustees may establish. Currently, the fund consists of only one series. The
Trustees may, however, establish additional series of shares and may divide or
combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby
changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the fund. The Declaration
further authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify any series of the
shares into one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized
the issuance of four classes of shares of the fund, designated as Class A
shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class Y shares. Class Y shares have
not been issued as of the date of this statement of additional information. Each
share of a class of the fund
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<PAGE>
represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the fund
allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of the fund, shareholders of each
class of the fund are entitled to share pro rata in the fund's net assets
allocable to such class available for distribution to shareholders. The fund
reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes of shares,
in which case the shares of each class of a series would participate equally in
the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that class of the particular
series.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the fund. Each class has equal rights as to voting, redemption,
dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution
and transfer agent fees and may bear other expenses properly attributable to the
particular class. Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders have exclusive
voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 Plans adopted by holders of those
shares in connection with the distribution of shares.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote in the
election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to a meeting of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more
Trustees. The fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual
shareholder meetings although special meetings may be called for the purpose of
electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment restrictions or
approving a management contract.
The shares of each series of the fund are entitled to vote separately to approve
investment advisory agreements or changes in investment restrictions, but
shareholders of all series vote together in the election and selection of
Trustees and accountants. Shares of all series of the fund vote together as a
class on matters that affect all series of the fund in substantially the same
manner. As to matters affecting a single series or class, shares of such series
or class will vote separately. No amendment adversely affecting the rights of
shareholders may be made to the Declaration without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the fund's shares. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights,
except that under certain circumstances Class B shares may convert to Class A
shares.
As a Delaware business trust, the fund's operations are governed by the
Declaration. Generally, Delaware business trust shareholders are not personally
liable for obligations of the Delaware business trust under Delaware law. The
Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") provides that a shareholder of
a Delaware business trust shall be entitled to the same limitation of liability
extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. The Declaration
expressly provides that the fund is organized under the Delaware Act and that
the Declaration is to be governed by Delaware law. There is nevertheless a
possibility that a Delaware business trust, such as the fund, might become a
party to an action in another state whose courts refused to apply Delaware law,
in which case the fund's shareholders could become subject to personal
liability.
To guard against this risk, the Declaration (i) contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the fund and provides that
notice of such disclaimer may be given in each agreement, obligation or
instrument entered into or executed by the fund or its Trustees, (ii) provides
for the indemnification out of fund property of any shareholders held personally
liable for any obligations of the fund or any series of the fund and (iii)
provides that the fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made
against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any
judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss
beyond his or her investment because of shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which all of the following factors are present: (1) a court
refused to apply Delaware law; (2) the liability arose under tort law or, if
not, no contractual limitation of liability was in effect; and (3) the fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. In light
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<PAGE>
of Delaware law, the nature of the fund's business and the nature of its
assets, the risk of personal liability to a fund shareholder is remote.
In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration provides
that a shareholder of the fund may bring a derivative action on behalf of the
fund only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to
bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the
outstanding shares of the fund, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the series
or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the
Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a
reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and investigate
the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or
other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an
undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the fund for
the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to
bring such action.
The Declaration further provides that the fund shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred by
them in connection with, or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding,
threatened against or otherwise involving such Trustee or officer, directly or
indirectly, by reason of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the fund.
The Declaration does not authorize the fund to indemnify any Trustee or officer
against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of
or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such person's duties.
The Declaration provides that any Trustee who is not an "interested person" of
Pioneer shall be considered to be independent for purposes of Delaware law
notwithstanding the fact that such Trustee receives compensation for serving as
a trustee of the fund or other investment companies for which Pioneer acts as
investment adviser.
11. SALES CHARGES
The fund continuously offers three classes of shares designated as Class A,
Class B, and Class C as described in the prospectus.
CLASS A SHARE SALES CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
You may buy Class A shares at the public offering price, including a sales
charge, as follows:
SALES CHARGE AS A % OF
OFFERING NET AMOUNT DEALER
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE INVESTED REALLOWANCE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10 5.00
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 4.00
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 3.00
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.75
$1,000,000 or more 0.00 0.00 see below
</TABLE>
The schedule of sales charges above is applicable to purchases of Class A shares
of the fund by (i) an individual, (ii) an individual and his or her spouse and
children under the age of 21 and (iii) a trustee or
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<PAGE>
other fiduciary of a trust estate or fiduciary account or related trusts or
accounts including pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts
qualified under Sections 401 or 408 of the Code although more than one
beneficiary is involved. The sales charges applicable to a current purchase of
Class A shares of the fund by a person listed above is determined by adding the
value of shares to be purchased to the aggregate value (at the then current
offering price) of shares of any of the other Pioneer mutual funds previously
purchased and then owned, provided PFD is notified by such person or his or her
broker-dealer each time a purchase is made which would qualify. Pioneer mutual
funds include all mutual funds for which PFD serves as principal underwriter. At
the sole discretion of PFD, holdings of funds domiciled outside the U.S., but
which are managed by affiliates of Pioneer, may be included for this purpose.
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million
or more, or for purchases by participants in certain group plans described below
subject to a CDSC of 1% which may be imposed in the event of a redemption of
Class A shares within 12 months of purchase. PFD may, in its discretion, pay a
commission to broker-dealers who initiate and are responsible for such purchases
as follows: 1% on the first $5 million invested; 0.50% on the next $45 million
invested; and 0.25% on the excess over $50 million invested. These commissions
shall not be payable if the purchaser is affiliated with the broker-dealer or if
the purchase represents the reinvestment of a redemption made during the
previous 12 calendar months. Broker-dealers who receive a commission in
connection with Class A share purchases at net asset value by 401(a) or 401(k)
retirement plans with 1,000 or more eligible participants or with at least $10
million in plan assets will be required to return any commissions paid or a pro
rata portion thereof if the retirement plan redeems its shares within 12 months
of purchase.
LETTER OF INTENT ("LOI"). Reduced sales charges are available for purchases of
$50,000 or more of Class A shares (excluding any reinvestments of dividends and
capital gain distributions) made within a 13-month period pursuant to an LOI
which may be established by completing the Letter of Intent section of the
Account Application. The reduced sales charge will be the charge that would be
applicable to the purchase of the specified amount of Class A shares as if the
shares had all been purchased at the same time. A purchase not made pursuant to
an LOI may be included if the LOI is submitted to PSC within 90 days of such
purchase. You may also obtain the reduced sales charge by including the value
(at current offering price) of all your Class A shares in the fund and all other
Pioneer mutual funds held of record as of the date of your LOI in the amount
used to determine the applicable sales charge for the Class A shares to be
purchased under the LOI. Five percent of your total intended purchase amount
will be held in escrow by PSC, registered in your name, until the terms of the
LOI are fulfilled. When you sign the Account Application, you agree to
irrevocably appoint PSC your attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any or
all shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An LOI is not a
binding obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the fund to sell, the
amount specified in the LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified under the
LOI and are in an amount which would qualify for a further quantity discount,
all transactions will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI to effect
the lower sales charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting from such
recomputation will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in additional
shares at the lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account
Application, agrees to return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment,
the excess of the commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over
that which is applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the
LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount specified
under the LOI, you must remit to PFD any difference between the sales charge on
the amount actually purchased and the amount originally specified in the LOI.
When the difference is paid, the shares held in escrow will be deposited to your
account. If you do not pay the difference in sales charge within 20 days after
written request from
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<PAGE>
PFD or your dealer, PSC, after receiving instructions from PFD, will redeem
the appropriate number of shares held in escrow to realize the difference and
release any excess.
CLASS B SHARES
You may buy Class B shares at the net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge;
however, Class B shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be subject to
a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below. The charge will be assessed on the
amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase
cost of the shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in
account value above the initial purchase price, including shares derived from
the reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from
the time of purchase until the time of redemption of Class B shares. For the
purpose of determining the number of years from the time of any purchase after
September 30, 1998, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to
have been made on the first day of that month. For the purpose of determining
the number of years from the time of any purchase made prior to October 1, 1998,
all payments during a quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on
the first day of that quarter. In processing redemptions of Class B shares, the
fund will first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held
longest during the six-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest
possible CDSC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The CDSC for Class B shares subject to a CDSC upon redemption will be determined
as follows:
CDSC AS A % OF DOLLAR
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE AMOUNT SUBJECT TO CDSC
<S> <C>
First 4.0
Second 4.0
Third 3.0
Fourth 3.0
Fifth 2.0
Sixth 1.0
Seventh and thereafter 0.0
</TABLE>
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares at the beginning
of the calendar month (or the calendar quarter for purchases made prior to
October 1, 1998) that is eight years after the purchase date, except as noted
below. Class B shares acquired by exchange from Class B shares of another
Pioneer mutual fund will convert into Class A shares based on the date of the
initial purchase and the applicable CDSC. Class B shares acquired through
reinvestment of distributions will convert into Class A shares based on the date
of the initial purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose, Class B
shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will be attributed to
particular purchases of Class B shares in accordance with such procedures as the
Trustees may determine from time to time. The conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or an opinion of counsel that such
conversions will not constitute taxable events for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares will not
36
<PAGE>
occur if such ruling or opinion is not available and, therefore, Class B
shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A shares for
an indeterminate period.
CLASS C SHARES
You may buy Class C shares at net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge;
however, Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to
a CDSC of 1%. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of
the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares being
redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the
initial purchase price, including shares derived from the reinvestment of
dividends or capital gain distributions. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of fund shares.
For the purpose of determining the time of any purchase after September 30,
1998, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been
made on the first day of that month. For the purpose of determining the time of
any purchase made prior to October 1, 1998, all payments made during a calendar
quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of that
quarter. In processing redemptions of Class C shares, the fund will first redeem
shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held for the shortest period of
time during the one-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest possible
CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO DEALERS
From time to time, PFD or its affiliates may elect to make payments to dealers
in addition to the commissions described above. PFD may elect to reallow the
entire initial sales charge to participating dealers for all Class A sales with
respect to which orders are placed during a particular period. Dealers to whom
substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be
underwriters under the federal securities laws. Contingent upon the achievement
of certain sales objectives, PFD may pay to Mutual of Omaha Investor Services,
Inc. 50% of PFD's retention of any sales commission on sales of the fund's Class
A shares through such dealer. PFD will reallow to participating broker/dealers
the entire sales charge for all sales of the fund's Class A shares if the order
is placed from March 1, 2000 through August 31, 2000. PFD or its affiliates may
elect to pay dealers an additional commission based on the net asset value of
all of the fund's Class B shares sold by a dealer during a particular period.
PFD has elected to pay dealers an amount equal to 0.50% of the net asset value
of the fund's Class B shares sold from April 1, 2000 through August 31, 2000. In
addition, at its own expense, PFD may elect to pay additional cash or other
incentives to dealers that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the fund.
Such cash or other incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at
preapproved conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited
registered representatives and other employees, payment for travel expenses,
including lodging, incurred by registered representatives and other employees
for such seminars or training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and
preapproved sales campaigns or dealer-sponsored events. PFD may also elect to
make expense reimbursements for special training of a dealer's registered
representatives and other employees in group meetings or to help pay the
expenses of sales contests. PFD will offer such cash and other incentives only
to the extent permitted by applicable law or by a self-regulatory agency such as
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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12. REDEEMING SHARES
Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any period in which any
of the following conditions exist: the Exchange is closed or trading on the
Exchange is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the fund to fairly determine the value of the net
assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order, so permits.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions for shareholders that are
subject to U.S. federal income tax. The net asset value per share received upon
redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of shares to an
investor, depending on the market value of the portfolio at the time of
redemption or repurchase.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN(S) ("SWP"). A SWP is designed to provide a convenient
method of receiving fixed payments at regular intervals from fund share accounts
having a total value of not less than $10,000. You must also be reinvesting all
dividends and capital gain distributions to use the SWP option.
Periodic payments of $50 or more will be deposited monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually directly into a bank account designated by the
applicant or will be sent by check to the applicant, or any person designated by
the applicant. Payments can be made either by check or electronic funds transfer
to a bank account designated by you. Class B accounts must meet the minimum
initial investment requirement prior to establishing a SWP. Withdrawals from
Class B and Class C share accounts are limited to 10% of the value of the
account at the time the SWP is established. See "Qualifying for a reduced sales
charge" in the prospectus. If you direct that withdrawal payments be paid to
another person, want to change the bank where payments are sent or designate an
address that is different from the account's address of record after you have
opened your account, a signature guarantee must accompany your instructions.
Withdrawals under the SWP are redemptions that may have tax consequences for
you.
Purchases of Class A shares of the fund at a time when you have a SWP in effect
may result in the payment of unnecessary sales charges and may, therefore, be
disadvantageous. SWP redemptions reduce and may ultimately exhaust the number of
shares in your account. In addition, the amounts received by a shareholder
cannot be considered as yield or income on his or her investment because part of
such payments may be a return of his or her investment.
A SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to PSC or from PSC to
the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by PSC of appropriate evidence of the
shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares in the shareholder's account have
been redeemed.
You may obtain additional information by calling PSC at 1-800-225-6292.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE (CLASS A SHARES). If you redeem all or part of your
Class A shares of the fund, you may reinvest all or part of the redemption
proceeds without a sales charge in Class A shares of the fund if you send a
written request to PSC not more than 90 days after your shares were redeemed.
Your redemption proceeds will be reinvested at the next determined net asset
value of the Class A shares of the fund after receipt of the written request for
reinstatement. You may realize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of the redemption, and special tax rules may apply if a reinstatement
occurs. For example, if a redemption resulted in a loss and an investment is
made in shares of the fund within 30 days before or after the redemption, you
may not be able to recognize the loss for federal
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income tax purposes. Subject to the provisions outlined in the prospectus,
you may also reinvest in Class A shares of other Pioneer mutual funds; in this
case you must meet the minimum investment requirements for each fund you enter.
The 90-day reinstatement period may be extended by PFD for periods of up to one
year for shareholders living in areas that have experienced a natural disaster,
such as a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake.
13. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
You may purchase, exchange or sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares by
telephone. See the prospectus for more information. For personal assistance,
call 1-800-225-6292 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.
Computer-assisted transactions may be available to shareholders who have
prerecorded certain bank information (see "FactFoneSM"). YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED
TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING ANY TELEPHONE
TRANSACTION.
To confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is genuine,
the fund will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to provide
the personal identification number ("PIN") for the account and send you a
written confirmation of each telephone transaction. Different procedures may
apply to accounts that are registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in
the name of an institution or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or
other third party. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are
not followed, the fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. The fund may implement other procedures from time to
time. In all other cases, neither the fund, PSC nor PFD will be responsible for
the authenticity of instructions received by telephone; therefore, you bear the
risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
During times of economic turmoil or market volatility or as a result of severe
weather or a natural disaster, it may be difficult to contact the fund by
telephone to institute a purchase, exchange or redemption. You should
communicate with the fund in writing if you are unable to reach the fund by
telephone.
FACTFONESM. FactFoneSM is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system
available to Pioneer mutual fund shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321.
FactFoneSM allows shareholder access to current information on Pioneer mutual
fund accounts and to the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer
mutual funds. In addition, you may use FactFoneSM to make computer-assisted
telephone purchases, exchanges or redemptions from your Pioneer mutual fund
accounts, access your account balances and last three transactions and order a
duplicate statement if you have activated your PIN. Telephone purchases or
redemptions require the establishment of a bank account of record. YOU ARE
STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING
ANY TELEPHONE TRANSACTION. Shareholders whose accounts are registered in the
name of a broker-dealer or other third party may not be able to use FactFoneSM.
Call PSC for assistance.
FactFoneSM allows shareholders to hear the following recorded fund information:
o net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
o annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
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o annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound) yields for Pioneer's
money market fund; and
o dividends and capital gain distributions on all Pioneer mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with SEC mandated standard formulas.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFoneSM represent past
performance, and figures include the maximum applicable sales charge. A
shareholder's actual yield and total return will vary with changing market
conditions. The value of Class A, Class B and Class C shares (except for Pioneer
Cash Reserves Fund, which seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price) will
also vary, and such shares may be worth more or less at redemption than their
original cost.
14. PRICING OF SHARES
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is determined as of the
close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on
each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of this
statement of additional information, the Exchange is open for trading every
weekday except for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of each
class of the fund is also determined on any other day on which the level of
trading in its portfolio securities is sufficiently high that the current net
asset value per share might be materially affected by changes in the value of
its portfolio securities. The fund is not required to determine its net asset
value per share on any day on which no purchase orders in good order for fund
shares are received and no shares are tendered and accepted for redemption.
Securities are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or market
where they are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation
or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at
the mean between the current bid and asked prices. Securities quoted in non-U.S.
currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing non-U.S. exchange rates
employed by the fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading in
non-U.S. securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior
to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The values of such securities
used in computing the net asset value of the fund's shares are determined as of
such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior
to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. Occasionally, events which
affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between
the times at which they are determined and the close of regular trading on the
Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the fund's
net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such securities
occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. All assets of the fund for
which there is no other readily available valuation method are valued at their
fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees, although the actual
computations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the
Board of Trustees.
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is computed by taking
the value of all of the fund's assets attributable to a class, less the fund's
liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by the number of
outstanding shares of that class. For purposes of determining net asset value,
expenses of the classes of the fund are accrued daily and taken into account.
The fund's maximum offering price per Class A share is determined by adding the
maximum sales charge to the net asset value per Class A share.
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Class B and Class C shares are offered at net asset value without the
imposition of an initial sales charge (Class B and Class C shares may be subject
to a CDSC).
15. TAX STATUS
The fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to qualify each
year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code so that
it will not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed
to shareholders. If the fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company,
it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Under the Code, the fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise
tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains if it
fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar
year. The fund intends to make distributions in a timely manner and accordingly
does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The fund generally distributes any net short- and long-term capital gains in
November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment income in
December. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such
other times as may be necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal income or
excise tax.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M, the
fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income for each
taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign
currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies (the "90% income test") and satisfy certain annual
distribution and quarterly diversification requirements. For purposes of the 90%
income test, the character of income earned by certain entities in which the
fund invests that are not treated as corporations (e.g., partnerships or trusts)
for U.S. tax purposes will generally pass through to the fund. Consequently, the
fund may be required to limit its equity investments in such entities that earn
fee income, rental income or other nonqualifying income.
Unless shareholders specify otherwise, all distributions will be automatically
reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the fund. For U.S.
federal income tax purposes, all dividends are taxable whether a shareholder
takes them in cash or reinvests them in additional shares of the fund. Dividends
from investment company taxable income, which includes net investment income,
net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss and certain
net foreign exchange gains, are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from net
long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss ("net capital
gain"), if any, are taxable to the fund's shareholders as long-term capital
gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time
the shareholder has held shares of the fund. The U.S. federal income tax status
of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
Any dividend declared by the fund as of a record date in October, November or
December and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar
year in which it is declared.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the fund in connection with
certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities,
certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables
denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and
losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of
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distributions to shareholders. Under future regulations, any such
transactions that are not directly related to the fund's investments in stock or
securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock
or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the fund to satisfy the
90% income test. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year were to exceed the
fund's investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss),
the resulting ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the fund or
its shareholders in future years.
If the fund acquires any equity interest (under future regulations, generally
including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent
in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75%
of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends,
certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of
their assets in investments producing such passive income ("passive foreign
investment companies"), the fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and
additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such
companies or on gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all
income or gain actually received by the fund is timely distributed to its
shareholders. The fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any
credit or deduction for such a tax. An election may generally be available that
would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but any such election could
require the fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax
distribution requirements) without the concurrent receipt of cash. These
investments could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as
ordinary income. The fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive
foreign investment companies to limit its tax liability or maximize its return
from these investments.
The fund may invest to a limited extent in debt obligations that are in the
lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers
not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt
obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the
fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the fund may
cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and
to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities,
how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between
principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout
context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the fund, in
the event it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it
distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment
company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
If the fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities,
deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original
issue discount (or with market discount if the fund elects to include market
discount in income currently), the fund must accrue income on such investments
for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the
corresponding cash payments. However, the fund must distribute, at least
annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued
income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the
Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the fund may
have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances
to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to
satisfy distribution requirements.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the fund is permitted to carry forward a
net capital loss for any year to offset its capital gains, if any, during the
eight years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital
gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in U.S. federal income
tax liability to the fund and are not expected to be distributed as such to
shareholders. See Appendix A for the fund's available capital loss
carryforwards.
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At the time of an investor's purchase of fund shares, a portion of the purchase
price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the fund's
portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the fund. Consequently, subsequent
distributions by the fund with respect to these shares from such appreciation or
income may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the
investor's shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the
investor's cost for such shares and the distributions economically represent a
return of a portion of the investment.
Redemptions and exchanges are taxable events for shareholders that are subject
to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to
their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction
in fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following
discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in
such transactions. Any loss realized by a shareholder upon the redemption,
exchange or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months
or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts
treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares.
In addition, if Class A shares redeemed or exchanged have been held for less
than 91 days, (1) in the case of a reinvestment in the fund or another mutual
fund at net asset value pursuant to the reinstatement privilege, or (2) in the
case of an exchange, all or a portion of the sales charge paid on such shares is
not included in their tax basis under the Code, to the extent a sales charge
that would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced pursuant to the
reinstatement or exchange privilege. In either case, the portion of the sales
charge not included in the tax basis of the shares redeemed or surrendered in an
exchange is included in the tax basis of the shares acquired in the reinvestment
or exchange. Losses on redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be
disallowed under "wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the fund
(including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain
distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30
days after a redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the
disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the federal tax
basis of the shares acquired in the other investments.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the fund on
certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain forward
foreign currency contracts, may cause the fund to recognize gains or losses from
marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed, been closed out,
or exercised, or such futures or forward contracts may not have been performed
or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the
characterization of some capital gains and losses realized by the fund as
long-term or short-term. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating
to foreign currency may be subject to Section 988, as described above, and
accordingly may produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the fund may be
required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract,
short sale or other transaction that is not subject to the mark-to-market rules
is treated as a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held
by the fund under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark-to-market gains and/or
gains from constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the
distribution requirements referred to above even though the fund may receive no
corresponding cash amounts, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio
securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Losses on certain options,
futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities
or other positions with respect to which the fund's risk of loss is
substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward contracts)
may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also
affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions
and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax
elections may be available that would enable the fund to ameliorate some adverse
effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules applicable
to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect
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the amount, timing and character of the fund's income and capital gains or
losses and hence of its distributions to shareholders.
A distribution by the fund to its corporate shareholders can potentially qualify
for the corporate dividends-received deduction, subject to certain holding
period requirements and limitations on debt financing under the Code, only to
the extent the fund earns dividend income from stock investment in U.S. domestic
corporations. The fund is permitted to acquire stocks of U.S. domestic
corporations, and, therefore, it is possible that a small portion of the fund's
distributions, from the dividends attributable to such stocks, may qualify for
the dividends-received deduction. Such qualifying portion, if any, may affect a
corporate shareholder's liability for alternative minimum tax and/or result in
basis reduction and other consequences in certain circumstances. No portion of
the fund's distributions from net capital gain will qualify for this deduction.
The fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign
countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect
to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield
on or return from those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries
and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50%
of the fund's total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or
securities of foreign corporations, the fund may elect to pass through to its
shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund
(not in excess of its actual tax liability), with the result that shareholders
would be required to include such taxes in their gross incomes (in addition to
dividends and distributions they actually received), would treat such taxes as
foreign taxes paid by them, and may be entitled to a tax deduction for such
taxes or a tax credit, subject to a holding period requirement and other
limitations under the Code.
Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated as income
taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes, such as
stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. If the fund makes
the election described above, shareholders may deduct their pro rata portion of
qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund (not in excess of the tax actually owed
by the fund) in computing their income subject to U.S. federal income taxation
or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable
limitations under the Code, against their U.S. federal income taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will
not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign
taxes paid by the fund, although such shareholders will be required to include
their shares of such taxes in gross income if the fund makes the election
described above.
If the fund makes this election and a shareholder chooses to take a credit for
the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the credit that
may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax
against which such credit is taken which the shareholder's taxable income from
foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder's entire taxable income)
bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term and short-term
capital gains the fund realizes and distributes to shareholders will generally
not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor will
distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of the
Code and of any other income realized by the fund that is deemed, under the
Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the fund. This foreign tax credit
limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of
foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules,
which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder's particular
tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the
full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the fund.
Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including
tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If the
fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to
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shareholders. The fund generally may deduct any foreign taxes that are not
passed through to its shareholders in computing its income available for
distribution to shareholders to satisfy applicable tax distribution
requirements.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and
deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain
prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified
retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more
information.
Federal law requires that the fund withhold (as "backup withholding") 31% of
reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the
proceeds of redemptions and exchanges or repurchases of fund shares, paid to
shareholders who have not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this
withholding requirement, shareholders must certify on their Account
Applications, or on separate IRS Forms W-9, that the Social Security Number or
other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is their correct number and
that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are
exempt from backup withholding. The fund may nevertheless be required to
withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided
is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous
underreporting of interest or dividend income.
If, as anticipated, the fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment
company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income,
corporate excise or franchise taxes or any Delaware corporation income tax.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to
U.S. federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons,
i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or
estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax. This description does
not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of
investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities
dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors
other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. tax treatment,
including a non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% or at a
lower treaty rate on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the fund and,
unless an effective IRS Form W-8, Form W-8BEN, or other authorized withholding
certificate is on file, to 31% backup withholding on certain other payments from
the fund. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on these matters
and on state, local and other applicable tax laws.
16. INVESTMENT RESULTS
QUOTATIONS, COMPARISONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
From time to time, in advertisements, in sales literature or in reports to
shareholders, the past performance of the fund may be illustrated and/or
compared with that of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and
to stock or other relevant indices. For example, total return of the fund's
classes may be compared to averages or rankings prepared by Lipper, Inc., a
widely recognized independent service which monitors mutual fund performance;
the MSCI Global Financials Index, an unmanaged index of the stocks of global
financial companies; Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index (the "S&P 500"), an
unmanaged index of common stocks; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a recognized
unmanaged index of common stocks of 30 industrial companies listed on the
Exchange; or any other appropriate index.
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In addition, the performance of the classes of the fund may be compared to
alternative investment or savings vehicles and/or to indices or indicators of
economic activity, e.g., inflation or interest rates. The fund may also include
securities industry or comparative performance information generally and in
advertising or materials marketing the fund's shares. Performance rankings and
listings reported in newspapers or national business and financial publications,
such as BARRON'S, BUSINESS WEEK, CONSUMERS DIGEST, CONSUMER REPORTS, FINANCIAL
WORLD, FORBES, FORTUNE, INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY, KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE
MAGAZINE, MONEY MAGAZINE, NEW YORK TIMES, SMART MONEY, USA TODAY, U.S. NEWS AND
WORLD REPORT, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and WORTH, may also be cited (if the fund
is listed in any such publication) or used for comparison, as well as
performance listings and rankings from various other sources including Bloomberg
Financial Markets, CDA/Wiesenberger, Donoghue's Mutual Fund Almanac, Ibbotson
Associates, Investment Company Data, Inc., Johnson's Charts, Kanon Bloch Carre
and Co., Lipper, Inc., Micropal, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Schabacker Investment
Management and Towers Data Systems, Inc.
In addition, from time to time quotations from articles from financial
publications such as those listed above may be used in advertisements, in sales
literature or in reports to shareholders of the fund.
The fund may also present, from time to time, historical information depicting
the value of a hypothetical account in one of more classes of the fund since
inception.
In presenting investment results, the fund may also include references to
certain financial planning concepts, including (a) an investor's need to
evaluate his financial assets and obligations to determine how much to invest;
(b) his need to analyze the objectives of various investments to determine where
to invest; and (c) his need to analyze his time frame for future capital needs
to determine how long to invest. The investor controls these three factors, all
of which affect the use of investments in building assets.
One of the primary methods used to measure the performance of a class of the
fund is "total return." Total return will normally represent the percentage
change in value of an account, or of a hypothetical investment in a class of the
fund, over any period up to the lifetime of that class of the fund. Total return
calculations will usually assume the reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gain distributions and will be expressed as a percentage increase or decrease
from an initial value for the entire period or for one or more specified periods
within the entire period. Total return percentages for periods of less than one
year will usually be annualized; total return percentages for periods longer
than one year will usually be accompanied by total return percentages for each
year within the period and/or by the average annual compounded total return for
the period. The income and capital components of a given return may be separated
and portrayed in a variety of ways in order to illustrate their relative
significance. Performance may also be portrayed in terms of cash or investment
values without percentages. Past performance cannot guarantee any particular
future result.
The fund's average annual total return quotations for each of its classes as
that information may appear in the fund's prospectus, this statement of
additional information or in advertising are calculated by standard methods
prescribed by the SEC.
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS
Average annual total return quotations for each class of shares are computed by
finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would cause a
hypothetical investment in the class made on the first day of a designated
period (assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested) to equal the
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ending redeemable value of such hypothetical investment on the last day of the
designated period in accordance with the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000, less the
maximum sales load of $57.50 for Class A shares or
the deduction of the CDSC for Class B and Class C
shares at the end of the period
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
initial payment made at the beginning of the
designated period (or fractional portion thereof)
For purposes of the above computation, it is assumed that all dividends and
distributions made by the fund are reinvested at net asset value during the
designated period. The average annual total return quotation is determined to
the nearest 1/100 of 1%.
In determining the average annual total return (calculated as provided above),
recurring fees, if any, that are charged to all shareholder accounts of a
particular class of shares are taken into consideration. For any account fees
that vary with the size of the account, the account fee used for purposes of the
above computation is assumed to be the fee that would be charged to a class'
mean account size.
See Appendix A for the annual total returns for each class of fund shares as of
the most recently completed fiscal year.
17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The balance sheet and the report of independent public accountants included in
this statement of additional information have been included in reliance upon the
report of ______________, independent public accountants, as experts in
accounting and auditing.
[balance sheet, notes and audit report to be filed by amendment]
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18. APPENDIX A - ANNUAL FEE, EXPENSE AND OTHER INFORMATION
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Not applicable.1
SHARE OWNERSHIP
Not applicable.1
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation of each Trustee of the fund.
PENSION OR RETIREMENT TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
BENEFITS ACCRUED AS THE FUND AND OTHER
AGGREGATE PART OF FUND EXPENSES PIONEER MUTUAL FUNDS**
COMPENSATION FROM
NAME OF TRUSTEE FUND*
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John F. Cogan, Jr.*** $ 750.00 $0 $18,000.00
Mary K. Bush 1,806.00 0 93,500.00
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. 1,806.00 0 95,500.00
Margaret B.W. Graham 1,812.00 0 102,000.00
John W. Kendrick**** 0.00 0 82,500.00
Marguerite A. Piret 1,906.00 0 116,750.00
David D. Tripple*** 750.00 0 18,000.00
Stephen K. West 1,731.00 0 108,250.00
John Winthrop 1,906.00 0 98,400.00
-------- - ---------
$13,923.00 $0 $732,900.00
------------------------
* Estimated for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2001. In
addition to the fund, there are 48 other funds in the Pioneer
Family of Funds.
** For the calendar year ended December 31, 1999. The fund did
not pay any compensation during 1999 because it had not yet
been organized.
*** Under the management contract, Pioneer reimburses the fund for
any Trustees fees paid by the fund.
**** Mr. Kendrick resigned as Trustee effective May 8, 2000.
</TABLE>
APPROXIMATE MANAGEMENT FEES THE FUND PAID OR OWED PIONEER
Not applicable.1
------------------------
1 As of the date of this statement of additional information, the fund had
not yet completed a fiscal year.
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<PAGE>
FEES THE FUND PAID TO PIONEER UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
Not applicable.1
APPROXIMATE NET UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS RETAINED BY PFD
Not applicable.1
CARRYOVER OF DISTRIBUTION PLAN EXPENSES
Not applicable.1
APPROXIMATE COMMISSIONS REALLOWED TO DEALERS
Not applicable.1
FUND EXPENSES UNDER THE DISTRIBUTION PLANS
Not applicable.1
CDSCS
Not applicable.1
APPROXIMATE BROKERAGE AND UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS (PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS)
Not applicable.1
CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
Not applicable.1
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Not applicable.1
------------------------
1 As of the date of this statement of additional information, the fund had
not yet completed a fiscal year.
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19. APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT, CORPORATE BOND AND PREFERRED
STOCK RATINGS1
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S") SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity
not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
Prime-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
Leading market positions in well-established industries.
High rates of return on funds employed.
Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection.
Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
sources of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Prime-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Not Prime: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country
in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on
a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in
countries which carry a Moody's Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch
obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign
Rating for Bank Deposits for the country in which the branch is located.
When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the
currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do
not incorporate an opinion as to whether
--------
1The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this statement of additional information for the
securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings,
they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not
necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these securities on the
date of the fund's fiscal year-end.
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payment of the obligation will be affected by actions of the government
controlling the currency of denomination. In addition, risks associated with
bilateral conflicts between an investor's home country and either the issuer's
home country or the country where an issuer's branch is located are not
incorporated into Moody's short-term debt ratings.
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its short-term debt obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names of
such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parenthesis beneath the
name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to another page
for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In assigning ratings
to such issuers, Moody's evaluates the financial strength of the affiliated
corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or
other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment.
MOODY'S DEBT RATINGS
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
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Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Moody's bond ratings, where specified, are applicable to financial contracts,
senior bank obligations and insurance company senior policyholder and claims
obligations with an original maturity in excess of one year. Obligations relying
upon support mechanisms such as letters-of-credit and bonds of indemnity are
excluded unless explicitly rated. Obligations of a branch of a bank are
considered to be domiciled in the country in which the branch is located.
Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on a bank's ability to repay senior
obligations extends only to branches located in countries which carry a Moody's
Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch obligations are rated at the
lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign Rating for the Bank Deposits for
the country in which the branch is located. When the currency in which an
obligation is denominated is not the same as the currency of the country in
which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do not incorporate an opinion
as to whether payment of the obligation will be affected by the actions of the
government controlling the currency of denomination. In addition, risk
associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's home country and
either the issuer's home country or the country where an issuer branch is
located are not incorporated into Moody's ratings.
Moody's makes no representation that rated bank obligations or insurance company
obligations are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or issued in
conformity with any other applicable law or regulation. Nor does Moody's
represent any specific bank or insurance company obligation is legally
enforceable or a valid senior obligation of a rated issuer.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates
a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
that generic rating category.
MOODY'S PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
Because of the fundamental differences between preferred stocks and bonds, a
variation of Moody's familiar bond rating symbols is used in the quality ranking
of preferred stock. The symbols, presented below, are designed to avoid
comparison with bond quality in absolute terms. It should always be borne in
mind that preferred stock occupies a junior position to bonds within a
particular capital structure and that these securities are rated within the
universe of preferred stocks.
aaa: An issue which is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred
stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of
dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
aa: An issue which is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock. This
rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.
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<PAGE>
a: An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper-medium grade preferred
stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater then in the aaa and aa
classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.
baa: An issue which is rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade preferred
stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset
protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great
length of time.
ba: An issue which is rated ba is considered to have speculative elements and
its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may
be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.
b: An issue which is rated b generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.
caa: An issue which is rated caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend
payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status
of payments.
ca: An issue which is rated ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to
be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.
c: This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so
rated can thus be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating
classification: the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking
and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its
generic rating category.
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
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<PAGE>
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
STANDARD & POOR'S LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet
its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms
of the obligation;
Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the
laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue rating definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such,
they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are
typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in
bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation applies when an entity has
both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or
operating company and holding company obligations.) Accordingly, in the case of
junior debt, the rating may not conform exactly with the category definition.
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only
in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major
exposures to adverse conditions.
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BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will
likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is CURRENTLY HIGHLY
VULNERABLE to nonpayment. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a
bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this
obligation are being continued. A C also will be assigned to a preferred stock
issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently
paying.
D: An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The rating from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating
categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk, such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
N.R.: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's
does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis
for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor
in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations
may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to
the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external
versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in
the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings
are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those
instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
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20. APPENDIX C - PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE INDEX DESCRIPTIONS
The following securities indices are well known, unmanaged measures of market
performance. Advertisements and sales literature for the fund may refer to these
indices or may present comparisons between the performance of the fund and one
or more of the indices. Other indices may also be used, if appropriate. The
indices are not available for direct investment. The data presented are not
meant to be indicative of the performance of the fund, do not reflect past
performance and do not guarantee future results.
S&P 500. This index is a readily available, carefully constructed, market value
weighted benchmark of common stock performance. Currently, the S&P 500 includes
500 of the largest stocks (in terms of stock market value) in the U.S.
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. This is a total return index based on the
performance of stocks of 30 blue chip companies widely held by individuals and
institutional investors. The 30 stocks represent about a fifth of the $8
trillion-plus market value of all U.S. stocks and about a fourth of the value of
stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
U.S. SMALL STOCK INDEX. This index is a market value weighted index of the
ninth and tenth deciles of the NYSE, plus stocks listed on the American Stock
Exchange and over the counter with the same or less capitalization as the upper
bound of the NYSE ninth decile.
U.S. INFLATION. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), not
seasonally adjusted, is used to measure inflation, which is the rate of change
of consumer goods prices. Unfortunately, the inflation rate as derived by the
CPI is not measured over the same period as the other asset returns. All of the
security returns are measured from one month-end to the next month-end. CPI
commodity prices are collected during the month. Thus, measured inflation rates
lag the other series by about one-half month. Prior to January 1978, the CPI (as
compared with CPI-U) was used. Both inflation measures are constructed by the
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, DC.
S&P/BARRA INDEXES. The S&P/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes are constructed by
dividing the stocks in the S&P 500 according to price-to-book ratios. The Growth
Index contains stocks with higher price-to-book ratios, and the Value Index
contains stocks with lower price-to-book ratios. Both indexes are market
capitalization weighted.
MERRILL LYNCH MICRO-CAP INDEX. The Merrill Lynch Micro-Cap Index represents the
performance of 1,980 stocks ranging in market capitalization from $50 million to
$125 million. Index returns are calculated monthly.
MERRILL LYNCH HIGH YIELD MASTER II INDEX. This index is a market capitalization
weighted total return index covering U.S. dollar-denominated high-yield bonds.
Qualifying bonds must have at least $100 million par amount outstanding, a
remaining term to maturity greater than or equal to one year, and a credit
rating less than BBB3 but not in default (based on the composite of Moody's and
Standard & Poor's). The index includes deferred interest and pay-in-kind bonds,
but excludes structured notes, floating rate notes and other variable coupon
securities. The index also excludes emerging markets debt (issuers domiciled in
below investment grade rated countries). Index constituents are rebalanced
monthly on the last calendar day of the month. Index values are calculated
daily.
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MERRILL LYNCH INDEX OF CONVERTIBLE BONDS (SPECULATIVE QUALITY). This is a market
capitalization weighted index including all mandatory and non-mandatory domestic
corporate convertible securities with at least an original par of $50 million or
a $50 million market value; securities dropping below a market value of $40
million are excluded. Returns are calculated weekly based on Thursday's closing
prices and are linked monthly. All securities must be convertible to common
stock only. Quality range is D3-BB1 based on composite Moody's and Standard
&Poor's ratings.
LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS. The total returns on long-term government bonds
after 1977 are constructed with data from The Wall Street Journal and are
calculated as the change in the flat price or and-interest price. From 1926 to
1976, data are obtained from the government bond file at the Center for Research
in Security Prices (CRSP), Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago.
Each year, a one-bond portfolio with a term of approximately 20 years and a
reasonably current coupon was used and whose returns did not reflect potential
tax benefits, impaired negotiability or special redemption or call privileges.
Where callable bonds had to be used, the term of the bond was assumed to be a
simple average of the maturity and first call dates minus the current date. The
bond was "held" for the calendar year and returns were computed.
INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS. Total returns of intermediate-term
government bonds after 1987 are calculated from The Wall Street Journal prices,
using the change in flat price. Returns from 1934 to 1986 are obtained from the
CRSP government bond file.
Each year, one-bond portfolios are formed, the bond chosen is the shortest
noncallable bond with a maturity not less than five years, and this bond is
"held" for the calendar year. Monthly returns are computed. (Bonds with impaired
negotiability or special redemption privileges are omitted, as are partially or
fully tax-exempt bonds starting with 1943.) From 1934 to 1942, almost all bonds
with maturities near five years were partially or fully tax-exempt and were
selected using the rules described above. Personal tax rates were generally low
in that period, so that yields on tax-exempt bonds were similar to yields on
taxable bonds. From 1926 to 1933, there are few bonds suitable for construction
of a series with a five-year maturity. For this period, five-year bond yield
estimates are used.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL ("MSCI"). These indices are in U.S. dollar
terms with gross dividends reinvested and measure the performance of developed
and emerging stock markets around the world. MSCI All Country indices represent
both the developed and the emerging markets for a particular region. These
indices are unmanaged. The free indices exclude shares which are not readily
purchased by non-local investors. MSCI covers over 1,500 securities in 28
emerging markets and 2,300 securities in 23 developed markets, totaling over $20
trillion in market capitalization. Several Pioneer mutual funds that invest in
international securities compare their performance to various MSCI indices.
6-MONTH CDS. Data sources include the Federal Reserve Bulletin and The Wall
Street Journal.
LONG-TERM U.S. CORPORATE BONDS. Since 1969, corporate bond total returns are
represented by the Salomon Brothers Long-Term High-Grade Corporate Bond Index.
As most large corporate bond transactions take place over the counter, a major
dealer is the natural source of these data. The index includes nearly all Aaa-
and Aa-rated bonds with at least 10 years to maturity. If a bond is downgraded
during a particular month, its return for the month is included in the index
before removing the bond from future portfolios.
57
<PAGE>
From 1926 to 1968 the total returns were calculated by summing the capital
appreciation returns and the income returns. For the period 1946 to 1968,
Ibbotson and Sinquefield backdated the Salomon Brothers' index, using Salomon
Brothers' monthly yield data with a methodology similar to that used by Salomon
Brothers for 1969 to 1995. Capital appreciation returns were calculated from
yields assuming (at the beginning of each monthly holding period) a 20-year
maturity, a bond price equal to par, and a coupon equal to the
beginning-of-period yield. For the period 1926 to 1945, Standard & Poor's
monthly high-grade corporate composite yield data were used, assuming a 4%
coupon and a 20-year maturity. The conventional present-value formula for bond
price for the beginning and end-of-month prices was used. (This formula is
presented in Ross, Stephen A., and Westerfield, Randolph W., Corporate Finance,
Times Mirror/Mosby, St. Louis, 1990, p. 97 ["Level-Coupon Bonds"].) The monthly
income return was assumed to be one-twelfth the coupon.
LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE BOND INDEX - INTERMEDIATE. This index is
comprised of securities with one to ten years to maturity. It includes Treasury
and government agency securities, investment-grade corporate bonds and Yankee
bonds.
U.S. (30-DAY) TREASURY BILLS. For the U.S. Treasury Bill Index, data from The
Wall Street Journal are used after 1977; the CRSP government bond file is the
source until 1976. Each month a one-bill portfolio containing the shortest-term
bill having not less than one month to maturity is constructed. (The bill's
original term to maturity is not relevant.) To measure holding period returns
for the one-bill portfolio, the bill is priced as of the last trading day of the
previous month-end and as of the last trading day of the current month.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("NAREIT") EQUITY REIT
INDEX. All of the data are based upon the last closing price of the month for
all tax-qualified REITs listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. The data are
market-value-weighted. Prior to 1987 REITs were added to the index the January
following their listing. Since 1987 newly formed or listed REITs are added to
the total shares outstanding figure in the month that the shares are issued.
Only common shares issued by the REIT are included in the index. The total
return calculation is based upon the weighting at the beginning of the period.
Only those REITs listed for the entire period are used in the total return
calculation. Dividends are included in the month based upon their payment date.
There is no smoothing of income. Liquidating dividends, whether full or partial,
are treated as income.
RUSSELL U.S. EQUITY INDEXES. The Russell 3000(R) Index (the "Russell 3000") is
comprised of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies as determined by market
capitalization representing approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market. The
average market capitalization is approximately $5.1 billion. The Russell 2500TM
Index measures performance of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000.
The average market capitalization is approximately $958.8 million, and the
largest company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of $4
billion. The Russell 2000(R) Index measures performance of the 2,000 smallest
stocks in the Russell 3000; the largest company in the index has a market
capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion. The Russell 1000(R) Index (the
"Russell 1000") measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the
Russell 3000. The average market capitalization is approximately $14.1 billion.
The smallest company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of
$1.6 billion. The Russell Midcap(R) Index measures performance of the 800
smallest companies in the Russell 1000. The largest company in the index has an
approximate market capitalization of $13 billion. The Russell 1000(R) Growth
Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher
price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000(R)
Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower
price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
58
<PAGE>
The Russell indexes are reconstituted annually as of June 30, based on May 31
market capitalizations.
WILSHIRE REAL ESTATE SECURITIES INDEX. The Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index
is a broad measure of the performance of publicly traded real estate securities,
such as REITs and real estate operating companies ("REOCs"). The index is
capitalization-weighted. As of March 31, 1999, 119 companies were included in
the index, with a total market cap of $116.97 billion. At September 30, 1999,
the companies in the index were 92.31% equity and hybrid REITs and 7.69% REOCs.
STANDARD & POOR'S MIDCAP 400 INDEX. The S&P 400 is a
market-capitalization-weighted index. The performance data for the index were
calculated by taking the stocks presently in the index and tracking them
backwards in time as long as there were prices reported. No attempt was made to
determine what stocks "might have been" in the S&P 400 five or ten years ago had
it existed. Dividends are reinvested on a monthly basis prior to June 30, 1991,
and are reinvested daily thereafter.
LIPPER INDEXES. These indexes represent equally weighted performance,
adjusted for capital gain distributions and income dividends, of mutual funds
that are considered peers of the Pioneer mutual funds. Lipper, Inc. is an
independent firm that tracks mutual fund performance.
LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX. The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
is composed of the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Index, the Lehman
Brothers Mortgage-Backed Securities Index and the Lehman Brothers Asset-Backed
Securities Index. The index includes fixed rate debt issues rated investment
grade or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Corporation or
Fitch Investors Service, in that order. All issues have at least one year to
maturity with intermediate indices including bonds with maturities up to ten
years and long-term indices composed of bonds with maturities longer than ten
years. All returns are market value weighted inclusive of accrued interest.
BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT. Data sources include the U.S. League of Savings
Institutions Sourcebook; average annual yield on savings deposits in FSLIC
[FDIC] insured savings institutions for the years 1963 to 1987; and The Wall
Street Journal thereafter.
NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX. The Nasdaq Composite Index measures all Nasdaq domestic
and non-U.S. based common stocks listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The index is
market-value weighted. The Nasdaq Composite includes over 5,000 companies and is
one of the most widely followed and quoted major market indices because it is so
broad-based.
Sources: Ibbotson Associates, Towers Data Systems, Lipper, Inc. and PGI
59
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
DOW S&P/ S&P/ MERRILL LYNCH
JONES U.S. SMALL BARRA BARRA MICRO-CAP
S&P INDUSTRIAL STOCK U.S. 500 500 INDEX
500 AVERAGE INDEX INFLATION GROWTH VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 11.62 N/A 0.28 -1.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 37.49 N/A 22.10 -2.08 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 43.61 55.38 39.69 -0.97 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 -8.42 -13.64 -51.36 0.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 -24.90 -30.22 -38.15 -6.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 -43.34 -49.02 -49.75 -9.52 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 -8.19 -16.88 -5.39 -10.30 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 53.99 73.72 142.87 0.51 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 -1.44 8.08 24.22 2.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 47.67 43.77 40.19 2.99 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 33.92 30.23 64.80 1.21 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 -35.03 -28.88 -58.01 3.10 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 31.12 33.16 32.80 -2.78 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 -0.41 1.31 0.35 -0.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 -9.78 -7.96 -5.16 0.96 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 -11.59 -9.88 -9.00 9.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 20.34 14.13 44.51 9.29 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 25.90 19.06 88.37 3.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 19.75 17.19 53.72 2.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 36.44 31.60 73.61 2.25 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 -8.07 -4.40 -11.63 18.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 5.71 7.61 0.92 9.01 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 5.50 4.27 -2.11 2.71 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 18.79 20.92 19.75 -1.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 31.71 26.40 38.75 5.79 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 24.02 21.77 7.80 5.87 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 18.37 14.58 3.03 0.88 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 -0.99 2.02 -6.49 0.62 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 52.62 51.25 60.58 -0.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 31.56 26.58 20.44 0.37 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 6.56 7.10 4.28 2.86 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 -10.78 -8.63 -14.57 3.02 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 43.36 39.31 64.89 1.76 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 11.96 20.21 16.40 1.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 0.47 -6.14 -3.29 1.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 26.89 22.60 32.09 0.67 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1962 -8.73 -7.43 -11.90 1.22 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1963 22.80 20.83 23.57 1.65 N/A N/A N/A
60
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
DOW S&P/ S&P/ MERRILL LYNCH
JONES U.S. SMALL BARRA BARRA MICRO-CAP
S&P INDUSTRIAL STOCK U.S. 500 500 INDEX
500 AVERAGE INDEX INFLATION GROWTH VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1964 16.48 18.85 23.52 1.19 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1965 12.45 14.39 41.75 1.92 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1966 -10.06 -15.78 -7.01 3.35 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1967 23.98 19.16 83.57 3.04 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1968 11.06 7.93 35.97 4.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1969 -8.50 -11.78 -25.05 6.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1970 4.01 9.21 -17.43 5.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1971 14.31 9.83 16.50 3.36 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1972 18.98 18.48 4.43 3.41 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1973 -14.66 -13.28 -30.90 8.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1974 -26.47 -23.58 -19.95 12.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1975 37.20 44.75 52.82 7.01 31.72 43.38 N/A
Dec 1976 23.84 22.82 57.38 4.81 13.84 34.93 N/A
Dec 1977 -7.18 -12.84 25.38 6.77 -11.82 -2.57 N/A
Dec 1978 6.56 2.79 23.46 9.03 6.78 6.16 27.76
Dec 1979 18.44 10.55 43.46 13.31 15.72 21.16 43.18
Dec 1980 32.42 22.17 39.88 12.40 39.40 23.59 32.32
Dec 1981 -4.91 -3.57 13.88 8.94 -9.81 0.02 9.18
Dec 1982 21.41 27.11 28.01 3.87 22.03 21.04 33.62
Dec 1983 22.51 25.97 39.67 3.80 16.24 28.89 42.44
Dec 1984 6.27 1.31 -6.67 3.95 2.33 10.52 -14.97
Dec 1985 32.16 33.55 24.66 3.77 33.31 29.68 22.89
Dec 1986 18.47 27.10 6.85 1.13 14.50 21.67 3.45
Dec 1987 5.23 5.48 -9.30 4.41 6.50 3.68 -13.84
Dec 1988 16.81 16.14 22.87 4.42 11.95 21.67 22.76
Dec 1989 31.49 32.19 10.18 4.65 36.40 26.13 8.06
Dec 1990 -3.17 -0.56 -21.56 6.11 0.20 -6.85 -29.55
Dec 1991 30.55 24.19 44.63 3.06 38.37 22.56 57.44
Dec 1992 7.67 7.41 23.35 2.90 5.07 10.53 36.62
Dec 1993 9.99 16.94 20.98 2.75 1.68 18.60 31.32
Dec 1994 1.31 5.06 3.11 2.67 3.13 -0.64 1.81
Dec 1995 37.43 36.84 34.46 2.54 38.13 36.99 30.70
Dec 1996 23.07 28.84 17.62 3.32 23.96 21.99 13.88
Dec 1997 33.36 24.88 22.78 1.70 36.52 29.98 24.61
Dec 1998 28.58 18.14 -7.31 1.61 42.16 14.67 -6.15
Dec 1999 21.04 27.22 29.79 2.81 28.25 12.72 40.04
</TABLE>
61
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
LONG- INTERMEDIATE- MSCI LONG- LEHMAN
TERM TERM U.S. EAFE 6- TERM U.S. BROS. U.S.
U.S. GOV'T GOVERNMENT (NET OF MONTH CORPORATE GOV'T/CORP T-BILL
BONDS BONDS TAXES) CDS BONDS INTERMEDIATE (30-DAY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 7.77 5.38 N/A N/A 7.37 N/A 3.27
Dec 1927 8.93 4.52 N/A N/A 7.44 N/A 3.12
Dec 1928 0.10 0.92 N/A N/A 2.84 N/A 3.56
Dec 1929 3.42 6.01 N/A N/A 3.27 N/A 4.75
Dec 1930 4.66 6.72 N/A N/A 7.98 N/A 2.41
Dec 1931 -5.31 -2.32 N/A N/A -1.85 N/A 1.07
Dec 1932 16.84 8.81 N/A N/A 10.82 N/A 0.96
Dec 1933 -0.07 1.83 N/A N/A 10.38 N/A 0.30
Dec 1934 10.03 9.00 N/A N/A 13.84 N/A 0.16
Dec 1935 4.98 7.01 N/A N/A 9.61 N/A 0.17
Dec 1936 7.52 3.06 N/A N/A 6.74 N/A 0.18
Dec 1937 0.23 1.56 N/A N/A 2.75 N/A 0.31
Dec 1938 5.53 6.23 N/A N/A 6.13 N/A -0.02
Dec 1939 5.94 4.52 N/A N/A 3.97 N/A 0.02
Dec 1940 6.09 2.96 N/A N/A 3.39 N/A 0.00
Dec 1941 0.93 0.50 N/A N/A 2.73 N/A 0.06
Dec 1942 3.22 1.94 N/A N/A 2.60 N/A 0.27
Dec 1943 2.08 2.81 N/A N/A 2.83 N/A 0.35
Dec 1944 2.81 1.80 N/A N/A 4.73 N/A 0.33
Dec 1945 10.73 2.22 N/A N/A 4.08 N/A 0.33
Dec 1946 -0.10 1.00 N/A N/A 1.72 N/A 0.35
Dec 1947 -2.62 0.91 N/A N/A -2.34 N/A 0.50
Dec 1948 3.40 1.85 N/A N/A 4.14 N/A 0.81
Dec 1949 6.45 2.32 N/A N/A 3.31 N/A 1.10
Dec 1950 0.06 0.70 N/A N/A 2.12 N/A 1.20
Dec 1951 -3.93 0.36 N/A N/A -2.69 N/A 1.49
Dec 1952 1.16 1.63 N/A N/A 3.52 N/A 1.66
Dec 1953 3.64 3.23 N/A N/A 3.41 N/A 1.82
Dec 1954 7.19 2.68 N/A N/A 5.39 N/A 0.86
Dec 1955 -1.29 -0.65 N/A N/A 0.48 N/A 1.57
Dec 1956 -5.59 -0.42 N/A N/A -6.81 N/A 2.46
Dec 1957 7.46 7.84 N/A N/A 8.71 N/A 3.14
Dec 1958 -6.09 -1.29 N/A N/A -2.22 N/A 1.54
Dec 1959 -2.26 -0.39 N/A N/A -0.97 N/A 2.95
Dec 1960 13.78 11.76 N/A N/A 9.07 N/A 2.66
62
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
LONG- INTERMEDIATE- MSCI LONG- LEHMAN
TERM TERM U.S. EAFE 6- TERM U.S. BROS. U.S.
U.S. GOV'T GOVERNMENT (NET OF MONTH CORPORATE GOV'T/CORP T-BILL
BONDS BONDS TAXES) CDS BONDS INTERMEDIATE (30-DAY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1961 0.97 1.85 N/A N/A 4.82 N/A 2.13
Dec 1962 6.89 5.56 N/A N/A 7.95 N/A 2.73
Dec 1963 1.21 1.64 N/A N/A 2.19 N/A 3.12
Dec 1964 3.51 4.04 N/A 4.17 4.77 N/A 3.54
Dec 1965 0.71 1.02 N/A 4.68 -0.46 N/A 3.93
Dec 1966 3.65 4.69 N/A 5.76 0.20 N/A 4.76
Dec 1967 -9.18 1.01 N/A 5.47 -4.95 N/A 4.21
Dec 1968 -0.26 4.54 N/A 6.45 2.57 N/A 5.21
Dec 1969 -5.07 -0.74 N/A 8.70 -8.09 N/A 6.58
Dec 1970 12.11 16.86 -11.66 7.06 18.37 N/A 6.52
Dec 1971 13.23 8.72 29.59 5.36 11.01 N/A 4.39
Dec 1972 5.69 5.16 36.35 5.39 7.26 N/A 3.84
Dec 1973 -1.11 4.61 -14.92 8.60 1.14 3.34 6.93
Dec 1974 4.35 5.69 -23.16 10.20 -3.06 5.88 8.00
Dec 1975 9.20 7.83 35.39 6.51 14.64 9.50 5.80
Dec 1976 16.75 12.87 2.54 5.22 18.65 12.34 5.08
Dec 1977 -0.69 1.41 18.06 6.11 1.71 3.31 5.12
Dec 1978 -1.18 3.49 32.62 10.21 -0.07 2.13 7.18
Dec 1979 -1.23 4.09 4.75 11.90 -4.18 6.00 10.38
Dec 1980 -3.95 3.91 22.58 12.33 -2.76 6.41 11.24
Dec 1981 1.86 9.45 -2.28 15.50 -1.24 10.50 14.71
Dec 1982 40.36 29.10 -1.86 12.18 42.56 26.10 10.54
Dec 1983 0.65 7.41 23.69 9.65 6.26 8.61 8.80
Dec 1984 15.48 14.02 7.38 10.65 16.86 14.38 9.85
Dec 1985 30.97 20.33 56.16 7.82 30.09 18.05 7.72
Dec 1986 24.53 15.14 69.44 6.30 19.85 13.12 6.16
Dec 1987 -2.71 2.90 24.63 6.59 -0.27 3.67 5.47
Dec 1988 9.67 6.10 28.27 8.15 10.70 6.78 6.35
Dec 1989 18.11 13.29 10.54 8.27 16.23 12.76 8.37
Dec 1990 6.18 9.73 -23.45 7.85 6.78 9.17 7.81
Dec 1991 19.30 15.46 12.13 4.95 19.89 14.63 5.60
Dec 1992 8.05 7.19 -12.17 3.27 9.39 7.17 3.51
Dec 1993 18.24 11.24 32.56 2.88 13.19 8.73 2.90
Dec 1994 -7.77 -5.14 7.78 5.40 -5.76 -1.95 3.90
Dec 1995 31.67 16.80 11.21 5.21 27.20 15.31 5.60
Dec 1996 -0.93 2.10 6.05 5.21 1.40 4.06 5.21
Dec 1997 15.85 8.38 1.78 5.71 12.95 7.87 5.26
Dec 1998 13.06 10.21 20.00 5.34 10.76 8.42 4.86
Dec 1999 -8.96 -1.77 26.96 5.43 -7.45 0.39 4.68
</TABLE>
63
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
NAREIT WILSHIRE LIPPER MSCI
EQUITY RUSSELL REAL ESTATE BALANCED EMERGING BANK
REIT 2000(R) SECURITIES S&P FUND MARKETS SAVINGS
INDEX INDEX INDEX 400 INDEX FREE INDEX ACCOUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.30
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.10
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4.10
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.20
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.20
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.40
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.60
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.70
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.38
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.53
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.77 N/A 3.86
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.59 N/A 3.90
64
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
NAREIT WILSHIRE LIPPER MSCI
EQUITY RUSSELL REAL ESTATE BALANCED EMERGING BANK
REIT 2000(R) SECURITIES S&P FUND MARKETS SAVINGS
INDEX INDEX INDEX 400 INDEX FREE INDEX ACCOUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A -6.80 N/A 4.08
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.10 N/A 4.17
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A 12.36 N/A 4.19
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A 9.80 N/A 4.23
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A -5.86 N/A 4.45
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A 15.09 N/A 4.67
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.97 N/A 4.68
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A -9.01 N/A 4.80
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.62 N/A 5.14
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.90 N/A 5.30
Dec 1972 8.01 N/A N/A N/A 11.13 N/A 5.37
Dec 1973 -15.52 N/A N/A N/A -12.24 N/A 5.51
Dec 1974 -21.40 N/A N/A N/A -18.71 N/A 5.96
Dec 1975 19.30 N/A N/A N/A 27.10 N/A 6.21
Dec 1976 47.59 N/A N/A N/A 26.03 N/A 6.23
Dec 1977 22.42 N/A N/A N/A -0.72 N/A 6.39
Dec 1978 10.34 N/A 13.04 N/A 4.80 N/A 6.56
Dec 1979 35.86 43.09 70.81 N/A 14.67 N/A 7.29
Dec 1980 24.37 38.58 22.08 N/A 19.70 N/A 8.78
Dec 1981 6.00 2.03 7.18 N/A 1.86 N/A 10.71
Dec 1982 21.60 24.95 24.47 22.68 30.63 N/A 11.19
Dec 1983 30.64 29.13 27.61 26.10 17.44 N/A 9.71
Dec 1984 20.93 -7.30 20.64 1.18 7.46 N/A 9.92
Dec 1985 19.10 31.05 20.14 35.58 29.83 N/A 9.02
Dec 1986 19.16 5.68 20.30 16.21 18.43 N/A 7.84
Dec 1987 -3.64 -8.77 -7.86 -2.03 4.13 N/A 6.92
Dec 1988 13.49 24.89 24.18 20.87 11.18 40.43 7.20
Dec 1989 8.84 16.24 2.37 35.54 19.70 64.96 7.91
Dec 1990 -15.35 -19.51 -33.46 -5.12 0.66 -10.55 7.80
Dec 1991 35.70 46.05 20.03 50.10 25.83 59.91 4.61
Dec 1992 14.59 18.41 7.36 11.91 7.46 11.40 2.89
Dec 1993 19.65 18.91 15.24 13.96 11.95 74.83 2.73
Dec 1994 3.17 -1.82 1.64 -3.57 -2.05 -7.32 4.96
Dec 1995 15.27 28.44 13.65 30.94 24.89 -5.21 5.24
Dec 1996 35.26 16.49 36.87 19.20 13.05 6.03 4.95
Dec 1997 20.29 22.36 19.80 32.26 20.30 -11.59 5.17
Dec 1998 -17.51 -2.55 -17.43 19.12 15.09 -25.34 4.63
Dec 1999 -4.62 21.26 14.72 14.72 8.98 66.41 5.29
</TABLE>
65
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
MSCI ALL MERRILL LYNCH
MSCI COUNTRY (AC) MERRILL INDEX OF
ALL ASIA LYNCH CONVERTIBLE LIPPER
COUNTRY PACIFIC LEHMAN HIGH YIELD BONDS LIPPER GROWTH &
(AC) ASIA FREE BROTHERS MASTER II (SPECULATIVE RUSSELL GROWTH INCOME
FREE EX JAPAN AGGREGATE INDEX QUALITY) 1000(R) FUND FUND
EX JAPAN BOND INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 6.36 3.04
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 30.16 26.00
66
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
MSCI ALL MERRILL LYNCH
MSCI COUNTRY (AC) MERRILL INDEX OF
ALL ASIA LYNCH CONVERTIBLE LIPPER
COUNTRY PACIFIC LEHMAN HIGH YIELD BONDS LIPPER GROWTH &
(AC) ASIA FREE BROTHERS MASTER II (SPECULATIVE RUSSELL GROWTH INCOME
FREE EX JAPAN AGGREGATE INDEX QUALITY) 1000(R) FUND FUND
EX JAPAN BOND INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -16.84 -11.87
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 22.43 19.10
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 14.99 15.23
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 26.61 19.00
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -1.80 -6.04
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 45.31 27.59
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 15.34 15.29
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -10.62 -11.80
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -8.57 1.10
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 26.17 13.77
Dec 1972 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 18.08 12.87
Dec 1973 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -24.75 -14.27
Dec 1974 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -30.73 -20.85
Dec 1975 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 32.83 34.62
Dec 1976 N/A N/A 15.60 N/A N/A N/A 20.07 25.66
Dec 1977 N/A N/A 3.04 N/A N/A N/A -2.62 -3.64
Dec 1978 N/A N/A 1.39 N/A N/A N/A 12.53 7.99
Dec 1979 N/A N/A 1.93 N/A N/A 22.31 29.29 23.87
Dec 1980 N/A N/A 2.71 N/A N/A 31.88 38.67 28.27
Dec 1981 N/A N/A 6.25 N/A N/A -5.10 -6.82 -1.39
Dec 1982 N/A N/A 32.62 N/A N/A 20.30 24.04 24.17
Dec 1983 N/A N/A 8.36 N/A N/A 22.13 21.35 22.76
Dec 1984 N/A N/A 15.15 N/A N/A 4.75 -3.60 4.29
Dec 1985 N/A N/A 22.10 N/A N/A 32.27 30.14 28.55
Dec 1986 N/A N/A 15.26 N/A N/A 17.87 15.59 17.63
Dec 1987 N/A N/A 2.76 4.47 N/A 2.94 3.25 2.64
Dec 1988 30.00 30.45 7.89 13.36 16.19 17.23 14.13 18.35
Dec 1989 32.13 21.43 14.53 2.31 9.82 30.42 27.47 23.73
Dec 1990 -6.54 -11.86 8.96 -4.36 -8.61 -4.16 -5.41 -5.99
Dec 1991 30.98 32.40 16.00 39.17 37.53 33.03 36.33 27.75
Dec 1992 21.81 9.88 7.40 17.44 24.06 9.04 7.63 9.63
Dec 1993 103.39 84.94 9.75 16.69 19.37 10.15 11.98 14.62
Dec 1994 -16.94 -12.59 -2.92 -1.03 -6.91 0.38 -1.57 -0.41
Dec 1995 4.00 10.00 18.47 20.46 25.14 37.77 32.65 31.14
Dec 1996 10.05 8.08 3.63 11.27 15.29 22.45 17.53 20.67
Dec 1997 -40.31 -34.20 9.65 13.27 16.76 32.85 28.03 26.88
Dec 1998 -7.79 -4.42 8.69 2.95 12.62 27.02 25.69 13.58
Dec 1999 64.67 49.83 -0.82 2.51 38.91 20.91 27.96 11.86
</TABLE>
67
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
MSCI ALL
COUNTRY WORLD RUSSELL RUSSELL LIPPER
MSCI MSCI WORLD FREE EX U.S. 1000(R) 1000(R) SCIENCE AND NASDAQ
EUROPE INDEX INDEX INDEX GROWTH VALUE TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITE
INDEX INDEX FUND INDEX INDEX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.30 N/A
68
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
MSCI ALL
COUNTRY WORLD RUSSELL RUSSELL LIPPER
MSCI MSCI WORLD FREE EX U.S. 1000(R) 1000(R) SCIENCE AND NASDAQ
EUROPE INDEX INDEX INDEX GROWTH VALUE TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITE
INDEX INDEX FUND INDEX INDEX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -17.43 N/A
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 17.69 N/A
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 11.08 N/A
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 33.54 N/A
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -6.70 N/A
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 32.26 N/A
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.26 N/A
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -15.96 N/A
Dec 1970 -10.64 -3.09 N/A N/A N/A -9.81 N/A
Dec 1971 26.33 18.36 N/A N/A N/A 19.72 N/A
Dec 1972 14.40 22.48 N/A N/A N/A 9.94 17.18
Dec 1973 -8.77 -15.24 N/A N/A N/A -24.53 -31.06
Dec 1974 -24.07 -25.47 N/A N/A N/A -28.16 -35.11
Dec 1975 41.45 32.80 N/A N/A N/A 32.45 29.76
Dec 1976 -7.80 13.40 N/A N/A N/A 18.85 26.10
Dec 1977 21.90 0.68 N/A N/A N/A 0.01 7.33
Dec 1978 21.88 16.52 N/A N/A N/A 17.80 12.31
Dec 1979 12.31 10.95 N/A 23.91 20.55 29.47 28.11
Dec 1980 11.90 25.67 N/A 39.57 24.41 42.48 33.88
Dec 1981 -12.46 -4.79 N/A -11.31 1.26 -11.08 -3.21
Dec 1982 3.97 9.71 N/A 20.46 20.04 34.46 18.67
Dec 1983 20.96 21.93 N/A 15.98 28.28 34.25 19.87
Dec 1984 0.62 4.72 N/A -0.95 10.10 -10.13 -11.22
Dec 1985 78.93 40.56 N/A 32.85 31.51 22.20 31.36
Dec 1986 43.85 41.89 N/A 15.36 19.98 6.44 7.36
Dec 1987 3.66 16.16 N/A 5.31 0.50 4.05 -5.26
Dec 1988 15.81 23.29 27.90 11.27 23.16 4.87 15.41
Dec 1989 28.51 16.61 12.03 35.92 25.19 20.70 19.26
Dec 1990 -3.85 -17.02 -22.74 -0.26 -8.08 0.87 -17.80
Dec 1991 13.11 18.28 13.96 41.16 24.61 50.18 56.84
Dec 1992 -4.71 -5.23 -10.97 5.00 13.81 14.31 15.45
Dec 1993 29.28 22.50 34.90 2.90 18.12 25.58 14.75
Dec 1994 2.28 5.08 6.63 2.66 -1.99 13.04 -3.20
Dec 1995 21.62 20.72 9.94 37.19 38.35 42.38 39.92
Dec 1996 21.09 13.48 6.68 23.12 21.64 19.92 22.71
Dec 1997 23.80 15.76 2.04 30.49 35.18 10.90 21.64
Dec 1998 28.53 24.34 14.46 38.71 15.63 52.66 39.63
Dec 1999 15.89 24.93 30.91 33.16 7.35 134.99 85.59
Source: Lipper, Inc.
</TABLE>
69
<PAGE>
21. APPENDIX D - OTHER PIONEER INFORMATION
The Pioneer group of mutual funds was established in 1928 with the creation of
Pioneer Fund. Pioneer is one of the oldest and most experienced money managers
in the U.S.
As of December 31, 1999, Pioneer employed a professional investment staff of 82.
Total assets of all Pioneer mutual funds at December 31, 1999, were
approximately $23 billion representing 1,392,828 shareholder accounts, including
881,091 non-retirement accounts and 511,737 retirement accounts.
70
<PAGE>
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust.(1)
(a)(2) Certificate of Trust.(1)
(b) By-Laws.(1)
(c) None.
(d) Form of Management Contract with Pioneer Investment
Management, Inc.(2)
(e)(1) Form of Underwriting Agreement with Pioneer Funds
Distributor, Inc.(2)
(e)(2) Form of Dealer Sales Agreement.(2)
(f) None.
(g) Form of Custodian Agreement with Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co.(2)
(h)(1) Form of Investment Company Service Agreement with
Pioneering Services Corporation.(2)
(h)(2) Form of Administration Agreement with Pioneer Investment
Management, Inc. (formerly Pioneering Management
Corporation).(2)
(h)(3) Form of Expense Limit and Reimbursement Agreement.(2)
(i) Opinion of Counsel.(2)
(j) Consent of Independent Public Accountants.(2)
(k) None.
(l) Share Purchase Agreement.(2)
(m)(1) Form of Class A Distribution Plan.(2)
(m)(2) Form of Class B Distribution Plan.(2)
(m)(3) Form of Class C Distribution Plan.(2)
(n) Form of Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3.(2)
(o) Not applicable.
(p) Code of Ethics.(2)
N/A Powers of Attorney.(2)
-------------------------
(1) Filed herewith.
(2) To be filed by amendment.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None.
Item 25. Indemnification
Except for the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated August 25, 2000,
the "Declaration"), establishing the Fund as a business trust under Delaware
law, there is no contract, arrangement or statute under which any Trustee,
officer, underwriter or affiliated person of the Fund is insured or indemnified.
The Declaration provides that no Trustee or officer will be indemnified against
any liability to which the Fund would otherwise be subject by reason of or for
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such
person's duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), may be available to Trustees, officers
and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such
C-1
<PAGE>
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or
paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Fund 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer Investments") is a registered
investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is
a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pioneer Group, Inc. ("Pioneer"). Pioneer
Investments manages investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans,
trusts, estates or charitable organizations and other corporations or
business entities.
To the knowledge of the Fund, none of Pioneer Investments' directors
or executive officers is or has been during their employment with Pioneer
Investments engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment
of a substantial nature for the past two fiscal years, except as noted below.
Certain directors and officers, however, may hold or may have held various
positions with, and engage or have engaged in business for, the investment
companies that Pioneer Investments manages, Pioneer and/or other Pioneer
subsidiaries.
OTHER BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION OR
EMPLOYMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL NATURE WITHIN LAST TWO
NAME OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER FISCAL YEARS
John F. Cogan, Jr. Of Counsel to Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Joseph P. Barri Senior Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) See "Management of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
(b) Directors and officers of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.:
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER FUND
David D. Tripple Director and Chairman Executive Vice President and
Trustee
Steven M. Graziano Director and President None
Daniel Dart Executive Vice President None
William A. Misata Senior Vice President None
Constance D. Spiros Senior Vice President None
Marcy L. Supovitz Senior Vice President None
C-2
<PAGE>
Barry G. Knight Vice President None
William H. Spencer IV Senior Vice President,
Divisional Sales Manager None
Jeffrey H. Saunders, Senior Vice President,
Divisional Sales Manager
Nate Algiere Senior Vice President,
Divisional Sales Manager None
Sherwood L. Harris Senior Vice President,
Divisional Sales Manager None
Elizabeth A. Watson Vice President, Compliance None
Steven R. Berke Assistant Vice President,
Blue Sky None
Eric W. Reckard Treasurer Treasurer
Joseph P. Barri Clerk Secretary
Robert P. Nault Assistant Clerk Assistant Secretary
The principal business address of each of these individuals is 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records are maintained at the Fund's office at
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109; contact the Treasurer.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
C-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the
City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 1st day of
September, 2000.
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
By: /s/ David D. Tripple
David D. Tripple
Executive Vice 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 and on the date indicated:
Signature Title
/s/ John F. Cogan, Jr. Chairman of the Board )
John F. Cogan, Jr. and President )
(Principal Executive )
Officer) )
)
)
/s/ Eric W. Reckard Chief Financial Officer )
Eric W. Reckard and Treasurer (Principal )
Financial and Accounting )
Officer) )
)
)
Trustees: )
)
)
/s/ David D. Tripple )
David D. Tripple )
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Document Title
(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
(a)(2) Certificate of Trust.
(b) By-Laws.
