Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares
PROSPECTUS
The shares of Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc., (the "Fund") represent
interests in an open-end, diversified management investment company (a mutual
fund) investing in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio limited
primarily to fixed income securities which seek to achieve high current income.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
THE FUND MAY INVEST PRIMARILY IN LOWER RATED BONDS, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS
"JUNK BONDS." INVESTMENTS OF THIS TYPE ARE SUBJECT TO A GREATER RISK OF LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THAN INVESTMENTS IN HIGHER RATED SECURITIES. PURCHASERS
SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated July 31,
1997, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information, or make inquiries about the Fund, contact your
financial institution. The Statement of Additional Information, material
incorporated by reference into this document, and other information regarding
the Fund is maintained electronically with the SEC at Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Prospectus dated July
31, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of Fund Expenses 1
Financial Highlights -- Class A Shares 2
Financial Highlights -- Class B Shares 3
Financial Highlights -- Class C Shares 4
General Information 5
Calling the Fund 5
Investment Information 5
Investment Objective 5
Investment Policies 5
Investment Risks 6
Investment Limitations 8
Net Asset Value 8
Investing in the Fund 8
Purchasing Shares 9
Purchasing Shares through a Financial Intermediary 9
Purchasing Shares by Wire 9
Purchasing Shares by Check 9
Systematic Investment Program 9
Retirement Plans 9
Class A Shares 9
Class B Shares 10
Class C Shares 10
Redeeming and Exchanging Shares 10
Redeeming or Exchanging Shares through a Financial Intermediary 10
Redeeming or Exchanging Shares by Telephone 11
Redeeming or Exchanging Shares by Mail 11
Requirements for Redemption 11
Requirements for Exchange 11
Systematic Withdrawal Program 11
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge 12
Account and Share Information 12
Confirmations and Certificates 12
Dividends and Distributions 12
Accounts with Low Balances 12
Fund Information 12
Management of the Fund 12
Distribution of Shares 13
Administration of the Fund 14
Shareholder Information 15
Tax Information 15
Federal Income Tax. 15
State and Local Taxes 15
Performance Information 15
Appendix 16
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of
offering price) 4.50% None None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (as a
percentage
of offering price) None None None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original
purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) None 5.50%(1) 1.00%(1)
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if None None None
applicable)
Exchange Fee None None None
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(As a percentage of average net assets)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fee 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
12b-1 Fee None 0.75% 0.75%
Total Other Expenses 0.46% 0.49% 0.49%
Shareholder Services Fee (after waiver) 0.22%(2) 0.25% 0.25%
Total Operating Expenses 1.21%(3) 1.99%(4) 1.99%
</TABLE>
(1) For shareholders of Class B Shares, the contingent deferred sales charge is
5.50% in the first year declining to 1.00% in the sixth year and 0.00%
thereafter. For shareholders of Class C Shares, the contingent deferred
sales charge assessed is 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price
or the net asset value of shares redeemed within one year of their purchase
date. For a more complete description, see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge."
(2) The shareholder services fee for Class A Shares only has been reduced to
reflect a voluntary waiver. The shareholder service provider can terminate
this voluntary waiver at any time at its sole discretion. The maximum
shareholder services fee is 0.25%.
(3) The total operating expenses for Class A Shares would have been 1.24% absent
the voluntary waiver described in note 2 above.
(4) Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares (which pay lower ongoing expenses)
approximately eight years after purchase.
The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the various
costs and expenses that a shareholder of the Fund will bear, either directly or
indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs and expenses,
see "Investing in the Fund" and "Fund Information." Wire-transferred redemptions
of less than $5,000 may be subject to additional fees.
LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDERS MAY PAY MORE THAN THE ECONOMIC EQUIVALENT OF THE
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGES PERMITTED UNDER THE RULES OF THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
<S> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1)
5% annual return,
(2) redemption at the end of each time period, and (3) payment of the
maximum sales charge.
1 Year $ 57 $ 77 $ 31
3 Years $ 82 $106 $ 62
5 Years $108 $130 $107
10 Years $185 $211 $232
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no redemption.
1 Year $ 57 $ 20 $ 20
3 Years $ 82 $ 62 $ 62
5 Years $108 $107 $107
10 Years $185 $211 $232
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CLASS A SHARES
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Fund's
independent public accountants. Their report, dated April 24, 1997, on the
Fund's financial statements for the year ended March 31, 1997, and on the
following table for the periods presented, is included in the Annual Report,
which is incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, which may be obtained
from the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, $11.08 $10.54 $10.99 $11.19 $10.80 $ 8.79 $ 8.96 $10.99 $11.20 $12.53
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
INCOME FROM
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 1.04 1.00 1.01 1.05 1.13 1.23 1.21 1.33 1.40 1.42
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments 0.22 0.55 (0.43) (0.19) 0.41 1.99 (0.14) (1.98) (0.20) (1.31)
Total from 1.26 1.55 0.58 0.86 1.54 3.22 1.07 (0.65) 1.20 0.11
investment operations
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from
net investment income (1.03) (1.00) (1.03) (1.06) (1.15) (1.21) (1.24) (1.38) (1.41) (1.44)
Distributions in
excess of net
investment income(b) -- (0.01) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total distributions (1.03) (1.01) (1.03) (1.06) (1.15) (1.21) (1.24) (1.38) (1.41) (1.44)
NET ASSET VALUE, $11.31 $11.08 $10.54 $10.99 $11.19 $10.80 $ 8.79 $ 8.96 $10.99 $11.20
END OF PERIOD
TOTAL RETURN(C) 11.88% 15.24% 5.74% 7.82% 15.39% 38.83% 14.20% (6.82%) 11.34% 1.30%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.21% 1.22% 1.21% 1.18% 1.08% 1.02% 1.03% 1.02% 1.00% 1.05%
Net investment income 9.19% 9.07% 9.64% 9.27% 10.44% 12.40% 14.62% 13.01% 12.55% 12.37%
Expense waiver/
reimbursement(d) 0.03% 0.06% 0.05% 0.05% 0.08% -- -- -- -- --
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of
period (000 omitted) $599,736 $530,203 $448,040 $439,149 $417,015 $351,087 $252,147 $282,149 $379,876 $360,409
Portfolio turnover 55% 53% 52% 76% 49% 37% 32% 40% 43% 52%
</TABLE>
(a) As of July 29, 1994, Select Shares were no longer offered and were
reclassified as Class C Shares. For the year ended March 31, 1994, Select
Shares net assets (000 omitted) were $838.
(b) Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
distributions do not represent a return of capital for federal income tax
purposes.
(c) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(d) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE
OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CLASS B SHARES
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Fund's
independent public accountants. Their report, dated April 24, 1997, on the
Fund's financial statements for the year ended March 31, 1997, and on the
following table for each of the periods presented, is included in the Annual
Report, which is incorporated by reference. This table should be read in
conjunction with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, which may be
obtained from the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 1996 1995(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $11.08 $10.54 $10.57
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.96 0.95 0.51
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.21 0.51 (0.07)
Total from investment operations 1.17 1.46 0.44
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.94) (0.91) (0.47)
Distributions in excess of net investment income(b) -- (0.01) --
Total distributions (0.94) (0.92) (0.47)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $11.31 $11.08 $10.54
TOTAL RETURN(C) 10.99% 14.31% 4.47%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.99% 2.03% 2.02%*
Net investment income 8.39% 8.29% 9.47%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(d) -- 0.01% 0.05%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $513,169 $238,055 $33,295
Portfolio turnover 55% 53% 52%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from September 27, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to March 31, 1995.
(b) Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
distributions do not represent a return of capital for federal income tax
purposes.
(c) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(d) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE
OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CLASS C SHARES
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Fund's
independent public accountants. Their report, dated April 24, 1997, on the
Fund's financial statements for the year ended March 31, 1997, and on the
following table for each of the periods presented, is included in the Annual
Report, which is incorporated by reference. This table should be read in
conjunction with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, which may be
obtained from the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)(B)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $11.08 $10.54 $10.99 $11.18
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.95 0.92 0.94 0.92
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.22 0.54 (0.44) (0.23)
Total from investment operations 1.17 1.46 0.50 0.69
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.94) (0.91) (0.95) (0.88)
Distributions in excess of net investment income(c) -- (0.01) -- --
Total distributions (0.94) (0.92) (0.95) (0.88)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $11.31 $11.08 $10.54 $10.99
TOTAL RETURN(D) 11.00% 14.35% 4.91% 6.23%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.99% 2.00% 1.98% 1.99%*
Net investment income 8.38% 8.30% 8.90% 8.54%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(e) 0.00% 0.03% 0.05% 0.05%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $105,091 $57,422 $32,376 $24,360
Portfolio turnover 55% 53% 52% 76%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from April 30, 1993 (date of initial
public investment) to March 31, 1994.
(b) As of July 29, 1994, Select Shares were no longer offered and were
reclassified as Class C Shares. For the year ended March 31, 1994, Select
Shares net assets (000 omitted) were $838.
(c) Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
distributions do not represent a return of capital for federal income tax
purposes.
(d) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(e) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE
OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on October 14,
1977. Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund ("Shares")
are designed for customers of financial institutions as a convenient means of
accumulating an interest in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of
fixed income securities. The Fund's current net asset value and offering
price may be found in the mutual funds section of local newspapers under
"Federated" and the appropriate class designation listing.
CALLING THE FUND
Call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of professionally managed fixed income
securities. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the investment policies
described in this prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, the investment objective
and the policies and limitations described below cannot be changed without
approval of shareholders.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The fixed income securities in which the Fund intends to invest are lower-rated
corporate debt obligations. Some of these fixed income securities may involve
equity features. Capital growth will be considered, but only when consistent
with the investment objective of high current income.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests 65% of its assets in lower-rated fixed income bonds. Under
normal circumstances, the Fund will not invest more than 10% of the value of its
total assets in equity securities. The fixed income securities in which the Fund
invests include, but are not limited to:
* preferred stocks;
* bonds;
* convertible securities;
* debentures;
* notes;
* equipment lease certificates; and
* equipment trust certificates.
The Fund may purchase fixed income securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis. There is no limit to portfolio maturity. The prices of fixed
income securities fluctuate inversely to the direction of interest rates.
The securities in which the Fund may invest are generally rated BBB or lower by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Baa or lower by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or are not rated but are determined by the Fund's
investment adviser to be of comparable quality, and may include bonds in
default. Securities which are rated BBB or lower by S&P or Baa or lower by
Moody's have speculative characteristics. Changes in economic conditions or
other circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity to make
principal and interest payments than higher rated bonds. A description of these
rating categories is contained in the Appendix to this prospectus. There is no
lower limit with respect to rating categories for securities in which the Fund
may invest. See "Investment Risks" below.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as DECS
(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock when
issued as a debt security), LYONS (Liquid Yield Option Notes, which are
corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and are
convertible into stock), PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock, an
equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and mandatory
conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES (Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as DECS; the
difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue). Convertible
securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated because they fall
below debt obligations and just above common equity in order of preference or
priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as lower-rated bonds.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest temporarily in cash and short-term obligations during
times of unusual market conditions for defensive purposes. Short-term
obligations may include:
* certificates of deposit;
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P, Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's,
or F-1 or F-2 by Fitch Investors Service, Inc. and variable rate demand
master notes;
* short-term notes;
* obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities; and
* repurchase agreements (arrangements in which the organization selling the Fund
a fixed income security agrees at the time of sale to repurchase it at a
mutually agreed upon time and price).
As a matter of investment practice, which can be changed without shareholder
approval, the Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities
which are illiquid.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
on a short-term or a long-term basis, up to one-third of the value of its total
assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities.
The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with broker/dealers, banks, or
other institutions which the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under
guidelines established by the Directors and will receive collateral equal to at
least 100% of the value of the securities loaned in the form of cash or U.S.
government securities.
There is the risk that when lending portfolio securities, the securities may not
be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund may, therefore, lose the
opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. In addition, in the
event that a borrower of securities would file for bankruptcy or become
insolvent, disposition of the securities may be delayed pending court action.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the Fund's investment
adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment
objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security may have
been held. The adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio turnover
will result in adverse tax consequences. Any such trading will increase the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs.
INVESTMENT RISKS
The corporate debt obligations in which the Fund invests are usually not in the
three highest rating categories of the recognized rating agencies (AAA, AA, or A
for S&P and Aaa, Aa or A for Moody's) but are in the lower rating categories or
are unrated but are of comparable quality and are regarded as predominately
speculative. Lower-rated or unrated bonds are commonly referred to as "junk
bonds." There is no minimal acceptable rating for a security to be purchased or
held in the Fund's portfolio, and the Fund may, from time to time, purchase or
hold securities rated in the lowest rating category. Companies who have received
the lowest rating have failed to satisfy their obligations under the bond
indenture. A description of the rating categories is contained in the Appendix
to this prospectus.
Lower-rated securities will usually offer higher yields than higher-rated
securities. However, there is more risk associated with these investments. This
is because of reduced credit-worthiness and increased risk of default.
Lower-rated securities generally tend to reflect short-term corporate and market
developments to a greater extent than higher-rated securities which react
primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Short-term
corporate and market developments affecting the prices or liquidity of
lower-rated securities could include adverse news affecting major issuers,
underwriters, or dealers in lower-rated securities. In addition, since there are
fewer investors in lower-rated securities, it may be harder to sell the
securities at an optimum time.
As a result of these factors, lower-rated securities tend to have more price
volatility and carry more risk to principal and income than higher-rated
securities.
An economic downturn may adversely affect the value of some lower-rated bonds.
Such a downturn may especially affect highly leveraged companies or companies in
cyclically sensitive industries, where deterioration in a company's cash flow
may impair its ability to meet its obligation to pay principal and interest to
bondholders in a timely fashion. From time to time, as a result of changing
conditions, issuers of lower-rated bonds may seek or may be required to
restructure the terms and conditions of the securities they have issued. As a
result of these restructurings, holders of lower-rated securities may receive
less principal and interest than they had bargained for at the time such bonds
were purchased.
In the event of a restructuring, the Fund may bear additional legal or
administrative expenses in order to maximize recovery from an issuer.
The secondary trading market for lower-rated bonds is generally less liquid than
the secondary trading market for higher-rated bonds. Adverse publicity and the
perception of investors relating to issuers, underwriters, dealers or underlying
business conditions, whether or not warranted by fundamental analysis, may also
affect the price or liquidity of lower-rated bonds. On occasion, therefore, it
may become difficult to price or dispose of a particular security in the
portfolio.
The Fund may, from time to time, own zero coupon bonds or pay-in-kind
securities. A zero coupon bond makes no periodic interest payments and the
entire obligation becomes due only upon maturity. Pay-in-kind securities make
periodic payments in the form of additional securities (as opposed to cash). The
price of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind securities are generally more
sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates than are conventional bonds.
Additionally, federal tax law requires that interest on zero coupon bonds and
paid-in-kind securities be reported as income to the Fund even though the Fund
received no cash interest until the maturity or payment date of such securities.
To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid
liability of federal income taxes, the Fund will be required to distribute
income accrued from zero coupon convertible securities which it owns, and may
have to sell portfolio securities (perhaps at disadvantageous times) in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
Many corporate debt obligations, including many lower-rated bonds, permit the
issuers to call the security and thereby redeem their obligations earlier than
the stated maturity dates. Issuers are more likely to call bonds during periods
of declining interest rates. In these cases, if the Fund owns a bond which is
called, the Fund will receive its return of principal earlier than expected and
would likely be required to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, thus
reducing income to the Fund.
The table below shows the weighted average of the ratings of the bonds in the
Fund's portfolio during the Fund's fiscal year ended March 31, 1997. The credit
ratings categories are those provided by Moody's and S&P, which are both
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. A description of these
ratings can be found in the Appendix to this prospectus. The percentages in the
column titled "Rated" reflect the percentage of bonds in the portfolio which
received a rating from at least one of these organizations. The percentages in
the column titled "Not Rated" reflect the percentage of bonds in the portfolio
which are not rated but which the Fund's investment adviser has judged to be
comparable in quality to the corresponding rated bonds.
AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
CREDIT RATING CORPORATE BOND INVESTMENTS
CATEGORY* RATED NOT RATED TOTAL
BB 17.26% 0.00% 17.26%
B 78.02% 0.75 78.77
CCC 2.84 0.47 3.31
CC 0.66 0.00 0.66
98.78% 1.22% 100.00%
* May include all degrees of risk within the rating category.
REDUCING RISKS OF LOWER-RATED SECURITIES
The Fund's investment adviser believes that the risks of investing in
lower-rated securities can be reduced. The professional portfolio management
techniques used by the Fund to attempt to reduce these risks include:
CREDIT RESEARCH
The Fund's investment adviser will perform its own credit analysis in addition
to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, including discussions
with the issuer's management, the judgment of other investment analysts, and its
own informed judgment. The adviser's credit analysis will consider the issuer's
financial soundness, its responsiveness to changes in interest rates and
business conditions, and its anticipated cash flow, interest, or dividend
coverage and earnings. In evaluating an issuer, the adviser places special
emphasis on the estimated current value of the issuer's assets rather than
historical cost.
DIVERSIFICATION
The Fund invests in securities of many different issuers, industries, and
economic sectors to reduce portfolio risk.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
The Fund's adviser will analyze current developments and trends in the economy
and in the financial markets. When investing in lower-rated securities, timing
and selection are critical, and analysis of the business cycle can be important.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the
Fund may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up
to 10% of the value of those assets to secure such borrowings;
* invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of one issuer
(except cash and cash items, repurchase agreements, and U.S. government
obligations);
* make loans, except that it may invest up to 5% of the value of its total
assets in repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days from the
time they are entered into, and it may lend portfolio securities where the
borrower of the securities provides 100% collateral;
* sell securities short except, under strict limitations, the Fund may maintain
open short positions so long as not more than 10% of the value of its net
assets is held as collateral for those positions;
* invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of issuers that have
records of less than three years of continuous operations; or
* invest more than 5% of its total assets in foreign securities which are not
publicly traded in the United States.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitation, however, can be changed by the Directors without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in this limitation becomes effective.
The Fund will not:
* invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per Share fluctuates and is based on the
market value of all securities and other assets of the Fund. The NAV for each
class of Shares may differ due to the variance in daily net income realized by
each class. Such variance will reflect only accrued net income to which the
shareholders of a particular class are entitled.
All purchases, redemptions and exchanges are processed at the NAV next
determined after the request in proper form is received by the Fund. The NAV is
determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally
4:00 p.m., Eastern time) every day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
This prospectus offers three classes of Shares each with the characteristics
described below.
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
Minimum and Subsequent $500/$100 $1500/$100 $1500/$100
Investment Amounts
Minimum and Subsequent $50 $50 $50
Investment Amount
for Retirement Plans
Maximum Sales Charge 4.50%* None None
Maximum Contingent None 5.50+ 1.00%#
Deferred Sales
Charge**
Conversion Feature No Yes++ No
* Class A Shares are sold at NAV, plus a sales charge as follows:
SALES CHARGE DEALER
AS A PERCENTAGE OF CONCESSION AS
PUBLIC NET A PERCENTAGE OF
OFFERING AMOUNT PUBLIC OFFERING
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION PRICE INVESTED PRICE
Less than $100,000 4.50% 4.71% 4.00%
$100,000 but less
than $250,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.25%
$250,000 but less
than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.25%
$500,000 but less
than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.80%
$1 million or greater 0.00% 0.00% 0.25%
** Computed on the lesser of the NAV of the redeemed Shares at the time of
purchase or the NAV of the redeemed Shares at the time of redemption.
+ The following contingent deferred sales charge schedule applies to Class B
Shares:
YEAR OF REDEMPTION CONTINGENT DEFERRED
AFTER PURCHASE SALES CHARGE
First 5.50%
Second 4.75%
Third 4.00%
Fourth 3.00%
Fifth 2.00%
Sixth 1.00%
Seventh and thereafter 0.00%
++ Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares (which pay lower ongoing
expenses) approximately eight years after purchase. See "Conversion of Class
B Shares."
# The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on Shares redeemed within one
year of their purchase date.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open. Shares of the Fund may be purchased as described below, either through a
financial intermediary (such as a bank or broker/dealer) or by sending a wire or
check directly to the Fund. Financial intermediaries may impose different
minimum investment requirements on their customers. An account must be
established with a financial intermediary or by completing, signing, and
returning the new account form available from the Fund before Shares can be
purchased. Shareholders in certain other funds advised and distributed by
affiliates of Federated Investors ("Federated Funds") may exchange their Shares
for Shares of the corresponding class of the Fund. The Fund reserves the right
to reject any purchase or exchange request.
In connection with any sale, Federated Securities Corp. may, from time to time,
offer certain items of nominal value to any shareholder or investor.
PURCHASING SHARES THROUGH A
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY
Orders placed through a financial intermediary are considered received when the
Fund is notified of the purchase order or when payment is converted into federal
funds. Purchase orders through a broker/dealer must be received by the broker
before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) and must be transmitted by the broker to the
Fund before 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) in order for Shares to be purchased at that
day's price. Purchase orders through other financial intermediaries must be
received by the financial intermediary and transmitted to the Fund before 4:00
p.m. (Eastern time) in order for Shares to be purchased at that day's price. It
is the financial intermediary's responsibility to transmit orders promptly.
Financial intermediaries may charge fees for their services.
The financial intermediary which maintains investor accounts in Class B Shares
or Class C Shares with the Fund must do so on a fully disclosed basis unless it
accounts for share ownership periods used in calculating the contingent deferred
sales charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). In addition, advance
payments made to financial intermediaries may be subject to reclaim by the
distributor for accounts transferred to financial intermediaries which do not
maintain investor accounts on a fully disclosed basis and do not account for
share ownership periods.
PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE
Shares may be purchased by Federal Reserve wire by calling the Fund. All
information needed will be taken over the telephone, and the order is considered
received when State Street Bank receives payment by wire. Federal funds should
be wired as follows: Federated Shareholder Services Company, c/o State Street
Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA 02266-8600; Attention; EDGEWIRE; For Credit
to: (Fund Name) (Fund Class); (Fund Number -- this number can be found on the
account statement or by contacting the Fund); Account Number; Trade Date and
Order Number; Group Number or Dealer Number; Nominee or Institution Name; and
ABA Number 011000028. Shares cannot be purchased by wire on holidays when wire
transfers are restricted.
PURCHASING SHARES BY CHECK
Shares may be purchased by mailing a check made payable to the name of the Fund
(designate class of Shares and account number) to: Federated Shareholder
Services Company, P.O. Box 8600, Boston, MA 02266-8600. Orders by mail are
considered received when payment by check is converted into federal funds
(normally the business day after the check is received).
SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Under this program, funds may be automatically withdrawn periodically from the
shareholder's checking account at an Automated Clearing House ("ACH") member and
invested in the Fund. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediary
or the Fund to participate in this program.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Fund Shares can be purchased as an investment for retirement plans or IRA
accounts. For further details, contact the Fund and consult a tax adviser.
CLASS A SHARES
Class A Shares are sold at NAV, plus a sales charge. However:
NO SALES CHARGE IS IMPOSED FOR CLASS A SHARES PURCHASED:
* through financial intermediaries that do not receive sales charge dealer
concessions;
* by Federated Life Members who maintain a $500 minimum balance in at least
one of the Federated Funds; or
* through "wrap accounts" or similar programs under which clients pay a fee for
services.
IN ADDITION, THE SALES CHARGE CAN BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED BY:
* purchasing in quantity and accumulating purchases at the levels in the
table under "Investing in the Fund";
* combining concurrent purchases of two or more funds;
* signing a letter of intent to purchase a specific quantity of shares
within 13 months; or
* using the reinvestment privilege.
Consult a financial intermediary or Federated Securities Corp. for details on
these programs. In order to eliminate the sales charge or receive sales charge
reductions, Federated Securities Corp. must be notified by the shareholder in
writing or by a financial intermediary at the time of purchase.
DEALER CONCESSION
For sales of Class A Shares, a dealer will normally receive up to 90% of the
applicable sales charge. Any portion of the sales charge which is not paid to a
dealer will be retained by the distributor. However, the distributor may offer
to pay dealers up to 100% of the sales charge retained by it. Such payments may
take the form of cash or promotional incentives, such as reimbursement of
certain expenses of qualified employees and their spouses to attend
informational meetings about the Fund or other special events at
recreational-type facilities, or items of material value. In some instances,
these incentives will be made available only to dealers whose employees have
sold or may sell a significant amount of Shares. On purchases of $1 million or
more, the investor pays no sales charge; however, the distributor will make
twelve monthly payments to the dealer totaling 0.25% of the public offering
price over the first year following the purchase. Such payments are based on the
original purchase price of Shares outstanding at each month end. The sales
charge for Shares sold other than through registered broker/dealers will be
retained by Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Securities Corp. may pay fees to banks out of the sales charge in
exchange for sales and/or administrative services performed on behalf of the
bank's customers in connection with the establishment of customer accounts
and purchases of Shares.
CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares are sold at NAV. Under certain circumstances, a contingent
deferred sales charge will be assessed at the time of a redemption. Orders for
$250,000 or more of Class B Shares will automatically be invested in Class A
Shares.
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares will automatically convert into Class A Shares after eight full
years from the purchase date. Such conversion will be on the basis of the
relative NAVs per Share, without the imposition of any charges. Class B Shares
acquired by exchange from Class B Shares of another Federated Fund will convert
into Class A Shares based on the time of the initial purchase.
CLASS C SHARES
Class C Shares are sold at NAV. A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% will
be charged on assets redeemed within the first full 12 months following
purchase.
REDEEMING AND EXCHANGING SHARES
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed for cash or exchanged for Shares of the same
class of other Federated Funds on days on which the Fund computes its NAV.
Shares are redeemed at NAV less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
Exchanges are made at NAV. Shareholders who desire to automatically exchange
Shares, of a like Share class, in a pre-determined amount on a monthly,
quarterly, or annual basis may take advantage of a systematic exchange
privilege. Information on this privilege is available from the Fund or your
financial intermediary. Depending upon the circumstances, a capital gain or loss
may be realized when Shares are redeemed or exchanged. REDEEMING OR
EXCHANGING SHARES THROUGH A FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed or exchanged by contacting your financial
intermediary before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). In order for these transactions to
be processed at that day's NAV, financial intermediaries (other than
broker/dealers) must transmit the request to the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern
time), while broker/dealers must transmit the request to the Fund before 5:00
p.m. (Eastern time). The financial intermediary is responsible for promptly
submitting transaction requests and providing proper written instructions.
Customary fees and commissions may be charged by the financial intermediary for
this service. Appropriate authorization forms for these transactions must be on
file with the Fund.
REDEEMING OR EXCHANGING SHARES BY TELEPHONE
Shares acquired directly from the Fund may be redeemed in any amount, or
exchanged, by calling 1-800-341-7400. Appropriate authorization forms for these
transactions must be on file with the Fund. Shares held in certificate form must
first be returned to the Fund as described in the instructions under "Redeeming
or Exchanging Shares by Mail." Redemption proceeds will either be mailed in the
form of a check to the shareholder's address of record or wire-transferred to
the shareholder's account at a domestic commercial bank that is a member of the
Federal Reserve System. The minimum amount for a wire transfer is $1,000.
Proceeds from redeemed Shares purchased by checks or through ACH will not be
wired until that method of payment has cleared. Telephone instructions will
be recorded. If reasonable procedures are not followed by the Fund, it may be
liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. In
the event of drastic economic or market changes, a shareholder may experience
difficulty in redeeming by telephone. If this occurs, "Redeeming or Exchanging
Shares by Mail" should be considered. The telephone transaction privilege may be
modified or terminated at any time. Shareholders would be promptly notified.
REDEEMING OR EXCHANGING SHARES BY MAIL
Shares may be redeemed in any amount, or exchanged, by mailing a written request
to: Federated Shareholder Services Company, Fund Name, Fund Class, P.O. Box
8600, Boston, MA 02266-8600. If share certificates have been issued, they must
accompany the written request. It is recommended that certificates be sent
unendorsed by registered or certified mail.
All written requests should state: Fund Name and the Share Class name; the
account name as registered with the Fund; the account number; and the number of
Shares to be redeemed or the dollar amount of the transaction. An exchange
request should also state the name of the Fund into which the exchange is to be
made. All owners of the account must sign the request exactly as the Shares are
registered. A check for redemption proceeds is normally mailed within one
business day, but in no event more than seven days, after receipt of a proper
written redemption request. Dividends are paid up to and including the day that
a redemption or exchange request is processed. REQUIREMENTS FOR REDEMPTION
Shareholders requesting a redemption of any amount to be sent to an address
other than that on record with the Fund, or a redemption payable other than to
the shareholder of record, must have their signatures guaranteed by a commercial
or savings bank, trust company or savings association whose deposits are insured
by an organization which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation; a member firm of a domestic stock exchange; or any other "eligible
guarantor institution," as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
Fund does not accept signatures guaranteed by a notary public.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCHANGE
Shareholders must exchange Shares having a NAV equal to the minimum investment
requirements of the fund into which the exchange is being made. Contact your
financial intermediary directly or the Fund for free information on and
prospectuses for the Federated Funds into which your Shares may be exchanged.
Before the exchange, the shareholder must receive a prospectus of the fund for
which the exchange is being made.
Upon receipt of proper instructions and required supporting documents, Shares
submitted for exchange are redeemed and proceeds invested in the same class of
shares of the other fund. Signature guarantees will be required to exchange
between fund accounts not having identical shareholder registrations. The
exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time. Shareholders will
be notified of the modification or termination of the exchange privilege.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM
Under this program, Shares are redeemed to provide for periodic withdrawal
payments in an amount directed by the shareholder. To be eligible to participate
in this program, a shareholder must have an account value of at least $10,000,
other than retirement accounts subject to required minimum distributions. A
shareholder may apply for participation in this program through his financial
intermediary or by calling the Fund.
Because participation in this program may reduce, and eventually deplete, the
shareholder's investment in the Fund, payments under this program should not be
considered as yield or income. It is not advisable for shareholders to continue
to purchase Class A Shares subject to a sales charge while participating in this
program. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on Class B and C
Shares.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
The contingent deferred sales charge will be deducted from the redemption
proceeds otherwise payable to the shareholder and will be retained by the
distributor. Redemptions will be processed in a manner intended to maximize the
amount of redemption which will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge. The contingent deferred sales charge will not be imposed with respect to
Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions of
long-term capital gains. In determining the applicability of the contingent
deferred sales charge, the required holding period for your new Shares received
through an exchange will include the period for which your original Shares were
held.
ELIMINATING THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
Upon written notification to Federated Securities Corp. or the transfer
agent, no contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on redemptions:
* following the death or disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, of the last surviving shareholder;
* representing minimum required distributions from an Individual Retirement
Account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who has attained the age of
701/2;
* which are involuntary redemptions of shareholder accounts that do not
comply with the minimum balance requirements;
* which are qualifying redemptions of Class B Shares under a Systematic
Withdrawal Program;
* which are reinvested in the Fund under the reinvestment privilege;
* of Shares held by Directors, employees and sales representatives of the Fund,
the distributor, or affiliates of the Fund or distributor, employees of any
financial intermediary that sells Shares of the Fund pursuant to a sales
agreement with the distributor, and
* of Shares originally purchased through a bank trust department, an investment
adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or retirement
plans where the third party administrator has entered into certain
arrangements with Federated Securities Corp. or its affiliates, or any other
financial intermediary, to the extent that no payments were advanced for
purchases made through such entities.
For more information regarding the elimination of the contingent deferred sales
charge through a Systematic Withdrawal Program, or any of the above provisions,
contact your financial intermediary or the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to
discontinue or modify these provisions. Shareholders will be notified of such
action.
ACCOUNT AND SHARE INFORMATION
CONFIRMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
Shareholders will receive detailed confirmations of all transactions and
periodic confirmations reporting other activity. Share certificates are not
issued unless requested in writing to Federated Shareholder Services
Company.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends are declared and paid monthly to all shareholders invested in the Fund
on the record date. Net long-term capital gains realized by the Fund, if any,
will be distributed at least once every twelve months. Dividends and
distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund on
payment dates at the ex-dividend date NAV without a sales charge, unless
shareholders request cash payments on the new account form or by contacting the
transfer agent.
ACCOUNTS WITH LOW BALANCES
Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, the Fund may
close an account by redeeming all Shares and paying the proceeds to the
shareholder if the account balance falls below the applicable minimum investment
amount. Retirement plan accounts and accounts where the balance falls below the
minimum due to NAV changes will not be closed in this manner. Before an account
is closed, the shareholder will be notified and allowed 30 days to purchase
additional Shares to meet the minimum.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Fund is managed by a Board of Directors. The Directors are responsible for
managing the Fund's business affairs and for exercising all the Fund's powers
except those reserved for the shareholders. An Executive Committee of the Board
of Directors handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Investment decisions for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's
investment adviser, subject to direction by the Directors. The Adviser
continually conducts investment research and supervision for the Fund and is
responsible for the purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it
receives an annual fee from the Fund.
ADVISORY FEES
The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. Under the investment advisory contract, the
Adviser will reimburse the Fund the amount, limited to the amount of the
advisory fee. The Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive a portion of its fee
or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.
The fee paid by the Fund, while higher than the advisory fee paid by other
mutual funds in general, is comparable to fees paid by many mutual funds with
similar objectives and policies.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) Shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors.
Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of Federated Investors serve as
investment advisers to a number of investment companies and private accounts.
Certain other subsidiaries also provide administrative services to a number of
investment companies. With over $110 billion invested across over 300 funds
under management and/or administration by its subsidiaries, as of December 31,
1996, Federated Investors is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers
in the United States. With more than 2,000 employees, Federated continues to be
led by the management who founded the company in 1955. Federated funds are
presently at work in and through 4,500 financial institutions nationwide.
Mark E. Durbiano has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since August 1989. Mr.
Durbiano joined Federated Investors in 1982 and has been a Senior Vice President
of the Fund's investment adviser since January 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Mr.
Durbiano was a Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser. Mr. Durbiano is
a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.B.A. in Finance from the
University of Pittsburgh.
William F. Stotz has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 1997. Mr
Stotz joined Federated Investors in 1993 as an Investment Analyst. He served as
an Assistant Vice President in 1994 and 1995; in October 1995 he was named a
Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser. Mr. Stotz earned his M.B.A.,
concentrating in Finance, from the University of Massachusetts. Both the
Fund and the Adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the conduct
of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These codes
recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's shareholders and
must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the employees' own interests.
Among other things, the codes: require preclearance and periodic reporting of
personal securities transactions; prohibit personal transactions in securities
being purchased or sold, or being considered for purchase or sale, by the Fund;
prohibit purchasing securities in initial public offerings; and prohibit taking
profits on securities held for less than sixty days. Violations of the codes are
subject to review by the Directors, and could result in severe penalties.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for Shares of the
Fund. It is a Pennsylvania corporation organized on November 14, 1969, and
is the principal distributor for a number of investment companies. Federated
Securities Corp. is a subsidiary of Federated Investors.
The distributor may offer to pay financial institutions an amount equal to 1% of
the net asset value of Class C Shares purchased by their clients or customers at
the time of purchase. These payments will be made directly by the distributor
from its assets, and will not be made from assets of the Fund. Financial
institutions may elect to waive the initial payment described above; such waiver
will result in the waiver by the Fund of the otherwise applicable contingent
deferred sales charge.
The distributor will pay dealers an amount equal to 5.5% of the net asset value
of Class B Shares purchased by their clients or customers. These payments will
be made directly by the distributor from its assets, and will not be made from
the assets of the Fund. Dealers may voluntarily waive receipt of all or any
portion of these payments. The distributor may pay a portion of the distribution
fee discussed below to financial institutions that waive all or any portion of
the advance payments.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN (CLASS B SHARES AND CLASS C SHARES ONLY) AND SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES
Under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with Investment Company Act Rule
12b-1 (the "Distribution Plan"), Class B Shares and Class C Shares will pay a
fee to the distributor in an amount computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the
average daily net assets of each class of Shares to finance any activity which
is principally intended to result in the sale of Shares subject to the
Distribution Plan. For Class C Shares, the distributor may select financial
institutions such as banks, fiduciaries, custodians for public funds, investment
advisers, and broker/dealers to provide sales services or distribution-related
support services as agents for their clients or customers. With respect to Class
B Shares, because distribution fees to be paid by the Fund to the distributor
may not exceed an annual rate of 0.75% of each class of Shares' average daily
net assets, it will take the distributor a number of years to recoup the
expenses it has incurred for its sales services and distribution and
distribution-related support services pursuant to the Distribution Plan.
The Distribution Plan is a compensation type plan. As such, the Fund makes no
payments to the distributor except as described above. Therefore, the Fund does
not pay for unreimbursed expenses of the distributor, including amounts expended
by the distributor in excess of amounts received by it from the Fund, interest,
carrying or other financing charges in connection with excess amounts expended,
or the distributor's overhead expenses. However, the distributor may be able to
recover such amounts or may earn a profit from future payments made by Shares
under the Distribution Plan.
In addition, the Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with
Federated Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which
the Fund may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares to obtain certain personal
services for shareholders and for the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Under
the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder Services will either
perform shareholder services directly or will select financial institutions to
perform shareholder services. Financial institutions will receive fees based
upon Shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such fees and
the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from time to time
by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp. will pay financial institutions, at the time of
purchase of Class A Shares, an amount equal to 0.50% of the net asset value of
Class A Shares purchased by their clients or by certain qualified plans as
approved by Federated Securities Corp. (Such payments are subject to a reclaim
from the financial institution should the assets leave the program within 12
months after purchase.)
Furthermore, with respect to Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares,
in addition to payments made pursuant to the Distribution Plan and Shareholder
Services Agreement, Federated Securities Corp. and Federated Shareholder
Services, from their own assets, may pay financial institutions supplemental
fees for the performance of substantial sales services, distribution-related
support services, or shareholder services. The support may include sponsoring
sales, educational and training seminars for their employees, providing sales
literature, and engineering computer software programs that emphasize the
attributes of the Fund. Such assistance will be predicated upon the amount of
Shares the financial institution sells or may sell, and/or upon the type and
nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial institution. Any
payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the Fund's investment
adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund. Federated Services Company
provides these at an annual rate which relates to the average aggregate daily
net assets of all funds advised by affiliates of Federated Investors, as
specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of Shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Each Share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Director elections and
other matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All Shares of each portfolio
or class in the Fund have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting
only a particular portfolio or class, only Shares of that portfolio or class are
entitled to vote.
Directors may be removed by the Directors or by shareholders at a special
meeting. A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Directors upon
the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the Fund's
outstanding Shares of all series entitled to vote. As of July 7, 1997,
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Jacksonville, Florida, for the sole benefit
of its customers, was the owner of record of 3,334,964 shares (31.24%) of the
Class C Shares of the Fund, and, therefore, may, for certain purposes, be deemed
to control the Fund and be able to affect the outcome of certain matters
presented for a vote of shareholders.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
Unless otherwise exempt, shareholders are required to pay federal income tax on
any dividends and other distributions, including capital gains distributions,
received. This applies whether dividends and distributions are received in cash
or as additional Shares. Distributions representing long-term capital gains, if
any, will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains no matter how
long the shareholders have held the Shares. No federal income tax is due on any
dividends earned in an IRA or qualified retirement plan until distributed.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Shares are exempt from personal property taxes imposed by counties,
municipalities, and school districts in Pennsylvania.
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of
their accounts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises its total return and yield for each class
of Shares.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in each class of Shares after reinvesting all income and
capital gains distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the
initial investment and is expressed as a percentage.
The yield of each class of Shares is calculated by dividing the net investment
income per share (as defined by the SEC) earned by each class of Shares over a
thirty-day period by the maximum offering price per share of each class on the
last day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual
compounding. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by
each class of Shares and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders.
The performance information reflects the effect of non-recurring charges, such
as the maximum sales charge or contingent deferred sales charges, which, if
excluded, would increase the total return and yield.
Total return and yield will be calculated separately for Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares. Expense differences between Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares may affect the performance of each class.
From time to time, advertisements for Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class
C Shares of the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings, and other information in
certain financial publications and/or compare the performance of Class A Shares,
Class B Shares, and Class C Shares to certain indices.
APPENDIX
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP CORPORATE BOND RATINGS DEFINITIONS
AAA -- Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA -- Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A -- Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effect of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB -- Debt rated 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 -- Debt rated 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 -- Debt rated 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 -- Debt rated 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
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
B or B-rating.
CC -- The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
that is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C -- The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC-debt 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 -- Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due 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.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
BAA -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
BA -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
CAA -- Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
CA -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
FITCH-1 -- (Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as
having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
FITCH-2 -- (Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND, INC.
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp. Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA
15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and
Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Arthur Anderson LLP
2100 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Cusip 314195108
Cusip 314195207
Cusip 314195306
G00667-02 (7/97) [Graphic]
[Graphic] Federated Investors
Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares, Class B Shares,
Class C Shares
PROSPECTUS
JULY 31, 1997
An Open-End, Diversified Management Investment Company
BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY TWord Work File D
AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE
LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND, INC.
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares of Federated High Income Bond
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), dated July 31, 1997. This Statement is not a prospectus
itself. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you received it electronically, free of charge by calling
1-800-341-7400. To receive a copy of the prospectus, write or call the Fund.
FEDERATED INVESTORS TOWER
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15222-3779
Statement dated July 31, 1997
[Graphic]
Federated Investors
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Cusip 314195108
Cusip 314195207
Cusip 314195306
8062805B (7/97) [Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND 1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1
Types of Investments 1
Corporate Debt Securities 1
Equity Securities 1
Convertible Securities 1
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 2
Temporary Investments 2
Lending of Portfolio Securities 2
Portfolio Turnover 2
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 3
Buying on Margin 3
Borrowing Money 3
Diversification of Investments 3
Investing in New Issuers 3
Investing in Foreign Securities 3
Underwriting 3
Investing in Real Estate 3
Investing in Minerals 3
Investing in Commodities 3
Issuing Senior Securities 3
Making Loans 3
Investing in Issuers Whose Securities are Owned
by Officers and Directors of the Fund 4
Dealing in Puts and Calls 4
Purchasing Securities of Other Investment Companies
4
Selling Short 4
Acquiring Securities 4
Concentration of Investments 4
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 5
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND, INC.
MANAGEMENT 6
Fund Ownership 10
Officers and Directors Compensation 10
Director Liability 11
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 11
Adviser to the Fund 11
Advisory Fees 11
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 11
OTHER SERVICES 11
Fund Administration 11
Custodian and Portfolio Accountant 12
Transfer Agent 12
Independent Public Accountants 12
PURCHASING SHARES 12
Quantity Discounts and Accumulated Purchases 12
Concurrent Purchases 12
Letter of Intent 12
Reinvestment Privilege 13
Conversion of Class B Shares 13
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT 13
Conversion to Federal Funds 14
Purchases by Sales Representatives,
Fund Directors, and Employees 14
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 14
Determining Market Value of Securites 14
REDEEMING SHARES 14
Redemption in Kind 15
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge 15
TAX STATUS 15
The Fund's Tax Status 15
Shareholders' Tax Status 16
TOTAL RETURN 16
YIELD 16
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 17
Economic and Market Information 18
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS 18
Mutual Fund Market 18
Institutional Clients 18
Bank Marketing 18
Broker/Dealers and
Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 19
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 19
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The Fund was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on October 14,
1977. On April 29, 1993, the shareholders of the Fund voted to permit the Fund
to offer separate series and classes of shares. On February 26, 1996, the Board
of Directors (the "Directors") approved an amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund to change the name of the Fund from Liberty High
Income Bond Fund, Inc. to Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.
Shares of the Fund are offered in three classes known as Class A Shares, Class B
Shares, and Class C Shares (individually and collectively referred to as
"Shares" as the context may require). This Statement of Additional Information
relates to all three classes of the above-mentioned Shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to seek high current income by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of professionally managed fixed income
securities. Some of these fixed income securities may involve equity features.
Capital growth will be considered, but only when consistent with the investment
objective of high current income. The investment objective cannot be changed
without approval of shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the Fund's
investment policies listed below may not be changed by the Directors without
shareholder approval.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests in lower-rated fixed income bonds which may include:
* preferred stocks;
* bonds;
* debentures;
* convertible securities;
* notes;
* equipment lease certificates; and
* equipment trust certificates.
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
Corporate debt securities may bear fixed, fixed and contingent, or variable
rates of interest. They may involve equity features such as conversion or
exchange rights, warrants for the acquisition of common stock of the same or a
different issuer, participations based on revenues, sales or profits, or the
purchase of common stock in a unit transaction (where corporate debt securities
and common stock are offered as a unit). Equipment lease or trust certificates
are secured obligations issued in serial form, usually sold by transportation
companies such as railroads or airlines, to finance equipment purchases. The
certificate holders own a share of the equipment, which can be resold if the
issuer of the certificate defaults.
EQUITY SECURITIES
Generally, less than 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be
invested in equity securities, including common stocks, warrants, or rights. The
Fund's investment adviser, Federated Advisers (the "Adviser"), may choose to
exceed this 10% limitation if unusual market conditions suggest such investments
represent a better opportunity to reach the Fund's investment objective.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock ("DECS"), or similar instruments marketed
under different names, offer a substantial dividend advantage with the
possibility of unlimited upside potential if the price of the underlying common
stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to common stock at maturity. The
amount received is dependent on the price of the common at the time of maturity.
DECS contain two call options at different strike prices. The DECS participate
with the common up to the first call price. They are effectively capped at that
point unless the common rises above a second price point, at which time they
participate with unlimited upside potential.
Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock ("PERCS), or similar instruments
marketed under different names, offer a substantial dividend advantage, but
capital appreciation potential is limited to a predetermined level. PERCS are
less risky and less volatile than the underlying common stock because their
superior income mitigates declines when the common falls, while the cap price
limits gains when the common rises.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices. No fees or other expenses, other
than normal transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund
sufficient to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on
the Fund's records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily
and are maintained until the transaction has been settled.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may also invest in temporary investments from time to time for
defensive purposes.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit of domestic and foreign banks
and savings associations if they have capital, surplus, and undivided profits
of over $100,000,000, or if the principal amount of the instrument is insured
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. These instruments may include
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit issued by foreign branches of U.S. or
foreign banks, Eurodollar Time Deposits which are U.S. dollar-denominated
deposits in foreign branches of U.S. or foreign banks, Canadian Time Deposits
which are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits issued by branches of major
Canadian banks located in the United States, and Yankee Certificates of
Deposit which are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by
U.S. branches of foreign banks and held in the United States.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and
other recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government securities or
certificates of deposit to the Fund and agree at the time of sale to
repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The Fund or its
custodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase
agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. To the
extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of
such securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for
bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund
might be delayed pending court action. The Fund believes that under the
regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio
securities subject to repurchase agreements, a court of competent
jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or
disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks or other recognized financial institutions such as
broker/dealers which are deemed by the Fund's Adviser to be creditworthy,
pursuant to guidelines established by the Directors.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with
a loan. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment. The Fund will only enter into loan
arrangements with broker/dealers, banks or other institutions which the Adviser
has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Fund's
Directors.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund does not intend to engage in substantial short-term trading; however,
it may from time to time sell portfolio securities without regard to the time
they have been held (i) to take advantage or short-term differentials in yields
or in market value, (ii) to take advantage of new investment opportunities,
(iii) because of changes in creditworthiness, or (iv) in an attempt to preserve
gains or limit losses. Similarly, efforts to minimize any perceived risk in an
individual portfolio security may result in greater portfolio turnover than
would otherwise be the case in a portfolio of high rated securities. A high
portfolio turnover will result in increased transaction costs to the Fund. The
Fund will not attempt to achieve or be limited by a predetermined rate of
portfolio turnover since turnover is incidental to transactions undertaken with
a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. For the fiscal years ended
March 31, 1997, and 1996, the portfolio turnover rates were 55% and 53%,
respectively.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not purchase any securities on margin but may obtain such
short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions.
BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not borrow money except as a temporary measure for extraordinary
or emergency purposes and then only from banks and only in amounts not in excess
of 5% of the value of its total assets, taken at the lower of cost or market.
In addition, to meet redemption requests without immediately selling portfolio
securities, the Fund may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including borrowings,
but including the current fair market value of any securities carried in open
short positions). If, due to market fluctuations or other reasons, the value of
the Fund's assets falls below 300% of its borrowings, it will reduce its
borrowings within three business days. No more than 10% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the time of providing such security may be used to secure
borrowings. This practice is not for investment leverage but solely to
facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the Fund to meet redemption
requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed to be
inconvenient or disadvantageous.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer (except cash and cash instruments, securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities, or
instruments secured by these money market instruments, such as repurchase
agreements).
INVESTING IN NEW ISSUERS
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of companies, including their predecessors, that have been in
operation for less than three years.
INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
foreign securities which are not publicly traded in the United States.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, although it may invest in
marketable securities secured by real estate or interests in real estate, and it
may invest in the marketable securities of companies investing or dealing in
real estate.
INVESTING IN MINERALS
The Fund will not purchase or sell oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs, although it may invest in the marketable securities of
companies which invest in or sponsor such programs.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, although
it may invest in the marketable securities of companies which invest or deal in
or sponsor such programs.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES
The Fund will not issue senior securities.
MAKING LOANS
The Fund will not make loans, except through the purchase or holding of
securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations and through repurchase agreements.
The purchase of a portion of an issue of such securities distributed publicly,
whether or not the purchase is made on the original issuance, is not considered
the making of a loan. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements with
securities dealers if such transactions constitute the purchase of an interest
in such dealer under applicable law.
Lending portfolio securities shall be permitted where the borrower of such
securities provides 100% collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government
securities. This collateral must be valued daily and should the market value of
the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral
to the fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the Fund retains
the right to any dividends or interest or other distribution paid on the
securities and any increase in their market value. Loans will be subject to
termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower.
INVESTING IN ISSUERS WHOSE SECURITIES ARE OWNED BY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF
THE FUND
The Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer if the
officers and Directors of the Fund or its Adviser owning individually more than
1/2 of 1% of the issuer's securities together own more than 5% of the issuer's
securities. This limitation does not apply to the Fund's securities.
DEALING IN PUTS AND CALLS
The Fund will not write, purchase, or sell puts, calls, or any combination
thereof.
PURCHASING SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund will not purchase securities of other investment companies, except
purchases in the open market involving only customary brokerage commissions and
as a result of which not more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be
invested in such securities, or except as part of a merger, consolidation, or
other acquisition.
SELLING SHORT
The Fund will not make short sales of securities or maintain short positions,
unless:
* during the time the short position is open, it owns an equal amount of the
securities sold or securities readily and freely convertible into or
exchangeable, without payment of additional consideration, for securities of
the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short; and
* not more than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) is held
as collateral for such sales at any one time.
ACQUIRING SECURITIES
The Fund will not purchase securities of a company for the purpose of exercising
control or management. However, the Fund may invest in up to 10% of the voting
securities of any one issuer and may exercise its voting powers consistent with
the best interests of the Fund. From time to time, the Fund, together with other
investment companies advised by subsidiaries or affiliates of Federated
Investors, may together buy and hold substantial amounts of a company's voting
stock. All such stock may be voted together.
In some such cases, the Fund and the other investment companies might
collectively be considered to be in control of the company in which they have
invested.
In some cases, Directors, agents, employees, officers, or others affiliated with
or acting for the Fund, its adviser, or affiliated companies might possibly
become directors of companies in which the Fund holds stock.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities if as a result of such purchase more than
25% of the value of the Fund's assets would be invested in any one industry.
However, the Fund may at times invest more than 25% of the value of its assets
in cash or cash items (including bank time and demand deposits such as
certificates of deposits), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or instruments secured by these
money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements, for temporary or
defensive purposes.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitation, however, may be changed by the Directors without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in this limitation becomes effective.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its total assets in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice and certain restricted securities not determined by
the Directors to be liquid.
The Directors may consider the following criteria in determining the liquidity
of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and
* the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting
from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such
restriction.
The Fund did not make loans, borrow money, or sell securities short in excess of
5% of the value of its net assets during the last fiscal year and has no present
intent to do so in the current fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND, INC. MANAGEMENT
Officers and Directors are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc., and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Director
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, Executive Vice
President and Director of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Director
Chairman of the Board, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; formerly, Senior
Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc.; Director, Member of
Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Director
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice-President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza -- 23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Director
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.; formerly,
Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A., and PNC Bank Corp.; Director, Ryan
Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
Executive Vice President and Director
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Director of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Director
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Director
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center -- Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Director
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Director
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Gregor F. Meyer
203 Kensington Ct.
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 6, 1926
Director
Former Attorney, Member of Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Chairman,
Meritcare, Inc.; Director, Eat'N Park Restaurants, Inc.; Director or Trustee
of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Director
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Director
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University and U.S. Space Foundation; President
Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National Advisory Council
for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency Management Advisory
Board and Czech Management Center, Prage; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Director
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
* This Director is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board.
As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the following
investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Arrow Funds; Automated Government
Money Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust
Series II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co.
Daily Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Equity
Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated Fund for U.S. Government
Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated Government Income Securities,
Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.;
Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities Trust; Federated Income
Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional Trust; Federated Insurance
Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated Investment Trust; Federated
Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S. Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond
Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust; Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total
Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S. Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S.
Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years; Federated U.S. Government Securities
Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 5-10 Years;
Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds; Fixed Income Securities,
Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal Trust; International Series,
Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment Series Trust; Liberty Term
Trust, Inc. -- 1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money Market Trust; Liquid Cash
Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management, Inc.; Money Market
Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money Market Trust;
Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; Peachtree Funds; RIMCO
Monument Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The
Planters Funds; The Starburst Funds; The Starburst Funds II; The Virtus Funds;
Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash Reserves; Trust for
Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S. Treasury Obligations;
Wesmark Funds; and World Investment Series, Inc.
FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Directors as a group own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding
Shares.
As of July 8, 1997, the following shareholder of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding Class A Shares of the Fund: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith (as
record owner holding Shares for its clients), Jacksonville, Florida, owned
approximately 4,931,920 Class A Shares (8.91% of Class A Shares).
As of July 7, 1997, the following shareholder of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding Class B Shares of the Fund: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith (as
record owner holding Shares for its clients), Jacksonville, Florida, owned
approximately 3,966,722 Class B Shares (7.23% of Class B Shares).
As of July 7, 1997, the following shareholder of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding Class C Shares of the Fund: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith (as
record owner holding Shares for its clients), Jacksonville, Florida, owned
approximately 3,334,964 Class C Shares (31.24% of Class C Shares).
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
FUND FUND* FROM FUND COMPLEX+
<S> <C> <S>
John F. Donahue, $0 $0 for the Fund and
Chairman and Director 56 investment companies
J. Christopher Donahue, $0 $0 for the Fund and
Executive Vice President and Director 18 investment companies
Thomas G. Bigley, $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
John T. Conroy, Jr., $1,989 $119,615 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
William J. Copeland, $1,989 $119,615 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
James E. Dowd, $1,989 $119,615 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D., $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr., $1,989 $119,615 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Peter E. Madden, $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Gregor F. Meyer, $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
John E. Murray, Jr., $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Wesley W. Posvar $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
Marjorie P. Smuts, $1,808 $108,725 for the Fund and
Director 56 investment companies
</TABLE>
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
DIRECTOR LIABILITY
The Articles of Incorporation provide that the Directors will not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not protected
against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment Adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All the voting securities of Federated Investors are
owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and
his son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The Adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or for
anything done or omitted by it except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Fund.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, the Adviser receives an annual investment advisory
fee as described in the prospectus. During the fiscal years ended March 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995, the Adviser earned $7,658,537, $4,997,589, and $3,519,356,
respectively, which were reduced by $0, $38,726, and $213,067, respectively,
because of undertakings to limit the Fund's expenses.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The Adviser may select brokers and dealers who offer brokerage and research
services. These services may be furnished directly to the Fund or to the Adviser
and may include: advice as to the advisability of investing in securities;
security analysis and reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of
quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar services. Research services
provided by brokers and dealers may be used by the Adviser or its affiliates in
advising the Fund and other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these
services may supplant services for which the Adviser or its affiliates might
otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their expenses. The Adviser and its
affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer
brokerage and research services to execute securities transactions. They
determine in good faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable
in relationship to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Fund paid total
brokerage commissions of $15, $4,678, and $8,051, respectively.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
the other accounts managed by the Adviser, investments of the type the Fund may
make may also be made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more
other accounts managed by the Adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to
dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales
will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each.
In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by
the Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In
other cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to
participate in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994, to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, served as the Fund's
Administrator. For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services may hereinafter
collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the fiscal years ended
March 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators earned $771,550, $504,162,
and $355,220, respectively.
CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The independent public accountants for the Fund are Arthur Andersen LLP,
Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Except under certain circumstances described in the prospectus, Shares are sold
at their net asset value (plus a sales charge on Class A Shares only) on days
the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for purchasing
Shares is explained in the prospectus under "Investing in the Fund" and
"Purchasing Shares."
QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AND ACCUMULATED PURCHASES
As described in the prospectus, larger purchases reduce the sales charge paid.
The Fund will combine purchases of Class A Shares made on the same day by the
investor, the investor's spouse, and the investor's children under age 21 when
it calculates the sales charge. In addition, the sales charge, if applicable, is
reduced for purchases made at one time by a trustee or fiduciary for a single
trust estate or a single fiduciary account.
If an additional purchase of Class A Shares is made, the Fund will consider the
previous purchases still invested in the Fund. For example, if a shareholder
already owns Class A Shares having a current value at the public offering price
of $90,000 and he purchases $10,000 more at the current public offering price,
the sales charge on the additional purchase according to the schedule now in
effect would be 3.75%, not 4.50%.
To receive the sales charge reduction, Federated Securities Corp. must be
notified by the shareholder in writing or by his financial intermediary at the
time the purchase is made that Class A Shares are already owned or that
purchases are being combined. The Fund will reduce or eliminate the sales charge
after it confirms the purchases.
CONCURRENT PURCHASES
For purposes of qualifying for a sales charge reduction, a shareholder has the
privilege of combining concurrent purchases of Class A Shares of two or more
funds for which affiliates of Federated Investors serve as investment adviser
and principal underwriter (the "Federated Funds"), the purchase price of which
includes a sales charge. For example, if a shareholder concurrently invested
$30,000 in the Class A Shares of one of the other Federated Funds with a sales
charge, and $70,000 in this Fund, the sales charge would be reduced.
To receive this sales charge reduction, Federated Securities Corp. must be
notified by the shareholder in writing or by his financial intermediary at
the time the concurrent purchases are made. The Fund will reduce the sales
charge after it confirms the purchases.
LETTER OF INTENT
If a shareholder intends to purchase at least $100,000 of Class A Shares of
Federated Funds (excluding money market funds) over the next 13 months, the
sales charge may be reduced by signing a letter of intent to that effect. This
letter of intent includes a provision for a sales charge adjustment depending on
the amount actually purchased within the 13-month period and a provision for the
custodian to hold up to 4.50% of the total amount intended to be purchased in
escrow (in Shares) until such purchase is completed.
The Shares held in escrow in the shareholder's account will be released upon
fulfillment of the letter of intent or the end of the 13-month period, whichever
comes first. If the amount specified in the letter of intent is not purchased,
an appropriate number of escrowed Shares may be redeemed in order to realize the
difference in the sales charge.
While this letter of intent will not obligate the shareholder to purchase
Shares, each purchase during the period will be at the sales charge applicable
to the total amount intended to be purchased. At the time a letter of intent is
established, current balances in accounts in any Class A Shares of any Federated
Funds, excluding money market accounts, will be aggregated to provide a purchase
credit towards fulfillment of the letter of intent. Prior trade prices will not
be adjusted.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE
The reinvestment privilege is available for all Shares of the Fund. If Class A
Shares in the Fund have been redeemed, the shareholder has the privilege, within
120 days, to reinvest the redemption proceeds at the next-determined net asset
value without any sales charge. Similarly, shareholders who redeem Class B
Shares or Class C Shares may be reinvested in the same Share class within 120
days but would not be entitled to a reimbursement of the contingent deferred
sales charge if paid at the time of redemption. However, such reinvested shares
would not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge upon later
redemption. In addition, if the Class B or Class C Shares were reinvested
through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary would not be
entitled to an advanced payment from Federated Securities Corp. on the
reinvested Shares. Federated Securities Corp. must be notified by the
shareholder in writing or by his financial intermediary of the reinvestment in
order to eliminate a sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge. If the
shareholder redeems Shares in the Fund, there may be tax consequences.
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES
Class B Shares will automatically convert into Class A Shares on or around the
15th of the month eight full years from the purchase date and will no longer be
subject to a fee under the distribution plan. For purposes of conversion to
Class A Shares, Shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions paid on Class B Shares will be considered to be held in a separate
sub-account. Each time any Class B Shares in the shareholder's account (other
than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A Shares, an equal pro rata
portion of the Class B Shares in the sub-account will also convert to Class A
Shares. The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares is subject to the
continuing availability of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an
opinion of counsel that such conversions will not constitute taxable events for
federal tax purposes. There can be no assurance that such ruling or opinion will
be available, and the conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares will not
occur if such a ruling or opinion is not available. In such event, Class B
Shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A Shares for
an indefinite period.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT
As explained in the prospectus, with respect to the Shares of the Fund, the Fund
has adopted a Shareholder Services Agreement, and, with respect to Class B
Shares and Class C Shares, the Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan. These
arrangements permit the payment of fees to financial institutions, the
distributor, and Federated Shareholder Services, to stimulate distribution
activities and to cause services to be provided to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include, but are not limited to:
marketing efforts; providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and
various clerical, supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or
beneficial to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records;
processing purchase and redemption transactions and automatic investments of
client account cash balances, answering routine client inquiries; and assisting
clients in changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Distribution Plan, the Directors expect that the Fund will be
able to achieve a more predictable flow of cash for investment purposes and to
meet redemptions. This will facilitate more efficient portfolio management and
assist the Fund in pursuing its investment objective. By identifying potential
investors whose needs are served by the Fund's objective and properly servicing
these accounts, it may be possible to curb sharp fluctuations in rates of
redemptions and sales.
Other benefits, which may be realized under either arrangement, may include: (1)
providing personal services to shareholders; (2) investing shareholder assets
with a minimum of delay and administrative detail; (3) enhancing shareholder
recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to shareholders' requests and
inquiries concerning their accounts.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, payments in the amount of $2,744,139
were made by Class B Shares pursuant to the Distribution Plan.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, payments in the amount of $622,842
were made by Class C Shares pursuant to the Distribution Plan.
In addition, for this period, payments in the amounts of $1,430,515 (Class A
Shares), $914,713 (Class B Shares) and $207,614 (Class C Shares), were made
pursuant to the Shareholder Services Agreement of which $189,664, $0, and
$1,064, respectively, were waived.
CONVERSION TO FEDERAL FUNDS
It is the Fund's policy to be as fully invested as possible so that maximum
interest may be earned. To this end, all payments from shareholders must be in
federal funds or be converted into federal funds before shareholders begin to
earn dividends. Federated Shareholder Services acts as the shareholder's agent
in depositing checks and converting them to federal funds.
PURCHASES BY SALES REPRESENTATIVES, FUND DIRECTORS, AND EMPLOYEES
The following individuals and their immediate family members may buy Class A
Shares at net asset value without a sales charge:
* Directors, employees, and sales representatives of the Fund, Federated
Advisers, and Federated Securities Corp. and its affiliates;
* Federated Life Members; and
* any associated person of an investment dealer who has a sales agreement with
Federated Securities Corp. Shares may also be sold without a sales charge to
trusts, pensions, or profit-sharing plans for these individuals.
These sales are made with the purchaser's written assurance that the purchase is
for investment purposes and that the securities will not be resold except
through redemption by the Fund.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value per Share fluctuates and is based on the market value
of all securities and other assets of the Fund. The net asset value for each
class of Shares may differ due to the variance in daily net income realized by
each class. Net asset value is not determined on (i) days on which there are
not sufficient changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities that its
net asset value might be materially affected; (ii) days during which no Shares
are tendered for redemption and no orders to purchase Shares are received; or
(iii) the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day,
President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* for most short-term obligations, according to the average of the last offer
to buy and the last offer to sell the security, as provided by independent
pricing services;
* for short-term obligations, according to the prices as furnished by an
independent pricing service or at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Directors; or
* for short-term obligations with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at
the time of purchase, at amortized cost.
Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without
relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider yield, quality, coupon
rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data.
REDEEMING SHARES
The Fund redeems Shares at the next computed net asset value after the Fund
receives the redemption request. Shareholder redemptions may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge. Redemption procedures are explained in the
prospectus under "Redeeming and Exchanging Shares." Although the transfer agent
does not charge for telephone redemptions, it reserves the right to charge a fee
for the cost of wire-transferred redemptions of less than $5,000.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
Although the Fund intends to redeem Shares in cash, it reserves the right under
certain circumstances to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a
distribution of securities from the Fund's portfolio.
Redemption in kind will be made in conformity with applicable SEC rules, taking
such securities at the same value employed in determining net asset value and
selecting the securities in a manner the Directors determine to be fair and
equitable.
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 under which the Fund is obligated to redeem Shares for any shareholder
in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net asset value during
any 90-day period.
Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made
in kind, shareholders receiving their securities and selling them before their
maturity could receive less than the redemption value of their securities and
could incur certain transaction costs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
In computing the amount of the applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge,
redemptions are deemed to have occurred in the following order: (1) Shares
acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and long-term capital gains; (2)
Shares held for more than six full years from the date of purchase with respect
to Class B Shares and one full year from the date of purchase with respect to
Class C Shares; (3) Shares held for fewer than six years with respect to Class B
Shares and for less than one full year from the date of purchase with respect to
Class C Shares on a first-in, first-out basis.
ELIMINATION OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- CLASS B SHARES
To qualify for elimination of the contingent deferred sales charge through a
Systematic Withdrawal Program, the redemptions of Class B Shares must be from
an account that is at least 12 months old, has all Fund distributions
reinvested in Fund Shares, and has an account value of at least $10,000 when
the Systematic Withdrawal Program is established. Qualifying redemptions may
not exceed 1.00% monthly of the account value as periodically determined by
the Fund. The amounts that a shareholder may withdraw under a Systematic
Withdrawal Program that qualify for elimination of the Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge may not exceed 12% annually with reference initially to the value
of the Class B Shares upon establishment of the Systematic Withdrawal Program
and then as calculated at the annual valuation date. Redemptions on a
qualifying Systematic Withdrawal Program can be made at a rate of 1.00%
monthly, 3.00% quarterly, or 6.00% semi-annually with reference to the
applicable account valuation amount. Amounts that exceed the 12.00% annual
limit for redemption, as described, may be subject to the Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge. To the extent that a shareholder exchanges Shares for Class B
Shares of other Federated Funds, the time for which the exchanged-for Shares
are to be held will be added to the time for which exchanged-from Shares were
held for purposes of satisfying the 12-month holding requirement. However, for
purposes of meeting the $10,000 minimum account value requirement, Class B
Share accounts will be not be aggregated. Any Shares purchased prior to the
termination of this program would have the contingent deferred sales charge
eliminated as provided in the Fund's prospectus at the time of the purchase of
the Shares.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale of securities held
less than three months;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
Shareholders are subject to federal income tax on dividends and capital gains
received as cash or additional Shares. The Fund's dividends, and any short-term
capital gains, are taxable as ordinary income.
CAPITAL GAINS
Capital gains or losses may be realized on the sale of portfolio securities
and as a result of discounts from par value on securities held to maturity.
Sales would generally be made because of:
* the availability of higher relative yields;
* differentials in market values;
* new investment opportunities;
* changes in creditworthiness of an issuer; or
* an attempt to preserve gains or limit losses.
Distributions of long-term capital gains are taxed as such, whether they are
taken in cash or reinvested, and regardless of the length of time the
shareholder has owned the Shares. Any loss by a shareholder on Shares held
for less than six months and sold after a capital gains distribution will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gains
distribution.
TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total returns based on offering price for the
following periods ended March 31, 1997 were:
<TABLE>
SHARE CLASS INCEPTION DATE ONE-YEAR FIVE-YEARS TEN-YEARS SINCE INCEPTION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A 11/30/77 6.86% 10.12% 10.44% 10.68%
Class B 9/27/94 5.01% -- -- 10.21%
Class C 4/30/93 9.92% -- -- 9.26%
</TABLE>
The average annual total return for all classes of Shares of the Fund is the
average compounded rate of return for a given period that would equate a $1,000
initial investment to the ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending
redeemable value is computed by multiplying the number of Shares owned at the
end of the period by the offering price per Share at the end of the period. The
number of Shares owned at the end of the period is based on the number of Shares
purchased at the beginning of the period with $1,000, less any applicable sales
charge, adjusted over the period by any additional Shares, assuming a quarterly
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge is deducted from the ending value of the investments based
on the lesser of the original purchase price or the offering price of Shares
redeemed.
YIELD
The Fund's yields for the thirty-day period ended March 31, 1997 were:
<TABLE>
SHARE CLASS YIELD
<S> <C>
Class A 7.86%
Class B 7.42%
Class C 7.42%
</TABLE>
The yield for all classes of Shares of the Fund is determined by dividing the
net investment income per Share (as defined by the SEC) earned by any class of
Shares over a thirty-day period by the maximum offering price per Share of any
class of Shares on the last day of the period. This value is then annualized
using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of income generated
during the thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a
twelve-month period and is reinvested every six months. The yield does not
necessarily reflect income actually earned by any class of Shares because of
certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the
dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders.
To the extent that financial institutions and broker/dealers charge fees in
connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in any class
of Shares, the performance will be reduced for those shareholders paying those
fees.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance of each class of Shares depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested;
* changes in interest rates and market value of portfolio securities;
* changes in the Fund's or a class of Shares' expenses; and
* various other factors.
A class of Shares' performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net
earnings and offering price per Share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and
offering price per Share are factors in the computation of yield and total
return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes the
reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends and
takes into account any change in net asset value over a specific period of
time. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the high
current yield funds category in advertising and sales literature.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for two
weeks.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (TOTAL) INDEX is comprised of
approximately 5,000 issues which include: non-convertible bonds publicly
issued by the U.S. government or its agencies; corporate bonds guaranteed by
the U.S. government and quasi-federal corporations; and publicly issued,
fixed-rate, non-convertible domestic bonds of companies in industry, public
utilities, and finance. The average maturity of these bonds approximates
nine years. Tracked by Lehman Brothers, Inc., the index calculates total
returns for one-month, three-month, twelve-month, and ten-year periods and
year-to-date.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (LONG-TERM) INDEX is composed of the
same types of issues as defined above. However, the average maturity of the
bonds included on this index approximates 22 years.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS HIGH YIELD INDEX covers the universe of fixed rate, publicly
issued, noninvestment grade debt registered with the SEC. All bonds included
in the High Yield Index must be dollar-denominated and nonconvertible and
have at least one year remaining to maturity and an outstanding par value of
at least $100 million. Generally securities must be rated Ba1 or lower by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), including defaulted issues. If
no Moody's rating is available, bonds must be rated BB+ or lower by Standard
& Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"); and if no S&P rating is available, bonds
must be rated below investment grade by Fitch Investors Service, Inc. A
small number of unrated bonds is included in the index; to be eligible they
must have previously held a high-yield rating or have been associated with a
high-yield issuer, and must trade accordingly.
Advertisements and sales literature for any class of Shares may quote total
returns which are calculated on nonstandardized base periods. These total
returns also represent the historic change in the value of an investment in any
class of Shares based on monthly reinvestment of dividends over a specified
period of time.
From time to time, the Fund may advertise the performance of any class of Shares
using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally insured bank
products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and to money
market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market instruments
average.
Advertisements may quote performance information which does not reflect the
effect of a sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, as applicable.
Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts, graphs and
other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general, that
demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Fund can
compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it
invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills.
ECONOMIC AND MARKET INFORMATION
Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include discussions of
economic, financial and political developments and their effect on the
securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on these
developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on how such
developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making -- structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume.
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 1996, Federated Investors
managed 12 money market funds and 17 bond funds with assets approximating $17.2
billion and $4.0 billion, respectively. Federated Investors' corporate bond
decision making -- based on intensive, diligent credit analysis -- is backed by
over 21 years of experience in the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated
Investors introduced one of the first high-yield bond funds in the industry. In
1983, Federated Investors was one of the first fund managers to participate in
the asset-backed securities market, a market totaling more than $200 billion.
J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' equity
and high-yield corporate bond management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry
A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management of Federated
Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $3.5 trillion to the more than 6,000 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of more than 4,000 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide -- we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated Investors' service to financial professionals
and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by
DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated March
31, 1997 (File Nos. 811-2782 and 2-60103). A copy of this report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
