COLONIAL MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
Supplement to Prospectus dated
September 28, 1995
The date of the Prospectus is amended and is now July 1, 1996.
On June 18, 1996, the Fund's shareholders approved changes in the fundamental
policies on borrowing and lending on behalf of the Fund and SR&F Municipal Money
Market Portfolio (Portfolio), the portfolio in which the Fund invests under its
two-tier structure. The Portfolio is advised by Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
(Stein Roe). The changes permit the Portfolio to borrow and lend available cash
from and to other mutual funds advised by Stein Roe (collectively with the
Portfolio, the "Stein Roe Funds") under an inter-fund lending program (Lending
Program).
The Lending Program allows each of the Stein Roe Funds, including the Portfolio,
to borrow money from and lend money to the other Stein Roe Funds primarily to
allow the borrowing fund to meet shareholder redemptions. Borrowings and loans
each may not exceed 33 1/3% of the Portfolio's total assets.
The Portfolio would borrow cash from another Stein Roe Fund only if the terms
were at least as favorable as the terms on which it could borrow from a bank,
and would lend money only if the rate earned was at least as favorable as the
rate it could earn on a repurchase agreement or other short-term investment. In
addition to banks and the other Stein Roe Funds, the modified restrictions allow
the Portfolio to borrow from any other lenders from which it may borrow under
applicable law, although there are no current plans to do so.
With respect to borrowing, there is a risk that the Portfolio could have a loan
recalled by the lending Stein Roe Fund on one day's notice. In these
circumstances, the Portfolio might have to borrow from a bank at a higher
interest cost if money to borrow were not available from another Stein Roe Fund.
With respect to loans, there is a risk that the Portfolio could experience a
delay in obtaining repayment and, unlike with a repurchase agreement, the
Portfolio would not necessarily have received collateral for its loan. A delay
in obtaining prompt payment could cause the Portfolio to miss an investment
opportunity or to incur costs to borrow money to replace the loaned funds.
The changes in the fundamental policies on borrowing and lending are described
in the Statement of Additional Information dated July 1, 1996.
The Fund's Financial History is amended to add unaudited financial information
for the six months ended December 31, 1995:
(unaudited)
Period ended
December 31,
1995(b)(c)
Class A Class B
Net asset value - Beginning of $1.000 $1.000
period -------- ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(a) 0.015 0.011
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO
SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.015) (0.011)
------ ------
Net asset value - End of period $1.000 $1.000
====== ======
Total return(d)(e) 1.57%(f)(g) 1.06%(f)(g)
==== ====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses 0.75%(h) 1.75%(h)
Fees and expenses waived or borne
by the adviser 0.50%(h) 0.50%(h)
Net investment income 3.10%(h) 2.10%(h)
Net assets at end of period (000) $19,943 $2,876
(a) Net of fees and expenses waived or borne by Colonial
Management Associates, Inc. (Administrator) which
amounted to $0.002 and $0.002 for Class A and Class B,
respectively.
(b) The per share amounts and ratios reflect income and expenses assuming
inclusion of the Fund's proportionate share of the income and expenses
of the Portfolio.
(c) Effective September 28, 1995, Stein Roe became the
investment adviser of the Portfolio.
(d) Total return at net asset value assuming all
distributions reinvested and no contingent deferred
sales charge.
(e) Had the Administrator not waived or reimbursed a
portion of expenses, total return would have been
reduced.
(f) Not annualized.
(g) Total return information shown above reflects the performance of the
Fund. Total return information for periods prior to the Fund's initial
investment in the Portfolio which are used for advertising purposes
includes the performance of Stein Roe Municipal Money Market Fund, the
predecessor of the Portfolio.
(h) Annualized.
TM-36/129C-0696
July 1, 1996
COLONIAL MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
Statement of Additional Information
July 1, 1996
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains information which may be
useful to investors but which is not included in the Prospectus of Colonial
Municipal Money Market Fund (Fund). This SAI is not a prospectus and is
authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by the Prospectus
of the Fund dated July 1, 1996. This SAI should be read together with the
Prospectus. Investors may obtain a free copy of the Prospectus from Colonial
Investment Services, Inc., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621.
Part 1 of this SAI contains specific information about the Fund. Part 2 includes
information about the Colonial funds generally and additional information about
certain securities and investment techniques described in the Fund's Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1 Page
Definitions b
Investment Objective and Policies b
Fundamental Investment Policies b
Other Investment Policies c
Fund Charges and Expenses d
Investment Performance g
Custodian h
Independent Accountants h
Management of the Portfolio h
Other Information Concerning the Portfolio i
Part 2
Miscellaneous Investment Practices 1
Taxes 10
Management of the Colonial Funds 12
Determination of Net Asset Value 17
How to Buy Shares 18
Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services 19
Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges 20
How to Sell Shares 22
Distributions 24
How to Exchange Shares 24
Suspension of Redemptions 25
Shareholder Meetings 25
Performance Measures 25
Appendix I 27
Appendix II 30
TM-39/128C-0696
<PAGE>
PART 1
COLONIAL MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
Statement of Additional Information
July 1, 1996
DEFINITIONS
"Trust" Colonial Trust IV
"Fund" Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund
"Administrator" Colonial Management Associates, Inc., the Fund's
administrator and the investment manager to each of
the Colonial funds except for the Fund, Colonial
Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub
Fund, each a series of Colonial Trust II, Colonial
Global Utilities Fund, a series of Colonial Trust III,
and Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, a series of Colonial
Trust VII
"CISI" Colonial Investment Services, Inc., the distributor of
the Fund and each of the open-end mutual funds in the
Colonial funds complex
"CISC" Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc., shareholder
services and transfer agent to the Fund and each of
the open-end mutual funds in the Colonial funds
complex
"Portfolio" SR&F Municipal Money Market Portfolio
"Base Trust" SR&F Base Trust, a Massachusetts trust, of which the
Portfolio is a series
"Adviser" Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, the Portfolio's
investment adviser
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
As described in the Fund's Prospectus, the Fund currently seeks to achieve its
objective by investing all its assets in the Portfolio. Part 1 includes
additional information concerning the Fund and the Portfolio, including a
description of the Fund's and the Portfolio's fundamental investment policies.
Except where otherwise indicated, references to the Fund in connection with
descriptions of investment policies and practices shall include the Portfolio.
Part 2 of this SAI contains additional information about the following
securities and investment practices that may be utilized by the Portfolio:
Short-term Trading
Repurchase Agreements
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Money Market Instruments
Forward Commitments
Participation Interests
Stand-by Commitments
Other securities and investment techniques described in Part 2 are not
applicable to your Fund. Except as described below under "Fundamental Investment
Policies," the Fund's and the Portfolio's investment policies are not
fundamental, and the Fund's or the Portfolio's Trustees may change the policies
without shareholder approval.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act) provides that a "vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities" means the affirmative vote of the lesser of
(1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or the Portfolio, or (2)
67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the
outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The
following fundamental investment policies cannot be changed without such a vote.
Total assets and net assets are determined at current value for purposes of
compliance with investment restrictions and policies. All percentage limitations
will apply at the time of investment and are not violated unless an excess or
deficiency occurs as a result of such investment. For the purpose of the Act's
diversification requirement, an issuer is the entity whose revenues support the
security.
As fundamental policies, neither the Fund nor the Portfolio may:
1. Invest in a security if, with respect to 75% of the Portfolio's
assets, as a result of such investment, more than 5% of its total
assets (taken at market value at the time of such investment) would
be invested in the securities of any one issuer (for this purpose,
the issuer(s) of a security being deemed to be only the entity or
entities whose assets or revenues are subject to the principal and
interest obligations of the security), except (1) in the case of a
guarantor of securities (including an issuer of a letter of credit),
the value of the guarantee (or letter of credit) may be excluded
from this computation if the aggregate value of securities owned by
the Fund or the Portfolio and guaranteed by such guarantor (plus any
other investments of the Fund or the Portfolio in securities issued
by the guarantor) does not exceed 10% of the Fund's or the
Portfolio's total assets, (2) this restriction does not apply to
U.S. government securities or repurchase agreements for such
securities and (3) the Fund may invest all or substantially all of
its assets in another registered investment company having the same
investment objective and substantially similar investment policies;
2. Purchase any securities on margin, except for use of short-term
credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities (this restriction does not apply to securities purchased
on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis or to reverse repurchase
agreements);
3. Make loans, although the Portfolio may (a) participate in an
interfund lending program with other Stein Roe Funds provided that
no such loan may be made if, as a result, the aggregate of such
loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolio's total
assets; (b) purchase money market instruments and enter into
repurchase agreements; and (c) acquire publicly-distributed or
privately placed debt securities;
4. Borrow, except that it may (a) borrow for non-leveraging, temporary
or emergency purposes, and (b) engage in reverse repurchase
agreements and make other borrowings, provided that the combination
of (a) and (b) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total
assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than
borrowings) or such other percentage permitted by law; the Portfolio
may borrow from banks, other Stein Roe Funds, and other persons to
the extent permitted by applicable law;
5. Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security
for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund or the
Portfolio, except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings
permitted in (4) above;
6. Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at
the time of each investment) in securities of non-governmental
issuers whose principal business activities are in the same
industry;
7. Purchase portfolio securities for the Fund or the Portfolio from, or
sell portfolio securities to, any of the officers, directors or
trustees of the Trust, the Base Trust or the Portfolio's investment
adviser;
8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts or oil, gas or
mineral programs;
9. Purchase any securities other than those described in the
Prospectus;
10. Issue any senior securities except to the extent permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940;
11. Purchase or sell real estate (other than Municipal Securities or
money market securities secured by real estate or interests therein
or such securities issued by companies which invest in real estate
or interests therein); and
12. Act as an underwriter of securities, except that the Fund or the
Portfolio may participate as part of a group in bidding, or bid
alone, for the purchase of Municipal Securities directly from an
issuer for the Fund's or the Portfolio's own portfolio.
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
As non-fundamental investment policies which may be changed without a
shareholder vote, neither the Fund nor the Portfolio may:
1. Own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer,
except that the Fund may invest all or substantially all of its
assets in another registered investment company having the same
investment objective and substantially similar investment
policies;
2. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or
management, except that all or substantially all of the assets of
the Fund may be invested in another registered investment company
having the same investment objective and substantially similar
investment policies;
3. Make investments in the securities of other investment companies,
except in connection with a merger, consolidation, or
reorganization, except that the Fund may invest all or substantially
all of its assets in another registered investment company having
the same investment objective and substantially similar investment
policies;
4. Invest in securities of issuers (other than issuers of Federal
agency obligations or of Municipal Securities) having a record of
less than three years of continuous operation (for this purpose, the
period of operation of any issuer shall include the period of
operation of any predecessor or unconditional guarantor of such
issuer) if regarding all such securities, more than 5% of the Fund's
or the Portfolio's total assets (taken at market value at the time
of such investment) would be invested in such securities, except
that the Fund may invest all or substantially all of its assets in
another registered investment company having the same investment
objective and substantially similar investment policies;
5. Purchase or retain securities of an issuer if 5% of the securities
of such issuer are owned by those officers, trustees or directors of
the Fund, the Portfolio or the Adviser, who each own individually
more than 1/2 of 1% of such securities;
6. Invest more than 10% of its net assets (taken at market value at the
time of each purchase) in illiquid securities, including repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days;
7. Sell securities short unless (1) the Fund or the Portfolio owns or
has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to
those sold short at no added cost or (2) the securities sold are
"when-issued" or "when-distributed" securities which the Fund or the
Portfolio expects to receive in a recapitalization, reorganization
or other exchange for securities the Fund or the Portfolio
contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, and provided that
the Fund or the Portfolio may purchase stand-by commitments and
securities subject to a demand feature entitling the Portfolio to
require sellers of securities to the Fund or the Portfolio to
repurchase them upon demand by the Fund or the Portfolio;
8. Purchase shares of other open-end investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or
reorganization; and
9. Invest more than 5% of its net assets (valued at time of investment)
in warrants, nor more than 2% of its net assets in warrants which
are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or American Stock
Exchange.
FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
Aggregate Fund expenses include the Fund's proportionate share of the expenses
of the Portfolio, which are borne indirectly by the Fund, and the Fund's direct
expenses. The Portfolio's expenses include (i) a management fee paid to the
Adviser at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets,
(ii) a pricing and bookkeeping fee of $25,000 plus 0.0025% annually of average
daily net assets over $50 million, (iii) a monthly transfer agent fee of $500
and (iv) custody, legal and audit fees and other miscellaneous expenses. The
Fund's direct expenses include (i) an administrative fee paid to the
Administrator at the annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets, (ii) a
transfer agency and shareholder services fee paid to CISC at the annual rate of
0.20% of average daily net assets plus CISC's out-of-pocket expenses, (iii) the
Rule 12b-1 fees paid to CISI described below, (iv) a pricing and bookkeeping fee
paid to the Administrator in the amount of $18,000 per year plus 0.0233% of
average daily net assets in excess of $50 million and (v) custody, legal and
audit fees and other miscellaneous expenses.
<TABLE>
Recent Fees paid by the Fund to the Administrator (a), CISI and CISC (in thousands)
<CAPTION>
Year Ended November 30
Period ended Period ended ----------------------
December 31, 1995(b) June 30, 1995(b) 1994 1993 1992
-------------------- ---------------- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Administration fee $13 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Management fee 34 $88 $131 $129 $144
Bookkeeping fee 11 16 27 27 27
Shareholder service and transfer agent fee 28 43 59 60 73(c)
Amount of above fees waived (63) (63) (153) (129) (174)
12b-1 fees:
Service fee (Class B) 4 4 4 1 (d)(e)
Distribution fee (Class B) 10 13 14 2 (d)(e)
(a) Prior to September 28, 1995, the Administrator was the Adviser of the Fund.
(b) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from November 30 to June 30 on June
16, 1995.
(c) Under a prior fee schedule.
(d) Class B shares were initially offered on May 5, 1992.
(e) Rounds to less than one.
Brokerage Commissions
The Fund did not pay brokerage commissions during the periods ended December 31,
1995, and June 30, 1995, and the fiscal years ended November 30, 1994, and 1993.
(See footnote (b) above).
Trustees Fees
For the periods set forth below, the Trustees received the following
compensation for serving as Trustees:
Aggregate Total Compensation From
Compensation Trust and Fund Complex
From Fund For The Paid to the Trustees For
Fiscal Year Ended The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee June 30, 1996(f) December 31, 1995(g)
- ------- ---------------- --------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum(h) $ 913 $71,250
Tom Bleasdale 996(i) 98,000(j)
Lora S. Collins 911 91,000
James E. Grinnell(h) 923 71,250
William D. Ireland, Jr. 1,133 113,000
Richard W. Lowry(h) 921 71,250
William E. Mayer 905 91,000
James L. Moody, Jr. 956(k) 94,500(l)
John J. Neuhauser 912 91,000
George L. Shinn 1,030 102,000
Robert L. Sullivan 1,015 101,000
Sinclair Weeks, Jr. 1,141 112,000
(f) The Fund changed its fiscal year from November 30 to June 30 on
June 16, 1995.
(g) At December 31, 1995, the Colonial funds complex consisted of 33
open-end and 5 closed-end management investment company portfolios.
(h) Elected to the Colonial funds complex on April 21, 1995.
(i) Includes $485 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(j) Includes $49,000 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(k) Total compensation of $956 will be payable in later years as deferred
compensation.
(l) Total compensation of $94,500 for the calandar year ended December 31,
1995, will be payable in later years as deferred compensation.
The following table sets forth the amount of compensation paid to Messrs.
Birnbaum, Grinnell and Lowry in their capacities as Trustees or Directors of the
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (formerly
known as The Charles Allmon Trust, Inc.) (together, Liberty Funds I) for service
during the calendar year ended December 31, 1995, and of Liberty Financial Trust
(now known as Colonial Trust VII) and LFC Utilities Trust (together, Liberty
Funds II) for the period January 1, 1995 through March 26, 1995(m):
Total Compensation From Total Compensation
Liberty Funds II For The From Liberty Funds I For
Period January 1, 1995 The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee Through March 26, 1995 December 31, 1995(n)
- ------- ---------------------- --------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $2,900 $16,675
James E. Grinnell 2,900 22,900
Richard W. Lowry 2,900 26,250(o)
(m) On March 27, 1995, four of the portfolios in the Liberty Financial Trust
(now known as Colonial Trust VII) were merged into existing Colonial
funds and a fifth was reorganized as a new portfolio of Colonial Trust
III. Prior to their election as Trustees of the Colonial Funds, Messrs.
Birnbaum, Grinnell and Lowry served as Trustees of Liberty Funds II;
they continue to serve as Trustees or Directors of Liberty Funds I.
(n) At December 31, 1995, the Liberty Funds I were advised by Liberty Asset
Management Company (LAMCO). LAMCO is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. (Liberty Financial) (an
intermediate parent of the Adviser).
(o) Includes $3,500 paid to Mr. Lowry for service as Trustee of Liberty
Newport World Portfolio (formerly known as Liberty All-Star World
Portfolio) (Liberty Newport) during the calendar year ended December 31,
1995. At December 31, 1995, Liberty Newport was managed by Newport
Pacific Management, Inc. and the Adviser, each an affiliate of the
Administrator.
Ownership of the Fund
At May 31, 1996, John A. McNeice, Jr., formerly President and a Trustee of the
Trust, beneficially owned 1,137,855.760 Class A shares of the Fund, representing
5.63% of the then outstanding shares of the Class. At May 31, 1996, no other
officer and/or Trustee of the Trust beneficially owned any shares of the Fund.
At May 31, 1996, the above and the following shareholders owned more than 5% of
the Fund's outstanding Class A and Class B shares:
Class A
Norman Garn & Nancy Garn JT TEN
1721 Mission Hills Road Apt. 208
Northbrook, IL 60062 5.71%
Nayana N. Shah
1 Danton Lane South
Lattingtown, NY 11560 6.56%
Class B
Alan Baker Co.
160 Sylvester Road
South San Francisco, CA 94080-6014 9.63%
Ben P. Haley
2103 N. Vienna
Ruston, LA 71270 8.43%
Charles R. Matties & Laura B. Matties JT TEN
84 Overbrook Road
West Hartford, CT 06107 7.39%
John F. Milan & Cheryl L. Milan JT TEN
2165 Willow Circle
Shelby Township, MI 48316 5.69%
At May 31, 1996, there were 759 Class A and 49 Class B shareholders of record of
the Fund.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Sales Charges (in thousands)
<CAPTION>
Class B Shares
-------------- ---------- ------------------------- ---------------------------
Period Period May 5, 1992
ended ended (commencement of
December 31, June 30, Year ended November 30 investment operations)
1995 1995 1994 1993 through November 30, 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate contingent deferred sales
charges (CDSCs) on Fund
redemptions retained by CISI $7 $21 $28 $10 $0
</TABLE>
12b-1 Plans, CDSCs and Conversion of Shares
The Fund offers two classes of shares - Class A and Class B. The Fund may in the
future offer other classes of shares. The Trustees have approved 12b-1 Plans
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Class B Plan, the Fund pays CISI
a service fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of average net assets attributed to its
Class B shares and a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of average net
assets attributed to its Class B shares. CISI may use the entire amount of such
fees to defray the costs of commissions and service fees paid to financial
service firms (FSFs) and for certain other purposes. Since the distribution and
service fees are payable regardless of the amount of CISI's expenses, CISI may
realize a profit from the fees. The Class A Plan has no fee but like the Class B
Plan authorizes any other payments by the Fund to CISI and its affiliates
(including the Administrator and the Adviser) to the extent that such payments
might be construed to be indirect financing of the distribution of Fund shares.
The Trustees of the Trust believe the Plans could be a significant factor in the
growth and retention of Fund assets resulting in a more advantageous expense
ratio and increased investment flexibility which could benefit Fund
shareholders. The Plans will continue in effect from year to year so long as
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees
of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plans or in any agreements related to the Plans (independent
Trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase the fee materially without
approval by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
relevant class of shares and all material amendments of the Plans must be
approved by the Trustees in the manner provided in the foregoing sentence. The
Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the independent
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
relevant class of shares. The continuance of the Plans will only be effective if
the selection and nomination of the Trustees who are non-interested Trustees is
effected by such non-interested Trustees.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value. Class B shares are offered at net
asset value subject to a CDSC if redeemed within six years after purchase. The
CDSC is described in the Prospectus.
No CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of distributions or
on amounts representing capital appreciation. In determining the applicability
and rate of any CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption is made first of
shares representing capital appreciation, next of shares representing
reinvestment of distributions and finally of other shares held by the
shareholder for the longest period of time
Approximately eight years after the end of the month in which a Class B share is
purchased, such share and a pro rata portion of any shares issued on the
reinvestment of distributions will be automatically converted into Class A
shares having an equal value, which are not subject to the distribution or
service fee.
<TABLE>
Sales-related expenses (in thousands) of CISI relating to the Fund were as
follows:
<CAPTION>
Period ended December 31, 1995 Period ended June 30, 1995
------------------------------ --------------------------
Class A Shares Class B Shares Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fees to FSF $0 $(p) $0 $9
Cost of sales material relating to the
Fund (including printing and mailing
expenses) $4 (p) $1 (p)
Allocated travel, entertainment and
other promotional (including advertising) $0 $0 $0 $0
</TABLE>
(p) Rounds to less than one.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
The Portfolio did not commence investment operations until September 28, 1995.
The investment performance disclosed for the Portfolio is that of SteinRoe
Municipal Money Market Fund (SteinRoe Fund), which has been advised by the
Adviser since it commenced investment operations on March 11, 1983, as a series
of the SteinRoe Municipal Trust. The Portfolio's investment objective, policies
and restrictions are generally the same as those of the SteinRoe Fund which
converted to a master fund/feeder fund structure on September 28, 1995, and is
now a feeder fund in the Portfolio.
The Portfolio's yields for the seven days ended June 30, 1995, were:
Current Yield 3.52%
Effective Yield 3.58%
Tax-Equivalent Current Yield 5.84%
Tax-Equivalent Effective Yield 5.94%
The Fund's yields for the seven days ended December 31, 1995, were:
Class A Class B
Current Yield 3.987% 3.006%
Effective Yield 4.066% 3.050%
Tax-Equivalent Current Yield 6.60% 4.98%
Tax-Equivalent Effective Yield 6.73% 5.05%
The Portfolio's average annual total return at June 30, 1995, was:
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- --------
Class A: 3.01% 2.97% 3.89%
Class B: (1.99)%(q) 2.61%(q) 3.89%
<TABLE>
The Fund's total return at December 31, 1995, was:
<CAPTION>
Average Annual Average Annual Average Annual
Six-Months 1 Year 5 Years 10 years
---------- ------ ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A: 1.65% 3.35% 2.76% 3.82%
Class B: (3.61)%(q) (0.61)%(q) 2.34%(q) 3.79%
</TABLE>
(q) Reflects payment of CDSCs which will apply to Class B shareholders of
the Fund.
See Part 2 of this SAI, "Performance Measures," for how calculations are made.
CUSTODIAN
UMB, n.a. is the Fund's custodian. The custodian is responsible for maintaining
the Fund's open account.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP are the Fund's independent accountants providing audit and
tax return preparation services and assistance and consultation in connection
with the review of various SEC filings. The financial statements of the Fund
incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so incorporated, and the
schedule of financial highlights included in the Prospectus have been so
included, in reliance upon the report of Price Waterhouse LLP given on the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
Trustees and Officers of the Portfolio
Gary A. Anetsberger(s), (Age 40), Senior Vice President, is Senior Vice
President of the Adviser since April 1996 (formerly Vice President from January,
1991 to April, 1996, Controller and Associate of the Adviser from July, 1987 to
December, 1991).
Timothy K. Armour(r)(s), (Age 47), President and Trustee, is President of the
Mutual Funds division of the Adviser and Director of the Adviser since
June, 1992 (formerly Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing of
Citibank Illinois from February, 1989 to June, 1992).
Jilaine Hummel Bauer(s), (Age 40), Executive Vice President and Secretary, is
General Counsel and Secretary since November 1995, Senior Vice President since
April, 1992 of the Adviser (formerly Vice President of the Adviser, January,
1988 to March, 1992).
Kenneth L. Block(s), (Age 75) Trustee, is Chairman Emeritus of A. T. Kearney,
Inc. (international management consultants) since February, 1986, 11 Woodley
Road, Winnetka, Illinois 60093.
William W. Boyd(s), (Age 69) Trustee, is Chairman and Director of Sterling
Plumbing Group, Inc. (manufacturer of plumbing projects) since 1992 (formerly
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc., over
five years), 2900 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008.
N. Bruce Callow(s), (Age 50) Executive Vice President, is President of the
Investment Counsel division of the Adviser, since June, 1994 (formerly Senior
Vice President of trust and financial services for The Northern Trust, over
five years).
Lindsay Cook(r) (s), (Age 44) Trustee, is Senior Vice President of Liberty
Financial (over five years), 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
02210.
Douglas A. Hacker(s), (Age 40) Trustee, is Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, United Airlines since July, 1994 (formerly Senior Vice
President - Finance, United Airlines, from February, 1993 to July, 1994; Vice
President - Corporate & Fleet Planning, American Airlines from 1991 to
February, 1993), P.O. Box 66100, Chicago, Illinois 60666.
Philip D.Hausken(s), (Age 38) Vice President, is Corporate Counsel for the
Adviser since July, 1994 (formerly Assistant Regional Director, Midwest Regional
office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, over five years).
Stephen P. Lautz(s), (Age 39) Vice President, is Vice President of the Adviser
since May, 1994 (formerly Associate of the Adviser, since March, 1985).
Francis W. Morley(s), (Age 75) Trustee, is Chairman of Employer Plan
Administrators and Consultants Co. (designer, administrator, and
communicator of employee benefits plans), over five years, 20 North Wacker
Drive, Suite 2275, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Charles R. Nelson(s), (Age 53) Trustee, is Van Voorhis Professor of Political
Economy of the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 over
five years.
Nicolette D. Parrish(s), (Age 46) Vice President and Assistant Secretary, is
Senior Compliance Administrator and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser, since
November, 1995 (formerly senior legal assistant, over five years).
Sharon R. Robertson(s), (Age 34) Controller, is Accounting Manager for the
Adviser's mutual funds division, since 1987.
Janet B. Rysz(s), (Age 40) Assistant Secretary, is Senior Compliance
Administrator of the Adviser, since January, 1988.
Thomas C. Theobald(s), (Age 58), Trustee, is Managing Partner of William
Blair Capital Partners (private equity fund since 1994 (formerly Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Continental Bank Corporation
from 1987 to 1994), Suite 3300, 222 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Gordon R. Worley(s), (Age 76), Trustee, is Private Investor, over five years,
1407 Clinton Place, River Forest, Illinois 60305.
Hans P. Ziegler(s), (Age 55)Executive Vice President, is Chief Executive
Officer of the Adviser since May, 1994 (formerly President of the Investment
Counsel division of the Adviser from July, 1993 to June, 1994, and President
and Chief Executive Officer, Pitcairn Financial Management Group, from 1989 to
1993).
Margaret O. Zwick(s), (Age 29), Treasurer, is Compliance Manager of the
Adviser's Mutual Fund division since August, 1995 (former offices held with
Adviser: Compliance Accountant, January, 1995 to July, 1995; Section Manager,
January, 1994 to January, 1995; Supervisor, February, 1990 to December, 1993
and Fund Accountant, July, 1988 to February, 1990).
(r) Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Portfolio and of the
Adviser, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(s) The address of each Trustee and Officer is One South Wacker Drive,
Chicago,IL 60606, unless otherwise noted.
The Management Agreement
Under a Management Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to make day to day
investment decisions for the Portfolio, arrange for the execution of portfolio
transactions and generally manage the Portfolio's investments. The Adviser has
also agreed to perform administrative services to the Portfolio, including
without limitation, providing all executive and other facilities required to
render investment management and administrative services. For these services and
facilities, the Portfolio pays a monthly fee based on the average daily net
assets of the Portfolio for such month.
OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PORTFOLIO
Portfolio's Investment Adviser
Under its Management Agreement with the Portfolio, the Adviser provides the
Portfolio with discretionary investment services. Specifically, the Adviser is
responsible for supervising and directing the investments of the Portfolio in
accordance with the Portfolio's investment objective, policies and restrictions
as provided in the Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information. The Management Agreement provides for the payment by the Portfolio
to the Adviser of the management fee described above under "Fund Charges and
Expenses."
The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
(Liberty Financial), which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual Equity Corporation, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty Mutual). Liberty Mutual is an underwriter of
worker's compensation insurance and a property and casualty insurer in the U.S.
The address of Liberty Financial is 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
02110. Liberty Mutual's address is 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02117. The Adviser's address is One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
The Adviser is the successor to an investment advisory business that was founded
in 1932. The Adviser acts as investment adviser to wealthy individuals,
trustees, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and other
institutional investors. As of December 31, 1995, the Adviser managed over $23
billion in net assets: including over $5.3 billion in equities and over $17.7
billion in fixed-income securities (including $4.9 billion in municipal
securities). The $23 billion in managed assets included over $5.8 billion held
by open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser (approximately 21% of the mutual
fund assets were held by clients of the Adviser). The $5.8 billion in mutual
fund assets included over $550 million in over 33,000 IRA accounts. In managing
those assets, the Adviser utilizes a proprietary computer-based information
system that maintains and regularly updates information for approximately 6,500
companies. The Adviser also monitors over 1,400 issues via a proprietary credit
analysis system. At December 31, 1995, the Adviser employed approximately 17
research analysts and 34 account managers. The average investment-related
experience of these individuals is 19 years.
The directors of the Adviser are Gary L. Countryman, Kenneth R. Leibler,
Timothy K. Armour, N. Bruce Callow and Hans P. Ziegler. Mr. Countryman is
Chairman of Liberty Mutual; Mr. Leibler is President and Chief Executive Officer
of Liberty Financial. Mr. Armour is President of the Adviser's Mutual Funds
division; Mr. Callow is President of the Adviser's Investment Counsel division;
and Mr. Ziegler is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser. The business address
of Mr. Countryman is 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02117; that of Mr. Leibler
is Federal Reserve Plaza, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210; that
of Messrs. Armour, Callow and Ziegler is One South Wacker Drive, Chicago,
Illinois 60606.
Under the Management Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Portfolio or the Fund
in connection with the matters to which such Agreement relates, except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under the Agreement.
Portfolio Transactions
The Adviser places the orders for the purchase and sale of the Portfolio's
portfolio securities. Portfolio securities are purchased both in underwritings
and in the over-the-counter market. Included in the price paid to an underwriter
of a portfolio security is the spread between the price paid by the underwriter
to the issuer and the price paid by the purchaser. Purchases and sales of
portfolio securities in the over-the-counter market usually are transacted with
a broker or dealer on a net basis, without any brokerage commission being paid
by the Portfolio, but do reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices.
The Adviser may also transact purchases of portfolio securities directly with
the issuers. The Adviser's overriding objective in effecting portfolio
transactions is to seek to obtain the best combination of price and execution.
The best net price, giving effect to transaction charges and other costs,
normally is an important factor in this decision, but a number of other
judgmental factors may also enter into the decision. These include: the
Adviser's knowledge of negotiated transaction costs; the nature of the security
being traded; the size of the transaction; the desired timing of the trade; the
activity existing and expected in the market for the particular security;
confidentiality; the execution, clearance and settlement capabilities of the
broker or dealer selected and others which are considered; the Adviser's
knowledge of the financial stability of the broker or dealer selected and such
other brokers or dealers; and the Adviser's knowledge of actual or apparent
operational problems of any broker or dealer. Recognizing the value of these
factors, the Portfolio may pay a price in excess of that which another broker or
dealer may have charged for effecting the same transaction or receive a price
lower than that which another broker-dealer may have paid. Evaluations of the
reasonableness of portfolio transactions, based on the foregoing factors, are
made on an ongoing basis by the Adviser's staff while effecting portfolio
transactions and reports are made annually to the Board of Trustees of the
Portfolio.
With respect to issues of securities involving brokerage commissions, when more
than one broker or dealer is believed to be capable of providing the best
combination of price and execution with respect to a particular portfolio
transaction for the Portfolio, the Adviser often selects a broker or dealer that
has furnished it with research products or services such as research reports,
subscriptions to financial publications and research compilations, compilations
of securities prices, earnings, dividends and similar data, and computer data
bases, quotation equipment and services, research-oriented computer software and
services, and services of economic and other consultants. Selection of brokers
or dealers is not made pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any of the
brokers or dealers; however, the Adviser uses an internal allocation procedure
to identify those brokers or dealers who provide it with research products or
services and the amount of research products or services they provide, and
endeavors to direct sufficient commissions generated by its clients' accounts in
the aggregate, including the Portfolio, to such brokers or dealers to ensure the
continued receipt of research products or services that the Adviser feels are
useful. In certain instances, the Adviser receives from brokers and dealers
products or services which are used both as investment research and for
administrative, marketing or other non-research purposes. In such instances, the
Adviser makes a good faith effort to determine the relative proportions of such
products or services which may be considered as investment research. The portion
of the costs of such products or services attributable to research usage may be
defrayed by the Adviser (without prior agreement or understanding, as noted
above) through brokerage commissions generated by transactions of clients
(including the Portfolio), while the portions of the costs attributable to
non-research usage of such products or services is paid by the Adviser in cash.
No person acting on behalf of the Portfolio is authorized, in recognition of the
value of research products or services, to pay a price in excess of that which
another broker or dealer might have charged for effecting the same transaction.
Research products or services furnished by brokers and dealers may be used in
servicing any or all of the clients of the Adviser and not all such research
products or services are used in connection with the management of the
Portfolio.
The Board of Trustees of the Base Trust has reviewed the legal aspects and the
practicability of attempting to recapture underwriting discounts or selling
concessions included in prices paid by the Portfolio for purchases of Municipal
Securities in underwritten offerings. The Portfolio attempts to recapture
selling concessions on purchases during underwritten offerings; however, the
Adviser will not be able to negotiate discounts from the fixed offering price
for those issues for which there is a strong demand, and will not allow the
failure to obtain a discount to prejudice its ability to purchase an issue. The
Trustees of the SR&F Base Trust periodically review efforts to recapture
concessions and whether it is in the best interests of the Portfolio to continue
to attempt to recapture underwriting discounts or selling concessions.
Amortized Costs for Money Market Funds
In connection with the Portfolio's use of amortized cost and the maintenance of
its per share net asset value of $1.00, the Base Trust has agreed, with respect
to the Portfolio: (i) to seek to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity appropriate to its objective of maintaining relative stability of
principal and not in excess of 90 days; (ii) not to purchase a portfolio
instrument with a remaining maturity of greater than thirteen months (for this
purpose, the Portfolio considers that an instrument has a maturity of thirteen
months or less if it is a "short-term" obligation); and (iii) to limit its
purchase of portfolio instruments to those instruments that are denominated in
U.S. dollars which the Portfolio's Board of Trustees determines present minimal
credit risks and that are of eligible quality as determined by any major rating
service as defined under SEC Rule 2a-7 or, in the case of any instrument that is
not rated, of comparable quality as determined by the Portfolio's Board of
Trustees.
The Portfolio has also agreed to establish procedures reasonably designed to
stabilize its price per share as computed for the purpose of sales and
redemptions at $1.00. Such procedures include review of its portfolio holdings
by the Portfolio's Board of Trustees, at such intervals as the Portfolio deems
appropriate, to determine whether its net asset value calculated by using
available market quotations or market equivalents deviates from $1.00 per share
based on amortized cost. Calculations are made to compare the value of its
investments value at amortized cost with market value. Market values are
obtained by using actual quotations provided by market makers, estimates of
market value, values from yield data obtained from reputable sources for the
instruments, values obtained from the Adviser's matrix, or values obtained from
an independent pricing service. Any such service might value the Portfolio's
investments based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of
Municipal Securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type;
indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. The service
may also employ electronic data processing techniques, a matrix system, or both
to determine valuations.
In connection with the Portfolio's use of the amortized cost method of portfolio
valuation to maintain its net asset value at $1.00 per share, the Portfolio
might incur or anticipate an unusual expense, loss, depreciation, gain or
appreciation that would affect its net asset value per share or income for a
particular period. The extent of any deviation between the net asset value based
upon available market quotations or market equivalents and $1.00 per share based
on amortized cost will be examined by the Portfolio's Board of Trustees as it
deems appropriate. If such deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Portfolio's Board of
Trustees will promptly consider what action, if any, should be initiated. In the
event the Portfolio's Board of Trustees determines that a deviation exists that
may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing
shareholders, it will take such action as it considers appropriate to eliminate
or reduce to the extent reasonably practicable such dilution or unfair results.
Actions which the Portfolio's Board of Trustees might take include: selling
portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to
shorten average portfolio maturity; increasing, reducing, or suspending
dividends or distributions from capital or capital gains; or redeeming shares in
kind. The Portfolio's Board of Trustees might also establish a net asset value
per share by using market values, as a result of which the net asset value might
deviate form $1.00 per share.
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Bank) is the custodian for the securities
and cash of the Portfolio, but it does not participate in the investment
decisions of the Portfolio. The Portfolio has authorized the Bank to deposit
certain portfolio securities in central depository systems as allowed by federal
law. The Bank's main office is at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02107.
Independent Auditors
The independent auditors for the Portfolio are Ernst & Young LLP, 233 South
Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. Ernst & Young LLP audit and report on the
annual financial statements of the Portfolio, review certain regulatory reports
and the Portfolio's Federal income tax returns, and perform such other
professional accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services as the Portfolio
may engage them to do so.
Cross-Indemnification Agreement
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Base Trust, on behalf of the
Portfolio, have entered into a cross-indemnification agreement relating to
liability in connection with the information relating to the Base Trust and the
Portfolio contained in the Trust's Registration Statement of which this SAI is a
part.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PART 2
The following information applies generally to most Colonial funds. "Colonial
funds" or "funds" include each series of Colonial Trust I, Colonial Trust II,
Colonial Trust III, Colonial Trust IV, Colonial Trust V, Colonial Trust VI and
Colonial Trust VII. In certain cases, the discussion applies to some but not all
of the Colonial funds, and you should refer to your Fund's Prospectus and to
Part 1 of this SAI to determine whether the matter is applicable to your Fund.
You will also be referred to Part 1 for certain data applicable to your Fund.
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Part 1 of this Statement lists on page b which of the following investment
practices are available to your Fund. If an investment practice is not listed in
Part 1 of this SAI, it is not applicable to your Fund.
Short-Term Trading
In seeking the fund's investment objective, the Adviser will buy or sell
portfolio securities whenever it believes it is appropriate. The Adviser's
decision will not generally be influenced by how long the fund may have owned
the security. From time to time the fund will buy securities intending to seek
short-term trading profits. A change in the securities held by the fund is known
as "portfolio turnover" and generally involves some expense to the fund. These
expenses may include brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other
transaction costs on both the sale of securities and the reinvestment of the
proceeds in other securities. If sales of portfolio securities cause the fund to
realize net short-term capital gains, such gains will be taxable as ordinary
income. As a result of the fund's investment policies, under certain market
conditions the fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher than that of other
mutual funds. The fund's portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal year is the ratio
of the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities to the monthly
average of the value of portfolio securities, excluding securities whose
maturities at acquisition were one year or less. The fund's portfolio turnover
rate is not a limiting factor when the Adviser considers a change in the fund's
portfolio.
Lower Rated Bonds
Lower rated bonds are those rated lower than Baa by Moody's, BBB by S&P, or
comparable unrated securities. Relative to comparable securities of higher
quality:
1. the market price is likely to be more volatile because:
a. an economic downturn or increased interest rates may have a more
significant effect on the yield, price and potential for default;
b. the secondary market may at times become less liquid or respond to
adverse publicity or investor perceptions, increasing the
difficulty in valuing or disposing of the bonds;
c. existing legislation limits and future legislation may further
limit (i) investment by certain institutions or (ii) tax
deductibility of the interest by the issuer, which may adversely
affect value; and
d. certain lower rated bonds do not pay interest in cash on a current
basis. However, the fund will accrue and distribute this interest
on a current basis, and may have to sell securities to generate
cash for distributions.
2. the fund's achievement of its investment objective is more
dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis.
3. lower rated bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but
are more sensitive to adverse economic developments.
Small Companies
Smaller, less well established companies may offer greater opportunities for
capital appreciation than larger, better established companies, but may also
involve certain special risks related to limited product lines, markets, or
financial resources and dependence on a small management group. Their securities
may trade less frequently, in smaller volumes, and fluctuate more sharply in
value than securities of larger companies.
Foreign Securities
The fund may invest in securities traded in markets outside the United States.
Foreign investments can be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in
currency rates and in exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and
foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities
of some foreign companies are less liquid or more volatile than securities of
U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees may be
higher than in the United States. Investments in foreign securities can involve
other risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including local
political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets
and imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments. Foreign
securities, like other assets of the fund, will be held by the fund's custodian
or by a subcustodian or depository. See also "Foreign Currency Transactions"
below.
The fund may invest in certain Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs)
which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any "excess
distribution" or gain (PFIC tax) related to the investment. The PFIC tax is the
highest ordinary income rate, and it could be increased by an interest charge on
the deemed tax deferral.
The fund may possibly elect to include in its income its pro rata share of the
ordinary earnings and net capital gain of PFICs. This election requires certain
annual information from the PFICs which in many cases may be difficult to
obtain. An alternative election would permit the fund to recognize as income any
appreciation (but not depreciation) on its holdings of PFICs as of the end of
its fiscal year.
Zero Coupon Securities (Zeros)
The fund may invest in debt securities which do not pay interest, but instead
are issued at a deep discount from par. The value of the security increases over
time to reflect the interest accrued. The value of these securities may
fluctuate more than similar securities which are issued at par and pay interest
periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to
maturity, interest on these securities is reported as income to the fund and
distributed to its shareholders. These distributions must be made from the
fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of portfolio
securities. The fund will not be able to purchase additional income producing
securities with cash used to make such distributions and its current income
ultimately may be reduced as a result.
Step Coupon Bonds (Steps)
The fund may invest in debt securities which do not pay interest for a stated
period of time and then pay interest at a series of different rates for a series
of periods. In addition to the risks associated with the credit rating of the
issuers, these securities are subject to the volatility risk of zero coupon
bonds for the period when no interest is paid.
Pay-In-Kind (PIK) Securities
The fund may invest in securities which pay interest either in cash or
additional securities at the issuer's option. These securities are generally
high yield securities and in addition to the other risks associated with
investing in high yield securities are subject to the risks that the interest
payments which consist of additional securities are also subject to the risks of
high yield securities.
Money Market Instruments
Government obligations are issued by the U.S. or foreign governments, their
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Supranational obligations are
issued by supranational entities and are generally designed to promote economic
improvements. Certificates of deposits are issued against deposits in a
commercial bank with a defined return and maturity. Banker's acceptances are
used to finance the import, export or storage of goods and are "accepted" when
guaranteed at maturity by a bank. Commercial paper is promissory notes issued by
businesses to finance short-term needs (including those with floating or
variable interest rates, or including a frequent interval put feature).
Short-term corporate obligations are bonds and notes (with one year or less to
maturity at the time of purchase) issued by businesses to finance long-term
needs. Participation Interests include the underlying securities and any related
guaranty, letter of credit, or collateralization arrangement which the fund
would be allowed to invest in directly.
Securities Loans
The fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities amounting to not
more than the percentage of its total assets specified in Part 1 of this SAI,
thereby realizing additional income. The risks in lending portfolio securities,
as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the
securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail
financially. As a matter of policy, securities loans are made to banks and
broker-dealers pursuant to agreements requiring that loans be continuously
secured by collateral in cash or short-term debt obligations at least equal at
all times to the value of the securities on loan. The borrower pays to the fund
an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on securities lent. The
fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of the cash
collateral or receives a fee from the borrower. Although voting rights, or
rights to consent, with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower,
the fund retains the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable notice,
and it will do so in order that the securities may be voted by the fund if the
holders of such securities are asked to vote upon or consent to matters
materially affecting the investment. The fund may also call such loans in order
to sell the securities involved.
Forward Commitments
The fund may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time ("forward commitments" and "when
issued securities") if the fund holds until the settlement date, in a segregated
account, cash or high-grade debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet the
purchase price, or if the fund enters into offsetting contracts for the forward
sale of other securities it owns. Forward commitments may be considered
securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date. Where such
purchases are made through dealers, the fund relies on the dealer to consummate
the sale. The dealer's failure to do so may result in the loss to the fund of an
advantageous yield or price. Although the fund will generally enter into forward
commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for
delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, the fund may dispose
of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do
so. The fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward
commitments.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls
In a mortgage dollar roll, the fund sells a mortgage-backed security and
simultaneously enters into a commitment to purchase a similar security at a
later date. The fund either will be paid a fee by the counterparty upon entering
into the transaction or will be entitled to purchase the similar security at a
discount. As with any forward commitment, mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk
that the counterparty will fail to deliver the new security on the settlement
date, which may deprive the fund of obtaining a beneficial investment. In
addition, the security to be delivered in the future may turn out to be inferior
to the security sold upon entering into the transaction. Also, the transaction
costs may exceed the return earned by the fund from the transaction.
Repurchase Agreements
The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a
contract under which the fund acquires a security for a relatively short period
(usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller to
repurchase and the fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price
(representing the fund's cost plus interest). It is the fund's present intention
to enter into repurchase agreements only with commercial banks and registered
broker-dealers and only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities. Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as
loans made by the fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to
repurchase. The Adviser will monitor such transactions to determine that the
value of the underlying securities is at least equal at all times to the total
amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. If the
seller defaults, the fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying
security to the extent that the proceeds of sale including accrued interest are
less than the resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In
addition, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, the fund may incur delay and costs in selling the underlying
security or may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the fund is treated
as an unsecured creditor and required to return the underlying collateral to the
seller's estate.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
In a reverse repurchase agreement, the fund sells a security and agrees to
repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A reverse
repurchase agreement may also be viewed as the borrowing of money by the fund
and, therefore, as a form of leverage. The fund will invest the proceeds of
borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the fund will enter
into a reverse repurchase agreement only when the interest income expected to be
earned from the investment of the proceeds is greater than the interest expense
of the transaction. The fund will not invest the proceeds of a reverse
repurchase agreement for a period which exceeds the duration of the reverse
repurchase agreement. The fund may not enter into reverse repurchase agreements
exceeding in the aggregate one-third of the market value of its total assets,
less liabilities other than the obligations created by reverse repurchase
agreements. Each fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate
account with a segregated portfolio of securities in an amount at least equal to
its purchase obligations under its reverse repurchase agreements. If interest
rates rise during the term of a reverse repurchase agreement, entering into the
reverse repurchase agreement may have a negative impact on a money market fund's
ability to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share.
Options on Securities
Writing covered options. The fund may write covered call options and covered put
options on securities held in its portfolio when, in the opinion of the Adviser,
such transactions are consistent with the fund's investment objective and
policies. Call options written by the fund give the purchaser the right to buy
the underlying securities from the fund at a stated exercise price; put options
give the purchaser the right to sell the underlying securities to the fund at a
stated price.
The fund may write only covered options, which means that, so long as the fund
is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying
securities subject to the option (or comparable securities satisfying the cover
requirements of securities exchanges). In the case of put options, the fund will
hold cash and/or high-grade short-term debt obligations equal to the price to be
paid if the option is exercised. In addition, the fund will be considered to
have covered a put or call option if and to the extent that it holds an option
that offsets some or all of the risk of the option it has written. The fund may
write combinations of covered puts and calls on the same underlying security.
The fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call option, which
increases the fund's return on the underlying security if the option expires
unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects,
among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current
market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying
security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates,
and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for
the underlying security. By writing a call option, the fund limits its
opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of the underlying
security above the exercise price of the option but continues to bear the risk
of a decline in the value of the underlying security. By writing a put option,
the fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying
security for an exercise price higher than its then-current market value,
resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security subsequently
appreciates in value.
The fund may terminate an option that it has written prior to its expiration by
entering into a closing purchase transaction in which it purchases an offsetting
option. The fund realizes a profit or loss from a closing transaction if the
cost of the transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or more
than the premium received from writing the option. Because increases in the
market price of a call option generally reflect increases in the market price of
the security underlying the option, any loss resulting from a closing purchase
transaction may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the
underlying security.
If the fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying security, and
when it writes a put option, the fund may be required to deposit cash or
securities with its broker as "margin" or collateral for its obligation to buy
or sell the underlying security. As the value of the underlying security varies,
the fund may have to deposit additional margin with the broker. Margin
requirements are complex and are fixed by individual brokers, subject to minimum
requirements currently imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and by stock
exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations.
Purchasing put options. The fund may purchase put options to protect its
portfolio holdings in an underlying security against a decline in market value.
Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the put option since the
fund, as holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security at
the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying security's
market price. For a put option to be profitable, the market price of the
underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover
the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, the fund
will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the
underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction
costs.
Purchasing call options. The fund may purchase call options to hedge against an
increase in the price of securities that the fund wants ultimately to buy. Such
hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since the fund,
as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the
exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying security's market
price. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the
underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the
premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit the fund might
have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the
call option.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) options. The Staff of the Division of Investment
Management of the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that
OTC options purchased by the fund and assets held to cover OTC options written
by the fund are illiquid securities. Although the Staff has indicated that it is
continuing to evaluate this issue, pending further developments, the fund
intends to enter into OTC options transactions only with primary dealers in U.S.
Government Securities and, in the case of OTC options written by the fund, only
pursuant to agreements that will assure that the fund will at all times have the
right to repurchase the option written by it from the dealer at a specified
formula price. The fund will treat the amount by which such formula price
exceeds the amount, if any, by which the option may be "in-the-money" as an
illiquid investment. It is the present policy of the fund not to enter into any
OTC option transaction if, as a result, more than 15% (10% in some cases, refer
to your fund's Prospectus) of the fund's net assets would be invested in (i)
illiquid investments (determined under the foregoing formula) relating to OTC
options written by the fund, (ii) OTC options purchased by the fund, (iii)
securities which are not readily marketable, and (iv) repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days.
Risk factors in options transactions. The successful use of the fund's options
strategies depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rate and
market movements correctly.
When it purchases an option, the fund runs the risk that it will lose its entire
investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the fund
exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction with respect to
the option during the life of the option. If the price of the underlying
security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to
an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the fund
will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an
investment by the fund in the underlying securities, since the fund may continue
to hold its investment in those securities notwithstanding the lack of a change
in price of those securities.
The effective use of options also depends on the fund's ability to terminate
option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. Although
the fund will take an option position only if the Adviser believes there is a
liquid secondary market for the option, there is no assurance that the fund will
be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an
acceptable price.
If a secondary trading market in options were to become unavailable, the fund
could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of investor interest might
adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of
options. A marketplace may discontinue trading of a particular option or options
generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual
events -- such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability -- were to
interrupt normal market operations.
A marketplace may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on
particular types of options transactions, which may limit the fund's ability to
realize its profits or limit its losses.
Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or
sold by the fund could result in losses on the options. If trading is
interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security
is normally halted as well. As a result, the fund as purchaser or writer of an
option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes,
and it may be faced with losses if trading in the security reopens at a
substantially different price. In addition, the Options Clearing Corporation
(OCC) or other options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a
prohibition on exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has
also been halted, the fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked
into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If a
prohibition on exercise remains in effect until an option owned by the fund has
expired, the fund could lose the entire value of its option.
Special risks are presented by internationally-traded options. Because of time
differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because
different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets
may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As
a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying
interest in the United States.
Futures Contracts and Related Options
Upon entering into futures contracts, in compliance with the SEC's requirements,
cash, cash equivalents or high-grade debt securities, equal in value to the
amount of the fund's obligation under the contract (less any applicable margin
deposits and any assets that constitute "cover" for such obligation), will be
segregated with the fund's custodian. For example, if a fund investing primarily
in foreign equity securities enters into a contract denominated in a foreign
currency, the fund will segregate cash, cash equivalents or high-grade debt
securities equal in value to the difference between the fund's obligation under
the contract and the aggregate value of all readily marketable equity securities
denominated in the applicable foreign currency held by the fund.
A futures contract sale creates an obligation by the seller to deliver the type
of instrument called for in the contract in a specified delivery month for a
stated price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the purchaser
to take delivery of the type of instrument called for in the contract in a
specified delivery month at a stated price. The specific instruments delivered
or taken at settlement date are not determined until on or near that date. The
determination is made in accordance with the rules of the exchanges on which the
futures contract was made. Futures contracts are traded in the United States
only on commodity exchange or boards of trade -- known as "contract markets" --
approved for such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC),
and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm
which is a member of the relevant contract market.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance
of commodities or securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Closing out a futures
contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same
aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity with
the same delivery date. If the price of the initial sale of the futures contract
exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the seller is paid the difference
and realizes a gain. Conversely, if the price of the offsetting purchase exceeds
the price of the initial sale, the seller realizes a loss. Similarly, the
closing out of a futures contract purchase is effected by the purchaser's
entering into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the
purchase price, the purchaser realizes a gain, and if the purchase price exceeds
the offsetting sale price, the purchaser realizes a loss.
Unlike when the fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received
by the fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract, although the fund
is required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of
the futures broker an amount of cash and/or U.S. Government Securities. This
amount is known as "initial margin". The nature of initial margin in futures
transactions is different from that of margin in security transactions in that
futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the fund to
finance the transactions. Rather, initial margin is in the nature of a
performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract that is returned to the
fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual
obligations have been satisfied. Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs.
Subsequent payments, called "variation margin", to and from the broker (or the
custodian) are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or
commodity fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures
contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to market."
The fund may elect to close some or all of its futures positions at any time
prior to their expiration. The purpose of making such a move would be to reduce
or eliminate the hedge position then currently held by the fund. The fund may
close its positions by taking opposite positions which will operate to terminate
the fund's position in the futures contracts. Final determinations of variation
margin are then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to
the fund, and the fund realizes a loss or a gain. Such closing transactions
involve additional commission costs.
Options on futures contracts. The fund will enter into written options on
futures contracts only when, in compliance with the SEC's requirements, cash or
equivalents equal in value to the commodity value (less any applicable margin
deposits) have been deposited in a segregated account of the fund's custodian.
The fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts it may
buy or sell and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to
terminate existing positions. The fund may use such options on futures contracts
in lieu of writing options directly on the underlying securities or purchasing
and selling the underlying futures contracts. Such options generally operate in
the same manner as options purchased or written directly on the underlying
investments.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option may terminate
his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option. There is no
guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
The fund will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with
respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to
brokers' requirements similar to those described above.
Risks of transactions in futures contracts and related options. Successful use
of futures contracts by the fund is subject to the Adviser`s ability to predict
correctly movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors
affecting securities markets.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or
put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the fund
because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus
transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a
call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the fund when
the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no
movement in the prices of the hedged investments. The writing of an option on a
futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of
futures contracts.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other
unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities
inadequate, and thereby result in the institution, by exchanges, of special
procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a hedge position held by the fund, the fund may seek to
close out a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be
subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is
not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular
futures contract. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an
exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest
in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange
on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular
classes or series of contracts or options, or underlying securities; (iv)
unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an
exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at
all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more
exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some
future date to discontinue the trading of contracts or options (or a particular
class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to
exist, although outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been
issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Use by tax-exempt funds of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options.
The funds investing in tax-exempt securities issued by a governmental entity may
purchase and sell futures contracts and related options on U.S. Treasury
securities when, in the opinion of the Adviser, price movements in Treasury
security futures and related options will correlate closely with price movements
in the tax-exempt securities which are the subject of the hedge. U.S. Treasury
securities futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to
take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract
at a specified date and price. Options on U.S. Treasury security futures
contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume
a position in a U.S. Treasury futures contract at the specified option exercise
price at any time during the period of the option.
In addition to the risks generally involved in using futures contracts, there is
also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and
related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for
tax-exempt securities.
Index futures contracts. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell
units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the
contract is made. Entering into a contract to buy units of an index is commonly
referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in the
index. Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is commonly referred
to as selling a contract or holding a short position. A unit is the current
value of the index. The fund may enter into stock index futures contracts, debt
index futures contracts, or other index futures contracts appropriate to its
objective(s). The fund may also purchase and sell options on index futures
contracts.
There are several risks in connection with the use by the fund of index futures
as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation
between movements in the prices of the index futures and movements in the prices
of securities which are the subject of the hedge. The Adviser will attempt to
reduce this risk by selling, to the extent possible, futures on indices the
movements of which will, in its judgment, have a significant correlation with
movements in the prices of the fund's portfolio securities sought to be hedged.
Successful use of index futures by the fund for hedging purposes is also subject
to the Adviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the
market. It is possible that, where the fund has sold futures to hedge its
portfolio against a decline in the market, the index on which the futures are
written may advance and the value of securities held in the fund's portfolio may
decline. If this occurs, the fund would lose money on the futures and also
experience a decline in the value in its portfolio securities. However, while
this could occur to a certain degree, the Adviser believes that over time the
value of the fund's portfolio will tend to move in the same direction as the
market indices which are intended to correlate to the price movements of the
portfolio securities sought to be hedged. It is also possible that, if the fund
has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market adversely
affecting securities held in its portfolio and securities prices increase
instead, the fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased values
of those securities that it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in
its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the fund has
insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or no
correlation at all, between movements in the index futures and the securities of
the portfolio being hedged, the prices of index futures may not correlate
perfectly with movements in the underlying index due to certain market
distortions. First, all participants in the futures markets are subject to
margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional
margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through
offsetting transactions which would distort the normal relationship between the
index and futures markets. Second, margin requirements in the futures market are
less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result
the futures market may attract more speculators than the securities market.
Increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the
futures market and also because of the imperfect correlation between movements
in the index and movements in the prices of index futures, even a correct
forecast of general market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction.
Options on index futures. Options on index futures are similar to options on
securities except that options on index futures give the purchaser the right, in
return for the premium paid, to assume a position in an index futures contract
(a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a
put), at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer
of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which represents the
amount by which the market price of the index futures contract, at exercise,
exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the
exercise price of the option on the index future. If an option is exercised on
the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement
will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price
of the option and the closing level of the index on which the future is based on
the expiration date. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options
prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
Options on indices. As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on
index futures, the fund may purchase call and put options on the underlying
indices themselves. Such options could be used in a manner identical to the use
of options on index futures.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The fund may engage in currency exchange transactions to protect against
uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates.
The fund may engage in both "transaction hedging" and "position hedging". When
it engages in transaction hedging, the fund enters into foreign currency
transactions with respect to specific receivables or payables of the fund
generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio
securities. The fund will engage in transaction hedging when it desires to "lock
in" the U.S. dollar price of a security it has agreed to purchase or sell, or
the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign
currency. By transaction hedging the fund attempts to protect itself against a
possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the
U.S. dollar and the applicable foreign currency during the period between the
date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or
interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or
received.
The fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (or cash) basis at
the prevailing spot rate in connection with the settlement of transactions in
portfolio securities denominated in that foreign currency. The fund may also
enter into contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date
("forward contracts") and purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts.
For transaction hedging purposes the fund may also purchase exchange-listed and
over-the-counter call and put options on foreign currency futures contracts and
on foreign currencies. Over-the-counter options are considered to be illiquid by
the SEC staff. A put option on a futures contract gives the fund the right to
assume a short position in the futures contract until expiration of the option.
A put option on currency gives the fund the right to sell a currency at an
exercise price until the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures
contract gives the fund the right to assume a long position in the futures
contract until the expiration of the option. A call option on currency gives the
fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the expiration
of the option.
When it engages in position hedging, the fund enters into foreign currency
exchange transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign
currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated (or an increase in
the value of currency for securities which the fund expects to purchase, when
the fund holds cash or short-term investments). In connection with position
hedging, the fund may purchase put or call options on foreign currency and
foreign currency futures contracts and buy or sell forward contracts and foreign
currency futures contracts. The fund may also purchase or sell foreign currency
on a spot basis.
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange transactions
and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not generally be
possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will
change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities
between the dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the
dates they mature.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio
securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward or futures contract.
Accordingly, it may be necessary for the fund to purchase additional foreign
currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the
market value of the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount
of foreign currency the fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made
to sell the security or securities and make delivery of the foreign currency.
Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign
currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security or securities if the
market value of such security or securities exceeds the amount of foreign
currency the fund is obligated to deliver.
Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities which the fund owns or intends to purchase or sell.
They simply establish a rate of exchange which one can achieve at some future
point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk
of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they tend to limit
any potential gain which might result from the increase in value of such
currency.
Currency forward and futures contracts. Upon entering into such contracts, in
compliance with the SEC's requirements, cash, cash equivalents or high-grade
debt securities, equal in value to the amount of the fund's obligation under the
contract (less any applicable margin deposits and any assets that constitute
"cover" for such obligation), will be segregated with the fund's custodian. For
example, if a fund investing primarily in foreign equity securities enters into
a contract denominated in a foreign currency, the fund will segregate cash, cash
equivalents or high-grade debt securities equal in value to the difference
between the fund's obligation under the contract and the aggregate value of all
readily marketable equity securities denominated in the applicable foreign
currency held by the fund.
A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from
the date of the contract as agreed by the parties, at a price set at the time of
the contract. In the case of a cancelable contract, the holder has the
unilateral right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee.
The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between
currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A
contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at
any stage for trades. A currency futures contract is a standardized contract for
the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date
at a price set at the time of the contract. Currency futures contracts traded in
the United States are designed and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC,
such as the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Forward currency contracts differ from currency futures contracts in certain
respects. For example, the maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, rather
than a predetermined date in a given month. Forward contracts may be in any
amounts agreed upon by the parties rather than predetermined amounts. Also,
forward contracts are traded directly between currency traders so that no
intermediary is required. A forward contract generally requires no margin or
other deposit.
At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, the fund may either accept or
make delivery of the currency specified in the contract, or at or prior to
maturity enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an
offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are
usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward
contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on
a commodities exchange; a clearing corporation associated with the exchange
assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.
Positions in currency futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or
board of trade which provides a secondary market in such contracts. Although the
fund intends to purchase or sell currency futures contracts only on exchanges or
boards of trade where there appears to be an active secondary market, there is
no assurance that a secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will exist
for any particular contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not
be possible to close a futures position and, in the event of adverse price
movements, the fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin.
Currency options. In general, options on currencies operate similarly to options
on securities and are subject to many similar risks. Currency options are traded
primarily in the over-the-counter market, although options on currencies have
recently been listed on several exchanges. Options are traded not only on the
currencies of individual nations, but also on the European Currency Unit
("ECU"). The ECU is composed of amounts of a number of currencies, and is the
official medium of exchange of the European Economic Community's European
Monetary System.
The fund will only purchase or write currency options when the Adviser believes
that a liquid secondary market exists for such options. There can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at
any specified time. Currency options are affected by all of those factors which
influence exchange rates and investments generally. To the extent that these
options are traded over the counter, they are considered to be illiquid by the
SEC staff.
The value of any currency, including the U.S. dollars, may be affected by
complex political and economic factors applicable to the issuing country. In
addition, the exchange rates of currencies (and therefore the values of currency
options) may be significantly affected, fixed, or supported directly or
indirectly by government actions. Government intervention may increase risks
involved in purchasing or selling currency options, since exchange rates may not
be free to fluctuate in respect to other market forces.
The value of a currency option reflects the value of an exchange rate, which in
turn reflects relative values of two currencies, the U.S. dollar and the foreign
currency in question. Because currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in
the exercise of currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to
deal in an odd lot market for the underlying currencies in connection with
options at prices that are less favorable than for round lots. Foreign
governmental restrictions or taxes could result in adverse changes in the cost
of acquiring or disposing of currencies.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for currencies and
there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or
other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation
information is generally representative of very large round-lot transactions in
the interbank market and thus may not reflect exchange rates for smaller odd-lot
transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The
interbank market in currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the
extent that options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying
currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in
the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.
Settlement procedures. Settlement procedures relating to the fund's investments
in foreign securities and to the fund's foreign currency exchange transactions
may be more complex than settlements with respect to investments in debt or
equity securities of U.S. issuers, and may involve certain risks not present in
the fund's domestic investments, including foreign currency risks and local
custom and usage. Foreign currency transactions may also involve the risk that
an entity involved in the settlement may not meet its obligations.
Foreign currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a
fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference
(spread) between prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the fund at one rate,
while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer. Foreign currency transactions may also involve the risk
that an entity involved in the settlement may not meet its obligation.
Participation Interests
The fund may invest in municipal obligations either by purchasing them directly
or by purchasing certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing
direct ownership of interest payments or principal payments, or both, on
municipal obligations, provided that, in the opinion of counsel to the initial
seller of each such certificate or instrument, any discount accruing on such
certificate or instrument that is purchased at a yield not greater than the
coupon rate of interest on the related municipal obligations will be exempt from
federal income tax to the same extent as interest on such municipal obligations.
The fund may also invest in tax-exempt obligations by purchasing from banks
participation interests in all or part of specific holdings of municipal
obligations. Such participations may be backed in whole or part by an
irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank. The selling bank
may receive a fee from the fund in connection with the arrangement. The fund
will not purchase such participation interests unless it receives an opinion of
counsel or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service that interest earned by it
on municipal obligations in which it holds such participation interests is
exempt from federal income tax.
Stand-by Commitments
When the fund purchases municipal obligations it may also acquire stand-by
commitments from banks and broker-dealers with respect to such municipal
obligations. A stand-by commitment is the equivalent of a put option acquired by
the fund with respect to a particular municipal obligation held in its
portfolio. A stand-by commitment is a security independent of the municipal
obligation to which it relates. The amount payable by a bank or dealer during
the time a stand-by commitment is exercisable, absent unusual circumstances
relating to a change in market value, would be substantially the same as the
value of the underlying municipal obligation. A stand-by commitment might not be
transferable by the fund, although it could sell the underlying municipal
obligation to a third party at any time.
The fund expects that stand-by commitments generally will be available without
the payment of direct or indirect consideration. However, if necessary and
advisable, the fund may pay for stand-by commitments either separately in cash
or by paying a higher price for portfolio securities which are acquired subject
to such a commitment (thus reducing the yield to maturity otherwise available
for the same securities.) The total amount paid in either manner for outstanding
stand-by commitments held in the fund portfolio will not exceed 10% of the value
of the fund's total assets calculated immediately after each stand-by commitment
is acquired. The fund will enter into stand-by commitments only with banks and
broker-dealers that, in the judgment of the Trust's Board of Trustees, present
minimal credit risks.
Inverse Floaters
Inverse floaters are derivative securities whose interest rates vary inversely
to changes in short-term interest rates and whose values fluctuate inversely to
changes in long-term interest rates. The value of certain inverse floaters will
fluctuate substantially more in response to a given change in long-term rates
than would a traditional debt security. These securities have investment
characteristics similar to leverage, in that interest rate changes have a
magnified effect on the value of inverse floaters.
TAXES
All discussions of taxation at the shareholder level relate to federal taxes
only. Consult your tax adviser for state and local tax considerations and for
information about special tax considerations that may apply to shareholders that
are not natural persons.
Dividends Received Deductions. Distributions will qualify for the corporate
dividends received deduction only to the extent that dividends earned by the
fund qualify. Any such dividends are, however, includable in adjusted current
earnings for purposes of computing corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT).
Return of Capital Distributions. To the extent that a distribution is a return
of capital for federal tax purposes, it reduces the cost basis of the shares on
the record date and is similar to a partial return of the original investment
(on which a sales charge may have been paid). There is no recognition of a gain
or loss, however, unless the return of capital reduces the cost basis in the
shares to below zero.
Funds that invest in U.S. Government Securities. Many states grant tax-free
status to dividends paid to shareholders of mutual funds from interest income
earned by the fund from direct obligations of the U.S. government. Investments
in mortgage-backed securities (including GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC Securities) and
repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities do not
qualify as direct federal obligations in most states. Shareholders should
consult with their own tax advisers about the applicability of state and local
intangible property, income or other taxes to their fund shares and
distributions and redemption proceeds received from the fund.
Distributions from Tax-Exempt Funds. Each tax-exempt fund will have at least 50%
of its total assets invested in tax-exempt bonds at the end of each quarter so
that dividends from net interest income on tax-exempt bonds will be exempt from
Federal income tax when received by a shareholder. The tax-exempt portion of
dividends paid will be designated within 60 days after year-end based upon the
ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net investment income earned during the
year. That ratio may be substantially different from the ratio of net tax-exempt
income to total net investment income earned during any particular portion of
the year. Thus, a shareholder who holds shares for only a part of the year may
be allocated more or less tax-exempt dividends than would be the case if the
allocation were based on the ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net
investment income actually earned while a shareholder.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 makes income from certain "private activity bonds"
issued after August 7, 1986, a tax preference item for the AMT at the maximum
rate of 28% for individuals and 20% for corporations. If the fund invests in
private activity bonds, shareholders may be subject to the AMT on that part of
the distributions derived from interest income on such bonds. Other provisions
of the Tax Reform Act affect the tax treatment of distributions for
corporations, casualty insurance companies and financial institutions; interest
on all tax-exempt bonds is included in corporate adjusted current earnings when
computing the AMT applicable to corporations. Seventy-five percent of the excess
of adjusted current earnings over the amount of income otherwise subject to the
AMT is included in a corporation's alternative minimum taxable income.
Dividends derived from any investments other than tax-exempt bonds and any
distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Any distributions of net long-term gains will in general be
taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of
time fund shares are held.
Shareholders receiving social security and certain retirement benefits may be
taxed on a portion of those benefits as a result of receiving tax-exempt income,
including tax-exempt dividends from the fund.
Special Tax Rules Applicable to Tax-Exempt Funds. Income distributions to
shareholders who are substantial users or related persons of substantial users
of facilities financed by industrial revenue bonds may not be excludable from
their gross income if such income is derived from such bonds. Income derived
from the fund's investments other than tax-exempt instruments may give rise to
taxable income. The fund's shares must be held for more than six months in order
to avoid the disallowance of a capital loss on the sale of fund shares to the
extent of tax-exempt dividends paid during that period. A shareholder who
borrows money to purchase the fund's shares will not be able to deduct the
interest paid with respect to such borrowed money.
Sales of Shares. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable
disposition of shares by a shareholder will be treated as long-term capital gain
or loss if the shares have been held for more than twelve months, and otherwise
as short-term capital gain or loss assuming such shares are held as a capital
asset. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, capital
loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received by the
shareholder with respect to those shares. All or a portion of any loss realized
upon a taxable disposition of shares will be disallowed if other shares are
purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the
basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
Backup Withholding. Certain distributions and redemptions may be subject to a
31% backup withholding unless a taxpayer identification number and certification
that the shareholder is not subject to the withholding is provided to the fund.
This number and form may be provided by either a Form W-9 or the accompanying
application. In certain instances, CISC may be notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that a shareholder is subject to backup withholding.
Excise Tax. To the extent that the Fund does not annually distribute
substantially all taxable income and realized gains, it is subject to an excise
tax. The Adviser intends to avoid this tax except when the cost of processing
the distribution is greater than the tax.
Tax Accounting Principles. To qualify as a "regulated investment company," the
fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other
disposition of securities or foreign currencies or other income (including but
not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in such securities or currencies; (b)
derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or other disposition of
certain assets held less than three months; (c) diversify its holdings so that,
at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value
of its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities,
and other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to not
more than 5% of the total assets of the fund and not more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the
value of its assets is invested in the securities of any issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities).
Futures Contracts. Accounting for futures contracts will be in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The amount of any realized gain or
loss on the closing out of a futures contract will result in a capital gain or
loss for tax purposes. In addition, certain futures contracts held by the fund
(so-called "Section 1256 contracts") will be required to be "marked-to-market"
(deemed sold) for federal income tax purposes at the end of each fiscal year.
Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on such deemed sales or on
actual sales will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the
remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
However, if a futures contract is part of a "mixed straddle" (i.e., a straddle
comprised in part of Section 1256 contracts), a fund may be able to make an
election which will affect the character arising from such contracts as
long-term or short-term and the timing of the recognition of such gains or
losses. In any event, the straddle provisions described below will be applicable
to such mixed straddles.
Special Tax Rules Applicable to "Straddles". The straddle provisions of the Code
may affect the taxation of the fund's options and futures transactions and
transactions in securities to which they relate. A "straddle" is made up of two
or more offsetting positions in "personal property," including debt securities,
related options and futures, equity securities, related index futures and, in
certain circumstances, options relating to equity securities, and foreign
currencies and related options and futures.
The straddle rules may operate to defer losses realized or deemed realized on
the disposition of a position in a straddle, may suspend or terminate the fund's
holding period in such positions, and may convert short-term losses to long-term
losses in certain circumstances.
Foreign Currency-Denominated Securities and Related Hedging Transactions. The
fund's transactions in foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain
foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts may give rise
to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from
fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
If more than 50% of the fund's total assets at the end of its fiscal year are
invested in securities of foreign corporate issuers, the fund may make an
election permitting its shareholders to take a deduction or credit for federal
tax purposes for their portion of certain foreign taxes paid by the fund. The
Adviser will consider the value of the benefit to a typical shareholder, the
cost to the fund of compliance with the election, and incidental costs to
shareholders in deciding whether to make the election. A shareholder's ability
to claim such a foreign tax credit will be subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not get a full
credit for the amount of foreign taxes so paid by the fund. Shareholders who do
not itemize on their federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but no
deduction) for such foreign taxes.
Certain securities are considered to be Passive Foreign Investment Companies
(PFICS) under the Code, and the fund is liable for any PFIC-related taxes.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COLONIAL FUNDS (in this section, and the following sections
entitled "Trustees and Officers," "The Management Agreement," "Administration
Agreement," "The Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement," "Portfolio Transactions,"
"Investment decisions," and "Brokerage and research services," the "Adviser"
refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc.) The Adviser is the investment
adviser to each of the Colonial funds (except for Colonial Municipal Money
Market Fund, Colonial Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund,
Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and Colonial Newport Japan Fund - see Part I of
each Fund's respective SAI for a description of the investment adviser). The
Adviser is a subsidiary of The Colonial Group, Inc. (TCG), One Financial Center,
Boston, MA 02111. TCG is a direct subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies,
Inc. (Liberty Financial), which in turn is a direct subsidiary of LFC Holdings,
Inc., which in turn is a direct subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Equity Corporation,
which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
(Liberty Mutual). Liberty Mutual is an underwriter of workers' compensation
insurance and a property and casualty insurer in the U.S. Liberty Financial's
address is 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210. Liberty Mutual's address is
175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02117.
<TABLE>
Trustees and Officers (this section applies to all of the Colonial funds)
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Age Position with Fund Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
- ---------------- --- ------------------ -------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Robert J. Birnbaum(1) (2) 68 Trustee Retired since 1994 (formerly Special Counsel, Dechert
313 Bedford Road Price & Rhoads from September, 1988 to December, 1993)
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Tom Bleasdale 65 Trustee Retired since 1993 (formerly Chairman of the Board and
1508 Ferncroft Tower Chief Executive Officer, Shore Bank & Trust Company from
Danvers, MA 01923 1992-1993), is a Director of The Empire Company since
June, 1995 (3)
Lora S. Collins 60 Trustee Attorney with Kramer, Levin, Naftalis, Nessen, Kamin &
919 Third Avenue Frankel since September, 1986 (3)
New York, NY 10022
James E. Grinnell (1) (2) 66 Trustee Private Investor since November, 1988
22 Harbor Avenue
Marblehead, MA 01945
William D. Ireland, Jr. 72 Trustee Retired since 1990, is a Trustee of certain charitable
103 Springline Drive and non-charitable organizations since February, 1990 (3)
Vero Beach, FL 32963
Richard W. Lowry (1) (2) 59 Trustee Private Investor since August, 1987
10701 Charleston Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
William E. Mayer* 55 Trustee Dean, College of Business and Management, University of
College Park, MD 20742 Maryland since October, 1992 (formerly Dean, Simon
Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester from
October, 1991 to July, 1992 (3)
James L. Moody, Jr. 64 Trustee Chairman of the Board, Hannaford Bros., Co. since May,
1984 (formerly Chief Executive Officer, Hannaford Bros.
Co. from May, 1973 to May, 1992) (3)
John J. Neuhauser 52 Trustee Dean, Boston College School of Management since 1978 (3)
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
George L. Shinn 73 Trustee Financial Consultant since 1989 (formerly Chairman, Chief
The First Boston Corp. Executive Officer and Consultant, The First Boston
Tower Forty Nine Corporation from 1983 to July, 1991) (3)
12 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
Robert L. Sullivan 68 Trustee Self-employed Management Consultant since January, 1989
7121 Natelli Woods Lane (3)
Bethesda, MD 20817
Sinclair Weeks, Jr. 72 Trustee Chairman of the Board, Reed & Barton Corporation since
Bay Colony Corporate Ctr. 1987 (3)
Suite 4550
1000 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02154
Harold W. Cogger 59 President President of Colonial funds since March, 1996 (formerly
(formerly Vice Vice President from July, 1993 to March, 1996); is
President) President since July, 1993, Chief Executive Officer
since March, 1995 and Director since March, 1984 of the
Adviser(formerly Executive Vice President of the Adviser from \
October, 1989 to July, 1993); President since October, 1994, Chief
Executive Officer since March,1995 and Director since
October, 1981 of TCG; Executive Vice President and
Director,Liberty Financial (3)
Peter L. Lydecker 41 Controller Controller of Colonial funds since June, 1993 (formerly
(formerly Assistant Controller from March, 1985 to June, 1993);
Assistant is Vice President of the Adviser since June, 1993
Controller) (formerly Assistant Vice President of the Adviser from
August, 1988 to June, 1993) (3)
Davey S. Scoon 49 Vice President Vice President of Colonial funds since June, 1993, is
Executive Vice President since July, 1993 and Director
since March, 1985 of the Adviser (formerly Senior Vice
President and Treasurer of the Adviser from March, 1985
to July, 1993); Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, TCG since March, 1995 (formerly Vice
President - Finance and Administration of TCG from
November, 1985 to March, 1995) (3)
Richard A. Silver 49 Treasurer and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Colonial funds
Chief Financial since July, 1993 (formerly Controller from July, 1980
Officer to July, 1993), is Senior Vice President and Director
(formerly since April, 1988 and Treasurer and Chief Financial
Controller) Officer since July, 1993 of the Adviser (formerly
Assistant Treasurer from January,1978 to July,1993);
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of TCG since July, 1993
(formerly Assistant Treasurer of TCG from January, 1985
to July, 1993) (3)
Arthur O. Stern 56 Secretary Secretary of Colonial funds since 1985, is Director
since 1985, Executive Vice President since July, 1993,
General Counsel, Clerk and Secretary since March, 1985
of the Adviser; Executive Vice President, Legal since
March, 1995 and Clerk since March, 1985 of TCG
(formerly Executive Vice President, Compliance from
March, 1995 to March, 1996 and Vice President - Legal
of TCG from March, 1985 to March, 1995) (3)
</TABLE>
(1) Elected to the Colonial Funds complex on April 21, 1995.
(2) On April 3, 1995, and in connection with the merger of TCG with a
subsidiary of Liberty Financial which occurred on March 27, 1995,
Liberty Financial Trust (LFT) changed its name to Colonial Trust VII.
Prior to the merger, each of Messrs. Birnbaum, Grinnell, and Lowry was
a Trustee of LFT. Mr. Birnbaum has been a Trustee of LFT since
November, 1994. Each of Messrs. Grinnell and Lowry has been a Trustee
of LFT since August, 1991. Each of Messrs. Grinnell and Lowry continue
to serve as Trustees under the new name, Colonial Trust VII, along with
each of the other Colonial Trustees named above. The Colonial Trustees
were elected as Trustees of Colonial Trust VII effective April 3, 1995.
(3) Elected as a Trustee or officer of the LFC Utilities Trust, the master
fund in Colonial Global Utilities Fund, a series of Colonial Trust III
(LFC Portfolio) on March 27, 1995 in connection with the merger of TCG
with a subsidiary of Liberty Financial.
* Trustees who are "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940) of the fund or the Adviser.
The address of the officers of each Colonial Fund is One Financial Center,
Boston, MA 02111.
The Trustees serve as trustees of all Colonial funds for which each Trustee will
receive an annual retainer of $45,000 and attendance fees of $7,500 for each
regular joint meeting and $1,000 for each special joint meeting. Committee
chairs receive an annual retainer of $5,000. Committee members receive an annual
retainer of $1,000 and $1,000 for each special meeting attended. Two-thirds of
the Trustee fees are allocated among the Colonial funds based on each fund's
relative net assets and one-third of the fees are divided equally among the
Colonial funds.
The Adviser and/or its affiliate, Colonial Advisory Services, Inc. (CASI), has
rendered investment advisory services to investment company, institutional and
other clients since 1931. The Adviser currently serves as investment adviser and
administrator for 33 open-end and 5 closed-end management investment company
portfolios, and is the administrator for 5 open-end management investment
company portfolios (collectively, Colonial funds). Trustees and officers of the
Trust, who are also officers of the Adviser or its affiliates, will benefit from
the advisory fees, sales commissions and agency fees paid or allowed by the
Trust. More than 30,000 financial advisers have recommended Colonial funds to
over 800,000 clients worldwide, representing more than $16.3. billion in assets.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (Declaration) of the Trust provides that
the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and
expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved
because of their offices with the Trust but that such indemnification will not
relieve any officer or Trustee of any liability to the Trust or its shareholders
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of his or her duties. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability
insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
The Management Agreement (this section does not apply to the Colonial Municipal
Money Market Fund, Colonial Global Utilities Fund,r Colonial Newport Tiger Fund,
Colonial Newport Japan Fund or Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund) Under a
Management Agreement (Agreement), the Adviser has contracted to furnish each
fund with investment research and recommendations or fund management,
respectively, and accounting and administrative personnel and services, and with
office space, equipment and other facilities. For these services and facilities,
each Colonial fund pays a monthly fee based on the average of the daily closing
value of the total net assets of each fund for such month.
The Adviser's compensation under the Agreement is subject to reduction in any
fiscal year to the extent that the total expenses of each fund for such year
(subject to applicable exclusions) exceed the most restrictive applicable
expense limitation prescribed by any state statute or regulatory authority in
which the Trust's shares are qualified for sale. The most restrictive expense
limitation applicable to a Colonial fund is 2.5% of the first $30 million of the
Trust's average net assets for such year, 2% of the next $70 million and 1.5% of
any excess over $100 million.
Under the Agreement, any liability of the Adviser to the fund and its
shareholders is limited to situations involving the Adviser's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties.
The Agreement may be terminated with respect to the fund at any time on 60 days'
written notice by the Adviser or by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund. The Agreement will
automatically terminate upon any assignment thereof and shall continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is approved at least annually
(i) by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who
are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Adviser or the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
The Adviser pays all salaries of officers of the Trust. The Trust pays all
expenses not assumed by the Adviser including, but not limited to, auditing,
legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting expenses. The
Trust pays the cost of typesetting for its Prospectuses and the cost of printing
and mailing any Prospectuses sent to shareholders. CISI pays the cost of
printing and distributing all other Prospectuses.
The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability to
the Trust or to any shareholder of the Trust for any act or omission in the
course of or connected with rendering services to the Trust in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties on the part of the Adviser.
Administration Agreement (this section applies only to the Colonial Municipal
Money Market Fund, Colonial Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund,
Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and their
respective Trusts) Under an Administration Agreement with each Fund, the
Adviser, in its capacity as the Administrator to each Fund, has contracted
to perform the following administrative services:
(a) providing office space, equipment and clerical personnel;
(b) arranging, if desired by the respective Trust, for its
Directors, officers and employees to serve as Trustees,
officers or agents of each Fund;
(c) preparing and, if applicable, filing all documents
required for compliance by each Fund with applicable laws
and regulations;
(d) preparation of agendas and supporting documents for and
minutes of meetings of Trustees, committees of Trustees
and shareholders;
(e) coordinating and overseeing the activities of each Fund's
other third-party service providers; and
(f) maintaining certain books and records of each Fund.
With respect to the Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, the Administration
Agreement for this Fund provides for the following services in addition to the
services referenced above:
(g) monitoring compliance by the Fund with Rule 2a-7 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and
reporting to the Trustees from time to time with respect
thereto; and
(h) monitoring the investments and operations of the SR&F
Municipal Money Market Portfolio (Municipal Money Market
Portfolio) in which Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund
is invested and the LFC Portfolio and reporting to the
Trustees from time to time with respect thereto.
The Administration Agreement has a one year term. The Adviser is paid a monthly
fee at the annual rate of average daily net assets set forth in Part 1 of this
Statement of Additional Information.
The Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement
The Adviser provides pricing and bookkeeping services to each Colonial fund
pursuant to a Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement. The Pricing and Bookkeeping
Agreement has a one-year term. The Adviser, in its capacity as the Administrator
to each of Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund and Colonial Global Utilities
Fund, is paid an annual fee of $18,000, plus 0.0233% of average daily net assets
in excess of $50 million. For each of the other Colonial funds (except for
Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport
Tiger Cub Fund), the Adviser is paid monthly a fee of $2,250 by each fund, plus
a monthly percentage fee based on net assets of the fund equal to the following:
1/12 of 0.000% of the first $50 million;
1/12 of 0.035% of the next $950 million;
1/12 of 0.025% of the next $1 billion;
1/12 of 0.015% of the next $1 billion; and
1/12 of 0.001% on the excess over $3 billion
The Adviser provides pricing and bookkeeping services to Colonial Newport Tiger
Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund for an
annual fee of $27,000, plus 0.035% of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund's average
daily net assets over $50 million.
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, the investment adviser of each of the
Municipal Money Market Portfolio and LFC Portfolio, provides pricing and
bookkeeping services to each Portfolio for a fee of $25,000 plus 0.0025%
annually of average daily net assets of each Portfolio over $50 million.
Portfolio Transactions
The following sections entitled "Investment decisions" and "Brokerage and
research services" do not apply to Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund,
Colonial U.S. Fund for Growth and Colonial Global Utilities Fund. For each of
these funds, see Part 1 of its respective SAI. The Adviser of Colonial Newport
Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund
follows the same procedures as those set forth under "Brokerage and research
services."
Investment decisions. The Adviser acts as investment adviser to each of the
Colonial funds (except for the Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, Colonial
Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund
and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund, each of which is administered by the
Adviser, and Colonial U.S. Fund for Growth for which investment decisions have
been delegated by the Adviser to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the fund's
sub-adviser). The Adviser's affiliate, CASI, advises other institutional,
corporate, fiduciary and individual clients for which CASI performs various
services. Various officers and Trustees of the Trust also serve as officers or
Trustees of other Colonial funds and the other corporate or fiduciary clients of
the Adviser. The Colonial funds and clients advised by the Adviser or the funds
administered by the Adviser sometimes invest in securities in which the Fund
also invests and sometimes engage in covered option writing programs and enter
into transactions utilizing stock index options and stock index and financial
futures and related options ("other instruments"). If the Fund, such other
Colonial funds and such other clients desire to buy or sell the same portfolio
securities, options or other instruments at about the same time, the purchases
and sales are normally made as nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in
proportion to the amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each. Although in
some cases these practices could have a detrimental effect on the price or
volume of the securities, options or other instruments as far as the Fund is
concerned, in most cases it is believed that these practices should produce
better executions. It is the opinion of the Trustees that the desirability of
retaining the Adviser as investment adviser to the Colonial funds outweighs the
disadvantages, if any, which might result from these practices.
The portfolio managers of Colonial International Fund for Growth, a series of
Colonial Trust III, will use the trading facilities of Stein Roe & Farnham
Incorporated, an affiliate of the Adviser, to place all orders for the purchase
and sale of this fund's portfolio securities, futures contracts and foreign
currencies.
Brokerage and research services. Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking
"best execution" (as defined below) and such other policies as the Trustees may
determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Colonial funds as a
factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute securities transactions for
a Colonial fund.
The Adviser places the transactions of the Colonial funds with broker-dealers
selected by the Adviser and, if applicable, negotiates commissions.
Broker-dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions,
including the purchase and writing of options, the effecting of closing purchase
and sale transactions, and the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon
the exercise of options and the purchase or sale of other instruments. The
Colonial funds from time to time also execute portfolio transactions with such
broker-dealers acting as principals. The Colonial funds do not intend to deal
exclusively with any particular broker-dealer or group of broker-dealers.
Except as described below in connection with commissions paid to a clearing
agent on sales of securities, it is the Adviser's policy always to seek best
execution, which is to place the Colonial funds' transactions where the Colonial
funds can obtain the most favorable combination of price and execution services
in particular transactions or provided on a continuing basis by a broker-dealer,
and to deal directly with a principal market maker in connection with
over-the-counter transactions, except when it is believed that best execution is
obtainable elsewhere. In evaluating the execution services of, including the
overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid to, a broker-dealer,
consideration is given to, among other things, the firm's general execution and
operational capabilities, and to its reliability, integrity and financial
condition.
Subject to such practice of always seeking best execution, securities
transactions of the Colonial funds may be executed by broker-dealers who also
provide research services (as defined below) to the Adviser and the Colonial
funds. The Adviser may use all, some or none of such research services in
providing investment advisory services to each of its investment company and
other clients, including the fund. To the extent that such services are used by
the Adviser, they tend to reduce the Adviser's expenses. In the Adviser's
opinion, it is impossible to assign an exact dollar value for such services.
Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine, the Adviser may cause
the Colonial funds to pay a broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research
services to the Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a securities
transaction, including the sale of an option or a closing purchase transaction,
for the Colonial funds in excess of the amount of commission which another
broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction. As provided in
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, "brokerage and research
services" include advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of
investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of
securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses and
reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends
and portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement). The Adviser must determine in good faith that such greater
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of that
particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities to the Colonial
funds and all its other clients.
The Trustees have authorized the Adviser to utilize the services of a clearing
agent with respect to all call options written by Colonial funds that write
options and to pay such clearing agent commissions of a fixed amount per share
(currently 1.25 cents) on the sale of the underlying security upon the exercise
of an option written by a fund. The Trustees may further authorize the Adviser
to depart from the present policy of always seeking best execution and to pay
higher brokerage commissions from time to time for other brokerage and research
services as described above in the future if developments in the securities
markets indicate that such would be in the interests of the shareholders of the
Colonial funds.
Principal Underwriter
CISI is the principal underwriter of the Trust's shares. CISI has no obligation
to buy the Colonial funds' shares, and purchases the Colonial funds' shares only
upon receipt of orders from authorized FSFs or investors.
Investor Servicing and Transfer Agent
CISC is the Trust's investor servicing agent (transfer, plan and dividend
disbursing agent), for which it receives fees which are paid monthly by the
Trust. The fee paid to CISC is based on the average daily net assets of each
Colonial fund plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses. See "Fund
Charges and Expenses" in Part 1 of this SAI for information on fees received by
CISC. The agreement continues indefinitely but may be terminated by 90 days'
notice by the Fund or Colonial funds to CISC or generally by 6 months' notice by
CISC to the Fund or Colonial funds. The agreement limits the liability of CISC
to the Fund or Colonial funds for loss or damage incurred by the Fund or
Colonial funds to situations involving a failure of CISC to use reasonable care
or to act in good faith in performing its duties under the agreement. It also
provides that the Fund or Colonial funds will indemnify CISC against, among
other things, loss or damage incurred by CISC on account of any claim, demand,
action or suit made on or against CISC not resulting from CISC's bad faith or
negligence and arising out of, or in connection with, its duties under the
agreement.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Each Colonial fund determines net asset value (NAV) per share for each Class as
of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (Exchange) (generally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, 3:00 p.m. Chicago time) each day the Exchange is open. Currently,
the Exchange is closed Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas. Funds with portfolio securities which are primarily
listed on foreign exchanges may experience trading and changes in NAV on days on
which such Fund does not determine NAV due to differences in closing policies
among exchanges. This may significantly affect the NAV of the Fund's redeemable
securities on days when an investor cannot redeem such securities. The net asset
value of the Municipal Money Market Portfolio will not be determined on days
when the Exchange is closed unless, in the judgment of the Municipal Money
Market Portfolio's Board of Trustees, the net asset value of the Municipal Money
Market Portfolio should be determined on any such day, in which case the
determination will be made at 3:00 p.m., Chicago time. Debt securities generally
are valued by a pricing service which determines valuations based upon market
transactions for normal, institutional-size trading units of similar securities.
However, in circumstances where such prices are not available or where the
Adviser deems it appropriate to do so, an over-the-counter or exchange bid
quotation is used. Securities listed on an exchange or on NASDAQ are valued at
the last sale price. Listed securities for which there were no sales during the
day and unlisted securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Options are
valued at the last sale price or in the absence of a sale, the mean between the
last quoted bid and offering prices. Short-term obligations with a maturity of
60 days or less are valued at amortized cost pursuant to procedures adopted by
the Trustees. The values of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate for that day. Portfolio
positions for which there are no such valuations and other assets are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith under the direction of the Trust's
Trustees.
Generally, trading in certain securities (such as foreign securities) is
substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the
Exchange. Trading on certain foreign securities markets may not take place on
all business days in New York, and trading on some foreign securities markets
takes place on days which are not business days in New York and on which the
Fund's NAV is not calculated. The values of these securities used in determining
the NAV are computed as of such times. Also, because of the amount of time
required to collect and process trading information as to large numbers of
securities issues, the values of certain securities (such as convertible bonds,
U.S. government securities, and tax-exempt securities) are determined based on
market quotations collected earlier in the day at the latest practicable time
prior to the close of the Exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the value of
such securities may occur between such times and the close of the Exchange which
will not be reflected in the computation of each Colonial fund's NAV. If events
materially affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then
these securities will be valued at their fair value following procedures
approved by the Trust's Trustees.
(The following two paragraphs are applicable only to Colonial Newport Tiger
Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund -
"Adviser" in these two paragraphs refers to each fund's Adviser which is Newport
Fund Management, Inc.)
Trading in securities on stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets in the Far
East is normally completed well before the close of the business day in New
York. Trading on Far Eastern securities markets may not take place on all
business days in New York, and trading on some Far Eastern securities markets
does take place on days which are not business days in New York and on which the
Fund's NAV is not calculated.
The calculation of the Fund's NAV accordingly may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the Fund's portfolio
securities used in such calculations. Events affecting the values of portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close
of the Exchange (when the Fund's NAV is calculated) will not be reflected in the
Fund's calculation of NAV unless the Adviser, acting under procedures
established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, deems that the particular
event would materially affect the Fund's NAV, in which case an adjustment will
be made. Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign
currencies are translated prior to the next determination of the NAV of the
Fund's shares into U.S. dollars at prevailing market rates.
Amortized Cost for Money Market Funds (this section currently applies only to
Colonial Government Money Market Fund, a series of Colonial Trust II - see
"Amortized Cost for Money Market Funds" under "Other Information Concerning the
Portfolio" in Part 1 of the SAI of Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund for
information relating to the Municipal Money Market Portfolio)
Money market funds generally value their portfolio securities at amortized cost
according to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.
Portfolio instruments are valued under the amortized cost method, whereby the
instrument is recorded at cost and thereafter amortized to maturity. This method
assures a constant NAV but may result in a yield different from that of the same
portfolio under the market value method. The Trust's Trustees have adopted
procedures intended to stabilize a money market fund's NAV per share at $1.00.
When a money market fund's market value deviates from the amortized cost of
$1.00, and results in a material dilution to existing shareholders, the Trust's
Trustees will take corrective action to: realize gains or losses; shorten the
portfolio's maturity; withhold distributions; redeem shares in kind; or convert
to the market value method (in which case the NAV per share may differ from
$1.00). All investments will be determined pursuant to procedures approved by
the Trust's Trustees to present minimal credit risk.
See the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in the shareholder report of the
Colonial Government Money Market Fund for a specimen price sheet showing the
computation of maximum offering price per share of Class A shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
The Prospectus contains a general description of how investors may buy shares of
the Fund and tables of charges. This SAI contains additional information which
may be of interest to investors.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for shares to be executed at the
public offering price based on the NAV per share next determined after the order
is placed in good order. The public offering price is the NAV plus the
applicable sales charge, if any. In the case of orders for purchase of shares
placed through FSFs, the public offering price will be determined on the day the
order is placed in good order, but only if the FSF receives the order prior to
the time at which shares are valued and transmits it to the Fund before the Fund
processes that day's transactions. If the FSF fails to transmit before the Fund
processes that day's transactions, the customer's entitlement to that day's
closing price must be settled between the customer and the FSF. If the FSF
receives the order after the time at which the Fund values its shares, the price
will be based on the NAV determined as of the close of the Exchange on the next
day it is open. If funds for the purchase of shares are sent directly to CISC,
they will be invested at the public offering price next determined after receipt
in good order. Payment for shares of the Fund must be in U.S. dollars; if made
by check, the check must be drawn on a U.S. bank.
The Fund receives the entire NAV of shares sold. For shares subject to an
initial sales charge, CISI's commission is the sales charge shown in the Fund's
Prospectus less any applicable FSF discount. The FSF discount is the same for
all FSFs, except that CISI retains the entire sales charge on any sales made to
a shareholder who does not specify a FSF on the Investment Account Application
("Application"). CISI generally retains 100% of any asset-based sales charge
(distribution fee) or contingent deferred sales charge. Such charges generally
reimburse CISI for any up-front and/or ongoing commissions paid to FSFs.
Checks presented for the purchase of shares of the Fund which are returned by
the purchaser's bank or checkwriting privilege checks for which there are
insufficient funds in a shareholder's account to cover redemption will subject
such purchaser or shareholder to a $15 service fee for each check returned.
Checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank and must be payable in U.S. dollars.
CISC acts as the shareholder's agent whenever it receives instructions to carry
out a transaction on the shareholder's account. Upon receipt of instructions
that shares are to be purchased for a shareholder's account, the designated FSF
will receive the applicable sales commission. Shareholders may change FSFs at
any time by written notice to CISC, provided the new FSF has a sales agreement
with CISI.
Shares credited to an account are transferable upon written instructions in good
order to CISC and may be redeemed as described under "How to Sell Shares" in the
Prospectus. Certificates will not be issued for Class A shares unless
specifically requested and no certificates will be issued for Class B, C, D, T
or Z shares. The Colonial money market funds will not issue certificates.
Shareholders may send any certificates which have been previously acquired to
CISC for deposit to their account.
SPECIAL PURCHASE PROGRAMS/INVESTOR SERVICES
The following special purchase programs/investor services may be changed or
eliminated at any time.
Fundamatic Program. As a convenience to investors, shares of most Colonial funds
may be purchased through the Colonial Fundamatic Program. Preauthorized monthly
bank drafts or electronic funds transfer for a fixed amount of at least $50 are
used to purchase a Colonial fund's shares at the public offering price next
determined after CISI receives the proceeds from the draft (normally the 5th or
the 20th of each month, or the next business day thereafter). If your Fundamatic
purchase is by electronic funds transfer, you may request the Fundamatic
purchase for any day. Further information and application forms are available
from FSFs or from CISI.
Automated Dollar Cost Averaging (Classes A, B and D). Colonial's Automated
Dollar Cost Averaging program allows you to exchange $100 or more on a monthly
basis from any Colonial fund in which you have a current balance of at least
$5,000 into the same class of shares of up to four other Colonial funds.
Complete the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging section of the Application. The
designated amount will be exchanged on the third Tuesday of each month. There is
no charge for exchanges made pursuant to the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging
program. Exchanges will continue so long as your Colonial fund balance is
sufficient to complete the transfers. Your normal rights and privileges as a
shareholder remain in full force and effect. Thus you can buy any fund, exchange
between the same Class of shares of funds by written instruction or by telephone
exchange if you have so elected and withdraw amounts from any fund, subject to
the imposition of any applicable CDSC.
Any additional payments or exchanges into your Colonial fund will extend the
time of the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging program.
An exchange is a capital sale transaction for federal income tax purposes.
You may terminate your program, change the amount of the exchange (subject to
the $100 minimum), or change your selection of funds, by telephone or in
writing; if in writing by mailing your instructions to Colonial Investors
Service Center, Inc. P.O. Box 1722, Boston, MA 02105-1722.
You should consult your FSF or investment adviser to determine whether or not
the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging program is appropriate for you.
CISI offers several plans by which an investor may obtain reduced initial or
contingent deferred sales charges . These plans may be altered or discontinued
at any time. See "Programs For Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges" for more
information.
Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans. CISI offers prototype tax-qualified plans,
including Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and Pension and Profit-Sharing
Plans for individuals, corporations, employees and the self-employed. The
minimum initial Retirement Plan investment is $25. The First National Bank of
Boston is the Trustee of CISI prototype plans and charges a $10 annual fee.
Detailed information concerning these Retirement Plans and copies of the
Retirement Plans are available from CISI.
Consultation with a competent financial and tax adviser regarding these Plans
and consideration of the suitability of fund shares as an investment under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or otherwise is recommended.
Telephone Address Change Services. By calling CISC, shareholders or their FSF of
record may change an address on a recorded telephone line. Confirmations of
address change will be sent to both the old and the new addresses. Telephone
redemption privileges are suspended for 30 days after an address change is
effected.
Colonial Cash Connection. Dividends and any other distributions, including
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) payments, may be automatically deposited to a
shareholder's bank account via electronic funds transfer. Shareholders wishing
to avail themselves of this electronic transfer procedure should complete the
appropriate sections of the Application.
Automatic Dividend Diversification. The automatic dividend diversification
reinvestment program (ADD) generally allows shareholders to have all
distributions from a fund automatically invested in the same class of shares of
another Colonial fund. An ADD account must be in the same name as the
shareholder's existing open account with the particular fund. Call CISC for more
information at 1-800- 422-3737.
PROGRAMS FOR REDUCING OR ELIMINATING SALES CHARGES
Right of Accumulation and Statement of Intent (Class A and Class T shares only)
(Class T shares can only be purchased by the shareholders of Colonial Newport
Tiger Fund who already own Class T shares). Reduced sales charges on Class A and
T shares can be effected by combining a current purchase with prior purchases of
Class A, B, C, D, T and Z shares of the Colonial funds. The applicable sales
charge is based on the combined total of:
1. the current purchase; and
2. the value at the public offering price at the close of business on
the previous day of all Colonial funds' Class A shares held by the
shareholder (except shares of any Colonial money market fund, unless
such shares were acquired by exchange from Class A shares of another
Colonial fund other than a money market fund and Class B, C, D, T
and Z shares).
CISI must be promptly notified of each purchase which entitles a shareholder to
a reduced sales charge. Such reduced sales charge will be applied upon
confirmation of the shareholder's holdings by CISC. A Colonial fund may
terminate or amend this Right of Accumulation.
Any person may qualify for reduced sales charges on purchases of Class A and T
shares made within a thirteen-month period pursuant to a Statement of Intent
("Statement"). A shareholder may include, as an accumulation credit toward the
completion of such Statement, the value of all Class A, B, C D, T and Z shares
held by the shareholder on the date of the Statement in Colonial funds (except
shares of any Colonial money market fund, unless such shares were acquired by
exchange from Class A shares of another non-money market Colonial fund). The
value is determined at the public offering price on the date of the Statement.
Purchases made through reinvestment of distributions do not count toward
satisfaction of the Statement.
During the term of a Statement, CISC will hold shares in escrow to secure
payment of the higher sales charge applicable to Class A or T shares actually
purchased. Dividends and capital gains will be paid on all escrowed shares and
these shares will be released when the amount indicated has been purchased. A
Statement does not obligate the investor to buy or a fund to sell the amount of
the Statement.
If a shareholder exceeds the amount of the Statement and reaches an amount which
would qualify for a further quantity discount, a retroactive price adjustment
will be made at the time of expiration of the Statement. The resulting
difference in offering price will purchase additional shares for the
shareholder's account at the applicable offering price. As a part of this
adjustment, the FSF shall return to CISI the excess commission previously paid
during the thirteen-month period.
If the amount of the Statement is not purchased, the shareholder shall remit to
CISI an amount equal to the difference between the sales charge paid and the
sales charge that should have been paid. If the shareholder fails within twenty
days after a written request to pay such difference in sales charge, CISC will
redeem that number of escrowed Class A shares to equal such difference. The
additional amount of FSF discount from the applicable offering price shall be
remitted to the shareholder's FSF of record.
Additional information about and the terms of Statements of Intent are available
from your FSF, or from CISC at 1-800-345-6611.
Colonial Asset Builder Investment Program (this section currently applies only
to the Class A shares of Colonial Growth Shares Fund and The Colonial Fund, each
a series of Colonial Trust III). A reduced sales charge applies to a purchase of
certain Colonial funds' Class A shares under a statement of intent for the
Colonial Asset Builder Investment Program. The Program offer may be withdrawn at
any time without notice. A completed Program may serve as the initial investment
for a new Program, subject to the maximum of $4,000 in initial investments per
investor. Shareholders in this program are subject to a 5% sales charge. CISC
will escrow shares to secure payment of the additional sales charge on amounts
invested if the Program is not completed. Escrowed shares are credited with
distributions and will be released when the Program has ended. Shareholders are
subject to a 1% fee on the amount invested if they do not complete the Program.
Prior to completion of the Program, only scheduled Program investments may be
made in a Colonial fund in which an investor has a Program account. The
following services are not available to Program accounts until a Program has
ended:
Systematic Withdrawal Plan Share Certificates
Sponsored Arrangements Exchange Privilege
$50,000 Fast Cash Colonial Cash Connection
Right of Accumulation Automatic Dividend Diversification
Telephone Redemption Reduced Sales Charges for any "person"
Statement of Intent
*Exchanges may be made to other Colonial funds offering the Program.
Because of the unavailability of certain services, this Program may not be
suitable for all investors.
The FSF receives 3% of the investor's intended purchases under a Program at the
time of initial investment and 1% after the 24th monthly payment. CISI may
require the FSF to return all applicable commissions paid with respect to a
Program terminated within six months of inception, and thereafter to return
commissions in excess of the FSF discount applicable to shares actually
purchased.
Since the Asset Builder plan involves continuous investment regardless of the
fluctuating prices of funds shares, investors should consult their FSF to
determine whether it is appropriate. The Plan does not assure a profit nor
protect against loss in declining markets.
Reinstatement Privilege. An investor who has redeemed Class A, B, D or T shares
may, upon request, reinstate within one year a portion or all of the proceeds of
such sale in shares of the same Class of any Colonial fund at the NAV next
determined after CISC receives a written reinstatement request and payment. Any
CDSC paid at the time of the redemption will be credited to the shareholder upon
reinstatement. The period between the redemption and the reinstatement will not
be counted in aging the reinstated shares for purposes of calculating any CDSC
or conversion date. Investors who desire to exercise this privilege should
contact their FSF or CISC. Shareholders may exercise this Privilege an unlimited
number of times. Exercise of this privilege does not alter the Federal income
tax treatment of any capital gains realized on the prior sale of fund shares,
but to the extent any such shares were sold at a loss, some or all of the loss
may be disallowed for tax purposes. Consult your tax adviser.
Privileges of Colonial Employees or Financial Service Firms (in this section,
the "Adviser" refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc. in its capacity as
the Adviser or Administrator to the Colonial Funds). Class A shares of certain
funds may be sold at NAV to the following individuals whether currently employed
or retired: Trustees of funds advised or administered by the Adviser; directors,
officers and employees of the Adviser, CISI and other companies affiliated with
the Adviser; registered representatives and employees of FSFs (including their
affiliates) that are parties to dealer agreements or other sales arrangements
with CISI; and such persons' families and their beneficial accounts.
Sponsored Arrangements. Class A and Class T shares (Class T shares can only be
purchased by the shareholders of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund who already own
Class T shares) of certain funds may be purchased at reduced or no sales charge
pursuant to sponsored arrangements, which include programs under which an
organization makes recommendations to, or permits group solicitation of, its
employees, members or participants in connection with the purchase of shares of
the fund on an individual basis. The amount of the sales charge reduction will
reflect the anticipated reduction in sales expense associated with sponsored
arrangements. The reduction in sales expense, and therefore the reduction in
sales charge, will vary depending on factors such as the size and stability of
the organization's group, the term of the organization's existence and certain
characteristics of the members of its group. The Colonial funds reserve the
right to revise the terms of or to suspend or discontinue sales pursuant to
sponsored plans at any time.
Class A and Class T shares (Class T shares can only be purchased by the
shareholders of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund who already own Class T shares) of
certain funds may also be purchased at reduced or no sales charge by clients of
dealers, brokers or registered investment advisers that have entered into
agreements with CISI pursuant to which the Colonial funds are included as
investment options in programs involving fee-based compensation arrangements.
Net Asset Value Exchange Privilege (in this section, the "Adviser" refers to
Colonial Management Associates, Inc. in its capacity as the Adviser or
Administrator to the Colonial Funds). Class A shares of certain funds may also
be purchased at reduced or no sales charge by investors moving from another
mutual fund complex or a discretionary account and by participants in certain
retirement plans. In lieu of the commissions described in the Prospectus, the
Adviser will pay the FSF a quarterly service fee which is the service fee
established for each applicable Colonial fund.
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) (in this section, the
"Adviser" refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc. in its capacity as the
Adviser or Administrator to the Colonial Funds) (Classes A, B, and D) CDSCs may
be waived on redemptions in the following situations with the proper
documentation:
1. Death. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions within one year
following the death of (i) the sole shareholder on an individual
account, (ii) a joint tenant where the surviving joint tenant is
the deceased's spouse,or(iii) the beneficiary of a Uniform Gifts to
Minors Act (UGMA), Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or
other custodial account. If, upon the occurrence of one of the
foregoing, the account is transferred to an account registered in
the name of the deceased's estate, the CDSC will be waived on any
redemption from the estate account occurring within one year after
the death. If the Class B shares are not redeemed within one
year of the death, they will remain subject to the applicable CDSC,
when redeemed from the transferee's account. If the account is
transferred to a new registration and then a redemption is
requested, the applicable CDSC will be charged.
2. Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). CDSCs may be waived on
redemptions occurring pursuant to a monthly, quarterly or
semi-annual SWP established with the Adviser, to the extent the
redemptions do not exceed, on an annual basis, 12% of the account's
value, so long as at the time of the first SWP redemption the
account had had distributions reinvested for a period at least
equal to the period of the SWP (e.g., if it is a quarterly SWP,
distributions must have been reinvested at least for the three
month period prior to the first SWP redemption); otherwise CDSCs
will be charged on SWP redemptions until this requirement is met;
this requirement does not apply if the SWP is set up at the time
the account is established, and distributions are being reinvested.
See below under "Investors Services" - Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
3. Disability. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions occurring within one
year after the sole shareholder on an individual account or a joint
tenant on a spousal joint tenant account becomes disabled (as
defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code). To be
eligible for such waiver, (i) the disability must arise after the
purchase of shares and (ii) the disabled shareholder must have been
under age 65 at the time of the initial determination of
disability. If the account is transferred to a new registration and
then a redemption is requested, the applicable CDSC will be
charged.
4. Death of a trustee. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions occurring
upon dissolution of a revocable living or grantor trust following
the death of the sole trustee where (i) the grantor of the trust is
the sole trustee and the sole life beneficiary, (ii) death occurs
following the purchase and (iii) the trust document provides for
dissolution of the trust upon the trustee's death. If the account
is transferred to a new registration (including that of a successor
trustee), the applicable CDSC will be charged upon any subsequent
redemption.
5. Returns of excess contributions. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions
required to return excess contributions made to retirement plans or
individual retirement accounts, so long as the FSF agrees to return
the applicable portion of any commission paid by Colonial.
6. Qualified Retirement Plans. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions
required to make distributions from qualified retirement plans
following (i) normal retirement (as stated in the Plan document) or
(ii) separation from service. CDSCs also will be waived on SWP
redemptions made to make required minimum distributions from
qualified retirement plans that have invested in Colonial funds for
at least two years.
The CDSC also may be waived where the FSF agrees to return all or an agreed upon
portion of the commission earned on the sale of the shares being redeemed.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
Shares may also be sold on any day the Exchange is open, either directly to the
Fund or through the shareholder's FSF. Sale proceeds generally are sent within
seven days (usually on the next business day after your request is received in
good form). However, for shares recently purchased by check, the Fund will send
proceeds only after the check has cleared (which may take up to 15 days).
To sell shares directly to the Fund, send a signed letter of instruction or
stock power form to CISC, along with any certificates for shares to be sold. The
sale price is the net asset value (less any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge) next calculated after the Fund receives the request in proper form.
Signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, a member firm of a national stock
exchange or another eligible guarantor institution. Stock power forms are
available from FSFs, CISC, and many banks. Additional documentation is required
for sales by corporations, agents, fiduciaries, surviving joint owners and
individual retirement account holders. Call CISC for more information
1-800-345-6611.
FSFs must receive requests before the time at which the Fund's shares are valued
to receive that day's price, are responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to CISC and may charge for this service.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
If a shareholder's Account Balance is at least $5,000, the shareholder may
establish a SWP. A specified dollar amount or percentage of the then current net
asset value of the shareholder's investment in any Colonial fund designated by
the shareholder will be paid monthly, quarterly or semi-annually to a designated
payee. The amount or percentage the shareholder specifies generally may not, on
an annualized basis, exceed 12% of the value, as of the time the shareholder
makes the election of the shareholder's investment. Withdrawals from Class B and
Class D shares of the fund under a SWP will be treated as redemptions of shares
purchased through the reinvestment of fund distributions, or, to the extent such
shares in the shareholder's account are insufficient to cover Plan payments, as
redemptions from the earliest purchased shares of such fund in the shareholder's
account. No CDSCs apply to a redemption pursuant to a SWP of 12% or less, even
if, after giving effect to the redemption, the shareholder's Account Balance is
less than the shareholder's base amount. Qualified plan participants who are
required by Internal Revenue Code regulation to withdraw more than 12%, on an
annual basis, of the value of their Class B and Class D share account may do so
but will be subject to a CDSC ranging from 1% to 5% of the amount withdrawn. If
a shareholder wishes to participate in a SWP, the shareholder must elect to have
all of the shareholder's income dividends and other fund distributions payable
in shares of the fund rather than in cash.
A shareholder or a shareholder's FSF of record may establish a SWP account by
telephone on a recorded line. However, SWP checks will be payable only to the
shareholder and sent to the address of record. SWPs from retirement accounts
cannot be established by telephone.
A shareholder may not establish a SWP if the shareholder holds shares in
certificate form. Purchasing additional shares (other than through dividend and
distribution reinvestment) while receiving SWP payments is ordinarily
disadvantageous because of duplicative sales charges. For this reason, a
shareholder may not maintain a plan for the accumulation of shares of the fund
(other than through the reinvestment of dividends) and a SWP at the same time.
SWP payments are made through share redemptions, which may result in a gain or
loss for tax purposes, may involve the use of principal and may eventually use
up all of the shares in a shareholder's account.
A fund may terminate a shareholder's SWP if the shareholder's Account Balance
falls below $5,000 due to any transfer or liquidation of shares other than
pursuant to the SWP. SWP payments will be terminated on receiving satisfactory
evidence of the death or incapacity of a shareholder. Until this evidence is
received, CISC will not be liable for any payment made in accordance with the
provisions of a SWP.
The cost of administering SWPs for the benefit of shareholders who participate
in them is borne by the fund as an expense of all shareholders.
Shareholders whose positions are held in "street name" by certain FSFs may not
be able to participate in a SWP. If a shareholder's Fund shares are held in
"street name", the shareholder should consult his or her FSF to determine
whether he or she may participate in a SWP.
Telephone Redemptions. All Colonial Funds shareholders and/or their financial
advisers (except for Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and Colonial Newport Japan
Fund) are automatically eligible to redeem up to $50,000 of the fund's shares by
calling 1-800-422-3737 toll free any business day between 9:00 a.m. and the
close of trading of the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Transactions
received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time will receive the next business day's
closing price. Telephone redemption privileges for larger amounts and for the
Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and the Colonial Newport Japan Fund may be
elected on the Application. CISC will employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Telephone redemptions
are not available on accounts with an address change in the preceding 30 days
and proceeds and confirmations will only be mailed or sent to the address of
record unless the redemption proceeds are being sent to a pre-designated bank
account. Shareholders and/or their financial advisers will be required to
provide their name, address and account number. Financial advisers will also be
required to provide their broker number. All telephone transactions are
recorded. A loss to a shareholder may result from an unauthorized transaction
reasonably believed to have been authorized. No shareholder is obligated to
execute the telephone authorization form or to use the telephone to execute
transactions.
Checkwriting (in this section, the "Adviser" refers to Colonial Management
Associates, Inc. in its capacity as the Adviser or Administrator of the Colonial
Funds) (Available only on the Class A and Class C shares of certain Colonial
funds) Shares may be redeemed by check if a shareholder completed an Application
and Signature Card. The Adviser will provide checks to be drawn on The First
National Bank of Boston (the "Bank"). These checks may be made payable to the
order of any person in the amount of not less than $500 nor more than $100,000.
The shareholder will continue to earn dividends on shares until a check is
presented to the Bank for payment. At such time a sufficient number of full and
fractional shares will be redeemed at the next determined net asset value to
cover the amount of the check. Certificate shares may not be redeemed in this
manner.
Shareholders utilizing checkwriting drafts will be subject to the Bank's rules
governing checking accounts. There is currently no charge to the shareholder for
the use of checks. The shareholder should make sure that there are sufficient
shares in his or her open account to cover the amount of any check drawn since
the net asset value of shares will fluctuate. If insufficient shares are in the
shareholder's open account, the check will be returned marked "insufficient
funds" and no shares will be redeemed; the shareholder will be charged a $15
service fee for each check returned. It is not possible to determine in advance
the total value of an open account because prior redemptions and possible
changes in net asset value may cause the value of an open account to change.
Accordingly, a check redemption should not be used to close an open account.
Non Cash Redemptions. For redemptions of any single shareholder within any
90-day period exceeding the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Colonial fund's net
asset value, a Colonial fund may make the payment or a portion of the payment
with portfolio securities held by that Colonial fund instead of cash, in which
case the redeeming shareholder may incur brokerage and other costs in selling
the securities received.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions are invested in additional shares of the same Class of the fund at
net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Regardless of the
shareholder's election, distributions of $10 or less will not be paid in cash,
but will be invested in additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at net
asset value. Undelivered distribution checks returned by the post office will be
invested in your account.
Shareholders may reinvest all or a portion of a recent cash distribution without
a sales charge. A shareholder request must be received within 30 calendar days
of the distribution. A shareholder may exercise this privilege only once. No
charge is currently made for reinvestment.
Shares of most funds that pay daily dividends will normally earn dividends
starting with the date the fund receives payment for the shares and will
continue through the day before the shares are redeemed, transferred or
exchanged. The daily dividends for Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund will be
earned starting with the day after that fund receives payments for the shares.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for the same class of shares of the other
continuously offered Colonial funds (with certain exceptions) on the basis of
the NAVs per share at the time of exchange. Class T and Z shares may be
exchanged for Class A shares of the other Colonial funds. The prospectus of each
Colonial fund describes its investment objective and policies, and shareholders
should obtain a prospectus and consider these objectives and policies carefully
before requesting an exchange. Shares of certain Colonial funds are not
available to residents of all states. Consult CISC before requesting an
exchange.
By calling CISC, shareholders or their FSF of record may exchange among accounts
with identical registrations, provided that the shares are held on deposit.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder activity, shareholders
may experience delays in contacting CISC by telephone to exercise the telephone
exchange privilege. Because an exchange involves a redemption and reinvestment
in another Colonial fund, completion of an exchange may be delayed under unusual
circumstances, such as if the fund suspends repurchases or postpones payment for
the fund shares being exchanged in accordance with federal securities law. CISC
will also make exchanges upon receipt of a written exchange request and, share
certificates, if any. If the shareholder is a corporation, partnership, agent,
or surviving joint owner, CISC will require customary additional documentation.
Prospectuses of the other Colonial funds are available from the Colonial
Literature Department by calling 1-800-248-2828.
A loss to a shareholder may result from an unauthorized transaction reasonably
believed to have been authorized. No shareholder is obligated to use the
telephone to execute transactions.
You need to hold your Class A and Class T shares for five months before
exchanging to certain funds having a higher maximum sales charge. Consult your
FSF or CISC. In all cases, the shares to be exchanged must be registered on the
records of the fund in the name of the shareholder desiring to exchange.
Shareholders of the other Colonial open-end funds generally may exchange their
shares at NAV for the same class of shares of the fund.
An exchange is a capital sale transaction for federal income tax purposes. The
exchange privilege may be revised, suspended or terminated at any time.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS
A Colonial fund may not suspend shareholders' right of redemption or postpone
payment for more than seven days unless the Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the SEC during
periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted or during any emergency which
makes it impracticable for the fund to dispose of its securities or to determine
fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other period permitted by
order of the SEC for protection of investors.
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
As described under the caption "Organization and History" in the Prospectus of
each Colonial fund, the fund will not hold annual shareholders' meetings. The
Trustees may fill any vacancies in the Board of Trustees except that the
Trustees may not fill a vacancy if, immediately after filling such vacancy, less
than two-thirds of the Trustees then in office would have been elected to such
office by the shareholders. In addition, at such times as less than a majority
of the Trustees then in office have been elected to such office by the
shareholders, the Trustees must call a meeting of shareholders. Trustees may be
removed from office by a written consent signed by a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Trust or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares at a meeting duly called for the purpose, which meeting shall be held
upon written request of the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding
shares of the Trust. Upon written request by the holders of 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Trust stating that such shareholders of the Trust, for
the purpose of obtaining the signatures necessary to demand a shareholders'
meeting to consider removal of a Trustee, request information regarding the
Trust's shareholders, the Trust will provide appropriate materials (at the
expense of the requesting shareholders). Except as otherwise disclosed in the
Prospectus and this SAI, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may
appoint their successors.
At any shareholders' meetings that may be held, shareholders of all series would
vote together, irrespective of series, on the election of Trustees or the
selection of independent accountants, but each series would vote separately from
the others on other matters, such as changes in the investment policies of that
series or the approval of the management agreement for that series.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Total Return
Standardized average annual total return. Average annual total return is the
actual return on a $1,000 investment in a particular class of shares of the
fund, made at the beginning of a stated period, adjusted for the maximum sales
charge or applicable CDSC for the class of shares of the fund and assuming that
all distributions were reinvested at NAV, converted to an average annual return
assuming annual compounding.
Nonstandardized total return. Nonstandardized total returns differ from
standardized average annual total returns only in that they may relate to
nonstandardized periods, represent aggregate rather than average annual total
returns or in that the sales charge or CDSC is not deducted.
Yield
Money market. A money market fund's yield and effective yield is computed in
accordance with the SEC's formula for money market fund yields.
Non money market. The yield for each class of shares is determined by (i)
calculating the income (as defined by the SEC for purposes of advertising yield)
during the base period and subtracting actual expenses for the period (net of
any reimbursements), and (ii) dividing the result by the product of the average
daily number of shares of the Colonial fund entitled to dividends for the period
and the maximum offering price of the fund on the last day of the period, (iii)
then annualizing the result assuming semi-annual compounding. Tax-equivalent
yield is calculated by taking that portion of the yield which is exempt from
income tax and determining the equivalent taxable yield which would produce the
same after tax yield for any given federal and state tax rate, and adding to
that the portion of the yield which is fully taxable. Adjusted yield is
calculated in the same manner as yield except that expenses voluntarily borne or
waived by Colonial have been added back to actual expenses.
Distribution rate. The distribution rate for each class of shares is calculated
by annualizing the most current period's distributions and dividing by the
maximum offering price on the last day of the period. Generally, the fund's
distribution rate reflects total amounts actually paid to shareholders, while
yield reflects the current earning power of the fund's portfolio securities (net
of the fund's expenses). The fund's yield for any period may be more or less
than the amount actually distributed in respect of such period.
The fund may compare its performance to various unmanaged indices published by
such sources as listed in Appendix II.
The fund may also refer to quotations, graphs and electronically transmitted
data from sources believed by the Adviser to be reputable, and publications in
the press pertaining to a fund's performance or to the Adviser or its
affiliates, including comparisons with competitors and matters of national and
global economic and financial interest. Examples include Forbes, Business Week,
Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe,
Barron's National Business & Financial Weekly, Financial Planning, Changing
Times, Reuters Information Services, Wiesenberger Mutual Funds Investment
Report, Lipper Analytical Services Corporation, Morningstar, Inc., Sylvia
Porter's Personal Finance Magazine, Money Market Directory, SEI Funds Evaluation
Services, FTA World Index and Disclosure Incorporated.
All data are based on past performance and do not predict future results.
<PAGE>
2929
APPENDIX I
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
S&P
AAA The highest rating assigned by S&P indicates an extremely strong capacity to
repay principal and interest.
AA bonds also qualify as high quality. Capacity to repay principal and pay
interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances, they differ from AAA
only in small degree.
A bonds have a strong capacity to repay principal and interest, although they
are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions.
BBB bonds are regarded as having an adequate capacity to repay principal and
interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to repay principal and interest than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B, CCC, and CC bonds are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative
with respect to capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CC
the highest degree. While likely to have some quality and protection
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
C ratings are reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D bonds are in default, and payment of interest and/or principal is in arrears.
Plus(+) or minus (-) are modifiers relative to the standing within the major
rating categories.
Provisional Ratings. The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A
provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project being
financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service
requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely
completion of the project. This rating, however, although addressing credit
quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comments on the
likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The
investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and
risk.
Municipal Notes:
SP-1. Notes rated SP-1 have very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and
interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics
are designated as SP-1+.
SP-2. Notes rated SP-2 have satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
Notes due in three years or less normally receive a note rating. Notes maturing
beyond three years normally receive a bond rating, although the following
criteria are used in making that assessment:
Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely the issue will be rated as a note).
Source of payment (the more dependent the issue is on the market for
its refinancing, the more likely it will be rated as a note).
Demand Feature of Variable Rate Demand Securities:
S&P assigns dual ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of their
provisions a demand feature. The first rating addresses the likelihood of
repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only
the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to
denote the long-term maturity, and the commercial paper rating symbols are
usually used to denote the put (demand) option (for example, AAA/A-1+).
Normally, demand notes receive note rating symbols combined with commercial
paper symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
Commercial Paper:
A. Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the greatest
capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with
the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree to safety.
A-1. This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are designed A-1+.
Corporate Bonds:
The description of the applicable rating symbols and their meanings is
substantially the same as the Municipal Bond ratings set forth above.
<PAGE>
MOODY'S
Aaa bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree
of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge". Interest
payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. While various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair a fundamentally
strong position of such issues.
Aa bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with Aaa
bonds they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated
lower than the best bonds because margins of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Those bonds in the
Aa through B groups that Moody's believes possess the strongest investment
attributes are designated by the symbol Aa1, A1 and Baa1.
A bonds possess many of the 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 that
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa bonds are considered as medium grade, 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 are judged to have speculative elements: their future cannot be
considered as well secured. 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 these
bonds.
B bonds 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 are of poor standing. They may be in default or there may be present
elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca bonds are speculative in a high degree, often in default or having other
marked shortcomings.
C bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds and can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Conditional Ratings. Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of
some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are
bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned in operating experience, (c) rentals which begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting
conditions attach. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon
completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba, and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa 1,
A 1, Baa 1, Ba 1, and B 1.
Municipal Notes:
MIG 1. This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection
by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2. This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3. This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are
accounted for, but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding
grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well established.
Demand Feature of Variable Rate Demand Securities:
Moody's may assign a separate rating to the demand feature of a variable rate
demand security. Such a rating may include:
VMIG 1. This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
VMIG 2. This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.
VMIG 3. This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are
accounted for, but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding
grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well established.
Commercial Paper:
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
Prime-1 Highest Quality
Prime-2 Higher Quality
Prime-3 High Quality
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its Commercial Paper obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, Moody's, in assigning
ratings to such issuers, evaluates the financial strength of the indicated
affiliated corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign
governments, or other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating
assessment.
Corporate Bonds:
The description of the applicable rating symbols (Aaa, Aa, A) and their meanings
is identical to that of the Municipal Bond ratings as set forth above, except
for the numerical modifiers. Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in
the Aa and A classifications of its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1
indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating
category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates that the issuer ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
3131
APPENDIX II
<CAPTION>
1995
<S> <C> <C>
SOURCE CATEGORY RETURN (%)
Donoghue Tax-Free Funds 3.39
Donoghue U.S. Treasury Funds 5.19
Dow Jones Industrials 36.95
Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index 11.22
Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE GDP Index 11.16
Libor Six-month Libor N/A
Lipper Adjustable Rate Mortgage 4.73
Lipper California Municipal Bond Funds 18.32
Lipper Connecticut Municipal Bond Funds 16.58
Lipper Closed End Bond Funds 20.83
Lipper Florida Municipal Bond Funds 17.84
Lipper General Bond Fund 20.83
Lipper General Municipal Bonds 16.84
Lipper General Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bonds 7.43
Lipper Global Funds 16.05
Lipper Growth Funds 30.79
Lipper Growth & Income Funds 30.82
Lipper High Current Yield Bond Funds 16.44
Lipper High Yield Municipal Bond Debt 15.98
Lipper Fixed Income Funds 15.19
Lipper Insured Municipal Bond Average 17.59
Lipper Intermediate Muni Bonds 12.89
Lipper Intermediate (5-10) U.S. Government Funds 15.75
Lipper Massachusetts Municipal Bond Funds 16.82
Lipper Michigan Municipal Bond Funds 16.89
Lipper Mid Cap Funds 32.04
Lipper Minnesota Municipal Bond Funds 15.39
Lipper U.S. Government Money Market Funds 5.26
Lipper Natural Resources 18.80
Lipper New York Municipal Bond Funds 16.73
Lipper North Carolina Municipal Bond Funds 17.51
Lipper Ohio Municipal Bond Funds 16.81
Lipper Small Company Growth Funds 31.55
Lipper U.S. Government Funds 17.34
Lipper Pacific Region Funds-Ex-Japan 1.95
Shearson Lehman Composite Government Index 18.33
Shearson Lehman Government/Corporate Index 19.25
Shearson Lehman Long-term Government Index 30.90
S&P 500 S&P 37.54
S&P Utility Index S&P 42.39
S&P Barra Growth 38.13
S&P Barra Value 37.00
S&P Midcap 400 28.56
First Boston High Yield Index 17.38
Swiss Bank 10 Year U.S. Government (Corporate Bond) 22.24
Swiss Bank 10 Year United Kingdom (Corporate Bond) 16.19
Swiss Bank 10 Year France (Corporate Bond) 26.72
Swiss Bank 10 Year Germany (Corporate Bond) 25.74
Swiss Bank 10 Year Japan (Corporate Bond) 17.83
Swiss Bank 10 Year Canada (Corporate Bond) 25.04
Swiss Bank 10 Year Australia (Corporate Bond) 19.42
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Hong Kong (Equity) 23.83
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Belgium (Equity) 20.67
SOURCE CATEGORY RETURN (%)
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Austria (Equity) 10.85
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year France (Equity) 15.30
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Netherlands (Equity) 19.33
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Japan (Equity) 12.82
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Switzerland (Equity) 17.06
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year United Kingdom (Equity) 15.02
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Germany (Equity) 10.66
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Italy (Equity) 7.78
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Sweden (Equity) 19.43
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year United States (Equity) 14.82
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Australia (Equity) 15.13
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Norway (Equity) 10.72
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Spain (Equity) 17.91
Morgan Stanley Capital International World GDP Index 18.14
-----
Morgan Stanley Capital International Pacific Region Funds Ex-Japan 12.95
Inflation Consumer Price Index N/A
FHLB-San Francisco 11th District Cost-of-Funds Index N/A
Federal Reserve Six-Month Treasury Bill N/A
Federal Reserve One-Year Constant-Maturity Treasury Rate N/A
Federal Reserve Five-Year Constant-Maturity Treasury Rate N/A
Frank Russell & Co. Russell 2000 28.45
Frank Russell & Co. Russell 1000 Value 38.35
Frank Russell & Co. Russell 1000 Growth 37.19
Bloomberg NA NA
Credit Lyonnais NA NA
Statistical Abstract of the U.S. NA NA
World Economic Outlook NA NA
</TABLE>
*in U.S. currency
