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PAGE 1
IDS Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
Prospectus
October 11, 1996
The goal of IDS Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund, a part of IDS Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund, Inc., is to seek a high level of current income
exempt from federal taxes. Other investments may include
derivative instruments and money market securities.
This prospectus contains facts that can help you decide if the Fund
is the right investment for you. Read it before you invest and
keep it for future reference.
Additional facts about the Fund are in a Statement of Additional
Information (SAI), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and available for reference, along with other
related materials, on the SEC Internet web site
(http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, dated October 11, 1996, is
incorporated here by reference. For a free copy, contact American
Express Shareholder Service.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
SHARES IN THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND INVOLVE
INVESTMENT RISK INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
American Express Shareholder Service
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN
55440-0534
612-671-3733
TTY: 800-846-4852
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PAGE 2
Table of Contents
The Fund in brief
Goal
Investment policies and risks
Manager and distributor
Portfolio manager
Alternative purchase arrangements
Sales charge and Fund expenses
Performance
Total returns
Yield
Investment policies and risks
Facts about investments and their risks
Alternative investment option
Valuing Fund shares
How to purchase, exchange or redeem shares
Alternative purchase arrangements
How to purchase shares
How to exchange shares
How to redeem shares
Reductions and waivers of the sales charge
Special shareholder services
Services
Quick telephone reference
Distributions and taxes
Dividend and capital gain distributions
Reinvestments
Taxes
How to determine the correct TIN
How the Fund is organized
Shares
Voting rights
Shareholder meetings
Board members and officers
Investment manager and transfer agent
Distributor
About American Express Financial Corporation
General information
Appendices
Description of bond ratings
1996 Federal Tax Information
Descriptions of derivative instruments
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The Fund in brief
Goal
The goal of IDS Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund (the Fund) is to seek
a high level of current income exempt from federal taxes. Because
any investment involves risk, achieving this goal cannot be
guaranteed. Only shareholders can change the goal.
Investments policies and risks
The Fund is a diversified mutual fund that invests primarily in
investment-grade bonds and other debt securities issued by or on
behalf of state or local governmental units whose interest is
exempt from federal income tax. The Fund may also invest in lower-
rated debt securities, derivative instruments, and money market
securities. Some of the Fund's investments may be considered
speculative and involve additional investment risks.
Manager and distributor
The Fund is managed by American Express Financial Corporation
(AEFC), a provider of financial services since 1894. AEFC
currently manages more than $52 billion in assets for the IDS
MUTUAL FUND GROUP. Shares of the Fund are sold through American
Express Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Portfolio manager
Terry Fettig joined AEFC in 1986 and serves as portfolio manager.
He has managed this Fund since November 1996. He also serves as
portfolio manager of IDS Cash Management Fund, IDS Tax-Free Money
Fund, IDS Life Moneyshare Fund and the financial funds of American
Express Travel Related Services Inc. From 1986 to 1992 he was a
fixed income securities analyst and from 1992 to 1993 he was an
associate portfolio manager of IDS Cash Management Fund and IDS
Life Moneyshare Fund.
Alternative purchase arrangements
The Fund offers its shares in three classes. Class A shares are
subject to a sales charge at the time of purchase. Class B shares
are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on
redemptions made within six years of purchase and an annual
distribution (12b-1) fee. Class Y shares are sold without a sales
charge to qualifying institutional investors.
Sales charge and Fund expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are incurred directly by an
investor on the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. Fund
operating expenses are paid out of Fund assets for each class of
shares. Operating expenses are reflected in the Fund's daily share
price and dividends, and are not charged directly to shareholder
accounts.
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Shareholder transaction expenses
Class A Class B Class Y
Maximum sales charge on purchases*
(as a percentage of offering price).......5% 0% 0%
Maximum deferred sales charge
imposed on redemptions (as a
percentage of original purchase price)....0% 5% 0%
Annual Fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements**
(% of average daily net assets):
Class A Class B Class Y
Management fee 0.32% 0.32% 0.32%
12b-1 fee 0.00% 0.75% 0.00%
Other expenses*** 0.58% 0.59% 0.41%
Total 0.90% 1.66% 0.73%
*This charge may be reduced depending on your total investments in
IDS funds. See "Reductions of the sales charge."
**Expenses are those expected to be incurred by each class during
the fund's first full fiscal year. Absent fee waivers the
management fee would be 0.45% for each class.
***Other expenses include an administrative services fee, a
shareholder services fee for Class A and Class B, a transfer agency
fee and other non-advisory expenses. Absent fee waivers and
expense reimbursements, other expenses are estimated to be 0.61%
for Class A, 0.62% for Class B and 0.44% for Class Y.
Example: Suppose for each year for the next three years, Fund
expenses are as above and annual return is 5%. If you sold your
shares at the end of the following years, for each $1,000 invested,
you would pay total expenses of:
1 year 3 years
Class A $59 $77
Class B $67 $92
Class B* $17 $52
Class Y $ 7 $23
*Assuming Class B shares are not redeemed at the end of the period.
This example does not represent actual expenses, past or future.
Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. Because
Class B pays annual distribution (12b-1) fees, long-term
shareholders of Class B may indirectly pay an equivalent of more
than a 6.25% sales charge, the maximum permitted by the National
Association of Securities Dealers.
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Performance
Total returns
Total return is the sum of all of your returns for a given period,
assuming you reinvest all distributions. It is calculated by
taking the total value of shares you own at the end of the period
(including shares acquired by reinvestment), less the price of
shares you purchased at the beginning of the period.
Average annual total return is the annually compounded rate of
return over a given time period (usually two or more years). It is
the total return for the period converted to an equivalent annual
figure.
Yield
Yield is the net investment income earned per share for a specified
time period, divided by the offering price at the end of the
period. The Fund calculates 30-day SEC standardized yield by
dividing:
o net investment income per share deemed earned during a 30-day
period by
o the public offering price per share on the last day of the
period, and
o converting the result to a yearly equivalent figure.
The Fund also may calculate a tax equivalent yield by dividing the
tax-exempt portion of its yield by one minus a stated income tax
rate. A tax equivalent yield demonstrates the taxable yield
necessary to produce an after-tax yield equivalent to that of a
fund that invests in exempt obligations.
Yield calculations do not include any contingent deferred sales
charge, ranging from 5% to 0% on Class B shares, which would reduce
the yield.
The Fund's yield varies from day to day, mainly because share
values and offering prices (which are calculated daily) vary in
response to changes in interest rates. Net investment income
normally changes much less in the short run. Thus, when interest
rates rise and share values fall, yield tends to rise. When
interest rates fall, yield tends to follow.
Past yields should not be considered an indicator of future yields.
Investment policies and risks
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80%
of its net assets in bonds and other debt securities issued by or
on behalf of state or local governmental units whose interest, in
the opinion of counsel for the issuer, is exempt from federal
income tax. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund will not
include any investments subject to the alternative minimum tax. <PAGE>
PAGE 6
This policy cannot be changed without approval of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities. Other investments may include
derivative instruments and money market instruments.
A portion of the Fund's assets may be invested in bonds whose
interest is subject to the alternative minimum tax computation. As
long as the staff of the SEC maintains its current position that a
fund calling itself a "tax-exempt" fund may not invest more than
20% of its net assets in these bonds, the Fund will limit its
investments in these bonds to 20% of its net assets.
The Fund anticipates maintaining a portfolio of intermediate-term
bonds with a dollar-weighted average maturity of two to ten years.
From time to time the investment manager may adjust the average
maturity of the portfolio's securities within that range based upon
its assessment of relative yields and risks of securities of
different maturities and its view of future interest rate changes.
The various types of investments the portfolio manager uses to
achieve investment performance are described in more detail in the
next section and in the SAI.
Facts about investments and their risks
Bonds and other debt securities exempt from federal income taxes:
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and
rises as interest rates decrease. The price of bonds also
fluctuates if the credit rating is upgraded or downgraded. At
least 80% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in bonds and
other debt securities rated in the top four grades by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's), Standard & Poor's Corporation
(S&P), Fitch Investors Service (Fitch) or of comparable rating
given by other independent rating agencies and in unrated bonds and
other debt securities which, in the investment manager's opinion
are of investment grade quality. The Fund may invest 20% of its
assets in bonds rated or considered below investment grade (less
than BBB/Baa) by independent rating agencies or the Fund's
investment manager. The Fund will not invest in bonds rated below
BB/Ba or in unrated bonds of equivalent quality. The prices of
these bonds may react more to the ability of the issuer to pay
interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates.
They have greater price fluctuations, are more likely to experience
a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk bonds. Reduced
market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds the Fund relies on both
independent rating agencies and the investment manager's credit
analysis. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in quality
may continue to be held by the Fund and will be sold only when the
Fund's investment manager believes it is advantageous to do so.
For a description of bond ratings, see the Appendix to this
prospectus.
Concentration: The Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in a
particular segment of the municipal securities market or in
securities relating to a particular state. Such markets may
include electric revenue bonds, hospital bonds, housing bonds,
industrial bonds, airport bonds, or in securities the interest upon
which is paid from revenues of a similar type of project. In such <PAGE>
PAGE 7
circumstances, an economic, business, political or other change
affecting one bond (such as proposed legislation affecting the
financing of a project, shortages or price increases of needed
materials, or declining markets or needs of the projects) also may
affect other bonds in the same segment or relating to the same
state. This could increase market risk. The Fund also may invest
more than 25% of its total assets in industrial revenue bonds, but
does not intend to invest more than 25% of its total assets in
industrial revenue bonds issued by companies in the same industry
or state. As the similarity in issuers increases, the potential
for fluctuation in the net asset value of the Fund's shares also
increases.
Derivative instruments: The portfolio manager may use derivative
instruments in addition to securities to achieve investment
performance. Derivative instruments include futures, options and
forward contracts. Such instruments may be used to maintain cash
reserves while remaining fully invested, to offset anticipated
declines in values of investments, to facilitate trading, to reduce
transaction costs or to pursue higher investment returns.
Derivative instruments are characterized by requiring little or no
initial payment and a daily change in price based on or derived
from a security, a currency, a group of securities or currencies,
or an index. A number of strategies or combination of instruments
can be used to achieve the desired investment performance
characteristics. A small change in the value of the underlying
security, currency or index will cause a sizable gain or loss in
the price of the derivative instrument. Derivative instruments
allow the portfolio manager to change the investment performance
characteristics very quickly and at lower costs. Risks include
losses of premiums, rapid changes in prices, defaults by other
parties and inability to close such instruments. The Fund will use
derivative instruments only to achieve the same investment
performance characteristics it could achieve by directly holding
those securities and currencies permitted under the investment
policies. The Fund will designate cash or appropriate liquid
assets to cover its portfolio obligations. The use of derivative
instruments may produce taxable income. No more than 5% of the
Fund's net assets can be used at any one time for good faith
deposits on futures and premiums for options on futures that do not
offset existing investment positions. This does not, however,
limit the portion of the Fund's assets at risk to 5%. The Fund is
not limited as to the percentage of its assets that may be invested
in permissible investments, including derivatives, except as
otherwise explicitly provided in this prospectus or the SAI. For
descriptions of these and other types of derivative instruments,
see the Appendix to this prospectus and the SAI.
Securities and other instruments that are illiquid: A security or
other instrument is illiquid if it cannot be sold quickly in the
normal course of business. Some investments cannot be resold to
the U.S. public because of their terms or government regulations.
All securities and other instruments, however, can be sold in
private sales, and many may be sold to other institutions and
qualified buyers or on foreign markets. The investment manager
will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the <PAGE>
PAGE 8
number of likely buyers when determining whether a security is
illiquid. No more than 10% of the Fund's net assets will be held
in securities and other instruments that are illiquid.
Money market instruments: Short-term tax-exempt debt securities
rated in the top two grades or the equivalent are used to meet
daily cash needs and at various times to hold assets until better
investment opportunities arise. Under extraordinary conditions
where, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, appropriate short-
term tax-exempt securities are not available, the Fund is
authorized to make certain taxable investments as described in the
SAI.
The investment policies described above may be changed by the
board.
Lending portfolio securities: The Fund may lend its securities to
earn income so long as borrowers provide collateral equal to the
market value of the loans. The risks are that borrowers will not
provide collateral when required or return securities when due.
Unless a majority of the outstanding voting securities approve
otherwise, loans may not exceed 30% of the Fund's net assets.
Portfolio turnover: The Fund does not expect its portfolio
turnover rate to exceed 50% during its initial fiscal period. High
portfolio turnover can lead to increased brokerage commissions and
taxes.
Alternative investment option
In the future, the board of the Fund may determine for operating
efficiencies to use a master/feeder structure. Under that
structure, the Fund's assets would be invested in an investment
company with the same goal as the Fund, rather than invested
directly in a portfolio of securities.
Valuing Fund shares
The public offering price is the net asset value (NAV) adjusted for
the sales charge for Class A. It is the NAV for Class B and Class
Y.
The NAV is the value of a single Fund share. The NAV usually
changes daily, and is calculated at the close of business, normally
3 p.m. Central time, each business day (any day the New York Stock
Exchange is open). NAV generally declines as interest rates
increase and rises as interest rates decline.
To establish the net assets, all securities are valued as of the
close of each business day. In valuing assets:
o Securities (except bonds) and assets with available market
values are valued on that basis.
o Securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized
cost.
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PAGE 9
o Bonds and assets without readily available market values are
valued according to methods selected in good faith by the
board.
How to purchase, exchange or redeem shares
Alternative purchase arrangements
The Fund offers three different classes of shares - Class A, Class
B and Class Y. The primary differences among the classes are in
the sales charge structures and in their ongoing expenses. These
differences are summarized in the table below. You may choose the
class that best suits your circumstances and objectives.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Sales charge and
distribution
(12b-1) fee Service fee Other information
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Maximum initial 0.175% of average Initial sales charge
sales charge of daily net assets waived or reduced
5%; no 12b-1 fee for certain purchases
Class B No initial sales 0.175% of average Shares convert to
charge; maximum CDSC daily net assets Class A after eight
of 5% declines to 0% years; CDSC waived in
after six years; 12b-1 certain circumstances
fee of 0.75% of average
daily net assets
Class Y None None Available only to
certain qualifying
institutional
investors
</TABLE>
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares - Eight calendar
years after Class B shares were originally purchased, Class B
shares will convert to Class A shares and will no longer be subject
to a distribution fee. The conversion will be on the basis of
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales charge. Class B shares purchased through
reinvested dividends and distributions will convert to Class A
shares in a pro rata portion as the Class B shares purchased other
than through reinvestment.
Considerations in determining whether to purchase Class A or Class
B shares - You should consider the information below in determining
whether to purchase Class A or Class B shares. The sales charges
and distribution fee (included in "Ongoing expenses") are
structured so that you will have approximately the same total
return at the end of eight years regardless of which class you
chose.
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Sales charges on purchase or redemption
If you purchase Class A If you purchase Class B
shares shares
o You will not have all o All of your money is
of your purchase price invested in shares of
invested. Part of your stock. However, you will
purchase price will go pay a sales charge if you
to pay the sales charge. redeem your shares within
You will not pay a sales six years of purchase.
charge when you redeem
your shares.
o You will be able to o No reductions of the
take advantage of sales charge are
reductions in the sales available for large
charge. purchases.
If your investments in IDS funds that are subject to a sales charge
total $250,000 or more, you are better off paying the reduced sales
charge in Class A than paying the higher fees in Class B. If you
qualify for a waiver of the sales charge, you should purchase Class
A shares.
Ongoing expenses
If you purchase Class A If you purchase Class B
shares shares
o Your shares will have o The distribution and
a lower expense ratio transfer agency fees for
than Class B shares Class B will cause your
because Class A does not shares to have a higher
pay a distribution fee expense ratio and to pay
and the transfer agency lower dividends than
fee for Class A is lower Class A shares. After
than the fee for Class B. eight years, Class B
As a result, Class A shares shares will convert to
will pay higher dividends Class A shares and will
than Class B shares. no longer be subject to
higher fees.
You should consider how long you plan to hold your shares and
whether the accumulated higher fees and CDSC on Class B shares
prior to conversion would be less than the initial sales charge on
Class A shares. Also consider to what extent the difference would
be offset by the lower expenses on Class A shares. To help you in
this analysis, the example in the "Sales charge and Fund expenses"
section of the prospectus illustrates the charges applicable to
each class of shares.
Class Y shares - Class Y shares are offered to certain
institutional investors. Class Y shares are sold without a front-
end sales charge or a CDSC and are not subject to either a service
fee or a distribution fee. The following investors are eligible to
purchase Class Y shares:
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PAGE 11
o Qualified employee benefit plans* if the plan:
- uses a daily transfer recordkeeping service offering
participants daily access to IDS funds and has
- at least $10 million in plan assets or
- 500 or more participants; or
- does not use daily transfer recordkeeping and has
- at least $3 million invested in funds of the IDS MUTUAL
FUND GROUP or
- 500 or more participants.
o Trust companies or similar institutions, and charitable
organizations that meet the definition in Section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.* These must have at least $10
million invested in funds of the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
o Nonqualified deferred compensation plans* whose participants
are included in a qualified employee benefit plan described
above.
* Eligibility must be determined in advance by American Express
Financial Advisors. To do so, contact your financial advisor.
How to purchase shares
If you're investing in this Fund for the first time, you'll need to
set up an account. Your financial advisor will help you fill out
and submit an application. Once your account is set up, you can
choose among several convenient ways to invest.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide AEFC with
your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or
Employer Identification number). See "Distributions and taxes."
When you purchase shares for a new or existing account, the price
you pay per share is determined at the close of business on the day
your investment is received and accepted at the Minneapolis
headquarters.
Purchase policies:
o Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to
be included in your account that day and to receive that day's
share price. Otherwise, your purchase will be processed the
next business day and you will pay the next day's share price.
o The minimums allowed for investment may change from time to
time.
o Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, AEFC,
the Fund and Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for business.
o Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received
and the Fund accepts the purchase.
o AEFC and the Fund are not responsible for any delays that
occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by the
bank.<PAGE>
PAGE 12
o You must pay any fee the bank charges for wiring.
o The Fund reserves the right to reject any application for any
reason.
o If your application does not specify which class of shares you
are purchasing, it will be assumed that you are investing in
Class A shares.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Three ways to invest
<S> <C> <C>
1
By regular account Send your check and application Minimum amounts
(or your name and account number Initial investment: $2,000
if you have an established account) Additional
to: investments: $ 100
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. Account balances: $ 300*
P.O. Box 74
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0074
Your financial advisor will help
you with this process.
2
By scheduled Contact your financial advisor Minimum amounts
investment plan to set up one of the following Initial investment: $100
scheduled plans: Additional
investments: $100/mo.
o automatic payroll deduction Account balances: none
(on active plans of
o bank authorization monthly payments)
o direct deposit of
Social Security check
o other plan approved by the Fund
3
By wire If you have an established account, If this information is not
you may wire money to: included, the order may be
rejected and all money
Norwest Bank Minneapolis received by the Fund, less
Routing No. 091000019 any costs the Fund or AEFC
Minneapolis, MN incurs, will be returned
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept. promptly.
Give these instructions: Minimum amounts
Credit IDS Account #00-30-015 Each wire investment: $1,000
for personal account # (your
account number) for (your name).
</TABLE>
*If your account balance falls below $300, you will be asked in
writing to bring it up to $300 or establish a scheduled investment
plan. If you don't do so within 30 days, your shares can be
redeemed and the proceeds mailed to you.
How to exchange shares
You can exchange your shares of the Fund at no charge for shares of
the same class of any other publicly offered fund in the IDS MUTUAL
FUND GROUP available in your state. Exchanges into IDS Tax-Free
Money Fund may be made only from Class A shares. For complete
information, including fees and expenses, read the prospectus
carefully before exchanging into a new fund.
If your exchange request arrives at the Minneapolis headquarters
before the close of business, your shares will be redeemed at the
net asset value set for that day. The proceeds will be used to <PAGE>
PAGE 13
purchase new fund shares the same day. Otherwise, your exchange
will take place the next business day at that day's net asset
value.
For tax purposes, an exchange represents a redemption and purchase
and may result in a gain or loss. However, you cannot create a tax
loss (or reduce a taxable gain) by exchanging from the Fund within
91 days of your purchase. For further explanation, see the SAI.
How to redeem shares
You can redeem your shares at any time. American Express
Shareholder Service will mail payment within seven days after
receiving your request.
When you redeem shares, the amount you receive may be more or less
than the amount you invested. Your shares will be redeemed at net
asset value, minus any applicable sales charge, at the close of
business on the day your request is accepted at the Minneapolis
headquarters. If your request arrives after the close of business,
the price per share will be the net asset value, minus any
applicable sales charge, at the close of business on the next
business day.
A redemption is a taxable transaction. If your proceeds from your
redemption are more or less than the cost of your shares, you will
have a gain or loss, which can affect your tax liability.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Two ways to request an exchange or redemption of shares
<S> <C>
1
By letter Include in your letter:
o the name of the fund(s)
o the class of shares to be exchanged or redeemed
o your account number(s) (for exchanges, both funds must be registered in the same
ownership)
o your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
o the dollar amount or number of shares you want to exchange or redeem
o signature of all registered account owners
o for redemptions, indicate how you want your money delivered to you
o any paper certificates of shares you hold
Regular mail:
American Express Shareholder Service
Attn: Redemptions
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534
Express mail:
American Express Shareholder Service
Attn: Redemptions
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
2
By phone
American Express Telephone o The Fund and AEFC will honor any telephone exchange or redemption request believed to be
Transaction Service: authentic and will use reasonable procedures to confirm that they are. This includes
800-437-3133 or asking identifying questions and tape recording calls. If reasonable
612-671-3800 procedures are not followed, the Fund or AEFC will be liable for any loss resulting from
fraudulent requests.
o Phone exchange and redemption privileges automatically apply to all accounts except
custodial, corporate or qualified retirement accounts unless you request these privileges
NOT apply by writing American Express Shareholder Service. Each registered owner must sign
the request.<PAGE>
PAGE 14
o AEFC answers phone requests promptly, but you may experience delays when call volume is
high. If you are unable to get through, use mail procedure as an alternative.
o Acting on your instructions, your financial advisor may conduct telephone transactions
on your behalf.
o Phone privileges may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Minimum amount
Redemption: $100
Maximum amount
Redemption: $50,000
</TABLE>
Exchange policies:
o You may make up to three exchanges within any 30-day period,
with each limited to $300,000. These limits do not apply to
scheduled exchange programs and certain employee benefit plans or
other arrangements through which one shareholder represents the
interests of several. Exceptions may be allowed with pre-approval
of the Fund.
o Exchanges must be made into the same class of shares of the new
fund.
o If your exchange creates a new account, it must satisfy the
minimum investment amount for new purchases.
o Once we receive your exchange request, you cannot cancel it.
o Shares of the new fund may not be used on the same day for
another exchange.
o If your shares are pledged as collateral, the exchange will be
delayed until written approval is obtained from the secured party.
o AEFC and the Fund reserve the right to reject any exchange,
limit the amount, or modify or discontinue the exchange privilege,
to prevent abuse or adverse effects on the Fund and its
shareholders. For example, if exchanges are too numerous or too
large, they may disrupt the Fund's investment strategies or
increase its costs.
Redemption policies:
o A "change of mind" option allows you to change your mind after
requesting a redemption and to use all or part of the proceeds to
purchase new shares in the same account from which you redeemed.
If you reinvest in Class A, you will purchase the new shares at net
asset value rather than the offering price on the date of a new
purchase. If you reinvest in Class B, any CDSC you paid on the
amount you are reinvesting also will be reinvested. To take
advantage of this option, send a written request within 30 days of
the date your redemption request was received. Include your
account number and mention this option. This privilege may be
limited or withdrawn at any time, and it may have tax consequences.
o A telephone redemption request will not be allowed within 30
days of a phoned-in address change.
<PAGE>
PAGE 15
Important: If you request a redemption of shares you recently
purchased by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, the
Fund will wait for your check to clear. It may take up to 10 days
from the date of purchase before a check is mailed to you. (A
check may be mailed earlier if your bank provides evidence
satisfactory to the Fund and AEFC that your check has cleared.)
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Three ways to receive payment when you redeem shares
<S> <C>
1
By regular or express mail o Mailed to the address on record.
o Payable to names listed on the account.
NOTE: The express mail delivery charges
you pay will vary depending on the
courier you select.
2
By wire o Minimum wire redemption: $1,000.
o Request that money be wired to your bank.
o Bank account must be in the same
ownership as the IDS fund account.
NOTE: Pre-authorization required. For
instructions, contact your financial
advisor or American Express Shareholder Service.
3
By scheduled payout plan o Minimum payment: $50.
o Contact your financial advisor or American Express
Shareholder Service to set up regular
payments to you on a monthly, bimonthly,
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis.
o Purchasing new shares while under a payout
plan may be disadvantageous because of
the sales charges.
</TABLE>
Reductions and waivers of the sales charge
Class A - initial sales charge alternative
On purchases of Class A shares, you pay a 5% sales charge on the
first $50,000 of your total investment and less on investments
after the first $50,000:
Total investment Sales charge as a
percent of:*
Public Net
offering amount
price invested
Up to $50,000 5.0% 5.26%
Next $50,000 4.5 4.71
Next $400,000 3.8 3.95
Next $500,000 2.0 2.04
$1,000,000 or more 0.0 0.00
* To calculate the actual sales charge on an investment greater
than $50,000 and less than $1,000,000, amounts for each applicable
increment must be totaled. See the SAI.
Reductions of the sales charge on Class A shares
Your sales charge may be reduced, depending on the totals of:
o the amount you are investing in this Fund now,<PAGE>
PAGE 16
o the amount of your existing investment in this Fund, if any, and
o the amount you and your primary household group are investing or
have in other funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP that carry a sales
charge. (The primary household group consists of accounts in any
ownership for spouses or domestic partners and their unmarried
children under 21. Domestic partners are individuals who maintain
a shared primary residence and have joint property or other
insurable interests.)
Other policies that affect your sales charge:
o IDS Tax-Free Money Fund and Class A shares of IDS Cash
Management Fund do not carry sales charges. However, you may count
investments in these funds if you acquired shares in them by
exchanging shares from IDS funds that carry sales charges.
o Employee benefit plan purchases made through a payroll deduction
plan or through a plan sponsored by an employer, association of
employers, employee organization or other similar entity, may be
added together to reduce sales charges for all shares purchased
through that plan.
o If you intend to invest $1 million over a period of 13 months,
you can reduce the sales charges in Class A by filing a letter of
intent.
For more details, see the SAI.
Waivers of the sales charge for Class A shares
Sales charges do not apply to:
o Current or retired board members, officers or employees of the
Fund or AEFC or its subsidiaries, their spouses and unmarried
children under 21.
o Current or retired American Express financial advisors, their
spouses and unmarried children under 21.
o Qualified employee benefit plans* using a daily transfer
recordkeeping system offering participants daily access to IDS
funds.
(Participants in certain qualified plans for which the initial
sales charge is waived may be subject to a deferred sales charge of
up to 4% on certain redemptions. For more information, see the
SAI.)
o Shareholders who have at least $1 million invested in funds of
the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP. If the investment is redeemed in the
first year after purchase, a CDSC of 1% will be charged on the
redemption.
<PAGE>
PAGE 17
o Purchases made within 30 days after a redemption of shares (up
to the amount redeemed):
- of a product distributed by American Express Financial
Advisors in a qualified plan subject to a deferred sales
charge or
- in a qualified plan where American Express Trust Company has a
recordkeeping, trustee, investment management or investment
servicing relationship.
Send the Fund a written request along with your payment, indicating
the amount of the redemption and the date on which it occurred.
o Purchases made with dividend or capital gain distributions from
another fund in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP that has a sales charge.
o Purchases made through American Express Strategic Portfolio
Service (total amount of all investments made in the Strategic
Portfolio Service must be at least $50,000).
*Eligibility must be determined in advance by American Express
Financial Advisors. To do so, contact your financial advisor.
Class B - contingent deferred sales charge alternative
Where a CDSC is imposed on a redemption, it is based on the amount
of the redemption and the number of calendar years, including the
year of purchase, between purchase and redemption. The following
table shows the declining scale of percentages that apply to
redemptions during each year after a purchase:
If a redemption is The percentage rate
made during the for the CDSC is:
First year 5%
Second year 4%
Third year 4%
Fourth year 3%
Fifth year 2%
Sixth year 1%
Seventh year 0%
If the amount you are redeeming reduces the current net asset value
of your investment in Class B shares below the total dollar amount
of all your purchase payments during the last six years (including
the year in which your redemption is made), the CDSC is based on
the lower of the redeemed purchase payments or market value.
The following example illustrates how the CDSC is applied. Assume
you had invested $10,000 in Class B shares and that your investment
had appreciated in value to $12,000 after 15 months, including
reinvested dividend and capital gain distributions. You could
redeem any amount up to $2,000 without paying a CDSC ($12,000
current value less $10,000 purchase amount). If you redeemed
$2,500, the CDSC would apply only to the $500 that represented part
of your original purchase price. The CDSC rate would be 4% because
a redemption after 15 months would take place during the second
year after purchase.
<PAGE>
PAGE 18
Because the CDSC is imposed only on redemptions that reduce the
total of your purchase payments, you never have to pay a CDSC on
any amount you redeem that represents appreciation in the value of
your shares, income earned by your shares or capital gains. In
addition, when determining the rate of any CDSC, your redemption
will be made from the oldest purchase payment you made. Of course,
once a purchase payment is considered to have been redeemed, the
next amount redeemed is the next oldest purchase payment. By
redeeming the oldest purchase payments first, lower CDSCs are
imposed than would otherwise be the case.
Waivers of the contingent deferred sales charge
The CDSC on Class B shares will be waived on redemptions of shares:
o In the event of the shareholder's death,
o Purchased by any board member, officer or employee of a fund or
AEFC or its subsidiaries,
o Held in a trusteed employee benefit plan,
o Held in IRAs or certain qualified plans for which American
Express Trust Company acts as custodian, such as Keogh plans, tax-
sheltered custodial accounts or corporate pension plans, provided
that the shareholder is:
- at least 59-1/2 years old, and
- taking a retirement distribution (if the redemption is part
of a transfer to an IRA or qualified plan in a product
distributed by American Express Financial Advisors, or a
custodian-to-custodian transfer to a product not distributed
by American Express Financial Advisors, the CDSC will not be
waived), or
- redeeming under an approved substantially equal periodic
payment arrangement.
For investors in Class A shares who have over $1 million invested
in one year, the 1% CDSC on redemption of those shares will be
waived in the same circumstances described for Class B.
Special shareholder services
Services
To help you track and evaluate the performance of your investments,
AEFC provides these services:
Quarterly statements listing all of your holdings and transactions
during the previous three months.
Yearly tax statements featuring average-cost-basis reporting of
capital gains or losses if you redeem your shares along with
distribution information - which simplifies tax calculations.
A personalized mutual fund progress report detailing returns on
your initial investment and cash-flow activity in your account. It
calculates a total return to reflect your individual history in
owning Fund shares. This report is available from your financial
advisor.
<PAGE>
PAGE 19
Quick telephone reference
American Express Telephone Transaction Service
Redemptions and exchanges, dividend payments or reinvestments and
automatic payment arrangements
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 671-3800
American Express Shareholder Service
Fund performance, objectives and account inquiries
612-671-3733
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4852
American Express Infoline
Automated account information (TouchToneR phones only), including
current Fund prices and performance, account values and recent
account transactions
National/Minnesota: 800-272-4445
Mpls./St. Paul area: 671-1630
Distributions and taxes
As a shareholder you are entitled to your share of the Fund's net
income and any net gains realized on its investments. The Fund
distributes dividends and capital gain distributions to qualify as
a regulated investment company and to avoid paying corporate income
and excise taxes.
Dividend and capital gain distributions
The Fund's net investment income from dividends and interest is
distributed to you monthly as dividends. Short-term capital gains
are distributed at the end of the calendar year and are included in
net investment income. Long-term capital gains are realized
whenever a security held for more than one year is sold for a
higher price than was paid for it. Net realized long-term capital
gains, if any, are distributed at the end of the calendar year as
capital gain distributions. Before they're distributed, net long-
term capital gains are included in the value of each share. After
they're distributed, the value of each share drops by the per-share
amount of the distribution. (If your distributions are reinvested,
the total value of your holdings will not change.)
Dividends for each class will be calculated at the same time, in
the same manner and will be the same amount prior to deduction of
expenses. Expenses attributable solely to a class of shares will
be paid exclusively by that class. Class B shareholders will
receive lower per share dividends than Class A and Class Y
shareholders because expenses for Class B are higher than for Class
A or Class Y. Class A shareholders will receive lower per share
dividends than Class Y shareholders because expenses for Class A
are higher than for Class Y.
<PAGE>
PAGE 20
Reinvestments
Dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares in the same class of the Fund,
unless:
o you request the Fund in writing or by phone to pay
distributions to you in cash, or
o you direct the Fund to invest your distributions in any
publicly available IDS fund for which you've previously opened
an account. You pay no sales charge on shares purchased
through reinvestment from this Fund into any IDS fund.
The reinvestment price is the net asset value at close of business
on the day the distribution is paid. (Your quarterly statement
will confirm the amount invested and the number of shares
purchased.)
If you choose cash distributions, you will receive only those
declared after your request has been processed.
If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the checks for the cash
distributions, we will reinvest the checks into your account at the
then-current net asset value and make future distributions in the
form of additional shares.
Taxes
Dividends distributed from interest earned on tax-exempt securities
(exempt-interest dividends) are exempt from federal income taxes
but may be subject to state and local taxes. Dividends distributed
from other income earned and capital gain distributions are not
exempt from federal income taxes. Distributions are taxable in the
year the Fund declares them regardless of whether you take them in
cash or reinvest them.
Interest on certain private activity bonds is a preference item for
purposes of the individual and corporate alternative minimum taxes.
To the extent the Fund earns such income, it will flow through to
its shareholders and may be taxable to those shareholders who are
subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Because interest on municipal bonds and notes is tax-exempt for
federal income tax purposes, any interest on borrowed money used
directly or indirectly to purchase Fund shares is not deductible on
your federal income tax return. You should consult a tax advisor
regarding its deductibility for state and local income tax
purposes.
Each January, you will receive a tax statement showing the kinds
and total amount of all distributions you received during the
previous year. You must report distributions on your tax returns,
even if they are reinvested in additional shares.
<PAGE>
PAGE 21
Buying a dividend creates a tax liability. This means buying
shares shortly before a capital gain distribution. You pay the
full pre-distribution price for the shares, then receive a portion
of your investment back as a distribution, which is taxable.
Redemptions and exchanges subject you to a tax on any capital gain.
If you sell shares for more than their cost, the difference is a
capital gain. Your gain may be either short term (for shares held
for one year or less) or long term (for shares held for more than
one year).
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is important. As with
any financial account you open, you must list your current and
correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social
Security or Employer Identification number. The TIN must be
certified under penalties of perjury on your application when you
open an account at AEFC.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect,
you could be subject to backup withholding of 31% of taxable
distributions and proceeds from certain sales and exchanges. You
also could be subject to further penalties, such as:
o a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN
o a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that
results in no backup withholding
o criminal penalties for falsifying information
You also could be subject to backup withholding because you failed
to report interest or dividends on your tax return as required.
How to determine the correct TIN
Use the Social Security or
For this type of account: Employer Identification number
of:
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals
listed on the account
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to
Minors Act)
A living trust The grantor-trustee (the person
who puts the money into the
trust)
An irrevocable trust, pension The legal entity (not the
trust or estate personal representative or
trustee, unless no legal entity
is designated in the account
title)
Sole proprietorship The owner
Partnership The partnership
Corporate The corporation<PAGE>
PAGE 22
Association, club or The organization
tax-exempt organization
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or
local American Express Financial Advisors office for federal Form
W-9, "Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification."
Important: This information is a brief and selective summary of
certain federal tax rules that apply to this Fund. Tax matters are
highly individual and complex, and you should consult a qualified
tax advisor about your personal situation.
How the Fund is organized
The Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company,
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. IDS Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund, Inc. of which IDS Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund is a
part, was originally incorporated on Sept. 30, 1976 in Nevada. The
Fund changed its state of incorporation on June 13, 1986 by merging
into a Minnesota corporation incorporated on April 7, 1986. The
Fund headquarters are at 901 S. Marquette Ave., Suite 2810,
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3268.
Shares
IDS Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. currently is composed of two funds,
each issuing its own series of capital stock: IDS Intermediate Tax-
Exempt Fund and IDS Tax-Exempt Bond Fund. Each Fund is owned by
its shareholders. Each Fund issues shares in three classes - Class
A, Class B and Class Y. Each class has different sales
arrangements and bears different expenses. Each class represents
interests in the assets of a Fund. Par value is one cent per
share. Both full and fractional shares can be issued.
The shares of each Fund making up IDS Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
represent an interest in that Fund's assets only (and profits or
losses), and, in the event of liquidation, each share of a Fund
would have the same rights to dividends and assets as every other
share of that Fund.
Voting rights
As a shareholder, you have voting rights over the Fund's management
and fundamental policies. You are entitled to one vote for each
share you own. Shares of the Fund have cumulative voting rights.
Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to the
provisions of the Fund's distribution plan that pertain to a
particular class and other matters for which separate class voting
is appropriate under applicable law.
Shareholder meetings
The Fund does not hold annual shareholder meetings. However, the
board members may call meetings at their discretion, or on demand
by holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares, to elect or
remove board members.
<PAGE>
PAGE 23
Board members and officers
Shareholders elect a board that oversees the operations of the Fund
and chooses its officers. Its officers are responsible for day-to-
day business decisions based on policies set by the board. The
board has named an executive committee that has authority to act on
its behalf between meetings. The board members also serve on the
boards of all of the 47 funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP, except
for Mr. Dudley, who is a board member of all the funds except the 9
life funds.
Board members and officers of the Fund
President and interested board member
William R. Pearce
President of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Independent board members
Lynne V. Cheney
Distinguished fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public
Policy Research.
Robert F. Froehlke
Former president of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Heinz F. Hutter
Former president and chief operating officer, Cargill, Inc.
Anne P. Jones
Attorney and telecommunications consultant.
Melvin R. Laird
Senior counsellor for national and international affairs, The
Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
Edson W. Spencer
Former chairman and chief executive officer, Honeywell, Inc.
Wheelock Whitney
Chairman, Whitney Management Company.
C. Angus Wurtele
Chairman of the board, The Valspar Corporation.
Interested board members who are officers and/or employees of AEFC
William H. Dudley
Executive vice president, AEFC.
David R. Hubers
President and chief executive officer, AEFC.
John R. Thomas
Senior vice president, AEFC.
<PAGE>
PAGE 24
Officers who also are officers and/or employees of AEFC
Peter J. Anderson
Vice president of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Melinda S. Urion
Treasurer of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Other officer
Leslie L. Ogg
Vice president, general counsel and secretary of all funds in the
IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Refer to the SAI for the board members' and officers' biographies.
Investment manager and transfer agent
The Fund pays AEFC for managing its portfolio, providing
administrative services and serving as transfer agent (handling
shareholder accounts).
Under its Investment Management Services Agreement, AEFC determines
which securities will be purchased, held or sold (subject to the
direction and control of the board). The Fund pays AEFC a fee for
these services based on the average daily net assets of the Fund,
as follows:
Assets Annual rate
(billions) at each asset level
First $1.0 0.450%
Next 1.0 0.425
Next 1.0 0.400
Next 3.0 0.375
Over 6.0 0.350
Under an Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays AEFC for
administration and accounting services at an annual rate of 0.04%
decreasing in gradual percentages to 0.02% as assets increase.
In addition, under a separate Transfer Agency Agreement, AEFC
maintains shareholder accounts and records. The Fund pays AEFC an
annual fee per shareholder account for this service as follows:
o Class A $15.50
o Class B $16.50
o Class Y $15.50
The Fund also pays taxes, brokerage commissions and nonadvisory
expenses, including: custodian fees; audit and certain legal fees;
costs of prospectuses, proxies and reports sent to shareholders;
fidelity bond premiums; registration fees for shares; Fund office
expenses; consultants' fees; compensation of directors, officers
and employees; corporate filing fees; Investment Company Institute
Dues; expenses incurred in connection with lending portfolio
securities; and expenses properly payable by the Fund, approved by
the Board of Directors.<PAGE>
PAGE 25
Distributor
The Fund has an exclusive distribution agreement with American
Express Financial Advisors, a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Financial advisors representing American Express Financial Advisors
provide information to investors about individual investment
programs, the Fund and its operations, new account applications,
and exchange and redemption requests. The cost of these services
is paid partially by the Fund's sales charges.
Persons who buy Class A shares pay a sales charge at the time of
purchase. Persons who buy Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge on a redemption in the first six
years and pay an asset-based sales charge (also known as a 12b-1
plan) of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Class Y
shares are sold without a sales charge and without an asset-based
sales charge.
Financial advisors may receive different compensation for selling
Class A, Class B and Class Y shares. Portions of the sales charge
also may be paid to securities dealers who have sold the Fund's
shares or to banks and other financial institutions. The amounts
of those payments range from 0.8% to 4% of the Fund's offering
price depending on the monthly sales volume.
Under a Shareholder Service Agreement, the Fund also pays a fee for
service provided to shareholders by financial advisors and other
servicing agents. The fee is calculated at a rate of 0.175% of the
Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class B
shares.
Total fees and expenses (excluding taxes and brokerage commissions)
cannot exceed the most restrictive applicable state expense
limitation.
About American Express Financial Corporation
General information
The AEFC family of companies offers not only mutual funds but also
insurance, annuities, investment certificates and a broad range of
financial management services.
Besides managing investments for all publicly offered funds in the
IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP, AEFC also manages investments for itself and
its subsidiaries, IDS Certificate Company and IDS Life Insurance
Company. Total assets under management on Aug. 30, 1996 were more
than $138 billion.
American Express Financial Advisors serves individuals and
businesses through its nationwide network of more than 175 offices
and more than 7,900 advisors.
Other AEFC subsidiaries provide investment management and related
services for pension, profit sharing, employee savings and
endowment funds of businesses and institutions.
<PAGE>
PAGE 26
AEFC is located at IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010. It is
a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American
Express), a financial services company with headquarters at
American Express Tower, World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285.
The Fund may pay brokerage commissions to broker-dealer affiliates
of American Express and AEFC.
<PAGE>
PAGE 27
Appendix A
Description of bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing state or local
governmental unit. They are not an opinion of the market value of
the security. Such ratings are opinions on whether the principal
and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating may
change, which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings
by Standard & Poor's Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC,
CC, C and D. The following is a compilation of the two agencies'
rating descriptions. For further information, see the SAI.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest
degree of investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for
interest and principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated
securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and
principal is deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future
impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for
interest and principal is adequate over the short-term; however,
these obligations may have certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of
interest and principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable elements. There may be
small assurance over any long period of time of the payment of
interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or
there may be risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These
securities have major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment when they
possess a risk comparable to that of rated securities consistent
with the Fund's objectives and policies. When assessing the risk
involved in each non-rated security, the Fund will consider the
financial condition of the issuer or the protection afforded by the
terms of the security.
<PAGE>
PAGE 28
Definitions of zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities
A zero-coupon security is a security that is sold at a deep
discount from its face value and makes no periodic interest
payments. The buyer of such a security receives a rate of return
by gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face
value on the maturity date.
A pay-in-kind security is a security in which the issuer has the
option to make interest payments in cash or in additional
securities. The securities issued as interest usually have the
same terms, including maturity date, as the pay-in-kind securities.
<PAGE>
PAGE 29
Appendix B
1996 Tax-Exempt and Taxable Equivalent Yield Calculation
These tables will help you determine your federal taxable yield
equivalents for given rates of tax-exempt income.
STEP 1: Calculating your marginal tax rate.
Using your Taxable Income and Adjusted Gross Income figures as
guides, you can locate your Marginal Tax Rate in the table below.
First locate your Taxable Income in a filing status and income
range in the left-hand column. Then, locate your Adjusted Gross
Income at the top of the chart. At the point where your Taxable
Income line meets your Adjusted Gross Income column the percentage
indicated is an approximation of your Marginal Tax Rate. For
example: Let's assume you are married filing jointly, your taxable
income is $138,000 and your adjustable gross income is $175,000.
Under Taxable Income married filing jointly status, $138,000 is in
the $96,900-$147,700 range. Under Adjusted Gross Income, $175,000
is in the $117,950 to $176,950 column. The Taxable Income line and
Adjusted Gross Income column meet at 31.93% This is the rate
you'll use in Step 2.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Adjusted gross income*
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Taxable income $0 $117,950 $176,950 Over
to to to
$117,950(1) $176,950(2) $299,450(3) $299,450(2)
Married Filing Jointly
$ 0-$ 40,100 15.00%
40,100- 96,900 28.00 28.84%
96,900- 147,700 31.00 31.93 33.19%
147,700- 263,750 36.00 37.08 38.55 37.08
263,750+ 39.60 42.40*** 40.79%
Adjusted gross income*
Taxable income $0 $117,950 Over
to to to
$117,950(1) $240,450(2) $240,450(2)
Single
$ 0- $ 24,000 15.00%
24,000- 58,150 28.00
58,150- 121,300 31.00 32.56%
121,300- 263,750 36.00 37.81 37.08%
263,750+ 39.60 40.79
* Gross income with certain adjustments before taking itemized deductions and personal exemptions
**Amount subject to federal income tax after itemized deductions and personal exemptions.
***This rate is applicable only in the limited case where your adjusted gross income is less than $299,450 and your taxable
income exceeds $263,750.
(1) No Phase-out -- Assumes no phase-out of itemized deductions or personal exemptions.
(2) Itemized Deductions Phase-out -- Assumes a single taxpayer has one personal exemption and joint taxpayers have two
personal exemptions.
(3) Itemized Deductions and Personal Exemption Phase-outs -- Assumes a single taxpayer has one personal exemption, joint
taxpayers have two personal exemptions and itemized deductions continue to phase-out. If these assumptions do not apply to
you, it will be necessary to construct your own personalized tax equivalency table.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 30
STEP 2: Determining your federal taxable yield equivalents.
Using 31.93% you may determine that a tax-exempt yield of 4% is
equivalent to earning a taxable 5.98% yield.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
For these Tax-Exempt Rates:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
3.50% 4.00% 4.50% 5.00% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% 7.00%
Marginal
Tax Rates Equal the Taxable Rates shown below:
15.00% 4.12 4.71 5.29 5.88 6.47 7.06 7.65 8.24
28.00% 4.86 5.56 6.25 6.94 7.64 8.33 9.03 9.72
28.84% 4.92 5.62 6.32 7.03 7.73 8.43 9.13 9.84
31.00% 5.07 5.80 6.52 7.25 7.97 8.70 9.42 10.14
31.93% 5.14 5.88 6.61 7.35 8.08 8.81 9.55 10.28
32.56% 5.19 5.93 6.67 7.41 8.16 8.90 9.64 10.38
33.19% 5.24 5.99 6.74 7.48 8.23 8.98 9.73 10.48
36.00% 5.47 6.25 7.03 7.81 8.59 9.38 10.16 10.94
37.08% 5.56 6.36 7.15 7.95 8.74 9.54 10.33 11.13
37.81% 5.63 6.43 7.24 8.04 8.84 9.65 10.45 11.26
38.55% 5.70 6.51 7.32 8.14 8.95 9.76 10.58 11.39
39.60% 5.79 6.62 7.45 8.28 9.11 9.93 10.76 11.59
40.79% 5.91 6.76 7.60 8.44 9.29 10.13 10.98 11.82
42.40% 6.08 6.94 7.81 8.68 9.55 10.42 11.28 12.15
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 31
Appendix C
Descriptions of derivative instruments
What follows are brief descriptions of derivative instruments the
Fund may use. At various times the Fund may use some or all of
these instruments and is not limited to these instruments. It may
use other similar types of instruments if they are consistent with
the Fund's investment goal and policies. For more information on
these instruments, see the SAI.
Options and futures contracts. An option is an agreement to buy or
sell an instrument at a set price during a certain period of time.
A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell an instrument for
a set price on a future date. The Fund may buy and sell options
and futures contracts to manage its exposure to changing interest
rates, security prices and currency exchange rates. Options and
futures may be used to hedge a Fund's investments against price
fluctuations or to increase market exposure.
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed
securities include interests in pools of assets such as motor
vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts,
leases on various types of real and personal property, receivables
from revolving credit (credit card) agreements or other categories
of receivables. Mortgage-backed securities include collateralized
mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities.
Interest and principal payments depend on payment of the underlying
loans or mortgages. The value of these securities may also be
affected by changes in interest rates, the market's perception of
the issuers and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The
non-mortgage related asset-backed securities do not have the
benefit of a security interest in the related collateral. Stripped
mortgage-backed securities include interest only (IO) and principal
only (PO) securities. Cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are
extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments on the
underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities.
Indexed securities. The value of indexed securities is linked to
currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial
indicators. Most indexed securities are short- to intermediate-
term fixed income securities whose values at maturity or interest
rates rise or fall according to the change in one or more specified
underlying instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instrument itself.
Inverse floaters. Inverse floaters are created by underwriters
using the interest payment on securities. A portion of the
interest received is paid to holders of instruments based on
current interest rates for short-term securities. The remainder,
minus a servicing fee, is paid to holders of inverse floaters. As
interest rates go down, the holders of the inverse floaters receive
more income and an increase in the price for the inverse floaters.
As interest rates go up, the holders of the inverse floaters
receive less income and a decrease in the price for the inverse
floaters.
<PAGE>
PAGE 32
Structured products. Structured products are over-the-counter
financial instruments created specifically to meet the needs of one
or a small number of investors. The instrument may consist of a
warrant, an option or a forward contract embedded in a note or any
of a wide variety of debt, equity and/or currency combinations.
Risks of structured products include the inability to close such
instruments, rapid changes in the market and defaults by other
parties.
<PAGE>
PAGE 33
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FOR
IDS INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
October 11, 1996
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
It should be read together with the prospectus which may be
obtained from your American Express financial advisor or by writing
to American Express Shareholder Service, P.O. Box 534, Minneapolis,
MN 55440-0534.
This SAI is dated October 11, 1996 and it is to be used with the
prospectus dated October 11, 1996.
<PAGE>
PAGE 34
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Goal and Investment Policies......................See Prospectus
Additional Investment Policies................................p. 3
Security Transactions.........................................p. 5
Brokerage Commissions Paid to Brokers Affiliated with
American Express Financial Corporation........................p. 7
Performance Information.......................................p. 8
Valuing Fund Shares...........................................p. 9
Investing in the Fund.........................................p.11
Redeeming Shares..............................................p.14
Pay-out Plans.................................................p.15
Taxes.........................................................p.16
Agreements....................................................p.17
Board Members and Officers....................................p.20
Custodian.....................................................p.23
Independent Auditors..........................................p.23
Prospectus....................................................p.23
Appendix A: Description of Bond Ratings and Short-Term
Securities and Additional Information on
Investment Policies..............................p.24
Appendix B: Options and Interest Rate Futures Contracts......p.29
Appendix C: Dollar-Cost Averaging............................p.35
<PAGE>
PAGE 35
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
These are investment policies in addition to those presented in the
prospectus. Unless holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities agree to make the change the Fund will not:
'Act as an underwriter (sell securities for others). However,
under the securities laws, the Fund may be deemed to be an
underwriter when it purchases securities directly from the issuer
and later resells them.
'Borrow money or property, except as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes, in an amount not exceeding
one-third of the market value of its total assets (including
borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately
after the borrowing. The Fund has not borrowed in the past and has
no present intention to borrow.
'Make cash loans if the total commitment amount exceeds 5% of the
Fund's total assets.
'Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one
company, government or political subdivision thereof, except the
limitation will not apply to investments in securities issued by
the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and except
that up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested without
regard to this 5% limitation. For purposes of this policy, the
terms of a municipal security determine the issuer.
'Buy or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership
of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent
the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed
by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real
estate business or real estate investment trusts. For purposes of
this policy, real estate includes real estate limited partnerships.
'Buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not
prevent the Fund from buying or selling options and futures
contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
'Lend Fund securities in excess of 30% of its net assets. In
making loans, the Fund gets the market price in cash, U.S.
government securities, letters of credit or such other collateral
as may be permitted by regulatory agencies and approved by the
board. If the market price of the loaned securities goes up, the
Fund will get additional collateral. Such loans are callable at
the discretion of the Fund. The Fund has not loaned securities in
the past and has no present intention of making such loans. The
risks are that the borrower may not provide additional collateral
when required or return the securities when due.
Unless changed by the board, the Fund will not:
<PAGE>
PAGE 36
'Buy on margin or sell short, except that it may enter into
interest rate futures contracts.
'Pledge or mortgage its assets beyond 15% of total assets. If the
Fund were ever to do so, valuation of the pledged or mortgaged
assets would be based on market values. For purposes of this
restriction, collateral arrangements for margin deposits on futures
contracts are not deemed to be a pledge of assets.
'Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities whose issuer
or guarantor of principal and interest has been in operation for
less than three years.
'Invest in voting securities, securities of investment companies,
or exploration or development programs, such as oil, gas or mineral
leases.
'Purchase securities of an issuer if the board members and officers
of the Fund and of American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC)
hold more than a certain percentage of the issuer's outstanding
securities. If the holdings of all board members and officers of
the Fund and of AEFC who own more than 0.5% of an issuer's
securities are added together, and if in total they own more than
5%, the Fund will not purchase securities of that issuer.
'Invest more than 5% of its net assets in warrants. Under one
state's law no more than 2% of the Fund's net assets may be
invested in warrants not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchange.
'Invest more than 10% of the Fund's net assets in securities and
derivative instruments that are illiquid. In determining the
liquidity of municipal lease obligations, the investment manager,
under guidelines established by the board, will consider the
essential nature of the lease property, the likelihood that the
municipality will continue appropriating funding for the leased
property, and other relevant factors related to the general credit
quality of the municipality and the marketability of the municipal
lease obligations.
In determining the liquidity of commercial paper issued in
transactions not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, the investment manager, under
guidelines established by the board, will evaluate relevant factors
such as the issuer and the size and nature of its commercial paper
programs, the willingness and ability of the issuer or dealer to
repurchase the paper, and the nature of the clearance and
settlement procedures for the paper.
For daily operations, the Fund may invest its excess cash in short-
term tax-exempt securities. Under extraordinary conditions where,
in the opinion of the investment manager, appropriate short-term
tax-exempt securities are not available, the Fund is authorized to
make certain taxable investments as described in this SAI.
<PAGE>
PAGE 37
The Fund may purchase some debt securities on a when-issued basis,
which means that it may take as long as 45 days after the purchase
before the securities are delivered to the Fund. Payment and
interest terms, however, are fixed at the time the purchaser enters
into the commitment. Under normal market conditions, the Fund does
not intend to commit more than 5% of its total assets to these
practices. The Fund does not pay for the securities or start
earning interest on them until the contractual settlement date.
When-issued securities are subject to market fluctuations and may
affect the Fund's total assets the same as owned securities.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in certain taxable
investments for temporary defensive purposes. It may purchase
short-term U.S. and Canadian government securities. It may invest
in bank obligations including negotiable certificates of deposit,
non-negotiable fixed-time deposits, bankers' acceptances and
letters of credit. The issuing bank or savings and loan generally
must have capital, surplus and undivided profits (as of the date of
its most recently published annual financial statements) in excess
of $100 million (or the equivalent in the instance of a foreign
branch of a U.S. bank) at the date of investment. The Fund may
purchase short-term corporate notes and obligations rated in the
top two classifications by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
(Moody's) or Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P) or the equivalent.
It also may use repurchase agreements with broker-dealers
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and with
commercial banks. Repurchase agreements involve investments in
debt securities where the seller (broker-dealer or bank) agrees to
repurchase the securities from the Fund at cost plus an agreed-to
interest rate within a specified time. A risk of a repurchase
agreement is that if the seller seeks the protection of the
bankruptcy laws, the Fund's ability to liquidate the security
involved could be impaired, and it might subsequently incur a loss
if the value of the security declines or if the other party to a
repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation.
Notwithstanding any of the Fund's other investment policies, the
Fund may invest its assets in an open-end management investment
company having substantially the same investment objectives,
policies and restrictions as the Fund for the purpose of having
those assets managed as part of a combined pool.
For a description of bond ratings and short-term securities and
additional information on investment policies, see Appendix A. For
a discussion on options and interest rate futures contracts, see
Appendix B.
SECURITY TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies set by the board, AEFC is authorized to
determine, consistent with the Fund's investment goal and policies,
which securities will be purchased, held or sold. In determining
where the buy and sell orders are to be placed, AEFC has been
directed to use its best efforts to obtain the best available price
and most favorable execution except where otherwise authorized by
the board.<PAGE>
PAGE 38
AEFC has a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits its affiliated
personnel from engaging in personal investment activities that
compete with or attempt to take advantage of planned portfolio
transactions for any fund in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP. AEFC
carefully monitors compliance with its Code of Ethics.
Normally, the Fund's securities are traded on a principal rather
than an agency basis. In other words, AEFC will trade directly
with the issuer or with a dealer who buys or sells for its own
account, rather than acting on behalf of another client. AEFC does
not pay the dealer commissions. Instead, the dealer's profit, if
any, is the difference, or spread, between the dealer's purchase
and sale price for the security.
On occasion, it may be desirable to compensate a broker for
research services or for brokerage services by paying a commission
that might not otherwise be charged or a commission in excess of
the amount another broker might charge. The board has adopted a
policy authorizing AEFC to do so to the extent authorized by law,
if AEFC determines, in good faith, that such commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage or research
services provided by a broker or dealer, viewed either in the light
of that transaction or AEFC's overall responsibilities to the funds
in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP and other funds for which it acts as
investment advisor.
Research provided by brokers supplements AEFC's own research
activities. Such services include economic data on, and analysis
of, U.S. and foreign economies, information on specific industries;
information about specific companies, including earnings estimates;
purchase recommendations for stocks and bonds; portfolio strategy
services; political, economic, business and industry trend
assessments; historical statistical information; market data
services providing information on specific issues and prices; and
technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets,
including technical charts. Research services may take the form of
written reports, computer software or personal contact by telephone
or at seminars or other meetings. AEFC has obtained, and in the
future may obtain, computer hardware from brokers, including but
not limited to personal computers that will be used exclusively for
investment decision-making purposes, which include the research,
portfolio management and trading functions and other services to
the extent permitted under an interpretation by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC).
When paying a commission that might not otherwise be charged or a
commission in excess of the amount another broker might charge,
AEFC must follow procedures authorized by the board. To date,
three procedures have been authorized. One procedure permits AEFC
to direct an order to buy or sell a security traded on a national
securities exchange to a specific broker for research services it
has provided. The second procedure permits AEFC, in order to
obtain research, to direct an order on an agency basis to buy or
sell a security traded in the over-the-counter market to a firm
that does not make a market in that security. The commission paid
generally includes compensation for research services. The third <PAGE>
PAGE 39
procedure permits AEFC, in order to obtain research and brokerage
services, to cause the Fund to pay a commission in excess of the
amount another broker might have charged. AEFC has advised the
Fund it is necessary to do business with a number of brokerage
firms on a continuing basis to obtain such services as the handling
of large orders, the willingness of a broker to risk its own money
by taking a position in a security, and the specialized handling of
a particular group of securities that only certain brokers may be
able to offer. As a result of this arrangement, some portfolio
transactions may not be effected at the lowest commission, but AEFC
believes it may obtain better overall execution. AEFC has assured
the Fund that under all three procedures the amount of commission
paid will be reasonable and competitive in relation to the value of
the brokerage services performed or research provided.
All other transactions shall be placed on the basis of obtaining
the best available price and the most favorable execution. In so
doing, if in the professional opinion of the person responsible for
selecting the broker or dealer, several firms can execute the
transaction on the same basis, consideration will be given by such
person to those firms offering research services. Such services
may be used by AEFC in providing advice to all the funds in the IDS
MUTUAL FUND GROUP even though it is not possible to relate the
benefits to any particular fund or account.
Each investment decision made for the Fund is made independently
from any decision made for another fund in the IDS MUTUAL FUND
GROUP or other account advised by AEFC or any of its subsidiaries.
When the Fund buys or sells the same security as another fund or
account, AEFC carries out the purchase or sale in a way the Fund
agrees in advance is fair. Although sharing in large transactions
may adversely affect the price or volume purchased or sold by the
Fund, the Fund hopes to gain an overall advantage in execution.
AEFC has assured the Fund it will continue to seek ways to reduce
brokerage costs.
On a periodic basis, AEFC makes a comprehensive review of the
broker-dealers and the overall reasonableness of their commissions.
The review evaluates execution, operational efficiency and research
services.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID TO BROKERS AFFILIATED WITH AMERICAN
EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Affiliates of American Express Company (American Express) (of which
AEFC is a wholly owned subsidiary) may engage in brokerage and
other securities transactions on behalf of the Fund according to
procedures adopted by the Fund's board and to the extent consistent
with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. AEFC
will use an American Express affiliate only if (i) AEFC determines
that the Fund will receive prices and executions at least as
favorable as those offered by qualified independent brokers
performing similar brokerage and other services for the Fund and
(ii) the affiliate charges the Fund commission rates consistent
with those the affiliate charges comparable unaffiliated customers
in similar transactions and if such use is consistent with terms <PAGE>
PAGE 40
of the Investment Management Services Agreement.
AEFC may direct brokerage to compensate an affiliate. AEFC will
receive research on South Africa from New Africa Advisors, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sloan Financial Group. AEFC owns 100%
of IDS Capital Holdings Inc. which in turn owns 40% of Sloan
Financial Group. New Africa Advisors will send research to AEFC
and in turn AEFC will direct trades to a particular broker. The
broker will have an agreement to pay New Africa Advisors. All
transactions will be on a best execution basis. Compensation
received will be reasonable for the services rendered.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund may quote various performance figures to illustrate past
performance. Average annual total return and current yield
quotations used by the Fund are based on standardized methods of
computing performance as required by the SEC. An explanation of
the methods used by the Fund to compute performance follows below.
Average annual total return
The Fund may calculate average annual total return for a class for
certain periods by finding the average annual compounded rates of
return over the period that would equate the initial amount
invested to the ending redeemable value, according to the following
formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment, made at the beginning of a period, at the
end of the period (or fractional portion thereof)
Aggregate total return
The Fund may calculate aggregate total return for a class for
certain periods representing the cumulative change in the value of
an investment in the Fund over a specified period of time according
to the following formula:
ERV - P
P
where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment, made at the beginning of a period, at the
end of the period (or fractional portion thereof)
Annualized yield
The Fund may calculate an annualized yield for a class by dividing
the net investment income per share deemed earned during a 30-day <PAGE>
PAGE 41
period by the public offering price per share (including the
maximum sales charge) on the last day of the period and annualizing
the results.
Yield is calculated according to the following formula:
Yield = 2[(a-b + 1)6 - 1]
cd
where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period
Distribution yield
Distribution yield is calculated according to the following
formula:
D divided by POP F equals DY
30 30
where: D = sum of dividends for 30-day period
POP = sum of public offering price for 30-day period
F = annualizing factor
DY = distribution yield
Tax-Equivalent Yield
Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by dividing that portion of the
yield (as calculated above) which is tax-exempt by one minus a
stated income tax rate and adding the result to that portion, if
any, of the yield that is not tax-exempt.
In its sales material and other communications, the Fund may quote,
compare or refer to rankings, yields or returns as published by
independent statistical services or publishers and publications
such as The Bank Rate Monitor National Index, Barron's, Business
Week, Donoghue's Money Market Fund Report, Financial Services Week,
Financial Times, Financial World, Forbes, Fortune, Global Investor,
Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Lipper Analytical Services, Money, Mutual Fund Forecaster,
Newsweek, The New York Times, Personal Investor, Stanger Report,
Sylvia Porter's Personal Finance, USA Today, U.S. News and World
Report, The Wall Street Journal and Wiesenberger Investment
Companies Service.
VALUING FUND SHARES
The value of an individual share for each class is determined by
using the net asset value before shareholder transactions for the
day. <PAGE>
PAGE 42
In determining net assets before shareholder transactions, the
Fund's securities are valued as follows as of the close of business
of the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange):
'Securities, except bonds other than convertibles, traded on a
securities exchange for which a last-quoted sales price is readily
available are valued at the last-quoted sales price on the exchange
where such security is primarily traded.
'Securities traded on a securities exchange for which a last-quoted
sales price is not readily available are valued at the mean of the
closing bid and asked prices, looking first to the bid and asked
prices on the exchange where the security is primarily traded and,
if none exist, to the over-the-counter market.
'Securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System are
valued at the last-quoted sales price in this market.
'Securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System for which
a last-quoted sales price is not readily available, and other
securities traded over-the-counter but not included in the NASDAQ
National Market System are valued at the mean of the closing bid
and asked prices.
'Futures and options traded on major exchanges are valued at the
last-quoted sales price on their primary exchange.
'Foreign securities traded outside the United States are generally
valued as of the time their trading is complete, which is usually
different from the close of the Exchange. Foreign securities
quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at
the current rate of exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the
value of such securities may occur between such times and the close
of the Exchange that will 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, these securities
will be valued at their fair value according to procedures decided
upon in good faith by the Fund's board.
'Short-term securities maturing more than 60 days from the
valuation date are valued at the readily available market price or
approximate market value based on current interest rates. Short-
term securities maturing in 60 days or less that originally had
maturities of more than 60 days at acquisition date are valued at
amortized cost using the market value on the 61st day before
maturity. Short-term securities maturing in 60 days or less at
acquisition date are valued at amortized cost. Amortized cost is
an approximation of market value determined by systematically
increasing the carrying value of a security if acquired at a
discount, or reducing the carrying value if acquired at a premium,
so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value on the
maturity date.
'Securities without a readily available market price, bonds other
than convertibles and other assets are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith by the board. The board is responsible <PAGE>
PAGE 43
for selecting methods it believes provide fair value. When
possible, bonds are valued by a pricing service independent from
the Fund. If a valuation of a bond is not available from a pricing
service, the bond will be valued by a dealer knowledgeable about
the bond if such a dealer is available.
The New York Stock Exchange, AEFC and the Fund will be closed on
the following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
Sales Charge
Shares of the Fund are sold at the public offering price determined
at the close of business on the day an application is accepted.
The public offering price is the net asset value of one share plus
a sales charge, if applicable. For Class B and Class Y, there is
no initial sales charge so the public offering price is the same as
the net asset value. For Class A, the public offering price for an
investment of less than $50,000 is determined by dividing the net
asset value of one share by 0.95 (1.00-0.05 for a maximum 5% sales
charge). The sales charge is paid to American Express Financial
Advisors by the person buying the shares.
Class A - Calculation of the Sales Charge
Sales charges are determined as follows:
Within each increment,
sales charge as a
percentage of:
Public Net
Amount of Investment Offering Price Amount Invested
First $ 50,000 5.0% 5.26%
Next 50,000 4.5 4.71
Next 400,000 3.8 3.95
Next 500,000 2.0 2.04
$1,000,000 or more 0.0 0.00
Sales charges on an investment greater than $50,000 and less than
$1,000,000 are calculated for each increment separately and then
totaled. The resulting total sales charge, expressed as a
percentage of the public offering price and of the net amount
invested, will vary depending on the proportion of the investment
at different sales charge levels.
For example, compare an investment of $60,000 with an investment of
$85,000. The $60,000 investment is composed of $50,000 that incurs
a sales charge of $2,500 (5.0% x $50,000) and $10,000 that incurs a
sales charge of $450 (4.5% x $10,000). The total sales charge of
$2,950 is 4.92% of the public offering price and 5.17% of the net
amount invested.
<PAGE>
PAGE 44
In the case of the $85,000 investment, the first $50,000 also
incurs a sales charge of $2,500 (5.0% x $50,000) and $35,000 incurs
a sales charge of $1,575 (4.5% x $35,000). The total sales charge
of $4,075 is 4.79% of the public offering price and 5.04% of the
net amount invested.
The following table shows the range of sales charges as a
percentage of the public offering price and of the net amount
invested on total investments at each applicable level.
On total investment, sales
charge as a percentage of
Public Net
Offering Price Amount Invested
Amount of Investment ranges from:
First $ 50,000 5.00% 5.26%
More than 50,000 to 100,000 5.00-4.50 5.26-4.71
More than 100,000 to 500,000 4.50-3.80 4.71-3.95
More than 500,000 to 999,999 3.80-2.00 3.95-2.04
$1,000,000 or more 0.00 0.00
Class A - Reducing the Sales Charge
Sales charges are based on the total amount of your investments in
the Fund. The amount of all prior investments plus any new
purchase is referred to as your "total amount invested." For
example, suppose you have made an investment of $20,000 and later
decide to invest $40,000 more. Your total amount invested would be
$60,000. As a result, $10,000 of your $40,000 investment qualifies
for the lower 4.5% sales charge that applies to investments of more
than $50,000 and up to $100,000.
The total amount invested includes any shares held in the Fund in
the name of a member of your primary household group. The primary
household group consists of accounts in any ownership for spouses
or domestic partners and their unmarried children under 21.
Domestic partners are individuals who maintain a shared primary
residence and have joint property or other insurable interests.
For instance, if our spouse already has invested $20,000 and you
want to invest $40,000, your total amount invested will be $60,000
and therefore you will pay the lower charge of 4.5% on $10,000 of
the $40,000.
Until a spouse remarries, the sales charge is waived for spouses
and unmarried children under 21 of deceased board members, officers
or employees of the Fund or AEFC or its subsidiaries and deceased
advisors.
The total amount invested also includes any investment you or your
immediate family already have in the other publicly offered funds
in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP where the investment is subject to a
sales charge. For example, suppose you already have an investment
of $30,000 in another IDS Fund. If you invest $40,000 more in this
fund, your total amount invested in the funds will be $70,000 and <PAGE>
PAGE 45
therefore $20,000 of your $40,000 investment will incur a 4.5%
sales charge.
Class A - Letter of Intent (LOI)
If you intend to invest $1 million over a period of 13 months, you
can reduce the sales charges in Class A by filing a LOI. The
agreement can start at any time and will remain in effect for 13
months. Your investment will be charged normal sales charges until
you have invested $1 million. At that time, your account will be
credited with the sales charges previously paid. Class A
investments made prior to signing an LOI may be used to reach the
$1 million total, excluding Cash Management Fund and Tax-Free Money
Fund. However, we will not adjust for sales charges on investments
made prior to the signing of the LOI. If you do not invest $1
million by the end of 13 months, there is no penalty, you'll just
miss out on the sales charge adjustment. A LOI is not an option
(absolute right) to buy shares.
Here's an example. You file a LOI to invest $1 million and make an
investment of $100,000 at that time. You pay the normal 5% sales
charge on the first $50,000 and 4.5% sales charge on the next
$50,000 of this investment. Let's say you make a second investment
of $900,000 (bringing the total up to $1 million) one month before
the 13-month period is up. On the date that you bring your total
to $1 million, AEFC makes an adjustment to your account. The
adjustment is made by crediting your account with additional
shares, in an amount equivalent to the sales charge previously
paid.
Systematic Investment Programs
After you make your investment of $2,000 or more, you can arrange
to make additional payments of $100 or more on a regular basis.
These minimums do not apply to all systematic investment programs.
You decide how often you want to make payments - monthly,
quarterly, or semiannually. You are not obligated to make any
payments. You can omit payments or discontinue the investment
program altogether. The Fund also can change the program or end it
at any time. If there is no obligation, why do it? Putting money
aside is an important part of financial planning. With a
systematic investment program, you have a goal to work for.
How does this work? Your regular investment amount will purchase
more shares when the net asset value per share decreases, and fewer
shares when the net asset value per share increases. Each purchase
is a separate transaction. After each purchase your new shares
will be added to your account. Shares bought through these
programs are exactly the same as any other fund shares. They can
be bought and sold at any time. A systematic investment program is
not an option or an absolute right to buy shares.
The systematic investment program itself cannot ensure a profit,
nor can it protect against a loss in a declining market. If you
decide to discontinue the program and redeem your shares when their
net asset value is less than what you paid for them, you will <PAGE>
PAGE 46
incur a loss.
For a discussion on dollar-cost averaging, see Appendix A.
Automatic Directed Dividends
Dividends, including capital gain distributions, paid by another
fund in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP subject to a sales charge, may be
used to automatically purchase shares in the same class of this
Fund without paying a sales charge. Dividends may be directed to
existing accounts only. Dividends declared by a fund are exchanged
to this Fund the following day. Dividends can be exchanged into
one fund but cannot be split to make purchases in two or more
funds. Automatic directed dividends are available between accounts
of any ownership except:
Between a non-custodial account and an IRA, or 401(k) plan account
or other qualified retirement account of which American Express
Trust Company acts as custodian;
Between two American Express Trust Company custodial accounts with
different owners (for example, you may not exchange dividends from
your IRA to the IRA of your spouse);
Between different kinds of custodial accounts with the same
ownership (for example, you may not exchange dividends from your
IRA to your 401(k) plan account, although you may exchange
dividends from one IRA to another IRA).
Dividends may be directed from accounts established under the
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfers to Minors
Act (UTMA) only into other UGMA or UTMA accounts with identical
ownership.
The Fund's investment goal is described in its prospectus along
with other information, including fees and expense ratios. Before
exchanging dividends into another fund, you should read its
prospectus. You will receive a confirmation that the automatic
directed dividend service has been set up for your account.
REDEEMING SHARES
You have a right to redeem your shares at any time. For an
explanation of redemption procedures, please see the prospectus.
During an emergency, the board can suspend the computation of net
asset value, stop accepting payments for purchase of shares or
suspend the duty of the Fund to redeem shares for more than seven
days. Such emergency situations would occur if:
'The Exchange closes for reasons other than the usual weekend and
holiday closings or trading on the Exchange is restricted, or
'Disposal of the Fund's securities is not reasonably practicable or
it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to determine the fair
value of its net assets, or<PAGE>
PAGE 47
'The SEC, under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the 1940 Act), as amended, declares a period of emergency to
exist.
Should the Fund stop selling shares, the board may make a deduction
from the value of the assets held by the Fund to cover the cost of
future liquidations of the assets so as to distribute fairly these
costs among all shareholders.
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which obligates the Fund to redeem shares in cash, with
respect to any one shareholder during any 90-day period, up to
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund at the
beginning of the period. Although redemptions in excess of this
limitation would normally be paid in cash, the Fund reserves the
right to make these payments in whole or in part in securities or
other assets in case of an emergency, or if the payment of a
redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing
shareholders of the Fund as determined by the board. In these
circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued as set
forth in the prospectus. Should the Fund distribute securities, a
shareholder may incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs in
converting the securities to cash.
PAY-OUT PLANS
You can use any of several pay-out plans to redeem your investment
in regular installments. If you redeem Class B shares you may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as discussed in the
prospectus. While the plans differ on how the pay-out is figured,
they all are based on the redemption of your investment. Net
investment income dividends and any capital gain distributions will
automatically be reinvested, unless you elect to receive them in
cash.
Applications for a systematic investment in a class of any fund
subject to a sales charge normally will not be accepted while a
pay-out plan for any of those funds is in effect. Occasional
investments, however, may be accepted.
To start any of these plans, please write or call American Express
Shareholder Service, P.O. Box 534, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534,
612-671-3733. Your authorization must be received in the
Minneapolis headquarters at least five days before the date you
want your payments to begin. The initial payment must be at least
$50. Payments will be made on a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual basis. Your choice is effective until you
change or cancel it.
The following pay-out plans are designed to take care of the needs
of most shareholders in a way AEFC can handle efficiently and at a
reasonable cost. If you need a more irregular schedule of
payments, it may be necessary for you to make a series of
individual redemptions, in which case you'll have to send in a
separate redemption request for each pay-out. The Fund reserves
the right to change or stop any pay-out plan and to stop making <PAGE>
PAGE 48
such plans available.
Plan #1: Pay-out for a fixed period of time
If you choose this plan, a varying number of shares will be
redeemed at regular intervals during the time period you choose.
This plan is designed to end in complete redemption of all shares
in your account by the end of the fixed period.
Plan #2: Redemption of a fixed number of shares
If you choose this plan, a fixed number of shares will be redeemed
for each payment and that amount will be sent to you. The length
of time these payments continue is based on the number of shares in
the account.
Plan #3: Redemption of a fixed dollar amount
If you decide on a fixed dollar amount, whatever number of shares
is necessary to make the payment will be redeemed in regular
installments until the account is closed.
Plan #4: Redemption of a percentage of net asset value
Payments are made based on a fixed percentage of the net asset
value of the shares in your account computed on the day of each
payment. Percentages range from 0.25% to 0.75%. For example, if
you are on this plan and arrange to take 0.5% each month, you will
get $50 if the value of your account is $10,000 on the payment
date.
TAXES
If you buy shares in one of the funds and then exchange into
another fund, it is considered a sale and subsequent purchase of
shares. Under tax laws, if this exchange is done within 91 days,
any sales charge waived on Class A shares on a subsequent purchase
of shares applies to the new shares acquired in the exchange.
Therefore, you cannot create a tax loss or reduce a tax gain
attributable to the sales charge when exchanging shares within 91
days.
All distributions of net investment income during the year will
have the same percentage designated as tx-exempt. This annual
percentage is expected to be substantially the same as the
percentage of tax-exempt income actually earned during any
particular distribution period.
Capital gain distributions received by individual and corporate
shareholders should be treated as long-term capital gains
regardless of how long they owned their shares. Short-term capital
gains earned by the fund are paid to shareholders as part of their
ordinary income dividend and are taxable.
If you are a "substantial user" (or related person) of facilities
financed by industrial development bonds, you should consult your <PAGE>
PAGE 49
tax advisor before investing. The income from such bonds may not
be tax-exempt for you.
Interest on private activity bonds, generally issued after August
1986, is a preference item for purposes of the individual and
corporate alternative minimum taxes. "Private-activity" (non-
governmental purpose) municipal bonds include industrial revenue
bonds, student-loan bonds, and multi- and single-family housing
bonds. An exception is made for private-activity bonds issued for
qualified -501(c)(3)-organizations, including non-profit colleges,
universities and hospitals. These bonds will continue to be tax-
exempt and will not be subject to the alternative minimum tax for
individuals.
State law determines whether interest income on a particular
municipal bond is tax-exempt for state tax purposes. It also
determines the tax treatment of those bonds when earned by a mutual
fund and paid to the Fund's shareholders. The Fund will tell you
the percentage of interest income from municipal bonds it received
during the year on a state-by-state basis. Your tax advisor should
help you report this income for state tax purposes.
Under federal tax law and an election made by the Fund under
federal tax rules, by the end of a calendar year the fund must
declare and pay dividends representing 98% of ordinary income
through Dec. 31 and 98% of net capital gains (both long-term and
short-term) for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30 of that calendar
year. The Fund is subject to an excise tax equal to 4% of the
excess, if any, of the amount required to be distributed over the
amount actually distributed. The Fund intends to comply with
federal tax law and avoid any excise tax.
This is a brief summary that relates to federal income taxation
only. Shareholders should consult their tax advisor for more
complete information as to the application of federal, state and
local income tax laws to Fund distributions.
AGREEMENTS
Investment Management Services Agreement
The Fund has an Investment Management Services Agreement with AEFC.
For its services, AEFC is paid a fee based on the following
schedule:
Assets Annual rate at
(billions) each asset level
First $1.0 0.450%
Next 1.0 0.425
Next 1.0 0.400
Next 3.0 0.375
Over 6.0 0.350
The fee is calculated for each calendar day on the basis of net
assets as of the close of business two business days prior to the <PAGE>
PAGE 50
day for which the calculation is made.
Under the current Agreement, the Fund also pays taxes, brokerage
commissions and nonadvisory expenses, which include custodian fees;
audit and certain legal fees; fidelity bond premiums; registration
fees for shares; Fund office expenses; consultants' fees;
compensation of board members, officers and employees; corporate
filing fees; organizational expenses; expenses incurred in
connection with lending securities of the Fund; and expenses
properly payable by the Fund, approved by the board.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Fund has an Administrative Services Agreement with AEFC. Under
this agreement, the Fund pays AEFC for providing administration and
accounting services. The fee is calculated as follows:
Assets Annual rate
(billions) each asset level
First $1.0 0.040%
Next 1.0 0.035
Next 1.0 0.030
Next 3.0 0.025
Over 6.0 0.020
Transfer Agency Agreement
The Fund has a Transfer Agency Agreement with AEFC. This agreement
governs AEFC's responsibility for administering and/or performing
transfer agent functions, for acting as service agent in connection
with dividend and distribution functions and for performing
shareholder account administration agent functions in connection
with the issuance, exchange and redemption or repurchase of the
Fund's shares. Under the agreement, AEFC will earn a fee from the
Fund determined by multiplying the number of shareholder accounts
at the end of the day by a rate determined for each class per year
and dividing by the number of days in the year. The rate for Class
A [and Class Y] is $15.50 per year and for Class B is $16.50 per
year. The fees paid to AEFC may be changed from time to time upon
agreement of the parties without shareholder approval.
Distribution Agreement
Under a Distribution Agreement, sales charges deducted for
distributing Fund shares are paid to American Express Financial
Advisors daily.
Shareholder Service Agreement
The Fund pays a fee for service provided to shareholders by
financial advisors and other servicing agents. The fee is
calculated at a rate of 0.175% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class A and Class B shares.
<PAGE>
PAGE 51
Plan and Agreement of Distribution
For Class B shares, to help American Express Financial Advisors
defray the cost of distribution and servicing, not covered by the
sales charges received under the Distribution Agreement, the Fund
and American Express Financial Advisors entered into a Plan and
Agreement of Distribution (Plan). These costs cover almost all
aspects of distributing the Fund's shares except compensation to
the sales force. A substantial portion of the costs are not
specifically identified to any one fund in the IDS MUTUAL FUND
GROUP. Under the Plan, American Express Financial Advisors is paid
a fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class B shares.
The Plan must be approved annually by the board, including a
majority of the disinterested board members, if it is to continue
for more than a year. At least quarterly, the board must review
written reports concerning the amounts expended under the Plan and
the purposes for which such expenditures were made. The Plan and
any agreement related to it may be terminated at any time by vote
of a majority of board members who are not interested persons of
the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plan or in any agreement related to the Plan, or
by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund's Class B shares or by American Express Financial Advisors.
The Plan (or any agreement related to it) will terminate in the
event of its assignment, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act,
as amended. The Plan may not be amended to increase the amount to
be spent for distribution without shareholder approval, and all
material amendments to the Plan must be approved by a majority of
the board members, including a majority of the board members who
are not interested persons of the Fund and who do not have a
financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement
related to it. The selection and nomination of disinterested board
members is the responsibility of the other disinterested board
members. No board member who is not an interested person, has any
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan
or any related agreement.
Total fees and expenses
Total fees and nonadvisory expenses cannot exceed the most
restrictive applicable state limitation. Currently, the most
restrictive applicable state expense limitation, subject to
exclusion of certain expenses, is 2.5% of the first $30 million of
the Fund's average daily net assets, 2% of the next $70 million and
1.5% of average daily net assets over $100 million, on an annual
basis. At the end of each month, if the fees and expenses of the
Fund exceed this limitation for the Fund's fiscal year in progress,
AEFC will assume all expenses in excess of the limitation. AEFC
then may bill the Fund for such expenses in subsequent months up to
the end of that fiscal year, but not after that date. No interest
charges are assessed by AEFC for expenses it assumes.
<PAGE>
PAGE 52
BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The following is a list of the Fund's board members who, except for
Mr. Dudley, are board members of all 47 funds in the IDS MUTUAL
FUND GROUP. Mr. Dudley is a board member of all of the funds
except the 9 life funds. All shares have cumulative voting rights
with respect to the election of board members.
Lynne V. Cheney'
Born in 1941.
American Enterprise Institute
for Public Policy Research (AEI)
1150 17th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Distinguished Fellow AEI. Former Chair of National Endowment of
the Humanities. Director, The Reader's Digest Association Inc.,
Lockheed-Martin, the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
(advertising), and FPL Group, Inc. (holding company for Florida
Power and Light).
William H. Dudley**
Born in 1932.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Executive vice president and director of AEFC.
Robert F. Froehlke+
Born in 1922.
1201 Yale Place
Minneapolis, MN
Former president of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Director, the ICI Mutual Insurance Co., Institute for Defense
Analyses, Marshall Erdman and Associates, Inc. (architectural
engineering) and Public Oversight Board of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants.
David R. Hubers+**
Born in 1943.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
President, chief executive officer and director of AEFC.
Previously, senior vice president, finance and chief financial
officer of AEFC.
Heinz F. Hutter+'
Born in 1929.
P.O. Box 2187
Minneapolis, MN
Former president and chief operating officer, Cargill, Incorporated
(commodity merchants and processors).
<PAGE>
PAGE 53
Anne P. Jones
Born in 1935.
5716 Bent Branch Rd.
Bethesda, MD
Attorney and telecommunications consultant. Former partner, law
firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan. Director, Motorola, Inc. and
C-Cor Electronics, Inc.
Melvin R. Laird
Born in 1922.
Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
1730 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Senior counsellor for national and international affairs, The
Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Former nine-term congressman,
secretary of defense and presidential counsellor. Director, Martin
Marietta Corp., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., The Reader's
Digest Association, Inc., Science Applications International Corp.,
Wallace Reader's Digest Funds and Public Oversight Board (SEC
Practice Section, American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants).
William R. Pearce+*
Born in 1927.
901 S. Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
President of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP since June
1993. Former vice chairman of the board, Cargill, Incorporated
(commodity merchants and processors).
Edson W. Spencer+
Born in 1926.
4900 IDS Center
80 S. 8th St.
Minneapolis, MN
President, Spencer Associates Inc. (consulting). Former chairman
of the board and chief executive officer, Honeywell Inc. Director,
Boise Cascade Corporation (forest products). Member of
International Advisory Councils of NEC (Japan).
John R. Thomas**
Born in 1937.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Senior vice president and director of AEFC.
Wheelock Whitney+
Born in 1926.
1900 Foshay Tower
821 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN<PAGE>
PAGE 54
Chairman, Whitney Management Company (manages family assets).
C. Angus Wurtele'
Born in 1934.
Valspar Corporation
Suite 1700
Foshay Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Chairman of the board and retired chief executive officer, The
Valspar Corporation (paints). Director, Bemis Corporation
(packaging), Donaldson Company (air cleaners & mufflers) and
General Mills, Inc. (consumer foods).
+ Member of executive committee.
' Member of joint audit committee.
* Interested person by reason of being an officer and employee of
the Fund.
**Interested person by reason of being an officer, board member,
employee and/or shareholder of AEFC or American Express.
The board also has appointed officers who are responsible for day-
to-day business decisions based on policies it has established.
In addition to Mr. Pearce, who is president, the Fund's other
officers are:
Leslie L. Ogg
Born in 1938.
901 S. Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Vice president, general counsel and secretary of all funds in the
IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Officers who also are officers and/or employees of AEFC
Peter J. Anderson
Born in 1942.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN
Vice president-investments of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND
GROUP. Director and senior vice president-investments of AEFC.
Melinda S. Urion
Born in 1953.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN
Treasurer of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP. Director,
senior vice president and chief financial officer of AEFC.
Director and executive vice president and controller of IDS Life
Insurance Company.
<PAGE>
PAGE 55
The Fund pays no fees or expenses to board members until the assets
of the Fund reach 20 million.
CUSTODIAN
The Fund's securities and cash are held by First Bank National
Association, 180 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN 55101-1631, through a
custodian agreement. The custodian is permitted to deposit some or
all of its securities in central depository systems as allowed by
federal law.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Fund's and corresponding Portfolio's financial statements to be
contained in the Annual Report to shareholders at the end of the
fiscal year will be audited by independent auditors, KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, 4200 Norwest Center, 90 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis,
MN 55402-3900. The independent auditors also provide other
accounting and tax-related services as requested by the Fund.
PROSPECTUS
The prospectus for IDS Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund dated October
11, 1996, is hereby incorporated in this SAI by reference.
<PAGE>
PAGE 56
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS AND SHORT-TERM SECURITIES AND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT POLICIES
These ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They
are not an opinion of the market value of the security. Such
ratings are opinions on whether the principal and interest will be
repaid when due. A security's ratings may change which could
affect its price.
Ratings by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba,
B, Caa, Ca, and C.
Bonds 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 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 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 some time in the future.
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 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 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 <PAGE>
PAGE 57
small.
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.
Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree.
Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
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.
Ratings by Standard & Poor's Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB,
B, CCC, CC, C and D.
AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in
higher-rated categories.
BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and
repay principal for debt in this category than in higher-rated
categories.
BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions
which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and
principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
BBB- rating.
B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely
impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic
conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of
principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also <PAGE>
PAGE 58
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an
actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied CCC- rating. The C rating may be
used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been
filed, but debt service payments are continued.
D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the due
date, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless
S&P 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 if debt service payments are jeopardized.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment when they
possess a risk comparable to that of rated securities consistent
with the Fund's objectives and policies. When assessing the risk
involved in each nonrated security, the Fund will consider the
financial condition of the issuer or the protection afforded by the
terms of the security.
Definitions of Zero-Coupon and Pay-In-Kind Securities
A zero-coupon security is a security that is sold at a deep
discount from its face value and makes no periodic interest
payments. The buyer of such a security receives a rate of return
by gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face
value on the maturity date.
A pay-in-kind security is a security in which the issuer has the
option to make interest payments in cash or in additional
securities. The securities issued as interest usually have the
same terms, including maturity date, as the pay-in-kind securities.
Short-term Tax-exempt Securities
A portion of the Fund's assets are in cash and short-term
securities for day-to-day operating purposes. The investments will
usually be in short-term municipal bonds and notes. These include:
(1) Tax anticipation notes sold to finance working capital needs
of municipalities in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future
date.
(2) Bond anticipation notes sold on an interim basis in
anticipation of a municipality issuing a longer term bond in the
future.
(3) Revenue anticipation notes issued in anticipation of revenues
from sources other than taxes, such as federal revenues available
under the Federal Revenue Sharing Program.<PAGE>
PAGE 59
(4) Tax and revenue anticipation notes issued in anticipation of
revenues from taxes and other sources of revenue, except bond
placements.
(5) Construction loan notes insured by the Federal Housing
Administration which remain outstanding until permanent financing
by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) at the end of the
project construction period.
(6) Tax-exempt commercial paper with a stated maturity of 365
days or less issued by agencies of state and local governments to
finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing
in anticipation of longer-term financing.
(7) Project notes issued by local housing authorities to finance
urban renewal and public housing projects. These notes are
guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
(8) Variable rate demand notes, on which the yield is adjusted at
periodic intervals not exceeding 31 days and on which the principal
may be repaid after not more than seven days' notice, are
considered short-term regardless of the stated maturity.
Short-term Taxable Securities and Repurchase Agreements
Depending on market conditions, a portion of the Fund's investments
may be invested in short-term taxable securities. These include:
(1) Obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities resulting principally from lending programs of
the U.S. government;
(2) U.S. Treasury bills with maturities up to one year. The
difference between the purchase price and the maturity value or
resale price is the interest income to the Fund;
(3) Certificates of deposit or receipts with fixed interest rates
issued by banks in exchange for deposit of funds;
(4) Bankers' acceptances arising from short-term credit
arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to
finance commercial transactions;
(5) Letters of credit which are short-term notes issued in bearer
form with a bank letter of credit obligating the bank to pay the
bearer the amount of the note;
(6) Commercial paper rated in the two highest grades by Standard
& Poor's or Moody's. Commercial paper is generally defined as
unsecured short-term notes issued in bearer form by large well-
known corporations and finance companies. These ratings reflect a
review of management, economic evaluation of the industry
competition, liquidity, long-term debt and ten-year earnings
trends:<PAGE>
PAGE 60
Standard & Poor's rating A-1 indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong.
Standard & Poor's rating A-2 indicates that capacity for timely
payment on issues with this designation is strong.
Moody's rating Prime-1 (P-1) indicates a superior capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
Moody's rating Prime-2 (P-2) indicates a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
(7) Repurchase agreements involving acquisition of securities by
the Fund with a concurrent agreement by the seller, usually a bank
or securities dealer, to reacquire the securities at cost plus
interest within a specified time. From this investment, the Fund
receives a fixed rate of return that is insulated from market rate
changes while it holds the security.
<PAGE>
PAGE 61
APPENDIX B
OPTIONS AND INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may buy or write options traded on any U.S. or foreign
exchange or in the over-the-counter market. The Fund may enter
into interest rate futures contracts traded on any U.S. or foreign
exchange. The Fund also may buy or write put and call options on
these futures. Options in the over-the-counter market will be
purchased only when the investment manager believes a liquid
secondary market exists for the options and only from dealers and
institutions the investment manager believes present a minimal
credit risk. Some options are exercisable only on a specific date.
In that case, or if a liquid secondary market does not exist, the
Fund could be required to buy or sell securities at disadvantageous
prices, thereby incurring losses.
OPTIONS. An option is a contract. A person who buys a call option
for a security has the right to buy the security at a set price for
the length of the contract. A person who sells a call option is
called a writer. The writer of a call option agrees to sell the
security at the set price when the buyer wants to exercise the
option, no matter what the market price of the security is at that
time. A person who buys a put option has the right to sell a
security at a set price for the length of the contract. A person
who writes a put option agrees to buy the security at the set price
if the purchaser wants to exercise the option, no matter what the
market price of the security is at that time. An option is covered
if the writer owns the security (in the case of a call) or sets
aside the cash (in the case of a put) that would be required upon
exercise.
The price paid by the buyer for an option is called a premium. In
addition the buyer generally pays a broker a commission. The
writer receives a premium, less a commission, at the time the
option is written. The cash received is retained by the writer
whether or not the option is exercised. A writer of a call option
may have to sell the security for a below-market price if the
market price rises above the exercise price. A writer of a put
option may have to pay an above-market price for the security if
its market price decreases below the exercise price.
Options can be used to produce incremental earnings, protect gains
and facilitate buying and selling securities for investment
purposes. The use of options and futures contracts may benefit the
Fund and its shareholders by improving the Fund's liquidity and by
helping to stabilize the value of its net assets.
Buying options. Put and call options may be used as a trading
technique to facilitate buying and selling securities for
investment reasons. Options are used as a trading technique to
take advantage of any disparity between the price of the underlying
security in the securities market and its price on the options
market. It is anticipated the trading technique will be utilized
only to effect a transaction when the price of the security plus <PAGE>
PAGE 62
the option price will be as good or better than the price at which
the security could be bought or sold directly. When the option is
purchased, the Fund pays a premium and a commission. It then pays
a second commission on the purchase or sale of the underlying
security when the option is exercised. For record-keeping and tax
purposes, the price obtained on the purchase of the underlying
security will be the combination of the exercise price, the premium
and both commissions. When using options as a trading technique,
commissions on the option will be set as if only the underlying
securities were traded.
Put and call options also may be held by the Fund for investment
purposes. Options permit the Fund to experience the change in the
value of a security with a relatively small initial cash
investment. The risk the Fund assumes when it buys an option is
the loss of the premium. To be beneficial to the Fund, the price
of the underlying security must change within the time set by the
option contract. Furthermore, the change must be sufficient to
cover the premium paid, the commissions paid both in the
acquisition of the option and in a closing transaction or in the
exercise of the option and subsequent sale (in the case of a call)
or purchase (in the case of a put) of the underlying security.
Even then the price change in the underlying security does not
ensure a profit since prices in the option market may not reflect
such a change.
Writing covered options. The Fund will write covered options when
it feels it is appropriate and will follow these guidelines:
'Underlying securities will continue to be bought or sold solely on
the basis of investment considerations consistent with the Fund's
goal.
'All options written by the Fund will be covered. For covered call
options if a decision is made to sell the security, the Fund will
attempt to terminate the option contract through a closing purchase
transaction.
'The Fund will write options only as permitted under federal or
state laws or regulations, such as those that limit the amount of
total assets subject to the options. While no limit has been set
by the Fund, it will conform to the requirements of those states.
For example, Arkansas limits the aggregate investment in options to
10% of the Fund's total assets, California limits the writing of
options to 50% of the assets of a fund.
Net premiums on call options closed or premiums on expired call
options are treated as short-term capital gains. Since the Fund is
taxed as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code, any gains on options and other securities held less than
three months must be limited to less than 30% of its annual gross
income.
If a covered call option is exercised, the security is sold by the
Fund. The Fund will recognize a capital gain or loss based upon
the difference between the proceeds and the security's basis.<PAGE>
PAGE 63
Options on many securities are listed on options exchanges. If the
Fund writes listed options, it will follow the rules of the options
exchange. Options are valued at the close of the New York Stock
Exchange. An option listed on a national exchange, Chicago Board
Options Exchange (CBOE) or NASDAQ will be valued at the last-quoted
sales price or, if such a price is not readily available, at the
mean of the last bid and asked prices.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract is an agreement between two
parties to buy and sell a security for a set price on a future
date. They have been established by boards of trade which have
been designated contracts markets by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC). Futures contracts trade on these markets in a
manner similar to the way a stock trades on a stock exchange, and
the boards of trade, through their clearing corporations, guarantee
performance of the contracts. Currently, there are futures
contracts based on such debt securities as long-term U.S. Treasury
bonds, Treasury notes, GNMA modified pass-through mortgage-backed
securities, three-month U.S. Treasury bills and bank certificates
of deposit. While futures contracts based on debt securities do
provide for the delivery and acceptance of securities, such
deliveries and acceptances are very seldom made. Generally, the
futures contract is terminated by entering into an offsetting
transaction. An offsetting transaction for a futures contract sale
is effected by the Fund entering into a futures contract purchase
for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial
instrument and same delivery date. If the price in the sale
exceeds the price in the offsetting purchase, the Fund immediately
is paid the difference and realizes a gain. If the offsetting
purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the difference
and realizes a loss. Similarly, closing out a futures contract
purchase is effected by the Fund entering into a futures contract
sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the
Fund realizes a gain, and if the offsetting sale price is less than
the purchase price, the Fund realizes a loss. At the time a
futures contract is made, a good-faith deposit called initial
margin is set up within a segregated account at the Fund's
custodian bank. The initial margin deposit is approximately 1.5%
of a contract's face value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract
is valued and the payment of variation margin is required so that
each day the Fund would pay out cash in an amount equal to any
decline in the contract's value or receive cash equal to any
increase. At the time a futures contract is closed out, a nominal
commission is paid, which is generally lower than the commission on
a comparable transaction in the cash markets.
The purpose of a futures contract, in the case of a portfolio
holding long-term debt securities, is to gain the benefit of
changes in interest rates without actually buying or selling long-
term debt securities. For example, if the Fund owned long-term
bonds and interest rates were expected to increase, it might enter
into futures contracts to sell securities which would have much the
same effect as selling some of the long-term bonds it owned.
Futures contracts are based on types of debt securities referred <PAGE>
PAGE 64
to above, which have historically reacted to an increase or decline
in interest rates in a fashion similar to the debt securities the
Fund owns. If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt
securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the
Fund's futures contracts would increase at approximately the same
rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from
declining as much as it otherwise would have. If, on the other
hand, the Fund held cash reserves and interest rates were expected
to decline, the Fund might enter into interest rate futures
contracts for the purchase of securities. If short-term rates were
higher than long-term rates, the ability to continue holding these
cash reserves would have a very beneficial impact on the Fund's
earnings. Even if short-term rates were not higher, the Fund would
still benefit from the income earned by holding these short-term
investments. At the same time, by entering into futures contracts
for the purchase of securities, the Fund could take advantage of
the anticipated rise in the value of long-term bonds without
actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that
time, the futures contracts could be liquidated and the Fund's cash
reserves could then be used to buy long-term bonds on the cash
market. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling bonds
with long maturities and investing in bonds with short maturities
when interest rates are expected to increase or by buying bonds
with long maturities and selling bonds with short maturities when
interest rates are expected to decline. But by using futures
contracts as an investment tool, given the greater liquidity in the
futures market than in the cash market, it might be possible to
accomplish the same result more easily and more quickly.
Successful use of futures contracts depends on the investment
manager's ability to predict the future direction of interest
rates. If the investment manager's prediction is incorrect, the
Fund would have been better off had it not entered into futures
contracts.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. Options on futures contracts give
the holder a right to buy or sell futures contracts in the future.
Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to the
contract to buy and sell a security on a set date, an option on a
futures contract merely entitles its holder to decide on or before
a future date (within nine months of the date of issue) whether to
enter into such a contract. If the holder decides not to enter
into the contract, all that is lost is the amount (premium) paid
for the option. Furthermore, because the value of the option is
fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily payments of cash to
reflect the change in the value of the underlying contract.
However, since an option gives the buyer the right to enter into a
contract at a set price for a fixed period of time, its value does
change daily and that change is reflected in the net asset value of
the Fund.
RISKS. There are risks in engaging in each of the management tools
described above. The risk the Fund assumes when it buys an option
is the loss of the premium paid for the option. Purchasing options
also limits the use of monies that might otherwise be available for
long-term investments.<PAGE>
PAGE 65
The risk involved in writing options on futures contracts the Fund
owns, or on securities held in its portfolio, is that there could
be an increase in the market value of such contracts or securities.
If that occurred, the option would be exercised and the asset sold
at a lower price than the cash market price. To some extent, the
risk of not realizing a gain could be reduced by entering into a
closing transaction. The Fund could enter into a closing
transaction by purchasing an option with the same terms as the one
it had previously sold. The cost to close the option and terminate
the Fund's obligation, however, might be more or less than the
premium received when it originally wrote the option. Furthermore,
the Fund might not be able to close the option because of
insufficient activity in the options market.
A risk in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities
subject to futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the
behavior of the cash prices of the Fund's securities. The
correlation may be distorted because the futures market is
dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit from the
difference between a contract or security price and their cost of
borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would
diminish as the contract approached maturity.
Another risk is that the Fund's investment manager could be
incorrect in anticipating as to the direction or extent of various
interest rate movements or the time span within which the movements
take place. For example, if the Fund sold futures contracts for
the sale of securities in anticipation of an increase in interest
rates, and interest rates declined instead, the Fund would lose
money on the sale.
TAX TREATMENT. As permitted under federal income tax laws, the
Fund intends to identify futures contracts as mixed straddles and
not mark them to market, that is, not treat them as having been
sold at the end of the year at market value. Such an election may
result in the Fund being required to defer recognizing losses
incurred by entering into futures contracts and losses on
underlying securities identified as being hedged against.
Federal income tax treatment of gains or losses from transactions
in options on futures contracts and indexes will depend on whether
such option is a section 1256 contract . If the option is a non-
equity option, the Fund will either make a 1256(d) election and
treat the option as a mixed straddle or mark to market the option
at fiscal year end and treat the gain/loss as 40% short-term and
60% long-term. Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may
also limit the Fund's ability to engage in futures contracts and
related options transactions. For example, at the close of each
quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of
its assets must consist of cash, government securities and other
securities, subject to certain diversification requirements. Less
than 30% of its gross income must be derived from sales of
securities held less than three months.<PAGE>
PAGE 66
The IRS has ruled publicly that an exchange-traded call option is a
security for purposes of the 50%-of-assets test and that its issuer
is the issuer of the underlying security, not the writer of the
option, for purposes of the diversification requirements. In order
to avoid realizing a gain within the three-month period, the Fund
may be required to defer closing out a contract beyond the time
when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so. The Fund also
may be restricted in purchasing put options for the purpose of
hedging underlying securities because of applying the short sale
holding period rules with respect to such underlying securities.
Accounting for futures contracts will be according to generally
accepted accounting principles. Initial margin deposits will be
recognized as assets due from a broker (the Fund's agent in
acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures
contract is open, changes in value of the contract will be
recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market on a
daily basis to reflect the market value of the contract at the end
of each day's trading. Variation margin payments will be made or
received depending upon whether gains or losses are incurred. All
contracts and options will be valued at the last-quoted sales price
on their primary exchange.
<PAGE>
PAGE 67
APPENDIX C
DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING
A technique that works well for many investors is one that
eliminates random buy and sell decisions. One such system is
dollar-cost averaging. Dollar-cost averaging involves building a
portfolio through the investment of fixed amounts of money on a
regular basis regardless of the price or market condition. This
may enable an investor to smooth out the effects of the volatility
of the financial markets. By using this strategy, more shares will
be purchased when the price is low and less when the price is high.
As the accompanying chart illustrates, dollar-cost averaging tends
to keep the average price paid for the shares lower than the
average market price of shares purchased, although there is no
guarantee.
While this does not ensure a profit and does not protect against a
loss if the market declines, it is an effective way for many
shareholders who can continue investing through changing market
conditions to accumulate shares in a fund to meet long-term goals.
Dollar-cost averaging
___________________________________________________________________
Regular Market Price Shares
Investment of a Share Acquired
$100 $6.00 16.7
100 4.00 25.0
100 4.00 25.0
100 6.00 16.7
100 5.00 20.0
$500 $25.00 103.4
Average market price of a share over 5 periods:
$5.00 ($25.00 divided by 5).
The average price you paid for each share:
$4.84 ($500 divided by 103.4).
